How long does it take to trek Everest Base Camp?
The standard course to Everest Base Camp Trekking can be finished in the middle of 12 to 14 days. Keeping the standard itinerary of the EBC trek, you will be traveling to the Lukla air terminal additionally known as Tenzing Hillary Airport from Kathmandu, and afterward observes the standard climbing way through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, Tengboche, all the way up to the headquarters.
The trekking days of EBC can be further extended or shortened in accordance with the available time, and cost you have paid for the trip. You can shorten the trip to EBC by Hiking to EBC and fly back to Kathmandu from Everest Base Camp. However, the cost of this package can be quite more expensive than regular trekking.
Apart from regular EBC Trekking, there are many detour options available such as Jiri, Saleri, and Phalpu from where you can do the Everest Base Camp Trekking. These trekking trails are explored by very few voyagers and take longer, however taking a detour for EBC is worth it. If you are doing the trip then you will have a walk around other parts of Nepal and stay below Lukla having a chance to witness the underdeveloped countryside and their lifestyle up-close. Even from Lukla, there are many trekking options like the Gokyo Ri trek, 3 high pass trekking, etc. which can be added to your Everest Base Camp Trek. Taking a detour for extra adventure is worth a shot – yet depends upon the time you have.
What fitness level do I require to hike Mount Everest Base Camp?
Many travelers who wished to explore Everest Base Camp often seem to ask the same question, “How fit do I have to be to trek Everest Base Camp?”. This is one of the most difficult questions to be answered.
Firstly, before knowing about the fitness level required you need to understand the nature of the EBC trek. The Everest Base Camp Trekking is a moderate trekking adventure in Everest Region. Being marked as a moderate trekking destination, you don’t require a marathon standard fitness level, however, a basic fitness level is required to enjoy the trip to its full extent. Going through the previous records, many non-trekkers with minimum fitness level has successfully made it up to the base camp and returned to tell the tales. Most of the people who have attempted the challenge of reaching up to the Base Camp have never exercised and not even prepared for the trek, and some of them are even smokers – yet they have managed to complete the EBC trek in Nepal without any issues.
The fitter you are, the better you will enjoy the trip. It’s a fact that some of the people can’t even make it halfway and have to return back from the trip in middle. These unfortunate people are mostly young people who tend to walk fast while underestimating the challenge posed by the high-altitude environment and trying to cover more land in a single day. This kind of activity poses a serious risk to your life, so it is better to walk slowly.
A guided trip to the Everest Base Camp is much more efficient and it is seen that about 90 – 95% who sign up for a full guided trip will make it all the way up to EBC. A guided trip includes all prepared detailed itineraries including 2 to 3 days’ time between treks for acclimatization. Apart from the trip, you will have a guide who is constantly monitoring your health conditions and also the porters who will be carrying your weight. All these factors will dramatically increase your chance of successful completion of the Everest Base Camp trek.
Every person is different, so the effect of altitude on every person is also different. Altitude is the one thing no one can train and prepare for it. Because of the high altitude, the oxygen level at the base camp is 50% lower than the sea level. In such a condition, your body will definitely feel a lack of air to breathe which may result in some symptoms like headache, fever, and swollen body. So, during your trekking days, you should know the symptoms and consult the guide for help, if the condition is severe you must quickly lose elevation and call for an emergency evacuation. Even though we cannot completely eliminate the chance of getting caught with AMS, we can reduce the chance of getting one. The secret to preventing altitude sickness is a lot of acclimatization, a slow hike, rest a lot, eating hygienic food, sleeping well, and consuming the fluid food most.
Is Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal Dangerous?
Many travelers often seem to ask this question, Is Everest Base Camp Trek Dangerous for beginners or fit trekkers?
This is an interesting question, and it's somehow true. If you don’t stick to the given itinerary and don’t follow the guidance given by your trekking leader, then this dream trip of yours will soon turn out to be the worst nightmare.
Trekking to the foothills of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, involves spending quite a time at the elevation of 5000 meters and above. This trekking trail is in the high-risk zone for various mountain sicknesses like AMS, HAPE, and HACE. If you stick with the plan the chance of getting caught with anyone is very minimal. Besides this, there is no risk of climbing ropes and hanging off the cliffs.
While trekking to the Everest Base Camp Trek, it is best to do trekking with a reputed local agency. Doing a trip with the local agency will preplan your trip, gives you a detail about the potential risk, and have an experienced guide who will continuously monitor your health condition during your trekking days. If you have a good travel agency in hand, then the only thing you need to worry is about the Himalayan yak, donkeys, and cattle walking on the path. If you see the huddle of these interesting animals make sure to give them away, as these animals walk quickly, and if you get bumped by any one of them may result in falling off the cliff or serious injuries. You can know whether these animals are approaching your way or not through the bells, and that’s a sign for you to stand off the trail and make sure to remain at the upper side of the slope. For any unseen events, there is always helicopter evacuation, so you don’t have to worry about a thing and enjoy the tip to its fullest.
When is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek in 2021?
The Everest Base Camp trek generally has two major seasons for trekking which are pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. This time of year, has a stable climatic condition, with great visibility. Hiking between March to May is considered to be the best time for the best experience to hike Everest Base Camp. This is the time when rhododendron bloom and nature are at its best. April and May is also the main climbing season for mountaineers. Being a popular time, accommodation can be crowded.
Hiking to EBC between September to November will give you the optimum opportunity to witness the world-class Himalayan ranges. The climate can be fresh, however clear as you advance up to the Everest Base Camp. There is consistently the danger of downpour at lower rises and snow higher up on the path, so be ready for all climate conditions and have the correct stuff for the Nepal EBC journey.
The month of June to August is the monsoon season in Nepal. Sitting at the edges of the impact of the Indian Monsoon, Everest has a wet season from June to September, when hefty dampness and mists are the commonplace climactic conditions. This rainstorm season brings incessant downpours and shady days and conditions for journeying are not at their best. There are ordinarily fewer individuals during this season and the clammy and mists can ruin the perspectives and the energy. Mud, bloodsuckers, and the absence of shocking mountain sees are on the whole issues while journeying Everest Base Camp in June through to August, making it the most un-ideal chance to travel. There is additionally an undeniable danger of avalanches during storm season in Nepal.
So, there we have it, that is the means by which hard - or simple - it is to journey to Everest Base Camp. More subtleties are on our Everest Base Camp page and do look at the 'More Information box on the lower right-hand side of the page.
