Everest Base Camp Trek

March to May and September to November are the main seasons. Spring overlaps with climbing-season activity; autumn is popular after the monsoon. Both can be busy, and clear skies are never guaranteed. Your dates, tolerance for cold, and flexibility for flight delays should guide the choice.

The package is 14 days from arrival in Kathmandu to departure. You start walking from Lukla on Day 2, finish walking on Day 12, and plan to return to Kathmandu on Day 13. Two of the days on the trail are acclimatization days. Add buffer time after the trek for possible flight delays.

Either airport may be used, depending on the operating schedule. A Ramechhap departure includes a road journey from Kathmandu, so the full transfer takes much longer than the flight alone. We confirm the arrangements for your date before departure.

A beginner with suitable preparation may be able to complete the hike, but it is a demanding first multi-day trek. You need to be comfortable walking for several hours on consecutive days and staying in basic lodges. Tell us your recent walking experience so we can discuss pace and suitability.

Most full walking days in this itinerary are around four to seven hours, with a longer day for the Base Camp visit and descent to Pheriche. Terrain, breaks, weather, and altitude affect the time. Use the daily itinerary as a planning estimate rather than a fixed arrival schedule.

The route passes through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and other Sherpa villages, with suspension bridges, monasteries, and the Khumbu Glacier landscape along the way. Kala Patthar is the main Everest viewpoint on this itinerary. Mountain views depend on the weather.

Yes, you can ask to join a scheduled group or arrange a private guided trek. Confirm availability, room sharing, and any single-room or private-trip supplement before booking. Joining as a solo traveller is different from trekking without a guide.

Book once your dates and travel plans are reasonably firm, especially for the busy spring and autumn seasons. Earlier booking gives more time to coordinate flights, rooms, and any special requirements. Contact us for availability if your departure is close.

Build up regular hill walks or stair sessions, then practise longer walks on consecutive days carrying your daypack. Include descents as well as climbs. Fitness helps with the walking effort, but it does not make you immune to altitude illness.

It is a demanding trek because of altitude, repeated walking days, uneven terrain, and cold nights. The standard route does not require technical climbing skills, but that does not make it an easy walk. The daily itinerary shows where the longer days and acclimatization stops fall.

Everest Base Camp is at 5,364 metres / 17,598 feet. Kala Patthar, the optional viewpoint on this itinerary, is approximately 5,545 metres / 18,192 feet. Gorakshep is the highest overnight stop, at approximately 5,164 metres / 16,942 feet.

Base Camp is not the best place to see the summit of Everest because surrounding terrain obstructs the view. Kala Patthar is included for the Everest panorama when skies are clear. Base Camp itself offers the glacial landscape and the setting of the climbing expeditions.

Entry requirements depend on your passport and circumstances. Check the current requirements with Nepal’s immigration authorities or your nearest Nepalese embassy before travel. A trekking booking does not replace a visa, and visa costs should be checked against the package exclusions.

The team will discuss the available arrangements, such as waiting for a later flight or a separately priced alternative where feasible. Weather can affect helicopters too. Keep buffer days and check insurance for disruption costs; additional accommodation or alternative transport is not automatically included.

The standard route enters Sagarmatha National Park and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu area. The package includes the permits specified in its inclusions. Requirements and charges can change, so we confirm the applicable arrangements for your nationality before departure.

We arrange the permits listed in the package inclusions. Send the passport information requested by the team and carry your passport during the trip. Ask before departure if you have a different route or nationality-specific requirement.

One porter is shared by two trekkers and carries up to 20 kg / 44 lb in total. Plan for approximately 10 kg / 22 lb per person, including the porter-carried bag. You carry your own daypack. Airline baggage limits are separate and must also be checked.

The walking route starts in Lukla after your flight. The full package starts in Kathmandu, with arrival and preparation before flying to Lukla. Day 2 continues on foot to Phakding.

Ask us to review an alternative rather than simply removing acclimatization days. A planned helicopter return may reduce return walking, but it needs a separate quote and remains weather-dependent. The standard 14-day itinerary is the arrangement described on this page.

