Kiss the sky: Up close with Mount Everest

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the best ways for mountain and adventure enthusiasts to catch an overwhelming glimpse of the world’s tallest mountain. At 8,848 metres (29,028 feet) above sea level, Mount Everest – also called Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetan Buddhists – lies on the border of Nepal and Tibet (China). The South Base Camp in Nepal is located at 5,364 metres (17,598 feet). The trek begins at Lukla, a town at 2,860 metres (9,383 feet), which has a small airport handling flights from the capital Kathmandu. MRIDULA DWIVEDI recounts her physically demanding albeit memorable trek to the Everest South Base Camp.

Mridula Dwivedi has a day-job as an academician and loves to travel. She lives in Gurgaon and blogs at Travel Tales from India

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Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment Photo by Mridula Dwivedi Thu 2 Aug, 2012 1:30 PM IST

Namche Bazaar: From Phakding, after walking for 4 hours, the climb to Namche Bazaar just goes up and up for another 3 to 4 hours. But if you can grit your teeth and walk, the place is stunning. On a clear day one can catch a glimpse of Mount Everest from Namche. There is a military museum close to the Everest View Point, also worth a look.
Namche Bazaar: From Phakding, after walking for 4 hours, the climb to Namche Bazaar just goes up and up for another 3 to 4 hours. But if you can grit your teeth and walk, the place is stunning. On a clear day one can catch a glimpse of Mount Everest from Namche. There is a military museum close to the Everest View Point, also worth a look.