There are two possible Everest Climbing routes. One route stretches from southeast ridge while the other route stretches from northeast ridge. South Base Camp of Everest is used if climbers choose to climb via southeast ridge while North Base Camp is chosen by climbers who wish to conquer Everest via northeast ridge. Since you can literally take vehicle to South Base Camp, this will be more like Everest Base Camp Tour if you chose to go to South Base Camp. If you want real experience of Everest Base Camp trekking, then we would suggest you to choose South Base Camp of Everest. Porters and yaks are the only means of transport for South Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp in Tibet
South Base Camp of Everest lies in Tibet. Trekkers need to take permit from Chinese Government. You also need to take permit to enter Tibet, Autonomous region of China. Noth Base Camp is located at the base of Rongbuk glacier.
Everest Base Camp in Nepal
Among all other treks in Himalayas, EBC Trekking is one of the most popular packages. After catching flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest Base Camp Trek begins from Tenzing Hilary Airport in Lukla. This is considered one of the best air routes in the world as you will get to see many 7000m+ and 8000m+ mountains including Langtang Ri, Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam and Everest.
Everest Base Camp Trek and High Altitude Sickness
Possibility of High Altitude Sickness exists in EBC Trek. There are two types of High Altitude Sickness. High Altitude Sickness is caused due to lack of oxygen as there is less oxygen available. When there is less oxygen you begin to breathe faster which causes headache and other high altitude sickness symptoms.
There are three types of High Altitude Sickness. They are Acute Mountain Sickness. High Altitude Pulmonary edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral edema (HACE). High Altitude Sickness can be prevented by taking enough rest days. Do not hurry to reach to the Base Camp. Place enough rest days in itinerary. Drink plenty of fluid. Diamox is the useful medicine against High Altitude Sickness.
Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Trek
Both Teahouse accommodation and camping trek can be organized in Everest Base Camp. If you follow the main Everest Base Camo trek route, you will find teahouses and lodges throughout the route. There are big hotels established in Namche but rooms will be small if you choose accommodation in tea houses and the facilities will be pretty much basic. Most of the rooms in tea houses at high altitude do not have toilet. There will be no heating and most of the teahouses at high altitude rely on solar for electricity. There will be a bed, pillow and a blanket only. You need to book early during peak season as it will be difficult to find room.
EBC Trek for First Time Trekkers
You can still participate in EBC Trekking even if you have not done trekking at high altitude previously. But it will be better if you prepare yourself for this trek. Going for a long walk each morning for a month before this trek can be a fine idea. Other relevant exercise would be climbing stairs or you can also join gym to improve your stamina. Expect to walk for 5 to 6hrs each day with steep climb on few sections.
Packing List for EBC Trek
Most of the domestic airways companies that operate flights in between Kathmandu and Lukla has limit of 10 kg per person luggage and 5kg per person weight can be taken in hand carry. If your bag is overweight, you will be charged.
Food in EBC Trek
The staple food of Nepal is Dal Bhat which is rice served with pulses and curry. However, at high altitude, potato become the common food. Especially meat products are bought from Kathmandu and other places as many Highland people follow Buddhism and their religion prohibit killing. You will find the cost of food increases with the increase in altitude as the only means of transportation on these places is yaks and porters. It will be a nice idea to bring Tang with you. It is because you should drink plenty of water at high altitude and drinking plain water becomes unpleasant soon.
Charging your gadgets
Tea houses at lower altitude have good electricity support. You can charge your cameras, power banks and mobiles at some of the rooms. Teahouses at higher elevation run on solar and there is very limited supply of electricity. You need to pay extra money to charge your devices on tea houses at high altitude.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
Everest Base Camp trek can be possible from Jiri or from Lukla. There are many things that determine the cost. Since Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek has longer itinerary, it is expensive in comparison to Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trek. Major part of expenses go on food. Also, you will find that the expenses will be less if you choose local trekking agency rather than International Trekking Agents. Trekking Agencies from Nepal are equally efficient and provide complete logistics support for Base Camp Trek.
