Breakfast
Porridge, Tibetan bread, eggs, chapati, pancakes, tea or coffee
All destinations
All destinationsClassic Everest Base Camp Trek
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Follow the well-known trail through Sherpa villages, glacial moraines and Buddhist monasteries to the foot of the world's highest mountain.
- Duration
- 16 days
- Grade
- Strenuous
- Max altitude
- 5,545 m (18,190 ft)
- Start and end
- Kathmandu
- On the trail
- 5 to 7 hours a day
- Best season
- Mar to May, Sep to Nov
- Accommodation
- Teahouses
- Meals
- All meals on the trek
- Group size
- Up to 8
- Getting there
- Fly to Lukla
Classic Everest Base Camp Trek Overview
Follow the well-known trail through Sherpa villages, glacial moraines and Buddhist monasteries to the foot of the world's highest mountain.
Trek overview
The trip lasts sixteen days: eleven on the trail, including two acclimatisation days at altitude. You fly to Lukla, walk up the Dudh Koshi valley through Phakding and Namche, climb through Tengboche and Dingboche to Lobuche, and reach Base Camp on the tenth day. The next morning you climb Kala Patthar before dawn for a view of Everest that cannot be seen from Base Camp, and then walk back down the same way.
Who this trip is for
Anyone who can walk five to seven hours a day, on consecutive days, on rough ground, with about half the oxygen they are used to. The trek is not technical: there are no ropes, no ice axes and no passes over 5,000 m. It requires stamina and patience rather than skill, and the people who struggle are rarely those who were concerned about their fitness.
Why the trip takes 16 days
Some operators offer twelve-day versions of this trek, but we do not. The two acclimatisation days at Namche and Dingboche are essential for safe acclimatisation, and the spare day in Kathmandu at the end allows for Lukla flights, which are cancelled by weather several times a month in every season. A twelve-day itinerary removes these days and requires you to climb faster.
Planning your trek
Read our complete guide to the Everest Base Camp trek and how to prepare for it. For a longer or harder route, the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp trek and the Everest Three High Passes trek add high passes and quieter valleys. With less time, the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek returns by helicopter, and Island Peak Climbing adds a 6,189 m summit.
Key highlights of the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek
Base Camp and Kala Patthar
- Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, where expeditions set up their tents every spring.
- Climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) at dawn, the highest point of the trek, for the closest full view of Everest that can be reached on foot, as the sun lights it along with Nuptse and Pumori.
Viewpoints on the rest days
- Take the short climb above Namche on the first rest day for your first wide view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
- Climb the Nangkartshang ridge above Dingboche (about 5,083 m) on the second rest day, one of the few places on the route with a view of Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world.
The flight to Lukla
- Land at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, where the runway is only 527 metres long and built on a slope into the hillside, one of the most memorable landings in the world.
Monasteries and Sherpa life
- Visit Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m), the largest in the Khumbu, on a ridge with Ama Dablam behind it, and home to the Mani Rimdu festival of masked dances in October or November.
- Walk through Pangboche, whose monastery is the oldest in the Khumbu and dates from the seventeenth century.
- Spend two nights in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Sherpa trading town built around a horseshoe-shaped hillside, with its stone lanes and bakeries.
- Stay in teahouses run by Sherpa families and eat dal bhat, the best dish on every menu.
Sagarmatha National Park
- Walk through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and home to the Himalayan tahr, the musk deer and the Danphe, Nepal's national bird.
Everest history
- Pass the stone memorials at Thukla, built for climbers who died on Everest, on the climb to Lobuche.
- See Base Camp filled with climbers' tents in spring, at the start of the route to the summit.
Itinerary
When you land in Kathmandu, we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. If there is time, you can explore the old streets and temples nearby. In the evening we have dinner together and go through the trek so that you know what to expect.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- None, arrival day
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Dinner
A relaxed day visiting the valley's historic sites: Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) on its hill, the riverside temples at Pashupatinath, the great stupa at Boudhanath and the carved squares of Patan. It is a good way to recover from the flight before the trek.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early mountain flight to Lukla, the small airstrip where the trek begins. From there you walk gently downhill for half a day beside the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding, an easy start to the trek.
- Altitude
- 2,651 m (8,700 ft)+1,251 m
- On foot
- 8 km, 3–4 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Phakding
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail follows the river across suspension bridges, then climbs steeply through pine forest to Namche, the busy Sherpa town built around a hillside. On a clear day you have your first view of Everest on the way up.
- Altitude
- 3,440 m (11,290 ft)+789 m
- On foot
- 11 km, 6–7 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. You can explore Namche's stone lanes and bakeries, or take the short climb to the viewpoint above the town for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, before returning to sleep lower down.
