Bucket list inspiration

Onescot, The reason EBC made my top 10 list is it the most scenic and beautiful hike I have done (especially when combined with the Cho-la pass and Gokyo). I was not that bothered about the base camp itself (other than it being a sort of end point/furthest point of the trek). Other people really enjoy being there "amongst" all the real climbers (I say "amongst" because technically you're not allowed into the actual campsites to interact with the real climbers in case you spread any illnesses).

From the base camp Everest is completely eclipsed by other mountains, but hiking to the top of Kala Patar (the highest point on a standard EBC hike) to watch the sun rise behind Everest is an amazing experience and the views of Everest from the Gokyo valley are even better.
For me it was the beauty of the hike that stuck with me although getting to the top of Kala Patar did give me a sense of achievement but it was more like a small summit within the bigger hike.

For a hike that offers a real sense of achievement maybe try Kili, getting to the top of that beast provides an amazing feeling, that was a hike where reaching the top really is the highlight!

Hope that helps - I would really recommend EBC (but add a few days for Gokyo)

Another Everest Base Camp trek opinion, I did it on the Tibet side (as part of a bigger excursion overland from China to Kathmandu) but if I do my list it would definitely be on there too. One of those places I dreamed about as a kid so actually BEING at EBC was pretty overwhelming- you can stand on a little hill there and watch all the mountaineers getting ready, and in fact even chatted with one who came over to talk which was amazing (dude had been up twice already). Plus wow, you can't beat the view- I am pleased to report that when you see Everest you have no "it doesn't LOOK like the world's highest mountain!" kind of reaction, it really is lovely.

One big note about doing it on that side is yes, altitude sickness is much more likely to hit as you're ascending more quickly if you're going on the road up (you only need to walk the last hour or so up...), and my brother who was traveling with me started getting altitude sickness the night prior and never made it to Base Camp. He was always one to get sick even on family trips to the Rockies when we were kids so I guess that's not particularly surprising, but it made for a scary night before we could head down.

So Everest aside, some things I am happy I've done in life:
- getting punched by a wild mountain gorilla in Uganda (he came over before we could get out of the way and delivered a "play punch" to my gut)
- Milford Sound, New Zealand was just astoundingly beautiful
- going on safari... you know, I've done it in five countries from self drive and camping to nice lodge w driver, but they're just always so amazing I really can't choose. Maybe South Africa and Tanzania were the best?
- Arches NP and Canyonlands NP (and area around Moab, Utah)... this one's on my list because I went in January so I had all these special places to myself, and as an American who now lives abroad I appreciate the nature in my home country all the more
- Hiroshima- I was a physics major, so standing where the bomb exploded had quite an effect on me
- Bariloche, Argentina- I was only in Argentina two weeks and one was devoted to work, but what little I saw otherwise was glorious and I want to go back!
- Firenze, Italy... I think in a parallel universe I still live there and never left
- learning to whitewater kayak in Nepal
- the Transkei in South Africa. Something about the wild nature of the place and the friendliness of the locals made for a beguiling combination.
- Amsterdam- just living here. I have been here just shy of two years and perhaps this seems like a cop out entry as a result, but getting to know and live in the prettiest city in the world has been wonderful.

my memory of a lunch I shared on the side of a mountain in the Alps, with a shepherd and his flock, is not one you can compare to being one of thousands with a camera at Machu Picchu

So - did you share your lunch with him, or was it the other way round?
Hint: Be careful how you answer - it determines whether you are a tourist or a traveller. :>D

For OP: -
I've had a lot of amazing experiences, but you're looking for inspiration so I won't tell you about the things that most moved me, unless they're 'do-able' by others.

Camel-trekking - in the Sahara (from Douz, Tunisia); the Thar (from Jaisalmer, India); the Taklamaken - part of the Gobi desert (from Dunhuang, China).

Sleeping out in the desert on a moonless night is amazing in Africa, less so in Asia because of the light pollution. Sitting huddled up in a blanket against your camel is like nothing else on earth.

