Everest Base Camp Trek

No trip to Nepal would be complete without an introduction to the religious and cultural attractions of Kathmandu. The city is distinguished by a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism, and many religious sites in the Kathmandu Valley are considered sacred to both religions. You’ll visit four major UNESCO World Heritage sites: the remarkable Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas, the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath, and the world-renowned Kathmandu Durbar Square. You’ll also have plenty of time to shop for handcrafted souvenirs and stock up on any last-minute supplies. After your tour, you’ll overnight at your hotel in Kathmandu. Today’s breakfast is included.

Today represents the true beginning of your Everest Base Camp Trek. You’ll wake up early and enjoy a quick breakfast at your hotel before heading off to the airport, where you’ll board a scenic flight to Lukla. This brief flight offers stunning panoramas of the Himalayan range, giving you a tantalizing taste of the mountains you’ll encounter during your trek. From Lukla, you’ll start hiking in the direction of Phakding. Keep your eyes peeled: you might just catch a glimpse of the distinctive triple-peaked summit of Kusum Kanguru along the way. The small, bucolic settlement of Phakding is situated on the banks of the Dudh Koshi, a high-altitude river which runs all the way from Everest and is known for its milky, opaque water. You’ll enjoy comfortable overnight accommodation at one of Phakding’s guesthouses. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Leaving Phakding behind, you’ll trek north on a path leading to Monjo. This small town serves as the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park, a formally protected area which takes its name from Mt. Everest (called Sagarmatha in Nepali). The park is home to a staggering variety of Himalayan flora and fauna, and you’re sure to enjoy trekking through sweetly scented evergreen forests comprised of blue pine, deodar, and rhododendron. As it doubles back and forth across the Dudh Koshi River, your trail winds its way past tiny settlements called Tok Tok and Jorsale. After crossing a final suspension bridge at the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, you’ll hike uphill for about two hours before reaching what’s regarded as the unofficial capital of the Khumbu region: Namche Bazaar. You’ll overnight in one of the town’s many popular guesthouses. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today is reserved for acclimatization: as you ascend to higher elevations, it’s important to let your body adapt to the smaller amount of available oxygen in the atmosphere. Fortunately, there’s a lot to see and do in the colorful commercial hub of Namche Bazaar. For one, you’ll get to enjoy your first unobstructed view of Everest itself. Many neighboring peaks are also visible from town, including the mighty Thamserku, the sprawling massif of Kongde RI, and the distinctive summit of Ama Dablam. Consider paying a visit to the Sherpa Culture Museum to learn more about their vibrant traditions; this will help you to understand some of the cultural sights you’ll encounter along the trail in the days to come. Visiting the nearby Everest Photo Gallery may also provide some inspiration for your own photographs.

After perusing these displays, take a short hike to the Syangboche Airport just above town. From here, you can capture stunning photographs of Namche Bazaar from above—not to mention the wall of Himalayan peaks surrounding the town. Finally, make sure to visit the Hotel Everest View. It’s regarded as the highest hotel in the world and offers great vistas of its namesake mountain from each window. Overnight at a guesthouse in Namche Bazaar. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today’s hike begins at a leisurely pace. Leaving Namche Bazaar, your path winds uphill through fragrant rhododendron woodlands and passes alongside quiet Himalayan villages. Many trekkers regard this route as the most scenic section of the entire Everest Base Camp Trek. You’re really in the mountains now: Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse are just a few of the stunning peaks that tower over the trail. You’ll continue hiking past the Imja Khola; this river drains the slopes of Everest and is actually a tributary of the Dudh Koshi. Your destination for today lies where the two rivers converge at the spiritual center of the Khumbu: Tengboche. This village is best known as the site of the important Tengboche Monastery. This is the largest gompa you’ll visit during your hike, and it’s a sublime sight to behold: flanked by pines and azaleas and set against the backdrop of Ama Dablam, it’s hard to imagine a more striking setting. Make sure to step inside to check out the monastery’s exquisite murals and statuary. You’ll spend the night at a guesthouse in Tengboche. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

