Everest Base Camp Hike Difficulty
Yes, I agree that the name “Nepal Everest base camp hike ” definitely sounds daunting and maybe scary for most. Many people drop their plan without exactly knowing how hard is Everest base camp hike. But in reality, it’s not even that hard.
While it’s true that only a few brave and crazy soul climbs to the summit of Everest each year, more than 40,000 people make it to the base camp. In the Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp, you can meet hundreds of tourists trying to catch a glimpse of the tallest mountain in the world. Everest base camp hike elevation of 5600m makes the trek quite hectic.
Do we need mountaineering techniques for the Everest base camp hike? No, you don’t. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes have made it to the end of this trek over the years. A little bit of preparation and a lot of determination is all you need for climbing to Everest base camp. This trek has been marked as a moderately difficult trek among the different mountain trails in Nepal.
Everest base camp hike length is a 130km round trip from Lukla and that’s not a lot of walk for 9-10 days. Each day, you will be covering less than 15km per day. That being said, trekking in the raw stone path at a higher altitude is not as easy as walking in the flats. But if you move slowly and steadily, that’s about 4 to 5 hours of trek each day. Everest base camp hike distance sounds achievable, doesn't it? Study the Everest base camp hike map to know about the way in detail.
Best time for Everest Base Camp Hike
You must have somewhere heard that the EBC hiking season only lasts for a few months or a year. Well, that’s not true. The fact is, the EBC trek is achievable at any time of the month. You can hike in the Khumbu region even during the worst winter and best summer. But yes, we must agree has some months are more favorable than others due to stability and visibility.
The best time to do the Everest base camp hike is said to be somewhere between late May to mid-Sep monsoon season. October is so crowded that you have to pre-book all of your stays. Autumn is mostly known for very stable weather and the best visibility even from the distance. The other best months are late Sep-Nov and Feb- with fairly stable conditions, and good visibility. During these months, the temperature of the Base Camp can get up to about -6°C.
The summer trek, mostly June and July is less suggested due to the impact of the monsoon. But since most of the rain pours during the evening, you can still hike in the morning and daytime. On the other hand, winter trek (Jan and early Feb) can be very cold. But if you are one of those cold lovers, early winter is the best time for an Everest base camp hike. Hiking in the off-season means solitude in nature and very easy to get nice rooms with the best view of the Mountains.
Everest Base Camp Hike Cost
Nepal is without a doubt one of the cheapest destinations in the world. One US dollar converts to Rs 120 and you can get a good breakfast for a dollar. But Mount Everest base camp hike cost is not that low. Food in higher altitudes during EBC hiking has a higher cost in comparison to that in cities. Since everything available along the trail is carried by a mule or a person, the price is reasonably higher.
The EBC trek cost totally depends on your Itinerary and the need for luxury. You will be spending somewhere between $30 to $58 per person for food and accommodation alone. Getting a guide and a porter will cost you around $30 and $20 each day. The permits for the Local Government are $17 and the National Park is $25. The round flight to Lukla will cost around $360. So if you are traveling to Everest alone, you will be spending somewhere between $1200 to $1500. Traveling in a group or trekking with a Mt Everest base camp hike package from a company might be a cheaper alternative.
Everest Base Camp Hike Itinerary
The classic Everest base camp hike route commences as you land in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Then, you need to take a flight to Lukla- this is one of the most thrilling airports in the world. You must have seen some amazing Everest base camp hike videos of Lukla airport.
After you land in Lukla, you begin your trek to Phakding and head towards Namche Bazaar. Since you will be gaining altitude, it’s wise to take a day's rest for acclimatization at this Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is the center for traders in the Tibetan region. After a day's rest, start moving north towards Tengboche and Dingboche.
If you have a flexible itinerary, you can take a rest day in Dingboche as well. Now, you can move towards Dugla, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the final rest point before your hike to Everest Base Camp. Once you reach Gorak Shep, you can hike for 2-3 hours before you reach the Base camp. Explore the base camp and capture some stunning Everest base camp hike photos before you head back to Gorak Shep for the night’s stay.
On the next morning, you can wake up early to hike to Kalapatthar. This is the highest point for the trek which offers the most stunning view of Everest. Then you can return back to Gorak Shep and start moving downwards.
