55 Tips for Everest base camp trek

55 Tips for the Everest base camp trek are very useful for the travellers who are willing to do Everest Base Camp trek. It is a very great idea to explore the giant Himalayan range and the diversified landscape of Khumbu. If not then you should consider the Everest base camp as your next bucket list. The trek to Everest base camp is a once in a lifetime experience to see the tallest Himalayas peak of the universe by standing on the height of 5640 Meter.

Apart from the tallest peak, you would also see 4 more peaks which are above 8,000 Meter while you trek to Khumbu plus many other peaks. The worthy Everest base camp trek should be on your life experience. To make your experience better we have tried to give you 55 tips for Everest base camp trek.

1. Pre-exercise before you come to Nepal

Although, trek to Everest base camp is possible for the majority of the people it is always good to do some pre preparations. The pre-exercise makes you used to the hiking and physical hard work which you will do on your 14 days Everest base camp trek. You do not need to do very hard exercise like the athlete does just the simple exercise that can be very helpful for your trek. If you wish to do some exercise then it is good to do some running exercise like a morning walk in your country. You can also swim which is very good for the body. There are some cardiovascular exercises that you can practise in your country. If you want to taste your rhythm then you can also go to a day hike near your place. out of 55 Tips for Everest base camp trek, this is the first one

2. Plan with extra days

As we all know that the Everest base camp trek is 14 days from arrival to departure you may think that 14 days is enough but that is not a good idea to run on that tight schedule. Having some extra days on the trek is always good if in case some contingency things happen. For instance, if the flight to Lukla cancels on the first day then you should try on the next day. Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight is always unpredictable. If you put some extra days on your plan, then you can utilize these days on Kathmandu sightseeing if your flights and plans go accordingly. This is the most important tips out 55 Tips for Everest base camp trek

3. Get the best flight to Lukla for Everest base camp trek

The flight to Lukla matters for your Everest base camp trek. In season it is always a tough task to get the best flight time. Best flight time is early in the morning because in the late days there are high chances of flight cancellations. Trekkers can get rid out of this problem at least by booking the flight earlier. Groups always matter rather than individuals in Lukla Flights. To clarify this if there are big groups and if you are just a single person they might push you on the next flights sometimes. Lukla flight is expensive and the most challenging things that we need to manage on the Everest base camp trek.

4. Use the shoes that you already used

Heaving the new shoes for the Everest base camp trek is quite a risky thing. If you are bringing new shoes then there is a high chance of the Blisters, chafed skin, feet aching. Such problems can make your experience bad. New shoes won’t matter but you should use that before you come to trek. That is to say that you should use it and test it before so that there would be no problem on the trek. If you are a regular hiker then you should have good trek boots which you have been using and can walk very well on the rocky trails. Make sure that it won’t affect your hike. La Sportiva, North face and Gore-Tex are the main brands

5. Get Know about the Altitude Mountain Sickness.

Altitude mountain sickness is a temporary sickness that arises in the mountain due to the lack of oxygen in the air. AMS is physical distress from difficulty adjusting to lower oxygen pressure at high altitude. Most cases of AMS are mild but the case might be fatal if you keep moving at high altitude. The symptoms of AMS can occur within an hour. The common symptoms are headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and inability to exercise. If you move to High altitude even if you get AMS the case may get worse and you may even die. Better if you get AMS just rest or get down to the lower altitude as soon as possible. If you need more information about the altitude mountain sickness to go through the page.

6. Proper acclimatization for Everest base camp trek

Acclimatization is very vital for your successful Everest base camp trek. Most of the trekkers come from the low land and on your Everest base camp trek, you are going to high land at the elevations of 5640 Meters. This is a pretty high elevation that you will gain on your trek. Rushing itinerary can make you sick or you would get the Altitude mountain sickness if you do not have a good plan with the suitable acclimatization days. Normally, on Namche and Dingboche trekkers do a day acclimatize to be fit on the mountains. This allows them to adjust with the mountain atmosphere and they can trek easily on the height as well. We advise all the trekkers to have some extra days for the acclimatization on the trek so it will be good for you on the mountains.

10. Get the insufficient gears in Kathmandu

If you do not have enough proper gear with you for the Everest base camp trek then, do not worry. You can buy the gears in Kathmandu at the best price. There are many trekking gear shops in Kathmandu where you can find a good one for you. The prices are very cheap but the brands are high copy. You would also get the branded one but the prices are similar like in your country. For the Everest base camp trek, you can shop the gears in Kathmandu which is cheaper and also last for a couple of years. Of course, you can buy the original one also in Thamel.

