Everest Base Camp Trek – 12 Days

Everest Base Camp Trek is among the moderately challenging trek routes. During the 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek, trekkers pass through the problematic trekking sections on varied terrains. The journey also takes you through and descends sections on rocky and rugged trails. Similarly, some sections are steep, and trekkers have to cross suspension bridges, glaciers, and moraines. The trekking paths will get more challenging as you ascend to higher altitudes. Here are some factors that lead to difficulty in trekking in EBC:

High Altitude: The high altitude of the trek to Everest Base Camp is a significant difficulty, as the higher elevation causes problems related to altitude sickness. 5,555 m (17,598 ft) is the highest elevation of the trek at the Kalapatthar. Likewise, 5,364 m (17,598 feet) is another highest elevations at Everest Base Camp. Thus, trekkers gain significant altitude, making breathing difficult, and trekkers likely to face AMS symptoms, including headache, nausea, and dizziness.

Longer trekking duration: The Trek to Everest Base Camp takes 12-14 days to complete in a round trip. Trekkers must be ready to walk for 5 to 6 hours daily throughout the expedition. The long walks on harsh terrains can take a physical and mental toll on trekkers. So, trekkers need to have a good fitness level for the trek.

Unpredictable Weather: Another major challenge of the Everest Base Camp Trek is unpredictable weather that changes even without warning. You may start your day with clear skies and, within an hour, find yourself walking into clouds with reduced visibility. Cold winds can be intense in open spaces like Kala Patthar, making it feel very cold on a sunny day.

Furthermore, lower altitude places like Lukla and Namche Bazaar may experience continuous rain during the monsoon. However, trekkers at higher altitudes often find themselves above cloud level, where they can face snowstorms. Likewise, during the winter months, the lower parts of the route may be clear. Yet, the sections above Dingboche may be covered in ice and snow, making the path slippery and difficult to traverse.

Limited Facility: The facilities and infrastructure in the Everest region are limited as you move higher. Accommodations and food are limited at lower elevations and even scarce at higher elevations. Therefore, trekkers should be ready to adjust to the limited facilities during their trip to EBC. Everest Base Camp VS EBC Luxury Trek is a must-read if you are thinking of the Everest region trekking options for better planning.

Moreover, limited connectivity and power are also significant challenges of the trek to EBC. While many teahouses offer Wi-Fi, it’s often slow, unreliable, and comes with a fee that increases with altitude. Likewise, the availability of food and other supplies becomes more limited and expensive as you gain elevation.

Altitude sickness is the foremost thing to consider on the journey to Everest Base Camp. The journey reaches 5,555m above sea level, at such an elevation, the issue of acute mountain sickness is a significant concern. However, a Altitude Sickness is preventable, and here is how you can prevent it:

• Ascent Gradually: The higher we get, the thinner the air becomes. Thus, ascending gradually can help our body to adapt to the reduced oxygen and consequently reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
• Take Acclimatization Day: Acclimatization is crucial on the trek to the base of the world’s highest peak. Generally, the trek includes two acclimatization days: one at Namche Bazaar and another at Dingboche. But trekkers should have extra days if they don’t feel good. Proper acclimatization helps fit a changed atmosphere and reduce the risk of altitude-related issues5.
• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can lead to altitude sickness, so it’s essential to drink 3-4 liters of water daily. Also, avoid alcohol and caffeine as they lead to dehydration and make it hard for the body to adapt to the changed atmosphere.
  Eat properly: Our body needs extra energy at a higher elevation, so eat food rich in carbohydrates like rice and potatoes. Also, carry some energy drinks.
• Listen to your body: As soon as your body feels unease and symptoms like headache, dizziness, or nausea, take rest immediately. Pushing yourself even after those minor symptoms worsens the condition. Thus, consider taking a rest.

Accommodation Around EBC Trek

The accommodations available in the Everest Base Camp Trek route are usually tea houses, lodges, and guesthouses. The tea houses and lodges are budget-friendly and provide basic facilities like beds, blankets, and pillows. The rooms are twin-sharing with shared bathrooms and communal dining spaces.

