One of the most well-known trekking routes in the Himalayas is the Everest Base Camp trek on the south side. It is located at an elevation of 5,364 m (17,598 ft). To save time and effort before starting the trip to the base camp, hikers frequently take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

It may be possible that your flight is delayed due to weather conditions. You can reach Lukla via hiking nevertheless. The only way to move big, heavy items between Kathmandu and Lukla is by plane because there are no roads between the two cities.

The Everest Base Camp is moderately challenging. you’ll require two weeks for the journey. The EBC Trek does not require prior trekking experience. It is suggested that the trekker be resolute and in good physical condition.

The hike to Everest Base Camp is normally fairly safe if you travel with a skilled crew, despite the fact that Everest is a hazardous peak to climb. Tragedies on Everest typically occur much, much higher on the mountain than you hear about. Nonetheless, every mountain carries a certain amount of risk.

The route to Everest includes several ascents and descents on steep and treacherous terrain, as well as snow-capped mountains, hanging bridges, roaring rivers, lush forests, and waterfalls. To learn more about the Everest Base Camp Trek’s level of difficulty, read on. This journey teaches people the true importance of tenacity and patience.

This journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience with everything the tourists will remember, from the mesmerizing scenery, the uncommon Sherpa culture, and the incredible animals, to the tranquility of the monasteries. Sherpa people have a rich culture and live in the Nepalese Himalayas. They are famous as natural mountain climbers.

Everest Base camp altitude in feet

Its amazing heights will be discussed later. The Everest Base Camp in Nepal is situated at a lofty 17,598 feet (5,364m). This guide can assist you in your efforts, whatever the cause behind your desire to cross the Everest Base Camp Trek off your bucket list this year or the next year.

To feel heaven on Earth, people go across the world to visit EBC. Indeed, Khumbu is a region of enigmatic beauty. The Khumbu area is a sizable portion of the Himalayas. It is home to villages with a wealth of ethnic diversity, magnificent mountains, and pure natural beauty.

Can you hike alone to Everest Base Camp?

A tremendously satisfying experience that guarantees complete isolation, and flexibility. It is even cost-effective is trekking to the Everest Base Camp alone. Nonetheless, you should put a lot of work into your research and logistics preparation and be quite cautious about your safety.

Hence, in order to help solitary hikers plan their Everest Base Camp Trek, here is a comprehensive handbook. However, to enter Everest Base Camp, you must have both a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and a Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit. Once our trip is over, you can get a flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla.

Advantages:

Time yourself as you like, pick your lodgings and eat anywhere you like. It is all up to you.
The cost is the lowest because there are no guides, porters, or agencies involved.
Ascending at your own pace without sticking to someone else’s timetable lowers the risk of health risks like AMS.
You will conduct more study and gain a deeper understanding of the Everest Region’s routes, history, culture, and inhabitants since you must make your own preparations. Also, you’ll probably speak with more individuals.

Cons:

You must handle everything on your own in an emergency. Therefore, you are in trouble if there are no witnesses to your injuries.
The cost of the support crew will be significantly higher if you want porter help at a high altitude.
It might be difficult to find a place to stay during busy seasons, especially in areas with fewer hotels at higher altitudes. If you don’t make reservations in advance due to the restricted capacity and agency pre-bookings, you can find yourself eating in hotel dining rooms.

Do you need to acclimatize to reach Everest Base Camp?

The real distances between Lukla and Everest Base Camp may be traveled much more quickly than we do, but doing so can make you feel sick. The key is to acclimate well. It requires that you move slowly, follow a plan, gradually increase your altitude, rest, eat properly, get enough rest, and drink a lot of water. Basically, the standard trekking days are 15 days.

However, it takes 12 days to complete the typical 130-kilometer roundtrip Everest Base Camp trek. Eight of the days are spent traveling to Everest Base Camp, while the remaining four are spent returning. Time and space for acclimatization are always included in 12 Days. Extreme altitude sickness, such as (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema, can result from pushing too far, too quickly, or too hard when climbing (HACE)

Depending on the weather, how quickly a person adjusts to the altitude, and their physical condition, the climb from Gorak Shep to the Everest Base Camp can take anywhere between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Even if you feel good, it’s crucial to have an acclimatization day in Namche on your Everest Base Camp trip plan.

An acclimatization trek is a brief excursion to one of the Everest overlooks that you can take on the acclimatization day. The most well-known hikes are to Hotel Everest View, a 1-hour ascent from Namche, and Sagarmatha National Park Museum, a 20-minute ascent. If you don’t feel like hiking, you may not go; instead, stay in your hotel and take a nap. This will be beneficial for you in the elevation gains.

Do you get a clear view of Everest from the base camp?

On the first day of the journey, you’ll get fantastic views of the world’s tallest peak, so you’ll have plenty of photos of Mount Everest from other parts of the hike. You can’t see Mount Everest from Base Camp because other extremely large mountains are obscuring your view. However, you’ll still have great views of the mountain from other parts of the hike. If you want to see Mount Everest clearly and up close, you should go to Kala Patthar.

