Travel always brings exciting memories, helps to discover new things, and meet new people. Everest Base Camp Trek has been one of the greatest letting you explore the scenic, adventure and cultural side of Nepal. ‘How to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek?’ is a question we hear too often. If you are having a thought of enduring this journey, this How to Prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek blog will help you know more about how and what to plan for the trek.
Try to make your backpack as small as possible
You should not pack too many clothes. Bring only the essential ones which you will need. The trek is going to be tough if you have a chunk of clothes in your backpack. A few pairs of t-shirts, shorts, socks (woollen), and gloves are enough for the trek. If you have a big backpack, you can leave some of your stuff in the hotel in Kathmandu and collect it after returning. If you need other items, take a porter with you to carry your backpack. Doing this ensures you are in good shape throughout the trek.
Don’t think of it as a vacation where you would bring a suitcase with you. It might feel too cold so, bringing down jackets is a good idea. It’s better to pack clothes you would need only for a day. The up-and-down trails will comparatively feel a lot easier if you are carrying a lightweight backpack. Our blog Everest Base Camp Packing List will help you with how and what to pack for the trek.
Bring lightweight footwear
Footwear is crucial for trekking. Bringing lightweight hiking shoes or boots is definitely going to help you a lot. The terrains are tough to walk on, so it’s necessary that you have a comfortable pair of shoes with a good grip. Most people wear hiking boots for trekking, but whatever gives you comfort and has a good grip should do okay. The lightweights are going to bring you many benefits, first, your feet won’t get tired, and second, you will be able to cover much more distance without much energy wasted. Wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes will only add problems during your Everest trek, so make sure to grab some nice shoes.
Don’t bring too many snacks
Snacks are of course necessary for your trek. Bringing some energy bars, and chocolates, but too much is not good. You will find many teahouses along the way, which means you won’t be needing to eat too many snacks. These teahouses have proper meals and food so reducing some grams weight from your backpack would be good. A few packets of nuts and 5/6 energy bars are enough for the trek.
Choose an experienced and licensed guide
If you are booking through a trek operator, then you won’t have any hassle of finding a professional guide. The agency will assign you the best guide they have for the trek. If you are travelling without an agency, you can hire a guide through the agency. The guide is important if you have never been to the Everest Region before. The mountain journey is moderately difficult. However, there will definitely be unexpected scenarios which the guide will be able to handle.
Altitude sickness can happen to anyone, even if one has a perfectly healthy body. The guide will mentor you throughout the journey and also crack a few jokes to keep your spirits going. Nepali guides are humble, friendly, and honest. They will be providing you with an amazing company.
Ensure your trekking agency has pre-booked your stays
If you wish to travel during the peak seasons i.e. the Spring and Autumn, you definitely should ask your agency to make every arrangement of hotels for the stay. Though there is enough number of proper hotels in every town and village sometimes you might just get unlucky. So, booking beforehand is always a wise decision.
Dingboche, Khumjung, Lobuche, Lukla, and Namche Bazaar all have proper and well-managed tea houses with facilities to some extent. However, you should not expect top-class services and should compromise a little.
Keep yourself updated on the weather
The weather in the mountains is unimaginable. You will find yourself in a situation where the weather changes every minute. If you have a guide with you then, he will surely be well informed and had information about Everest Base Camp Trek weather. You and your guide should keep an eye on the day’s weather forecast and make rational decisions.
The decrease in temperature can sometimes go below -20 degrees. You will need to prepare yourself for tricky Everest Base Camp Trek Weather. Getting some good quality down jackets will do for withstanding the cold weather. And also keep some extra fresh woollen socks in your backpack.
Cardio and Physical Training before the trek
You might have already booked for the Everest Base Camp Trek and waiting for the actual day when you actually step foot on the terrains. However, you should definitely prepare yourself both mentally and physically. If you are an experienced hiker, it will be easier for you. If you are not experienced, you can try a few short hikes before you trek to EBC.
Watch the vlogs, and read articles and reviews of people who have already been to Everest. Knowing your Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary, route and options will certainly help you to plan better. And yes Cardio training definitely helps in making your body prepare for the trek. Stamina and endurance improvement exercises, aerobics, etc can be done on Everest on a scheduled basis as preparation for your trek. Exercises should be followed by a properly balanced diet. It’s all about the nutrition needed for your body. Do not overdo it in the name of the exercise, you can spend 5 or more hours a week into the training time before the journey.
Plan for a few extra days.
If you are looking to trek in a country like Nepal with unpredictable weather at times, you should include a few extra days in your plan. There are chances of flight delays/cancellations and roadblocks too. Planning for an extra few days is a wise idea. You will be on the safe side if the trek gets cancelled or is extended for a day or two due to some unavoidable circumstances.
