Hugh, you will have a fantastic time, no matter what other tourists are around!
The scenery is incredible on the way in, and be sure to spend time chatting with tea house owners and your local trekking staff as well...hang out with your kitchen staff and share some tea with them sitting in the cook tent!
I have led a group of Trekkers to the top of Kala Pattar and the views are spectacular! You will go through different zones of vegetation on up to glacial morain and windswept rock and ice....
Actual base camp is pretty bleak and not too pretty, a junky tent city, but ignore that and look at your views of the worlds tallest peaks close up!
If you acclimatize slowly and not try to walk too fast as you go up you will avoid altitude headaches and sickness. Drink tons of water and don't rush it...
Have a great trip!! Enjoy! you will have a wonderful experience and fall in love with the Nepali folks.
I have also been to everest bc on the Tibet side, LouieL, and spent a few days there...the drivers are totally awesome for sure.