Everest Base Camp Trek Blog

Everest Base Camp Trek is the epitome of high-altitude trekking. To plan this trek, you must have a proper idea of the various things that go on the trek. Thus, we’ve developed this blog, Everest Base Camp Trek Blog, to provide you with a complete idea. What makes this blog authentic is that everything you’ll read here is the first-hand experiences of our manager and trekking guides.

Everest Base Camp Trek- Trek Highlights

• Surreal panorama of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changatse, Ama Dablam, Cholatese, Mt. Makalu, and several elegant mountains.
• Side trekking to Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass.
• Affluent amenities at well-established tea houses and lodges, serving utmost comfort and hygienic meals.
• The Sherpa culture experience and a visit to Tengboche Monastery.
• Once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking on a route once scaled by legendary Everest climbers.
• Walk through a serene pine forest, cross a tall suspension bridge over cascading rivers, and beautiful Sherpa hamlets.
• Thrilling flight to/from Lukla.

In Summary: Everest Base Camp Trek

Topics	Everest Base Camp
Where?	Sagarmatha National Park, Solukhumbu, East Nepal
Max. Altitude	Kala Patthar, 5,644 meters
Trek Distance	130 km (two way)
Trek Duration	11 days
Side Treks	Gokyo Lakes Trek
Trek Cost	USD 1480 per person
Difficulty	Comfortable
Trek Permits	Sagarmatha National Park Entry Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry
Permit Fee	USD 50 (Rs. 6000)
Best Time	March, April, May, October, November, and December
Crowd	Very busy during the season
Accommodation	Tea house based (good ones)
Trek Guide	Optional but guide is highly recommended
Number of mountains	15-20 visible mountains
Highest Mountain	Mt. Everest, 1st highest
Cultural Experience	Buddhism, Sherpa People
Wildlife	Impeyan Pheasant, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, etc.

What to expect from Everest Base Camp Trek Blog?

The primary purpose of writing the Everest Base Camp Trek Blog is to provide you with an authentic Everest Trek guide for the 2025 season. This blog has everything you need to know about Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025.

Here are the most valid reasons why this trek can be the ultimate adventure in 2025.

Close-up View of several World’s highest mountain

The one-word answer to “Why would you trek to Everest Base Camp in 2025?” surely is “mountains.” Undoubtedly, the close-up confrontation of several of the world’s highest mountains is why everyone plans the Everest Base Camp Trek.

On this 12-day junket, you’ll see the three highest mountains, Mt. Everest (1st), Makalu (5th), and Lhtose (4th). But, if you embark on 15 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass, you’ll see Mt. Cho Oyu (6th highest in the world), a fourth in the region.

While Mount Everest is the most prominent mountain, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cholatse, Pumori, Lobuche, Ama Dablam, Kongde Ri, etc., are equally popular. The ultimate joy of seeing these mountains up close and trekking alongside them for 11 long days feels surreal.

Viewing Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) from Kala Patthar offers a unique perspective of the world’s highest mountain. And the panorama you view remains in your heart, a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll remember for life.

Sherpa people and their culture

Sherpa are the ethnic people of the Everest region. Almost every tea house owner on this route is Sherpa. Just like the mountains of Everest region are famous to the world, so are the Sherpa people, their culture, and their legendary climbing history on high mountains.

Mani Rimdu festival is a significant Buddhist festival in the Everest region. This 19-day-long festival has different acts every day. It takes place at Tengboche monastery, where Sherpa people and Buddhist Guru (priests) gather to celebrate it grandly.

To experience this festival, you can plan your Everest Base Camp Trek in November. Usually, it falls on the first full moon day of the Buddhist calendar in the eighth month, usually late October/early November. This monastery lets foreigners enjoy the festival with a certain entrance fee. Lhosar and Buddha Purnima are other notable Sherpa festivals.

You’ll witness most Sherpa people at Lukla, Namche, and Dingboche. Here, you’ll get to see their lifestyle, and attires, and experience their welcoming hospitality. As most Sherpa people are into mountain-related activities, you may also get a Sherpa guide and porter.

