Mt. Everest (8,848m) - the tallest peak in the planet - is really fascinating to witness from afar and even more delightful from up-close.
Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most spectacular, life-changing experiences you can have on your trip and we are pretty sure that you will be tempted by the scenery from the very first day of your trek.
Follow the footsteps of legends and walk through the world’s pristine trekking route and climatic zones (from tropical to freezing) to the base of the world’s highest peak. The 15 days that you will be spending on Everest Base Camp Trial are some of the memorable and strenuous trekking route you will ever encounter and the arrival back to Lukla will feel so rewarding.
The sceneries during Everest Base Camp Trek are varied and truly tempting , the accommodation and routes are of a very high standard and visiting local heritage sites is really a fascinating experience.
Our 15 days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary is meticulously designed to reduce the risk of altitude sickness by restricting the gain in altitude. We have scheduled two days as acclimatization period: one at Namche and another at Dingboche. Your acclimatization days are not wasted: you will explore the surrounding landscapes and viewpoints.
Walking through lush green fields and thick forest, crossing suspension bridges, you will get to see Sherpa villages where local live in mud & stone houses and perform masked dances as part of their traditions.
In short, Everest Base Camp Trek is a great mountain trek full of natural sceneries and cultural experiences.
Although truly spectacular and once-in-a-lifetime experience, trekking to the base camp of Everest is not for lazy and unhealthy folks.
That being said, the Everest Base Camp Trek needs no technical skills or experience as it is just a long high altitude hike. Despite being highly achievable, there are some factors that need to be taken into consideration before starting a hike to Everest Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance is approx. 130km (round trip) and you have to hike for 10 - 11 days tackling extreme weather and tough terrain. Every day you have to cover 12 - 17 km and the hikes are definitely not like walking in a park. There are numerous steep sections which will take your breath away. So it is very important that you are in good physical condition when you instigate the trek.
Train your body at least 2 months prior to the commencement of the trek. Leg exercise, cardiovascular exercise and hill-hiking are the best training for the trek.
Standing at an altitude (5,364m), Mt. Everest Base Camp is firmly classified as an extreme altitude mountain trek. At high altitude, people who are not used to with thin atmosphere, are susceptible to a medical condition called Acute Mountain sickness (AMS). Be noted: the AMS symptoms are not correlated with age, gender, fitness level etc.
The key to Mountain sickness is walk slow. Also hydrate your body frequently and stay away from alcohol and junk foods.
March to May and September to November are considered as the best time of the year to trek Everest Base Camp. The weather during these months are clear and so are the views. You will have great opportunity to capture the view of Himalayas during both day and night.
Winter (Dec - Feb) can get chilling cold - we are talking -20 degree celsius. But if you brave the temperature, you will get the views of mountains at its best attire. If you wish to trek Everest in winter, pack the right gear and check the availability of teahouse at high altitude.
Monsoon (June - August) are the months of rain and there are high chances of landslide and flood in Everest region. It is wise not to trek Everest in monsoon. But Monsoon can be a real boon for keen botanist as the entire vegetation are into state of blossoms.
Weather determines the overall experience and the view during the trek. We shall briefly describe the overall weather of Everest base camp throughout the year. Please note that the temperature mentioned here is the temperature of 10 am to 12 am in the morning.
Summer (June- August): June, July, and August is the warmest month in the Everest base camp. July has an average temperature of about 15 °C in the daytime. In the colder morning, the minimum temperature can fall up to 3 °C. It’s also the peak season for rain when Everest receives about 2mm of rainfall every day. Most of the raindrops in the evening, leaving the morning clear.
Autumn (September- November): September temperature in Everest is about 7 °C. September has a relatively warm temperature, but it drops to -3° in November. Autumn only receives 1.2mm of rainfall in total, which is not a big deal. Wind speed in autumn is about 19km/ hr. Also, the snowfall is rare; thus ensuring clear visibility and perfect time to visit Everest Base Camp.
Winter (December- February): The winter in the Everest region is definitely cold. Morning in winter can have the temperature up to -15 °C. This is the lowest temperature of the whole year. The humidity around the base camp is about 37. In January and February, the area above Namche gets a few mm of snow.
