Everest Base Camp Trek A to Z Guide
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the dream of any outdoor enthusiast and every year, thousands of people achieve that dream.
Major highlights include tracing in the steps of mountaineers to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the extraordinarily beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains, immersing yourself in the local Sherpa culture and traversing through the UNESCO listed Sagarmatha National Park.
The Everest Base Camp trek introduces hikers to the Khumbu Region, steeped in history and culture and inhabited by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever have the privilege to meet.
Along with the trail highlights, look forward to making lifetime friendships which you’ll develop with your tour group and the enormous sense of achievement you’ll experience having fulfilled a dream of a lifetime.
There’s much to be considered when planning to undertake the Everest Base Camp trek and your preparation and research is key to a successful hike in this magnificent high altitude terrain.
The Freewheeling Kiwi Everest Base Camp Trek A to Z Guide is aimed at hikers who will have the support of professional guides and porters.
Everest Base Camp Trek, A to Z guide
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Acclimatisation - How to Acclimatise on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Given its mountainous terrain, acclimatisation is a vital consideration when trekking in Nepal. When asking how difficult the Everest Base Camp trek is, how you’ve acclimatised or not acclimatised is likely to have the largest impact on your enjoyment and likelihood of a successful trek.
The term acclimatisation refers to how you’ll adjust to the changes in your environment in respect to temperature, altitude, humidity, pH, light, salinity, pressure and presence of certain chemicals.
The most important feature of acclimatisation to high altitude is an increase in the rate and depth of breathing.
Accommodation - What is the Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Accommodation on trail is provided by Tea Houses which provide basic amenities, food and shelter for trekkers.
Refer to the Tea House Section below
Age Limit - What is the Age Limit on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
There are no official minimum or maximum age limits, though some tour companies may decline children under ten years old due to the demands of the trek.
While on the trail, I’ve seen children who look as young as ten and adults who are over seventy years old.
As with any trek, you’ll need to be physically and mentally able to do it safely.
Altitude Gain - What is the Altitude Gain on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The altitude of the Everest Base Camp trek will vary throughout your journey. Most trekkers fly to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu which is at 1,400 metres / 4,600 feet above sea level.
You’ll then fly from Kathmandu to the Everest Base Camp trailhead at Lukla, which is at 2,860 metres / 9,383 feet.
The two larger towns on trail and where it’s recommended you stop for acclimatisation days are Namche Bazaar being 3,440 metres / 11,286 feet and Dingboche being 4,410 metres / 14,470 feet.
The altitude at Everest Base Camp is a cool 5,364 metres / 17,598 feet above sea level however this isn’t the highest point of the typical trek.
While at Gorakshep, many trekkers take advantage of the hike up to Kala Patthar to view the sunrise or sunset 5,644 metres / 18,519 feet over the Himalayas.
The altitude gain therefore from Lukla to Kala Patthar is 2784 metres / 9,136 feet.
Refer to the Elevation Section below.
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Backpack - Best Backpack for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Your tour company will provide a duffle bag which your porter will carry for you. The maximum weight for each duffle bag is ten kilograms and the porters carry two of them plus their own equipment.
It’s recommended you have a day bag or small backpack to carry your water, snacks, camera, medications and that day’s wet or cold weather clothing. The maximum weight for your day bag is five kilograms.
I always travel with a large backpack so am able to stash all my clothing and equipment that I don’t need on my trek and then store it at the Kathmandu Hotel until my return.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Bathroom - Bathroom Facilities on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Your overnight accommodation at the Tea Houses will provide you with bathroom facilities. If you’re fortunate to have a private bathroom enjoy the luxury, otherwise you’ll be walking down the hall to the shared facilities.
Private bathrooms or en suites may include a toilet, hand basin and shower. The further you trek from Lukla, the less likely you are to have a private bathroom or for that matter, access to even a shared shower.
The shared bathrooms are not gender specific though of course each cubicle has a lockable door.
The shower temperature and pressure reduces the further you travel towards Base Camp until there’s no showers and you’ll be using a bucket with cold water.
The best time to trek to Everest Base Camp is guided by the seasons, spring and autumn being the best seasons as the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
Autumn (September, October, November) follows the monsoon season and the air is clear and mild.
Spring (March, April, May) brings the new growth and the opportunity to view the flowering rhododendron, magnolia and cherry trees alongside the trail.
Blog - Best Everest Base Camp Trek Blog
As an iconic trek, there’s been much written about the Everest Base Camp Trek. Active bloggers will keep their articles updated so that they remain of value to you.
Everest Base Camp Blog recommendations? Freewheelig Kiwi of course 😉
Booking - When to Book the Everest Base Camp Trek
How far in advance should you book your trek? On my first trip, one of the members in our group had only booked two weeks earlier whereas I had planned well in advance.
In peak season, it is very busy so leaving your booking to the last minute may mean you miss out altogether, the prices are higher or you are unable to go with the tour group of your choice.
To join my next group trip to Everest Base Camp, check out my Group Trips Page
Boots - Best Boots for the Everest Base Camp Trek
The trail surface when trekking to Everest Base Camp includes flagstones, packed earth, sand, soil, gravel, rocks and moraine.