- Altitude
- 3,440 m (11,290 ft)
- On foot
- Optional 2–4 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An open, scenic day with mountains in view most of the way. You descend to the river, then climb for a long time to Tengboche and its well-known monastery, on a ridge with Ama Dablam directly behind it.
- Altitude
- 3,860 m (12,660 ft)+420 m
- On foot
- 10 km, 5–6 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Tengboche
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You walk through the last of the forest and past the village of Pangboche, then up into open country above the tree line. The trail follows the Imja River to Dingboche, a cluster of stone-walled fields below the high peaks.
- Altitude
- 4,410 m (14,470 ft)+550 m
- On foot
- 11 km, 5–6 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Dingboche
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The second acclimatisation day, and an important one. If you feel well enough, a slow climb up the ridge behind the village gives views of Makalu and Lhotse, two of the highest mountains in the world. Otherwise, you can rest in the village.
- Altitude
- 4,410 m (14,470 ft)
- On foot
- Optional 4–5 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Dingboche
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A shorter, higher day up the Khumbu valley. You pass the stone memorials at Thukla, built for climbers who died on Everest, before reaching Lobuche near the edge of the glacier, the last stop before Base Camp.
- Altitude
- 4,940 m (16,210 ft)+530 m
- On foot
- 8 km, 5–6 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Lobuche
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The main day of the trek. A rocky walk along the glacier leads to Gorak Shep for lunch, then across the moraine to Base Camp itself, directly below the Khumbu Icefall. In spring it is filled with climbers' tents. We return to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Altitude
- 5,364 m (17,600 ft) at Base Camp+424 m
- On foot
- 13 km, 7–8 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Gorak Shep
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A cold, dark and early start up Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek, for the best view of Everest as the sun reaches it. This is followed by a long descent to Pheriche, where the air is thicker and a hot shower and a warm meal are available.
- Altitude
- 5,545 m (18,190 ft) at Kala Patthar+181 m
- On foot
- 15 km, 8–9 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Pheriche
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You walk downhill with Everest behind you and Ama Dablam ahead. As the air thickens the walking becomes easier, and you descend back into the forest on the way to Namche.
- Altitude
- 3,440 m (11,290 ft)−2,105 m
- On foot
- 15 km, 6–7 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The last full day on the trail, back across the bridges and through the villages to Lukla. In the evening we have a meal with the guides and porters to mark the end of the trek.
- Altitude
- 2,840 m (9,320 ft)−600 m
- On foot
- 13 km, 6–7 hrs
- Night in
- Teahouse, Lukla
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short morning flight back to Kathmandu, with the rest of the day free to rest or shop for gifts. There is a farewell dinner in the evening.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)−1,440 m
- On foot
- None, flight day
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
This day is held in reserve, because Lukla flights can be delayed by weather. If everything has gone to plan, you are free to explore the city; if a flight was delayed, this day protects your onward travel plans.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- None, spare day
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast
We take you to the airport for your flight home. We recommend allowing a couple of spare days in your wider travel plans in case the weather at Lukla causes delays.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- None, departure day
- Night in
- No overnight
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
Accommodation
- In Kathmandu: Four nights in a three-star hotel, in twin or double rooms with a private bathroom and hot water: two nights before the trek and two after.
- On the trek: Eleven nights in teahouses on a twin-share basis, with private bathrooms in most lodges at Phakding, Namche and Lukla, and shared bathrooms higher up.
Meals
- On the trek: Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from day 3 to day 13, with tea or coffee at every stop.
- In Kathmandu: Breakfast every morning, dinner on day 1 and day 14, and all three meals on the valley sightseeing day.
Transport and flights
- Lukla flights: Both directions, from Kathmandu or from Ramechhap, depending on the month.
- Airport transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport in a private vehicle.
- Ramechhap drive: The early road transfer to Ramechhap, in the months when the Lukla flight departs from there.
Guide and staff
- A government-licensed guide with wilderness first aid training leads every departure.
- One porter for every two trekkers, carrying up to 20 kg.
- A second guide for groups of nine or more.
- Wages, insurance, food and accommodation for every guide and porter, including cover for altitude and helicopter evacuation.
Permits
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
Sightseeing
- Kathmandu Valley tour: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Patan with a guide on day 2.
Equipment
- Sleeping bag: Rated to −15°C, for the trek.
- Down jacket: For the trek.
- Duffel bag: Provided for the porter to carry.
- Luggage storage: Free of charge at our Kathmandu office, for anything you do not need on the trek.
Also included
- Farewell dinner: With a Nepali cultural show, in Kathmandu on day 14.
- First aid: A group medical kit, carried by your guide.
