How difficult is Everest Base Camp Trek

Is the Everest base camp trek difficult? It is one of the frequently asked questions before the EBC trek. It is uncertain whether you feel it is difficult or easy, but the reality of Everest Base Camp trek difficulty is moderate. It encompasses uphill and downhill climbs, suspension bridges, wooden bridges, rocky trails, moraines, and high altitude as major trekking.

Everest Base Camp trekking is one of the best treks in the world. It is a 12-day trek where the trekkers experience the great view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and many more peaks of the Mahalangur range. The Sherpa culture, villages, and mesmerizing Everest landscape have attracted millions of trekkers. 

How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek? 

The Everest base camp trek is a moderately difficult trek where we must face altitude sickness. The rising elevation and the low atmospheric pressure increase difficulty. There are a lot of challenges which can be overcome by proper preparation and carefulness.

Challenges of Everest base camp trek

• Altitude sickness
• Cold weather
• Difficult terrain
• Accomodation and food
• Medical emerigencies
• Flight delay and cancellation
• Mule and Yak on the trail
• Long walking hours
• no running water

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the main difficulties of Everest base camp trek. It is not that all the trekkers face altitude sickness. Around 10% of trekkers face altitude sickness on which some of get severe condition while some will be fine as they return to lower altitude. 

Headache, dizziness, difficult in breathing are major symptoms that symbolize Acute Mountain sickness. The most important thing is, we should be aware of the changes in our body. Taking garlic soup, drinking plenty of water and walking slowly are the tricks to being safe from AMS. Only getting symptoms is not dangerous. We can cure it by taking rest and shifting to lower elevation. 

How to prevent altitude sickness?

• Drinking plenty of water and protecting the body from dehydration.
• Using Dimox tablet with the consultation of doctor.
• Walking at a comfortable pace without pressurizing in breathing
• Sleeping well
• Taking garlic soup

Cold weather

Weather is also a challenging part of the EBC trek. The cold nights at a high altitude may cause headaches and it is difficult to fall asleep. We should always have our sleeping bags to make our body warm. The time after sunset remains colder while the days are hot throughout the year.

Selection of the  best time for Everest base camp trek is very important so that we can do trekking in moderate temperature. The walking time is not much affected by cold weather because our body remains warmer while walking. The nights are colder due to the cold air from snow capped mountains. The burning firewood heater helps to warm up in the evening. We should bring our warm jackets and inners to insulate our body to escape from cold weather of Everest. 

The temperature profile of Everest region shows that the coldest month is January. So, we should not plan our trekking to base camp in January. 

Difficult terrain

The trekking route to Everest base camp encompasses difficult terrain in particular places. The uphills from Phakding to Namche, Lobuche to Gorekshep increses our breathe. The higher altitude and slopy terrain is always challenging for trekkers. 

Accommodation and food

We can get normal accommodation in the Everest region. It is difficult to get private rooms in peak season. Prebooking is essential to get the best room otherwise we need to stay overnight in a common room. Limited luxury accommodation is available which costs high. The attached rooms are not available in Tengboche, Lobuche and Gorekshep. 

We can get varieties of food in the Everest region, but it is difficult to get fresh food. We can get Nepali Thali, momo, noodles, spaghetti, chowmein, pizza and different local Sherpa food. 

Medical emergencies

Since Everest base camp is remote area with lack of hospitals and medicals. Khumbu hospital is one of the hospitals present in Namche Bazaar. If we get medical emergencies, then we must evacuate to Kathmandu. The tea houses can provide oxygen which costs 100 USD. If we get any serious health issue, then it will be difficult indeed. We can be deported to Lukla or Kathmandu in Heli, but the weather plays an important role for flight. Therefore, it is very important to follow healthy habits to reduce medical emergencies.

Flight delay and cancellation

Flight delay and cancellation is one of the major difficulties of Everest base camp trek. The Lukla flight doesnot take place unless the weather is good and the sky is clear. In bad weather conditions, we have to wait for good weather thus buffer day is very important. We may have to wait two or three days in foggy weather. Sometime flight will be delayed and take off after good weather. Some time it will be cancelled, and we have to return to the hotel. 

Mule and Yak on the trail

The Everest base camp trekking route is the busiest trail where trekkers even have to wait their turn in peak season (September, October, November, March, April and May). The mule and yaks carry loads of tea houses and bags of trekkers. These walking mule and yak make walking difficult. We have to wait until they pass through. 

Long walking hours

Everest base camp trek distance is 130 Km from Lukla to Lukla. So, minimum trek distance is 14 km per day. It is one of the challenge to complete this long distance trek with in 12 days. We should walk 6-7 hours every day during the trek except on the acclimatization day in Namche and Dingboche.

No running water

The frozen pipeline in higher elevation is one of the difficulties due to which we have to use bucket water. We can use running water in lower elevation, but the water gets frozen in higher elevations due to lower temperatures.

Can you trek to Everest base camp on your own?

Yes, you can trek to Everest camp on your own but you should be ready to face all difficulties. It is never easy to do the trek without consulting the trekking company or guide. Booking the tea houses, lukla flight, getting permits and evacuation on medical emergencies are important part for solo trekkers.

Conclusion: Everest base camp trek difficulty

Everest base camp trek is not difficult for well trained trekkers. If we do good trek preparation, then trekking will be comfortable without difficulty. Altitude sickness is an uncertain difficulty that may occur to both experienced and new trekkers. We should be careful in entire trekking and obtain healthy habits until returning to Lukla.