Everest Base Camp Trek by Road - 17 days

Best Time

The ideal seasons to undertake the Everest Base Camp by Road Trek are Spring and Autumn, and the reasons are simple: the temperatures are mild, blending perfectly with climatic conditions, avoiding the high humidity and precipitation to walk along the trail. The route becomes safe to navigate and filled with thriving forests adorned with wild flowers along the crystal clear skies, offering the best unhindered views of mountains and landscapes during these two seasons.

Meanwhile, as we are doing this trek via Jeep from Phaplu Salleri, avoiding the flying, this trek can be undertaken throughout the year, which means it becomes an all-year-round trek if you opt for it by jeep. The reason is quite simple: during the off-seasons (monsoon and summer), the flight to Lukla gets delayed or is often diverted to Manthali airport, and that too gets delayed by 3-4 days due to the heavy rainfall and unclear weather.

Hence, we do not have to think much about the cancellation of flights, as we'll drive to Salleri directly by jeep, allowing everyone to complete the trek to EBC without being postponed and ensuring a scheduled departure within your timeframe.

What to Expect in Spring (March to May)?

Spring stands out as being one of the ideal seasons to do the Everest Base Camp Trek by jeep; the surroundings are insanely beautiful along the highway. While we drive through, we get to catch the spectacular vista of terraced fields, with the green crops fully grown and the clear sky without any fogginess. The best part is that this span of the year falls right after the end of winter, offering a cool temperature to drive through in a 4WD jeep. Not only that, due to less chance of rainfall, the road becomes clear without any problem of floods, landslides, avalanches, or slippery sections, offering a safety net as well.

After we reach the Everest region, the forested trails before Gorak Shep or Kalapatthar are covered with red and pink rhododendrons, and the landscapes become stunning to look over due to the clear weather. After we cross over the forest sections, the mountains show their unhindered views, and that almost feels like we are just 1 inch closer to them. Clear weather, green surroundings, idyllic temperature only ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, that's what makes the journey a top-notch time to start the voyage.

What to Expect in Autumn (September to November)?

Autumn tends to be another best season, as it falls right after the monsoon, offering almost zero chance of rain and snowfall, making the route safe to drive and navigate at the same time. As it is also a harvesting season, we get to catch the insights of harvesting the fresh farms of locals along the way. The sky becomes clear without gloominess, showcasing the unobstructed views of snowcapped peaks, just like the spring of the year.

Another reason to undertake this trip at this timeframe is that the main festival of Dashain and Tihar falls in mid-October, rewarding hikers with cultural immersion, which becomes an even more meaningful expedition than any other season. If you are someone who loves to explore the rich cultures of the remote areas of the Solu and Khumbu region, then this season fits perfectly for you.

Is monsoon road access to EBC possible?

No, monsoon road access to EBC via Salleri is generally not reliable, due to the heavy precipitation, the road trail faces several challenges, such as landslides and road blockage, that entails on delaying the journey for 1-2 days. Apart from that, the main highway - BP Highway, experiences rain-induced disruptions, with mudslides, small rock fallouts, especially at night time, increasing the overall risk; however, it still depends on the weather conditions. Thus, before you start the road trip, ensure to track the weather forecast and make the plans accordingly.

On the other hand, while at the trailhead (trekking route), the route to Namche Bazaar mostly covers the forest navigation, with slippery mudslides, leeches, and constant rainfall, with zero views, and the terrain becomes more challenging, twice as strenuous as it is demanding prior preparations and experiences. Only guided groups with some experience and high-altitude knowledge, with comprehensive planning and full gear, are recommended for this trip during the monsoon.

Is the Everest Base Camp by jeep in winter safe?

The winter season, even though it isn't considered one of the ideal seasons, is still possible, as the road navigation (Kathmandu - Salleri - Thamdanda) can be easily followed to reach the starting point, Paiya Thamdanda. Beyond road heads, through Phakding or Namche Bazaar above 3000 meters, the temperature gets a massive drop to -15 to -25 degrees Celsius, which could lead to frostbite and altitude sickness, if you are a beginner, or do not carry the gear accordingly. The high snowfall makes the walking path slippery and icy, which makes the ascent harder, so having some kind of prior trekking experience and winter specific gears such as crampons, insulated clothing and boots is a must when it comes to undertaking the journey.

Everest Base Camp by Road Trek Difficulty

The EBC Trek by Road falls under a moderately difficult trek in Nepal. Even though the starting point of the walking trail is the Solu district, from where the walking trail begins through the forested trails and villages for an extra 2-3 days, it is quite easy to navigate and only takes 4-6 hours of hiking while covering the lower route.

