The mesmerizing terrace of Khumbu will lead you on a journey like no other. It randomly tests your willpower, tenacity, fitness, mental endurance, and altitude adaptation.
Everest Base Camp: Expectation Vs Reality
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The mesmerizing terrace of Khumbu will lead you on a journey like no other. It randomly tests your willpower, tenacity, fitness, mental endurance and altitude adaptation.
That’s why most of the hikers get sacred when they think of trekking to Everest Base Camp. They keep on questioning themselves – what if I don’t make it, what if I stop breathing, what if I don’t like the views and the list goes on….
But once you make it to the base camp, you will realize you have conquered something very special and challenging in your life.
We believe the classic Everest Base Camp Trek is the only way to fully appreciate the grandeur of mighty Everest unless you go for its summit. The base camp trek is the best alternative to a life-threatening, time-consuming, insane, and expensive Everest expedition. You just need 14 days to complete the entire Everest Base Camp Trek (including your arrival and departure).
So if you are planning to trek the Everest and wondering how close your expectation is with its reality – here are my round-ups that will hopefully solve the mystery of your worries:
Pre-trek Training – Everest Base Camp Trek
Expectation Vs Reality
To get prepared for EBC Trek, you need to prepare for at least 3 months prior to the commencement of the trek. After the completion of an intense physical course, everybody thinks they are super fit to challenge the terrain of Everest.
The reality is that nobody is perfectly fit for Everest Base Camp Trek. Sometimes even Sherpa finds it difficult. Even if you are pro –continuous steep ups and downs will surely drain you down. Add to this, the high elevation of the trail will lead you to the loss of breath. so always walk at a slow pace and don’t expect to race on the trail – the mountains are moving nowhere!
Sherpas are extremely friendly
Expectation Vs Reality
Most people expect Sherpas to be super friendly.
And it is where your expectation meets the reality. Sherpas are so friendly that they never get bothered instead they do everything to help and sort out your problems. After all, the entire country goes on a single motto – “Atithi Dewo Bhava” meaning “Guest is God” And who dares to say no to the gods?
But don’t act as god and do whatever you want. They can’t be friends if you go against their culture and customs.
Food and Accommodation:
Expectation Vs Reality
Taking the remoteness into the account, most of the travelers think that the Everest Base Camp trail lacks proper accommodating and eating facilities. It is very much wise to think about the food and accommodation scarcity when you realize its altitude, remoteness, and inaccessibility.
In reality, this expectation is partially true. Surprisingly, Everest Base Camp trail houses luxury hotels and restaurants but in a limited amount. You will be surprised to find quality hotels, restaurants, bakeries, AMTS, and bars at Namche between nowhere in the mountains. But if you move beyond Namche, you will find basic accommodation and eating facilities. Higher the elevation lower the facilities.
Weather
Expectation Vs Reality
Everybody expects favorable weather in the high season.
It is true that the weather of Everest remains stable in the best seasons but the patterns may not go the same way every time.
The weather of Everest often proved to be highly unpredictable and as extreme as its landscapes. Even in the best season, it could be sunny one minute and raining or snowing the next.
So always be prepared for Four Season Weather. Keep your waterproof gear in your day pack
Everest View from the Base Camp
Expectation Vs Reality
It is expected to get a clear and gigantic view of Everest from the Base Camp.
But sadly, Everest hides beside the huge wall of Lhotse and Nuptse – no part of Everest is visible from the base camp. All you can see from the base camp is the incredible Khumbu icefall and other flocks of Everest peak.
Not to worry, 2 – 3 hike to Kalapatthar viewpoint from Gorakshep commands superb views of Everest and countless other peaks crowd your horizon.
Trekking Companies are Costly
Expectation Vs Reality
Most travelers think that the trekking companies charge a skyrocketing price for Everest Base Camp Trek. So they make the mindset to travel independently without getting help from trek operators.
It is true that Everest Base Camp Cost used to be expensive but not these days. Few years back, there were limited trekking agencies and tea houses along the trail, so they used to quote high prices for their package. But these days, things have changed and there are plenty of trekking agencies and tea-houses – they offer you the best price.
We suggest you not go for an extremely cheap package as they will constrain your itinerary and service. This as a result leads to a bad experience.
