How to Plan your trip to Everest Base Camp

Traveling to the Everest Base Camp is a dream for most people. But without good preparation, no one can complete the trek. So, here in this article, we will discuss How to plan your trip to Everest Base Camp.

Why not speak with professionals directly if there is so much information about the Everest Base Camp Trek on the internet? Get the correct information from those who have completed the route multiple times! On our Everest trips, we spend 3 nights in Namche Bazaar becoming acclimated.

So, here in this article, we will discuss all the necessary things about How to plan your trip to Everest Base Camp.

Fully acclimatize during the trek

First, make sure your itinerary allows for as much acclimatization as possible. At 3,500 meters/11,500 feet, Namche Bazaar is a fantastic place to spend three nights. You’ll feel safer in a low-oxygen atmosphere if you spend more time here.

Spending more time at this crucial acclimatization stage encourages the production of more red blood cells, which carry more oxygen and enable you to ascend safely to greater elevations.

Since not everyone is able to ascend to the Everest zone, it is crucial to properly acclimate lower down before ascending higher.

Years of experience have taught us that if you acclimate for any shorter period of time than we advise, you face a substantial risk of developing severe AMS (high altitude sickness). Spending fewer days acclimatizing reduces your chances of success. Your first priority should be getting the best acclimatization.

Have proper training before the trek

Particular physical conditioning is crucial. On your way to Everest, you’re not running a marathon; instead, you’re climbing up and down the sides of large mountains. You must perform all of this while carrying 6 kg (12 lbs) on your back. Many days vary in length.

Your major priorities should be developing your leg strength and endurance. Building up to 6-hour treks with both uphill and downhill stretches is crucial. Mixing up your workout with weightlifting, swimming, and biking is not a problem.

Find out more about downhill training. The primary exercises should be climbing and descending hills on stairs. You must put on a weighted backpack and gradually increase the amount of weight you will carry over several months of training. You should also train four to five times per week. We can assist.

Learn about the elevation of the trek

You can better comprehend the height increases you should be making during your training by understanding the elevation gains made on the path. This will help you to develop a training plan that works for you.

The elevation gains for each day of the journey must be understood. Consider this for a moment more. You can create a training schedule that works for you if you know the daily distances, daily height gains on your Kilimanjaro climb, and daily hours of hiking.

The ideal approach to get ready for your trip to Everest Base Camp is to exert more pressure on your muscles at sea level because, at altitude, your muscles will receive 30% to 50% less oxygen. The best way to achieve this is to continuously add weight to your bag, even when you are exercising in the gym. Month after month, you should raise your weight.

Make the right training programs before the trek

Three to six months before your climb, you need to start ramping up your preparation. If you lack access to hills and mountains, you should concentrate on how you will build your strength and prepare for the trip to Everest Base Camp.

You must comprehend the elevation gains, the weight you will carry each day, and the daily distances on the trek to Everest Base Camp in order to create the best training program. You won’t be successful until you create the best training program based on the data above.

Pack the right clothes for the trek

It’s crucial to have the proper sleeping bag, hiking boots, and merino layers. You’ll need as much sleep as you can get, and you’ll spend a lot of time in your room dozing off. As a result, you should strive to be as comfortable as possible. A nice down sleeping bag with a temperature rating of 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17 c) could mean the difference between restful nights and restless ones.

The proper layers, a down jacket, gloves, trekking boots, a backpack, and other smaller essentials are required. We have an itemized list of kits in the 45-page dossier you receive when signing up for one of our excursions. Similarly, we are always available to assist you in selecting the appropriate clothing and equipment for the Everest Trek.

Travel with suitable trekking boots

It is crucial to purchase the proper hiking boots early on and to break them in. Currently, there are several high-quality boots available that would be suitable for this walk. Make sure, though, that the boot you choose is the appropriate size for your foot.

The La Sportiva Trango GTX trekking boots are now our top choice for treks to Everest Base Camp. They are lightweight, warm but breathable, water resistant, have a little more solid soles, and offer superb ankle support. You will have 30 to 50% less oxygen reaching your muscles at 18,000 feet while trekking up Mount Everest. On the ascent of Mount Everest, you must limit damage every day. The speed at which we travel and the level of heart rate we maintain throughout our trek are crucial. Allow everyone else to pass you by. Therefore, it is one of the most important things before one makes a trip to Everest Base Camp. You should search for each of those characteristics in an excellent trekking boot.

Have proper food and meals during the trek

We stay in the best lodges available when we travel with Nepal Alternative Treks to Everest Base Camp. The food is also excellent in the better lodges. Although the food in the area can become a little boring, we strive to provide you with the best options in the best lodges.

The importance of fueling your trip to Everest Base Camp cannot be overstated. Avoid choosing the less expensive Everest Base Camp Treks since they will stay in subpar accommodations and consequently have a greater chance of experiencing food-related issues.

Stay well-hydrated during the trek

Before the climb, you should be hydrated and sipping water. Then, while in Nepal, I drank 4 to 5 liters of water per day while hiking the Everest trek. On this or any high-altitude journey, it’s crucial to remember to stay properly hydrated, avoid becoming sunburned, and stay out of the sun.

