How to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek without AMS

How to Complete the Everest Base Camp Trek without AMS? This is the biggest question within the high-altitude trekking circuit. There are numerous answers on the internet. However, none of the answers are satisfactory. As an experienced trekking guide who has been working in the field of Nepal Trekking for more than 15 years, let me give you some tips.

Before moving on to writing the answer to how to complete the EBC Trek without AMS, let’s talk about AMS itself. It stands for Acute Mountain Sickness. It is a common problem at high altitudes. Once people cross the 2450 m altitude, they suffer from AMS. Its symptoms are mild headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath.

How to Complete the Everest Base Camp Trek without AMS?

Here are 5 tips that you can follow.

Avoid Alcohol, Coffee/Caffeine, Nicotine & Oily Food

You should avoid drinking alcohol during your trek. Alcohol dehydrates your body. Dehydration is the worst enemy of high altitude. If you want to drink alcohol then drink it while descending. It is not wise to drink alcohol during ascent. However, you can enjoy it once you finish your trekking at Lukla. It is the day of celebration too. Relish the moment with porters, guides, and fellow trekkers.

Alcohol consumption decreases the chance of proper acclimatization. Without proper acclimatization, you will not be able to finish the Everest Base Camp Trek successfully. One month before you commence, you need to plan out the seating chart. You need to eat healthily. Therefore, avoid alcohol at any cost. Trekking is for refreshment. It needs to be successful. All your investment is very important. Get as many memories as possible after successful completion.

Avoid caffeine and nicotine too. Too much nicotine decreases the breathing capacity of the lungs. It increases the fatigue level in the body. Moreover, Everest Base Camp Trek is high-altitude trekking. You need to reach up to 5545 m altitude. Less oxygen means more work for the lungs. So, avoid any kind of nicotine consumption.

Drink plenty of Fluids and Food

Drink lots of water at regular intervals of time. Air is very thin and dry high up in the mountains. The oxygen level is very low. Therefore, you need to drink lots of water and eat carbohydrate-containing food. The most recommended food is Dal Bhat. Eat plenty. Carbohydrate requires less oxygen for digestion.

Lots of people try Western food during the trek. The best choice for the trip is Nepali-style food. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat the Western menu. However, these Western food are not helpful to you on your walk. In Nepal’s environment, Nepali food suits you. Ask your guide to prepare the less spicy food according to your liking.

Acclimatization

Be serious about acclimatization rest days. Even if it is called the rest day, don’t stay idle at your lodge. Hike the high-altitude surrounding area and rest at a low altitude. This is the major principle of acclimatization.

Some trekkers become complacent. They choose to finish the trek rather than follow the proper itinerary. High-altitude places should not be undermined. Therefore, always perform acclimatization activities diligently.

So, what are the acclimatization activities during Everest Base Camp Trekking?

Namche to Everest View Hotel and returning back to Namche via Khumjung Village is the first acclimatization activity. However, you can change the course to your liking as well. So, talk to your guide regarding the change in the plan. Secondly, acclimatization takes place in Dingboche. In this break, trekkers trek Nagarshan Hill (5100 m). Moreover, some people prefer to hike to Chhukung Valley as well.

Slow & Gradual Ascent

Quick ascent is very fatal at high altitudes. Therefore, don’t rush and at the same time don’t go too slow. You need to have a uniform speed. It helps you avoid altitude sickness. Walk gently but continuously. Enjoy the scenery and take frequent water breaks.

An experienced guide always paces the trekking uniformly. He / She never rushes you. Therefore, you need to get the best guide for trekking. Always listen to your guide. Don’t be in a hurry to reach the tea house. It is wise to take your time. However, don’t be behind schedule. Make sure to add 1-2 days as a reserve day. It helps you to finish the trek without any time pressure.

Understand Your Body

Get a full-body check-up before joining Everest Base Camp Trek. It is best to check whether you have chronic diseases of the heart and lungs. Consult your physician and get suggestions from them. Besides, Everest Base Camp with Three High Passes Trek is a high adventure and most delightful destination in the Khumbu region. If you’re a high adventure lover we would highly highly recommend this trek such as including the popular three passes Kongma La, Chola Pass, and Renjo La Pass.

You know your body more than anyone. Therefore, you need to take action as per the condition of your body. Always listen to the cry of your body. Our physiology always gives us hints about our physical condition. If you don’t think that you can walk in thin air and at a high altitude, it is wise to avoid the trek. However, hiring a reliable trekking agency will reduce the risk factor.

Please get travel insurance which covers medical evacuation by helicopter as well. It helps you to do trekking without any mental pressure. Have confidence. Don’t be overconfident. Healthy and fit people can also get AMS. Therefore, understand your body well.

The blogger is working as a travel planner and writer about Nepalese Tourism for more than a decade. In my experience, you need to plan very carefully before the start of the trek. Moreover, asking questions never stalls trekking. It enhances the success rate. Talk to your agency. I am talking about agency because Everest Base Camp Trek requires a trekking guide. However, you can trek solo too. Please follow our blogs to understand about advantages and disadvantages of going with or without a guide.

I hope your search for the answers to How to complete Everest Base Camp Trek without AMS is fulfilled. Please follow my other blogs as well. You can directly contact our travel planners too. They are on call to answer your queries.