Everest Base Camp Trek 2024 | Cost, Itinerary, Full details

Trek Description

Have you ever wondered about being in the lap of the world’s tallest peak, Mt. Everest? If yes, then your dreams are coming to reality as we bring up the Everest Base Camp Trek just tailored for you.

Everest Base Camp is one of the greatest adventures in the world having Mt. Everest as the major attraction. This trek takes you through the traditional Sherpa villages, deep green forests, and to the lap of the snow covered Himalayas. Not only that, the cultural learnings and the encounter with wildlife and biodiversity are what bring your journey to life. Located in Solukhumbu region in Sagarmatha National Park, EBC is done in 14 days and it takes you to an altitude of 5,645 meters. 

Being surrounded by iconic peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, there’s no question in quenching your thirst of experiencing the cinematic views. Everest also known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan language serves as your best man in the adventurous journey.

The terraced fields and the ever flowing rivers like Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi will bring back your soul to life. Not only that, the high suspension bridges, deep gorges and valleys, and also the great Khumbu Glacier are the pinnacle of this journey.

So whether you are an adventure seeker or a nature lover, Everest Base Camp is the ideal choice for trekking. 

Your journey towards your EBC starts with a flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla Airport. Starting from the Sherpa villages and dense forests, you will be welcomed at several stops such as Phakding, Namche, Dingboche, and Gorak Shep. The best part is that you will get to share the culture, language, tradition, and lifestyle of the remote settlers, which will surely bring a smile to your face.

Apart from that, you will also visit Kala Patthar at 5550 meters above sea level, which offers you the panoramic views of Mahalangur Mountain Subrange from the Himalayas. It takes around 12 to 14 days to complete this trek, but though it is a long time, you can be assured that your journey remains very fruitful and enjoyable.

So, lace up your boots, pack your bags, and get ready to experience the Everest Base Camp!

Itinerary

What’s Included?

Things to Carry

How To Reach Kathmandu

Best Time for this Trek

The best time to do the EBC Trek might vary from one person’s perspective to another. But if you consider the weather patterns and scenery, the ideal time to go for this trek is during the Spring and Autumn season. Here are the reasons why:

Spring (March to May) is the most stable season in Nepal, where there is minimal rainfall and snowfall. Similarly, the temperature is mild, ranging from 15 C to -2 C. Similarly, the weather offers a clear and crisp scenery with fewer clouds in the sky, allowing you to have the clear views of the Himalayas, traditional villages, forests, and rivers.

Moreover, the forests change, and leaves and flowers go in full bloom offering a colorful environment during Spring.

Autumn (September to November) is another best time to do the Everest Base Camp Trek. The weather patterns are almost similar to Spring and temperature ranges around 17 °C to -8 °C on average.

Off-Season Treks

Off-season treks are conducted in monsoon and winter seasons, but they are not recommended to intake. Since the weather and climate are not much aligned with human’s expectations, it can pose significant risks.

For example, winter in the Everest region temperature drops down below 0 degree Celsius. The heavy snowfall will block the routes making it hard to navigate and reach the base camp.

Also, during the monsoon, the heavy rainfall makes the route very slippery and the natural hazards like landslides and downstream floods are very common. This will make your trekking very challenging to complete.

However, if you want to avoid crowds, then you can consider trekking during the winter. 

The ideal time for you will depend on your individual preferences and priorities. Do you prefer clear skies and mild temperatures? Or are you okay with colder conditions and potentially some snow? 

Climate and Weather during the EBC Trek

Spring: In spring, the weather is stable in Everest Base Camp. The average temperature during spring ranges from 15°C to -2°C. In the meantime, the wind howls at the speed of around 14 km/h.

Summer: During summer, the temperatures show a rise from the beginning of June, ranging from 22°C to 3°C.

The rainfall at the Everest Base Camp also increases during the monsoon time to about 190 mm and wind speed is also expected to be 16 km/hour.

Autumn: Autumn features temperature ranges from 17 Degrees Celsius to -8 degrees Celsius.

Winter: Winter is the time when the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celsius. In the low elevation area, it is quite pleasant, but the heavy snowfall is awaiting for the higher elevation. On average, the temperature in the daytime can reach -4°C maximum and -17°C minimum in the night.

