Everest Base Camp Trek Overview
Everest Base Camp Trek, popularly also known as EBC trek is one of the most famous trekking in Nepal. The base camp of the mighty Mt. Everest lies in the Khumbu region in the north of Nepal which is the final destination of our 14 days trekking in the Everest region. The Everest base camp trek packages take you through the rich biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 14-day Everest base camp trekking is a moderately challenging trek as it involves steep ascent, descent, and pleasant walking in the high Himalayas. One with good physical fitness and stamina can embark on the journey to Everest base camp.
The popular EBC trek itinerary starts after 35 minutes or 19 minutes (if We use a flight from Manthali Ramechhap) of scenic and thrilling flight to Lukla (2,860 m). The 14-day Everest base camp trek route takes you to the high altitude of 5,545 meters, Kala Patthar, and the base of the mighty Mount Everest (5,364 m).
Everest Base Camp trek package offers mesmerizing scenic vistas of the tallest mountains such as Mt.Everest (8848.86 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), and Mt. Cho Oyu (8188 m), and many other high peaks making your trek a once-in-lifetime experience. Throughout the trail, you will be astonished by Nepal's diverse landscapes, vegetation, and cultural richness.
From the start of the hike to the end days, you will experience the world-renowned hospitality of the Himalayan Sherpa and get to immerse in their culture and lifestyle as the Everest base camp trek itinerary includes Sherpa settlements such as Lukla, Dingboche, and Namche where you stay one more day for acclimatization.
The Mount Everest base camp trek package provides a sense of spiritual connection as you will pass many prayer wheels, colorful prayer flags, and Mani walls believed to bring good luck to one passing by. Always go through its left side touching by right side as a sign of respect. You will visit the largest monastery in the Everest region- Thyanboche monastery, a major landmark in the Everest region.
Since trekking to Everest base camp offers natural, cultural, and spiritual wonders -so many surprises in one inclusive package, you might be wondering what the Everest base camp trek package costs. We, Nepal Adventure Team provide Everest base camp trek packages at reasonable prices. The cost may vary depending on the group numbers, mode of payment, and additional services. If you want luxury, we do provide the Everest base camp luxury trek package.
What is Everest Base Camp, and How it Can Reach?
The highest Mountain, Mt.Everest has two base camps opposite the mountain. Base camp is the starting point for all the climbers attempting the summit push to Everest.
South Base Camp -The southern base camp is at an altitude of 5,364 m in the Khumbu region on the Nepal side. Every year, trekkers from all around the world hike up to the South base camp. It is popular as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first to reach the summit using this route. It can be reached by trekking for 8-12 days. The trek starts with a short flight to Lukla, passing through the verdant vegetation of Sagarmatha National Park, and Sherpa settlements.
North Base Camp - The northern base camp at an altitude of 5,150 m is located in Tibet, China. The trek to the North base camp provides a different experience compared to the South base camp trek as the trek starts from the Tibetan town of Zhangmu, crossing high mountain passes through the Tibetan plateau. It isn’t very popular due to the complex permit system.
Everest base camp serves as the acclimatization point for mountaineers and climbers, aiming for the summit of mighty Mt. Everest.
Can Anyone Embark on the Journey to 14 Days EBC Trek?
If you want to explore the Himalayan Sherpa culture, and lifestyle admiring the stunning landscapes of the mountains, then this 14-day Everest base camp trek package is made for you. You might be wondering how hard the Everest base camp trek is. A 1414-dayverest base camp trek is moderately challenging and with good physical fitness and preparations, anyone can hike to Everest base camp. If you are a regular trekker then previous trekking experience will be an added point for this moderately challenging trek to Everest base camp.
If you don’t have any previous trek experience, don’t get worried as you can begin preparations like jogging, and multiple-day hiking before starting the journey to Everest base camp because the Everest base camp trek is quite challenging and involves steep ascent and rocky paths.
There is no age limit as anyone with good physical fitness and stamina; able to carry some weight on the back can have the finest experience at Everest base camp. But it doesn’t mean young trekkers need less preparation and your 60-year-old grandmother with a good physique couldn’t hike. You can invite your grandmother and have a memorable experience even with your family members.
The 14-day Everest base camp trek itinerary includes crossing many high-suspension bridges over fast-moving rivers steep ascents, and descents. It’s highly recommended to consult doctors if you have any fear of heights. Let us know when you are booking the Everest base camp trek package so that we can help you out.
The Mount Everest base camp trekking package is absolutely for you if you could walk 5-6 hours every day for 14 days with a lightweight daypack. It is advisable to consult with a doctor if you have any pre-medical conditions because the trek involves steep ascent in high altitudes as the base camp is at an altitude of 5,364 m.
