Overview
One of the most famous trails in the world, Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek brings you face to face with the world’s highest mountain – Mt. Everest (8848.86m). The mountain was first summited in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Since then, people have traveled from all over the world to get a glimpse of the legendary mountain. The trek lies within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and the world’s highest national park. The park includes numerous snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys, lakes, and trails, and is home to the Sherpa people. If we’re lucky we may run into one of the rare animal species that inhabit the Khumbu region. This trek is a physically demanding journey that requires good fitness and acclimatization but is incredibly rewarding. As we climb higher into the mountains, our spirits are filled with the energy that the mountains give us.
After our short, scenic flight to Lukla, we begin our trek full of excitement. The following day, after passing through Sherpa villages and their fields, we reach Namche Bazaar – a trekking and trading hub of the region where we can experience Sherpa's lifestyle and hospitality. We continue our climb, passing several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries –Tengboche Monastery being the largest and most well-known. Mani Rimdu is a festival that takes place at Tengboche Monastery during the 9th month of the Tibetan calendar, which is usually in October or November during the full moon. The public festival lasts three days and is full of entertaining dancing and ritual celebrations. From Tengboche, desolate yet mesmerizing alpine landscapes fill us with energy. The most incredible mountain views are right before our eyes.
Everest Base Camp Trek provides the best mountain views in the Himalayas. Reaching EBC (5364m), we witness the unforgettable beauty of this alpine region. We feel its historic value as we see climbing expeditions prepare to summit the mountain. This trek is an opportunity to see massive Himalayan peaks taller than 8000 meters - Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and many more. The views of Khumbu Icefall and various glaciers are spectacular. Next, the visit to Kala Patthar (5540m) presents us with a panoramic view of mountain peaks, as well as the Khumbu Glacial Valley. Feeling refreshed, we take our time descending back to Namche Bazaar and eventually fly back to Kathmandu from Lukla.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
The cost of Everest Base Camp Trek depends on the number of groups. We are offering a special group discount for 2022,2023 and 2024. The given price on the chart includes your hotel in Kathmandu, Flights to and from Lukla, Well experienced guides, porters, food and accommodation in the mountain during the trek, insurance and salary for the guide and porter, and transportation to and from the airport. Contact us for more information.
| Group Size | Cost Per-Person |
| Solo Trekker | $1450 |
| 2 Person | $1250 |
| 3-5 Person | $1200 |
| 6-10 Person | $1100 |
| 10-20 Person | $1000 |
Is this trip right for you?
Yes, obviously this trek is for you! This trek leads you into the high valley of the Himalayas. All you need is hiking experience and strong determination. People who have never been up to 200m in their life also have made it all the way to EBC without any altitude sickness. While hiking, you must remember to go slow and steady. This trek does not have any age limit. 80+ years old people also reached Everest Base Camp, as well as 6-year-old children. This Trek is for all-age people around the world who have wanted to accomplish their bucket list dream. As long as you do some preparation and follow our guides, you should have no problem reaching base camp.
Best time to do Everest Base Camp Trek
The best time for the Everest Base Camp Trek is autumn (September to November) and spring (end of February to the first week of May). Early September offers green valleys with white mountain views. September marks the end of the monsoon season in Nepal. The mountain is colorful with very rare Himalayan flowers. The temperature is warm during the day and the sky is beautiful with a few clouds. The combined view of the colorful landscape, partly cloudy sky, and the snowy mountain is something quite special for trekkers! The October and November months are very busy for the Everest Base Camp Trek compared to September and December. They offer very clear weather and the best mountain views, so they are the favorite months. Trekking to EBC in December is also popular for clear skies and the best sunrise/sunset views. It is a colder month than the others but it offers the clearest view of the Himalayas and also brings fewer trekkers. Very few people traverse the Khumbu region during this time. However, now the number of trekkers in December and January is increasing. Some people come to celebrate their Christmas and New Year at Everest Base Camp.
