Everest Base Camp: A Trek to The Roof of The World

Mount Everest, also known as Chomolungma, Sagarmatha and the Mother Goddess of Earth are all names for the same legendary mountain. Outside the Himalaya region, people mostly refer to the mountain as Mount Everest, named after geographer Sir George Everest. At 8848 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain on Earth. After many failed attempts Everest was first climbed in 1953 by the legendary mountaineers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary. The route they used to get to the foot of the mountain is now the standard route for both mountaineers and trekkers to reach Mount Everest Base Camp.

To witness the highest point on Earth is an irresistible draw for many people. But, unlike the Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side which is now reachable by car, you still have to walk the 53 kilometers one-way to reach this base camp on the Nepali side. And it’s definitely not a walk in the park. The Everest Base Camp altitude is an incredible 5364 meters (17,600 feet) which makes it the world’s highest permanent camp spot. The start of the trek is at the small airfield in Lukla at an elevation of roughly 2850 meters (or 9200 feet). From there you gradually ascend past sherpa villages and rhododendron forests to the “capital” of the Khumbu Valley, Namche Bazaar. From here you can catch your first glimpse of spectacular peaks like Ama Dablam, Pumori and Mount Everest.

From Namche it’s still almost 2000 meters up to Everest Base Camp in an increasingly rugged landscape with glaciated mountain tops wherever you look. You share the slopes with the big beasts of the Himalayas, yaks as you approach your highest tea house of the trek at Gorak Shep. With only 3 kilometers to go, Everest Base Camp is within reach! Most organizations do a roundtrip to base camp and back to Gorak Shep because accommodation at EBC is camping only. To actually see Mount Everest in full you will have to scale the 5645 meters high non-technical peak of Kala Patthar, a short climb from Gorak Shep.

Altitude. That’s by far the hardest part of this trek. I have trekked and climbed above 5000 meters in Africa, South America and Asia many times and more often than not the thin air is the crux of an expedition, not the technical difficulty. Each year more than 30,000 people set out from Lukla to trek up the Khumbu Valley to one of the world’s highest campgrounds in the world. With an increasing number of trekkers, the path has improved dramatically over the past two decades. In technical terms, the classic Everest Base Camp trek is not difficult, as it is walking rather than climbing Everest Base Camp. However, trekkers should still be fit. The fitter you are, the more comfortable and enjoyable the trek will be and the bigger the chance of successfully reaching EBC.

To lower the risk of altitude sickness, the daily distances are relatively short, to allow for acclimatization. Each day you’ll be ascending to higher altitudes and you will spend a number of days above an elevation of 4000 meters (13,000 feet). No matter how fit you are, you will feel the effect of the extreme elevation. Further below in this blog post we’ll talk more about altitude and altitude sickness. Having said all this, we like to think that everybody with the right mindset and decent fitness can do it. Better start training for Everest Base Camp!

The Everest Region, along with most of the other trekking areas in Nepal, has four distinct seasons. Spring, summer, autumn and winter. The months from March to May, pre-monsoon, and from October to early December, post-monsoon, are the most popular for trekking to Everest Base Camp. Every season offers its own excitement and atmosphere and in principle, you can go trekking year-round. There are good reasons why spring and autumn are considered the trekking season. Below we’ll give you a run-down of what each of the seasons are like.

Spring

Spring (March-May) is the main season and trekkers from around the globe come to Everest Base Camp in large numbers. In springtime, the temperature is mild, the precipitation is low and the trekking conditions are great. On the trail it’s buzzing with excitement and anticipation to see the world’s highest peaks in all their glory. It gets busy, but therefore it’s a great time to connect with like-minded people and chat about everything adventure. While temperatures in daytime along the trek are balmy, the Everest Base Camp temperature can still dip below freezing level at night and in the early morning. Check our packing list for the trek further in this blog post.

Summer

Summer season falls in the months of June, July and August. Summer is the month with the highest temperatures and in that sense it is quite pleasant. However, this is also the monsoon season, and it rains a lot. The chance of seeing the mountains around you is smaller as it is cloudy most of the time. The trail will be wet and slippery and there is an increased risk of landslides. On the flipside, it’s not very busy on the route and the sherpa villages feel more serene.

Autumn

Autumn in the Khumbu (September, October, November) is, like springtime, prime trekking season with similar trekking conditions. The big difference is that the air in spring is sometimes a little hazy due to the dust in the atmosphere. Post-monsoon the air is very clear, allowing for superb views of the mountains.

Winter

Winter season runs from December to February. This period is the hardest time to trek in the Everest Region. With the Everest Base Camp elevation exceeding the 5000 meters mark, it gets extremely cold. Night temperatures drop to -20 degrees Celsius. Add wind and snowfall and you’ve got yourself a proper winter expedition. Why do we still run the Everest Base Camp hike in winter? We work with some of the best trekking companies in Nepal. Besides trekking trips they also organize climbing expeditions to some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. Our partners can keep you safe and comfortable, even in these cold conditions. And you will probably have the entire Khumbu Valley to yourself!

The name Sherpa is often misused as a general word for Nepali mountain people or even high altitude porter. The Sherpa people are a Tibetan ethnic group living mostly in the mountain regions in eastern Nepal, with the highest concentration in the Solu-Khumbu Valley. The main religion is Buddhism, and on the Everest Base Camp trek you will see many gompas (monasteries) and stupas (a dome-shaped shrine).