Upstairs in the Blue Mosque (Istanbul) at Juma - Friday midday prayer time - women only. If you can blag your way in that is. I'm a muslim, but if you say you are and are dressed and behave appropriately (or go with a muslim friend) no-one will bar your way. The view from up above is amazing.

The Guggenheim gallery in Venice. Tranquil and beautiful. I found it by getting lost in 1969, when it was on nobody's must see list. Hopefully, it's just as lovely today.
Also, sleeping in Venice, somewhere you can wake to the sound of water lapping gently outside the window - magic! (It was the youth hostel when I was there - don't know if that still applies today.)

Travelling the back-waters in Kerala (India) from Alleppey - by local water-bus. Everyone who lives on the bankside waves at you and you wave back. You float quietly through water-meadows of lotus flowers, beautiful scenery, etc. It's so peaceful and you get off at your destination (n my case a simple and non-touristy ashram belonging to the 'hugging mother' - everyone welcome to stay, or just visit) feeling great.
The ashram - I intended to just visit for a night and ended up staying nine. On Christmas day three elephants came into the courtyard with their keepers and stayed while the latter treated us to a drumming concert. (I felt sorry for the poor elephants with their big ears!)

Watching Varzesh-e Bastani in a Zurkhaneh ("house of strength") in Yazd, Iran. There's a sign on the street near/next to the gymkhana. (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varzesh-e_Bastani] for a fuller description.). You are welcome to watch; they make a small charge.
I think we were encouraged to take photographs - but obviously no flash allowed. (After all, they are at times throwing around clubs that may weigh as much or more than they do.) It was fascinating, and the drumbeat/chanting of Koranic verses mesmerising.

and so on ....

Goes to show - I've ridden camels twice, in Egypt and Mongolia. Not likely to do it again if I'm perfectly honest.

Ah - your mistake is to treat them like horses. They're not. More like 'sitting-down-stilts'. When you realise that, they're wonderfully comfortable. Also, they're very proud and you have to match that. Then they respect you.
One of the camels in our Taklamakan train fell in love with me. It was so glaringly obvious it had everyone else giggling. A tad embarrassing - but also, given the general hauteur of camels, an honour indeed. :>D

Incidentally, he word 'camel' means 'ideal' or 'perfect' in Arabic - because they are perfect animals for the desert terrain.

A fact that will make some camels very happy no doubt.

Having read this tread with interest I just wonder if anyone else here is an explorer like me. Superior to a traveller of course.

Exeriences:

Time spent at a childrens home when a small girl sang to me as she ruffled my hair with one hand and my beard with another and I was gradually surrounded and sat on and cuddled by many small children who all ruffled my hair and beard - before which kindness they had had sticky rice, dahl and pineapple for lunch.

Waking from sleep in the desert completely alone with as far as I knew no one for miles.

Being ill and cared for so lovingly in a hospital in Lybia.

Arriving at the summit of a mountain after a few days trek through a jungle.

and so on and on ...

Yes, Explorer is definitely a notch above both traveller and tourist. :>D

I see our old friend (BeeP/TiS/Nauta - et al) hasn't taken up my challenge....

I'll tell ya, for me going to Rio for Carnival was a fantastic experience that I will always remember. Brazil is a diverse country full of passion and life. This energy manifests itself at Carnival, one of the biggest street parties in the world. If you want more of an authentic experience, try going to carnival in the city of Salvador. Whereas Rio draws the tourists, Salvador is where the Brazilians go and there are actually more festivities that occur there. With the upcoming FIFA world cup and Olympics that will be hosted by Brazil, this country is a booming emerging market with beautiful people, culture, and landscape (including some of the best beaches I have ever been to in my life). Brazilians know how to relax and enjoy life to the fullest. Watch out though as this may rub off on you, having you itch for more. I definitely plan on going back next year for 2014.

Maybe I will see you there? :)

Best wishes,

Shaun

go_2, you may be right, though I should probably point out that I'm also not all that keen on riding horses (I was traumatised by my first horse riding experience when I was about 6years old and whilst I have ridden horses since I still never feel too comfortable on them).