Is Everest Base Camp Trek Dangerous?

The true answer for “is Everest base camp trek dangerous” holds false. The Everest base camp trek is safe. It is mountain hiking for 11 days where you can encounter the amazing snowcapped peaks along with Mt. Everest. The highest peak in the world “Sagarmatha” is the attraction point of EBC trekking, but the reality is we cannot see good view of Mount Everest from the base camp. The mesmerizing beauty of Pumori, Nuptse, Lobuche, Tabuche, Cholache are dominant over little portion of Everest view from base camp. 

Everest base camp trek is an adventurous trek that starts from Lukla. We should cover 135 km distance from Lukla to Lukla within 11 days. Walking around 112.5 km daily on high elevation may increase challenges but we can safely reach base camp and return without difficulties. 

Misconception about Everest base camp trek

There are different myths and facts about Everest base camp trek but we are trying to address the most common nine misconceptions that are misleading trekkers to choose EBC trek as a dream adventure.

Top 9 myths about Everest base camp trek

• Pro trekkers can only do it
• Super expensive and super remote
• Fancy gear
• Very cold
• Should carry heavy backpack
• Should have guide and porter
• Over night in Everest base camp
• Peaceful trek
• Extremely dangerous

Myth 1: Pro trekkers can only do EBC trek

Reality: Everest base camp trekking is for both beginners and experienced hikers. People of any age with proper preparation can go to Everest base camp. If we are beginners, EBC trek preparation is very essential. We can easily complete the trek with proper guidance. 

EBC Myths 2: Super expensive and super remote

Reality: There is fake publicity as EBC trek is super expensive and super remote but in reality EBC trek is neither expensive nor remote. The Everest base camp trek cost varies from 1000 USD to 1550 USD in budget trek whereas luxury EBC trek cost varies from 2000 USD to 4000 USD. The local trekking company gives you the best price. 

On the other hand Everest base camp trek is never a super remote trekking. In reality, it is the most developed trekking route where we can get all shorts of facilities based on lodging and fooding. We can get western, Indian and Nepali food throughout the trek route. There is bar, resturant, medical, markets, Atm, museum and luxury hotels in Namche bazaar. We can get electric blankets, hot water shower, room heaters during luxury trek. 

Myth 3: We need fancy gear for EBC trek

Reality: Fancy gear is your choice, but it is not compulsory. We can minimize our budget by hiring the jacket, boots, sleeping bags and other gears in Thamel. The layering of clothes is better than wearing thick jackets. We can pack a minimum of four pairs of clothes to complete the trek. Ideally, we can separate dress for walking and resting in tea house so that same dress can be worn many times during the trek. It saves the expenses in miscellaneous. 

Myth 4: Very cold

Reality: The entire EBC trek is not very cold. We experience cold nights in high altitude but days remains sunny. The temperature remains moderate from mid-March to mid – May and mid-September to mid-November. 

Myth 5: Should carry heavy backpack

Reality: We can carry small bags with our very important things like camera, phones, power banks, money, water bottles, and medicines during the trek. Porter will carry our bag and leave it in the tea house everyday. It is highly suggested to pack 10 kg to 12 kg bag during the trek. 

Myth 6: Should trek with guide and porter

Reality: We can do solo Everest base camp trek. Having guide and porter makes everything easy but it is not compulsory. Taking Lukla flight tickets, permits and following the route is possible for all trekkers worldwide.

Myth 7: Overnight in Everest base camp

Reality: We never stay overnight in Everest Base Camp. Gorekshep is the last settlement for accommodation on the route to Everest Base Camp. Therefore, we will stay overnight in Gorekshep after visiting Everest Base Camp. The distance between Everest Base Camp and Gorekshep is 3.3 km, and it takes around an hour to reach base camp from Gorekshep. We will stay for an hour in base camp. After taking photos and videos, we will return to Gorakshep for having food and nightstay.

Only the expedition team settled their camp and stay in Everest base camp. Even some trekking company offers settling camps and staying overnight in Everest base camp which remains much expensive.

Myth 8: Peaceful trek

Reality: EBC trek route is crowdy route where sometime we have to wait our turn while walking as well. The large number of trekkers and mules carrying load makes the trekking route busy with noise. So, reality of EBC trek route is crowdy, noisy rather than peaceful.

Myth 9: Extremely dangerous

Reality: Everest base camp trekking route is moderate with well managed path where we donot remain unsafe. The small child can also reach EBC. The high elevation resulting altitude sickness makes trekking difficult for some trekkers but walking slowly, drinking plenty of water and taking hygenic food helps to reduce altitude sickness as well. 

Facts about Everest base camp trekking

• Leads to the foot of the highest peak in the world: Mount Everest
• Moderate trekking in Khumbu region
• Amazing view of Mt. Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Changste, Thamserkhu and many more mountains of Mahalangur range.
• Tea house trekking
• Kalapatthar: the highest point to view Mt. Everest
• Trekking duration: 11 days
• Passing throught Sherpa villages: Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorekshep
• Developed trekking route
• Lukla flight

How fit you should be for Everest base camp trek?

We should be absolutely fine without any health issue for Everest base camp trek. There should be good trek preparation before starting the trek. The trekkers should be healthy and able to walk 6, 7 hours daily on uphills and downhills of Everest terrain. 

Closure !!

Everest base camp (EBC) trek is adequate trekking that inholds some challenges like altitude sickness and cold nights. Besides, we can explore the mindblowing view of mountains and landscapes of Khumbu region. The beauty of Mahalangur range, Sherpa snd Sherpa’s culture, villages along with Sagarmatha national park.