Everest Base Camp Trekking

Trip Itinerary

Trip FAQs

Food: Tea houses in most trekking areas are family-run. They offer menus with diverse Western and local foods like Dal Bhat, Yak Steak, Pasta, Spaghetti, and many potato-based items. Most lodge owners have extensive experience preparing food under challenging conditions. They use fresh vegetables when available, sourced from low-lying villages or Kathmandu, as well as pre-packaged products. The milk along the trail is powdered milk (mixed with water); always request hot milk. Avoid raw food, vegetables, fresh salads, or fresh fruit salads unless they have been soaked in iodine water or your hands are clean.

Water: You can fill water directly from the tap and use an iodine tablet, other water purification tablets, or a Steripen. Alternatively, buy boiled water from tea houses. Do not drink water directly from a tap, jar, or stream, as this may cause stomach problems. Remember to check the expiration date on bottled water.

Accommodations: Rooms are typically double occupancy with separate beds. While small, they offer enough space to move around comfortably. Most lodges have clean bedding and warm dining areas with fireplaces for evening comfort. Lodge owners always provide door locks.

First Aid Kit and Medical Facilities: Bring a personal first aid kit with medications prescribed by your doctor. Continue taking all prescribed medications throughout the trip; interrupting treatment can cause problems. I carry a general first aid kit for emergencies and share it with everyone, including porters.

Lukla has a newly built hospital for general treatment. Namche has health posts and small medical stores offering basic advice and medications. Khunde Hospital, built by Sir Edmund Hillary, provides basic surgery and treatment. The Himalayan Rescue Association operates a health post for trekkers and trekking crews, offering altitude advice at 3 PM during peak season.

Preparations: You don’t need to be a mountaineer or athlete for this trek. Reasonable fitness is sufficient. Physical training, such as jogging and stair climbing, will be beneficial.

Weather: Autumn offers stable weather with excellent views. Conditions become cloudier towards December. Mornings are typically clear with stunning views, while afternoons often bring clouds in mountain valleys. Daytime temperatures are warm, especially in lower elevations, but drop significantly above 3500 meters, particularly at night. Temperatures around Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep can range from -5 to 15°C outside.

Communication: Most places in the Everest region have telephone service, and several locations offer internet access. Cell phone reception is often available up to Gorakshep in stable weather conditions.

Flights: During peak season, over 50 flights operate to Lukla daily, carrying hundreds of people. However, flights are often canceled due to weather. Flights take 25-35 minutes and offer scenic views of mountains, especially from the left side when flying to Lukla and the right side when flying to Kathmandu.

Payments: A 20% deposit is required two months before the trip to confirm your reservation. The remaining balance is due upon arrival in Kathmandu.

Travel Insurance Policy: You must have travel insurance to trek in Nepal, and it should cover helicopter evacuation as well as medical treatment. Travel insurance is very reasonable and a great value. Evacuation by helicopter is very expensive, and prices are rising steeply. A typical evacuation costs U.S. $7500 minimum, and the money must be deposited before the helicopter leaves Kathmandu. For your safety and peace of mind, make sure you buy the insurance and give us a copy of your policy before heading out on your trek.

Staff Welfare: We are committed to the welfare of our staff, including trip leaders/guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters. We ensure good wages, proper insurance, and the necessary clothing for all associated staff. They are the backbone of the adventure industry in Nepal. In Nepal, it is customary to tip field staff at the end of the trip as a token of gratitude for their hard work, and they also anticipate tips from clients.