Everest Base Camp Trekking

Everest Base Camp Trek 14-Day Itinerary Package. Why?

The 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary positions itself amazingly well on price and safety scale. 

EBC Trek can be completed in as short as 11 days by omitting acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche. This can reduce the cost of the trek by 50-100 USD, however, it can put your health at risk. The chance of AMS and Altitude Sickness increases significantly, and your health and safety can be in jeopardy. 

Likewise, you can stretch this trek as long as you want. This ensures your body is well-acclimatized and adapted to the atmosphere of the Himalayas. However, the cost of the trek can increase significantly as you will spend a lot of time deep in the mountains where the cost of services and goods are higher because of the remoteness.

Now, 14 days is a sweet spot. Trekking to Everest Base Camp trek, which takes 14 days provides trekkers ample time to acclimatize to the thin atmosphere of the Himalayas. This ensures the safety of the trekker’s health. 

The cost of the 14-day itinerary is justified well. Spending two acclimatizing days in Namche and Dingboche means that you will be helping the local economy without burning your bank account. 

The Everest Base Camp Trek 14-Day itinerary is a perfect trek package taking into consideration the length and price. No unnecessary buffer days, no extra expenses, and safe as well. 

Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude

Everest Base Camp Altitude is 5,320 meters or 17,454 feet is the end point of the Everest base camp trekking. It’s the starting point for all the expeditions to climb Mt. Everest. Closer to the base camp is the great Khumbu Glacier from where Everest expeditions beings to Camp 1. Attending the Everest Base Camp is a dream of most adventure seekers and the base camp won’t let them down once they get there standing at the foot of the world’s highest peak. But from the base camp, Mt. Everest can’t be seen, for which you need to go higher point like Kalapathar at 5,550 meters or 18,208 feet.

Kalapathar is the popular Himalayan viewpoint in the Everest region. A panoramic view of the Khumbu valley can be spotted from its high point including Mt. Everest at a closer proximity. The hike to Kalapathar is done early in the morning from Gorakshep which takes about 2-3 hours walking uphill. Once getting on its top enjoy the sunrise over the snow-capped peaks including Mt. Everest.

Everest Base Camp Trek Route

Mt Everest base camp trekking starts with a scenic trans-Himalayan flight to the small airstrip in Lukla from Kathmandu. Then the trek begins to a small mountain town of Phadking from Lukla. The next day is a hike to Namche Bazaar, the central hub of Khumbu. Get one-day acclimatization in Namche when you will hike to Everest View Hotel for your first glimpse of Mt. Everest. Then follows little mountain stopovers like Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep.

From Gorakshep hike to Everest Base Camp, the ultimate goal of this trekking. The next day is Kalapatthar hike to witness Everest and other peaks more closely. Later on, trekkers will retrace the same route back to Namche Bazaar and to Lukla eventually flying back to Kathmandu.

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty and Physical Fitness Required.

A good level of physical fitness is required as the trek is graded strenuous trekking expedition.
The distance from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is 65 kilometers or 40 miles with a net elevation gain of 2,504 meters or 8,215 feet.

Now, What is “A good level of physical fitness”?.
“A good level of physical fitness” is definitely not an athlete-level fitness. It is a physical fitness level that allows you to hike 10-15 kilometers or 7-9 miles gaining 400-600 meters elevation every day. 

There are several steep ascends and descends throughout the trail, and trekkers will have to walk through those sections. 

On average, on trekking day you will trek for 5-7 hours, but, here’s a sigh of relief for you, there will be breaks. Break for lunch, breaks to soak in nature and enjoy sceneries, breaks for hydration, and restroom breaks. However, if you need rest and have to catch your breath after every 4-5 steps then you need to work on your physical fitness before doing the Everest trek. 

The physical fitness required for the EBC trek is all about endurance and stamina rather than explosive bursts of energy. So, working out or indulging in any type of activity that improves your cardiovascular output is great. 

A 20-40 minute cardio session at the gym or regular walks/jogs in the park every day for 3 months coupled with short hikes near the place you live will improve your stamina significantly, given that you are also taking good care of the diet. Avoiding oily foods and foods with high glycemic index, and eating lean proteins and fibers are essential if you want to attain that physical fitness.

Difficulty of the Trek:

Everest Base Camp Trek is a strenuous trek. The level of difficulty depends on many factors, but even in the best circumstances, it is not a walk in the park. 