When you’re walking alongside the Khumbu Glacier, the trail is at it’s most rubbly due to the movement of the glacier.
Depending on the weather, you may experience everything from heat, rain, ice and snow and there are recommendations that you have waterproof footwear.
Compared to walking shoes or trail runners, boots offer greater ankle support at the cost of being much heavier and more so, if they’re wet.
My preference is for trail runners due to their lightness. Whichever you choose, the most important feature of your footwear is that you’ve thoroughly broken them in by hiking on trails before arriving at Lukla.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
You’ll need to budget for your international travel to Kathmandu, the tour with it’s inclusions, guide tips, porter tips and any tour exclusions that you feel are necessary.
If you prefer, you can hike independently of a tour group, that is, on your own with or without a guide or porter, carrying your own bags and arranging all your own logistics.
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Cost - How much does Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?
How much does Everest Base Camp trek cost? I’ve covered the basics of cost in the budget section above.
Crampons - Do I need crampons for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
If you need crampons, you can buy or hire them in Kathmandu and Namche Bazaar. Good quality hiking shoes or boots combined with hiking poles will give you support and stability.
I didn’t take crampons nor did I need them. My preference is to wait for the weather forecast closer to the time, bearing in mind its an alpine region and the weather can change with short notice.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Crowds - Is the Everest Base Camp Trek Crowded?
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and according to Wikipedia, about 40,000 people per year make the trek there from Lukla Airport.
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Days - How many Days for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Using the standard trail itinerary, your Everest Base Camp Trek will take you eleven days to achieve.
Heading up the trail, you’ll spend eight days trekking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and then overnighting in Gorakshep.
Included in these eight days are your two acclimatisation days being at Namche Bazaar at 3,440 metres / 11,286 feet and Dingboche being 4,410 metres / 14,470 feet.
It will then take you three days to return from Gorakshep to Lukla, the return trip is faster as you do not stop for acclimatisation days nor do you need to travel as slowly as on the way up.
You’ll hike between five and seven hours each day, broken by a lunch break in one of the village Tea Houses.
Description - Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek offers a rich blend of history, culture and beauty which is unequalled.
Dramatic mountain landscapes, spectacular river gorges and picturesque villages abound. Nepal is a destination that you have to experience to fully appreciate.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is graded as challenging in term of difficulty being a longer trek taken at higher altitudes.
Starting in Lukla at 2,800 metres / 9,383 feet, you’ll climb over eight days to Base Camp where you’ll be at an altitude of 5,364 metres / 16,942 feet. If you choose to hike up Kala Patthar to experience the panoramic sunrise or sunset views, it’s higher again at 5,545 metres / 18,192 feet. Then you’ll have one night’s sleep at Gorakshep with an altitude of 5,164 metres / 16,942 feet
This can all be challenging as the air up there is thinner!
The trail is not difficult as it’s well paved and you walk through many villages along the way with opportunities to stop, rest or shelter from the weather as needed. The last two days approach to Everest Base Camp is on rocky terrain and moraine which takes a bit more care and attention though you don’t need specialist climbing equipment.
Difficulty is of course subjective and each hiker will have a different experience depending on their level of experience and fitness. For example, I find the cold a challenge so I make sure I’ve plenty of good quality clothes and gloves.
Distance - What Distance is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Everest Base Camp trek distance when measured from Lukla all the way to Base Camp and return is around one hundred and thirty kilometres / eighty miles however this excludes any distances walked on acclimatisation hikes in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.
There’s various itineraries for the trek and this distance is based on the standard Everest Base Camp itinerary of Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Everest base Camp return.
The trip up to Base Camp is slower and takes more days to allow for acclimatisation due to the increasing altitude.
While one hundred and thirty kilometres / eighty miles may sound a lot, when spread across the twelve days of your hike, your daily trek will average about twelve kilometres over six or seven hours.
Two or three kilometres an hour is manageable for most hikers with reasonable fitness.
Distance Chart
Everest Base Camp Distance Chart - Click Image to View Full Size
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu - Lukla 138 kilometres / 86 miles 30 minutes flight
Kathmandu - Ramechhap - 132 kilometres / 82 miles - 5 hours drive
Ramechhap Airport, Manthali - Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla 75 kilometres / 47 miles 20 minutes flight
Lukla - Phakding 9 kilometres / 5.6 miles 4-5 hours trek
Phakding - Namche Bazaar 12 kilometres / 7.45 miles 6-7 hours trek
Namche Bazaar - Tengboche 12 kilometres / 7.45 miles 6-7 hours trek
Tengboche - Dingboche 12 kilometres / 7.45 miles 6-7 hours trek
Dingboche - Lobuche 12 kilometres / 7.45 miles 6-7 hours trek
Lobuche - Gorakshep 4 kilometres / 2.48 miles 3 hours trek
Gorakshep - Everest Base Camp 3 kilometres / 1.86 miles 2 hours trek
Gorakshep - Kala Patthar 1.8 kilometres / 1.11 miles 2 hours trek
Gorakshep - Pheriche 13 kilometres / 8.07 miles 6 hours trek
Pheriche - Namche Bazaar 22 kilometres / 13.67 miles 6-7 hours trek
Namche Bazaar - Lukla 21 kilometres / 13.05 miles 6-7 hours trek
Down Jacket - Everest Base Camp Trek
On the morning I was at Everest Base Camp, the temperature was minus eighteen degrees celsius. This was the first time I’d experienced such cold temperatures however I was prepared with the appropriate clothes.