After savoring a tasty breakfast in Tengboche, you’ll begin your morning hike by descending through forest-clad hillsides towards the tiny hamlet of Deboche. You’ll cross a handful of suspension bridges over the Imja Khola before approaching the next notable settlement on today’s route: Pangboche. This is a good place to rest and enjoy a snack while taking in tremendous views of Ama Dablam. When you’re ready to continue, you’ll start climbing along a trail lined with prayer flags and bordered by mani walls. Mani walls are comprised of many stone tablets, each of which is inscribed with a Buddhist mantra, and should always be passed on the left. Continuing past the village of Orsho, you’ll finally arrive at the small Sherpa village called Dingboche. Known as the “summer valley” of the region, Dingboche experiences summer rains from the monsoon, contributing to its farming livelihood. Check in at an internet café or enjoy a bite to eat from one of the local bakeries before turning in at your guesthouse, where you’ll spend the night. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Now that you’ve reached altitudes greater than 4,000 meters, you’ll need more time to adjust to the rarified air. Today is therefore reserved for acclimatization—but that doesn’t mean you have to sit still. Just south of Dingboche is a steep hike to the top of Nagarjun Hill, from which you can obtain gobsmacking views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Lobuche, and Taboche. Trekking to this rewarding vantage point also offers a panoramic vista of the entire Imja Khola valley. When you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, return to Dingboche to explore its many guesthouses, restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Dingboche is also noted for hosting one of the world’s highest billiards parlors. For our money, there’s nothing more relaxing than kicking back with a mug of butter tea while enjoying the solitary splendor of Imja Tse, the 6,189-meter mountain better known as Island Peak, which rises above town. You’ll spend the night at your guesthouse in Dingboche; today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

After leaving Dingboche, today’s hike takes you through windswept pastures and past the lonely huts of yak herders. As you trek towards the tiny settlement of Lobuche, you’ll notice changes in the local terrain. The woodlands of the past few days have now thinned out, replaced with scattered shrubs and rocky, snow-dusted grasslands. Your route will afford you with a good look at the now-familiar peaks of Lhotse and Ama Dablam, but there are even more mountains to be identified from here. Ask your guide to point out Lingtren, Pumori, and Khumbutse. Today’s trek ends at Lobuche, a small village nestled in the shadow of the mountain which shares its name. Lobuche is comprised almost entirely of guesthouses, so it’s the ideal spot to spend the night. Make sure to get plenty of rest so you’re ready for the hike to Everest Base Camp in the morning. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for: after many kilometers of trekking, you’ll finally get to see Everest Base Camp with your own two eyes. From Lobuche, you’ll strike out on a trail leading to Gorakshep. This is a sparsely populated little village where trekkers’ lodges and guesthouses are situated on the edge of a frozen lakebed. Gorakshep was once the site of the original Everest Base Camp, and it’s your last stop before pressing on to the base camp’s current location. Take a moment to enjoy the semi-tame birdlife here, including snowcocks and choughs, before resuming your hike.

Leaving Gorakshep, you’ll begin hiking alongside the Khumbu glacier moraine and its associated Khumbu Icefall, which is regarded as a particularly hazardous part of the climb for those attempting to summit Everest. You’ve now reached the best part of the day: your arrival at Everest Base Camp. Spend some time enjoying the incredible atmosphere; depending on the time of year, you might run into climbing expeditions getting ready for their epic ascent. You’ll return to Gorakshep to spend the night in your guesthouse, basking in the exhilaration of having achieved the ultimate trekker’s dream. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner today are included.

You’ve already been to base camp, but the Everest Base Camp Trek isn’t over yet. You’ll actually get your best view of the mountain itself on today’s hike to the vantage point of Kala Patthar. You’ll depart Gorakshep in the early morning to ascend to this famous viewpoint in time for sunrise, climbing a series of challenging switchbacks. Kala Patthar represents the highest elevation of the entire journey, so it should come as no surprise that the view from here is unparalleled. You’ll relish the enchanting interplay of light and shadow as the sunrise reveals a panoramic vista of the Everest massif and the surrounding peaks of Nuptse and Changtse. When you’re ready to move on, you’ll descend from Kala Patthar and begin trekking towards Pheriche. This is a small farming community that serves as a popular stop for trekkers. You’ll overnight at a guesthouse here. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today you’ll be trekking from Pheriche all the way back to Namche Bazaar. While this route comes out to be about 15 kilometers, the going is significantly easier now that you’re descending. You should be able to make good time as you follow the trail along the watercourse of the Imja Khola, crossing suspension bridges and passing by the familiar sights of Pangboche and Tengboche. Consider stopping for a relaxing lunch in the little town of Phungi Thanga or Kyangjuma before continuing to descend through pleasant woodlands. After another two or three hours on the trail, you’ll find yourself back in Namche Bazaar. Enjoy an evening mingling with other trekkers who are still on their way to Everest Base Camp. You’ll overnight at a guesthouse in Namche Bazaar. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today’s trek will take you back to Lukla, where your adventure began. About an hour from Namche Bazaar, you’ll reach the first of many suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. These flags snap in the wind while the Dudh Koshi river roars beneath, creating an unforgettable ambience. This return journey will be familiar, but you’ll get a new perspective on the many chortens, mani walls, and gompas along the way now that you’re traveling in the opposite direction. You’ll pass through the village of Cheplung and wind your way gradually along the path leading to Lukla. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and spend the night here in Lukla. Today’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Your successful trek comes to a conclusion today. Wake up early to bid a very fond farewell to the spectacular scenery of the Khumbu before boarding your morning flight back to Kathmandu. Watching the Himalayas pass beneath your window, you’ll now be able to recognize many of the major peaks. After the solitude of the mountains, the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu may come as something of a surprise. You’ll be transferred to your hotel to spend the rest of the day at your leisure; feel free to relax or explore the local markets. There are plenty of great restaurants in Thamel where you can enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel to spend the night. Today’s breakfast is included.

