*for 15 pax
11 March, 2021
3 December, 2020
The Everest Base Camp trek is probably in the bucket list of every adventurer and offers awe-inspiring views of a concentration of eight-thousanders. The end point of this trek is the first southern Base Camp for the expedition to Mt. Everest from the Nepalese side and is buzzing with activity from March to May every year, when some of the top mountaineers in the world attempt the summit . Soak in the history of this revered mountain, and immerse yourself in Buddhist tradition and local Nepalise culture when you do this unforgettable trip.
The trek starts from Lukla (2926m) which frequently experiences uncertain and harsh weather. Hence, for the trip from Lukla to Phakding, an extra day should be budgeted. As you gain elevation, hand in hand the price of the eatables and other important accessories also shoot up. We advise that you carry a few essentials like winter clothing, water disinfectant, nutri bars, nuts, and woolen clothing. Water is costly, you will be better off by filling your bottle at the streams and disinfecting them with purifying tablets, which you can buy in the market of Namche Bazaar or Kathmandu. Most trekking groups establish their camp at Gorakshep, about 3km from the EBC. Here, many trekkers show symptoms such as headache, whooping cough, nausea or maybe fever due to altitude sickness, which will need special attention before you get ready for the descent.
The Government of Nepal requires non-Nepalese hikers to obtain two permit cards for the Everest Base camp trek: (1) TIMS or Trekkers Information Management System card which can be obtained at Thamel in Kathmandu for USD 20 if you are solo, and USD 10 per person if you are in a group, and (2) entry pass to the Sagarmatha National Park which can be obtained at Monjo village, en-route from Lukla to Phakding for USD 30 plus taxes.
Kathmandu emergency numbers
- Police: 100 / 4228435
- Fire brigade: 101
- Paropakar Ambulance: 4260859
- Redcross Ambulance: 4228094
- Bishal Bazar Ambulance: 4244121
- Nepal Medical College (Teaching Hospital - Jorpati): 4486008
- Kathmandu Medical College (Teaching Hospital - Sinamangal): 4476152
- Blood Bank: 4225344
- Traffic police: 103
- Children Search Coordination Centre: 104
- Nepali Army-Kathmandu: 105
- Military police: 106
The round trip from Kathmandu to the EBC and back takes somewhere between 11 to 14 days. While the ascent from Lukla to EBC takes approximately eight days, the descent takes 4 to 5 days in total. You should keep a day or two in between your hike from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp for acclimatization purposes. Also, keep a day or two in hand for the unpredictableness of weather changes and flight delays at the Lukla airport.
Though the name - Everest Base Camp Trek sounds really daunting, the actual trek is not so difficult. Anyone with basic trekking skills and an optimum fitness level can do this trek. The reason is that the trek includes appreciable time for acclimatization and you can do the trek quite slowly.
The Everest Base Camp trek is usually a safe and harmless affair. It is less dangerous than climbing Everest itself. The number of deaths reported varies from 3-5 to 15-20 each year. The deaths are mostly due to adverse weather conditions, fatal extents of altitude sickness, unexpected avalanches, and even fall from great heights. That being said, this expedition is extremely safe if you are considering trekking in groups or being accompanied by porters and guides.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is moderately challenging. The highest point of this trek is Kala Patthar, situated at 5550 meters. The entire expedition might pack many challenges like unpredictable weather, poor signal, absence of basic amenities and hygiene as the altitude increases, etc. But the difficulty level of the trek in itself is not very high.
You can view some stunning Himalayan mountains from the Everest Base Camp like the Nuptse, Pumori, and Khumbutse, but not Everest! For witnessing Everest, you need to do a steep climb from the EBC to Kala Patthar- at an elevation of 5550 meters. Kala Patthar’s summit is the perfect place to view the panoramic scenery of Mt. Everest and other mighty Himalayan peaks like Makalu, Lhotse, South Col, etc.
The cost for hiking varies with different travel guides and tour operators, and agencies. You can even go for the Everest Base Camp Trek independently with just a porter and a guide. In such cases, the minimum cost of traveling to the Everest Base Camp is around USD 650 - 750 per person. This cost includes everything from transport, essential permits, accommodation, and food. The porter costs an additional USD 10 to 15 per day, whereas the guides will cost you approximately USD 30 to 35 per day. If you include the optional extras for snacks, drinks, hot showers in between, then the price might go up to USD 750 per person. Tours that include a highly qualified trek leader or a chief experience officer, or a traveling team of chefs, or those that arrange accommodation in private eco camps, or include detours for sightseeing, and/or includes a few days of accommodation in Kathmandu can cost you a much higher price.
Is something not as per your expectation after your trip has started?
Bucket 
List with us
