How Safe is it to Travel to Everest Base Camp Trek in 2021?

One of the most popular trekking routes in the world also includes the name of Everest Base Camp. The spectacular view of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, mixed with the rich cultural experience, has given EBC a different reputation. It is one of the most exciting treks to partake on because of its unmatched natural beauty, spectacular view of mountain ranges, and priceless cultural charm.

Everest Base Camp Trek in 2021

Preparations are going on to ensure that 2021 does not follow the sorry state that 2020 brought because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Everest Base Camp has been listed as one of the top destinations to visit.

Possible Situation in 2021

EBC trek in 2021 is sure to be filled with difficulties. The unprecedented lockdown and the shutdown of airlines have had a great impact on Nepal’s tourism activities. The tourism year of 2020 had to come to a sudden halt following the pandemic’s danger and has been postponed till 2021.

Since 90% of the economic activities and tourism have come to a full halt, there are bound to be some complications while traveling to Nepal in 2021. The first being hike in prices. The prices for all kinds of tourism activities and the cost of lodging and food are likely to rise in 2021.

Popular destinations like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and other famous trekking routes will be expensive because of the lack of facilities. The accommodations especially are expected to hike up their prices to cover up their lack of activity in the year 2020.

The beauty of Nepal lies in its deeply rooted culture and natural gifts. Thus, most of the major trekking routes are in rural areas where nature has remained untouched and beautiful. As a result of the prolonged lockdown, the residents have faced difficulties transporting essential items to these rural places where most of the trekking routes of Nepal lie. If this situation does not get tackled by the government in the long run, it surely brings difficulties in the tourism activities of 2021.

Nepal is also in the list of developing countries. It is entirely possible that even when the vaccinations against COVID-19 are prepared and distributed, it may not reach the whole population within the first quarter of 2021. Thus, there might be a delay in the re-starting of tourism activities, especially in rural regions.

However, not everything is as dire as it seems. The rural conditions of most of the traveling routes are both a boon and a curse. As these trekking routes lie in such rural areas, they have minimal contact with the rest of the world. Because of this condition, the effect of COVID-19 has not been as widely spread in Nepal as the other areas.

The mountain regions, where most of the tourist destinations routes lie, are safer than the low land regions. The most pressing issue was the spread of COVID-19 through the open borders of Nepal, but even that has been somewhat strictly controlled by the government of Nepal. There has also been a meager record of infections and even lower record of death because of COVID-19 in Nepal with regards to its neighboring countries. As for this reason, Nepal is still a relatively safer place to travel in 2021 among all the world.

The government of Nepal has been trying it’s best to make sure that the year of 2021 brings only good memories to travelers. The plan for developing all sorts of infrastructure for the sake of a successful year has already been put forward and is sure to move rapidly once the situation of COVID-19 settles/slows down.

Conclusion

It will not be a lie to say that Nepal is one of the safest places to travel in 2021. There have been instances of infection, but they are relatively lower than its neighboring countries, and the recovery has also been faster. Though recovery from the nightmare of COVID-19 will not be simple, the tourism sector of Nepal is bound to face several setbacks. Apart from the rising prices in food and accommodation, the impact of COVID-19 is still lower in Nepal, which is ideal for travelers. Only time will tell the final result, but the chances are higher that Nepal’s tourism sector will bounce back to its initial phase in no time.