In the early days of mountaineering, Sherpas were recognised as an invaluable link for big scale mountain expeditions in the Himalayas. They were (and still are) able to carry massive loads, quite often similar to their own body weight. That strength, mountain expertise and natural ability to adapt to extreme altitudes has turned into a livelihood in the form of mountain tourism. An estimate of 50,000 trekkers and climbers visit the Everest Region which makes tourism the biggest source of income for many Sherpa families.

A classic Everest Base Camp trek takes a minimum of 12 days to complete. Most of the trekking days are spent going up to acclimatize while keeping the dazzling Everest Base Camp height of over 5000 meters in mind. It allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscape. Once you’ve reached the ultimate goal of the trek, most people backtrack their steps to Lukla for another three days. For those with limited time, Bookatrekking.com designed a trek that includes a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu from your highest tea house at Gorak Shep. This saves you three days and your knees will probably appreciate it as well. It will be the most spectacular helicopter flight in your life, soaring among the highest mountains in the world. Finally, for those who want to trek in style, we also offer an Everest Base Camp Deluxe trek, staying in the best lodges available along the trail. You'll get dropped off by heli in Lukla from Kathmandu and you fly back from Gorak Shep straight to Kathmandu.

For trekking to Everest Base Camp, you need the following permits:

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System):

This permit is important for every trekker wishing to trek in Nepal. From the Annapurna Circuit to the trek to Poon Hill, all trekking routes require this permit. This costs NRS 2000 per person. This equals about 17 USD or 15 EUR.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit:

For entering the Sagarmatha National Park, the national park that is home to the Mount Everest Region, you need to obtain an entry permit. This permit costs 30 USD + government tax. All permits are included in the price of our trips and are arranged by our local partner.

The route to Everest Base Camp is one of the highest treks in the world, taking you to altitudes way above 5000 meters. The human body needs to adapt to these altitudes, and the only way to do this, is to ascend gradually. Let’s dig a little deeper into what altitude sickness is and how you can avoid it.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a health condition that occurs when someone is exposed to low levels of oxygen at higher altitudes. AMS is a serious condition and as the name suggests acute. It needs to be dealt with immediately, as it is potentially life-threatening. Most people will experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness. It’s important to be aware of these symptoms and act before symptoms become more severe. Below we break down the different forms of AMS and how you can reduce the risk of getting it.

AMS symptoms

It is key to know how to identify altitude illness. You may experience the following symptoms due to the jump in altitude: headache, lack of appetite, breathing difficulties, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. The intensity and severity of these symptoms may increase with altitude and an overall feeling of fatigue will take all your joy away. This may further deteriorate to one of these life-threatening conditions.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): HAPE is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, a persistent cough, chest tightness, and an increased heart rate. It can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate descent to lower altitudes and, in severe cases, medical treatment.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): HACE is a more serious condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain. Symptoms may include severe headaches, confusion, loss of coordination, and altered mental status. HACE is also a medical emergency and requires immediate descent and medical attention.

10 ways of minimizing the risk of AMS

1. Gradual Ascent: One of the most effective ways to prevent AMS is to ascend gradually. When traveling to high altitudes, try to take several days to acclimatize before going higher. This allows your body to adapt to the reduced oxygen levels. All our treks in Nepal keep sufficient acclimatization into account.

2. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can increase the risk of AMS, so drink plenty of fluids. Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, as they can contribute to dehydration.

3. Diet: Consume a balanced diet with adequate carbohydrates and avoid heavy, fatty meals. Carbohydrates can help your body utilize oxygen more efficiently at high altitudes.

4. Medication: Some individuals may consider taking medication, such as acetazolamide (Diamox), to help prevent AMS. Consult with a healthcare professional before using any medication, and be aware of potential side effects.

5. Rest: Ensure you get enough sleep and rest during your ascent. Fatigue can increase the risk of AMS.

6. Avoid Overexertion: Pace yourself and avoid overexertion. Listen to your body, and if you experience symptoms of AMS, rest or descend to a lower altitude.

7. Descend if Symptoms Persist: If you experience symptoms of AMS, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, it's crucial to descend to a lower altitude. Symptoms should not be ignored or dismissed.

8. Learn the Signs: Educate yourself and your travel companions about the signs and symptoms of AMS, and be vigilant in monitoring each other's condition.

9. Plan for Acclimatization Days: When trekking or mountaineering at high altitudes, plan for rest days to allow your body to acclimatize. This may involve ascending to higher altitudes during the day and descending to sleep at lower altitudes.

10. Maintain Altitude Awareness: Pay attention to the elevation you're at and the rate of ascent. Rapid ascents significantly increase the risk of AMS.

It's essential to understand that AMS can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or previous high-altitude experience. These days there are several tools to monitor your health at altitude. A widely-used (analog) method is the Lake Louise score card. It ticks the altitude symptoms while keeping the severity in mind. It’s a common tool used by guides. Nowadays, most trekking and mountain guides bring a blood oxygen saturation meter, which also measures the heart rate. These are key indicators whether a person adapts to altitude well or not.