Although you have a choice among luxury options at lower elevations, including Lukla and Namche Bazaar, tea houses are the only option as you gain elevation. The luxury hotel provides all the facilities, including a hot shower, charging, and an attached bathroom. However, the teahouses lack the facilities and cost extra if you prefer those.

Everest Base Camp Luxury Option

You can also find luxurious lodges at Namche Bazaar. These luxurious lodges are expensive but offer high-end amenities. These accommodations have spacious rooms with attached bathrooms. Similarly, these accommodations have beds with electric heating, a hot water facility, a heater, and many more. But the facilities will become more limited as you reach higher elevations.

Meals and Drinks

Dal Bhat is a staple meal for trekkers, served almost daily at every trekking destination, including EBC for lunch and dinner. The dish is Nutritious and perfect for energizing your body during a trek. Dal Bhat has adequate carbohydrates and protein required for the body. The dish includes rice, lentil soup, seasonal vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat. Similarly, you can also find other dishes like momo, bread (Tibetan, chapati), sandwiches, noodles, and other international cuisine options.

Although you can find caffeinated beverages, dairy products, and alcoholic beverages, it is best to avoid them. These food options can increase the risk of altitude sickness at higher elevations. Also, avoid excessive smoking and hydrate your body during the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek. Furthermore, the option for morning meal on the Everest route includes porridge, muesli, cornflakes, and pancakes, toast with eggs, and Tibetan bread, along with drinks like milk tea and black tea.

The 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek costs range from USD 1,100 to 1,300 per person.However, the cost can vary depending on the season, group size, personal preferences, and so on. The package cost covers most of the expenses like transportation, accommodations, meals, guide, and porter fees, as well as permits during the trek. However, the personal expenses, tips, and travel insurance are not covered. Likewise, customization of the itinerary will add extra cost for the trek.

Additionally, the Everest Base Camp package covers accommodations are arranged in tea houses. But there are luxurious accommodations at places like Namche Bazaar. If you opt to stay at such places, it will be expensive. Similarly, snacks, drinks, and package food also come under the trekker’s expenses.
The equipment expenses can also increase the cost of the trek. The good thing is that you can rent the trekking equipment, which is much cheaper than buying it. Similarly, trekkers are advised to carry cash with them for the trek. The availability of ATMs is scarce. So, cash is the standard way of making transactions throughout the journey.

Trekkers have numerous options for reaching Everest Base Camp. Each route to EBC offers a unique trekking experience. Here are three popular routes for the hike to Everest Base Camp:

Classic EBC route:

The classic or traditional route to EBC is widely preferred and famous. The classic route begins with a flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla and passes via the Dudh Koshi River of the Khumbu Valley. It takes 12-14 days on a round trip from Kathmandu to Lukla to EBC and back.
If you want to extend your trip you can also choose one with Gokyo Extention. A 5 min read comparing Classic EBC VS EBC with Gokyo Lake will clarify which trip suits you the best

Route from Jiri to EBC:

A route from Jiri to Everest Base Camp offers a unique route to the iconic Base Camp. The journey for this alternative route begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Shivalaya, passing through Jiri. The distance from Kathmandu to Shivalaya is 194km. From there, the trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp begins with a hike to Kenja. The trek continues via Junbensi, Nunthala, Bupsa, and reaches Phakding on the fifth day. Afterward, the route follows the same way that the classic trek follows. This route is longer than the classic one but offers a unique experience and takes trekkers close to the rural Nepalese lifestyle.

Route from Salleri:

This route also serves as the alternative trekking trail to Everest. The route is ideal to travel by Jeep due to gravel road conditions. The journey to EBC via Salleri begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Salleri, approximately 275km. The drive continues towards Thamdanda. As travelers get to Thamdanda, their trekking journey begins. From there, they’ll start hiking toward Paiya. The pathway leads to Phakding from Paiya. The trekking section from Phakding is similar to the classic trek.

