Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a dream for many travelers. Every year, Everest Base Camp welcomes thousands of trekkers from around the world. It is reported that more than 30,000 trekkers visit Nepal every year to explore the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. Anyone with good health and strong determination can successfully complete the trek. That said, some people can’t make it to the base camp for various reasons. There are certain things you need to consider for a successful trek to the Everest Base Camp. Here are the top 10 tips for you to successfully trek to the Everest Base Camp.
1. Choose a suitable itinerary
First things first, when planning and preparing for the Everest Base Camp Trek, choose a suitable itinerary. Otherwise, you will regret it for sure. Many first-time trekkers overlook this part, and obviously, it’s a great mistake. Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to an altitude over 5000m from sea level. At such a height, the human body is prone to altitude sickness if not acclimatized.
To prevent altitude sickness, you need to walk at a slow pace and acclimatize properly. A 14-day itinerary is a standard itinerary for this trek. This itinerary entails at least 2 acclimatization days for trekkers to acclimatize. You can consult with a travel consultant before finalizing the itinerary. Also, you can customize the itinerary based on your preference and physical ability.
Related Read: Everest Base Camp Trek Gear List
2. Plan Your Budget
The crux of any adventure is budget and time. You must plan your budget and choose the itinerary and the services. As for the Everest Base Camp Trek cost, there is no fixed price. You have three options for the trek, and the budget varies accordingly. You can choose from Budget, Normal, and Luxury EBC Trek.
You can go for a budget trek if you’re a budget traveler. You can add luxury options like a heli tour back to Kathmandu from Lukla or a luxury lodge in the mountains. This will definitely add more cost to your plan. So the idea is simple, you can opt for a budget or luxury trek, and the price shall vary.
3. Choose Professional Travel Company
The best thing you can do for the trek is choose a professional travel company. There are hundreds of travel companies offering the same standard EBC trek itinerary. What differs is the price, obviously, and the service. Don’t fall for the low cost, and look for the quality service. Your safety and success rate are the priority.
While trekking to Everest Base Camp, you will face many challenges, and with the right company, you can get off the hurdles. Trekking with the wrong company can result in the worst trekking experience. Price should be of least concern, considering the dream adventure to the base camp of Everest. The professional travel company will help you plan and prepare for the trek, look after you and cherish your success. And that is what matters the most.
4. Hire a Professional Guide
Unless you’re an independent traveler, we suggest you hire a professional guide for the trek. Having a guide, who is professional and experienced, can enrich your trekking experience. Although the trek can be done without a local guide, hiring a guide is one of the best things you can do.
A guide can share the trek details, help you communicate with locals, and assist you with itineraries, food, accommodations, and routes. You need not worry about anything if a guide accompanies you. From booking a room in a tea house to making the right decision, he will be there for you. The guide will give you valuable insight into culture, lifestyle, and mountains.
Related Read: Benefits of Walking Poles in Trekking
5. Exercise before Departure
Although special training is not required for the trek, you need to exercise for a couple of weeks prior to your departure. This will help your body to build strength and endurance. You will need to walk for hours every day through the rugged trails of the mountain, carrying a daypack. While on a trek, you should be able to walk for at least 5 hours daily. You will cover 130km while doing this trek. Hence training for the trek is absolutely important.
You can do morning workouts and cardiovascular exercises or go on a hike carrying 5 kg backpack. Doing a few short hikes with a minimum duration of 5 hours can be really helpful for the trek. Cardiovascular exercises like running, walking uphill and downhill, swimming, and cycling help to improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and doing exercises before departure is as important as preparing mentally.
6. Be Mentally Prepared
You have to be ready mentally to embark on an adventure to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. If you are not ready mentally, there’s no way you can complete the trek successfully. Your mental strength and confidence are vital for the trek to Everest Base Camp. The trek is physically demanding, and it’s a daunting task to trek for days on a mountain trail.
Before booking the trip, you should plan and prepare for the trek. You need to be mentally ready, from buying the right gear to choosing the right itinerary. Mindset is everything. If you are not mentally ready for the trek, you can never do the trek. Set the right expectation and understand that the trek is doable.
7. Always Stay Hydrated
The human body dries out at a higher altitude. One of the best practices while trekking at higher altitudes is to stay hydrated. You must drink enough water throughout the day that aids the acclimatization process. It is recommended to drink at least 2 liters every day.
Dehydration can cause altitude sickness and exhaustion as well. Drink enough water daily to minimize muscle cramps, quick exhaustion, and altitude sickness. You need not drink water; it can be green tea, ginger tea, garlic soup, lemon tea, and coffee. It is crucial that the drinking water is safe; make sure to carry a water purification tablet. You can always ask for boiled water in the teahouses,
8. Pack Wisely
This seems like not-so-important but plays an equal role in the success of the trek. You need to pack wisely for the trek. Many trekkers make the mistake of overpacking or not packing the right gear for the high-altitude trek. You need to pack the right personal equipment, the right clothes, and the necessary items.
You should pack the right gear to keep you warm. Gorakshep can be the coldest place for the trek, and for this, you need warm pairs. To reach the base camp, you need to pack the proper gear list and everything that is necessary.
9. Don’t Rush, Walk Slow
The excitement of reaching the everest base camp can make you rush. But it is not recommended to walk at a strong pace. “Bistari, Bistari” is the word you will hear often. It means “slowly.” Running or walking at a strong pace is never an option while trekking in the mountains. It will drain your energy, and you may be unable to reach the day’s destination.
Every day you will walk for 5-6 hours through rugged terrain. You need to walk at a steady pace as a healthy and safe trekking practice. Otherwise, you may face breathlessness and exhaustion. Walking slowly allows your body to acclimatize well, keeping health problems at bay.
10. Plan a few extra days
The EBC trek has some standard itineraries that you can choose or customize as you like. The best itinerary is a 14-day itinerary that entails at least 2 days of acclimatization at major acclimatization grounds: Namche and Dingboche. Although you are prepared for the fixed itinerary, there can be challenges and changes in the plan.
You can never be sure of the weather in the mountains. The flight to Lukla can get delayed or even canceled. You may get sick in the mountain and need to add a day or two to complete the trek. Hence, it is highly suggested to plan a few extra days in the end. Keep two or three days extra so that you can have the flexibility to change the itinerary.