Be clear on what services are included or excluded from your package.
While you are planning and booking your trekking package in Nepal, ensure that you are clear about what services you are going to get. Most operators will provide you with the list of what is included and excluded on the trek and even if they don’t, ask for it. This will help you to get things sorted.
Carry your necessities.
Do not expect to get a whole lot of things in Nepal. You may have to bring some of the things from your country. It is good to prepare early. If your needs are unique, it’ll be better if you bring those stuff to your country.
Have proper immunization for the trek
It’s better to get immunized against malaria and/or some other diseases with proper doctor consultation. A physical test is also recommended before heading on to the trek. It is better to be cautious about any health hazards one may face during the trekking journey. Immunization against Tetanus, Hepatitis, Malaria, Typhoid, Rabies, etc, is recommended before you head on to the journey.
We are no physical consultants. Please consult a licensed medical person if you need to.
With proper preparation, everyone can do the trek. If you have previous experience trekking in Nepal, it’ll be easy for you. If you are a beginner, chances are it’ll be difficult for you and you may have to train yourself for physical fitness. You will be walking for around 80 miles for the trek so you will need to be in good condition. Pre-inform the trek operator to match your itinerary with your body and experience. Almost everyone has completed the trek but we can not ignore safety.
How do I prepare myself for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Preparing yourself for Everest Base Camp Trek involves planning both mentally and physically. EBC Trek is not hard but you have to keep up your endurance and stamina to complete the trek without much difficulty. Having prior trekking and hiking experience will help you on this trek.
What type of training plan is needed for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Training can vary as stamina, endurance and physical fitness are all equally necessary for the trek. Anything that helps in those aspects will work including aerobics, cycling, cardio, lifting weights and swimming. If you can, you may also do short hikes for a few days to keep your body in shape.
Do I need prior trekking experience for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
No, you do not need it but having prior experience will certainly help you in Everest Base Camp Trek. Many beginners have completed this trek without much difficulty. If you are experienced walking in the hills and mountains (3000m or higher altitudes on uneven terrains) for 5-6 hours a day with a backpack, you should have no problem reaching the Everest Base Camp.
Why should I care about acclimatizing on EBC Trek?
Acclimatizing is done to help your body adapt to higher altitude areas. If the altitude changes within a day in the trek is considerably high, your body might have problems adapting to less oxygen in the air. It is recommended that you do not cross more than 600 meters in a single day. The itinerary of your trek should be designed to not gain more than 600m elevations and acclimatize when necessary.
What clothing is recommended for Everest Base Camp Trek?
We usually recommend 3 layers of clothing. The base layer of sweat-proof clothes, the middle layer to keep yourself warm (woollen jackets, trousers, sweaters, hoodies) and the outer layer to protect yourself from rain, snow and cold (waterproof/windproof trousers and jackets). Most people use layered clothing. It’s easy to add/remove extra layers if the weather is cold/warm.
What food should I bring?
You will get plenty of places in the trekking route so only bring those absolutely necessary. Chocolates, energy bars and dry fruits are good as they work as energizers and are good nutrient providers. You can also bring those you’d love to eat while you are on the trek.
What type of terrain will I be walking on?
You will be walking on all kinds of terrains. The Everest Base Camp Trekking route goes through hills, villages, forests, streams, suspension bridges and mountains.
Do I need hiking boots for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Yes, hiking boots are a necessity. Also, if possible wear them before to check if they are good to go as you will be wearing them for around 10 days in the mountains. And, believe me! The last thing you would want is to get your footwear uncomfortable or slippery. Good grips are necessary especially in winter and summer.
How fast am I supposed to walk?
Pace matters a lot while you are trekking to Everest base camp. You are required to walk neither too slow nor too fast during the trek. The quote ‘Slow and steady wins the race is absolutely applicable here. Avoid walking alone and mostly, you will walk with your group/guide/porter as it is a requirement to be too slow.
Summary: How to Prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Ensure your trekking agency has insured your trekking agency has pre-booked your stays
Keep yourself updated on the weather
Plan for a few extra days.
Be clear on what services are included or excluded from your package.
Carry your necessities.
Cardio and Physical Training before the Trek
Have proper immunization for the trek
Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the best heart-throbbing adventures of all time but trekking to the base camp of the highest mountain requires proper plans and preparations. People might say not much preparation and physical training are necessary or otherwise but you are the one who decides if you need those. Some people go to the gym and are athletes, so they would not require as much training. Yes, some people did not think training is necessary but not all people are the same. Also, training is good to keep yourself on the safe side.
We hope this article helped you with How to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek. Also, read our even Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek Complete Guide. Share if you think it’s helpful and inquire us if you have any questions.