This day is reserved in case there are any weather-related delays with your return flight from Lukla. If your schedule is on track, today represents a great opportunity to get more familiar with Kathmandu by exploring any of the attractions you weren’t able to visit upon arriving in Nepal. Some lesser-known sites include the colorful Buddhist Kopan Monastery and the Hindu Changu Narayan Temple, which lies just east of the city and is recognized as a World Heritage site. There are also lots of places to grab a bite to eat. Especially popular amongst trekkers is The Rum Doodle, located on Bhupi Road in Kathmandu’s Naxal neighborhood. Guests here are encouraged to sign a paper cutout of a yeti footprint to decorate the restaurant’s walls; look carefully and you might just see the autographs of famous mountaineers. When you’re finished shopping and eating, return to your hotel to spend the night. Today’s breakfast is included.

This morning, you’ll wake up to enjoy your last breakfast in Kathmandu while reflecting on all of the memories you’ve made on the Everest Base Camp Trek over the past two weeks. Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be transported to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure. We hope you’ll return to Nepal in the near future to see everything else that our unique country has to offer! Today’s breakfast is included.

One of our airport representatives will be at the airport to welcome you. He will be carrying the Nepal Hiking Team placard with your name underneath. He will take you to your hotel and help you to check in.

As well as our airport representative will come to your hotel approximately three hours before your scheduled flight. He will take you to the airport for your flight back home.

To do the Everest Base Camp Trek, you need a valid passport, a tourist Visa, two passport-sized photographs for trekking permits and travel insurance which is very important.

We run several small group-joining treks with guaranteed departure dates so solo travellers are welcome to join in with a group.

We will still run your trip, even if there are no other travellers on the dates you have booked. We never ask our client to change their travel dates due to an insufficient number of people.

Yes, we do organize private trips. There is no surcharge if there are two or more people for your trip. Also, for a private trip, we have guaranteed departure dates all year round thus, travellers can choose any dates to suit them.

But, if you are a solo traveller, then for a private trip, a surcharge of USD 250.00 will be added onto the published rate on our website.

We run several small group-joining treks with guaranteed departure dates so solo travellers are welcome to join in with a group.

We will still run your trip, even if there are no other travellers on the dates you have booked. We never ask our client to change their travel dates due to an insufficient number of people.

Our standard package includes a 3-star hotel, usually WOODAPPLE HOTEL AND SPA, or similar in Kathmandu. It is a newly built property on the outskirts of Thamel and offers great services and amenities to the valued guest.

Yes, you can extend your hotel stay in Kathmandu and it will cost approximately USD 50 and USD 55 per night, inclusive of breakfast, for a single and double/twin room respectively.

Definitely, you can upgrade your hotel to a luxury hotel in Kathmandu. There are several luxury hotels in Kathmandu. You may either inform us of your preferred hotel or we shall give you our options. Either way, we shall comply with your request.

During the trek, you shall be staying in the teahouses/guesthouses. The rooms in the teahouses are neat and clean, equipped with twin beds for two trekkers and beds are set up with a mattress, a bed sheet, a pillow and a blanket. Private bathrooms are available in three locations including Lukla, Phakding and Namche.

Yes, hot showers are available throughout the trek. Our package includes a private, free, hot shower for three locations i.e. Lukla, Phakding and Namche. In other places, it will cost around NPR 300-500 per hot shower, depending on location.

You can find western flushing-style toilets as well as squat-down toilets on the Everest trail. However, during the winter season, as you move higher on the trail, we suggest you use the squat-down toilets instead of the sit-down toilets. This is because, as we move higher, it gets colder and water freezes making it difficult to flush the toilet. So we advise you to check if the water is working perfectly before using the toilets.

