Everest Base Camp Trek can be an immensely rewarding and unforgettable experience and the best ways to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek involves physical conditioning, gear preparation, and mental readiness for the challenges ahead. Trekking to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain peak is a dream trek for many. Congratulations on taking the first step in converting your dream into a reality. If you are a newbie, it is natural to wonder how to prepare for the majestic Everest Base Camp Trek. Even seasoned hikers need to put some thought before attempting to trek the EBC. If you are considering completing this hike successfully, we are here to help! The article contains every detail you need to prepare for EBC, such as physical fitness, mental readiness, acclimatization, and so on. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have a clear picture of what you must do to prepare for the EBC Trek.
Since it is non-technical trekking, trekkers do not need any mountaineering or climbing skills to trek to EBC. However, it does not indicate that the journey is simple. The Everest Base Camp is rated as a moderate to difficult trek. The trail leading to EBC is tough, featuring numerous ascends and descends in the rough Himalayan terrain through thick forests, barren lands, rocky hills, and of course, the mindblowing panoramic scenery of some of the tallest mountains in the world.
As it is a tea house trek, you will not have to prepare much in terms of food and accommodation. You would get decent mountain lodges and tea houses to sleep in and freshly prepared local and international cuisines to eat. The entire route is well navigated too. However, it is a 130 km trekking trail from Lukla to EBC and back, ranging from elevations of 2860 m (Lukla) to 5545 m (Kala Patthar). The high altitude is already a challenge for your body to cope with. The uneven terrain and the unstable Himalayan weather make it even more challenging. When you can’t control the landscape and weather, you have complete control over your body and mind. With proper training, you can prepare your body to walk long distances each day (we are talking 5 to 8 hours for 9 days) and strengthen your mind to respond positively to each obstacle that comes your way. Proper preparation with adequate acclimatization does wonders when trekking in such high altitudes.
Here are the best ways to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek:
Understanding Trekking in The Everest Region:
The first step of the EBC trek preparation goes into understanding the Everest Region and collecting as much information as possible about the trek. Every trekking region is different, and even different hikes in the same region vary depending on the altitude range, length, duration, etc. So, do your research even before starting to prepare. Look for information online, read blogs, watch vlogs, talk to friends or family who’ve done the trek before, and reach out to trekking companies who organize treks in the Everest Region. We have gathered some crucial information about the Everest Base Camp Hike. Let’s look at them quickly, and please don’t forget to do your own research.
Trek Location and Landscape:
Everest Base Camp is located in the eastern Himalayan foothills of Nepal at a height of 5364 meters above sea level. It falls under the Khumbu region, and you’ll be trekking in the protected area of the Sagarmatha National Park most of the time. The trails consist of highs and lows in rough Himalayan terrain, so make sure you carry sturdy hiking boots.
Since it is the base camp of Mt. Everest, it lies in the alpine region filled with rocky mountains covered by snow. However, you’ll have to pass by dense sub-tropical forests, Sherpa communities, green hills, and barren pastures to get to EBC. A flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is the only way to enter the Everest region.
Trek Type:
The EBC Trek is a tea house trek. Hence, you won’t have to carry, set up, sleep in tents, and cook your own food. The Everest region has the best food and lodging facilities due to its long history of climbing and trekking. Looking at the towns like Lukla and Namche, you will not believe those are tucked away in the Himalayas. You will find everything from luxury hotels to cute cafes, bars, and pubs, with international cuisines and drinks to enjoy here.
Trek Length:
The total trekking length from Lukla (the trailhead of the trek) to Everest Base Camp is approximately 65 km. Trekking both ways makes it a total of about 130 km. You’ll be walking an average of 10 to 15 km every day.
Trek Duration:
The Everest Base Camp hike is usually a 14 days journey from the day you arrive in Kathmandu till the day you fly back. Excluding flight days and rest days, you’ll be on trail trekking for 9 days (6 days to ascend and 3 days to descend).
Trek’s Altitude Range:
Lukla, the starting point of the EBC trek, is at a height of 2860 m, and Kala Patthar, the trek’s highest point, is at 5545 m. So, you’ll be trekking and acclimatizing between 2860 meters and 5545 meters above sea level with 30% to 50% oxygen deficiency. You’ll gain a total of 2700 m in a span of 8 days with an average altitude gain of 500 m per day.
Trek’s Weather:
The Everest region’s weather changes according to the season. The spring and autumn are warm and cosy, with more than enough daylight to complete the hike. The nights are cold, but the days are sunny, with a clear sky and little to no rain. So, these are the best seasons to trek to EBC. Winners are too cold and snowy, but the skies are clear in the mornings. The monsoons, on the other hand, have the worst weather, with rains in the lower region and abrupt visibility.
It is important to find out the weather and temperature of the region you are trekking to so that you can mentally prepare yourself for that weather and pack appropriate clothing.
The trek’s difficulty depends on all the factors mentioned above. So, your preparation should also depend on those. Make your training plan accordingly. Once you clearly understand what you’re signing up for, you can move on to the next phase of trek preparation.
Physical Fitness Training and Mental Preparation:
Physical fitness training and mental preparation go hand in hand. Once you start the fitness training, you will see changes in your body and strength which builds confidence. Along with physical exercise, we also have some mental training for you to develop your mental strength. Your fitness level is one of the determining factors among altitude sickness and natural calamities that decide whether you’d make it to the Everest Base Camp. There have been numerous examples of people not making it to the top due to their poor physique. Don’t let your body stop you from your dream trip; train it instead for a unique trekking experience in the Himalayas that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
When you choose this trek, you’re not just signing up for the extraordinary natural beauty, rich culture, and delicious local meals. You’re also in for accepting and understanding the challenges that come your way. There will be days when your body gets too tired and wants to give up, but it’ll be your mental strength that gives you the courage to keep going. Hence, mental preparation is as vital as physical while preparing for the Everest Base Camp.
Mental strength isn’t easy to gain, and there’s no straightforward training for it. But with some mindfulness exercises along with yoga and meditation, you can train your mind to respond to challenges gracefully. Most of the mental work is done when you feel confident about yourself. Once you start seeing improvements in your body due to physical training, you’ll start gaining confidence. So, mental preparation and physical training go hand in hand.
