The Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is one of the most famous trekking trips in the country. Nepal is famous as “the land of the Himalayas” and although it is relatively small in size, the country has a wide range of diversities pertaining to geography, culture and wildlife. Among the ten highest mountains in the world, Nepal has eight, including Mount Everest, the highest peak on the planet. As such, trekking in Nepal has become one of the most sought after adventures among enthusiastic travelers and hikers around the world. The country has many incredible trekking destinations that vary from one another in terms of topography, cultural prominence, and landscape. Every year, thousands of hikers and travelers visit the country to enjoy its many natural, cultural and traditional features. Among all the trekking destinations in Nepal, the Everest region is considered the most famous, and the Everest Base Camp Trek is the most undertaken trekking trip, responsible for a large part of the income generation in the tourism sector of the country.
You would think that walking to the base camp of the highest mountain peak in the world is something that requires a lot of effort and money, but that cannot go much further than the truth. Everest Base Camp Trekking is cheap, super affordable, can be done at any time of the year and by people of all demographic groups. It can be done by both novice hikers and experienced mountaineers. The base camp trip is a great opportunity to experience the many amazing features and aspects of the Everest region (also called Khumbu), such as the rich Sherpa culture, the beautiful mountainous landscape brimming with river valleys, gorges, moraines, glaciers and rivers. mountain and magnificent views. and views of the Mahalangur Himalayas, which consists of some of the highest mountains on the planet. The Khumbu is one of the major Sherpa settlements in Nepal and the region has a very rich and dense concentration of Sherpa traditions and practices found nowhere else in the country. The legendary Sherpas are also famous for their ability to climb mountains and their agility in the Himalayas. As the indigenous peoples of the mountains mostly follow their own unique form of Buddhism, the Khumbu is adorned with many chortens, gumbas, small stupas, monasteries, prayer flags, and stone carvings of Mani on the walls. The trekking trail from base camp to Everest passes through many Khumbu villages and also follows the main mountain rivers that drain the region. Additionally, the road to base camp is decorated with alpine forests, lowland forests and pastures, and snowy acres as elevation increases. The views of cerulean mountain peaks such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Thamserku, Kongdi Ri and many more are also a constant presence as one walks the amazing trail that runs through the heart of the Himalayan region.
The Everest Base Camp Trek Trail
The trip to Mount Everest Base Camp usually begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. A plane ride from the country’s capital to Lukla takes between 30 and 40 minutes and is considered one of the most dramatic short plane trips on Earth. Lukla Airport is also a very fascinating airport that is situated on a cliff and has a single runway that descends into the huge open valley below when the runway ends. It is surrounded by high green hills and mountains, and the terrain in Lukla is quite different from Kathmandu. This change is felt immediately when one lands on Lukla. From Lukla village, the hiking trail passes through villages such as Phakding, Monjo, Sagarmatha National Park, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Gorakshep before finally reaching Everest base camp. Usually the trekking trip lasts for two weeks, but this duration can be adjusted to suit the requirements and comforts of the hiker. The duration from one place to another is approximately 5 to 6 hours, as the distance between two consecutive villages in the Khumbu is approximately 10 to 12 kilometers. Acclimatization to the high altitude terrain is usually done in the famous mountain town of Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.
Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp
The walk can be done at any time of the year and is available throughout the year. Nepal mainly experiences four main seasons: autumn (September to December), spring (March to May), winter (late December to February) and summer (June to August). The autumn and spring seasons are considered the best seasons for base camp trekking because the weather conditions during these months are very favorable and adequate. Clouds tend to dissipate and mountain views are clear. Summer and winter are not ideal for trekking, but the journey can still be done. The monsoon occurs in the summer months and the trekking trails get muddy and slippery with constant rain. The views of the mountains are also not as clear as the fall or spring seasons. In the winter, high passes in the mountains tend to get blocked due to heavy snowfall and the region experiences extremely cold temperatures. This is why fall and spring are considered peak trekking seasons, as most trekkers to Everest arrive during this time and hotels and airline tickets are quickly booked.
