China and Tibet 2006 - Everest Base Camp (EBC)

Everest base camp was the ultimate destination on our itinerary. We almost decided to forgo this place but fortunately we prevailed on Clifton's enthusiasm.

It took us many hours on the bus to get to the base camp. Instead of renting a land cruiser, which almost all travelers do, we decided on a combination of public transport and hitchhiking. We thought that this would make it a more unique experience. The bus trip was pretty tiring though. Took us 5 hours to get to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and another 14 hours to New Tingri. Many parts of the Tibet-Nepal Friendship highway was under construction and this significantly lengthen the traveling time. The worst part of the journey was the lack of ventilation. Can't really open the windows as it was really cold outside. With so many people smoking on the bus, we were really lucky to survive the fumigation.

Only upon reaching at New Tingri did we realise that it is rather difficult to hitch a 6-hour ride up to the EBC. We were really fortunate (after being suay for a large part of the journey) that a tour group was willing to take us up. The trip up to the base camp in a minivan was yet another torture on once delicate butts, now seasoned enough to endure anything.

Initial D like track. There are 18 hairpin turns for your daredevil drifts.

Rongpu Monastery, the highest monastery in the world at 5200m.

After arriving at Rongphu, we still had to take a one-hour horse carraige ride up to EBC. This was one of the highlights of the trip. The experence was quite surreal and you are just absorded into the majesty of the surrounding.

Taking a horse carraige towards EBC.

EBC

Poor weather but we still manage to get a glimpse of Mt Everest, 8000 over metres. We saw more of it than what this lousy camara can capture. Felt so small in its presence. Magnificent.

View of Everest from the base camp

A clearer view

Fortunately the clouds cleared up a bit and we managed to get better shots. How we managed to stay so perky despite everything is still a mystery to me.

el hermanos

I would have hoped that I could have shared some learnings or realisations with you but in truth, I was too tired to reflect. Nevertheless, it is another Hillman Top 100 Wonders of the World conquered. 24 so far, one for every year of my existence on this lonely planet.