Spring (March-May): Snow remains in the Khumbu region until March. No snowfall is experienced after that. Spring has a temperature of about 3°C in the morning. Although the temperature during nights are low, the days are very warm with sunshine. In spring, the chances of rainfall in Everest are relatively lower and the humidity is almost 55%
Note:
The mentioned Mount. Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary in itinerary section is only designed for your convenience. This plan can change with time and need. The weather and climate in the region might force you to spend a few more days on the trail. In addition, you can add some extra days to climb Island Peak 6189 m and Lobuche Peak 6119 m or other adventure sports to make your hiking trip more exciting. Our team can make these arrangements for you at the very lowest additional cost.
Some suggestions from experts are that you can also add 3 extra days from Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Lakes trek. Moreover, you can go for a city tour to Pokhara, where you can go bungee jumping, hot air balloon flight, and paragliding. Also, a boating tour to Phewa Lake and Jungle Safari in Chitwan is fun. Whitewater rafting in Trishuli is another best option. The choice is yours.
If you are willing to do another adventure after EBC, then some best and recommended by our experts are:
The Khumbu region between Tibet and the bank of the Bhotekosi River houses the Sherpa people. These great mountain conquerors are the brave soul of the Himalayas. Even after years of cross-cultural conflicts between foreign visitors and Sherpas, the locals have deliberately maintained their life's fundamental values and culture. Their unique festivals, lifestyle, and beliefs have established a great interest within visitors.
Mani Rimdu is the principal celebration within the Sherpa community. This 19-day long festival involves some unique prayers, rituals, dances, and songs by the monks and the locals. This grand festival can be observed in different monasteries of the Everest region. The monastery entrance is opened for the public at the event, and different dances symbolizing opposing forces' destruction are performed. There's also a fire ritual (Jinsak) and Mandala art.
Another interesting festival in Everest is Dumji that marks the birth of Guru Padmasambhava. The celebration starts on the 10th day of the sixth Tibetan month and lasts for a week. The villagers all gather in the event organizer's homes for worship and celebration. Sherpa's observe the festival in June-July in Namche, Khumjung, and the Thame area. We also have more festivals of Everest like Tamu Losar, Gyalpo Losar, and Sonam Losar, where all communities gather for fun activities.
Along with enjoying the festivals, you can also try their traditional clothes called Chhuba that are worn over Raatuk, and a jacket called Tetung. Women's Tongkok, Angi, and Taatuk (blouses) are also exceptionally beautiful. Try the local foods, enjoy their dance, and be a part of their life while you live the culture of Everest base camp.
To begin with, always travel to Nepal with a passport having six months of Validity. Upon arrival at the airport, you can get an on arrival tourist visa to Nepal. The tourist visa cost USD 40 for one month and USD 100 for a 3-month. Other than your Nepal tourist visa, you need a couple of more permits for the Everest trek.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit:
Earlier, there was a rule to issue a TIMS Card and a Sagarmatha National Park permit. However, after 2018 with the decentralization of governmental power, the TIMS card has been replaced by a local area permit that can be issued in the trek. Everest local area trek permit is officially called Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit and costs NRs. 2000 equivalent to $20. You can get this permit upon landing in Lukla. The amount goes for the local government and is invested in the development of trekking trails.
Sagarmatha National Park Permit:
Next, you have the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit issued at the National park gate. You can also get this permit in the Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu, but the most accessible place to issue it is in Monjo. There's a national park gate before Namche, where the ticket has been issued. You need passport size photographs and a passport/ visa for these permits.
NPR. 3000 + 13% vat equivalent to USD 30 (for foreign nationals)
NPR. 1500 + 13% vat equivalent to USD 15 (for SAARC nationals)
Note:
EBC trek bestows with an impressive range of tourist-friendly accommodation. After a long day of the walk, you can have a warm sleep in a soft bed. The local villagers mostly manage tea houses in the Everest region. They are specially made to provide a basic facility in a cozy space. The wooden bed has a simple mattress, pillow, and blanket. Some hotels in Namche have very luxurious rooms with great amenities. The western-style toilet is standard in the EBC trekking route. Only in higher elevations there are squat toilets.
Gorakshep has only four tea houses to this date. Due to the scarcity of hotels in Everest base camp, one might have to share room space with unknown travellers or live in dining rooms. However, our guide books the room for you in advance to avoid worrying about accommodation. Many tea houses also have solar or electric heated showers. Everest Base Camp Tea house trekking is always a great experience. However, if you seek some adventurous thrill, camping trek to Everest base camp is a blessing for raw adventure.
In Kathmandu, you will be staying in a very comfortable 3-star hotel. The room has two to three members of your group, and it's pretty luxurious. The attached bathrooms and hot shower are also available. Thamel has some great 5-star hotels, and you can also switch to such places at your own expense.
