Everest Base camp Trek is a hiking trek that traverses towards the famous Mount Everest Region, the destination of which is the Base Camp of the world’s highest Mount Everest. The alluring views of snow capped mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse and postcard worthy landscapes along the trails; natural river streams, terrace lands, beautiful forests are the major features. The exposure to renowned Sherpa Village and Culture, sudden encounter with yaks, mules and donkeys that carry luggages up to the mountains are other focus of attention during the Everest Base Camp Hiking.
As a bucket list destination, 14 days in the Everest Base Camp Trekking come up with the time of your life and reinforces your excitement and experiences. Walking on the alluring Everest Region pop up with dauntless endurances as your hiking goes on elevating every day. The changes in the everyday landscapes, climatic conditions, cultural variety and the way of life of the himalayan Sherpa people will be the everyday experiences while trekking in the Everest region of Nepal.
The journey hit the road right from Kathmandu, with a scenic flight to Lukla Airport. The flight, especially during the peak trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn Seasons) due to over traffic, might take off from the Manthali Airport, which is about 4-6 hours drive from Kathmandu. Upon reaching Lukla, the hike begins and takes you to Phakding. The fairly easy trail leads you through beautiful streams over multiple suspension bridges and offers scenic views of beautiful villages, agricultural terrace lands and colorful forests.
The route from Phakding then ascends towards Namche Bazar, which is at an elevation of 3450 meters from mean sea level. The prayer flags and bells, double suspension bridges, monasteries and tombstones at multiple places of the trekking route are associated with the Buddhist culture and tradition of the local Sherpa People. Back in the old days, Namche Bazar used to be the center of business for the people around and for the people from Tibet. They used to buy and sell the local commodities at this place. This place still has this legacy as people from Namche Bazar still organize market stalls every Saturday.
You will stay one whole day at Namche Bazar for the purpose of acclimatization. The very next day, with the significant rise of elevation in the hiking trail, you will experience changes in the landscapes, temperature and the nature of winds. As you ascend upward, you will see less agricultural lands and more barren fields, less mules and more yaks for carrying goods and you might experience less comfort with altitude. Also, you may encounter several yaks on the way and if you are lucky enough, you will get to see Wild Thar and Ghorals along the trail. Slow and gradual walk, drinking plenty of water and frequent rests are always suggested.
The views get better and better as you hike from Tengboche to Dingboche. Every part of the trail opens up with mesmerizing viewpoints. The trails sometimes appear to be artificially decorated for the way they pass along lushes of green grasses and with colorful flowering plants on both the sides. They look picture perfect and are captivating. The other day of acclimatization is at Dingboche, which is at an altitude of 4350 meters.
As a part of acclimatization, this day is designed to climb a summit of Nangkartshang Peak. This place offers you the stunning views of Mt Everest, Mt Makalu, Lhotse and Nuptse. The summit will help you to cope with the altitude and the wind pressures that you are going to experience during the hike for the remaining days to come. This day is fairly useful and productive as is used for acclimatization.
The uphill climb from Dingboche towards Lobuche and then to Gorak Shep until reaching the Everest Base Camp offers closer and clearer views of snow capped mountains. The jaw breaking view of the whole grand Mount Everest just before your eyes will be the rewarding and most satisfying of all. Before returning back to Periche, the further hike from EBC takes you to Kala Patthar, a slice of Heaven, at an altitude of 5,555 meters. This is the highest point of the 14 days of Everest Base Camp Trekking.
The foods and accommodations available in the Everest Trekking route are more basic. Enough tea stalls and local shops are available at many places where you can break your walk for a while to take a rest, get some milk tea and light food to fill your appetite and boost your strength. The hotels provide local cuisines like dal bhat, noodles soup, momo and dhindo. Hot drinking water will be available. Comfortable beds are available with shared toilets, hot showers and private washrooms are also available depending upon the type of the hotels and the facilities they provided.
During your Everest Trekking, do not forget to prioritize the passing of mules and donkeys as you will encounter them on the same trail that you walk. Basically, they are never harmful but do not act in such a way they might get irritated. Do not poke them and never feed them your food.
Regardless, the chances of altitude sickness, variability of weather conditions, and decrease in temperature can be challenging if you do not prepare well beforehand. The choice of suitable clothes, physical stamina, and proper acclimatization can readily reduce the difficulty level of your hike to the Everest Region. Likewise, travel insurance comes up with better compensations in case of emergencies and medications.
Regal Nepal Treks and Travel has come up with the best package, itinerary and cost for 2024 to help trekkers to guide and assist to complete their Everest Base Camp Trekking within 14 days. With more than decade of experiences and gained expertised, our team stands out successful in managing the trek as per your demand and need.
What are the major highlights of a 14 day trek to Everest Base Camp?
