Before you enroll on the Everest Base Camp journey, there are certain things you need to know about the good things and attractions of the Trek. You might be so confused about the tour that you think one can be another. So, let's take a closer look at Everest Base Camp Trekking Expectations vs. Reality.
Training for Everest Base Camp
You might think that a couple of days of hiking (7-8 hours) will help for a 12-day Everest Base Camp trek. This could improve your stamina to walk 7-8 hours daily on the hillside trails. Also, you may be getting some advice from someone who has visited earlier without Physical Training. Yes, some people will be able to do this without any Training.
Yes, Physical Training helps a lot to make your Trekking days easier. Some people do this Trek without strenuous physical exercise or hiking experience. If someone can do it without training, you could too, but you would have a hard time walking through lots of ups and downs.
Physical Training and hiking help to walk comfortably, but walking on high, elevated lands is not easy, so strolling with needed rest and breaks is highly recommended on the Trek. It is better to trek up to a 3000-meter elevated area before going to Everest Base Camp. This helps you walk on high-altitude land.
What Should You Do If The Lukla Fight Is Cancelled?
Lukla airport
A scenic Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla connects to the Everest Base Camp trail. Trekkers get excited to get on this Flight to jump to the world's highest mountain Base Camp. The flights will be canceled often due to bad weather and poor visibility. Also, the Flight Tickets will be fully booked during high Trekking Seasons. You should have heard about the weather conditions while flying to Lukla and read that it is one of the most dangerous landing spots in the world. However, you must fly to this airport for 12 days of Everest Base Camp Trekking.
This short Flight operates in the morning, mainly with clear visibility, and offers a beautiful view of the stunning Himalayas. You must book your seat in advance for an earlier Flight to Lukla. Also, there might be flight delays or sometimes cancellations due to the bad weather, so think about an alternative Flight with a helicopter and pay extra if this condition applies. Check out this article about Lukla's Flight Cancellation in detail.
Weight Limitation on the Flight
15kg weight on the flight
It would be best to have Trekking Gear, daily usage, and belongings for the Trek, which you will take on the flight. You may expect to take as much as you want or need from your home.
You can take your gear with you, but the flight has a Weight Limit. You can only take a 15-kg load with one ticket, including your hand luggage. Take only the needed equipment to minimize freight and consider buying some things that overload during the Trek. If you are worried about keeping the things you don't use in the mountains, leave them in the hotel in Kathmandu, which will be safe, and take them back after you finish the Trek.
Weather Expectations and Reality in Everest
Nice view on a clear day
You will Trek to high Himalayan lands, so you need to be sure when it is best. Temperature and Weather in Everest Base Camp are vital for a great time and a successful trip to Everest Base Camp. You might think of an average temperature with clear visibility on the Trek. Yes, It should be fine, but you must choose the right time to jump on.
The Base Camp Trek offers cold temperatures from October to December. There are fewer trekkers in December because it is the end of the season, but the weather is fabulous, with crystal clear weather. You should have nice and warm trekking equipment from October to December.
Spring from March to May will have warmer temperatures compared to the months of autumn. If you hate fighting freezing temperatures and have a holiday in the spring, this should be a good time for you. This is Everest's primary climbing season, so you will encounter Everest summiteers at this time. The weather will also be nice and clear during the spring. But trekking in the summer is not recommended at all.
The Expectation of Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Route
Accommodation type
If you are used to hiking in the Himalayan regions, you should be familiar with the available accommodations in the guest houses. In most places, you need to carry your tent to sleep; then, what is the condition of the accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trail? And hundreds of trekkers will be there each day during the high Trekking Season. Is there enough space for all trekkers simultaneously if too many are in one place?
There are plenty of lodges at each stop where you will spend the night. It means you don't need to carry a tent with you. In most of the places, you can even have attached bathrooms. Even if you don't get an attached bathroom, you will have indoor toilets in every lodge along the trekking trail. The room will be private, but the mattress should not be as comfortable as you will get in the city, and the beds might be narrow in some places.
Toilet and Shower Expectations and Reality in Base Camp
You might have seen some available Toilet photos of the Everest Base Camp Region on social platforms and read articles about them. Most people only share what they experience more than usual. There are some Tibetan toilets on the walking trail. You might think the bathrooms are the same everywhere, even in the guest houses.