Not included
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa, obtained on arrival
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter rescue, which is compulsory
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, other than the meals listed above
- Hot showers, device charging and wifi in the teahouses, $3 to $8 each time
- Drinking water, snacks, and drinks other than tea and coffee
- Rescue and evacuation costs, which are covered by your travel insurance
- Excess baggage on the Lukla flight, about $1.50 per kilo over 15 kg
- A helicopter flight out, if you choose one, from $500 a seat
- Personal trekking clothing and equipment
- Tips for your guide and porters, usually $150 to $250 per trekker
- A single room in Kathmandu, available as an optional extra
Dates and prices
Start date
8 Nov 2026
End date
23 Nov 2026
Available
8 left
US $1,867
Per person
Start date
7 Mar 2027
End date
22 Mar 2027
Available
8 left
US $1,867
Per person
Start date
4 Apr 2027
End date
19 Apr 2027
Available
8 left
US $1,867
Per person
Route map
The trail from start to finish, at a glance.
Video
Packing list
Two baggage limits, and the flight limit is stricter
Your porter carries a strict maximum of 20 kg, shared between two trekkers. The Lukla flight allows 15 kg in total, 10 kg checked and 5 kg hand baggage, and bags are weighed. In practice, the flight allowance is the main limit. Anything you do not need on the trek can be stored free of charge at our Kathmandu office. We provide the duffel bag, sleeping bag and down jacket, so you do not need to bring them.
- A sun hat with a brim, and a warm hat that covers your ears
- Two buffs or neck gaiters
- Sunglasses, category 3 or 4. Snow glare above Lobuche is strong
- Head torch and spare batteries. The climb to Kala Patthar starts at four in the morning
- Sunscreen SPF 50 and lip balm with sun protection
- Three or four merino or synthetic base layers, not cotton
- Two mid layers: one fleece and one light insulated jacket
- Down jacket. We provide one; bring your own if you feel the cold at night
- A waterproof jacket and trousers that pack small
- Two pairs of trekking trousers, one lined
- Underwear for four or five days, washed along the way
- Liner gloves and insulated outer gloves or mittens
- Trekking boots with ankle support, worn in before the trek. This is essential
- Four pairs of wool trekking socks
- Camp shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Gaiters, if you are travelling in winter or early spring
- Duffel bag for the porter, 20 kg maximum. We provide one
- Daypack, 30 to 35 litres, with a rain cover
- Dry bags or thick liners. Nothing stays waterproof for long on this trail
- Sleeping bag rated to −15°C. We provide one
- Silk or cotton liner, for warmth and hygiene
- Earplugs. Teahouse walls are made of plywood
- Personal first aid kit: blister plasters, tape, painkillers and rehydration salts
- Diamox, if your doctor agrees, plus any regular medication
- Water purification: tablets, a filter or a SteriPen
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes. There are no showers above Dingboche
- Throat lozenges. The dry cough known as the Khumbu cough is very common
- Passport valid for six months, plus two photocopies
- Four passport photographs for permits
- Travel insurance certificate showing helicopter cover to 6,000 m
- $300 to $500 in small notes. There is no cash machine above Namche
Lukla flights
Flight delays are the most common problem on this trek. This section explains how they are handled.
Kathmandu or Ramechhap, depending on the month
Outside the two busiest periods of the year, the flight leaves Kathmandu and takes about 35 minutes. For most of March to May and late September to November, air traffic control moves Lukla departures to Manthali airport at Ramechhap to reduce congestion at Kathmandu. This means a four to five hour drive leaving Kathmandu at around two in the morning, followed by a twenty-minute flight. The trek is the same, but the night before is much shorter. We tell you which applies to your dates before you book.
Baggage allowance of 15 kg
The allowance is 15 kg in total: 10 kg checked and 5 kg of hand baggage. Excess baggage is charged at about $1.50 a kilo, and the limit is enforced because the aircraft is a nineteen-seat Twin Otter or Dornier and the runway is 527 metres long and sloping. Anything you do not need on the trek can be stored free of charge at our office in Kathmandu.
Flight delays
Lukla is closed by cloud several times a month in every season. Losing a day is common and losing two is not unusual, which is why day 15 is a spare day. If the flight is cancelled for more than three days, we change the itinerary to an equally good trek at a lower altitude rather than shorten this one, at no extra charge. If you prefer to fly out by helicopter on the day, it costs around $500 a seat and we can usually arrange it within a few hours.
Book your flight home with a day to spare
Whatever your itinerary, book an international flight that leaves at least one clear day after your scheduled return to Kathmandu. It is the least expensive way to protect your trip, and we often wish travellers had done so.
