Everyone knows that Mt. Everest is World’s Highest Mountain & it is not that easy to even reach to base camp of Mt. Everest. Though it is the adventurous trek and one can find pollution free environment alongside of best views of the Everest region mountain peaks like Island Peak, Lobuche Peak along with beautiful tiny Sherpa villages with spectacular view of natural beauty of Khumbu region of Nepal.
We were planning since long time and even when my daughter started trekking along with me, we both thought of adventurous trek to the Everest region, and this dream become the reality when we planned our first ever big trek in the month of May 23 with short notice as the climate condition was good and my daughter enjoying her summer vacation so this was the perfect time for us to escape the heatwave of Mumbai.
It was the May 23 when we reached to Kathmandu and stayed at Thamel area, we purchased warm woolen clothing which we couldn’t buy at Mumbai. Next day on 24th we had a first flight around 6:15 am to Lukla, Adventure starts from the flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport Lukla as only small planes will fly to Lukla due to its extremely short runway and known as one of the dangerous Airport to land the flight where extremely experience pilots only allowed to fly due to its short runway and poor visibility.
Flights always get delayed and cancelled if weather condition deteriorate and then you will have no option but to stay one more day in Kathmandu. Previous day flight gets cancelled but we were lucky that our flight was on time.
We already hired a guide through Mission Summit Treks Company and our Porter cum guide was waiting for us to start the trek journey of Everest base camp. Reached to Lukla and met him, we had breakfast & coffee together and set off on our trek to world’s highest Mountain’s base camp.
Day 1: Lukla to Phakding
Started the trek from Lukla around 8:30 am, just after the town one check post is there where we need to register ourselves and get the Trims card, need to pay registration fee NPR 3500/- one time.
Lukla is at 2860 m and we need to go to Phakding which is at 2610 m that we need to go to lower altitude. Lukla to Phakding is approximately 8 km.
We reached Phakding around 2 pm, had lunch and stayed at Phakding for a day.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
After breakfast we started from Phakding towards Namche bazaar which is approx. 12.6 km, on the way we came across suspension cable bridges which is unique and give thrilling experience, reached at Sagarmatha National Park entry point, after crossing check post we took lunch break, the entire day we trekked as we have to go with the Prisha’s pace and we can not pressurize her to trek fast, so we allowed her to take her own time, it was drizzling in between and in evening around 6.30 pm we reached Namche bazzar and stayed there.
Namche bazaar is a Sherpa village that is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas & famous for its vibrant atmosphere, it is the last town enroute to Everest base camp where one can find modern amenities, as trekkers stay here for acclimatization.
Namche Bazaar
Day 3: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Next day it was bit late for us to get ready for the trek, after breakfast we visited Sherpa culture Museum which is the part of Sagarmatha National Park, In museum one can see traditional Sherpa household & display of old artefacts and everyday objects, it is the interesting place to get a sense of Sherpa life through the ages. It is en route to Everest base camp so trekkers can spend some time here and then start their journey towards Tengboche.
Namche bazaar Sherpa Museum
Road is well marked but we need to trek carefully as one side is mountain, other side is Valley. Trek passes through the smooth & sandy path. There is a steep section from where you can observe Ama Dablam & other snow clad mountains, we couldn’t get a glimpse due to cloud.
This was full day trek, after passing through forest check post & steep climbing the trail will flatten and we reached to Tengboche village. Tengboche is the beautiful village settlement where trekkers stay overnight.
We, had dinner at tea house and stayed at Tengboche, during dinner we interacted with other co-trekker & she was very much happy to see Prisha on track and said “Prisha will be inspiration to all including me”. Prisha was fine, night was cold, I was having headache due to extreme cold weather.
Tengboche Monastery: Tengboche has worlds’ famous Monastery which is the most significant religious heritage of the region. The monastery is the spiritual hub of the region, many pilgrims visit the place during festivals.
