The best acclimatization schedule for Everest base camp requires more time on the trek to Everest. It’s simple, give yourself three nights in Namche Bazaar 3,440m/ 11,300 feet on the way up the trail and give yourself a better chance of a safe and successful trek. All our teams spend three nights at this critical height.
Have More Acclimatization
I have climbed to the summit of Everest and made the trek to Base Camp over 40+ times. Over the years we have come up with the best itinerary to aid in the acclimatization process. If you are looking for the best option to trek to Everest, then check out our itinerary! and pick up the phone and speak to Ian directly.
The Best Acclimatization Schedule for Everest Base Camp
Finding the time to take a trip can be challenging for most people today. Having enough time off work, help with family responsibilities or even just finding the money to go on holidays can all be very difficult in this day and age. However, if you are going to make the effort to do a trip like this, then you have to make sure you do it right! Time is needed to acclimatize correctly so you can be safe and enjoy your Everest Base Camp Trek. This is truly an amazing journey through the Himalaya’s, therefore, you want to give yourself the chance to see all of it.
All the research over the past decade suggests more time is needed in the acclimatization process at 3,500m/ 11,500ft. That is why we spend 3 nights acclimatizing at this height on all our treks.
The trek to Everest Base Camp has so much to offer and should not be rushed for a number of reasons. A trek in Nepal and into the Everest region could change your life. Therefore, you don’t want to rush this journey. You will want to take your time and breath in this phenomenal place. The Himalayas and the majesty of these monstrous mountains will leave you humbled in their mighty presence.
Come Physically Prepared
You will need to have excellent physical conditioning when coming on a trek like this. If you sign up to one of our treks we will help you prepare. Ian and our team will be available to you 5 days a week when not on trips. We are here to help you build your fitness, conditioning and fully prepare for your journey to Everest Base Camp.
Give Yourself the Best Chance at Success
The key is getting the acclimatization schedule correct. We have done the trek to Everest Base Camp over a wide range of number of days. It is very clear that the more time you spend at critical points on the acclimatization schedule, the better we feel. Not only are you giving yourself the best chance at successfully reaching Base Camp, but you are also giving yourself the time to fully enjoy the experience. There is no reason to rush from village to village on this journey. Take the time, enjoy the views, culture and people of the Himalayas!
The best acclimatization schedule for Everest Base Camp needs to have an acceptable acclimatization period on route to high altitude. Recent high altitude research suggests that you will need more time to adjust to the lack of oxygen at 3,500m/ 11,500 feet. Adjusting to the low levels of oxygen and acclimatizing needs time. Therefore, if you fail to acclimatize well lower down, you will really struggle higher up. The closest town at this critial height is Namche Bazaar at 3,440m/ 11,286 feet. For that reason, our itinerary spends three night at this height and critical for your safety moving higher.
Three Nights in Namche Bazaar
By spending three nights in Namche Bazaar, we have found great success with our success rates. It gives you the best chance to making a successful, safe and enjoyable experience high into the Himalaya’s. There will also be an additional two nights acclimatizing in Dingbouche, at 4,410m/ 14,468 feet. This will set you up nicely for the journey above 4,900m/ 16,000 feet, where there is a dangerous lack of oxygen. Above 5,638m/ 18,500 feet, you enter the base layer of the death zone. This means your body would slowly be dying above this height, and can not fully adjust to the low levels of oxygen.
Reaching Kala Patthar
The highest point on the Everest Base Camp trek is Kala Patthar, at 5,645m/ 18,520 feet. So you are getting really close to that extreme altitude level. With 50% less oxygen getting to your muscles, you have to make sure you acclimatize correctly in the early stage of the trek. If you acclimatize better lower down in Namche Bazaar, the better acclimatized you will be when you arrive above 5,000m/ 16,404 feet.
Spend the Time, Reap the Benefits
For two years, we ran 50% of our treks with only two days in Namche Bazaar. The other 50% of the treks ran with three nights in Namche. We set up an O2 test on each client over the space of a year. Our research suggested a big different between how clients reacted to two and three nights spent acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar. We saw an 85% increase in peoples statistics. Concluding that people who spent three nights in Namche Bazaar at 3,440m/ 11,286 feet, stood a far better chance of not getting altitude related sickness. Without a doubt, this additional acclimatization is what helped clients feel better higher up and get more from their Everest Base Camp experience.
After completing this research, we then decided to add an additional night in Namche Bazaar to all our Everest Base Camp treks. Which is giving us far better results from our Everest Base Camp treks. We have a 98% success rate with clients enjoying their adventure, experience and journey into the magical mountains of Nepal. Similarly, we do research on all our treks in Nepal, Kilimanjaro and everywhere else we operate. Making sure our results on high altitude treks are second to none.
Watch our Everest base camp video and then see what people said about our treks.