Accommodation
Teahouse accommodation
Every night on the trek is spent in a teahouse: a family-run lodge with one warm dining room, heated by a single stove, and a corridor of simple twin rooms behind it. Each room has two beds with a foam mattress, a pillow and a blanket. The walls are thin, so you will hear your neighbours. Bring a sleeping bag. After dark the dining room is the only warm place in the building, and it is where everyone eats, reads and talks.
Facilities at higher altitude
At Phakding, Namche and Lukla most rooms have a private bathroom. From Tengboche upwards, bathrooms are shared, and hot showers, battery charging and wifi are charged separately. Lobuche and Gorak Shep are the most basic nights: cold rooms, shared toilets and no shower. Gorak Shep is the highest overnight stop of the trek, and few people sleep well there.
Where we usually stay
In Kathmandu, Thamel Eco Resort. On the trek: Sherpa Guide Lodge or Hotel Beer Garden at Phakding, Hotel Tibet, Hotel Nest or Hotel Namche at Namche, Himalayan Hotel at Tengboche, Rivendell Lodge or Hotel Good Luck at Dingboche, Oxygen Altitude Home at Lobuche, Gorakshep Yeti Resort at Gorak Shep and Everest Eco at Lukla. If one is full in the high season, we book another of the same standard.
15 nights, and where
| Where | Nights | Type | Room | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 4 | Three-star hotel | Twin or double | Private, hot water |
| Phakding | 1 | Teahouse | Twin | Private in most lodges |
| Namche Bazaar | 3 | Teahouse | Twin | Private, hot shower for a fee |
| Tengboche | 1 | Teahouse | Twin | Shared |
| Dingboche | 2 | Teahouse | Twin | Shared |
| Lobuche | 1 | Teahouse | Twin | Shared |
| Gorak Shep | 1 | Teahouse, the highest on the route | Twin, basic | Shared, no shower |
| Pheriche | 1 | Teahouse | Twin | Shared |
| Lukla | 1 | Teahouse | Twin | Private |
- Kathmandu
- Nights
- 4
- Type
- Three-star hotel
- Room
- Twin or double
- Bathroom
- Private, hot water
- Phakding
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Private in most lodges
- Namche Bazaar
- Nights
- 3
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Private, hot shower for a fee
- Tengboche
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Shared
- Dingboche
- Nights
- 2
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Shared
- Lobuche
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Shared
- Gorak Shep
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse, the highest on the route
- Room
- Twin, basic
- Bathroom
- Shared, no shower
- Pheriche
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Shared
- Lukla
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Teahouse
- Room
- Twin
- Bathroom
- Private
Heat, hot water, power and signal
- Heating
- One stove in the dining room, lit at dusk. Bedrooms are not heated at any altitude.
- Hot shower
- Available up to Dingboche for $4 to $8, heated by gas or solar power. None above Lobuche.
- Charging
- $3 to $5 per device in the dining room. Bring a power bank and keep it in your sleeping bag at night.
- Wifi
- Everest Link cards cost about $20 for 10 GB and work as far as Gorak Shep, though the connection is poor.
- Phone signal
- Ncell and NTC cover most of the route as far as Lobuche. Buy a SIM card in Kathmandu.
- Water
- Boiled water costs $1 to $4 a litre, depending on altitude. Please use this or water purification rather than buying bottled water.
- Sleeping bag
- Provided, rated to −15°C. It is lent for the trek and returned afterwards.
- Bedding
- A mattress, a pillow and a blanket. Your sleeping bag goes on top of these.
Meals
Lunch
Dal bhat, fried rice, noodles, soup, momo, potatoes in every form
Dinner
Dal bhat, pasta, thukpa, curry and rice, soup to start
Tea
Black, milk, lemon, ginger or masala tea. Included at every stop.
If you eat differently
- Vegetarian
- Easily catered for throughout. Dal bhat is vegetarian and is the best dish on the menu.
- Vegan
- Manageable with notice. Tell us when you book so that the guide can order in advance.
- Gluten free
- Rice, dal, potatoes and eggs are safe. Bread, noodles and momo are not, and cross-contamination in a teahouse kitchen cannot be ruled out.
- Halal
- There is no certified halal kitchen on the route. Vegetarian food is the practical option.
- Meat
- Available, but we advise against eating meat above Namche, as it is carried up without refrigeration for two days.
A typical day
6:00Tea in your room, and a bowl of warm water for washing
6:30Pack, and leave your duffel outside your door for the porter
7:00Breakfast together in the dining room
8:00Start walking. The guide sets a slow, steady pace
12:00Lunch at a teahouse on the route, about an hour
13:00Two to four more hours of walking, depending on the day
15:30Arrive, have tea, check in, wash and rest if needed
17:00Oxygen saturation and pulse measured and recorded
18:30Dinner, and a briefing from the guide on the next day
20:30Bedtime. At 4,000 m most people are asleep by nine
Difficulty and preparation
Demanding walking, but no technical skills required.
