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EVEREST ADVANCED BASE CAMP

Everest Advance Base Camp (EABC) also known as Advanced Everest Base Camp (AEBC) is often confused with the standard Everest Base Camp trek. The advanced trek approached Everest from the North, Tibetan side which the standard trek approaches Everest from the south, Nepal side. The advanced trek is the highest that one can go on Everest without a climbing permit.

The Everest Advanced Base Camp Trek encompasses an altitude gain of 1,310m (4,300ft) from the base camp, also often referred to as Rongbuk. The route follows the same route taken by summiteers though our journey stops at the base of the North Col at Advanced Base camp at 6,340m (20,800ft). The first attempt on Everest via the North Col route was pioneered by George Mallory in 1921 who returned in 1922 and again in 1924, in the hopes of making summit.

The trip to base camp crosses the Tibetan highlands across high altitude passes to the site of Rongbuk (Rongphu) Monastery. With an average altitude in excess of 3500m, Tibet can truly be described as the roof of the world. Base camp itself is about 8km away and we spend two days here to acclimatise further. The trekking route takes you as close to the summit of Everest as any non-climber can reach, with technical climbing gear and additional permits. From advanced camp at the base of the North Col the sheer force and grandeur of Everest’s north face is overwhelming.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here or go here to see some of our blog posts

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everest ADVANCED BASE CAMP at a glance

Overnight in hotels en route and then camping on the mountain

From 22 days tour but we may need an extra day depending on Tibet visa requirements at the time

Starts and ends in Kathmandu. We then fly to Lhasa and drive across to Rongbuk base camp. It is then a 5 day hike descending via the same route

he route follows the same route taken by summiteers though our journey stops at the base of the North Col at Advanced Base camp at 6,340m (20,800ft).

everest ADVANCED BASE CAMP itinerary

Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.

Day-2: Full day Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

Day-3. Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m)

Transfer to the airport for the hour-long flight across the main Himalayan range. Afternoon at rest to acclimatise to Lhasa' s high altitude.

Day-4: Lhasa

We will visit Lhasa' s many monasteries and sites, such as the Sera Monastery, and the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

Day-5: Lhasa

We visit the Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery founded in the 14th century, and once the largest in the world, with a population of around 10,000 monks. The afternoon, is a time to relax or further explore the area.

Day-6: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m)

Travelling by jeep along the Friendship Highway we cross the Khamba La (4794m) and continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m) with incredible glacial views. We spend the night in a Hotel at Gyantse. [261km]

Day-7: Gyantse to Shigatse (3900m)

After an early morning tour of some of the Gyantse Dzong (14th Century fort) and the Kumbum, a large stupa, we head off on a short 90km drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. In the afternoon we will explore the area, local monasteries and market. Overnight at the Hotel. [90km]

Day-8: Shigatse to Shegar (4050m)

We continue along the Friendship Highway, marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape of Tibet. Beyond the town of Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to the plains en route to Shegar and overnight at Hotel Quomolongma.[244km]

Day-9: Shegar to Rongbuk

On our travels, we are rewarded with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma, with clear views of Everest as we turn into the Rongbuk Valley. Overnight Guest House.(68km)

Day-10: Rongbuk to Everest Base

We spend a night to acclimatise after the 8km trek to Base Camp. Overnight in tents.

Day-11: Base camp of Everest

We will explore the surroundings of the Rongbuk Everest base on short treks and spend time acclimatising. Overnight in tents.

Day-12: Everest Base to Camp 1

We trek alongside the Rongbuk Glacier, an impressive frozen ocean of ice waves. Camp 1 [5460m] is set amongst barren moraine hills and we spend the afternoon acclimatising and doing short treks in the area. (5460m)

Day-13: Intermediate Camp

We trek on the west rim of the glacier as we head to intermediate camp at 5760m. We will also look at the nearby ice seracs which rise like white sails from a debris-laden glacier surface.(5760m)

Day-14: Acclimatisation

We spend time acclimatising.

