How to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek?

Everest Base Camp Trek is not an easy trekking trip. It requires immense physical fitness and mental strength. Moreover, the trail is up in the mountains and reaches higher than five thousand meters height. Therefore, it is adrenaline pumping yet arduous task against gravity, lack of oxygen, and long days of walking. Lots of people across the globe has kept Everest Base Camp Trek as top in the bucket list of the things to do at least once in a lifetime. The desire is one thing and successfully ticking the wish list is another thing. This blog tries to answer the question about How to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek.

I hope that this blog will help you prepare in the best way to successfully complete the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. You can find almost every frequently asked question related to how to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek.

Difficulties of Everest Base Camp Trek

Let’s assess the difficulty level of Everest Base Camp Trek before finding tips to prepare for the trek. The walking trail of Everest Base Camp Trek is relatively easy to walk. The trail is well-signed and well paved. There are no issues related to landslides or floods on this trekking route. Therefore, in terms of trail condition and surrounding geographical settings the trail is okay. The section between Lobuche and Everest Base Camp is rugged and over the moraine and glacier. Besides this section, trekkers can find an easy and well-established trekking route.

Walking hours per day is about 6 to 7 hours. During the trek, trekkers will make three stops for lunch, rest, and tea breaks. So, in general, walking hours are not tedious and it is manageable.

The oxygen level beyond Namche Bazaar is very less. Therefore, trekkers find it difficult to breathe and it makes trekkers more tired. As the altitude increases, gravity starts to take a toll. Overnight sleeping becomes hard and trekkers will have to take help of medications like diamox to accelerate breathing and cope with the high altitude demands.

Things to Know Before EBC Trek

You must know a few things before EBC Trek. The maximum altitude on Everest Base Camp Trek is 5545 m. This is an altitude of Kalapathar viewpoint and it’s an ideal spot to relish scenarious of mount Everest. The hill is beside Gorakshep over the Everest Base Camp. Besides this place, the altitude of Everest Base Camp is also above five thousand meters height. There are three permits that you must get to do the trek. Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) permit are required for the trek. The best time to do the trek is during the months of spring and autumn season. Spring season has months of March, April, and May. Autumn season has months of August, September, and October. November is also an ideal time to do the trek. The average temperature during the trek is around 0 to 5 in high-altitude places but normally warmer in lower-altitude places.

Is travel insurance mandatory for the trek to Everest Base Camp?

Travel insurance is mandatory. Trekking crew members’ insurance is covered in a trekking package and the trekking agency is responsible for this. Travelers must have travel insurance that covers emergency helicopter rescue, medical expenses, accidents, theft, etc. Vegetation in the trekking trail is diverse. Trekkers can experience temperate, alpine, and sub-alpine vegetation. There are many tea houses or guest houses on the trekking route. However, in Gorakshep and Lobuche the number of lodging establishments are limited. You must trek with an experienced trekking agency to ensure that you get good lodging facilities. As for the food, you can order from the menu. The menu consists of cuisines from across the globe. Surprisingly, up in the mountains, you can find continental, Indian, Chinese, Oriental, and Local dishes. The price of food and accommodation is slightly expensive.

Trekkers have to take two acclimatization breaks! One is in Namche Bazaar and the other acclimatization break is in Dingboche. Always keep at least a day as a reserve day. The chances of flight cancellation is high. The weather conditions and geographical terrain of Lukla Airport result in flight cancellations. Therefore, always put at least a day as a reserve day.

How to prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek for Beginners?

While preparing for Everest Base Camp Trek, you must think about preparing yourself both physically and mentally. Start exercising at least a month before the Everest Base Camp Trek. The exercise regime includes swimming, running, cycling, and walking. These routine exercises help to improve the cardio – vascular health and it is important to have a strong heart. Walk uphill continuously every day around your home. Walking uphill always helps to build endurance and stamina. Going to the gym regularly and doing physical exercises at least an hour every day for one month prior to the trek is the best way to prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Don’t eat greasy foods and avoid alcohol. Eating greasy foods may decrease your stamina and drag your body down. The major reason behind tiredness during the trek is because of food habits. Therefore, avoid these types of food and eat healthy diets. Having a good and healthy dietary habit will automatically help trekkers to build stamina and endurance. The mental strength is also equally important. Plan your trek with travel planners and ask all your questions and queries. Always tell your trekking agency about your conditions. If you have chronic lung or heart diseases then don’t attempt to do Everest Base Camp Trek.

I hope the blog has answered on question of how to prepare for 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek. According to Mark Twain people who don’t travel read only one page of the book called Life. Therefore, you must travel. While traveling you must prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Don’t underestimate yourself! Reach and leave your footprints at the foothill of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest. It will undoubtedly be the most thrilling and momentous travel tale of your life worthy to be shared with generations to come.