We try to drink a liter of water every day before we start hiking, which is typically about 8 am. Our wonderful team will fill your 2 to 3-liter bladder over breakfast so you can drink during the morning hike.

Hence, by lunch, you ought to have already had three liters of water in total. You can then grab another liter or two of water at lunch to sip during the hike’s later hours. Ideally, you should have consumed 4 to 5 liters of water by five o’clock each day. By doing this, you avoid having to stay up until the wee hours of the night drinking and using the restroom.

Walk at your own pace

You must maintain the right pace in order to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek successfully. Our group is skilled at getting you to Everest Base Camp and safely getting you back down again.

This does not give you permission to arrive unprepared. On this walk, you must be well-trained and equipped. Leg strength is crucial since, as you would probably guess, going down is much tougher than going up. We can assist you in finding the appropriate training materials for your ascent of Everest.

Imagine engaging in physical activities near the water. You can work out hard and then rest at home with 100% oxygen to help your body and muscles heal so you can get up the following day and work out once again.

You will have 30 to 50% less oxygen reaching your muscles at 18,000 feet while trekking up Mount Everest. On the ascent of Mount Everest, you must limit damage every day. The speed at which we travel and the level of heart rate we maintain throughout our trek are crucial. Allow everyone else to pass you by. Moreover, it is one of the most important things before one makes a trip to Everest Base Camp.

Your heart rate has to remain as low as feasible. Reduce the daily harm that is done to your muscles. Acclimate gradually to offer yourself the best chance of reaching Everest Base Camp and returning to Lukla safely.

Safety should be your number one priority

If you’d like, bring your own pulse oximeter. We will check your heart rate and oxygen levels twice a day, every day. In the morning at breakfast and in the evening at dinner on Nepal Alternative Treks hikes and climbs, we check your oxygen saturation. We do this so that we can assess how well your body is adjusting to the shortage of oxygen.

Also, this lessens your risk in this setting with low oxygen levels. Assuring that you are with a team that will regularly check on your health will give you the best opportunity for a secure and fruitful experience.

Bring your travel insurance with you

Having travel insurance during your Everest Base Camp Trek is very important for anyone traveling. Without it, you cannot travel to Everest Base Camp with full security. Therefore, it is very important that you bring valid travel insurance with you. The risk of any dangers that can arise during the treks and travels can only be covered in this way.

Be sure your insurance policy for the EBC hike covers everything, including baggage, medical evacuation, flight cancellation, and rescue, and includes medical evacuation over 6000 meters, before you purchase it. This will assist you in reducing additional costs and mitigating risk.

Choose the right month for your travel

Also, choosing the correct time to visit is crucial. You will have better access to our personnel because of smaller teams. Similarly, our top-notch guidelines can help you learn to know yourself better and identify problems related to altitude much more quickly.

Our guides will be able to recognize minute adjustments in your behavior and be ready to act immediately. Your journey on the path to Everest Base Camp will be more comfortable, secure, and pleasurable if there are fewer people at your party. We’ve discovered that teams of little more than 10 people are more productive, pleasant, and effective overall.

There are two distinct trekking seasons; pre and post-monsoon.  The Pre Monsoon season runs from March–May and then the post-monsoon season is from September – December.  The busiest months on the trail are normally April, May, and October.  If you want to see the region with fewer people, then why not choose March, September, November, or December?

Travel with professionals

We can assist you in gathering all the information required for your climb to Everest Base Camp. All of our team members have completed the trek several times, and Ian has led more than a dozen Everest Base Camp Treks. It is an important thing before your trip to Everest Base Camp.

As a result, we are equipped with the right knowledge for your adventure. Over 2000–3000 people have received assistance from Nepal Alternative Treks to go to Everest Base Camp and spend the night there. We have a team, services, a setup, and exclusively conduct safe and reliable operations to make your Trip to Everest Base Camp sucessful.

Different ways to travel to Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp is accessible by plane, bus, jeep, train, and on foot. Every intrepid trekker’s greatest desire is to meander up to the base camp of Mount Everest (8,848m), which is the highest point on Earth. They work arduously from dawn till dusk and wait impatiently for the day or moment when they can pursue the amazing accomplishment.

Everest Base Camp Trek by Bus or Jeep:

Trekkers can take a bus or a vehicle to Phaplu and then hike to Lukla to access the standard EBC Trek routes if they want a more affordable option or have a fear of flying (acrophobia). In a bus jeep, it takes 10–12 hours to get from Kathmandu to Phaplu. Dry seasons make driving easier and allow the bus jeep to travel as far as Khari-Khola.

In contrast, rain during the summer (June-Sept) causes the road to deteriorate, forcing drivers to park their cars at Phaplu. The road infrastructure has been a blessing to make the locals’ lives easier because air travel is so expensive for them. A long, bumpy, muddy, or unpleasant journey on the EBC Trek by bus, jeep, or especially the Jiri-EBC Trek will be worthwhile if you wish to experience local life.