Day-15: Trek to Camp II

We trek towards the confluence with the Changtse glacier, above which we will find Camp 2 at 5970, set amidst glaciers in the appropriately named Serac Highway. (5970m)

Day-16: Camp II to Advanced Everest Base Camp

Camp 3 is the advanced base camp for the North Col route up Mount Everest. The top of Everest appears phenomenally close now and is as little as some 2400 meter higher than camp 3. Retrace our steps from Advanced Base to Camp 2.

Day-17: Return to base camp

The return to Base is obviously a longer down hill journey from Advanced Base than Camp 2. The decision taken on Day 17 will determine the distance to be covered.

Day-18: Drive Rongbuk to Kirong

After arriving back at Rongbuk, we begin our drive towards Kirong. The return trip goes over the Kirong La (Kirong pass). Because of the earthquake in 2015, the border between Tibet and Nepal is now a little bit more to the west.

Day-19: Kirong to Kathmandu

We arrive at the Chinese - Nepalese border, say goodbye to our Tibetan team, pass through customs and join up with our Nepalese staff. After the crossing of the border we will drive through Dunche and Trisuli in order to reach Kathmandu, a trip which takes about 9 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. [153km]

Day-20: Free at leisure

Day-21: Final departure

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bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED about EVEREST ADVANCED BASE CAMP

What is the height of advanced Everest base camp?

Everest Advanced Base camp lies at the base of the North Col at 6,340m (20,800ft). The actual base camp of Everest is capable of accommodating thousands of people and has an altitude of 5170m

How difficult/challenging is this trek?

The actual day to day trekking is not difficult but it is very rocky and also at high altitude. From intermediate camp you need to ascend up the side of an icy ridge where crampons are advised at the best of times. It does not involve technical climbing, but does require physical fitness and stamina and most importantly, mental fitness. A good exercise and training program is essential and your training should include a lot of hill walking. The higher you climb, the harder the trek will become due to the altitude. It is for this reason that we include a night at Intermediate Camp as a buffer

How long does it take to hike Everest advanced base camp?

The hike itself is about 32km over 5 days which is short but a high altitude trip. However to get to Rongbuk base camp takes several days and for this reason the entire trip is 23 days

What is the accommodation like?

The tour part uses hotels throughout until Rongbuk where a guesthouse may be used. The rooms are all generally basic with squat toilets. There is no heating and electricity is often solar and on only for a few hours in the evening. Rooms have a bed, pillow and a thick blanket a small light. The rest of the hike is a camping trip

When is the best time or months to trek to the advanced base camp Everest?

The best season to go on this trek is from August to October and mid-March to mid-April. This is the peak time of the year to go on this trek, and you will find many other trekkers along with you on the journey. With May being summit season it will be very busy and also the time of year when trekkers are restricted

Can I charge my camera batteries and mobile phone during the trek?

Whilst travelling to base camp yes you can. After that you will need to rely on your own solar charging system or battery back ups

What visa is required for Tibet?

There are actually a number of required documents.

If starting your tour in Nepal you will need a multiple entry visa or if starting in Tibet, an entry visa for Nepal. Both can be obtained on arrival for $50.

For Tibet, who will need a China Visa. These can only be applied for in Kathmandu if travelling in via Nepal, otherwise from a visa agent if entering directly into Tibet.

You then also require a special Aliens Travel Permit to allow you to enter certain areas of Tibet such as Everest Base Camp and then a Tibet Travel Permit. Tibet Travel Permit can only be obtained by a registered tour operator, and is required to gain entry to Tibet, including boarding the plane or train, and will be checked at any of the checkpoints throughout the region. Both of the latter as well as the visa for Tibet if entering via Kathmandu are arranged by us.

You must of course also be in possession of a valid passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the end of the tour

How will the altitude affect me on Everest trek?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly.

What is the route like and do we cross the ice fall?

There is no ice fall to cross on the North face as there is on the South. The routes are clearly marked in most places until around intermediate. From there on the Advanced base trek there is a section where we need to navigate depending on the flow of the glacier which takes us up the side of the Rongbuk glacier to the ice seracs to get to Camp II.

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Everest Advanced Base Camp?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon

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