How to plan and go Everest Base Camp Trek in 2021 and 22, the ultimate guide for travelers, trek route, cost, accommodation, packing list and wonders of Everest Trek

Trekking to Everest base camp is a heart beating and joyful adventure journey for everyone in the lifetime. The (121 kilometre or 80 miles long trek to and from Lukla) trek through the harmonies Sherpa villages, tranquil riverbanks, spin the prayer wheels in the Buddhist monastery and the scenic view of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, a story about yeti and yaks, and more. The trek becomes awesome and it ranked top 4^th trek in the world by lonely planet 2020 edition.

It is always the questions for everyone on how to plan and prepare for Everest Base Camp trek from home and how to reach safely there and return back? Not only that but also there are lots of much better things we can consider for Mount Everest Trek. The trekking plan, choosing the trekking route to Everest base camp, best season, ideal packing list for the Everest trek and logistic support, food, accommodation, trek safety, and the sickness of high altitude is always very important for a successful trek to Everest.

Classic and alternative trek routes to Everest Base Camp

The classic and popular travel routes to Everest Base Camp begin from flight to Lukla to Namche Bazaar, Tyangboche Monastery, Dingboche to Lobuche, and Everest Base Camp with the Kalapatthar viewpoint. Return via Phariche that takes about 12 days trek +3 days before and after the trek in Kathmandu. Who likes to visit only Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar they chose this classic route which was followed by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary to get the summit of Mt. Everest. Among the travelers, this route is most popular these days.

Although, there are some alternative trekking routes to connect the Everest Base Camp, which required more days trek. The route is picturesque, more adventures, and joyful.  You can reach to EBC by crossing three high passes in the Everest reason. The trek covers most of the highlight in the Khumbu region and offers the pristine view of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Mt. Tso Oyu, and other snowy peaks of Khumbu Valley. While in trekking, you will learn the Buddhist culture by visiting some of the famous Buddhist Monastery and ruins the prayer flags on the passes, to know the story of Sherpas and thin air mountain ecology. The three passes (Chola Pass – 5400 meters, Kongmala Pass – 5171 meters, and Renjo La pass – 5360 meters) trek goes through Gokyo Lake and Island Peak Base Camp and Thame Village. Hiking to Gokyo Ri is one of the best movements to see the Everest Panoramic view. For this trek, you need at least 20 to 22 days from Kathmandu.

If you are a classic trekker and have less time for the trek to Everest Base Camp, the Chola Pass trekking is perfect mixing for you. You need 16 to 18 days for Gokyo Chola Pass trek to EBC and return via Tyangboche Monastery to Lukla.  In the trek, you will have three different views of Mt. Everest which is simply the best.  Gokyo Ri is a great viewpoint to see the Mt. Everest and more mountain view including the Torques lakes view.  Have adventure experience while you are crossing the Cho La pass and the most scenic view of Mt. Everest you can see from Kalapatther with the hiking trip to Everest Base Camp.

Ride Helicopter from Everest Base Camp

Some trekkers walk all the way up to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar for a better view and avoid trek down to Lukla. They choose alternative options for return Kathmandu which is Helicopter. There are a number of helicopter charter flight services to Kathmandu by paying extra costs. If you want to have high altitude chopper flight that can be worth it and it is an amazing mountain flight to see the nearest view of Himalayas.

Best time for Everest Trek

Geographically, Nepal has four distinct seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. February to May months are pre-monsoon and from September to December, post-monsoon, those months are the best time for trekking to Everest Base Camp. But, the trekking season offers its own excitement and atmosphere for trekkers, if you want to trek to Everest Base Camp in winter that will be a personal achievement and you will have to revise your packing list and consider the cold temperature.

Standard Cost of Mt. Everest Trekking

There are many reasons and facts about the cost for Everest Base Camp Trek when we check out on the internet, we find so many different costs for a similar trek to Everest.  It’s very depending on their service, trek duration, accommodation option, and guiding option. Some of the agency they offer international and native-speaking guides and extra services on the trek. They cost you more and some of them offer only guiding service and logistic services that cost less. Overall, the standard cost for a trek to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu for 16 Days 1350 US$ per person. This cost generally including hotel, logistic flight, guide, trek permit, and local catering services are included for you. If you consider the cost for the trek there will be different options, you can talk directly with your agent for in detail. Anyway, this cost is included a 3 or 4-night standard hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast, and all the logistics and transfer ar include.

Trekking permit and an entry ticket for Everest Base Camp Trek

TIMS and Sagarmatha National Park entry tickets are required for Everest Trek.  That cost 20 and 30 US$ per entry per person. A Khumbu Area (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipalities) tax also required for this trek. You can get this ticket by paying 18 US$ (2000 Nepalese rupees ) in Lukla.

Himalayan Wonders during Everest Base Camp Trek

Mount Everest itself a Himalayan wonder for the wanderer. Although in the EBC hiking route, there are many more highlights and impressions for you. Some of the wonders of Everest Trek I have mentioned below.

Mt. Everest: The roof of the world and the tallest snowy summit in the earth.

Sherpa Villages – The highland settlement for the Himalayan people who are known as Sherpa People.

Hillary Bridge – The suspension bridge in the route of Everest Base Camp Trek between Lukla to Namche, to crossing the Dudhkoshi river which is contributed by Sir Edmund Hillary.

Tyangboche Monastery – Highest elevated and the grand Buddhist Temple in Tyangboche at 3800-meter elevation. Where people can capture the best Sunset view of Mt. Everest and Mt. Ama Dablam with Mt. Lhotse with the Khumbu valley.

