If anyone’s planning their next holiday to the Everest Base Camp trek, here are all the essential factors which if considered will certainly make the journey achievable with no difficulties.
Where is Everest base camp located?
Everest base camp trek packages are the journey to the base camp of Mt. Everest. Don’t be confused with climb mount Everest with Everest base camp trekking itinerary. Everest base camp height in feet is 17,900 feet and located is at the opposite end of Mt. Everest standing at 8,848 meters. Everest Base Camp is at a slightly manageable altitude with the Everest base camp height in meters being 5,380 meters.
Where does Everest base camp trek start?
Everest Base Camp trek starts from Lukla in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal where you fly from Kathmandu. From Lukla to Mount Everest base camp trek length is 130 km approx. with total trek days being 11 days back and forth.
Everest base camp trek how many days?
The standard trek itinerary for Everest base camp is 12 days starting/ending at Lukla as follows.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla (flight- 40 min) to Phakding (2652m) 3-4 hours
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 5-6 hours
Day 3: Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar, hike to Everest view hotel (3900m) 3-4 hours
Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m) 5-6 hours
Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m) 5-6 hours
Day 6: Acclimatization at Dingboche/ hike to Chhukung valley (4410m) 4-5 hours
Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m) 5-6 hours
Day 8: Lobuche to Gorak Shep & hike to Everest Base Camp (5,320m) 5-6 hours
Day 9: Gorak Shep to Kala Pathar (5550m) to Pheriche (4371m) 5-6 hours
Day 10: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 6-7 hours
Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2826m) 6-7 hours
Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu (flight) 40 min
Highlights of Everest base camp trek
– Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu flights with beautiful landscapes and Himalayan views
– Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa capital & the doorway to the treks in the Everest region
– Tengboche Monastery – the largest monastery in the Khumbu region
– Everest Base Camp & the great Khumbu Glacier
– Hike to Kalapather for a closer view of Mt. Everest
Everest base camp trek distance
The total distance of Everest Base Camp trek of 12 days trek is 130 kilometers (80 miles) which is the distance from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp and back to Lukla. There are altogether two acclimatization days in which you walk about 3-8 kilometers for the excursion hike.
When is the best time for Everest base camp trek?
Everest base camp trek best time is late February to early May and from late September to early December. One can trek to Everest Base Camp in November-December or June-August also. Though November and December is the winter and June till August is the monsoon season. So, be prepared to make some adjustments like cold and rain.
Short trek to Everest base camp
If you are planning a short trek to Everest then Everest View trek is recommended. Short trek to see Everest also has plenty of opportunities to see Mt. Everest including other Khumbu giants. Everest view trek 7 days itinerary comes as follows and goes till Tengboche Monastery then treks back to Lukla. This is also the 7 day Everest base camp trek.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla (flight- 40 min) to Phakding (2652m) 5-6 hours
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) 5-6 hours
Day 3: Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar, hike to Everest view hotel (3900m) 4-5 hours
Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m) 5-6 hours
Day 5: Tengboche to Monjo 5-6 hours
Day 6: Monjo to Lukla 5-6 hours
Day 7: Lukla to Kathmandu (flight) 40 min
How is the accommodation on the Everest base camp trek?
Everest base camp hotels are family-run lodges that are comfortable and cozy with friendly people. Luxury trek to Everest base camp is also available where one can stay at luxury hotels with state-of-the-art facilities like star hotels in Kathmandu with attached toilets, hot and cold running water, wi-fi, choices of food on the menu etc. Though luxury hotels are available at the lower portion of the Everest base camp trail map such as Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Monjo, Thame, Kongde, Tashinga, Mende and Pangboche. Everest luxury trek is the right choice for this.
Is the Everest base camp trek difficult?
Everest base camp trek difficulty level is strenuous to challenging. However, previous trekking experience isn’t required nor you need to be an absolute mountaineer. All you need is a good level of physical fitness. Besides, the itinerary has been planned with enough acclimatization/rest days, one at Namche and one at Dingboche, with slowly gaining altitude each day, so as to reduce the effect of high altitude. But if you have planned for a much lesser trek like 5 day Everest base camp trek, you can go for Short Everest Trek. However, on this, you don’t go to the Everest Base Camp but hike up till Namche Bazaar and return back to Lukla.
Everest base camp trek by helicopter
In addition, there’s the option for a day trip to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu in which you fly to Everest in a chartered helicopter, explore around and fly back to Kathmandu on Everest Base Camp Heli tour. For those who still planned to hike till the base camp but wish to fly back and not hike back to Lukla, they can choose Everest Base Camp Helicopter trek. This trek starts with a hike from Lukla to the base camp then fly back to Kathmandu by helicopter from Gorekshep.
Altitude sickness on Everest base camp trek
The other prime concern and worry for this trek is Everest base camp altitude sickness. But altitude sickness at Everest base camp can be avoided by drinking lots of water, walking slowly, avoiding alcoholic beverages. Mount Everest base camp trek itinerary is also planned with enough acclimatization days to reduce altitude sickness. But in case if anyone’s been affected by altitude sickness, the best solution is to descend down and not trek further up. If conditions are bad then they need to be immediately rescued by a helicopter flown in from Kathmandu.
Everest base camp trek cost
It solely depends upon how you have organized your trek, by yourself or let all the things handled by a trekking company which comprises of the guide, potters, all food (besides drinks), trek permits, flights.