The trek takes you to the Kalapatthar Summit, which is elevated at 5,644 meters, higher than Mount Elbrus, the tallest peak in Europe, Mt. Vinson Massif, the tallest peak in Antarctica, and just a few hundred meters shorter than Mt. Kilimanjaro. Which means, the trek is quite difficult.

However, to do the trek no technical knowledge or skills are required. The 14-day itinerary package we cater to adventurer trekkers is curated so deftly that even beginners with threshold physical fitness levels can do the Everest Base Camp Trek. 

All you have to do is carefully listen to the guide’s instructions and follow them. A properly structured itinerary with essential acclimatization days and a skilled crew can make the difficult Everest Base Camp Trek easy.

Tour Extensions. Tours to Do After Everest Base Camp.

Breakfree Adventures also operates day tours: Major Highlights of Kathmandu, Chandragiri Hills Day Tour, etc., and other adventure activities like: Trishuli River Rafting, Pokhara Paragliding, Bhotekoshi Bungee Jump, etc. which you can couple with your Everest Base Camp Trek.

When is the best time to go for the Everest base camp trek?

Scheduling your trek at an auspicious time will provide you with an enriching trekking experience. The trek scheduled in the best season has less chance of cancellation or alteration in itinerary, amazing visibility, and the best trail conditions. 

Though the Everest Base Camp trek can be done throughout the year, the best seasons are:

1. Spring(March to May)
2. Autumn(September to November)

EBC Trek in Spring(March to May).

Spring in Nepal, which coincides with the months of March, April, and May, is one of the best seasons for the Everest Trek in Nepal. 

Spring marks the recession of frigid cold winters in the Khumbu Region. By the second week of March, the warm sunrays penetrate the clear blue skies and thaw the snow sheath covering the landscapes of the Khumbu Region, making the trail conditions optimum for treks. 

The temperatures begin to rise and the azure sky is without any white blemishes of cloud, which means impeccable visibility. 

All in all, the conditions for a Spring Everest Base Camp Trek are sublime.

Day-Time Temperatures: 8/46.4 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit to 22/71.6 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.

Visibility: High Probability of being Clear.

EBC Trek in Autumn (September-November).

The Autumn season in Nepal is also one of the best seasons of the year to do the Everest Base Camp. The Autumn season coincides with the English months of September, October, and November. It is the high season for the treks in the Everest Region.

The beginning of Autumn observes a halt in an incessant downpour of the Monsoon. The Monsoon clouds stop entering Nepal, so the visibility becomes much more clear. The views of mountains and surrounding landscapes are as striking as they could get. 

The daytime temperature of the Khumbu Region is also warm, but it starts to lower as Autumn approaches the end.

Day-Time Temperatures: 5/41 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit to 21/70 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.

Visibility: High Probability of being Clear. 

Autumn and Spring are both the best seasons for the EBC Trek. The trail conditions and sightseeing opportunities are optimum for the trek. But because of this suitability, the trail might be crowded. 

To avoid the crowd, you can do the trek in the early/late Monsoon and Winter. Though the conditions during those times might not be as appropriate as during the Spring and Autumn, the trek is still doable and easier than the ones done during the Monsoon and Winters.

Everest Treks during Monsoon and Winters. Not the best season.

Everest Base Camp Trek can also be done in Monsoon and Winter, however, the trail conditions and entire travel experience can be not as good as they could be.

EBC Trek During Monsoon(June-August).

Monsoon, more specifically the months of June, July, and August isn’t the most auspicious time for the trek to Everest Base Camp. 

The visibility is low, so the chances of cancellation of a flight to Lukla are high. That means the itinerary can alter. The views of mountainscapes are underwhelming unless you are favored by the mountain gods.

The trail can be slippery because of muddy and wet conditions. Trekkers might have to trek in raincoats and traverse through leech-infested trails. Though the daytime temperatures are mild and warm, Monsoon is not the best time to do Everest Base Camp Trek. 

Day-time Temperature: 16/61 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit to 24/70 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.

Visibility: Unclear most of the time.

EBC Trek During Winter(December-February)

Trekking in Winter is strenuous and difficult compared to Autumn and Spring treks, but a winter trek is preferred and recommended over the one done in Monsoo.

The daytime temperatures during the winter are the lowest, below-freezing point. Trekking in such low temperatures is indeed risky. 

The trail and the entire landscape are blanketed with a thick layer of snow. Some sections like Kalapatthar Hike and Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp hike can be difficult and may require additional climbing equipment. 

However, some people absolutely cherish the snowy setup. The skies are clear with an unobstructed view of the surrounding peaks. 