Day 4: Tengboche to Pengboche
After breakfast we started towards Dingboche, since altitude increased, I developed headache our guide advised us to take rest and after lunch we took break at Pengboche and stayed there for a night. I had a Sleepless night, checked my Oxygen level, it was normal, I drank plenty of water, garlic soup to combat with the altitude sickness & headache. Surprisingly Prisha was absolutely fine and was playing with the little Nepali baby and enjoying the weather.
Day 5: Pengboche to Dingboche
In morning I was feeling quite well and after breakfast we started towards Dingboche, we stopped for lunch at Somare village, route is scenic and divide into two one for Pheriche and another for Dingboche, we took this one and reached Dingboche in evening and stayed there.
Day 6: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche
Dingboche offers breathtaking views of Ama Dablam and the surrounded Peaks like Island Peak. It is the perfect place with the amenities like hot shower, internet to rest and acclimatize before continuing journey towards Everest base camp.
Dingboche is the situated at high altitude, we hiked to Nangkartsang Peak near Dingboche and returned from half way back, this day we got a chance to meet few marathon participants from different countries as every year there is Marathon organized on this day starting from Everest base camp to Namche bazaar.
We took rest at hotel and enjoyed local food, interacted with few trekkers from USA & Hong kong.
Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche – 12 km (4910M/ 16105 ft)
We started early to our trek from Dingboche to Lobuche, Hike was much less steep once we reached the top of the Dingboche village, the route goes parallel to the route which comes from Pheriche, one can see the Helipad and Choppers in Pheriche from the hill. After crossing the Dughla water fall bridge we reached to Thukla, had lunch, took some rest and started towards Khumbu glacier which is the highest glacier in the region. When we were having lunch at Thukla Tea house, lady owner gave Prisha Chocolate and said once you climb this Thukla Pass, then you can easily reach to Everest base camp.
This we realized while climbing to Thukla pass & Khumbu glacier, it was a steep rocky patch and climbing is very difficult, After the climb we arrived at Everest Memorial Chukpi Lhara where the Climber memorial is situated with prayer flags. It was begin to dark and we were worried as it was getting pretty cold, Prisha was tiered, guide said it might take an hour to reach Lobuche and worried how Prisha will walk, he called Lobuche tea house and owner of tea house offered help by sending horse for Prisha but she denied and walked through the trail and reached the Lobuche around 7 pm & stayed for a night. This was hThis was her never give up attitude which everyone praised during trek.
Day 8: Acclimatization/Rest
We got ready for trek, while having breakfast Prisha showed discomfort, puked after having breakfast, most probably due to food, I was protective, listening to the body and took things slow, so decided to take rest for whole day to give her break and this is how we acclimatize at Lobuche. We met co-trekker from Mumbai and they asked about Prisha, gave some tips and asked us to keep it slow, they started towards Everest base camp same day.
Day 9 (01st June): V Day Lobuche to Eeverest base camp to Gorakshep
Moring we started early so as to reach the Everest base camp same day, we met the USA trekkers whom we met at Kathmandu Airport, they were returning from Everest base camp, the boy who might be 8 years old was struggling with altitude sickness, I offered help, gave medicines and advised them to quickly go to lower altitude. (Coincidence that we met them at the Kathmandu airport before strating our journey to Lukla and also at the Thamel market after our returned from Lukla)
We passed through rocky patches, Pyramid International laboratory (NAST) on the route and after climbing the steep patch we able to see the Mt. Everest peak, glacier, Everest base camp, but still missing the Gorakshep as we need to pass through one glacier and then climb further to see the Gorakshep, view was amazing and breathtaking as we are going near the Mt. Everest.
We reached Gorakshep in afternoon, had lunch, kept our luggage at tea house and started towards the Everest base camp. It was with great enthusiasm and eagerness to climb on that Rock “TO ROCK” !!!
I must mention that we met the co-trekker Himaja who was coming back from Everest base camp, whom we met at Tengboche tea house where she interacted with Prisha & said that she is getting inspiration from Prisha. She gave chocolates to Prisha, encouraged her that its just one hour and you will be on top, Proudly climb on the iconic stone at base camp and click the photo proudly and once comeback to Gorakshep do meet me as I will be waiting for you for dinner & celebration, she said.
