Best Trips Nepal - Everest Base Camp Trek

Max. Elevation

8,848 m

Accommodation

Hotel- Lodge- Tea house- Tent

Best Season

Spring - Autumn

Duration

17 Days

Trip Grading

Technical Climbing

Activity

Expedition

Meals

Breakfast-Lunch- Dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Departure Location

Nepal

Highlights

The 17-day Everest Base Camp Trek takes you into the heart of one of the most popular trekking regions on the earth. Check our complete EBC Trek guide with EBC trek cost, altitude, itinerary, and difficulty.

Trip length: 17 Days
Grade: Moderate/Challenging Adventure Trek…involving legendary trails that bring you upfront with the king of all peaks…Mt. Everest. Challenging in some areas
Trek duration: 12 days on trails that begin at the feet of Everest…but take you up pretty close to the famous climbing peaks for some breathtaking close-up views of Everest and some nearby famous peaks
It starts in Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Trek type: TH
Accommodation: Hotel and teahouse lodges
Meals: healthy meals are provided on the trails
Transportation: Private car or a tourist coach depending on the number of people
Maximum altitude: 5545m…we summit at Kalapathar for views that leave you stunned, virtually!

Description

The Everest Base Camp trek takes us deep into the heart of one of the most popular trekking regions on earth. This trip would be great for first-time trekkers… Everest Base Camp: These three words represent one of the world’s most well-liked trips, a status symbol; but offer real dreams for adventure lovers globally. This 17-day trekking to Everest Base Camp is an opportunity for your dreams to turn real and test your limits. Our trip begins with a thrilling mountain flight to the legendary airport of Lukla, built with the help of the famous mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. From this namesake, the famous trail of the Everest Base Camp was born. On touchdown at Lukla airport, we meet our Everest Base Camp trek guide and the other crew members: who begin to sort out our equipment. Sooner than later, we hit these popular trails to the foothills of the king of all peaks – Mt. Everest. Our cost-friendly trek to Everest Base Camp will guide you through the best mountain trails in the world. There’s never a dull moment on this journey.

Why Would the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Packages be Ideal for you?

We hike deep into the heart of the Himalayas for about 5-8 hours a day through Sherpa territory. However, the well-cultivated fields and pretty villages warm the heart. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay laid a future base when they conquered Everest in 1953. Today, it’s a tradition and has become a challenge for greenhorns who enjoy Everest Base Camp trek altitude. Nevertheless, the Everest Base Camp trek difficulty doesn’t spoil the thrills of outdoor adventure. There’s enough important time to acclimatize for Mt.Everest Base Camp altitude on the go. We climb into alpine zones with stunning scenery and also enter the well-known Tengboche monastery for a chat with friendly monks. We proceed further to EBC and this is where we begin our steep climb up the iconic Kalapaththar at 5545m. Nonetheless, upfront views of mighty Everest leave us gasping for breath, so close, but yet so far.

We spend some prime time on Kala Patthar with our video cameras busy for some of the best pictures on earth. Real close-up views of the spectacular landscapes surrounding us from all angles leave us breathless for some time…it’s simply incredible!! As a result, the awesome experiences of this trip far outweigh our Everest Base Camp trek cost. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trek you’re likely never going to forget. If you’re looking for something more challenging, try our Everest Three Passes trek which would be ideal for experienced trekkers who’ve done alpine altitudes; it’s a thrilling venture.

Is the Mount Everest Base Camp Trip cut out for you?

If you know you have physical fitness, this is an arduous grade trek (level 5) as you walk to Base Camp and ascend Kala Patthar at over 5000m. This is where we get the best close-up views of the highest mountains in the world. Please get involved in some good physical activity at least 3 months before your EBC venture.

