Are you preparing yourself for the journey of a lifetime to reach Everest Base Camp? With various factors to consider, here are the top five things to know before The Everest Base Camp Trekking.
Trekking is one of the most adventurous and exciting sports in the world. And, that too in the Everest region.
What a blissful experience!
During the Everest Base Camp Trek, one gets to enjoy the natural serenity, learn different religious values, gain different cultural experiences and have the most memorable time of their lives.
One of such enriching experiences in the world is trekking to the base camp of the most glorious mountain in the world, the Mount Everest 8848.86 meters.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world and while climbing Mount Everest might not be for everyone, even reaching the base camp is among the great feats in itself.
Everest Base Camp Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.
But, there are various factors that need to be put into consideration, to make this trip a truly memorable one.
Here are five things to know before the Everest Base Camp Trekking, five of such Nepal visiting Travel tips are described below to ensure that you have the time of your life.
Table of Contents
Five things to know before The Everest Base Camp Trekking
1. Altitude Sickness
Even before the beautiful and mystical aspects of the trip, the prime concern in your mind should be the altitude sickness. The base camp of the tallest mountain in the world is at a high altitude of 5364 meters that’s 17,598 feet. As you move from the valleys and hills to the mountainous region, the prime threat is altitude sickness.
It is a physical condition that causes a number of problems like nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, insomnia and many others due to changes in air pressure.
Severe altitude sickness may become fatal if proper care is not provided in time or if you don’t plan for your trip to acclimatize properly.
While medications can be taken to reduce the effect, the best way to prevent it is by acclimatization.
Traveling with experienced guides or groups allows you enough time to adjust to the changing environment.
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2. Physical Challenge
Trekking or hiking for a few days might be plausible for people of all types, but a trek to the base camp is considered to be one of the most challenging ones.
Traveling through different kinds of terrain for long hours every day, making adjustments to the changing weather, altitude and other conditions, even the strongest and healthiest of people could face physical hindrances.
Fatigue, volatile blood pressure, dehydration etc are just some of the many physical problems one can face on a trip like this.
So, the trek is advisable for only those with proper body fitness, who have completed similar treks before and those who do not suffer from fatal diseases.
Proper exercise, first aid kit, health check-ups, vaccination, healthy meal and enough hydration is highly recommended before, during, and after the trip.
Preparing yourself for successful trek to Everest Base Camp Trek is important for you to enjoy the trip.
3. Cultural exchange
Most of the inhabitants of the trekking routes leading to the base camp are the Gurungs, Sherpas, and Thakali people of the Buddhist community, who are leading traditional lifestyles with their local cultures, attires and practices.
While some of them might be friendly and invite you to share their cultures, some want to stay aloof and would not appreciate any kind of meddling in their personal lives.
So, while interacting with the local people, it is advisable that you respect their privacy as well as their beliefs, values and cultural practices.
Make sure you do not offend them in any way so that you can be in their good books and enjoy their warm hospitality.
4. Flora and Fauna
Flora and fauna of Nepal are mostly exotic with unique features of their own. A number of laws, policies and measures are being taken into account for their conservation.
During your trip, while enjoying in nature we suggest you cause no any potential threats to the existing flora and faunas.
Any kind of destructive activity could lead to some serious legal problems. Make sure you do not disturb the wildlife and greenery during the trekking trip.
5. Basic Trekking tips
For foreign visitors, a number of factors besides the above major ones could cause a number of problems.
First of all, for trekking newbie, trekking with an experienced guide or a porter is highly advised for any kind of physical or medical emergency.
Then, one should be affiliated with a trekking agency in Nepal that would take care of all the permits and other requirements before the trek. This is to avoid any kind of hindrance during the trip.
Plus, there is the buying or renting of equipment dilemma. Most expert trekkers of the area suggest that renting from the many tourist shops in Kathmandu is more suitable as it is a cheaper and practical option.
Carrying enough cash is another aspect as ATMs and card payments are not yet applicable in all parts of the country.
Paying careful attention to these basic facts is sure to make your trip easier, convenient and an enjoyable experience.
Everest Base Camp trek is among the thrilling trek in Nepal which takes you the highest altitude up to 5545 meters, Kala Patthar.
And, the weather condition of the Everest region changes swiftly every hour. Plus, the extreme cold in the high altitude may cause you problems.
So, to prevent possible problems, you must prepare yourself physically as well as mentally with proper packing for Everest Base Camp Trek. Most importantly, do not forget to pre-book for the food and teahouse accommodations during the EBC trek.
Wish you a wonderful time trekking to the foot of the world’s greatest Mountain, the Mount Everest.
If you have any tips or suggestions other than the above five things to know before The Everest Base Camp Trekking, please help other travelers by sharing them in the comments below. I will also try to include them in the next update.
Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.
Madhav started working as a porter in 2001 and then moved on to work as a trekking guide. After working in the trekking and tourism industry for eight years, he co-founded Mosaic Adventure in 2009.
Madhav has trekked to most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Indigenous Peoples Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and all of the day hikes around Kathmandu.
He has also extensively traveled to other countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Turkey, and India. Madhav is the one who answers most of your questions about trekking and tours and helps to plan your trip by giving a personal touch.