How long does it take to hike to Everest Base Camp?
There’s more than one answer to “How long is the Everest base camp hike ”. If you wish to explore every nook and corner of the Khumbu region, even a year can fall short. Experienced hikers who have done the high-altitude trek multiple times can complete the entire journey in eight to nine days and this trek is called a short Everest base camp hike. Usually, people take around 12 days to hike with multiple rest days. If you want to go slow and enjoy the beauty of the Everest region to its fullest, 15 15-day hike can be a good option.
Nowadays, people merge Everest base camp tours with other places like Gokyo lakes, three passes and so on which extend the hiking days. If you want to explore these regions along with the base camp, it will take around 20-22 days.
Well, we suggest that you take as long as your body demands. Keep your schedule flexible and hike only when you feel like walking. Since EBC is already popular, you will find multiple tea houses in the way if you want to end the walk. Do not spend your energy thinking about the place you need to reach, instead enjoy the walk. Does that answer your "How long is the Everest base camp hike"?
Everest Base Camp Hike Solo
Nepal is itself a very safe destination for solo travelers. And Everest base camp hike tour is the most ideal destination for solo trekkers. As a person dives deep into the remote Khumbu region alone, they feel a connection to their soul and heart. The Solo trek to Everest will be a rejuvenating memory. Many Everest base camp hike reviews write that solo female travelers feel very safe during the trek.
In the peak season, you will find plenty of trekkers and fellow mates on the path. There’s little chance that you will get lost in the way. Also, you will be making plenty of friends in the tea house.
If you want to enjoy the silence of nature all by yourself, you want to consider a winter or summer trek. Everest base camp hike in November and December means an empty trail and a lot of options for accommodation.
Let’s be honest, Solo trekking on Everest is also expensive. If you hire a guide and a porter all by yourself, it’s going to increase your budget tremendously. But in the end, it’s all worth it!!
How to Prepare for Everest Base Camp Hike?
You must be wondering “how to prepare for the Everest Base Camp hike". The non-technical trek to the Everest base camp is a fantastic challenge that can be conquered by people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. That being said, it’s crucial that you train and prepare for this great adventure in the right way. This training for the Everest base camp hike can make your journey, even more, fun and interesting as you will be free from a painful body and sore legs.
Start your hiking practice with a short distance walk and then slowly work your way up. Since most of us don’t have time for a longer walk, walking faster over a short distance is the best possible alternative. Also, you will need resistance training for the Mount Everest base camp hike to increase your strength. 2-3 months before the trip, weekly 1-2 days of full-body strength experience is important. Swimming, cycling, and running are the best Everest base camp hike training.
Lastly, you need to prepare yourself to walk at such an altitude. Thus altitude training is the most important preparation. But it’s impossible to train for such a hike until you go for a short but higher-altitude trek around your country. Thankfully, you don't need to learn using any Everest base camp hike gear, they are quite simple.
Accommodations on Everest Base Camp Hike
You might know that accommodation on the Everest base camp hike is tea houses. Meaning- you will be staying in local houses mostly made of wood and rock. In the lower altitudes and major places like Namche, you will find some pretty amazing hotels with luxurious facilities. As you move higher and closer to the mountains, the number of tea houses also decreases. You will be provided with two single beds with a mattress, pillow, and blanket. You will need a sleeping bag of your own to keep the body warm. So what else should you bring on the Everest base camp hike? Let's discuss.
You do not need to worry about breakfast and dinner. The tea houses prepare different kinds of breakfast and dinner as per your order. For lunch, your guide will suggest the appropriate stop. Since energy drinks and chocolate bars are quite expensive in the region, you might want to carry them from Kathmandu itself. We will be discussing what to pack for the Everest base camp hike in a separate article.
Conclusion:
Getting to witness Mount Everest in such proximity with your own eyes is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's the thrill you wouldn't feel in any other journey of your time. If you have EBC on your bucket list, this is the right time to pack your bag and leave for Nepal. It’s the ultimate destination for Hiking enthusiasts who want to explore the best of Nepal.
If we can help you in any way, drop your queries in the comment or feel free to chat with us.
Best of luck!!
Happy Hiking!!
