The world’s most picturesque trekking location is the foothill of the highest peak in the globe. For mountain climbers, the Everest Base Camp Trek is the starting point, while for trekkers, it is the destination. The Himalayas of Nepal are the site where the soul meets nature, despite the fact that not all tales of yetis and saints finding redemption in the mountains are accurate.
The most basic campsites used by mountain climbers are called base camps. They remain in base camp for the duration of the ascent in order to make the required preparations and to let their bodies to acclimate to the higher altitude. However, hikers who organize the Everest Base Camp expedition now favor the base camp. Let’s study about the greatest Everest base camp hike today.
Everest base camp facts
- Everest base camp is accessible for trekking all year round, so adventurers can visit even in inclement weather.
- The elevation difference between Everest base camp and summit is 3,240 meters. Climbers on mountains reach the distance in three to four days.
- The first people to reach the top of Mount Everest, Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, mapped out the traditional route to Everest base camp from Lukla.
- Even though Everest base camp is located in such a remote area, during the busiest climbing season, you may occasionally see lines for it.
- On the well-known Everest base camp Kala Patthar trip, the base camp is not the highest point. Higher up is the rock known as Kala Patthar, which is situated above the base camp.
- The world record for the fastest ascent to the summit of Everest without stopping is 16 hours from the South Base Camp and 11 hours from the North Base Camp.
- On April 25, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 in Nepal forced the Chinese to close the North Base camp for more than three years. However, things are back to normal now.
How many base camps are there on Everest?
The knowledge that there are two base camps on Mount Everest may excite you. The one in the north is in Tibet, China, and the one in the south is part of Nepal. The mountain climber uses both base camps to start their respective submit treks from the ridges.
Mountain climbers use several camps for the ascent in addition to the base camp. Climbers reside in each of these camps and are given time to acclimate. Climbers ascend from base camp through the Khumbu Icefall to Everest Camp 2, which is situated at 19,900 feet (6065 meters). Climbers traverse the Western Camp glacier valley from Camp I to elevations of 21,300 feet (6492 m). near 24,500 feet (7470 meters), Everest Camp 3 is reached near the Lhotse face, and Everest Camp 4, at 26,000 feet (7925 meters), is the last major push before the summit. Climbers ascend to the Balcony, situated at 27,700 feet (8440 meters), on foot from Camp IV. Thus, the South Ridge of Everest has a total of 5 camps.
There are four camps along the northern ridge, which is thought to be a challenging ascent, in addition to the summit itself. At 7500 meters, Camp 2 is situated, and at 8300 meters, Camp 3. You’ll be moving toward the summit itself from that point on
Where are Everest base camps?
Tibet, a separate geographical area of China, is home to Everest Base Camp North. It is situated at 28°8′29′′N latitude and 86°51′5′′E longitude. Beneath the Rongok Glacier moraine, the base camp is situated between two massive glacier valleys. About 504 kilometers separate the northern base camp from Kathmandu.
The location of the alternative Everest base camp, which is accessible from Kathmandu, is 28°0′26′′N and 86°51′34′′ELL in Nepal. It is situated in the Sagarmatha Zone in the eastern part of Nepal. Situated just on the rock-covered Khumbu Glacier, the camp is ideal. The huge Everest’s summit is precisely 161.2 kilometers away from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Around 139 kilometers separate Lukla, the beginning site of the Everest Base Camp expedition, from the camp.
Which base camp on Everest is popular?
Every year, some 50,000 hikers from all over the world embark on the Everest base camp walk. A large number of them hike to 5,364 meters above sea level at the South Base Camp. The Everest base camp trip is a fantastic adventure because of the breathtaking grandeur of Mount Everest and other world’s highest peaks, the distinctive mountain terrain, and the varied vegetation.
Adventure seekers are drawn to Everest’s south base camp. Trekkers prefer to walk in the Everest region because the camp is located in the south and can only be reached on foot. Conversely, there is easy access to the Everest base camp in China. This is a great choice for anyone who like to take in the splendor of base camp without having to endure the demanding walking for weeks on end. Some tourists venture to this side of the mountains since buses run to the North Everest base camp. The road leading to the Everest base camp in the north is excellent and well-paved.
Can we see both Everest base camps from Nepal?
There are two different locations for Everest’s base camps: the one in China and the one in the south. One is located in the north, and the other to the south of the magnificent Mount Everest. The largest peak on earth is in the way, making it impossible to see both base camps from Nepal. Well, you might be able to see both of them at the same time if you take a helicopter tour above Everest. However, visiting either of these areas won’t provide you a view of Everest from all sides.
