Tip #1: do NOT hike both up and down via Tengboche monastery, as there is a much more impressive high trail on the opposite side of the valley via Mong La - Phortse - Pangpoche. Awesome views high across the valley, lots of wildlife and practically no other trekkers. Takes the same amount of days as the standard route on the way up, Tengboche can be visited on the way down.
This is interesting. Thank you!! I am in no way a hiker or mountaineer and I've never considered that the trek to Everest Base Camp might be a worthy journey in of itself. I'm 63.. who knows.. if I start now I could be in good enough shape for the challenge on my 65th.
If you’re in good health your age won’t prevent you from trying the EBC trek. There’s plenty of infrastructure in the region due to its popularity and not a lot can go wrong now. If you set your sights on it I think you could make it happen.
A great tip is to get up at least 3 hours before the hiking starts for that day. Overnight people’s saO2 (oxygen saturation) drops and it takes 3-4 hours to normalise after you’ve woken up. If you just wake up, eat and go you’ll find it super difficult and get AMS and maybe die.
My #1 tip. Dont fly in to Lukla. Start your trek from Jiri. The hike is great and youll be fully acclimatised by the time you reach Lukla. If youre short on time,fine,then fly in to Lukla. Otherwise walk in from Jiri. Chances are you're only going to be doing this once so why not make the most of it and do it like all the famous expeditions did before Lukla "airport" was built.
@@stevet9938 our weather after Namche was beyond perfect. Very mild temps actually. I was surprised it was nice as it was. Some people had short sleaves on while at EBC
Fantastic video. Thankyou. My plan was to do this in 2020 then Covid hit & with everything going on the idea was pushed back. Now I’m really itching to do it before there comes a day when I can’t physically do it.
Thank you so much for your concise breakdown of what is needed for a successful trek. This trip is 5 years away or sooner depending how things go. New subscriber here! I know you added some exercises but this might be another video I'd be interested in you doing.
I put out a few videos previously going over the fundamentals of training for mountaineering - more hardcore than what is required for trekking, but the info still applies. Worth watching just for the sake of the information if you can get through the lower production quality.
A lady from Germany recently got killed on a trail by yaks because she was standing on the edge. And they knocked her off with their horn off the cliff. Not purposely, but it happened. So very good tip. @ 11:03
Thanks a million for the 38 tips. Super useful indeed! I intend to do the EBC in April 2025 and have added few things on my list. I'm still trying to get sponsors, will chk your packing video too. Thanks again. God Bless.
Great video, thank you. I have a couple of questions. 1) Does it make sense to bring backpacking food at all and a jet boil or similar? 2) Do porters carry most of your gear and trekkers just use day packs?
Thanks. I want to do this in a year or two. Question: What elevation did you start at and what elevation did you end at? Is there any to prepare at sea level other than getting in great shape?
Lukla is at 2,800m, EBC at 5,300m. Develop your lower body strength, your ability to walk up hill with a heavy pack (15+kg for over 30mins), and your aerobic endurance (HR 130bpm approx). Acclimatising is a gamble. Sometimes it’s no problem, other times it can hit you hard even if you’ve been at altitude multiple times.
I know that most villages on the Annapurna circuit had R/O stations where you could buy purified drinking water for a few rupees per litre. Is it the same on this trek? It's a great way to support locals , and not create plastic waste.
I used the Rab Arc Eco, but for the majority of the time spent trekking at 3000-5000m I used my Rab Borealis softshell jacket (but I had extremely good weather).
Your travel insurance should cover helicopter evacs, so no need to carry extra. Just be aware of the helicopter scams in Nepal. You can search it up to learn about it.
Science and data show more injuries occur on the hike down from any peak. It is common knowledge despite this video that because of this the hiker heading uphill yields to the one heading downhill. Other than that, good video.
The suggestion relates to hiker curtesy rather than data relating to injury prevention. Heading uphill for most is more physically difficult and due to this it is commonly accepted that those heading uphill have the right of way. But yes injuries/deaths mostly occur on descent but I figured this relates mostly to mountaineering rather than hiking.
