Guide to go to Everest Base Camp
The life changing 15 days which is full of adventure, amusement, enthusiasm, views, lifestyle of people, meals, some nasty washrooms, and walk above the tree line is the main characteristics of Everest Base Camp Trek. The adventure begins with hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. As you queue up for a visa in Tribhuvan International airport, remember your adventure trip is not far away from you. After completing the airport formalities, get your visa and collected your baggage, you soon come out of the airport. If you have taken a flight that comes from middle east, you must see a folk of Nepalese carrying a television set with them coming back home, some sort of baggage are tightly tied with ropes so they seems they never going to open again is typical characteristics of the international airport in Kathmandu. Outside the airport your trekking partner, most probably your trekking guide is waiting with your name printed in a paper, finding your name there gives you some sort of luxury feeling and some sort of respect also. If the weather is fine you are welcomed by view of the few snowcapped mountains especially from Langtang Himalayan range towards the right side of your outing gate. Where you come out vehicles are not allowed to park except airport taxis so your trekking guide or the company representative will certainly give a call to the driver so he will appear there and get you inside with all your bags and start your trip towards your accommodation in Kathmandu. If you have nobody to pick you up or you simply can’t see them at your first sight then you will get people around you to offer a taxi or hotel or free taxi if you stay at the hotel they recommend etc. these deals normally end up buying an expensive package the same day or next day if you are not very smart. If you are smart enough that will be fine. Once you reach a hotel, you are welcomed by hotel staffs; they are loyal, welcoming and honest. After the check in formalities, get your room go to the bed, get a nice rest and recover the jetlag except you have travelled neighboring countries before. The guest relation executive or sales manager of the company meets you at your desired time to brief you about the trip and collect the balance payments.
The next day you start your journey doing the sightseeing of Kathmandu valley as part of the program, you are taken to the city tour by a professional tour guides who mainly does excursions in Kathmandu and another big towns. You are going to see some monuments which are listed in world heritage sites by UNESCO. You can often get chance to buy some souvenirs at the sightseeing place and stop for lunch at local tourist restaurant, the price are quiet elevated as these restaurants are dedicated just to sell the lunch, you tour guide might seems reluctant take you to some authentic places which you never going to discover, it is better to stick with the tourist restaurant as foods are quiet safe and it is your first full day in Kathmandu. After farewell to your tour guide, you are again in the hands of your trekking guide who practically busy making your permits during your sightseeing. You get an early start next day to catch a flight to Lukla, the route is scenic, these 20 minutes flight in a small plane lands at Lukla airport. The area where you come out from airport in Lukla, you will see some innocent faces who likes to serve as porters for trekkers, your guide will find a face who has accompanied him before so that he will be comfortable with them. Immediately they will sort out your bag, might need to do repacking and ready to carry your bags, meantime you can enjoy your first cup of tea or coffee in Everest area. Go slowly as you don’t need to go far today, reach up to Phakding and you will stay overnight there. Evening time your guide will probably brief you about what you get as a meal, about hot showers, battery charging, tips, extra cup of tea coffee and any other topics of your interest. As the first day is over the strenuous day of the whole trip will begin. Follow the river bank upstream you will soon reach a point where they buy the national park entrance ticket. After walking for another hour your adventure begin to reach the gateway of Everest Region. One of the biggest villages of the area called Namche. If you have forgotten anything in Kathmandu it will be ideal to buy here. Nicely packed and clustered stone houses are typical characteristics of the village. As you have made the strenuous day you will get a reward of the free day which you can utilize to make some side trips or take a rest, your guide and porters will be happy for both. After taking a rest for a whole day prepare for a small climb next morning then the trail descends down to reach a Village Funkythanga , where most of the people stop for the lunch, after lunch with heavy stomach you start a gentle climb up to Tyangboche, a beautiful village with the monastery and spectacular view of Everest and Amadablam. If you are lucky you might be able to participate in the prayer session by the