Highlights

• Trek to the bottom of the “Roof of the world” i.e. Everest

• Travel through the highest passes and glaciers

• Follow the footsteps of the legendary summiteers

• Explore and experience the Everest people i.e. Sherpa’s lifestyles and cultures, their villages and century old monasteries

• Daily fascinating views of the majestic mountains

Everest base camp trekking is the most popular trekking in Nepal done by thousands of visitors every year. The elegance and the beauty of Everest cannot be described in words only. Mount Everest or Sagarmatha (in local) or Chomolungma (in Tibetan), standing tall and proud is the most amazing thing in the earth. Journey to its base camp is not an ordinary trek but extraordinary, nicknamed by many as steps to heaven.

An average country walk in the high hills and passes which is mostly uphill, taking one to the typical Sherpa villages enriched with Buddhist religion and culture, is sure to enchant you from the day you step into the Everest (Khumbu) region. The alpine chilly climate in the Everest region requires you to be strong willed and not afraid of little bit of snow most of the time. However, the best time to travel to the Everest base camp is Feb – June and Sep - Nov.

There are many ways and routes as well to do Everest trekking depending upon the traveler’s requirement. Take the flight from/to Lukla if you have the short visit time, get a helicopter back from Everest base camp to Lukla to make it more shorter whereas if you have a long holiday duration enjoy the trekking via Jiri. Either way, Everest base camp is not far anymore and can be done anytime of the year by anyone.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Outline Itinerary

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu 1400m, Hotel

Day 02:Preparation day in Kathmandu (Sightseeing optional), B, Hotel

Day 03:Fly to Lukla 2860m and trek to Phakding 2610m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 04:Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 05:Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization, BLD, Teahouse

Day 06:Trek to Tengboche 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 07:Trek to Dingboche 4410m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 08:Rest and acclimatize in Dingboche, BLD, Teahouse

Day 09:Trek to Lobuche 4940m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 10:Trek to Gorakshep 5170m and to Everest Base Camp 5364m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 11:Hike to Kala Patthar 5545 m and trek to Pheriche 4371m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 12:Trek back to Namche Bazaar 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 13:Trek back to Lukla 4hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Day 14:Fly back to Kathmandu, BD, Hotel

Day 15:Next adventure or international flight, B, Flight.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Itinerary

***B L D denotes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner ***

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu 1400m, Hotel

“Namaste! Welcome to Nepal”. This is how our staffs will receive you as soon as you step outside of the airport gate. Transfer to hotel is followed. After checking in, you will have your time to relax and freshen up. In the evening, the WELCOME DINNER is served where you will meet our team. Short briefing will be held over the dinner.

Day 02:Preparation day in Kathmandu (Sightseeing optional), B, Hotel

An important day to adapt to the new country since the journey ahead will take you to the higher altitudes. All the preparations have to be done today and the documents made ready to start the journey. Depending on the guest’s request, we will go out for the wonderful day tour to the few of the most beautiful “World’s Heritage Sites”. Get astounded by the unique history, arts and local cultures.

Day 03:Fly to Lukla 2860m and trek to Phakding 2610m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse

After early morning breakfast, we will get to the airport to have a scenic flight to the most adventurous airport in the lap of the Himalayas, LUKLA. This short flight is so breathtaking that you feel you are already on the destination but “NO”, the journey has just begun. There are the beverages waiting for you when you touch down so that you can talk about how the short flight has blown your mind. As in all games, first steps are easy so we trek slowly towards Phakding village. Well, the journey to find yourself begins now.

Day 04:Trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

This day we will enter the World Heritage listed ‘Sagarmatha National Park’. The walk follows the DUDH KOSHI River upstream and crossing several bridges time and again we will climb to the last town in the region called Namche Bazaar.

Day 05:Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization, BLD, Teahouse

Chilling day to enjoy the wonderful views of different mountain ranges. We will take a short uphill walk to the NATIONAL PARK HEADQUARTER which is our magnificent viewpoint for Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kangtega, Kwangde, Khumbila, Mt. Everest and Lhotse. More excursions can be done upon request.

Day 06:Trek to Tengboche 3860m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

We know you cannot wait to go further closer to the Mt Everest. What about taking the blessings from the HIGH LAMA (priest) for the successful journey ahead! We can do it after arriving in Tengboche monastery where the holy priest is residing.

Day 07:Trek to Dingboche 4410m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Stone steps lead down through rhododendron and pine forests and after crossing a bridge, we will leave the tree lines behind to reach an exposed area for the SUPERB VIEWS of Mount Ama Dablam from up close.

Day 08:Rest and acclimatize in Dingboche, BLD, Teahouse

OPT TO HIKE to Chukhung or Nagarzhang Peak in this acclimatizing day. As the altitude gains rapidly from here onward, we’d like you to take it slow and enjoyable. Dingboche is one of the main highlights of our entire journey from where the mountain views are just extraordinary.

Day 09:Trek to Lobuche 4940m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

The morning walk continues for an hour to Thugla, the summer pastures and meadows and continues towards the end of the Khumbu glacier. You’ll find the stone monuments ON THE MEMORY of various mountaineers and climbers. Continue towards Lobuche from where the MAGNIFICENT SUNSET can be observed.

Day 10:Trek to Gorakshep 5170m and to Everest Base Camp 5364m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Be prepared for the challenging yet wonderful trekking day through once vast Gorakshep Lake. With the gradual walking and rest, you’ll get adjusted to continuing to EVEREST BASE CAMP, the main highlight of our adventure. Even though the walk is strenuous, you will lose the fatigue after seeing Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumori from the base camp.

