Difficulty Level
Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most fascinating and remarkable Himalayan explorations in Nepal. As home to the highest alpine peak in the world and other marvelous highlights, this eastern part of the country is one of the most renowned trekking destinations across the world. Although the iconic experience is guaranteed, and this is all set to the adventure of your lifetime, you might be curious about the overall Everest Base Camp difficulty. However, you don’t need to worry about the difficulty level of this thrilling Himalayan adventure, as it is just at a moderate level. The moderate level of grading means that there aren’t any challenging sections in the trek, and trekkers don’t have to use any kind of technical tools.
Although the high altitude and trekking distance can be a bit of a challenge, if you train right, you will be able to easily overcome these aspects. Also, remember this: the grading has been done for the two-way journey, trek from Lukla (2,800 m) to EBC, and return to Lukla for flight back to Kathmandu. However, this Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek starts from Syangboche, and you will fly back to Kathmandu from Gorak Shep, skipping the return trek part. So, the overall journey can be anticipated to be much easier than the regular EBC Trek. Thus, basic fitness and good health conditions are all that you will need for this trek, so even if you are a beginner without any prior experience, you can easily complete this incredible journey if you prepare adequately.
Group Size
For the 8 Days Namche Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek, the group size will be approximately 2 to 12 people. A minimum of two people are required to start this luxury experience, and the maximum number of trekkers per group will be 12. The overall group size is irrelevant to the provided services and amenities. Every single one of the guests will be able to enjoy a comfortable and luxurious experience regardless of the group size.
Guide and Porter Services
Every one of Himalayan adventures is led by industry-leading experts. Our guides are government-licensed and have significant years of experience operating in the region. They are also trained for high altitude and first-aid treatment, so you don’t have to worry about anything during the trek, as you will be in safe hands. We will also provide the required number of porters as per the group size for this Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek. The porters will be mostly the natives of the region and will add value to your experience. They will carry your luggage and trekking gear so you can travel light and enjoy your journey.
Accommodation Type
8 Days Namche Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek is a luxury experience, so you will be able to enjoy a luxurious experience throughout the trek without any comprises. During your stay in Kathmandu, you will stay at a four-star hotel, and during your exploration of the mountain, you will only stay at the luxurious lodges throughout the route. Compared to the standard teahouse accommodation, the luxurious lodges provide more facilities and amenities, so you will feel comfortable even in the mountains.
Altitude Acclimatization
While doing high-altitude treks, it is very important to acclimatize properly, as there are risks of altitude sickness if proper precautionary methods are not followed. Although the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not that much of a threat (the only danger in this trekking route), catching its symptoms can be quite bothersome. So, in order not to compromise the risk of AMS, even if it is minor, we have planned this trek with enough acclimatization period. After starting your trek from Syangboche, you will take an acclimatization day at Dingboche before pushing for the trans-Himalayan zone (above 5,000 m).
Also note that our itinerary plans are prepared with the help of industry experts and veteran guides, so even while following the trekking route slowly, your body will adapt to rising altitudes. Besides lunch breaks, you will also have enough short breaks to take a breather, and know that our itinerary plan has been designed to enhance your experience at a gradual pace.
Travel Tips
Physical Preparation
As we have discussed earlier, your overall experience in this Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek will depend on how much effort you will put into the training part. Yes, this mainstream trekking adventure in the Himalayas has been labeled as a moderately difficult exploration. However, the terrain, trekking distance, altitude gain, remoteness, and climatic conditions can be challenging aspects of the trip if you are not properly prepared for it. So, to overcome the demanding parts of this journey and ensure a memorable and remarkable adventure, you should stick to a proper training routine.
Normally, the trekkers are recommended to train for 3 to 8 weeks for high-altitude treks in the Himalayas. However, if you are physically fit and work out routinely, you will not need to put in a lot of effort. Understanding the demand of the trail and what physical prospect you should develop is the most efficient way to prepare for this trek. To understand that, you can do some practice hikes at steep sections close to you. Your training should focus on strength and endurance training as it will be most tested during the trek. Similarly, the cardio and stamina exercises will make the experience much more comfortable, and these exercises will also help you to easily adapt to the rising altitudes.
Packing For Trek
The packing list of this 8 Days Namche Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek will majorly depend on what season you will be taking part in this exploration. Spring and autumn are calm months where you will not be required to pack any weather-specific gear and layers. However, you will still traverse across different climatic zones from temperate (below 3,000 m) to trans-Himalayan (above 5,000 m). So, you will still need to pack the climatic zone appropriate layer and gear for the trek during the peak seasons as well. Light layers for the lower altitudes, comfortable trekking boots, sleeping bags, down jackets, trekking poles, headlamps, etc, are some helpful and necessary gear that will make your adventure comfortable.
However doing this trek in off-seasons such as winter and monsoon, you will need to pack an extensive set of gear and layers. The trekking trails are wet and slippery during the monsoon seasons, the weather is also generally unstable. So you will need to bring a reliable trekking boot with good traction, a water jacket, waterproof covers, a gaiter, etc. Similarly, winter is very cold on the mountain; the trails are covered with snow and even blocked at the higher altitudes. So, insulated layers, boots, microspikes, and heavy-down jackets should be your top priority.
**Note: Don’t forget to pack personal hygiene products, snacks, and energy bars for the trek as well. The energy bars are really handy for quick energy boosts while venturing physically demanding trails**
Health and Safety
Himalayas On Foot will follow every safety protocol and precautionary method to ensure that you enjoy a hassle-free journey. Your health and safety is our top priority so we will strictly monitor every aspect of your health and safety to ensure that you will enjoy a shameless journey. During the trekking part, our trekking crew will inspect your health conditions and check how well you are adapting to the new altitudes during each day. They will do a pre-trek evaluation of the route weather and assess other aspects to make sure everything is in the right condition.
Also, our crew members have received training for first aid response and high altitude, so you can stay assured that our crew is capable of handling every kind of circumstance. If you are wondering about tactics to respond to emergency situations, if such circumstances arise, the crew will coordinate with our main office to execute the rescue operation quickly and efficiently.
Altitude Sickness
Our 8 Days Namche Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek package has been designed with the initiative to reduce the risk of altitude sickness during the trek. You will walk at a slow-pace and will also get enough rest period along the trail, so you don’t have to worry about the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) on this trek. Still, if you start showing symptoms of altitude sickness, you should consult with your guide as soon as possible. Here are some symptoms of altitude sickness that you should be careful about while doing this high-altitude trek:
General Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
- Nause and vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Fatigue or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
**Note: If you happen to show any kind of these related symptoms, no matter how mild, you should consult with your trekking guide immediately**
Some Helpful Tips to Reduce Risk of Altitude Sickness
- Follow a gradual paced ascend, and don’t climb too fast to higher altitudes
- Take rest at regular intervals and acclimatize properly
- Drink at least 3 to 4 liters of fluid
- Eat a balanced diet and moderate nutrition intake
- Train adequately before starting the trek
- Avoid overexerting yourself
- Don’t smoke cigarettes and consume alcoholic beverages during the trek
- Keep yourself warm at higher altitudes
- If necessary, take altitude sickness medication for the trek
