Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 days

Best Time to visit Everest Base Camp

The basic answer is Autumn and Spring just like any other trekking destination here in Nepal but as the trek takes you to an altitude of Everest Base Camp of 5364 or 5500 meters (Kalapatthar), the weather conditions aren't quite predictable. Although it is also known as an all-rounder trek, there are always risks associated with trekking during the off-seasons (monsoon and summer). Due to its high elevation, it is crucial to note every little detail, as unpredictable weather and unfortunate situations are circulating mountain areas.

Every distinct feature around every season makes the trip worth trying for. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what each season has to offer adventurers:

What to expect in Spring (March to May)?

The spring season is always the most preferable time amongst hikers and climbers due to the mild weather without compromising the natural aroma that the Everest base camp trekking has to offer visitors. The weather is stable, and the temperature is pleasing, allowing trekkers to hike in the Everest region without worrying much about high humidity and heavy snowfall.

On top of that, this ideal time always brings out the best of nature as blooming rhododendrons and Himalayan blue poppies add a vivid shade of blue and red against brown landscapes. Not to forget, the breathtaking mountain views befriend you throughout the trail just in the front rising highly in the crystal clear skies making it an excellent choice and peak season for trekkers to embark on this incredible voyage. 

What to expect in Autumn (September to November)?

Autumn is supposedly the best season to hike the Everest Base Camp after spring. This period falls right after monsoon offering perfect stable weather with less risk of muddy and slippery paths. The trails are incredibly captivating as the verdant environment and fresh alpine air along the clear weather offer close visibility of snowy peaks without any disturbing fugs.

Not to forget! Trekking at this particular time is a journey full of meaningful experiences as the big two festive celebrations- Dashain and Tihar fall between September and October. While staying at the tea houses of locals along the route, you can live their present moments by celebrating the unique culture of Nepal making your trip worth cherishing forever. 

What to expect in winter and monsoon (off seasons)?

Although the trails are crowded with numerous adventurers all year, it is always best to avoid these two seasons, especially if you are a beginner. Due to unfavorable and unpredictable weather conditions, heavy snowfall can occur anytime, making the trails extremely slippery and hazardous to hike on. 

Please note that Lukla flights are often delayed during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall, sometimes extending even several days. This unpredictability can affect the itinerary, especially if visitors have a limited timeframe for this adventure. Such frustrating delays can disrupt holiday plans, making it challenging to commence the trek. 

However, if you are an experienced trekker opting for some challenges, this trip can be worth trying for around the winter and monsoon season. We, Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition are here to guide you thoroughly with the right gear, planned itineraries, and tracking weather situations to make your trip to the Khumbu (Everest region ) a hassle-free and safe adventure. The heavenly snowy trails and mountains make this Everest Base Camp Trek even more alive and of course! navigating along the peaceful trails connects you with this region even more deeply. 

Detail Key information about Lukla Flight 

Lukla flight serves as a gateway to the Everest Base Camp. Before stepping foot upon this enchanting Khumbu (Everest) region, the first step is flying to Lukla. It is always known as one of the most dangerous and thrilling flights in the world. While it may sound a bit risky to fly, there’s nothing to panic about! Here are five major pieces of in-depth information that we would like to provide to make everything clear and stress-free.

Current Risk of Flying to Lukla

A huge rumor is circulating about the high risk of the Lukla flight due to its shorter runway compared to most other flights and its geographical location, as it sits at a high altitude surrounded by cliffs and mountains. The good news is that there have been no recorded crashes for 18 years. If you are catching a Lukla flight, please note that it is operated by professionals who must pass special technical exams. On top of that, engine checks and pre-flight inspections are conducted before any Lukla flight, ensuring a safe journey. Although no flights in the world are guaranteed due to unpredictable situations, before flying to Lukla, safety is ensured through technical and personal measures.

Ensuring your safe and smooth journey to Lukla 

As much as the Lukla flight sounds quite dramatic, there’s a huge safety net along this flight. Due to the rapid flow of climbers and hikers for the Everest Base Camp Trek, the CAAN (Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal) and trekking agencies like Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition ensure that your flight is safely scheduled by tracking the weather situation and pre-booking your flight under favorable conditions. So, that trekkers can embark on the trek to Everest Base Camp without worrying much about the risk circulating about these flights. 

