Overview
Everest Base Camp trek is probably the most sought after trekking in Nepal. And quite rightly so! There is so much to experience. The first ’ is flying into Lukla airport, quite spectacular in itself. Since we have now arrived at altitude (2,860m), the first day takes us to Phakding, about three hours hike away, where we can acclimatize before heading on Day 2 to Namche Bazaar (3,440m). With an average walking day of 5 hours (some longer ones too, so be prepared), a right average level of fitness is required.
If Everest Base Camp brings to mind climbing expeditions to the roof of the world, Namche Bazaar inevitably brings to mind the most famous mountaineer, Sir Edmund Hillary. In days gone by, and still today, Namche Bazaar was the last point to obtain supplies before heading off to scale Everest (something that takes weeks, due to acclimatization). It also lies just below the town of Khumjung, where Sir Edmund built both a school and hospital, giving back to the Sherpa people. The school can be visited as a side trip. Meantime, we head towards Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest Region.
Over the coming days, the trail goes through yak pastures, along streams coming off the Khumbu Glacier and through Sherpa villages until we come out at Gorak Shep. Here we are really in the mountains, in terms of spectacular views and aching legs! From Gorak Shep, it takes 6 or 7 hours to make a round day-trip to Everest Base Camp. The trail is rocky with glacial debris, as it runs alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Here we can see the infamous Khumbu Icefall which climbers must cross to reach Camp 1, and it perhaps the most dangerous part of their journey. For us, however, we next climb to Kala Patthar (5,360m) for a stunning 360-degree view over Everest and the surrounding mountains of Nuptse, Changtse, and Lhotse.
Facts
- Trip Duration: 13 days
- Level: Difficult
- Group size: 1-15
- Altitude: 5,350 m Everest Base Camp and 5,643 m Kalapathar
- Permit: National Park Entry permit and rural municipal entry permit
- Accommodation: Lodge/hotels/tea houses/guest houses/tented camp
- Best Time: March/April/October/November
Highlights
- Being up close and personal with Everest
- Climbing up to Kala Patthar, the viewpoint for Everest
- Visiting Everest Base Camp
- Going to the Base of World's highest mountain
- Passing through Nepal's longest Ngozumpa and biggest Khumbu glaciers
- Flying into the tiny airport of Lukla
- Meeting the famous Sherpa people in Namche Bazaar
- Hillary Museum
- Sagarmatha National Park
Food and Accommodation
You will eat in the place where you stay in the mountains. Most of the food menus are available in the tea house and lodge of the Everest region. Also, you can have both veg and non-veg items while on trek EBC. The non-vegetarian menu may offer chicken, pork, and even a Yak stake. As you need protein while hiking, you should consult with your guide to make sure they are hygienic.
Lunch and Dinner
"Dal Bhat Pawer, 24 Hour" It is a famous saying in Nepal. Varieties of rice menus such as Dal Bhat set, Veg fried rice, Mix fried rice, Pasta, Macaroni, Spaghetti, Spring roll, Sandwich, Momo are excellent availability for lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
Chapati, Pancake, Tibetan bread, Porridge, varieties of soup, and eggs made omelets are well known for Breakfast.
Everest Base Camp Trekking Route Map
Best Time
The weather condition is important while planning a trek in Nepal. Spring and Autumn is the best time for the EBC. Starting from October till December is considered as the best weather for Autumn. March till May is a well-known spring season in Nepal.
Difficulty
Everest Base Camp Trek is rated as challenging Trek. Difficulty ratings measure from the various part such as hours of hike, distance, altitude gain, etc. However, the primary concern is altitude sickness and acclimatization. It is a high altitude trek, the chance of being sick in Everest is more compared to other base camp trek in Nepal. The hike starts from 2652m at (Phakding) and gradually increases up to 5545m to Kalapathar in 13 days. Which means, the hikers will have to reach a high altitude.
Itinerary
When designing the itinerary, you should always keep extra days for acclimatization. Based on research, you should hike not more than 6-7 hours of hiking and 400-500m of altitude gain each day in below 3,000m. It should be buffer day in 3,000m and below 5,000m. And no more than 4,00m between 3,000 - 5,000m. If you keep this ratio even for the first time, high altitude hikers will survive with no symptoms of sickness.
Drinking water
You might see a local guide drinking tap water, but is it safe for tourists? It all depends on your immune power. Locals are used to drinking tap water doesn't mean you have to drink the same. "Prevention is better than cure" I wouldn't suggest drinking tap water; instead, you can purify and drink. There are several water purification tablets available in the market. Bottled water is also available for purchase. But definitely not good for the environment after use as they don't have proper recycling in the mountain.
