Altitude sickness is the greatest concern on the Everest Base Camp trek. This expert guide explains prevention, symptoms, acclimatization routines, and emergency responses—giving you confidence to trek higher, safer, and stronger in Nepal’s legendary Himalayas.
As you start the hike to Everest Base Camp, the prayer flags flap in the cool Himalayan wind. You're worried about becoming sick from the high altitude.
That worry of waking up dizzy or out of breath at 5,364 meters feels true, but it can be handled with guidance.
You can stop or control most symptoms by pacing yourself, acclimatizing properly, and being aware of your health. Our guides have years of experience at high altitudes and are trained, so you can be sure of your safety even in remote areas.
There is so much contradicting medical advice online that it can be hard to plan your medical preparation. We are local experts who create acclimatization plans, keep an eye on symptoms, and act as necessary.
This book has everything you need, including ways to avoid problems, lists of symptoms, information about medications, emergency procedures, and useful routines. You will be able to climb higher, feel stronger, and get to Everest Base Camp safely if you have the appropriate information.
When your body has trouble adjusting to low oxygen, you get altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, and trouble breathing at higher altitudes are common symptoms. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) are severe types that can be deadly if not treated right away.
At Everest Base Camp, the trip reaches a height of 5,364 meters, where the amount of oxygen drops by about half.
Going up quickly and skipping acclimatization days makes AMS symptoms more likely. Even seasoned trekkers and physically healthy hikers can succumb to altitude sickness if they disregard initial symptoms.
Being fit alone won't save you from getting altitude sickness; your body needs time to become used to it. Sherpas who live in the area are used to high altitudes, yet they can still have slight symptoms. Diamox or oxygen may assist, but pacing yourself and staying hydrated are better ways to avoid problems.
Climb high and sleep low: during the day, trek to higher vistas, and at night, sleep in lower camps. Add rest days at Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche to give your body time to get used to the new environment. Drinking enough water, eating small meals, and staying away from alcohol all assist your body take in oxygen more easily.
Before you depart, learn about altitude sickness so you can plan better, hike more safely, and have fewer emergencies. If you go trekking without knowing about AMS, you are more likely to get hurt, and your trip could develop into a medical evacuation. Most trekkers who are well-prepared have no significant symptoms every day over 3,500 meters.
To reach Everest Base Camp, one must possess both Sagarmatha National Park permit as well as the permit of Lukla VDC. The cost of both permits lies around USD 30 for SAARC nationals and USD 50 for other world trekkers in 2025. Multiple copies are always beneficial at checkpoints along the route.
General recommendations:
Most hikers take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, seeing amazing views of snowy mountains and deep valleys. There are road routes, but they take more days and can make you tired before the trek. Weather delays often happen, so plan extra days to avoid stress.
Consider:
High-altitude trekking requires layering. Base layers, insulating mid-layers, and rainproof jackets shield against rain, wind, and cold. Other must-haves are:
Teahouses offer rooms at a basic level, communal bathrooms, and hot showers at a small extra cost. The key stops are Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Gorakshep, which are places to consider booking. Flexibility is key as there will possibly be nights spent extra for acclimatizing.
Insider secret:
Accommodation and food daily costs are USD 25–40 in average tea houses. The remainder of costs are guiding and portering fees, trekking permits, and optional emergency oxygen. Contingency funds in case of accident, delay, or insurance are strongly recommended.
You should have high mountain trekking insurance that includes helicopter rescue in case of HAPE or HACE. Pack key safety equipment, such as:
Verifying insurance coverage and limits in advance prevents surprise expenses in case of emergencies.
Even healthy trekkers may develop altitude illness in the Everest Base Camp trek. At elevations above 3,500 meters, individuals will typically experience headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. If such individuals develop severe conditions such as HAPE (pulmonary edema) or HACE (cerebral edema) among others, immediate descent and proper medical attention should be sought.
Important warning signs:
Trekkers can take immediate action to prevent minor distress becoming major medical conditions if they are aware of such signs at an early stage.
To best avoid getting sick at high elevation in the Everest Base Camp excursion, it's best to acclimatize to it. The "climb high, sleep low" mantra is key: climb up high in the daytime, sleep low at night. Stopping in Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche assists in getting acclimatized, which makes it more efficient at absorbing oxygen and more energetic.
