What is the Best Season for the Everest Base Camp Trip?
Everest Base Camp trekking is probably one of the most sought-after treks in Nepal. What many trekkers wonder is, what is the best season for the Everest Base Camp hike 16 days then? As Alpine Eco Trek organizes this amazing trek in Nepal for many years, we have listed out the best times to trek to Everest Base Camp. Autumn means late September to end December and during the spring season, late March to mid-May would be the best season to head out for the Everest Base Camp trek for 16 days.
Trek to Everest Base Camp During Autumn Season:
During the autumn season, the weather will be a bit colder, but the views are incredible and besides the spring season this will be the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. While you’re out trekking the skies will be clear and the surrounding white-topped Himalayas make for a perfectly picturesque scene. With warm days and cold nights, the stay in the teahouses becomes more comfortable, and the higher we go the better views become. Do you want more info about the autumn trekking season in Nepal? Do not hesitate and contact our Alpine Eco Team.
Trek to Everest Base Camp During Spring Season:
Although warmer than the autumn season, trekking to Everest Base Camp during the spring season is absolutely perfect if you’re looking for a great trekking experience in Nepal. With more accessible paths and warm trekking days, spring is the peak season for Mt. Everest summiteers. Trekking to Everest Base Camp can also be done during other seasons, but we are not so happy to recommend it, as due to unpredictable weather most flights to and from Lukla airport will be delayed and sometimes even cancelled, resulting in a bad experience during your trek in Nepal.
How about Physical Fitness for this trek?
As stated, the Everest Base Camp hiking tour is a moderate trekking trip. For this, you will need to prepare your body before the journey. Doing cardio exercises boost the body's stamina and help in the overall performance of trekking endurance. Despite being achievable, the EBC Trek still presents certain challenges, like long hours of trekking and the rise in the elevation above 3,000 meters. The Khumbu, which is where the EBC Trek takes place, presents trekkers with alpine, mainly uphill hikes on rocky terrains.
Moreover, you also need to be able to hike through back-to-back days. That is why building up endurance is necessary. For physical preparation before trekking, you can practice cardio exercises, starting at 30-minute durations at the beginning and then gradually increasing your work-out time. This will help in building the muscles and also increase your stamina and boost your endurance capacity.
Likewise, the EBC Trek also presents the arduous task of trekking up elevations that present low oxygen amounts in the atmosphere. High altitude makes breathing slightly harder than normal and can result in getting worn out faster. Thus, it is also important to keep that in mind while preparing for the trip. Getting used to exercising at low oxygen-level conditions can also adjust your body for the trekking trip. Doing so can alter your body to take in more oxygen than normal per breath, which is useful while trekking in the mountains.
This is one of the physical characteristics of the ethnic Sherpa people who live in the mountains. Their high altitude environment has made their bodies alter and adjust to the environmental conditions.
What is our accommodation during EBC 16 Days Trek?
In Kathmandu:
As we start off this incredible trek, we’ll spend the first days in Kathmandu. As the capital of Nepal and known as a cultural hub this amazing city is filled with sightseeing places, old temples, and palaces. Alpine Eco Trek wants you to experience only the best of Nepal and provides also a guided sightseeing tour around Kathmandu. During your overnight stay, we use the standard hotel, located in Thamel, also known as Backpackers Alley. This area is filled with trekking shops, restaurants, and interesting handicraft shops. We book you on BB bases so you get to enjoy a delicious breakfast in the peace garden of a standard hotel, and for dinner, you get to explore around and have something from the local restaurants. We do recommend the Nepalese momo or dumpling, a favourite in all Nepal.
During the Trek:
Leaving Kathmandu behind and heading into the Everest region of Nepal, means leaving all luxury behind. During the actual trek, we will be staying in the various tea or guesthouses available and of course, this doesn’t mean luxury resorts. Staying in the local villages during the trek is charming in its own way. Being away from busy roads and urban city life, the peacefulness of our accommodation during the trek is soothing and something to look forward to. Alpine Eco Trek believes strongly in sustainable tourism and makes use of as many local options as possible to further help develop this stunning region in Nepal. As we go on the Everest Base Camp trek breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the local guesthouses and lunch is usually packed for an on the way picnic. The guest houses are charming in their own way with incredible Himalayan views. The rooms are clean but we do recommend bringing your own sleeping bag as hygiene is important.
What type of meals can I expect during the EBC hiking 16 days?
As stated before during the trek itself we serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With a Nepali staple dish of delicious rice, lentil soup, and vegetables on the main menu, it’s also possible to order something a la carte in the local guesthouses. We do recommend staying away from any meat dishes as we are in the Himalayas and meat preservation facilities are less than in bigger cities.