Usually, before leaving the teahouse, our guides advise trekkers to go to the toilet to avoid needing to go during the trail. Moreover, you will come across few houses along the trail who will let you use their toilet. But if it is an emergency and there are no houses nearby, then you will have to go in the wild!

You can find various ways to access the internet. If you have purchased SIM card, then you can use data to access the internet. However, the network connection for both communication and internet access may not be consistently good. As you move higher, the connection may get weak. You may be able to get Wi-Fi service from the teahouse, but please expect to be charged for this.

And last but not the least, you can purchase an Everest Link Card which is quite popular in the Everest region for its fast and reliable internet service. You can purchase these cards in Kathmandu as well as in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and Gokyo Valley.

You will find all types of food on the trail, from traditional Nepalese and Sherpa dishes to international dishes. You will even find freshly baked cakes, muffins and other baked goodies. Additionally, if you have any dietary restrictions, it is no problem on the Everest Base Camp Trek; you will find vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals on the menus. You must inform your guide about any special dietary requirements, so that he can inform the cook of the teahouse who will prepare your meals to your delight.

If you are drinking water directly from the tap, then no, it is not safe; although it is drinkable water, it is not always favourable for everybody. So, before consuming the water, we ask that you purify your water by using water purifying tablets. Only once the water is purified should you drink it.

There are other ways to access water too. You can buy bottled water or hot boiled water from the teahouse. It will cost about NPR 200-300 per liter. And drinking water is not included in our package.

We cannot say exactly how much spending money you need for the trek, as it will depend on your spending habits. Most of the goods available on the trail is pretty expensive compared to the main city area.

All of our trek packages include three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on trekking days, so you will not be spending much on meals. However, trekkers will have to bear the cost of water, beverages, snacks, chocolates, etc. As a rough guide, many of our past trekkers have said NPR 2500-3000 will suffice plentifully each day during trekking days.

As for the credit card, they do accept credit cards or debit cards on the trek; but halfheartedly. Also, cards are accepted in some places only; mostly, some shops in Namche Bazaar accept credit cards, but not beyond that. Please note, it is easier if transactions are made using cash, but be warned, they will not take foreign currency; only local currencies are accepted.

You will find a few laundry services in Namche Bazaar. Beyond that, there is no service available. So, you will have to hand-wash your clothes yourself if it is really necessary to do laundry. Otherwise, you can bring your dirty laundry to Kathmandu and have it done all in one go.

Yes, you can charge your electronic gadgets during the Everest Trek. However, please remember that after Namche, electricity in the Everest region is obtained via solar panels. Hence, if it is not a good, sunny or bright day, you will only get limited power. Besides, it costs around NPR 200-300 per hour to charge electronic gadgets.

In Nepal, no flat-pronged plugs are found in use as in other countries. Electric plugs in Nepal have two or three round prongs. You can find type C, type D or type M electric sockets with a power voltage of 230V/50Hz. It is better if you bring a universal travel adapter.

The weight limit is 15 kg/33 lbs for the Lukla flight, including both your duffel pack (10kg/22 lbs) and a daypack (5kg/11lbs). If you exceed the weight limit, you will have to pay USD 2-5 for each extra kilo in the air terminal. We therefore suggest you pack as light a bag as possible.

No technical skills are required for the EBC Trek, unlike those of other adventures like mountain climbing. So, you would not need prior trekking experience to carry out this trek. But having said this, it does not mean that it is a cakewalk in such high elevation (above 5000m). With adequate preparation, such as having the required trekking gear, healthy food intake, properly scheduled liquid drinking and the careful supervision of the guide, it is not impossible for you to complete this endeavour, even if you are a beginner.

The distance between Lukla to the Everest Base Camp is an 80-mile round trip. From Lukla, it takes approximately eight days to reach the Everest Base Camp, including two acclimatisation days, and then three days to return.

It is true, but not all year round. The flight is diverted during peak spring and autumn trekking seasons only. This is to avoid the traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport, so most of the flights are diverted to Manthali Airport. The decision was made by TIA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. You can find more information in this link.

For Manthali – Lukla flight: You will get up around 2:30 am and drive to Manthali Airport in a shared tourist vehicle for about 4-5 hours from Kathmandu. Then you will take a flight to Lukla from Manthali Airport; the duration of the flight is 20 minutes. This arrangement is for the peak trekking months of March, April, May, October and November.