Physical Fitness
Anyone with normal physical fitness can join this trek and what is more there is a record that even children have joined this trek. The route has sharp ascend and descend at few sections and you need to walk through rock steps and moraine. So, this trek may not be right choice for anyone with knee problems. Always keep emergency medicine like medicine for headache and diarrhea close with you.
Everest Base Camp Trekking Route
After assembling the crew and making necessary preparations, we will walk to Phakding village where we will visit local monastery. Walking along Dudh Koshi River, we will traverse forest and walk past small villages to arrive at Monjo. The Gate to Sagarmatha National Park is located at Monjo. We will enter Sagarmatha National Park which is a sanctuary that is stretched over 1148sq.km. of an area. This National Park was founded in 1976 and is the first National Park of Nepal to be included in UNESCO Heritage Site. More than 118 species of birds and several species of rare Himalayan faunas including Thars, snow leopard, Black bear and wolves have found their shelter in Sagarmatha National Park. From National Park, the trail descends to Army Camp from where we will trek to Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar is also known as Gateway to Everest. The capital land of Sherpa, Namche is the major trade center that has been used by locals to trade with neighboring Tibetans since ancient period. We will trek to Tengboche. This village is famous for its Monastery. Tengboche Monastery is the largest monastery in Khumbu region. Gate of Tengboche Monastery is opened after 3pm. We can observe Puja ceremony that is performed by Lama priest. From Tengboche, we will move towards Lobuche via tiny village of Pheriche. Pheriche is famous for its oldest Monastery in Khumbu. From Lobuche, we will descend to Gorakshep Lake. 5-6 hours of trek from Gorakshep takes us to Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp does not provide view of Everest Mountain itself. So, trekkers usually trek to Kalapattar for close-up view of Everest.
Everest Advanced Base Camp
Everest Advanced Base Camp is used by Everest climbers. This Camp is also known as Camp1 and it exists on other side of Khumbu Ice Fall. Reaching Advanced Base Camp requires strong mountaineering skills.
Camping at Everest Base Camp
The EBC area is full of camps only in climbing season. The area is unstable due to moraines. So, it is usual practice to return back to Gorakshep for overnight stay.
Dangers During EBC Trek
Everest Base Camp is not dangerous. You must remember to step to the wall side whenever you have an encounter with yak so that you will not be knocked off the edge by yak. The trail is wide and improved. The parts that were destroyed by 2015 earthquake has been repaired. Getting sick from high altitude sickness is the major challenge of this trek which can be prevented with enough rest days. It will be wise to take one acclimatization day after each increase of 1000m height. You should be watchful of rockfalls and moraines.
Insurance for Everest Base Camp Trek
Most of the insurance companies do not offer insurance for more than 5000m elevation. So, you should ask with insurance company clearly whether your insurance cover for trek to Base Camp. You should also ask if your insurance cover helicopter evacuation in case you need an emergency rescue.
Standard Everest Base Camp Trekking Itinerary
Day 01: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2886m), Trek to Phakding
Day 02: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 03: Rest day at Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 04: Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche (3867m)
Day 05: Tyangboche to Dingboche (4260m)
Day 06: Rest day at Dingboche (4260m)
Day 07: Dingboche to Lobuche (4930m)
Day 08: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep
Day 09: Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5545m), Trek to Pheriche (4243m)
Day 10: Pheriche to Tyangboche (3867m)
Day 11: Tyangboche to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2886m)
Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu Flight
Best Season for Everest Base Camp Trek
September to December is considered best season for Everest Base Camp trekking. But this is also the season when Everest region gets crowded with tourists. So, you will find it difficult to find rooms in tea houses during this period. Recently, March to May is becoming popular. You will be greeted with blooming rhododendron and other wild flowers. Nature is at its best during spring season which is from March to May.
Popular Treks in Everest Region
Gokyo Trek
Everest Panorama Trek
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Valley Trek
Everest High Pass Trek
Everest Renjo La Thame Trekking
Everest View Short Trek
Jiri To Everest Base Camp Trek
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