Everest Base Camp Trek is a lifetime experience because Everest is not just a mountain. Along with your journey, you will be experiencing various breathtaking sceneries. If you are ever planning a trek to see mountains then you may be wrong as the roads to Everest Base Camp are said to be the steps toward heaven. You will be witnessing mesmerizing mountains covered in snow, the traditions of the locals, the base of the mountain ranges, and local cultures. Nepal has many trek spots but the Everest Base Camp has been considered one of the premier mountain treks from the day when Nepal started the trekking opportunity for commercial trekkers.

Going for a trek where you will be covering various sceneries but when it comes to eye witnessing the highest peak in the world, then it is the lifetime achievement that you can get.

Your journey will get more interesting when you get the opportunity to view the 8 largest mountains in the world. You will get a chance to experience different cultures and religions on your way to the Solukhumbu region. Overall you will have a great time while viewing the Himalayas.

Where is Everest Base Camp?

Before going towards Everest Base Camp you must be aware that there are two sides to Everest Base Camp. The most famous site of the Everest Base camp is located in Nepal which is located on the northernmost side of Solukhumbu. The other part of the Everest Base Camp is located on the Chinese/Tibetan side.

The Everest Base Camp is the most famous compared to others. The view of Mount Everest will not be properly visible but if you go across the Kala Patthar which lies near the base camp, you will be getting a mesmerizing view of Mount Everest. From Kala Patthar, you will be getting Breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Your trekking journey to the Everest Base Camp can be done from several routes. However, every route will lead you to the same destination.

How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The Everest base camp trek is very easy as there are no hard ways to reach there such as climbing ropes of sloppy icy peaks. There are no difficult roads on your journey. You will have to walk for almost 6 to 8 hours a day.

The roads towards the Everest base camp trek are not easy whereas other trekking spots are covered with flat stones or covered with brick which makes the trekkers easy to walk. The roads toward Everest base camp are rocky and the roads are covered with gravel. Your journey will get twisty as the path goes up and down. If you ever plan your trek on off seasons, then there may be problems related to paths because they will be covered in snow and ice.

There may be days when your real test will begin. The first day of your trek will be very simple as there are no obstacles on your way. According to the Itinerary, your Day 2 will start from Phakding to Namche where you will be witnessing 3435m above sea level. At this point, you will realize and see some effects of altitude. Due to the change in altitude, you will get acclimatization rest on day 3. You will be spending your day in Namche Bazar to acclimatize.

You will be going through Everest View which lies at 4000m and is considered one of the parts of acclimatization. On your 5th day of trekking, you will be approaching Dingboche to Tengboche where you will witness an increase in altitude which lies at 4400m. Your 6^th day will be acclimatization day where you will slowly be moving towards 4600m. On the 7^th day of trekking, you will be moving further from Dingboche to Lobuche which will be a tough day because you will be climbing to 4910m.

On the 8^th day, you will be going to Gorak Shep where you will need to walk 8 hours to the height of 5380m but you will be brought back to 5164m to spend your night. Your 9^th day will be very tough because you will be climbing Kala Patthar at 5545m you will be experiencing a downhill of 4320m. So, from the 10^th to the 12^th day the journey becomes easy because the altitude starts dropping.

More Information about Mount Everest

Mount Everest is known as the highest peak in the world but there is more information related to Mount Everest. Apart from being known as the highest peak in the world, here are some more information related to Mount Everest:

Total height of Mount Everest

According to its height, it is the tallest among all the mountains in the world with a length of 8848 meters. The Everest Base Camp is located in Nepal as well as China so the height of the mountain has been officially recognized by the government. 

Total height of Everest Base Camp

As mentioned above there are two base camps with different heights.

Everest Base Camp (Nepal): 5364 meters/ 17598 feet

Everest Base Camp (Tibetan): 5545 meters/ 18192 feet

The real name of Mount Everest

Before naming the mountain officially it had several names according to the locals living in the area. Originally the name of the mountain was named by Andrew Waugh. There are names for Mount Everest according to a country such as Nepal Mount Everest is called “Sagarmatha”. Similarly, in Chinese, they call the mountain “Qomolangma” and according to the Surveyor General of India it is known as “George Everest”.

Who is Sherpa?

The term “Sherpa” was given to the people who live in the Solukhumbu region. People often think that Sherpa are the people who guide the tourist but they are not.

The first person to climb Mount Everest

The first climbers to reach the top of the world were Edmund Hillary who was a citizen of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay who was a citizen of Nepal. They were the first climbers who reached the peak. Similarly, many more climbers had targets to reach the summit but many of them failed. There were many more climbers involved in climbing the highest peak such as; George Malloy in 1921, George Finch in 1922, Georgy Malloy, and Andrew Irvine in 1924.