There’s many suitable down jackets and even down trousers available which can be bought or hired in Kathmandu or Namche Bazaar.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Everest Base Camp Overnight Elevation Graph - Click Image to View Full Size
Essentials - What Essentials do I Need for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp trek is a Tea House Trek so you don’t need camping equipment unlike when I hiked Te Araroa in New Zealand.
All of the clothes and equipment can be bought or hired in Kathmandu and once on trek, if you realise you’ve forgotten anything essential, Namche Bazaar is another option for topping up on clothes and equipment.
The bare essentials:
Trek permits
Travel insurance
Clothes
Cash
Toiletries
First aid kit
Tech and electronics
Passport and travel documents
Day pack
Sleeping bag
Hiking poles
Reusable water bottles
Rubbish bag Camera
Torch
The non essentials:
Book or eReader
Ear plugs and eye mask
Lightweight travel games
Cards
Your favourite snack
Expenses - What are the Expenses for Everest Base Camp Trek?
On a group tour, all the essentials such as domestic flights and transportation, accommodation, food, guides, porters, duffle bags and permits are included.
Your international transport to Kathmandu, travel insurance, personal gear, clothes and equipment are your responsibility. Note that all clothing and equipment can be purchased or hired in Nepal.
The few items that were not included in our first tour package and that Andrew and I enjoyed during our trek included charging our power banks and wifi which needed to be purchased after Namche Bazaar and the bliss of a hot shower when available.
We also treated ourselves to chocolate cake at a couple of bakeries and a celebratory Mars Bar the day we reached Everest Base Camp. Friends visited the salon in Namche Bazaar and relished the treat of having their hair washed and a full massage.
I’d budgeted around twenty to twenty five New Zealand Dollars per day for personal extras and this averaged out well.
Everest Base Camp Trek is graded challenging however people without any previous trekking experience successfully complete the walk every season. Your guide will aid you, leading the way and setting the appropriate pace for the day.
As with any physical activity, train yourself as best you can, the fitter you are the more comfortable you will be and the greater your chance of success. There’s no “one size fits” all training programme as everyone is starting at a different base.
Try starting at least three months before your trip with regular trail and hill walking and take a small backpack with you gradually increasing its weight to about five kilograms.
Refer to the Training Section below
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Food - What is the Food like on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
What to eat is a hot topic among hikers on any trek and the Everest Base Camp trek is no different. One of the beauties of this trek is you don’t need to carry food aside from a small snack as you’ll be having three cooked meals a day at the Tea Houses.
Breakfast and dinner will be served at your overnight accommodation and lunch will be provided at a Tea House in one of the many villages you’ll pass through.
You can order a variety of hot meals and drinks at the Tea Houses with options for both traditional Nepali and western meals. Try the popular Dahl Bhat (lentil soup and rice), it’s Nepal’s national cuisine and is so popular it even has it’s own catch phrase “Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour”.
If you’re a meat eater, take note that all food is carried in by the porters, yaks or mules. The further into the trek you are, the further the meat as been carried under what may not be ideal conditions.
There are plenty of recommendations that you choose vegetarian meals after Namche Bazaar which is two days into the trek however Andrew and I ate meat most days for the entire trek and it didn’t cause any issues for us. You’ll be the best judge of how tolerant your system is! On that note, refer to the toilet section below.
Fitness - How Fit do I Need to be for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Refer to the Experience Section above and Training Section section below.
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Gaiters - Do I need Gaiters for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Gaiters are not necessary when hiking to Everest Base Camp. The tracks are in good conditions and you will not be brushing past low bushes or tussock.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Group - Everest Base Camp Trek Group Trips
Freewheeling Kiwi hosts Group Trips to Everest Base Camp. The beauty of a group trip is you’ve an instant trail family of like minded people to share the adventure with.
There’s no having to figure out the planning and logistics as your guide sorts all that for you and it’s easy to budget for in advance as everything is clearly itemised.
With a small group, while you’ve still the safety of numbers, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the local culture and lifestyle as your guide will introduce you to experiences that are not available to individual travellers or large groups.
Guide - Everest Base Camp
Your Tour Guide will change your Everest Base Camp experience from being simply a hike to a fully immersive experience.
Their role is to look after the logistics, show you the way, share tips on how to have a successful trek, point out each day’s highlights and to provide for cultural enrichment.
At breakfast, your guide will brief you on the day’s itinerary, the distance and terrain you’ll cover, the time it will take, where you’ll stop for rest and refreshment breaks and any notable landmarks to watch out for.
They’ll also advise on best practice for managing the altitude and are your first aid expert should you display any symptoms of altitude sickness.
On my first trek to Everest Base Camp, our group was delayed overnight at Ramechhap due to the weather. Immediately, our guide Raju had local accommodation sorted and given we were now a day behind, rebooked every night on the trek and changed the return flights.
