Why Everest Base Camp Trek with us
We have an experienced team of guides on the mountain and great ground staff in Kathmandu to make sure you are well taken care from your arrival. All of our guides work for us full time and have on average 8+ year’s experience trekking in the Himalayas. We are one of the few companies in Nepal to get a Wilderness First Aid Certification for all of our trekking guides. Our guides have also attended a special course dealing with acclimatization issues on the mountain.
Best Season for Trekking Everest Base Camp
The best times for trekking Everest Base Camp are from March to early May and from September to December. The Everest Base Camp Trekking from December to February is a good time to avoid the crowds but you will need to be prepared for colder temperatures. June to August is the rainy season and we don’t generally recommend trekking to Everest BC.
Guaranteed Everest Base Camp Trek Departures
Most of our departures sell out during the peak seasons but during the off season we generally have smaller groups. We guarantee all departures so once you make the deposit you can be assured we will run the trek for you.
Guide for Everest Base Camp Trek
Our guides work for us full time and have completed many treks successfully earning our trust and that of our guests. Our guide help to make EBC trek unforgettable.
All of our guides speak English. They have many years’ experience working with guests from all over the world and are very good at connecting with people.
No age limits for Everest Base Camp Trekking in Nepal
There’s no limit on our EBC trek adventures, as long as participants are healthy and willing. We have had families with kids as young as 7 years do the Everest Base Camp Trek and our eldest trekkers have been in their late 70s. We generally suggest that families schedule a private trek and schedule a few extra days. Don’t hesitate to ask us about arrangements.
No previous trekking experience required for EBC Trek Nepal
We get a lot of first time trekkers in our groups so even if you don’t have experience you will be in good company. Your fitness level should be such that your comfortable walking all day. Previous, hiking or trekking experience is always a plus.
Everest Base Camp Trek safe for solo female trekkers
We ensure the travel safety of all our trekking guests, both male and female. Nepal, on the whole, is both very safe and welcoming of foreign visitors. We have long standing, strong relationships with the lodges we frequent, and know them to be safe and reliable. In addition our guides are consistently mindful of all guests’ whereabouts while trekking. We travel in small groups, all the better to easily maintain continual contact.
Remaining Trip Payments and Extra Costs
We accept all major currencies. You can pay the balance in cash or with a credit card. Please note we charge a 4% fee for credit card payments so it’s much better to pay your balance in cash.
Using credit cards in the trekking Everest Base Camp
Generally, most places in Nepal don’t take credit cards so they are of limited use. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and you can get a good exchange rate withdrawing rupees. The ATMS in Kathmandu generally charge a $5 USD service fee in addition to any charges that you might incur from your bank. These ATMs also often have a limit of 35,000 rupees per day (about $215 USD).
Extra costs expect on Everest Base Camp Trek
Our trekking packages are pretty much all inclusive from the time you arrive in Nepal. We generally suggest you plan on about $300-$400 for extra expenses including tips. Extra expenses include items such as your Nepal Visa, sleeping bag or down jacket rental, showers, Wifi, snacks and charging electrical devices at tea houses along the way. We also suggest you plan on having extra funds available in cash or on a credit card in case your flight to Lukla is canceled and you decide to charter a helicopter.
About hotels in Kathmandu
We can arrange extra hotel nights for you in Kathmandu before or after the trek at additional cost. Please let us know before you arrive in Nepal so we can make the arrangements as required.
Physical Fitness for Everest Base Camp Trek
Difficult on Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekking in the Everest Base Camp is challenging, but it is a challenge which most people can rise to with some training and determination. The trek consists of 5 to 8 hours of walking a day. In general, we start trekking around 8 am and reach the destination for the day around 4 pm.
Go slow on the Everest Base Camp Trek
We encourage everyone in the group to keep a slow pace at our pre-trek briefings. It’s about enjoying the mountains and not a race to the next tea house. The head guide will normally stay at the back of the group with the slowest trekkers.
Best Fitness Preparation for Everest Base Camp Trek
In terms of physical conditioning before the trek, it’s best if you can do some cardio related workouts like running and distance walking. It’s ideal if you can take the time to go on a few weekend hikes around your area too.
Physically fit enough to trek Everest Base Camp
Those with acute or chronic health conditions impacting their stamina, range of motion, coordination, or balance may have difficulty completing the trek. If you are in doubt about your own physical readiness, consult a physician well in advance of booking your trip.