Everest Base Camp Trek is a quite luxurious option for a mountain trek, and food is not something you should compromise. An impressive variety of Nepalese and international cuisine is available at each tea house. You can enjoy Dal-Bhat with unlimited supply for the most fulfilling experience. For lunch and dinner, other options are soups, momos, and fried rice. Chinese and continental items are available: noodles, spring rolls, spaghetti, and steak. The popular options for breakfast are Chapati, Oat porridge, and mashed potato. Do try some local Thukpa, yak cheese, and butter tea. There are healthy and yummy options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarian.
The price of food in Everest is very high in comparison to other trekking trails like Annapurna Region and Langtang region. And that's justifiable as humans, mules, or helicopters literally carry everything. Surprisingly, even at the highest stop, i.e. Gorakshep, the menu is full of great options. The agency provides all the meals, and you can enjoy anything of your choice. However, you might have to buy boiled water that costs up to $0.5 to $1 per cup. Or you can refill the bottles in natural taps and use purification tablets.
In Kathmandu also, great options for food are available. Breakfast of your choice is served in the hotel, and a great welcome dinner is served. You can go for some food hunting and enjoy any food of your choice around the hotel. On the last day of the trip, we will also enjoy great food together with the team.
Firstly, pickup/ drop to the International airport of Nepal will be done in a private tourist vehicle. Our sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley is also a luxurious tour with a private vehicle and a guide. The size of the vehicle depends on the number of people. Further, the agency will also cover the flight to Lukla.
You should book the Lukla flight a couple of weeks prior to the trek. The plane is relatively small, with a single passenger seat in economy class. The cases of the flight being cancelled or delayed due to poor weather are often. In such a case, we might have to stay in Kathmandu or Lukla for an additional day, and the agency will not cover that cost. However, the alternative to the Lukla flight is an additional 4 to 6 days of the walk (often not recommended). So, we will likely wait for the weather to clear up.
How to charge a mobile phone and a camera battery in Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most asked questions. Every enthusiastic trekker wishes to capture the tranquil scenery of Everest Region. So wanting to know if there is Electricity in Everest Everest Base Camp Trek is very common.
In lower elevation, from Lukla to Dingboche, one gets to charge the camera battery and phone in the EBC trail by paying some dollars. The latest built guest house in Everest region also has the charge ports in the room and can be used for free. Above Namche, there might not be sufficient power supply in the tea houses. Many guest houses use solar power, which cannot be reliable. Just to make things worse, the phone and camera battery drains in a short time at higher elevations. Especially in the peak season, trekkers to Everest base camp feel the scarcity of power sockets. Having an alternative power bank or an extra pair of batteries is a perfect option, but what we recommend is portable solar power, so you can use it all the time and having a renewable source of energy is environmentally friendly too. After all, Mystic Mountain Treks support eco-friendly, responsible, and sustainable tourism activities.
Everest base camp trekking has been in highlight for centuries. And obviously, the wave of foreign trekkers had created the demand for Internet connections. In the lower part of Everest, the Internet is free. You can get free connections in places like Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar. In fact, many hotels and restaurants in Namche have free Wifi. However, some guest houses might ask you for some cash ($1 to $2). Beyond that, only a few guest houses have Internet in Everest, and they will definitely charge you some amount. Even in the Gorak Shep, the last stop before the base camp, the Internet is available. But, one cannot be sure about the speed of the Internet in the tea houses. So, if you are planning to work while trekking to Everest, it's a pretty bad idea.
But, where there is will there is a way. So, purchasing a local SIM card and using mobile data could be another alternative option for the Internet, as many villages and high ridge covers the good mobile networks in Everest region.
Understanding the very challenging geography of Everest, we must accept that a cellular network is not available in the overall Everest Base Camp Trek. Among Nepal's primary leading network services, you can buy a SIM card from Ncell or Nepal Telecom (NTC). It helps you connect with the team, especially during emergencies, and also contact people back home. Beyond Tengboche, even the mobile Internet is unstable, and we cannot be sure if it works well. Magically, there's an NTC tower over Gorakshep, so making phone calls from Everest base camp is possible in current days. You can buy this SIM card with the help of your guide in Kathmandu, Thamel, or Namche as well. It's available for a dollar in Kathmandu and a relatively higher price in Namche.
