Our tips for Everest Base Camp trekking were generated from the many questions our readers submitted Before, during, and after my trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, we received dozens of questions about the experience via email and social media. We have compiled them below in a detailed Q&A that includes all of our tips for the Everest Base Camp trek.

Tips for trekking to Everest Base Camp

How Long Does It Take?

I joined G Adventures on a 15-day trip to Everest Base Camp, which included 12 days of trekking …eight to ascend to base camp, and four to descend back to Lukla. This included two “rest” days of acclimatization walks to higher ground.

This is the standard itinerary and having done several high-altitude multi-day treks I would not advise trying to trek Everest Base Camp faster than this.

How Difficult Is The Journey?

I’d say it’s a six or a seven on a scale of one to ten. It’s a high-altitude trek, it’s 12 days, you walk three to eight hours a day, and it can get very cold. It is a challenging hike that should not be taken lightly.

If you have little experience of multi-day or altitude treks or are not particularly fit, then you will find this trek more challenging. One member of our group, a healthy man in his mid-thirties, described it as the hardest thing he’s ever done.

That said, porters carry your heavy gear so your pack is light, the trail is well traveled and easy to follow, and as long as you take your time and listen to advice it’s a very doable hike. Each year, more than 30,000 people from all walks of life take the walk.

How Much?

Prices for the G Adventures of Trekking I joined start at around £780 ($1,000), depending on the dates, for a round trip from Kathmandu.

The price includes all accommodation, a local English-speaking guide, assistants throughout the trek, porters to carry luggage between villages, an entrance fee to Sagarmāthā National Park, internal flights to and from Lukla, and all transportation between destinations and to and from Lukla. from the included activities.

How Cold Does It Get?

Depends on the time of year and your location on the trail. The higher you are, the colder it is. During our trek in early April, it was down to -20C on one night, though most nights weren’t that cold. The days varied greatly. Sometimes we hiked in shirtsleeves and sweated in the sun, while other times we went in cold weather clothes while it snowed.

When Is The Best Time To Take A Trip?

The best time to complete an Everest Base Camp trek is in the fall (late September-November). The days are generally dry and clear, although there may be an occasional shower or storm. This is also the peak so the trails are busier.

Another excellent time to trek is during the warm and quiet spring (Mar-May), which is when I went (early April). It is also the time when the colorful rhododendrons bloom, usually between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. The downside is that dry weather brings dust, leading to more hazy days.

Dec-Feb is a good month for trekking, but they are also the coldest months, and getting to the base camp can be a real test of endurance. The monsoons come in earnest from June to September, swelling the rivers to breaking point, bringing hordes of leeches, and making the trail very muddy. Many tea houses will close during these months.

Is There Snow At Everest Base Camp?

Of course. It is the base of the highest mountain in the world! Of course, it will depend on the weather and the time of year, but you should expect to find snow at base camp all year round.

What Should I Pack?

I have made a complete list of Everest Base Camp equipment. It contains everything I took, including clothing, trekking gear, toiletries, medications, electronics, and documentation.

Can I Buy Trekking Clothing And Equipment Locally?

It is possible to buy (or rent) most of the items on my Everest Base Camp gear list upon arrival in Nepal. However, I would not advise letting it go as delayed and quality cannot always be guaranteed.

Kathmandu has a ton of open-air shops selling a lot of what you’re likely to need. There is a collection of imported gear shops – with prices comparable to those in the West – scattered along Tridevi Marg near Thamel.

Along the way, Namche Bazaar has some great gear shops, including some genuine ( Sherpa, La Cara Norte ) and locally made outdoor craft shops, as well as countless souvenir shops. There is also a limited assortment of shops and pharmacies in Lukla and other towns along the route.

Again in Kathmandu, it is possible to rent many items such as sleeping bags and down jackets. It is also possible to rent sleeping bags from G Adventures for $15 for the entire trip. Walkers must always bring their own boots and shoes, which must be worn beforehand.

What Are The Weight Limits On The Flight?

There are strict weight limits on the domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The flight only allows 10 kg of checked baggage and 5 kg of carry-on baggage. This coincides with the maximum weight porters are allowed to carry: 10kg per walker with a maximum of two walkers per porter.

Luggage can be safely stored at your hotel in Kathmandu. But you will need to take all your trekking gear with you. At our Kathmandu hotel, Hotel Fuji …there were some luggage scales available for guests to use.

Is There Phone Reception?

Phone reception is of course intermittent, but there is a reception in the lower towns. I made the mistake of buying a Nepal Telecom“Namaste” SIM card at the airport on arrival. However, this was not received from the Namche Bazaar onward. the cell network that my guide and a few other hikers had seemed to get a better reception further down the trail and my guide recommended them.

Both providers have at the airport and throughout the country and offer a number of data packages. You will need a copy of your passport and a photo to get a SIM card.

Is It Safe To Drink The Water?

Yes, the water is safe to drink as long as purification tablets are used. Almost all teahouses and restaurants can provide drinking water for free. Only at Gorakshep (the last stop before base camp) was it necessary to buy bottled water, as there is no natural spring nearby.

Otherwise, don’t buy bottled water or bottled soft drinks on the trail. Plastic bottles are difficult to dispose of and have become a serious environmental problem.

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