Everest Base Camp elevations
The highest point on Earth is the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 8848.86 meters. The world’s tallest mountain’s foothills cannot be expected to be at a lower elevation. The elevations of both base camps are hazardous. The elevation of the Everest south camp is 17,900 feet (5,500 meters) above sea level, which is a little higher. The other one in Tibet is situated 5,150 meters (16,900 feet) above sea level, which is a little lower.
Everest base camp trek difficulty
Trekking to Everest base camp in Nepal is rated as quite challenging. In general, the answer to the question “Is Everest base camp dangerous?” would be “No.” You will be hiking for five to six hours a day, covering a distance of approximately 12 to 13 km, which is rather manageable with the appropriate preparation. The temperature at Everest Base Camp and the route of the 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek are two important variables that affect how challenging your trip will be. There are other trekking options available, including the Everest Base Camp yoga tour, the Everest Base Camp trip, the Everest base camp trek Kala Patthar, the Everest base camp trek Gokyo lakes, the Everest base camp trek short, and more.
If trekking seems too much for you, you may also choose for the Everest base camp helicopter trip, which is a great way to get the greatest photos of Everest base camp. The other option, which is limited to the north base camp, is to reach Everest base camp by automobile.
Everest base camp trek maps
Mountain climbers and adventure enthusiasts often visit South Base Camp in Nepal. It is only possible to go to the base camp on foot. The starting point of the Everest Base Camp trip is Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu. You can fly to Lukla (9,383 feet) first. After that, you hike to Phakding (8,562 feet) and on to Namche market, a well-known hamlet at 11,286 feet. You are now making your way gradually to Dingboche (13,980 feet), Tengboche (12,850 feet), and Lobuche (16,175 feet). At last, you arrive at Ghorak Shep (17,010 feet), the Everest base camp trekkers’ resting place. While the mountain climbers proceed to the higher camp, they investigate the base camp and return to Ghorak Shep. These communities are located in the main Everest regions.
Before starting their actual adventure, the majority of tourists who want to visit the Everest base camp in Tibet by bus also arrive in Kathmandu and then drive to Tibet. At Shelkar, the Friendship Highway road splits off to the south. After that, a designated tourist bus will transport you to the base camp. There is also a journey from Shigatse to the North base camp. To get to the camp, stroll past Sakya, Tingri, and Rongbuk Monastery. The cost of the Everest base camp journey is less for the North camp because transportation is readily available.
North Everest Base Camp
For the greatest views of Everest base camp, Everest base camp from Tibet is also very well-liked. The old path that was established by Mallory & Irvine is used to approach North Base Camp. Although driving to the Everest Base Camp tour in the North is a simple process, climbing the North Ridge Route is a challenging task. Compared to the Southern Route, it is technically more difficult to climb and requires a lengthy descent at a high altitude. The advantage of ascending through the north is that the Khumbu Icefall hazard is avoided. There are fifteen distinct routes that lead to the summit of Mount Everest.
South Everest Base Camp
It’s illegal to simply walk to the base camp build a tent and climb a mountain. Before you do so, make sure you look for the Everest Base camp requirements. You will need a climbing permit and then climb the mountain with the accompany of a locally licensed logistics company that supplies base camp accommodations, meals, and other basic bathrooms. But you won’t need a climbing permit to simply visit and take pictures at the south base camp. Everest base camp to submit is only about 4 days of the walk but it’s not as easy as it sounds.
To just hike to the base camp, set up a tent, and ascend a mountain is forbidden. Make sure you check the prerequisites for the Everest Base Camp before proceeding. You will require a climbing permission before ascending the peak with the assistance of a logistical business that holds a local license and provides food, base camp lodging, and other necessities like restrooms. However, visiting and taking photos at the south base camp is free of charge without a climbing permit. Although it only takes four days to reach Everest base camp, it’s not as simple as it seems.
About 300 people live at the base camp in the spring. Not only are they the climber, but also Sherpas, employees of the corporation, physicians, and scientists. Three to four local laborers who reside in the base camp assist international mountain climbers for every foreign climber. Base camp is alive and vibrant because of these little armies of service industry workers.
Everest base camp weather
At 5,200 meters above sea level, the Everest base camp experiences a mountain plateau environment, with occasional periods of extreme cold. At night, the average temperature is roughly -17 degrees Celsius. Winter is when it is said to be the coldest (mid-December to January). Although the outside temperature rises throughout the spring, the nights are still frigid and can drop below freezing. In summer, the temperature can reach up to 22 degrees, while in winter, it can drop as low as -5 degrees throughout the day. In the winter, the temperature at night can drop to -15 degrees, while in the summer, it can reach 4 degrees.