We experience 12 days of point-to-point walking with full porterage throughout - you need only carry your daypack. You should have some previous trekking experience if you do not partake in regular exercise or hill walking. You'd do some physical preparation before you begin this trip. The trail crosses approximately seven modern suspension bridges (twice), all of which have mesh sides but some are pretty long and high and anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may feel a bit heady. The maximum Everest Base Camp trek altitude on this trek is 5,545m and the average is near 4000m. We give you enough time for Everest Base Camp trek acclimatization, but altitude is a factor here and must be considered – this is why we ask our clients to ensure good physical fitness if not much previous trekking has been done above 4000m.

Walking hours stated within the Mount Ebc trek itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group. We encourage our guests to walk at a comfortable pace suitable to the body.

Day to Day Itinerary

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Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)

If it’s a clear day when you are flying into Kathmandu, then your tour begins right from the skies itself. The sights from the windows of our jet show us glimmering snow-capped mountain peaks spread out below us, giving us the first thrills of our just begun vacation, sparking off a whole series of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come. The Everest Base Camp trek route begins as soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuvan International Airport, a Unique Adventure International office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rep will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing ourselves we will be briefed about our daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. In the evening we will meet our senior trek guide who will brief the group about details related to our trek. Your first overnight in the ancient city of temples, probably the most in the world. Breakfast

Kathmandu: Sightseeing and trek Preparation

Today after breakfast, we explored Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visited Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The cremation site here is used by the royal family and also for the simple man living next door. Your early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for some curious shopping. You will be given your trek departure orientation in the afternoon by our Everest Base Camp trek guide. Make it an early overnight at your hotel to prepare for your early morning flight the next day. Meals include breakfast.

Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,651m/8,700ft): 30 minutes flight; 8km, 3 - 4 hours trek

After being well rested from a solid night’s sleep, we wake up fresh the next morning, have an early breakfast, and get into our vehicle for a drive to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Hillary’s Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway destination from where our trip commences. After an adventurous scenic 30-minute flight above the stunning green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. Arguably, this is one of the most beautiful sky routes in the world which concludes in a remarkable landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountain peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet the other crew members and after some sorting and packing arrangements, we start our trek through the pretty wealthy village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in Everest Base Camp trek acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if you are interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. This is our first Overnight in Phakding. All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. We bunk out at an altitude of 2,651m.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft): 11km, 5 - 6 hours

We head out of Phakding to follow the Dudh Kosi River northwards. Today's walk takes us through splendid forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by airy bridges as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo, and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent, we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. The last 300m of climbing brings us to the lively Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital, and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading center. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustles and hustles all day every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries, and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs. You’d be surprised by the facilities available at this remote altitude amid some of the highest mountains on Earth. Overnight at your lodge with all meals included. We sleep at an altitude of 3440m.

Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar: (3,440m/11,284ft)

Namche sits nestled between two ridges amidst the huge peaks of the Khumbu and has an assortment of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir shops as well. Its sophisticated position seems to be developed enough to meet Western standards, even at remote mountain outposts like this. The enterprising Sherpa folks hereabouts have learned a lot from the big expeditions that have passed this way. Said to be the ‘Las Vegas’ of the Khumbu, Namche is just the place to spend a rest day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before setting off towards Tengboche. Alternatives for acclimatization walks include a drop-in to Khunde Hospital which was set up by Sir Edmund Hillary, and a one-hour walk up to the Everest view hotel above Namche for delightful sunset views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also sublime views from the national park center and museum just above the town. We enjoy ourselves at Namche and then settle in for the night before hitting the trails the next day. All meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We sleep at an altitude of 3440m.

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft): 10km, 5- 6 hours

After enjoying our breakfast in Namche, we hit the trail towards Tengboche enjoying superb views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and close-up views of Thamserku. Our trek to EBC follows the gradual trail with ups and downs overlooking glorious views of the great Himalayas. Along the way, we can spot wild fauna like pheasant, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The trail goes gradually down to Kyangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sanasa which is the major trail junction to Gokyo Valley and Mount Everest Base Camp. The track then follows through the pine forests and after we cross the prayer flags festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Tenga we then have a little tough climb up through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a great place for close-up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest and the biggest Buddhist Monastery in the Khumbu region is found hereabouts. We stayed overnight at a lodge in Tengboche with all meals included. We sleep at an altitude of 3870m.

Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m/14,300 ft): 9km, 5 - 6 hours

From Tengboche, the trail climbs and contours around the west side of the Imja Khola valley, providing outstanding views of Ama Dablam, the Nuptse-Lhotse wall, and Everest. We enter Pangboche on the high trail and after lunch visit the monastery which has relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. From Pangboche we walk through alpine meadows and pass beneath the towering Ama Dablam to Dingboche. This is an exciting village to spend the night with all meals. We sleep at an altitude of 4,360m. You will note that now the altitude increases each day and the air gets thinner, so we hike at a comfortable pace.

Dingboche: Acclimatization

This is a day to haul up and rest without being idle. We can stroll around the village and get pally with the local folks with some interesting conversations. This will give us deep insights into the lifestyles and cultures of the local folks in this region. At the same time, we can also relish the landscapes that surround us and we can also catch up on some reading. Our acclimatization gets a further boost with our hike to the interesting Nangkartshang Peak (5083 meters). As we top it with gasping breath we soon realize the gritty climb was worth the go; the rewards are as lovely as it comes with the natural beauty that greets us for our efforts, the jaw-dropping vistas of Cho Oyu at 8201m, Pumori at 7161m, the gigantic Lhotse wall at 8400m, Amadablam at 6812m, Makalu at 8481m and Baruntse at 7129m all put together set our hearts on top gear as it skips a beat while watching these massive peaks. Overnight at our lodge in Dingboche with all meals.

Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940 m/16,207 ft): 4km, 5 - 7 hours

After crossing by some of the teahouses of Dughla, we plod higher onto the pretty risky moraine of the Khumbu glacier, passing a chain of stone monuments built in memory of Sherpas who have died on mountaineering expeditions to Mt Everest. From hereabouts, the trail lowers and goes by the west side of the valley to Lobuche. The sunset on Nuptse from this point is an amazing sight to behold. Overnight at Lobuche with all meals – we sleep at Everest Base Camp trek altitude of 4940m.

Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170m/16,961ft), visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594 ft): 13km, 6-7 hours

Today it's pretty strenuous, Everest Base Camp trek difficulty increases today as we leave very early, following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,170m). The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short steep sections. The trail is rocky as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us about 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep where we will have a rest and something to eat. From here to base camp and back there are no lodges so we will fill our water bottles and take some snacks for the walk to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The route winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, where in spring, we might see in the distance some of the expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. From the Base Camp, we get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu IceFall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is for the climbers to negotiate through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. After a short photo stop by the Base Camp rock, we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Overnight at our lodge with all meals included. We sleep at an altitude of 5170m.

Our team guides, porters, and accompanying staff are locals with a broad knowledge about each and every location that we travel through.

Cost Includes

Permits : Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card.

Accommodation : Lodging in teahouses or guesthouses during the trek (twin-sharing basis) and basic hotels in Kathmandu (usually 2-3 nights).

Meals : Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek, typically from teahouse menus, including tea or coffee.

Guide and Porter Services: : Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide and porter(s) to carry luggage (usually up to 10-15 kg per trekker).

Transportation : Round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lukla, including airport transfers in Kathmandu.

Cost Excluded

International Flights : Airfare to and from Nepal (e.g., to Kathmandu or Pokhara).

Travel Insurance : Mandatory insurance covering high-altitude trekking (up to 5,500m), medical emergencies, and evacuation.

Personal Expenses : Drinks (beyond basic tea/coffee), snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging, and souvenirs during the trek.

Visa Fees : Nepal entry visa fees (typically $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, payable on arrival).

Personal Gear : Trekking equipment like hiking boots, sleeping bags, down jackets, or trekking poles (rentals may be available but often cost extra).

