Everest Base Camp perched on the Khumbu Glacier at the foot of Everest is situated at an altitude of 5600m that is reached over 9 days, with two day of rest. For acclimatisation, it’s very possible as long as you don’t travel too quickly.
It’s not an uphill climb! The journey up to Everest Base Camp is a hike, and for the most part the route is on mountain trails and the final two days on lateral slopes. There are a few challenging hills, however the trails are laid out to make it more comfortable and you’ll have plenty of time to rest and have a chat. On the moraine , the terrain may be a bit slippery at times due to ice, but it is not necessary to carry any special equipment or knowledge. It’s a simple walk and all you’ll need are a couple of miniature spikes to wear on your boots if it’s cold.
How long will it take to walk up to Everest Base Camp?
The trek is approximately 14 days between Kathmandu to Kathmandu when you fly in the mountain airstrip in Lukla and follow the standard route to the base camp. You need to plan at least 4 or 5 days for travel time to get to Kathmandu and to recover from jet lag as well as to visit the city. There are many other Everest Base Camp route options for treks like Jiri, Saleri and Phaplu that are all stunning with less traffic and will require longer. If you’re planning to trek these routes, it’s worthwhile stopping for several days in the villages that are below Lukla. There are numerous routes beyond Lukla in the direction towards Everest Base Camp, which can add length to your trek like taking a route through Gokyo Lakes or an interesting detour – which is really dependent on the amount of time you’ve got.
How fit do I need for being able to walk towards Everest Base Camp?
You don’t have to meet marathon standards in any way, but of course , the more fit you are the better you’ll feel and the more you’ll be able to enjoy the walk. If you’re content to walk for 5 hours per day and carry the lightest of day packs, you should not have any health issues. Of the 14 days of the year, there are only a handful of days would require you to walk for five hours. The majority of walking takes place in the morning and in the afternoon. These times are for relaxation and taking the ambience and the history of the beautiful surroundings you travel through.
The one thing you cannot prepare for is altitude, and this can hinder people from reaching the base camp area, which has half the oxygen in comparison with sea-level. It is important to adjust properly and for that you must follow slow steps, follow an effective route, rise gradually to the altitude, take a break on a good diet as well as sleep in a comfortable bed and drink plenty of fluids. The actual distances between Lukla towards Everest Base Camp can be completed much faster than we can however it will make you sick. Because of this, the hike is easy and most importantly, enjoyable.
Is the journey towards Everest Base Camp dangerous?
It could be that you don’t follow an experienced guide who will provide a well-planned schedule with regards to Acclimatization days, rest days, and, of course, healthy food and drinking water. However, there aren’t any dangers from climbing off of ropes or exposed ridges or other. If you are trekking with an experienced guide, the only thing you should know about is yaks that are used to transport people’s gear. They can be seen running pretty fast along the trails and are often seen to run into other people , sending the yaks flying. They’re magnificent animals. You’ll notice them coming from the sound of their bells , which will signal you to stay away from the trail and stay on the higher side of any hill. There’s a reliable helicopter network that covers the major trekking routes throughout Nepal as well as the Everest trek is completely protected in the event of an emergency while trekking up to Everest Base Camp.
What is the ideal time to go on an Everest Base Camp Trek?
There are two primary times to hike up to Everest Base Camp being pre and post monsoon. The latter is between March and May, and October – November. You can also trek outside of these seasons however they are the most popular months because of the weather. From March through May, it begins cold, but then warms up while the reverse is true post monsoon.