Preparation and Packing
Documents for Everest Base Camp Trek
Once you have paid the deposit the next step is for you to send us a scan or photo of your passport along with arrival flight details. We can’t book your Lukla flight or get your trekking permit until we have the photo or scan of your passport so please send this to us as soon as possible .
Travel insurance for Everest Base Camp Trek
Travel insurance is mandatory and obtaining it for the days you are trekking is your responsibility. Please email us your proof of insurance before arriving for the trek.
Packing Lists for Everest Base Camp Trek
We have a complete packing lists for Everest Base Camp. It’s worth noting that just about anything you need in the way of trekking clothing and equipment can be purchased or rented in Kathmandu when you first arrive.
Renting sleeping bags and down jackets
We can provide a -20C sleeping bag for a $20 rental fee during the trek and down jackets are $15 USD. These will be available at the briefing the night before your flight to Lukla and you can just let the team know that you need one.
Trek duffel bag for the porters
We will provide a duffel bag for you in Kathmandu. The duffel bag will be carried by the porters on the trek and will be your luggage item on the flight. Often the porters get ahead on the trail and your duffel will not be available until you reach the tea house in the evening so you will need to carry a day pack while hiking with the items you need during the day.
Size of a day pack
Generally, we recommend a day pack of about 40 L, or roughly the size of a school backpack to hold your extra layers as well as essentials for the day.
The weight limits for Everest Base Camp Trek
The main limitation on the weight is the luggage limit on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla which is 10kg (22lbs) and another 5kg (11lbs) for a carry-on for a total of 15Kg or 33lbs.
About passports, medications and valuables on EBC trek
Make sure to keep all of the items in your carry on during the flight. You don’t want to be without important documents or medication if your luggage is delayed for some reason. You should carry these in your day pack on the trek as well.
Luggage Storage in Kathmandu during the trek
You can leave any luggage at the hotel or our office during the trek.
Arrival and Visas in Nepal
Upon arrival in Kathmandu
Our airport representative will be there to greet you as you step out of the airport. Please look for our driver with your name signboard and flight no.
Visa for Nepal on arrival at the airport
Most guests are eligible to get a visa on arrival at the airport and it takes between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the rush. Guests are responsible to check and verify all visa requirements before arriving. Your passport needs to have at least 6 months validity on the date you are entering Nepal. Check this as soon as you book your trek.
Hotels in Kathmandu
We use the Hotel Address and the Hotel Jampa or similar hotels which are centrally located in Thamel and close to our office.
Extra hotel nights in Kathmandu
All of our trekking packages include 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu and we can arrange extra nights on request. Please let us know in advance if you need extra nights so they can be reserved. You can pay any extra nights when you arrive to the hotel directly. Sometimes you will find cheaper rates online for these hotels, but the advantage of having us make the arrangements is that if your Lukla flight is delayed we can shift or cancel the reservation at no extra cost.
Accommodations on Everest Base Camp Trek
We use tea houses for lodging on all of our treks. This is probably the most popular style of trekking and simply involves going from teahouse to teahouse. The teahouses are essentially small hotels are in local villages that offer both a place to sleep as well as home cooked meals.
Rooms are typically shared with 2 trekkers per/room. Bathrooms are shared as well and in the Everest Base Camp they usually have running cold water and western style toilets.
Separate/Single Rooms for the Everest Base Camp Trek
We can arrange a private room in Kathmandu. In some of the villages on the trek, it may be possible to have a private room (no extra cost) and we will do our best to arrange that. However, during busy times of the year there is a limited amount of lodging available in some of the villages so it’s generally impossible to arrange private rooms. This is the case even if you’re willing to pay extra since the tea house owners will not give out a private room if it means someone else goes without a room.
Drinking water on the EBC Trek
We provide all the meals on the trek, but don’t provide water. The best option is to treat the local water either with chlorine/iodine tablets or to use a Steri pen. The tea houses will give you good quality free water and you can also get along the trail but you will need to treat it. If you are using the tablets make sure they dissolve completely (about 30 mins). On most treks you can buy mineral water along the trail. A liter of mineral water at lower elevation tea houses costs around $1 USD but at higher elevations can cost up to $4 so the cost can add up.
