Things To Know Before Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is well popular trekking route of Nepal where more then 100000 people visit each year from different country. As a Guide we are trying to give our best effort in this article, hope you like and get some knowledge about the Trek.

The third pole of the world- Everest is one of the wonders of the earth standing at an elevation of 8848m.  Everest is the pleasure of the country- Nepal and also known as Sagarmatha in the Nepali language. Literally Sagarmatha is coined from two words Sagar and matha. Both words have own meaning: - Sagar represents the world and matha represents the forehead.  Thus, Everest is taken as the forehead of the world.

Being social beings we wander to visit unique and beautiful places for exploring the world. Everest Base Camp  is the best place for a traveler to accept challenges and gaining new adorable experience. To have a successful journey, it is important to know about the place and overcome avoidable situations before traveling to new places. Hence this post is for you to give a complete guide on EBC trek.

Mount Everest lies in amazing country - Nepal. Among the numerous peaks of the world, Everest is mostly selected one due to its tallest height and glory of the place Solukhumbu, where it is located. Mountaineers target their peak whereas travelers focus on Everest base camp.

EBC trek not only fulfills our desire of being on the foot of Everest but also gives us a great opportunity to explore the beauty of the place, Himalayan lifestyle, and culture of the Sherpas, diversity of Sagarmatha national park (a world heritage site listed by UNESCO), snow-covered landscape, natural rivers, and rivulets, challenging uphills and downhills, bridges, monuments and many more attractions related to life science and natural history.

More than 40,000 traveler from all over the world would have Everest base camp trial each year. This trial was opened earlier for foreigners after successful expedition of first climbers of Everest viz. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in the year 1953. After then the route become a dreamland for all adventurers.

What to expect of Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek?

The destination of the EBC trek comprises a challenging journey from Lukla to Everest Base camp on foot. The panoramic view of Mount Everest (8848m) along with Mt Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Nuptse (7855m), Mt. Pumori (7161m), Mt. Changaste (7550m), Mt. Lingterin (6679m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Mt. Thamserku(6723m), Mt. Kantega( 6685m), Mt.Kusum Khagaru (6367m), Mt.Kongde (6011m), Mt. Khumbila (5761m), Mt. Twache peak (6367m), Mt. Cholaste (6335m), Island peak(6179m), Lobuche peak (6145m), Pokalde peak (5806m), Honku south peak (6119m) and many more makes us delightful and energetic to reach our destination.

The peaceful environment with chirping of birds, burble of rivers, waterfalls and glacier lakes diversified flora and fauna with endangered and rare species, colorful rhododendron forest, the dance of lophophorus (danphe- the national bird of Nepal), monuments, suspension bridge and multicultural people makes us to feel as if we are in Heaven.

How to reach the Everest base camp? 

Each trek starts with a plan and schedule. The Itinerary of Everest Base camp trek gives you a complete guide of EBC trek according to which you can plan your trip towards Everest base camp. In case you desire to reach base camp of Everest without having long walk then you can do heli tour as well.

Outline Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel (1,350m).
• Day 2 : Fly to Lukla (2,804m) & trek to Phakding (2,640m) Duration: 4-5 hours.
• Day 3 : Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11283) Walking Distance - 10 to 12 km, Duration: 6 hours
• Day 4 : Acclimatization Day – Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,962m/12995ft) Walking Distance - 3 to 4 km, Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Day 5 : Namche to Tengboche (3860m/12660ft) Walking Distance - 10 to 11 km, Duration: 5 hours
• Day 6 : Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m/14464ft) Walking Distance - 11 to 12 km, Duration: 5 hours
• Day 7 : Acclimatization Day- Hike to Nagarjun hill and return: Walking Distance - 5 to 6 km, Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Day 8 : Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m/16105ft) Walking Distance - 11 to 12 km, Duration: 5 hours
• Day 9 : Trek to Gorak shep (5,180m) trek to EBC & overnight stay at Gorekshep Duration: 7-8 hours.
• Day 10 : Hike to Kalapatthar (5,550m) at sunrise & trek to Pangboche (3,900 m) Duration: 7-9 hours.
• Day 11 : Trek Back to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) Duration: 5-6 hours
• Day 12 : Trek to Lukla (2,804 m) Duration: 6-7 hour
• Day 13 : Fly back to Kathmandu; flight Duration: 30 minutes.

How difficult is Everest base camp trek?

Everest base camp trek is indeed a challenging trek. Since the altitude is high and path follows many uphills and downhills, preparation with healthy mental and physical condition is most important.