The logistical support provided by your guide will be invaluable, knowing that someone else is looking after all those details allows you to relax and focus on the beauty all around.
Waiting indefinitely at Ramechhap Airport
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Hard - How Hard is the Everest Base Camp Trek
I’ve shared under the Difficulty Section above my thoughts on how hard Everest Base Camp Trek is.
Health - Everest Base Camp Trek
While trekking carries far less risk than mountaineering, each year when trekking to Everest Base Camp, people get themselves into difficulty.
Be prepared for potential emergencies at high altitude, stay informed and have an insurance policy with evacuation coverage for trekking at over 5,000 metres / 16,400 feet.
Prior health concerns for the Everest Base Camp Trek must be addressed with your healthcare professionals before you embark on your trek.
Your guide is trained in detecting symptoms of altitude sickness and knows how to respond. Be completely transparent with them so that they can assess the severity of the situation and advise you on what to do.
They will have a first aid kit however you shouldn’t rely on them for all contingencies. Of course bring along your own prescription medications as well as plasters, anti-diarrhoea or anti-constipation meds, antibiotics and medical throat lozenges.
The Mountain Medical Institute have clinics at Lukla, Namche Bazaar and Dingboche providing healthcare and essential medical services. Lukla and Namche Bazaar Clinics are open all year and the Dingboche Clinic is open over the spring and autumn trekking seasons.
The Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal operates medical clinics at Pheriche and each climbing season they set up the Everest ER in a tent at Everest Base Camp available to climbers, staff and trekkers.
Helicopter - Everest Base Camp Trek
You’ll hear the first helicopters long before the sun rises above the mountains, early mornings are the most suitable times for the helicopters to be flying as the air is still and clear. They are used for ferrying goods to the villages and to Base Camp, scenic flights and emergency evacuations.
When the Lukla airport closes to planes, helicopters are still able to land and depart giving the option of paying an excessive amount to fly in or out.
Helicopters deployed for climbers’ rescue can fly as high as 6,4000 metres / 21,000 feet which is the elevation at the Everest Camp 2.
Height - How High is Everest Base Camp
Check out the Elevation Section above for detail of the Height of Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp is located at 5,364 metres / 17,598 feet. It’s not however the highest point of your trek, nearby Kala Patthar at 5,545 metres / 18,192 feet lays claim to that title.
If you’ve already made it to Everest Base Camp you may wonder if it’s worth the effort of climbing Kala Patthar as well and let me assure you it is.
What many first time hikers don’t realise is because of the topography, Lhotse blocks Everest from most vantage points. At Base Camp, all you see is the tip of the peak!
When staying at Gorakshep, you’ve the option to climb up Kala Patthar and enjoy panoramic sunrise or sunset views of Mount Everest and the neighbouring mountains. The 360 degree views are stunning and some of the mountains you’ll see are:
Mountains above 8,000 meters:
Everest
Lhotse
Mountains above 7,000 meters:
Nuptse
Changtse
Pumori
Mountains above 6,000 meters:
Ama Dablam
Chumbu
Thamserku
Kangtega
Taboche
Lobuche.
Highlights - What are the Everest Base Camp Highlights?
Where to even begin to describe the Everest Base Camp Trek highlights? Each and every day is an incredible experience though if I had to narrow the highlights to a dozen, I’d include:
Everest Base Camp - a dream destination for many
Kala Patthar - best viewpoint of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas, popular at sunrise and sunset
Khumbu Glacier - largest glacier in Nepal
Tengboche Monastery - Buddhist traditions, ancient Chorten mani walls, stupas, blessings
Namche Bazaar - the beautiful Sherpa capital
Sagarmatha National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and world’s highest National Park
Traditional Sherpa Villages - enjoy Sherpa hospitality, culture and traditions
Flight to and from Lukla - one of the world’s highest and most remote airports
Agriculture - traditional Sherpa farming of yaks and crops
Sherpa Tenzing Norgay Cultural Centre - witness traditional Sherpa lifestyles
Friendships - forged on a journey that is like no other
Sense of Achievement - to achieve a dream of a lifetime
Hiking Poles - Are Hiking Poles Needed for the Everest Base Camp Trek
If you’ve watched any of my videos, you’ll know I love my hiking poles and don’t go far without them.
They offer stability on rough or slippery terrain, help with my balance, lessen the impact on my joints and body, and I can hike faster as I am able to propel myself forward.
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Himalayan Recreation Treks and Expedition - Everest Base Camp Trek
Freewheeling Kiwi has partnered with Himalayan Recreation Treks and Expedition to offer personalised group trips.