Spring (March, April, and May) is comparable to autumn in being the best season for the Everest Base Camp Trek. At the end of winter, March offers beautiful Himalayan views with nice weather. Spring is great for the climbers too. Everest summiteers set their base camp in March and train for 2 months before the summit. This season is very safe for climbing because the ice is rock solid. The spring flowers on the trail make this trip more meaningful. When you get to Everest Base, the colorful tents will surprise you. You can meet some Everest summiteers on the way and see their eager eyes, ready to summit the top of the world. This season presents beautiful weather and mountain views.
Is the Everest Base Camp Trek Difficult?
This Trek is not a super difficult trail! It is difficult just because of the high altitude. The trail to base camp is actually very safe. It can be done by any person who trains for a couple of months beforehand. Very few women and men have summited Mt. Everest, but around 40000 trekkers make the trip from the Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp each year.
This trek does not have an age and weight boundary – people of all ages, sizes, and shapes have reached Base Camp over the years with their determination and a little bit of preparation. This trek can be done by anyone and crossed off their bucket list. Everest Base Camp Trek doesn’t require expertise in mountaineering, as it is just long hiking at altitude.
Normally, the key to a successful trek is its duration. Around 12 days (14 including pre and post-night at Kathmandu) is the quickest, yet safest time frame. For a successful trek, we must hike slowly at the high altitude and take a couple of days for acclimatization. The trip would be tough or even dangerous if you try to complete it under 12 days! But if you have solid hiking experience in high altitudes, you can go for the Short Everest Base Camp Trek or the Express Everest Base Camp Trek which might save you time and money.
If you are a new hiker and have a determination of doing the Everest Base Camp Trek, you can set your own Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary with additional acclimatization days if you want to be extra safe. With strong determination and basic fitness, you surely can summit Everest Base Camp with our strong, experienced Sherpa guide.
Is special training needed for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Special training for Everest Base Camp to improve cardio strength can definitely help for the trek. It will improve your comfort while walking on the trail for hours each day with your day pack. 7-10 weeks of training will build your stamina and cardio endurance. It will help prepare you to walk for 5-6 hours at a high altitude.
If you are from sea level and don’t have much hill or mountain terrain in your area, walk hill intervals on a treadmill and upstairs 3+ times a week. You should check with your doctor before you start to train your body for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The doctor will advise you on what kind of exercise would be effective for your fitness level.
This journey is slow and steady, so please don’t think of this as a sprint or as a rigorous mountain climb. It is just a slow hike on the human-made, established trail. This trek is tough but it is not as bad as you think. With proper acclimatization, a slow pace, and solid preparation, trekkers very young and old can successfully reach Everest Base Camp and celebrate having the best time in the Himalayas.
If you are mentally and physically prepared for your Everest Base Camp Trek, you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. Don’t underestimate this trip, but also, it’s not necessary to be a marathon runner or a top-grade sporty man/woman to make this trip successful. Your physical practice and mental preparation will make your trek more meaningful and enjoyable.
Why Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp with Breeze Adventure?
A better question is, why not trek to Everest Base Camp with us? For years to come, you will tell your children and your children’s children about your adventures on this legendary trail! Breeze Adventure takes great pride in combining our years of knowledge and experience in the Himalayas with the pure passion and joy that we get from being in the mountains. We know that your experience with us will be truly memorable and successful.
We are renowned for our high-quality service and careful planning that we apply to all our treks. Specifically, we have been to Everest Base Camp hundreds of times and are well-equipped to deal with any circumstances. We have designed our Everest Base Camp itinerary with our veteran Sherpa guides who have been living and working in the Khumbu region for their entire lives. They were born in the area, so they are experts regarding the landscape, culture, etc. Our guides, porters, climbers, and staff are highly dedicated to their work and their goal is always to give you the best experience possible. We are proud of our team for always enjoying the mountain while providing the best backup and support for a successful trek. All our guides have taken high-altitude sickness training, creating a safer environment for our clients.
Most of our team members have come to us from other companies because they have seen the level of excellence and professionalism that we operate while emphasizing the importance of having fun on the trail. Our reputation is built on leading affordable, successful treks with top-notch guides and staff to promise you the experience of a lifetime!
What is the key to a Successful Everest Base Camp Trek?