The major difficulties which may arise during Everest base camp trek are listed below:-

What is the Distance of  Lukla to Everest Base Camp and to Lukla?

You should walk around 130 kilometers from Lukla to Everest base camp and  to reach the destination. Of course, it could be hard for normal people in such a high altitude.

One should walk round 13- 15 kilometers each day except the rest day. Path following uneven terrain and rocky surfaces is really a challenge for an experienced climbers and trekkers. Thus you should be well prepared before having trek. So that you will complete your journey otherwise you may be unable to reach Everest base camp.

Altitude Sickness

Everest region is the highest altitude of the world. Because of high altitude air pressure as well as oxygen level remains low in Everest reason. With increase in height air pressure reduces because of phenomenon that air pressure is inversely proportional to height and it causes difficulties in breathing due to lack of enough oxygen in atmosphere. Thus, there is high chance of suffering from altitude sickness. There are many preventive measures to remain safe and medication to cure it. Click here for Detail information. Altitude sickness.

Sunburn

Everest lies in high altitude and rays of sunlight can easily burn your skin. You will be a prey of sunburn if you don’t use any sunscreen lotion. You should use sunscreen with SPF above 80 for sensitive skin. Even sunscreen with SPF 50+ also protect normal skin.

The reflection from snowy land may damage your eyes. So you should use polarized sunglass to protect eyes.

What should you do for the Everest base camp trek?

To attempt Everest base camp trek,

• Train your body before few weeks of the trek
• Pack all essential materials
• Keep proper knowledge of equipment
• Get permits
• Insurances

How to train body for Everest base camp trek?

Since, EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK is tough and physically challenging job it is very important to train ownself before few weeks of trek. To enjoy the long journey, wake up without any weakness and sore body, you should be fit. Some of the measures to train your body are:

• Start physical exercises such as running, walking, swimming or cycling before 4-6 weeks of the trek.
• Practice exercise with carrying backpack so that you can do trek easily with carrying your bag as well.
• Do squats, pull-ups, push-ups, dead lifts etc. to strengthen your muscles.
• Increase physical stamina and lung capacity by doing meditation or yoga.

What to GEAR/pack for Everest Base Camp Trek?

Several equipment are necessary for doing Everest base camp trek. As Everest region is not well developed region, incase if you do not carry all the requirements then you may have trouble during the trek. Thus it is necessary to have and pack all the things you need during the EBC trek.

• Good wind/rain jacket
• Warm fleece jacket or jersey
• Good boots, either light-weight trekking boots or light full leather boots
• Good -20 Sleeping bag (which can be rented or buy in Kathmandu)
• A comfortable day pack, preferably with a waistband.
• Fleece jacket or pullover
• Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
• Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
• Lightweight gloves
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
• Sun hat or scarf
• Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• T-shirts
• Underwear
• Hiking shorts
• Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
• Fleece or wool pants
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
• Thin, lightweight inner socks
• Thick, warm wool hiking socks
• Hiking boots with spare laces
• Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)

Other optional necessary equipment:

• Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
• Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
• Basic First Aid Kit (We also provide a comprehensive first aid medical kit and Oximeter)
• Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bag
• Day pack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
• Water bottles (2 bottles recommended)
• Toiletries
• Small wash towel

Trekking Gear

• To avoid potential snow blindness pair of polarizing sun-glass are required
• To protect against rain and dust backpack and backpack cover is necessary
• Trekking map
• Head torch or small torch, plus spare batteries
• Sleeping bag and silk liner water bottle ( must need -20°C)

 Miscellaneous

• Toiletries (shampoo & Condition)
• A small lightweight and quick daring towel
• Bar & soap
• Sunscreen
• Earplugs
• For lower elevation insect
• Repellants are required
• First aid Kid
• Water filter or water purification tablets.
• Some Diamox pills against potential   altitude sickness (if going beyond 4000-meter elevation )
• Toilet paper

Optional items

• Camera, batteries, altimeter, compass, books magazine, trekking pole, GPS, sewing repair kit, pocket knife torch, diary or notebook plus the pen
• DIY Camping
• Tent
• Stove and fuel
• Sleeping map
• Food and water for remote area
• Cooking, eating and drinking curtails
• Sleeping bag
• Pillowslip in case
• Sleeping bag liner

 Toiletries & Personal Hygiene

• Quick-dry towel & face cloth
• Shampoo & condition
• Tooth Brush & paste (biodegradable)
• Towels for face and body
• Deodorant
• Moisturizer
• Anti- wipes
• Hand sanitize
• Sunblock face/Body high UV protection
• Lip Block with UV protection
• Feminine Hygiene Products

What should you know about the equipment before packing for a trek?