They are Members of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN)
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Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary - 15 Days. Click Image to view full size
Standard Everest Base Camp Itinerary - 15 Days
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu 1,400 metres / 4,600 feet
Day 02 Gear check and Kathmandu Sightseeing 1,400 metres / 4,600 feet
Day 03 Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding 2,600 metres / 8,531 feet
Day 04 Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 metres / 11,286 feet
Day 05 Namche Bazaar Acclimatisation Day 3,440 metres / 11,286 feet
Day 06 Trek to Tengboche 3,867 metres / 12,687 feet
Day 07 Trek to Dingboche 4,410 metres / 14,470 feet
Day 08 Dingboche Acclimatisation Day 4,410 metres / 14,470 feet
Day 09 Trek to Lobuche 4,940 metres / 16,210 feet
Day 10 Trek to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep 5,164 metres / 16,942 feet
Day 11 Climb Kala Patthar and retrace to Pheriche 4,371 metres / 14,340 feet
Day 12 Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 metres / 11,286 feet
Day 13 Trek to Lukla 2,800 metres / 9,383 feet
Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu 1,400 metres / 4,600 feet
Day 15 Depart Kathmandu
While trekking carries far less risk than mountaineering, each year people get themselves into difficulty while undertaking the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Be prepared for potential emergencies at high altitude, stay informed and have an insurance policy with evacuation coverage for trekking at over 5,000 metres / 16,400 feet and ideally, up to 6,000 meters / 19,685 feet
Your policy should provide for overseas emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, trip interruption, baggage protection, trip cancellation or natural disaster events.
World Nomads Insurance World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers. If you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can buy or extend while on the road.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
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Jacket - Clothes for Everest Base Camp Trek
As well as a good down jacket you’ll need a rain jacket and rain pants.
Even though it didn’t rain the first time I hiked to Everest Base Camp, I wore my wet weather gear on those three days spent at the highest altitude for the extra warmth. Every little bit helped when it was minus eighteen degrees celsius.
Check out my Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List
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Kala Patthar
Kala Patthar is the highest point of the Everest Base Camp Trek at 5,545 metres / 18,192 feet
Kathmandu
Nepal’s capital city and home of the Tribhuvan International Airport. Arrival and departure point for most international trekkers.
Kilometres / Miles
Refer to the Itinerary for the detailed day to day kilometres / miles schedule
Kit - What Gear do I Need for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp is a Tea House Trek which means you do not need to have any specialist camping equipment such as tents, stoves and sleeping pads.
The Tea House bedrooms are generally furnished with two single beds and they provide a base sheet, pillow with pillow case and quilts however, you will need your own sleeping bag and towel.
Your tour company will provide you with the duffle bag which the porters will carry for you. Bring a small back pack or day pack with enough space to fit your day’s wet or cold weather clothes, camera, snacks, medications, hand sanitiser and toilet paper. if required, the tour company will also provide you with a sleeping bag.
All your clothing, shoes plus sleeping bag can be bought or hired in Kathmandu ahead of you starting and if you forget something, Namche Bazaar offers the same opportunity.
If you choose to source your gear once in Nepal, I do recommend that you bring your own tried and tested shoes or boots with you. A little blister can make for a miserable time
Check out my Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List
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Laundry - How to Wash Clothes on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Laundry services along the Everest Base Camp Trek route range from washing machines to hand washing.
Resources including water are limited, especially at higher elevations and prices differ based on where you are; the higher you go, the pricier things become.
Lukla - Many options - Washing machines or hand-washing service
Namche Bazaar - Many options - Washing machines or hand-washing service
Tengboche - Limited options - Mostly hand washing service only
Dingboche - Limited options - Mostly hand washing service only
Lobuche - Rare - Cold temperatures and lack of drying options
Gorakshep - Rare - Cold temperatures and lack of drying options
It’s advisable to choose lightweight, quick drying clothes and bring enough to last you the entire trek. No one’s going to mind that you’ve worn the same outer layer the whole trip, they’ll be doing the same.
If you do hand wash be prepared to dry your clothes on top of your day bag as you walk as they will not dry easily in the Tea Houses due to the harsh climate.
Aside from handwashing my undergarments, I don’t have any of my clothes washed while on the trail.
Laundry Facilities - Everest Base Camp Trek
Length - How Far is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Everest Base Camp trek distance when measured from Lukla all the way to Base Camp and return is around one hundred and thirty kilometres / 80 miles however this excludes any distances walked on acclimatisation hikes in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.
Refer to the Distance Chart for the detailed schedule of kilometres / miles
Location - Where is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camps are rudimentary campsites at the base of Mount Everest that are used by mountain climbing expeditions during their ascent and descent of Mount Everest. The Camps are also visited by hikers.
There are two Base Camps on Mount Everest located on opposite sides of the mountain.
South Base Camp is in Nepal at an altitude of 5,364 metres / 17,598 feet.
(28°0′26″N 86°51′34″E). View the location here at GeoHack
It is the Nepalese Base Camp that this A to Z guide refers to.
North Base Camp is in Tibet at 5,150 metres / 16,900 feet. (28°8′29″N 86°51′5″E) View the location here at GeoHack
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Maps - What are the best Maps for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Paper Maps
Tourist maps are available in Kathmandu, Lukla, Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. For highly detailed and accurate maps, topographic maps published by the Department of Survey are excellent.
Digital Maps
Digital maps are interactive, just think of Google Maps and the additional information they provide you with like time to your destination, satellite or terrain views, landmarks and photos.
maps.me is a free mobile App. It provides offline maps for Android and iOS devices, is accurate and up to date and has a navigation feature that shows you the altitude profile.
