Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days

What is Altitude Sickness on Everest base camp trekking?

Altitude sickness on Everest base camp trekking, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition that occurs when human body is unable to adapt quickly enough to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. The symptoms of AMS is commonly encountered by trekkers ascending to elevations above 3000 meters.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

If any severe symptoms or rapid worsening occur, immediate descent and medical attention are crucial. If any of the above mentioned symptoms are seen please inform to your guide.

How to Prevent Altitude Sickness on Everest Trekking?

As per our experience of trekking in Nepal Himalaya following measures will help even for the first time trekkers.

• Don't gain more than 500m of overnight (sleeping) altitude above 3000m altitude.
• Take proper acclimatization (rest) days, depending upon your physical health condition and consultation with your guide. Minmum of 2 days suggested in Everest base camp trekking if you are first time trekkers in Himalaya.
• Eat carbohydrate rich foods, you will get the food menu even in Gorakshep, instead of ordering foods from your country choose the foods like a sherpa. If you want to choose your own menu then also select the foods that contains lots of crabohydrate which will helps to maintain your energy and oxygen metabolism.
• After Namche Avoid alcohol, smoking, and sleeping pills. They can trigger AMS easily.
• Always trek with a guide, solo trekking is dangerious, you may not distinguage difference between hiking fatigue and AMS. Life is more important than money, so spend few more hundreds of dollors to save your life, trek with guide.
• Lisiten to your Body, last but most important point, you must lisiten your body, if you are feeling sick stop, rest then only continue. If after rest also the situation is the same, trek down to lower altitude place and rest.

Extend Everest Base Camp Trekking

Many travelers loves the Himalaya and want to spend more days in the home of world highest mountain. Some chose to visit Gokyo, some to other. Lets discuss the possible destinations in Everest or Sagarmatha or Khumbu region that can be combined with Everest base camp trek. 

Everest Base Camp Trek and return via Gokyo Lake (+3 Days)

After completing the EBC trek you can extend your journey to Gokyo lake passing Chola pass. Many travelers does it in reverse way, first by going to Gokyo then only EBC. But if your dream is to reach Mt Everest base camp at least one time we suggest this combination. As crossing Chola Pass can be harder and challenging you may feel sick and you should return without reaching EBC. So, first reach base camp and if you are in good condition and want more adventure then return to Namche via Gokyo and summit Gokyo Ri (5,357 meters/17,575 feet).

This trek can be completed on just adding three more days on regular trekking Itinerary. After completing EBC you will trek to Gokyo instead directly trekking down to Lukla via Namche. The route go to Dzongla to Thagnak to Gokyo Lake crossing Chola Pass (5420m). Then Return to Namche via Dole and join regular route.

Everest base camp trek and Three Passes Trek (+8 days)

Everest Base Camp Trek with Three Pass is a 20+ day trekking route crossing top three high passes in Everest region, for experienced hikers, combining EBC with challenging terrain. You will cross Chola pass (5420M), Kongmala (5545M), Renjola Pass (5,446m). This trekking itinerary is most adventurous itinerary in Everest region after expeditions and peak climbing. In single trekking package you will cross popular three passes and view the Mt. Everest from different angle.

Everest base camp trek with Island Peak Climbing (+ 3 Days)

Combining Everest base camp trekking with Island Peak climbing is another way to add the adventure of trekking and climbing. After trekking base camp, you will trek to Chukhung and summit the Island peak 6,165 m. You will need a peak climbing permit and climbing guide to complete this trek. Island peak is considered as easy climbing peak in Everest region. This option is perfect combination of trekking and climbing adventure on one trip.

Everest base camp trek with Lobuche Peak Climbing (+3 Days)

Another option for combining Everest base camp trek with Lobuche Peak climbing will add the adventure of trekking and climbing. After trekking base camp, you will trek to Lobuche and summit the Lobuche peak 6,119 m. You will need a peak climbing permit and climbing guide to complete EBC with Lobuche  climbing trek.

Everest base camp trekking with Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek (+1 Day)

Ama Dablam Base Camp is located at the altitude of 4600m from sea level. Many trekkers visit this base camp every year. You can combine EBC trek with Ama Dablam Base Camp by just adding one or two days in the itinerary instead of going just for Ama Dablam Base Camp. First trek to Everest base camp and return back to Pangboche and trek to Ama Dablam base camp. Or you can first trek to Ama Dablam base camp from Pangboche and continue to EBC also.

