Everest Base Camp Trek -12 days

Trip Information

Fitness level and health recommendations

12 days at Everest Base Camp You can reach Everest Base Camp by trekking, but you must first spend two days acclimatizing at Namche and Dingboche. We will ascend to Kala Patthar, which is 5,555 meters above sea level, where we will spend four nights.

We highly recommend this trip to everyone who can walk and is in good physical condition. This plan can be executed by anyone who is capable of general mountain trekking because you have 2 more nights of acclimatization planned. possess knowledge, are in good physical shape, and are physically fit. You must be able to hike for five to seven hours every day for 12 days.

Exercise and jog frequently for a few weeks prior to the trip will enhance your stamina and allow you to completely enjoy the trek. Trekkers with pre-existing conditions such as blood, heart, or lung disease should notify us or visit a doctor before making a reservation. How ever Ambition Himalaya  provides Experienced tour leaders who have undergone thorough first aid training, so you don’t need to be concerned. To check for altitude sickness, your oxygen level will be regularly checked throughout the day. We have also designed the routes to safeguard everyone from altitude sickness.

The only way to treat someone in your group who has severe altitude sickness symptoms is to descend right away. So we assess the situation and offer advice on how to settle down or rest.

Best Season

The best season for the Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days is spring from the months of April to May and autumn from the months of September to November. This doesn’t mean that you can’t go on the Everest Base Camp trek in other seasons. This trip is open all year round irrespective of any season or period.

Each season comes with its own advantages, such as in spring, the weather is warmer and welcoming. The temperature rises to 16 degrees Celsius during the day and falls to -8 degrees at night. The rhododendron the national flower of Nepal and magnolias are in full bloom. The trail to the Everest Base Camp looks like a creation of an artistic painter. You will also get the opportunity to witness the colorful festival of Holi and Bisket Jatra in Kathmandu Valley.

Similarly, the autumn season also offers a mild and pleasant temperature from -1 to 15 degrees Celsius with crystal clear sky and the least probability of rain and snow. You will be able to observe the Dashain and Tihar festivals in the valley along with the remarkable views of the beautiful Himalayas.

The trails during these two seasons are often crowded making it enjoyable for those who like to socialize and share each other’s experiences.

But for those, who wish to enjoy nature in peace and quiet, summer and winter season can be the perfect time for this adventure. The summer season from July to August coexists with the monsoon season. You can expect heavy rain in the evening and night but the overnight rain often creates a perfectly clear day for witnessing the stunning views of nature and Everest.

However, the muddy and slippery trail in the lower regions with the higher probability of mosquito and leech infestation can make your trek a bit challenging. Also, make sure to set aside a few extra days for the cancellation of flights due to unfavorable weather.

In winter from December to February, be prepared for a low temperature of -14 degrees Celsius and a lot of snow. Additionally, the lodges may be closed but they will open on request.

Having said that, with the right equipment, clothing, and team of skilled professionals, we can make this trek possible in any season you prefer.

Difficulty

Our 12-day Everest base camp trek is a moderately difficult trek favorable for all people possessing average physical fitness. the hiking period each day of the trek involves 5 to 7 hours of long walk. the eighth and ninth days of the trek are going to be especially challenging which needs you to hike for about 7 to 9 hours.

These two days are the high point of our entire expedition to Everest Base Camp, where you will be trekking to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep. The next day, you will be climbing Kala Patthar before dawn and returning to Pheriche.

Therefore, a good physical status and high endurance level are a must. However, the route we have planned for you doesn’t require technical climbing skills or the use of any specialized equipment except for crampons. There are also no sections that are at risk of avalanche, narrow passages, or glacial crevasses.

