The main route leads with jagged landscapes and ascent altitude. So it is very important to collect proper information about altitude before planning a trek. Basic information about altitude variation and preventing sickness may help to successful Everest base camp trek . Visiting Everest base camp is not very much difficult at all.

This complete trek starts from Kathmandu with a scenic mountain flight to Lukla airport at 2,840m elevation. Day by day, trek leads to Everest base camp (5,364m) and Kalapatthar (5,550m) afterwards. EBC trekking trail includes high altitude and very high altitudes with its variation of some ascend and descend.

Everest base camp is a bottom of the world’s highest mountain (Everest). The Everest itself is 8,848m and its base camp is 5’364m above sea level. This is a place from where Everest expedition begins. Everest base camp trek is a highlighted and popular trekking route in Nepal.

Ascending Altitudes in the Everest Base Camp Trek

Visiting Everest base camp is not meaning that flying to Lukla and trek directly to the base camp within a day. It is possible to visit the base camp in a few hours by taking a helicopter flight. But flying to Lukla than a few days trek to base camp is a common and popular way. Trekkers take 2 or at least 1 acclimatization day for the altitude practice.

As going higher elevation, the atmospheric pressure will be high and the oxygen level will be less in the air. When people go higher, fell altitude effects and may suffer from altitude sickness. So it is better to practice altitude before proceeding to a higher level. Here is day by day elevation variation chart below as trekkers proceed further.

Day Place Elevation Walking Hours 1 Lukla and Phakding 2,840m and Trek to Phakding (2,610m) 3 hrs. 2 Namche Bazaar 3.440m 6-7 hrs. 3 Visit Everest view hotel for acclimatization 3,780m. 4 hrs. 4 Tengboche 3,860m. 5-6 hrs. 5 Dingboche 4,410m. 5-6 hrs. 7 Acclimatization hike to Nagartsang hill 5,100m. 4 hrs. 7 Lobuche 4,910m. 4-5 hrs. 8 Everest base camp via Gorakshep 5,364m (EBC) and 5,180m (Gorakshep) 7-8 hrs in total

The trek descends back to Lukla in 3 days after visiting these places and flies back to Kathmandu.

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Coming from Sea Level and Visiting Such a Higher Elevation



Lukla Airport

Not all countries are at a higher elevation than the normal sea level. There are some countries extended up to 200 meters of altitude from the sea level. There are even such places also in Nepal.

For the people coming from these places, the altitude from Kathmandu valley may already be high enough. But there is no chance of altitude sickness. Altitude takes higher to 2,840m when people take a flight to Lukla for Everest base camp trek.

If anyone is beginner trekker and visited the first time here, may feel the altitude somehow. So it is good to have rest in Kathmandu at least one day before taking a flight to this altitude. Then proceed the trek to Everest.

While trekking in this route, it’s better to walk slow and careful. It may be difficulties during the walk with rocky paths with some ascending trails. Taking some short breaks and catching the breath along the way is good for altitude.

Doing a short and Easy trek anywhere else before deciding to do the Everest base camp is a good idea. It makes easier to walk such with a rough trail, weather, climate, and altitude. This practice makes easier for Everest trekking route. Also makes usual with changing altitude.

Altitude Sickness



Mountain Rescue

Coming from sea level to 1,350m in Kathmandu, flying to 2,840m to Lukla and trek to the base camp (5,364m) may be a problem of the altitude sickness for the first time visitors in these elevations. But it will not be a problem for everyone. There are two types of altitude sickness like high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Some people may have one of these or both. It may not effective for most of the trekkers by both of them.

HACE effects in the brain which swells with fluids. It causes physiological effect when people travel to a high altitude. HAPE effects in the lungs which collect fluids in the numerous air sacs and makes difficult to breathe.

Altitude sickness feels normal at the begging but it may kill the people. Certain symptoms easily find when the problem starts. It’s better to consult with the team leader or guide and take action as soon as possible. Be careful if heavy headache, vomiting, hard breathing, feel very tired while resting or other unknown changes on the body.

Things to do before Problem

· Don’t think frequently about altitude problem

· Drink enough clean water and fluids to prevent dehydration

· Do some altitude practice with visiting higher altitude from where you spend the night

· Do not ascend and have rest if the problem starts

· Do not walk alone even you descend downhill walk with someone

· If you can’t sleep well, do not take any medication to make you sleepy

· Have some altitude prevention medication but do not ascend with having medicine with problem

· Take advice from the tour leader or guide

Hiring a Guide and a Porter



Everest base camp trek guide and porter

Trekking during the high season in Nepal especially in the Everest base camp trail is not that difficult to find the trail. There are hundreds of trekkers along the way. But if you would like to enjoy your holiday, it is better to hire a guide and a porter. If anything is happening, the problems are faced by the guide and carry all stuff by the porter that makes comfortable to walk.

Hiring guide and porter is not difficult and not expensive in Nepal. You can hire online with Frolic Adventure. The guides are helpful, experienced, and friendly. And the porters are strong and honest with their clients. So a guide and porter help to make a successful Everest base camp journey to the travellers.

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Insurance

Having travel insurance is the most important for trekking in high altitudes in Nepal. Never know what things will happen during travelling. So before proceeding to a trek to the higher elevation, get insured.

the insurance covers up to 2000 meters in general. But planning a trek to EBC must buy a policy that covers up to 6000 meters. Also need to be sure if it covers expenses for sickness, any injury or accident. And the most important thing is immediate helicopter evacuation rescue cover check before buying travel insurance with any reliable insurance company.

Conclusion

There are several ways to visit the Everest base camp. The elevation affects which way travellers choose and how much time is going to take. The altitude in the Everest region is high. Walking slowly with catching breathe is the best way to go. Acclimatization and altitude practice is the main key to avoid problems.

It is always a smart idea to do well research before the trek to the Everest base camp. Research leads what to do and what not to do. And know what to expect and prepare well.

Alternatively, there is another short, easy and not facing the problem of the altitude sickness. Taking a helicopter flight to visit the base camp and enjoy with the Everest massif. This is suits to the people who have a short holiday, physically not prepared to walk in high elevation and would like to see Everest and base camp.

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