Lastly,
We don’t think that there is a single person in this planet who doesn’t want to do Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, as it is the ultimate dream of every human and a life changing experience in the Himalayas.
So, if you are really an adventure seeker and looking forward to do Everest Base Camp Trek, kindly click here to book or contact us and let Mystic Mountain Treks make all the arrangement for you with best service and lowest price guarantee.
Fare Deal? See you then.
| Day | Day Acitivity |
|---|---|
| Day 01: | Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel |
| Day 02: | Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation day |
| Day 03: | Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to Phakding |
| Day 04: | Phakding to Namche Bazaar |
| Day 05: | Acclimatization and exploration day at Namche Bazaar |
| Day 06: | Namche Bazaar to Tengboche |
| Day 07: | Tengboche to Dingboche |
| Day 08: | Acclimatization and exploration day at Dingboche |
| Day 09: | Dingboche to Lobuche |
| Day 10: | Lobuche to Gorak Shep, explore the Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep |
| Day 11: | Gorak Shep to Kalapattharand to Pheriche |
| Day 12: | Pheriche to Namche Bazaar |
| Day 13: | Namche Bazaar to Lukla |
| Day 14: | Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu |
| Day 15: | Final Departure |
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will meet you outside the terminal hall. Please look out for your name on placard. He will greet you with traditional garland and transfer you to the designated hotel.
After hotel check-in, take your time to rest and freshen-up. In the evening, you will attend a welcome dinner in traditional Nepali hotel with cultural shows.
| Accomodation | Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu |
| Meals | Dinner |
After breakfast, a brief Kathmandu sightseeing tour will start. A private vehicle and a professional city guide will be at your disposal.
Today you will visit the following landmark of Kathmandu:
Pashupatinath is the most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, nestled along the bank of Bagmati River. Though non-Hindus are prohibited to enter the main gate of the temple, you still can observe the temple and ongoing ceremonies from the eastern bank of the river. Pashupatinath is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth.
According to local mythology, people who die in Pashupatinath are reborn as a human, regardless of any misdeed that could worsen their Karma.
Boudhanath is the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist site in Kathmandu. Built in the 5th century, this gigantic stupa has four pairs of eyes of Buddha placed in four cardinal directions. These eyes keep watch over the people and their Karmas.
At Stupa, you will find eternal peace and devoted pilgrim who are busy in making holy kora around the monuments.
Nestled atop of spectacular ridge, Swayambhunath (also known as monkey temple) is the oldest landmark of the Kathmandu valley.
Legend has it that, Swayambhunath stupa was built 2,000 years ago when the entire valley was filled with water. A single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake and Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower magically turned into the stupa. Therefore, it is also called a Self-Created Stupa.
You have to make 365 stair steps to reach the Stupa and as you reach the top, you will be presented with the 360-degree view of the entire Kathmandu valley.
After exploration, you will drive back to the hotel and make the necessary preparation for the next day’s trip. We will introduce you to your trek leader, assistant guide and you will make a brief discussion about the trip with them.
| Accomodation | Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
Today, you will make a morning flight to Lukla from where your actual trek begins. You will meet the rest of the crew at Lukla and start your Everest Base Camp Trek. Today’s walk is quite easy and short. You will negotiate a trail that slowly goes down to Cheplung village which offers you an incredible glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred peak that has never been climbed before. Further, we gradually drop down to get into the warm village of Phakding.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Phakding |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 8km, 3 - 4 hours trek |
After breakfast, you will walk on a trail that goes through a lush pine forest high up the Benkar Valley. You will cross the Dudh Koshi River and pass the village of Chumoa and Monjo village before entering inside the UNESCO protected Sagarmatha National Park. Then, you will cross a high suspension bridge and walk across the village of Jorsale before joining the trail alongside the Bhote Koshi River. A steep 3 - 4 hours climb through dense rhododendron forest will lead you to the largest town of the region - Namche Bazaar.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 11km, 5 - 6 hours |
Today is scheduled as the first rest and acclimatization day on your trek. Mountain experts suggest to rest one or more nights after significant gain in altitude. You will stay active throughout the: climb high and sleep low.
Only Namche offers the ATMs, cyber cafes, bakeries, restaurants and bars. The Sagarmatha National Park visitor center offers a various displays of local culture and highland floral and faunal species.
