Everest Base Camp Trek : Complete Guide for Trekkers 2024

♦Everest Base Camp Trek’s route gives you thrills of majestic mountains, amazing trails to follow and unforgettable life experiences.

♦Along with Mt.Everest, you get to see many different peaks along this trek such as Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lingten, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Khumbutse Peak with Kongde-RI and more. In short, you get to enjoy magnificent views all around the trek.

♦Blend with the culture of the ethnic Sherpa people living in the Khumbu region, famous for their natural aptitude to the cold, high area and climbing the high peaks. Their unique traditions and culture will surely amuse you.

♦Trek to Everest Base Camp offers endless natural beauty of the Himalayas. The landscape and terrain of the Everest region further adds beauty to this trek.

♦You will visit the well known town, ‘Namche Bazaar’ also known as “The Gateway to Everest” and reach ‘Kala Patthar’.

♦Has the best point for panoramic views of Everest Circuit.

♦‘Kala Patthar’ gives you a magical moment of the sun rising over Everest turning it into a glimmering golden chunk of mass.

♦Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek, both are the top trekking destinations in Nepal. These both treks attract quite a number of people each year. Although both treks take you to the Himalayan Regions, each offers you a completely different experience. In both of the treks, you get to see the majestic mountain peaks, breathtaking views and Nepalese cultural villages. But Everest Base Camp Trek differs from Annapurna Base Camp Trek in these many ways:

♦The first is the length of the trek itself. EBC trek can take from 12 upto 16 days while ABC trek takes at most 10 days.

♦Another key difference between these two treks are the peaks they offer you along the trek. As the two are in different regions, both have different views of different peaks. In ABC trek, you get to see the peaks around Annapurna Range such as Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna etc. EBC trek presents you with views of Everest, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse and so on. Both views are fascinating.

♦Everest Base Camp is much higher than Annapurna Base Camp, as EBC goes up to 5545 meters while ABC goes up to 4130 meters. This also indicates that EBC is more difficult than ABC as the chances of getting Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is higher.

♦You can learn about the culture of Sherpa people living in the Khumbu Region in EBC trek and ABC trek takes you close to the Gurung culture mostly.

♦Although both the trek sounds similar, they actually have their own perks and cons, whilst both are exciting and adventurous in their own ways.

♦While looking up for Everest and trek to Everest, you might have noticed Namche Bazaar being mentioned. But what is Namche Bazaar and why is it important to know about it before one plans for Everest trek? Namche Bazaar is a small town situated at the height of 3440 m in Khumbu area, habituated by the Sherpa people.

♦Namche Bazaar is also known as “the gateway to Everest Base Camp” as every trekker is required to pass by this town and spend a night or two in order to reach Everest Base Camp. Thus, gaining its name as the gateway to EBC.

♦Namche Bazaar is also an altitude acclimatization point for trekkers. It is a beautiful town surrounded by Sherpa people and their rich culture. Mesmerizing views of the mountains are clearly visible during exploration day, adding additional beauty to the town.

♦It is very important to know the best time to go anywhere. The experience differs on the time you choose. This is also the case for trekking and trekking in Everest Base Camp also depends on the time of year. Although Everest Base Camp trek can be done all around the year, Spring and Autumn give you the best experience.

♦Spring lasts from February to May and is also the peak season with stable and dry weather and Rhododendrons bloom around this time of year. In autumn, the mountain views are clearer and is less busy. It lasts from September to November.

♦Although the view of Himalayas don't let anyone down in any season, trekkers should be extra prepared for freezing temperatures in Winter. Monsoon season is not recommended as the trails are wet with downpour.

♦Everest Base Camp trek is a moderate difficulty level trek. It is a journey one can complete if you don't have any health issues. However, you do have to make some preparations and take some measures to do this trek.

♦The trail of Everest Base Camp is suitable for both new trekkers and professionals. The trek consists of walking at least 5 hours a day and it is not that difficult to do. The difficult part is altitude, as you can get Acute Mountain Sickness due to low oxygen levels but it can be overcome.

♦You will need some permits before you can go trekking in Everest Base Camp. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. You can get the permit with your passport details.

Measures to take for Altitude Sickness

♦With thrills of adventure and mystical views of the Himalayas, one should not forget that the desire to appreciate the mountains up-close can only be attained after crossing certain altitude. Not all can cope with higher altitude as oxygen levels get thinner as you climb upwards to your destination, the Everest Base Camp. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can lead to become fatal without proper preparation.

♦Yes, you do get altitude sickness, but that does not mean you have to stop the trek. You need to take some measures for this. One of them and the most important one is to take time and adapt to the environment with less oxygen. It is strongly advised to take gradual ascent as the itinerary we provide is prepared accordingly. If you do feel or see any symptoms of AMS then you should immediately inform the medical team to get help.

