Nepal

Everest Base Camp Hike (16 Day Trip)

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Follow in the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzin Norgay, to Everest Base Camp.

Highlights in 60 seconds

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

You’ll be picked up whenever you arrive at Kathmandu Airport and taken to your hotel. You are welcome to relax for a few hours or use the time to explore the Thamel district, renowned as a focal point for tourists in Kathmandu. In the evening we will have a welcome dinner with a full briefing preparing you for the days ahead.

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Following a satisfying breakfast, we drive through the hills and valleys, departing from Kathmandu and heading for Ramechhap (Manthali), the gateway to Mount Everest. We will spend the night in a tented camp before catching our flight the next day.

This is the only night of camping on the trip. For the rest of the trip, you stay in tea houses or hotels.

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From Ramechhap, you take an internal flight to Lukla (included). From here, you trek through the incredible Khumbu valley, to the small village of Phakding. This small village has a rich cultural heritage including a cluster of monasteries.

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Today we continue along the Khumbu Valley to Namche Bazaar - the largest town on the trek. Along the way, you experience some breathtaking views overlooking the Dudh Kosi River. We will cross a series of suspension bridges, including the renowned Hillary Suspension Bridge, which offers a splendid vantage point for beholding the majestic Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). A formidable uphill

trek leads us to Namche Bazaar, where we get our first glimpse of Everest.

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The air is very thin here – with just 65% of the oxygen at sea level – so this day is designated to taking it easier with short acclimatisation hikes so that you’re ready for the trail ahead.

We head to a panoramic viewpoint, affording breathtaking vistas of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Lhotse. A stroll through the Khumjung Valley leads us to two significant sites of interest, namely, the Hillary School and the Khunde Hospital. Subsequently, we make our way back to Namche Bazaar, where we will spend the night.

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The trail leads us in a northeastern direction through a tributary valley. The landscape transforms as we ascend the steep terrain towards Tengboche. This sanctified ground encompasses the Tengboche Monastery, the world's highest sacred institution of its kind.

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Continuing our trek, we pass the renowned Gompa at Pangboche, which houses the famed Yetiscalp. Later we arrive at the summer yak pastures, offering a vivid glimpse into the lives of the Sherpa community. Our day concludes with an overnight stay in Dingboche, which is modest and mirrors the rugged surroundings.

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Today you have optional excursions to Nagajun Hill or Chukung village. These side trips offer panoramic vistas of distinguished peaks, including Ama Dablam and Makalu, set amidst a landscape adorned with serene lakes and glistening glaciers. The day's experiences are designed to assist with adaptation to the altitude. We conclude the day with an overnight stay in Dingboche.

We carefully navigate the icy torrents that crisscross our path as we ascend to Lobuche. We will spend the night in this remote enclave where stone houses stand amid a captivating, frozen expanse.

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Start the day by hiking to Gorak Shep, stopping for a short break before heading off to our ultimate destination, Everest Base Camp! We make our passage across the Khumbu Glacier, allowing us to stand in awe of the formidable Khumbu Icefall and the majestic South Face of Everest. Our ascent continues to Gorakshep, from where we trek to the Everest Base Camp. Here you can spend a few hours taking in the views and mountaineering history. before heading back to Gorakshep for the night.

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Eager to witness the grandeur of Everest and its neighboring peaks we ascend to the ideal viewpoint at sunrise. It's an unforgettable spectacle as if the entire world lies before our eyes. Afterwards, we descend to the flat, sandy terrain of Gorakshep. Our journey then ascends once more, leading us to the summit of Kala Patthar (5,643m) the highest point on the trip. We conclude the day's trek with a descent to Pheriche, where we will spend the night.

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Our journey continues, guiding us on a gradual descent to Tengboche. Along the way, we once again traverse the Dudh Koshi River, which had its origins as the Khumbu glacier. Leaving behind the pristine alpine meadows, our path leads us to the tranquil haven of Tengboche, where we will spend the night.

Our journey takes a downward trajectory as we descend to Phunke Tenga. We continue for a few more hours to reach Namche. In Namche, we'll pause for a period of relaxation and lunch, before embarking on the final leg of our day's trek to Monjo.

After a rejuvenating night in Monjo, our journey commences with a descent towards Lukla, where we will spend the night. En route, we traverse through the picturesque rhododendron forest and a Sherpa village. Upon reaching Lukla, we extend our final farewells to the local Sherpa team.

Today marks our departure from the Khumbu region, culminating in a flight from Lukla to Manthali and a drive back to Kathmandu. The return to the city signifies the conclusion of our journey, providing an opportune time for a celebratory dinner!

On the final day, we drop you off at Kathmandu airport ahead of your flight home.

What's Included

Included
  • Professional guides and porters.
  • Transport (incl. airport transfers and internal flights to Lukla).
  • Accommodation.
  • Permits and national park fees.
  • Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
  • Water purification pills.
Not Included
  • International flights to Kathmandu.
  • Food: meals are available for purchase from the teahouses along the route.
  • Warm showers in the tea houses (usually c.$4).
  • Tips and gratuities.
  • Visa to Nepal.
  • Personal travel/rescue insurance (including emergency helicopter evacuation: $1,000).
Have a question?

If you have any questions about this trip or want to speak with an expert, get in touch.

We're ready to help.

Team Images
Team Images
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Rated 5.0

53 verified reviews

Dalemarc
Dalemarc

(Oct 2023)

Skyhook / Freedom Adventures thank you very much for making this trip fun, memorable, smooth and safe as possible. From the start, all questions were clearly answered by Prashant (Freedom adventures) via messaging. Skyhook may need to update some bits in the website: itinerary/things to bring. Do not exchange money at the airport, wait til you get to the hotel as exchange rate is better there. Get used to the tipping culture upon arriving. Thamel park hotel and all of the tea houses we stayed in were a lot better than I expected. More comfortable even for an adventure holiday such as this. 1L bottled water cost about 20-50 rupees while in the city, then goes up to 100-150 from Lukla. Meals in the tea houses cost about 600-900. Hot drinks from 150-300. Prices get more expensive as you go higher. Cant really complain as getting the goods up there is difficult, often carried by porters and/or mules/yaks. A wide variety of meal to choose from, with vegetables options being a safer bet for the tummy. We did save a lot using purification tablets with tap water - had no issues. Wifi and charging were available with at most tea houses (300-500), signal is quite intermitent. Holiday Inn at Namche had free charging in the rooms. No issues with this as I tried to stay away from the internet while in this trip, and my powerbank lasted for the trip. Hot showers were a delight (500-700), although not advisable from Lobuche to Gorak Shep. Bistari-bistari (slow-slow) pacing did very well for our group. Managed not to get tired with the slow/low heart pace and kept our energy for the duration of the trip. Does really well for the body to acclimatise. Remember this is not a race! We were very lucky to have a very good / clear weather for the duration of the trip. Mostly sunny and some cloudy days. Trail gets dusty so buffs are recommended. To our guide Ngima: Thank you very much for being an exemplary, knowledgeable, patient, reliable, nice and fun person. He did receive us very well, telling us the know-hows, answering our questions with regards to anything/everything, always looking after us from trekking to the tea houses, being a professional, preparing a surprise birthday cake, and even inviting us to his home. Words aren't enough to show how much we appreciate him. Thanks very much buddy! All the best and til next time! To our porters Buddha and Som: The ironmen and unsung heroes!!! Thank you very much guys for all the hard work you have put in this trip. We seldom see them each day but it was fun hanging out with them during the last few days. Without these boys, this trip would not be possible. Very thankful not only in carrying our heavy duffle bags, but also in assisting us thru the EBC and Kala Patthar treks. I highly recommend this trip!!! Not only for the sake of reaching base camp, but also for learning/experiencing the wonderful country that is Nepal: it's people, culture, beliefs, food, music and beautiful landscape. Can't wait to come back: thinking of Mera or Island Peak next, then probably Gokyo lake and/or Annapurna base camp after. So much to look forward to :)

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Matthew
Matthew

(Oct 2023)

What a fantastic experience one of the most exciting things I have ever done. Our guide Ngima went above and beyond he was incredible you need more stars 🌟 I would give him 10. So knowledgeable and nothing we to much. He looked after us all so well. Buddha and som our porter were like machines carring our bags and making sure everything was ready for us. We were also so lucky to have incredibly weather. Fantastic views would 100% recommend. The smile didn't leave my face from start to finish.

Cat
Cat

(Oct 2023)

I did the EBC trek solo with Freedom Adventures and their amazing mountain guide Ngawang and Nobin our porter. Ngawang is very experienced mountain leader, professional, passionate about Nepal, the mountains and trekking. I found out that he was a local Sherpa guide and had the chance to experience the local way of living, an experience I wouldn't have otherwise! Ngawang was very accommodating, flexible and resourceful. He would always ask me about the highlights/lowlights of my day to make sure that I was having a good experience in the trek. He was giving me great advice on eating, drinking, altitude and my pace always making sure that I had the best chance to complete the trek. After observing my progress, fitness and health he also suggested that we change itinerary and complete the Ama Dablam Basecamp too which was a bonus day during my trek! He always shared with me his knowledge of the area, the local traditions as well as the best places to shop, eat and use of facilities. He was also a lot of fun and a great person to share this special journey with and kept me good company while on the trek when we chatted endlessly comparing life in Nepal with life in the west and the importance of education for the future generations. As I was a solo trekker I had the chance to also meet my porter Nobin which I couldn't be more grateful for all his hard work! He was always so hard working, polite, smiling and offered to carry my backpack for the most challenging parts of the trek. Nobin was working so well with Ngawang and followed his instructions, was always on time and willing to offer his help to me so I can have a comfortable experience. I enjoyed having the chance to meet my porter (thanks to Ngawang who made it possible) and get to know the person that was doing all this hard work carrying my stuff but also to understand a little more about his life and his goals! Without Ngawang and Nobin I wouldn't have been able to complete this trek and also have this lifetime experience. It felt like we were a family for two weeks while trekking! Freedom adventure choice of tea houses was great! They were all clean and comfortable with very accommodating and friendly staff. In particular, the following two tea houses stood out to me: Buddha Lodge Pangboche the lady that runs this tea house was so friendly and the tea house was in a very good condition with lots of attention to detail and Holiday Inn Namche where I had the chance to share the local drink with the owner's family and Ngawang in their kitchen while they were preparing my dinner. I was well impressed by how well organised and clean the kitchen was! Ngawang also informed me of the company policies and safety standards Freedom Adventures agency uses and I was reassured that I had picked the correct trekking company for my trek. Freedom Adventures always put safety first and this is obvious by how the staff are behaving - always with safety in mind, without taking risks and ensuring that I was safe at all times. There is a good reason that Freedom Adventures is one of the top class agencies in Nepal! Having tight safety procedures, excellent staff and values that resonated with mine and giving me a lifetime experience in meeting the culture of Nepal! I definitely wouldn't have been able to have this amazing experience without Ngawang and Nobin and I will be sure to request them to support me on my future trips to Nepal! I highly recommend and encourage anyone considering trekking in Nepal to get in touch with Freedom Adventures and book their adventure with Ngawang and Nobin!

Joe
Joe

(Oct 2023)

An absolutely sensational expedition to the top of the world. Our Guides, Kuss and Beerda were outstandingly professional and caring, every step of the way. Their attention to detail, transparancy, and accuracy of information and their knowledge and experience was second to none. The EBC trek is an astonishing experience.

Samantha
Samantha

(Oct 2023)

Freedom Adventures were 5 star! 🌟 The guides and the porters were very caring and motivating. The trip itself was just out of this world and well organised and we felt looked after the whole way! Thank you so much skyhook and freedom adventures for the trek of a lifetime!! Sam & Alex.

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FAQs

Before you go

Everest Base Camp requires you to trek at altitude for up to 8 hours per day, with a small 5-7kg rucksack. We recommended to train with long hikes and/or a sport of your choice (e.g. jogging).

Please see the section above for trip inclusions and exclusions.

Documents: • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Cash USD • Credit/Debit Card (ensure you have $500 on your card in case an emergency helicopter evacuation is needed) Sleeping: • Sleeping bag • Sleeping bag liner (optional) Footwear: • Trekking boots: 3 or 4-season lightweight • City footwear (e.g. sandals) • Shoes for the plane and tea houses (optional) Clothing: • Base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/windproof jacket • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket for warmth • Travel clothes and city wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (optional) • Thick wool mountaineering socks • Lightweight and breathable trekking socks • Gloves and wool hat *Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking. Other: • A daysack: 35 litres • A duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back (max 8kg of weight for porters to carry) • Dry liner or dry bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L worth (we recommend Nalgene bottles). • Sunglasses • Suncream • Personal medication – inhaler, blister pads etc • General toiletries, contact lenses, glasses (if needed) • Towel • Electronics - head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger • Lipsil • Book • Headphones • Travel wash • Hand sanitiser, wet wipes

The currency used in Nepal is Nepalese Rupees (NPR). You are unable to get NPR outside of Nepal, and therefore you will need to get it when you arrive. Most people withdraw money from ATMs while in Kathmandu. Please check with your bank in advance that they allow withdrawals/transactions. Ideally bring 2 cards to be safe. Alternatively, you can bring US dollars (or euros) and exchange them on arrival. It's recommended to exchange currency at the hotel, you'll get a better rate than at the airport. Please Note: If using your card directly in Nepal, then you will often be charged a 4% service charge. Many places outside of Kathmandu and in the mountains will not accept cards, so it's important to take out cash in Kathmandu for the trek.

Currently, all foreign nationals (except Indians) require a visa to enter Nepal. Visas are obtainable from embassies abroad or on arrival at Kathmandu's Airport. If getting the visa at the airport, be prepared for long queues. You will also need to pay US$30 for 15 days and $50 for 30 days visa. For a smooth immigration experience, please make sure to carry the visa fee in cash.

On your trip

You stay in hotels in the city of Kathmandu and tea houses while on the trek. The hotel will be 3 stars, and you stay in a twin shared room. A single supplement is available if you want your own room (you can request this on your trip form after booking). The hotel has showers and intermittent internet access. The teahouses are in remote locations and are very basic. Some of them have squat-style toilets, and the showers do not always offer warm water. Most tea houses will charge a small fee for hot showers (between 500-700 rupees) Meals are available from all tea houses, but please be aware that the food has been carried up there by porters, so it becomes a little more expensive as you get closer to base camp. Some tea houses do have access to the internet for a small fee (300-500 rupees), but it can be slow and unreliable.

It is customary in Nepal to tip guides and porters. You can give any tips to your lead guide at the end of your trip, which will then be shared with the whole team. As part of our transparency initiative, the lead guide will distribute the tips to the guides and porters in your presence. A good rule of thumb is to budget around US$150 in total for tips, although the amount you give is entirely your choice.

To be sure that you make your trek or return from it, it may be necessary to make the flight to/from Lukla by a chartered helicopter. Helicopters can operate in some weather that aircraft cannot. In the rare case that a helicopter is needed, it will be at the expense of the travellers and can cost around $600/person. Please make sure you have travel insurance, and we recommend speaking to them to check they cover this scenario. While weather delays do occur, they're usually temporary. The norm is to simply wait for a later flight time. If a helicopter does become a more viable option, a collective decision will be made by the group on how to proceed.

The average group size is 12 people, with a maximum of 14 people.

Yes - there is far less oxygen as you get to higher altitudes on the trek. For most people, this means that you will find trekking more challenging, and the guides will set a slower pace to adjust for this. The itinerary is designed to allow plenty of time for your body to acclimatise, with several rest days. However, everyone reacts to altitude differently, and it is possible that you will experience some symptoms of altitude sickness (e.g. headaches or nausea). The guides are trained in high-altitude first aid and will also ask you to let them know if you experience any symptoms. In extreme cases, altitude sickness can prevent you from continuing your trek, and in this case, the guides can arrange for you to descend quickly (by foot or by helicopter). Your safety is always the number one priority.

The porters will carry up to 8kg for you, in accordance with recommended safe loads.

The weather can change rapidly, and the guides may be forced to change the trip itinerary accordingly. Travellers need to be prepared for all weather conditions. For more information, please read the kit list provided. Low Season (End Nov - March) Daytime temperatures will be cooler, and the nights will be very cold. The days can bring winter storms, with regular snowfall above 2500m. Domestic flights are difficult at this time of year. Monsoon (Jun – Mid Sep) Temperatures are hot, with heavy rainfall almost every day. Trails can be very muddy, with frequent thunderstorms and high winds. Trekking season (End Mar-May & Mid Sep – End Nov) The most popular time to trek with mild – warm days and cold nights. The mornings tend to be clear, with some short rainfall in the late afternoons. In the higher altitudes, the temperatures often drop below freezing in the evening. At Everest Base Camp, the temperatures can drop as low as -15°C.

