Everest‌ ‌Base‌ ‌Camp‌ ‌Trek‌king

The best time for Everest base camp trekking are from late February to early May and from late September to early December. Everest Base Camp can be done in November-December or June-August also. But, November and December is the winter and June till August is the monsoon season. So, some compromises need to be considered during these off-seasons.

Everest Base Camp trek is an accomplishable hike for all. Only you need is physical fitness and mental preparedness to overcome Everest base camp trek difficulty level. Those with no previous trek experience can also complete this trek with some planning and training for a few weeks. Though, a previous trekking experience can be beneficial.

Hike to the Everest base camp trek is considered a relatively strenuous trek. This also doesn’t mean previous trekking or mountaineering experience are required. The attempt is to reach the base camp and not summiting the peak itself, so any technical experiences aren’t required. What you need is to be in good physical shape and able to walk for four to six hours per day over mountainous terrain with a light backpack.

Absolutely! You are recommended to get travel insurance that covers even at higher altitudes i.e. up to 6000m. The insurance policy usually doesn’t cover over 3,000 meters of altitude. So, make sure these things while purchasing travel insurance for Everest base camp and read their policy.

At higher altitudes, anyone might experience altitude sickness regardless of how you fit you are or age-difference. Those who haven’t lived at high altitudes may also suffer from altitude sickness (also called as AMS or altitude motion sickness). The best thing to do is walk slow and proper hydration altitude sickness on Everest base camp trek can be prevented.

Family-run lodges often called ‘Teahouses’ are in the Everest region. Especially the higher you go accommodation is limited, so the room may differ from a private single/double room to a bed in a dormitory. Everest base camp trek accommodation is a very basic accommodation and usually be shared shower and toilet facilities. All lodges have a communal dining hall. Though basic, these teahouses are clean and welcoming, friendly and warm resting place after a tiring day’s trek.

Lodges on the trail offer wide choices for foods and drinks. These contain typical Nepali meals to the continental dishes. Nepali dish ‘Dal Bhat’ with season vegetable and pickle. Or, go for pizza, momo, noodles, macaroni, sizzler, sandwich, burger, etc. Different types of coffee, fruit juice, and alcoholic drinks are also available. If you have booked a package tour then the company handles all costs. But if booked on service only then food prices on the Everest base camp trek cost to US$25-30 per person per day for lunch/dinner, where breakfast will be included. But on high altitude treks, avoiding alcoholic drinks is a good idea.

Bottled water can be bought or you can take along a bottle and fill the bottle with tap water with purifying tablets. These can be bought in Kathmandu before the trek. Most brands of purification tablets take just 30 minutes before you can drink. Drinking a minimum of 3 to 4 liters of water per day is recommended.

Bringing snacks and protein bars is good. Daily meal includes Dal Bhat – Nepali meal which is already high in carbohydrate. If you bring your own food, lodges may charge you an additional cost.

Yes, and trekking permit for Everest base camp includes two permits. One is for ‘Sagarmatha National Park’ which is US$30 per person. The other is ‘Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality’ Entry Permit US$20 per person. Both of the permits are already included while booking the tour so you don’t have to worry about it.

Showers are available at Lodges. Especially the higher up you go there will usually be shared bathrooms in most lodges. Hot water shower needs to be paid per person. As you go higher, the colder it gets and you may have to think for the second time for a shower. Wait just a few days until your descent. Wet wipes can be used to clean your body but in trek it might come expensive. So it is good to buy them in Kathmandu.

You can bring trekking gear from your home country. They can also be bought in Kathmandu at many trekking shops around there. But, most of the trekking gears you get here are not up to standard though are comparatively cheaper. So, it’s up to you to decide. The last option to buy them is at Namche Bazaar if you forget any trekking gears.

All the electronics can be charged in lodges with an extra cost of US$2-6 per hour. Further up you go, the price for charging increases.

Sickness depends upon its nature. For mild sickness usually descending to a lower altitude with the help and support of the guide or porter is done. For serious illness, emergency helicopter evacuation service is arranged. Our guide will be in constant contact with us and takes immediate action as per the situation. This is where travel insurance comes covering for a medical evacuation service and other medical expenses. Our guides carry first aid kit with basic medication like simple painkillers, altitude sickness tablets, bandages, balm for muscle aches and medication to treat diarrhea and vomiting. They are experienced trek guides and will take care of you if anything happens to you. Besides, there are health posts in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Pheriche where you can get medical services.

Trekking solo trekking to the Everest base camp is actually possible. You can trek without joining a group or you can even trek without any trekking guide too. The trek is completely safe for solo trekkers. But please keep in mind that it will be safe only if you have prior experience of high altitude trek and other treks in Nepal. Otherwise, chances are a novice trekker walking alone may go through several unexpected complications.

The trail to the Everest Base Camp is among the safe trekking routes in Nepal with the least news of casualties and unforeseen happenings. There is least to no news of trekkers being theft or any unpleasant behaviors by the locals. Besides, the trails are well-marked so the least chance of getting lost.

Booking the trek with us, we shall provide our experienced trek guide and necessary porters. Hiring a trekking staff or booking with organized trek is not mandatory but doing it individually without experienced staff completely depends upon you.

