How hard is everest base camp trek

by Rajesh Thapaliya
Posted: Jun 19, 2020

Everest Base Camp is located in the Solukhumbu district which is also known as the Khumbu region. The Everest Base Camp treks start from the Lukla airport which is one of the dangerous flights in the world. In Nepal, out of 10 UNESCO site, Sagarmatha National Park is also one of them which cover 1148 km area.

Everest base camp trek begins from the low altitude to high altitude, so there is a high chance to face altitude sickness and you need to hike uphill as well as downhill which makes difficult otherwise, this trek isn’t difficult but you must have lots of hiking capacity.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO TREK IN EVEREST BASE CAMP

Mainly, there are several places i.e. Jiri, Salleri and Phaplu from where you can begin your trek but this place takes a longer time, as well as you, need to hike uphill and downhill too. If you want to trek from Kathmandu then it takes 12 days to complete this treks including 2 acclimatization rest day. You are trekking towards the high altitude with walking 5 to 6 hours so acclimatization is most necessary during this trek. Similarly, if you want to avoid trekking lots in a day then you can also add some additional days in your itinerary routine.

DO I NEED CLIMBING EXPERIENCES OR ANY TRAINING FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKS

Normally, this trek doesn’t need climbing experiences or any training but if you have any experiences then it will very beneficial in your trekking routes otherwise it isn’t necessary. But you need to trek around 5 to 6 hours per day so you must have the walking capacity and physical fitness. Due to the high altitude, you can’t get proper oxygen and high chance to face altitude sickness so, you need to hike slowly with lots of rest, drink plenty of water which helps to make body hydrated and keep your body warm.

HOW DANGEROUS TO TREK IN EVEREST BASE CAMP

Firstly, if you’re planning for some activity then you need to research about that place and collect some ideas about safety and security as well as you must be well prepare then you can’t face any difficulty during any activity. Everest Base The camp trek isn’t too much dangerous but you need to hire a properly trained guide which helps to guide confidently. You must be a danger with a porter that may be a person or animals. The works of a porter are to carry the load and if you meet them in the narrow space then loads can push so you need to careful with porters.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK DAILY DISTANCE AND ELEVATION

Everest the base camp trek begins from the Lukla which is 130 km on average. This trek can be completed in 12 days including 2 days acclimatization. Mainly, you can get detail in itinerary routine.

DAY1: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding

This is your first day in your trek and you need to take flight from Kathmandu to Lukla which takes around 30 minutes to land and treks towards the Phakding. During this trek, you should have Pasang Lhamu rural municipality entry tickets which are found at the end of Lukla. After hiking a few hours along with the Chheplung, Thadokoshi and Ghat then you will arrive at Phakding and spend your first night.

DAY2: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

You need to wake up early in the morning and ascend your trek towards Namche Bazaar. You need to cross some bridge then you will arrive at Monjo where you’ll have lunch and issue Sagarmatha National Park permit which is very much essential in this trek. Again, trek ahead for few hours then you need to cross the highest bridge of Everest region then continue your trail through the pine forest and you will reach a beautiful valley called Namche Bazaar.

DAY3: Rest day at Namche Bazaar (3440m) and acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel (3680m)

On third days, you will explore the Namche valley and take breakfast then hike towards Everest view hotel. After hiking for around 2 hours, you will arrive at Syangboche where you can see the views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Amadablam, and Lhotse along with others snow Capture Mountain then descends towards Namche Bazaar and spend your night.

DAY4: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860m)

While trekking towards Tengboche you will find the easy and clear trekking routes and also get experience to enjoy the natural beauty. You will trek around 2 hrs then you will arrive at Kyangjuma then you will see the Gokyo Lake trekking routes but you need to follow the riverside then you will arrive at Phunkitenga and take lunch. Again, continue the same trails and the trails go through the pine forest then after a few hours, you will arrive at Tengboche. The major attraction of this place is to explore the Buddhist Monastery after 3 pm only.

DAY5: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m)

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will continue your treks towards Dingboche. During the trial, you will see the beautiful views of the mountain along with the green forest. You need to trek for a few hours then you will arrive at Pangboche and follow the same routes you need to cross Somare village. Again, ascend the trekking routes you will reach Dingboche.

DAY6: Acclimatization for a rest day (4410) and hike to Nangar _ Tsang hill (5000m)

Mainly, to avoid the altitude sickness, you need to take proper rest. Today, you will hike towards Tsang hill which is above 5000 m high and enjoy the views for some time then descend to Dingboche and take lunch. During the hike, you can also get the opportunity to see the world 5th highest mountain which is located in the Makalu Barun region.

DAY7: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4910)

You are trekking from lower altitude to higher altitude and today you will reach at 4910 m altitude. There is a high chance to face the altitude sickness so you must be careful to prevent altitude sickness. You will arrive at Thukla after hiking around 4 hours and take lunch then again follow the same routes to Thukla top where you can explore the views of mountains as well as the memory of death climber too. Continue the trekking routes after some hours you will reach Lobuche and spend your seventh night.

DAY8: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5810m) and hike to Base Camp (5364m)

Today is your special day; you will reach towards your destination but you need to hike lots of hours. After having breakfast at Lobuche you will start your trek early in the morning to reach base camp. During the trek, you will pass small Glacier to arrive at Gorakshep and have lunch then again continue the trekking routes then you will reach to your destination and spend some minutes to explore the views of Base camp then back towards Gorakshep.

DAY9: Hike to Kalapathar and trek back to Pheriche (4210m)

Kalapathar is also known as a black rock from where you enjoy the close views of the mountain with stunning Mt. Everest. Kalapathar is one of the coldest as well as windy places so you will have warm clothes to make your body warm. Then after enjoying some minutes in Kalapathar, you will back to Gorakshep and again trek downhill to reach Pheriche.

DAY10: Trek to Namche Bazaar

You need to continue your trek very early in the morning because from Pheriche it takes lots of hours to reach Namche Bazaar. The trekking routes aren’t difficult as you are trekking towards the lower altitude so you can’t face altitude sickness so you need to hike lots of time. During the trek, you need hike uphill from Phunki Tenga towards Tengboche and Sanasa then after hiking some hours you will reach Namche Bazaar and take rest.

DAY11: Trek to Lukla

This is your last day in your trek and you need to hike around 7 hours to arrive at Lukla. From, Namche Bazaar your trail goes towards Phakding and takes lunch as well as takes some rest. Again, descend towards Lukla through some valley and forest trail you will arrive at Lukla after walking around 4 hours then spent your night.

DAY12: Fly back to Kathmandu

From Lukla, you will take an early flight back to the Kathmandu which takes nearly 30 min to arrive at the domestic airport then drive back to the guest house then celebrate as successful trip and spend your day at Kathmandu or you can also take an international flight and back to your country.