Everest Base Camp
A Resilient Itinerary Is Vital
Without some spare days in your itinerary, you may not reach Base Camp.
There are uncontrollable factors that will determine your fate.
This short article explains why you need a resilient itinerary (spare days) if you are trekking to Everest Base Camp (or any other itinerary in the Everest region). Without those spare days in the itinerary to counter the common issues that occur, you risk not making Base Camp.
Most ‘standard‘ trekking itineraries to EBC (assume Day 1 starts with the with the flight from Kathmandu* up to Lukla) take 8 days to get there and a further 3-4 days to return to Lukla.
*Note that flights to Lukla may operate to/from Ramechapp (not Kathmandu domestic airport). This is a 5-hour drive from Kathmandu so this also needs to be factored into your overall travel plans. It reduces the time you have in Kathmandu.
In an ideal scenario, a standard itinerary is all you need – BUT the obstacles that you face in the Everest region is far from ideal. You need to know:
- What could go wrong.
- Why they could go wrong.
- How to counter them.
Lukla Delays (Weather)
Delays to/from Lukla are common and the most significant issue. I’ve known delays by up to a week, although that is an extreme case. By delays, it means non-flying days. Remember, you have to pass through Lukla twice, so the risk is doubled.
Lukla is cited as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The pilots are very skilled and it’s all done using the eyeball, no automatic pilot landings here! If the cloud rolls in and the runway becomes obscured, they simply don’t land (or even take off from Kathmandu or Ramechaap). But when they do, it’s like bees around a honeypot, busy, busy, busy. The small 18-seater aircraft can be on the ground from as little as 10 mins from unloading to reloading and take off.
Suffice to say that if the weather is unkind, the domestic flights to Lukla will be at least delayed if not cancelled for that day. For those unfortunate enough to experience a day’s delay, and are on a tight itinerary with no resilience built-in, it can mean you won’t make EBC in time to get back down again to meet your home international flight. You simply run out of time. And that’s not good given the time and money you have spent.
What is the shortest time that you can trek to Everest Base Camp?
What happens if flights to Lukla are cancelled?
Our itineraries into the Everest Region include built-in spare days to counter delays caused by flight delays/cancellations. This may include a spare day in Kathmandu on both the outbound and inbound journey and additional acclimatisation days. Cost wise, we cover the cost of one additional hotel night in Kathmandu and one night in Lukla should they be needed. In the extremely unlikely event that cancellations make the original aim impossible, we will arrange an alternative trek within the same timeframe.
Injuries/Sickness
Injuries can happen at any time. Minor injuries may be assisted by some downtime. Without any spare days, you won’t have that privilege.
Sickness is more of a concern. Hygiene in the region, especially with food, is perhaps not what your used to and sickness may appear. This may also be associated with altitude (see below). Again, in some cases, some downtime may be required.
Adding Days
Providing extra days is not just a case of adding them, it’s also where they are added. Our job is to get this right, for you.
The ascent profile below shows two lines:
- Blue line: a standard itinerary of 10 trekking days. Lose a day anywhere and you’re in trouble.
- Green line: our 13 day itinerary. It can withstand 3 whole days of delays/injury/illness time and still make Base Camp safely.
Additional Acclimatisation
Medical research shows that at least 1 extra day of acclimatisation significantly increases your chance of reaching any high-altitude destination, and EBC is no exception. Additionally, spending that extra day at lower acclimatisation altitudes is better than higher altitudes.
Read more about high-altitude trekking in our Essential Notes.
It is also worth knowing if you can pre-acclimatise for trekking at high altitudes?
Time Constraints and Compromise
We understand that not everyone has 18 days to spare and the general constraints of your time. There are always compromises.
We operate flexible treks to Everest Base Camp using an itinerary adjusted to suit you. If it’s less than 18 days, we will adjust the itinerary and explain where the adjustment has been made and what the risks are.
Go to our Everest Base Camp webpage or email us directly, and get your adventure underway.
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