Climbing Mount Everest is on the list of many travelers. Submitting the world’s highest mountain is a great achievement many would like to experience. But only a few are able to fulfill their dream due to personal reasons.

Thus Everest Base Camp Trek is the best option to reach the foot of Mount Everest. This trek gives you the chance to view Mount Everest closely and explore the areas as well.

You must have heard and read many exciting things about this trek. Well, it is the most popular trekking destination in the Everest region. Many trekkers visit this region every year to walk in these trails. They visit these trails in search of a thrill, adventure, and challenges.

But there are some things no one tells you about hiking. Thus we have listed out a few things you must not have heard about heretofore.

Before planning your trek, you must have read many travel notes, researched the routes, its difficulties, etc. But as you travel you might find there were many things you have missed out.

So, this article helps you know a few things no one tells you about hiking to EBC.

About The Route

Base Camp are campsites that lie at the base of Mount Everest which climbers use during their ascend and descend. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world with a height of 8848 m above sea level.

This mountain has two base camps on its opposite sides. South Camp in Nepal and North camp in China. The base camp in Nepal lies in the Solukhumbu district of Sagarmatha Zone in Province No.1.

Base Camp is a popular trekking route in the Himalaya that begins from Lukla airport. This airport is the gateway to EBC. Landing here you begin your trekking journey towards the base of the world’s highest mountain.

Everest region is home for the sherpa community that are influenced by the Tibetan Culture. You get to visit many monasteries, prayer flags, and mani walls on the way.

Also as Everest lies within Sagarmatha National Park, you get to visit one of the famous parks of Nepal. This park is home to many endangered animals. So if you are lucky you might even spot some on your trails.

Kala Patthar is the highest point of the EBC Trek. It lies at an altitude of 5643 m above sea level. On this trek, you will be passing many lush green forests filled with beautiful vegetation.

You also get to see various magnificent peaks along the way. Such as Mount Everest, Nuptse, Dorje Lakpa, and many more.

14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is filled with exciting adventures and challenges that give a memory of a lifetime.

Highlights 

• Explore Everest region and learn about the culture and lifestyle of Himalayan people
• Visit Sagarmatha national park and its exotic flora and fauna
• Enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise view from Kalapathar viewpoint
• View of various majestic mountains such as Mt. Everest, Dorje Lakpa, etc
• Pass through forest paths filled with unique vegetation of flora and fauna

Things No One Tells You About Hike

While reading information about this trek most of the people leave out a few things from their journey. We have listed things no one tells you about hiking to the Base Camp.

Tipping coins or notes less than 50 is disrespectful

Nepal is cheap compared to many other countries. But it is not very cheap as you think. Tipping with coins or notes less than 50 is quite rude. It is the same as tipping someone in the US for a loose change around 70 cents. 

Also, most of them meet their days end with those tips. So, they expect a bit much for their physical work. You consider the condition of the notes. Handing dirty or old notes is not advisable.

It is better to carry around NPR 100 (US$ 1) if you want to tip someone with a small amount.

Delayed Flights from Lukla and Back

Many won’t say this to you but there are high chances of your flight to and back from Lukla getting delayed. Usually, the flights are held for early morning when the sky is crystal clear.

Flights get delayed on a regular basis. If the weather condition is bad then only a few flights are held a day. So, if you are not able to board those flights you might have to wait for the next day. 

If you were the first one to book the first flight. Then you will board the flight no matter when it takes off. The flight goes in order.

It is necessary to add an extra few days in your plan. As you might get stuck there due to flight delay and miss your flight back to home. Thus for an emergency like these, you should separate around 500$ for a helicopter ride back to the capital.

The season of Winter and Monsoon is the time when flight conditions are very poor. So, during these seasons add a few extra days to your trek plan.

Poor Internet Connection and Pay for it

As you make your way into the mountains the internet connection there is quite poor. And you have to pay an extra price to use the wifi.

Only a few coffee houses in Namche Bazaar give away free wifi. Other than that you will have to pay for them in most places. As you climb higher in altitude the quality gets poorer and more expensive.

The connection is not that good in high regions. The internet works but is pretty slow. So it is better to upload pictures after your return. But having a connection in the mountains is a great achievement.