I’ve seen and met a few families doing the trek. My guess is that it would be like anything else you’d do with them. Try and make the teahouse moment’s interesting for them!
Hi! Can anyone whose already done the trek to base camp say what is the cost of the whole trek all included please? (Lodge/food/guide, etc, once in Lakla) Thank you in advance!
You'd be looking at around $1500USD for a package from a local company. I went with Scenic Nepal Treks (local) for my EBC trip and my most recent trip to Gokyo Lakes & Lobuche Peak and I can't recommend them enough.
Standard adventure travel insurance that covers up to 6000m. Lots of different providers offer appropriate packages - World Nomads I've heard has particularly good cover for overseas trekking but I did not use them for this trip.
What sort of training did you do before the EBC ? I am hiking 60+65k almost back to back through New Zealand mountains, jog 7-8km twice a week in my hilly town and will do 2hrs X 5weeks of Altitude training (includes IHT) before flying to Kathmandu. Any advice is welcome please.
It's still worth doing regardless of the number of sicknesses you could develop. Just play it as safe as possible. You'll most likely have a good time even if you pick up a sickness along the way.
@@betterhikingfair enough. 15kg overall seems to be the common theme. I only weigh 70kgs now but I used to weigh 85kgs. They should charge fat people more.
Pfff please excuse I've watched a few videos on Everest base camp. You miss the point of getting to and from Everest. I was in the Everest region for 2+ weeks. I walked from the end of the road and walked back to the road. Bus back to Kathmandu. A weeks walk to namchi and a weeks walk out. The walk in takes you over 3k. So acclimatisation is partly done. Pfff I still got altitude sickness. Only because I got a bad flu. Missed the thing walk above 5k
One needs to drink enough (like always) but drinking a lot does NOT help acclimatisation. It is a gross misunderstanding of the acclimatisation process.
That’s just not true. If you’re dehydrated you’re going to have a bad time. Keep your fluids up. Altitude, medication and physical effort all require good hydration.
@@betterhiking It is misleading to state that certain amounts of water needs to be drunk per day. Staying hydrated is good everywhere, also at high altitude, but what I was trying to get across is that overhydration does not help with acclimatisation, actually hinders it. Google "myths about altitude" from Institute for Altitude Medicine and see myth #4. During my last 4 week Khumbu trek I drank 2 liters of water the whole time I was there, all my hydration needs were filled by tea, soups, and beer in the evenings. Never measured or estimated how much I drank per day either, just trust thirst. I have spent 5 months in Khumbu so far since 1985.
4L is a good amount to aim for when being active in the mountains. That doesn’t just mean water, it means fluids as you’ve said. Yes water doesn’t cure altitude sickness, but if you take diuretics like Diamox to help with sickness it does mean that you need to drink more.
@@betterhiking Yes, water is lost when acclimating, but my point is excessive drinking does not help at all, actually hinders the process (and hyponatremia has the same symptoms as AMS actually killing more people annually in the US tahn AMS they are trying to avoid). Studies show that slightly dehydrated and optimally hydrated people acclimate equally well, but those who drink too much (X number of liters...) do not acclimate as well. THIRST is the mechanism which tells you when to drink, not someone telling "X Y or Z liters per day minimum".
I learned quite a bit. This is something that I would like to accomplish one day. Your tips will ensure I am successful.
Thank You for this advices.Greetings from Poland.
Tip #1: do NOT hike both up and down via Tengboche monastery, as there is a much more impressive high trail on the opposite side of the valley via Mong La - Phortse - Pangpoche. Awesome views high across the valley, lots of wildlife and practically no other trekkers. Takes the same amount of days as the standard route on the way up, Tengboche can be visited on the way down.
Shhhh don’t tell everyone you’ll ruin it for us
Great tips! Love what you said about the Bluetooth speaker, hygiene while trekking, and snoring. Thanks for sharing!
