Planning Your First Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most rewarding treks in the world, but it rewards preparation. Here's what first-time trekkers should know before setting out from Lukla.

Acclimatize properly

Build in rest days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche — altitude sickness is the most common reason trekkers turn back, and it's almost entirely preventable with a sensible pace.

Pack for both extremes

Days on the trail can be warm in the sun and freezing the moment it sets. Layering matters more than any single piece of gear.

Hire a local guide

Beyond safety, a Sherpa guide adds context to every village, monastery, and mountain you pass — it's the difference between hiking and actually understanding where you are.