Hiking to the historical Everest Base Camp is a dream of many. And if you have the same desire, there are some things you should know before embarking on your journey.

Trekking anywhere in the Himalayas is all about good planning. So, for Everest Base Camp preparation, you need to focus on several concerns. Some people are excited about their trip but does little research.

You need to have a clear picture about your trek before you start, and you should know the answers to questions like: ‘What to wear?’, ‘What to pack,’ or ‘How fit should I be?’

How to train for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Don’t worry, we’ve got this! We’ve made a list of everything we need to think about as we prepare for the trek. Continue reading if you want the best preparations before your trek.

Preparing Yourself Physically and Mentally

Before you do anything else, you need to prepare first yourself. The Everest Base Camp trek is more than a stroll in the park, especially for people with a sedentary lifestyle. The journey to the EBC is moderately difficult.

Some parts of the trek are physically demanding. So, you must prepare well before embarking on this adventure.

Physical Fitness & Training

If you plan to trek to EBC, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle. If this is not the case, the trek will become a challenge rather than an adventure for you.

You’re ready for the EBC, if you regularly work out or train your body physically. However, if you don’t exercise your body, you must prepare yourself more.

Indulging in cardio and leg workouts will help you a lot. Jogging, sprinting, or even slow-paced walking for extended hours of time strengthens your legs, lowering your risk of leg injuries, soreness, and other problems.

Cardio training, on the other hand, increases endurance and improves breathing patterns. It also improves stamina, which is necessary for trekking 5-6 hours per day.

Making a healthy body means facing fewer chances of trekking difficulties just because of strong fitness.

Mental Strength

You’ve had your physical fitness, and now it’s time to focus on your mental strength. As we previously mentioned that some difficulties prevail in this trek, so ask now yourself, ‘Am I ready?’

Before you begin your trek, you need to have strong willpower and determination. Stuff for a long duration, long trekking hours and challenging terrains can make you nervous, but it’s all in your mind.

Doing any adventure requires determination. Every year, thousands of people walk the trail. Many people complete the trek and make beautiful memories, while some may face difficulties because of a lack of confidence to complete it.

So as to include this trip among your best memories, have a positive mind, and good willpower throughout your trek.

Packing List for Everest Base Camp

‘Pack everything required and discard anything unnecessary.’ Always keep it in mind as you travel the world. Some people carry too much but forget to pack all of the necessary items.

Also, some people don’t pack much but bring everything they need. You must pack similarly to them.

Some items or stuff are important for you not to forget during the Everest Base Camp trek. Carrying the items from the packing list is crucial to make your adventure hassle-free. What you need;

Required Documents

During the Everest Base Camp trek, you will need some documents and enough copies of them. These documents are as follows:

• Passport
• Visa
• Permits
• Some passport-sized photos
• Besides that, a few things you should not forget.
• Camera and its accessories
• High-capacity batteries and power banks
• High-capacity batteries and power-banks
• Snacks (Chocolates, dry-fruits, drinks or sweets)
• Insect repellant
• Pain relief spray
• head-lamp

Do research about the Everest Region

Some people enjoy traveling alone to unknown places. Others prefer to travel in groups or with a guide and porter. What type of person you are, you must find information and specifics about the region you are plan to visit.

It’s a wise to know some local language, cultures, taboos, and other customs. There are plenty of caste groups, religions, and customs prevailing in the country. Sometimes, the usual things that you do can appear as a taboo or a nuisance to the locals.

Also, you will also learn more about the area and the people who live there if you do proper research. With this information, you may communicate with them more easily and learn more about the fascinating places.

Consult with your doctor

Yes, you need consult with your doctor before embarking on the Everest Base Camp trip. You should know that your health condition is good for trekking to high altitudes. Factors like blood pressure and sugar levels can affect on your mission.

Also, if you don’t know how well your body is functioning, altitude sickness might be a serious problem.

So, it is necessary to see a doctor and have a full body check-up. You can also take other advice regarding altitude or mountain sickness prevention and medication.

About the food.

The food along the trail is mostly carbs like rice and beans. The Nepalese prefer ‘Dal Bhat’ as their main dish. It’s rice and lentils with vegetables and pickles on the side. So, Dal Bhat in every guest house is a primary menu.

Carbohydrate-rich food rice, lentils, and vegetables refuel your body properly. Bread, eggs, and instant noodles are also available.

But one thing you should know is that you should try to eat vegetarian meals during the journey! Meat and fish are not always the best options.

They are carried to high altitudes by porters or Yaks. They keep in the freezer for days, so don’t expect them to be fresh. Also, don’t drink alcohol and avoid smoking as they dehydrate your body and affect you severely at high elevations.

Prepare for the teahouses

Things to know before you trek to Everest Base Camp

• Love taking baths in the morning? Well, bid farewell to that for a hiking period!
• Hot water baths are not always accessible.
• You’ll need to adjust to the necessary lodging facilities along the way. You stay in a teahouse or standard lodge, which provide the basic amenities.
• Some teahouses have better amenities, such as WiFi or satellite TVs. But, you often get a small room with a cozy bed and a blanket. That’s it.
• You find good accommodation and facilities at lower altitudes like Namche Bazaar. As you go higher, you’ll notice lesser facilities. That means you should prepare for such things.
• Hot water baths, WiFi, and even charging batteries are difficult to find at higher altitudes. The teahouses that offer these services charge a fee for each service you take. You will have to compromise with sharing toilets. Prepare for all of these things along your trek.

General Everest Base Camp Trek FAQs

Is there a risk of altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is a concern, but it is not a major issue. As you ascend to higher altitudes, your body must adjust to changing oxygen levels.

You may have altitude sickness if your body is unable to do so. There are a few ways you can do to prevent it.

Taking a couple days to acclimatize is a better idea. It not only prevents altitude sickness, but it also allows you to rest or take a break from hard journeys. It is important to drink at least 3-4 liters of water per day. Walking at a slow pace is also very helpful.

If you have this issue, try taking specific medications like Diamox. It is prudent to descend. It is wise to descend to lower elevations and rest.

Is the Everest Base Camp trek difficult?

It’s not too difficult, but it’s also not as easy as a walk in the park. Before starting on the adventure, you must properly prepare your physical and mental strength.

Are ATMs available?

Don’t expect to find ATMs along the trek (except Lukla and Namche). Always carry cash and enough of it. Also, do not carry dollars; instead, exchange it for Nepalese currency. Foreign currency may not accept at the most teahouses. In Kathmandu, you can exchange your money.

When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Spring and autumn are the best time to trek Everest Base Camp. The weather remains pleasant, with less chances of flight cancellations. Due to the clear weather, all accommodation services operate well during these seasons.

Trekking in the winter and monsoon seasons is also possible with right preparation.

Conclusion

Everest Base Camp preparation means making the best of your journey to EBC. If you prepare well, you can ignore most problems and prevent any possible hazards.

Do research, consult experts, and consider their advice. Before you begin, do all of the essential preparations. The Everest Base Camp trip is a historical achievement and the only way to get there safely is to prepare in advance.