Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri

Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri: Best Season

To reach the greater heights of the Everest Base camp trek via Salleri, you should choose your travel time between late February and mid-May or late September and mid-December. These months offer the best chance of the most consistent weather conditions in the Khumbu Himalaya area.

From late February and mid-May, it is spring in Everest when the thermometer shows warmer temperatures very pleasing for the longer hikes. Moreover, nature will be full blooming and you will encounter multiple bright colors lining your path.

From late September to mid-December, it is autumn in Everest when the air is generally clear and fresh with the farthest clear views of the Himalayas and hills. Most importantly, there will be no wet trails and dark black clouds over the head.

Between late December and mid-February, the snow conditions and the coldest temperature may not sometimes allow for the Salleri Everest Base Camp trekking.

On the other hand, from late May to mid-September, the Everest region comes under the grasp of monsoon with darker mornings and evenings, and muddy slippery trails that often cut off the trail to EBC.

Difficulty Grade of Salleri To Everest Base Camp Trek

There are two things that determine the difficulty grade of our Salleri to Everest Base Camp trek. First of all, you will experience numerous ups and downs during the first warm days of the trek. Between days 1 and 5, you will face two mountain Passes of Khari La at 3145 m and Paiya La at 2945 m.

Then, you will also move on to face the 4830 m challenge of the Dughla Pass. So altogether, you will have three challenges of the high mountain passes.

Another factor that comes into play is the high altitude. For ten days, you will be over 3000 m and you will eventually spend the night above 5000 m. you will also hike up above 5500 m with an average daily walking time between 5 to 7 hours.

All these factors therefore classify our Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri a category three upper moderate tough journey. This certainly is tougher than the normal route to EBC.

However, you can complete the entire trek without excessive effort due to its entirely non-technical nature, clearly marked and well-made and kept trails.

Physical-wise, the trek is certainly strenuous but the well-developed accommodations and food will provide a relatively comfortable experience.

Who can be involved in our Salleri Everest Base Camp Trekking Adventure?

Although it is slightly longer than the typical Everest Base Camp through Lukla, our Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri is as matter of fact suitable for all types of explorers, whether they are new or experienced and skilled, whether they travel alone or in the group.

In fact, if you can handle the pressure and the strain of longer times of trekking for several days continuously, then you can confidently face the challenge of this trek without any hesitation.

The route is entirely non-technical, and the locals have made efforts to keep the trail well-maintained, signposted, and well-preserved. The bridges are also robustly made steel cable ones which are entirely safe to cross.

Also, this is the most developed hiking trail in Nepal that has well-facilitated infrastructure that makes your everyday journey pretty comfortable.

Additionally, the Salleri Everest Base Camp Trekking adventure will give you a sense of pride in following the footsteps of the first mountaineers, Hillary and Tenzing, who made this trek in 1953.

This trip is also ideal for those who like to avoid landing in Lukla and wish a complete immersion without any crowd in the Everest region. With the right, timely and adequate training and preparation, you can easily face the passes and elevation changes of this trek.

Acute Mountain Sickness and our plan for its Prevention

On our Everest Base camp trek via Salleri, you will eventually spend the night at the ultimate altitude of more than 5100 m. For improved acclimatization, we will begin walking from Salleri.

The first few days will occur below the elevation of 3000 m at a very gradual and slow pace so you will have sufficient time to adjust to the altitude.

Afterward, you will have rest days in Namche and Dingboche, which will greatly enhance your chance of reaching Kala Patthar without any discomfort from the altitude.

By this time, you will also be properly acclimatized and will be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery around you. However, even after these measures, we cannot promise that no one will experience altitude sickness.

This condition, better known as AMS or acute mountain sickness can affect anyone at any time, especially those who ascend too quickly, do not hydrate properly, do not rest adequately, and do not take acclimatization seriously.

We encourage all our guests, once they are above 3000 m, to focus on drinking more water, even if they do not feel thirsty. Drinking water along with ginger, garlic soup, or lemon honey tea can greatly help you adjust to the altitude; just look at the Sherpas.

The first physical manifestation of AMS include fatigue, breath shortness, nausea, vertigo, headache, and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, please trust our guide, who is well-trained and experienced in managing these situations.

He may advise you to rest for a few hours or delay your trek for a day or two. Depending on the severity of your condition, he may also take you down to a lower altitude.

In severe cases, he will immediately contact us for arrangements for your helicopter rescue. In our decades of experience, we have seen only a few guests experience mild AMS, so feel safe and ready to take on the challenge of our trek.

Diamox intake before leaving Kathmandu to a greater extent helps you with the altitude adjustment. However, there should be no allergies or other medical issues that may prevent you from taking this diuretic medicine.

Training and Physical preparation for the Salleri to Everest Base Camp trek

Effective and timely preparation and training are very necessary to ensure your readiness for the lengthy trekking days on our Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri.

