Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and adventurous treks in Nepal. Walking through the tough terrain through various steep climbs and downhill treks to the Base Camp of the highest mountain of the world is a thrilling journey.
Walking through the beautiful lush Rhododendron forest and the beautiful views of the mountains seem like a dream. But soon you will come to find some rough climbs during your Everest Base Camp Trek. so you must come across some Everest Base camp Trek difficulty and overcome them during your adventurous trek.
As beautiful, adventurous, and thrilling the Everest Base Camp Trek maybe, we should also be mindful of the Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty. This will help us be prepared for facing these difficulties and overcome them.
Worried about the Everest Base Camp difficulty spoiling your Everest Base Camp Trek experience? Don’t worry, after having the proper knowledge about the difficulties you may face, you can prepare for them accordingly and overcome the Everest Base Camp Trek difficulties. What fun is a trek without any difficulties to overcome, isn’t it? Overcoming the Everest base Camp trek difficulty will make your trek even more memorable and you will come out even more experienced for your next trek.
You should be well prepared for your Everest Base Camp Trek as it takes you through 14 days of trekking through remote areas through uphills and downhills. Covering a total of 130 kilometers of trekking and hours on flight and bus ride, you should be well prepared for your trek physically and mentally.
Apart from the standard 9 days Everest Base Camp Trek routes, there are other trekking routes you can choose from as well. The different routes have their own perks and challenges. The main difficulties you will be facing and some extra knowledge on how hard the Everest base camp Trek is are provided below.
Highlights
- Great views of the Everest mountain with neighboring mountains
- Opportunity to learn about the local Sherpa culture and lifestyle
- Kalapathar viewpoint
- Scenic Lukla Flight
- Tengboche Monastery
- Sagarmatha National Park
Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
Trek routes
One of the Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty you will be facing during your Everest Base Camp Trek is choosing the right trekking route for you. You can choose the short Everest Base Camp Trek route of 9 days taking you through Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp. However, this trek route has less acclimatization.
Apart from the 9 days short trek, if you take the 14 days Everest Base Camp trek, there will be enough time to acclimatize. However, the routes of the Everest Base Camp Trek are rough and consist of many steep climbs. You will need to be physically fit to attempt this climb to overcome this Everest Base Camp Difficulty.
Length of the Trek
Trekking in the remote trails for approximately 5-6 hours per day on average is not an easy task. Especially when the trekking trails are not as plain as the normal city roads. The trekking trails may go off the beaten trails and consist of many turns and uphill climbs.
You will have to cover at least 13-15 kilometers a day. The total distance covered during your Everest base camp Trek is approximately 130 kilometers. This is a huge distance to be covered within 14 days so you should be better prepared for your trek.
Although the Everest Base camp Trek is not a technical climb with any gears or equipment requirements it still is a trek that needs physical strength and proper preparation.
Altitude sickness
Trekking to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world means high altitude trekking. Reaching the maximum altitude of 5545 m at Kalapathar starting from 2860 meters in Lukla, the altitude change will affect your body.
Reaching such high altitudes, there is a high chance of you getting altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is the condition where your body has trouble adjusting to the changing altitude of your surroundings. As you get higher the air pressure decreases causing you symptoms of altitude sickness like dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc.
Keeping your body hydrated with proper acclimatization helps reduce or avoid altitude sickness.
Weather and temperature
Another Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty you may face during your trek is the changing weather and temperature. It is always better to learn about the best time to visit the place. For Everest Base Camp Trek, Autumn and Spring seasons are the best time for exploration without anything hindering your beautiful experience.
However, even with the proper timing of the trek, high altitudes may face some uncertain and sudden weather changes. So you should be prepared for such conditions during your trek.
Also, trekking during the summer means facing sudden showers which may also result in landslides so it is better to avoid summer mainly Mid June to July.
As for the winter season, being amongst the highest mountains in the world covered in snow, the temperature is bound to be cold. Even during the Autumn season, nights are cold. So the winter is freezing cold and anywhere between late December to mid-February is not suitable for trekking because of the intense cold.
Preparation for the trek
Another Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty is the preparation for the trek itself rather than the actual trek. So how difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek? It consists of walking 5-6 hours a day on average covering 13- 14 kilometers. This means you will need a lot of physical strength.
Unlike jogging in the park, Everest Base Camp Trek routes take you through uphills and downhills in the steep rocky mountainous roads. Without proper physical training prior to your trek, it will be difficult for you to overcome this trek.
You will have guides and porters to help you during your trek but the walking part is all up to you. If you cannot walk for 5-6 hours a day on average, you won’t be able to complete this adventurous trek.
Also, being among the mountains and the forest in an unknown land with locals who don’t speak your language takes a mental toll. Keep yourself mentally and physically fit to get through this trek and come out of this trek stronger and with great memories.
Finding the right guide and porter
Another difficulty you might face during your Everest Base Camp Trek is that of finding the right guide and porter. If you are traveling with a company, your guide and porter will be taken care of by the company itself.