Trekking in Winter requires prior experience of high-altitude treks, robust physical strength and endurance, skilled trek guides, equipment, and technical knowledge. 

Winter trek might not be for a beginner or amateur trekker.

Day-Time Temperature: -2/28.4 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit to 15/59 Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit.

Visibility: Clear most of the time.

Travel Insurance:

Travel insurance is compulsory should you be going trekking, rafting, paragliding etc. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter rescue, loss of luggage, etc. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please check with your insurance company that adventure activities and trekking above 3000m are covered in your policy, as some companies do not cover such things. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you on the holiday; if you cannot provide this at the start of the holiday, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.

Meals and Accommodation:

In Kathmandu, we normally use 3 stars hotel with breakfast but can upgrade upon request. During the Everest Base Camp Trekking, we provide the best available guest house which is called Tea house (lodge). Tea Houses are more like hotels, with hot showers, western food, and private rooms (twin sharing). Some guesthouses are basic with shared washing and toilet facilities. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a room with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. Keep in mind that there are several places which do not allow single accommodations during peak season, but we will try our best to accommodate your preferences if possible. In this arrangement overnight halts with dinner and breakfast will be in Tea-houses (Lodges) and lunches in local restaurants en-route. Furthermore as you will be staying in locally owned lodges you will be benefiting and interacting with the local community. It will give you a true feel for the Nepalese people and their lives.

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu. While Everest Base Camp Trekking, your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en-route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

The Trekking Group

For the Everest Base Camp Trekking, there will be one Guide, assistant Guide (8 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and porter for luggage carrying (2 trekkers: 1 porter). This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group is sick; the trip can still go ahead as planned. We can run the Everest Base Camp Trekking for group of any size, but generally have a maximum of sixteen people, as we’ve found this to be the optimum size for a successful trip. However, if youd like to make a group booking for more than sixteen people together, we can arrange this too.

Trekking Guides, Staff and our Associations

The most significant thing that makes your Everest Base Camp Trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable is the expert, experienced, courteous and helpful trek Guide and the crew members who have ability of operating your days in the mountain smoothly. Your trip will be led by the best and most professional Guide. All of our Trekking Guides are carefully selected on the basis of their appropriate experience, Guiding skills and personal aptitude. With an objective of sustaining local communities Breakfree Adventures employs staffs who have plenty of knowledgeable about culture, flora and fauna, geography, and history of Nepal. Trekking Guide of Breakfree Adventures are also trained with following trainings to make them educated on potential medical issues during their trek, biodiversity and environmental issues, English language, etc:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid – KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
• Trekking Guide Training – Nepal Governments Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management and Tourism Training Centre of Nepal
• Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
• English Language – KEEP (Kathmandu environment education project)
• Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
• Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

Our Trekking Guides obviously speak English sufficient enough to communicate but please consider this is not our mother language. The guides and porters know the routes and locality like the back of their hand, they practice the local culture themselves and they are extremely passionate about their country and its cultural aspects.

Climate and Weather:

The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters or 9,842 feet.

Himalayan weather can be unpredictable where nights are generally cooler and days warmer. It’s a bit colder during the winter season (Jan to Feb) but days can be quite warm and lovely if the sun is shining. You can expect a bit of snow in the months of January/February and December. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 20 deg C to -15 deg C low.

Safety and Security:

Security and safety are a high priority of our company however there are risks associated with adventure travel, that you should consider before booking. Our trip operators constantly monitor their areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. The decision to travel to a particular country or region is a personnel one.

Responsible Travel

Breakfree Adventures is a leading trekking and travel agency with dedicated travel Professionals who are well trained to give you the best of what Nepal has to offer. Our professional team follows a social philosophy that accepts responsibility for the local people and the environment in which we work. We respect the natural environment and the culture of our country, and we help travellers from around the world discover the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Nepal. We know that responsible travel tries to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment and maximize employment and income-generating opportunities for local communities. The whole of Nepal, including those living in remote rural areas that have very few other opportunities for development, benefits from sustainable tourism.

Breakfree Adventures is passionate about preserving the environment. As responsible tour guides in Nepal, we strive to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the local communities through which we travel. While trekking to different destinations, we choose environmentally- friendly lodges that respect the needs of their staff members. We take care of our staff as well as our valued clients. During our treks and other trips, we follow a zero-garbage policy (“pack in, pack out”) and leave nothing behind in the campsites. We always welcome your feedback and comments regarding responsible travel, so please send an e-mail to let us know what you think.