You should follow social media, but not always. Toilets and Shower during the Trek are not harmful, and most places will be pretty clean. Tibetan Toilets are for non-paying guests and are available while walking and at the local inns where the local and Trekking porters stay. You will have clean toilets in most places, though as you go higher, the toilets will freeze with the cold temperature. So, you will not get western sitting toilets in higher, elevated lands. But you will find sitting toilets around the lower areas of the Trek.
What Type of Food to Expect and Reality in the EBC Trek?
You are on a Trek to the urban area of Nepal and think it is far from the city. So you may think you must stick with locally available Food items. The Trek is not one or two days; you will remain in the mountains for 12 days. Are you constantly thinking about staying with the Local Food, which can make you bored?
There are thousands of trekkers each year, and different Food items are on the menu. But most of the places have the same things. The cooks are trained, and the taste of the same items should be different in different areas. However, available Foods are safe and hygienic up in the mountains if you stay with Vegetarian Food. You will also get meat items, but meat items should not be fresh all the time and everywhere. You can try local food items sometimes to experience the local taste.
You can buy bottled water in the lodges or at the grocery store, but the price increases as your altitude ascends. You need to pay up to 500 rupees for a liter of water. You can drink regular tap water, but don't forget to use purification methods.
Reality and Expectations About Altitude Sickness
Emergency evacuation
As you are familiar with the problem of Altitude Sickness caused by low oxygen in the air during the Base Camp Trek, you might not have a solution to avoid the problem. Altitude can kill people if they are not careful with it. Altitude Sickness is a severe problem that trekkers will face during the trek. Are you taking it as usual or seriously?
Altitude Sickness is a big challenge that trekkers will face. Not many trekkers will suffer badly, but they must be alert and careful with acute mountain sickness on the Everest Trek. Almost every trekker will feel the altitude, at least with its mild symptoms, after reaching a height of 3000m. You need to stroll as much as you feel comfortable breathing. Drink plenty of fluids, take high-altitude medication, sleep well, eat well, and keep warm to avoid problems. If you have symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling like a drunk, chest pain, headache, and fatigue while resting, among other significant symptoms, you better consult with your guide or local health assistant from where you are.
If the situation worsens, you need to have one extra day's rest at the same place or descend as soon as possible, according to the condition. Trekking with a travel insurance policy that covers an emergency evacuation up to 6,000 m is suggested.
Cost Expectation VS Reality for Everest Trek
Everest base camp
Nepal is one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world. And you may think it is a moderate trek in Nepal. It is a bit more expensive than the Annapurna region and other commercial trekking packages because of the Lukla Flight Cost. Although this Base Camp Trek is cheaper than other mountain trips in other countries,
Everest Base Camp is an expensive Trekking destination compared with other Trekking routes in Nepal. Still, it is not as costly as Trekking to Kilimanjaro. What makes the trek expensive, then? The Cost of the Lukla Flight, which you need to take both ways, makes this trek expensive. Hiring a guide and porter, lodging, and food are not that expensive. You can finish this Trek with less than a thousand boxes, but going with an entire board will be more expensive.
Sceneries, expectations, and Reality from Everest Viewpoints
Are you jumping onto Everest Base Camp to have a great experience of the Everest Himalayas? Several vantage points offer stunning and captivating views of high mountains. Do you think Base Camp is among the best spots to see a great view? If yes, you are thinking wrong. If you can't see a good Base Camp view, which other place offers lovely views?
You can see mountains from Base Camp, but not Everest. There are several spots from which you can see a beautiful view of Mt.Everest. Kala Patthar is one of the best places to see Everest on this Trek. Kala Patthar is near where you will spend your night after visiting the Base Camp. You need to climb this hill, which takes about 2 hours from your lodge, either in the morning for the sunrise or in the evening for the sunset.
You also have a good view of Everest from the Everest View Hotel, where you will hike during an acclimatization rest day in Namche. And also, Tengboche Hill is an excellent spot to see Everest.
Hopefully, you found some helpful tips about the Base Camp Trek that are what you were expecting and what is actually happening. If you need more information about this Trek, contact me, and I will help you by providing essential information.
