Everest Base Camp Trek, the most fascinating base camp adventure in the world is one of the major highlights of the trekking industry in Nepal. This incredible trekking adventure takes you to the base of the highest mountain peak standing on the planet, Mt. Everest which is at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters (29,031 feet). If you are a trekking enthusiast, you most certainly have this classical trekking adventure of the Nepali Himalayas on your to-do list.
However, if you are here it means that you are curious about the overall difficulty level of this iconic trekking adventure and whether if you can do it or not. Well, rest assured, the Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty is just at a moderate level. You don’t need to be stressed about the difficulty level of this classical base camp trekking adventure in Nepal as it is recommended to even beginners.
Still, you need to understand that this is a high-altitude trek and there is more to Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty than just the ‘moderately difficult’ level. So, let’s dive into the overall hurdles of this journey that you have to be prepared for.
Everest Base Camp Trek- Difficulty Level Breakdown
Without any further ado, let’s break down the major hurdles that you have to face during your Everest Base Camp Trek.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
The risk of altitude sickness is pretty much evident in any kind of high-altitude journey. As you ascend to the higher altitudes the risk of you suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) also gradually increases. That’s why acclimatization and following precautionary methods of altitude sickness are given top priority during any kind of high-altitude journey. Generally, trekkers start to show the symptoms of altitude sickness after climbing over the altitude of 3,000 meters i.e. 9,842 feet.Â
You fly from Kathmandu (1,400 meters) to Lukla (2,800 meters) and climb the uphill route to reach Everest Base Camp (5,3645 meters). However, the base camp is still not the highest elevation point in this trek, Kalapatthar (5,644 meters) is. So, risk of the altitude sickness is certainly high if you do not follow appropriate measures during your trek.
Trekking Distance
If you haven’t done Everest Base Camp Trek or heard about it, it is actually about a two-week journey. You will walk about 130 km (80 miles) during this trek, from Lukla to EBC and from EBC to Lukla for the flight back to Kathmandu. However, walking the long distance of approximately 6 to 7 hours on average during each day is not the only problem here, you will also have to take what kind of terrain you are traversing across into account as well.Â
The Himalayan landscape is rough and rugged, you will have to navigate yourself across the rocky, boulder-strewn, loose soil and even glacial moraines during the Everest Base Camp Trek. So, if you will need to be very careful about your footing and strictly follow the guidance of your guide. Similarly, you will also need to gradually climb on the route that stretches toward high altitude points, you will have to overcome several steep sections along the way as well.
Unpredictable Weather
You may not know this but the high-altitude Himalayan region has a climatic zone of its own. At times it can be quite unpredictable and erratic, so you will also need to prepare for the weather factors during your trek as well. Although the climatic conditions at the alpine zones are on the stable side during the peak seasons like autumn and spring, they can be quite unfavorable during the off-seasons like winter and monsoon.Â
Regardless of the season you are visiting, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Keep a tab on the weather forecast so you can start your trek with ease and be fully prepared for any kind of weather conditions the Himalayan region throws your way.
Remoteness
Yes, the Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular trekking adventures in the world. But, it doesn’t change the fact that this trek place in one of the most isolated and remote sections of the entire country, the Himalayan region. If this is your first time doing the high altitude trek, expecting the services and amenities like a popular vacation destination would be a folly during this Himalayan trek.Â
Even among other mainstream trekking destinations in Nepal like Annapurna Circuit Trek and Langtang Valley Trek, the Everest region is considered to be in more touch with the absolute wilderness. Although you will be able to enjoy all types of modern facilities at the lower trekking trails and popular towns like Lukla (2,800 meters) and Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters), the higher you ascend, you will realize how well the settlements have adapted to the remoteness of the region.
Acclimatization Process
It may not seem like a big deal if you don’t have any high-altitude trekking experience, however, the acclimatization process in your trip will determine your overall experience and difficulty level. If you get enough acclimatization period during your trek, it will reduce the overall Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty as you will get enough period to give your body rest. Similarly, having enough acclimatization days along the route will also help your body properly adapt to new altitudes, which significantly reduces the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS ) as well.Â
On the contrary, if your trekking adventure is rushed, you will put yourself at risk of altitude sickness. Without enough rest along the physically demanding journey, you will also put yourself at risk for other general health-related issues.
Are There Ways to Minimize Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty?
Yes, you will be able to minimize the overall Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty if you stick to the following tips.
