How to get to Everest Base Camp (EBC) from Nepal?
Everest Base Camp is a dream destination for many tourists to see the great Mount Everest. There are two camps in Tibet and Nepal respectively. This guide will explain how to get to Everest Base Camp from Nepal.
There are two camps on Mount Everest
There are
two organized Everest Base Camps on opposite sides of the highest mountain in
the world - Mount Everest. The one on the Nepal side is called South Base Camp
and is at an altitude of 17,598 feet. (5,364m). The other is in Tibet at 17,060
feet (5,200 m) and is known as North Base Camp. These campsites are rudimentary
and are used by climbers to ascend and descend on expeditions. When ascending
from the Southeast Ridge and Northeast Ridge, South Base Camp and North Base
Camp are used respectively.
South Base Camp in Nepal
It is the
most popular route for trekking in the Himalayas. Thousands of climbers use
this south-facing park every year. To reach here, travelers usually choose a
flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and start the journey in the morning. This can
make the trek more enjoyable. To visit this camp, it is necessary to obtain
certain permits and certificates, including Nepal travel permit and foreign
travel permit, etc.
North Base Camp in Tibet
North Base
Camp is located in Zhaxizong Town, Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet
Autonomous Region, about 600 kilometers from Lhasa city. Everest Base Camp sits
on a narrow pass at the foot of Mount Everest and is the closest point for
ordinary tourists to see the world's highest peak.
Visiting a camp in the South is better than in the North
If you are
looking for some adventurous trip then you definitely need to visit South Base
Camp. There you will get chance to hike to Everest Base Camp. On the way to the
EBC there are so many beautiful scenery to explore and enjoy like picturesque
villages, terraced fields, and lovely rhododendron and pine forests. There are
also many establishments like tents and tea house etc where you can take break
for some time.
How to reach South Base Camp from Nepal
Generally
speaking, if you are in Nepal and want to go to EBC, you must first apply for a
Tourist Group Visa and Travel Permit to enter Nepal. The travel agents based in
Kathmandu can help you get them.
From Kathmandu fly to Lukla and proceed to South Base Camp
Many people
fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. There are several flights daily that take 25
minutes to arrive. From Lukla, the trek starts to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), a
Sherpa town with many hotels, restaurants, shops and more. Since it takes two
days to reach this place, it is recommended to rest for a day and enjoy it.
Then, for the next two days, the trek continues to Dingboche (4,260m), and a
rest day is recommended for more activities. Then, following the trail through
Gorakshep, the plateau below Mount Pumori and Kala Patthar, you will take
another two days to reach South Base Camp. The entire journey from Lukla to
Everest base camp usually takes 8 days.
Kathmandu to Jiri and trek from Jiri to Everest base camp
Another
route is from Kathmandu to Jiri, a small town in the lower Everest region, and
from Jiri to Everest Base Camp via Lukla. The journey from Jiri to Lukla takes
about 3-4 days, but it is not popular but peaceful and pleasant.
After that,
from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, the journey continued. And then you can take the
same route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp as mentioned above, passing through
Dingboche and Gorakshep on the way.
Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and then to EBC
You can fly
from Kathmandu to Lhasa first and then choose to drive to Tingri, following the
friendly road. After Tingri, you will turn south towards the Mount Everest
Natural Reserve, and drive another 100 kilometers to reach the Everest Base
Camp. Traveling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, you will pass Tibetan tourist
villages such as Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, as well as famous tourist spots
such as Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier. The amazing landscape of the Tibetan
mountains makes the trip very interesting and memorable.
Packing list
It is
really important to pack your things properly for a safe, comfortable and
hassle-free travel experience because it will get cold out there. Here is your
list in full:
1. Bring a
fleece jacket and down jacket.
2. Wear at
least 4 thermal underwear. Also, take at least three to four t-shirts because
sweat-absorbent cotton t-shirts will make you cold. A warm long-sleeved jacket
is recommended. Take extra warm clothes like a sweater, a pair of thermals, 2
long pants and sweatpants. You can also get 2 pairs of wool socks and sports
socks, 2 pairs of wool and synthetic gloves. Take a warm scarf or a muffler as
it would be very cold in the mountains, especially above 3000m.
3. Take
light and soft shoes or boots that will be useful when visiting nearby places
and wear high-quality broken-in shoes for travel. Stock up on the perfect
raincoat, woolen hat, sun hat and branded and pre-lined sunglasses.
4. It is
recommended to sleep warm and comfortable in the underwear because it will keep
you warm in winter. A hot water bottle is recommended.
5. Choose a
toilet-friendly, stocked with good SPF sunscreens, travel towels, lip balm,
cold cream, body lotion and, for those days you can't shower, baby wipes.
6. Take
water purifiers, because you can drink water from lakes and rivers along the
way.
7. Prepare
your own medical kit which should contain anti-diarrheal medicine, antibiotics
for heart or other sinus infections, as it is cold there and can get infected,
bring adhesive bandages and adhesive tape.
Other action plans
1. It is
wise to take the necessary time to recover from the illness affecting you. Pay
attention to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, insomnia, shortness of
breath and lack of appetite, these can be symptoms of upper respiratory
infections.
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