Short Everest Base Camp Trek - 10 days

You must pass through different trek routes to reach the Everest Base Camp. These trek routes consist of small towns, villages, and settlements. Along the trek routes, you will encounter landscapes like lush jungles, rivers, streams, waterfalls, rocky valleys, and snowy mountains. So, let’s get into the Trek route of the EBC in detail.

Lukla

The first stop of the Everest Short Trek is a small trek hub named Lukla. You can reach Lukla by flight from Kathmandu or Manthali, which takes about 40 to 45 minutes.

Lukla is the gateway to the Everest region since you have to reach Lukla for any Everest treks or climb Mount Everest.

Phakding

Continuing from Lukla, The Everest Base Camp Trail takes you to the next destination in Phakding. It lies at an altitude of 2,610 m. Phakding is also where you spend your night on the first day. Phakding is a small but beautiful village where you can first glimpse high peaks and mountains.

Namche Bazaar

The distance from Phakding to Namche Bazaar is 9.4 Kilometers. It takes about 5 to 6 hours. Namche Bazaar is the capital city of Sherpa, and your welcome gift to the Namche is the majestic view of Everest.

Namche Bazaar is the place for acclimatization, and during the day of the acclimatization, you can visit several short treks like Khumjung village, Sagarmatha Museum, and even Hotel Everest View.

Tengboche

The next day, this EBC trek route will take you to the small Sherpa village of Tengboche. If you want to reach Tengboche early, remember that you have to pass through some rough trails. Tengboche is a popular trekking destination at Tengboche Monastery, the highest monastery in the region at an elevation of 3,867m.

Dingboche

Dingboche is another Sherpa village which will be your next destination. This place lies at an altitude of 4,410m.  It is also another place that is used for acclimatization. You can also go on small treks from Dingboche, which is Nangkartsang Peak. There are also a few other side trekking places from Dingboche, but after the trek, you will return to the village for an overnight stay.

Lobuche

Lobuche is another Sherpa village located at the lap of the Khumbu region. You will pass through a rough trek route from Dingboche to Lobuche, including rocky peaks, valleys, glacial moraines, and snowy peaks. The distance from Dingboche to Lobuche is 8.5 km, the last stop before reaching Gorak Shep.

Gorakhstep

Gorakstep or Gorakshep is a small remote settlement located at 5,164m. It is closer to the Everest Base Camp and falls in the line of hiking the Kala Patthar. One of the main attractions of the Gorakhstep is the breathtaking mountain views, stunning views of the sunrise and sunset, and the chance to click some magnificent photos.

Everest Base Camp

The next destination from the Gorakhstep is the leading destination in Everest Base Camp. The base camp lies at an altitude of 5,364 meters. The distance from Gorakhstep to the EBC is 3.5 kilometers. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to hike to reach the base camp, and after reaching there, you will stop there for about 1 hour and then return to Gorakstep.

Kala Patthar

Kala Patthar is the highest elevation point you will reach during this trek. It sits at an elevation of 5644m and is the best way to see some of the highest peaks of the Khumbu region, like Mount Everest.

Many trekkers hike to Kala Patthar for stunning sunrise and sunset views.

To make your trekking fun and challenging, it is wise to trek to the destination in the best seasons. In Nepal, Spring or Autumn is the Best Short Everest Base Camp Trek Season. As there are best seasons for trekking, there are also least ideal seasons like Winter and Monsoon seasons. So let’s learn about them more.

Spring

Spring is considered the best season for the ten-day Everest Base Camp Trek. March to May fall under this season, which is optimal for trekking in any part of Nepal. The weather and climate are moderate; the days are warmer, but the nights are chillier. At higher altitudes, it gets colder at night, but as the sun rises, it eventually gets warmer. In the Spring, trekkers can enjoy beautiful rhododendrons and pine forests throughout the trek, uplifting their mood and trekking experience. This season, the visibility gets clearer, so you can get stunning views of mountains from a far distance. The earlier and middle part of the Spring season doesn’t have rainfall, making the trail easy to scale, especially the steep, sloppy hills.

Autumn

The Autumn Season is similar to Spring. However, the trails are not as blooming and less crowded. The atmosphere and temperature are equally moderate to trek, and the terrain is easy to scale. In this season, you will also get stunning and clear visuals. Some experienced trekkers argue that the Autumn season is even better than Spring for the mountainous treks. However, the preference is based on each trekker.