Difficulty Level of Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the adventurous and exciting journeys but we recommend trekkers to go through the training and prepare accordingly. The Everest Base Camp trek is regarded as the ‘Challenging’ trek due to its location and altitude.

Everest Base Camp is located at 5364 meters above sea level, where there is thin air, high air pressure, and low oxygen. These features can lead you to suffer from altitude related problems like AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema). That’s why we recommend you acclimatize before you start the journey to high altitudes.

Similarly, the Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary includes a day to day hike, which is around 6 to 7 hours. Walking for such a long time will exhaust you physically and mentally. So with lower physical fitness, you are most likely to fail to reach the base camp. However, you do not need to be an Olympic athlete to reach the Everest base camp. Anyone with a positive mindset and good health can do this trek.

Altitude sickness is undoubtedly the major concern during this trek. So proper preparation with your physical and mental being is very important. In the meantime, you must be prepared with your gears and essential equipment.

We also have listed preparatory methods to successfully reach Everest Region without having your health put to test. Find the details below!

How to Prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek  

As mentioned earlier, trekkers must prepare wisely before starting the Everest Base Camp Trek. Safety is the first priority, so you must assure that you are approaching the region safely with proper preparatory methods. If you are well prepared with all the necessities, you can not only complete this journey successfully but also return with a lot of learnings and memories. Here are some details on how you can prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek:

Cardiovascular Exercises

We recommend all trekkers to go through cardiovascular exercises for this trek. Like we mentioned before, our itinerary includes a day to day hike of around 6 to 7 hours. And it is surely not for the beginners.

Trekkers must be physically fit and should feature physical endurance, stamina, and strength to hike for such long hours. So cardiovascular exercises are the one which will benefit for sure.

It is crucial to go through aerobic training, running, jogging, and cycling for effective physical strength. 

Strength Training 

Strength training is the most for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Since you must walk for more than 6 hours daily, your body needs full strength to complete the trek.

If you are physically weak, then you cannot continue the trek properly. Similarly, you are most prone to altitude related illnesses if your body is weak.

Full-body sessions 1-2 times per week is a good start. You can start your training at the gym or at home, which should focus on the main course exercises and workouts. 

Altitude Training

Altitude training is best because Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to over 5000 meters above sea level. It is also essential to stay out of altitude sickness’ danger.

Being at the top physical form and practicing hikes with slow pace and acclimatization are some of the things which can become helpful for this trek. 

You can check mountain guides, and doctors can provide advice if you experience altitude sickness symptoms. You can join climbing sessions as well.

How to prevent altitude sickness during EBC trek?

Altitude sickness is the major concern during the EBC trek for sure. It is a situation that most of us may experience when we ascend to high altitudes too quickly, which results in the decrease in the body’s oxygen levels.

Acclimatization is very important to avoid altitude sickness. You should be very mindful about your body and focus on a gradual adjustment to the low oxygen levels by spending more time at the lower altitudes and ascending slowly, especially above 3,000 meters. This requires regular breaks and not climbing above 1,000 feet (300 meters) at one time after that altitude.

Of course, proper hydration is the most important matter in the prevention of altitude sickness. Drink lots of water daily as it will help you to prevent dehydration. Always avoid any caffeine and alcoholic products during the trek as they can hamper your body in adjusting to the changing heights. 

If you’re prone to altitude sickness or planning to ascend to very high altitudes, diamox, an acetazolamide drug, can be of great use. However, these medicines must be taken under the prescription of the doctors.

If you are affected by altitude sickness symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue then inform your guide and drop in elevation and go to the medical expert in case your feeling worsens.

Can a beginner trek Everest Base Camp?

Everest Base Camp Trek is a challenging journey; yet, beginner trekkers can always seek it. Despite the physical and mental challenges, one must be very prepared with everything they have; that might be in gear, safety kits, acclimatization, or others. In the meantime, beginner trekkers must be very aligned with the professional guides as they can help you have a wonderful and safe journey.

Walking 6 to 7 hours a day might be very challenging, so you must plan your itinerary which fits the rest hour and break for easy hikes. Moreover, you must pack first-aid kits and other gears in case of emergencies.

