INTRODUCTION

The route to Everest Base Camp is probably the most famous mountain trek in the world. Every spring and autumn the trail fills with awestruck walkers who wind their way through friendly Sherpa villages. Porters and yaks ferrying equipment seem minute compared to the towering heights of Ama Dablam, Kangtega and Tawoche. You pass through the famous Tengboche monastery which has sublime views of the surrounding mountains. The goal for many who come here is to climb Kala Patthar – a rocky view point from where you can see the unforgiving Khumbu Icefall and the mighty Mt. Everest.

The Sagamartha National park is in eastern Nepal, sandwiched between the Tibetan plateau and the mid-hills of the Himalaya. There are two popular routes to the park, the easiest involves flying to Lukla airport (about 40 minutes) from Kathmandu. The second, longer route is to walk from the road head at Jiri, but the recent Maoist insurgency has meant this route is not as popular as it once was.

A SHORT HISTORY

When Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Sherpa climbed Mt Everest on the 29th May 1953 the entire Everest region became a hot spot for adventure travellers. Now called the Sagamartha National Park, almost every valley and pass offers trekking options for novice walkers to experienced mountaineers. The sherpa people who inhabit the Sagamartha National Park originally came as traders from Tibet. However, tourism is now the mainstay of the local economy and the redoubtable sherpas have become expert high altitude guides and trekking operators.

EXPERIENCE / FITNESS LEVEL

To get to Everest Base Camp you will have to face challenging high altitude alpine tracks. It is strongly recommended that you have previous walking experience and a good level of fitness. The viewpoints and opportunity to meet the inspiring sherpa community provides rich rewards every day on the trail. You will need at least two acclimatisation rest days to help your body cope with the increasing altitude. However, we normally recommend you consider having extra rest days and enjoy hanging out with the locals and mountains!

THE TRACK - WHAT TO EXPECT

The trail to Everest Base Camp is a well-trod route as many thousands of trekkers visit the region every year. The track is therefore generally in excellent condition, which is great as it means you can fully concentrate on slogging up and down some really big hills. The first obstacle for many is the 800m climb to Namche bazaar, but once there the views are great. Then it’s down and up again to Tengboche monastery for more classic views. The trail then dips once more before constantly climbing for 3 more days until you finally arrive, puffed and elated at Base Camp.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

The Everest region is a typical high altitude alpine climate – the weather can change rapidly and dramatically! Ensure that you have adequate wet-weather gear (waterproof jacket and pants), a range of insulation layers including thermal underwear and a down jacket, waterproof walking boots and plenty of sun screen. If you are using tea-houses then your kit will be a bit simpler than those on a camping trek, but it is still vital that you have a sleeping bag which can keep you warm at -10°C. Please ask our staff if you have any questions.

EXAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

DAY 1 Kathmandu - Lukla – Phakdhing 4 hours 2,610m

DAY 2 Phakdhing - Namche Bazaar 6 hours 3,450m

DAY 3 Namche Bazaar rest day all day 3,450m

DAY 4 Namche Bazaar - Tengboche 6 hours 3,860m

DAY 5 Tengboche rest day all day 3,860m

DAY 6 Tengboche - Dingboche 6 hours 4,343m

DAY 7 Dingboche - Lobuche 5 hours 4,910m

DAY 8 Lobuche - Base Camp - Ghorakshep 9 hours 5,190m

DAY 9 Ghorakshep - Kalapatthar - Pheriche 8 hours 5,560m

DAY 10 Pheriche - Phortse 6 hours 3,810m

DAY 11 Phortse - Khumjung - Namche Bazaar 7 hours 3,550m

DAY 12 Namche Bazaar - Phakdhing 6 hours 2,610m

DAY 13 Phakdhing - Lukla 4 hours 2,850m

DAY 14 Lukla - Kathmandu 1 hour 1,300m