A guide to the experience of an Everest Base Camp trek
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most famous and challenging active breaks on offer, allowing you to stand in the shadow of the world's tallest mountain. To make sure you enjoy the experience, you should prepare properly before you set out.
You will need to have a moderate to good level of fitness in order to tackle the route, which involves walking for several hours each day and will take you to incredibly high altitudes.
Of course, much of this will be uphill on the journey to the base camp itself and downhill on the way back. It may be advisable to go on some long hill walks that involve steep ascents and descents to help prepare your body before you jet off to Nepal.
One of the hardest aspects to deal with on this kind of Nepal trekking break is the altitude, so it is important to take things slowly and make sure you drink plenty of water each day.
All this will aid you when it comes to coping with the high altitudes you will experience, with the base camp itself located at 5,364 m above sea level.
You should also make sure you receive a full list of essential items to pack from the operator of your Nepal tours. Although there will be porters to carry your main luggage each day, you will need to have a day bag containing certain items.
Plenty of water, layers of warm clothing, plasters in case you get blisters, sunglasses and a hat are just a few of the things you are likely to need each day.
Once you have got all your gear together, you can really enjoy the Everest Base Camp trek, safe in the knowledge that you are well prepared.
It is worth putting in a bit of effort before you go so that you can fully appreciate the glorious mountain scenery you are passing.
You will arrive in Kathmandu ahead of your hike, where you will have the opportunity to explore this bustling and vibrant city. From here, you will fly to Lukla, where you will get your first taste of walking in the Himalayas.
From Lukla, you will descend to Phakding, before climbing higher again the following day when you enter the Sagarmartha National Park and walk to your next stop - Namche Bazaar. As the settlement is situated at 3,446 m, you will spend a day here to acclimatise to the altitude.
You will then enjoy two more days of trekking before you reach your next acclimatisation stop - Dingboche, which sits at 4,410 m. This traditional Sherpa village is an excellent place to pause, boasting stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
From here, you have around three more days of walking before you reach your destination - the Everest Base Camp. En route, you will climb to the highest point of your journey, Kalar Pattar at 5,550 m, where you will be rewarded with outstanding views of the Himalayas.
Once you have looked around the base camp, you will begin your descent, which is considerably quicker than your climb up! Taking around three and a half days, you will soon be back in Lukla where you can prepare for your flight back to Kathmandu and some last-minute sightseeing before you fly home.