11. Trek via the Phortse

The multiple trails are there to go Everest base camp. After you start the Everest base camp trek you will do acclimatization in Namche Bazaar. From Namche Bazaar you have two ways one is to go regular ways through the Tengboche and another one is to go from Phortse. This offers a stunning view as well as you can also avoid the crowd. This route is a less travelled trail. Trek via Phortse you will miss the Tengboche Monastery.

12. Use professional local trek Company

Trekking to Everest base camp can be done in many ways. For example, hiring the guide porter, full board packages or solo backpack. In many cases trekking through the professional local agency is worthwhile. This professional company operates your trek professionally by arranging all the logistics. This means they have a better ability to navigate flight delays, emergency services, communication challenges. This allows you to not worry about anything and just walk like a free child because everything will be arranged by the company. You can relax and enjoy the natural scenery. With this, you will be travelling with safety and you will also contribute to the local economy.

13. Stay within the limited luggage.

Trekkers must go to Everest base camp within the proper weight luggage. Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu flights allow you limited luggage around 10 Kg. Heavier luggage will be charged by airlines. You can take the Hand carry up to 5 Kg this means, all in all, you can take the 15 Kg luggage without paying extra. More than 15 Kg of language will be charged by the airline’s company. Your luggage will be carried by the porters on your trek period.

14. Have a good rucksack or a duffle bag.

During the trek your things are carried by the porters. You are responsible for the safety of your goods. We recommend you to have a safe bag for the gears that can protect the rains or snow falls during the trekking. Have a waterproof bag or put your things inside the plastic wrapping so that it can be safe from wet. Porters also try to keep your bag safe by wrapping the plastics but be prepared from your own side.

15. Have a small day pack with you

Porters are there to carry the luggage on the trek but you should not put all the important things on the porter’s bag. Of course, they are very trusted people and companies also know them but it is always good to be safe. Having a day pack and carry with you reduces the risk of losing the passports, Money, Mobile or camera.all your valuable things should be taken by yourself and you can also carry a pair of clothes and water bottles with you on the day pack.

16. Have a raincoat.

Weather in the mountains is always unpredictable. Even if you go there on the main seasons there might be a chance of the rainfalls and snowfalls. Heaving the raincoats and trousers is very safe for those conditions. That is the reason you should have a raincoat while doing the Everest base camp trek.

17. Have warm sleeping bags.

Tea houses in the nights are very cold in the Everest regions. The higher you go the cold temperature you will get. Even if you get blankets from the tea houses that are not sufficient for you to be warm enough that is the reason you should take the very warm sleeping bags with you. Normally -40 sleeping bags are very good for the Everest base camp trek. You should also take the liner for the sleepings bags as well.

18. Bring the trekking poles and knee cap

Knee hurting is the common problem that many trekkers face on their Everest base camp trek. Due to the frequent ups and down walk on the mountain terrain, your knee gets a lot of the pressure of the body weights. Even if you are a young hiker it is common that you get knee hurts. To minimize this you should take the help of the trekking poles. Trekking poles reduce the weight on the knees and what if you get hurt even using the trekking poles you can use the knee cap on your knees.

19.Bring gaiters and the crampons

Well, the weather in the mountains is very unpredictable. It changes very quickly and there might be snowfalls in just an hour. After snowfalls the trails get slippery and you need to walk through the icy and snowy trails. To be safe you need to take the crampons and gaiters to wear on the foot for maximum safety.

20.Use hand sanitizer for clean up

Personal hygiene is very important for trekking. Trekkers need to wash the hands often but due to the cold water and lack of the soap. It is not always possible to wash hand with the water that is the reason you need to use the hand sanitizer for the cleaning. After Regular toilet activities after that, you should clean the bacteria with a sanitizer. This is also very good for trekking and your health.

21.Use filter or Water purification tablet water

Drinking water is a very important matter on the trek. You should drink enough drinking water for dehydration. Minerals water available to buy in the route of the Everest base camp trek but we suggest you take the water filter with you. This allows you to reduce the drinking water cost and you will also help to clean the environment a little bit. If you do not have a filter then you can also use the aqua tabs, the taste of the water is like a swimming pool but you will get used to it after you drink frequently.