This is interesting. Thank you!! I am in no way a hiker or mountaineer and I've never considered that the trek to Everest Base Camp might be a worthy journey in of itself. I'm 63.. who knows.. if I start now I could be in good enough shape for the challenge on my 65th.
If you’re in good health your age won’t prevent you from trying the EBC trek. There’s plenty of infrastructure in the region due to its popularity and not a lot can go wrong now.
If you set your sights on it I think you could make it happen.
@@betterhiking Very cool. Thanks for your encouragement. :)
A great tip is to get up at least 3 hours before the hiking starts for that day. Overnight people’s saO2 (oxygen saturation) drops and it takes 3-4 hours to normalise after you’ve woken up. If you just wake up, eat and go you’ll find it super difficult and get AMS and maybe die.
😂😂😂😂😂
Hey mate. Thanks for the tips. This is a great video. Cheers.
My #1 tip. Dont fly in to Lukla. Start your trek from Jiri. The hike is great and youll be fully acclimatised by the time you reach Lukla. If youre short on time,fine,then fly in to Lukla. Otherwise walk in from Jiri. Chances are you're only going to be doing this once so why not make the most of it and do it like all the famous expeditions did before Lukla "airport" was built.
Well done tips post...I did EBC October 2023 and you hit many great points. Great Job
I'm going in October this year, just wondering how cold was it ?
@@stevet9938 our weather after Namche was beyond perfect. Very mild temps actually. I was surprised it was nice as it was. Some people had short sleaves on while at EBC
@@fredreynolds-onefootinfron5919 thanks for the reply 👍
Fantastic video. Thankyou.
My plan was to do this in 2020 then Covid hit & with everything going on the idea was pushed back. Now I’m really itching to do it before there comes a day when I can’t physically do it.
By far the best video of tips for base camp.
This was most useful. Thank you
Walk on rocks and boulders, found it the hardest part of the trek from Labouche to EBC and back.
Thanks so much for your excellent tips. Really great video. … I’ve watched a lot and this one stands out 👍🏽
Thank you so much for your concise breakdown of what is needed for a successful trek. This trip is 5 years away or sooner depending how things go. New subscriber here! I know you added some exercises but this might be another video I'd be interested in you doing.
I put out a few videos previously going over the fundamentals of training for mountaineering - more hardcore than what is required for trekking, but the info still applies. Worth watching just for the sake of the information if you can get through the lower production quality.
@@betterhiking Thank you.. I will look at them.
Great advice , best ive seen , Txman
This video is so helpful! Thank you! I’m headed to Nepal tomorrow. 🎉
These are good tips, thank you.
Excellent tips. Very helpful! Thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks for a very good video.
A lady from Germany recently got killed on a trail by yaks because she was standing on the edge. And they knocked her off with their horn off the cliff. Not purposely, but it happened. So very good tip. @ 11:03
Thanks for making this mate, I'm off with me pals in March -
Awesome, you should have a great time.
How was it?
I never go hiking/mountaineering and don't plan to anytime soon, but thanks for the video, I enjoyed it
good video and thanks for sharing. useful advice about the vitamins, electrolytes and also about keeping healthy in general. got a new subscription :)
Staying healthy in the Khumbu is the hard part about the trek for sure! Thanks for the sub mate ✌
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks a million for the 38 tips. Super useful indeed! I intend to do the EBC in April 2025 and have added few things on my list. I'm still trying to get sponsors, will chk your packing video too. Thanks again. God Bless.
This is so informative! Great job, fantastic reporting!🌻🌼🐝 Keep it up 🙌
5:56 Are those Bridgedale liner socks?
Thanks bro🏔🏔
thank you, this was so useful!
Awesome boss. Thank you so much.
No problem, hope it helps ✌
BEST VIDEO EVER
very helpful and informatively simple .
Great video, thank you. I have a couple of questions. 1) Does it make sense to bring backpacking food at all and a jet boil or similar? 2) Do porters carry most of your gear and trekkers just use day packs?
