Anyone ever been to base camp? Was it worth it, who’d you go through. If taking family how old would you let the youngest get before going?
Yes, awesome trip. But don’t go for the usual route, it can get super crowded and is less interesting. Go for the “three passes trek”. It’s usually done in 3 weeks but can be done in under 2. It’s challenging and demanding. Not really a family destination, but one hell of an adventure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/travel/10explorer-everest.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
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Yes, time of my life
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I went through “Intrepid Travel” and highly recommend it. Not super expensive, very well-organized, use local guides/porters. Just pull up their website and filter appropriately for the Everest Base Camp Trip. Tons of information there.
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Hard to say - based on the person ya know? There are probably lots of 12-year-olds that could do it, and many 35-year-olds that couldn’t. The days are long and the elevation can be challenging, so some level of fitness is important. I would say more than that, what matters most is a good attitude. After a 7-hour-day on your feet if you happen to come down with a splitting head-ache because of altitude, how is your kid going to react? Answering that question would be informative. I have no kids and I’m only 27 myself, but I would say no younger than a mature 12/13 year old as a starting point.
There is a trip available on TheClymb right now for basecamp, says 12 is the youngest they will accept. Seems like a pretty good deal 15 day trip $999, but doesn’t include main flight there.
Thanks for posting this.
Been wanting to do this with my dad for years…
When I was in Nepal I did all the arrangements myself. It is alot cheaper that way. If you do want to hire someone, you can do that in Kathmandu or if you are planning to do the Everest trek, you can wait till you get to Lukla to hire either a porter or a guide, or both. It will probably be cheaper then doing this in Kathmandu. Although things are so cheap there that we’re not talking hundreds of dollars of savings!!
The treks in that NYT article sounds real cool. If it sounds too tough, I would suggest not going to Everest base camp but rather go up the Gokyo valley to Gokyo. It is a little less travelled and the views of Everest are actually better.
Nepal is still my favorite trip. I want to go back. I would recommend it to anyone. As for kids, I think there is just more than the physical aspect. How well will they do with the food? Will they use the squat toilets? If you have travelled in third world countries with them then you might already know the answer. Also as others have said there will be some long days. Sometimes the distances between villages means that it will be a 6-8 (maybe more) day. Other days because of altitude the days might only be 3-4 hours. If your kids are really small, you could hire a porter to carry them when they get tired. I saw that a little bit when I was there.
Man just talking about this makes me want to take my kids!!!
BB
Anyone ever been to base camp? Was it worth it, who’d you go through. If taking family how old would you let the youngest get before going?
I am making an assumption here that you have not done any high altitude mountaineering before because if you did you would not be asking these questions. With that being said, don’t fool yourself into thinking this is some easy trek. I have seen it bring very fit people to their knees. It all depends on how well the body will adapt to being at high altitude for a long period of time.
I cannot give you an age limit, but I will say that the kid needs to be extremely strong mentally. It can be quite cold, likelihood of getting some sort of altitude sickness is high, food available might not be what a normal kid would eat and the kid (or you) needs to be very aware of how they are taking care of themselves (drinking enough fluids, washing hands properly, ect.)
You then need to ask yourself as a parent about how you would handle your kid getting extremely sick or injured in a 3rd world country.
Don’t take everything I said the wrong way, it can be an extremely life changing experience, but just know what your getting into. Assuming you are from the USA, I would recommend Mountain Madness or Alpine Ascents. They will certainly cost more, but if are taking your family, it is well worth it.
Trekked to EBC in '11. Three of us used Nepal Vision, a smaller guide service in Kathmandu. Excellent service, and they will be considerably cheaper than any U.S. company. I was very skeptical at first but the experience was amazing! You will talk to Kashev. The food will become miserable after the first couple days, and try to purify your own water, it tends to get pricey the higher up you get. nepalvisiontreks.com
Yes, awesome trip. But don’t go for the usual route, it can get super crowded and is less interesting. Go for the “three passes trek”. It’s usually done in 3 weeks but can be done in under 2. It’s challenging and demanding. Not really a family destination, but one hell of an adventure.
http://www.nytimes.com/...ewanted=all&_r=0
Pretty much this. Three Passes is the way to go with this route. I did it in '04 and it was one of the greatest times of my life.
I know the folks at Summits of Hope (www.summitsofhope.com) - though its charity based, what they do for kids is phenominal.
I did it, went by myself. Not sure about the situation on the ground these days though or if that would be smart
Were talking walking to base camp, not summiting. I’ve waited in longer lines at Disney than time spent waking to base camp
Anyone ever been to base camp? Was it worth it, who’d you go through. If taking family how old would you let the youngest get before going?
I am making an assumption here that you have not done any high altitude mountaineering before because if you did you would not be asking these questions. With that being said, don’t fool yourself into thinking this is some easy trek. I have seen it bring very fit people to their knees. It all depends on how well the body will adapt to being at high altitude for a long period of time.
I cannot give you an age limit, but I will say that the kid needs to be extremely strong mentally. It can be quite cold, likelihood of getting some sort of altitude sickness is high, food available might not be what a normal kid would eat and the kid (or you) needs to be very aware of how they are taking care of themselves (drinking enough fluids, washing hands properly, ect.)
You then need to ask yourself as a parent about how you would handle your kid getting extremely sick or injured in a 3rd world country.
Don’t take everything I said the wrong way, it can be an extremely life changing experience, but just know what your getting into. Assuming you are from the USA, I would recommend Mountain Madness or Alpine Ascents. They will certainly cost more, but if are taking your family, it is well worth it.
Were talking walking to base camp, not summiting. I’ve waited in longer lines at Disney than time spent waking to base camp
Anyone ever been to base camp? Was it worth it, who’d you go through. If taking family how old would you let the youngest get before going?
Not sure what you are even talking about here.
Consider Annapurna Circuit as an alternative.
- Less people
- More variety of terrain and topography
- A true point-to-point or loop trek
- 3 weeks long - really challenges. Feel you are really away from it all.
- Tops out at Thorong La at close to 20,000 ft
Did it in 1995. I am sure there have been lots of changes, but I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. People that I know, who had done both would always say hands-down, Annapurna was “better”.
Mountain madness, to go to base camp?
I agree. I have done both. The Annapurna circuit is nicer than the Everest trek. At least it was 10 years ago. Better lodges, better views. Nicer cIty to have as your base etc
Now I really want to go back!
BB