Everest Base Camp Trekking

It is only in adventure that some people succeed, in knowing themselves, in finding themselves — Andre Gide

First-ever trekking experience

The First experience of Trekking imparted a valuable lesson in pushing boundaries and persisting through challenges.

It’s worth knowing that the journey is as important as the destination. Each challenge contributes to valuable lessons about determination, perseverance, and the strength that lies within each one of us.

My first trekking experience was truly a journey of finding myself. This was the first ever trekking trip I had ever been to.

Some of the highlights of the trekking that will always be with me are breathtaking scenery, forests, shrubberies, glaciers, the hospitality of the Sherpas, Himalayan Mountains, etc.

For me, the best part of trekking to the EBC is to challenge myself to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It’s better to be informed about the map and route of the trail. Fortunately, the EBC trail is so frequently traveled by fellow trekkers, porters, guides, and animals, that there is very little chance of missing the trail.

We were two friends when we planned the trekking, we hired a guide-porter at Lukla airport who approached us and offered his service. It turned out to be the wise decision we made. He carried half of the luggage from each of us.

Packing List

Hiking clothes: The sun is out most of the time during the day, so a Trekking t-shirt can dry quickly with a fleece top and a rain jacket.
Normal Clothes: When you are at the lodges, you need something that can keep you warm. A thermal pair, a comfortable shoe, and a down jacket will be great.
Head Lamps: You have to trek early mornings and in the case where you have to hike at night.
First Aids: Bandages, Paracetamol, Diamox for Altitude Sickness, etc.
Sunglasses: Sunglasses are a must as the sun is extremely strong up there and you will see lots of white snow everywhere.
Wet Wipes: In most places, you can use hot water, but if not then it comes very handy.
Trekking Shoes: I bought two pairs of shoes, one for trekking and one for normal days, and it worked perfectly fine.
Sleeping Bag: Bedrooms in lodges are cold at night so I would recommend getting the -10 to -15 rated one. I rented one from where I bought most of my trekking gear, but never used it once as we were provided extra blankets up to Gorakshep
Toiletries: Tissue papers, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreens, lip balms, hand wash etc.
Chocolates: I took a few packs of Snickers for energy, which will be needed when climbing and you need energy.
Get Maps.me: I used Google Maps and Maps.me app on my Android phone. They do have the trail map available and it’s quite accurate.
Large Backpack (50+L): A backpack big enough to fit all this stuff so you can carry it up the mountain. Again I rented a trekking bas as well.
Money: There are ATMs available at Lukla and Namche and most of the lodges do accept credit cards also.

Trekking Itinerary

Day	From	To	Highlights	Altitude	Duration Hour	Difficulty level
1	Kathmandu	Lukla-Phakding-Monjo	Thrilling plane ride from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, Beautiful views, rivers, Suspension Bridges	2835	5-7	Basic
2	Monjo	Namche	Sagarmatha National Park entrance, the Hillary Suspension Bridge	3440	6-7	Moderate
3	Acclimatization day at Namche	Hike to Khumjung and back	Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam view, Imja khola	3962	4-5	Basic
4	Namche	Thyangboche (Tengboche)	Tengboche Monastery	3860	5-6	Moderate
5	Thyangboche	Dingboche	Hike to Nagarjun Peak	4360	5-6	Moderate
6	Acclimatization at Dingboche	Celebration, Souvenirs from the local market	Makalu view, Ama Dablam view	5080	4-5	Difficult
7	Dingboche	Lobuche	Mount Pumori and Khumbu Icefall, Memorial	4940	5-6	Difficult
8	Lobuche	Gorakshep-Everest Base Camp- Gorakshep-Pheriche	Mountains and glaciers, Everest view	5364	9-10	Difficult
9	Pheriche	Namche	Celebration, Souvenirs from local market	3440	7-8	Difficult
10	Namche	Lukla	Feeling of joy for the completion of trekking	2635	8-9	Basic
11	Lukla	Kathmandu	Another thriller plane ride back to kathmandu		Another thriller plane ride back to Kathmandu

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is real and can be life-threatening.

Unfortunately, we can get altitude sickness which can be fatal in some cases if proper care is not taken.

I got altitude sickness twice but recovered on time.

While ascending our way up, we found plenty of people who got altitude sickness or it became hard and gave up on the trekking.

Bear in mind that acclimatization is crucial for your journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. Do not take it as a race.

Take your time have fun and enjoy the experience.

Some words of advice if you want to do the Ebc trek

If you are planning Everest Base Camp Trek and are not sure about it.

I do recommend going for it. It’s a lifetime adventure. It certainly was for me.

If you get altitude sickness, descend downhill as soon as possible, spend time until you feel good, then try again. Make sure you are fine while trying again.

Don’t feel bad if you have to call it off. There is always a second time.

I got first altitude sickness at Namche and I descended about 100 meters down, and spent some time there. When I felt ok I went back to Namche. Plus I had one more acclimatization day on Namche.

The second time I got altitude sickness while around Dingboche. I spent one more acclimatization day at Dingboche.

The altitude sickness I felt was a constant headache, especially at the back of my head, Nausea, Fatigue, and Dizziness.

The third altitude sickness I got was on my way back from Everest Base Camp to Gorakhshep. I took a horse ride from Gorakshep to Pheriche, which was another once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If I can do Everest base camp trekking for the first time while having multiple altitude sickness then you should be able to do it.

Follow all the rules and guidelines set out by the Government of Nepal while trekking at all times.