However, the challenging section begins soon after we touch the regular route from Phakding, i.e, the Khumbu region, from where the steep, narrow, and frequently ascending trail starts. While we make our way through Namche, Tengboche, and Lobuche, the route becomes straight, sheer uphill hiking of 5-7 hours per day with a minimum 10 km distance.

The most difficult section is advancing upward to the Kalapatthar (5545 meters), as passing by glaciers, the rugged and rocky ridge section becomes strenuous to traverse. Meanwhile, the overall Everest Base Camp Trek without Lukla Flight is not a challenging voyage that only pro trekkers can undertake. If you have some basic knowledge of what the actual treks seem like in the Himalayas or have a basic physical fitness with a proper mindset, then you are good to go.

Other than that, the route is well facilitated, and the trails are well maintained, with tea houses offering a variety of amenities and meals, so you do not have to compromise basic needs. That simply means that no matter whether you are a beginner or fall under any age category, this trip can surely be completed without any hassle, but of course! with proper preparation beforehand. 

Altitude Sickness

The trek begins with an altitude of 1360 meters and rises to 5545 meters at Kala Patthar, which surely means there is a high chance of being affected by the mild symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) during this Everest Base Camp Trek with jeep drive. If you feel any sort of headache, vomiting or nausea, insomnia (loss of sleep and appetite), or difficulty in breathing, then just inform the guide immediately.

The risk of getting affected by mild symptoms is quite a basic thing to encounter, no matter whether you are a pro or just a beginner. However, there is less chance of getting severe altitude sickness or even mild ones by opting for our tailored package. Wondering why? Well, our Everest Base Camp Trek by road itinerary is simply customised by the pro experts, where we'll take a gradual yet effective ascent without rushing up things just by 500-600 Meters maximum each day. It helps you to get used to the rising altitude and make the body adapt to it accordingly.

Besides, two acclimatisation days are set in Namche and Dingboche, even though it sounds just like a regular package. It is a completely different process of acclimatisation that makes the trip much more effortless. As you reach the Khumbu region, your body will be well acclimatised within 3 days while trailing along the lower Solu region of Salleri and Thamdanda that avoids the dramatic change of elevations while we touch the Phakding via Lukla, the official beginning point of the Everest region.

Hence, the possibility of getting serious/severe AMS during this adventure started with a jeep drive or you can say almost zero. However, some finger-countable preventive guidelines must be followed beforehand:

• Make sure to drink at least 3 litres of water each day to hydrate the body, avoid mouth dryness, and also control breathing while ascending without any chest pain that frequently happens when we walk straight for 4-5 hours.
• Monitor your oxygen level with the oximeter (given by us) to track your well-being. If it goes down below the normal ones, then inform the guide immediately and take 1 day more day to ascend to higher altitudes.
• If you aren't allergic to ginger items, then please do not miss out on bringing dry ginger, which helps in warming up the body. If you cannot find one, then you can substitute it with Sherpa stews, Thukpa or Tibetan tea.
• If you are a beginner and quite afraid of AMS, then bring "Diamox" that prevents the risk of mountain sickness, but make sure to consult with the doctor beforehand.
• Lastly, make a fixed balanced diet food chart list of what you shall have and avoid; for example, if you are allergic to some foods, then inform the guide beforehand so the meals can be prepared accordingly.

Accommodations

• Kathmandu (Upon your Arrival): After you arrive here in Nepal, you'll be transferred directly to the 3-star hotel that is well equipped and facilitated, consisting of every basic and luxury item that a 3-star categorised hotel provides you. A single bedroom will be provided if you are a solo traveller with a BB service (Buffet Breakfast). Let us know what kind of rooms you are opting for, and we will manage them accordingly.
• Tea house (EN ROUTE): Whereas during the Everest Base Camp route, you'll be settled in tea houses run by the locals themselves, as it is the only option along the trekking route. The rooms are basic yet comfortable and hygienic. Twin bedrooms and double bedrooms are available throughout the Everest region. If you are alone or prefer to stay alone, then we can surely arrange it with no doubt, as comfort always comes first, no matter what. En route, the rooms consist of cosy pillows, blankets, and mattresses, with an attached washroom (private toilets) at the lower trails. However, moving to the upper trails after crossing Tengboche, the facilities are quite limited; for instance, only squat-like washrooms are available. Other than that, basic amenities like hot showers, laundry, hot drinking water, and charging facilities are available, but you must pay $2-$5 for extra services at the tea houses. 

Note: Make sure that you bring sleeping bags (will be provided by us), as at higher altitudes, the blankets might not be enough to warm up the body and sleep well. Besides, do not forget to bring your own hand towels, soaps, shampoos, toilet paper, related to hygienic by your own!

