Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Solo

  • Ram Khadka
  • Jun 2, 2023

Table of Contents

Everest base camp trek is a popular trek among all the desirable trekking alternatives in the world. Travellers from around the world desire to experience the serene hike through dense forest, and glacial streams to the Everest Base Camp 5,380m. Therefore, you can be tempted to travel to the majestic Everest region to enjoy the pleasure of a quiet lonesome trek. It is a possible option to travel to the Everest Base Camp on your own.

However, you have to carry all the necessary goods and equipment to the Everest Base Camp. In addition, you will also have to consider the basic necessities on your own since no guide or travel agency will guide you. Most importantly, you have to carry a map and compass with you all the time as it helps you with direction.

Even with all the equipment and gears, you might still face difficulties on your independent Everest Base Camp trek like accommodation and food. You will be new to the place and won’t have any idea about the local tea houses and lodges. Hence, you might have to seek guidance from the other groups in your independent trek to Everest Base Camp.

In addition, you won’t have any knowledge about the local lifestyle and culture and you can’t interact with the local communities. Therefore, being able to communicate and understand the area you are travelling to immensely enhances your alone trek.

So to avoid all these difficulties, we recommend you to travel with a guide on your trek to Everest Base Camp. However, with proper planning and information, you can still enjoy your alone trek to the magnificent Everest Base Camp.

If you are a solo traveller and cannot afford 2 weeks Everest base camp trek Sublime Trails is running an Everest base camp helicopter tour at an affordable price.

Solo Trek to Everest Base Camp Advantages

You can experience a splendid trek to Everest Base Camp as you enjoy the peaceful natural environment along the trail. On your independent trek, you can also have the opportunity to observe the breathtaking views at your own pace. You will give in to the splendid scenario and enjoy every bit of it as no one will limit your time interval.

Your independent Everest Base Camp will offer you plenty of time to explore the hidden viewpoint for take lots of pictures and videos. Furthermore, you will enjoy the freedom on your alone trek as there won’t be any restrictions on your personal itinerary.

Solo Trek to Everest Base Camp Disadvantages

One of the biggest drawbacks of your alone Everest Base Camp trek is that you won’t have any first-hand knowledge about the language and culture of the region. There will be chances of miscommunication during the trek between you and the local people. In addition, you also might be misled or fooled by people for money due to a lack of information.

Furthermore, tracking the trail is difficult as snowfall can cover the trails and there will be a risk of going in the wrong direction. On the other hand, a proper guide can lead and guide you through tricky and difficult situations on your trek.

Moreover, the expertise of a guide will also prevent your chances of getting high altitude sickness on the trails. In addition, you have to face major obstacles during your travel back to Kathmandu regarding booking tickets for transportation.

Solo Everest Base Camp trek as a female

A solo trek to Everest Base Camp alone as a female is no different than traveling as a male. You would still face the same difficulties and enjoy a similar experience as most people do. On the other hand, there are also certain factors that could hinder your efficiency as a female traveler.

There are a few numbers of difficulties during your solo trek to Everest Base Camp, one of them being a victim of harassment. Therefore, as an independent solo female traveller, you should prepare yourself with safety equipment on the trek.

However, Nepal is a peaceful country and the chances of such an incident are at a minimum. You will enjoy the hospitality of the local people along the trail despite the Cultural and lingual boundaries.

Like any normal trekker, as a female, you have to prepare yourself physically and mentally to overcome the obstacles on the solo Everest Base Camp trek. The number of solo travelers including females is increasing by the year. Hence, as a female, you can complete your solo Everest Base Camp trek with the help of gathering information and solution as well.

Everest Base Camp trek Alone Cost

Everest Base Camp is a moderate trek experience to the high Himalayas of the Everest region. You will come across a variety of standard and basic accommodation facilities on the trek. Therefore, the expense of your Everest Base Camp alone depends on your accommodation and meal preferences.

In addition, flight tickets, equipment, and permits will also affect your expenses on your solo Everest Base Camp trek. To give you a brief insight into the cost, here are some of the common expenses on the Everest Base Camp alone.

  • The flight to the starting point at Lukla and back to Kathmandu will cost you around $360.
  • You will have to get permits on your solo Everest Base Camp trek which include:
  • Sagarmatha National Park permit: $30
  • Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Permits: $20
  •  Local Government Permit: $20
  • TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System): $20
  • On your solo trek to Everest Base Camp, the cost of food is around $20 to $30 per day depending on your food choices.
  • The cost of accommodation is usually around $5 to $8 dollars during the peak season of the trek otherwise it ranges between $2 to $5.

Packing list for Solo Everest Base Camp trek

As a solo traveller, packing the equipment for your Everest Base Camp trek is a difficult task. You will have no information about the amount and use of the basic necessities. In addition, you will have to be aware of the weather conditions and the season you are travelling. The right clothing and equipment will help you to cope with the weather conditions on the solo trek.

The average weight limit of your luggage is 25 kilograms per person. So, you need to pack only the basic necessities for your solo Everest Base Camp trek. Here are the clothing and equipment for you to consider packing for your solo Everest Base Camp trek.  

