Find the best tips for Everest. base camp, which we have collected from our trekkers and guide.
The famous trail is not that technical; however, it is considered as easy and moderate trail leading to Everest base camp. Some physical activity is recommended before the trek as one must hike about 5-6 hrs. daily in order to complete the trek. General Cardio or few hours of walk daily and some basic stretching of body before the trek will help you and make you less tired during your trek.
Sometimes while hiking you might get the feeling like why did I even come here? As trekking is not easy activity to do. Reaching base camp takes many days of mountain sunshine and hotel beds which sometimes can be exhausting mentally. So attempting the trek with strong determination and well prepared to tackle for any circumstance that arises in trails might be a good idea.
It’s better to add some extra days in your trek to EBC itinerary as up in the Himalayas many issue might arise due to weather conditions. Sometimes flight might get delayed, weather is not predictable too. Rains storms might affect your trekking days as it’s not safe to trek in rain. In order to tackle such conditions its always better to have extra days in your trek in order to complete your trek without any hassle and enjoying the trek to its optimum.
You don’t need to pack your gears from your home country. There are plenty of shops offering the trekking gears in reasonable rates. There are places you can even rent some of the trekking gears. Consulting with your service provider is definitely a good idea as they will guide you and suggest you to take items that are necessary. They will show a reasonable place to buy as well as rent. The countless trekking shops in streets of Thamel, Kathmandu with maximum competition definitely drives the price into reasonable rates.
The flight to Lukla the gate way to Everest base camp trek has weight limitation which is very strictly monitored as the planes are small in size and has to carry many other essentials required in mountains. Your luggage can carry up to 10 kg whereas hand carry can hold up to 5 kg. Of course it is possible to pay extra for additional luggage, however it is not recommended.
It is advised to carry as less as you can as you have to hike up in the mountains. Carrying heavy makes you tired and can make you feel weak which might make you exhausted physically. As you have to hike 5-6 hour daily so carrying less item that fulfill your basic requirement is best option during the trek. It is advised to have 5-6 kg bag pack for trekkers if possible.
This is biggest dilemma among the trekkers as there are many local as well as international service provider to some online service provider as well. Choosing service provider is a difficult task as they say they offer good service but later can be wishy washy. We suggest you to do some research and go with your gut feeling or do take some recommendation from people. However choosing local agency who has successful history of operation and provide you best deal can be good idea. There are many local agency and due to immense competition there is infinite chance of getting best deals.
Well there are many thing hidden in the package and those hidden clause are written in heading Terms and condition. Reading them thoroughly gives you an insight of what to expect and what not to expect. The things which can go wrong and how the things are managed in cases as such. It is better to know in advance. During the trek, some emergency situation might arise and how the things are dealt with in cases as such.
It is better to have Travel insurance and medical insurance are required to travel anywhere, but Nepal which has special features during travelling such as avalanches, sudden changes in weather patterns, alpine trekking trails, high Himalayan passes, high altitude trekking, and some alpine disease. Travel insurance covers theft, loss and medical problems. When traveling to Nepal, choose a policy that covers ambulances and emergency return, including helicopter evacuation. With travel insurance, you can cover most of the risks of trekking in Nepal. The policy helps you recover from an emergency medical evacuation in the event of lost luggage or travel cancellation.
However for the trekkers and companies flying to Lukla has always been a dilemma due to the challenging land topography and unpredictable weather condition which leads to unsafe takeoffs and landing of aircraft. One of the major reason for delays and flight cancellation is due to weather. If such delay or cancellation occurs then you have a choice to wait for the flight for next day or you can cancel the flight because delays and cancellation is real in this part of world as, delays like few hours are normal.
Your service provider can also take you to Ramechap in such cases as the chance for flight to take off is possible. There might be inconvenience as you got to wake up early and hop on jeep. The windy road full of twist and turns can take 4 hour drive from Kathmandu but sometimes due to traffic it can takes up to 5-6 hour. However it doesn’t change your trekking schedule until you wish to change.
If you have prior health condition the make sure to say to your guide or tour leader. Make sure you carry all your necessary tablets. During the trek if any case regarding your health arises then inform to your guide and they will help you. It is better to carry some multi-vitamin tablets as well . Do not push yourself if your body is not ready.
If you love reading books then carrying a book might be good idea as you will have plenty of time to read books. It’s a wonderful experience to read book up in the Himalayas with warm cup of coffee on side. Reading can be helpful in days of acclimatization after doing some sightseeing activity. Having own snack on the trek might be helpful as you need to cross some place where there might be no shops. Snacking on resting time provide you energy as well.
It is important to stay hydrated during the trek as you will be walking for hours. You will be sweating and releasing water content from your body. We strongly suggest to carry some water purification tablets and your own water bottle. Buy bottled water if possible. It is better not to use the tap water directly for drinking purpose as the water in Himalayas are melted from snow and rain water which is good for washing but not for drinking.
It is really necessary to eat enough as you have to walk for hours and you require a lot of energy. As we all know food is main source of energy in human body. As every day hike last for hours and there are many part in trails where there are not any shops so it’s better to eat enough wherever you can. We strongly suggest not to eat meats as the meat at trails might not be fresh and poorly treated. If freshly slaughtered livestock might be good. However you can enjoy canned meat items.
It is better to bring your own supplies of cleanser/ makeup remover, serum, moisturizer, sunscreens, hand/ body wipes, shaving gel, tooth paste/brush, deodorant, hairpins, hair spray, body spray etc. and others. However few things are available as hotel amenities but it is better to have one by yourself.
One must keep their electronics such as phone and power banks closer to your body heat as the battery drains quickly in cold. However the camera gears should be kept in middle part of bag as it will be safe from possible damage and bit heat in your bag might save battery. Lastly there are charging facilities available in hotel.
Up in Himalayas there is an ATM available but it is better to not rely in ATMs available as banks do not fill the cash in ATMs on time so it might put you in trouble. There are various means of payment through help of QR scanner so that might be a good idea. We strongly recommend to keep some change of Nepalese currency which is going to be helpful to buy some miscellaneous items.
It is better to take time on trails as you might get tired easily. Even your itinerary of guides says that it will take certain hours follow them but in your own pace. Do not push yourself in order to be with the group if you can’t keep up to group. If you walk at your pace then you will definitely reach the destination.
This adds experience as you have already used your gear before. This makes you more knowledgeable about the gears and can easily use in trails. You don’t have to rely on any one.
It is better to have a good pair of shoes. Your shoes must be warm, waterproof, breathable, shock absorber, slip-resistance and must provide you support. There are many brands offering such quality of shoes as you can pick and choose according to your budget.
Listen to your guide/team leader
Always listen to your guide as s/he will be taking care of you during the trek. Always listen to him don’t go to place where s/he avoids or tells you not to go. It is for your own safety. They know the place well and if they avoid you from doing some then don’t, otherwise you might be in trouble. However guides are friendly and reliable persons.
Tell your guide how exactly you are feeling
It is better to share your feeling with guide as sometime you might feel sick or something that is making you uncomfortable you can share it with the guide as if things are in his hand he will definitely take care of it. If you tell how you feel the changes can be made accordingly and helps you enjoy your trip.
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