If you can complete Everest Base Camp Trek, remember that you've achieved one of the most remarkable feats in the Himalayas. The ecstasy of reaching Kala Patthar and EBC at 5,364 meters and 5,644 meters lives in you forever. Moreover, the fantastic sparkle of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other mountains makes you feel like you are in heaven.
As almost every human wants to see the world's highest mountain, Everest, the classic Everest Base Camp Hike remains on everyone's bucket list. It's the world's highest altitude seated base camp, and reaching here is no joke.
With the risk of high altitude sickness, unmatched adventure, and two weeks junket to the Himalayas, it remains the best trekking in Nepal and the world.
Here, in how to trek to Everest Base Camp Blog, we'll highlight some crucial topics you should be aware of while planning this trek. Also, you'll get an idea of why you should hire a local trek agency and trek guide for this trek.
Kathmandu to Lukla flight is the most popular way to reach Lukla within just 40 minutes. However, from October 1, 2022, this flight has been shifted to Ramechhap airport. And from Ramechhap airport, Lukla is only 20 minutes by flight. It's that short.
But, for this, you must drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap a day early. For most, this has been a headache because of the long drive to Ramechhap to take the flight to Lukla. However, some enjoy this scenic drive along the BP Highway.
Due to the flight shifts, many trekkers now opt for a group to join the Kathmandu Lukla helicopter flight. With five pax on the group sharing Kathmandu Lukla Helicopter Flight, it costs USD 400 at most. Plus, given the Lukla airport's notorious reputation, instead of taking regular airline’s flight, a helicopter is the most luxurious and safest flight to Lukla.
The benefit of Kathmandu Lukla Helicopter Flight: The helicopter takes off even in conditions not suitable for regular airlines to make flights. Also, taking a chopper direct to Lukla from Kathmandu saves the days’ time of reaching Ramechhap airport.
Nepal Government has mandated that every foreign national hire a trekking guide in Nepal, starting from April 1, 2023. Yes, you are only allowed to travel in Nepal with a trekking guide.
Alongside lifelong experience, Everest Base Camp Hike poses many risks to trekkers. Altitude sickness is one of the scariest situations trekkers experience at EBC. Without a trekking guide, there's a high chance you'll die in situations like mountain sickness.
A trekking guide on Everest Base Camp Hike is not only a navigator but also a companion, supporter, Communication Bridge, and more. There are many benefits of hiring a trekking guide on EBC Trek. A few of them are:
Manages the best tea houses for meals and accommodation even during the crowded months in spring and autumn.Handles your trek logistics, permits, flight tickets, and transportation.Introduces and explains the culture and traditions and bridges the communication while on EBC Trek.
Provides first aid and rescue and calls helicopters for evacuation if necessary.
We highly recommend you book your Everest Base Camp Trek with the local agency so that you'll have your trek arranged by the agency, including a trekking guide, at the price you pay for the EBC hike.
You can also hire a trekking guide at Lukla or Kathmandu and purchase Everest Trek Permits to start this trek. A decent experienced trek guide can cost you from USD 25-30 a day. Learn more about Hiring Trekking Guides in Nepal, the types of principles and the cost of hiring them.
While on Everest Base Camp Hike, two acclimatization’s must be at Namche and another at Dingboche.
Namche Bazaar is an ideal spot for acclimatization at an altitude of 3,400 meters. On the acclimatization hike, you'll visit Hotel Everest View at Syangboche, 3,880 meters. With this acclimatization at Namche, you'll get proper rest and adapt well for the coming day's hike.
However, if you want to stay two days at Namche, visit Khumjung or Thame during your acclimatization hike.
Another acclimatization at Dingboche is a crucial one. Even if you avoid acclimatization at Namche, stop for acclimatization at Dingboche. From here, most trekkers who avoid acclimatization return due to altitude sickness. But, those who acclimate well at Dingboche hike to Gorak Shep, Kala Patthar and EBC comfortably.
Acclimatization at Dingboche sees you hiking as high as 4,800 meters at Nangkartshang peak. From here, you'll see elegant mountains like Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, and Tawoche.
The best times for Everest Base Camp Hike are spring and autumn. However, experienced trekkers even plan their winter EBC Trek to enjoy the deep snowfall.
Trekking to Everest's base camp is primarily to see Everest, the world's highest mountain. And when you step on Kala Patthar for the ultimate view, the weather must be clear with utmost visibility.
The days in spring, from March to May and autumn, from September to November, are the best time to plan and hike this trek. These days are characterized by utmost visibility, snow-filled mountains, more extended daylight, warm temperature, and rain-free days. These conditions are best for day hikes, overnight sleep, and sightseeing.
The semi-alpine landscape, from Lukla to Tengboche, gets blanketed by spring’s greenery and autumn colors.
The daytime temperature at EBC during Spring and Autumn averages 15 degrees celsius, and the nighttime temperature is around -5 to -10 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the five mph wind speed clears the fog and the outlook often.
As the weather at Lukla and other places in route changes frequently due to monsoon rain, Everest Base Camp Hike in summer is not doable. The frequent rainfall, snowfall, thunderstorms, and slippery trails make your trek a nightmare rather than a lifetime adventure.
You must be in your best physical shape and fitness while trekking to Everest Base Camp. On the trek, you'll hike for at least five hours each day. Moreover, you'll hike more than eight hours each day while returning. Plus, it's not a walk in the park but the most remote high-altitude terrain in the world.
Endurance, strength, and cardiovascular training is a must for Everest trekkers. While training, train your muscles as if you're hiking, walking, or running on high-altitude terrain. At home, you can run, climb the stairs, do short day hikes, and do other relevant exercises for a few months before departing on this trek prepares you well.