- Trek to Everest Base Camp, where the Mount Everest Expedition begins, at an elevation of 5364 meters
- Highest elevation of the trek at Kala Patthar is 5,555 meters
- Scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, this offers amazing aerial views of several snow capped mountains and beautiful landscapes of Nepal
- Jaw breaking view of the Grand Mount Everest just before your eyes
- Closer views of several other mountains like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku
- Trekking in the Sherpa Villagers, Sherpa are the renowned world class mountaineers
- Trekking around the Everest Region of Nepal
- Memorable walk through beautiful forests, rivers, suspension bridges, sometimes rugged and remote lands, steepy but alluring trails time and again
- Encounter the picture perfect large groups of mules, donkeys and yaks carrying loads on their back up to the mountains
- Waking up with a clean and clear view of mountains just outside the window of your hotel room in the himalayas
- Experience local cuisines of Everest Region like dal bhat, momo and dhindo
- Opportunity to taste Cheese made from the milk of Yak
- Opportunity to understand and get into insights about the Sherpa Culture, Buddhist tradition and their lifestyle
14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Elevation
Kala Patthar, the highest elevation of the EBC Trek is at 5,555 meters from the mean sea level, whereas the initial point of hiking, Lukla is at an altitude of 2,840 meters. You will experience a total of about 2,715 meters of ascend during your 9 days hike,resulting in an average ascent of 300 meters per day. You have to walk almost 6 to 8 hours everyday.
Everest Base Camp Weather and Climate
The weather and climatic conditions at the Everest Region change with changes in seasons of the year. Depending upon the average temperature, rainfall and visibility, weather patterns at Everest Region are often divided into four categories.
Monsoon Season (July, August, September)
The monsoon season remains warmer with an average temperature of about 17 degree celsius during daytime, which then significantly drops to 4 degree celsius at night time. This season has higher rainfall, making the trails uneasy and slippery. Less trekkers visit Everest Base Camp during this period of year.
Spring Season (April, May)
At Everest Region, daytime average temperature is about 15 degree Celsius and night time mean temperature is almost below freezing during the months of April and May. Spring is the ideal season to expedite the 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek. This season comes up with clear skies and increased visibility that enables the views of mountains, landscapes and other natural treasurers.
Autumn Season (October, November)
Daytime average temperature is about 17 degree celsius and night time mean temperature is around -5 degree celsius during the Autumn Season. Warm sunshine, clear skies and vibrant views of snow-covered himalayas make this season of year suitable to visit Everest Base Camp. There is no visibility obstruction at the Base Camp.
Winter Season (December, January, February,March)
This is the coldest time of the year with temperature below the freezing point even throughout the days. Average daytime temperature is -5 degree celsius and nighttime temperature is -15 degree celsius.
Is Everest Base Camp Trek suitable for you?
Everest Base Camp trek is suitable for you if you are willing to hike around the mountainous regions of Nepal. You do not require prior trekking experience. Whether you are a solo traveler or in a group, you can expedite up to the Everest Base Camp and enjoy the view of the grand snow capped mountains including Mount Everest.
All you require is to be physically fit and mentally prepared to walk around 6 hours a day in the higher himalayan regions of Nepal. You will get simple accommodation and local food is available throughout the journey. It is your preparation, willingness and your physical fitness that determines the suitability of the Trek to EBC.
What is the difficulty level of Everest Base Camp Hike ?
Everest Base Camp Hike is one of the challenging treks because of its remote trails and rugged terrain with steep ascends and descends at several places. Weather can sometimes be challenging and often changing. Altitude sickness might affect hiking as it comes up with a painful headache, shortness in breathing and difficulty in walking. Temperature can be challenging when it goes below the freezing point.
Before commencing the trek, Regal Nepal Treks and Travel will organize a briefing and introduction session. We will share do’s and dont’s during the trek, about permits and permission, packing lists, safety precautions and other needy guidance as per the need of the trekkers.
Packing List and Preparation for Trek
Hiking around the Everest Region is not easy peasy. 14 days trekking to Everest Base Camp requires prior preparation and collection of needy items before hitting the road.Regal Nepal Treks and Travels has the following suggestive mandatory packing list and preparation for the travelers.
- Sleeping bag that can withstand freezing temperature
- Down Jacket
- Bag with rain cover, which is around 40 liter capacity
- Duffle bag of capacity 70 to 80 liter
- Sun Hat, Sun glasses and headlamps
- Neck Gaiter or a scarf is compulsory
- Flee Jacket
- Set of long sleeve
- Set of Technical fabric t-shirts
- Technical fabric base layer pants / trousers
- Waterproof hiking boots and socks
- Hiking pants
- Sweater
- Casual shoe to wear and walk around hotel during free time
- Sunscreen, lip balms, ointment, cough syrup
- Set of warm woolen / fabric gloves
- Towel
- Reusable water bottle
- Thermal bottle for hot water / tea
- Personal documents like passports, permits
- Few cash as ATM are not available at the trekking trails
- Toilet paper
- Face wipes
These are the basic list drawn out of experiences and travelers are recommended to choose the items wisely and we request you to feel free if you need any further guidance in any regards. Also, It is to be noted that necessary first aid kits are always available with our guides.