If you are fit and can carry your own baggage which comes to 15 kg maximum and walking the high mountain terrains then hiring a porter isn’t necessary. Otherwise, hiring a porter is a good idea where you only have to carry your day-pack. The maximum load is 15 kgs each porter.

Everest base camp trekking trail does have luxury lodges with high-end facilities. But these luxury lodges are available only at several places like Lukla, Phakding, Namche, Monjo, Thame, Kongde, Pangboche, Mende, Tashinga. Beyond Namche you have to go for the basic lodges. These luxury lodges have the finest services and the best food. The cost may be high but with the services you get will make you forget the amount you’ve paid for such Everest base camp luxury trekking.

Lukla airport is located at the mountainous terrain where frequent weather changes occur every hour. Even a hint of bad weather arise flight delays in Lukla. When the weather goes worst especially during winter and monsoon, Lukla flight cancellations occurs even for days. Mental preparedness is required to face such unforeseen situations and keeping some buffer days after the trek is highly recommended.

The goal of this trek is to walk to the base camp but for those who do not wish to return back on foot, there’s an option of flying back by helicopter after attending the base camp and Kalapathar. This way, you won’t have to trek back the same way but instead fly direct back to Kathmandu on a helicopter. If you get tired or feel monotonous to walk back, you can choose this option or already pre-arrange this option as well. You will out from Gorekshep straight back to Kathmandu.

Tipping is not mandatory but let’s not forget that it has become a custom to show gratitude towards your guide and porters who made it all possible for you to finish the trek and be at the base of the world’s highest peak. You can give them a certain amount as tips for trekking Everest base camp as per your desire at the end of the trek.

Wifi on Everest base camp trek is available at most of the lodges on the EBC trail.

Everest Base Camp route is difficult due to the altitude and the uneven terrains but there’s no technically difficult parts are involved special climbing gears like ice axe, harness, and crampons are required. So, all of these aren’t required. But whilst trekking during the month of winter packing along with micro spikes for shoes and gaiters are recommended.

If you wish to quit 2 weeks long trek or those who are physically unfit to accomplish this long walk, there is an option of Everest Base Camp helicopter tour. This package allows you to fly over the Khumbu region and land at the Kala Patthar to witness the finest views of the chain of Himalayas including Mt. Everest from a closer proximity.

Taking along children for this trek is an unwise decision. But if they are old enough to trek for days at high altitudes in a cold climate, it shouldn’t a problem. Make sure, they have prior experiences of a few days hike and high altitudes.

There’s the option without taking the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. To avoid this flight, one can take a jeep or bus ride from Kathmandu to Salleri and start the trek from there. But of course, this will add extra days of the trek which will take you to Lukla then proceed further to Namche Bazaar and ultimately the base camp.

Our trek guide carries a comprehensive first aid kit with basic medication for altitude sickness, cold, diarrhea, headache, etc. All of our guides are trained on mountain wilderness medication.

Your lodge where you get a room provides a blanket. But the blanket can’t be sufficient at all times. To be on the safe side bringing along sleeping bag is suggested which we shall provide and already included in the tour cost.

You do not have to carry much cash if you have booked a full tour package from your travel company since your trek guide shall take care of your accommodation and daily meals. Besides that only a few extra costs incur like for bottled water, charging mobile phones/cameras, shower, extra tea/coffee and of course alcoholic drinks also tipping your guide and porters. So, carrying Nepalese Rupees equivalent to a few hundred USD is recommended.

ATM facilities are available only at Namche and Lukla, but depending upon them is also not suggested since sometimes they don’t work. Exchanging into Nepali rupees before the trek in Kathmandu is the best option.

Only cash is accepted during the trek and converting your currency to Nepali rupees before the trek is the best idea.

The base camp of Mt. Everest Base Camp is a moraine during fall or dead season. Climbers come and make tented camps there only in the spring. It’s risky to spend overnight at Everest base camp in such a high altitude and cold location without a proper sleeping facility. So, you need to come back to Gorak Shep for the overnight stay.

Usually it’s about 5-6 hours in most of the days. The walks must be slow and steady.

The maximum number is 15 trekkers. Yes, you can also do this trek privately with your personal guide and porter.

Your hotel where you stay in Kathmandu will store your luggage that you don’t want to take to trek without any charge. Later on, you can pick up your luggage after the trek.

Most of the villages along the trek route have landline telephones from where you can make international calls. Mobile phone services are also available and even at the Everest Base Camp but the reception quality varies depending upon the locations. Internet facilities can be found but is expensive.

It’s the squat toilet facilities at the most lodges on the Everest Base Camp trial but nowadays lodges have also built western styled toilets with a number foreign trekkers increasing day by day. It’s suggested that you should take along your own toilet papers.

Packing along warm clothes is suggested for gear list for Everest base camp trek. These includes down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. At most cases, your company already provide down jacket and sleeping bag. Besides, clothing can be purchased in Kathmandu at Thamel area as well where numerous trekking shops exists with both local and foreign brands.

Temperature Everest base camp trek depends upon the season. Temperature is normal during April toSeptember with below 05° C to 20° C morning and evening are cold while the day time is good with sunshine. It gets below minimum -10° C to maximum 15° C during the day Around October to March.

One can witness the closest view of Mt. Everest including it’s adjacent peaks and other Khumbu region mountains from Kalapathar located at 5,545 meters. It can be reached with a few hours of hike from Gorekshep.