Everest Base Camp is a ticket to the soaring roof of the world. As the mountain range is very exaggerated, there are two Everest Base Camps for the Everest Expedition. One is the North Base Camp which is situated in Tibet, and the other one is the South Base Camp, situated in Nepal. Most of the people trek to the base camp from the southern range of Everest in Nepal because this is the main base of the magnificent Everest.
Perched at 5,364 m. above sea level, Everest Base Camp is a destination that invites adventure junkies to trek and experience the whispers of legends, winding trails from lush alpine surroundings to the rugged, snow-laden ridges of ancient mountains. The EBC is not just famous for its difficult yet stunning landscapes and vistas but also for its culture, nature, and the sheer majesty of the Himalayan realm. It’s not just a tough trek, but it’s a soul-stirring experience with nature that you’ll never forget.
This trek is a testament to human will against the indomitable altitudes of the mountains. The Everest Base Camp is the vantage point to view the almighty Mount Everest, the base from which the expedition to summit the mountain starts. It is the point where many people satisfy their wish to come close to Everest, whereas, to some people, it is the starting point for achieving the dream of stepping on the summit of Mount Everest.
Mount Everest is not the only majestic mountain you can witness when trekking to the base camp. The entire Everest region is a mountainous treasure. You can see Mt. Thamserku (6,608m.), which is prominently seen from Namche Bazar. You can be a little intermediated by Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m.) on the way to the Everest base camp because it is one of the most dominant-looking mountains in the region. Another beautiful mountain you can see is Mount Pumori (7,161 m), which is considered the daughter of all the mountains in the region. You also get glimpses of Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,855 m), Mt. Kangtega (6,782 m), and many more. There are two ways to embark on the Everest Base Camp trek. The first one is easier and more popular. You can get a flight from Kathmandu/ Ramechhap to Lukla and start your trek from there.
There is no official age limit for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Anyone who is in good shape and can walk for a couple of hours without feeling utterly exhausted can do the trek.
The other is a less-taken route. On this route, you’ll drive from Kathmandu to Tham Dada via Phaplu and then start your trek from there.
EBC Trek Duration
The whole trek takes a minimum of 12 days and a maximum of 17 days to complete, including the acclimatization days in the mountains. Most of the time, people choose to finish this trek in 14 days, making enough time for a comfortable journey. This adventure takes so many days because it needs to be broken down into bite-sized chunks to prevent altitude sickness and have acclimatization and rest days mixed in. The first sections of the trek are easier because they are less steep, but the steepness gradually increases with altitude. The entire trek features beautiful alpine surroundings, and in the final push towards the base camp, the terrain has scree-covered ridges of ancient mountains.
Seasons for the EBC Adventure
Though you can go on the Everest Base Camp trek any time of the year, there are two seasons for an easier and more beautiful trek. The first one is in the spring, from late March to May. The day temperature remains at 25 degrees Celsius, and the night temperature drops to -15 degrees Celsius in this season.
Another is the autumn, from late September to November. The daytime temperature in the season will remain between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius, whereas the nighttime temperature goes below 3 degrees Celsius to -7 degrees Celsius. Spring and Autumn have the perfect weather for the trek, with clearer skies and dryness. These seasons offer warm sun and stunning views throughout the trek.
The winters, December to February, are the low season for the trek because of the snow. The temperature drops up to -4 degrees Celsius on average in Namche Bazar, the lowest point of the trek. You can imagine what you’ll have to encounter at the higher elevation. Saying that it’s not impossible to do this trek in the winter. It can be done but with more unique challenges.
The day temperature will remain -10 degrees Celsius to -8 degrees Celsius and at night, the temperature drops to -7 degrees Celsius to -15 degrees Celsius. If you want to do the Everest Base Camp trek during the winter season, you’ll have to bundle yourself up with more thermal layering, special trekking equipment to handle the snowdrifts, and probably a couple more days to complete it. The good things about trekking in the winter are that the skies are clearer, there won’t be a lot of crowds, and the expenses may be a little less.
How to reach Lukla?
There are two ways to reach Lukla. They are by flight and by road.
Regular flights
There are regular flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, but during the peak seasons (March, April, May, October, and November), the flights will be operated from Ramechhap due to air traffic expansion. To reach Ramechhap, you’ll have to drive for 5 to 6 hours from Kathmandu. From there, you’ll board a 20-minute flight to Lukla, which will cost you around USD 176 per person.
The direct flight to Lukla from Kathmandu will be operated in January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. It will take you 35 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu and will cost around USD 217pp. The flight rates are different for Nepalese, Indians, and other passport holders.