Acclimatization Day
Acclimatization days during the Everest Base Camp Trek are crucial. The elevation increases quickly and it’s dangerous to continue without taking days here and there to acclimatize. Better to spend an extra day than you need to turn around and cancel your trip. What is acclimatization? It is a process that makes our body get accustomed to the high altitude by spending an extra night in a location. There are two acclimatization days on our Everest Base Camp Trek. The first one is at Namche Bazaar (3440m) on the third day. You take a day hike up higher for views of the top of the world. The second acclimatization day is in Dingboche (4450), where we hike for 2 hours to a viewpoint. You get amazing views of Mt. Amadablam, Makalu, Baruntse, Lhotse, and many more. Acclimatization days help our body adjust to the high altitude/low oxygen. It’s crucial to follow the guided itinerary on your Everest Base Camp Trek.
Pacing each day on the trail
A good pace on Everest Base Camp is key to a successful EBC Trek. Your pace makes a huge difference in the high altitude. All hikers should keep a slow and steady pace while walking on the trail above 3000m. Our guide leads at a very gentle pace so you have a successful trek.
Why Hydration is Critical at High Altitude?
Everest Base Camp Tek leads you to high altitudes where the oxygen level drops down significantly. Less oxygen in the air combined with more sweating makes dehydration a huge risk. To prevent this, it is critical that you stay hydrated. Hydration and altitude sickness are interconnected. To be safe and hydrated, it is highly recommended to drink more than 3 liters of water per day. If you drink enough water, then you significantly reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Trekking Gear
Gear can make or break your trek. If you are with your uncomfortable shoes, trekking pants, or low-quality sunglasses, the trip is going to be much more difficult. The right trekking gear on the Everest Base Camp Trek is compulsory. From top to the bottom, the gear should be suitable, depending on the season of the trek. September isn't too cold so you want as many layers as you would for the winter months. December and January require lots of warm clothes due to the cold. The spring and autumn also don’t require too many layers, though at night it can get chilly. Click here for a full list of essential gear for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a critical situation. It can cause huge trouble if you don’t listen to your body. If you feel altitude sickness, you must descend as soon as possible at least 300-1000m. It makes your body very weak so our team members will take of you. Walking alone is extremely dangerous because it is harder to make a good decision and the wrong decision could cause long-term damage or worse. It is not very dangerous if it is recognized in the early phase. Treatment is possible, but having additional acclimatization days prevents the first phase of altitude sickness from the beginning. People start to feel it after 3000 meters but if you drink enough water, walk slowly, eat on time and sleep well, then you should be fine. After Namche Bazaar, there is usually a fireplace in every guest house. They burn the yak poo in the dining hall where everyone gathers. When there are lots of people, the oxygen level goes down and all the windows are closed as well. The yak poo also needs oxygen to burn, so the oxygen level goes down in the dining hall. It is not good to stay here for too long. It is better to go outside to refresh every 30 minutes or open a window. There are three types of altitude sickness: AMS, HAPE, and HACE.
a) Acute Mountain Sickness:
Acute Mountain Sickness is the most common altitude sickness. It can happen to anyone who has never experienced a high elevation in their life. Minor symptoms can happen at the altitude of 1500m-3000m. This makes people feel nauseous, dizzy, have headaches, and have muscle aches. Drinking enough water and taking an extra day for acclimatization will help to recover if you feel early symptoms.
b) High Altitude Pulmonary Edema:
This is also caused by a deficiency of oxygen in our bodies. When there is less oxygen, our lungs are under pressure and start to fill with fluid. The symptoms are similar to pneumonia. It feels like a slow and painful poison on our bodies. We have to be very careful about this situation, descending as soon as possible. It is a danger to walk and breathe while our lungs are full of fluid. We need to be carried by a guide, or horse or take a helicopter evacuation in this situation. Our well-experienced Sherpa guide will take care of you and help you avoid HAPE on our Everest Base Camp Trek.
c) High Altitude Cerebral Edema:
Again caused by a lack of oxygen in our body, cerebral edema happens when there is fluid in our brain. HACE gives a very bad pain in your head due to a lack of oxygen inside your brain. It makes us lose coordination, have trouble walking, and get a severe deep headache that cannot be cured by taking medicine. We must get down as soon as possible to lower the elevation in this case. Our Sherpa guide with years of experience will take care of you to avoid each kind of mountain sickness. Our Sherpa guides are trained to recognize the early phases and help you make the right decision before anything happens.