Meals available on the Everest Base Camp Trek
We let trekkers choose a meal and hot drink from the menus at the tea houses. Typical meals include; omelets, toast, boiled eggs, noodle soup, fried rice, macaroni, momo, vegetarian curries, pizza or chow mein. The traditional Nepali Dal Bhat which consists of rice, lentils, and a vegetable is all you can eat and always a good choice. Meat on the mountain is not hygienic and we suggest trekkers stick with vegetarian options.
Vegetarian or other special diets on the trek
This is not a problem and in fact we recommend that everyone stick with a vegetarian diet on the trek as the local meat is not refrigerated properly. If you have special dietary requirements just let us know and we will make sure to assist with the proper menu.
Charging electric devices on the trek
They have electricity at the tea houses in the common areas. They do charge an extra fee of $1 to $4 an hour for charging.
Type of adapter needing on the Everest Base Camp Trek
A lot of the tea houses have the power strips with the American outlets. If not then either a C or D type outlet is good. If you have time in Kathmandu you can buy at least the common adapters for just a couple of dollars.
About wifi or phone calls on the Everest BC Trek Nepal
Some of the lower elevation tea houses offer wi-fi for an extra charge of $3 to $10. Another option is to get a Nepalese SIM card in Kathmandu for both internet and calls. Even if you have a SIM card data use is mainly limited to lower elevation tea houses. You can also use your guides phone for international calls as long as you reimburse him for the charges which tend to be fairly reasonable.
The Toilet facilities in the tea house/guesthouse on EBC trail
Most of the tea houses have western style flush toilets and cold running water. In almost all cases the bathrooms are shared and not attached to the individual rooms. Some of the higher elevation tea houses have the Asian style toilets which consists of a ceramic basin on the ground.
Using the restroom along the Everest Base Camp Trail
Most of the time you can use the bathrooms in one of the tea houses or lodges, but if it’s urgent you can go off the trail and find some privacy.
Toilet paper for the trek
This is a good idea. However, you can also easily but a roll along the trail at one of the small shops. At the higher elevations like Gorak Shep a roll of tissue might run you $5.
Hot shower on the EBC trek
The lower elevation tea houses have hot showers(generally gas) whereas the higher elevation tea houses generally provide a bucket of hot water. The Tea Houses generally charge an extra $3 to $5 for a hot shower which can be well worth it after a long day on the trail.
Laundry on the Everest Base Trek
T laundry services available in some of the tea houses, and it may be possible to wash some clothes during your acclimation days in Namche Bazaar or Dingboche for a small fee. It is better to plan ahead and pack enough, then wash your clothes when you get back to Kathmandu at the end of the trip.
Health and safety on Everest Base Camp Trek
Acclimatization and altitude
The best way to avoid problems with altitude is to ascend slowly and all of our Everest treks are designed to average about 300m or 1000ft a day in elevation gain which helps to minimize any elevation problems and is the rate recommend by high altitude doctors. All of guides are well experienced at recognizing symptoms related to AMS and will monitor your blood oxygen level on a regular basis.
About sun protection on EBC Trek
It may seem counter-intuitive, but your skin is in more danger of sun damage on the mountains than while at the beach. The sun’s intensity increases dramatically as we rise in altitude, and fresh snow reflects exponentially more UV rays than does the sand.
You will need to protect your skin with clothing and sunblock. A sunblock specifically for mountain conditions is recommended. If you wear prescription eyeglasses its recommend that you get your prescription fitted to sunglasses. Its best to wear a hat and cover up while trekking.
Sick or injured while trekking to Everest Base Camp
We take all possible precautions to proactively ensure the safety and wellness of our trekkers, but rest assured that our guides are trained and experienced in dealing with emergencies. If necessary, your guide will utilize your travel insurance information to call a rescue helicopter, and you will be flown to Kathmandu for medical attention.
Symptoms of altitude sickness on the trek
Having minor symptoms of altitude sickness such as a headache are quite common and you can continue trekking. However, if you develop additional symptoms its critical that you don’t continue trekking to a higher elevation. We can often arrange to have you walk down to a lower elevation and wait several days for the symptoms to resolve before continuing with the next group. Note that additional charges apply for extra days on the trek.
Sick after a day of rest, continue EBC trek
If you are sick and need to rest for a day we can often place you in the next trekking group coming up the mountain. We would rather see trekkers take extra time on the trail then risk altitude sickness by pushing themselves too fast. Please talk to your guide about this and we will do our best to accommodate you. Note, that extra charges will apply for additional days on the trek.
