So, you plan on embarking on an adventure to one of the most sought destinations in the world: Everest Base Camp? You, finding this blog out of millions of other things on the internet does indicate your ignited interest in an ultimate trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC). Researching on a destination before you can completely finalize things is a jarring experience, because, where are you even going to start?
Trekking may feel easy in your fantasy. Even with all the glorious views you get to experience during your adventure, it still demands a lot of your stamina and endurance. So, the first thing that might come to your mind is how far you have to walk to reach the end. Probably the days you must keep aside for your trekking adventure in the Himalayas. When we think of the Himalayas, we think of the elevation. After all, Mt. Everest is popular in the world as the third pole and you’re trekking in the Everest region. How high will you be traversing?
But, the next question arises.
Why Everest Base Camp? And, what is so special about it?
For starters: the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, is the main incentive for enthusiasts to participate in this journey (8848m). Understandably, someone would want to be at the top of the globe in this instantaneous world when so many people strive to be at the top of their professions, jobs, and everything else. You must have heard of the Sherpa people as well. The Sherpa mountaineering prowess is well-known across the world. They are the only legendary ethnic groups from the Himalayas whose history has influenced several mountaineers from Nepal and beyond the world. And, you get to explore their lifestyle during your trek! Isn’t that amazing? These are some reasons why trekking in the Everest region might have sparked some interest in you!
Beginning with an action-packed flight to Lukla Airport, the journey to Everest Base Camp is likely to pump your adrenaline. From Lukla, you may trace some of the courageous climbers of Everest, including Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and a large number of other climbers. You will pass by the stunning Sagarmatha National Park along the way and eventually arrive at Everest Base Camp.
But, we digress. The main reason why we are writing this blog is to provide you with the necessary information while on your first step to planning your trek to the Everest Base Camp. With our decades of experience trekking in the Everest region, we have made sure to pour in every possible detail in this unique blog. These are the important things you must know beforehand, and will act as a foundation for you to plan more!
Trek to Everest Base Camp Distance
The classic route or the most sought route to the Everest Base Camp is 130 kilometres long, that is 65 kilometres both ways. This might feel like a lot of walking, high up in the mountains!
Fear not; the actual distance you will be traveling each day will only be about 15 kilometres, which is a much more manageable and achievable figure. The average round-trip to Everest Base Camp takes about 12 days. 15 kilometres per day does not seem so horrible now that you consider that the average walking speed is around 5 kilometres per hour. If you've done multi-day trekking before, 130 kilometres might not seem like a far journey.
However, this is the case only when you catch a flight to Lukla and back. If you want to cover more feet, then the alternative Jiri to Everest Base Camp will cost you an extra 40 kilometres or even more.
The rough terrain, steady rise, and substantial altitude gains that must be accomplished will prevent you from trekking at that speed, of course. The argument is that folks of various ages, physiques, and sizes can easily cover this distance! So, to reach the Everest Base Camp, one must be physically strong and have the endurance to trek for 5 to 7 hours through mountainous terrain.
Your bulky bags will probably be carried for you by porters or yaks or mules if you make your reservations through a tour operator. Your body should no longer be under as much stress, which will free you up to concentrate on ascending and descending the course safely.
No matter how far you travel each day, there are plenty of options for meals and lodging along the way. Even though you'll be exhausted after a day's journey, you'll feel better in the warm soups and soft mattresses of the tea houses along the way.
Length of the Base Camp to Everest Trek
The Everest Base Camp journey typically takes 12 days or less to accomplish. There are lengthier iterations of the conventional route, like the trek to Gokyo Lakes and Jiri to Everest Base Camp. To allow for adequate acclimatization and reduce the dangers of Acute Mountain Sickness and related ailments, the outbound route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is noticeably longer than the return route in terms of time. You can reach the base camp within 9 days of trekking, and the way back to Lukla should take around 3 days.
The trek begins in Lukla at 2600 meters. The highest point you'll get to is Kala Patthar, a viewing point at 5554 meters, from where you can take in some of the most breathtaking Everest and neighbouring peak vistas. You won't stay there for very long, though, since the journey eventually descends to Pheriche and returns you to Lukla Airport.
There are also the options of getting a direct helicopter flight to Namche Bazaar and starting your trek from there. Or, maybe getting a helicopter flight to the base camp without having to lay a finger down. In such cases, your length of hiking will be massively reduced. But, if you want to go on the trek to EBC the classic way, then trekking the conventional EBC trail is something most people look out for!
This is what a typical Everest Base Camp itinerary looks like:
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel
Day 2: Kathmandu - Lukla – Phakding (Your trek begins here)
Day 3: Phakding - Namche Bazaar
Day 4: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization
Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tyangboche
Day 6: Trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche
Day 7: Rest day at Dingboche for acclimatization
Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 9: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep and return to Gorekshep
Day 10: Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar and trek to Pheriche
Day 11: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (You depart from Everest Region here)
Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel (Your journey ends here)
Day 14: Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure
Elevations in the Everest Base Camp
The elevation is most likely the most challenging part of the trek. When you finally reach Lukla via flight, you land at an elevation of around 2600 metres above sea level. Walking in that elevation might be uncommon for you! The world is rarely a place with high-altitude gains. You might not be accustomed to that range of elevation gains. Therefore, your body needs to adapt! Thus, acclimatization days are set in your itinerary.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is practising the proverb, slow and steady wins the race. You walk at a slower pace than usual to promote acclimatization and assure safety. The typical daily elevation rise will be between 400 and 800 meters. An acclimatization day that also serves as a time for some sightseeing and local exploration is frequently employed after days when the gain is great and the elevation is significantly high.
The Kala Patthar viewing point is often the highest point on most Everest Base Camp Treks, from where you can enjoy some of the best views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Although Kala Patthar is just over 5500 meters above sea level, there isn't much time spent there because the journey eventually descends to Pheriche and returns to Lukla Airport.
In the end…
Reaching Everest Base Camp can be achieved in many different ways. Depending on the path you decide to take, there are variations in distance, length, and elevation. And also how much time you've set aside.
You gain a lot of elevation during your EBC trek. The wisest course of action is to move forward gradually. Acclimatization is important. Thus, make sure to add as many acclimatization days as you can. Do not mistake the day of acclimatization for a day of rest. You hike to a hill at a greater height on these acclimatization days and then you return to where you started.
By now, you might have realised that your trek to Everest Base Camp, at the end of the day, ultimately depends upon you. If you target the base camp with Kala Patthar, the elevation gain will be the same. However, adding more side trails to the itinerary can increase your distance, length and elevation during the trek. Before beginning the journey, it is always a good idea to conduct adequate research. In this way, you can plan ahead of time knowing what to expect.
Hopefully, these statistics have persuaded you to embark on your adventure to Everest Base Camp; and we wish you happy trekking.
