Everest Base Camp Trek or (EBC)Trek is the best high-altitude trek that takes you through the Everest region to the base of the world’s tallest peak.This iconic trek offers you gorgeous mountain vistas of 4 of the 6 highest peaks in the world Mt. Everest (8,848m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Mt.Makalu (8,470m), and Mt.Cho Oyu (8,201m). Apart from the outstanding mountain views, you’ll also experience mountain Sherpa’s culture and lifestyle.
Everest Base Camp Trek begins with the short thrilling flight to Lukla, a starting point for the most popular hikes in the Everest region, including this one. From Lukla, walk along the bank of the lovely Dudhkoshi River, and the well-paved path leads you to Phakding. Then, ascending through the pine and cedar forests, you will arrive at Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest. Further, you’ll continue your EBC trek and arrive at Tengboche, where you can visit Tengboche Monastery.It is one of the largest monasteries in the Khumbu Valley. After that, the trail leads you to Dingboche and you will reach Lobuche.
Likewise, en route, you’ll enjoy the alluring mountain views of the Everest region. You’ll continue your trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Only a few hours of a hike from here will take you to the base camp of the world’s tallest peak. Relish the mesmerizing views of the mighty peaks of the Everest region, which will make your trek worthwhile. Next, you’ll climb Kala Patthar (5,550m) to admire the closest panoramic views of Everest and the other Himalayas. You will also get an astonishing view of Khumbu Glacier.
Undoubtedly,the EBC trek is one of Nepal's most popular trekking routes. This trek is doable all year round. However,the best time for the Everest Base Camp trek is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to December).Lastly, you’ll get an option of daily departure for the EBC trek. In addition, on our standard itinerary, you can also get the option of staying overnight at the Everest base camp. Our guide and porters will set you in a comfortable tent at base camp. So, enjoy every moment on this beautiful hike to the base of the world’s tallest peak.
Major Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek:
-A thrilling short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
-Explore Namche Bazaar, the famous Sherpa’s capital of the Khumbu region
-Trek along the world’s highest national park; Sagarmatha National Park
-A side trip to the traditional villages of Kunde and Khumjung
-A short hike to Everest View Hotel and Syangboche airport
-Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest region
-Hike to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m), the base camp of the world’s highest peak Mt.
Everest
-Panoramic sight of Khumbu Glacier, the biggest glacier in Nepal
-An alluring sunrise view over the mighty Everest from the majestic viewpoint of Kala
Patthar
-The magnificent view of some world’s highest snowy peaks including Mt. Everest,
Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, etc.
-Experience rich Sherpa culture, lifestyle, and warm hospitality
On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you’ll meet one of the representatives from Adventure Magic Treks. He will welcome you to this beautiful Himalayan country and transfer you to the hotel in the main center of the city.
Next, you’ll attend a short meeting where your tour guide will shortly brief you Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary. In the evening, you can stroll around the Thamel area. This vibrant place is full of restaurants, cafes, bars, and trekking gear shops.
Early morning you’ll drive to the airport and catch the flight to Lukla from the domestic terminal.The flight is short yet thrilling. On arrival in Lukla, you’ll meet local porters. After a brief stop, you’ll begin your EBC trek by heading down the trail to Phakding. En route, you’ll start to notice the fluttering colorful prayer flags.
Overnight stay in Phakding.
Today you’ll continue your walk to Namche Bazaar, a famous Sherpa town. Embracing the beauty of the Everest region, you’ll get through dense forests, traditional villages, beautiful meadows,etc. Next, you’ll enter the main gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Here you can relish the wonderful view of Mt. Thamserku just rising above you.Next, you’ll continue your trek to Namche Bazaar. After crossing the tallest and largest Hillary suspension bridge you’ll reach Namche. This is one of the largest Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu region. It is also the main starting point of the famous Everest expeditions. If you need any trekking gear or equipment, you can find them here.
Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.
Today is your first acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar. During the high-altitude trek, your body needs to get adjust to the higher elevation. So, the best way to acclimatize is to hike around the nearby villages.You’ll take a short hike to Khumjung village. You can visit Sir Edmund Hillary built school. From this village, you can enjoy astonishing views of some tallest peaks including Mt. Everest, Lhotse,Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, etc.Next, you can also explore the small village of Kunde. In this village, you can explore the local monastery. You can even go hiking at Everest View Hotel. If you are lucky, you’ll get the first glimpse of Mt. Everest all the way from here. After exploring these villages, return to Namche Bazaar and relax.
Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.
Today’s walk will take you to Tengboche village. It is home to the famous and biggest Buddhist Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu region. The trail involved lots of steep uphill and downhill walks. You might get exhausted, but you’ll get plenty of time for photo opportunities.On the way, you’ll be well accompanied by stupas, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags, and the best mountain views. Once you get close to the monastery, the trail is a little steep but the panoramic view of the monastery with majestic mountains background is all worth experiencing.
Overnight stay at Tengboche.
Today’s trail is even more scenic and full of beautiful mountain views. You start your trek following
the Imja Khola and gently ascend to the terraced fields of Dingboche. You’ll witness plenty of potato plantations.Dingboche is one of the highest Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu region. You’ll get a spellbinding view of Mt. Ama Dablam, the world’s most beautiful mountain. You can relax and explore the village or hike to one of the many stupas around the valley. Interact with the locals,learn about the Sherpa culture, and enjoy the mountains.
On this day you will rest before the last leg of the journey. You may have full day rest or there are some places where you can go for a day walk like trek to Chhukung (4,730m) is worth while which takes approx. 3-4 hours from Dingboche, towards east with in the Imjatse Valley, although the trek is gradual, however you can feel the thin air as the altitude gains slowly coming towards Chhukung. At Chhukung, there are few teahouses overlooking superb view of the snow capped peaks and glaciers After enjoy stroll back to Dingboche for overnight.
Begin your day with a gentle climb towards the Pheriche village. The trekking route crosses amazing yak pastures. Throughout the walk, you’ll continuously embrace the natural beauty of the Everest region with the view of Tawoche, Cholatse, and Ama Dablam peaks behind you.Afterward, the trail leads through the challenging Thokla Pass. Once again, you’ll encounter a mesmerizing panoramic sight of the highest peaks including Nuptse, Lhotse, and a few other 7000-plus peaks. After relishing this wonderful moment, you’ll cross this pass and reach Lobuche.
Overnight stay in Lobuche.
Set yourself for an exciting day as you’ll hike to the base camp of the world’s tallest peak Mt.Everest. The first half of the trail takes you through boulders and rough terrain. So, need to be careful you might not get hurt your legs. After a few hours of walking, you’ll reach the small settlement of Gorakshep.Next, you’ll begin your hike towards the northeast of the village to Everest base camp. The hike
consists of lots of ups and downs on very rough mountain terrain. Once you reach the base camp you’ll witness a big pile of rocks, colorful prayer flags, and the Everest Base Camp sign signifying that you have finally made it.Enjoy the moment! Relish the astounding views of lofty snowy peaks hovering above you. You’ll also get a sight of Khumbu Glacier. It will take some time to get back to Gorakshep.
Overnight stay in Gorakshep.
Today is another exciting day you have been waiting for a long time. The day you’ll reach KalaPatthar, one of the best vantage points to view Mt. Everest closely. It’s a photographer’s paradise! The 360-degree scenery of mighty peaks is so beautiful and dramatic it will leave you spellbound.Start your trek as early as possible to Kala Patthar. It is also the highest point of the trek. The trail is full of rocky boulders. It is a challenging trail but the view up there is well worth your effort. This peak will reward you with a mind-blowing view of the Everest region landscape and Mt. Everest.
After you get down to Gorakshep, start heading down to Pheriche. Walking alongside the magnificent Khumbu Glacier and crossing Lobuche village you’ll reach Pheriche.
Overnight stay in Pheriche.
Today you’ll follow the trail that leads to back Namche Bazaar. The path is generally downhill but somewhere you have to climb uphill. As you approach Namche, you’ll leave the alpine trail behind and start to witness greenery and forests.This will be a long day of walking and most of the route comes downhill which makes little more
challenging than on previous days. But push yourself as a celebration of the successful EBC trek at Namche Bazaar awaits you. Once you reach Namche you can take a hot shower. Celebrate your success with your friends and guide.
Overnight stay at Namche.
