The Himalayan mountain range is the highest and most dramatic collection of mountains in the world, stretching from Afghanistan to China. In the mountain range, which also stretches through Nepal, you will find the highest point above the earth’s surface, Mount Everest. An impressive mountain that extends 8848 meters above the earth’s surface and into the clouds. The mountain is located in Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Mount Everest Base Camp – Worth the whole experience
On the way to the top of Mount Everest, Mount Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of 5350 meters. A camp full of colorful tents and a good atmosphere among the expedition teams who meet here. From Basecamp you have views of several of the world’s highest mountains, such as Lhotse and Mount Everest.
Along the way you will meet the local Sherpa people, who are an ethnic group living in the Himalayan area around Mount Everest and have a great culture. A Sherpa is also known as a guide or strong person who carries packing and helps trekking tourists.
The trek to Everest Base Camp is gaining in popularity, and the trips to Mount Everest Base Camp typically take between 17 – 20 days, of which there is plenty of time to rest and adjust to the heights. You can also complete the trip in about 14 days without acclimatization.
How to get to Base Camp
Fly to Kathmandu
Kathmandu is typically the destination of tourists and is the capital of the country. A good piece of advice if you are not traveling with a company that has organized things on arrival, is to take an extra day in the calculations so you can get things under control yourself and relax. You can also set aside a few more days to explore the city after the trek to Base Camp.
Fly to Lukla
Most people fly here, as this is where the move to base camp starts. Here it will be obvious to fly to the first day of the trek and begin the ascent to Base Camp.
Go to Jiri by bus
In the past, this was the route for people who had to climb the route up to Mount Everest Base Camp, as there was no airport in Lukla. If you want to have the overall experience in the old style, you can take this bus ride of about 7 hours. If you choose to take the bus to Jiri, it will take an extra six to seven days on the trip to be able to hike to Lukla.
Treks to Base Camp
South Base Camp
This is the classic Mount Everest Base Camp trek, where the trip starts in Lukla, and goes through beautiful villages. The trip is characterized by a lot of trails and here it is possible to vary the trip by visiting other cities along the way if you want a small detour. The trek offers a gradual ascent on the way to the Himalayas, after which the descent again goes to Lukla. The length and height of the trek depends on what paths and cities you walk through on your way.
North Base Camp
Another place to start your trip to Base Camp is on the north side of Mount Everest, where the trek starts in Tibet. A fantastic trip with many cultural experiences along the way and meetings with the locals. If you choose to withdraw from Tibet, you must apply for a Chinese visa, and then apply for an entry permit in Tibet. This can be time consuming, so feel free to set aside extra days to get your visa under control.
A good tip can be to choose a group trip, as you will make a lot of new friends and avoid having to plan everything yourself, and you will not be stressed throughout the trip. On these trips, there will usually be control of guides, accommodation and food, which means that you can get more out of the whole trip.
When to Visit Mount Everest Base Camp?
The best time to climb the Himalayas is for two months in the spring in March and April and in the fall in September and October. Between these times of the year, the monsoon rains will be heavy and one can expect rain daily.
The month where most people take the trip is in October, so this month an extra number of hikers can be expected. One of the reasons is, among other things, that the weather is clearer due to fewer clouds and haze, which means that you can better see the mountains and the landscape. Be aware, however, that bad weather can hit any time, so remember to be prepared for cold temperatures in the mountains.
Great tips for your trip
If you are the type who likes spontaneous actions, you should add a few extra days to the calendar. This allows you to be more flexible during the trip and take on several excursions along the way. It may also be wise to budget with a few extra days in case of any flight delays or erratic weather. If you are not quite as experienced in hiking, it may be a good idea to take an organized trip where you can get help from guides and for the pack.
Permits to Mount Everest Base Camp
If you choose to travel alone and thus do not take the trip through a travel agency, you must have control of tickets and permits yourself. As the rules are right now, it requires an entrance fee of approximately DKK 180 to enter Sagarmatha National Park. This can be paid at the Tourist Service Center in Kathmandu.
Trekkers must also have a Trekker Information Management System (TIMS card) where it costs 1000 Nepalese rupees if you travel with a group, and 2000 Nepalese rupees if you travel alone. This can be picked up at the tourist service center. Due to these permits, many travelers choose to spend an extra day in Kathmandu so that one can get a handle on these.
Health and height habituation
The height of Base Camp means that as a hiker you can risk experiencing altitude sickness , which is due to a reduced air pressure and lack of oxygen level. The chance of this happening is higher if you ascend too fast or do not acclimatize . It is recommended to follow the guides’ advice on ascent, and in case you have climbed too much in one day, you can move further down the mountain and spend the night if you experience symptoms. It is especially recommended that you stay hydrated, limit your alcohol consumption and avoid sleeping pills.
If you are planning a larger expedition like this, where it involves risks, we recommend consulting your own doctor before departure.
Train up for your trek to Base Camp
Although the trek to Base Camp is not the same as going to the top of Mount Everest, the hike is still challenging and tough. Here you have to think especially about the challenging paths, the heights, the barren surroundings and that you have to carry around a full backpack while hiking. Therefore, everyone who intends to move to Basecamp is recommended to train up for the trip. Therefore, try to go on a daily hike with packing and the right hiking boots or hiking shoes , and scale up the time and distance on the hikes as you get better. Try to find some paths with challenging terrain so that you also get used to the surface. You are also welcome to bring a tent , so you turn to spending the night in nature. Remember to equal a rest day in between if you go many days in a row.
