Everest Base Camp Trek - 16 Days

Everest base camp is famous for the adorable magnificent close view of Mount Everest. Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. It is almost every trekker's desire to climb the top of Mt. Everest but only a few people can achieve their dream.  Additionally, it takes more than 2 months to climb mount, Everest.  

The duration of your trek to the Everest base camp trek totally depends on the itinerary and route you choose for your trek. There are many packages with different no. of days, itinerary and facilities which you can choose according to your available time and the ability for the trek. If you are a beginner and a slow walker then it will be good if you choose a long day itinerary so you can rest during your trek without pushing your body. But if you are a fast walker then you can choose long days alternative.

Yes, the solo trekker is allowed on mount Everest. You can go solo without the help of a guide to the Everest base camp trek. There are many other trekkers along the way so you can follow them and easily trek to the Everest base camp trek. But for continuing your trek you have to take a permit which you cannot do by yourself. It would be quite difficult for you to do everything alone however you don't know about the place properly you cannot communicate with people properly. Additionally, it is cheaper trekking in the group compared to solo.

Yes, there is wifi or data at Everest Base Camp. There has been 4g connectivity around the village and at your stopping point. You can also buy your personal Ncell or Namaste sim card. But if there are bad weather conditions it may affect the speed of the internet. As you know in higher altitudes the weather is unpredictable. 

Yes, there is Bank or Atm during the Everest Base Camp trek. There are only 2 places where you can find ATMs in Lukla and Namche Bazaar. So make sure you are carrying enough cash with you for your personal expenses and prepare a proper budget before your trek to Everest Base Camp.

Yes, you need some basic training for the EBC trek to complete this trek successfully. You should start your training 6-7 months earlier than the trek. Go for a long uphill walk, running, cycling, and cardiac exercises twice a day for strengthening your leg, so you can easily climb the uphill steps during the EBC trek. However, the EBC trek is not a hard trek if you are mentally and physically fit for your trek.

No Everest base camp trek is not a difficult trek if you are physically fit and flexible. For this trek, you do not need any mountaineering skills you just need basic exercises and flexibility in your body. Exercise and uphill walk to increase your stamina which helps to long walk without getting tired. So if you worry that you are a beginner you cannot go for the Everest Base camp trek then stop thinking because this is a moderate-level trek which can be joined by all ages people.

Yes, you can easily find hotels and lodges available during your Everest Base Camp trek. The rooms are clean and well maintained also the foods are well hygienic. There is the availability of rooms according to your need according to your group size. As it is a high altitude area so there is no five stars hotel for you. But the rooms which are available are so comfortable with many extra facilities. You can also enjoy the famous food of Nepal Dhido, Dal Bhat, Momos, Sel Roti, and e.t.c

You don't need to hire a personal trainer or quit your job to get fit for the Everest Base Camp trek. Spending some time in the gym and doing short hikes will help prepare you for the climb. To acclimate to higher elevations and improve your endurance, we recommend carrying some weight and walking up stairs. Start a few months before your trip and gradually increase the duration and distance of your walks until you can walk for six hours.

Focus on leg strength exercises at the gym, as you'll still need to carry some weight even though porters are arranged for you. Squats are great for building your quads, which will be heavily used during the hike. Cardiovascular exercises like jogging, sprinting, and swimming will also help your body circulate oxygen better, which is important at higher altitudes.

The best way to prepare for the Everest Base Camp trek is to go hiking. Take walks around your town or find nearby trails to explore. Learn to enjoy long walks and push yourself to see how far you can go. Once you get used to the initial discomfort, you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

Food and water are important to keep you energized and hydrated during the Everest Base Camp Trek. The teahouses along the way, which are small lodges offering basic lodging and meals, offer a variety of food options.

Dal Bhat, a traditional Nepali dish made with rice, lentil soup, and vegetables, is a common lunch served during the trek. Noodles, pasta, potatoes, and various meat dishes are also available. It's important to eat enough to keep your energy levels up, even though the food is often simple but tasty.

You can find a variety of food including pizza, spaghetti, soups, and curries, among other options. However, it's advisable to avoid meat after Namche Bazaar; if you lose your appetite, stick to boiled potatoes.

Hydrating yourself is also crucial, and the teahouses offer bottled water as well as other beverages like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. To reduce environmental impact, it's recommended to bring a reusable water bottle and purify water using a filter system or purification tablets.

It's also a good idea to pack some snacks for the hike, such as energy bars, nuts, and chocolate. These can help you stay energized and provide a quick source of calories when needed.