Lukla flight during Peak and Off season

The flight to the Lukla starting point differs based on peak hours and off seasons. In the peak seasons of Autumn and Spring, the flights from Kathmandu are re-routed to Ramechhap/Manthali Airport to avoid the huge flow of travelers in Tribhuvan International Airport. As it is also the peak month of other famous trekking expeditions as well, this diversion is done to avoid flight delays, and air congestion and not to forget safety purposes. To reach the Ramechhap airport, you'll need to take a 5-hour drive from Kathmandu and upon reaching this Airport, the 30-minute Lukla flight will be taken. 

Meanwhile, during the off-season, the flights are slightly cheaper and are directly operated as usual from Kathmandu to Lukla, which takes only 25-30 minutes, as the number of trekkers decreases significantly at this time. Although it may sound like a good deal, there are many factors to be cautious about. The flights are usually delayed during the monsoon period due to heavy rain and foggy clouds that can obscure visibility. These delays can last for some long hours and even days. Keeping these factors in mind you must plan the itinerary accordingly to make your adventure to Everest base Camp a successful voyage without any fuss.

Please note to arrive in Nepal 2-3 days before the scheduled Everest Base Camp Trek. This will allow you to manage the trip within the planned timeframe without missing your flight back to your homeland. This small initiative can turn out to be a significant positive decision for your trip.

What to do if Lukla's flight gets delayed?

A genuine concern that many hikers have is, " What if our flight gets delayed before reaching Mt. Everest Base Camp? " Well, the honest answer is! Yes, it is quite possible due to traffic congestion during peak season. In that case, please make sure to allocate 2 to 3 extra days for the hike, as the flight to Lukla can be delayed for several days, as mentioned before. Reaching Lukla 2 days in advance can help us start the trek on schedule and return home to avoid adverse flight situations.

However, if you have a tight schedule, we can charter a helicopter in case of a delay to ensure that you catch your flight back to your home country on time. Please note that this would cost you an extra $500, estimating 5 people sharing one helicopter. At Destination Himalaya, we will brief you on everything before the EBC trek starts to clear any confusion, as we value our clients' time and safety. Or, you can also opt for our Everest Base Camp Trek by Road itinerary, starting and ending with Salleri.

How High is Everest Base Camp?

Sitting right in the lap of the highest peak in the world, the Everest Base Camp elevation is 5,364 m/ 17,598 feet serving as the iconic starting point where countless dreams are conquered by climbing the majestic Mt. Everest. 

Meanwhile, trekkers can ascend a bit higher, just 2 miles away from EBC, Kalapatthar perched at an altitude of 5545 m/ 18192 feet without a climbing permit. Reaching this viewpoint rewards you with surreal views of glorious peaks like Lhotse, Khumbu glacier, and panoramic views of Mt. Everest itself all bathed in the golden color of the sun. If reached earlier, the sunrise views over the glaciers from this vantage point reveal a unique side and perspective beyond just the breathtaking mountain vista.

Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty

Reaching the launchpad of climbing none other than Mount Everest isn't an easy hike that can be completed in the blink of an eye. It is a moderately challenging trek that reaches an altitude of Everest base camp 5364 m to the maximum of 5500 meters (Kalapatthar) by covering approx.130 km and demands a long hike of 5-6 hours a day through rough, unpaved terrains. Even for experienced hikers/climbers, if proper planning and preparation aren’t done well, there is a huge risk of altitude sickness as you ascend to higher elevations each day.

The most difficult section of the Everest Base camp trekking is reaching Kalapatthar, the trails from the Gorap shep to Kalapatthar that require a continuous uphill climb for 3 hours with steep narrow sections along the drop of significant oxygen levels if proper acclimatization isn’t done. While descending from this vantage point, trekkers must be careful as the path is quite slippery and mentally exhausting.

Meanwhile, if you are a novice trekker, you can avoid this section of Kalaptthar by reaching the base camp of Mt. Everest. Experienced hikers/climbers can reach this highest point by pushing off their limits, as the breathtaking views from here are beautifully indescribable.

Overall, trekking to Everest Base Camp is a moderate hike that any enthusiastic trekkers can commence if proper preparation and a planned itinerary are done beforehand.