• Whether the items from the check list is the most important or not. You can decide yourself for buying it.
• You should have comfortable and durable shoes rather than fancy and new items. Since, you should walk more than hundred kilometers, blisters and shoe bite due to uneasy footwear can ruin your experience.
• Be sure that boots are light weights and waterproof with good fabric so that you can walk comfortable during the trek.
• Buy a pair of gaiter for making your leg warm
• Instead of wearing thick and heavy clothes dress in layer. It helps to regulate your body temperature and you can alter the dress combination as per necessity according to weather.
• You should choose light clothes specially design for trekking purpose.
• You should carry waterproof shell, outfits so that you can even walk in light rainfall as well.
• Always keep your hands and body warm as possible to be safe and remain healthy.

 How to make your body fit for Everest Base Camp Trek?

To remain fit and healthy, physical exercises which increases your body stamina is the most important factor. Regular exercises make your body flexible and prepare the body for exerting more energy during the trek.

The amount of Red blood cell (RBC) will increase to maintain oxygen level in body at higher altitude due to lack of enough oxygen in atmosphere. So you have to do physical check up to know RBC level in body. It will let you to know about the situation of body. Then you can prepare according to the suggestion and maintain RBC level by which you can remain safe and recover easily from AMS.

Meditation and yoga are very helpful for energizing yourself to be ready for Everest Base Camp Trek. Healthy physical and mental condition supports adjusting yourself in a new environment.

Medication after counselling with doctors will prevent the chance of any nuisance and mishap during the trek.

For more information click here how to prepare for trek

What are the permits required for the Everest Base camp?

Everest region is a tourism sector and tourist are allowed to visit this region since 1953. So Everest base camp is not a restricted zone. You have to pay certain permit fee while entering Sagarmatha national park and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Rural Community.

Permit cost

Sagarmatha national park Permit – NRs 3000

sarc  Permit: Rs. 1500

How is the insurance policy of the Everest Base Camp trek?

To protect you from financial loss, there is a system of purchasing travel and health insurance before visiting. There will be a chance of medical emergency such as acute altitude sickness, tripping and falling, natural disasters, etc. In such situation, you will get evacuated by helicopter and travel health insurance will cover the cost.

What are the trekking options for Everest Base Camp Trek?

There are several ways to trek in Everest Base Camp. They are:-

Trek with:-

• private guide and a Porter
• Private guide without porter
• Alone without guide and porter
• Porter/guide combo
• A  small group, guide, and porter

How to hire a guide and a porter for Everest base camp trek?

You should consult with a good travel agency to hire a guide and porter. Before hiring the  trekking guide, you should confirm that the guide has his/her license or not.  We recommend Mission summit treks and Expeditions. This is a very good travel agency which provides you best guide to make your trekking successful. The good manner, friendly behavior, comfortable itinerary make your journey excellent. 

Is it compulsory to have Everest Base Camp Trek with a guide?

No, it is not compulsory to travel with a guide. But traveling become comfortable and successful when you travel with guide and porter. Guides are the people having good knowledge and experience about trekking route. They will know the right path, good tea house, permits and many more thing which you should know for trekking.

Porters are the people who will help you on carrying your baggage during the trek. Nowadays guide-porter are also available, these people will guide you the path and help you to carry your baggage as well. These are the people having well experience of porter and close to be a certified guide. If you hire guide-porter, then you will save extra expenses as well. When is the best time to do  Everest base camp trek?

The best time to do  Everest base camp trek is autumn and Spring. In the months of September, November, December (Autumn Season), the weather remains pleasant, little or no rainfall occurs. The path will be dry and chances of slipping will be less. The scenery with blooming flowers, green forest, flying birds and fresh air will make your journey wonderful.

Similarly, during spring i.e. in the months of March, April and May, the weather remains nice. Forest glows with beautiful Rhododendron and newly grown buds of plants welcome you. The clear views of white Himalayan ranges below the clean sky make the unexplainable moment.What is the average temperature of the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Everest lies in Himalayan Region of Nepal. Since it lies in Himalayan region, the temperature remains low throughout the year. The table below shows the average temperature of Everest base camp of 12 months.

The estimated average temperature of Everest base camp

FAQs on Everest Base camp Trek

May many questions are hitting you about Everest Base Camp Trek. Thus, I have written some common quires below.

