Simple FAQs about Everest Base Camp

The Road to EBC

Q: How high is the Mt. Everest?

A: Mt. Everest is at the elevation of 8,848 m above sea level (doesn’t seem much but yes, it is the highest peak in the world.)

Q: Where is Mt. Everest located?

A: In general, it’s on the border of Tibet and Nepal, and to be more accurate, it’s in Tingri County, Shigatse, Tibet on Tibet’s side and Solukhumbu District, Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal on Nepal’s side.

Q: How is the peak named?

A: In Tibetan, we call it ‘ChomoLangma’ and ‘Sagarmatha’ in Nepalese, we believe the peak to be the manifestation of a female deity, so the locals named the peak after her. The peak got its official English name from the Royal Geographical Society in 1865 upon recommendation made by Andrew Waugh, he named it after the predecessor of his then-post, Sir George Everest.

Q: What sort of preparations do I need to perform to visit Everest Base Camp (EBC)?

A: Well, there aren’t much, but psychologically go with a relaxed and positive mentality (do not fear elevation), and physically, stay warm (bring a wind-proof jacket, a bottle of sun-screen lotion 50 SPF) and the oxygen cylinders will be acquired by Explore Tibet.

Q: Should I worry about AMS – Acute Mountain Sickness (Altitude Sickness)?

A: Almost all the travellers from low altitude places suffer a little bit of AMS at EBC, but only a very few of them go serious. As mentioned above, strong mentality helps the most. A little nausea, headache and tiredness are the symptoms of AMS, consult with your guide if you feel any of these or any discomfort.

Q: What kind of accommodations should I expect at the EBC?

A: The accommodations at EBC are not as luxurious as the other places in Tibet, they have tent-city guest houses with around 100 tents (6 people per tent), Rongbuk Monastery Guest House, which obviously is a little bit better than the tents and Everest Guest house (the tent-city is about 6 km from EBC and the latter two about 8 km). The food there are Chinese style fast food.

Q: What is the weather like at EBC?

A: The weather can be a bit tricky at the base camp, but the best season to visit there would in May till early summer as the weather tend to be clear most of the time giving the perfect view of Mt. Everest. The weather around the rest of the year can be like…well, weather (unpredictable).

Q: Can I climb the mountain?

A: No, you cannot climb the Everest with the usual EBC visiting permit. To climb the highest peak in the world, you need a special mountaineering permit that will cost you about $2000 for the mountaineering permit separately.