monk in the monastery. After gazing at the view from Tyangboche your trail descends down little bit and climb up again and follow more or less straight line before you crossing Small River to reach the bifurcation to go to Pheriche or Dingboche. After reaching Dingboche and get a good night rest you get another acclimatization day. You can make a side trips to climb some small peak or engage with your books, games and stay in your hotel. After having a breakfast you head again towards Lobuche, pass through Thokla where you can observe the memorials of famous mountaineers who lost their lives in the Himalaya. You will soon reach Lobuche and overnight stay there. Pretty good hotels are made in Lobuche right now. Paying some extra you might get nice comfortable sleep in a room with heater. From Lobuche, the trail ascends gently to reach Gorakshep, lunch at Gorakshep and you head for Everest Base Camp. A cup of tea or coffee with apple pie will be appreciable at base camp. After having some light snacks at Basecamp, walk back to Gorakshep for overnight stay. Early in the morning next day is the exiting day for everybody as you are in the highest elevation of the whole trip. The Kalapathhar located at the elevation of 5550m., is the best view point to see the Everest. If you reach for the sunrise there, you will get a lifetime experience of spectacular view of Everest with many other surrounding mountains. Come down to your hotel to have a breakfast and head down to Pheriche as your returning journey from Everest Base Camp. From Pheriche it is always wise to go down all the way to Kyanjuma for your overnight stay. Another alternative is going to Khumjung which is also a beautiful village in the Everest area. From Khumjung you can walk down to Monjo to get a nice hot shower to remove all the smells from the Everest area. The last day of walking you can make from Monjo to Lukla and take a rest in the afternoon. Bid farewell to your porter who remains there in Lukla and catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap and finish up your trip. Again back to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, some nice massage or do some last minute shopping before you catch a flight home.
FAQ of Everest base camp trip
What is the best season to go to EBC?
Generally March to May and September to November considered best month to go to Everest Base Camp. December got a better view but it is cold there in the mountain. We have people who are doing even July and August and they enjoyed the trek very much.
What type of equipment I have to buy to go to EBC?
The company provides you a nice and warm sleeping bag and good down jacket most of the cases, ask for the company, your personal gears, and water purifying tablets you have to buy, either in your home town or in Kathmandu.
How professional my guides and porters?
They are very professional, know the route, lodges and tea houses, your guide speaks English and porters normally does not speak English.
Am I staying in tent some day?
No, all the time you stay in the tea houses mostly with shared bathroom and some places you get a private bathroom.
Where I am eating? Are there restaurants?
All the tea houses where you going to sleep have their own restaurants, you eat there. All the foods like breakfast, lunch and dinner are available.
I am a big eater, do they give me food as much as I like?
No, they will give you nominal food, if you are a big eater you supposed to pay extra for some extra plate. Generally in the package you bought include a set breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are very hungry it is always wise to choose Nepali set so they will give you extra if you need extra.
Do I need to carry the energy bar and cereal bars?
It is always wise you carry some energy bar and cereal bars so when you stop to take a rest you can have them, in Kathmandu there are lots of supermarket where you can get these types of bars or you can bring from home.
Am a get any fruits on the way?
Our company provides some fresh fruits after dinner every day.
Do I need to tip to my guide and porter?
Generally end of the trek there is a custom you leave tip to your guide and porter. You can check our tipping guide line page regarding how much is the nominal tip, any way the tip depend with your evaluation. If you think your staffs are excellent you can better tip.
What happened if I get sick there?
If you get minor problems, you take a rest and continue next day, if you get serious problems your guide will decide what to do next. The steps may be from taking you back up to evacuate you in a helicopter. Please buy an insurance which cover your rescue and medical expenses in case of emergency.
Insurance premium is very expensive to me and I don’t want to spend money on it can I still join the trip?
Of course, our aim is to take you to Everest Base Camp, just be cautious when you get some problems, you can still make trip.
Can I buy insurance in Kathmandu?
No, you have to buy your insurance from your home country.
Are my guide and porters insured?
Yes, your guide and porters are insured.
