The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most famed trekking experiences in the country. This trek meet up with quite a lot of trails passing through the Sagarmatha National Park with highlights of beautiful mountain peaks like Nuptse, Lhotse and the Ama Dablam along with other brilliant mountain ranges. Renowned tourist places like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche along with the sacred ambience of the big Buddhist monastery and the occurrence of the world largest peak – Mount Everest crafts this trek one of the most cherished trek of one’s in a lifetime. The main highlight of this is the great viewpoint of Kalapatthar which illuminates astounding sight of the Everest massif. Here we are talking top Seven Tips for a trek to Everest Base Camp:-
1. Keep some spare time when you book your flights
As it is known that Lukla is a mountain airport, it is exposed to numerous fluctuation in regards with the weather and climatic conditions. As a result this may lead to flight cancellation or delay for the reason of safety. So that all this disruptions don’t act as a hindrance to your flight back home, we suggest you that you keep yourself few days after your return from Lukla to Kathmandu. These days can be utilized to see all the cultural and heritage sites situated in the capital city in case you make your return on time. Likewise, you can indulge in some self-pampering yoga or massage sessions in Thamel to relax after the trek.
2. Get an insurance that covers the whole trip
As it is well known that Everest Base Camp trek takes you to the altitude up to 5,645m, an insurance is a necessity and compulsion as well. You may be trained and be in your fittest form of health but needless of that altitude sickness can affect your health conditions. Sometimes, emergency evacuation can be required, thus make sure that you have a proper insurance. However, various standard insurance policies don’t contain any coverage for altitude, thus make sure that your insurance policy has covered all the necessary issues before leaving home.
3. Don’t forget to carry Nepali currency
Currency exchange on the trail will be pretty costly thus you need to have enough Nepal currency with you while on the trek. ATM machines are not available in the Everest Base Camp Trail, thus you need to consult your travel agency if you need to carry some extra cash along the trail beforehand. You will be able to exchange the money into your local currency in the international airport, so make sure you have sufficient Nepal currency with you before you hit off the trail.
4. Carry a Battery pack.
We highly recommend you to carry a battery pack with you while getting on the Everest Base Camp trail. The lodges along the trail do have charging points with a small hourly cost as the electricity is solar generated by the locals. However, preloading a battery pack in order to charge your electronic devices especially your camera is highly recommended in the trail. Plug sockets in Nepal are European and Indian sockets which is two round pins and three round pins respectively.
5. Experience the sunset from the viewpoint of Kala Pathar
If there isn’t hindrance and you reach the point without much hazards, your guide will suggest you to climb the peak of Kala Patthar which is in the height of 5,645 m. You get to witness an exceptional view of Mount Everest from this viewpoint in contrast to the view from the Everest Base Camp. The best time of the day to be in this viewpoint is in the evening where you get to witness the exceptional sunset. Hiking on the peak of Kala Pathar can be done in the same day as reaching to EBC according to the plan prepared as it is the second last stop on the way to EBC.
6. Aware about altitude sickness
Altitude sickness is a real and sensitive problem for trekkers who hike above 4000m. As the EBC trail takes you up to the altitude of 5,380 m , a maximum amount of time of the treks exposes you to the risk of altitude sickness. This shouldn’t be taken lightly and you should be extra careful about your body’s reaction as different trekkers show different kind of symptoms in regards with altitude sickness. Eating garlic, drinking plenty of water can help in reduction of the occurrence of the disease but you should be extra careful as altitude sickness can escalate quickly.
7. Increase in expenses with the altitude
You will be walking a trail with various network of mountains with exceptionally elastic and flexible porters. Although Helicopters roam around they are too expensive to be entertained as supply vehicles. No means of transportation except human yak or mule is available in the trails of the EBC trail. Thus, the further you go from the capital city, the expenses regarding loo/ Oreos/ Showers/ coke gets heightened.
We Nepal Hiking Team, provide you the total package of the Everest Base Camp with excellent team of guide who will make sure your journey was an incredible one.