Everest Base Camp Trek for Beginners: Best Itinerary with Price
Trip Overview
Mount Everest Base Camp Trek is a dream trip for many people as it takes you to the foothills of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the earth. Everest base camp trek is the exploration of the wonderful towering Himalayan peaks of the planet, gigantic glaciers, the unique culture of the Sherpas, the legendary heroic mountaineers, distinctive landscape of the Himalaya region with its endangered flora and fauna. Thus, Everest Base Camp Trek is a pleasant lifetime journey for all.
Everest Base Camp Trek is a moderate type of hiking journey. It is suitable for everyone over 12 years. To go hiking to Everest Base Camp, does not require to be a skilled mountaineer/ climber and has an athletic body. However, it requires some modest fitness. In the Everest Base Camp trek, you need to walk for about six to seven hours of walking per day. So, the beginners who do not have such long days of hiking experience, are advised to do exercise like jogging a few weeks before the trekking.
Excellent Himalaya Trek is a leading trekking operator in Nepal run by local tourism experts and Sherpas. We have been organizing Everest Base Camp Trek for beginners as well as an experienced hiker. Every Everest Base Camp Trek is led by our experienced trekking guides who have been many times at Everest Base Camp. They are skilled, courteous, knowledgeable as well as helpful. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and briefs you all about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our guide always moves following your walking pace. He never forces you to follow his speed. Thus, every beginner easily completes this great trip successfully with great joy and satisfaction.
For the beginners, we advise 13 days of a hiking trip. Along with 13 days, it requires at least 2 more days for the stay in Kathmandu (1 day is before flying to Lukla and another day is after returning from Lukla). So, altogether it needs 15 days for Everest Base Camp Trek for the beginners.
Everest Base Camp Trek begins after a 35-minute scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla through the Sherpa villages of Chheplung, Ghat, Phakding, Benkar, Manjo, and Jorrsalle. On the way, you will cross several suspension bridges to reach Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mount Everest. After Namche Bazaar, you continue trekking to Tengboche. In Tengboche, you visit the famous Buddhist monastery famous as Tengboche Monastery.
Then, you walk ahead passing the places called Dibuche, Somare, Orsho, Dingboche (the world’s highest farmland), Thukla Pass (4,830m), Lobuche Pass (5,110m), Gorekshep to reach Everest Base Camp. After the visit to Everest Base Camp, you also climb to Kalapathar. Kalapathar is the best viewpoint near to Everest Base Camp for the best panoramic views of Mount Everest. Afterward, you trek back to Lukla following the same previous route. From Lukla, you fly back to Kathmandu where your overall trip ends.
ITINERARY OF EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK FOR BEGINNERS
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. You will be met by our Tour officer and he will escort you to the hotel. The orientation of the trip at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu. |
Day 02: Morning Flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing and Hillary Airport in Lukla (2804m/9199ft). Flight 35 minutes. Trek from Lukla to Phakding (Alt. 2610m/8563ft). Walking 4 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (Alt. 3441m/11289ft). Walking 6 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 04: Acclimatization day. Day trip to Shyangboche and Khumjung Village (Alt. 3780m/12402ft) and trek back to Namche Bazaar. Walking 5 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (Alt. 3860m/12664ft). Walking 6 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 06: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (Alt. 4350m/14272ft). Walking 6 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 07: Acclimatization day. Walk around Dingboche. Walking 4 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 08: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (Alt. 4910m/4910ft). Walking 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 09: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (Alt. 5365m/17602ft) then back to Gorak Shep. Walking 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 10: Early in the morning hike up to Kalapatthar (Alt. 5555m/18225ft) then trek down to Pheriche (4200m/13780ft). Walking 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 11: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (Alt. 3441m/11289ft). Walking 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Phakding ((Alt. 2610m/8563ft). Walking 5 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 13: Trek from Phakding to Lukla (Alt.2804m/9199ft). Walking 4 hours. Overnight at Tea House. |
Day 14: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu in the morning. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening farewell dinner with Nepali Cultural show. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu. |
Day 15: Departure to your home country. Our tour officer will drop you at the Tribhuvan International Airport to catch up on your flight and see you off. End of Service. |
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at +977 9851203181 for any further information about Everest Base Camp Trek, for updated best price, or any questions. Once we receive your message, we get back to you within 24 hours.
