Top 15 Frequently Asked Questions with Answer about Everest Base Camp Trek

Where is Mount Everest Located?

Mt. Everest, a most uttered name is one of the highest mountains in the world and lies to the north of Nepal bordering the Autonomous region of Tibet.

What is Nepal Base Camp popularly known for?

Nepal Base Camp is popularly known as Everest Base Camp situated at the altitude of 5364M | 17598Ft. This is the highest base camp on earth and is represented by Mt. Everest (8848.86M). Trekkers hike all the way to explore the stunning views of the Himalayas.

Apart from this, there are numerous other base camps in Nepal representing the mountain. Some of the other base camps are Annapurna Base Camp, Dhaulagiri Base Camp, Ama Dablam Base Camp, Kanchanchaga Base Camp, Mardi Base Camp, Lotse Base Camp, Machhapuchre Base Camp, Manaslu Base Camp, etc.

How high is Mount Everest?

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth with an altitude of 8848.86M/29032Ft. This is the new height measured by both Nepal and Chinese geological surveyors in 2020. Until this year Nepal used to follow the height measured by the Survey of India in 1954 which was 8848M.

But after the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, there arouse questions about the height to be re-measured because geologists believed that the height of Everest might have decreased but the height got increased to almost less than a meter.

How to reach Everest Base Camp?

Reaching Mount Everest is a challenging task; this trekker needs to be physically fit and have some climbing experience as well but reaching the base camp of Mount Everest might be easier for many.

There are two popular routes to reach Everest Base Camp, which are through Jiri and Lukla. Trekkers need to arrive in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, drive all the way to Jiri, and hike uphill to the Everest Base Camp. This will add a couple of extra weeks for the expedition all the way to Everest.

Another easy and popular way to reach Everest Base Camp will be through Lukla. Trekkers can take a short flight to Lukla and hike uphill all the way to Everest base camp and descend via Lukla back to Kathmandu. This will be an easy-going 10-day hike from Kathmandu to Kathmandu.

Do I need a guide for Everest Trekking?

Taking a guide is not at all mandatory for Everest Base Camp Trek but it is strongly recommended. Due to its altitude, the Everest trek is a challenging task, as you ascend higher into the Himalayas, there is a possibility of avalanches and heavy snowfall. This might create problems for solo trekkers as the trail might be miscalculated.

Due to fewer dwellers in the Himalayas, you will encounter fewer trekkers and locals, and in time of need, there will be no one to help you. So, at least you will need a local guide to help you to accomplish your trek to Everest Base Camp.

How to select a local agency for the Everest Base Camp Hike?

Trekking through the local agency is one of the best ideas for trekkers. There are multiple numbers of local trekking agencies in Nepal. Only the thing you should know is whether they are authorized agencies and are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN).

For these, you can check details on their website and go through their profiles. Normally all the authorized agencies will upload their profile along with government-authorized certificates in their web portal.

Is trekking to Everest Base Camp safe?

Yes, trekking to Everest is a safe journey, there are sufficient numbers of tea houses and lodges all the way throughout the trail to spend the night. Apart from this, hotels are clean and serve hygienic foods.

If you are physically fit for high altitude and can hike for around 6-7 hours per day, then EBC is at your feet. Throughout the trail trekking maps along with directions to indicate the location of different areas of Everest can be seen.

This makes Everest a safe destination and local Sherpas are friendly and helpful as well. They always welcome visitors with their arms spreading.

How long does it take to hike Everest Base Camp?

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance is solemnly determined by the route you follow. There are two different routes to hike Everest Base Camp, one via Jira which is the oldest route, and the other via Lukla.

Along with this, the number of days required to trek Everest can be minimized and also maximized according to your fitness level and days for acclimatization. Moreover, accomplishing the Everest Base Camp trek will take 10 days via Lukla and 25-27 days via Jiri.

Equipment list for Everest Base Camp Trekking

As Everest Base Camp is a trekking destination, you will need only trekking gear. This includes a proper trekking shoe, sunglasses, hat, sun cream, a bag packed with stuff, and a trekking pole (if you want) are some of the basic equipment lists.

For detail, please visit the link: A complete guide for Hiking to Mount Everest Base Camp 

Accommodation during Everest Trek

Everest Base Camp is a tea house trek but used to be a camping trek some decades ago. After the first successful expedition to the summit in 1953, the popularity of Mt. Everest grew rapidly and became the center of interest for adventure lovers from around the world.

As a result, this leads locals to operate lodges and tea houses to earn their living and now there is a sufficient number of lodges all throughout the trail. But make sure as we ascend higher the number of lodges is fewer. This is due to its altitude and also the region falls under a conservation area restricting the number.

This makes locals nominalize the number of lodges and tea houses, but there are sufficient enough to find some rooms on a twin-sharing basis. Each room in the Everest region will have two separate beds and if you are single you have to share your room with others.

What is altitude sickness in Everest Base Camp Trek?

Altitude sickness is mainly related to sickness caused due to excessive gain of altitude while ascending into the Himalayas, and this is a common sickness for many trekkers while encountering a destination that is above 3500 meters.

There are mainly three different types of altitude sickness i.e., Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). All these altitude sicknesses might be hazardous if medical attention is not made.

The most common symptoms of altitude sickness are difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, Problem with sleep, Dizziness, Headache, Vomiting, Loss of energy, Cough, Inability to walk, etc.

What are the permits required for Everest Base Camp Trek?

Everest Base Camp Trek is not a mere hike, it is a journey towards the base of the highest mountain on earth the region has been declared a UNESCO Heritage site and protected through the Sagarmatha Conservation Area Project.

Trekkers need three different permits to enter the Everest region of which two are mandatory and one is optional but is highly recommended to carry (in times of emergency, or natural calamities this TIMS will help to rescue). Required Permits for Everest Trek are Sagarmatha National Conservation Permit, Pasang LamhuRural Municipality Permit, and Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) Permit.

How expensive is Everest Base Camp Trek?

Although trekking all the way to Everest Base Camp is a difficult task and is a dream destination for many. Everest Base Camp is cheap as compared to other camping treks, this is because we can stay in lodges and tea houses in all the overnight camps during our trek.

Normally, the price for Everest Base Camp varies according to the facilities you are interested in while hiking but to figure out the amount in numbers, accomplishing Everest Base Camp Trek will cost from 1600-2000 USD. This price is for single trekkers but when you have a group, the price can deduce to some amount.

How difficult is Everest Base Camp Trek?

The trekking itself is a difficult task and Everest being the highest base on earth is, without doubt, a challenging destination but feasible if you are physically fit.

Everest Base Camp Trek is all about how physically fit you are to hike uphill for 6-7 hours per day and how fast you can acclimatize to the altitude of the high Himalayas. If these two basic requirements are fulfilled, Everest Base Camp will be at your feet.

So, for a beginner, it will be better to have some physical warm-up prior to your trek. This includes hiking, swimming, jogging, cycling, etc. with your trekking shoes for almost 15-20 days before your trek. And for altitude problems consult with your doctor and use some medicine while trekking if they are recommended.

Do we need to climb during Everest Base Camp Trek?

Not at all, Everest Base camp trek is an easy-going uphill into the Himalayas, taking us to the highest altitude of 5364 meters at the base of Mount Everest. This hike will be through a steep trail but well maintained along with challenging.

You don’t require any climbing gear or climbing shoes for the Everest Base camp trek, this is just a hike through the well-paved trail where every year thousands do.

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