Everest Base Camp Trek

neeraj0588

Hi

I know that this question is technically about trekking in Nepal, but im sure people on this forum have been trekking in this region.

Basically, I am considering going on a trek to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu and wanted to know if anyone had done this, and what their thoughts were on its difficulty?

I am young and fit, but have no technical climbing experience. Will this be a problem?

Thanks

Bhaswaran

No climbing experience is needed for EBC trek. But still because of altitude, there arises some problems. The golden rule is, so slow and do not hurry in the mountains. If you feel exhausted, take rest and can stop at any village as all of the villages in this route has basic fooding and lodging facilities. Let the experienced trekkers in this forum comment on this. I am also planning to do this in future.

VSK Sharma

Hi,
From Kathmandu take a flight to Lukla otherwise you have to trek another seven days to reach Lukla. Stay at Lukla for a day and move down to lower altitude. Spend a few days at Namcha for getting used to altitude. There is no problem on the trail and only during season there is too much rush and finding place to stay may become problem.

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ks_bluechip

Hi,

I am planning to do the EBC Trek starting around 22nd Sept 2007 from Kathmandu . My plan is start trek from Jiri, and do a slow trek covering Gokyo & Kala Pathar ...in about 25 days. I am 59 yrs old and I dont see any problem in doing this trek so long as I get acclamtised for altitude, that's why starting from Jiri. I did Annapurna Circuit last year. I will take a porter with me for carrying my bag. Any inputs / data on this trek, from others experienced on this trek is most welcome..... KS

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uttam

Neeraj, I did EBC trek in 2004. No technical climbing experience is required. It is a tea-house trek. You'll find lot many trekkers and climbers going and coming. I started my trek from Jiri-the last road point on the route and trekked back till lukla. From lukla, got on a Kathmandu bound chopper.Plane and chopper Tickets for Indians are little cheaper than what a westner is required to pay.
If u r not very afraid of leeches, u should start ur trek from Jiri. Though, it will take some days but u'll get to see beautiful villages on way and acclimatization will be much easier. However, if u want to save some days and avoid walking through leech zone u can fly directly to Lukla as suggested by Mr. VSK Sharma. Lukla and Namche bazar are two places where you'll find almost every modern luxary which one can think of. Naturally, these places are expensive. Some shops have three kinds of rates- for Nepalese, for Indians and for westners. If u need to keep ur budget low, u can move ahead of lukla and Namche Bazar to stay at relatively smaller places. Remember, this route is like trekkers's highway, so its very commercialised. You are never out of sight of resturant-cum-dhabas for long. If you have got a good head for heights, u won't hv problem. The key to how well you enjoy this trek is the point made by Bhaswaran, VSK Sharma and sir KS Bluechip--acclimatization.
If u have got some more time, follow sir KS and go to Gokyo. Its Supremely beautiful.
Neeraj & sir KS, all the best. Trek safe!

ks_bluechip

Uttam ... Thanks for your detailed feedback. It will be helpful for me. Have you done Annnapurna Circuit too? if so do give your comparative Evaluation of EBC Vs Annapurna?

Anyboody else done both treks? How does EBC trek compare with Annapurna in terms of difficulty??

- KS

uttam

Annapurna Circuit is still a plan for me!

ks_bluechip

Anybody planning to do EBC trek in Sep-Oct 2007? Let me know, as I am planning same and would like to exchange some planning details. And if dates coincide, maybe even trek together.

My tentative plan:

Fly to Kathmandu via Delhi (21st Sept 2007), Bus to Jiri (23rd July), and Start trek from Jiri (24th July), trek slowly, and do 3 destinations ..... i.e. Gokyo Lake, Kala Patthar and EBC. I have already booked a porter/guide from Kathmandu ... same guy who took me for Annapurna Circuit last year.

On my return trip, maybe fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu. Also thinking of return to India via a land-route (for that experience). Have booked return Air from Delhi to Mumbai for 26th Oct 2007, hoping that gives me enough window to do all of above.

Any comments or suggestions .... most welcome.

- KS

Bhaswaran

If you return via road, take care of your belongings, especially any foreign goods, like cameras, for which Nepal Border Police harasses a lot even if you have proper papers. I have heard of them asking for hefty bribes or confiscate the items, saying that you have purchased them in Nepal. I would recommend you return from Kathmandu by flight. And dont forget to make a list of all such items while you are commencing on you flight to Kathmandu and get it signed by them.

ks_bluechip

Bhaswaran .... thanks for that tip. I think i will do a rethink on the land-route return!

BTW: Just for ready reference of Other EBC trek planners, duplicating my post from the another thread below:

One of the "best" diary and detailed day-wise trek for all Nepal treks are at this site:

http://www.yetizone.com/

There see EBC Trek details under: Everest & Khumbu

BTW: I have found Lonely Planet's Guide Book "Trekking in Nepal Himalays" absolutely superb! ... to the minutest possible details ... not only about Nepal & Everest trek .... but how to be prepared for any Trek and What to carry, when to go etc. etc.



- KS

Bhaswaran

Thank KS for referring the name of that book. I will get one.

ks_bluechip

Sure, while you are at it, also checkout LP's Trekkking in the Indian Himalayas!

My personal opinion: Both these books are "must" for any trekker in India and/or Nepal. Particularly, if a beginner (or a foreignor). They are a bit costly at Rs 1000/- each ... but value for money wise certainly more than 1,00,000 paise each.... KS

Bhaswaran

Good said KS

Sadanand Kamath

I have also heard almost similar experience of my relatives and friends who returned from Nepal via road. In one case, even though he was not carrying any foreign goods, he was detained for a couple of hours by the Nepal Police. The idea, it appears, is to put pressure on him to 'settle' the problem early so that the bus does not get delayed because of him. It is really pathetic situation.

Sadanand

ks_bluechip

OK ... I am convinced ...will book my return by air now!