How to reach Everest Base Camp

EBC Trek is well-known and must complete the assignment. The trekkers can go to EBC by plane, helicopter, jeep bus, or rail as alternatives to walking. MMT is available to you at all times. Email us if you have any questions regarding any of the featured programs for the Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, or Dolpo regions, or if you need assistance with any other aspect of trekking or touring.

Outline itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek

Note: The number below represents the number of days at Everest Base Camp Trek

1 Fly to Lukla ( 2800m./9240ft.) -35 minutes- Trek to Phakding (2640m./8745 ft.) – 03 hours/8km.
2 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m./11352ft.) -05 hours/14km.

3 Rest days for Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar/Explore around

4 Trek to Tengboche (3750m./12705ft.) -05 hours/14km.

5 Trek to Dingboche (4350m./14355ft.) -05 hours/14km.

6 Rest day – Acclimatization

7 Trek to Lobuche (4900m./16170ft.) -04 hours/6km.

8 Trek to Gorakshep (5130m./16929ft.) -02 hours – Excursion to EBC ( 5364m./17701ft.) -05 hours round trip

9 Trek to Pheriche (4250m/14025ft.) -04 hours/12km.

10 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m./11352ft.) -06 hours/15km.

11 Trek to Lukla (2800m./9240ft.) -08 hours/20km.
12 Fly to Kathmandu (1295m./4273ft.)-35 minutes

Difficulties at Everest Base Camp

Altitude sickness

You may experience some effects from the falling oxygen levels at higher elevations (above 2500m) while climbing to Everest Base Camp. Generally speaking, throughout a trek, hikers may experience symptoms of altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness.

Despite this, not everyone experiences altitude sickness since each person’s body adjusts to new environments differently. You should be aware of the typical symptoms and indicators of acute mountain sickness if you don’t exercise frequently or have a history of chronic health issues. These consist of shortness of breath, weakness, giddiness, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Drinking Water and Food

Higher altitudes cause the human body to lose water more quickly than it would at sea level. Staying hydrated is important when hiking in high-altitude areas like Everest Base Camp because your body has to work harder to get more oxygen.

To prevent altitude sickness, cramping, and dehydration, it is advised to consume at least 3.5–4 liters of fluids (soup, hot liquids, and water) per day. We advise you to drink more than 4.5 liters of water each day while on the trek if you’re taking Diamox because it causes dry mouth quickly.

But, for health concerns, drinking any of the natural water sources in the Everest region is dangerous. Use bottled mineral water or boiling water instead.

We’ve got some unfavorable news for you, meat lovers! Although there will still be meat items on the menu at tea places, we strongly advise sticking to vegetarian fare. Having vegetarian meals while visiting the Everest region makes sense from a practical standpoint.

Buddhism is practiced by the people, who forbid the slaughter of animals in the Khumbu region. As a result, porters or yaks bring all the meat served at tea houses from Kathmandu and the Kharikhola adjacent town below Lukla. As a result, the meats offered there are not clean or fresh. So, the best course of action is to avoid meat in order to protect your health and prevent food poisoning.

Accommodation Facilities

The lodging amenities at lodges and guesthouses along the trekking routes would continue to be relatively modest but cozy. Typically, it comprises double/twin sharing rooms or dorm rooms with mattresses and blankets or quilts.

The tea houses’ accommodations offer a comfy bedroom, a toasty dining area with a campfire, and delectable vegetarian meals. You may rent a sleeping bag and a down jacket, so you won’t have to worry too much about the bitter cold.

Moreover, tea houses may offer different accommodations and amenities depending on where you are. With the exception of premium suites, most tea houses in Khumbu region guesthouses lack an attached bathroom. This means that using the restroom at night could be challenging due to the chilly environment.

Conclusion

The Everest Base Camp trek is an iconic adventure that takes you through the stunning landscapes of the Khumbu region. This 15-day journey begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small town perched on a high cliff above the Dudh Koshi River.

From there, you embark on a trek that takes you through beautiful villages like Namche Bazaar, where you can rest for a couple of days to acclimatize to the high altitude. The Sherpa people, known for their resilience and hospitality, call this region home.

As you continue your trek towards Gorak Shep, you’ll encounter the challenging terrain of the Khumbu glacier and the elevation gain that comes with it. You may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, which can be mitigated by taking it slow and steady and drinking plenty of fluids.

But the reward for your efforts is the breathtaking views of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. Kala Patthar is the highest point of the trek at 18,514 feet, and it offers one of the most incredible panoramic views of the mountain range.

After spending some time at Everest Base Camp, you trek back to Gorak Shep and enjoy a much-deserved hot shower before taking a flight back to Kathmandu. The memories of the stunning views and the day of trekking through the Himalayan wilderness will stay with you forever.

The Everest Base Camp trek is not for the faint of heart, but it’s an experience of a lifetime. If you’re willing to push yourself and challenge your limits, this trek will reward you with unforgettable memories and a sense of accomplishment that will last a lifetime.