Today, you’ll bid final goodbye to the mountain trails. You’ll take a similar trekking route back to the Lukla. On the way, relish the magnificent Himalayas of Khumbu valley and Mt. Everest.
Overnight stay in Lukla.
Early morning bidding farewell to Mt. Everest and the Khumbu region you’ll fly back to Kathmandu.Once you land in Kathmandu you’ll drive to the hotel. You’ll get plenty of time to do the shopping and explore nearby places.
Overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Depending on your flight time, a representative from Adventure Magic Treks will take you to Kathmandu International Airport. Please check your flight time as it is good to reach 3 hours before your scheduled flight. If you wish to extend your trip, we offer several tours and trekking packages. In that case, you can contact us!
Here you go for the fixed group departure dates for Everest Base Camp Trek.If these dates do not fit your travel date, let us know your requested dates then we will be very delighted to organize a private trip on your requested date.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost and Services:
The cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek can differ significantly between local inbound and outbound companies. Opting for a locally-based company typically results in a more economical price. Additionally, there are variations in costs among different locally-based companies. These differences arise from the range of services provided to trekkers and the total duration of the trek. Adventure Magic offers several options for the Everest Base Camp Trek, each with distinct services and varying lengths.
We generally provide multiple options tailored to your physical fitness level, age group, and available time in Nepal. Our aim is to assist trekkers in aligning their trek packages with their budget constraints by customizing itineraries. This may involve adjusting the number of days or modifying the services offered. Typically, our standard package is priced at $1,450 per person, while the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek is approximately $3,000.
Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp:
The trek to Everest Base Camp is feasible throughout the year; however, each trekking route in Nepal has specific periods that are considered most favorable for visitation. The ideal months for trekking to Everest Base Camp are September to December, which corresponds to the autumn season, and March to May, aligning with spring. These periods offer clearer views of the majestic Himalayas, characterized by a bright blue sky and enhanced visibility.
While trekking during the winter months, specifically from late December to January, is also an option, it necessitates additional equipment due to the colder conditions. Temperatures in the higher elevations can drop to between -10 and -15 degrees Celsius, making warm clothing essential during this season. Conversely, the rainy season, occurring in June and July, is not advisable for the Everest Base Camp trek. Although rain is typically experienced below Namche Bazaar during this time, the views in the higher Himalayan regions are often obscured by clouds, despite the absence of rain at those altitudes. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that trekkers can be found on the Everest Base Camp trail throughout the year.
Accommodation during Everest Base Camp:
In Kathmandu we use 3 star hotel to ensure a comfortable stay and relaxed environment before and after your trip. All breakfasts are included at the hotel in Kathmandu. Rooms are generally twin share - depending on group size and room availability, triple share may be offered to your request. during the trek also you will get private neat and clean room with basic services.
A Day on Trek on Everest Base Camp Trek:
Each morning after packing our bags and a hearty breakfast,we set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before retiring for a well-earned sleep.
Luggage during your Ebc Trek:
During trek your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket, etc. - a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room/safe deposit box in Kathmandu for free of charge. Weight allowance at Nepal’s domestic airlines is 15 Kgs, excess weight is chargeable at USD 1 or more per Kilo depending on sectors.
Permits Required for the Everest Base Camp Trek:
Indeed, permits are necessary for undertaking the Everest Base Camp trek, and the following fees apply:
1. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit Cost: NPR 3,000 per individual This permit is mandatory for all trekkers entering the Khumbu region and can be obtained in either Lukla or Monjo.
2. Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit Cost: NPR 3,000 per individual This permit is crucial for accessing the Sagarmatha National Park, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be obtained in Kathmandu at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation office or in Monjo.
What is the Culinary Experience on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp trek offers a diverse range of culinary options, including dishes such as pizza, chowmein, porridge, and omelets. However, it is advisable to refrain from consuming meat above 3,000 meters, particularly beyond Namche Bazaar, as teahouses typically lack refrigeration facilities. Meals will be provided at the teahouse where you are staying. Fortunately, there is an excellent variety of vegetarian dishes available. In larger towns like Namche and Lukla, you will find even more choices, including freshly baked goods and a pub.
