All You Need To Know About Everest Base Camp
by Chris on 14th November 2018
Chris is the CEO of The Adventure People and has over 20 years experience in the travel industry.
However, we can certainly enjoy the trek to the Base Camp. A 130km round trip, this is quite a challenging trip in its own right. It can be quite a daunting adventure, but with that in mind here are some points which we hope you find useful.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
It’s probably easier to say when not to go and that is monsoon season which runs mid to late September. During this period it is unsurprisingly very wet. We’d also avoid mid-December to February as temperatures can drop to minus 15 or more, of thought you like the cold, this may be the ideal time for you. Base camp is busy throughout April and May as this is Everest Summit ‘Season’ and many climbers will be passing through, September and October are quieter and cooler. So, Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer and Early Autumn are good times to go!Do I Need To Do Training?
If you want to enjoy the trek then yes, it’s probably a good idea to do a little. You’ll trek 130km but remember you’ll get up to nearly 18,000 feet above sea level and oxygen at this height is thinner which means your body will feel more tired than usual without doing as much as usual. With this in mind, it’s common sense to try to get to a reasonable fitness. Technically, the trek is not difficult but the ascent and thinning oxygen may present a challenge. Before you depart maybe try some longer walks and if possible, try some treks up some hills - sounds silly but it will help. A friend of the business did this before he went to the summit! (he used to train at lunchtimes in his office running up and down the staircases….)How Much Should I Expect To Pay?
Most trips are around 15 days and between £1,000 and £1,500. All are guided and your money goes towards accommodation, guides and porters. It’s also worth mentioning your money goes to the local employees and thus into the local community.Can I Buy Meals On The Way?
Yes! In fact we’d recommend going on a trek which doesn’t have meals included. This gives two advantages. First, you can try eat local food from local tea houses along the way and the guides will show you the best places to whilst second it keeps the cost of your trip down. If money isn’t really a consideration then by all means it may be worth considering a fully inclusive trek.What Gear Do I Need?
The trick here is layers no matter what time of year you go. A thermal base layer is always a good idea, it can always be taken off but it's much better to have this than not. The obvious item is of course good walking boots which are broken in, whatever you do, do not use new walking boots! You’ll need a rucksack, sleeping bag, hat, sunglasses, gloves, long trousers, shorts and sun cream. Of course, you will also need to take a water bottle. We have full packing list, please click here to view.How Do I Join A Trek?
You’ll need to get to Lukla from Kathmandu which are readily available but many tours include the internal flights within their prices. From Lukla you’ll trek to Namache Bazaar and up to Gorak Shep also known as High Camp and then on to Everest Base Camp itself. From here of course are various photography opportunities to capture the majesty of not just Everest but the surrounding peaks.How Much Spending Money Do I Need?
Typically treks do not include meals and so you’ll need to buy your food and drinks along the way as well as buying transfers and of course tipping. We recommend budgeting around £20 per day for meals and drinks, around £25 for a return transferrin a private car and for tipping porters and guides around £10 per day.