Our experienced guides will always be there to guide you thoroughly through every step of the Khumbu region. Porters will take care of all your trekking gear and equipment. The pro expert teams will tailor this package, prioritizing gradual acclimatization, the right gear and equipment, and, most importantly, a short briefing and preparation before trekking to Everest Base Camp. So, you can complete this adventurous trip without any challenges.

Ensuring Safe Ascent: Altitude Acclimatization during Everest Base Camp Trekking

Leaving Kathmandu behind, as soon as we land in Lukla, we stand at an altitude of 2,860 meters. On the second day, leaving Phakding and moving to Namche Bazaar, the altitude increases by 580 meters, reaching 3,440 meters above sea level. In the meantime, you might feel a slight effect of altitude sickness, such as a headache. But there's nothing to worry about, as we have set an acclimatization day for tomorrow morning.

An acclimatization day doesn't mean resting all day, in our 14-day Everest Base Camp itinerary, we have planned an excursion to the Hotel Everest View which is one of the highest-situated 5 stars in the world. From here, you can see the glorious peaks of Lhotse, Tharmseku, Everest, and many others after that, you can just roam around Namche Bazaar adopting the changing environment. We've set another acclimatization day at Dingboche on Day 7. These two acclimatization days are tailored to prevent issues like altitude sickness, allowing you to fully enjoy and explore the region at a comfortable pace.

As we have mentioned earlier "Your safe is our topmost priority". Our guides and porters are well-trained and know how to handle any sort of adverse situation in the mountain areas. They will carry an oximeter and basic first aid kit to check your blood oxygen level on a regular basis. Feel free to inform the guide if you feel any sort of discomfort during the EBC Trek, he'll guide you thoroughly and advise what is best for you. 

Preventive Guidelines to avoid altitude sickness during the trek to Mount Everest Base Camp

Having said that “A prevention is always better than cure”, especially when you are embarking on such high-altitude treks. Even though the unfortunate situation doesn’t come along with a sounding horn, if everything is done and planned well then, the trip can go smoothly without any hinge of difficulty. So you might be wondering, what can be done to prevent altitude sickness during the Everest Trekking. Here are some of the guidelines mentioned below:

• Talk to us to discuss thoroughly elevation changes, hiking hours, pace of the trek, and distance. You can customize it by discussing it with our expert team if it doesn't match your preference. 
• Walk at your pace along with your guide, Dont rush, and do not panic.
• Drink plenty of fluids and hydrate your body properly.
• Please note, to have garlic soup and ginger water to warm up your body (if you aren't allergic to it).
• Avoid taking alcoholic beverages. Limit the caffeine intake after reaching an altitude of 3000 meters.
• Avoid having red meat in the upper areas as they are not fresh and causes stomachache problems. As the substitute for red, chicken meat would be great!
• Limit consuming dairy products if you are lactose intolerant, if you want then you can start taking it lightly and see how the body reacts. If you feel any discomfort then, inform your guide immediately. 

Essential Things to Consider for the preparation of Everest base Camp Trek

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker/ climber, noting down some essential facts for the preparation of the Everest Base Camp Trek is always a good idea. As ascending to the altitude above 3000 meters isn’t an easy task that could be done in an instant. Here is some adequate information mentioned below to clear your dilemma regarding prior preparation for this adventure to the base camp of Everest.

Physical Preparation: The Everest Base Camp Trek demands hiking for 4-5 hours per day. If you are a naive hiker who doesn’t have prior experience. Engaging in some sort of cardio or strength training before 1-2 months is pretty crucial. To strengthen the body you can do some sorts of cardio like running, cycling, and hiking with some kgs of loads in the bag that makes the challenging trek smoother for beginners as well.

Medical Consideration: Before heading on this trek, please do a whole body checkup and make sure that everything is okay. As this trail takes you to a remote area with limited amenities, immediate health care isn’t easy in the Everest region which means we may have to descend to Pheriche, or for serious issues only helicopter evacuation is possible. Please note that our guide carries a basic medical kit for minor issues but don’t forget to carry your essential daily medicines.