Another way to fly to Lukla is by helicopter. It will cost you between USD 350pp and USD 450pp, depending on the availability of the helicopter, and it takes 45 minutes to reach Lukla from Kathmandu. The price of the helicopter ride is the same for all nationals.
By Road
You can also reach Lukla from Kathmandu by road, but it will take you an extra 2 days for the entire trek.
A brief itinerary for the road from Kathmandu to Lukla:
· Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Phaplu (2,485 m) by Jeep (7-8 hrs.)
· Day 2: Drive from Phaplu to Tham Dada (3 hours) and trek (5–6 hours) to Paiya (3,140 m).
· Day 3: Trek from Paiya to Phakding (5–6 hours) (2,680 m)
Permit Protocols
Mount Everest and the base camp lie in the Sagarmatha National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the region is home to high mountain peaks, glaciers, deep valleys, and Sherpa settlements, it needs to be maintained, protected, and preserved. For these reasons, every trekker is required to have two permits to step on Everest Base Camp.
The first one is the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit. This pass provides access to the entire Khumbu region. It costs NPR 2000 per person for four weeks for foreign nationals, including SAARC nations. After four weeks, the cost of the permit goes to NPR 2500 per person. You will need your passport with you to get this permit. You can get this permit at Lukla.
The other is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. Foreign nationals must pay NPR 3000 per person to enter Sagarmatha National Park. The fee for SAARC nationals is NPR 1500, and for Nepalese, the entry fee is NPR 100. You will need your passport to obtain this permit (Indian citizens can get this permit with their voter card as well). You can acquire this permit from the Nepal Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or at the Sagarmatha National Park entry gate at Monjo.
The easiest way to acquire any of these permits is to contact travel agencies for them. Give them the required documents, and they will do it for you, so you don’t have to worry about anything!
Rules and Regulations for Trekking in the National Park
The Nepal Government Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has set a few rules in Sagarmatha National Park for the protection and conservation of the natural beauty of the region.
1. Entering the national park without a permit is illegal.
2. Don’t harm, remove, or disturb any flora and fauna.
3. Rubbish must be placed out, buried, or disposed of in the designated areas.
4. One should not walk within the park between sunset and sunrise (nighttime).
5. Do not disrespect the cultural and religious sites.
6. Visitors should be self-sufficient in fuel supply (kerosene or LP gas) when they are cooking on their own.
7. Camping inside the park should be done only in the designated areas.
8. Carry out non-biodegradable items such as batteries, plastic bags, and bottles.
9. Mountain bikes and motorcycles are prohibited inside the park.
10. Never trek alone; hire a local guide if you can’t find a companion.
Trekking Insurance
You should not forget to acquire travel and trekking insurance. It will come in handy in case of an emergency medical evacuation in the mountains. Make sure your insurance will cover you for trekking from 3,000 meters up to 6,000 meters in altitude and include coverage for helicopter evacuation so that if you experience severe altitude sickness, you can be evacuated in the fastest way possible by helicopter.
The cost of the insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek for 15 days will be around USD 250 per person.
Accommodation on the EBC Trek
The accommodations in the mountains are mostly going to be tea houses and guest houses, which are run by local sherpas. Don’t get fooled by the name ‘Tea House'; there are going to be full-fledged bed and breakfast lodges, cafes, restaurants, and bakeries, specially designed to host travelers. The accommodations are going to be cozy and warm, on both a sharing basis and with single supplements, according to your budget and want.
The washrooms up in the mountains are mostly European standard, with commodes, squat toilets, or a mixture of both.
There are a few hotels that have attached bathrooms, like Mountain Lodges of Nepal (Yeti Mountain Home), Hotel Everest View, and Sherpa Shangri-la Hotel, but it will cost you between USD 30 and USD 250 per night.
You can pay an additional USD 10 to upgrade from a shared room to a single room or a room with an attached bathroom if the tea house where you are staying has an unoccupied room.
There is one accommodation rule that you need to follow when on the EBC trek. You'll have to eat your meals (breakfast and dinner) in the same hotel or tea house where you stay. It is not appreciated if you stay at one place and eat your meals somewhere else.
Foods and drinks
The food during the trek has many options and varieties in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for all three meals. You can have eggs, toast, mountain bread, potatoes, pancakes, and porridge for breakfast which will give you enough energy until lunch.