Organization

The Everest Expedition is organized by Best Trip Nepal, a trusted provider of climbing and trekking expeditions. Our team of experienced mountaineers and certified guides ensures your safety and provides the necessary expertise at every stage of the journey. From the moment you arrive in Kathmandu to the summit of Everest and your safe return, Best Trip Nepal takes care of every detail.

Gears List

Climbing Gear List for 6500m Tour

Climbing Boots

Crampons

Harness

Trip Map

Trip Gallery

Trip FAQ's

How difficult is the trek? How many hours a day do you walk?

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek is very reachable for people who are prepared to put in some physical work before departure. The trek is exactly that: a walk. There are no technical approaches to the journey, just one foot in front of the other; the key is not to rush and to take your time.

Our Everest Base Camp & Kalapathar trek is graded moderate to challenging, meaning that you generally won’t exceed eight hours of activity in a day. Some days can vary from 4-5 hours a day to just 2-3 hours, however, there will be sections where you are challenged. If you follow the training guidelines you can go into the trek positive, that’s more than half the battle won. Mental strength has a lot to do with this.

Is it very steep?

For our Everest Base Camp & Kalapathar trek, travelers should be comfortable with occasional rough terrain but expect long steep climbs. So, some days could include ascents and descents of 500 meters or more. Remember: speed isn’t important, stamina, confidence, and the time-tested spirit of adventure are.

Do you need good shoes?

Yes! And remember the quality socks. Happy feet make a happy trekker, so seek out an outdoor and gear store that will help you get well-fitted, suitable, durable, and comfortable shoes that’ll last you for some years.

The Australian gear experts at Paddy Pallin shared their recommendations on choosing the right hiking boots. Just Google it to find it

Do you have any training programs for the trek?

We don’t specify detailed training programs as it is difficult to recommend a general program that applies to everyone. The training you should do to prepare for your EBC trek depends on your current level of fitness and any medical conditions. We suggest that you exercise a minimum of five times per week, an hour each time, doing activities such as hill walking, cycling, running, and strength work.

Do many people have issues acclimatizing?

Altitude sickness can vary for each individual; however, our experience and research have found that carefully timed acclimatization days scheduled into the trek have helped trekkers acclimatize well. Nevertheless, during the acclimatization process

Swelling of the hands and face

All our group leaders have extensive first-aid training and we urge you to communicate with the group leader at all times should you believe you have any symptoms for us to effectively monitor you. Some tips to consider include taking your time, trekking at a slow and steady pace, and staying hydrated are important in reducing the effects of altitude sickness. Our trek leaders continually monitor travelers and ensure everyone is drinking plenty of fluids – continually replenishing drink bottles with clean drinking water, providing morning and afternoon tea, and offering juice for some electrolyte kicks.

What happens if there’s an emergency?

The medical facilities are limited on the trails, but our guides carry a full medical kit and are trained extensively on how to use it. We also carry portable altitude chambers, which are useful if someone is suffering from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) but cannot be evacuated due to bad Everest Base Camp trek weather. Emergencies are taken care of by the guide, who is experienced in such situations if they develop. The safety of our travelers and crew is our central priority. If a fellow trekker in your group needs to descend, then an assistant guide goes down with them. We have lots of support staff on the trek, so the person descending would be well looked after, and won’t impact the rest of the group’s experience. In a serious case, evacuation would be by helicopter.

What is the accommodation like?

You’ll want to make sure you have a good night’s sleep when on trek and our guides make sure you’re put up at reasonably good cozy teahouses, unless you’re on a camping trek. At the teahouse lodges, you’ll have western-style sit-down toilets or squat-style local toilets; this depends on the teahouse lodge we book into. Hand basins are available in most teahouses and a windowed dining room with eco-friendly heating. The nights in our hand-picked eco-lodges align with our responsible tourism practices. Some of the lodges use a mix of cow/yak dung/solar and generators for power.