The trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most beautiful expeditions in the world. Hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas is an incredible experience, and you’ll pass through the Khumbu Valley before you arrive at Base Camp, where the wonder of Mount Everest will rise up before your eyes. In short? It’s mind-blowing! If you’re thinking about taking on the expedition, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. So we’ve put together this bumper post, which has everything you need to know before you trek Everest Base Camp. No matter what your question, we’ve got the answers!
Everything you need to know before you trek Everest Base Camp
- How hard is it to trek Everest Base Camp?
- How long does it take?
- What is the food like?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I cope with altitude sickness?
- What’s the accommodation like?
- Is it safe to trek Everest Base Camp?
- What do I need to pack?
- How do I train for Everest Base Camp?
How hard is it to trek Everest Base Camp?
We give all of our expeditions a difficulty level, so you know what to expect. Our expedition to Everest Base Camp is a level 4. That means you can expect to trek an average of 5 to 7 hours per day, at altitudes not usually exceeding 5,500 metres. As a rough guide, you should be comfortable hillwalking for 6 to 7 hours per day for two days in a row. If you’ve climbed Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp (both Level 5) you’ll be well able for Everest Base Camp.
Read more about how hard it is to trek Everest Base Camp in our blog post.
How long does it take?
The Earth’s Edge expedition takes 18 days in total. We spend 13 days trekking allowing for two acclimatisation days. We make our way through the Khumbu Valley at a very deliberate pace. Why? Well, we want to make sure we see everything there is to see along the way, to meet the local people, and to take in the incredible sights. We also want to allow for rest days and acclimatisation. The actual trek to Everest Base Camp itself is 8 days long.
Read more about how long it takes to trek Everest Base Camp in our blog post.
What is the food like?
You need to keep your energy levels up on an expedition like this one, so you can expect to eat plenty! We stop in tea houses along the way, and there’s often a choice of local dishes like Dal Bhat (rice, poppadum, lentils, curry), noodles and garlic soup. There are also a lot of western dishes on offer too, like egg and chips, toasted sandwiches and even the occasional pizza! Those with a sweet tooth will go mad for the Snickers Pie, aka a deep fried snickers bar covered in maple syrup.
Read more about what the food is like on Everest Base Camp in our extensive Food Diary blog post.
How much does it cost?
The Earth’s Edge expedition currently costs €3,999. This includes all your flights from Dublin, too. When you’re booking an expedition, it’s important to know exactly what is covered. Our expedition covers basically everything, bar travel insurance, vaccinations, visas and a bit of spending money.
Read more about how much it costs to trek Everest Base Camp in our blog post.
How do I cope with altitude sickness?
While nothing compared to Mount Everest itself, the trek to Everest Base Camp goes through some pretty serious elevations. Base Camp itself is 5,364m (so a smidge lower than the peak of Kilimanjaro, at 5,896m). We send an international doctor along on every single on of our expeditions. Our doctors (as well as our guides and porters) are trained to help you cope at altitude. We also take a slow pace, with rest days, to help us all acclimatise to the altitude. The most important thing to remember? Drink plenty of water, go slowly, eat plenty and be sure to tell our expedition doctor the second you feel unwell.
Read more about coping with altitude in our blog post.
What’s the accommodation like on Everest Base Camp?
Unlike a lot of other expeditions, on the trek to Everest Base Camp we stay mostly in tea houses along the way, rather than camping. This means a proper bed and, if you’re lucky, a hot shower! Now, tea houses are far from luxurious, but they have everything you need. Just remember you’ll need to pay a bit extra if you want to use the electricity or WiFi.
Read more about the accommodation on Everest Base Camp in our blog post.
Is it safe to trek Everest Base Camp?
Think of Everest, and you might think of terrifying stories about those who climb the mountain itself. But while this is a tremendous physical feat (with the corresponding risks), the trek to Base Camp is far more manageable. That said, safety is our number one concern at Earth’s Edge. Every single decision we make is based on the safety of our guests and our team. Remember, we have a dedicated team including local porters as well as our own international guide and doctor. They are there to keep you safe at every step of the way.
Read more about if it’s safe to trek Everest Base Camp in our blog post.
What do I need to pack?
If you tend to start planning your suitcase months before a trip, then you’ll want to take a good look at our expedition kit list now! When you book with Earth’s Edge, we send you a comprehensive packing list, so you won’t get to Kathmandu and realise you’ve forgotten your socks. As well as all of the clothing, you’ll also need hiking poles, water bottle and bladder, sleeping bag, rucksack and good, worn in hiking boots.
For the full equipment list, read our blog post.
How do I train for Everest Base Camp?
It’s important to make sure you’re physically fit before trekking to Everest Base Camp. That means… training! While everyone is different and no one plan suits all, the best method is combining hillwalking with cardio workouts.
To find out how to train for Everest Base Camp, read our blog post.
So there you have it – everything you need to know before you trek Everest Base Camp! If you want to read all about our expedition to trek Everest Base Camp, click the link go to our expedition page.
