Base Camps of 14 Eight-Thousander are popular for treks. The high-altitude and adventure compels trekkers to make a tough journey up the mountain's base. Get an idea about base camp elevations of different Eight-Thousander and organize your next trek with ease.
2. K2 Base Camp
5,650 m (18,645’)
K2 is the 2nd
highest mountain in
the world and the toughest Eight-
Thousander for climbing.
K2 BASE CAMP is at the highest
elevation of 5,650 m (18,645’).
Trek for the base camp starts
from Skardu (Balistan). Cross-
ing over Baltoro Glacier, one ar-
rives at Concordia (Region of
Karakoram serving as a junction
for the base camps of 4 different
Eight-Thousander).
#1
3. Everest Base Camp
5,364 m (17,598’)
Everest is the highest mountain
in the world. Located at 5,650 m
(18,645’), Everest Base Camp is
the 2nd most popular destination
for trekking in Nepal.
Starting from “Hillary-Tenzing
Airport” of Lukla, the trek pass-
es through numerous Buddhist
villages; Namche Bazaar, Pang-
boche etc. Kala Patthar 5,550m
(18,204ft) is the highest point
one can reach during the trek.
Everest Base Camp (North)
#2
4. Lhotse 27,940’ (8,516 m), the 4th
highest mountain in the world,
shares Everest’s base camp. Also,
known as Minor Eight-Thou-
sander, it is connected to Everest
via South Col.
It doesn’t has one of its own Base
Camp.
Lhotse Base Camp
5,364 m (17,598’) #3
5. 5,143 m (16,873’)
Kanchenjunga is known to be the
3rd
highest mountain in the world.
Located at 5,143 m (16,873’),
Kanchenjunga Base Camp lies in
the “Restricted Zone.”
Passing through Kanchenjunga
Conservation Area, Snow Leop-
ard and Red Panda are commonly
seen during the trek. Pathibhara
Temple is another popular des-
tination of kanchenjunga Base
Camp trek.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
#4
6. #5Gasherbrum II Base Camp
5,050 m (16,568’)
The most attainable Eight-Thou-
sander in the Karakoram and an
ideal objective for a first 8,000er,
Gasherbrum II is located at the
border of Pakistan and China.
Climbers mainly ascent Gasher-
brum II from the southwest ridge
(Pakistan), which is considered
an easier route compared to the
northern ridge of China.
Commercial trek to the Base
Camp is not known of, however,
once can organize the trek and-
camp throughout the trail.
Climbing Staffs cooking meal during the Climb
7. Makalu 8,481 m (27,825’) is the 5th
highest mountain in the world. It
has two notable subsidiary peaks,
Kangchuntse and makalu II.
The trek passes through Makalu
Barun Valley, inside Makalu Na-
tional Park, which is rich in natu-
ral and cultural wonders.
Starting from Tumlingtar, one can
enjoy walking through Rhododen-
dron forest.
#6Makalu Base Camp
5,000 m (16,404’)
8. Shishapangma Base Camp
5,000 m (16,404’) #7
Shishapangma, also known as
“Gosainthān,” is the 14th
highest
mountain in the world.
The interesting part about Shisha-
pangma Base Camp is that one
can drive to the location. Try buy-
ing the Tour package through an
Outdoor ageny in Nepal, for easier
visa procession and reasonable
cost.
Situated solely inside China, al-
most 24 climbers have died climb-
ing the mountain, up to 2009.
9. Cho Oyu Base Camp
4,900 m (16,076’) #8
Cho Oyu (Tibetan: Turquoise
Goddess) is the 6th
highest moun-
tain in the world. Located at the
Khumbu sub-section of Mahalan-
gur Himalaya, it stands on Nepal-
China border.
One needs to enter Tibet be-
fore trekking to Cho Oyu Base
Camp. Try booking a trek package
through an Outdoor agency in Ne-
pal.
The peak is mainly climbed from
the Chinese side.
CAMP II at Cho Oyu
10. Dhaulagiri Base Camp
4,750 m (15,584’) #9
Dhaulagiri is the 7th
highest
mountain in the world. The Ka-
ligandaki river flows between
through its notable gorge, said to
be the world’s deepest.
Beginning from beni, the trek
crosses “the French Pass” into the
hidden Himalaya valley of North-
western Nepal.
Consider trekking Dhaulagiri du-
ing Pre-monsoon and Post-mon-
soon seasons.
11. Gasherbrum I Base Camp
4,650 m (15,256’)
#10
Gasherbrum I is the 11th
highest
mountain in the world. Located
in the Pakistan-China border, it
is a part of Gasherbrum massif in
Karakoram Himalaya range.
Often claimed to mean “Shining
Wall,” trekking to the base camp
is tougher due to the lack of com-
merical trips. One can trek to the
base camp by camping throughout
the trail.
It is located on a finger of moraine
on the Abruzzi Glacier.
12. Broad Peak Base Camp
4,572 m (15,000’) #11
Broad Peak is the 12th highest
mountain in the world. Part of
Gasherbrum massif on the border
of Pakistan-China, Broad Peak is
one of the Eight-Thousander locat-
ed in Karakoram Himalaya range.
Commercial Treks to Broad Peak
Base Camp isn’t available, how-
ever, one can make an indepen-
dent trip to the region and camp
throughout the trail.
Also known as “K3,” Broad Peak
has the highest prominence of
1,701 m (5,581 ft).
13. Nanga Parbat Base Camp
4,500 m (14,763’) #12
Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest
mountain in the world. Located in
the Gilgit-Balistan region of Paki-
stan and farther west of Himalaya,
Nanga parbat is known for its notori-
ously difficult climb.
It was in the Nanga Parbat that Gün-
ther Messner (Reinhold Messner’s
brother) dies during his maiden
climb of Eight-Thousander.
Commercial treks to the base camp
is available and can be booked from
local Outdoor Agencies.
14. Annapurna Base Camp
4,130 m (13,545’) #13
Annapurna Base Camp, 10the high-
est mountain in the wold, is the
most popular trek destination in the
world. More than 70,000 trekkers
trek to Annapurna base camp and
Circuit in a year.
With huge influx of tourists, the re-
gion has developed in terms of infra-
structure. Many quality Tea-houses,
diners etc are available along the
trail.
It is recommended to trek Annapur-
na during Pre-monsoon and Post-
monsoon seasons.
15. Manaslu Base Camp
3,800 m (12,467’) #14
Manaslu is the 8th highest mountain
in the world. Part of Mansiri Himal
in Nepal, it offers various trekking
options to the trekkers.
One can choose to trek Manaslu Cir-
cuit or the Base Camp.
The trek starts from Arughat. Many
choose trekking the circuit over Base
Camp, as the previous is considered
more adventurous and involving.
It is recommended to trek the region
during Pre-monsoon and Post-mon-
soon seasons.
16. “Base Camps of Eight-Thousander”
Comparative Elevation of small peaks
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