Everest Base Camp trekking is not only the trek to the foot of the world’s tallest mountain i.e. Mt. Everest, but also an adventerous trek that allows you to explore the Everest region. While Trekking in Everest, safety of our clients is our main concern and “adventure with safety” is what we prefer. We are proud to say that all of our guides are licensed, well experienced in mountain conditions and possess good knowledge about the safety as well. Trekking with highly experienced crew members with proper support and safety back up assures you to have great holiday that you will cherish throughout your life. We make sure to have comprehensive first aid kits on each trip. Hiking on the legendary foothills just below the mighty Everest with breathtaking views of the master peaks can only be found in the Everest Region. On this Everest Base Camp trek you will also peak out at the famous Kala Patthar (5,545m) and Everest Base Camp (5,350 m) with magnificent views of Makalu, Cho-oyu Mt Lhotse and many other peaks.
Everest Base Camp trekking begins the day after you land at the Tribhuwan International Airport in medieval and modernized Kathmandu. The trail begins after a thrilling flight to Lukla where we meet our supporting crews and heads up the Dudh Koshi Valley. We then set for the mountain junction town of Namche, crossing the rivers on high suspension bridges. We enter Sagarmatha National Park and the track then follows through the pine forests and we reach Monjo after crossing the prayer flags festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi river and reach Tengboche. Descending through a forest we reach Imja khola from where we again climb uphill to reach Dingboche.
Everest Base Camp Trekking continues up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We head to the foot of Khumbu Glacier from where we climb gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche. The path climbs through meadows and moraine stones to reach Gorakchep, by either climbing to Kalapatthar or continue heading to Everest Base Camp. After witnessing the superb close range views of towering mountains we descend to Pheriche. We retrace our steps with a trek back to Namche from where we hike to Lukla to fly back to Kathmandu.
Overview
Trekking in Nepal need not be considered risky affair as far as your health is concerned. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as a through medical checkup and inoculations before you start trekking can save you from unexpected hazards. Since the remote places of Nepal are not supplied with necessities that are essential for modern medical facilities and as the rescue and evacuation are measured in days, it is imperative to make a comprehensive first aid box consisting of basic drugs and accessories as part of the paraphernalia for trekking. Modern dentistry is unknown in the hill of Nepal so it is advised to have a checkup before departure from home. Tooth fillings; sometimes loosen in cold temperatures and high altitudes, so it is recommended to have them checked. Travelers are requested to bring medicine prescribed by their doctor at home. Common medicine for stomach problems, headache, and malaria is available in Kathmandu. Medicine is usually not available in remote areas. So necessary medicine is advisable to carry with you. Before going to Nepal, it is advised to get injections against typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis.
OVERCOMING ALTITUDE PROBLEM: This is often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which is particularly a matter of important medical consideration while trekking in the Himalayas. Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. Early mountain sickness will manifest itself in headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue; etc can be encountered as initials of the sickness. The major information source on prevention and treatment of the sickness is Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and Adventure Treks Nepal (P). Ltd. is the confide life member of it. We assure every trekker that all our guides have followed the training conducted by HRA with the understated information.
CAUSE/FACTOR OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS
1. Less Oxygen
2. Low Pressure i.e. Barometric Pressure
3. Rapid Ascent
4. Possible Dehydration
5. Hypothermia TYPE OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS
TYPES ALTITUDE SICKNESS
1. AMS – Acute Mountain Sickness
2. HAPE – High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
3. Hace – High Altitude Cerebral Edema
SYMPTOMS
1. (AMS) ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
Mild symptom feels like hangover/not feeling good
a. Headache
b. Fatigue/Tiredness
c. Nausea
d. Shortness of breath
e. Loss of appetite
f. Sleep disturbance
g. Dizziness
2. (HAPE) HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY EDEMA (Water in lungs)
a. Increasing shortness of breath even at rest
b. Severe cough-dry/Productive
c. Very tired-Unusual fatigue while walking
d. High Pulse rate i.e. 110
e. Blueness of face, lips, finger nails that means inability to transport Oxygen into the blood
3. (HACE) HIGH ALTITUDE CEREBRAL EDEMA (Water in the head)
Severe symptoms of altitude sickness
a. Severe Headache
b. Vomiting
c. Walking like a drunk (Ataxia)
d. Mental confusion/Altered mental status
e. Irritable-Does not want to be bothered by other people
f. Unconsciousness or Coma
TEST – Tandem walking test, Heel to toe step fall off from the line.
DECISION MAKING
1. Find out the main problem i.e. at altitude. Assume all problems are Altitude Sickness unless proven otherwise.
2. If it is an altitude problem with mild symptoms, stay at the same altitude until the symptoms are completely gone. Take an Aspirin tablet, try to go up but listen to your body. If symptoms are worsening, go down.
PREVENTION
1. Acclimatization.
2. Do not make RAPID ASCENT; don’t go too fast too high.
3. No alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking.
4. Drink more fluid 3-4ltrs a day… clean, boiled or treated water/tea/coffee/soup/juice etc.
5. Do not carry heavy packs.
6. Climb higher sleep lower.
7. Do not travel alone.
TREATMENT
1. DESCENT is the best medicine; do not wait for the Helicopter.
2. Medicine:
a. Oxygen.
b. Diamox…for AMS 125mg. Before dinner, for sleeping problem if feeling suffocated.
c. Nafedipine for HAPE
d. Steroids/Dexamethasone for HACE
3. Hyperbolic Bag – Gammow Bag
4. Golden Rules
a. Awareness of ALTITUDE SICKNESS
b. If you have mild symptoms, do not go higher. Take Aspirin.
c. If you have worsening symptoms, go down.
d. Do not leave your team member behind unattended, either trekker or porter.
5. IMPORTANT
a. Go up slowly.
b. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 3 liters per day)
c. Get all information about Altitude Sickness before your trekking tour that will make you confident to make your tour successful.
Our advice: Drink 3-4 ltr of water minimum a day, don’t exhaust yourself so much and breathe deep and take rest more than usual.
Physically prepare yourself: It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of trekking. It is thus important that you assess your own condition and train accordingly. In general, the fitter you are, the easier it will be for you to handle the rigors of the trek. A well-rounded training program would include strength training, aerobic cross training, and hiking (ideally at high altitude but not necessary).
Mentally prepare yourself: Mental preparation is often overlooked. You should always keep a positive state of mind, but not ignore the signals your body sends you. Your mental stamina will, without a doubt, make the most difficult parts of the trekachievable.
We will keep the packing list update asnew equipment becomes available. If you have reviews or suggestions please send us an email.
We offer trekking in Nepal from mid-September to May. However within this period there are clear seasons in the weather. From early September the monsoon rains decrease. By mid-October through to December the weather is usually stable with mild to warm days, cold nights and clear views.
- Daytime temperatures can reach 25-30 deg C at low altitude in October and nights can drop to below 0 deg C at higher altitudes.
- Winter trekking, from December to February, offers cool to mild and clear days with often very cold nights. Daytime temperatures at low altitudes will be mild, around 20 deg C and at night may drop to 0 or as low as -10 deg C at the higher points. Occasionally winter storms can bring snow as low as 2500m.