- Five to seven hours of walking a day for eleven days, with two days of eight to nine hours.
- Rough ground throughout: stone staircases, moraine and loose glacial rubble above Lobuche.
- You sleep at 5,164 m, where there is about half the oxygen available at sea level.
- No ropes, crampons, exposed sections or passes to cross. If you can walk the distance, you can complete the trek.
- Trekkers who turn back almost always do so because of altitude, not fitness.
Getting ready, week by week
Written for somebody who walks a bit and does not train. If you already run or cycle regularly, start partway through. Nothing here needs a gym.
- Trek
12 weeks before, stage 1 of 6
Build endurance
Do three cardio sessions a week, 45 minutes each, at a pace at which you can still hold a conversation. Walking, cycling, swimming or rowing are all suitable. This is the most important part of the plan.
Weather by month
This section shows the conditions to expect in each month. We do not run the trek in two of these months.
- Best
- Good
- Hard
- We do not run it
April
Best- Daytime on the trail
- +13°C
- Night-time on the trail
- -2°C
- Night-time at Gorak Shep
- -12°C
The best month. Warm days, stable weather, and the forests below Namche are in flower.
Averages from Nepal DHM station data for the Khumbu. Any given week can be ten degrees either side of these, and the wind at Gorak Shep makes minus fifteen feel like minus twenty-five.
Altitude and safety
Everest Base Camp is at 5,364 m, and you sleep one night at 5,164 m. At that altitude each breath contains roughly half the oxygen available at sea level, and training at home does not change how your body responds to it. Fitness and altitude tolerance are unrelated: strong young trekkers can get altitude sickness, while less fit older trekkers often do not. What helps is ascending slowly, which is the purpose of the two rest days, and telling someone early if you feel unwell.
Tell your guide if you have any of these
- A headache that does not improve with water and paracetamol
- Nausea, or no appetite when you would expect to be hungry
- Dizziness, or feeling drunk without having had alcohol
- Breathlessness at rest, not only when climbing
- Poor sleep, or waking up short of breath
- A dry cough that gets worse over a day
- Loss of coordination, which requires immediate descent
What actually prevents it
- Walk more slowly than you would like. Your guide will set a slow pace, and this is important.
- Drink three to four litres of water a day, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Eat, even when you have no appetite. Loss of appetite is often the first effect of altitude.
- No alcohol above Namche, and no sleeping pills at any altitude.
- Climb high and sleep low: on the rest days you climb 400 to 500 m and return to sleep.
- Diamox is effective and worth discussing with your doctor before you travel.
What we do about it, in order
- 1
Daily health checks
Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and measures your oxygen saturation and pulse every evening, and again on any morning you feel unwell. The readings are recorded, so any decline over three days is clear from the records.
- 2
Mild symptoms
You rest for a day where you are, or descend a short distance to the previous village and climb back the following day. Most cases are resolved at this stage and the trek continues.
- 3
Serious symptoms
Descent is the only effective treatment, and 500 m of descent is usually enough. This is not negotiable, and the decision rests with the guide.
- 4
Helicopter evacuation
Helicopter evacuation is available from anywhere on this route and can be arranged by phone. In daylight the helicopter is usually in the air within the hour. This is why your insurance must cover it and why we ask to see your policy: the cost is $3,000 to $5,000, and the helicopter will not fly without a payment guarantee.
- 5
Medical care on the route
The Himalayan Rescue Association clinic at Pheriche, at 4,371 m, is staffed by volunteer doctors during both trekking seasons and is on our route on day 11.
Fitness and altitude are unrelated
This is the thing people get wrong most often. Training makes the walking easier and does nothing for how your body handles thin air. Strong young trekkers get altitude sickness and unfit older ones frequently do not. Go up slowly, and say something the first time your head hurts.
Your guide
Your guide
A government-licensed guide with wilderness first aid training leads every departure, and there is one porter for every two trekkers. Groups of nine or more have a second guide, so that nobody at the back of the group walks alone. We have run treks in Nepal since 1999. Our guides come from the hills they take you into, and most have walked this route more than fifty times.
Porters and luggage
Each porter carries twenty kilos, which is your duffel and one other. This is below the 25 kg limit set by the trekking association and well below the loads you will see on the trail. If your bag is over the limit, it is divided rather than added to another load. Porters carry duffels, not daypacks: your water, camera, jacket and snacks for the day stay with you.