Tea houses are the basic type of accommodation you'll find on the way to Everest Base Camp (EBC). They are usually comfortable and well-maintained. You'll rely on the amenities they offer during your trek, so it's important to choose routes where you can get good service at a fair price.

Most tea houses along popular trails like the Gokyo Valley Trek or the Everest Panorama Trek meet basic standards of cleanliness and comfort. There are various options available along the EBC route depending on your needs and budget.

It can be cold inside the tea houses. Some have nicer rooms than others, but all lack proper insulation, so a warm sleeping bag is essential. Rooms along the EBC trail are typically twin-sharing. They are simple, with twin beds, a small table, and a chair. Pillows and blankets are usually provided. Since nights can be cold, blankets are a common feature in tea houses.

However, some tea houses may not have shelves or coat hooks. Most lodges have western-style toilets, especially at lower elevations. At higher elevations, squat toilets are more common. Some tea houses may have a small wooden cottage outside with a hole in the floor over a large pit.

Wi-Fi is available for purchase at tea houses, but it's expensive and not always reliable. Electricity is available, but you may need to pay for each outlet. Solar chargers are common but can take time to charge. The cost of accommodation at tea houses along the EBC trail can vary depending on the altitude and the time of year.

During the spring and fall trekking seasons, prices are usually higher compared to winter. However, during the off-season, room prices can drop by up to 50%.

• Several pairs of thermal tops
• Fleece jacket or pullover
• Waterproof windbreaker jacket
• Down jacket (provided by the company if you don't have one)
• Comfortable fleece or wool trousers
• At least 2 pairs of trekking pants
• Mittens or woolen gloves
• Warm hiking socks
• Trekking shoes with extra laces
• Pair of flip flops
• Underwear and swimwear
• Cotton hiking trousers and t-shirts
• Sun hat or scarf
• Sunglasses
• Sleeping bag (provided by the company if you don't have one)
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Daypack (40 liters or more)
• Headlamp
• Small lock for the daypack
• Reusable water bottles (2 liters)
• Water purification tablets or filter
• Washcloth
• Toiletries (wet wipes, quick-drying towel, toilet paper, moisturizers, lip balm, sunscreen, sanitary pads, hand sanitizer, nail clippers, small mirror, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.)
• Rain poncho
• Basic personal first aid kit

While the trek may seem long at 130 kilometers round trip, when you consider that you'll only be walking for 9 out of the 12 days on a guided trek, you're actually walking about 15 kilometers per day. This doesn't seem too high when you think about the average walking speed being 5 km/h.

However, the 15 km each day won't be on a flat, paved path. Instead, you'll be walking on rocky ground that can sometimes be snowy. Considering the terrain and the fact that you'll be mostly going uphill and gaining altitude, you can see that the trek will be challenging.

Fortunately, most tour companies will arrange for mules or porters to carry your luggage, so you can focus on tackling the trail.

The trek is more challenging than usual due to the high altitude, which is the most difficult aspect. At such heights, altitude sickness and other altitude-related issues are significant risks.

The journey starts with a nerve-wracking flight to Lukla, at nearly 3,000 meters. It then ascends to Everest Base Camp, around 5,400 meters high. At Kala Pathar, the highest point, you'll be over 5,500 meters high, offering incredible views.

Most guided tours include 2 days for acclimatization. These days allow your body to adjust to the higher altitude while giving you a chance to explore nearby areas without trekking. The outward leg of the journey takes 9 days, while the return leg takes only 3 days, due to acclimatization and the gradual ascent.

Altitude sickness can also be caused by lack of sleep, dehydration, and alcohol consumption. If you experience symptoms like headache, dizziness, or mild nausea, descend immediately to recover.

Avoid rushing or climbing quickly to finish the trek faster; go at your own pace. It's important that anyone with breathing problems avoids this trek. Before trekking at high altitudes, seek medical advice and learn about altitude sickness.

Due to the weather, not every day is ideal for trekking in the Everest region. When it rains heavily in the lower elevations during the summer, the trail becomes slick and soggy. After rain, the air may become misty and foggy, which can make it more dangerous to go on trails.

Similarly, the constant snowfall makes the trail slick; at higher altitudes, breathing becomes difficult for hikers. Low vision may put even those who fly at serious risk. Always obtain sufficient information on the trek before setting out on it, and always use qualified guides.

Due to Mt. Everest's perpetual snowfall, the climate there has a significant difference between day and night. The temperature is above zero, below zero, and everything in between. Based on good weather, the autumn and spring seasons are the best times for the Everest Base Camp journey.

The temperature during different seasons.