Off Seasons

The winter is not the ideal time for trekking to Everest Base Camp, followed by the monsoon season. The weather is very cold in the winter, and the temperature drops significantly. Some experienced trekkers like the cold weather, but they must be ready for heavy snow. During the monsoon season, there is a lot of rain, ranging from light to heavy, which makes the trails wet and slippery. Continuous rain also increases the risk of floods and landslides in the area.

While the Everest Base Camp Trek doesn’t require technical climbing skills, it does present a unique set of challenges that trekkers need to be aware of. Let’s delve into the three key aspects contributing to the difficulty: Despite being a short 10-day Everest Base Camp Trek, the trek can be equally challenging for the trekkers, especially if they don’t have any prior experience.

Long Distance and Duration

The EBC short trek takes about 10 to 12 days to complete. You’ll be walking for 4-6 hours each day. This trek requires good physical fitness and stamina. The high altitudes make it even more challenging. The trek goes up to 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) at Everest Base Camp, which puts much stress on the body.

Altitude Sickness

The most significant challenge is undoubtedly altitude sickness. As you ascend, the air becomes thinner, decreasing the oxygen available to your body. This can cause a range of symptoms like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. If any trekker feels the symptoms of this sickness, they must take the medication, and it is wise to lower the altitude immediately.

Altitude Sickness is a major difficulty that trekkers face during the high altitude trek. The chance of altitude sickness increases over an altitude of over 3500m. Since you will be constantly above the altitude of the said altitude, the chance of altitude sickness automatically increases. The symptoms of altitude sickness are nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, headache, fever, and aching of the bones and joints. There are a few ways to prevent or minimize the chance of altitude sickness, so let’s get into it.

Gradual Ascent

Acclimatization is the key to preventing altitude sickness. It allows your body to adjust to the decreasing oxygen levels gradually. This is achieved by following a well-planned itinerary incorporating rest days and ascending slowly. The main motto for high-altitude trekking is to hike high and sleep low. Following this process, you can cope with the oxygen level at a high altitude and then sleep comfortably at a lower altitude. The trekking doesn’t mean rapid ascent towards the peak. It’s gradual ascent and descent throughout the trails.

Hydration

Staying well-hydrated is crucial, as dehydration can worsen altitude sickness symptoms. Aim to drink 3-4 liters of water per day. Before beginning your trek, take at least 3 liters of water and continue drinking. Remember that you can lose water from your body at high altitudes without sweating, so keep yourself hydrated all the time.

Listen to Your Body

Be mindful of your body’s signals. It is not wise to continue trekking if you feel tired or worn out. Forcing yourself to trek when you are not physically fit or falling ill can be more problematic, leading you to get sick. If you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness, stop ascending, rest, and descend if necessary.

Medications

It is crucial to consult a doctor and discuss using medications like Diamox, which can help with acclimatization. Furthermore, if you have a prior medical condition, you must first get approval from the doctor; then, only you have to go for the adventure. Also, remember that your travel insurance won’t cover any additional expenses incurred during the trek if you have a prior medical condition.

Descent

The most effective treatment for altitude sickness is immediate descent to a lower altitude. When your body can’t cope with the oxygen level of the high-altitude trek, then you will suffer Altitude sickness. Descending to the lower altitude allows your body to recover and access more oxygen, which will then quickly recover your body.

Rest

Once at a lower altitude, prioritize rest and hydration to allow your body to recover. If you don’t have any severe prior condition, you may not face any complications once you are well rested. Trekkers must remember that resting during the trek is also a major way of preventing altitude sickness.

5 Am to 6 AM

Each day of the EBC trek begins early as trekkers wake up at 5 a.m. to 6 AM. Waking up early to prepare for the trek ahead is a good way. However, before you head to the trek, you must eat a delicious breakfast in the teahouse. The breakfast menu includes Tibetian bread, eggs, pancakes, tea, coffee, biscuits, chapatis, soups, steaks, and stews.

6 AM to 7 AM

Now that you have eaten breakfast, it’s time to freshen up and pack the essentials for this trek. Keep essential items like water, snacks, sunscreen, and sunglasses close to you in the handbag. Once all packing is complete, it’s time for the initial part of the trek to begin among the fresh breeze of mountain air.