Best spot to view the highest peak

The best view of the peak/ tip is the view that a trekker is willing to view as it is a lifetime moment. However, the view of Mount Everest is not seen from the base camp. The perfect spot for the peak will be from the Kala Patthar where the trek will begin from the base camp. From there you can have a mesmerizing view of Mount Everest. The route towards Kala Patthar will be given in your Itinerary or through different ways towards Gokyo

Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek

• Highest base camp in the world
• Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo RI
• Sherpa’s Capital
• Sagarmatha National Park
• Tengboche Monastery
• Sherpa village and its culture
• Mesmerizing mountain views

Planning a trek to Everest Base Camp?

Everest Base Camp Tour via Tibet: 5545 meters/ 18192 feet

Trek to the Everest Base Camp through Tibet then you can be completed in a short term time where you can arrange your trek through Nepal or China. The beginning of your journey will be held from Lhasa where you can enjoy the journey by hiking for one day only.

Everest Base Camp Tour Via Tibet Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu (1300m) – Kerung (2200 m)(145) Km, approx 8 hours drive

Day 2: Kerung –Shegar (4,350 m) / 265 Km, Approx drive 5-6 hours

Day 3: Shegar – Everest Base Camp (5,150 m) (Early at 4 am) – Shigatse (3900m) / 300 Km, approx 6 -7 hours drive

Day 4: Shigatse – Gyantse (3860 m) / 90 km, approx 2 hours drive

Day 5: Gyantse – Lhasa (3 650m) / 265 km.

Day 6 and 7: Sightseeing in Lhasa

Day 8: Lhasa (3650m) – Kathmandu 

 Everest Base Camp Trek (Nepal): 5364 meters/ 17598 feet

If you are planning your trek to Everest Base Camp then you can have multiple options through which you can start your trek. There are varieties of packages where you can book your tour but if you want then we can book your package to the Southern side of Everest Base Camp.

If you are willing to trek to Everest Base Camp, then you will need a local trekking permit. You have two options to visit Everest Base Camp. The first option, take a bus/jeep from Kathmandu to Jiri through which you can start your trek towards Lukla. Second, take a flight from Lukla to Everest Base Camp where the time duration will take about 11 to 13 days and from Jiri to Lukla it will take you 7 to 9 days.

Recommended Everest base camp Itineraries

12 days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Day	Route	Distance	Altitude
1	Kathmandu to Lukla Trek to Phakding	8km/4 to 5 hours	2660m
2	Phakding to Namche Bazar	12km/6 hours and more	3435m
3	Acclimatization Day in Namche	Almost 3 hours	4000m/3435m
4	Namche to Tengboche	10km/almost 6 hours	3890m
5	Tengbouche to Dingbouche	11km/6 hours	4400m
6	Acclimatization day in Dingboche	Almost 3.5 hours	4600m/4400m
7	Dingbouche to Lobuche	12km/ almost 7 hours	4910m
8	Lobuche to Gorak Shep till Everest Base Camp	15km/8 hours	5180m/5380m
9	Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep to Pheriche	13km/6 hours	5545m/4320m
10	Pheriche to Namche Bazar	15km/ almost 8 hours	3435m
11	Namche Bazar to Phakding to  Lukla	16km/ 7 hours	2850m
12	Lukla to Kathmandu	30 to 35 minutes	2513m

 

18 days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary 

Day	Route	Activities	Altitude
1	Kathmandu	Pick up from the Airport	1388m
2	Kathmandu	Explore Kathmandu	1388m
3	Fly to Lukla and hike Phakding	6 miles/ 9.5km – 5 hours	2652m
4	Namche Bazar	10 miles/ 16km – 7 to 8 hours	3446m
5	Namche Bazar	Acclimatization	3446m
6	Khum Jung	3 miles/ 5km – 3 hours	3750m
7	Tengboche	5 miles/ 8km – 4 hours	3867m
8	Dingboche	7 miles/ 11km – 5 hours	4302m
9	Dingboche	Acclimatization	4302m
10	Lobuche	5.5 miles/ 9 km – 6 hours	5164m
11	Base Camp – Gorak Shep	5.5 miles/ 9 km – 7 hours	5360m
12	Kala Patthar – Pheriche	3 miles/ 5 km – 4 hours 7 miles/ 11 km – 5 hours	5643m
13	Tengboche	8 miles/ 13 km – 6 hours	3867m
14	Namche Bazar	7.5 miles/ 12 km – 5 hours	3446m
15	Monjo	4.5 mile/ 7 km – 4 hours	2835m
16	Lukla	9 miles/ 14.5 km – 4 hours	2860m
17	Kathmandu	Arrive Kathmandu	1388m
18	Fly Home	Final day/ going home

Best time and weather for Everest Base Camp Trek

It is very important to check the weather before visiting the place. Similarly, the weather in the mountains is not constant and changes frequently. The change in weather can change the temperature below -10 to -15 degrees. The months below are selected according to the guides and experience:

October to mid-December: one of the best time phrases to visit the Himalayas in Nepal.

