everest base camp trekking In nepal

Everest Base Camp Trekking

Call it by any name you want – Sagarmatha, Chomolungma or Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world is truly a wonder in itself. With an altitude of 8848 meters, Mount Everest allures adventurers from every nook and corner of the world to marvel at its mystic beauty or show the grit and determination to conquer it and reach its pinnacle. With its base camp located at an altitude of 5364 meters, the entire terrain is breathtakingly stunning which no words can describe.  

What is Everest Base Camp trek?

Mount Everest base camp trek or the EBC trek refers to trekking expeditions to one of the base camps of the tallest summits on earth. The South Base Camp based in Nepal is the more widely sought EBC trek route, accounting for an expedition of 14 days from Kathmandu and back.
A journey to the feet of the world’s highest mountain crest, the Everest Base Camp Trek might seem like a herculean task. However, in truth, for any person of regular fitness, EBC trek is nothing of to a foreboding affair! Despite a couple of steep sections to hike here and there, the designated trek route to the South Base Camp of EBC is a mountain path of gentle gradients. The Everest base camp trek experience is a soul enriching journey into captivating mountain vistas and a straightforward hike that not only trained mountaineers but even amateurs can attempt. The trek has become a Mecca for mountain lovers the world over, promising an expansive coverage of the Khumbu Valley and the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park, besides breathtaking close-shot peeks of the glorious Mt. Everest (8.848m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt. Makalu (8,470m) and Cho Oyu (8,201m).

Why should you go for the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal?

The Everest Base Camp trekking in Nepal is a classic trek that retraces the path taken by Sir Hillary and Sherpa Norgay as well innumerable others who achieved the earth’s zenith. Take this trek to connect with that legacy in body, mind and spirit.
The many recompenses of the journey will start coming your way from the very onset. Setting foot in the historic city of Kathmandu in the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas on day 1 will prepare the ground for day 2, when trekkers take a thrilling flight over an incredible snowscape, entering the mountainous airstip of Lukla. Leading through the mesmerizing terrains of the Kumbhu Valley and Sagarmatha National Park, the journey shall proceed, with stops at few of the world’s highest villages.
A foray into the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Kosi River and Bhotekosi River Basin in the process of this voyage will bring you in touch with the greater Himalayan river system. The spellbinding Gokyo Lakes, and the vantage point over the mountains at Gokyo Ri is accessible by a detour from Namche Bazaar on the Mount Everest base camp trekking expedition remains a highlighted attraction.
Kala Patthar at an altitude of 5,500m is another landmark to EBC one must look out for. A short ascent to the peak of Kala Patthar offers an accessible close-up view of the Everest. Spotting Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Changtse from Kala Patthar is simply spectacular and makes all the effort feel worth it.

How high is the Mount Everest Base Camp trek? (150 words)

The south side base camp of Mount Everest in Nepal is located at an altitude of 5,364m or 17, 590 ft. Trek commences from day 2 after landing in Lukla flying from Kathmandu. From here, the trek proceeds to Phakding at 2,610m. Over a period of 7 days from Phakding, trekkers gradually ascend, reaching 5,160 meters at Gorakshep. Not more than 500m of ascent is kept on a single day to allow sufficient acclimatization of the trekkers on way to Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. The highest summit on the EBC trek comes on day ten with ascent to Kala Patthar at 5,545m. From day eleven, trekkers descend which takes relatively lesser time, reaching Lukla on day twelve.

When to visit?

The best months for the Everest base camp trek are in the pre-monsoon from February to May and in the post monsoon period from September to early December.

How to reach Everest Base Camp?

The EBC trek Nepal accounts for much of the country’s tourist influx and has been fairly accessible with professional trekking companies. The standard 14-day trek to EBC from Kathmandu to Kathmandu takes the route from Lukla to Phakding to Namche Bazaar, and on to Tengboche, Dingboche, and Louboche. From Louboche the trail bends to Gorak Shep and from there to EBC and back to Gorak Shep. From Gorak Shep, a hike up to Kala Patthar is undertaken before coming down to Pheriche and from there to Namche Bazaar and back to Kathmandu.

Are there shops available along the Everest Base Camp trekking trail?
Yes, plenty of stores in the villages sell utilities and trekking gear.

How long does it take to reach Everest Base Camp?
The standard EBC trek itinerary from Kathmandu to Kathmandu is a 14-day program. Many trekkers taking the Nepal Mt. Everest Tour also prefer to go via Gokyo Ri and the Gokyo Lakes which is a longer a route, amounting to a 18-day program.

What to pack for Everest Base Camp Trek?

If you are planning an expedition to Base Camp Mount Everest Nepal, pack your bags in counsel with experts or your respective trek organizers. Here are some of the ‘must haves’ for the trek:

• Base Layer
• Trekking Shirts
• Fleece Jacket
• Insulated Jacket
• Sun Protection Hat
• Inner Gloves
• Outer Gloves
• Trainers
• Hiking Boots
• Thermal Socks
• Backpack
• Daypack
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Necessary medicines, eco-friendly toiletries and electronics are other categories of the requirement. Keep your backpack to a weight you can carry or consider the option of hiring porters or mule carriage beforehand.

Is there a probability of altitude sickness?

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or Altitude Sickness is a clinical condition that can affect high mountain voyagers, from 2400 meters above sea level in usual cases. Headache, dizziness, lack of coordination insomnia, lack of appetite, lethargy etc are telling signs of the sickness. AMS could be kept at bay by following some ground rules like -- walking at a slow, measured and steady pattern, climbing high during the day and sleeping at low altitude at night, keeping sufficiently hydrated, refraining from alcohol and smoking and coming on the trek with some level of general fitness.
While probability of getting AMS could be thus reduced, you can always take a course of Diamox with advice from a medical doctor to be more careful. The immediate and most effective antidote to AMS is to descend to a lower altitude.

How busy is the Everest Base Camp trekking trail?

The Everest base camp trek in Kathmandu, Nepal is a fairly busy trek route. Provided with teahouse accommodations all along the way, the trek welcomes solo trekkers and amateur groups as well as professional trekking companies. Commercial trekking operations in the area over the last decade surely have grown by leaps and bounds as well as also made the route considerably safer.