Everest Base Camp Trek

Why is the EBC Trek Famous?

The EBC trek is popular for its undefinable beauty of the Himalayas, unique Sherpa culture, and adventure journey through diverse landscapes and scenic trails. Here is the list of things that make EBC popular: 

• The EBC trek takes you closer to Mt. Everest and other surrounding peaks like Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse.
• Trek through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site.
• The trek follows the routes used by legendary climbers like Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. 
• You will have the opportunity to walk in high-altitude areas such as lush forests, good trails, mountains, glaciers, and clear lakes.
• You get a glimpse of Sherpa villages in the Everest area.
• The trek passes through old monasteries like Tengboche Monastery.
• The trek is challenging and rough.
• The sense of victory is when you are at EBC.

Best Season to Trek

There are usually two peak seasons for trekking in Nepal. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for the EBC Trek.

One of the best and peak seasons among tourists is spring. The weather is clear and sunny, the temperature is mild, and the trekking trails are lined with rhododendrons and wildflowers. The trail is dry and offers you beautiful sights of the great Himalayas.

The autumn season is the best time, and most of the trekkers prefer this time for a trek in the Nepal Himalayas. The pre-monsoon swept all the dust away so that the weather was crystal clear and perfect for trekking in a high-altitude region. It is pleasant with the temperature and moderate weather. This season is perfect to view the Himalayan landscape with a comfortable temperature.

Food and Accommodation

Food

During the trek to Nepal's Everest Base Camp, you take meals in teahouses along the route during the trek. In Namche and Kathmandu, there are quite a few foods like pasta, fried noodles, eggs, porridge, momo, toast, bread, and so forth, but when you go walking uphill into higher altitudes, you're eating similar kinds of foods like dal bhat for lunch and dinner, Tibetan bread, tea, and vegetables for breakfast. Dal bhat consists of a plate of rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, and a small spicy pickle. We request prior notice if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, since we have to make arrangements for food for you.

Accommodation

You would be staying at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu. But while trekking to EBC, you would be staying in a teahouse or lodge with twin-sharing beds.

The facilities are basic: a wooden bed and mattress, blankets and warmers, and a pillow. At more elevated altitudes, all teahouses have twin-sharing rooms and shared bathrooms as well. There will not be a facility for a hot water shower in the higher altitude region.

Difficulty Level

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a demanding to challenging trek. You don't necessarily have to be a professional mountaineer, but you will need to be physically and mentally fit to trek at a high altitude. You will be trekking 6 to 7 hours a day in the majority of cases on a steep up-and-down trail and some very flat country. You will require strong leg muscles and endurance. Preparation should also involve the commencement of a fitness program one month before the visit, for example, cardio exercise like jogging, running, swimming, or bicycle exercises, and hill walking if you have access to it. This acclimatizes you further to bumpy roads and reduces the risk of altitude sickness.

Permits and Travel Insurance

Permits

You’ll need two permits while trekking to the Everest Base Camp.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

It costs around $30 and can be obtained from Kathmandu or Monjo.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Park Permit

It costs around $20 and can be obtained from Lukla. 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is essential while trekking in the high-altitude region of Nepal, especially in the Everest Base Camp. Your travel insurance should cover emergency medical evacuation, hospitalization, trip cancellations, and high-altitude trekking up to 5,500 meters. Make sure your insurance provides all these facilities. 

Packing Essentials

Packing smartly is much needed. You should carry only those items that you are going to use on the trek. Here is a list of gear for the EBC Trek: 

• Thermal shorts
• Trekking Pants
• Trekking Shoes
• Socks
• Duffel bag
• Sleeping bag
• Fleece jacket
• Underwear
• Daypack with cover
• Water bottle
• Travel adapter
• Headlamps
• Thermal tops
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Waterproof and windproof pants
• Quick-dry towel
• Sun hat
• Toiletries
• Sunglasses
• Liner gloves
• Sneakers
• Toiletries
• Paper documents
• Snacks
• Cash