With this encouragement we further started, after passing through rocks, glacier finally around 5 pm Prisha proudly climb on iconic Stone at Everest base camp proudly holding our national flag. This moment we both will never forget as our hard work, consistency & Prisha’s never give up attitude made her the Youngest Girl From Maharashtra, India To Reach World’s Highest Mountain Mt. Everest Base Camp At The Age Of 5 Year.
As it was about to dusk so we started back towards Gorakshep as it was getting cold and altitude sickness as well, we put all our energy, returned to Gorakshep tea house, Prisha was fully exhausted, went for sleeping without having dinner. Even I was exhausted but, had soup, took internet card and informed to family about Prisha’s achievement. Everyone from family & relatives loudly praised and congratulated to Prisha.
Day 10: Gorakshep to Pheriche
It was very cold in night below zero, after breakfast we started back towards Pheriche. After passing through Lobuche in afternoon we reached at Thukla pass, evening we reached to Pheriche, had dinner, Prisha watched cartoon and then took rest.
Day 11: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
We started early as this was the long journey, afternoon we reached to Tengboche, had lunch on the way and in evening we reached to Namche bazaar, here we got room service, had dinner, I took hot shower, packed luggage as next day was also long journey towards Lukla.
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Prisha got different options in breakfast, we then started our journey to Lukla, the place from where we were having our flight next day morning to Kathmandu so we were not having any other option but to decent down and reach the Lukla by evening, and we made it.
Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu to Mumbai
Our all flights were on time, since we had time we took blessing of Lord Pashupatinath in Kathmandu and then boarded flight to Mumbai.
Prisha received grand welcome at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport Mumbai by Family.
And the celebration begins
I am thankful to all family members, friends and co-trekkers whom we met during our Everest base camp journey for their encouragement, appreciation and moral support.
Published News
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/at-5-prisha-lokesh-nikajoo-becomes-the-youngest-mountaineer-to-climb-17-6k-ft-base-camp-of-mt-everest/articleshow/101122661.cms?from=mdr
- https://www.asiabookofrecords.com/youngest-to-climb-everest-base-camp-prisha-lokesh/
- https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/madhya-pradesh/prisha-lokesh-nikaju-climbs-mount-everest-base-camp/na20230620094340396396288
- https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/youngest-girl-to-reach-the-base-camp-of-mount-everest-is-just-5-years-old-here-is-her-story-008295.html
- https://www.connectedtoindia.com/5-year-old-indian-girl-raises-the-tricolour-at-everest-base-camp/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/5-yr-old-betul-girl-youngest-to-reach-base-camp-of-mt-everest/articleshow/101122626.cms
- https://twitter.com/timesofindia/status/1671138328471810050
- https://naystrip.in/everest/
Please do leave your comment !!
Great Job
You are the only father to take a daughter to the base of the highest peak in the world at the age of five with a father in this situation no situation can defeat those with a father standing by their side.You taught her at such a young age what a goal is in today’s fast paced age and showed the world one too. You have shown what a father does when he is behind his child. Sir, I am very proud of you and your daughter.And this information is very important for those who want to go to Everest base camp because you tried to explain very step by step in simple language thank you sir, even your daughter might face many big challenges in her life but she will get success out of it. I pray to God
Well done both of you..great efforts and energy…
All the best for future trekking 🎉🎊👏👏👏
Well done Prisha and Lokesh 💐💐🎉🎉. Hope you will achieve greatest heights in future…… Everest summit is waiting for you. Good luck 😀
Very good Prisha. Keep it up always and best of luck for future.
Great To See Such Enthusiasm at such Small Age.Keep It up. All the best for future goals.
Well Done Prisha , Keep going on to achieve great heights ahead!!!
Wonder kid.. A Braveheart.. way to go ..All the best for all your endeavours ..
Many congratulations Prisha😍 you did it at the age of 5 which is incredible job. God bless you and may you reach the highest point of your goal in future.
A true example of Parents good upbringing. Congratulations to them also👏👏 best wishes and god bless you all
Well done Prisha and Lokesh
Well Done Prisha beta
Truly Inspiring. Proud of you Prisha.