Google Earth is great fun to use ahead of being on the trail as it gives you an appreciation of the terrain. The Google Earth App is also a valuable tool on trail.
Digital maps and Apps need a SmartPhone which needs power and in the villages above Namche Bazaar, electricity comes at a premium.
When on trail, at the end of the day, I love to spread out a big paper map on the table and check out where we’ve come from and where we’re going.
Micro Spikes - Do I need Micro Spikes for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The only time I thought micro spikes may have come in handy was when visiting the squat toilet at the Tea House in Gorakshep to find the concrete floor frozen! The potential for things to end badly was all too apparent. I’ll leave the de.tails to your imagination 😆
Check out my Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List for recommendations.
Miles - How many Miles is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Refer to the Distance Chart for the detailed schedule of kilometres / miles
Minimum Age / Maximum Age - Everest Base Camp Trek
There are no official minimum or maximum age limits, though some tour companies may decline children under ten years old due to the demands of the trek.
While on the trail, I’ve seen children who look as young as ten and adults who are over seventy years old.
As with any trek, you’ll need to be physically and mentally able to do it safely.
Months - What is the best Month for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The best months to trek to Everest Base Camp is guided by the seasons, spring and autumn being the best season as the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
Autumn (September, October, November) follows the monsoon season and the air is clear and mild.
Spring (March, April, May) bring the new growth and the opportunity to view the flowering rhododendron, magnolia and cherry trees alongside the trail.
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Nepal Hiking vs NZ Hiking
Both Nepal and New Zealand offer spectacular landscapes and you should visit each country at least once in your lifetime.
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Operators - Best Operators Everest Base Camp Trek
If you choose to book with Freewheeling Kiwi, your Tour Operator will be Himalayan Recreation and Trekking.
You can either join one of my group trips or if the dates don’t align for you, we can soon get you sorted with other dates.
Get Your Guide is another option. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Make memories all over the globe with their locally vetted, expertly curated experiences. From must see iconic attractions to unexpected under the radar gems, they have something for everyone.
Outfitter - Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp is a Tea House Trek which means you do not need to outfit yourself with any specialist camping equipment such as tents, stoves and sleeping pads. The Tea Houses provide a base sheet, pillow with pillow case and quilts however, you will need your own sleeping bag and towel.
Your tour company will provide you with the duffle bag which the porters will carry for you. Bring a small back pack with enough space to fit your wet or cold weather clothes, camera, snacks, medications, hand sanitiser and toilet paper. They may also provide you with a sleeping bag.
All your clothing, shoes plus sleeping bag can be bought or hired from the Everest Base Camp Trek outfitters located in Kathmandu and if you forget something, Namche Bazaar offers the same services.
If you choose to source your gear once in Nepal, I do recommend that you bring your own tried and tested shoes or boots with you. A little blister can make for a miserable time 😣
Check out my Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List
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Package Price - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Group Trips Page for the current Package Price for Everest Base Camp Trek
Packing List - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations
Passport
It is essential that you carry your passport with you on your trek as your guide will require it when taking you through the checkpoints at the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Gate in Monjo and again at Namche Bazaar. The passports are also shown when flying to and from Lukla and on domestic arrival, back at Kathmandu.
Make sure also that you bring at least four passport sized photos in case they are needed for the permits.
Permit - Everest Base Camp Trek
You will require two permits to Trek to Everest Base Camp
Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
Your tour agency will include these permits as part of your tour package.
Photos - Everest Base Camp Trek
You’ll have unlimited opportunities to capture the outstanding beauty all around.
Pro Tip: when the temperature is extremely cold, keep your camera / smart phone battery close to your body to keep it warm. At night, wrap all your batteries in a spare buff and tuck them into the bottom of your sleeping bag.
Preparation - How to prepare for an Everest Base Camp Trek
Ideally your preparation for the Everest Base Camp Trek will begin at least three months before your adventure.
This will allow you time to:
Choose the time of year that you want to trek
Visit your medical professionals
Learn about altitude sickness
Train your body for the exertions ahead of you
Arrange your visas
Arrange your travel insurance
Book your flights
Book any accommodation prior or after your tour
Choose your trekking tour agency
Arrange your travel insurance
Choose and purchase your trekking gear, clothes and shoes
Learn about Nepal’s history, culture and customs
Refer also to the Training Section below
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Quotes
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Route - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Itinerary Section above and the Itinerary Chart.
Requirements - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Experience Section above
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Safe - Is the Everest Base Camp Trek Safe?
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a well established trek that poses little risk to the average trekker who follows all the preventative guidelines. Before embarking on your trek, go and see your doctor and other medical professionals and take their advise.
Schedule - Everest Base Camp Trek Schedule
Refer to the Itinerary Section above and the Itinerary Chart.
Season - Best Season for Everest Base Camp Trek
Ideally, you’ll want to trek to Everest Base Camp at a time of year when the weather is at its best and the skies are at their clearest so that you’ll be able to capture those fantastic scenes with your camera.
