logo
logo
Sign in

Can Everest Base Camp Trek be done Solo?

avatar
we ramblers

 

The Everest being the mightiest mountain makes the Everest Base Camp Trek a moderately difficult one. There are several factors that contribute to its level of difficulty. The trekkers have to walk for approximately 4 to 8 hours a day with the weight of a backpack that can vary from 10 to 15 kg.

The second factor is the high altitude as the highest point in the trail is 5643 m which is higher than most of the other treks in Nepal. It is often difficult to foretell how one’s body will react at such high altitudes. Another challenging part of the trek is near the Chola Pass where one has to walk on a melting glacier which is often a testing task.

However, apart from this the Gokyo Ri Trek of 123 km (a round trip starting from Lukla to Everest Base Camp to Gokyo) is easily navigable and well traveled. The trek also does not require any special or technical skills nor does it require specific levels of fitness.

If you are a solo backpacker, here are a few facts about the Everest Base Camp Trek that will help you to trek it independently.

Some Tips for solo travelers

  1. The best time to trek the EBC Trail is either in the spring season which is from April to May, or in the autumn season which is from October to November. These are precisely pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons to avoid rains.

 

  1. While the temperature during the day is quite warm, it can also speedily go down to up to -12 degrees Celsius at night. It is important to pack according to both the variations.

 

  1. After considering and summarizing several expenses, the minimum cost per person for the Gokyo Ri Trek comes to approximately 654 USD or 74,400 NPR. The optional costs such as snacks, drinks or hot showers have been excluded here.

 

  1. It is advisable to carry water purification tablets when on the trek as the cost of a water bottle can skyrocket as you trek the higher altitudes. Another piece of advice to cut down n unnecessary expenses is to carry your own treats as even these can get ultra expensive on higher altitudes.

 

  1. Even though the facility of charging electronics is available, it is suggested to carry a power bank with 20,000 mah and charge the electronics sparingly.
  2. The vegetarian food available at teahouses is not just a cheap option but also a safe option at such high altitudes where meat is hard to reach and when it does, it is not in the perfect condition to be consumed. So remember to eat vegetarian when at the trek.

 

  1. If you are traveling solo, make it a point to share your accommodation with someone. This does not just reduce the cost of accommodation but also gives you a chance to make new friends.

 

  1. Even though the ATMs are available at Gokyo Ri Trek, remember that they charge a very hefty and unreasonable fee. On this trail, the last spot where you will get to use working ATM machines is at Namche Bazaar.

 

  1. Do not continue your trek if you have the slightest symptom of altitude sickness. Discuss your health condition with someone and start descending if required.

 

  1. It is important to protect your lungs against dry air of the region. Ensure that you wear a buff to cover your nose and mouth.

 

  1. Make it a point to start hiking early in the morning so you can get maximum time under the sun.

There are a hundred other things that are worth considering if you are trekking the Everest Base Camp Trek solo but remember the adventure is worth it all!

collect
0
avatar
we ramblers
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more