1) no, not for EBC, could be if you plan to climb a trekking peak and stay at a High Camp.
2) yes that’s right.
Thanks. I want to do this in a year or two.
Question: What elevation did you start at and what elevation did you end at? Is there any to prepare at sea level other than getting in great shape?
Lukla is at 2,800m, EBC at 5,300m.
Develop your lower body strength, your ability to walk up hill with a heavy pack (15+kg for over 30mins), and your aerobic endurance (HR 130bpm approx).
Acclimatising is a gamble. Sometimes it’s no problem, other times it can hit you hard even if you’ve been at altitude multiple times.
@@betterhiking thanks
Thanks for share all this tips. God bless you
Appreciate this my friend 😊
I usually have GI stall issues at high altitudes...
This was fantastic. Thanks for the video!
Wow good advice bro. I'm planning for EBC in 2025
Great tips. Cheers. Who did you arrange your trek through? Mind me asking how much they charged you?
I’ve gone twice with Scenic Nepal Treks.
For just EBC pricing, as I personally did extra while over there, you’d be looking at around $1500 I believe.
Great chat. I’m doing to trek is Sept and have a simple questions. What type of watch did you wear and why.
I don’t wear any, don’t have a need for one that justifies the price.
I know that most villages on the Annapurna circuit had R/O stations where you could buy purified drinking water for a few rupees per litre. Is it the same on this trek? It's a great way to support locals , and not create plastic waste.
Not to my knowledge, but you could buy boiled water which would be essentially the same thing (for the price of the gas to boil it).
Excellent video!!
Awesome video Man
Good video❤
Excellent advice. Thank you.
Thank you for the useful informations.
Thank you so much
Great tips thanks 🤙
The best video! Thanks for sharing
Glad you found it helpful
Well done Info vid....thx so much
Thanks :)
Useful information
Having said that your advice is correct :-))
Excellent!
sooo very helpful thank you!
Great advice !
Could you please explain what is lead gazer?
Namaste 🙏
Thanks for sharing, could you let us know what windproof gtx jacket have you used ?
I used the Rab Arc Eco, but for the majority of the time spent trekking at 3000-5000m I used my Rab Borealis softshell jacket (but I had extremely good weather).
Thanks which powebank brand did you use?
Anker 20,000 from Amazon.
Great video
Thanks mate!
You da man!
Question, do you carry USD? Or Ruppee? For Helicopter evac.
Your travel insurance should cover helicopter evacs, so no need to carry extra. Just be aware of the helicopter scams in Nepal. You can search it up to learn about it.
Thanks! Great list!
Cheers!
Great tips! I am planning for 2026, any suggestions on tour agencies? Thanks in advance.
I’ve gone with Scenic Nepal Treks twice and would go with them again.
@@betterhiking With so many out there I rather go with the one others have positive experience, thanks again
Science and data show more injuries occur on the hike down from any peak. It is common knowledge despite this video that because of this the hiker heading uphill yields to the one heading downhill. Other than that, good video.
The suggestion relates to hiker curtesy rather than data relating to injury prevention. Heading uphill for most is more physically difficult and due to this it is commonly accepted that those heading uphill have the right of way.
But yes injuries/deaths mostly occur on descent but I figured this relates mostly to mountaineering rather than hiking.
Great tips! I’m going this oct with my wife, 14 y.o daughter & 12 y.o son. Any tips for kids hiking EBC?
I’ve seen and met a few families doing the trek. My guess is that it would be like anything else you’d do with them. Try and make the teahouse moment’s interesting for them!
Hi! Can anyone whose already done the trek to base camp say what is the cost of the whole trek all included please? (Lodge/food/guide, etc, once in Lakla) Thank you in advance!
You'd be looking at around $1500USD for a package from a local company. I went with Scenic Nepal Treks (local) for my EBC trip and my most recent trip to Gokyo Lakes & Lobuche Peak and I can't recommend them enough.
