Everest Base Camp Elevation

Ascending Elevation in the Everest Base Camp Trek

Visiting Everest base camp is not meaning that flying to Lukla and trekking directly to the base camp within a day. It is possible to visit the base camp in a few hours by taking a helicopter flight. But flying to Lukla for a few days trek to base camp is a common and popular way. Trekkers take 2 or at least 1 acclimatization day for the altitude practice.

As going higher elevation, the atmospheric pressure will be high and the oxygen level will be less in the air. When people go higher, feel altitude effects and may suffer from altitude sickness. So it is better to practice altitude before proceeding to a higher level. Here is day by day elevation variation chart below as trekkers proceed further.

The trek descends back to Lukla in 3 days after visiting these places and flies back to Kathmandu.

Popular Packages

1. Everest Base Camp Trek
2. Everest View Trek
3. Gokyo Lake Trek

Coming from Sea Level and Visiting Such a Higher Elevation

Lukla Airport

Not all countries are at a higher elevation than the normal sea level. There are some countries extending up to 200 meters of altitude from sea level. There are even such places also in Nepal.

For the people coming from these places, the altitude of Kathmandu valley may already be high enough. But there is no chance of altitude sickness. Altitude takes higher to 2,840m when people take a flight to Lukla for the Everest base camp trek.

If anyone is a beginner trekker and visited the first time here, may feel the altitude somehow. So it is good to have a rest in Kathmandu for at least one day before taking a flight to this altitude. Then proceed the trek to Everest.

While trekking on this route, it’s better to walk slow and careful. It may be difficult during the walk with rocky paths with some ascending trails. Taking some short breaks and catching your breath along the way is good for altitude.

Doing a short and Easy trek anywhere else before deciding to do the Everest base camp is a good idea. It makes it easier to walk such as a rough trail, weather, climate, and altitude. This practice makes it easier for the Everest trekking route. Also makes usual with changing altitude.

Altitude Sickness Because of Elevation Gain

Mountain Rescue

Coming from sea level to 1,350m in Kathmandu, flying to 2,840m to Lukla and trekking to the base camp (5,364m) may be a problem of the altitude sickness for the first time visitors in these elevations. But it will not be a problem for everyone. There are two types of altitude sickness high altitude cerebral Edema (HACE) or high altitude pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Some people may have one of these or both. It may not effective for most trekkers by both of them.

HACE affects the brain which swells with fluids. It causes a physiological effect when people travel to a high altitude. HAPE affects the lungs which collect fluids in the numerous air sacs and makes it difficult to breathe.

Altitude sickness feels normal at the begging but it may kill people. Certain symptoms are easily found when the problem starts. It’s better to consult with the team leader or guide and take action as soon as possible. Be careful if heavy headache, vomiting, hard breathing, feeling very tired while resting or other unknown changes on the body.

Stay Protected from Altitude Sickness in the High Elevation

• · Don’t think frequently about altitude problem
• · Drink enough clean water and fluids to prevent dehydration
• · Do some altitude practice by visiting higher altitudes from where you spend the night
• · Do not ascend and have rest if the problem starts
• · Do not walk alone even you descend downhill walk with someone
• · If you can’t sleep well, do not take any medication to make you sleepy
• · Have some altitude prevention medication but do not ascend with having medicine with a problem
• · Take advice from the tour leader or guide

Hiring a Guide and a Porter got the High Altitude

Everest base camp trek guide and porter

Trekking during the high season in Nepal especially on the Everest base camp trail is not that difficult to find the trail. There are hundreds of trekkers along the way. But if you would like to enjoy your holiday, it is better to hire a guide and a porter. If anything is happening, the problems are faced by the guide and carry all stuff by the porter that makes it comfortable to walk.

Hiring a guide and porter is not difficult and not expensive in Nepal. You can hire online with Frolic Adventure. The guides are helpful, experienced, and friendly. And the porters are strong and honest with their clients. So a guide and porter help to make a successful Everest base camp journey for the travellers.

Everest Adventure Tours

1. Everest High Passes Trek
2. Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lake Trek
3. Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek

Travel Insurance for High Elevation

Having travel insurance is the most important for trekking in high altitudes in Nepal. Never know what things will happen during travelling. So before proceeding to a trek to the higher elevation, get insured.

the insurance covers up to 2000 meters in general. But planning a trek to EBC must buy a policy that covers up to 6000 meters. Also need to be sure if it covers expenses for sickness, any injury or accident. And the most important thing is an immediate helicopter evacuation rescue cover check before buying travel insurance with any reliable insurance company.

Conclusion

There are several ways to visit the Everest base camp. The elevation affects which way travellers choose and how much time is going to take. The altitude in the Everest region is high. Walking slowly with catching breath is the best way to go. Acclimatization and altitude practice is the main key to avoiding problems.

It is always a smart idea to do well research before the trek to the Everest base camp. Research leads to what to do and what not to do. And know what to expect and prepare well.

Alternatively, there is another short, easy and not facing the problem of altitude sickness. Take a helicopter flight to visit the base camp and enjoy the Everest massif. This suits the people who have a short holiday, are physically not prepared to walk in high elevations and would like to see Everest and base camp.

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