Safety measures on the EBC Trek
Our guides carry a basic first aid kit and have a mobile phone. In an emergency situation the guide will coordinate rescue efforts with the office in Kathmandu where our team is available 24/7.
Cold/Temperatures on the EBC trek
Temperatures vary quite a bit in the Everest Region depending on the season. Temperatures in Lukla at the start of the trek are actually quite warm from March to May and from September to November and trekkers often wear t-shirts and shorts.
Everest Base Camp is cold year round and even during the warmer months you can expect lows at night below freezing. During the winter months it can reach -25C or colder at night and its important to have warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. Our packing list for Everest Base Camp should have you well prepared for even the coldest months.
Shoes/Footwears for Everest Base Camp Trek
Comfortable, sturdy trekking shoes or boots are a must. Look for shoes with ankle support, and ideally your footwear will have Gore-Tex or similar lining, along with thick soles. This will ensure that your feet stay warm and dry, and that you are comfortable walking on rocky paths. It’s always best to break your boots in before you arrive and make sure they are comfortable. If you start to get a blister it’s best to stop immediately and cover it with duct tape or moleskin.
The food and water in Nepal safe
All of the water in Nepal needs to be treated before drinking. If you want to avoid treating the water you can buy bottled water on the trek or in Kathmandu. Whether trekking or in Kathmandu its best to avoid uncooked vegetables. To be on the safe side make sure all your meals are cooked and avoid meat on the mountain.
Practical matters
Delayed flight from Lukla or Kathmandu
The flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are generally reliable but if the weather is not good they can be canceled for the entire day. Our 14 day package includes one buffer day in case of delays but we suggest that you schedule a couple of extra additional days in case of delays at the end of your trek.
If your flight is delayed in Kathmandu we will rebook your flight for the next day. We may also be able to provide an option for a privately chartered helicopter. If you choose to take the helicopter this can cost an additional $500 or more depending on availability and group size.
Extra hotel nights ($40) and meals in Kathmandu are not included when flights are delayed although we will make arrangements for you. If your flight is delayed from Lukla your are responsible for extra accommodation and meals (approximately $30).
Flying from Ramechhap or Kathmandu to Lukla
As of April 2019 almost all of the Lukla flights have been diverted to Ramechhap from Kathmandu due to construction and over crowding at Kathmandu Airport. Ramechhap is a small airport about 5 hours drive from Kathmandu.
Tipping guide and porter
While not mandatory, tipping is customary and always appreciated in Nepal and on our treks. Tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for the team’s hard work and devoted attention to your happiness. We generally suggest a tip of roughly 10-15% of the cost of the trek divided between guide and porter.
Money bring on Everest Base Camp Trek
Our treks are all-inclusive and cover accommodation, food, park fees, permits, and many other costs, as a means of making your adventure as stress-free and convenient as possible. Travelers generally bring a small amount of pocket money to cover bottled water, snacks, or tea beyond your included meals, souvenirs, tips, or donations to monasteries along the route. Trekkers find that around $15 to $20 USD a day is reasonable for these extras although if your on a tight budget you can get by with less.
Extra charges for solo travelers
We don’t have extra fees for solo travelers joining our group treks. If you have requested a private trek or a different trekking date, we will inform you of any extra fees before you make the deposit.
No refund coming earlier from Everest Base Camp Trek
It’s sometimes the case that trekkers finish ahead of schedule or they end up stopping the trek early for health or personal reasons. If this is the case please understand that we do not offer any refunds for unused days on the trek. Please understand that our costs are the same as we have an obligation to pay our guides and porters for the time they have committed.
EBC Trek Cancellation policy-terms and conditions
We understand that plans change and if you would like to change the dates of your trek we don’t charge any fees as long as you give advance notice. Contact us for more information.
Add extra days to EBC trekking trip
This is certainly possible if you have arranged a private trek with us. If you are doing a group trek please ask us in advance on how this might be arranged and we will do our best to find a good solution.
About EBC trekking group
If your concerned about the number of people signed up for a group or have questions about the other trekkers in the group please ask us. We never share personal data but we can give you a general idea on nationalities, sex and approximate age ranges.
Recommendations, Extending Everest Base Camp Trip
If you have extra days after the trek please feel free to write us for assistance with arranging day tours around the city. We also organize short 3 day trips to Chitwan National Park for wildlife safari tour.