More Info Regarding EBC

Essential Info You Must Know

Required Cost For Everest Base Camp Trek

There are several factors that influence the cost of Everest Base Camp Trek. From the amenities of transportation, accommodation, and food to the logistics, every aspect of this package contributes to the overall cost.

At Himalayan Dream Treks, we have a starter package cost of INR 52,999. Here, we will cover the costs of flights, guides, porters, logistics, and other essentials. But let’s break down some important aspects and costs that come with them.

Accommodation Forms & Cost

While you start your journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, you will mostly stay at tea houses, which are the common accommodation forms. Tea houses come with a shared bedroom (dormitory) and bathroom and often offer you internet and hot showers.

The average cost of staying at tea houses will be anywhere around $5 to $7 per night. They offer you the local Nepalese cuisine, including Dal, Bhaat, and Tarkari during your stay.

Similarly, during your stay at Namche Bazaar, you will stay at a hotel or guest house, which comes with advanced amenities like hot showers, personal bedroom & bathroom. Also, the availability of internet and electricity is 24/7. The cost of staying at hotels is quite expensive than tea houses, which sums up at around $10 to $25 per night.

In our package, accommodation is included and you don’t have to worry about looking for tea houses or hotels. 

Transportation Forms & Cost

After you reach Kathmandu, Nepal, your journey to Lukla starts with a transport that is either via flight or public/rented vehicles. There are several flight operators where you can book your flight from Tribhuvan International Airport, including Simrik Airlines, Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air, and more.

Considering the cost of flight, it is highly influenced by seasons. During the peak trekking time (Spring), the flight cost usually becomes expensive while it reciprocates during the off seasons like monsoon and winter. On average, the flight cost can range from $120 to $200 per person.

If you opt to travel by vehicle to reach Lukla, you can certainly choose a ride from Kathmandu to Ramechhap or Salleri. The cost of traveling via vehicle might cost you anywhere from $80 to $100 per person. It is advised to travel in a group rather than solo since the cost can be low in a group.

In our package, transportation cost is included be it Kathmandu to Lukla flights, Hotel pick up and drop. 

Permit Types and Cost

When you set off on a journey to Everest Base Camp, you must obtain two mandatory permits. They are:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit

Everest Base Camp is located inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So you must acquire the National Park Entry Permit to enter its premises. Acquiring this license will cost NPR. 3000 for international trekkers. For Indian Trekkers, the cost is NPR. 1000 while the Nepalese trekkers must pay NPR. 100 per person. All trekkers under the age of ten are free to use this permit.

Similarly, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit costs NPR. 2000 per person. If you are looking forward to an extended stay at Everest region for more than four weeks, the cost is NPR. 2500.

Besides these two, there is another optional permit, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. This is required only if you are willing to travel from Jiri to Lukla. You must pay NPR. 2000 for this license, which can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.

All the required permits are included in our package. 

Guides and Porters Cost

Guides and porters are the most important aspects of your trek. And since Nepal has banned solo trekking within the country, it is mandatory to hire guides for any remote treks.

Both guides and porters come with extensive knowledge of the Everest region, including the weather patterns, trails, logistics, and also safety measures. So for safe passage during the trek, having them in your team is very crucial.

The cost of hiring guides will be around $35 but some highly experienced guides will charge you up to $50 per day.

Similarly, porters charge you around $25 per day. Remember, one porter carries a maximum weight of 25kg, so if you have lightweight backpacks, two trekkers can share one porter for budget minimization.

Guide and porter are included in our Package.

Electricity & Drinking Water

As mentioned above, you will mostly be staying at a tea house during the Everest Base Camp Trek. Tea houses offer you both electricity and clean drinking water. In some cases, you might not get access to electricity because of the remote location. Some tea houses even charge you for using electronic charging services.

In the case of water, you can have clean drinking water facilities. Also, during the trek, you can find several traditional taps and wells (kuwa) for water. But remember to carry water-purifying tablets for health reasons. Furthermore, you can buy water bottles which cost around $2. 

Communication & Internet Services

Everest region is a remote area, so you might not get access to full-fledged internet and communication services. Hotels at Namche Bazaar offer you free internet while you must carry cellular cells during the journey. However, you might not still enjoy smooth connections.

