As spring approaches in Nepal, we would like to inform you that booking the Everest Base Camp Trek in advance is highly recommended. However, if you still have plans to trek to Everest Base Camp, Peregrine Treks can assist you with last-minute bookings for travel and trekking in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. As Nepal’s premium adventure travel company, we take pride in providing exceptional service to our clients.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is considered one of the world’s best trekking trails, showcasing unique Sherpa culture, mani stones, Buddhist prayer flags, convenient teahouses, and breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. The trek starts in Kathmandu at an altitude of 1300 meters and ascends to 5545 meters from Kala Patthar. To complete this trek, you need previous hiking experience, a positive attitude, mental and muscular strength, and good fitness levels.
To help you prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, we have compiled a list of the top 25 things to know before embarking on the hike to Everest Base Camp. We encourage you to review this information carefully.
1. There are two trekking seasons for Everest Base Camp
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is possible year-round. However, the best trek times are autumn (September, October, and November) and spring (March, April, and May). During these seasons, you can enjoy clear skies and excellent views of the mountains due to the sunny weather and warm temperatures.
While winter trekking is possible, you should be prepared for freezing temperatures that can drop to -20 degrees Celsius at Everest Base Camp and Gorekshep. Additionally, trekking trails may be covered by snow, making them more challenging to navigate.
The summer season is an ideal time for botanists to visit, as the blooming greenery and wildflowers add a beautiful touch to the scenery. However, you may encounter some challenges, such as slippery trails and leeches in the lower parts of the trek.
It’s important to note that trekking trails are less crowded during the summer and winter seasons, providing better opportunities for hospitality.
We recommend planning your trek based on your preferences and fitness level, and considering each season’s weather and trail conditions.
2. Kickstart your trip with the exciting Lukla airport
Tenzing Hillary Airport, known as Lukla, is the world’s most adventurous airport and offers a thrilling mountain flight experience. During the flight, you will witness breathtaking views of dozens of Himalayan peaks and numerous mountain ranges. For the best views, we recommend sitting on the left-hand side of the aircraft.
Alternatively, for those who prefer ground transportation, the Everest Base Camp Trek can be reached by bus. You can catch the bus from the old bus park in Kathmandu and travel to either Jiri or Salleri to start your hike. While this option takes a few extra days to complete, it is an excellent choice for beginners who may want a more gradual ascent to the EBC.
Lukla serves as the entry point for all Everest region treks and is an exciting starting point for the journey of a lifetime. We highly recommend considering all options and selecting the best fit for your interests and skill level.
3. Leave a buffer when you book your flights
Lukla, at an altitude of 2860 meters, is prone to frequent weather changes, which may delay regular flights. To ensure that you do not miss your international flight, we highly recommend scheduling buffer days in Kathmandu. This will provide you with sufficient time in case of unexpected weather disruptions.
If your flight takes off on time, we suggest taking advantage of your extra days in Kathmandu to explore the beautiful Kathmandu Valley or venture out to Dhulikhel or Nagarkot for stunning views of the Himalayas. If you have additional time, you may also plan a tour to Pokhara or Chitwan to experience more of Nepal. Regardless of how you spend your time in Kathmandu, we urge you to consider adding buffer days to your itinerary to ensure a smooth, enjoyable journey.
4. Make sure your insurance covers your whole trip
When embarking on an Everest Base Camp trek, you must ascend to a height of 5545 meters, where altitude sickness is possible. Immediate helicopter rescue is necessary in such an event, given that the trek is miles from road access. Obtaining insurance coverage that includes medical expenses and evacuation services is vital to ensure your safety. It is worth noting that primary insurance policies may have lifetime caps, and it is advisable to confirm this before purchasing an insurance policy.
5. The options for hiking – group or solo, guided or not
You have many options for hiking to Everest Base Camp. You can trek solo or join a group. If you have already trekked to Everest Base Camp, you can go alone. By joining the group, the cost of the Everest Base Camp trek will be minimized. You can hire a guide or porters from Lukla. During the trekking season, experienced and well-trained guides or porters may be unavailable. Also, you may have trouble finding the perfect trekking crew members.
6. Choose an experienced and government-registered company to guide your trek
Trekking with an experienced, government-registered company is the best and safest option for this trek. You can save time and money by choosing the best trekking company. Because they have already managed everything for you, you can trek in a hassle-free mood. Peregrine Treks is a group of young entrepreneurs with more than 15 years of experience in mountain tourism. Most guides are Everest summiteers; you must book the trip in advance to choose them. They will do only a few treks during the year. We will provide the best value for your money.
7. To have a porter or not to have a porter – that is the question
Everest Base Camp hiking offers a range of options, including solo trekking or joining a group. If you have prior experience trekking to the Everest Base Camp, a solo hike is an option. Joining a group minimizes the cost of the trek, and porters and guides can be hired from Lukla. During the trekking season, well-trained and experienced guides or porters may be in short supply. Furthermore, assembling the ideal trekking crew can be challenging.
8. You can kit yourself out in Thamel, Kathmandu
You can get new trekking gear or hire it in Thamel. There is branded and local trekking equipment. You can get a trekking equipment list from your trekking organizer company. Trekking equipment is also available in Namche, but the cost is slightly higher due to transportation.
