Everest Base Camp

http://everestnepaltours.com
There are two base camps on opposite sides of Mt. Everest: to the South in Nepal

Nepal

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia and the world's youngest republic. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...

, and to the North in Tibet

Tibet

Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north of the Himalayas. It is home to the indigenous Tibetan people, and to some other ethnic groups such as Monpas and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han Chinese people. Tibet is the highest region on earth, with an average...

- learn more http://everestnepaltours.com. Located at the altitude of is South Base Camp in Nepal. , and at is the North Base Camp in Tibet. These camps are rudimentary campsites on Mount Everest

Mount Everest

Mount Everest – also called Sagarmāthā , Chomolungma or Qomolangma or Zhumulangma – is the highest mountain on Earth, and the highest point on the Earth's crust, as measured by the height above sea level of its summit,...

 that are used by mountain climbers during their ascent and descent. South Base Camp is used when climbing via the southeast ridge, while North Base Camp is used when climbing via the northeast ridge.

Supplies are carried to the camps by sherpas or porters, and with help of animals. The North Base Camp has vehicle access (at least in the summer months). Climbers typically rest at base camp for several days for acclimatization; to reduce the risks and severity of altitude sickness

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness , altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or soroche, is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans , caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2,400 metres...

. Base camps usually consist of long lines of tents with food, blankets, and light.

North

As of 2002, a visit to the North (Tibet-side) Base Camp required a permit from the Chinese government, above and beyond the permit required to visit Tibet

Tibet

Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north of the Himalayas. It is home to the indigenous Tibetan people, and to some other ethnic groups such as Monpas and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han Chinese people. Tibet is the highest region on earth, with an average...

 itself. At this time such permits could be arranged relatively easily via travel companies in Lhasa, typically as part of a travel package that included hiring a vehicle, driver, and translator. Road access to the North Base Camp may be obtained from a road branching to the South from the Friendship Highway.

South

The trek to Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and is done by thousands of trekkers each year.