Day 9 (4/Apr/2026): Acclimatisation day at Dingboche (4252m)
Memories from our trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC)
The day started at 5am. Seeing the spectacular view of mountains from the tea house the previous day, Sanjeev and I had planned to step out to view the sunrise over the mountains. It had slightly snowed over the night and the morning chill was real. Even with all the layers, it was super cold. As we stepped out, a beautiful sight awaited us. Slowly the tips of the mountains started turning golden-red as the first rays of sun hit them. Depending on the height of the mountains the tips turning golden red was spread across few minutes. After soaking into the beautiful sunrise, went back to our rooms to get ready for the acclimatisation day hike.
Today we were hiking to Nangakarsang which was at 5000+m (16400+ ft.). We had our breakfast, layered up and all set for the day hike. The trail is a slow and continuous ascent. As we gained more altitude we could feel the tiredness due to low oxygen. At the same time, the views started getting dramatic. The higher we went the mountains seemed bigger and closer. The hues of white, grey and black all around. The 360° view of mountains was mind-blowing.
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| Acclimatisation hike to Nangakarsang |
On the trail, Sam suggested a good photo spot which had a rock with the mountains in the backdrop. We got some amazing clicks here. This also turned to be a good break before we continued to hike further up hill. The trail was mostly ascent and with loose soil. So had to walk with firm foot.
We climbed about 75% of the Nangakarshang and Sam suggested we all stop here and have a picnic. The spot chosen for the break was amazing.
We got a panoramic view of all the mountains. We all go out the snacks we were carrying. Collectively we had yoga bars, trail mix, chikkes, dry fruit ladoos, chaklis, karela chips, salted peanuts and pringles. This picnic at 16000 ft. overlooking the mountains on bright sunny day with clear blue sky munching over so many different snacks, chit-chatting and laughing with this amazing trek group is something we will cherish for our life. Can’t imagine we also joined in for a fun video call to Praveen Reddy (a friend of Sham and Shweta) whom none of us knew or met. Even then we all joined in to pull his leg and thank him for the salted peanuts he had sent. It was crazy!
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| Picnic overlooking the mountains |
After relaxing here for a while, it was time to start the descend. We had to be extra careful on the way down. Soil was loose and there were small pebbles which would increase the chance of skidding and ankle twisting. Slowly, watching every step we started descending. The climb in the morning felt so long, but the descend was relatively shorter and easier. By lunch time we were back at the tea house. Tea houses look and feel very different between 10-3PM. There are fewer people. It’s quieter and frankly feels a little sad. We get so used to seeing the tea houses from late afternoons to mornings where they are bustling with trekkers, everyone they are tired are still chatting, laughing, playing, eating… you kind of start missing it.
Our lunch was ready. Dropped our bags in the room, freshened up and had our hot lunch of dal-bhat-chawal. Few people decided to have lunch at Café 4110 instead of the tea house. We (Pankaj, Sanjeev, Shobita, Gowthami, Megha, Rupal and me) decided to eat at the tea house, relax a bit and then go to the café. Post lunch we played a few rounds of card games to make sure we don’t go to room and fall asleep. Rupal was feeling a bit unwell. She had slight cold and slight fever. She skipped the card game and read.
Around 3pm, we all left for the café. As usual the café was bustling with people. The smell of fresh bakes and brewing coffee was inviting. We got a table outside in the sit-out. Ordered hot chocolates and couple of pastries to share among the group. Can’t fathom the thought of having fresh coffee and cakes at 16000 ft. which are freshly made, hot and delicious. We spent time here at the café chit-chatting until it started getting cloudy and chilly. It was time to head back to tea house before it starts raining. We knew what it meant if we got our shoes wet.
Back at the tea house it was time to change into thermals/fleece and gather in the common area for the evening. Lot of trekkers had gathered – some of them had just arrived from Debouche and some of them like us had finished their acclimatisation day hike and back at the tea house. Here we again met the Australian family we had met at Namche Bazar. I was chatting with them and got to know more about them. Some of them were playing cards, some were playing Uno. I read a bit before joining the group for card games. Even the trek leads joined us to play cards/uno. It was super fun.
After few games of cards, followed by dinner it was time to call it a day. Sam and Dorchi dai briefed us how the next day would look like. We realised it was going to get tougher from here on. It was also time to call/update family. Everyone spreadout to make their calls and get back to their rooms for a good night sleep.
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