Essential trekking equipment
Essential trekking equipment for the Everest Base Camp Trek includes proper trekking boots, sleeping bag, duffel bags, hiking poles, and proper hiking clothing. It is important to have trekking boots that you feel comfortable in and have “tucked in” with. Walking in boots that you are not comfortable in can lead to foot blisters and just a nasty ride constantly ruined by the feeling of uncomfortable boots in the hilly terrain. That is why it is important to have good and comfortable trekking boots (of any brand, as long as you feel comfortable wearing them). It is also highly recommended to pack as light as possible. Packing lightly will result in less hassle and chances of losing things. In the mountains, porters are usually hired to carry duffel bags. A trunk is capable of carrying up to 25 kilograms of weight between two people. Therefore, packing a duffel bag that does not exceed the weight of more than 12 kg is the most suitable way to do it. Hotels in Kathmandu also provide security locker services where you can store your excess luggage that is not really necessary for the trek. There are many stores in Kathmandu that sell trekking and hiking equipment. You can rent / hire them once you get to town and before you start the trek. A suitable down jacket is necessary, but if you are trekking in the fall or spring, the daytime temperatures remain slightly warm and you can walk comfortably in hiking shirts and shorts. The temperature drops a bit as the sun goes down and the atmosphere turns chilly, so warm hats, wool socks, and jackets come in handy. Other essential items may include sunscreen, sunglasses, and hiking hats.
Accommodations and meals during the trip.
Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels ranging from three to five star categories. But once the hike begins, the availability of accommodation in the mountains can be limited to guesthouses, teahouses, and lodges. Places like Namche Bazaar, Phakding, and Lukla have guesthouse availability offering more services, but the rest of the places feature basic guesthouse accommodations. That is not to say that the accommodations are not comfortable. In contrast, guesthouses and lodges are very comfortable and serve breakfast and dinner. In general, in the mountains, accommodations from room to room with two shared people are available and hikers are sometimes required to share a room with other hikers (of the same gender). Electricity is available in all guesthouses and some even have Wi-Fi service. Laundry services are not really available except in Namche, Lukla and Phakding and an additional amount has to be paid to use the hot water.
Regarding meals, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are offered. Breakfast at the guesthouses can range from oatmeal, toast, eggs, pancakes, and juice to meatballs, noodles, and pasta. For dinner, hikers usually eat rice and vegetables. Lunch is served throughout the journey from one destination to another in the afternoon. Drinking water can be bought in mountain shops. The cost of a liter of water during the trek is approximately USD 100 or 150. Hikers can also bring water purifying tablets. This method is the best for drinking water because it is less harmful to the environment than buying plastic water bottles in the mountains and it is easier to transport and run. There are many springs, wells and pumps in the mountain villages and filling the bottle and purifying it with the pill makes it suitable for drinking. It is important to know that tap water is not suitable for direct consumption, and it is necessary to take precautionary measures such as water purification tablets before consuming the water during trekking.
Altitude sickness and acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a body condition that occurs when the body cannot adapt to the high altitude conditions in the mountains. The onset of this disease varies from person to person. If the symptoms of the disease are not treated properly, the condition can even become serious. That is why having adequate and sufficient acclimatization time is important during trekking to allow the body to adapt to the difference in altitude. Plowing the hike without acclimatizing properly is discouraged, especially for novice hikers. Some of the symptoms of the disease include headache, loss of sleep, and appetite. It is important to stay adequately hydrated during trekking and eat happily for energy. Going slow and steady at your own comfortable pace is recommended. Medications for the disease can also be taken to lower your chances. Medicines like Diamox help. Some hikers even take medicine from the beginning of the trek from Kathmandu. If symptoms of the disease occur and one cannot continue later, it is recommended to stay and rest until you feel better before continuing.
Money
There are many currency exchange centers in Kathmandu where you can exchange foreign currency. It is not recommended to carry foreign currency in the mountains because it can be a nuisance. Instead, exchanging money before the hike begins is the best way to avoid unnecessary inconvenience during the hike. The local currency also makes it easy to buy things and pay for services in the mountains.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a journey that takes hikers and travelers out of their comfort zone, but that’s one of its many draws. It is a journey that immerses hikers in a deep sense of accomplishment upon reaching the base camp of the highest peak of the mountain. The trip also contains many highlights such as the Kalapatthar viewpoint which is famous for its panoramic view of the entire Mount Everest massif, the sacred Tengboche monastery, the Khumbu glacier and the icefall, the city of Namche Bazaar. also known as “the Gateway to Everest”, the Sagarmatha National Park, the lush rhododendron forests and, of course, the Himalayas. It is a great way to observe the Sherpa culture and enjoy the mountainous scenery of the Khumbu. It is a trip that must be done at least once in your life!