The route falls within two climatic zones;
The first half of the trek is in the temperate climate in the low Himalayas
The second half o f the route is in the cold tundra climate in the high Himalayas
The best months to trek to Everest Base Camp is guided by the seasons, spring and autumn being the most popular seasons as the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
Autumn (September, October, November) follows the monsoon season and the air is clear and mild.
Spring (March, April, May) bring the new growth and the opportunity to view the flowering rhododendron, magnolia and cherry trees alongside the trail.
Sherpa
The Khumbu region was settled about six hundred years ago by Sherpas as they fled their homeland in eastern Tibet. Members of the Sherpa population are known for their skills in mountaineering as a livelihood. Wikipedia
Shoes - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List Page for recommendations.
Sleeping at higher altitudes is difficult as your body tries to adjust to the lower oxygen levels.
High altitude is considered to be any height above 2,500 metres (8,000 feet). On those higher altitude days particularly at around 5,000 metres you’re likely to notice a difference.
Your sleep quality and total sleep time is likely to deteriorate the higher the altitude along with periodic breathing (stop start breathing). This is temporary and will improve once you start to descend.
Taking those acclimatisation days helps to prepare your body for this phase.
Sleeping Bag - Everest Base Camp Trek
The Tea Houses provide a base sheet, pillow and pillow case and a quilt. It’s recommended you take a sleeping bag with sleeping bag liner.
Check out my Freewheeling Kiwi Nepal Gear List
Spring or Autumn - Is Spring or Autumn Best for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Refer to the Best Time Section above.
Starting Point - Where does the Everest Base Camp Trek Start?
Most treks to Everest Base Camp start at Lukla.
If you would rather not fly to Lukla, an alternative is to start trekking at Jiri which is the start of the classic expedition route of Hillary and Tenzing as they headed to Everest on the first successful summit bid. This will add at five to seven days to the start of your Everest Base Camp trek and is a great way to acclimatise slowly.
Refer to the Itinerary Section above and the Itinerary Chart.
Success Rate - What is the Success Rate of the Everest Base Camp Trek?
I have been unable to find official success rates for hikers to Everest Base Camp. Estimates on a google search suggests the success rate is 90% - 95% which is in advance of the 45% estimated for climbing Kilimanjaro!
You can improve your chance of success by:
Training prior to your trip,
Choosing the right itinerary for your ability
Choosing the right gear
Taking the trek slowly
Taking the acclimatisation days
Going with a group rather than solo
Being guided by a professional guide
Eating properly
Staying hydrated
Staying at the best accommodation
Giving yaks and mules space on the trail
Having high altitude trekking insurance
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The Tea Houses have a kitchen (staff only) and dining hall furnished with long tables and platforms, there may also be an outdoor seating area.
The bedrooms typically offer two single beds, clothes hooks, bedside table, window and a lockable door. The beds will have a sheet, pillow with pillow case and quilt. I recommend you bring your own sleeping bag and inner. You’re more likely to have a private bathroom (en suite) while still at lower altitudes otherwise it’s a shared bathroom and toilet down the hall.
Tea Houses - Hotel 8848, Namche Bazaar - Everest Base Camp Trek
The best months to trek to Everest Base Camp are pre-monsoon (March April May) and post-monsoon (October November December) as the skies are clear and the temperatures are relatively mild.
Night time temperatures at Everest Base Camp can still drop below freezing during these month.
The first time I left from Gorakshep for Everest Base Camp, the temperature was -18 degrees celsius in mid-April.
Whereas a week earlier, when hiking from Lukla, the day time temperatures were so warm, a T-shirt was all that was needed.
Gorakshep Temperatures Low -18 to High -8 Degrees Celsius - Everest Base Camp Trek
Tips - How Much to Tip on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Providing your guide and porter with a tip is not compulsory in Nepal however it is a practical way to express your gratitude to them for all their hard work and expertise.
Generally, tips are given before saying good bye to the guide and porter, for example, at the last dinner.
For those living in remote areas, it’s best to tip in Nepali rupees as it doesn’t require the guide or porter to exchange it or for them to lose money if the exchange rates are low. If you are not tipping in Nepal Rupees, US Dollars are often used as currency.
Put the tip discreetly inside an envelope and as a sign of respect, hand it over with your right hand.
Tip separately, that is, give the tip directly to the person that you are tipping, give your gratitude to whom it belongs.
As a general rule of thumb, the average tips given to your team (guides and porters) are about 10% of the cost of your trek. For example, if your trek was $1,500, then you would tip $150 to be shared by the guide and porter team.
Best practice is to hand over the tips individually, therefore your guide would be given the greater portion due to their greater responsibility, say $80 - 100 and the porter $50 - $70.
With a group trip, the tourists/trekkers may combine their tips to be handed over as one combined tip each to the guide and each to the porters.
If you’re not satisfied with the service provided by the guide / porter, give suggestions in writing or have a chat to them about it.
TIMS - Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekking Information Management System (TIMS)
From October 1st, 2018, TIMS Card is no longer required for Everest Base Camp Trek. Instead, you will require Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
When trekking for long hours over multiple days in Nepal there’s going to be a day when you feel the untimely urgency to use a toilet. With a little planning, being caught out in the wild can hopefully be avoided!