Permit
You are required to have two different permits to complete Everest Trek. You need a Tims card which costs USD 10 per person if you are trekking in a group and USD 20 if you are independent trekkers. With Tims, you need Sagarmatha National park permit worth USD 30 plus 13% government tax.
Transportation to the trailhead
For Everest Base Camp Trek first, you need to drive to Ramechhap in a local bus or private jeep. The first 3-4 hours of your journey is on a paved road. After that, it is about 25 minutes to fly to Lukla from Ramechhap. At the end of your journey, the trek finish at the Everest Base Camp. To get back to Kathmandu, you have to fly back from Lukla to Ramechhap and drive on a local jeep or private one between Ramechhap to Kathmandu.
Communication and Wifi Facilities
There is wifi available in the Everest region. If you want to have your own cell phone data carriers, "Ncell" has better internet speed and coverage.
What to pack for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Important Gears
- First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles
- Oximeter
- Water Bottles
- Sleeping Bag
- Down Jacket
- Base Layer Tops and Bottoms
- Base Layer Tops and Bottoms
- Day Pack
- Duffel Bag
- Fleece Pants
- Fleece/Wool Gloves
- Fleece/Wool Hat
- Fleece/Wool Jacket or Sweater
- Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
- Hiking Boots
- Hiking Pants
- Hiking Socks
- Insulated Jacket
- Long Sleeve Shirts
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Sport Sunglasses
- Sun Block and Lip Balm
- Sun Hat
- Regularly using Medicines
Other Gears
- Camera
- Batteries
- Charger
- Portable solar charger or backup charger
- Water purifier
- Reading and writing materials if you have book craze
- Ice glasses
- Eye Mask
- Headphones
- Travel Games
Travel Documents
- Airline Tickets
- Copy of Passport (2 Copies)
- Nepal Visa
- Travel insurance
- Passport Photos (4)
- Valid Passport
- Required permits
Altitude sickness and its prevention
Altitude sickness is the effect of high elevation on the health of people which is caused by the low amount of oxygen in high altitudes. It mainly occurs after you reach above 2500 meters.
Causes
- Dehydration
- Increase in elevation
- Low level of oxygen
- Use of alcohol
Symptoms are temporary but in some cases, it can be dangerous so you need to prevent yourself.
Symptoms
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Swelling of hands, feet, and face
- Nose bleeding
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid pulse
- Dry cough
- Fever
Preventions
- Altitude acclimatization
- Pre-acclimatization
- Medication
- Oxygen enrichment
- Keep yourself hydrated
- Do not use alcoholic substances
The Cost Includes
- A porter during the trek including his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance
- Sagarmatha national park entry permit
- Solukhumbu Rural municipal tax
- Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu both way flight ticket
- Domestic airport drop and pick up
- Three times meal in a day; Breakfast Lunch and dinner
- Accommodation in basic tea houses during the trek
- All the government vat and taxes
- 20' sleeping bag during the trek
- Basic first aid kits
- NEST branded water bottle with purification tablet
- A pulse oximeter to check your SPO2 and BPM in the high altitude
The Cost Excludes
- Food and accommodation in Kathmandu
- Personal expenses; WiFi, Hot shower, battery charging
- Insurance
- Tip and donation
Itinerary
Early in the morning at 3:30, we will take 3 to 4 hours drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu and after, a short flight to Lukla. Lukla Airport is one of the most dangerous airports across the globe, which is the gateway to Everest Base Camp. The short trip to Lukla will take you to the land of the highest peak in the world “Mt Everest.” Reaching upon the vicinity known for The Land of Sherpa, you will be amazed by nature around you. There are bunches of hotels in Lukla offering delicious breakfast and lunch. We will eat and rest for quite a while and head towards Phakding, a delightful little town for around 2 to 3 hours. Stay overnight in Phakding.
After having our breakfast in the morning at Phakding, we will head towards Namche(3440m). Namche Bazar is known as the capital of Khumbu and a market of entire Everest region Trekking. We can find hotels, lodges, resort, bar, snooker, bread kitchen, trekking stores, and the retail shops and other vital things in Namche. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Namche from Phakding. The trail to reach Namche is mixed as you have to walk through flat, uphill as well as downhill route. Since the path is a blended one, there will be less pressure. Likewise, there are suspension bridges like Hillary Bridge, etc. on the way. In the middle, when we reach Monjo, we will take permit for entering Sagarmatha National Park. We can see the perspective of Kongdey Peak from Namche and Kusung Kangaroo while on the way to Phakding and Namche.