Yes, ask about a separately planned route with additional days. Gokyo or a high-pass extension changes the walking effort, acclimatization plan, cost, and insurance requirements. It should be agreed before booking rather than added casually during the trek.

Check the allowance confirmed for your airline and booking before packing. Checked baggage and hand luggage may have separate limits, and excess baggage is subject to operational restrictions. Your porter allowance does not determine what the airline will accept.

Rental equipment is available in Kathmandu, but check the condition, fit, and suitability before accepting it. Ask the team which items are provided or available to rent for your booking. Bring well-tested walking footwear rather than relying on unfamiliar boots at departure.

Yes, this is a guided package. Check the inclusions for the services and support covered by your booking. If you are considering a different or independent arrangement, confirm current local requirements rather than relying on a general statement about guide rules.

Coverage varies by network and location, and a signal in one village does not mean continuous service between stops. Ask about current options in Kathmandu and complete the required registration. Do not rely on mobile data for essential communication throughout the route.

Do not assume a drone can be flown simply because you can carry it into Nepal. Aviation, protected-area, and local permissions may apply. Obtain the relevant authorisations before travel and follow restrictions around airports, villages, wildlife, and religious sites.

The package includes the flights stated in its inclusions. Confirm your trek dates and send the requested traveller details so the team can arrange them. Check with us before buying a separate domestic ticket to avoid duplicate or incompatible arrangements.

This itinerary has two hotel nights in Kathmandu and 11 teahouse nights on the trail. Mountain rooms are simple and normally shared by two trekkers. Facilities become more basic at higher stops, and shared toilets are common.

The accommodation listed in this guided package is arranged as part of the trek. Tell us about room preferences before booking. Specific facilities and room types depend on availability, particularly at busy or higher stops.

Request a single room before booking so we can confirm availability and any supplement. It cannot be assumed at every mountain stop, especially during busy periods. Your written confirmation should state what has been arranged.

Bring a sleeping bag suitable for the season and high-altitude nights. Lodge blankets vary in warmth and availability. Ask the team about the equipment provided with your booking or rental options before buying or packing.

Common menu options include dal bhat, noodles, soup, potatoes, eggs, porridge, and bread. Choice varies between lodges and becomes more limited higher up. Check the daily itinerary and booking confirmation for which meals are included.

Vegetarian options are widely available. Vegan meals and other dietary requirements need advance discussion because ingredients and kitchen practices vary. Tell us about allergies before booking; an allergen-free kitchen cannot be guaranteed.

Expect basic washrooms, particularly at higher lodges. Carry hand sanitiser, toilet paper, and personal toiletries, and wash your hands before eating. Private bathrooms and reliably hot running water should not be assumed.

Ask your guide about refill options at lodges and along the route. Carry a reliable treatment method and check whether water has already been boiled or treated. Refill availability and charges vary, so plan enough water for each walking section.

Some lodges offer hot showers or heated water for washing, usually for an extra charge. Availability and heating methods vary. Budget for showers where available and be prepared to manage without them at higher stops.

Charging is available at some lodges, often for an extra fee, but power can be limited. Bring a power bank and spare batteries where practical. Keep batteries warm and do not plan around a guaranteed charging point every night.

Some teahouses offer paid Wi-Fi, and mobile data works in parts of the route. Speed and reliability vary, with gaps between settlements. Download maps and documents before departure and tell family that contact may be intermittent.

You may encounter both squat and seated toilets, often shared with other guests. Facilities become simpler higher up. Carry toilet paper and hand sanitiser, and follow the lodge’s instructions for disposing of paper and hygiene products.

Limited washing or laundry may be possible at some lower stops, but drying is slow in cold conditions. Pack enough essential layers and socks so you do not depend on laundry. Avoid washing items you need dry for the next morning.

Shops and lodges sell snacks and drinks in many settlements, but prices and choice vary and supplies are more limited higher up. Bring any particular snack you rely on. Personal snacks and drinks should be budgeted according to the exclusions.

Choose a policy that explicitly covers trekking to your planned maximum altitude, medical treatment, and emergency evacuation, including helicopter rescue where needed. Check exclusions and authorisation procedures with the insurer. Carry the policy number and emergency contact details and share them with the team.

