Everest Base Camp Trek is on the bucket list of a lot of people ranging from both seasoned trekkers to beginners. The trekking route is located in the Khumbu region in the Himalayas that is why even most of the Nepalese population have no idea what it’s like. So if you being an outsider are nervous about what to expect, how to prepare and how to proceed then you have every right to do so.
That is why in this article, we will talk about some of the very frequent questions that are asked and the necessary information for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Where Does the Everest Base Camp Trek Start From ?
The Everest Base Camp is located in the Khumbu region which is the eastern part of Nepal. When it comes to Nepal, you might have heard about cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu but the trekking region is quite far away from these major cities. The trekking starts from a small town called Lukla which is situated at an altitude of 2,860 m. If you take the plane then it is a 30 minute journey from Kathmandu to Lukla whereas the bus will take you around 3-4 days.
Since it’s quite far and not very accessible by road, most people take the ariel route to reach Lukla.
Can Beginners do Everest Base Camp Trek ?
Everest Base Camp Trek is not the most difficult trek in the world. Yes, even beginners can do it. But it is best that you prepare yourself mentally and physically for this trek. Everest Base Camp Trek is categorized as a trek of moderate difficulty so it can be done by people with no trekking experience also. However, there are different types of people under people with no trekking experience. Some can walk for hours without feeling any pain or difficulty whereas some might have very less stamina and may feel tired in the first few minutes itself.
There are plenty of easy treks in Nepal which beginners can do but those also require you to walk at least 3-4 hours per day. So if we are taking that the easy scenario, then Everest Base Camp is a little more difficulty as you like 7-8 hours per day in an EBC Trek. Additionally, the altitude is much higher than the average treks thus the oxygen level will be an additional challenge.
But it doesn’t mean that beginners cannot do this at all. It will be a next level thing for those who have done shorter and easier treks. However, if you have never had any trekking experience then also you don’t have to be very afraid. If you have a habit of walking regularly or doing exercise regularly then also you can do the Everest Base Camp Trek. The altitude adjustment is not the biggest worry as you will get plenty of time to acclimatize. If feel you might lag behind and take much longer than 7 or 8 hours then there will be porters and mules available to relieve you of the weight on your back. This way you can feel a lot lighter and walk more comfortably. It should be noted that you are ready to walk a good distance on high altitude for 10-11 days consistently. There will be options to carry you in horses if you find the trek extremely difficult at any point. But just for the sake of experience, it is necessary that you can do the majority of the walking for the maximum number of days.
If you walk regularly, exercise or jog everyday then your legs will be ready for the challenge compared to someone who doesn’t walk that often and uses a vehicle all the time. So don’t be too afraid, even if you haven’t put pressure on your legs for a long time you can take some time for preparation and then accompany your friends on the trek.
How Much Does The EBC Trek Cost ?
The average cost per one tourist is around $2000-$4000. If you are in a group then trekking agencies have separate packages which are little cheaper. This cost covers your transport, accommodation, meals and guide allowances. The porter costs depend from company to company as some trekking companies include the potter costs there in the package as well whereas some do not. So if you need a porter then you might have to pay extra. The costs include the permits costs so you don’t have to spend additional money for acquiring permits. There are also plenty of items that you are going to need like trekking gear, clothes and such which are not covered in the cost. You can check out the Everest Base Camp Trek packing list and check if you have the necessary items or not. If you don’t you can buy those in Kathmandu or even in Lukla. If you haven’t already it would be better to buy those items in Kathmandu rather than Lukla as it’s cheaper in Kathmandu.
What About Solo Trekking ? Can I do the Everest Base Camp Trek Alone ?
If you mean solo with guide then yes you can trek solo as well. But if you are completely alone throughout the entire journey then I would strongly advice against it. For a seasoned trekker, someone who is ready to go out there with just a map and some money in the pocket this can be an alternative but not for beginners. Without even a guide, you can have difficulty finding the right path or getting the right permits. Additionally, without a guide the biggest problem for you will be finding accommodation in a crowded season. And if you get injured along the way or face some difficulty then being solo would be disaster. Yes there will be people along the route but you can rely on the locals or fellow trekkers to take care of you all the time. That is why having a trek guide or another friend as a trekking companion is strongly suggested.
How Safe Is The Everest Base Camp Trek Route ?
The entire area is very safe and the locals are extremely friendly. So safety wise you need not have any concerns. The Sherpas are the local inhabitants are extremely friendly and welcoming. If you wish, you can even exclude hotels and choose home stay in one of the homes of the local people.
How Do I Choose The Right Trekking Company For Everest Base Camp Trek ?
There are a lot of trekking companies operating in Nepal. For Khumbu region, you can check the companies website and get to know about the years of experience they have, the achievements and the reviews on TripAdvisor. This will give you an idea about the trekking company and help you build some trust towards that particularly company.
There are a lot of trekking companies operating in Nepal right now. Some of them are fairly young but still provide quality experience. Talking about PeakPromotion, we have been in this field of trekking, mountaineering and tourism for over 30 years now. We can proudly say that we are one of the best trekking companies in Nepal if not the best. You can check our achievements and get to know our team members.