Day 11:Hike to Kala Patthar 5545 m and trek to Pheriche 4371m 5hrs, BLD, Teahouse

Shining bright and elegant, you will see the true beautiful face of Everest in the stone throw distance after hiking early to KALA PATTHAR. Though the walk is strenuous for two hours, it’s totally worth it since the views from the top is mesmerizing. Descend towards Pheriche for the overnight stop.

Day 12:Trek back to Namche Bazaar 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse

It’s time we start getting back to Lukla. While descending down, with the swift downhill through the forests, look out for the colorful pheasants and mountain goats since it’s a UNIQUE AND RARE THING to be missed. We will once again come down to Dudh Koshi Valley and ultimately to Namche Bazaar.

Day 13:Trek back to Lukla 4hrs, BLD, Teahouse

It was just like yesterday since we began this journey and we’ve already come to the FINAL DAY of our memorable adventure. After the rigorous adventure for a number of days, we’ve come to the pleasant walking day to continue and ultimately arrive at Lukla for spending the last night in the Everest region.

Day 14:Fly back to Kathmandu, B, Hotel

Another short and fascinating flight to get BACK TO KATHMANDU where you have rest of the day for souvenir shopping, sightseeing (optional) and relaxing in rooftop cafes. Treat yourself with the Trekkers’ Massage or similar other therapies and relax in the night (can be arranged upon request). Farewell dinner is served.

Day 15:Next adventure or international flight, B, Flight.

Awesome! You can either stay longer and plan further if you couldn’t get enough of the Himalayas or get ready to fly back to your home nation. Either way, we are glad to comply. Thank you for being with us all this time. YOU ARE THE BEST. We hope to see you again.

Cost for 1 PAX: $1599 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $1380 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Cost Breakdown

Cost Includes

• Airport pick up, drop and other transfers

• 3* hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis including bed and breakfast (BB)

• Complimentary farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with cultural performances

• Kathmandu – Lukla – Kathmandu both way flight

• 11 night’s teahouse lodge during the trek

• Full board meals i.e. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner during trekking

• Tea / coffee in cups

• 4 nights attached bathroom during trek (3 nights at Namche and 1 night at Lukla) with hot shower

• Fully licensed, qualified English speaking trekking guide (leader) and assistant Sherpa as per the group

• Porter service, 1 for 2 trekkers

• All the staff's expenses including flight, salary, food, accommodation, equipment and insurance

• Sagarmatha National Park fee

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance fee

• Trekking permit and other paperwork

• Trekking route map

• Company T-shirt

• First Aid Medical Kit

• All the government and local taxes

Cost Excludes

• Nepal visa fee and international flight

• Sightseeing and Meals in Kathmandu

• Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule

• Travel and emergency rescue insurance

• Personal expenses like hot shower, wifi, battery charge, laundry, chocolates and beverages of any kinds during trek

• Gratuities to the staffs (mandatory)

• Optional supply if necessary; sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bags (to be returned after)

Everest Base Camp Trekking Useful Information

Kathmandu airport pick up and drop services

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours’ staffs will pick you up from the airport as per your flight arrival time and similarly drop you off in the airport for international departure according to your flight schedule. During arrival, please don’t forget to look for your name placard hold by the team, outside the airport arrival gate. Our staff will be impatiently waiting for your arrival to greet you and warmly welcome you in Nepal. ‘NAMASTE’ is the foremost and the most commonly used greeting word in Nepal which you will hear from our staff at the very first moment you meet him.

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Everest base camp trekking departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations in Kathmandu and during trek

You will be staying in the 3 star hotel in Kathmandu while in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.

If you wish to change the accommodation category to a better ones in Kathmandu, please let us know and we can change it for you on added cost.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Everest base camp trek

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Everest base camp trek.

Urgent point to Note

We always suggest you to keep extra one or two days in your trek since we are taking the domestic flights from/to Lukla. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and can change anytime drastically which means your flight can be delayed or at worst cancelled and postponed for the next day. Therefore, this goes to all the Everest base camp trekkers, that extra days are needed if you wish to take flights from/to Lukla.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Everest base camp trekking cost?

The cost of the Everest base camp trek varies from $900-$1900 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Everest base camp trek?

In Everest base camp trek, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Many teahouses even have some attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace. Most of the teahouses provide the European toilets these days while Asian style of toilets are available in every teahouses. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

What are the permits that I need for Everest base camp trekking?

For Everest base camp trek, you will need to make two permits: Sagarmatha National Park Entrance fee {can be made in Nepal Tourism Board at Kathmandu or in Monjo} and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance fee {obtained in Lukla}.

How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Everest base camp trekking however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Everest base camp trek?

You can easily charge your electronic devices during Everest base camp trek but by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adaptor or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Everest Base camp trek?

Everest base camp trek route has good mobile network coverage these days, thanks to the Nepalese telecommunication companies called Ncell and NTC. You can buy one of these Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu.

WiFi is easily available on purchase in Everest base camp trekking route. There are some internet cafes along the route as well from where you can use WiFi to communicate with your loved ones which is comparatively cheaper than buying the WiFi packs. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.

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

Everest base camp trekking can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Everest base camp. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Everest base camp trek. The problem is the weather is harsh cold in winter and there’s snow everywhere while the summer has rainfalls and clouds obscuring the mountains and the views are not so great most of the time.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Everest base camp trek?

The itinerary of our Everest base camp trekking is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Everest base camp trek.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Everest base camp trek?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Everest base camp trek is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5545 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Everest base camp trek does not demand high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents which means you need at least some practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the glaciers and high passes. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least a month prior your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Everest base camp.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Everest base camp trek?

Only breakfast is included in Kathmandu while full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are a varieties of choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.

The most common and the highly recommended food during the Everest base camp trek is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.

Do I need a travel insurance for Everest base camp trekking?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Everest base camp. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5500 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Everest base camp trek?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Everest base camp. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Everest base camp. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry to get to Everest base camp and back.