Everest Base Camp Trek is a charm that attracts lots of trekkers yearly. Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world may probably be the reason for the unending charm of this place. Many people take this trek as an achievement of a lifetime. And, why can’t they do so? After all, walking to the Everest Base Camp is not a joke. It’s an output of all the hard work and strong will power. Every year, we receive a lot of queries from our customers regarding Everest base camp, its length, difficulty level, temperature, the best time for the visit and many more. We try our best to fulfill the queries of our valued customers. However, there may be many travelers around the world who may be lagging behind for this trek due to any wrong information or lack of information.
With this piece of information, we would like to clear some frequently asked questions regarding Everest Base Camp Trek. It may also help those who are in need of proper information.
Everest Base Camp Trek – FAQ’s
Some frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) regarding Everest Base Camp Trek information is as follows:
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How long does it take to accomplish Everest Base Camp Trek?
The standard package of Everest Base Camp is of 16 days. Amongst the 16 days, two days are set aside for acclimatization and contingency purpose. We always separate a day for any contingency situation so as to ensure that we complete our trek in time and catch a flight back to your home town in time. However, the trek can be shortened to 14 days by cutting off the days separated in Kathmandu for contingency purpose. The 14 days consists of your arrival and departure day in/ from Nepal. So, basically, Everest Base Camp Trek is a 12 day’s journey. The brief itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding
Day 2 – Trek to Namche
Day 3 – Hike to Everest View Hotel (Acclimatization day in Namche)
Day 4 – Trek to Tengboche
Day 5 – Trek to Dingboche
Day 6 – Hike to Nagerjun (Acclimatization in Dingboche)
Day 7 – Trek to Lobuche
Day 8 – Trek to Gorekshep and then to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorekshep
Day 9 – Hike to Kalapatthar and trek back to Pheriche
Day 10 – Trek to Namche
Day 11 – Trek to Lukla
Day 12 – Fly back to Kathmandu
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Is it dangerous to trek to Everest Base Camp?
The main challenge of Everest Base Camp is dealing with the altitudinal gain. So, if you abide by proper instructions from your guide regarding acclimatization, good food, and clean drinking water, there is no danger in trekking to Everest Base Camp. The trek doesn’t require any kind of adventurous stunt like hanging ropes, climbing up the ropes or walking through some exposed ridges. You must be careful about the altitude sickness symptoms. If you notice any kind of symptoms, inform your guide instantly. Another must-know thing is about dzopkos. They are a breed of cow and yak that are used as a medium of transportation in high elevation regions. You need to be aware of them. If violent they can run and bump into people. Generally, bells are hanged in their neck to alert that they are coming. In that case, carefully clear the trail for them. Besides these, there is nothing to worry about for a trek to Everest Base Camp.
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How cold is it at Everest Base Camp?
Generally, it is cold in Everest Base Camp. The mountains can never be hot but the coldness may vary depending upon the season. The day temperature may reach a maximum up to 25 degree Celsius and the night temperature may fall as low as – 20 degree Celsius. Even a single day may have this variation between day and night.
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Can you just go to Everest Base Camp?
No, one cannot trek to Everest Base Camp independently. Forgoing to the base camp, you need to book a trek with local tour operator. A trekking permit is required to trek to the Everest region. Your tour operator will prepare all the permits required for travel when you book a trek through a tour operator.
How hard is it to trek to Everest Base Camp? Is Everest Base Camp harder than Kilimanjaro?
We are often asked how hard it is to reach Everest Base Camp and the toughness is often compared with the trek to Kilimanjaro. Honestly, if you can walk for six to seven hours continuously for ten days, then Everest Base Camp is not that difficult. But as mentioned earlier, the biggest challenge that one can have while trekking to Everest is coping with the rising altitude. If you can sustain the elevation gain during the trek, you can complete Everest Base Camp Trek conveniently. There is no need of climbing and the trek doesn’t require any kind of technical skills, the trek is simply a walking journey through the well-marked trail. Comparatively, Kilimanjaro is tough then Everest Base Camp Trek.
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How much does it cost to trek to Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is very affordable in terms of cost. And the cost of trek to Everest Base Camp may vary upon the season you are traveling, what kind of cost are inclusive, what kind of services are provided, length of the trek and which route are you taking to the Everest. Peak season is expensive that offseason. Likewise, Jiri route is cheap as compared to Lukla route.
Generally the cost of trek to Everest Base Camp comprises of permits, TIMS card, guide/porter cost, round trip to/from Lukla, accommodation, meals, drinks, etc. on average, the cost may vary from USD 1000 TO USD 3000 per foreigner for a trek that ranges from 10 to 21 days. This cost is exclusive of visa fees, travel insurance, trekking equipment cost, other personal utility and entertainment expenses cost.
If you break down the cost, the rough estimate of cost can be
- Cost of guides may vary from $30 to $40 per day
- Cost of permits – $10 for organized TIMS card, $20 for individual TIMS card, $3 for SAARC country TIMS card Another permit cost is required to enter into Sagarmatha National Park that costs $33
- Flight to and from Lukla – it may cost approximately $180 per flight
- Mineral wattle bottle – $1 to $4 per bottle
- Tea and coffee – $2 to $4 per cup
- Beer -$5 to $10 per bottle
- Breakfast – $3 to $6 per breakfast
- Lunch and dinner -$5 to $9 per meal
- Accommodation – $5 to $40 per night as per the standard of hotel/ rooms and season of travel
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Has anyone died trekking to Everest Base Camp? How many dead bodies are there on Mt. Everest?
As per the record, since 1924, 305 people have died on both sides of the mountain i.e. Mt. Everest. Both Nepal and China are putting their efforts to remove the remains of dead climbers. Around 200 dead bodies are still spread across various routes in the mountains. The bodies are either buried in the crevasses or are spread in different locations due to the moving glaciers making it difficult to trace the bodies.
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Can you drive to Everest Base Camp?
There are two base camps of Everest, one on either side – southern base camp (5364 m) is in Nepal while the northern base camp (5150 m) is in Tibet. Generally, the southern base camp is popular than the northern base camp. The only way to go to the southern base camp (in Nepal) is through trek or through a helicopter tour. One cannot drive to southern Everest base camp. However, driving to the northern base camp is possible. There is a well-paved road that leads you to northern base camp in Tibet.
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What is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek
March to May and September to October is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek. However, late May might be hot and may bring some early monsoon rain. Except for the exceptions, the mentioned periods are the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Do you still have any other queries related with Everest Base Camp Trek information or any other trekking journey in Nepal? If yes, then write to us. We are happy to assist you with your queries.
