Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the different treks compared to other treks and one of the popular trekking destinations. Everest Base Camp is located in the Khumbu region of Nepal, which takes you to the tallest mountain in the world. This trek offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and the opportunity to experience the culture of the Sherpa people.
It offers more than just a trek, you will see beautiful mountains like Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest. It is a well-developed trek, there are plenty of facilities for accommodation and meals. The hospitality of the Sherpa people and the height of Kala Patthar will make this trek the perfect gateway and adventurous.
It is one of the most challenging treks and rewarding journeys that takes trekkers to high passes rugged terrain and remote villages. You will witness a spectacular view of snow-capped mountains and the culture and tradition of the Sherpa People.
It is essential to be prepared properly and acclimatized well, for those who are ready to seek a challenge, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
- World’s highest mountain.
- Magestic view from Kala Patthar.
- Namche Bazaar.
- Monastery of Tengboche.
- Sagarmatha National park.
- Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Ri.
- Tradition, culture, and hospitality of Sherpa people.
- Chola Circuit.
- Hillary Museum.
The Difficulty of the Everest Base Camp Trek
It is one of the most challenging treks and it requires good physical fitness. You will experience a lot of steep ascents and descents, at the highest altitude from the highest of this trek Kala Patthar (5,545m). Before the trek, you need to start practicing exercise which will strengthen your leg muscles.
One of the most essential factors is acclimatization, altitude sickness is one of the significant problems in this region. To avoid health issues acclimatization is necessary and recommended to take rest to adjust your body at high altitudes.
There will be extreme cold in winter. The best time to trek in this region is from September to October and March to May. This month the weather is good and the skies are clear. In the trekking season, it’s difficult to get accommodation and slows down the progress, and may need to extend the trek for more additional days.
Reminders before starting the trek to EBC
- The weather is not predictable trekkers must be ready for harsh weather and carry some medication and a first-aid kit.
- To avoid altitude sickness you need to be hydrated.
- Avoid alcohol it may make you dehydrated.
- Must buy a good trekking bag, shoes, and trekking equipment.
- Must wear sunglasses at high altitudes, the sun’s rays might cause snow blindness or eye problem.
- Acclimatization is essential, the trekker must not rush to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
- Well, research for the preparation of the trek.
Permit for Sagarmatha National Park
You need to buy a Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card, the guiding company will arrange the card. This card plays a role to trek in Nepal and the safety of trekkers, for foreigners, it cost $20 and for Nepali citizens, it cost Rs 2,000 per person.
A Sagarmatha National Park area permit is also required it cost $30 for foreigners and cost Rs 1,500 for Nepali citizens per person.
Weather at Everest Base Camp Trek
Spring is the finest season for trekking in a month from March to June. In this season the temperature reaches 25 degrees in the daytime and up to -20 degrees in the nighttime.
In July, the monsoon starts and ends in mid-September. This season is not recommended due to heavy rainfall and slippery road, the possibility of landslides.
Autumn season is the best season for fall in September to November, the skies will be clear, and can see stunning mountain ranges. This month many tourists are attracted to EBC trekking. This is the month that EBC is visited by a huge number of people.
Winter begins at the end of November to February in this season the temperature reaches extreme cold. January is the season for extreme cold the temperature falls from -36 degrees to -60 degrees.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 1. Fly to Lukla and hike to Phakding (2653m)
Today you will fly to Lukla, and it takes 20-25 minutes to reach Lukla. During the flight, you will witness the beautiful mountain ranges. After reaching Lukla, you will start your hike to Phakding. It will take 3 hours to reach Phakding, it is a downhill walk and Phakding village lies on the side of the Dudh Koshi River.
Day 2. Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3450m)
Today we will trek to Namche hiking through the pine forest and crossing the Dudh Koshi River. Namche is also known as the gateway to Everest and on the way you will mountains like Mt. Thamsherku and Mt. Khodge. It will take around 8-9 hours to reach Namche Bazaar.
Day 3. Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar and hike uphill to Everest View Hotel (3880m)
To help your body adjust to high altitude, you will spend a day at Namche Bazaar. You will explore the village and local market, and hike to Everest View Hotel which is around 4 hour’s hike and if you include Khunde and Khumjung villages it will be 7 hour’s hike.