Trekkers must fly from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla, to start the Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather conditions in Lukla change very rapidly, and flights can often be disrupted. The airport is prone to fog and high winds. Even during spring and autumn, when the seasons are more stable, the weather in Lukla can get foggy. Also, the operation of flights is influenced by seasonal factors.

1. Peak Season Flight Operation: March, April, May, September, October, and November are the peak times to trek to Everest. During that time, air traffic diverted the Lukla flight from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. Ground transportation takes 4-5 hours to get to Manthali from Kathmandu. Moreover, it is a 25-minute scenic flight from Manthali to Lukla.
2. Off-Season Flight Operation: January, February, June, July, and August are considered off-season for trekking in the Everest region. The flight to Lukla operated as usual from Kathmandu’s domestic airport during that time. However, the trekking season is not ideal, and unavoidable circumstances can harm the flight.

Elevation gain is a significant concern during the EBC trek as the route gradually ascends from Lukla (2,860m) to Everest Base Camp (5,346m) and Kalapatthar (5,555m). From the starting point to the highest point, trekkers gain approximately 2,695m.

Having different altitudes along the trek is a challenging aspect of the journey. Even the starting point, Lukla, is at an elevation of 2,860m, which is huge for travelers who are not used to this altitude. Similarly, trekkers gain around 400-800m elevation daily on the trip. Phakding, a village reached on day one, lies at 2,610m. Similarly, Namche Bazaar lies at 3,440m, Tengboche at 3,867m and Dingboche at 4,410m. Likewise, Lobuche is located at 4,940m, and Gorakshep, the last village before reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, lies at 5,164m.

The journey to Everest Base Camp is unique and takes about 130 kilometers on a round trip. Yet, the distance varies depending on the chosen route and any side trips, such as the Three Passes trek. The trek begins at Lukla and ends at Lukla.

Here is the distance overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek:

The trekker will need two permits and paperwork for the Everest Base Camp Trek. These include the following:

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

The Everest Base Camp Trek route goes through the Sagarmatha National Park. Hence, they need to obtain an entry permit. The costs for the entry permit are:

• SAARC residents: Rs 1500 per person
• Non-SAARC residents: Rs 3000 per person

Note: Children under the age of 10 get free entrance. Additionally, you can obtain the permit from Kathmandu or at the national park entrance.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

Another permit trekkers need for the Everest Base Camp Trek is the local permit, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. The cost for the permit for both SAARC and non-SAARC nationals is Rs 3,000 per person. The cost increases to Rs 3,500 per person after the first four weeks.
Trekkers can obtain the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit after arriving at Lukla or the Sagarmatha National Park counter.

Nepal Alternative Trek’s 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek package comes with all the permits included.

The most important thing you should have for Everest Base Camp Trek is your insurance. Travel insurance while on an Everest expedition is highly recommended. Buying insurance from your country would be best as no insurance company in Nepal covers foreigners’ insurance.

Similarly, insurance is crucial as it provides financial assistance and protection in case of any unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances. Make sure to buy insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuation above 4,000 m. Additionally, it should cover repatriation expenses, rescue missions, and property loss, and provide 24/7 assistance

Trekkers must be physically and mentally prepared for the 12-day Everest Base Camp Trek. The trails to the Everest Base Camp get challenging and rugged as we ascend to higher elevations. So, prepare yourself physically and mentally in advance. Everest Base Camp is one of the most demanding and most extended treks in Nepal. So, you need to be completely ready for this trek. This trek is not suitable for people with physical illnesses or those with limited experience. Even many experienced trekkers find it hard to trek here. Because it pushes your body to its limit. We recommend hiking at a lower elevation before going on this adventure. In addition, if you decide to do this trek despite your lack of experience, we highly recommend hiring an experienced guide.Most importantly, being passionate about the trek is key to being prepared for the EBC Trek. Then you can enjoy the stunning view it provides. Similarly, you will not find it challenging to trek here if you are passionate about it. The Everest Base Camp trail can push your stamina, endurance, and patience. Better preparation can help you complete the trek comfortably and make it more enjoyable. Still, Hhere are some ways to prepare yourself for the trek:

Train your body

• Start walking for hours on uneven paths and on the hills to build stamina.
• Involve in exercises like lunges and squats to strengthen leg muscle that helps to prevent minor injuries.
• Involve in cardiovascular exercise like running, cycling, and swimming to improve breathing and endurance.

