Are you thinking of hiking to the Everest base camp? Then there are some things you should know before heading out there! Here are some of the common questions answered.
When is the best time to do the Everest base camp trek in Nepal?
If you are thinking of hiking to Everest base camp soon you need to look into the pros and cons of each season. The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). These are the main trekking months with fairly stable conditions, good visibility, and temperatures at Base Camp getting up to about -6°C. you’re definitely going to get good weather, clear skies and great views. At Base Camp, you might also encounter groups of climbers in late April or early May preparing for their attempts on Everest’s summit. Although late Nov-Feb are extremely cold, around -15°C by day and much colder at night, clear skies are usually the norm with quieter trails and teahouses adding to the exhilarating feeling of wild and unadulterated isolation. But it’s going to be extremely cold, so therefore you’re going to need to pack more clothes and you’re going to have a heavier backpack.
How difficult is the Everest base camp trek?
The entire trip duration is 14 days and you will be spending 11 days on the trail. The average walking time is around 4 – 8 hours per day in the mountains, with shorter days when you are above 4,000m. The trail is well-travelled, easily navigable and requires no technical mountaineering skills. For this reason, we could say that the Everest base camp trek is moderate in terms of difficulty. The altitude is another factor to consider as this trail will take you higher than you have ever been (the highest point is Kalapatthar at 5,645m) and it’s hard to predict how your body will react until you are actually there. The golden rule is once you have reached the elevation of 4000m, do not climb up and sleep at an elevation higher than 600m each day. Our Itinerary is perfectly designed allowing you two days for acclimatization, one in Namche and another in Dingboche. Just work on your basic fitness a month or two before the trek and you should be good to go for the challenge.
Where is the best place to stay in Kathmandu before heading out to the Everest base camp trek?
The first thing you should know before heading to Nepal is, which is the best place to stay in Kathmandu. The city of Kathmandu is really huge and there are plenty of options for your stay before you head out for the Everest base camp trek. But the one we recommend is this charming and vibrant place called Thamel. We totally recommend this place for your stay and it’s the major trekking hotspot in Kathmandu. There are hundreds of trekking shops and a big trekking community you can interact with before heading for your Everest base camp trek. When you book your trek with us at Protrek Adventure, your stay in Kathmandu will be in one of the best hotels in Thamel.
Can I do my Last-minute shopping for essential trekking gear in Kathmandu before the trek?
Here’s answering the common question of every trekker – Can I save time and money by leaving everything to the last minute and buying all of my trekking gear here in Thamel? You can bring your most important, expensive and high-quality gear items from your home country. We highly recommend that you buy most of the trekking gear in your home country or shop online before you reach Kathmandu. This will give you the chance to test it and try it before you head out to the Everest base camp trek. Any minor or small items can definitely be bought from Thamel in one of the many trekking shops available here. It works out cheaper to buy gear from here and also when you want a good deal with your trekking gear. There are a ton of trekking gear shops to choose from in Thamel. You should thoroughly check all the gear before you buy it and try it out before you head for your Everest base camp trek.
How likely is it for my Lukla flight to get cancelled or postponed? Does it happen often?
Lukla flight inconsistency is a major problem for all trekkers planning the Everest base camptrek or other treks that start from Lukla. The flight schedule is mostly affected by the weatherconditions. Often it is either due to turbulent weather and bad visibility conditions. This canmake your plan fall out of schedule. The flights to Lukla are not always guaranteed to fly ontime and reach on time. It totally depends on the weather conditions and it is not under the control of your trek operator or the airlines. Understandably, for safety reasons, on a bad weather day, the flights do not take off. This is a serious problem and your entire planning will fall apart if you do not make a note of this. Including buffer days for this particular uncertainty is the best way to go about it. Your trekking agency will always consult andcheck out weather alerts before scheduling your travel. Make sure to include at least 2 buffer days in your travel plan to overcome this uncertainty.
Are you ready to hike the iconic Everest base camp trail? The Everest region trek will leave you fascinated and wanting more! Our 14 day itinerary lets you experience the region, it’s unique cultures and the dramatic Himalayan landscapes. Check this out, to learn more aboutthe Everest Base Camp Trek