9. Bring Nepali Rupees
There are not enough ATMs in the trekking area. It is highly recommended that you exchange Nepali rupees in Thamel. Don’t forget to take the slip when exchanging your money. You can pay in foreign currency for your accommodation in the trekking area, but the exchange rate is lower than in Thamel. You can consult your trekking company for an estimate of the Nepalese currency.
10. Pack a book and play cards
You need to spend your two days in a single place for acclimatization. To spend time, pack some exciting books and a deck of playing cards. In a few days, you need to walk for 4-5 hours; on that day, books and playing cards will help you pass the time.
11. Be prepared to substitute wet wipes for showers
Most luxury lodges have hot showers, but after Namche, showers are not recommended due to the cold and high altitude. So, wet wipes do the job of keeping you fresh on those days. We will provide a hot shower facility up to Namche and after Namche.
12. Bring a battery pack
To charge your gadgets, you need electricity. Electricity is available during the trek. Small hydro and solar systems are available to charge your gadgets. The lodge may charge a little money to use your gadgets. The single battery may not work properly due to the cold. So, the battery pack is highly recommended. The electricity plug socket may vary between Europe and Nepal. In Nepal, two rounded pins are readily available.
13. Take a reusable water bottle
It would help to drink plenty of water during the trek to support your acclimatization. After a single purification, most of the water sources are drinkable. So, to save money, you need to carry a big-neck bottle. You can buy bottled mineral water on the trekking trail, but it’s costly and harmful to the environment. In Gorakshep, you need to buy bottled water because the water sources are highly mineralized due to their proximity to the glacier.
14. The most useful toiletries to bring
It would help if you carried sun cream to protect from the sun and cold. Lip guard cream, wet wipes, and recyclable hand wash. We highly recommend that you carry some medicines such as Diamox, paracetamol, and Imodium.
15. You cannot see Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp
This may be an exciting thing for you. You can’t see Mount Everest from the Base Camp because other mountains block your view. You can easily see Mount Everest from the trekking trail. Kala Patthar is the primary viewpoint to see Mount Everest.
16. Head up to Kala Patthar for sunrise
You need to wake up early to catch the sunrise from Kala Patthar. This is the highest point of your entire Everest Base Camp Trek at 5545 meters. From this point, you can see Mount Everest, Khumbu Glacier, and dozens of other peaks in the Himalayas.
17. There is no rush
Hike slowly from Namche, enjoy nature, take photographs, chat with your friends and relatives, and describe your trekking experience. Stop in the teahouses for snacks and tea, drink plenty of water, and have a positive attitude towards hiking; this supports proper acclimatization. High altitude can affect you if you rush, and your Everest Base Camp Trek may be canceled. If you have limited time, you can go down quickly, or you can take a helicopter back after trekking.
18. Keep on the mountainside, mainly where yaks and mules are involved
The trekking trail is vast, but if you find a group of mules and yaks, you must keep on the mountainside for your safety.
19. Look forward to the fantastic suspension bridges
Suspension or hanging bridges are solid and steady. You need not be nervous about the suspension bridge. Before crossing the bridges, be sure whether or not heavily loaded porters are coming from your opponent. Stay some time on the edge of the bridge if there are wide-loaded porters. You can enjoy the prayer flags and Khadas threaded up along the bridge.
20. Be sensitive to altitude sickness symptoms
Altitude sickness is a common problem during hiking in the mountains. Usually, this problem occurs on hikes above 3500 meters. The highest elevation on the Everest Base Camp Trek is 5545 meters, so there is a high risk of altitude sickness if you are careless. The primary symptoms include headache, often with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, disturbed sleep, and dizziness. You need to consult your guide if your body shows these signs. Drinking plenty of water, having garlic soup, and using Diamox may reduce this sickness; descending is the best option for treatment.
21. The accommodation is basic but comfy
Accommodation during the Everest Base Camp Trek is essential, but all are comfortable. There are a few luxurious trekking lodges, but they are expensive. You must book the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek Package to stay in that lodge. The typical lodge has a warm eating area, good Western and Nepali food, and a comfortable bedroom. Lodge provides pillows and blankets, but taking sleeping bags is highly recommended.
22. Food and drink options
There are enough lodges along the trekking trail; you need not worry about the food and drinks. You can get Nepali and Western food in significant lodges. During peak trekking season, lodges may be hard to find due to the large number of tourists. But we will manage and pre-book the lodges for you. Alcoholic drinks are not recommended during trekking because of the high altitude.
23. Everything gets more expensive the higher up you go
There is no road access in that area. Porters, mules, yaks, and helicopters must carry food and all other things. Because of transportation costs, most goods are more expensive in higher areas.
24. You can tap into wifi if you need to
We will provide one Nepali SIM card; you must top up the balance. In significant places, mobile data will work. Mobile data is not reliable and slow. You can take wifi passwords from hotels and restaurants.
25. Keep your batteries in your sleeping bag overnight
Put all your accessories, clothes, and other things into your bag at night. Put batteries in your sleeping bag because cold can shorten their lifespan. These 25 points cover most of the essential information about the Everest Base Camp Trek, but if you want more, please email us at sales@peregrinetreks.com or call us directly at +9779851052413. We are available 24/7 to provide you with information. Also, you can contact us for trekking, tours, peak climbing, expeditions, and jungle safaris in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.