When it comes to trekking in Nepal, Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular destinations. It is also one of the popular trekking destinations for adventurers and trekkers around the world. The trek to Everest Base Camp is truly an indelible experience of a lifetime. The experience of majestic and spectacular mountain views along with the lush forests, natural vegetation and Sherpa community is truly an amazing and unforgettable experience.
Everest Base Camp is located at the foot of Khumbu Glacier and Mount Everest in the Sagarmatha National Park of Nepal. The Everest Base camp is elevated at the height of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above the sea level. The journey to the base camp is full of excitement, new experiences as well as exhaustment.
The trekking journey usually begins from the small town of Lukla. You can reach Lukla by taking one of the most thrilling flights of your lifetime from Kathmandu. The flight is a 45 minutes flight to one of the scariest airports in the world, Tenzing-Hillary Airport. The airport is located at an elevation of 2,860 meters (9,383 feet) above sea level.
Elevation gain during EBC trek
The elevation of Kathmandu is 1,350m/4,429ft above sea level. The elevation gradually increases and the maximum elevation in the Everest base camp is 5,364m/17,599ft. If you hike to Kalapathar from where you can see Mount Everest and other mountains from up close and more clearly, the elevation can reach up to 5,545m/18,193ft above sea level.
To give you the clear understanding of the elevation gain, here is the general itinerary of Everest Base Camp trek along with the elevation gain:
| Days/Activities | Maximum Elevation | Elevation Gain/Loss |
| Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu | 1,350m/4,429ft | – |
| Day 02 Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation | 1,350m/4,429ft | – |
| Day 03 Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding | 2,800m/9,187ft | 1,450m/4,758ft |
| Day 04 Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 3,438m/11,280ft | 638m/2,093ft |
| Day 05 Acclimatization Day – Namche Bazaar | 3,438m/11,280ft | – |
| Day 06 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche | 3,870m/12,697ft | 432m/1,417ft |
| Day 07 Tengboche to Dingboche | 4,360m/14,305ft | 490m/1,608ft |
| Day 08 Dingboche: Acclimatization | 4,360m/14,305ft | – |
| Day 09 Dingboche to Duglha | 4,600m/15,093ft | 240m/788ft |
| Day 10 Dughla to Lobuche | 4,940m/16,208ft | 340m/1,115ft |
| Day 11 Lobuche to Gorak Shep, visit Everest Base Camp | 5,364m/17,599ft | 424m/1,391ft |
| Day 12 Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche | 5,545m/18,193ft | 181m/594ft |
| Day 13 Pheriche to Namche Bazaar | 3,438m/11,280ft | 2,107m/6,913ft |
| Day 14 Namche Bazaar to Lukla | 2,800m/9,187ft | 638m/2,093ft |
| Day 15 Fly to Kathmandu | 1,350m/4,429ft | 1,450m/4,429ft |
| Day 16 Final departure | – | – |
Best time for EBC trek
It is very essential to know about the best time for Everest Base Camp trek. There are mainly four seasons in Nepal namely summer, winter, autumn and spring. Although it has and is being trekked in all seasons, it is not recommended for everyone.
Due to its elevation, the winter (Dec-Feb) can be extremely cold. The temperature can drop up to 1.4°F (-17°C). There can be heavy snowfall that makes trekking more difficult in this season. Besides that it can cause serious problems such as frostbite, low visibility, and many more.
The summer (Jun-Aug) also known as monsoon is known for the heavy rainfall. It makes the trail more slippery and difficult to trek. You can also encounter leeches if you are trekking during the summer season.
The other two seasons, spring and autumn, are considered the best season for Everest Base Camp trek. In these seasons the tails are mostly dry and easier to trek. They offer a clear sky where we can experience the great majestic mountain views.
Trekking experience
The trek to Everest Base Camp is a unique experience that one can experience. The trek takes place through some of the remote areas of Nepal. The surroundings are covered with green vegetation with ample flora and fauna. You can observe and enjoy the culture, traditions and lifestyle of the Sherpa people in the Khumbu region. In addition to that, you can also experience living in a high altitude area.
But trekking to Everest Base Camp is easier said than done. One needs to hike 7-8 hours a day with a backpack. The terrain is very rough. In addition to that, the high altitude makes it more difficult to trek.
The trek also tests your physical and mental ability. You must undergo a long and exhausting hike. There are steep ascents and descents on the way. It requires a strong physical strength as well as your full commitment to complete the trek successfully.
Challenges due to elevation during EBC trek
Due to its elevation, the already difficult Everest Base Camp becomes more challenging. The increase in elevation causes our body to show different responses. It can be difficult for even experienced trekkers if proper safety is not followed. Hence, it is important to be prepared for any physical as well as mental challenges during Everest Base Camp trek.
Here are some of the challenges that you might face during Everest Base Camp trek:
- Altitude Sickness
The high elevation of Everest Base Camp comes with the higher risk of problems such as extreme weather conditions, rough terrains, altitude sickness etc.. Altitude sickness is one of the common and dangerous problems faced by trekkers caused due to the elevation gain during Everest Base Camp trek.
Altitude sickness is an illness due to our body reacting to the sudden elevation gain. Even though the symptoms might be mild, it can even cause death if not taken care of. Therefore it is vital to know the symptoms and preventive measures to deal with altitude sickness.
Some of the symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, etc. During the trek to Everest Base Camp, acclimatization is essential in order to adjust your body in the changed environment. You should not skip the acclimatization day at any cost just to shorten your trip duration.
- Insomnia (sleeping disorder)
It is also another common problem faced by the trekkers due to elevation gain during Everest Base Camp trek. As you gain elevation, the oxygen level in the air decreases and it may cause breathing problems. Our body strives hard to retain the normal oxygen level in our body which may lead to trouble sleeping.
So in order to cope with this problem, the main thing you can do is to take enough rest. You should also drink plenty of water and should avoid the consumption of alcohol and tobacco during the trek. Proper acclimatization is also helpful and you can also bring medications under your doctor’s consultation.
Note: Using sleeping pills is NOT RECOMMENDED during EBC trek as it increases the risk for Acute Mountain Sickness.
Despite the risks involved, Everest Base Camp trek standing at an elevation of 5,364m/17,599ft is one of the most popular trekking destinations for adventure seekers across the globe. The great reward of observing the world’s highest peaks of the world ‘Mount Everest’ and other magnificent mountains up close makes the trek worth it. You should be cautious and prepared to face any challenges and be physically and mentally prepared for the trek.