22.Have a Nalgene water bottle with you

There are two ways either you can fill the water on the bladder or carry on the bottle. The first one seems quite convenient while hiking but the second one is better. Even if you have to take it out often and put it in at night you can have hot water in the bottles which help to warm your sleeping bag very quickly. This is a small trick to be warm enough on the night in the Everest base camp.

23. Have enough cash with you

You need to have enough cash with you on your trek. There is no ATM Machine in the mountains. Having enough cash is far better rather than you suffer on the trek. Drinks items like tea, coffee, beer and snacks are the things that you should pay for by yourself.

24. Bring a Battery back up (Power Bank)

Charging the batteries for your electronics devices is a daily task for you. This is very costly when you go to the Everest base camp trek. The tea houses charge the trekkers as per the number of devices they charge. That is the reason we suggest you have a very good power bank that can charge your devices multiple times. This saves your cost during the trek because once you charge the power back up it lasts for 2-3 days.

25. Bring a Solar Panel if possible in alternatives of the power bank

Another way to be self-sufficient on electronics charging is to have a Solar panel which can be hung on the day pack with you. This is quite costly but it is very worthwhile you go camping on your day hiking as well. You can also lend this with friends if they have. It is the best alternative to the Power Bank.

26. Keep your Batteries warm

Evereset base camp trekking is extremely cold. If you put your electronics devices on the table or in the bed or somewhere the battery can be dead because of the cold. To save the battery you need to put the batteries with you on your sleeping bags otherwise it will be dead very quickly. Mobile phone and camera battery may die very quickly after you cross the Dingboche and in Gorak shep, you have to be very careful on the battery matters.

27. Always Wear Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from the harsh UV rays is essential on the trek. We recommend the trekkers Category 4 sunglass that will give you the most protection in glacial, icy and snowy trails. We have seen many tourists who have temporarily lost sightedness temporarily on the trek because of the bad sunglasses. Sunglasses are so important for the safety of the eyes, that we even tend to bring a back-up pair with us on each trip!

28. Bring some your favourite snack

Snacks on the trek are very expensive due to the transportations. You can bring some snacks from your country. Mix dry fruits and other sugar-free biscuits are the best snacks for the treks. If you want to get the snacks in Kathmandu it is also possible to get in the supermarket in Thamel. There you find some Nepali snacks and chocolate as well.

29. Bring chocolate bars

Another thing that you should have is some chocolate with you. Buying chocolate in the trekking is extremely expensive however it is convenient to buy a few if you like. If you are a chocolate lover then you should get it either in Kathmandu or in your own country.

30. Bring Shampoo, Soap, personal towels and nail cutters

We recommend you all trekkers to have personal hygiene things like shampoo, soap, and saving items to bring with you. If you want to be clean during the trek then you must bring all the cleaning items with you. You should also bring the tissue paper with you. These are the things that you should also take before the trek.

31. Get the best insurance that covers even evacuations.

Insurance for travel is very important. We believe that nothing won’t happen badly during the trek but if something happens then insurance works. Altitude mountain sickness is the main problem in the mountain that anyone of you might be suffering. If you suffer from the severe altitude mountain sickness then you should be evacuated from the mountain to Kathmandu. This will not always happen but if it happens then there is one and only option of the helicopter rescue. When you are talking about insurance at that time you have to choose lost baggage, trip cancellation, theft, travel accidents, travel health, death overseas. The high altitude insurance that can cover the helicopter rescue until the 6000 meter is very best for the Everest base camp trek. World Nomads, Travelex insurance, JS insurance are the major insurance which is good for the Everest base camp trek.

32. Check the review of the local agency before you go

Before booking the trip to Everest base camp you should check the review of the company. That gives you the idea of how the agency is and how they’re gonna help you on your trip to the Everest base camp. You will be sure that whether or not they are eligible for the service.

33. Choose the best guide

Guide is very important during the trek. Of course, he/she takes your entire responsibility for the trek and also takes the responsibility for your safety. Choosing the best guide is always important because you are going to the world’s most popular hiking for two weeks. The hiking goes to very high elevations. That is the reason you should have a very professional and good English speaking guide with you. The guide should be also very honest and kind-hearted as well. Before you start the trek you can meet the guide and have a conversation with him so you can understand better.