Staff pay and insurance
Salary, insurance, food and accommodation for every guide and porter are included in the price you pay, not collected on the trail. All of them are insured for altitude and helicopter evacuation on the same terms we require of you. Porters in this industry have often carried excessive loads in unsuitable footwear for low pay, and we avoid this by including fair pay and proper equipment in the package price.
Tipping
Tipping is customary but not compulsory, and never replaces wages. For this trek, $150 to $250 per trekker for the whole team is usual, given together on the last evening rather than daily. Your guide will not ask for a tip, and would prefer it not to be given in front of the group.
Why travel with Earthbound Expeditions
A Nepali company, running treks since 1999
Earthbound Expeditions is a licensed trekking company based in Thamel, Kathmandu, and has organised treks in the Everest region since 1999. The team that plans your trip is the team you meet in Kathmandu.
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor
Travellers have reviewed us on Tripadvisor since 2008, more than 900 of them. You can read the reviews of this trek further down this page, each with a link to the original.
Guides and porters looked after properly
A government-licensed guide leads every departure, and one porter carries for every two trekkers. Their wages, insurance, food and lodging are included in the price, not raised on the trail.
An itinerary built for acclimatisation
Two rest days, at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, let your body adjust before the highest nights, and a spare day in Kathmandu allows for delayed Lukla flights.
A briefing, and somewhere to leave your luggage
We brief you in Kathmandu before the trek and check your equipment, and anything you do not take up the trail is stored free of charge at our Kathmandu office.
Private departures at the group price
A private departure on your own dates costs the same as a group departure for a party of five or more, and can be arranged for one person.
Responsible trekking
We carry out everything we carry in that is not food, encourage boiled water rather than plastic bottles, and spend almost all of what you pay within the region you trek in.
Responsible trekking
Drinking water
A trekker drinking bottled water uses around forty plastic bottles on this trek, all of which have been flown or carried into a national park and have to be carried out again. Boiled water is available at every lodge for one or two dollars a litre, and we recommend you buy that instead. Bring water purification as a backup.
Waste
We carry out everything we bring in that is not food. The Khumbu has a rubbish problem that it did not create and cannot solve alone, and we make sure not to add to it.
Supporting local communities
The lodges are family businesses in the villages along the route. The guides and porters live in this district. The permit fees fund the national park and the rural municipality. Almost all of what you pay for this trek is spent within thirty miles of the trail, which is a good reason to book with a Nepali operator rather than a foreign company that subcontracts to one.
Local customs
Ask before photographing anyone. When you meet a mule train, stand on the mountain side of the trail, not the side with the drop, and let it pass. Monasteries welcome visitors but are places of worship: remove your hat and shoes, and if a service is taking place, wait.
Booking and payment
How to book
Write to us, or send a WhatsApp message, with your approximate travel dates. You will receive a personal reply from a member of our team who has walked this route. There is no obligation at any stage before you pay a deposit.
Deposit
A 30 per cent deposit secures your dates, and the balance is paid when you arrive in Kathmandu, in cash or by card. At the same time we ask for a copy of your passport, your insurance certificate and any dietary or medical information.
Payment
You can pay by bank transfer or by card through a secure link. Card payments carry a bank fee of about 4 per cent, which we show you before you pay. The balance in Kathmandu can be paid in US dollars, pounds, euros or Nepali rupees.
Cancellation
If you cancel more than 30 days before departure, the deposit can be transferred to any other date or trek we run, with no time limit. If you cancel within 30 days, the deposit is retained, because the permits, flights and crew have been booked by then. If we cancel for any reason other than weather, you receive a full refund.
Private and group departures
Both cost the same for a party of five or more. A private departure runs on your dates at your pace and can be arranged for one person. A group departure runs on the dates in the table above, with a maximum of eight people. Most people book privately, at no extra cost.
Late bookings
Ten days' notice is enough if flight seats are available, although in spring and autumn they often are not. We have arranged treks starting within four days. If you are already in Kathmandu, please visit our office.
Other ways to reach Everest Base Camp
4 versions of this journey. They use the same guides and the same lodges; what changes is the length, the comfort and how much of it you walk.
- Classic Everest Base CampYou are hereThe itinerary on this page: two acclimatisation days and a spare day for flight delays.16 days$1,867
- Everest Base Camp, heli returnWalk up and fly out from Gorak Shep. For trekkers with less time.12 days$3,187
- Gokyo Lakes and Cho LaBase Camp plus the Gokyo Lakes and a 5,420 m pass. Harder and quieter than the classic route.18 days$2,290
- Island Peak with Base CampThe trek followed by a 6,189 m trekking peak. Requires a day of rope and crampon training.20 days$3,450
Optional extras
Priced per person, arranged before you travel, and none of them included in the price above.
