Everest base camp trek is one of the most challenging treks you can do as a trekker. Even though there is a paved road almost the entire way, the high altitude makes it very hard and challenging. The proper preparation is the key for every trek, and Everest base camp trek is no exception. We spent five months researching and planning, but even though we spent countless hours preparing, there were still a few things that still surprised us.
Food on Everest base camp trek
There is a very common myth that garlic, lemon and ginger help you with acclimatisation. Even though there is no medical proof to support that evidence, it helped us. Myth or not myth. We ate garlic soup twice a day, drank litres of lemon hot ginger tea and we felt good. Actually much better than other trekkers on the trek. We have never developed any symptoms of high altitude sickness. Even without medical proof, we think it is worth trying. In our opinion, it is a much better and healthier choice than eating Diamox.
When we travel we follow one simple rule. If it is good for local people it is good enough for us. And since every lodge owner recommended it, we did not argue. The truth is that garlic and ginger are strong antioxidants that help with oxidation. So if you don’t mind garlic and ginger we would recommend you to give it a shot. Garlic soups on the trail are delicious, cheap and hot, which is the best combination in the mountains.
Medication on Everest base camp trek
We strongly advise you to talk to your doctor before you go to Nepal and trek in high altitudes. Simply because Nepal is no fun when it comes to your health. We met a lot of travellers that underestimated the risks of high altitude trekking. Especially if you have never been in altitude above 4 000 metres. You never know in advance how your body will react. Self-medication by Diamox might not be the best solution.
With saying that, there is a lot of information on the internet about Diamox helping you to deal with symptoms of the high altitude. Some people even recommend Aspirin, to thin the blood.
Why do you need to talk to your physician? Because if you decide to take any of those medicines you should be aware of the consequences. Diamox helps you prevent symptoms of high altitude but it has a few side-effects. And did you know that when you take Aspirin, you can not take Ibuprofen? Those two medications should not be taken together in one day. But most people don´t know that. Then they endanger themselves by self-medication.
Another myth is, that if you take Diamox as prevention, and still develop AMS symptoms (acute mountain sickness), you can not be treated by Diamox. That would mean you are in trouble. That is a huge myth.
So what to do? The best way to prevent AMS is to ascend slowly, drink a lot of water and add plenty of acclimatization days into your itinerary.
Hygiene on Everest base camp trek
It is bad. So, so bad. There are no better words to describe it. I had never thought that I would be able to survive without a proper hot shower for more than two days. Wrong! I found out that I can actually survive 14 days without a shower. My personal record.
First few days, we were so determined to maintain some normal level of hygiene. We even bought huge packs of baby wipes, as we read on blogs what a lifesaver it is. Let me tell you this, it is so f**** cold, that I had a problem to change my clothes, let alone to wipe myself by cold baby wipes. I really applaud those who can do it.
Cold, Cold, Cold
We thought that cold European weather prepared us for Everest. Another oversight. It is not about the temperature, as more about the constant cold. The lowest temperature we had experienced was -2 degrees. However, there is almost no chance to get warm during the trek. You wake up and it is freezing cold because the lodges are not isolated at all. You go for breakfast and it is cold because the dining room has no heater. You start trekking, you warm a little bit by walking, then you come to lodge and relax. The cold comes and it sticks with you. Even after they start a fire in the dining room it is still cold, because the room is not isolated so the warm air is leaking out. You have very limited chances to take a hot shower. So it is more about the constant cold than freezing temperatures. It is definitely good to be prepared and has warm underwear, thermal clothes and good jackets like down jacket.
Accommodation on Everest base camp trek
Up to Tengboche there is no shortage of accommodation. Even if you don’t pre-book anything, you always find a place to sleep. But in the high season finding an accommodation above Tengboche can be a problem. We struggle to find a place even in Tengboche.
The problem is that above Tengboche the villages are getting smaller and smaller. While Namche Bazaar is a huge village, Lobuche consists of probably 10 houses. And because the tours book out all the lodges, the rest of travellers have to fight for a place to sleep in small lodges. We even saw people coming back from Lobuche to Thukla because there was no place to sleep. It is frustrating given that you have to climb to Lobuche for several hours just to realize there is no place to sleep and turn back and try it again the next day. Between Pheriche and Gorak Shep, there is no phone reception either so there is no chance to pre-book accommodation. But don´t worry we figured this out for you.
Talk to locals. As always. You can never do any harm talking to locals.
Ask locals
It is definitely worth speaking to locals. They give you the best advice and information anyway. That is how we sorted out the accommodation problem. We were just casually talking with the lodge owner in Namche Bazar and told her that we are kind of worry about the accommodation in Tengboche. She just smiled and said that it is no problem, that her husband has another lodge in Pheriche and that she can book us in. Perfect! We were one of the few that did not have to worry about accommodation on the trail. Her husband in Pheriche helped us book another lodge in Thukla because that lodge was owned by his sister in law. And she booked for us a lodge in Lobuche because it was owned by her sister. You don’t even know how grateful we were to that family.
Locals on the trek are just lovely. We kind of overpacked and the same owner in Namche Bazar helped us again. She kindly offered us to leave spare kilos with her and take it on the way back. She literary saved us, we were able to leave in Namche 5 kilos that we did not need.
Guides and porters on Everest base camp trek
We went alone, without any porter or guide and we were completely fine. To be honest, we are not fans of tours unless you travel alone. If you plan to trek in Nepal alone and you are not experienced, it is not wise to do it without an agency. In this case, a tour will be a much safer option. But you have to choose the right one, which is not easy. And I mean you have to search thoroughly. There are a lot of scam tours that will intentionally hurt you more than helping you.
People often ask if you need a guide. For Everest base camp trek you don’t need a guide. For crossing the passes we would recommend one. The thing is, there are tons of people on the trek, we were never alone for more than 10 minutes. The trail is clearly visible and there are always people to ask for directions if you don’t know. So why waste money on an agency?
Should you hire a porter? I would say, it is based on your ability to carry your own backpack. We completed the trek with 25 kilos combined in our backpacks. But there were people struggling to ascend even with 2 kilos backpack.
Lukla flights
Put it simply, Lukla airport was the biggest scam we have ever encountered and not just in Nepal. It has the reputation of being the most dangerous airport in the world. But I know for sure it is the most corrupted airport in the world! And no one is talking about it. But if you plan an independent Everest base camp trek you should know, because knowing can save you a lot of money! Read more about Lukla airport!
Weather on Everest base camp trek
When we planned the trip to Nepal, we researched and researched for hours. We discussed the best months to visit Nepal and planned everything according to guides. However. The climate is changing all around the globe and that is a fact. Even locals are confused by weather patterns now. Decades ago, October used to be the best month for trekking, crystal blue skies, with no clouds.
Nowadays?
October is almost the end of the rainy season. Nowadays, locals will recommend coming at the beginning of November to have a better chance to have nice weather. The weather patterns moved by a month or so. And we experienced it. First few days was raining and all foggy. A few years ago Lukla airport was rarely closed during October. This year in October Lukla airport was closed 60% of days. So it is good to be prepared for all kind of weather.
Have you ever been to Everest base camp trek? Do you agree with our tips? Let us know in the comments down below. And if you like our tips, feel free to share it with your friends 🙂