34. Walk slowly while trekking to Everest base camp

You may have heard “Slow and steady wins the race”. This statement is very suitable for trekking in Nepal. As you are trekking to the high altitude elevations it is very important to walk slow. Lack of oxygen makes it hard to breathe while trekking. Slow walking gives you enough rest and time to adjust with the environment of the High Altitude as well. Walking faster and in a hurry may be one of the major things that you should not do. If you walk faster you may get the Altitude mountain sickness. That is why walking slowly during the Everest base camp is one of the very important tips out of 55 Tips for the Everest base camp trek.

35. Be Mentally Prepared

Everest base camp trek is a top popular trek in Nepal. You should have a physical strength as well as mental strength both for the successful trip to the Everest base camp. Mental strength is the key to the success of your trek. Most of the tourists who go to Everest base camp with strong mental health even though they have not exercised as a result, most of them become successful. That is the reason mental preparations are very vital. Mental preparation eliminates the fear so you can do it without any problem.

36. Best Time For EBC Trek [important]

You should know what is the best time for the Everest base camp trekking before you plan to trek. The Experience differs very much as per the time you go trekking. Autumn is the best season to trek the Everest base camp because the weather is very sunny and clear. The temperature is also very suitable for trekking. This is the best time to trek in Nepal’s Himalayas. Similarly, Spring is the second-best season to trek in Nepal. In this season the days are very clear and the temperatures are also very good for trekking. Get more information about Everest base camp trek best time.

37. Everest base camp trek difficulty.

Many of you may wonder how difficult is Everest base camp trek? Can I do the Everest base camp trek? Am I suffering a lot on the trek? Well it is a common question regarding the Everest base camp trek. Everest base camp trek is not that difficult trek. Yes of course, you need to hike on the High elevations up to 5640 Meters but once you start and do acclimatization during the trek, you can do the trek without any problem. The thing is trekkers should be able to walk 6-7 hours in a day on mountain terrains trails. Ups and downs are very usual while trekking. Get know about the Everest base camp trek difficulty here.

37. Eat good food.

There are all varieties of food available during the trek. Each tea house has a menu and they serve you the different dishes of food. You can find different dishes like Mexican, American, Chinese, Indian and local foods as well. Choosing good food is very essential for your trip which should be hygienic and healthy. Having meat items on the trek is not a good idea because the meat should be taken on the high route by transportation and the way they take the meat there is not the proper way. Sometimes trekkers get diarrhoea because of the unhealthy meat products. You should have a Nepalese dishes instead of the other dishes because they contain all the things that the body needs.

38. Have your breakfast and dinner at same lodge/hotels where you sleep

The tips seem silly and like an order but this is the reality of the trekking trails of Nepal. The local own tea houses and lodges and they have a belief that if you sleep in their hotels then you must do breakfast, lunch and dinner in their hotels too. This is how they are doing their business in the mountains. If you go to other hotels for the food they may become angry or charge you a very high price on the accommodations. Sometimes they even quarrel with you on this matter. That is the reason we advise you this.

39. Use Sun Protection

Sunburn is a common problem while trekking to the Himalayas. Even if there are cold temperatures you may get the sunburn. The open body parts where there are open parts you get the sunburn. This can harm your skin which results in swelling, redness and at the end the skin pill out. To be protected from the sunburn you can use the hat and the sun cream. You can bring suncream as you prefer. May use sun cream SPF 40 plus or more.

40. Bring some medicine

Trekkers may face different types of sickness during the trip. Sometimes you may face the headache, diarrhoea, body aching or fever. You are doctors of your body and you should have your own medicine that you are using previously. We do not give any medicine because this might work other ways. That is the reason you should bring basic medicine with you for the emergency. Do not forget to bring the injury medicine for cuts and wounds too. Some tape, Dettol and betadine items.

41. Flight delays are normal

The Lukla Kathmandu flight depends on the visibility and weather of Kathmandu and Lukla. Lukla side weather is vital for the flight to Lukla. Weather conditions can change quickly on the mountain. This means it is quite common that the flight can be delayed at any time. Normally until 11 o’clock, there is a flight to Lukla but if there is bad weather your flight can be delayed or postponed for the next day as well. That is the reason we tell our guests to have some extra days on the trek plan.

42. Your flight can be also from Ramechhap

Due to the airport traffic of Kathmandu sometimes they divert the flights to Lukla from Ramechhap. Ramechhap is 3 hours driving from Kathmandu and there is a very high chance of the flight from Ramechhap. The airline tickets cost is similar. If there is a flight from Ramechahhap you will be notified from us and there will be a vehicle to pick you up from the Thamel. Waking up early in the morning is quite tough for you.