- saves 3 days
Helicopter return from Gorak Shep
from $500 a seatFly out from Gorak Shep or Pheriche to Lukla or directly to Kathmandu. Most people choose this to save time or to avoid the descent on their knees.
- 1 morning
Everest scenic flight
$220A one-hour flight along the range from Kathmandu, with a guaranteed window seat. It is a good alternative if cloud keeps Lukla closed.
- +3 days
Chitwan or Bardia, three days
from $390Travel south to the lowland jungle to see rhino, and possibly tiger at Bardia. A good way to recover after eleven days above 3,000 m.
- 1 day
Guided Kathmandu Valley tour
$95Bhaktapur, Patan and Boudhanath with a guide who explains the religious art and symbolism. Day 2 includes a shorter version of this tour.
- +5 days
Gokyo Lakes and Cho La
from $640Return by a loop over a 5,420 m pass and past the six Gokyo lakes. A demanding route, and one of the finest in the Khumbu.
Single room in Kathmandu
$180A room to yourself for all four hotel nights. On the trek, lodges are twin-share only.
Luxury lodge upgrade in the lower Khumbu
Price on requestWhere the route passes one, we book a premium lodge instead of the standard teahouse. Mountain Lodges of Nepal has lodges at Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche and Deboche, and Everest Summit Lodges has lodges at Lukla, Monjo, Tashinga and Pangboche. Expect warmer rooms, better beds, private bathrooms in most rooms and a quieter dining room. There are no premium lodges above Pangboche, so the higher nights are in standard teahouses. We confirm which lodges have rooms on your dates before you book.
Reviews
Exceptional4.9 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Highly recommend Earthbound Expeditions for anyone considering EBC or a Himalayan adventure.
August 2026, Tripadvisor
We had an amazing experience with Earthbound Expeditions on our Everest Base Camp trek. From planning and logistics to handling the inevitable challenges of a high-altitude trek, everything was managed exceptionally well. A special shout-out to Rajan, whose leadership, calmness and personal attention made a huge difference throughout the journey. With a large group, keeping everyone safe, supported and moving together is no small task, and Rajan and his team did it remarkably well. Professional, dependable and genuinely caring — highly recommend Earthbound Expeditions for anyone considering EBC or a Himalayan adventure.
Anirudha JRead on Tripadvisor
Why I Keep Coming Back to Earthbound
July 2026, Tripadvisor
I’ve completed the Everest Base Camp trek three times, twice with Earthbound and once with a company recommended by Earthbound for my Mount Everest expedition. For me, Earthbound is synonymous with its founder, Rajan. His commitment to his clients is exceptional. While his organizational and logistical skills are outstanding, what truly sets him apart is the way he makes every trekker feel comfortable, confident, and valued. His warm, approachable personality creates an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie, making you feel less like a customer and more like a member of the Earthbound family. Rajan’s leadership extends far beyond what clients see. Behind the scenes, he works tirelessly to manage every detail. He coordinates staff, monitors weather conditions, solves unexpected challenges, and ensures that food, equipment, and accommodations are exactly as they should be. Because of his meticulous planning and constant attention, the trek feels effortless, allowing you to focus entirely on the experience. I had heard countless glowing reviews about Rajan before joining my first Earthbound trek, and my own experiences have exceeded those expectations. Whether you're trekking to Everest Base Camp or pursuing an even bigger mountaineering goal, his calm presence and sound judgment inspire confidence every step of the way. What impressed me most is that Rajan's values and work ethic aren't limited to him alone. They are reflected in every member of the Earthbound team. Their professionalism, genuine care, and unwavering commitment to clients make Earthbound a company I would recommend without hesitation.
Jafar IRead on Tripadvisor
Unforgettable Journey of a Lifetime!
July 2026, Tripadvisor
Trekking to Everest Base Camp with Earthbound Expeditions exceeded every expectation! From the moment we landed in Kathmandu, Rajanji and the entire team handled every detail seamlessly. Our guides were extraordinarily attentive, and kept us safe, healthy, and acclimatized every step of the way up the Khumbu Valley. The porters were absolute superheroes, and the team's warm hospitality made this trek unforgettable. You can truly tell they have decades of local expertise and deeply respect the region. If you are planning to tackle EBC, look no further than Earthbound Expeditions—they make a challenging trek feel effortlessly smooth and unforgettable!