Usually, this day is named as the rest day by numerous individuals of the trekking organization. It is called acclimatization day as one will trek the whole Khumjung and Khunde town on this day. Namche is the biggest city in Nepal with many hotels for tourists, i.e., more than 80 hotel and lodges. We will walk for around 4 to 5 hours and make a complete circuit of Namche. The adventure of Namche includes Sherpa Museum, Khumjung Airport, Everest View Hotel, Khumjung Village, Khunde Village, Hillary School, and Government Development Yak Farm, etc. We will climb up to Everest view hotel. From there, the clear view of Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and numerous other little pinnacles can be seen. For individuals who are on Everest Luxury Lodge Trek, they will remain at the hotel and get back. As we are on Everest Base Camp trek, we will have some nourishment and come back to Namche. If time favors, we can walk around Khumjung town.
Additionally, we can visit the most elevated airport in the world Syabgboche airport at an elevation of 3800m. Local people in Namche are benevolent individuals with a welcoming nature. We can enjoy and talk with them at night.
Today we will head towards Tengboche from Namche, which is around 5-6 hours of walk. The trail is flat from Namche up to Phunkethanka for 1 and a half hours, descending for 45 mins and uphill for 2 hours to Tengboche. So, one can feel a little difficulty while going up to Tengboche as the way is straight upward. Similarly, we will walk through the forests, crossing numerous suspension bridges.
Tengboche Monastery is probably the oldest as well as the biggest monastery in the Everest Region, which is the primary fascination for the majority of Everest Base Camp Trekkers. It was constructed as it was destroyed by flame. Because of reconstruction, it looks new and bright. Likewise, the monastery held the praying ceremony every morning. Also, Mt. Everest is visible all the time from the whole part of Tengboche, alongside Mt. AmaDablam, Mt. Lhotse thus numerous different peaks. The individuals who are on Everest View Trek, this is the last destination for them as they will retrace back entire way up to Lukla. But as a base camp trekker, we will further towards and if possible attend prayers in the monastery in the evening too.
We will walk for around 5 hours to reach Dingboche from Tengboche. From the start, the trail is downhill for 30 mins up to Diboche, Ater crossing one suspension bridge on the way, the pass is uphill till the destination. But the trek isn't that troublesome. We will go through the villages like Pangboche, Somarey before coming to Diboche. From Somarey up you will discover bushes and forests while from Pangboche there are just hedges or shrubs no forests.
Dingboche, which is a support center for AmaDablam Expedition as well as Island Peak Expedition, is another town of local individuals. The majority of the individuals are occupied with potato-cultivating in this spot. Similarly, if the weather favor we can see the view of Pokalde, Nangkar Tshang too. A few hotels here offer fantastic accommodation with the view of Mt. AmaDablam. Toward the west, we can see Kongde Range on Namche. It is the main gateway for Island Peak Expedition as well as the way toward AmaLapcha Pass and Sherpani Cole Passes, which are extreme, trek in Everest Region. We will go through the following day for acclimatization again in Dingboche from where we may either trek to Chukung or Nagarjun Viewpoint depending upon the condition.
Today we will walk around Dingboche as it is the acclimatization day. There is two option for side trip at Dingboche. One is Chukung, that takes 2.5 to 3 hours on foot. Another is Nagarjun that take about 1.5 hours trek.
Chukung is the Supports Camp for Island Peak Expedition. It is a small village with lodging generally offering accommodation, guide, porter as well as equipment renting for Island Peak climbing. Aside from that, it additionally gives space to acclimatization, as it is higher in elevation than Dingboche. Island Peak Base Camp is another four-hour walk from Chukung. So for a beautiful view just as better acclimatization, it is smarter to climb up to Nagarjun Hill. Nagarjun Hill is the whole distance upward to the top. It gives perhaps the best view of Mt. AmaDablam and Mt. Makalu with the view of floating mass of snow, i.e. Island Peak. View of Mt. Everest is entirely hindered by Lhotse Massif; nonetheless, the spot is astounding with the picturesque views of Himalayan Ranges.
Today we will walk for 4 to 5 hours to reach Lobuche. The trail is 2 hours gradual uphill up to Thukla, which is our lunch place. After that, the path is entirely uphill to the destination. Between Thukla and Lobuche, there are many Chortens for remembrance of the dead people who died during the summit. On the way mountains like Lobuche west, Nirekha peak, Awi peak can be seen.
Lobuche is the remote area, as housing is fundamental in this vicinity. House looks extremely basic from outside although dinning, and other inside is comparatively similar to the other on Everest Base Camp Trekking Trail. With one noteworthy tight from Thukla Hotel to Thukla Pass rest of trail are flat and gentle up. Notwithstanding, the altitude makes it hard to walk even in the flat way. The path isn't so long so perhaps toward the evening we will wander around to the sides of Khumbu Glacier, that offers a fantastic perspective on icy masses in Everest Region.