Prepare Mentally

• Be ready for the challenges, as the trek is strenuous and involves walking for 6-7 hours daily. Prepare yourself mentally for unpredictable weather, limited facilities, and walking on varied terrain.
• Stay positive and understand that the elevation goes a long way.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

• Drink lots of water every day and stay hydrated.
• Maintain a proper diet, rich in carbohydrates and protein, to keep your body’s energy levels

The 12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek is challenging. Trekkers have to ascend and descend on rugged and varied terrains. Similarly, the facilities are limited at higher elevations. Trekkers must carry proper equipment and gear to tackle the route’s challengesHere is a complete equipment checklist for 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek:

Clothing Items

The first necessary checklist is the clothing items. Trekkers will have to travel from lowland regions to highland regions. The temperature varies significantly according to the area. The temperature is generally warmer in lower regions. Meanwhile, the temperature can get cold at higher elevations. Thus, trekkers have to prepare proper clothing for the changing temperatures. Some essential clothing items you should pack include:

•  Down jackets
• Windproof/waterproof jackets,
• Long-sleeved jackets, lightweight pants
• Moisture-wicking thermal innerwear
• Hiking Pants
• Sweaters
• Hats
• Scarves
• Gloves

Footwear

• Comfortable trekking boots
• Moisture-wicking socks
• Gaiters

Equipment and Supplies

• Comfortable backpack
• Trekking pole
• Refillable water bottles,
• Headlamps
• Charging cables
• Adapters
• Toiletries
•  Power banks
• Sleeping bags

Miscellaneous

In addition to clothing, equipment, and gear, you can also carry items to make your trek more comfortable. Some essential miscellaneous items you should consider carrying include:

• Books and diaries
• Sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Snacks
• Tea bags
• Menstrual hygiene products (for female)

At an altitude of 5,200 m above sea level. The climate and weather are mostly cold in the Everest Base Camp. The average temperature of Everest base camp is -17 degrees Celsius, and trekking is possible throughout the year, despite the challenging temperatures and weather conditions. Annually, a lot of trekkers trek here. But, the best time to visit here is during the spring and autumn seasons. During this time of the year, you will experience the best climate and weather. This will help you capture panoramic views of Mt. Everest (8,848 m), Lobuche (8,516 m), and Cho Oyu (8,188 m).

The safety and security of the trekkers are important factors for our company. We check every route and trail before the trek. Similarly, we make sure all the belongings are safe and make sure that everything is under control. So you will be safe with us.

Here are the safety protocols that Action Nepal Treks takes to provide our valuable clients:

• We provide a standard itinerary with a proper acclimatization plan.
• Our guide focuses on your slow ascent while allowing your body to adjust to the changed surroundings.
• Our guide and porter carry the necessary medication (like Diamox).
• You’ll be taken to a lower elevation immediately if severe symptoms (confusion, breathlessness at rest, inability to walk) occur.

Here are the safety measures that trekkers should follow:

• Carry trekking poles are essential for balance on uneven and icy terrain.
• Always carry layered clothing, waterproof gear, and extra gloves.
• Be cautious of avalanches and rockfalls, especially around Lobuche and Gorakshep.
• Drink only boiled and purified water.

For those looking to book the last-minute Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal Alternative Treks is here for your service. We offer last-minute bookings for the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek. Just contact us 24 hours before your scheduled date of departure. We will arrange everything for your smooth trek departure and experience.

You do not have to worry about any hidden or extra charges. The package cost will remain the same. We will provide you with an online briefing before you begin the trek. There will be no compromises when it comes to providing you with the best services. But we offer 24/7 customer service, and our departure dates are 100% guaranteed. So rest assured and book our 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek.