Everest Base Camp Trek – 12 Days

There are several maps you can get on premium online. Instead, you can buy it after you arrive in Kathmandu.

Click here to see the pictorial map

Everest Base Camp Transport

Generally, you will take either taxi or a private vehicle to go to Tribhuvan International Airport as it is the only airport that conducts a Lukla flight. However, the roads of Kathmandu are very congested, so as you can say it is badly regulated and has the poor condition of transportation. In case you choose to trek Everest Base Camp via Jiri Route, then you need a standard vehicle and driver for all your transfers. In the monsoon season, the hilly roads of Nepal are prone to landslides and accidents.

Food on Everest Base Camp Trek

Unlike the luxury hotel in a city like Kathmandu, you will not get a wide variety of meal menus during the Everest Base Camp Trek.

You get to have a few options of food while Dal Bhat Tarakari will be the favorite of many people as it is also a common and national meal in Nepal. Dal Bhat is provided by a teahouse that also serves as accommodation for trekkers. Basically, they provide a twin-shared room with separate beds. Likewise, some lodge base teahouses do also provide hot showers, and can also serve laundry service charging a small fee.

During the Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll find a variety of foods available at the tea houses and lodges along the trail. Here are some common foods you can expect to encounter:

1. Dal Bhat: A traditional Nepali meal consisting of rice (bhat), lentil soup (dal), vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat or fish. It’s a staple food for trekkers due to its high carbohydrate and protein content.
2. Momos: These are Tibetan-style dumplings filled with meat or vegetables and served with a spicy dipping sauce. They’re a popular snack or appetizer along the trekking route.
3. Sherpa Stew: A hearty stew made with potatoes, vegetables, and sometimes meat, simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s a warming and nourishing dish, perfect for replenishing energy after a long day of trekking.
4. Noodles: Whether in soup or stir-fried, noodles are a quick and comforting option available at most tea houses along the trail. You can choose from a variety of toppings, including vegetables, eggs, and meat.
5. Fried Rice: Another popular dish, fried rice is made with rice, vegetables, eggs, and sometimes meat, stir-fried together with aromatic spices. It’s a filling and satisfying meal for trekkers.
6. Pizza: Surprisingly, many tea houses along the Everest Base Camp trek offer pizza on their menus. While it may not be traditional Nepali fare, it’s a familiar comfort food for many trekkers.
7. Pancakes and Chapatis: For breakfast or a snack, you’ll often find pancakes (with toppings like honey or jam) and chapatis (flatbreads) served with butter or jam. They provide a quick burst of energy to start your day or refuel along the trail.
8. Porridge: A warm and nourishing option for breakfast, porridge (made from oats or other grains) is often served with milk, honey, and dried fruits. It’s a comforting choice, especially on chilly mornings.
9. Tea and Hot Beverages: Tea is a vital part of Nepali culture, and you’ll find a variety of teas available along the trekking route, including masala chai, ginger tea, and herbal teas. Hot chocolate, coffee, and other hot beverages are also available to warm you up after a long day of trekking.
10. Snacks: Along with meals, you’ll find a variety of snacks available at tea houses, including energy bars, chocolate, nuts, and biscuits. These are convenient for munching on during breaks or to carry as snacks for the trail.

Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Trek

Accommodation along the Everest Base Camp trek primarily consists of tea houses, also known as guesthouses or lodges. These are basic but comfortable accommodations located in villages and settlements along the trekking route. Here’s what you can expect from tea house accommodation during your Everest Base Camp trek:

1. Basic Rooms: Tea houses offer simple rooms with twin beds or bunk beds, basic bedding (usually blankets), and sometimes a small table or shelf. Rooms may be private or shared, depending on availability and your preference.
2. Common Areas: Most tea houses have communal areas where trekkers can relax, socialize, and enjoy meals. These areas often feature benches, tables, and sometimes a fireplace or stove to provide warmth.
3. Shared Bathrooms: Bathroom facilities in tea houses are usually shared and may consist of squat toilets or Western-style toilets. Hot showers are often available for an additional fee, although water availability and temperature may vary.
4. Dining Hall: Tea houses typically have a dining hall or communal area where meals are served. This is where trekkers gather for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, enjoying hearty meals and swapping stories of their trekking adventures.
5. Menu Options: Tea houses offer a menu with a variety of food and beverage options, including traditional Nepali dishes (such as dal bhat), Tibetan specialties (like momos), as well as Western comfort foods (such as pasta and pizza). Vegetarian and vegan options are usually available, and some tea houses can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice.
6. Electricity and Charging: While electricity is available in many tea houses, it may be limited or available only during certain hours. Charging electronic devices such as cameras and phones is usually possible, although some tea houses may charge a small fee for this service.
7. Altitude Considerations: As you ascend higher into the mountains, accommodation options may become more basic, with fewer amenities and shared facilities. It’s essential to be prepared for colder temperatures and thinner air at higher elevations.
8. Booking in Advance: During the peak trekking seasons (spring and autumn), it’s advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially in popular trekking villages like Namche Bazaar and Gorak Shep. However, during the off-peak seasons, you may have more flexibility in finding accommodation on the spot.

What type of hotel can we find in Kathmandu city?

There is a wide variety of hotels ranging from 2 star – to 5-star in Kathmandu valley. Even you can get a very normal hotel around Thamel – a tourist center of Kathmandu.

Is it possible to book a tea house room by yourself?

It is a little bit hard to book a teahouse room in advance by an independent trekker. There are a few reasons behind these conditions:

• Trekkers might not have enough contact information about the teahouses
• If trekkers try booking the room by contacting teahouses, there is no guarantee of room booking. Because it is a remote area where almost all of the teahouses do not have an online booking system. So, they can’t be sure whether it is an original or fake booking.

On the contrary, trekking companies and guides do have more and better relationships with teahouses. Hence, they can arrange teahouses in a better way.

Note: You can’t expect high facilities in the tea house.

EBC Trek difficulty and health requirements

It is considered to be a moderate trek although it accesses Kalapathar which is 5545 m above sea level. Nevertheless, you should not take it so easily as many people have got altitude sickness while trekking in Everest.

To overcome the chances of altitude sickness, you need to do some physical activities at least 10-15 days prior to the trek. It would have been far better if you have already hiked some mountains. It may be applicable for those people who have been living just close to the height of sea level.

Basically, you need to be physically and mentally fit to trekking to Everest Base Camp. It does not require any mountaineering skills as it only passes through terrain land and hikes to the steep hill.

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight Cancellation

Since the classic Everest Trail begins from Lukla, we need to take a short flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. It only takes 40 minutes approx to arrive at Lukla from Kathmandu. Nevertheless, no one can be 100% sure about the weather in the Himalayas. It might be changed anytime. Consequently, the Lukla flight may be canceled or can not be landed on Lukla.

Therefore, I would like to suggest everyone add 1 or 2 spare days in order to ensure your trekking on Everest. Alternatively, there is the possibility of helicopter service in a group joining spending some money. The helicopter service charges may range from $300 to $500 for each of the members. In a helicopter, there will be a maximum of 5 members at a time.

Everest Base Camp Trek Permits

The basic required permits for Everest Base Camp Trek are listed below:

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Fee
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Fee
• TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) fee

The first two permits are now the must-require permits. However, about the third permit – TIMS, there are a lot of controversies still going on. But you are allowed to trek just having Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance and Sagarmatha National Park Entry permits.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Fee

You can’t get this permit in Kathmandu. It is like a replacement of a TIMS permit which is directly collected by Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. It can be obtained either in Lukla or in Monjo Village.

Cost: Rs 2000 per person

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Fee

It is another must-required permit that can be obtained in Kathmandu at Nepal Tourism Board or in Monjo village just prior to entering the National Park.

Cost: Rs 3000 per person

Note: If you are planning to trek from Jiri to Everest, then you need an additional permit i.e Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. Because you will be passing through Gaurishankar Conservation Area which also costs Rs. 3000 and it also can be obtained in Kathmandu.

What documents are required to issue Everest Base Camp Trek permits?

It is enough to have valid passport details to issue the permits to trek to Everest. But all permits are only for a single entry and once the permits are issued, they can not be refunded.

Podcast of EBC Trek