There will be a lot of options for lunch and dinner. You can eat soups, noodles, potatoes, spring rolls, momo, burgers, pizza, and Dal Bhat (a Nepali dish that has rice as the main dish, comes with curry, lentils, and pickles on the side, and has free refill) for lunch and dinner.
For drinks, you’ll find plenty of varieties to choose from. You can find hot water, tea/coffee, soft drinks, and hard drinks.
Foods and drinks are quite expensive on the Everest Base Camp trail in comparison to prices in the cities. The general cost for one meal starts from NPR 600 to NPR 1200 (depending on what you eat), and drinks (tea, coffee, or boiled water) are going to cost you from NPR 250 to NPR 400 per cup. To save some bucks, you can always pack some dry snacks and energy bars to fuel your treks and water purifier tablets to purify the free water you find along the trail and keep yourself hydrated.
Altitude sickness during the EBC trek
When you are at high altitude, there is always a chance that you will get altitude sickness. When trekking, you must understand the side effects of altitude sickness and what symptoms you can feel in the body. If your body is not used to high altitudes, you should take the trek slowly and steadily, acclimatizing yourself to the elevation.
You may get the usual altitude sickness when trekking, which is acute mountain sickness (AMS). It comes with mild symptoms like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, insomnia, and a lack of appetite. Therefore, if you feel even a slight of these symptoms, don’t get higher. Rest and acclimatize yourself. Drink enough water and keep yourself cozy. If it doesn’t lessen the symptoms even after a few days of resting and acclimatizing, then you should get down to the lower elevation and get proper medications. In case of an emergency, you should even opt for a helicopter rescue back to Kathmandu.
You can take Diamox or similar medication besides acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. It doesn’t cure the sickness, but it reduces and prevents it to some degree.
*Pro tip: Take a dose of Diamox before heading out to Nepal or before the trip in normal condition to see if you have any severe side effects from the medication. If you don’t get any side effects, you know it's safe, and you can take it on the trail. Or, consult your home doctor or physician before taking Diamox or any other medications.
Oxygen level on the EBC Trail
The oxygen level at Everest Base Camp is 50% lower in comparison to the sea level. The higher you are, the less oxygen there is in the air, reducing the amount of oxygen available for your body to observe.
You can find oxygen cylinders in the tea houses throughout the trekking trail and if needed you can use them by paying to the guesthouses. However, if you feel the need for oxygen during the trek, you will have the option to buy portable oxygen cylinders (1 liter) from Lukla and Namche which you can carry throughout the trek.
Charging electronic devices along the Everest Trail
Charging of electronic devices is available at all places throughout the trail, though that could come at an extra cost. You can charge your electronics for free until Namche Bazar. After you ascend to the mountains, you’ll have to give your devices to the tea houses’ owners for charging because the personal rooms won’t have any charging ports.
They’ll charge you NPR 250 to NPR 400 for full charging of phones and cameras, and NPR 500 to NPR 600 for power banks.
Connectivity in the Everest Region
There is a special wifi system in the Everest region, known as Everestlink. You can buy wifi cards at Everest Link Sales Stations in Kathmandu, Lukla, Namche Bazar, Dingboche, and Gokyo. You can also get the package card at any tea house on the trail or through your trekking agents.
You’ll have to pay for the wifi, which will cost you NPR 1,999 for 10 GB of data that is valid for 30 days and NPR 2,999 for 20 GB of data with a validity of 30 days. It allows connectivity throughout the EBC region.
You can also get yourself Nepali SIM cards (NCELL) for around USD 1, but you’ll have to buy them before the trek in Kathmandu. You can also find these SIMs at Namche and Lukla, but it’ll cost you more there. The sim cards will give you good service up until Tengboche, but will not work after you cross Tengboche.
Shooting and Filming
Get a special permit for documentary and filming inside the national park that will cost you USD 1500 for foreigners, NPR 50000 for SAARC nationals, and NPR 10000 for Nepalese.
An additional 25% will be charged for using a drone to film anything inside the national park, and you must get two other permits for it. The first one is a Drone Permit, and the other one is a Film Permit. These permits are issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), respectively.
While filming and flying drones, be mindful that you do not disturb wildlife, respect the privacy and cultures of people there, maintain a safe altitude, shoot and fly drones during the daytime only, and respect the no-fly zones.
Guides
You can find qualified local guides and porters for your trek to the base camp. You can find them at Lukla and Namche, but we suggest you get yourself a guide from a travel agency or tour operator because they’ll be more reliable and knowledgeable. Most of the guides in the region are experienced and good at their jobs. Most of the guides belong to the Everest region itself, so they’ll have correct and genuine information. They’ll cost you around USD 25 (NPR 3,500) per day, including their wages, meals, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and salary.