Wonder if you can get gluten-free meals? Well during the trek there are no such options but you can always prepare some items and pack them with you during your trek towards Everest Base Camp. You can also inform our Alpine Eco Trek travel team of any diet to take into account during your trek, this way we can make the necessary preparations.
Do I require travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp Expedition?
Travel insurance for trekking to Everest Base Camp is an absolute must. While the Everest Base Camp trek is a safe trek with close to zero accidents, we are in remote areas without any road access. As they say, prevention is better than a cure if something, were to happen the only means of rescue, is by helicopter and that can be quite expensive. That is why you should be sure to get travel insurance covering at least helicopter rescue as well as all other policies involving trekking in high altitudes. Nepal does not yet have the option of travel insurance for foreigners, that is why Alpine Eco Trek strongly recommends you to get it either from your respective country or via online travel insurance sellers. It’s also always a good idea to leave a copy of your insurance at our travel office and with a next of kin. Do you require more info about travel insurance during the Everest Base Camp trek for 16 days? Please contact our Alpine Eco travel team by email.
Are there any Safety Measures while Trekking to Everest Base Camp?
Alpine Eco Trek, with over 20 years of experience takes your safety as a top priority. During the Everest Base Camp 16 days tour we take all the necessary safety measures, by holding enough stops along the way for resting and two acclimatization days. Although the Everest Base Camp trek is not so dangerous the main concern will be Acute Mountain Sickness. As we head to higher elevations it’s very important to take our time and get used to less oxygen. That’s why our Alpine Eco Trek team makes sure that you are well-rested and ready to head higher towards Everest Base Camp. While trekking, the paths, and trails vary from river crossings to slippery jungle terrain and our team is with you to guide you through in a safe manner. Before undergoing the Everest Base Camp trek we hold a detailed trekking briefing in Kathmandu. That way you are also informed about the route and safety rules during the trek to Everest Base Camp.
What is the Normal Group Size during a Trek to Everest Base Camp?
Group sizes to Everest Base Camp vary from company to company, but here at Alpine Eco Trek, we believe in smaller groups' better service. Taking from 2 up to 12 persons per group lets us organize better and manage more time for every individual trekker. By dividing our guides and assistant guides it’s easier to guide you to Everest Base Camp with the best service on the way. How does it work? Well at Alpine Eco Trek you get to choose between group joining or trekking privately.
Private Trips or Group Joining:
Private trips or in this case treks to Everest Base Camp can be organized. Not having to share your experience with strangers, or being dependent on others in your group but trekking at your own pace has its own charm. We organize treks to Everest Base Camp per two persons with one guide and one porter. Make your trek to Base Camp memorable and prompt for the private option during your booking.
Want to meet new people from around the world while trekking to Everest Base Camp? With our group joining system, we take up to 12 persons, being cheaper than the private option this does not only save you on your budget but also lets you meet up with other trekkers as well. All of our trekking groups to Everest Base Camp create unique bonds and make lifelong friends. Check out our group availability and our departure dates during your booking.
Just give us a message where you want to go, when you want to go and with how many you want to go. Our Alpine Eco Trek travel team is 24/7 available at email and WhatsApp.
How is a Trekking Day Towards Everest Base Camp Filled?
As we want you to experience as many clear views during the Everest Base Camp walking holidays it’s important to start trekking in the morning. With breakfast being prepared in the kitchen of the guesthouse, our Alpine Eco Trek team holds a daily wake-up call between 6 am and 7 am. After breakfast, we head out and start trekking towards our lunch location. Enjoying that Himalayan lunch in the fresh air is a great way to recuperate our strength and stamina to continue on for a few more hours. Calculate about 5 to 7 hours a day of trekking with more hours before lunch and less after. That way you arrive in the late afternoon and have ample time to enjoy those views from the local village. During dinner, our Alpine Eco Trek guide takes the time to go over the next day.
What type of Guide do I require during my Trek to Everest Base Camp?
A government-licensed and well-experienced trekking guide is what you need for your trek to Everest Base Camp. Alpine Eco Trek provides fluent English-speaking and experts in the field for all our trekkers. With many years of experience, we have always understood that a trekking guide can make or break your experience while trekking in Nepal. As so we have a small but very dedicated team of highly experienced trekking guides that are with you every step of the way. By managing also assistant guides to help every individual and being well informed about every area in the Everest region our guides are masters of the Himalayas. Speaking fluently English they make sure you are well informed and well provided for during the entire trek towards Everest Base Camp.
What is the duration of Everest Base Camp Trek?