Day 4. Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3780m)
Today the trekking trail is flat for 3 hours, which will be easy to hike. After that, there is an uphill and downhill trail. You will have stunning views of Himalayan Peaks, Mt Ama Damlam, Lhotse, and Everest. It will take 6 hours to reach Tengboche, and you will visit the famous Tengboche Monastery which is famous among visitors in the Everest Region. The monastery is worshipped by trekkers before they leave for EBC.
Day 5. Tengboche to Dingboche (4350m)
Today we will be trekking uphill to Dingboche the altitude will rise more than 4000m. Today you will trek for 6 hours to reach Dingboche crossing the Imja Khola River. You will have an incredible view of the Himalayas throughout the day.
Day 6. Acclimatization at Dingboche
Today is the Acclimatization day at Dingboche village and acclimatization is essential for Kala Patthar and Chola Circuit. You will explore the village and take a short hike to Nangkartshang Peak at an elevation of 5080m which will take around 4 hours to reach the peak.
You will have an incredible view of Mt Ama Dablam from Dingboche village.
Day 7. Dingboche to Lobuche (4940m)
It takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Lobuche. There is a Thukla village between Dingboche and Lobuche, there are no places to eat and sleep after Thukla.
You witness the golden hour of Mt Nupste and an incredible view of sunrise and sunset from Lobuche. On the way to Lobuche, there is a memorial place that has lost their lives on Everest.
Day 8. Trek from Lobuche to Goraksep then to Everest Base Camp (5364m)
We will start our trek early in the morning to Goraksep. Get ready with all equipment in the morning the weather will be colder and, in the day, the sun is too bright it is essential to have sunscreen and sunglasses.
Once you reach Goraksep you will check in the hotel and start your trek EBC with all your necessary equipment. You will trek through Khumbu ice fall and have an amazing view of Everest and other Himalayan Peaks.
In the peak season, the EBC has many visitors and may have huge crowds, to avoid crowds you can visit EBC in the off-season as well but the weather will be much cold. After spending some time in EBC you will head back to Goraksep.
Day 9. Goraksep to Kalapatthar (5545m) and trek back to Dzongla (4830m).
Early in the morning, we will hike to Kala Patthar which is the major attraction in this whole trek. You will have stunning views of Mt Everest and other Himalayan Peaks. It will take 2-3 hours to reach Kala Patthar.
You will incredible view of EBC, Khumbu ice fall, Khumbu Glacier, Mahalangur Himalayan range, Mt Pumori and Goraksep Village.
After spending some time in Kalapatthar we will descend back to Goraksep which is a 1-hour hike. After a short break at Goraksep, we will head towards Dzongla which is a 5-hour hike from Goraksep.
Day 10. Dzongla to Chola Pass (5420m) and back to Thangnak Village.
It may take around 7-10 hours to reach Thangnak. The trekking trail is uphill before reaching Chola Pass and downhill after Pass is done. From the top of Chola Pass, you will see the stunning view of Mt Makalu be careful and descend slowly the route might be tricky.
Day 11. Thangnak to Gokyo (4700m).
Today we will hike to Gokyo Lake which is around a 2-3 hour hike. To reach Gokyo Lake we will pass by a glacier. Gokyo Lake is one of the famous destinations and it has 6 lakes. Gokyo Village is situated on the side of 3 lakes and it is the biggest lake among the 6 lakes. On this day you can explore the Gokyo Village and all 6 lakes.
Day 12. Gokyo to Gokyo Ri (5357m) and hike back to Dole (4050m)
We will hike to Gokyo Ri early in the morning for sunrise. You will have a magnificent view of sunrise rising from the middle of the many mountains. You will hike for 2-3 hours to reach Gokyo Ri and after spending some time we head back to Gokyo Lake which is 2 hours hike.
We will have breakfast at Gokyo Lake and head back to Dole which is a 4-hour hike from Gokyo Lake.
Day 13. Dole to Namche Bazaar
We will follow the same trail to Namche Bazaar. You will hike for 7 hours down to Namche Bazaar and stay overnight at Namche.
Day 14. Namche to Lukla
Today we will hike back to Lukla which is 9 hour’s hike and the last day of your trekking.
Day 15. Fly back to Kathmandu
After breakfast in Lukla, we will fly to Kathmandu with a scenic view of the mountains.