Use Yak Poo For Fire

The Himalayan region is still not developed properly. The people living there rely on Yak poo for heat and fire. If the yak poo is not available there is no fire. The burners still use Yak poo which is quite amusing.

Are you wondering whether it smells or not? Then nope you won’t even notice it was dung being used. On your trails, you can see men carrying sacks and picking Yak poo while walking up and downhill.

Hardcore Altitude

Usually, it is known that air is thin in high places. But the altitude is brutal then you have expected. Getting used to the current environment can be harder. But it is not impossible, you just need some time to adjust to your surroundings.

Walking in high altitude feels like a light jog. You can also hear your heartbeat faster than usual. While climbing in high altitude it is necessary to walk slowly as possible.

Don’t rush, just walk at your medium pace. You don’t have to walk in the front, just take your time and walk normally. Most of the evening will be free so you can walk enjoying the beautiful scenarios.

No Proper Loo in the trails

The condition of Loo is worse than you can imagine. On most of the trails, you won’t even find toilets. As the routes are cut into the mountainsides with steep incline and decline.

You have to go behind bushes to do your business. Also, there is no availability of water so don’t forget to carry toilet rolls for an emergency. As climbing in altitude requires drinking about 4 to 5 liter water a day. So, you will be peeing for most of the way.

Don’t feel shy and go if you have to.

Quite Expensive

By expensive we don’t mean thousands. But you will be needing more than you have budgeted. As you may know the higher you climb the more expensive the goods and services are.

As there is no proper groundwork, people carry goods all the way from the lower region to the high region. Thus this is one of the reasons for the supplies to be expensive.

Also, you will have to pay for hot water, charging your phone, etc which many don’t know. So they don’t add this while budgeting and get low on cash.

So, it is necessary to carry extra cash then you have planned.

Carry Cash

While traveling in high altitudes, ATMs are useless as there are no machines in high regions. So it is necessary to carry enough cash along with you. Before leaving Kathmandu you can take out as much as cash you require.

Also if you are planning to exchange your cash do it during the morning. So that if you have any problem finding places you have the rest of the day to look around.

No proper bathrooms

The bathrooms are nice till Namche Bazaar as they have proper showers. But as you pass Namche the tea houses are limited. And you have to pay an extra price for hot showers.

Lodges in the high region heat their water boiler using solar power. And most of the lodges will boil a bucket of water on the stove when asked for one. Usually, trekkers wait till they return from EBC.

During these times Baby wipes will be your most useful companion.

Side Trips

If you have extra time to spare then you can add Gokyo Lake Trek and Three High Passes Trek on your itinerary. These are some side trips that can be done from the Base Camp.

You can visit Everest Base Camp and head towards Gokyo Lake Passing the three passes. They take a few extra days off your vacation but it;s worth it. Viewing the Gokyo lakes and reaching three high passes on a trip is quite an amazing experience.

Cold Rooms During Night

If you are looking for warmer rooms then it’s quite opposite to that. As you climb higher in the mountains the colder the rooms get. As they don’t have A/C or Heater up there.

Also, the walls are thin in many lodges as if they were made of ply board. And in some places, a sleeping bag can also not be much help. So, carrying extra-warm clothes is helpful during your trek.

Follow Yak Dung

On your trails, you will notice two animals yak and donkeys. You should be aware of donkeys. As they tend to push anyone that tries to be first in line. So maintain distance from them.

As for yak they are slow and lazy. So they tend to take easy and safe routes for a walk. If you follow their dung you will know which trails are easy and safe for walking.

Final Say

We hope our article gave you some important information. Usually, people only list out nice things so most forget about things that can be an obstacle. Thus we tried our best to list out things that can hinder your trek so that you can overcome them.

If you think the only attraction in Nepal is its mountain then there’s no way you’ve learnt about the country even a bit. Of course, Himalayas is the glory of Nepal and one solid reason for many trekkers to visit it. 

But even beyond that, there are many extraordinary places that are great exploring. Many of these sites dazzle travelers with both modern and old-fashioned touch. Ancient buildings and museums give an ambiance of rich culture and history in Nepal. 