Better safety for your Everest Base Camp Trek
The trail is safe from avalanches but still, we need to be careful while hiking. We pass very heavy-load carrying porters who can’t see the hikers so we always have to stay at a safe place and let them pass. Especially from Lukla to Namche we pass lots of donkeys on the trail with heavy loads, the donkey might push you off the cliff so it’s better to choose the inside lane while donkeys pass on the trail. Some of the trails are a bit narrow so please don’t walk on the cliffside, the rock might be loose and give way to the cliff.
Before you start your Everest Base Camp Trek, it's better to visit your doctor to update your latest physical status. While hiking on the trail make sure that you have tightened your shoeless. Open shoeless also make you fall and cause injury. There are lots of side trails that are taken by yaks and local porters, which would be very dangerous for the new hikers so follow the guide and the main trail. Some of the yaks might attack people so don’t get so close while passing them. Also, don’t make loud noises in front of them. Always give yaks room and remain calm while passing them.
A little bit more about Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trail around the world. Over 50000 people enter the Everest region to see a glimpse of the top of the world Mt. Everest. These days, with the sharing of photos on social media, media the number of trekkers has been increasing rapidly. This trek became popular after the summit of Mt. Everest by Sit Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1950 on May 29. The trail to base camp was very long at that time, as people had to walk from Kathmandu and follow the trail from Jiri, which took more than 40 days. Eventually, Sir Edmund Hilary and the government of Nepal cooperated and built Lukla Airport in 1964. The airport was only paved with mud and rock so airplanes were not able to land there – only helicopters. Nepal did not have many helicopters at the time, so very few people were able to fly to Lukla. Most had to drive to Jiri and start their trek there. Soon, airline companies established planes that could fly, which minimized the trekking duration by 50%! Now, most people complete the Everest Base Camp Trek in 12 days.
There are constant changes on the trail to EBC. Due to the high demand for trekkers, the locals have built bigger luxury hotels along the way. The Everest region is listed as a world heritage site so people are not allowed to catch and kill any animals. Namche village is becoming more and more colorful as new guest houses are popping up. Hiking up to Everest View Point and Khumjung village is recommended! It helps to avoid altitude sickness and offers an awesome view of Everest. The green Khumjung village, its monastery, and the Hilary school are highlights of the Namche acclimatization day. The puja ceremony at Tengboche Monastery is very popular. Every day at 3 pm and 6:30 am, the lama does a ritual puja ceremony which is a nice way to collect some positive vibes. On the acclimatization day in Dingboche village, there are three options: hike to Chukung Ri, Nagarkshang View Point, and/or Amadablam Base Camp.
All trails lead you to amazing views, but most people go to the nearest hike, Nagarkshang Viewpoint (5130m), while a few go-to Chukung Ri, and even fewer go to Amadablam Base Camp.
The trail from Dingboche to Thukla is very gentle and from there the trails ascend to the Everest monuments, where every people get emotional from seeing the memorials of Everest summiteers. There are 100+ memories of Everest summiteers who lost their life on Mount Everest from all different parts of the world. Then, we reach Lobuche, located at the side of Everest Glacier, and offer an awesome sunset view of Mt. Nuptse in the evening.
Everest Base Camp has been shifting because of melting glaciers caused by global warming! Every year the base camp has been moving. The route is also changing almost every year. While walking on the rocky glacier, you have to be very careful. It’s better to follow the main trail than walk off the track. It is possible to fall down into the crevasse if you walk off the trail.
The view of all the glaciers around Everest Base Camp looks amazing. Remember, don’t expect views of Mt. Everest from base camp! The peak is not actually visible from the base camp. We can see it 100m before reaching base camp, though.
The trail from Lobuche to Gorekshep and Gorekshep to Everest Base Camp is a bit rocky so it’s better to follow the main trail and ask your guide if you get confused. Using a walking stick helps during this part. Trekking to the top of the world’s base camp can cause high altitude sickness. When you are with your guide, please don’t hide any of the early symptoms. If you try to hide the early symptoms, this might get a lot worse within a day. It is best to always be open to your guides about your problems for a successful trek.