As we will not be flying to Lukla, this means we will need to walk for a few extra days, which will put additional strain on your leg muscles, lungs, and heart.

So to improve their strength and endurance to be able to handle the demands of long walks, we suggest you to perform aerobic exercises at home or at the gym for two months prior the commencing date of the trip.

Some aerobic exercises that you can include are climbing stairs, running, cycling, walking, jogging, swimming, squatting, planking, and doing push-ups and pull-ups.

Weight lifting will also help you carry the load of your backpack while trekking. You may also consider acquainting yourself with hiking trips by going to the nearby hills or mountains.

Likewise, meditation and deep breathing will also be helpful to manage the AMS  in high region villages. We also suggest you to gain the information about the Salleri road, Nunthala, and Bupsa villages.

Although conditions have improved, they are still quite remote and have modest facilities compared to the Lukla-Namche route.

Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri vs Everest Base Camp Trek via Lukla

Both the Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri and the EBC trek via Lukla ultimately lead to the same destination: EBC and Kala Patthar. However, these two routes offer two different experiences and adventures.

The Salleri route is a more secluded trail which was famously taken in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. This route is slightly longer running through the uncontaminated and less spoiled path that allows you to enjoy the Himalayas in solitude.

Since numerous new routes have emerged by road and by air to reach EBC, this route has now been lesser known among travelers. Very few trekkers choose this path now because of its remoteness and length.

On the other hand, the Lukla route has been able to fulfill the dreams of almost all tourists who like to feel Everest once in life in short duration. This route is more comfortable, shorter and widely favored.

Also, it has been very developed with excellent accommodations, utilities, and food along the way. You can select to walk any route based on how much time you have available to reach EBC; after all the goals is the same: to stand in the presence of Everest.

Alternate Route and Possible Extension

Numerous shorter and longer, easier and challenging routes have been now introduced to reach EBC that has been designed according to your time, budget and skill.

There are also various other treks and destinations that you can now combine with the EBC journey. If you prefer only overland route to travel to EBC, then you can choose to drive to Jiri or Bhandar and then walk through Sete to Junbesi that will connect you to Nunthala.

You can also think of flying towards Phaplu then continue trekking towards Salleri. We have already discussed above about the traditional Lukla route. You can also think about returning from Gorakshep in helicopter cutting back the hiking days.

If you want to avoid trekking altogether, you can join in a Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp which can be completed in just 4 to 5 hours, with landing opportunities at Kala Patthar and Syangboche.

Regarding the possibilities of merging other destinations, you have the option to reach Gokyo Valley or tackle the renowned three passes of Everest.

Lodging, Dining, and Transportation

During our Salleri to Everest Base Camp trek, we provide you with beautiful and comfortable accommodations along the trail in the tea houses run by the Sherpa locals. Up to Bupsa, the facilities may be somewhat modest in comparison, but they are comfortable enough for peaceful nights.

Once you reach the Chaurikharka and Phakding Trail, you will enjoy comfortable accommodations with utilities such as private toilets, showers, hot water, charging facilities, and WiFi.

However, at Lobuche and Gorak Shep, you may need to share the toilet and shower facilities. WiFi can be on and off but you will have reliable cell phone service through NTC or NCELL.

Three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—will be provided in the tea houses. From Nepali dishes to international cuisine, you can find a variety of options along the trail.

For Salleri transportation, a private jeep will be available, and we will also manage your hotel pick-up and transfer at the beginning and end of your journey. The return flight from Lukla to Ramechhap or Kathmandu will also foreseen by us.

Travel Insurance

Please do not neglect getting the right kind of international travel insurance for our Everest Base Camp trek via Salleri. Not only it is obligatory for the permits, but it will also be your most loyal friend helping you in times of sudden offset on the journey.

Everest region is the tallest ground of the snow monsters where you may encounter circumstances you may have not imagined. Such as avalanche, a sudden slip resulting in fall hundreds of meters down, or serious altitude sickness.

In such a situation, helicopter rescue has to be managed which on your own can be the loaded burden on your shoulder. So please have the insurance that is made specially for extreme Himalayan hiking activities.

Make sure to mention your altitude to be up to 5700 m minimum. Please also get the medical coverage, and other miscellaneous travel related coverage for robbery, theft or damage to your gear and personal items, trips delays and extra added days.

Permits for the Salleri Everest Base Camp Trekking

We are going on a trekking adventure inside the stunning Khumbu Local Area and the magical land of the Sagarmatha National Park. To get into these preserved landmarks, the local area municipal permit and the national reserve area permit are compulsion.

The tourist service center of Kathmandu can provide you with the necessary park permit at 3000 NPR for every tourist. This permit is also provided at the park gate at Monjo and Lukla.

The local area municipal permit on the other hand can only be procures in Monjo or Lukla at minimal cost of 2000 NPR for ever tourist.

Adventure Walk Way will be seeing all these costs and the formal application procedure.