• Jul 4, 2017

Table of Contents

Adventurers around the globe like to leave their footprint at mt. Everest base camp is no doubt the world’s top adventure destination. Mt. Everest has two base camps, one on the north side in Tibet at 5150 meters and the other on Southside in Nepal at 5365 m. One can drive to the North Tibetan base camp. Thus, it is no more adventure walking; instead, it is a driving tour. Nepal side Everest base camp hiking takes 10 – 14 days to complete through the challenging terrain. The trek to Everest base camp is within reach of ordinary, fit people.

The unfortunate fact is that every year trekkers are dying in the Himalayan trekking, and some of the trekkers do not have a good adventure experience at all. Thus the BIG question is How to trek to the safe Everest base camp? What could be the best Tips to do the walking adventure safely?

Depending on our two-decades-long treks leading and organizing experience, we have set out some Tips to do the EBC trek safely – which could be helpful to any trekker planning to do the trekking in the Himalayas.

Top 10 Tips from Experts on Safe Everest Base Camp

Choose the Best Time & Itinerary

The best time to do the Everest base camp trek is March to May and mid-September to December. This EBc hiking can be done from 10 -14 days time duration that does exclude the time in Kathmandu. Make sure to have two days of an acclimatization rest day on the way to EBC. You may like to explore other sections in the same region, like Gokyo lakes crossing the Chola pass, depending on your time duration, or hiking to the less trodden route to base camp.

Physical and Mental Preparation

We suggest having one, or 2-month-long physical preparation would be great to get fit for the Everest base camp trek. You can start running, cycling, any gem exercise, or walking up and down. Carrying some weight on the day back or weekend day hike would be helpful on your trek. Trekking in the Himalayas is a walking adventure holiday at higher altitude terrain where the weather could be challenging. Thus, mental preparation to get ready for the worse case scenarios is essential.

Set your own PACE, Stroll, and let the way to Yaks

Whether walking in a group or solo, one of the keys to safe trekking to Everest base camp depends on your walking pace. Stroll at your own pace, allowing enough time to let your body acclimate well. Be prepared to let the way to Yaks and horses on the trails. Always keep yourself on the mountainside while giving way.

Be Vegetarian and Drink Enough Water

Meat products might be stored for longer; thus, being a Vegetarian is the best way to keep yourself safe on the trek. Drink around 3 / 4 liter of water per day. Avoid cheese and dairy products at a higher elevation. Simple meals are best at high.

Trek with Local experts

Nobody knows the Himalayas better than the locals; thus, choose the local guide and trekking company with great trek-leading experience. The fact is that all international tour and travel companies around the world must hire a local company at the end to lead your trip. Global companies assist you and keep the more significant part of the cake with them.

Make sure to have enough trek crew.

Trek group leader, assistant guide, and porter form the trekking crew. These trek crews are accommodating in dealing with any adverse situation, e.g., one trekker getting sick on the way, a change of itinerary due to bad weather, etc.

Few responsible companies provide 01 trekker:01 porter; thus, your porter carries less weight. This private porter could be very much helpful to you while on the trek. You are undoubtedly helping the local economy and creating more jobs in the country you are trekking.

Proper Gear for Safe EBC Trek

Choosing the right gear make your adventure holiday safer and better. First, make sure your trekking boots are already broken in. Then, get some warm and personal gear. For example, it would help if you had a warm or down sleeping bag and a down jackets. This can be hired in Kathmandu, or some operators provide the unrestricted use of these trek gear to make a hassle-free trip to the Himalayas.

Know about the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Acute Mountain Sickness could be life-threatening if the standard rule of getting acclimation is not followed while ascending higher. Better to take a small medical kit with you. Know if you are allergic to any food or medicine.

Get Proper Insurance

Though getting the proper insurance is recommended to do the Everest base camp trek, it won’t guarantee your safety 100%. Make sure your insurance does cover the medical rescue evacuation in case. Weather permit to get helicopter evacuation to be done on time, and it only operates in the daytime. Thus, we advise all the trekkers to join the group trek, ensuring a safety back up like Oxygen and Pressurize Altitude Chamber.

If you have just below two weeks for your adventure hike to Mt Everest, you can also choose the Everest base camp heli trek, which way you can trek to base camp and Helicopter ride out to Kathmandu to complete it in less than two weeks. Time duration and proper acclimatization are crucial to having a great and safe trip to the Himalayas.

Choose the Best Company to Trek with

Choosing the best trekking company could be time-consuming, but it is essential as your holidays and life depend on them. However, there are some points you need to make sure about choosing the best trekking company in terms of safety.

  • Make sure the company has a medically trained and experienced permanent trek guide or trip leader to lead your adventure trip.
  • Do they have excellent or sound trip-leading experience – you can check the independent trip reviews to know more about the operator.
  • Check the company safety backup in terms of medical assistance needed
  • Does the company carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) or Oxygen cylinder with a mask regulator in case anyone in the group suffers from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and are their guide competent to operate it?
  • Do they have enough trek crew to support in case anything goes wrong on-mountain, e.g., one person gets sick on a trek or the unpredictable weather changes, etc.?
  • Is the operator registered with the respective bodies of the Nepal Government? To run the trip to Nepal, it is mandatory to register with the Nepal government. International tour operators are not registered with the Nepal government and are running their trip sub-contracting with a local company. The ratio of booking directly with reliable and reputed trekking companies is growing yearly compared to booking with International tour operators.

Great & Safe Trek to Everest base camp

Mountain Monarch

Mountain Monarch

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