In general, the Everest Base Camp Trek takes about 13 days. Most of the trekking journeys are also incorporated with a pre and post nights stay in Kathmandu. The duration of the EBC Trek is incorporated with ample acclimatization time. The trek is done at a slow and comfortable pace as this allows your body to adjust to the gradually rising elevation. It is advised to not rush the trip as it can lead to Acute Mountain Sickness. AMS occurs when your body does not adjust to the gain in elevation and can cause symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, loss of appetite and others. If left untreated, AMS can also sometimes be fatal.
To avoid AMS, one can take medications like Diamox. Most trekkers opt to take the medication from the very beginning of the trip itself, from Kathmandu. Other factors to consider are getting properly acclimatized, maintaining a comfortable pace, being hydrated and resting if the symptoms occur. Because of this, having travel insurance is mandatory while trekking in Nepal. It is also important to have a travel insurance policy that covers helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation in the mountains while trekking.
During the trip, you can also hire porters to carry your bag-packs. This makes trekking a lot easier. Taking this into consideration, it is also advised to pack light and to only pack the necessary things you will need during the trip. The maximum amount a porter is capable of carrying is about 5 to 6 kg of weight per person. Similarly, the daily duration of trekking from one destination to the next is about 5 to 6 hours of trekking. The gain in elevation is much harder than the descent. That is why the initial trek to the base camp requires more stamina and longer duration than the descent back down the valley.
What is the cost for 16 days EBC trek?
The overall cost of an all-around EBC Trek includes the cost of permits, TIMS, guide, porter, accommodation, meals, and other miscellaneous things. The cost ranges from USD 1000 to USD 1500 per foreigner for an average trek of 10 to 16 days. Of course, this is an extrapolation of the trip, and the cost varies from one travel agency to the next, as well as solo travels.
When travelling with us, the cost generally excludes travel insurance, visa fees, trekking equipment, and other personal expenses. Besides this, we include the cost of our package deals. As for meals and accommodation, the EBC Trek presents the option of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. For drinking water, you have two options- either buy bottled drinking water in the mountain or use your own water purifying method, like tablets. Using one's purification method is a lot cheaper and cost-effective than constantly buying bottled drinking water in the mountains. The mineral water cost from USD 1 to USD 4 per bottle along the journey. The higher the elevation, the costlier things become.
Warm Tea and coffee usually cost USD 2 to USD 4. A beer bottle costs USD 5 to USD 10. In the same manner, tipping the guide and the porter isn't mandatory, but it is appreciated. There are no specific amounts for tipping, but it depends upon your satisfaction in their work.
As a non-technical trek, advanced gear or equipment is absolutely not required to trek to Everest Base Camp. Alpine Eco does recommend good condition standard trekking equipment such as; comfortable trekking boots, down jacket, water bottle, some warmer clothes for higher elevations, a sleeping bag, and trekking sticks are not necessary but can make your trek more comfortable. Most of the gear can be rented or bought in Thamel, the starting point in Kathmandu of the Everest Base Camp tour.
Do you need more info about what type of equipment you should bring? Don’t hesitate to visit our packing list page.
Do you provide a complimentary Bag?
A large duffel bag (30 litres) of our company will be supplied to you by us for your trek; you can put your stuff in the duffel bag which will be carried by our porters.
Who will carry our trek Bag/Duffel Bag?
Our porters will be there to greet you at the Lukla airport, they will carry your trek bag/duffel bag, for two trekkers one porter will be there as one porter can carry up to 20 kg.
Do you have information about the Lukla flight?
All the flights from Kathmandu to Lukla are scheduled to fly before noon. There are several options (airline companies) for flying to Lukla. A small plane (16 person capacity, twin Otter single-seated plane) with window seat guaranteed and the weight limit is 15 Kg including your handbag. You would be able to buy the tickets on the internet or if you need our help to buy the tickets please feel free to let us know.
Note: For Lukla flight delays and cancellation and Lukla airport facts and weather forecast, please read our latest article here
What are the Tips to Complete the Everest BC Trek Successfully?
Enjoy the Everest Base Camp trek; one of the most thrilling treks in Nepal, the trek to EBC begins with a stunning walk through the world-famous trails to Khumbu valley. The trek does not include any technical climb, therefore no need for any previous climbing experience or even any high altitude experience to complete the trek. However, you need to be physically fit and have great strength, conditioning and endurance to be able to complete the trek and to fully enjoy the amazing trip of a lifetime.
So, we suggest you spend at least 4 to 5 days a week doing some intense physical training for 3 to 4 months prior to the departure date of the trek. Joining a Gym, hiking/ walking and good aerobic exercises including jogging, swimming and cycling are highly recommended before starting the Everest BC trek.