Even though it’s spanned in a small area, there is so much diversity here. One can spend an entire day watching the shows on culture and still don’t get tired. Locals in every city are so amicable that it takes no time to blend despite the cultural disparity. 

There are many lavish restaurants in the city that you can spend all 5 days visiting each of them. Nepal is a country known for its raw natural grandeur and mountains that’s sky-scraping. 

From Everest to Ghorepani and Langtang, it has all sorts of long and short treks for every skill hiker. Now, if you’re still in a dilemma of how to spend 5 days in Kathmandu Nepal then go through our article. After a lot of research and thinking, we’ve come with some of the best ways to spend time in Nepal. 

1. Sightseeing Kathmandu followed by Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour 

Kathmandu may not be distinctly comforting for nature lovers but aside from that it has every good reason to be proud of. The city is most happening of all with sky-high buildings, museums and monuments. 

Historical places and religious shrines embellished with architecture is the life of Kathmandu. Nestled at the heart of the city, Pashupatinath is an archaic temple epitomizing Hindu culture and their values. 

The beauty of this city lies in its rich history. And luckily it’s put on display at the National Museum of Nepal. Every portrait painting, modern art and sculptures instilled in a quiet museum hall is a source of inspiration.

It isn’t as crafty as the museum but the city’s fancy dining house is also worth visiting. There are high-end restaurants, multiplexes, and rooftop cafes from where one can glance at the city and also manage to take a sip of coffee. 

Finally, wrap-up your 5 days Kathmandu trip in a classiest way by having Everest Base Camp Helicopter with landing. It takes no more than 5 hours for a roundtrip of the campsite and you’ll get to see Mt. Everest and Nuptse. 

Since the flight takes down at Kala Patthar, exploring the landscapes is possible. You can even stroll around to watch the landscapes and shimmering snow peaks above the clouds. 

2. Sightseeing Durbar Squares with Short hiking near Kathmandu Valley 

It’s impossible to rubbish the fact that Kathmandu is affluent both historic and religious wise. For centuries it has treasured the palaces and prehistoric buildings made during the regime of Malla’s. 

They are subject to old arts and architecture that takes the visitor back in the period. Not to blow hard but that’s the reason why travelers never skip visiting Durbar Squares. They reflect the old Nepalese history and bring it to the notice of visitors in its truest form. 

Listed in UNESCO’s world heritage site, Patan, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares exhibits Newari architecture. Most of the temples in the square are designed in pagoda style and have courtyards.

Stone-carved statues and wooden temples are highlights of durbar squares as one can spend the entire day exploring it. They are crafted using the outdated technique and still look better than the contemporaries. 

Coming out from the ancient sculptures and artefacts in durbar squares, travelers can enjoy their day in Kathmandu by hiking. The city provides numerous short treks including Pulchowki and Chisapani hikes. For hikers, it takes only 6 hours to scramble the easy trail of Phulchowki and watch splendid Kathmandu Valley. 

3. Explore Kathmandu, Dhulikhel and Nagarkot 

If you’re worried about how to spend 5 days in Kathmandu Nepal then consider traveling Dhulikhel and Nagarkot. They are stunningly picturesque villages and in close proximity to Kathmandu. As for Nagarkot, it takes just an hour to ride 

Located in central Nepal, Nagarkot is a heavenly beautiful village on the brink of valley. Those who want to avoid walking the trail of Annapurna but still take a glimpse of it often visit the place. 

Nagarkot has to be the only place which has easy access from the city and the finest sunset and sunrise view. To experience the Nepalese lifestyle, travelers can take a stroll through the villages and interact with easy-going locals. 

Similar to Nagarkot in terms of accessibility, Dhulikhel also has picturesque views to offer travelers. Locals here have mastered to make even the rustic places look sophisticated and lure visitors. 

Dhulikhel has something for every visitor including the panoramic view of Ganesh Himal, lush hillsides and unique landscapes. More recently, zip lining was set up in Dhulikhel, giving another excuse for travelers to visit it.

4. Visit Pokhara and trek to Poon Hill 

Nothing amazes the travelers in Nepal like Pokhara. It’s the best lakeside city filled with overwhelming places and generous people. Despite being the most traveled destination, the beauty of Pokhara remains unspoiled. 