What kind of food is found in the Everest region?

Common Nepali food are found in Everest region. You will get food in tea house according to available food and your order.

The most preferred food are:

• Breakfast: butter-bread-jam, pancakes, sprouted bean, eggs ( either boiled, omelet, or other forms according to demand)
• Lunch: - Nepali thali
• Snacks: - Momo, Pasta, noodles and various other dishes according to availability
• Dinner: - Nepali thali (Dal, bhat, tarkari and achar)
• Note: - No extra charge for additional food while eating lunch and dinner. Pure drinking water is easily available.

What is the cost of Everest base camp trek?

You should bring cash around 1000-1100$ for the normal trek and 2000-2100$ for the luxury trek. You should not depend on ATM. Withdraw all cash which you should need in Kathmandu – the capital of Nepal.

How much money should I bring for Everest base camp trek?

Cash around 600-700 $ is an estimation of the actual cost for a trek. You may need extra money for accommodation (3-5$ per night), charging electric devices, giving tips to guide and porter or even to pay for their basic needs buying medicines. So you should bring some extra money as well.

What kind of accommodations are available in Everest region?

Night stay in tea house or tented camps are available in Everest region. The rooms of tea house will be not much luxurious but it will be simple and comfortable to sleep off the tiredness. You may get squatting toilets in some guest houses or you might have to share restrooms with other guests as well.

Where to buy trekking equipment for Everest base Camp Trek?

You can buy equipment for Everest base Camp Trek from your own home town if available or in Nepal. There are many stores in Nepal where you can buy or take equipment in rent. All kinds of trekking gears are easily available in Thamel, Kathmandu.

Can I carry my electronic devices myself?

Yes, you can carry your electronic devices yourself and it is very good for safety as well. But you should buy insulating cover to protect them from external extreme environment.

You should buy spare batteries for camera. Tea house will allow to charge your phone and other devices at a certain cost in most of the places. In some places you may not have such facility of charging also, due to lack of electricity.

When should I do an EBC trek?

You should do EBC trek either in spring season (March, April and May) or in autumn season (October, November and December). Because the weather remains pleasant and you can view fabulous scenery in these season than other time of the year. More facilities will be available in tea house. You will meet other groups as well.

Which trekking should I choose solo or Group?

Trekking decision is your own. Both solo and group trek are available. You can do solo trekking if you do not like travelling in group. The EBC trek is challenging trek. So trekking alone is not advisable for your safety. There may come difficulties and uncertainties. So, you should stay on the safer side and better to have guide and porter with you.

Trekking in group is always safer because you will get help in difficulties. Entertainment will doubles in group than in Solo trek. There will be not be any risk about route and tea house when you travel with guide rather than trekking alone.

You will have group discount in some travel agencies by which you can have cheaper trek as well. Misson summit offers group discount. So I suggest to have trek via Mission summit treks and expedition.

Are you looking for the Everest Base Camp Trek Package? 

if you are looking for the Everest Base Camp trek package please visit this link:- https://www.missionsummittreks.com/trip/everest-base-camp-trek/

What kind of Travel Agency should I choose for Everest Base Camp Trek?

There are numerous travel agencies in Nepal which offers Everest Base Camp Trek. You should always choose registered and reliable travel agency. You can use internet to know about travel agency as a valuable tool.

Travel agency will plan your entire trip. They will take your full responsibility from arrival to Departure from Nepal. Travel agency will manage your all schedule until you stay with them.

Different agencies provides different facility but most of them will keep you in the comfort zone and safe. I prefer mission summit treks and expedition as the best travel agency. It will make your trip successful and lifetime memorable.

What should I do before planning the Everest Base camp Trek?

As time is not in our control. All our plans may not be on the mean as we decide. So you should do the following things to make your Everest Base camp Trek successful.

1. Always keep 2, 3 days extra because your flight may delay or cancel due to bad weather, your health condition may not be fine always. You may fall sick because of the different climatic conditions than in your country.
2. Do not book a flight back to your next destination because the timing may differ. Book immediately after the last day of the trek.

Conclusion

Everest Base Camp Trek is the dream of all adventurers. I hope this detail of Everest Base Camp Trek is helpful to you and you can plan your trip as well. The thought of being ownself on Everest Base Camp is so exciting. Even the journey is a challenging one but you will have enough entertainment and achievement than the difficulties you face. By following the rules and advice of the guide. You will successfully have wonderful and memorable Everest base camp Trek.