Porters
Even though you may be very strong, porters are essential on the trek to Everest Base Camp. They’ll transport the trekker’s gear, equipment, and bags.
The weight limit per person is 10–12 kg that the porter is going to carry. That leaves you to only carry a small daypack with the essentials for the day.
Though guides and porters won’t ask, they always expect tips from you at the end of the trip, as tipping culture is widely accepted in Nepal. A general rule of thumb for tipping is US$ 50-80 for both the guide and porter if you are fully satisfied with their service. This is just a guideline and you may tip whatever /how much you think is appropriate for the services rendered which made your trek a memorable one.
Showers in the mountains
You can take showers in the mountains but don’t expect to get hot showers every day, everywhere. You’ll have to pay extra if you want hot showers in the mountains. It’ll cost you around NPR 200 – 500 per shower, depending on which area you are in or what hotel you are staying in.
As the weather will be very cold in the mountains, showering on a daily basis is not recommended, as you may catch a cold and fall sick soon. So, to prevent the cold, you can always bring along body deodorizing wipes with you so that you can clean yourself without getting soaked in the water or spending extra cash.
Culture, festivals, and Himalayan hospitality
The Everest region is not just famous for its mountainous terrain and scenery but also for its unique and one-of-a-kind cultures and traditions. The Everest region is home to the Sherpas, Tamangs, and Rais, but they are all known as Sherpas. The Sherpa community of Nepal is a Tibetan ethnic group native to Nepal’s majestic mountains, and their cultures and lifestyles are very distinct and fascinating.
Sherpas there have their own language, but due to constant interaction with domestic and international tourists, Sherpas inhabiting the Everest region are fluent in English and some have a basic knowledge of other languages like Hindi, Spanish, French, Chinese, etc.
Most of the people in the Everest region follow Buddhism, and there are many gompas, mani stones, and monasteries along the trail as their shrines. So, if you see any monasteries or gompas on the way, do not be disrespectful, and if you want, you can walk clockwise as a part of prayer.
They also celebrate other general festivals in Nepal but have Gyalpo Lhosar as their major festival. This festival falls in February or March and indicates the Sherpa New Year. They also celebrate Mani Rimdu, which falls in October. It is celebrated massively in the Tengboche monastery. They celebrate their festivals by performing their symbolic dances and enjoying huge feasts. You’ll be a very fortunate person if you get to witness and experience these festivals.
Sherpas have strong beliefs in nature, valleys, and hidden treasures. They also believe in the existence of Yeti and even go hunting for it.
As the weather up in the mountains is very cold and brutal, people living in the area wear layers of thick clothes. They wear clothes like Raatuk, which is a blouse worn inside; Chubba Kanam, which is trousers; Teung, which is an outer jacket; Tongkot, which is a long-sleeved floor-length wool dress worn by females; Bakkhu, Docha, and many more.
Most of the Sherpas in the Everest region are involved in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Men of the family are often guides and porters, whereas females run hotels and tea houses.
Sherpas have made themselves a brand, not just for climbing the world’s tallest mountain but also for their sweet nature, cheerful personalities, warm hospitality, and their services.
A few things to note:
1. The maximum weight allowed on the Lukla flight is 15 kilograms including your hand carry. Should your luggage exceed the weight restrictions, you will be charged an extra $1 to $2 per kilogram, and you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
2. When paying for anything in the mountains, only Nepali rupees will be accepted.
3. You can exchange your Euro, USD, and AUD at Kathmandu, (In Lukla and Namche, the value will be less).
4. Your per day expense at EBC trail will be US $30 – US $50 including your food, shower, gadget charging, Wi-Fi, and other miscellaneous expenses.
5. The laundry facilities aren’t available during the trek. You can do the laundry either at Kathmandu or at Namche.
Alternatives
There are also a few alternatives for the Everest Base Camp trek, which can be customized according to your needs and budget. Here are a few alternatives:
1. Everest Three Passes Trek
2. Gokyo and Everest Base Camp Trek
3. Everest Panorama Trek with a Helicopter Tour
4. 7-Day Everest Helicopter Tour
5. EBC Trek with Helicopter Return: 12 Days
It is true that the trail is overcrowded and has suffered from overcrowding and pollution in recent years, but the thrill of reaching the bottom of the world is irreplaceable. It is sure that nothing can take away the sense of adventure that you experience throughout the trek, just to witness the edge of the world’s highest peak.