Mental Preparation: Being mentally prepared and ready for the EBC trek is much more crucial than being physically fit especially if you are a beginner as you don’t know much about mountain areas. Hiking to rising altitudes with limited amenities far away from the city can be mentally draining sometimes. So, you must have a high level of the 3 P’s- Persistence, Patience, and Perseverance level and overcome tiredness with a positive mindset. 

Balanced Diet: Balanced nutritious foods may sound like an obvious basic thing to consider throughout any trek. It would be the best thing if you manage your eating habits filled with nutritious meals some days before the trip begins as this trek tends to burn more calories than regular days. So, plan your meals accordingly that suit your body and will help you to have good strength without compromising your go-to meals.

Travel Insurance

We kindly suggest and recommend travel insurance for this Everest Base Camp Trekking to our clients for safety purposes and in case of emergency evacuations. As This trek takes you to an elevation of above 5000 meters and remote areas and trails along the mountain areas, there are always risks of unseen medical emergencies (rarely) circulating. 

Having travel insurance helps us to send emergency airlifts immediately and also acts as a safety net for you to enjoy the Everest Base Camp Hike without worrying much about unfortunate situations. 

Note: Please make sure that it covers medical injuries, theft, and loss of property and not to forget helicopter evacuation. These are essential for any kind of high-altitude trek above 4000 meters. If these are not managed before the trek then it can cost thousands of dollars to cover the bills. So, please note to consider this and check the clauses thoroughly mentioned in your travel insurance.

Accommodations during Everest Base Camp Trekking

During the 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll be accommodated for 12 days in a basic tea house/ lodge along the Everest region where the rooms are cozy with an attached bathroom. Till the Namche Bazar, the rooms are quite a tourist infrastructured with hot water shower, and laundry facilities, along the charging electric plugs in each dorm whereas while ascending the higher mountain areas, one single bedroom for 1 person is rarely to be found due to the limited amenities. The rooms are basic but comfortable enough. For the extra facilities like WiFi, charging, hot water, and single rooms you’ll have to pay an extra $3-$6. However, if your booking is done quite earlier then single rooms along the Everest Base Camp trail are still manageable. 

Please note that comfortable mattresses, cozy blankets, and pillows are provided in every tea house. Meanwhile, if you are more likely to catch a cold in high altitudes then it is crucial to bring sleeping bags along with you (provided freely by us throughout the trip). 

Kathmandu accommodations for EBC Trek

In Kathmandu, you will be accommodated in a 3-star hotel with buffet breakfast such as Lo Mustang, Hotel Ambassador, Aagantuk, Dalai-La, or any other 3-star hotel as your preference for 2 days. Upon your arrival in Nepal and after completing your trek, you will be transferred to one of these hotels. The rooms are air-conditioned (AC rooms), and have attached washrooms, and not to forget personal wardrobes with ample space for storing your luggage. 

Note: If you would prefer 5-star hotels such as Hyatt Regency, Soaltee, or Aloft Hotel in Kathmandu, you can enhance your experience by opting for our Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek. This trek offers a luxurious experience in the mountains, including both Kathmandu and Everest region accommodations and services that will make your trip filled with luxury.

Food options throughout the Everest Base Camp Trek

The famous trail of Everest offers a variety of food options, whether you prefer vegetarian, Western cuisine, or local dishes whatever you prefer! From pizza, burgers, and chapati (roti) to hot chocolates, americano, and even ice cream. This EBC route has so much diversity to offer ensuring that every visitor can enjoy the delicacies without compromising their taste. For breakfast, you can look out for trying their Tibetan breads, oatmeals, porridge, and many others.

During this trek, lunches are usually done in some famous tea houses in between the hikes. To level up our energy while trekking, you’ll see every trekker along the guide and porter having “the ultimate Dal Bhat” full of nutritious side dishes like lentil soup, Spaniches, and pickles with veg or non-veg curry. The most amazing part is you can refill it as much as you can. In the dinner options, you can choose from the menu which is freshly cooked straight out from farms by locals such as Spaghetti, noodles, french fries, fried rice, ramen, spring rolls, and many more.

Don’t miss out on trying delightful bakery items in Namche Bazar and Phakding like apple pie, custard, blueberry cake, and croissants straight out of a hot oven in the lap of the mountains making your hike to Everest Base Camp even more amusing.

