Everest Base Camp Trekking

Everest Base Camp Trek – …Of hiking to the foothills that is the base point to the mightiest mountain on earth Mt. Everest & trails that meander into some of the most stunning landscapes on earth which is why this trek is called a ‘Classico’

This is a classic venture that takes you through the heart of Sherpa country right to the foothills of the mighty Mt. Everest…with trails that lead to splendid wonders, serene monasteries & majestic landscapes…

Geographical knowledge of the land you will tread:

The Everest region is one of those unique and fabulous destinations in Nepal, trekkers and mountaineers delight in their travails to this region. It offers a fascinating and enjoyable environment. This trek begins with a scenic flight to Hillary’s Lukla. It passes through many traditional farming villages, with beautiful views of the highest snow-capped peaks in the world, and continues on to Kalapathar, the highest point of the trek, for a breathtaking panorama of peaks and glaciers, including Mt. Everest, which seems only a stone’s throw from where Kalapathar is. Everest Base Camp has been designed to be supple, enabling you to enjoy and immerse yourself in the magnificent natural surroundings of this fantastic area, at your pace. The trip includes all the highlights of Sagarmatha National Park, including Namche Bazaar, Khumbu, which is the Sherpa capital, an unmatched view from Kalapathar (5,545 m.), and the ever-exciting Everest Base Camp, which is an extraordinary viewpoint for Nuptse, Everest, and Lhotse. This trek gives sufficient time and opportunity to visit Buddhist monasteries, both at Khumjung, one of the oldest in the area, and at Thyangboche, one of the newest, as it was rebuilt after being burned to the ground.

All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with wonderful forests of rhododendron, magnolia, and giant firs. In both the early autumn and late spring, the flowers on this portion of the trek make it the kind of walk you will remember for a long, long time.

Trekking in this area has grown to immense proportions; ever since the first expeditions to the Nepalese side of Everest occurred in the 1950s. The trek follows the Dudh Kosi valley route with an ascent up to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. From Namche, you traverse along a high path from where you have the first good view of Everest. You head towards Tengboche Monastery located on top of a mountain ridge and then descend the Imja Khola and continue to the villages of Pangboche and Pheriche. After that, you arrive at the Khumbu Glacier. The trek through the glacier takes you first to Lobuche and then to Gorak Shep, where you finally reach your destination, Everest Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu ice falls. The EBC trip is the kind that warms your heart to nature & brings you closer to God for all the good reasons…for many, this is an avoidable adventure…

General information related to your trip:

TRIP GRADE – Moderate to fairly challenging

Longer treks going right into the high mountain country, to some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps over high passes. Physically quite tiring, involves approx 6-8 hours of trekking along rocky ridges of high Himalayan peaks. No previous experience is required, you should be moderately fit, used to some regular exercise, and enjoy walking in high-altitude conditions.

TREK TYPE

Tea House or Lodge trek
Includes: Accommodation in Lodge, guide, porters, and all meals

ACCOMMODATION

Trekking in the Everest region does not need tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. We stay in single rooms where possible, but often you will have to share. Facilities in tea houses are limited but good enough to offer you a comfortable stay and hygienic meals. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in a local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot be booked in advance). Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is the order of the day.

We have a pool of hotels in Kathmandu under 3 Star categories which we provide to clients in connection to this itinerary unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice. You can check the description of such hotels on our website.

MEALS & DRINKING WATER

On this trek, we provide a standard breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner, tea or coffee will also be included with each meal. Your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive.

Most tea houses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread, and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate, and soft drinks and in some areas, you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from a local lodge and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat it with water purification pills.

LUGGAGE WHILE TREKKING

During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by a porter or yaks. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kg. You simply carry a day pack with a water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel’s safekeeping.

TREKKING CREW

On the tea house trek, you will be accompanied by a team of local crew whose aim is to make the trek as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. The crew consists of a local leader (Sirdar or Headman) and a team of porters to carry all your gear. On average, there will be a ratio of one porter to every two trekkers. Sirdar speaks a reasonable amount of English, good enough to explain to you about the places, local culture, or any sight that catches your eye.

GROUP SIZE

We bring together a small group of like-minded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact with each other in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises of maximum 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, no minimum and maximum apply.

If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families, and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people (min 1 max 100 at a time).

PERSONAL EXPENSES

Everest region is more expensive than the other regions in Nepal, as most of the goods have to be shipped by airplane and then carried to their final destination by porters.

On this fixed scheduled trek breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, and hot showers (available in some places).

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.

FLIGHT / LAND TRANSFERS

The starting point of the trek is in Lukla which is connected by a 45mins flight from Kathmandu. We will arrange transportation from your hotel to the airport (Kathmandu). On your return to Kathmandu, our bus will take you back to your hotel.

COMMUNICATION

There are a couple of telephone facilities in the Everest region up to Namche Bazaar. Cell phones work fine up to Tengboche.

If it is crucial for you to keep in contact with your family or others, we can provide you with a mobile satellite phone (rental charge on request).

TREKKING / CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

For trekking in the Everest region, you will need walking boots, a sleeping bag (4 seasons), a waterproof jacket and trousers, a fleece jacket, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, a water bottle, sun cream, and a day pack.

For climbing: a down-jacket, plastic boots, crampons, ice-axes, headlight, harness, jumar, carabiners, belay device, and prusik knot are the main equipment required.

A comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip.

TREKKING DAY ON TREK

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing, or simply relaxing with a good book.
On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

MEETING AND GREETING IN KATHMANDU

You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a ‘meeting and greeting’ service at the Airport. You just pass through the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see someone standing with a placard that states either ‘Hiking Himalayas Treks’ or your own name.

CLIMATE & BEST TIME TO GO

The best season to trek to the Everest base camp region is autumn (from mid-September till November’s end), and spring (from the beginning of March until mid-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher every day. The nights are cold (between -10 C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C). The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, and disappearing at night. Trekking during the monsoon and winter is not recommended, as the visibility during monsoon is limited, and upper parts and high passes could be covered with snow during winter.

March, April, October, and November are the most favored months. Let us know the best date that is convenient for you, & we’ll do the rest.

Just get friendly with us at: info@hikinghimalayas.com, we’d be glad to help with any queries you have.