7 Am to 12 PM

The trekking begins around 7 to 8 Am. The trekkers are relaxed from sleep and breakfast, so they will likely cover more distance during this initial portion. Depending on the altitude, trekkers will be trekking in different landscapes like lush jungles, rocky peaks, glacial moraines, and snowy mountains.  After trekking for four to five hours, your guide will take you to a local restaurant for lunch.

12 AM to 1 PM

Around midday, it’s time for lunch at one of the local restaurants or teahouses in the village. Eating a meal full of carbohydrates and proteins is wise for long-lasting energy for lunch. Ensure you consume enough food, but don’t overeat so much that it is difficult to trek afterward. Lunchtime is also the perfect time to rest and acclimate. After about an hour for lunch and rest, it’s time to continue trekking again.

1 PM to 4 PM

The second portion of the day trek continues as you will start climbing and descending trails. You will visit local temples, monasteries, and several places to visit throughout the trek. As the time passes in the day and reaches around 3 to 4 PM, the sun starts shining bright. The shadows of the ridges and valleys loom in the mountains, making the surroundings look majestic.

Everest Base Camp Trek is fun and adventurous, but make no mistake—it is challenging. Beginners without experience with prior hikes or treks must prepare before and during the trek to avoid unforeseen circumstances. There are various ways to prepare for the trek, including physical, mental, and preparation before and during the trek. So let’s get into it.

Physical Preparation

Physical preparation is one of the most important aspects of the trek, even before the start of the trek. The Everest Base Camp Trek is challenging since you have to trek for 10 to 14 days. Each day, trekking hours are about 6-7 hours, and when the trek duration is low, everyday trek hours will increase to cover more distance.

Trekking such long hours in the rough trails of the Khumbu region will take a massive toll on your body. You will be tired quickly, which can also invite acute mountain sickness. Some of the ways for the physical preparation of the EBC trek are:

• Cardiovascular exercises like running and jogging to build intensity and stamina.
• Strength training exercises like building muscles and raising stamina levels by carrying backpacks when running or jogging.

Mental Preparation

Just like physical preparation for any high-altitude trek, trekkers must also be mentally prepared.  The trek will be in an isolated, unknown area where many factors increase the challenge of the trek. These factors and difficulties can break the mental strength of the trekkers, especially if they don’t have experience with the high-altitude trek. Here are a few ways to prepare mentally.

• Set realistic expectations and accept the fact that the trek will be challenging.
• Be confident and sense that the trek will be equally rewarding and boost your confidence.
• Develop mental strength to cope with a few challenges and difficulties.
• Do not make your trek more difficult than it already is, so choose the ideal trekking season and hire guides and porters.
• Before going on the trek, spend plenty of time doing breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation.

Before trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp in the Khumbu region, a protected area in Nepal. You must get the required permits and documents from the Nepal government by providing documents like passports, photos, and permit fees. To be eligible and to explore the Khumbu region, you will need to obtain three permits:

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Permit

You must get a local government permit to start your trek in the Khumbu region. You can get this permit at the Lukla Checkpost on your first day of trekking or at the Monjo checkpoint if you’re trekking through Jiri or Salleri. It’s the first permit you’ll need for your trek. You can obtain the Khumbu Municipality permit on your first trek day at the Lukla Checkpost (Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Office). If you’re trekking through Jiri or Salleri, you can get the permit at the Monjo checkpoint. The permit costs about $16, equivalent to NPR 2000.

Sagarmatha National Park permit

Another critical permit you need to reach the Everest Base Camp Trek is the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit. Since EBC lies in the national park and falls in the conservation site, the issue of a permit is compulsory. You can issue a Sagarmatha National Park permit from the tourism office in Kathmandu or Lukla and the Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit in Monjo. The permit costs are NPR 2000 and NPR 3000; for SAARC nationals, it costs NPR 1000 and NPR 1500.

Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit

If you plan to travel to Everest Base Camp from Jiri, you may need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. To start your journey, you can reach Jiri from Kathmandu by bus or private car, which takes about 7 to 8 hours. Upon arrival in Jiri, obtain the permit before beginning your hike to Everest Base Camp. You can purchase the license in Shivalaya or the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. A Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit costs $16 or NPR 2000.

Tims Card (Optional)

TIMS card, or Trekkers Information Management System Card, keeps track of all trekkers visiting a specific region of Nepal. Previously, trekkers were required to have this card, but now it’s optional after introducing a municipality permit. You generally don’t need this card for the EBC trek, but it may be required for trekking in other regions without specific permits. When obtaining permits, you must fill out some forms for identification purposes. Having all primary identity documents, especially a visa and passport-size photographs,

Regarding trek difficulty, the EBC short Trek ranges from easy to moderate trek. If you are a beginner, this trek is for you. However, you will find some common challenging factors that will be tough to deal with compared to the experienced trekkers.