It has spectacular views of Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri to offer its guests. Pokhara is some of the few cities that has plenty of recreational activities to provide. People traveling here can paraglide in the sky, enjoy mountain biking and zip lining on any day. 

Even the quiet Rara Lake has put many adventures on the table including paddle boarding. There are so many things to catch here from astounding Devi’s falls and Begnas Lake. Whether you’re religious or not but the door to Tal Barahi temple is always open for visitors. 

 

Pokhara also has many short treks in the bucket for hikers including Ghorepani Poon Hill. It’s the most accommodating trek with tranquil trails that remain busy throughout the year. The hill station has an astonishing view of Annapurna massif and Dhampus peak. Most trekkers make early visits to the viewpoint and catch the golden sunrise view.

5. Exploring Different Places and go for fishing and Rafting in Trishuli River 

With its irresistible charm and natural splendour, Nepal always manages to make the trip of its visitor a memorable one. There are more than one upscale places in the country that are entirely dedicated to travelers. 

Unfortunately they lie in different places so to make the most of the trip, you’ve to split the time. Plan smartly and visit Chitwan National Park ahead of rafting and fishing in Trishuli River. That’s because it only takes 2 and a half hours of riding to reach the sanctuary. 

Visitors to the national park can watch as many as 68 mammals and wildlife including sloth bears and otters. Jeep safari is a good alternative to range over the park and take a glance at Bengal Tiger. 

Avid rafters and fishers often stop by the Trishuli River on their way back to Kathmandu. Sweeping rivers of Trishuli hosts avid rafters of all ages and let them have their moment. More travelers reach out for the Trishuli River than anywhere else for the thrilling experience. 

Not just that even anglers like fishing in Trishuli river as its dwelling to a wide species of fish. They can catch anywhere from Golden Mahseer to Trout and River Eel, just need to have the right gear such as, ultralight spinning reel, rods, bait fish finders etc. 

A strong fishing rod and reel combo is a must to have. Nobody wants their tip or ring guides to snap in the middle of fishing. Ensure that the reel is smooth to spool and gives enough backing. Use a monofilament line as it’s affordable and stretch under pressure  supporting to catch big fish. 

Why visit Chicago? For a start, it’s called Chica-GO, not Chica-DON’T-GO. Booo… I know. Terrible joke. Nevertheless, ever since the arrival of the first non-indigenous settlers in the 1780s, people have been attracted to the city on the shores of Lake Michigan for multiple reasons, and the population has grown from literally a handful of people who probably knew each other by name, to an estimated 10 million people now living in the wider Chicago metropolitan area. That’s not bad going. 

We’re going to go into the reasons to visit Chicago in just a moment, but first a friendly reminder that travellers to big cities may run into issues over car accidents and personal injury (due to the hustle and bustle of such packed streets). That’s why, before you travel, you should take note of what to do if you run into such difficulties. For example, check out a PI lawyer who has offices in Chicago. 

And now we’re going to get to some of the reasons to visit Chicago for people who want something different from their trip. 

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a natural history museum that was founded in 1857, and the attractions and exhibits have only improved and become more exciting since then – although some of the original exhibits are still in operation, including the City Science house, Butterfly Haven, Water Lab, and Wilderness Walk. 

Without a shadow of a doubt, the most talked about attraction is the butterfly house, with over 200 species of butterfly peacefully flip-flapping around visitors as they stroll. Admittedly, if you have a fear of butterflies, this could be just about the last thing on earth on which you’d wish to spend your time, but for everyone else it’s like something out of a surreal movie. 

Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo is also known as the Chicago Zoological Park. Spanning 216 acres and housing over 450 animals, the zoo is one of the city’s iconic attractions that finds its way onto most tourists’ to-do lists. 

This state of the art zoo was the first in America to house a Giant Panda, and current exhibits are nothing short of ‘must-see’. There’s big cats, rhinos, giraffes, and croc’s, for example. But the two things that make the zoo perhaps that little bit more special than most zoos is the dolphin exhibit and the gorilla enclosure. You certainly don’t get gorillas and dolphins at every zoo!

Chicago is a city of multiple attractions for all ages. From museums and zoos to much much more (including beaches!), this is one city you won’t want to miss out on your tour of the good ole US of A.