PACKING LIST FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
This is a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Everest Base Camp Trek:
• A sturdy pair of trekking boots with good ankle support
• Rucksack or daypack (50 to 65 liters) with waterproof cover
• Trekking pants and waterproof trousers
• T-shirts or shirts
• Down jacket*
• Wind/ waterproof light jacket
• Fleece jumper or jacket
• Inner Thermal (top and trousers)
• 4 to 6 pairs of Socks and underwear
• Sunglasses, sun hat, woolen cap, or balaclava
• Inner and outer gloves
• Headlamp, power bank, and extra batteries
• Sun protection cream, lip balm, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
• Towel, flip-flop or rubber sandal, toiletries
• One-litre water bottle and water purification tablets
• 4 Season sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); *
• Hiking poles, if you need
• Your daily medicine if any, small personal first aid kit, aspirin, plasters (band-aids), anti-diarrhea pills, anti-headache pills, cough or cold medicine, anti-altitude sickness pills (Diamox or Acetazolamide), etc.
• A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables
*Down jacket and sleeping bag you can rent/hire from Trekking gear shops in Kathmandu
WHY EXCELLENT HIMALAYA COMPANY FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?
Many companies promote the Everest Base Camp Trek package. Excellent Himalaya Trek and Expedition Pvt Ltd is different from others in the sense that it is based only in Nepal and managed by Nepalese tourism experts and local guides. Our team has been engaged in the Nepalese tourism industry since 2002. We are a trekking company authorized by the Nepal Government Tourism Ministry. Our company’s government registration number is 175840/074/075 and our license number to operate trekking, tour, and mountain expeditions in Nepal is 2432. We are associated with different tourism organizations like TAAN (Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal), NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association), etc.
Our further features are as below by which people around the world trust us as the authentic organizer of Everest Base Camp Trek:
Team of Local Experts and Guides: As this company is managed and run by well-trained, experienced & competent local experts, and guides, we know well about the mountain trail, ecology, culture, etc. of the trekking routes. We know the best way of trekking and also we get you the same way.
Trustworthy: Trust is something that comes from commitment. Hence, being a legally registered company, we commit to providing the best, most satisfactory trekking, tours, and expeditions. We are operating all trekking, and climbing tours in Nepal based on reality, integrity, and honesty.
Focus on your needs: We highly value all our clients. We always move according to your interests and requirements. Because your satisfaction is our goal. Thus, all our trekking, tour, and mountaineering packages are customizable.
Fair Price: As we are a direct operator, not an agent, our price is always competitive and does not have any middle and hidden fees. We provide the value of what you are buying from our services at least equal to your paying amount.
Safety: Your safety is our priority. Trekking to the Himalayas is both exciting and adventurous. So we provide you with all the safety materials needed, along with motivational counseling.
Friendly, and Professional Staff: We have highly friendly, helpful, and professional staff. Our staff looks after you right from the moment of your arrival to the time of your departure. They can cope with most emergencies including those requiring evacuation and hospitalization.
Real Cared Services: Our one travel consultant or our local trekking guide keeps in touch with our clients every time. We make sure their protection is guaranteed so that they will have peace of mind while trekking with us.
Travel Tips
It is theoretically possible to trek in the Everest Base Camp year around but flights are frequently canceled in winter and during the monsoon because of poor visibility at the Lukla airstrip. The best weather is in autumn and spring when the skies are clear and temperatures at higher are more bearable. The most serious obstacle to trekking in winter is cold. Days can be perfectly comfortable but the mercury plummets as soon as the sun sinks behind the mountains.
All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:
Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
Multiple entry | 15 days | US$ 30 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
Multiple entry | 30 days | US$ 50 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
Multiple entry | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency |
We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with a playing card with your name written on it. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel
Trekking to Everest Base Camp does not require tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket or quilt. They have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for you (here rooms cannot be booked in advance).
In the case of Kathmandu, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.
In the trail of Everest Base Camp Trekking, it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chow mien, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.
Tea and hot lemon are traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.
The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Everest Base Camp trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.
During trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.
Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking to your destination. After lunch, it’s the only a couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At a free time you may explore surrounding village, do a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well-earned sleep.
Everest Base Camp Trekking is moderate trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7 hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.
At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.
We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.
We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.
The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.
Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional).
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.
The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.
Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
In Everest region as you climb through the hills mixed deciduous forests and scattered rice terraces give way to pine forests, then rhododendrons, then scrub junipers, before finally, the only vegetation is low alpine shrubs and grasses. As you walk, scan the skies and the undergrowth for golden eagles and the spectacular Himalayan monal (danphe or impeyan pheasant) with its regal, shimmering green, blue and purple plumage. In forested areas around Namche Bazaar, Thame, Phortse, and Tengboche keep your eyes peeled for Himalayan Thar and musk deer often spotted beside trails early in the morning. You may also hear the strange hoarse call of the muntjac or barking deer. Everest is also home to both leopards and snow leopards and allegedly the fearsome yeti.
Naturally Everest Region is so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do and do not to minimize your impact on the local environment.
In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like a cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park, White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.