EBC trek is the most popular trek in Nepal. It has been attracting hundreds of thousands of trekkers worldwide every year. Since many people want to experience the trek, they often ask if it suits beginners.

For Everest Base Camp, you don’t need to be a veteran climber or don’t need years of years of experience to be successful. These are some preparation tips that any beginner can follow for a potentially successful EBC trek climb. Let’s get into them.

• Trekking EBC in the ideal season, like Spring and Autumn, is the first way to eliminate weather and trail-related challenges.
• Acclimatization is the best way to keep healthy and fit and continue your trek.
• Hire guides and porters for easy navigation and your safety during the trek.
• Increase your physical fitness and raise your endurance level for trekking, especially when you don’t have prior experience.
• During the trek, always listen to your body. Do not force trekking when you are tired. If you feel the symptoms of altitude sickness, confide with your crew and guide immediately.

Read More: Everest Base Camp Trek for Beginner

Food and accommodation services are very important in the high-altitude complex trek. In the EBC trek, you will get your day-to-day food and a place to stay in hotels, lodges, or teahouses. Trekkers must be careful about picking meals and focus on getting carbohydrates and proteins in their bodies. Furthermore, for accommodation, it is better to get a single room and plenty of bedsheets, pillows, and blankets to keep you warm and cozy. So let’s get into it.

Foods

Throughout your Short EBC trek, you will have three meals daily: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The trekkers can choose from Chapati, Eggs, Pancakes, Tibetan Bread, Biscuits, Tea, Coffee, etc. After a few hours of trekking, lunch arrives, and the main dish is Nepali Dal, Bhat. There are a few teahouses with Western dishes like Pizzas, Burgers, Dumplings, etc.

The menu for the late-night dinner is also similar to the lunch, as the main dish will be Nepali Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari. It is better to consume foods with carbohydrates, like rice, lentils, etc., to be energized throughout the trek. Apart from these meals, there are also options for drinks like Tea, Coffee, and Energy drinks. Hot chocolate, etc. There are also options for alcohol, but they are not advised due to the high chance of dehydration.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the Everest Base Camp Trek is in hotels or teahouses, depending on your altitude or the well-developed location. The teahouses on high-altitude treks like EBC have different features from those of luxury hotels. You’ll find simple rooms with two beds when you stay in teahouses on the Everest Base Camp Trek. The rooms have basic furniture like a table and some hooks for your things. Sometimes you have to share a room with other people. It’s a good idea to bring a sleeping bag for extra warmth.

When you stay in a teahouse, you’ll be hosted by a local. You can chat with friendly locals, hear stories, and learn about the culture. Before booking, ensure there are working electrical outlets, hot showers, and Wi-Fi. Space and service are limited at higher altitudes, so be prepared to share. Remember to be respectful of the local customs.

Acclimatization is the key to success if you want to complete your EBC trek without problems or difficulties. The basic definition is to get customers to the new surroundings or atmosphere; in the case of high altitude, it also means oxygen levels. In a higher atmosphere, the oxygen level is way lower than normal, so naturally, breathing is trouble. Proper acclimatization helps with breathing and prevents altitude sickness, which can immediately stop your adventure. Some of the ways of proper acclimatization are

• Gradual Ascent and Descent
• Climb High Sleep Low
• Keep Yourself Hydrated
• Listen to Your Body
• Add acclimatization or rest days to your itinerary.

The Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to over 5500m. The trek is fun, challenging, and filled with uncertainties. So, to prepare for unforeseen situations and expenses, it is vital to issue Travel Insurance for this trek. Travel Insurance covers unexpected medical costs, lost luggage, theft, flight cancellations, and other emergencies. Make sure the insurance covers altitudes above 4000 meters. This will give you peace of mind during your trek.

However, keep in mind that travel insurance doesn’t cover a few expenses, such as expenses due to negligence, expenses under drug abuse, acts of terrorism, expenses due to prior medical conditions, etc. Travel insurance is a blessing for someone who wants to make the trek fearless. Remember that helicopter rescue alone can cost more than $5000, so if you don’t want to incur such expenses, ensure you have issued travel insurance before your trek.