What you Can get Breakfast on Everest Base Camp Hike ?,
you can anticipate options such as eggs, toast or Tibetan-style bread, porridge, or noodles.
What to Eat for Lunch on Everest base Camp Trek :
The local specialty, dal bhat, is favored by guides and porters alike. This dish consists of vegetable curry, lentil (dal) soup, and rice, making it a hearty staple throughout Nepal Hoever you can chose like noodels,Tibetean Bread,Spagetti too.
What should i Expect for Dinner on Everest Base Camp Trip:
The dinner offerings at your overnight teahouse may vary, especially at lower elevations. You can expect a selection of soups, various noodle and pasta dishes, fried potatoes, fried rice, pizza (of varying quality), and additional servings of dal bhat. Desserts may include custard or rice pudding. At each stop, a selection of soft drinks, tea, and coffee will be available. In larger settlements such as Namche and Lukla, bakeries provide an assortment of bread and cakes.
Alternative Routes to Everest Base Camp :
For individuals desiring a unique experience or an additional challenge, the following alternatives are highly recommended:
Gokyo Lakes Trek: Explore the breathtaking turquoise lakes of Gokyo and ascend Gokyo Ri for unparalleled views of Cho Oyu, Everest, and the Ngozumpa Glacier. This trail connects to the traditional EBC route via the demanding Cho La Pass (5,420 meters).
Three Passes Trek: This demanding trek involves crossing three high-altitude passes: Kongma La (5,535 m), Cho La (5,420 m), and Renjo La (5,340 m). It is particularly suited for seasoned trekkers in search of a remote and adventurous experience.
Jiri to EBC Route: Commence your journey in Jiri and follow the original path utilized by early Everest expeditions. This extended route provides lush green landscapes, fewer crowds, and a gradual acclimatization process.
Everest Base Camp Preparation Manual:
While training is not mandatory for the expedition, a certain level of stamina and endurance is essential. This guide aims to assist you in preparing for the Everest Base Camp trek. Given the continuous nature of the hike, engaging in regular exercises such as walking and aerobics can enhance your physical stamina. Additionally, we suggest hiking in elevated terrains for several weeks prior to your trek. Furthermore, focusing on cardiovascular fitness and strength training at a gym can be beneficial.
Although this trek does not involve technical mountaineering like a marathon, it can still present challenges. Ascending to high altitudes with limited oxygen may pose difficulties, especially for those without prior trekking experience. Therefore, aerobic conditioning is crucial for acclimatizing to high-altitude environments. Typically, we do not carry heavy loads unless embarking on extended journeys.
Thus, it is advisable to practice hiking in nearby hills while wearing a rucksack for at least a week before your Everest Base Camp adventure. Your preparation for the Everest Base Camp trek should be tailored to your individual health and fitness levels. Additionally, cultivating mental resilience and a strong determination to reach your goal are vital components for a successful journey.
Regulations Regarding Drone Usage on the Everest Base Camp Route:
The area surrounding Everest is subject to stringent regulations concerning drone flights. A significant portion of the trekking path is located within Sagarmatha National Park, necessitating strict oversight and special permits from the relevant authorities for drone operations. Additionally, the vicinity of Everest is one of the most frequented helicopter flight paths. While obtaining permission may be challenging, it remains possible to operate drones along the Everest Base Camp route.
Can first time Hiker can join Everest Base Camp Trek ?
Indeed, novice hikers can participate in the Everest Base Camp Trek, provided they are adequately prepared both physically and mentally. Engaging in basic training activities such as swimming, breathing exercises, jogging, or walking can help build the necessary stamina. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet and being ready for extended periods of walking is essential. A primary concern for beginners is the challenge of enduring long distances at high altitudes, along with the potential risk of altitude sickness. However, with proper preparation to address these issues, one can be well-equipped for the journey.
Private /Group Trek for Everest Base Camp:
Our excursions are offered on both a fixed departure and a private basis. If you wish to join a group for a particular trip, please refer to our 'departures' link for information regarding availability, dates, and pricing. Should you prefer to travel independently or with friends, family, or colleagues, you are welcome to select any of the trips that suit your preferred schedule throughout the year.
Group Size and Fixed Departure Date:
If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 the maximum is 15 people.
