MEDICAL ELECTIVE Spring 2024

For many trekking to the base of the World's Highest Mount Everest has been a dream. And I had my dream come true, trekking to Everest Base Camp with the Medical Electives – LEA, SOPHIE & ANGELICA, Nima Chhewang, Dawa, Gyaljen & Me.
   
Getting to Lukla
Each season (Spring & Autumn) – all Lukla flights are scheduled from Ramechhap; which takes 4 hrs to drive on a mountain road. Then pass through all the crowds at the airport to fly to Lukla.
Lucky for us, Dr Nima arranged a surprise helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla; we took off from KTM airport around 1130AM. Nima Chhewang our Trek Guide has been waiting for us in Lukla and we were excited to get there. 
En-route the weather was hazy & cloudy due to forest wildfires and built-up smogs. After 45 mins of ride, we saw the famous Lukla Airport "Runway 24"; everyone onboard was excited. But nature had another plan for us. Suddenly a gust of wind from the upper slopes of Lukla blew toward us and shook the helicopter. Our experienced Heli Pilot Lakpa swiftly turned the heli and landed us down to Surkhe where we had a quick lunch while waiting for almost an hour for the winds to settle down. 
The wind didn’t seem to stop; so me & Dr Nima had Plan B on play - walk 3 hours to Cheplung & then 2 hrs to Phakding. I had Nima Chhewang send the porters down to Surkhe where we left our duffel bags. And we started walking towards Cheplung passing through small settlements and pine forests. We met Nima Chhewang at Cheplung and then continued our journey to Phakding; crossing suspension bridges, passing through herds of mules.

On these kinds of multi-day trek; you walk for 5 to 6 hrs each day. The trails are a mix of uphill, downhill, flat terrains, some on glaciers too; overall well-maintained trails throughout.

The Classic EBC itinerary has 2 nights in Namche, then Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep – EBC – Kalapathar. However, we had a different approach – we stayed 1 Night at Namche, 2 Nights at Khumjung, 1 Night at Phortse, 2 Nights at Dingboche,1 Night at Lobuche & 1 Night at Gorakshep. This way our guests get well acclimatized to the altitude and at the same time see the different side of Khumbu Valley. 

On the Off-Beat Trails:
Khumjung + Khunde Villages & Phortse Village are mostly secluded, less crowded, but offer great views, and are the best places to experience authentic Sherpa culture, tradition & their lifestyle.

In Namche – we visited the Sherpa Museum which gives you the deep insight about their lifestyle, culture and their unbreaking bond with the Himalayas whom they worship as their Gods.

While in Khumjung we got invited to Dr Nima’s ancestral home for tea, where we got the opportunity to visit a private monastery (not open for Public) around 600 yrs old – built before Tengboche Monastery; safe kept by Dr Nima’s parents. Next day we hiked to Khunde Ri 4100m from where you can see Thame village on the right and massif Kongde Ri range, Pachermo Peak. We also visited Khumjung School and Khunde Hospital - both built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Our Elective team met with the resident doctor at Khunde Hospital where they learned the Hospital's history, and work they have done for the betterment of Local people as well as helping Foreign trekkers when they got sick / AMS.
Phortse village is another hidden gem in Khumbu Valley, one sherpa village which has more Everest summiteers than any place on earth. Another highlight is the Khumbu Climbing Centre also known as KCC, which has been built by the Alex Lowe Foundation to uplift the skills and training for the aspiring young Sherpa climbers.

On to the main trails:
We stay 2 nights at Dingboche village situated at 4410 meters; to help our body acclimatize with the gaining altitude. Next day, we hike to Narktsang Peak at 5080 meters which takes around 4/5 hours walk.
On the way to Lobuche, we pass through Thukla Pass 4830 meters where you can find the memorials of the climbers who passed away on the mountains. Now with gaining altitude, the walk seems a little tiring. We are above the tree line and the air is dry.  
Gorakshep is the last point of the human settlement. We cross the Lobuche pass and walked on a glacier for around 4 hrs. Those interested can opt for a hike to Kalapathar for sunrise/sunset view. Or go to Everest Base Camp
During Spring season, Everest Base Camp is swarmed by climbers eyeing to summit World’s Highest Mount Everest 8848.86 meters. For 2 months the Base Camp becomes a mini settlement with hundreds of people. 
We were lucky to have spend a night at Base Camp arranged by Kaitu Expedition. Our Elective team members visited the HRA clinic and got some insight about the High Altitude Medicine and the treatments. The temperature drops below -15 to -20 degrees. Make sure you pack good quality down jackets & Sleeping bag to keep your body warm.

Getting down to Lukla:
Walking uphill takes your breath away, and walking downhill surely puts pressure on your knees. We follow the classic trail down to Lukla, which takes 4 days to reach Lukla; passing through Lobuche, then to Tengboche, Namche, and Lukla. The last stretch from Namche to Lukla seems never-ending. First part of the walk is downhill till Cheplung and from there, it’s a continuous but gradual uphill till Lukla – 7/8 hrs walk. 

Back to Concrete Jungle
Usually, the Lukla flights are scheduled to Ramechhap, sometimes if you are lucky, you can get the direct flight to Kathmandu which was in our case - flew directly to Kathmandu safely. 

Looking back, we had a lot of fun memories, interacting with the local peoples, learning about their new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. Everest Base Camp surely is one of the must-visit places once in your lifetime. 
And we hope to help you achieve your dream come true.

Keep walking!