Spring season (April-May) 

Day time- 15 °C
Nigh time- -1°C
Wind velocity- 11km/h
Rainfall- 7mm
Sunshine hours/day-9 hours 

Monsoon season (June-September)  

Day time- 22°C
Night time- 4°C
Wind velocity- 10km/h
Sunlight hours/day- 7-8 hours 

Autumn season (October- November) 

Day time- 17°C
Night time- -8°C
Wind velocity- 22km/h
Sunlight hours/day- 8 hours 

Winter season (December- April) 

Day time- -5°C
Night time- -15°C
Wind velocity- 8 km/h
Sunlight hours/day- 8 hours 

Before starting your trek to Everest base camp, you need to acquire two permits one Sagarmatha national park entry permit and another Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit. You can get a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit from Lukla as it is not available in Kathmandu.

There are many other permit points, but if you are starting your journey from Lukla airport, you can take one from here. Moreover, you require Sagarmatha national park Permit for the Everest Base Camp Trek as this will be your gateway. Additionally, to get this permit, you must show your copy of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit.

Never worry as Nepal Horizon Treks will arrange all your permits on your behalf and it will be easy for an organization like us to get your permission beforehand and let you travel across the mountains without the external hassles.

Here are some important documents that you should not forget to bring if you are planning for Everest Base Camp Trek.

•    Your Passport with a few copies
•    Visa with few copies
•    4 Passport size photos
•    copy of your insurance papers
•    List of trekkers if you are the Leader
•    Trekking itinerary and schedule
•    Payment details and cash or Balance to support your stay in Nepal

For those who enjoy trekking with others or are traveling alone, joining a group for the Everest Base Camp Trek is a popular choice. It can lower the cost of hiring a guide and porter and add some social interaction to the journey.

Nepal Horizon Treks offers group joining packages for the Everest Base Camp Trek with set departure dates throughout the trekking season. These groups typically consist of 8 to 12 members, and we provide a guide and porter.

Being part of a group can also increase your sense of safety as you'll be traveling with others and have access to help if needed. Our professional team can work together to provide assistance and ensure everyone's safety in case of an emergency or injury.

Before joining a group for the Everest Base Camp Trek, it's important to choose a reputable trekking company. Nepal Horizon Treks is committed to responsible tourism, has experienced guides, and has received positive feedback

For those heading to Everest Base Camp, the Lukla Flight is a popular way to start the journey. Travelers begin their trek to Everest Base Camp from the small town of Lukla after flying from Kathmandu.

However, Lukla flights can be canceled or delayed due to various reasons like bad weather, technical issues, and heavy air traffic. When booking your Lukla ticket, it's important to understand the airline's cancellation policy.

Most airlines operating flights to Lukla have a cancellation policy that allows for a full refund or rescheduling of the flight in case of an emergency. It's crucial to check the airline's specific cancellation policy before booking.

Airlines usually inform passengers about flight status and any itinerary changes in case of weather-related cancellations. Stay in touch with the airline and have a backup plan in case of cancellation or delay.

To secure a seat, it's recommended to book Lukla flights in advance, especially during peak trekking seasons when planes can fill up quickly. Also, be flexible with your travel plans and allow extra time for unforeseen airline cancellations or delays. Nepal Horizon Treks includes a Reserve Day for every Everest Trek to ensure the best trip itinerary.

Nepal Horizon Treks (P) Ltd. is a fully licensed and government-approved trekking and adventure company in Nepal. We are registered with the number 148253/72/073 and affiliated with various local and international tourism bodies, ensuring high-quality services. We welcome adventure enthusiasts to join our "mountain family" for a homely experience during your journey with us.

To confirm your booking, we require a 10% deposit of the total trip cost upfront. This deposit allows us to make all necessary arrangements, including hotel bookings, guide assignments, trekking permits, and transportation. You can pay the remaining balance upon arrival, preferably in cash, but we also accept credit cards. Please provide your passport details, travel insurance information, and flight details when booking.

Last Minute Booking

Last-minute bookings are possible up to one day before the trip starts. For these bookings, full payment is required at the time of reservation. You can secure your spot by filling out our online form, sending us an email, messaging us on WhatsApp, or giving us a call.

SAFETY FIRST - Your safety is our top priority.

During the trek, you'll be accompanied by experienced guides or Sherpas from Nepal's mountainous regions. They have essential safety gear and a first aid kit to ensure your safety. While we advise bringing your medications, we're prepared to handle emergencies. If needed, we can arrange helicopter rescues for quick evacuation to lower altitudes or Kathmandu.