Prepare Physically
One of the most efficient ways to overcome the physical demands of this classical base camp trek is to follow through with an effective training program. You don’t need to have a level of physique but a good level of stamina, strength, and endurance level will certainly help you during this long-haul trekking adventure. The major focus of your training should be on developing your physical abilities rather than getting in shape.
You can stick to the strength training exercises like Push Up, Pull Up, Plank, Weightlift, Hammer Curl, Leg Extension Suat, Bicep Curl, etc. Similarly, stamina exercises like Jogging, Swimming, Dancing, Jumping Rope, etc can be helpful to increase your stamina level which will be really helpful during your actual trek.
Trek During High Season
The trekking season you will pick will majorly influence the difficulty level of your adventure. If you are planning to do Everest Base Camp Trek during the off seasons like winter (December to February) and monsoon (June to August), the unfavorable climatic conditions will affect the overall trekking difficulty level. Monsoon is generally known for its challenging trekking trails continuous rainfall and bad weather. Similarly, winter is the coldest season and the temperatures are freezing at high elevations.
However, the high seasons like spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are known for having the most pleasant climatic conditions. Both seasons also have their own unique natural allurements that captivate the trekkers. The spring season is known as the season of nature, the trails are adorned with bright colorful flowers and the lush greenery covers the landscape.
The fall season autumn, is known for its pleasantry and perfect climatic conditions. The temperatures of the region in this fall season are at an ideal level and the views under clear skies are also simply outstanding. The autumn season is also the most preferred season among travelers to gain cultural experience in Nepal as this fall season some of the biggest festivals in the country like Dashain, Tihar, Indra Jatra, etc.
Temperatures of Everest Region
During Spring (March to May): 17°C to 25°C
During Autumn (September to November): 12°C to 18°C
Select Best Package
When surfing for the best trekking packages, don’t just go for the pricing of the packages. It is important to understand the price includes and excludes of the packages. Even if the face value is cheap, you may end up paying more than other standard packages due to the hidden costs. Always check for packages from official sites and recognizable agencies, not suspicious third-party agencies that are offering them at lower prices than the standard market rate.
Moreover, you also need to check out how many acclimatization days your package has. If your itinerary plans are rushed without enough rest periods to adapt to the rising altitudes, the risk of altitude sickness under such conditions can be significantly higher. Make sure your package has enough rest period and the itinerary plans are scheduled in a way that it won’t be too much for you to handle.
Eat a Balanced Diet and Drink Enough Fluid
If this is your first time doing a high-altitude trek, then you need to understand that as you ascend to higher altitudes, it affects your system. It is normal to feel a loss of appetite at the higher points of the trek. So, instead of skipping meals, try forcing yourself to eat and your system will gradually adapt to the new altitudes. Eating a balanced diet and keeping your energy at an optimum level is a vital point to overcome the Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty.
Also, during the long hours of walking on the remote and demanding trails, you will lose a significant amount of body water level. Thus, it is important for you to keep your body water level at a balance to feel energized and avoid altitude sickness. You should drink at least 3 to 4 liters of fluid during each of your adventures, especially when you are trekking.
Pack Appropriately
During your EBC Trekking, you will traverse across diverse climatic zones from tropical to trans-Himalayan that cross 5,000 meters. So, it is very vital for you to pack the right layers to comfortably pass across these diverse climatic zones. Light and moisture-wicking layers will be sufficient for the lower regions. However, as you ascend higher, especially in the alpine zone, the nights and mornings are generally cold.
You should also consider packing helpful trekking gear like Trekking Poles, Backpack, Ankle Support, Gaiter, Rain Cover, Headlamp, etc to make the journey more comfortable. Also, don’t hold back on the personal hygiene products and snacks as you might not find the items you prefer at the teahouse on the mountain.
If you are trekking with an agency they will provide a porter for you as well. A single porter is generally assigned for two or more trekkers, the porter will carry about 15-20 kg worth of luggage for each trekker.
Some Additional Helpful Tips to Tackle Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
- Stay updated on the weather forecast
- Remember your group will follow a specific itinerary plan, so you don’t have to rush yourself
- Stay on the mountain side not on edge while trekking and making way for the yaks
- Pay attention to your body and don’t ignore any signs related to altitude sickness
- Take suggestions with a guide while doing some short side excursions around the region
- Don’t smoke and don’t drink
- Bring a guidebook and properly research your destination before visit
