Everest Base Camp Trek 7 Day Return by Helicopter

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek 7 days has the best weather conditions in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These are the most suitable trekking months. These months have clear views of the mountains and trekking conditions are optimal. Days are dry and pleasant. With the exception of higher altitudes, cold nights are manageable. Collecting autumn leaves and spring’s Quamoclit and Rhododendron Blossoms are terrific sight. They add to the overall experience of the trek.

Winter months (December to February) are extremely cold and will be better suited to more experienced trekkers who will be ready for snow and freezing conditions. The summer monsoon months (June to August) are also not good for Everest Base Camp 7 days trek because of heavy rainfall. The trails become cloudy and slippery and the risk extends to landslides in the lower trekking areas.

Elevation and Distance of Trekking to Everest Base Camp

During this trek, you’ll reach Everest Base Camp, which sits at an elevation of 5,364 m. The highest point on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5,545 m. This is where you will see the best close-up views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks. You’ll get the best views of the mountains after spending the night at Gorakshep, which sits at 5,181 m. It’s important that you get proper rest and hydrate.

The trekking adventure starts with a flight to Lukla, which is at an elevation of about 2,800 m. After Lukla, trekkers will walk an estimated total distance of around 60 – 65 kilometers. This depends on which route you take and if you do any additional side hikes. You will walk approximately 10 – 15 kilometers each day. The Everest Base Camp Trek 7 Days is a breathtaking adventure, and it’s intense because of the gain in altitude and the trek as a whole is very physically demanding, but very rewarding.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

You will cover an average of 4-8 hours of walking during the seven-day trek to Everest Base Camp. The Base Camp trek is scheduled so that the shorter walking days take place at higher altitudes, allowing more time for acclimatization and recovery. Usually, the longest walking day involves trekking to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep. This day usually takes multiple hours due to the altitude. The trek is not meant to be overly strenuous, and there are multiple breaks for snacks, relaxing, and picture breaks. Most trekkers are able to manage the hours, as long as they walk at a steady pace.

Difficulty and Acclimatization for the Everest Base Camp Trek

7-day Everest Base Camp Trek is classified as moderately challenging due to the altitude. While the trek has no barriers requiring climbing gear and is technically a simple trail, the trek does get higher, the air gets thinner, and your body begins to exert more heat, especially as you do normal walking. That is why acclimatization is so critical. You are psychologically and physically better when you take scheduled rest stops, hydrate yourself, and walk at a minimum, or a snail’s pace. With a proper plan, a reasonable amount of support and a professional guide, most trekkers are able to complete the journey.

Can a Beginner Trek to Everest Base Camp 7 Days?

Yes, total beginners can do 7 Day treks to Everest Base Camp. However, this is dependent on the beginner’s personal fitness level and the kind of preparation they have done. Trekking experience is not needed prior to. However, they should be ready to walk whole days at a time, and possibly some challenging uphill walking.

Above Namche Bazar, the trek gets considerably harder, and the higher elevation can drain people quickly, even if they are in great shape. Overall, beginners who appropriately train prior to, and are willing to, listen to the guides, and keep a positive mental attitude will do the best. It is important not to rush and listen to your body.

Preparation and Training

The more prepared you are, the easier the trek will be. We recommend training for your trip for 4 to 6 weeks, with a specific emphasis on cardio and leg strength. Activities such as hiking, walking, jogging, cycling, stair stepping, and even light workouts at the gym are great ways to build stamina.

Better yet, if you can practice walking with a weighted backpack, do that as well. Going on long walks on the weekends will also help improve your stamina, as well as your endurance. Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation because trekking at high altitudes requires a considerable amount of patience. When you are mentally and physically prepared, you will be able enjoy the scenery that surrounds you even more.

Everest Base Camp Trek Alternative Routes

Depending on how much time you have and your personal preferences, there are various alternative routes for the Everest Base Camp Trek. While some trekkers take the traditional routes through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche, others take a more adventurous routes through the Gokyo Lakes and over the Cho La Pass. This latter option offers stunning lakes and glaciers and has less foot traffic. Another option is to save time and experience a remarkable aerial view of the Himalayas by taking a helicopter after Gorakshep or the Everest Base Camp. These different itineraries can help make your trek unique and allow you to experience more of the Everest region.

Altitude Sickness

The Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to over 5,000 meters, meaning that altitude sickness is always a concern. What makes altitude sickness particularly difficult is that it is some of the most fit, experienced trekkers who get it. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, sleep difficulties, and a loss of appetite. Sickness can be prevented through slow trekking, drinking lots of water, eating well, and avoiding alcohol. Should the symptoms worsen, the best option is to take a break or head to a lower altitude. A good trekking guide will watch the symptoms closely and ensure safety throughout the trek.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Most of the accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek consists of teahouses, which are simple lodges run by families who live in the mountains. The rooms are typically shared and have two beds and a blanket, and the bathrooms are usually communal.

Some teahouses offer hot showers, but this service may come with an extra fee at the higher altitudes. Food is quite good and offers both local and western options, which include dal bhat, noodles, soup, fried rice, and some western options like eggs, pancakes, and potatoes. Almost any teahouse offers hot drinks like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, along with options for ginger lemon honey. Eating and drinking enough is crucial because at higher altitudes, the body burns more energy.

Transportation

A scenic flight to Lukla is the first mode of transport, and it may be the most exciting part of the journey. During busy trekking seasons, the flights may operate from Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. This means trekkers have to make an drive in the early hours of the morning. Most trekkers try to fly back the same route, but according to our itinerary, you’ll receive a helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla. This is a massive time saver and takes away the stress of doing a long downhill trek. Finally, the Everest adventure is completed by taking another short flight to Kathmandu from Lukla.

Communication, charging gadgets, and Internet/WIFI

In most villages, you can communicate, but it is more challenging at higher elevations. You may receive signals at Namche, Dingboche, and Lobuche, but it depends on your provider. Wi-Fi is available at teahouses, but if you don’t want to pay, it may be slow. In higher areas, charging your phone, camera, or power bank may be available, but it could cost extra. It is best to bring an extra power bank because the cold drains batteries. To limit the internet, most trekkers focus on the mountains instead of devices.

Everest Base Camp Trek Permits

There are two major permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek. One is the Sagarmatha National Park permit. This one is for the conservation and support of the national park. The second one is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit, and it is for trekking in the area. The permits are checked along the way, so they are required for trekkers. The paperwork is usually taken care of by trekking companies, so you will not have to deal with it during your trip.