For Kathmandu – Lukla flight: You will wake up around 5:00-6:00 am and drive for about 30 minutes to the domestic airport in Kathmandu and fly to Lukla from there. The duration of the flight is 35 minutes. This arrangement is for the remaining months, excluding the peak trekking months.

The alternative option if the flight gets delayed is to get on another flight. But we must tell you that there are no flights to Lukla after midday due to the weather change. And, if the flight gets cancelled due to bad weather, then you shall have to take another flight the very next day. As you may know, the weather is quite unpredictable and it is very important to fly to Lukla only when the weather is clear and favourable. Besides this, there is another alternative option to take a helicopter to Lukla if the flight is cancelled.

Travel insurance is compulsory to do any treks in Nepal. But before you purchase your travel insurance, make sure you know the maximum altitude you will reach, because insurance varies depending upon the elevation. You can get more information about the different types of travel insurance packages from your insurance company.

But, most importantly, if you are trekking to an altitude that is above 5600m above sea level, make sure your travel insurance covers emergency helicopter evacuation, extra expenses due to health concerns, and trip cancellation charges.

Our guides are qualified to handle small, primary medical emergencies as they are first-aid trained. And in the case of an emergency, then they will manage the emergency evacuation in cooperation with the Kathmandu team, so that patients can get medical attention as soon as possible. Our guides carry an oximeter with them to regularly check the oxygen level in the blood, a first-aid box for minor injuries and Diamox for the prevention of altitude sickness.

In general, you do not have to be vaccinated to do the Everest Base Camp Trek. There is very little chance of contracting malaria, since it is only found below 1500m. However, if you are concerned about certain diseases you can consult with your doctor before opting for the trek.

Indeed, a trekker can continue their trek if the sickness is mild and has recovered after a day’s rest. But, if the condition of the trekker is very serious, then he or she will be flown back to the city in an emergency evacuation.

All our guides are certified and trained trekking leaders. Our guides are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) which is run by the Government of Nepal. They have years of experience working in this line of work and have knowledge about the different trekking trails of Nepal, mountain ranges, culture and mountain sickness.

They have received basic first-aid training where they learn about general first-aid procedures and have attended lectures about altitude illness (AMS/HAPE/HACE) and the use of hyperbaric chambers. They are awarded with a certificate following this three-day course.

Tipping is not an obligatory; however, it has become a way of showing an appreciation to the individuals who have helped you along the trek. Regardless, it depends upon whether you want to tip or not. Everything relies upon how far you are satisfied and happy with their services. But as a general rule of thumb, trekkers have tipped USD 150 to 200 for trekking leaders and about 100-150 USD for the porter to show their appreciation.

You can add extra days to your trekking trip; however, if you are joining in with a group trek, then unfortunately, it is not possible. It is only permitted to add a few extra days onto a private trek.

To reserve a place, it is indeed necessary to make a down payment. However, the down payment is only required when you are certain that you want to do the trek. To reserve a place, 20% down payment of the total cost is required.

Clients are welcome to cancel the trek whenever they like. However, they should inform us with a valid reason as to why they are cancelling. Also, please note the deposit made to reserve a place is non-refundable. The reason for this is because, as soon as we receive the confirmation from the clients, we use more than the deposit amount to make reservations for hotels, airlines, transportation and other things necessary to operate the trek efficiently. Also, if we cancel these services, they will charge us a cancellation fee.

However, we are free to postpone our reservation for any dates. Therefore, we ask our clients to postpone their trip rather than cancelling it completely. Here is the link (Link) to our booking conditions.

Nepal Hiking Team has been organizing Everest Base Camp trek for more than a decade. We have made dreams come true of hundreds of trekkers by taking them to the lap of the world’s highest mountain. You can also read the praise that our valued customers have for us on our trip advisor page. Our great team helps us to run every trip, be it solo, private, or a group trek efficiently. Our foremost priority has always been the customer’s satisfaction and their health and safety.

During the journey, every trekker is accompanied by our highly talented, professional, first aid trained, and experienced team of trekking leaders who will always make sure you are okay and enjoying the time in the Himalayas. Our team of trekking leaders are qualified and licensed guides who earned certificates accredited by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM). Also, we offer the provision of a custom made trip to our trekkers who wish to plan the itinerary as per their preference. And last but not the least, the price for our Everest Base Camp Trek package is reasonable and affordable inclusive of best services only.

All in all, we value your precious time and your satisfaction so we work hard to offer the best of best for you and make your time worthwhile, satisfying and unforgettable.