Arrival and Departure Info (In Nepal)

You might get worried about being left alone when you arrive in Nepal but there’s no need to worry. You will be escorted thoroughly by our officials and guides throughout your journey. We take full responsibility for picking up and dropping you off to/from hotels and airports. Before that, you must remember to share your travel details (flight/transportation) with us.

Currency Exchange

Remember, the local currency in use is Nepalese Rupee. For your information, the currency exchange rate is 1 INR=1.60 NPR and 1 USD=132.58, currently. Indian Trekkers must acknowledge the fact that only 100 INR notes are acceptable in Nepal, so you must exchange the currency beforehand.

There are several exchange centers and ATMs, where you can withdraw and exchange money. You can withdraw a maximum NPR. 35,000 once, which charges you NPR. 500 for the service. 

The tea houses and transportation mediums do not accept cards in Nepal, so you must bring local currency. Also, there are no ATMs in the Everest Base Camp Trail, so it is recommended to have your currency exchanged in Kathmandu.

Insurance

Travel insurance is very important to those who choose to start on EBC. It acts as a shield to unexpected emergencies, including medical costs, emergency evacuation by helicopter and cancellations of trips due to unforeseen circumstances. Specialized insurance policies are available for trekking in Nepal, which covers the high-altitude trekking and issues related to altitudes; hence it is crucial that a proper policy be selected as per the needs of an individual and requirements along with journey.

For travel insurance, you can always choose the service providers like Alpha Global Solution, World Nomads, and ASC360. 

SIM Card Options 

Communication is very crucial during your Everest Base Camp Trek. And for that, you might opt to get the local sim cards in Nepal. Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you can find several vendors that will sell local sim cards. You must fill KYC forms followed with the copies of your documents to acquire one.

There are two network operators you can choose; Ncell and NTC. Both offer data and voice packs at a reasonable cost, which will be helpful during your trek. 

If you forget to get sim cards from the airport, you can visit the nearby network operator office in Kathmandu to get one.

Apart from that, there’s an availability of Everest Link, a broadband internet service designated for the trekkers and expeditioners in the Everest region. You can purchase 10GB data packs at only NPR. 1999 while 20GB data can be purchased at NPR. 2999. With fast and reliable internet service of Everest Link, there’s no need to worry about staying connected with the global platform.

You can get Everest Link packages from the Everest Link Sales Station and local lodges with the help of your guides during the trek.

Trek Gear Rental Options

Renting trekking gear is cheaper as compared to buying it. It is the best option as it gives access to the best equipment without the commitment of ownership, plus there are no hassles of storing and maintaining it. It is also a good option as trekkers can try out various brands and models to find the one that suits them best.

In Nepal, you can find several stores and gear shops to rent. Stores at Thamel serve you well in choosing the required gears for the Everest Base Camp. From trekking poles to sleeping bags and hiking boots, you can find everything that you want.

Renting is also one of the best approaches to minimize your budget during this trek. But we recommend looking for the quality and brands before you rent it. If you are unaware of the market in Thamel, our guides can help you have the shopping go handy.

Here are the lists of gear you may require for this trek:

Notes   

• Lukla Flights are most likely to operate from Ramechhap Airport at Manthali from Kathmandu. It is due to air traffic and weather conditions. You can reach the Manthali airport with a 4 to 5 hours of drive from the capital city. You can book your flight from there and the tickets cost you around NPR 2500 (INR 1500) that you will have to pay us. To and fro INR 3000. 

• We recommend you consult your doctors and physicians before heading for this trek since you are going for the high -altitude regions that have different climatic conditions than the plains. In the meantime, acclimatization time is also very crucial. 

• Hotel availability fluctuates depending on the seasons in Nepal. During the spring, accommodation providers are mostly crowded. It is recommended to make advance booking so you can assure your stay in tea houses and hotels.
  
• Himalayan Dream Treks reserves the right to adjust the itinerary if necessary due to weather, political, or other unforeseen circumstances. This will not affect the total number of trip days or compromise any services. 

Additional Fees for International Travellers (Except India and Bhutan): 

Foreign Permit: An additional INR 20,000 (approximately INR 32,000) will be charged per person for obtaining necessary foreign permits.

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