Kala Patthar is higher than merely a viewpoint at 5,643 meters. You will appreciate your walk to Kala Patthar for the rest of your life since it is higher than four of the seven peaks. And if you’re thinking about going, here’s how to make the most of it. From here, it offers views of Everest, Khumbu, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many other mountains.

Everest Base Camp vs. Kala Patthar

Although most people attend both, there may be times when you have to pick one over the other due to inclement weather or other factors. Before making your choice, take into account the following factors. Please be aware that Everest Base Camp does not have tents when climbing is not in progress from March to May. And no, the base camp does not provide a view of Everest.

Whether to visit Kala Patthar at sunrise or sunset is another often posed query. As mornings have the best likelihood of being clear, the answer is often dawn.

What is the view like from the Kala Patthar summit?

You will soon be at the top of Kala Patthar. You can see Sagarmatha National Park in all directions from here with spectacular vistas. Naturally, Mount Everest itself is the biggest draw in this area. This will be the nicest view you will get throughout the entire Everest Base Camp climb, despite the fact that you won’t be able to see the full mountain.

One of the nicest views of the Himalayas will be provided by a few little lakes that are directly below the vista. Many more glaciers, lakes, and mountains are on the peak’s other side, stretching out in every direction. Looking straight down the ridge will allow you to see Ama Dablam and a number of other peaks, as well as the enormous Khumbu Glacier winding its way down the valley.

You can see The massive Khumbu Glacier moving its way down the valley if you gaze directly down the ridge, while Ama Dablam and other peaks complete the scene. The view from the top of Kala Patthar is among the best for seeing a natural beauty.

The ideal season for an Everest base camp expedition

It is best to visit Everest Base Camp during either part of the rainy season. It can last from late May to mid-Sept. The primary trekking seasons are late September through early November and February through May. The Base Camp temperatures can reach as low as -6°C and conditions are generally steady then.

As the weather is ideal during these months, March, April, May, October, and November are the busiest months for trekking in the Everest region. Reasonable temperatures, clear skies, little to no rain, and a reduced likelihood of unfavorable snowfall are typically seen in the spring and autumn.

Equipment that you’ll require in the trek.

You will walk in the footsteps of climbing greats like Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay as you go to Everest Base Camp on Mount Everest’s south side. These two climbers created history in 1953 when they became the first to reach the top of the world’s tallest mountain.

An additional zip-loc baggie should be more than big enough to hold all of your clothing and equipment. A duffel bag with a capacity of around 100 liters is the best choice for this use. The duffel should be constructed from tough, water-resistant material.

It should have a sturdy zipper that can be secured with a baggage lock. Avoid carrying luggage with wheels and handles since they are harder for porters and yaks to transport. It is essential to always carry a down jacket. On every excursion, we wear a down jacket.

Although there are many grades of down jackets, any goose-down jacket that is of 100 percent ethical source is an essential piece of gear for any expedition. In order to ensure that your expedition is comfortable and to avoid frostbite, it is essential that you keep your hands warm. You’ll require two pairs of gloves: one pair of smaller inner gloves and one pair of warm, waterproof outer gloves.

For every expedition, it’s crucial to have a pair of well-worn, warm, waterproof, and comfy hiking boots. From 4 to 16 days, or perhaps longer, you will be walking. Your hiking boots must be waterproof and made of high-quality leather or another water-resistant material.

At the lodges, you will use a bed to sleep in. It is advised to be rated to -15°C (5°F). Depending on your preferences and sensitivity to cold. There are many places where you can take hot showers on the trek.

Conclusion

A climb to Everest Base Camp requires many days of walking over difficult terrain at elevations of more than 3,658 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level. Even without 44 pounds (20 kg) of equipment strapped to your back, it’s difficult. Every trekker and thrill seeker has the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of conquering Everest.

However, you can’t see Mount Everest from Base Camp because other extremely large mountains are obscuring your view. Though, If you want to see Mount Everest clearly and up close, you should go to Kala Patthar.

The journey to Everest Base Camp may usually be completed in 12 days. Based on your preference, you may make it shorter or longer. It can take longer if you decide to take the extension route. Trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) doesn’t require any prior mountaineering knowledge or skills.

Although, summiting Mount Everest obviously demands years of expertise and skill. For every expedition, it’s crucial to have a pair of well-worn, warm, waterproof, and comfy hiking boots. From 4 to 16 days, or perhaps longer, you will be walking. There are many places where you can take hot showers on the trek.

Tej Bahadur Gurung

With an experience of almost two decades, founder Mr. Tej Bahadur Gurung has established Nepal Alternative Treks as a widely recognized and reliable tourism operator. His degree in Tourism Studies and devotion to the sector has given him in-depth knowledge about trekking, climbing, cultural, and geological aspects of the country. He is a pioneer in introducing the concept of ‘off-beaten tracks’ and ‘alternative routes’ as well as treks and tour packages surrounding it.