There are lots of things that you need to consider when you are trekking. One of the major concerns for every trekker is whether they should trek solo or with a group. It is just as obvious of a decision that a beginner trekker must hike with a group since he does not have the expertise to go on a trek, especially to a location like the Everest region, by himself.
However, sometimes, even a trekker who has been trained for several years and has adequate expertise in treks will have difficulty making the decision. There are, of course, pros and cons to both trekking styles and it takes one to be wise before one makes the final choice.
Make sure to read till the end of this blog to learn about EBC trekking and why there are both advantages and disadvantages associated with both solo and group Everest trekking!
Everest region solo trekking
Before considering a solo trek to the Everest region, you need to keep in mind that the authorities in Nepal have banned solo trekking due to safety reasons for trekkers. Everest region is not quite the safest and the most convenient place you can go for a trekking journey.
It takes one to be extremely mindful and decisive of every move he makes if he wants to go on this trek. Similarly, EBC trekking is always done with either a guide or a porter even if not with a group.
What are the pros of solo trekking to the Everest region?
Anyone who would want to enjoy alone time can hire a guide or porter but walk at a distance to not directly converse with them throughout the journey. Since the guides and porters are aware of the choices of their clients, keeping quiet and chatting for short moments as and when necessary won’t at all be an issue. Hence, you can easily enjoy your solo trek even with a guide or a porter.
Some of the pros of solo trekking to the Everest region are as follows:
Personalized timings
A trekker will be able to personalize the timings of his trek as per his wish and convenience when he is trekking. A guide will always be there to guide you on whether the weather conditions are bad or good for the trek, but other times than these exceptional circumstances, you will be the judge as to when you want to start and how long you wish your trek to last in a day. Choosing a route with a group can be very difficult as different trekkers have different expertise and capacities. But trekking solo means you get to choose the routes by yourself too!
Accommodation choice
More often than not, group trekkers tend to have a hard time choosing the best place to stay. A single decision does not always cater to the needs and preferences of everyone in a group. It is impossible to satisfy everyone with one choice. Trekking solo gives you the liberty to choose a single accommodation which might even help you exceed your expectations of a happy and fun trek. Choosing an accommodation by yourself also means that you can choose one that best fits your budget. Peer pressure, here is not at all in the equation.
Sense of ease
Trekkers will feel a sense of ease during their solo trek. When they are trekking alone, they don’t have to rush at any given conditions since they are there by themselves and even the porters or guides they’ve hired will work as per the trekker’s speed.
Easier time finding teahouses
It is always easier to find tea houses and hotels in the Everest region when you are trekking solo. When you go to the region during a peak season with a group, you may find a room for one or two of the group members but finding a suitable place to stay in as a group can be extremely difficult. Therefore, it is best to go there solo as it is much easier to find the best accommodation without much effort.
Affordability
If you are conscious about budget, then you should opt for a solo trek to the Everest region. Cutting costs is much easier when you have the liberty to make your own financial decisions. Paying in a group is always higher than paying only for yourself.
What are the cons of solo trekking to the Everest region?
Just like the pros, there are just as many cons that you need to keep in mind while trekking to the Everest region. Some of the major ones are as follows:
Safety concerns
A trekker who wants to be left alone in the upper regions of the Everest area should be just as concerned about his safety. Even when you are with a guide or a porter, you may lose track of your path as you keep moving solo which increases the chances of getting stranded halfway through your trek.
Limited routes
As per the regulations set by the Nepal Board of Tourism(NBT), there are a very limited number of routes that a trekker can go through. On top of that, the aspects for exploration decline to less than half for a solo trekker in comparison to those trekking in groups.
Heavier load
Solo trekkers have to go through the problem of carrying heavy loads. Even when you hire a porter, you have to carry a good amount of gear and equipment on your own. Trekkers need just as many tools when they trek solo as they do when they trek in a group.
Everest region group trekking
Trekking to the Everest region in a group is very common. You may not even have to go through as many safety issues when you are with a group since if one gets in trouble, they have the back of the others. Group trekking is preferable for those who have never trekked around the Everest region before. Plus, you will be getting an opportunity to network with a lot of people.
What are the pros of group trekking to the Everest region?
There are many pros of group trekking to the Everest region. Every other trekker is going to rely on the following factors if they are to choose to trek in a group:
Safety
You are going to have a safer experience in what is known as one of the most difficult and dangerous trekking destinations in Nepal. The safety factor makes group trekking perfect for those who have not been as much of an expert in trekking activities to high-altitude locations like the Everest region. If one member of the group goes through some difficulty, the others can come to their help in addition to the help they’ll be getting from the guides and porters.
Better organization
Organizing everything from food to accommodation can be difficult when you are the only one in charge. Making better decisions and organizing your trek better becomes possible when you are trekking with a group of trekkers. This will also help keep your mental state in check since you won’t feel anxious about making all the right choices by yourself. And, trekkers have the liberty to trek in a more relaxed manner since there is more than just one person to manage what goes around.
Lighter load
Trekking in a group makes it possible for you to carry a lesser amount of loads. Since you will be needing all the same gear and equipment in both solo and group trekking, you need to carry just as much stuff in both journeys. Therefore, you can go easy on how much you are to take on your back during a group trek than in a solo trek.
Read more: Fast-Track Your Data Analytics Career: The Value of Online Bootcamps with Job Placement
Lesser paperwork burden
Since you are going to a highly protected and to an extent, restricted part of Nepal, you will have to go through lots of paperwork throughout your journey. When you are going solo, it is often a burden to handle all such hassle by yourself. Moreover, a trekker only has himself in charge besides his guide who may not be as responsible about the same. Trekking in a group makes it easier for everyone to work with the paperwork as well as through stress management for the same.
What are the cons of group trekking to the Everest region?
While there are lots of pros as to why you should go on a group trekking to the Everest region, there are just as many cons associated with the same. Group trekking is not preferable for those who have the following concerns in mind:
Expensive
You cannot be happy with the money you will be spending when you are on a group trek to the Everest region. You have to settle for all that is spent during and with a group which is higher than when you trek solo.
Strict schedules
Unlike in solo treks, you won’t be solely in charge of the schedules. You will have to rely on the schedules and timings that are set by the trekking authorities or your group collectively. This may lead one to feel dissatisfied in the journey.
Other’s influence
Trekkers will feel influenced by the speed and the necessities of others when they are trekking in a group. You are more than likely to feel anxious about being left behind or being too fast as well.
Conclusion
There are many reasons as to why a trekker would choose either solo or group treks. These reasons, however, may or may not apply to everyone. Before making a choice, you need to assess your circumstances and abilities, as these factors apply to different individuals differently.