Roopa RRead on Tripadvisor
Amazing services of Earthbound Expeditions for a memorable trek to Everest Base Camp
July 2026, Tripadvisor
We traveled as a family and part of a bigger friends group to trek to Everest Base Camp. Earthbound Expeditions took care of every aspect of our trip. The quality and care of service provided through this multiday trip was incredible. Rajan ji has an amazing set of people working for him and everyone of them tried to make the trip extra special for each and everyone of us. We are very thankful to have found such a reliable enterprise for our trekking adventure and would heartily recommend the to all comers. We are all already thinking about the next trip we can plan with Earthbound Expeditions.
Srivatsan SWestford, MassachusettsRead on Tripadvisor
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the 19 questions travellers ask us most often. If your question is not listed, please ask and we will answer it and add it here.
No. The classic route involves no ropes, no crampons, no exposed sections and no pass above 5,000 m. It is a long walk on rough ground at altitude. If you can walk in the hills at home for six hours, you have the skills required.
You need to be able to walk five to seven hours a day, on consecutive days, with a light daypack. The training plan on this page is designed for a reasonably active person starting twelve weeks before the trek. Fitness does not protect you from altitude sickness, and a lack of fitness does not cause it.
On our departures, most people reach Base Camp. Those who do not almost always turn back because of altitude rather than fitness, usually between Dingboche and Lobuche, and usually because they continued with a headache instead of reporting it on the first day.
There is no upper age limit. We have taken trekkers in their seventies to Base Camp and turned back trekkers in their twenties. The minimum age is twelve, accompanied by a parent. Walking experience matters more than age.
Yes. It costs $2,340 rather than $1,867, because the cost of the guide and porter is paid by one person rather than shared. Since 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks must be accompanied by a licensed guide in any case.
At Gorak Shep, the highest overnight stop, expect −10°C to −20°C after dark, depending on the month. Daytime temperatures on the trail are 10°C to 15°C in the trekking seasons and pleasant in the sun. Bedrooms are not heated at any altitude, which is why you need a sleeping bag.
Everest Link wifi cards work as far as Gorak Shep and cost around $20 for 10 GB, but the connection is slow. Ncell and NTC mobile data cover most of the route as far as Lobuche. Buy a SIM card in Kathmandu, as you cannot register one on the trail.
Yes, in the dining room, for $3 to $5 per device each time. Bring a power bank of 20,000 mAh or more and keep it inside your sleeping bag at night, because the cold drains batteries faster than use.
Your guide measures your oxygen saturation every evening and records it, so any decline is noticed early. Mild cases usually improve with a rest day or a short descent. If they do not, we descend, and if necessary we call a helicopter. Descent is the only reliable treatment.
A policy that covers trekking to 6,000 m and includes helicopter evacuation and repatriation. We ask to see the certificate before you fly to Lukla. A rescue costs $3,000 to $5,000, and the helicopter will not fly without a payment guarantee, so it is important to have the correct cover.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport: $30 for 15 days or $50 for 30 days, payable in cash. Complete the online form within 15 days before arrival to reduce the waiting time. Bring a passport photograph and a passport valid for at least six months.
$300 to $500 in small notes, changed into rupees in Kathmandu. This covers hot showers, charging, wifi, drinks, snacks and tips. The highest cash machine is in Namche and is often empty, and no lodge above Namche accepts cards.
Cancellations happen several times a month in every season, which is why day 15 is a spare day. If the cancellation lasts more than three days, we move you to an equally good trek at a lower altitude at no extra charge, or you can fly out by helicopter for around $500 a seat. Always book your flight home with a clear day to spare.
Yes, and it is inexpensive: down jackets and sleeping bags can be hired for $1 to $3 a day in Thamel. However, you will not need to, because we provide both, as well as a duffel bag. Boots are the item you should buy new and wear in at home.
Yes. The safest dish on every menu is dal bhat, which is freshly cooked and refilled free of charge. We advise against eating meat above Namche, as it is carried up without refrigeration. Vegetarian diets are easy to cater for, and vegan and gluten-free diets are manageable with notice, so please tell us when you book.
Your duffel is carried by a porter shared between two trekkers, with a strict limit of 20 kg between you. You carry a daypack with water, a warm layer, a camera and snacks for the day, weighing 6 to 8 kg. The 15 kg Lukla flight allowance is the main limit, not the porter.
Up to Dingboche, hot showers cost $4 to $8 and are heated by gas or solar power. There are no showers above Lobuche, including at Gorak Shep. Bring wet wipes for the last four days; every trekker is in the same situation.
A maximum of eight, and departures run with a minimum of one. Groups of nine or more have a second guide. If you would prefer to travel only with your own party, a private departure on your own dates costs the same for five or more people.
For October and April, book three to six months ahead, because Lukla flights and the better lodges fill up first. At other times of year, six weeks is usually enough and ten days is possible.
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16 days
$1,867 per person
