Everest Base Camp Trek 16 Days

Everest is the world’s tallest mountain. It lies at a staggering height of 8848.13 meters. It is also known as Sagarmatha which means “Peak of Heaven”. This 16 days Everest Base Camp trek takes you to the Base of the tallest mountain in the world. It is a moderate trek for trekkers who can walk up to days and days for hours daily.

The 16 days EBC trek will be awestruck you with glimpses of the diverse Sagarmatha National park as well as the local life of Sherpa people in this region. In this trek, you will embark on an incredible journey that takes you to the same trail Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa set off in 1953.

The Sherpas who are the ace of the Himalayas will be your guiding hands along the treacherous path of the Himalayas. They will also be providing you with a company and all the knowledge they have to offer for you to understand the local surroundings.

The 16 days trek is originally designed for beginners who just started to trekking and are in good health with average physical fitness to overcome the challenges you may face in the coming days at the trek. Experienced trekkers who have steady adaptive features to the altitude and proper acclimatization take the 16 days Everest camp trek via Gokyo lake.

Nevertheless, this ultimate trekking challenges you to a once in a lifetime adventure filled with breathtaking views of the mountains and Sherpa’s hospitality which makes you feel you are at home.

16 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights

• Mountain Flights from and to Lukla
• Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site like Pashupatinath, Sagarmatha National Park, and Swayambhunath.
• Visit Tengboche Monastery
• Experience the remarkable scenery of the Khumbu Village.
• An up-close view of the World’s tallest mountain Mount Everest (8848 m).

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m)

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation

Day 03: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,651m): 40 minutes flight; 8km, 3 – 4 hours trek

Day 04: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,438m): 11km, 5 – 6 hours

Day 05: Acclimatization Day – Namche Bazaar: (3,440m)

Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m): 10km, 5- 6 hours

Day 07: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m): 9km, 5 – 6 hours

Day 08: Dingboche: Acclimatization

Day 09: Dingboche to Duglha (4,600 m): 4km, 3 – 4 hours

Day 10: Dughla to Lobuche (4940 m): 4km, 2 – 4 hours

Day 11: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5170 m), visit Everest Base Camp (5364 m/17,594 ft): 13km, 6-7 hours

Day 12: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545m) to Pheriche (4,288m/14,070ft): 16km, 7-8 hours

Day 13: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m): 20km, 6 – 7 hours

Day 14: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860m/9,186ft): 19km, 6 – 7 hours

Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu

Day 16: Final departure

16 Days Everest Base Camp Trek in Different Season

The Everest region is extremely cold. Without adequate planning and proper packing, the weather might turn out to be cruel. So it is important to understand the patterns of this particular region. Ensuring the weather patterns during your visit will stabilize the possibility of mild, great trekking. Understanding the overview of the seasons in Nepal is crucial for your trek.

Spring:

Spring season begins with the glory of eternal sunshine over the mountain ranges. This season promises a delicate view of the Everest region when you travel by foot. The weather is perfect for trekking during this month. It is warm at lower elevations. The crisp weather in the spring season is perfect for the exploration of nature. Chirping birds in the meadows, flowers blooming in the mountains make it a dream of a season to trek.

Autumn:

You might experience occasional snowfall but it will only make the trekking more exciting. You will still feel the chill in the early morning and late evenings. The trekking will only get more exciting from here. The spectacular scene of blooming rhododendrons across the hills will leave you awestruck. Trekkers regard this season as the best time trek EBC for a crystal clear view of mountains.

Winter:

Winter, it is an off-season of the year. The trekking passes are usually closed. The days are shorter. You might also experience heavy snowfall some times of the year. The cost also tends to drop low in this month. Solitude is another wonderful thing at offer during the winter trek to Everest Base Camp.

Summer:

The month of May ends the season of spring. You can experience visible drizzling rain this time around. It is the month of pleasant weather conditions and a memorable trekking experience. The temperature starts to get warmer. Flowers blossom across the green fields. The days tend to be longer during this time of the year. Occasional rain might disrupt the trek though.