Nangakrasthang Peak 4980m: The peak stand above the Dingboche village. Where you can observe the best view of Khumbu valley and Snowy Himalayas peaks with Glacial Valley.

Kala Patthar – Is the top hill to see the best and nearest view of Mt. Everest, Khumbu Ice-fall, and Glacier with Snowy peaks.

Khumbu Ice-fall and Glacier: Everest expedition beginning point and the danger zone for climbing to Mt. Everest. People say its death zone for the climber.

Everest View Syangboche – Everest view is a luxury star Hotel Name above 3800 meters to see the Best view of Mt. Everest and Himalayas.

Imja Valley: Over melted glacier valley from Imj-Tse Lake. A glacier lake below the Island Peak is expanding every day due to global warming.

Yeti Head in Khumjung Village – One of the most highlights of the Khumbu region. Local Sherpa still believes in Yeti. Legend says, they found yeti and still viewable Yeti head which is safe in Khumjung Monastery.

Tibetan Butter Tea – One of the favorites and popular hot drinks of the Sherpa community. It is a tea made by salt, butter, hot water, and Tibetan tea. The best hot drink offered everywhere locally.

Sherpa Potato Bread – delicious bread made by fresh potatoes, mixing with local herbs and garlic, eat with salty yogurt.

Lavazza Coffee at 5000 meter – New trending hot drinks you will get everywhere in the Everest Base Camp Trek route. That can be an amazing movement to drink an organic beans Latte in 5000 meters.

German Bakery – You can test delicious German bakery en route which is almost locally made by people.

Sagarmatha National Park – Mt. Everest located inside the Sagarmatha National Park. Is one of the Nature UNESCO sites. While you are on Everest trek you travel Natural wonder and Himalayan wonders.

Sherpa Museum in Namche Bazaar – Probably the crowded and largest Sherpa population village in the world, who are extremely famous for the Himalayas and climb for Everest. The museum offers a total life story of mountain people and the story of Himalayan climbing and Expedition.

The best guide for Everest Base Camp Trek

Everyone claiming they are best and provides the best and experienced guide for Everest Base Camp Trek. You can get in touch with your guide before the trek in Kathmandu, that is much better. You have an idea about your Everest Trek guide and his speaking ability, general bits of knowledge, and his experience about the trek. The guide has a big role to complete a successful Everest Base Camp trek always. So, after arriving in Kathmandu, you can talk with your agent about the guide and have some discussion about the EBC trek.

Accommodation and food in Everest Trek

From 1965, the trek organized through camping and supported by many more crew members which were more expensive. Time and generation are going to change everywhere. Nowadays, an Everest Base Camp Trek you can join easily tea-house (Lodge to lodge) stay. There are plenty of standard and comfort lodges established by Everest climbers and their families. Offer simple service and minimum facilities in the standard. Clean beads, private rooms, hot shower, clean bathroom, and fresh cooked delicious meal offer by locally train cooks. Even, they suggest something special and suitable meals for high altitude. You can order varieties of western standard food from the many which are ever more tasty and delicious then home.

Altitude Sickness Risk (ASR) in Everest Trek

The Khumbu valley located in the route of Everest Base Camp trek is one of the highest altitude level journeys in the world. The trek route approached 5545 meters above the sea level. Basically, starting at 1300 at Kathmandu Airport and approaching a high point at 5545m. Kalapatthar, the entire trek arises in the two altitude regions.   Above 3000m, there can be some symptoms of high altitude while you are in Namche bazaar and above. There is no concern about how to fit you are either strong or physically good. Anyone and anywhere can get these symptoms while you are on Everest Trek.  Although, if you are doing daily physical exercises, some of the low altitude hiking, using standard gears, controlling the food balance, and lots of liquids drinks (non-alcoholic), that helps lots to avoid Altitude sickness while you are in high altitude area. There are lots of cool things you can do for prevention AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), the best practice is descending down and down.

Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

Different people suggested different packing lists for Everest Base Camp Trek. Which makes sometimes so much confusion for trekkers. The important things are very dependent on you. Water bottles and purifying tablets or water filters most not forget. Some people hike to EBC with their single layer as well and they finished the trek within 7 to 8 days. That might more risk for life and can be dangerous for you.  If you use general winter clothing and a good ankles support walking shoes, you can complete the trek. Prepare for 2 weeks few pears regular winter clothes sets, good sunglasses, a flashlight, some bathroom kits and hiking pole (Very recommended), some of the juicy candy, a good photography set, and a warm sleeping bag with liner can be very useful.  If you don’t have a sleeping bag the Everest trek company offer you from Kathmandu by paying a daily cost. Basic medicine (the company will provide) from home and a down jacket with some fleece gloves, raincoat for rain and small day rucksack with a duffel bag (Provide by Trekking Operator) is enough for a successful trek to Everest Base Camp. Please note, flight to Lukla there is a weight limit, and only 15kg per person allowed if your pack is overweight for flight to Lukla, you may need to leave your baggage in Kathmandu.

Communication during the Everest Base Camp Trek

Mobiles, local V-sat telephones, and internet WIFI service are available oh this trek from Lukla to Kalapatthar. You can connect WI-FI service by paying per hour service either by recharging a WIFI dard. If you bought Ncell and NTC sim card you can load the data for Wifi connection which is much cheaper then using local Wifi.

Conclusion – Everest Base Camp

Whatever, Everest base camp is one of beautiful, breathtaking, and scenarios trek for every adventure lovers.  It is a great opportunity to see Mt. Everest from the nearest viewpoint in your eyes’ memory. The journey is not only the adventure trek but also a lifetime experience of mountain culture, natural beauties, and psychical fitness for you and your body.