However, if you are traveling by yourself, you will face the problem of choosing the right guide. There are many types of guides in the Everest Region waiting to provide you the service. Some may be cheaper than the others. But cheap does not mean good. You should find someone with a license to professionally guide you. Also, s/he must be able to communicate with you. Communication is a must as you will be completely dependent on him/her for the next 14 days.
Other than a guide, a porter is also important during your trek. Walking for 5-6 hours a day sometimes even 8-9 hours a day with your heavy luggage will be a nightmare. Unless you are a physically fit person capable of carrying 15 kgs of luggage with you throughout your trek, you should hire a porter as well.
How hard is Everest base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty is a moderate level which can be done by beginners as long as they are physically fit. The hard parts of the Everest Base Camp Trek are mentioned below:
- Walking an average of 5-6 hours a day
- Covering 13-14 kilometers of distance
- 400-800 m altitude elevation per day
- Chances of altitude sickness
- The decrease in air pressure in higher altitudes
Tips on Dealing with Difficulties
Here are some tips and tricks on making your Everest Base Camp Trek more memorable and comfortable. Also, some tips to overcome the Everest base Camp Trek difficulty for a better experience.
- Try to do some physical training like cardio before your trek to improve your stamina and physical capabilities
- Be sure to be physically and mentally prepared for the trek
- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the trek. Bringing your own water bottle and some water purifier tablets would be a great help.
- Proper acclimatization is the most important part of the trek. Do not rush the altitude gain and do not skip acclimatization days.
- It is always better to travel with a trekking company as they will be better at preparing your accommodation and guides and porters.
- Try to avoid meat in high altitudes to avoid altitude sickness. Also, avoid smoking and intake of any alcoholic drinks during your trek. These contribute to altitude sickness as well.
- Carrying a personal first aid kit helps as you will know your body the best.
- Communicate with your guide in case of any emergencies.
- Get travel insurance as in case of any emergencies you will be rescued in a helicopter rescue which will be paid by the insurance.
- Carry some means of entertainment to keep your mind fresh like some games or books or music player.
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FAQs
What is the total distance traveled during Everest base Camp Trek?
Starting from Lukla, you will have to trek approximately 130 -140 kilometers throughout your Everest Base Camp Trek. you will cover 13-14 km a day walking 5-6 hours a day on average.
What is the highest point of the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The highest point of the Everest Base Camp Trek is at Kalapathar at an altitude of 5,643 m. the second-highest point of the trek is Everest Base Camp at the altitude of 5364 meters.
How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty level is a moderate level trek that can be done by beginners with proper preparation and guidance.
How long does the Everest Base Camp Trek take to complete?
Based on the routes and modes of transportation, the Everest Base Camp Trek can be long or short. You can enjoy a helicopter tour of Everest Base Camp in a day while a short trek of 10 days is also possible. The standard Everest base camp trek takes 14 days to complete.
How are the trekking trails in Everest Base Camp Trek routes?
The trekking trails in Everest Base Camp Trek routes are mostly established trekking trails but at some points, the trail goes off-road. There are some steep climbs along the way. The trails are not plain trails but with lots of twists and turns but with a great view. This also adds up as an Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty.
How can you avoid altitude sickness?
Avoiding altitude sickness means letting your body adjust with the changing altitude. This can be done with properly planned acclimatization during the trek., apart from this, keeping yourself hydrated and avoiding alcoholic drinks also help to avoid altitude sickness.
What to do if I have altitude sickness?
If you have any symptoms of altitude sickness during your trek, you should consult your guide immediately. If the symptoms are severe you will be rescued and transferred to a nearby hospital by emergency helicopter rescue. Similarly, if the symptoms are not severe, you will be provided with medicine to suppress the altitude sickness symptoms.
What is the best time for Everest Base Camp trek?
The best time for Everest Base Camp Trek is during the Autumn and Spring season. The months from September to November and March to May are the best months for trekking the Everest region. These months provide you with clear weather and a favorable temperature to trek for hours in the Region.
What kind of accommodation will I get in Everest Base Camp Trek?
You will mostly be housed in tea houses during your entire Everest Base Camp Trek. The accommodations will not be anything fancy but you will be provided with a clean room with an attached bathroom. The rooms will be a twin sharing room. You can opt for a private room but you must book earlier on for availability.
How many people are allowed in one group for Everest Base Camp Trek?
A group of 1 to 20 trekkers is allowed in one group for the Everest Base Camp Trek expedition at a time handled by a professional guide.
Can I trek solo?
Trekking solo in Everest Base Camp is not impossible. But however, if you are a beginner, it is always better to have a guide and porter to help you during your trek. There are chances of you losing your way or taking dangerous routes, so having a guide is a must for beginners. If you are an experienced trekker with knowledge of the routes, solo trekking in Everest Base Camp will be a great experience.
Is travel insurance necessary?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for high altitude trekking like Everest base Camp Trek. in case of any emergencies, you will be rescued via emergency helicopter assistance. This will be covered by your travel insurance.
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