Personal Expenses during Everest Base Camp:
All meals will be provided.You only need extra money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower (available in some places).
Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise you to allocate 5 - 10% of the total tour cost as tips.
Flight and Transfers
You will flight to and from Lukla as there is no other option unless you take Heli Copter. Kathmandu -lukla senic flight will be 30 munites.
Are there facilities for hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity along the Everest Base Camp Trail?
Currently, telephone and cellphone coverage is available on most trekking routes to Everest, ensuring that you can easily contact friends, family, and relatives. This accessibility allows for convenient recharging of camera batteries and cellphones. Additionally, Wi-Fi is offered in many locations along the trail.The cost of a hot shower ranges from $3 to $5. Additionally, one can purchase data using an Ncell SIM card in Kathmandu for $15, which provides 20 GB of data, sufficient for a duration of 12 days.
Are there money exchange facilities on Everest Base Camp Route:
For trekking in the Everest region, it is essential to have local currency, specifically Nepalese rupees. Some shops may accept American dollars, but this is not guaranteed. ATMs can be found in Lukla and Namche Bazaar; however, accessing them may prove challenging due to long queues of fellow trekkers. Additionally, there are instances when these machines may be out of service, making them an unreliable option. It is advisable to exchange your currency for Nepalese rupees in Kathmandu before embarking on your trek. Furthermore, converting Nepalese rupees back to your original currency can be quite difficult, so it is prudent to exchange only what you will need for your journey.
Climate and Best Time to go for Ebc Trek:
The best seasons to trek in the Everest Region are Autumn (from mid-September till December end) and Spring (from the beginning of March until enc-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher everyday. The nights are cold (between -20 C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 30C). The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night. Trekking during the monsoon is not recommended, as the visibility during monsoon is limited. Trekking in the winter is possible; however, it is much colder than Autumn and Spring. Jan/February still you can trek but it will be cold
Itinerary Changes
The itineraries for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the prevailing situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary.
You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
First Aid Kid
We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.
Altitude :
Altitude Sickness has the potential to affect all travelers from 2500m and higher our itinerary is planned in such a way that you make very gradual ascend, spending some days at a low elevation to build necessary acclimatization before walking up to Annapurna south base camp at 4130m (the highest point on this trek). When you are at high altitude, your body needs time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen in the air at 5500m/18,044ft; the air pressure is approximately half that of sea level, i.e. there is half the amount of oxygen.
Rescue and Evacuations
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
Insurance
Before joining a tour, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover flight cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation.
Clothing and Equipment List for Everest Base Camp Trip :
As part of the booking process, we will provide you with a comprehensive clothing and equipment list for proposed trekking .Experienced trekkers will often take only a selection of these items based on what has worked in the past.Please find the equipment list below for your personal use during your traveling period.
Foot wear:Walking boots, Wool and liner socks, sandals
Clothing:
Waterproof jacket and trousers, Trekking trousers, Long sleeve shirts, Micro fleece, Mid to heavyweight fleece, Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece, Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic), Fleece pants, Medium weight down jacket
Hand wear: Fleece gloves, Warms mittens and/or gloves
Head wear: Wool or fleece hat, Sun hat, Scarf, Head torch and extra batteries,Sunglasses
Personal Equipment:
Sleeping bag, Backpack large enough to carry water bottles, camera and extra clothing, Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized, two water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best), Sunscreen and lip salve with a high SPF, Insect repellent, Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Aqua or Aqua Mira), Favorite snack food, Books, iPod and cards etc, Trekking poles, Camera with spare batteries and memory cards, Insurance certificate.
Travelling:
Duffle bag or large backpack for your personal gear on the trek (carried by a porter), Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag, Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu, Toiletry bag include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.
Personal first aid kit:
Any personal medications,high altitude medication (optional) helps with acclimatization.
We always provide down jackets and down sleeping bags for all our trips.The above list is one 'rough guide' of kit which you'll need to consider before leaving home. Each trekker should carry one backpack for items required during the day.Your day backpack will contain items such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottles, and personal first aid kit and day snacks. The rest of your personal equipment packed in a duffel bag or backpack will be carried by a porter.The maximum weight allowance is 15kgs/33 pounds that we strongly care of porter rights and solely against any exploitation on its operation.