Here are the details for the weather at the base camp for Everest for a different season.
Monsoon Season (June, July, August)
- Nighttime temperature: 4°C
- Daytime temperature: 22°C
- Wind speed: 10km/h
- Sunshine hours/day: 7-8
- Precipitation/month: 170mm
Autumn (September, October, November)
- Nighttime temperature: -8°C
- Daytime temperature: 17°C
- Wind speed: 22km/h
- Sunshine hours/day: 9-10
- Precipitation/month: 2.5mm
Winter (December, January, February)
- Nighttime temperature: -20°C
- Daytime temperature: -5°C
- Wind speed: 7-8km/h
- Sunshine hours/day: 7-8
- Precipitation/month: 5mm
Spring (April, March, May)
- Nighttime temperature: -3°C
- Daytime temperature: 15°C
- Wind speed: 11km/h
- Sunshine hours/day: 9
- Precipitation/month: 7mm
Autumn offers the best mountain vistas, while spring is popular because of its picturesque surroundings. Mountain climbers tend to choose spring ascents, while fall is a popular time for hikers.
How much does the Everest base camp cost?
Before embarking on the trek, many people’s first concern is the cost of the Everest base camp expedition. Although visiting the Everest base camp is enjoyable, the cost of hiking to the summit is high due to the camp’s height. The cost of a Sagaramatha Nation park permit and TIMS card for an Everest base camp permit is approximately $50 per person. The cost of an Everest base camp porter and guide might reach $20 to $30 per day.
Then, if you don’t want to rush, you can pay roughly $40 for each day at the Everest base camp (which is likely to be 12–14 days). That covers the price of the tea house dinner and lodging. However, the majority of costs are incurred when packing for an Everest base camp, which includes items like sleeping bags, maps, hiking boots, down coats, clothing, and so forth. You should anticipate that the cost of the Everest base camp climb will be fairly affordable given all these prerequisites.
The carefully packaged Everest trekking packages range in price from $1000 to $2000, depending on the level of luxury you choose for the journey.
Is Everest base camp worth it?
You may be reconsidering the Everest base camp trip now that you know how tough and costly it can be. However, the journey is not limited to mountains. These are just a few of the numerous things you will discover along the way that will make the journey worthwhile. Here are a few of the trip’s highlights.
The Scenic Flight’s departure for Lukla, one of the world’s most hazardous airports
Sagarmatha National Park: home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, this UNESCO World Heritage site
Unreal Mountains, Including Everest: The breathtaking vista of over 14 peaks rising to a height of 6,000 meters above sea level
Namche Bazar: A chance to discover charming towns like Namche and learn about the customs and way of life of those who live in the mountainous area
Panoramic View From Kalapatthar: This viewpoint is unique and superior to that of the Everest base camp itself.
Other: Visits to the Edmund Hillary School, Tengboche Monastery, museums, and nearby farms
Everest base camp gear list
The Himalayan region experiences highly variable weather. The warm sun may depart in a few minutes and the air may become windy. Also, you are unable to purchase necessary equipment in an emergency because the trail is primarily remote. There is a distant settlement on most of Nepal’s Himalayan trekking routes where you should stay the night at a tea house. All you’ll get is a room and some basic meals. Thus, it’s imperative that you pack everything in advance. The packing list for the Everest base camp is available here.
Vital Personal Records: current passport, valid visa, two additional passport-sized pictures, bank card photocopies, evidence of travel insurance, credit cards, and ATM cards
Outfit: Hiking cotton hocks and shoes; wool base layer, followed by a sort of fleece waterproof jacket, fleece jacket, trouser; insulating layer Pack 5–6 shirts, 4 pairs of breathable underwear, and trekking shorts.
Additional attire includes a beanie, hat, neck gaiter, and inner gloves.
Among the bags and bag packs are an 80-liter duffel for the porter, a small bag for personal belongings, and a rain cover for every bag.
Sleeping Equipment: Sleep mats and thin, cozy sleeping sacks
Other items include a first aid kit, charger and extra batteries, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking poles, earplugs, sunscreen, and toiletries.
Packing list for a girl at Everest Base Camp:
Conclusion
The Everest Base Camp ascent is, without a question, one of the world’s most thrilling, daring, and hazardous experiences. Trekking across the untamed mountainous terrain before arriving at the heart of the Himalayas is an exciting adventure. Although reaching the base camp is undoubtedly a close second to reaching the top of Everest, it is still not as rewarding. You feel completely disconnected from the outside world and connected to your mind and spirit like never before when you have such an attitude and setting. Are you prepared to go on the experience of a lifetime?
