Quick Guide to Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal

Trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal is possibly the world’s most popular hike.  During the high season, the trekking route is crowded with adventure travelers who are taking in the majesty of the Himalaya.   It is a great place to experience Sherpa culture, see ancient Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, and find yourself on the trekking trail to your own Shangri-La.

To get the most out of your trek to base camp, plan ahead, know what to expect and bring your camera.

Best Season for Trekking to Everest Base Camp

Don’t be fooled by the advertising; you can trek to EBC almost any time of the year.   In fact, it is way more accessible than Annapurna or other popular regions.  Trekking in the slightly off season will be less crowded, and the prices around Kathmandu and Namche Bazaar will be less.  The trek itself may cost the same, but your extras will be cheaper in the off seasons.

Less Crowded Everest Trekking Months (fair weather)

• March, June, late September, Decemeber

Least Crowded Everest Trekking Months (harsh weather)

• July – August (monsoon), January – February (cold, icy)

Most Crowded Trekking Months (great weather)

• April – May (both tourists and climbers on the route)
• October – November (trekking high season in Nepal)

Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek

Starting from : Lukla Ending at : Lukla

Type of trek: Teahouse Grade:

Moderate-difficult Culture: Sherpa

Highest access of the trek: 5500m Himalayan

Sightseeing: Mt. Everest, Amadablam, Lhotse. Tengboche Monastery. Namche Bazaar. Sherpa Villages. Rhododendron Forest in Spring

Pricing for EBC Trek

General Trek Price from Agency: $1300 – $2300 depending on amenities

Lukla Flight Sold Seperately:  Price $300-$350

Self Trek Estimate Per Day: $50

TIMS Card: $20 (subject to change, but has been this price since 2008)

Sargamantha National Park Permit: $10 (subject to change)

Itinerary Summary Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 01 : Fly from Kathmandu to lukla 2700m and trek to Phakding 2600, 4 hrs and overnight.
Day 02 : Phakding trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 03 : Namche Bazaar rest day and overnight.
Day 04 : Namche Bazaar trek to Tyangboche, 3860m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 05 : Tyangboche trek to Dingboche, 4300m, (6hrs) and overnight
Day 06 : Dingboche trek to Labuche 4930m, (6 hrs) and overnight
Day 07 : Labuche rest day and overnight
Day 08 : Labuche trek to Gorapshep 5170m, (2 and half hrs) and overnight
Day 09 : Gorapshe trek to Everest base camp 5400m and back to Gorapshep (5 hrs) and overnight or (GorapshepKalapattar-Gorapshep) 3 hrs.
Day 10 : Gorapshep trek to Pheriche 4280m (6 and half hrs) and overnight.
Day 11 : Pheriche trek to Tyangboche 3860m, (4 hrs) and overnight.
Day 12 : Tyangboche trek to Namchee Bazaar 3440m, (5 hrs) and overnight.
Day 13 : Namche Bazaar trek to Lukla 2840m, (7hrs) and overnight.
Day 14 : Lukla fly to Kathmandu, End of the trek.

Sandra BK’s Famous Nepal Trek Check List

Here is my trek check list for all treks and travel to Nepal.  It is one of the most popular checklist around the internet for Nepal travel, so I hope you will like it too.  Most important item – good shoes that are well broken-in and maybe 1 size bigger than you normally wear (for going down); no newbie shoes for Nepal trekking.  The famous saying in Nepal is “Up, up, up; down, down, down = Nepali flat.”

Click here for a printable Trek Checklist for Nepal.

First Time to Nepal – Know Before You go

Also, if this your first time in Nepal, you must read “Know Before You Go…Nepal.”   This became my most popular TravelPod.com post in 2009, and I have added to our Web site at Hardcore Nepal Adventures.  Out of everything I have written about Nepal, this is the most popular and I get emails from travelers around the world who are preparing for an adventure in Nepal.  Please feel free to contact me with your questions.