Along with physical fitness, mental preparedness is also much needed to overcome difficulties as you trek long hours through difficult terrain, sometimes bad weather, and new places. Mental calmness and resilience are worth enjoying the experience.
What Preparedness Does One Need to Hike the Everest Base Camp?
Everest base camp trekking is a high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal. It involves long hours of walking in difficult terrain at high altitudes so it’s better to prepare before enjoying the experience without any trouble to self and group members.
You need to walk 5-6 hours every day for 14 14-day Everest base camp trek with some weight on your back. It will be hard if you aren’t fit enough, so start early preparations to increase your physical fitness and strength. Build a plan and start doing workouts, jogging, multiple-day hiking, cycling, and even possible short treks. Since you need to carry 5-6 kg of the daypack and walk for long hours, try to practice taking the same weight on a hiking day.
Invest and buy good quality trekking gear and equipment such as clothing, trekking poles, backpacks, sleeping bags, trekking shoes, and many more. Try them when you go hiking in your places so they won’t cause problems later.
The Everest base camp trek cost includes experience and a professional trekking guide but still get the basic knowledge about first aid, altitude sickness, acclimatization, water purifications, and do’s and don’ts in trekking.
Travel arrangements such as a valid passport with the necessary visa need to be checked before trekking as it involves international travel. Consider choosing travel insurance for high-altitude trekking in the Everest region covering sickness, accident, loss, and theft because mishaps can’t be predicted.
Important Notes for Everest Base Camp Trek
- It’s highly recommended to train physically before the start of the trek as it involves a few challenging walks up to Base camp.
- Weather in the mountains is unpredictable so there could be the chance of flight delay or even cancellation. Be calm and kindly do as the trek guide tells you.
- Provide us with a passport photocopy which we need to book the domestic flight to Lukla and back to Kathmandu.
- During the busy season, there won’t be a direct flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. You have to drive 4-5 hours early in the morning to Ramechhap to fly to Lukla. There won’t be day or evening flights to Lukla as the high winds in the mountains make the flight difficult to fly.
- You can buy Wi-Fi cards in Lukla and Namche for USD 25 for 30 days. We can’t ensure a good connection due to bad weather conditions.
- You have to pay an extra $1 to $3 for battery charging and $3 to $5 for hot showers.
- You must get travel insurance for your safety on the trek as mishaps can’t be foreseen.
- Porters carry a maximum of 20 kg so pack your bag lightly with necessary goods at the foremost. Have to hire porters if baggage exceeds the limit.
- Airlines baggage allowance is 15 kg per person. Have to pay an extra penny for the excess baggage if any.
- Hot drinks and cold beverages aren’t included in the package. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided during the trek while only breakfast is included in the Kathmandu stay; excludes lunch and dinner.
- Bring some cash with you and don’t rely on ATMs as you may need additional cash to buy extra beverages not included in packages, clothing, energy bars, or shopping in Namche.
- Always remember to stay hydrated on the trails. Drink plenty of water to oxygenize your blood in the body.
- Never rush on the trekking trails and trek at your own pace as it helps to cope with air pressure and changing environment.
- Enjoy your once-in-lifetime journey to Everest base camp.
EBC Trek Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization
The Everest base camp trek is a high-altitude trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal. You will travel from the elevation of 1350 m, Kathmandu to Lukla at the elevation of 2800 m. The altitude keeps increasing as you ascend following the Everest base camp trek itinerary. So, trekkers are prone to altitude sickness, commonly known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is an illness caused by a low oxygen level and reduced air pressure at high altitudes. The higher the altitude, the more the chance of altitude sickness. Hence the only solution is to walk slowly and ascend gradually.
If you experience symptoms like headache, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbance, you should talk with the guide. To prevent these symptoms of AMS, the Everest base camp trek itinerary included an acclimatization day at high altitudes. Acclimatization helps to adapt to the increasing altitude.
During 14 days Everest base camp trek, you will hike up to Everest View Hotel located at 3,962 m during Namche stay, and hike Mount Nagerjun at the height of 5,100 m in Dingboche. This way you make your body ready for the increasing altitude.
If the above symptoms get severe, the only solution is to descend as fast as possible.
We recommend the following measures to prevent acute mountain sickness.
- Ascend slowly and steadily. Never rush on the trekking trails.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated on the trail.
- Proper acclimatization is the most effective.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes while on the trek.
- Do exercises and light stretching before the start of the trek?
- A Balanced diet and healthy food should be taken.
