Extraordinary views of Everest are just one of the highlights of this route. You’ll pass through traditional villages and an ever-changing landscape, starting in blue pine forests and river valleys and finishing in high altitude, rocky terrain.

Namche Bazaar is one of the first stops, a busy trading centre and cradle of Sherpa culture. Its Sherpa Museum reveals the extraordinary role local people have played in making attempts on Everest possible and safe, often at great personal cost.

Situated on the southern slopes of Lhotse above the tree line, Dingboche and Lobuche are key acclimatisation points and from here, the scenery becomes utterly otherworldly, as you trek on or alongside Khumbu, the highest glacier on the planet. Walking on this lunar landscape, you pass frozen lakes and tall ice pinnacles carved by the slow grind of the glacier, before reaching Gorak Shep. This is the final overnight stop before Base Camp. The day after reaching Base Camp, many trips tackle the three-hour ascent to the highest point on the route, Kala Patthar at 5,545m. Departing early to avoid the morning cloud, you’ll be rewarded with bucket-list views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and other surrounding peaks.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is no walk in the park, but the right kit – and expectations – will help. Bring boots that you’ve already broken in and at least five pairs of socks. Some foot first aid, including blister treatments, is also a good idea. Pop a bandana or scarf in your pack, too, so you can protect your mouth and nose from the dust kicked up by other trekkers and yaks.

Be prepared for basic but welcoming accommodation in the teahouses that line the route. They can be very cold, with no hot water or electricity (which means limited opportunity to wash), so bring a head torch and a sleeping bag comfortable to minus 20°C. You’ll also be sharing toilets and possibly dorms.

With the altitude you’re gaining, this is a trek you mustn’t rush, so beware of any itineraries that get you from Kathmandu to Base Camp and back in less than 12 days. Trekking at a steady pace, resting frequently and stopping off at points along the route will help you acclimatise safely. Even with the correct precautions, you may still experience breathlessness, mild headaches and impaired judgment, thanks to the limited oxygen. If you have pre-existing respiratory problems, consult your doctor before signing up. It’s possible to hike the trail independently, but an experienced guide will manage the ascent and keep an eye on you, too, while a porter will carry your pack and allow you to concentrate on the view.

Photo credits: [Top box: Rick McCharles] [Tengboche: Shicks] [Walking through history: Petr Meissner] [Dal Bhat: ] [Safety - training walks: deb-eye] [Best time to visit: Steve Hicks]

Written by: Joanna Simmons