In Nepal, you’ll need to supply your own toiletries like toilet paper and hand sanitiser when using public toilets or restrooms, this applies from the moment you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu so be prepared. Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels are likely to provide toilet paper and soap.
At the start and end of each day, use the toilets in your Tea House. Between Lukla and Namche Bazaar there are several public toilets along the trail. As well, when stopping at the village Tea Houses for lunch, you can use their toilet or ask at the other guest houses if not stopping.
After Namche Bazaar, there’s no toilets along the trail though you still have options in the villages, again asking at guest houses. The day we were at Everest Base Camp, there was a portable toilet set up for trekkers.
Everest is a remote area, and most tea houses above 4,000 metres have squat toilets. Before 4,000 metres, you’ll have a choice of squat or western style toilet.
Tour Operators - Everest Base Camp Trek
Identifying responsible tour operators can start with assessing the tour operators website to see if they’ve a responsible travel or sustainable tourism policy. These policies typically reflect the World Tourism Organisation’s definition of sustainable tourism.
While they should be creating the best possible travel experience for you, it’s important to ensure the places visited are impacted positively.
In Nepal, responsible trekking agencies will be registered with the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
Time of Year - What is the Best Time of the Year for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Wondering what the best time of year is to trek to Everest Base Camp? Refer to the Best Time Section above
There’s no one specific plan suited to everyone as we all start from a different fitness and strength base however you can improve your chance of success by training before starting your trek.
Broadly speaking, your training should include
Build up slowly so that you’re comfortable walking an hour and a half on an incline, five or six days a week.
Add a backpack as you train with increasing weight until you can carry five kilos comfortably
Train on hills gradually building up to 1,000 metre ascents and descents or find a tall building or stadium with plenty of steps
Weight and strength training is invaluable, focus on building core, calf, quad and shoulder strength. This will provide you with stability for moving across uneven terrain.
While indoor gym training is useful, nothing prepares you for trail walking as well as walking on trails prepares you. Read that again 😀
Refer to the Experience Section above.
Travel Insurance - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to the Insurance Section above and World Nomads Insurance
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Unguided - Everest Base Camp Trek
Yes, you can walk unguided and sort the logistics yourself.
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Video - Everest Base Camp Trek
When I hiked to Everest Base Camp, I vlogged daily and while on trail, shared my journey on social media.
Refer to my Freewheeling Kiwi Daily Vlogs of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Views - Everest Base Camp Trek
Views of the highest mountains in the world are one of the many motivations for hiking to Everest Base Camp.
What many first time hikers don’t realise and will be surprised to learn is that due to the topography at Everest Base Camp, Lhotse blocks Everest from most vantage points. At Base Camp, all you see is the tip of the peak!
Nepal has numerous viewpoints of the world’s highest peak and below I list other viewpoints to take note of so that you’ll get the best views while you’re on your hike.
In order from the highest to lowest elevations the best viewpoints on the Everest Base Camp trek are at:
Kalapathar
Nangkartshang Peak, Dingboche
Hotel Everest View
Tengboche Village
Namche Bazaar
Himalayan Mountain Views - Everest Base Camp Trek
When hiking to Everest Base Camp, you will pass through numerous Sherpa villages including from lowest to highest elevation:
Lukla
Phakding
Namche Bazaar
Tengboche
Dingboche
Lobuche
Gorakshep
Pheriche
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Weather - What is the Weather on the Everest Base Camp Trek like?
Refer to the Temperature Section above
Water - Where do I get Water on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Drinking water is readily available on the Everest Base Camp trek.
It’s estimated that each hiker will drink an average of three litres of water a day and over the length of your trek, this could mean forty litres. While single use plastic bottles are convenient, there’s a huge challenge to recycle them properly. Are you going to carry those bottles back off the mountain?
Boiling water is the most effective way to purify water however on the trek it’s not practical to boil your own water due to the length of time it takes to boil, the higher you go, the longer it will take, and then, you’ll need to wait to allow the water to cool.
While there’s plenty of natural water sources, it’s not recommended that you refill directly from them as they may be contaminated.
I recommend you take your own bottles which you can then refill at a tap at the Tea Houses. There’s many ways to then purify the water including tablets or various filtration units. It’s not hard if you’re prepared.
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Expect - What to Expect on the Everest Base Camp Trek
What to expect when hiking to Everest Base Camp?
Check out my blog that answers just this question.
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Yak - Are their Animals on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Yak and mule encounters are common on the Trek, you’ll be seeing them everyday.
Check out my blog that describes some hilarious animal encounters
Youtube - Everest Base Camp Trek
Refer to my Freewheeling Kiwi Daily Vlogs of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Freewheeling Kiwi Everest Base Camp A to Z Guide
If you’ve made it this far, well done as this is a very long and comprehensive Guide!
Compiling this A to Z Guide has been a massive effort as it contains a wealth of information which I hope answers most of your questions. If I’ve missed anything or if you’d like to share your thoughts, leave a comment in the box below.
To make it easy for you, I’ve created a free eBook of this guide that contains all the above information.
Access it here - Everest Base Camp Trek - A to Z Guide
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