One- to two-hour short hikes acclimatize your body to thin air. Staying hydrated with sufficient drinking of water, having light lunches, and refraining from alcohol and heavy food will further assist in adjusting.
Cold, dehydration, and physical exhaustion are representative triggers of altitude sickness while doing the EBC trek. Consistent hydration and small, regular meals alleviate exhaustion and ensure effective use of oxygen. Using trekking poles and adequate pacing help take stress away from muscles and joints, so you can climb without overexertion.
One must always take notice of even minor symptoms. Most trekkers overlook initial signs, which could immediately develop into severe AMS.
Despite precautionary measures, accidents at high altitudes are possible. Descending at once is the treatment of choice in extreme cases of AMS, HAPE, or HACE. Supplemental oxygen may sustain a patient briefly, but professional extraction, often by helicopter, is typically called for in severe instances.
Understand where medical posts are located along the trail, and always hike with guides who are certified in high-altitude emergencies. Being prepared early can transform a challenging situation into a risky one.
Conditioning yourself physically drastically reduces your risk of altitude illness and makes the trek more enjoyable. Begin 8–12 weeks in advance with cardiovascular exercises that get that heart rate up, such as jogging, cycling, or stair-climbing to increase your endurance. Strength-trained legs, abs, and back allow you to tackle rugged inclines, and backpacking with loads replicates in-the-field trek conditions at high elevation.
Doing cardio, weight work, and trekking prepares your body to face challenging physical and mental endeavors of Everest Base Camp.
It is also helpful to have the right medicine and tools on hand in case something goes wrong at a high altitude. If your doctor tells you to, you should bring Diamox, pain medications, nausea medicine, a pulse oximeter to read oxygen, and a first-aid kit with blister materials. These tools, coupled with careful planning and caution, make hiking safer and give you more confidence.
To prevent elevation illness, acclimatize and take your time. Rest days at Namche Bazaar, at Dingboche, and at Lobuche, hydrate with a lot of water, and don't consume alcohol. That severely reduces your chance of AMS and allows you to take fullest advantage of every day at high altitudes.
Diamox will help people acclimatize to high altitudes, though a doctor should manage its use. Supplemental oxygen is normally a standby for emergencies above 5,000m or in severe symptoms treks. Most trekkers who ascend high and sleep low hardly ever get oxygen.
Symptoms early in the illness include headache, dizziness, nausea, lassitude, and difficulty breathing. Monitoring oxygen with a pulse oximeter can signal trouble early, particularly at altitudes higher than 4,000 meters. Action early—resting or descending—can prevent severe issues.
Yes, it's possible for senior trekkers to reach EBC in a safe manner with good planning, pacing, and attention to medical symptoms. Age is inconsequential in relation to adherence to acclimatization guidelines and attention to symptoms. There are trekkers in their 60s and 70s who've reached base camp.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are stable in weather and clear skies, so trek conditions stay consistent. Avoid monsoon (June–August) or winter (December–February) if you prefer few problems and greater opportunities to acclimatize at higher elevations.
If you miss acclimatization days, then there is much more chance that you will develop AMS, HAPE, or HACE. One missed recovery day can convert a safe trek into requiring medical attention. The key is to go up gradually rather than trying to rush to Everest Base Camp.
EBC stands at 5,364m, and Annapurna Circuit is around 5,416m at Thorong La Pass. Both treks require careful acclimatization to the height, although EBC's rapid ascent from Lukla places early elevation sickness at a higher risk. Doing it slow and taking rest days assists trekkers in lowering the risk.
The first step to a safe and fun trip is to learn about altitude sickness on the Everest Base Camp trek. If you get used to the altitude, drink enough water, take your time, and get ready, you can turn a trip that could be dangerous into a memorable Himalayan adventure. If you follow these expert tips, you'll get to EBC feeling good, healthy, and ready to enjoy the beautiful views.
This hike is not just a physical challenge; it will change you in some way. You will remember standing at the foot of the world's highest peak, breathing the thin Himalayan air, and seeing glaciers and the sunrise over Everest for the rest of your life. If you prepare properly, you won't have to worry about getting sick from the altitude.
Are you ready to make this dream come true? Our guides who have medical training and local experts make sure that acclimatization plans are tailored to each person and that safety is always a top priority. People really want to leave in the spring and fall. Call us today to book your Everest Base Camp trek and start your high-altitude adventure with confidence.
