Trip Grade: Moderate, Strenuous
With more than 35,000 trekkers a month, Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most populated and famous trekking routes in Nepal. The name alone conjures the version of the soaring peaks but how difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek for the average walker?
Everest base camp is the famous and the classical trek in the Khumbu region which leads to the lap of the world tallest snowy peaks. Only a few people dare to stand a top of the world's tallest mountain, however, for the most, it will be the trek for the Everest Base Camp.
With no road in, the only way to enjoy the incredible views of the world's iconic peaks by trekking through the Khumbu region from Lukla. Lukla is the beautiful and the highlighted place of this trek from where we start our adventure walk to the base camp. We can experience the scenic and the beautiful mountain flight with the heart touching views of Himalayan flora and fauna. We can enjoy the gorgeous views of the snow-capped mountains with the incredible experience of the Nepali culture and tradition. The Everest base camp trek usually takes two weeks to complete. We normally have to walk around 5-6 hour at a high altitude. So don't get panic though, the journey is very memorable and achievable.
Firstly you should know and note down that Everest Base Camp trek doesn't require any expertise and there is no certain technical climbing section. With a good fitness level, you should be able to trek the route. We can see many old and young, overweight, underweight completely success the trek with their smiling face.
With the above, there are other important factors that shout be considered prior to your treks such as length, altitude, and training which enables you to understand better which helps to make the strong plan for the trek.
Altitude
There is no doubt the altitude is the most difficult and the underestimated terms of the Everest Base Camp Trek. The high altitude of the trek makes the adventure hike and going more difficult but if it was not in altitude EBC trek would be very basic indeed. For making the adventure walk beautiful AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) should not be taken lightly especially at the altitude on the EBC trek.
The adventure walk to reach to Everest Base Camp starts at Lukla (2800m) - already it's high enough to induce altitude sickness. Then the steadily climbs the trek as the path winds its way up to the Everest Base Camp. The Kalapather is the highest altitude (5554 meters) point which provides the gorgeous views of the world highest snowy peaks.
The key to walking to high altitude is to go slow and steady.
It is up to you to include some extra days in your itinerary that allows for the acclimatization. This means having at least 2 acclimatization days built a good environment in your trek. You can build your walking skills by resting in the charming village in-rich with culture and tradition and exploring the area. Your outward hike should be far longer than your return journey. Most visitors take 9 days to get to the Everest Base Camp and 3 days to return back to Kathmandu valley.
Please seek more for the professional medical advice before trekking at the altitude and research about the altitude sickness or concern with the doctor and make yourself fully aware of the symptoms and the treatment available. It is also very important to be aware of the altitude sickness and the fitness level, gender or age, everyone is equally at risk.
Length
The trek to the Everest Base Camp starts with a short drive to Lukla from Kathmandu. And the 65 Km journey to the Everest Base Camp begins from the Lukla. Depending on your trekking experience the 65 Km may or may not be a long distance. In reality, 65 Km even for the inexperienced trekking is not a very long distance when you realize the average walking speed of a human is 5 Km per hour.
During your adventure walk, your gear will be carried by a porter or yak.
On the total 14-day hike itinerary, you'll be walking for 12 days with an average distance of 15 Km.
Although 15 Km hike a day is not so much, the terrain is often rocky, steep. Depending on which season you trek, during the winter season the paths can be covered with snow, so remember in your mind that the trekking to Everest Base Camp is a wilderness and the route is not paved. Like many adventure trekking, you should rest often enough to prevent over-tiredness.
Training
Many people believe that the EBC trek requires a high level of fitness. Although the good level of fitness will make your trek more exciting and enjoyable you don't need an Olympic athlete. The people with mentally and physically fit and fine can enjoy this trek.
An EBC trek suffers most people because of the altitude and hilly nature of the route. Some days are certainly easier than the others and it is sensible to prepare for the tough days, not the easy ones. Walking for 5-6 hours a day to Everest base camp will take it out of you. Therefore, building up your strength before you start your adventure trek is very affectionate with the great experience of Himalayan flora and fauna. We suggest you for setting yourself a training plan about 6-8 weeks before your trek.
Your training plan should include the following:
- several long hikes and walk up to downhill and up hills until 5 hours per day for a week doesn't bother you.
- High exercise, training at the gym that focused on your legs.
- Jogging, swimming, rowing, etc. which is used to build up your endurance for those long hike.
- We hope that the above-given article will help you to make a plan and decision for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Good Luck And Have a Good Day!
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