Discuss your Nepal itinerary and medical history with a travel-health clinician before departure. Recommended vaccinations depend on your circumstances and activities. Allow enough time for any course of vaccinations or other preparation advised.

Report a headache with nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, or loss of appetite promptly. Do not ascend with symptoms, and descend if they worsen. Breathlessness at rest, confusion, or difficulty walking needs urgent help. Tell your guide rather than waiting until the next planned stop.

Ask a clinician familiar with your condition to assess high-altitude travel before booking. Share relevant limitations with the team and carry prescribed medication and an agreed plan. Suitability cannot be decided from fitness or a website description alone.

Pack tested walking boots, warm layers, waterproofs, a suitable sleeping bag, sun protection, a headlamp, water bottles and treatment, personal medication, and a daypack. Check the packing list and your confirmed equipment provision, then weigh your bags against both flight and porter allowances.

There is limited medical help in some settlements, but services and opening periods vary. Do not assume that every stop has a staffed clinic or that specialist treatment is nearby. Carry insurance and be prepared for descent or evacuation if your condition requires it.

Do not assume untreated water is safe because it looks clear. Use a suitable treatment method or water confirmed to have been properly boiled or treated. Ask your guide about the source and carry enough for the next walking section.

Alert your guide immediately. The response may involve stopping, descending, seeking medical care, or requesting evacuation according to the situation. Weather, location, aircraft availability, and insurance arrangements affect what is possible; an immediate helicopter pickup cannot be guaranteed.

It includes two nights in Namche Bazaar and two in Dingboche, with walks adjusted to your condition. Follow the planned pace and report symptoms early. These days reduce pressure to rush higher, but no itinerary eliminates the possibility of altitude illness.

Discuss preventive or treatment medication with a qualified clinician before travel, including suitability, side effects, and instructions. Do not self-prescribe from an online packing list. Medication does not make it safe to ignore symptoms or continue ascending when unwell.

Stop and tell your guide so the injury and available options can be assessed. Do not keep walking simply to finish the scheduled day. The response depends on the injury and location, and may include treatment, descent, or evacuation with support from your insurer.

Check the current dates and prices on this page for your departure. Review the inclusions, exclusions, and any supplements in your written quote. Keep a separate budget for insurance, visa costs, tips, personal spending, and other excluded items rather than comparing only the headline price.

Carry Nepalese rupees for spending in mountain lodges and shops. Small notes are useful for drinks, showers, charging, and tips. Arrange your main trekking cash before leaving Kathmandu and ask the team for help estimating the amount.

No. Even where a cash machine or card facility exists, it may not be working when you need it. Bring enough cash for your expected trail expenses and a reasonable contingency rather than depending on a withdrawal at a particular stop.

Tips are separate from the package price and are your decision. Ask the team for a practical guideline for your group size and trek length, including whether an amount is per person or for the group. Carry the cash you intend to use before returning to Lukla.

You walk through Sherpa communities and past monasteries, mani stones, and prayer flags. Namche and Tengboche are key stops, but village life along the route is part of the experience too. Religious activities and special events depend on the date and local schedule.

Follow local guidance around religious sites, walk clockwise around mani stones and monuments where practical, and avoid interrupting ceremonies. Ask before photographing people or the inside of a monastery. Your guide can explain customs at each stop.

The Sherpa people are an ethnic community with their own language, history, and cultural traditions, strongly associated with the Everest region. “Sherpa” is not a generic job title for every mountain worker. Use people’s names and the roles they prefer.

The itinerary passes through Tengboche and allows a visit when the monastery is open and local activities permit. Access and ceremonies are not guaranteed for a fixed time. Follow dress, photography, and entry instructions at the site.

That depends on your dates and the local calendar. If a festival is important to your trip, ask us to check the timing and route before booking. Attendance should respect community activities and is not included as a guarantee on every departure.

Greet people respectfully, ask permission before photographs, and keep noise low at religious sites. Remove shoes or follow other entry instructions where requested. Give loaded porters and animals space, and avoid blocking narrow paths for photos.

Use local shops and services where practical, respect the agreed porter load, and ask before photographing people or entering private spaces. Carry out litter, use refillable bottles with suitable treatment, and follow local guidance about waste and religious sites.