Advice on trekking to Everest Base Camp

When you get to the Everest Base Camp at the foot of the world’s highest peak on foot step by step, you must feel extremely proud of yourself. That is why the Tibet trek tour from Tingri to Everest Base Camp becomes one of the classic trekking in Tibet. Here is some advice on trekking to Everest Base Camp.

1. Take your time.

Remember, you are doing a trek at an altitude over 4,000m, you are not doing a race and nobody is judging how quickly you get up the hill. Acclimatize properly, drink plenty of water and if you need to take an extra rest day. Nobody is going to ask you how long it takes you to get to Everest Base Camp; they are just going to be amazed when you made it. Your guide and porter will not mind if you hire them for an extra day or two. They will be glad for the work. 

2. Bring a book.

Trekking from Tingri to Everest Base Camp takes several days and it can get a little boring at times. You may only have the energy to lie in bed and read a book, so bring a good one. You can buy books in Lhasa, capital of Tibet.

3. Bring a water purifier or purification tablets

Do not drink the water found in the rivers and lakes in Tibet when you are making a Tibet tour. The safety of drinking water in Tibet has been bothering rural Tibetans in Tibet's remote farming and pastoral areas. Drinking water in Tibet should be purified with iodine or other purification tablets to prevent intestinal complaints.

4. Buy your gear in Lhasa

You can buy all trekking gears in Lhasa, trekking poles, hats, gloves, socks, down jackets, sleeping bags etc. Everything you could possibly need to trek to Everest Base Camp is available in Tibet. If you need it or forgot it, you can get it.

5. Bring chocolate and any treats that you want

It is easily to lose energy when trekking on the high plateau. So it is best to bring some chocolates or any treats you want. Sometimes when the altitude gets to us, the only thing that feels good going down is chocolate. It is a good idea to have some with you and you can buy it in Lhasa.

6. Give Yak and its owner the right of way at all times.

You may hire yak to carry luggage for you or meet yaks and Sherpas during your trek. When a yak train comes, move to the mountain side to get out of the way. You don’t want to be nudged off a cliff by a yak. Sherpa’s and porters work hard on Everest, they are constantly taking supplies up and down the mountain. Help make their life easier by staying out of their way.

7. Have a good first aid kit. 

Altitude sickness is the biggest risk for travelers who travel to Tibet. Diamox is a must for altitude symptoms. Follow the directions and take 1/2 of a 500 mg tablet twice a day. Make sure to have decongestants, Advil or your choice of pain reliever, lip balm and sunscreen is a must. I had a woman give me salve for my sinuses to moisten them. My nasal cavities dried out and I suffered from severe nose bleeds which were quite scary. I will always have a lubricant for my nose from now on.

8. Keep batteries close to your body at all times.

Sleep with them in your sleeping bags. It is difficult to find a place to charge batteries. The cold temperature drains batteries quickly, so you need to extend their life by keeping them warm.