Gorak Shep, also spelled as Gorakshep, which means ‘dead ravens’, as the entire area lacks any type of vegetation that not even ravens can survive. It’s the last settlement or village on the EBC Trek, sitting at an altitude of 5,164 m (16,942 ft).
There are a few basic accommodations available for tourists. All of them are equipped with modern amenities, electricity, hot showers, and internet.
We can’t expect to have these facilities as strong as in the city hotels. Yet, the locals are making them available to us even in such a remote location.
The place is among the key highlights of the trek, surrounded by towering peaks of the Everest Region, such as the following:
- Mount Everest (8,849 m/29,032 ft)
- Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft)
- Nuptse (7,861 m/25,791 ft)
- Pumori (7,161 m / 23,494 ft)
- Kala Patthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft)
- Changtse (7,580 m/24,870 ft)
Despite the elevations and rough terrain, you’ll still feel better and very impressed once you arrive here from Lobuche (4,940 m/16,210 ft), as these giants seem like they’re greeting you.
Trekkers usually hike up to EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) after having lunch and resting for a while in Gorakshep, then come back to spend the night in roughly 4 hours. The next morning, they hike to Kala Patthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft) to experience the amazing sunrise view of mighty Everest and other neighboring peaks from a close distance. It takes around 3 hours for a round trip.