Against altitude, you must have good breathing ability. Swimming, yoga, and several exercises improve your breathing abilities. Although altitude sickness works unexpectedly, you can avoid mountain sickness with these breathing techniques.
And make your training intense as your Everest Base Camp hike departure nears. As this trek demands continuous hiking for 12 days, you will need proper training beforehand to cope with the intensity of the hike.
Your health must be as crucial as you consider your training for EBC Trek. There's no denying that your health and fitness determine whether you'd make it to the Everest Base Camp.
Slow and steady is the mantra while trekking at high altitudes. Your priority is to prevent altitude sickness and remain healthy throughout the trek. It's better to take your time, hike slowly, and take a few days of acclimatization if necessary. If you want to consume drugs before departing for the trek, consult your doctor regarding altitude sickness-preventing medicines like Diamox.
Stay alert when it comes to the mules while trekking. You may often encounter the mule herds on the cliffs or middle of the suspension bridge. Apart from mules and yaks, you must be careful about giving a way to trek porters. They often run on the trail carrying 30-40 kg of luggage.
Go vegetarian throughout this trek to remain healthy and avoid spoiled meat at the tea houses.
Sagarmatha National Park is a Buddhist area starting from Lukla to EBC. People here don't kill animals for meat. Instead, they bring the heart from lower regions. Porters carry the essence in a sac for a few days to Namche and other higher places. And by the time they reach high-altitude places like Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche, the meat deteriorates.
Dal Bhat is the safest meal throughout Everest Base Camp Hike, just like your trek guides and porters eat daily. We recommend you consume Dal Bhat once a day, especially at dinner, to replenish your energy levels.
Tea houses here in the Everest region provide modern amenities to the trekker. You can get any tea houses, from luxurious to backpacker hotels. You can get the meals you choose, from Pizza to burgers and fries, from Spaghetti to Cappuccino.
Till Gorakshep, you'll have great meal options to choose from. Whether it's a breakfast plate filled with Toast, Jam, Butter, Honey, Scrambled Eggs, Tibetan Bread, etc., it'll keep your tummy full until mid-day lunch.
During lunch and dinner, you'll get plenty to choose from. The most common and complete meal is Dal Bhat, with cooked vegetables and lentil soup. You can also have spaghetti with tuna, sizzlers, cheese, macaroni, pasta, noodles, thukpa, and steaks.
While trekking, you'll get twin sharing rooms at every tea house. You'll also get private rooms, but they will cost you more. You'll have attached bathrooms till Dingboche. You'll bring clean blankets and a pillowcase.
Sagarmatha Conservation Area Permit and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit are essential Everest Base Camp Trek Permits. You must have these permits if you are planning for Free Individual Trekking. And if you've booked this trek with an agency like us, you'll have your EBC Trek permits ready before the departure.
The cost of these permits costs USD 70 or NPR 7000 in total. there are 3 diffrent permit need and total cost is 70$ Plus, these permits remain valid throughout the one time.
Sagarmatha Conservation Area Permit is available at the Trekkers Help Center at Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. You can get this permit at Trekker's check post at Monjo as well.
However, the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is only available at the check post in Lukla.
It's essential to know your EBC Trek Itinerary. If you plan for 12 days EBC Trek, you must practice the standard itinerary with two days of acclimatization. If you're in Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return, you'll hike to the base camp for nine days and return by helicopter.
Also, there are other Everest Base Camp Hike Itineraries that you should be well aware of.
Knowing the itinerary and hiking distance helps you stay at places if you feel sick or unable to continue the hike. Also, knowing the itinerary lets you plan trek time, a tea house in route for lunch, and an overnight accommodating place.
A medium-light backpack is enough for 12 Everest Base Camp Hike days. Make sure that your luggage is at most 15 kg. With an agency, you'll get a trekking porter to carry your backpack. But, if you're planning for a solo trek with a guide and porter, you have to pay them per day, around USD 25 a day.
Tea houses in the Everest region don't offer heated rooms, and the temperature gets colder as you hike further up. So, the best way to keep you nice and warm throughout the trek is to carry some layers.
T-shirts, fleece, underwear, thermal wear, sleeve shirts, and insulating layers must be packed in your backpack. Wear a warm-down jacket and raincoat for cold and unprecedented rainfall to complete your shell layer.
Trekking socks, boots, knee caps, and knee warmers are necessary for comfortable hikes and warm legs. Also, it would help if you carried a slipper or sneaker during the accommodation at tea houses. Buffs, woolen hats, gloves, headlamps, and polarized sunglasses are necessary. Trekking poles and a sleeping bag (up to -20 degrees) are required and can be hired in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla.
Lip balms, moisturizer, sunscreen, travel-size towels and toiletries are handy items you should carry. Also, your backpack must include some essential medications and first aid kits.
Water bottles, purifying tablets, and hydration salts are essential to keep yourself hydrated.
It's always best to book your Everest Base Camp Trek with a local agency like Adventure Nepal Eco Treks. With the recent change in trek policy, as trekkers now must hire a trekking guide, solo trekkers may end up paying more than what trekkers pay for the agency.
The cost of an Everest Base Camp Hike costs around somewhere between $1095 to $1495 the everest classic trek route, including a trekking guide, porter, accommodations, meals, transportation, flight tickets, airport pickup and drop, and more.
A local travel agency makes all the arrangements for the trek. And all you need to do is carry your lightweight backpack and prepare for the hike.
Get trusted guidance and service from us. Feel free to contact trek manager Mr Debi P. Baral at +977-9851082358(WhatsApp 24/7) or email info@nepalecotrekking.com for detailed information regarding how to trek to Everest Base Camp in 2023.