Everest Climbing

Overview

Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the world and proudly stands at the height of 8848m in Sagarmatha Zone, Solukhumbu district, in between Nepal and Tibet. The base camp of Mount Everest itself is situated at the height of 5364m. What could ever be more adventurous than trekking through the trail of the tallest peak in the world? Sir Edmund Percival Hillary along with Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, were the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest on July 20, 1919. Since then climbing Mount Everest, if not, camping on the base of Mount Everest has been people’s favorite. The main highlight of this trek is not only Mt Everest but also the Sagarmatha National Park which has protected our pride for centuries. Sagarmatha National Park covers a surface area of 124,400 hectares. The park is home to hundreds of flora and fauna including Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, red panda, wild boar, juniper, fir, Rhododendrons, etc. The trail to Everest Base camp passes through several landscapes, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, and stunning views of mountains. Situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet, the area is highly influenced by Tibetan people. We also get to experience the Tibetan lifestyle and culture in this trek. Besides Tibetan, the area is highly populated by Sherpa and Tamang people. Apart from being beautiful and mesmerizing, Mount Everest or the base camp holds some deep risks and challenges. It is situated at a very high altitude which makes people suffer from mountain sickness. Those who are new to trekking and don’t have excellent fitness have more risk of getting sick. It is better to have some experience and great physical and mental fitness for this trek.     

Temperature and weather 

It is quite obvious to have a very cold temperature and weather in EBC. Generally, at the altitude of 5,200m which is definitely above the sea level has characterized climate called mountain plateau climate which is coldest throughout all the months. During the spring season (March-May), the average daytime temperature is around 15 and can fall to -1 at night. The average temperature in the monsoon/summer season (June-August) is 22 in the day and around 4 at night. The autumn season (September-November) has an average temperature of 17 in the daytime and -8 in the night. The average temperature in the winter season (December-February) is around -5 in the daytime and around -10 to -15 in the nighttime. 

Considering all the temperature, weather, and warmth the best or peak season to trek EBC is in spring and autumn. The bearable temperature, the clear skies, and atmosphere, stunning views of Rhododendrons and mountains, the best condition of the trails, all features make these seasons best for trekking. 

Food and accommodation 

There are enough teahouses throughout the way to EBC. The teahouses are basically run by local Sherpa people. They have basic facilities like a warm room, blankets, and pillows. But they have to be shared with other trekkers as well. Also, the washroom and toilets have to be shared. Sometimes, you can get a single room with attached bathrooms. They also provide home-cooked meals like Dal, Bhat, vegetables, noodles, pasta, soup, and western food. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, hot chocolates, etc are also available on the teahouses. No camping is necessary unless you want to experience the camping trek. Staying in teahouses or lodges may cost up to 5- 10$ (500 -1000 NRS) per night. Teahouses have proper facilities of bathroom, hot shower, and internet access. 

Transportation 

The gateway for the Everest Base camp is Lukla and the easiest and the fastest way to reach Lukla is to take a flight from Kathmandu which only takes 35 minutes. You can also travel by bus but it is certainly a tiring route. There is no direct connection between Kathmandu and Lukla and you need to travel via Jiri. 

The other option is a helicopter tour. It is available to the Everest base camp by many agencies or companies. It is best suited for those who are under limited time or want to have a more luxurious journey, or for someone who is physically disabled. The helicopter tour to EBC starts from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. You pass along Lukla, Namche, and other beautiful villages and finally to the base camp itself. The Ariel view of green vegetation, colorful Rhododendrons, snow-capped mountains, and small houses, are breathtaking. It might cost you a little expensive since it is the most luxurious and fastest means to reach EBC. The average cost of a helicopter tour to EBC is 200$. 

Permits and fees

1) Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit 

• NON-SAARC countries- 3000 (excluding VAT)
• SAARC countries- 1500 (excluding VAT)

2) Pasang Lhamu VDC permit – 2000 NRS

3) Trekkers Information Management System card (TIMS)- 1000NRS

Guides and porters

Guides and porters are not really mandatory but they can make your journey informative and interesting. They have more than enough knowledge about the directions, villages, places, accommodations, etc.  Guides usually charge 25-30 $ per day. If you are physically able to carry your belonging then there is no need for a porter. If you want to walk freely without any burden you can hire a guide. They usually charge 15-20$ per day.

Electronics and communication 

As we all know, EBC is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Considering this fact, there are several teahouses which provide all kinds of facilities including electricity, telephones or other communication service and the internet. There is no problem with charging your electronics or talking to your friends and families. You can also be updated on your social media. Satellite phones are also available in higher altitudes. 

Safety and difficulties of EBC 

Everest Base camp trek can be quite challenging and difficult. This is a moderately difficult trek. However, the level of difficulty entirely depends on your physical and mental fitness. But you can build your muscle strength, make your body flexible by practicing some light exercise, running, and jogging. The trek to Everest base camp via Kalapatthar is all about walking 5-6 hours per day for at least 15 days. This solo reason is enough to make this trek challenging. The trails are rugged, steep, may be snowy in off-seasons. The maximum height in this trek is the base camp of 5364m with other high passes on the way. There is a high risk of mountain sickness. The primary cause of altitude sickness is a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. It’s important to carry handheld oximetry. Oxygen saturation below 75% may be a risk.

*Symptoms of Mountain sickness

-Headache

-Dizziness

-Loss of appetite

-Shortness of breath

-Fast heartbeats

*Preventing mountain sickness 

-Walk slow

-Stay hydrated

-Have nutritional food 

-Have enough rest

-Avoid smoking and alcohol 

*Medicines for mountain sickness 

-Acetazolamide 

-Ibuprofen, paracetamol (for headache)

-Promethazine (for nausea) 

Other requirements

Travel insurance– trekking to high altitudes can always be risky. Travel Insurance is something you might want to do before trekking anywhere. Sometimes in emergency cases, people need to be evacuated through a helicopter and get medical service. So, in such cases, your travel insurance will be bearing the cost for you. Seeing all these benefits, the government of Nepal has made travel insurance mandatory thing before trekking. However, it is very important to mention the heights and all the places you will be reaching during your trek. Your insurance entirely depends on the details you have provided earlier. Travel insurance costs you around 150$ which is good for 1 month. 

Visas/passports– if you are not a Nepalese or Indian citizen, then a visa and a passport are mandatory. You can get your Nepalese Visa at Tribhuvan airport in Kathmandu. The passport must hold a visa of a minimum of 6 months.