Early in the morning, we will head towards Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep. It takes 3 hours to reach Gorakshep from Lobuche. The trail from Lobuche to Gorakshep is one of the most straightforward and short distance to cross as it takes 2 to 2.5 hours with all the way flat to Louche Pass. The little yet soak up way is available from where there is minor up and downs ahead till Gorakshep. Last however not the least our next trail is center to exploration Everest Base Camp "The Paradise" And Kalapatthar Trekking. After checking in at hotels and eating, we will begin trekking to Everest Base Camp, leaving our knapsack in the hotel. Although the trek is gentle flat, the elevation makes it difficult.
At last, a few strolls to the ice sheet are expected to arrive at base camp. It is around 4-hours stroll from Gorakshep to arrive at our goal Everest Base Camp. Getting a charge out of some time in Everest, we will go to Gorakshep.
Early dawn over the highest point of the world from Kalapatthar is one of the fundamental features of Everest Base Camp Trek. So to outline this minute, we will begin our climb up to Kalapatthar promptly toward the beginning of the day. It will take around 2 to 2.5 hour to arrive at the summit of Kalapatthar. Contingent on the general time of sunrise, we will set ourselves up. From Kalapatthar we can see more than panorama and less than 360 views. After the unique perspective of dawn over the top of the Mount Everest, we will plummet to Gorakshep for breakfast. And further fall apart to Pheriche following a similar trail up to Thukla, from where we will diverse toward the downhill trail and follow of the bank of river till Pheriche.
Today, we will descend to Debouche from where the last twenty-minute climb up leads us to Tengboche. After, we will pursue a similar itinerary as in the past, for example, participate in prayers at the monastery and stroll around, outline the most noteworthy pinnacle Mt. Everest on your snapshot and spent overnight in hotels.
Contrasting the route camp of Namche with Tengboche, today we will navigate bit long distance as we will descend up to Monjo most likely after having our lunch in Namche. From Namche, we will descend through Monjo.
Passing through Phakding and its other villages on the trail we will backtrack ourselves to Lukla. Before getting Kathmandu to Lukla flight, we will spend the most recent night on the Himalayas might be throwing up the party with crewmember as porter will remain there in Lukla. Lots of pubs are organizing party along with snooker, free Wi-Fi in Lukla, get into one and grab some beer, we recommend Everest Beer.
After enjoying and celebrating and praising the goodbye at EBC with porter, we will fly back to Kathmandu and return to the hotel in Thamel. Refreshing ourselves, we will give some unwind to our body. At night, we will have farewell dinner along with feedback with entire NEST ADVENTURE groups and the cultural show during dinner.
Frequently asked Question
Expand/CloseYes, it is true. Due to possible runway maintenance in Kathmandu airport onwards, it seems that there won’t be a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla so we should drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap.
Ramachhep lies in the east of Kathmandu. There are two different options to go to Rammechhap from Kathmandu either sharing transportation or private transport. It is about 75 km far from Kathmandu. Generally, it takes 4 hours to get Ramechhap.
Normally, you don’t need to stay overnight in Ramechhap but in the case of flight canceled due to the bad weather, at that time you should wait for the next day flight by staying overnight in Ramechhap.
It takes about 25 min from Ramechhap to Lukla flight
As per the airline's rules and regulation you can take 10 kilos of luggage and 5-kilos hand carries so that would be a total of 15 kilos baggage allowance. If you want to take more than 15 kilos, you have to pay an extra USD 1 per kilo.
It depends on the weather. Normally in the peak season like; March to May and Sept to Nov usually there is a regular flight on time but sometimes it might be delayed or canceled due to the bad weather. If the flight gets canceled, you will have two option; fly to Lukla via helicopter or stay overnight in Ramechhap and wait for next days.
It is not necessary to fly in a helicopter but if the flight canceled and you have only limited time then you can fly to Lukla via helicopter. Roughly it cost would be USD 450 to 500.
Regarding the food and accommodation, you don’t expect anything like the city area but every tea house will have a menu for the food and accommodation will be clean and comfortable. They don’t provide you with enough blankets so you should carry a sleeping bag with you.
During the trekking, almost tea houses have wifi in the Khumbu region. You can pay and use internet unlimited. They will charge you about $5 to 10 per person for the wifi.
There are no public toilets along the way. If you are nearby the village, in this case, you can go to the tea house otherwise you will go to the separate place nearby you.
Yes, you can charge your all the gadget in tea house but you have to pay roughly $5
Yes, you can take a hot shower at the tea house during the trek. 1st 3 days in Lukla Phakding and Namche you can have a room with an attached bathroom and electric shower but after the Namche, you can get a hot bucket shower.
Basic hiking gears are enough for the Everest trek. You can read the equipment checklist here.
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