 

Trekking clothes 

 Gears

 Toiletries 

  First Aid 

 Personal Items 

Long-sleeve hiking shirt         

 Carabiners                               

 Toothbrush/toothpaste                   

   Bandaids                                                     

 Phone and charger

Short-sleeve hiking shirt              

Oximeter

 Face wipes

 Strepsils 

Headphones

 Fleece

Sunglasses

 Toilet paper

 Sudafed (cold medicine)

Book

Thermal Vest

Sleeping bag

 Sunscreen

 Ibuprofen(painkiller)

Passport and travel documents

 Raincoat

Sleeping bag liner

 Hand sanitizer

 Neosporin (antibiotic ointment)

Memory card

 Hiking socks

Swiss Army knife

Travel lotion

 

Backup battery

Warm wool socks

 Trekking poles

Chapstick

 

Camera and charger 

 Sock liners

 Headlamp 

  

PowerBank

 Hiking boots

 Water purification tablets

   

 Sports bras

 Nalgene water bottle

   

 Hiking underwear

 Platypus water sack

   

 Warm gloves

    

 Warm hat

    



Independent Trek Versus Group Trek

Everest Base Camp trek is a moderate trek with slight challenges to accomplish because of its unique natural diversity. You will need to take the right step to overcome such challenges and difficulties on the trek. 

It’s obvious that you will have to face considerably more challenges as a solo traveler to the Everest Base Camp. If you are travelling in groups, you will have the guidance of the trek guides and porters to assist you. Therefore, traveling in groups is slightly beneficial as the company of the fellow travelers' il also offer security and boost in confidence.

On the other hand, you can travel in the comforts of your own schedule as a solo traveller. In addition, no one will boss you around the trek and restrict your trekking experience. Hence, as a solo traveller, you can enjoy the hidden trails and landscapes to the full extent.  

However, an independent traveller will find difficulty in the search for the right accommodation and arranging permits and bookings. You will spend a plenty amount of time going through the hassle of carrying your own bags and arranging your trip on the Everest Base Camp trail. 

So, it might be the right decision to hire a guide and a porter for someone who wants to relax and complete the trek with comfort. The extra helping hands will certainly aid in your physical exhaustion and stiffness of the body on the Everest Base Camp trek.

Best time to trek for a solo trekker

The Everest Base Camp trek experience will mostly depend on the season you are travelling to the Everest region. Most travellers prefer to trek to the Everest Base Camp trek during the months of October and November. The month of October and November falls under the season of Autumn in Nepal. 

Autumn is the best Season for Solo travellers as the weather conditions are pleasant with clear skies and breathtaking mountain views. You will hike along the beautiful trails surrounded by magnificent flowers. In addition, your solo trek to the Everest Base Camp won’t stop to a halt by unexpected rainfalls or snowfalls. 

You will enjoy a peaceful trek as the number of travellers is comparatively few in number than the season of Spring. Therefore, you can accommodate easily yourself during the solo trek as you will have plenty of options for a quiet tea house. 

FAQ

Is there wifi?

You will enjoy the services of Everest Link for wifi during your alone Everest Base Camp trek. You can buy a card to use the services of wifi at such in higher altitude regions. The card costs around $3 to $6 depending on your data usage. 

You have to use the card within 15 hours of the initial purchase. It is a reliable source of the internet as it can work sufficiently even at places like Gorak Shep. On the other hand, you can enjoy the wifi at many of the coffee shops, lodges, and cafes in Namche Bazaar. 


Do I need to hire a guide, Sherpa, or a porter?

The standard route on the Everest Base Camp trek is easy to navigate and travel without the help of a guide. However, there is a slight possibility of suffering from high altitude sickness on the trail. So, as a solo traveller, it could be the worst situation for you. Most of the affected victims need to be airlifted or need immediate medical attention. 

Therefore, a guide will ensure your safety as they will constantly monitor your condition during the trekking at altitudes above 5,000 meters. In addition, you can enjoy a comfortable trek as the porter will carry most of the luggage. Hence, you can enjoy your hike on the rugged and rocky terrains of the Everest Base Camp.


What is  Altitude sickness? 

Altitude sickness is a major problem during your trek to the high altitude trek in the Everest region. Therefore, you must gather all the information regarding the prevention of altitude sickness prior to the trek.  You must commence a slow and gradual hike as it will avoid the risk of suffering from Altitude Sickness. 

In addition, it is equally important for you to drink a lot of water and hydrate yourself during the trek. The Everest Base Camp solo trek itinerary should include an acclimatization day to aid your body in adapting to the changing altitude.

 Furthermore, you should be aware of the early symptoms of altitude sickness. The early signs of altitude sickness include nausea, fatigue, headache, confusion, and fever.


Do you need to book tea houses prior to your arrival?

There is plenty of tea house and lodges along the route to the Everest Base Camp trek. Usually, you don’t have to worry about finding a place to enjoy a meal and sleep peacefully for the night. However, the tea houses are full of travellers during the peak season like Spring. 

Therefore, if you are travelling during the peak season make sure you arrange the accommodation prior to your arrival. On the other hand, as a solo traveller, you won’t give many difficulties to find a space for one person at the teahouses.


What kind of food do you get during the Everest Base Camp solo trek?

You will have plenty of options for food during your Everest Base Camp solo trek. Most the tea houses offer a variety of meals on their menus. You can enjoy also enjoy western foods like spaghetti, pasta, and pizza during your trek to the Everest Base Camp.

The tea houses offer a typical Nepali dish for dinners like Dal, and Tarkari. This meal will certainly boost your energy level and it lasts for a long time on the trek. You will have breakfast at the same tea house you had dinner last night. 

We recommend you to consume adequate breakfast as they are comparatively cheaper than lunch and dinner. The tea houses serve Tibetan bread, hot milk, tea, omelette and porridge for breakfast. However, as a solo traveller, you must carry snacks like chocolate and energy bars with you to fill yourself during mid treks. 

Ram Khadka

Ram Khadka

15 years of experience in Nepal Himalaya and worked as a trekking guide for 10 years. Managing Director at Sublime Trails Pvt. Ltd.