Difficulties of 16 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

These 16 days Everest Base Camp Trek is not going to be easy unless you prepare well. There are several different guidelines to overcome the difficulties you might encounter during this trek. The incredible trek is only possible by foot since there is no road connection through the Khumbu and Lukla.

The length and time can be the determining factors for the trek as the route courses through high altitudes. Your body may not acclimatize in the given time period of rest. Therefore, you should spend some days acclimatizing to the altitude of this region. This will decrease your chances of suffering from Altitude sickness.

The trek begins after arriving at Lukla from Kathmandu. Here, your 65 km journey to Everest Base Camp begins (130 km round trip). Depending upon your trekking experience, 65 km may or may not be a formidable distance.

In reality, 65 km, even for an inexperienced trekker, is not very far when you realize that the average walking speed of a human is 5 km per hour. Unless you are trekking unsupported, a porter will be carrying your bag for you.

Training and Preparation for 16 Days Everest Base Camp trek

The whole trip length is 130km and spread over the span of more than 2 weeks which consists of minimal walk of 5-6 hours each day. So there are various factors you need to consider prior to your trek.

A good level of fitness is certainly a must for you to enjoy the trek to a full extent. 6 hours hiking a day will certainly test you to your limits. So training yourself for the task ahead is critical. You must build your core strength on a routine plan scheduled 6-8 weeks before your trek.

You can join to focus on your legs since several long hikes for weeks will need a lot of endurance. Aerobic exercise will also support your body for durability which includes jogging and swimming.

Packing and Equipment

Good trekking equipment ensures your safety along the trek. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 15 kg. You can buy most of the trekking equipment in Kathmandu or Namche Bazar. These include the following:

Clothing

• Base Layer
• Insulation Layer
• Third Layer
• General Trekking Gear
• Headwear
• Hat
• Beanie
• Neck Gaiter
• Gloves
• Inner Gloves
• Outer Insulated Gloves
• Footwear
• Hiking Boots
• Trekking Shoes / Sandals
• Hiking Socks
• Warm Thermal Socks
• Gaiters
• Bags and Backpacks
• Duffel Bag
• Backpack
• Daypack
• Raincover
• Sleeping Gear
• Sleeping Bag
• Liner
• Ear Plugs
• Poles and Headgear
• Trekking Poles
• Sunglasses

Miscellaneous Accessories

• Water Bottle / Hydration Bladder
• Towel
• Pee Funnel
• Lock
• Waterproof Bag

Technology and Entertainment

• Camera
• Portable Charger
• Books
• Cards
• Passport/ Money
• Insurance
• Medications and Toiletries
• Water purification tablets
• Isotonic Powder
• Diamox
• Common Medications
• First Aid Kit
• Sunscreen
• Baby Wipes
• Toiletries
• Plasters
• Oximeter
• Hand Sanitizer

Package Cost of 16 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

There are various factors that determine the overall cost of the trip. You need to prepare your budget for the expedition ahead. Keeping in mind all the expenses through the trek. It will only ensure your quality stay and well being on the trip. Let’s look into such factors:

Prices normally range from USD$1,200 per person depending upon the number of days you spend in the Everest region. Prices generally include the cost of permits, round trip flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, accommodation, and meals.

Transportation Cost for Everest Base Camp 16 Days Trek

For most of the part of the trek, you will be walking on feet. You need to travel via a flight at the start of the trek. A short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla will cost you around 180 US dollars. It is always a good idea to book a flight in advance. The weather conditions are not always in your favor. There is always a chance of flight cancellations if the weather conditions are not perfect for flying.

