Everest Basecamp trekking completed, Ready to share the experience

Hi there..Tq so much for willing to share your experience... I would be leaving to EBC in about 6 months from now..

1-I would like to know how is the flight management to/from lukla currently? are there backlog flights as usual, since its a common issue of tourists stranded for days.. Which is the best airline provider and how much does it cost currently?...
2-What kind of permits do i need to get as Solo / Independent Trekker? and how much it costs?...
3-Has the teahouse lodging / food prices risen?...
4- How was the weather from Lobuche onwards to EBC during the nights?
5- Is the trail from Gorak Shep to EBC across the glacier a straightforward one or do we have to navigate our way through the ever-moving crevasses of the glacier?
6- Were you feeling ill from Dingboche onwards? Some tend to start feeling the effects of altitude from here .. How was your sleep at this altitude? what do you feel actually?
7- Was getting to Namche a hard one?
8- Can we pass beyond Base Camp, and a little closer to the Khumbu ice fall?

Thank you so much for answering all these questions, its going to help me prepare mentally.

Not sure which route you followed, but how high would you rate the chance of slipping/falling? I'm somewhat concerned about damaging my DSLR. Is it worth investing in some microspikes?

I personally would like to go through Cho La pass, which I heard can be a bit slippery especially when the weather isn't great. I'm not planning on using trekking poles and would carry my own backpack.

I would like to know how is the flight management to/from lukla currently? are there backlog flights as usual, since its a common issue of tourists stranded for days.. Which is the best airline provider and how much does it cost currently?...
A: Flight delay depends upon the weather conditions, during normal days the flights usually takes place throughout the day but even slight change in weather around the airport in Lukla will hinder the flights, due to its topographic location and difficulty of landing at the small airstrip.
What kind of permits do i need to get as Solo / Independent Trekker? and how much it costs?...
A: You will need a TIMS permit which costs 1000 Nrs and Sagarmatha National Park Permit which costs around 3300 Nrs
How was the weather from Lobuche onwards to EBC during the nights?
A: It’s sunny during the day but during the night it can get very cold and below zero degrees with partial snow.
Is the trail from Gorak Shep to EBC across the glacier a straightforward one or do we have to navigate our way through the ever-moving crevasses of the glacier?
A: The trail from Gorak Shep to EBC is pretty easy and straightforward to navigate, the trails are well delineated.
Were you feeling ill from Dingboche onwards? Some tend to start feeling the effects of altitude from here .. How was your sleep at this altitude? what do you feel actually?
A: I was perfectly fine but most people I knew were having massive headaches and nausea. But if you feel uneasy and uncomfortable, descend down rather than forcing your way up. Sleeping could be a problem as well since the tea houses are usually sealed and windows are closed and there might be no inlet to let the oxygen in so it would be better to just open the windows a little to let some fresh air in.
Was getting to Namche a hard one?
A: Getting to Namche from Lukla/Phakding isn’t that hard. It’s almost all downhill from Lukla to Phakding and the trail is pretty easy from Phakding to Namche, until you reach the Hilary bridge, from where the trails go steeper up to Naamche, but that’s not that bad.
Can we pass beyond Base Camp, and a little closer to the Khumbu ice fall?
A: A little closer around the camp is fine but not that far

The climb up to Chola pass isnt that bad or slipper but the descend down from Chola pass if youre going from Dzong La to Thagnag can be very slipper, the first few minutes you have to be very careful if there is ice, but if there's not its just a easy steepy walk down below, but incase of ice it can be slipper and you have to be careful but its not that bad

Hi Sanzin,
Tq so much for your valuable insight.. did you do Cho La pass as well? It is in my trek route as well..
This is the place i fear i might have to hire a guide, because overnight snow could hinder our approach towards the pass, and doing it as solo trekkers is a worry indeed, not sure of what to expect...especially areas prone to avalanche or rock fall..

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.