You can arrive at any time on the start date of your trip, and we'll pick you up from the airport. We recommend you fly out on the afternoon of the last date of your trip, as the internal flights the day before can be delayed in poor weather. It will be even better if you can add one or two days in Kathmandu before and after your trek. This will add some more flexibility in the event of weather-caused flight delays. You can see the itinerary on your dashboard after booking, with the specific dates for your trip. Note: In the event of flight cancellations, a helicopter flight back to Kathmandu is often possible. This will be at your own expense. Please make sure you are insured and that your insurance covers flight cancellations and helicopter evacuations in Nepal.

When traveling in countries such as Nepal, it's important to maintain vigilance with hygiene and food safety. Bring plenty of hand sanitiser. It may be a good idea to consider going vegetarian when you are trekking to Everest Base Camp. It is not uncommon for meat to be carried up to the Tea Houses for a few days in the hot sun.

Your accommodation will be arranged in a 3-Star hotel: Hotel Holy Himalaya or similar in Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu.

Flights go from Ramechhap to Lukla. Because of the ever-changing weather, your internal flight may be cancelled or delayed for safety reasons. In this instance, your guides will book you onto the next available and safe flight at no extra cost. You will, however, be required to pay for accommodation at the hotel for any additional nights not noted on the itinerary. So we recommend having travel insurance that covers delayed flights. The internal flight is included in the cost of your trip. It is important that you provide your passport information after booking, which you can do in your trip form, so that we can book the internal flights for you. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. In the event that the flights are cancelled on days 3 and 4 of your itinerary and no helicopters are available, it will not be possible for you to ascend to Everest Base Camp safely and with the required acclimatisation stops. In the unlikely event that the above does happen, the group will be taken on the Annapurna Base Camp trek, which requires no internal flights. Annapurna Base Camp is also a 16-day itinerary which reaches a maximum altitude of 4,130m, starting in the beautiful city of Pokhara.

Any extra luggage that you are not taking with you on the trek can be stored at your hotel free of charge.

While on the trek, you have a few options for water. You can buy bottled water from the tea houses, or you can fill up from the tap. If filling up from the tap, be sure to use the free purification tablets. These will be provided by your guide. Bottled water can be quite expensive to buy (up to 100-150 rupees), the price increases as you trek higher.

Meals and snacks are not included. You can purchase food from the teahouses along the route. There's generally a good variety of meal options. We recommend sticking to vegetarian options while you trek, to avoid risking an upset stomach. Meals in the tea houses cost about 600-900 rupees ($5-$7). Hot drinks from 150-300 rupees ($1-$2.5). We recommend you allow US$500-800 for food on the trek.

Other FAQs

You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-east/nepal

The minimum age for this trek is 18 years, or 16 years with a parent/guardian.

Many different ethnic groups coexist in Nepal, and as a foreigner you may be an object of curiosity. You may find that in certain places, the locals will want to talk to you or take pictures with you. You will almost certainly be subject to a bit of hustle and hassle in Nepal, getting a dose of it immediately when you arrive in the airport. Nepal has a haggling culture, with almost every monetary transaction (outside of hotels and restaurants etc) involving haggling. It is likely that you will see beggars in Kathmandu. This can include children. Please be vigilant with your valuables, especially when in the city.

Yes! There are multiple places to rent trekking gear in Kathmandu. If you need to hire equipment, we offer assistance to source rental gear when you arrive. Generally, prices are as follows; - Sleeping bags, down jackets, and duffel bags: around $2 USD per day. - Trekking Poles; around $1 USD per day. Please send us a message if you have more questions about renting gear.

Yes! Travel insurance for trekking in Nepal is not only essential for healthn related incidents but also to cover you in the scenario that you need to use a helicopter. Helicopters can cost up to $600 per person and are not covered by the operator as part of this trip. You may need a helicopter flight if it is not possible to safely trek back from Base Camp or, if internal flights are cancelled and you need to get back to Kathmandu in time to make your international return flight. Please make sure you have travel insurance for your own financial protection. We recommend speaking to the provider beforehand to check that they cover this scenario.

Your head guide is Jagan

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Freedom Adventure, based in Pokhara.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Jagan