A short hike to Khumjung village (3,780m) offers a more traditional view of Sherpa culture and lifestyle. You will visit Khumjung Monastery which houses the Scalp of Yeti and Edmund Hillary School before returning back to Namche for overnight stay.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
After breakfast, you will continue walking north along the gushing glacial water of the Dudh Koshi River with great views of snowy peaks. The trek until Phunki is easy and from here, you will make a steep climb towards ridge top Tengboche village which houses the largest monastery of the region. This auspicious monastery offers the excellent view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Thamserku.
The monastery opens at 3:00 PM and if you are there by 3, you will get the opportunity to witness the local way of offering Puja.
| Accomodation | Overnight in Tengboche |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 10km, 5 - 6 hours |
From Tengboche, You will descend down to Deboche and cross a suspension bridge over Imja Khola before rising up to Pangboche. Walking along with the thousand of Mani stones, you will make an uphill hike to the quaint traditional village of Dingboche.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Dingboche |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 9km, 5 - 6 hours |
Today we stay another night here as a part of our acclimatization. To acclimatize, we climb north to the Nangkartsang Gompa ridge (4,800m) which offers a dramatic view of Nuptse Glacier, Chhukung Ri (4,230m), Imja Tse (6,489m) and more. Retrace back to a teahouse in Dingboche
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Dingboche |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
Today you will climb slowly to a ridge and the village of Duse (4,500m) with remarkable views of Taboche and Cholatse. Walking through Karkas, you will reach Duglha from here you will make uphill climb towards the Khumbu Glacier’s terminal moraine. Here you will discover the balanced-stone memorials dedicated to the lost climbers who perished during their Everest conquest. You will continue further along the moraine Lobuche.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Lobuche |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 4km, 6 - 7 hours |
Today is a quite challenging day as you will be walking along the Khumbu Glacier up to the Everest Base Camp - the closest possible you can get to Everest without mountaineering equipment. You will have to negotiate lots of ups and downs on rough terrain. As you reach the base camp, you can enjoy the great melt patterns and enjoy the jagged and rounded ice-towers on the upper part of the Khumbu glacier. The Everest Base Camp offers the magnificent views of Nuptse, Khumbutse and Pumori mountain from the base camp. After enjoying the views, you will walk back to Gorak Shep for an overnight stay.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Gorak Shep |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 7 - 8 hours |
Today you will make a pre-dawn (2 -3 hours) climb up to Kala Patthar which offers great sunrise view over Everest (8,848m/29,028ft), Lhotse (8,156m), Nuptse (7,861ft), Changtse (7,550m), Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) along with countless other peaks. Cho Oyu Himal stands further to the west.
After breakfast, you will retrace back to Lobuche (4,940m) for breakfast. After breakfast, you will descend down through moraine and follow the western trail to the lower and warmer village of Pheriche.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Pheriche |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 16 km, 7 - 8 hours |
Today you will drop down approx. 2,000ft walking on a trail with plenty of ups and downs. You will contour on a hillside groomed with rhododendron and juniper forest. Then crossing a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, you will drop down rapidly through pine forest where you can discover different species of wildlife. The trial eventually reaches Sansa which commands superb view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse peaks. Walking on a curvy trail through thick forest, you will finally reach Namche Bazaar.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 20km, 6 - 7 hours |
Today you will retrace your step back to Lukla via same route you have used previously. The max part of trail is downhill along the furious Dudh Koshi River. You will cross suspension multiple times, walk across several monasteries and villages before reaching Lukla.
| Accomodation | Overnight at teahouse in Lukla |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
| Activity Duration | 19km, 6 - 7 hours |
Enjoying the view of Himalayas last time, you will take an exciting 35 min flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to the hotel by our airport representatives.
In the evening, you will attend a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the trek.
If you are interested to extend the trip, you can opt for Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure, Mountain Biking and more: just let us know.
| Accomodation | Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu |
| Meals | Breakfast Lunch Dinner |
Your 15 days Everest Base Camp Trek trip comes to an end today. Our airport representative will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport right 3 hours before the scheduled flight time.
Hope to see you soon!!! Farewell!!!!
| Meals | Breakfast |
Everest Base camp is located in Everet (Khumbu) region Nepal. It is located on 28°0′26″N 86°51′34″E which is 5364m from sea level.
Thanks for organizing such a great trek, we are very happy from your service. We will visit Nepal again for Annapurna base camp trek in 2020. Everest base camp trek needs good guide with much experience so the trek will be more easy and fun.
Thanks team for providing such a wonderful trekking guide. He knows how much to walk, how much to rest, when to eat, what to eat, how to make the trip enjoyable forgetting pain :P .