Please keep in mind, the weather conditions in high-altitude zones such as Everest Base Camp can be treacherous. Sudden wind, drop in temperature, and avalanches can occur. So make sure you follow the instructions provided by our guide at all times. Do not walk fast and go far from the group.

also, remember, at high altitudes, the infrastructure is a bit basic. you may not find the services you are used to at home but trust us, the reward will be something you have not expected at all. The beautiful Himalayas of Everest, Changtse, Pumori, Nuptse, and Lhotse will be standing to acknowledge you.

We suggest you make your lifestyle more active by swimming, running cycling, or walking at least a month before your Everest Base Camp Trek.

Altitude Sickness

Everest Base Camp stands at 5364 m high above sea level which lies at the foot of Mount Everest. But we may not see Everest from the base camp therefore, the following day we climb the summit of Kala Patthar. From here we have an excellent vantage point to witness Everest and other Himalayas. Climbing to Kala Patthar is not an easy task as it is at 5545 m high above sea level.

In addition, day by day to reach these vantage points, we have to cross numerous dizzying suspension bridges and deal with several ascends and descends. The main problem that you encounter during the trek is the risk of altitude sickness. Weakness, shortness of breath, headache, vomiting, and sleep problems are some of the problems you may suffer from.

To avoid such situations, you simply need to follow the acclimatization rules even if you feel great and think have a lot of strength. Walk at a gradual pace, giving your body enough time to adapt to the thin and cool air of greater heights. Make use of the rest day by hiking for a few hours and resting at the accommodation.

Drink a lot of fluids ( 3 to 4 liters of water) and avoid consuming alcohol and cigarettes. If you feel any of the symptoms we have mentioned, please don’t be a hero and push yourself. Inform our guide and descend to a lower elevation. Take paracetamol for minor headaches or Diamox if you feel difficulty in breathing.

In case of serious symptoms, helicopter evacuation may be needed for which we are always prepared and are in a stand-by position.

What to expect?

Our Everest base camp trek of 12 days is certainly a trek to realize your dreams of spending time on the lap of Everest and other greater Himalayas. This trek is also an opportunity to gain the dizzying experience of crossing suspension bridges and visiting Buddhist stupas.

Waking every morning with the expectation of a new destination gives you the strength to hike for long hours. Every day, you will pass through a diverse landscape from a green forested valley to a world of rocks and glaciers. All the time, you will enjoy the closer proximity to the greater mountains.

Each day, you will spend the night in the local Sherpa villages which are famous for their fascinating histories and hospitable communities. There will be plenty of chances for you to explore monasteries, pagodas, Mani Walls, and prayer flags. The smiling faces of Sherpas radiating their joy will certainly infect you all the time.

At Namche Bazaar, you will hike to Everest View Point and enjoy your breakfast with a hot cup of coffee with the amazing snow-capped Himalayas as a backdrop. At Tengboche, you will visit the world-famous ancient Tengboche monastery and learn about the century-old Buddhist culture.

As you approach Dingboche, you will be able to admire the soaring silhouette of Ama Dablam. At Gorakshep, you will feel the true atmosphere of high-mountain expeditions. As you reach the Everest Base Camp, you will experience what camp life is. The next day from Kala Patthar, you will have an outstanding panoramic view of Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse.

As the route ends in Kathmandu Valley, you will be able to take a brief tour of Hanuman Dhoka, Swayaymbunath, Durbar Square, Kumari Bahal, Pashupatinath, and Boudhnath. Not a bad way to end this journey right?

Accommodation, Food, and Transportation

As your trusted companion, we will cover all your accommodation, food, and transportation expenses. In Kathmandu, we will accommodate you at a reputed hotel at an additional cost. We will make sure the hotel will provide you with free WIFI, 24-hour hot water for showers, and an attached bathroom.

As the trek begins, we provide you with accommodation in the best available mountain lodges or guest houses. We avoid accommodating you in low-standard hotels. As the route to the Everest Base Camp is commercially well-developed, there are a number of good and comfortable lodges, especially in the lower altitude villages of Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche. They also provide free or paid WIFI services along with hot showers.