Meals Variations

Our Everest Base Camp by road trek package covers all your standard meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner throughout the trip, with a variety of options available. As the Khumbu region tends to be one of the most visited trails in the world, the food options are surely not compromised and cater to everyone's taste and preference. The meals consist of various options on the menu; you just have to choose from the menu and order it, and it will be prepared accordingly by the locals.

Breakfast: At Namche Bazaar, we can get diverse bakery items such as croissant, cheese cake, muffins, chocolates, americano, and cappuccino at the cute cafes that you'll be truly amazed. Meanwhile, at other sections of the Everest Base Camp Trail for breakfast, there are a wide range of options such as toasted bread, oats, porridge,  mashed potatoes, coffee, hot chocolates, muselis, granola, breads served with jam, peanut butter and butter, pan cakes to the asian and local options such as Chapatti (roti), curry, milk tea, black tea, hot lemon water, paratha, tibetan bread served with pickle and beans and many others.

Lunch and Dinner: From western cuisines like spaghetti, pizza, dumplings, pasta, burgers, fried rice, noodles, ramen, hash browns, sandwiches, to asian, local meals such as mushroom soup, tomato soup, French fries, Sherpa stews, Thukpa, Thenduk (Sherpa dishes), garlic soups, the ultimate "Dal Bhat", etc. the list goes by long way.

From veg to non-veg, from international to local cuisines, this trek provides all the food options with whole nutrition throughout the trek, energising your body and making your odyssey an amazing trip with a happy tummy.

Note: Even though this region serves varied options, if possible, try to avoid red meats at the upper sections after crossing 4000 meters; that can sometimes lead to constipation. Try to make sure that you inform the tea house if you are allergic to some foods beforehand and also avoid the over consumption of dairy products, high caffeine, and cold drinks along the trail.

Permits 

To do the EBC road Trek, two permits are required; without attaining these, the trip is impossible. Firstly, you need a Sagarmatha National Park Permit to enter the restricted area, and another one is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Nonetheless, after your booking is done, we at Destination Himalaya arrange all the required permits for the trip, covering all your permit fees as well.

• Sagarmatha National Park Permit costs: NRS 3000 (USD 28) per person
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit costs: NRS 2000 (USD 17) per person

Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek by Jeep

• Money Exchange: Throughout the Everest region, the only ATM facility that is available along the trail is at Namche, so make sure to do your money exchange at Kathmandu in NRS (Nepali Rupees). Dollars work perfectly fine if you do not have domestic currency. Try to carry cash if possible, as credit facilities are almost nonexistent en route.
• Wi Fi: Every tea house offers Wi Fi for communication, with an extra charge of $2-$3 as the electricity is run by solar panels. While walking along the trail, there is limited lodging, so buy an NTC SIM Card while you are in Kathmandu. It costs only NRS 50, and for a data package, it costs around NRS 150/-, which works for a 1-week 4G service.
• Electric sockets: Make sure to carry power banks if possible (2), as in the upper sections, there is less possibility of rooms with electric sockets attached. Even though it is available at the dining area, it might be a complete hassle just to recharge the gadgets while waiting in the queue.
• Personal Expenses: Even though our Everest Base Camp Trek by road covers all the necessities and requirements for the trip. You might require some cash for extra services like laundry, hot shower, bottled water, buying souvenirs, wifi, etc., so estimate the spending accordingly.
• Tipping Culture: Remember that your guides and porters make the trip a completely hassle-free journey, so showing gratitude is highly appreciated. Tipping them for their work is highly appreciated and a proper way to contribute something to them and their family. 
• Eco Practices: We are quite familiar with how the EBC route is highly populated by the mass pollution from garbage, improper waste disposal, and the throwing of plastic bottles. We highly recommend that you carry a paper trash bag to dispose of the waste and a bottle of water. Even though it sounds too basic and a small initiative. These can be a big step to save Mother Nature.
• Packing Recommendations: There is nothing to go overboard while doing your packing; just carry useful essential clothing items like dry-fit t-shirts, sleeping bags (if required), down jackets, crampons (if it is winter), dry-fit pants, sunscreens, sticks, and other basic items of clothing. To fit in your gadgets and immediate things like medicines, carry a waist bag along with you, even if you hire a porter

Booking Procedure

If you are already late to book this trek in advance, then no worries! We offer last-minute booking for the Everest Base Camp Trek by jeep package. YES! Even though it would be chaos to manage everything quickly, we'll manage your trip 100% successfully with no doubt. 

However, for last-minute bookings, we require full payment to buy permits and arrange logistics such as food, accommodations, transportation, and all the requirements of the trek. There's nothing to worry about whether this trek can be possible or not; it surely can be done without any fuss! As we are opting for the Salleri road trek, we do not have to panic about delays and cancellations. 

For more queries, email us at info@destinationhimalayatreks.com or just WhatsApp, call, Viber, or IMO us at +977 9851016814 anytime.