How to Reach Everest Base Camp

Those who are curious, for them there is good news. You don’t have to be an alpinist or peak climber to feel the Mt.Everest. Trekking in Everest is a dream of million adventure lovers and trekkers from all around the world. Everest Base Camp Trek is the best choice who wants to experience the mighty Everest along other World Top Highest Mountains. That includes Makalu (8,481m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m). So we will discuss how to reach Everest base camp from the capital city of Nepal. 

Now the real question comes “How to Reach Everest Base Camp?” 

Well, getting  Everest Base Camp is possible through various trekking routes and medium. The most popular routes to reach Everest Base Camp includes;

Everest Base Camp Trek

This is a direct and most followed trek routes to Everest Base Camp. EBC Trek is the most popular trekking routes in the world as it offers off-beaten road, apex mountains, dense forests, ethnic villages and towns, religious monasteries and stupas, steep and narrow trails, glaciers and many more.  

Trek to Everest base camp starts from a 30 minutes scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Due to some maintenance and reconstruction process going on these days Kathmandu to Lukla flights is rerouted to Ramechhap Airport (Manthali Airport). Check this blog for more details “Ramechhap to Lukla flight blog”.

Sagarmatha National Park, Tengboche Monastery, Namche Bazaar, Sunrise views from Kalapathar, face to face closeup with Mount Everest is the main attraction of EBC Trek.  

Phaplu Everest Base Camp Trek

Alternative to Everest Base Camp Trek, Phaplu Everest Base Trek is a lengthy and safe trek journey to Base Camp of Everest. This Phaplu to Everest Base Camp Trekking starts from a beautiful village of Phaplu after a short 30 minutes flight trip or 7 to 8 hours drive from Kathmandu.

Trek from Phaplu to Everest Base Camp is considered safe and very scenic as compared to other EBC trekking routes. Those who want to avoid the risky Lukla flight trip or travel high altitudes then this trek route is best for them. You starting hiking to Nunthula, Bupsa and reach Phakding from where the regular Everest Base Camp Trek trails begin. Phaplu Everest base camp trek is a one o the best alternative way to Reach Everest base camp to visitors. Normally, most of the people use 16-day trekking itinerary to complete this trek.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

This traditional routes to Everest Base Camp are quite popular among those who want to escape the Lukla flight (one of the world dangerous flight trips). Jiri Everest base camp trek routes were famous and busy during the 1950s and legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa followed these trails for their Mount Everest Expedition. 

This trek begins with 7-8 hours of a long drive from Kathmandu Valley to Jiri. From Jiri, you start walking to Lukla from where the classic EBC Trek route starts. While walking from Jiri to Lukla, you can explore the beautiful forest, terrace, farmlands, Dudh Kosi river and escape crowding of trekkers. 

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour

Everest Helicopter Tour is the short and easy helicopter trip that takes you on the lap of the mighty Everest along with other Himalayan ranges. This Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour is suitable for those who can’t bear long days of hiking and have a limited time schedule. Besides that, even the elders, physically disabled people and children can have this EBC helicopter tour and fulfill their dream to be on World Tallest Peak, Mount Everest.

The overall tour duration is 4-5 hours which covers places like Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp or Kalapathar, Everest View Hotel and finally back to Kathmandu. From Kalapathar (the highest point of Everest Base Camp Trekking) is the best viewpoint for 360° panoramic views of Mt.Everest, Mt.Nuptse, Mt.Ama Dablam, Mt.Cho Oyu and many more. Helicopter lands either on Kalapathar or Everest Base Camp where it lands for half an hour for exploration and sightseeing which is decided by the guide based on weather conditions. 

How to Prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking to Everest Region requires some sort of preparation from physical fitness to mental, clothing to first aid, etc. Some of the must-have things includes;

Clothing

• Inner layer- thermal tops and trousers.
• Middle layer- Fleece jackets, pants.
• Outer layer- windproof jackets and trousers.
• Thick Winter jackets as climate are very unpredictable at higher altitudes.
• Trekking shoes and socks.
• Gloves.
• Sunglasses and Sunscreen creams.
• Undergarments and towels.
• Scarfs to protect the neck.
• Beanies to protect the head from cold and strong winds.
• First Aid Box
• Camera and Chargers
• Toiletries
• Light Snacks
• Torchlight
• Water bottles

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is possible throughout the year but the only difference is some seasons are peak and crowded whereas some are off-season. In Nepal, there are 4 types of the season which are Summer/Monsoon, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Among them, Spring and Autumn are the peak and the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek whereas others are the least visited seasons. 

During Autumn Season (September-November)

From the month of September to November, the weather becomes more clear from rains and storms of Monsoon season. Due to this, the views and scenery are marvelous and can be seen easily while trekking.  The temperature at the Everest region varies based on altitude and time. At higher altitude places like Dingboche, Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp the temperature ranges from min -7°C to max 10°C. Similarly, lower altitude places like Lukla, Namche, Tengboche the temperature ranges from 2°C to 16°C. 

During Spring Season (March-May)

March-May is another peak season for Everest Trekking. The Everest Region wakes from a long sleep of winter and fills the entire region with new flowers of rhododendron, pine trees, etc. The weather is moderate during the spring season. 

At higher altitude places like Dingboche, Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp the temperature ranges from min -2°C to max 10°C. Similarly, lower altitude places like Lukla, Namche, Tengboche the temperature ranges from 2°C to 17°C.

During Winter Season (December-November)

The weather is very extreme in Everest Region during the winter season. Nights are harsh and freezing cold followed with frequent snowfalls and strong winds.

At higher altitude places like Dingboche, Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp the temperature ranges from min -15°C to max 8°C. Similarly, lower altitude places like Lukla, Namche, Tengboche the temperature ranges from -5°C to 12°C.

During Summer/Monsoon Season (June-August)

June-August is the wettest season of the year with frequent rainfall, hailstorm, strong winds, etc. The views and scenery are blurred/blocked due to rain clouds which leads to a boring trip.

At higher altitude places like Dingboche, Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp the temperature ranges from min -2°C to max 10°C. Similarly, lower altitude places like Lukla, Namche, Tengboche the temperature ranges from 2°C to 18°C.

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

Trek to World Highest Mountain is not an easy task. It requires physical and mental stamina and fitness to complete this once in a life journey. For beginners, it can be a very difficult and challenging task as they have to walk for 6-7 hours a day on rough, slippery, sloppy trails and also there are high chances of getting altitude sickness. Hence, recommended taking some preparation for Everest Base Camp Trek before starting the actual trip. As for the experienced trekkers, this EBC trek is a moderate type but can become very difficult while hiking up Kala Patthar. Proper acclimatization, rest at tea houses, slow and easy steps can be very helpful and can overcome these issues while trekking. 

At last,

Hope now you get your answer to “How to reach Mount Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu”. In short, Everest Base Camp Trekking is a once in a lifetime opportunity that offers you views, scenery, friendly people, authentic local foods, religious and spiritual vibes that you cannot find else in this world. When visiting Nepal join us to the adventurous journey of a lifetime.