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

The best trekking season for all Himalaya region in Nepal including EBC is same: Autumn and Spring. This is considered as best depending upon the experience of past travelers, as many travelers visit Everest base camp every year in all seasons even in summer and winter. Lets see which season is good for which reasons and bad for which reasons.

Everest base camp trek in Spring

Spring is just after the massive ice falls in winter. Starting from mid of February to mid of may is considered as best time to trek EBC. At this time there will be stable weather conditions, clear skies, and the chance to see the various types of rhododendron(national flower of Nepal) forests in higher hilly reasons.

The temperature at this time is best for walking which ranges from 5 to 15 degree Celsius in day time.

April vs. March and May:

April: More snow and still there is a change of snow falls, so you can witness snow fall in Himalaya. All the mountains are covered with snows with clear skies.

March: The snow will start melting at lower altitude but you Can still experience snow above 4000m, the weather generally improves as the month progresses.

May: This month is starting period of monsoon in Nepal. So, may be affected by occasional rain at lower altitude and snow especially at higher altitudes.

Everest base camp trek in Monsoon

In Monsoon (June, July, August and mid of September ) or summer season there is high rain in Nepal. Especially in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara and all most all over the Nepal. So, while trekking at this time you may need to trek wearing raincoat for multiple days. As well due to clouds, mountains peaks may not be visible for multiple days. And the flights to Lukla are very few in morning time or sometimes closed for several days too.

With these all difficulties also many trekkers choose to trek Everest in these season too. Many people loves the sent of mud when it rains. Also there will be less number of tourist in Himalaya so you will get cheaper rates in hotels also, Less crowded paths and beautiful views of cloud forests. Above 4500m there is very less rainfall due to high altitude and cloud temperature.

Note: If you love rain, want to walk in rain, love to see clouds, love to walk in peaceful environment then you can trek to everest base camp trek even in monsoon with registered trekking guide with you.

EBC trek in Autumn

EBC Trek in Autumn (Mid of September to last of November) is considered as best time to trek all the Himalayas trekking destinations including Everest base camp trek. The skies are clear, hilly regions are green, Mountains has less snow with crystal clear views, and the temperature is best for walking. There are fewer flight cancellation and delays during this season due to clear skies.

The day time temperature ranging from 8°C to 20°C. The clear skies allow you the breathtaking view of Himalayas including Mt Everest. As this season is just after monsoon, all the hills are green with the framers fields are colorful with various kind of foods.

This season is also the peak season of festivals in Nepal including Dashain the largest festival of Nepal. Which is celebrated all over the Nepal for more than week holidays. Another festival Tihar also fall on this season which is also know as festival of lights, you can enjoy the harmony, peace, love (human and animal) and light during these festivals. The dog, cow, crow and ox are worshipped in Tihar. On final day Sisters puts Tika to bother wishing a better and long life of their brothers. The cities like Kathmandu is decorated with flowers and lights. You will witness a different type of Nepal if you visit during this time.

Cons: As this is best time to trek ebc, you can expect more trekkers. The night are more colder on November needing a proper preparation for gear. There will be less snow at this time so, you may see the black rock in Everest peak in recent year. Other peaks below 7000m are only black rock without settlement and trees.

EBC trek in Winter

Trekking in Everest region in winter (December to mid of February) is consider as more colder with potential snowfall. The night temperature can goes upto -20 °C even in lower villages like Lukla and Namche. The day temperature is also low around 1°C to 5°C.

Snowfall is common above the altitude of 4000m which can make navigation more difficult if you are not trekking with experienced guide. As well all most all peaks are covered with snow.

You must need a proper trekking gears with experienced trekking guide with you to trek ebc in winter.

Cons: There is a chance of avalanches in certain areas particularly near Everest base camp. Many tea house owners goes down in winter season you must pre book and confirm tea houses.

Pros: Fewer trekkers and peaceful environment, as this is off-season the cost of flight and accommodation can be cheaper than peak seasons. Clear view of snow-capped mountains and clear skies.