7 Tips for Trekking to Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp trek (EBC) is timeless. Anyone fond of mountains must have longed to reach the base camp of the highest peak in the world, if not to conquer the peak itself. Among the numerous trekking destinations and routes Nepal offers, Everest Base Camp is undoubtedly the most popular, and for good reason. The landscape is spectacular, the wildlife is unlike what you will find elsewhere, the infrastructure is commendable, and the culture along the way is rich and fascinating.
Now, even with all that, a lack of forethought or preparation can spoil your trip. While the trek to the base camp is popular and busy, it is still a major, major undertaking and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are 7 tips to keep in mind while planning and undertaking this once-in-a-lifetime trek.
Hire a guide
While it is possible to complete the Everest Base Camp trek sans a guide, it isn’t necessarily advisable. If you have little to no trekking experience in the Himalayas before, the importance of a guide is even more augmented. Guides help you set the right pace; fill you in with stories of local customs that you would otherwise miss; and most importantly, keep you safe in case of an emergency. Moreover, since accommodation centres are heavily booked during the trekking season, a guide will arrange hotels and logistics in advance.
Train
Although trekking is nowhere near as difficult as climbing mountains, it still requires a good level of fitness. Don’t panic – everyone from the elderly to the children to the disabled has completed the EBC trek, so you don’t have to be extraordinarily healthy or athletic to complete it. However, you do need to train by going on long walks every day. Maybe you can join a gym to increase your stamina and go on weekend hikes. A bonus: an important part of trekking is wearing your trekking boots to avoid blisters.
Don’t rush
It isn’t exactly possible to fit the EBC trek into a tight schedule. You won’t only miss out on so many things, but several factors will also come into play that might disrupt your plans. Firstly, flights to and from Lukla are often delayed or cancelled due to poor weather. Thus, it’s not safe to fly into or out of foggy, cloudy, or windy weather. Also, en route, you may need to slow down if you get sick or need to spend an extra day or two somewhere to acclimise.
Appreciate the culture
While the main reasons people go to the EBC trek are physical challenges and natural beauty, an unexpected speciality of the region is the rich culture found along the way. Primarily inhabited by the Sherpa people, the Solukhumbu region is the epitome of exemplary Buddhist culture and lifestyle found in Nepal. Throughout the trekking range, you will encounter stone prayer walls, enormous prayer wheels, fluttering prayer flags, and monasteries to drop in on. To add more mystical aura to the trek, there is even a “real” yeti skull on display in Khumjung Monastery!
Pack wisely
Packing “wisely” doesn’t always translate to packing heavily, necessarily. If you have hired a company, you will have a porter to carry your gear, but there is still a limit to how much they can carry. You have to research what you need to take with you. Several of these amenities can be picked up affordably in Kathmandu before you leave for the trail. And in case you forget something last-minute, Namche Bazaar offers you a wide range of trekking-related paraphernalia.
Take your photos early
In the Himalayas, the clouds roll in super quickly and obscure the panoramas. Just like the early bird catches the worm, those who wake up early will have super grand views of the mountains. So you will automatically be able to take more amazing photos in the early hours. Everest is visible from a few points along the Everest Base Camp route, notably Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. Take pictures early to capture memories that last a lifetime.
Enjoy
Amidst being aware, strictly following, and considering so many things during the trek, don’t forget that, after all, you are on vacation. You have the chance to travel along one of the most scenic trails in one of the prettiest countries in the world; make sure you are spellbound by these majestic mountains and mystical landscapes. Try to build strong relationships with your fellow trekkers and porters to foster lifelong friendships. Try to soak in the local culture as much as possible and keep an open mindset. Relax as often as you can and fully absorb the beautiful experience of Everest Base Camp.