February to April: The seasons between these time phrases are dry so it has been considered the second-best time.

Late November to mid-December till the End of January: There may be an open sky due to which the weather can get cold.

May and June: These months fall under the hot season in Nepal so the climate gets warm.

June to September is a Bad time to go trekking because it falls under monsoon season.

Permits required for Everest Base Camp

If you are going on an Everest Base Camp Trek you will have to get some of the necessary permits such as

• Foreign visitors to Sagarmatha National Park must pay a charge of 3,000 NPR plus 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (about $34).
• For SAARC nationals, the entrance cost to Sagarmatha National Park is: NPR 1,500
• From October 1, 2018, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality of Solukhumbu district has imposed a Rs 2,000 (about $20) entrance charge on any foreigner entering the rural municipality, replacing the TIMS permit: 1,000 NPR (roughly $10).
• The fee for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality must be paid at the Lukla Check Post.

Packing list for Everest Base Camp trek

If you are ever planning to go on a trek to Everest Base camp, then you will require things to keep you warm or take care of yourself. So, you will need some of the important things listed below:

• You will be needing hiking shoes because of the hard roads,
• you will require pairs of socks according to your day,
• Carry a warm jacket (windproof) to be protected from the cold wind,
• Include a dress that has long sleeves,
• Carry wind roof trekking pants to avoid numbness
• sunglasses, sunscreen, hat,
• Sandals/ slippers, towel, toilet paper,
• Water bottle,
• Toothpaste/brush,
• Map, guidebook, stick

Fitness Level while going to Everest Base Camp Trek

Before going to the Everest Base Camp trek I recommend you go for a checkup where you will get to know your fitness level. You will also get to know about the abilities to deal with altitude problems.

If you are planning, your trip towards the Everest Base Camp trek then you will be spending most of your time on a jeep or bus. You will have no experience of trekking

To trek on Everest Base Camp, you will have to be fit in some terms as you will need to walk for 6 to 8 hours a day. On your journey, altitude is one of the biggest problems. You can avoid some of the symptoms of altitude problems by walking slowly.                     

Can my children get involved in the trek?

If your child is mature enough to understand and to carry their loads then there is no problem but if your child is an infant, then you will have to carry their necessary goods because there is no place up there where you can get their items. You will have to carry their carriage until and unless you have a potter with you. The most important thing that you have to think that is what your child is capable of.

What if you get sick during your trek?

If you are planning to go on the Everest base camp trek, then you need to be fit and capable. You might not feel sick soon but altitude sickness is one of the major problems. If you ever get sick during your trek, then there are medical services in most of the villages. There may not be modern treatment in those villages but they are used to cure some minor sicknesses. You can carry medicines according to your prescription otherwise you will be provided with some minor medicines for your safety.

Is Everest Base Camp Trek friendly for Solo Female Trekkers?

There are many solos as well as group trekkers who are female. Many women trek to Everest Base Camp and it is important to feel comfortable with your guide. Most of the guides that would lead your guide are male but if you request your agency then they would provide you with female guides as well. The agency will provide you with a female guide if you are not comfortable with male guides.

It is hard to get a female guide so you will have a high chance to get a male guide. If you are comfortable then you choose your guide as per their experience. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with your guide, then you can contact your agency or before you start your journey you can provide your itinerary to your friends and family. You can take a photo of your guide and his information and share it with your family or get a sim card through which you can stay in touch with your family.

How are food and water during the Everest Base Camp Trek?

There can be various food options in Everest base camp where most of the trekkers prefer Dal Bhat which is one of the most important sources of protein. On your trek, you may get Dal Bhat but will not get it every day. So, you will need t to eat other available foods to make you full. Every time you visit any teahouse you will get a menu with various food items. There will be most of the necessary things that you will need. You can also try some famous local food that is famous within the areas such as homemade noodles, meat, eggs, and Yak steaks.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

There can be various costs for the Everest base camp trek. There can be some changes that you want in your trek which may affect your price and expectations but here are some of the list of Everest base camp treks that may be relevant to you.

• If a tourist wants a package where everything is expensive and high quality, then the overall package will be covered by $1500 to $5000+.
• The tourists that are concerned with the Nepalese travel agency then they will get a package of around $1400+ where they are includes various facilities such as meals, flights, permits, and others.
• You may think of planning your trek with just a guide and a porter which will cost you $1300+ in which you will get meals, a permit, and other necessary permits.
• Similarly, you can just purchase a guide wad carry your carriage which costs you $1200+.
• If you are planning for a guide and will pay for your accommodations, meals, and other expenses then it will cost you around $1000 to $1200+.
• Some may prefer going with a partner where they will be sharing their accommodation. This will be costing $750 to $850+.

Note: The prices that you mentioned above are listed at higher to cheaper rates.