10 Best Tips for Successful Everest Base Camp Trek

No one thinks about an unsuccessful trip wherever and whatever they do. So, all of us will be looking for success of anything that we try. Well, if you are planning a trip to the Everest base camp, then you might be searching for the things what makes the Everest base camp trek successful? What are those things which you should follow for a successful Everest base camp trek? Check the information below, and follow the provided tips, you will make it.

There are a few facts of the Everest base camp trek which bring you to the achievement to your goal. Trekking to the high Himalayan region is not a smooth trip. There should be some difficulties which you will face.

Physical Fitness

Trekking in the mountain region is a physical activity. The first thing starts with this matter. Trekking to the Himalayan trails is not like walking on some trails of low lands hills. It should not be a problem walking on a steep trail in lower elevated lands. But, it will be challenging to walk even on flat part in high elevated areas.

Some hiking practice above 3000m before going to the Everest base camp trek will help a lot. You need to walk about 4-7 hours per day during the trek. The trekking hours will be shorter while ascending towards base camp but the second day will be about 7 hours walk. It will be longer hours trek when you will trek back after visiting the base camp.

Trek with Nice, Warm and Enough Trekking Gear

A warrior can’t win the war without a good weapon and enough bullet. Likewise, a trekker can’t think to make successful Everest base camp trek without enough and needed trekking gears. Trekking in high Himalayan lands will be freezing. So, come to trek with enough nice, warm and enough trekking gear to the Everest base camp trek. Trekking equipment should be light in weight, quick drier and authentic. Here is a list of the essential trekking equipment list.

• Duffel bag or rucksack (60-70L)
• Daypack (for your valuable, snack for the day, rain cover and a pair of changing layer)
• Thermal layers
• Few pairs of hiking trousers (half and full sleeves)
• Few pairs of trekking shirts (half and full sleeves)
• Few pairs of trekking socks
• Sun hat
• Wollen hat
• Sunglasses
• Windproof warm gloves and liner gloves
• Good quality hiking boots which fit you
• Sleeping bag
• Down jacket (feathers jacket)
• Windproof jacket and trouser
• Rain cover
• Buff
• Sport shoes and sandals

Above listed equipment are essential, and you can pack regular daily uses things such as soap, shampoo, towel, sun lotion, lip balm, moisturizer cream, tissues, first-aid kit and a few more. You can buy most of the things on the trek, which helps to minimize the weight limit for the plane to Lukla. Only 15kg weight is allowed on the flight, including hand luggage.

Stay Away with Altitude Sickness

There will be more chances of suffering by altitude sickness on the Everest base camp trek. Altitude sickness caused by low available oxygen in the air in high altitude. There are two types of altitude sickness known as High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Cerebral one effects in the brain and pulmonary one effects in the lung. It coalesces fluid in the brain and lung after afflicted by altitude sickness. Some people may have one of these, but some people may suffer from both.

Altitude sickness is a serious concern which can kill trekkers but, there will be some early symptoms, and will be enough time to be safe from this. Severe headache, can’t eat well, fatigued while rest, fast breath or difficulties, tingling fingers, feel like a drunk, and a few others are the main symptoms of altitude sickness.

What you have to do to avoid altitude sickness? It’s simple, walk casually, drink plenty of water, eat well, keep warm, sleep well, stop thinking randomly about altitude sickness, start having altitude pills after 3500m (250mg dose every 12 hours) to prevent altitude sickness. If you have early symptoms, It will be better staying at the same place one extra day or descend as soon as to the lower elevation according to the condition. Don’t hide the problems with your guide or take advise with the locally available health assistance. Always travel by a travel insurance policy which covers any emergency evacuation above 6000m elevation above sea level.

Hire a Guide and Porter

Hire a guide and porter for a stressless holiday on the Everest base camp trek. The guide speaks good English and government authorized licence holder. He will be well-known with the region and handles all the difficulties accrue during the trek. He manages all lodges which would not be easy to get in some places and provides much information about the region.

You must have needed trekking equipment for the trek which should be heavy for you if you think to carry by you. Hiring a porter is highly suggested, which will make a lot easier to enjoy your trip. They help to grip your daypack while you have a day hike during your rest days.

Safety Measures While Walking

Some part of the trekking trails has narrow feeds and big cliffs. You will meet lots of trekkers passing different directions, local porters with heavy loads and animal transportation around these places. Stay on the safe side if you meet them and be careful while taking pictures of them. Unknowingly, the load may push if you stay at the cliffside and it can bring an accident. Similarly, you can meet them on the bridges too. If you encounter with them while crossing a bridge, either let them pass first or do quickly according to the distance.

Care about Food and Drink

Paying attention to food is the main thing while trekking to the Everest base camp. You will have a food menu with lots of different verities of food items. Choosing the right food keeps you safe and healthy on the trek and brings a positive result of the trip.

Saying with vegetarian food is the smartest idea. You will get meat items also on the menu, but they might not be fresh all the time and everywhere. If you have allergy with some food or spices, inform to your guide or kitchen before ordering food and be sure what they use for cooking.

Don’t Trek with Limited Time

Everest base camp trek is 12 days mountain journey. It takes 8-days to reach the base camp with 2-rest days. Then trek back to Lukla with 3- long days treks and fly out to Kathmandu. 2-days altitude practice rest days are compulsory on the trek. If you would have altitude effects, you might need to have extra rest days. Also, the flight to Lukla could be cancelled due to the bad weather often, and your plan can go a day behind. So, plan a trek minimum with 16 days or longer.

Buy a Nepalese SIM Card with Internet Data

There is phone signal everywhere even at the base camp. So, buy a Nepalese SIM card with the internet data at the airport on your arrival. Some people might be homesick during the trek missing their family and kids. If you have the phone service and the internet, it connects you with your family at every moment.

Also, there is a Wi-Fi service in the region, but you need to buy a top-up card. This service is providing by the Everest link. NCELL and NTC are leading cell phone service provider in Nepal, but NCELL works better in this trek. You don’t need to be closer to the router if you use the internet service from phone and can use while walking.

Bring a Large Capacity Powerbank

Only a few places have electricity on the trek. The first day in Phakding, second and third day in Namche, the fourth day in Tengboche and after the base camp 2-nights will be electricity. But, there are solar powers for the light and charge batteries in the other places. You need to stay with solar energy most of the days on the trek. Charging your stuff with solar will be pricy so, bring a large capacity power bank for the trek.

Stay Happy at the End

Who doesn’t want to stay happy with their achievement? You will make success your Everest base camp trek following provided tips above. After these, one thing remains at last before flying back from Lukla to Kathmandu. Your guide and porter who helped you and played a vital role to make a successful Everest base camp trip, they expect tipping from their guest. If you tip them, they will be happy, which also will make you happy by seeing them happy. Then, how much you should tip to the guide and porter? Tipping is not mandatory but, minimum 100 USD for a porter and about double to the guide outlines tipping from a successful Everest base camp trek. Some people tip more than basic because they know how hard they work on the trek.

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