Before an individual decides to go on a journey, one should know about what to expect from that journey. While trekking in a package, trekkers should know what they will get from the cost and what not. Here, we have listed out the services that are included and excluded in the Everest Trekking package.

The package includes:

• All transportation services during the trek including Kathmandu - Manthali Airport and return
• All necessary entry permits to Sagarmatha National Park, TIMS fee and taxes
• Supporting staffs (trekking guides and porters), as well as their necessary wages, meals, accommodations, transportation and insurance
• All meals during the trek including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - 3 meals per day (fresh Nepali food on a fixed menu) with 1 drink served during meals and overnight accommodations in tea houses and lodges along the trail.
• Domestic airfare and airport tax round trip (Kathmandu - Lukla – Kathmandu for the trekking )
• One night hotel in Manthali if guests drive to Manthali a day before the flight and not at mid-night of the same day.
• Comprehensive First Aid kit pack

(Please note: Inclusions depend on the kind of  itinerary and services you need and finalize with us after sending us an enquiry.)

The package does not include:

• International flight ticket and airport tax
• Meals during one night in Manthali
• Travel / medical insurance of guests and emergency evacuation cost
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic beverages, bottled drinks (including cold drinks and mineral/hot water/shower, tea-coffee, chocolate hot drinks)
• Tips for the guides and porters (Not mandatory but expected)
• Additional costs- extra days stay, incase of flight cancellation due to the natural calamities, bad weather forecast and other unforeseen circumstances
• Personal trekking gear for the trip

(Please note: Inclusions depend on the kind of  itinerary and services you need and finalize with us after sending us an enquiry.)

Since the trek is on a hillside and the trekkers are required to walk a long way while carrying their luggage, you are suggested to carry only necessary items and size down your luggage as much as possible.

Here are the lists of items that are suggested to pack for the Everest trek;

Personal Equipments for the trip

• 3-4 season sleeping bag with hood
• Thermarest self-inflating sleeping pad or foam mat
• Main luggage- Rucksack or Duffel
• 30 - 40 liter Daypack- to carry water bottles, camera, lunch & extra clothing
• Stuff sacks and plastic bags for keeping your gear dry and organized
• Water bottles with a wide mouth
• A pair adjustable trekking poles
• Insulated plastic mug (optional)
• Pocket knife Swiss army style (optional)
• Toiletries bag for toilet paper, soap, shaving items, toothpaste, toothbrush etc

Footwear

• Running shoes or sandals - to be used in camps/ teahouse lodges
• Hiking boots - good quality
• Gaiters- a pair to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground
• Woolen or Pile Socks - heavy weight wool to be worn over the liner socks
• Liner Socks - smooth thin liner socks to prevent getting blisters
• Knee or ankles support pad

Clothing items for trip

• Gore-Tex pants and jacket with hood
• Medium weight down jacket with hood
• Light trekking trousers
• Long sleeve light colored polypropylene shirts
• PolarTec fleece jacket
• Thermal underwear for both top & bottom
• PolarTec fleece pant
• Personal undergarments
• Quick dry type towel
• Casual wears before after the trek

Handwear

• Polypropylene liner gloves
• Fleece gloves
• Good quality mittens or gloves

Headwear

• Warm wool or fleece hat/balaclava
• Sun hat or cap with bandana for shading the neck
• Bandana or scarf
• Headlamp for use at night around the camp with extra batteries and spare bulbs
• High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection
• Dust mask

Other Travel Accessories

• Sunscreen and lip salve SPF 30 or above
• Insect repellant
• Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine)
• Favorite snack items
• Reading & writing materials and cards
• Camera, memory card and extra battery
• Passport photo copy & photos
• Insurance certificate copy
• Earplugs (optional)
• Baby wipes (optional)
• Anti bacterial hand gel (optional)

Personal first aid kit pack

• Any personal medications
• Malaria prophylactic tablets
• Antibiotics capsules
• Imodium and anti amoebiasis, bacterial tablets
• Blister treatment plasts
• Dehydration solution
• Analgesic- Paracetamol, aspirin
• Anti cold tablets
• Diclofenac gel
• Bandages
• Antiseptic cream & throat lozenges
• Diamox for AMS
• Sanitary pad (for women)
• Ear & eye drop

The proposed itinerary of this trek is just an outline guide and a standard model of a package basis as provided by Himalayan Mentor (P) Ltd. The entire trip package can be customized according to your specific requirements and service standards, as you wish to have for your holiday. Generally, in fact, an adventure trip package of this type are sometimes affected by unforeseen circumstances like bad weather, flight delays and a multitude of other factors which are beyond our control and can result in the change of original itinerary.

However, it is very rare for the original schedule and trip itinerary of Everest Base Camp trekking to be considerably altered, so even if alterations are needed, the trip leader or guide (person in charge) will make a decision on what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Whereas if a change does arise, we do everything we can reduce its effect, but we cannot be liable for the results of changes or delays affecting your original schedule.