What Insurance you took for this trip?
Standard adventure travel insurance that covers up to 6000m. Lots of different providers offer appropriate packages - World Nomads I've heard has particularly good cover for overseas trekking but I did not use them for this trip.
What sort of training did you do before the EBC ? I am hiking 60+65k almost back to back through New Zealand mountains, jog 7-8km twice a week in my hilly town and will do 2hrs X 5weeks of Altitude training (includes IHT) before flying to Kathmandu. Any advice is welcome please.
If you are hiking 60km days then you will have no troubles. Aerobic training is the most important, then function strength & conditioning.
Sir, do I need to take toilet papers? Or water is available for bathroom activities in the stay houses…
The teahouses have western style toilets and sell toilet paper rolls. It’s a very popular and developed region.
interesting
3:20 Ok, you convinced me, I do not even go there.
It's still worth doing regardless of the number of sicknesses you could develop. Just play it as safe as possible. You'll most likely have a good time even if you pick up a sickness along the way.
❤
I see so not 9nly do you hike 10k but you have to watch the elevation as well. 👍
I was told that the flight to Lukla is 10kg check-in weight and 5kgs for carry on. I think you got it wrong at the start man.
It is 15kg total including 2kg allowed for carry on as per the airline I went with. Other airlines may differ in this division.
I know ours was 15 main 5 backpack back in 2013-2015, and a couple on the trip loaded up 22 in their mains, might be a different plane thi
@@betterhikingfair enough. 15kg overall seems to be the common theme. I only weigh 70kgs now but I used to weigh 85kgs. They should charge fat people more.
Drink Gatorade with water, much not too much! See tip 7
Best advice video! Get fit before doing anything like this especially aerobic training and strengthening legs!
Bump
Pfff please excuse I've watched a few videos on Everest base camp. You miss the point of getting to and from Everest.
I was in the Everest region for 2+ weeks. I walked from the end of the road and walked back to the road. Bus back to Kathmandu.
A weeks walk to namchi and a weeks walk out.
The walk in takes you over 3k. So acclimatisation is partly done.
Pfff I still got altitude sickness. Only because I got a bad flu. Missed the thing walk above 5k
Coffee is dehydrating, bud. So don’t drink coffee lol
You don’t have to cut out coffee, just hydrate as per usual and replenish lost electrolytes. It isn’t rocket science.
One needs to drink enough (like always) but drinking a lot does NOT help acclimatisation. It is a gross misunderstanding of the acclimatisation process.
That’s just not true. If you’re dehydrated you’re going to have a bad time. Keep your fluids up. Altitude, medication and physical effort all require good hydration.
@@betterhiking It is misleading to state that certain amounts of water needs to be drunk per day. Staying hydrated is good everywhere, also at high altitude, but what I was trying to get across is that overhydration does not help with acclimatisation, actually hinders it. Google "myths about altitude" from Institute for Altitude Medicine and see myth #4. During my last 4 week Khumbu trek I drank 2 liters of water the whole time I was there, all my hydration needs were filled by tea, soups, and beer in the evenings. Never measured or estimated how much I drank per day either, just trust thirst.
I have spent 5 months in Khumbu so far since 1985.
4L is a good amount to aim for when being active in the mountains. That doesn’t just mean water, it means fluids as you’ve said.
Yes water doesn’t cure altitude sickness, but if you take diuretics like Diamox to help with sickness it does mean that you need to drink more.
@@betterhiking Yes, water is lost when acclimating, but my point is excessive drinking does not help at all, actually hinders the process (and hyponatremia has the same symptoms as AMS actually killing more people annually in the US tahn AMS they are trying to avoid). Studies show that slightly dehydrated and optimally hydrated people acclimate equally well, but those who drink too much (X number of liters...) do not acclimate as well. THIRST is the mechanism which tells you when to drink, not someone telling "X Y or Z liters per day minimum".
Thanx a lot for these tips!