With the increase in altitude, the lodge accommodation becomes simpler with the basic amenities of a shared room with bed, mattress, pillow, and some furniture. There will be no central heating system so make sure to bring a warm sleeping bag. You may also have to share the toilets and dining room.

The rooms may come with an electric socket for charging your mobile, laptop, or cameras. Please keep in mind the lodge owners may charge extra fares for these services.

Regarding food, we guarantee all three meals throughout the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The lodges where we accommodate also provide a wide range of food options. For example, at breakfast, you can order boiled or fried eggs, omelets, bread, Tibetan bread, porridge, potatoes, etc.

At lunch and dinner, you can order for Nepalese national dish of rice, lentils, legumes soup, and vegetables. Or, you can have hot garlic soup, pizza, noodles, and world-famous Momos.

Drink costs are excluded from our package but all the drinks come at a lower cost. So you can try black tea, coffee, famous Masala tea, honey lemon tea, coke, juices, etc. For safe drinking water, request the lodge owner for boiled water. For clean water along the route, carrying water purifiers or purification tablets is advisable.

Please don’t purchase mineral water bottles as they will come at expensive prices. Plus, we promote ecofriendly tourism so we try to avoid the use of plastic as much as possible.

For transportation, we will fly you to Lukla – Kathmandu and Kathmandu – Lukla at a cheaper price. Please inform us if you wish to spend a few more days in Kathmandu. We can organize a private Kathmandu excursion tour with a private car, driver, and guide at an additional fare.

12 days Everest base camp trek vs Regular EBC trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is an iconic trail that gives you an opportunity to be close to the highest peak of Everest. Whether it’s for 12 days or 21 or more days, both treks will take you along the most beautiful trail in the world.

Since the Everest Base Camp trek has gained its popularity, many alternative routes have been developed for its access to all types of travelers: from new to experienced ones. Typically short treks such as our 12 days Everest Base Camp trek are suitable for a family vacation where all members from children (above 12 years) to the elderly can participate.

Whereas, the classic or regular Everest Base Camp trek is a long trail lasting for several days favorable for those who have experience in higher altitude treks in Nepal. It is the classic route that takes you along the path of Sir Edmund Hilary and involves long steep climbs and descends.

However, both of these trails will take you to the ultimate destination of Everest Base Camp walking you through the picturesque villages of Khumbu Valley.

Similarity

The short Everest Base Camp trek and regular Everest Base Camp trek involve walking each day for about 5 to 7 hours. Either of these treks allows you to cross the heart of the planet between the valley of snow-capped mountains that touch the sky.

You will walk among picturesque and well-preserved stone villages, cross suspension bridges over the Milk River, meet the Sherpa culture, and experience a ceremony at the highest Buddhist monastery in the world.

Both of these treks will take you through the same route, traversing through the villages of Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep. You will then trek to Everest Base Camp and to KalaPatthar to witness the majestic view of the greater Himalayan giants.

Either one of the treks will conclude the journey with a hike to Lukla and a flight to Kathmandu. The trail is well-marked and commercially well-developed, offering remarkable views to keep you company.

Likewise, spring and autumn are the best time to undertake the short or classic trek to Everest Base Camp. Feeling the effects of altitude in both of these treks is normal as the body will need to adapt to the new oxygen levels.

Difference

The regular Everest Base Camp is for those willing to leave their comfort zone. It is a journey to leave the trivial and ordinary, an opportunity to feel and vibrate again. It gives you the chance to connect with the strength within you.

This trek often takes around 20 to 25 days and begins with a drive to Bhandara, then a trek to the small villages of Sete, Junbesi, Nunthala, Bupse Danda, Surke, Phakding to Namche Bazaar. The short 12-day Everest Base Camp trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla then trek to Phakding.

Thus, the regular Everest Base Camp trek is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of rural Nepal for a few more days. However, long trials often test our physical and mental health a lot. It is important to have focus and directed thinking when doing this trek.