Breakfast at the teahouse/lodge on EBC Trek

• Tibetan bread served with egg, beans, omelet
• Toast with butter jam, egg, veg curry
• Pancake with chocolate or Peanut Butter
• (Hot drinks like Hot chocolate, coffee, masala tea, green tea, garlic soup for beverage options along with breakfast)

Lunch on the EBC Trek

• Chowmein / Pasta
• Veg or Non veg Dal Bhat 
• Thukpa
• Momo
• Any tea or coffee (beverages)

Dinner at the teahouse/lodge on EBC Trek 

• Garlic Soup
• Nepali noodles
• Tomato, Chicken, Mushroom Soups
• Ham Burgers
• Potato cheese momo
• (Any beverages like hard and soft drinks)

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for 2025 and 2026

Thinking about this trip but stepping a little back due to a limited budget? Well! In that case, it is always the best option to go for a locally-based registered company like Destination Himalayan Treks and Expedition located in the hub of tourism at Thamel, Kathmandu. The cost of trekking to Everest base camp depends on several factors such as duration of trek, comfort level, trekking season (peak or off-season), guide, porter, and not forget how luxurious you want this trek to be.

Our 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek cost starts from USD 1250 to USD 1450 depending on group size which covers all your permit fees, transportation facilities, food, accommodation, guide, and porter expenses including food, insurance, and so on. So, you can make your hiking Mount Everest dream turn into reality without any hassle. This EBC Trek cost covers all your expenses throughout the trekking. Please check our includes /excludes section for more details.

Please note that this Mount Everest Tour package price depends on the no. of pax in the group and most importantly the EBC Trek prices and itinerary can be altered as per your preference. If you want to add any other extra facilities to this trip, you can go to our add-ons section and wisely check out thoroughly.

Here is the detailed breakdown mentioned below that shows the cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek for 2025 and 2026 based on group size:

No. of Pax	Price
1	USD 1450
2-3	USD 1400
4-5	USD 1350
5-6	USD 1300
6-10	USD 1250

Note: If you are more than 11 in your group or need any further details regarding this trip then, please kindly mail or WhatsApp us. We offer/a discounted price along with the complementary for this trip to enhance your overall experience.

Private, Group, and Solo Trek

Are you solo and wondering how to join someone to accompany you for the hike to Everest Base Camp? Or, craving a private trek to explore the more out of the Himalayas feeling the tranquility? We got you! After serving our friendly and valuable clients for more than 15 years. We know how the perspectives or tastes of trekkers differ to fulfill your demand. We at Destination Himalaya offer a group departure to ensure that you are not all alone in the mountains. To simplify it, many solo clients are aligning up to trek with a group. Our group departures are fixed for 2025 and 2026, you can choose any of the departure dates and go for this trek with our group. 

Private Trek: We also offer private trek so, you can hike all alone to the Everest Base Camp at your own pace along with a guide. The itineraries can be customized knowing your pace and preferences.  

Safe Trek Booking Procedure

Destination Himalaya Trek and Expedition is a government-authorized trekking agency in Nepal that has been serving trekkers for more than 2 decades and member of TAAN (Trekking Agency Association of Nepal) and NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Nepal) that itself acts as a safety net for our valuable clients. On top of that, nothing is hidden charges here. We never charge you extra for anything. For more details, you can check our include/ exclude section thoroughly. 

To confirm your bookings, we require only 10% of the advance payment to book your domestic flight tickets and accommodations. For the payment, you can directly pay through our website or simply bank transfer the advance payment. After your booking is done, please send us your passport, 2 passport-sized photos, flight details, and also travel insurance. For the remaining payments, you can do it after arriving here in Nepal via card, debit card, credit card, PayPal, Cash, Western Union, or whatever you prefer. For extra details please mail or WhatsApp us. 

Last-minute Booking

Even though it is quite hard for us to book the trip, Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition will arrange it for you to make your trek to Everest Base Camp possible even during peak season without any problem. But to confirm the last-minute booking for the trek, you must pay 100% and there will be no refund as we must pay for a guide, porters, and accommodation before the trek just to make the trip sure.
For more details make sure to WhatsApp or Viber (+977 9851016814) or mail us directly at info(a)destinationhimalayatreks.com