Best travel insurance for Everest base camp trek
Travel insurance for the Everest base camp trek is mandatory which should cover helicopter rescue, hospital and medical charges. Everest base camp trek insurance cost depends upon different insurance companies. Please bear in mind that travel insurance for trekking to the Everest base camp policy should cover helicopter rescues from over 6,000 meters since some insurance policies don’t cover it.
How much is food on Everest base camp trek?
Everest base camp trek food cost depends upon the items you order but usually, your Everest base camp trek cost includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you don’t really have to worry about it. But for snacks or water, you need to pay extra. For drinking water, taking along water purification tablets is suggested which are easily available in Kathmandu.
Trekking permit for Everest base camp
Everest base camp trek permit cost is Nepali rupees 3000 per person (US$30 approx.) including the other Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit which is Nepali rupees 2000 per person (US$20 approx.). Your tour cost already included all the permit fees. All the other extra costs involved are shower, wi-fi, alcoholic drinks, phone calls, charging cameras which are to be paid directly in cash, so changing your currency into Nepali rupees before the trek while in Kathmandu is recommend since there are no ATM or credit card facilities in the Everest region.
Everest base camp trek without guide
Though some people still do the solo trekking at Everest base camp but it isn’t advised since the trek is at the highest points on earth where novice trekkers can get into risky situations like altitude sickness. Therefore, going along with an experience trek guide is recommended.
Tips for Everest base camp trek
Tips for trekking to Everest base camp comes as gratitude towards your trek guide and porters who helped you to finish the trek in which you can give a certain amount as an Everest base camp trek tip.
Staying overnight at Everest base camp
If anyone’s planning to stay overnight at Everest base camp then it’s risky to stay overnight there in such a high altitude and cold location. In fact, Everest climbers come to base camp for the expedition only in spring (March-May) and make a tented camp. Everest base camp trek temperature depends upon the season where April to September is normal below 05° C to 20° C in the morning and evening. From October to March, it gets below minimum -10° C to a maximum of 15° C during the day.
What is the packing list for Everest base camp trek?
Everest base camp trekking packing list depends upon the season you travel. Below is the guideline of the packing list though mountain climbing equipment like ice-axe, climbing gears aren’t required since no mountain climbing is involved. Though walking stick is recommended which is very helpful ascending up or downhill.
Suggested Clothing
• sun hat with visor
• stocking cap
• scarf
• sun glasses
• sun block (minimum spf 6 for face, 12 for lips) • t-shirts (cotton or wool)
• comfortable underwear
• long and short sleeved shirts
• polar fleece (pile) jacket
• wool sweater
• shorts (culturally less acceptable for women) • warm pants, e.g., polar fleece (pile) • silk long underwear
• wool long underwear
• cotton socks
• wool socks
• ski jacket (gore-tex shell and down liner, see
notes)
• rain gear (waterproof jacket and pants) • tennis shoes
• hiking boots
• warm gloves and/or mittens
Trekking Supplies
• medium size backpack/rucksack (50 liters) • small flashlight or headlamp and batteries • safety pouch (i.e., money belt) for passport, personal documents, money
Personal Belongings
• toiletry kit (soap & shampoo, toothbrush and
toothpaste, small scissors, safety pins, mirror) • personal pharmacy and first aid kit small sewing kit
• kleenex
• toilet paper
• towel
• multi-purpose (“Swiss army”) camping knife (NB: knives and scissors must not be carried on the plane as hand luggage and should always be packed with the checked luggage)
Various Items
• camera
• small thermos or water bottle (1/2 liter), trail
bars, vitamins
Everest base camp trek without flight to Lukla
Since the flight to Lukla from Kathmandu opened up, trek Everest Base Camp has been really been accessible. Before Tenzing-Hillary airport Lukla Nepal was built, one has to walk all the way to Everest connecting with Namche Bazaar then further trek to the base camp. This route was hiked by first time Mt. Everest summiteers Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa during the ’50s. To experience this trek you can go for Classic Everest Base Camp trek. For a more daring adventure to Everest, Khumbu Icefall trek is the right choice which goes up till Camp 2 of Mt. Everest.
Everest base camp trek age limit
There is no such age limit for trek to Everest Base Camp and all it needs to be physically fit and determination to achieve the trek. But people with back pain, heart conditions are recommended to consult their doctor.
Everest base camp trek from Tibet
Everest Base Camp can also be visited from the Tibetan side (the northern face) where you drive till the Rongbuk Monastery (4,980 meters), the highest located monastery in the world from where you get a good view of the northern face of Mt. Everest. From the monastery, you walk till the base camp which is about 2 hours hike.
Everest base camp trek with Island peak climbing
The trek to Everest Base Camp and climb the isolated Island peak can be beautifully combined. The program first visits the Everest Base Camp, hike to Kalapatthar to get the most amazing and closer view of Mt. Everest. Then the trek proceeds to Chukkung and to Island peak base camp to attempt the peak. After the successful summit of Island peak, trek back to Lukla.
Conjointly, there are other superb areas to explore besides Everest Base Camp such as Gokyo lakes during Gokyo Lake trekking and the high Himalayan mountain passes namely Cho La Pass (5368m), Renjo La Pass (5360m) and Kongma La Pass (5535m). If one is looking for a really challenging trek into the Everest region then combing all these three passes along with Everest Base Camp hike is the best option Everest High Passes Trek. You can also combine Gokyo lakes, Chola pass and Everest Base Camp vice versa in treks like EBC Chola pass Gokyo Trek or Gokyo Chola pass EBC Trek.