Cost of Equipment for Everest Base Camp 16 days Trek

You will need to buy different types of clothing and trekking equipment. It depends on what equipment you already have and how much you are willing to hire. There are however a few pieces of equipment you should definitely consider bringing with you. You do not have to buy everything new. You can rent trekking gears in Thamel. The gears will cost you around 1-10 USD per day.

Entree fee and permits for 16 days Everest Base Camp trek

During your trek, you will enter through the Everest region and Sagarmatha National Park. You will need to account for two different permits. Trekkers have to pay fees for entering into Sagarmatha National Park.

• Sagarmatha National Park Permit- NPR 3390 (3000 plus 13 percent tax) which is approximately 30 USD for foreigners. This is 1500 Nepali rupees or 14 USD for trekkers holding a SAARC member country passport.
• You also need to pay 2000 NPR (18USD) at Lukla for the Local Area Permit.

Food Guide for Everest Trek

You do not need to worry about the food. Lodges and tea houses along the way offer a variety of food. The cost of the food is cheap at lower altitudes and the prices increase as you trek to higher altitudes. You can either have the traditional Nepali meal or continental food. The meal cost between 5 to 15 USD depending on the food item you order. You do not have to carry a lot of food. Carrying energy bars and snack comes in handy.

Everest Base Camp trek Accommodation

Tea houses cost around 100-200 Nepali Rupees along the trail depending upon the seasons and types of tea houses. However, prices rise the further you go along the trail and can hit 1,000 to 2,000 rupees at Gorak Shep. The lodges have clean rooms and beds. Toilets and bathrooms are outside. Taking hot showers will cost you in the range of 2 to 6 USD.

Insurance for Everest Base Camp 16 Days Trek

Altitude makes a big difference compared to other Holiday Destinations. You will never predict what’s coming. You may suffer from severe illness and High Altitude Sickness. Other Mishap also may occur during the trek. So Travel insurance is a must for treks in high altitudes.

Your insurance should cover expenses for sickness, injury. You should also enlist evacuations for immediate rescue in the insurance policy. The Travel Insurance for 30 days will cost you around 150 dollars.

Hiring a Guide and Porter for 16 Days EBC Trek

Trek to the Everest Base camp is physically and mentally challenging. Hiring a potter will give you that extra comfort. You can pay porters to adjust yourself to the harsh and rugged roads and terrains. The potters will carry your luggage to the destination. Porters’ charge is usually cheap. Hiring a potter will cost you around 20 $. Potters do the heavy-duty work for you.

You can travel as a free individual to The Everest Base Camp. Hiring a guide is optional for those who are new to the experience. The guide will ensure your safety on the trek. You will have the chance to understand the diversity of the terrains. Hiring a guide will allow you to interact with the local culture and tradition. Cost ranges from $600 up to $800 with bargaining. Make sure that you confirm whether your guide is licensed and registered.

Altitude Sickness

You must consider the fact during the course of the journey trekkers suffer from altitude sickness. So you should be well prepared for it. Altitude sickness might turn out to be fatal if it is not treated well. It is a pathological condition. Lack of sufficient oxygen levels in our body is the biggest cause of altitude sickness.

Conditions have chances to rapidly deteriorate and lead to various altitude sickness like HACE and HAPE, which pose much more serious and often life-threatening risks.

Symptoms

• Hallucination
• Chronic headache
• Lack of consciousness
• Suffocation
• Fatigue
• Extreme shortness of breath
• Irrationality

Prevention

• Stay hydrated
• Ensure an adequate amount of sleep each day
• Acclimatize
• Avoid alcohol
• Refrain from smoking
• Take preventive medication along with you.
• Descent

Conclusion

Life in the highest part of the world will truly set new heights for your hunger for adventure. 16 days Everest Base Camp trek is an amazing experience in the foothills of the mountains exploring the Himalayas and ancient monasteries and village settlements. It is a once in a lifetime thrilling experience as you will cherish this trek for the rest of your life with your friends and family. All you need to take care of for now is consider the necessary knowledge and information before you set off on your adventure.