Recommendation: Visit Khumjung Monastery for the Yeti Skull, Sherpa Museum in Namche, and Tengboche Monastery to experience more of the region.

Enriched Biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is home to 30 butterfly species, more than 800 plant species, medicinal herbs, birds, and animals.

The vibrant rhododendron blossom along the pine, birch, hemlock, and juniper forest offers serenity to trekkers on the Everest Base Camp Trek route. Just a reminder, click the photos but don’t try to touch any plants and flowers. Their pollens often causes hallucination in trekkers.

You’ll find Himalayan Tahr ( mountain goat) grazing on the cliffs of Namche and Deboche. They won’t run seeing you, but it’s up to you to let them continue grazing the shrubs or shout at it. Impeyan Pheasant often rests on the walls of Larcha Dovan, and Tengboche ascends. It’s one of the most colorful birds, with all rainbow colors. It’s also the national bird of Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary- Plan it wisely!

There are multiple itineraries to trek to Everest Base Camp. Thus, the first thing you should be aware of is the trek itinerary. Know your itinerary!

The most popular and widely practiced itinerary is 12 days. In 12 days, you’ll take a flight from Kathmandu/Manthali airport to Lukla, trek for 7 days to the base camp, return to Lukla, and fly back to Manthali/Kathmandu. In between, you’ll have two acclimatization stops, one at Namche and Dingboche.

Another popular EBC Trek itinerary is 8 days. In this, you’ll trek for 8 days to Gorak Shep, visit the base camp, and return to Gorak Shep for overnight accommodation. On the 9th morning, you’ll hike to Kala Patthar for a sunrise view. You’ll then return to the tea house, grab breakfast, and fly on a helicopter to Kathmandu.

However, there has been news of banning helicopter flights in the Everest region past Namche Bazaar, effective fromJanuary 1, 2025. It’s still uncertain as various stakeholders are not satisfied with this new rule being implemented.

If you’re considering a 12-day EBC Trek, here’s a tabular representation of it.

Day	From	To	Altitude
1	Kathmandu/Ramechhap	Lukla – Phakding	2860/2,610 meters
2	Phakding	Namche Bazaar	3,440 meters
3	Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. Hike to Hotel Everest View at 3,880 meters
4	Namche Bazaar	Tengboche/Deboche	3,860/3,820 meters
5	Tengboche/Deboche	Dingboche	4,410 meters
7	Acclimatization at Dingboche at 5,083 meters
6	Dingboche	Lobuche	4,940 meters
8	Lobuche	Gorak Shep-EBC-Gorak Shep	5,164/ 5,364meters
9	Gorak Shep	Pheriche	4,371 meters
10	Pheriche	Namche	3,440 meters
11	Namche	Lukla	2,860 meters
12	Lukla	Ramechhap/Kathmandu

Side Trekking: Longer Itineraries

Everest Three Passes Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass are two longer treks in the region. The first is doable in 18-20 days and later in 15 days. In the end, both these treks include the trek to Everest Base Camp. How cool?

Instead of just trekking to the base camp, we have some recommendations for you:

• Include Cho La Pass and Gokyo Lakes for a complete Everest experience,
• Or, embark on a passes trek for a more adventurous Everest experience (includes Gokyo Lakes and base camp), 
• Or, Everest Two Passes Trek ( includes base camp, Renjo La, Cho La, and Gokyo Lakes)

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost depends on the itinerary and group size. Longer itineraries make the trek expensive. However, more trekkers in a group give you the trek at a discounted price.

Here’s an overview of the 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek Cost we’ve set for the 2025 season (Spring and Autumn).

Pax	Cost Per Person (USD)	Availability	Want to book?
1	1480	Available	Inquire Us
2-3	1410	Available	Inquire Us
4-5	1350	Available	Inquire Us
6 and more	1300	Available	Inquire Us

Where will you spend the money?

• Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu flight (if you’re taking the flight)
• Accommodation and meals at the tea house along the trek
• Everest Base Camp Trek Permits (mandatory purchase)
• Use of WiFi, Hot Shower, Electricity Recharge, Hot Drinking Water, etc.

And if you plan this trek with a trekking agency like us, along the above-mentioned things, you’ll also get:

• Licensed Trek Guide
• Trek Porter to carry your backpacks
• Handpicked Itinerary

Getting to Lukla: Regular Flight and Helicopter

Lukla is a gateway to the Everest region and for popular activities like the Everest expedition and Everest Base Camp Trek. There are two ways to get to Lukla, one is by flight (plane/helicopter) and the other by trek from Phaplu for three days. The most convenient, however, is the flight.

The Kathmandu to Lukla flight is popular among Everest trekkers. However, during the trekking season (April-June and October-December), the flights to Lukla operate from Manthali airport.

Flight Operators: Tara Air, Sita Air, and Summit Air are three airlines that operate flights to Lukla.

Lukla Airport gets busy during the season, with more than 40 flights on a clear weather day. With this, you can imagine how busy the trek gets during the season. However, if the weather deteriorates at Lukla, the possibility of flying gets negligible. And at such, trekkers prefer flying on a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Recent Weather Issues in Lukla

In recent years, the poor weather in Lukla in September and October has caused flight cancelations for weeks. In October 2024, the weather in Lukla was unpredictable due to rain and fog. With this, most trekkers took the jeep from Phaplu and trekked to Lukla for days.

However, other trekkers took a helicopter from Kathmandu. Despite the poor weather conditions for flights, the helicopters were able to fly to Lukla.

Kathmandu to Lukla Helicopter Flight

A helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla is best if you want to avoid flying to Lukla on an airliner. Moreover, in weather conditions unfavorable for airlines, a helicopter can take you to Lukla.

During the trekking season, there will be many trekkers to share a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. The benefit of flying on a shared helicopter is that you’ll pay less. Upon sharing, a helicopter fare gets divided per head. And a flight carries five people.

However, you can charter the entire flight if you’re in a group of five trekkers. This way, you don’t have to wait or find other trekkers who wish to fly.

Note: The helicopter fare for private and group joining is the same.

Altitude Profile along the trek

The lowest altitude in Everest Base Camp Trek (if you take a flight) is Phakding at 2,610 meters. The highest elevationyou’ll reach on this trek is 5,644 meters at Kala Patthar. And along the trek, you’ll gradually gain the altitude.

Here’s an overall altitude profile of the landmarks along the EBC Trek route.

Landmarks	Altitude
Lukla	2,860 meters
Phakding	2,610 meters
Namche Bazaar	3,440 meters
Hotel Everest View (Syangboche)	3,880 meters
Tengboche	3,860 meters
Pangboche	3,985 meters
Dingboche	4,410 meters
Nangkartshang Peak	5,083 meters
Lobuche	4,940 meters
Gorak Shep	5,140 meters
Everest Base Camp	5,345 meters
Kala Patthar	5,644 meters

Here’s an additional altitude profile if you’re planning to trek to Gokyo Lakes via Cho La Pass or Everest Three Passes Trek.

Landmarks	Altitude
Chhukung	4,730 meters
Kongma La Pass	5,540 meters
Dzongla	4,830 meters
Cho La Pass	5,420 meters
Thangnak	4,700 meters
Gokyo Valley	4,750 meters
Machhermo	4,470 meters
Dole	4,038 meters
Renjo La Pass	5,345 meters
Lungden	4,380 meters
Thame	3,800 meters

Everest Base Camp Trek Permit

As a trekker in the Everest region, you must get two trek permits. You’ll need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit.

These permits are available in the trekkers check-post at Lukla and Sagarmatha National Park entry at Monjo.

These trek permits cost USD 45 or Rs. 6000.

The Everest Base Camp Trek Permits are available for solo trekkers as well.

However, we’ll get these permits if you trek with a trekking agency like us. The trek cost you pay us includes the permit fees.

Please read our Everest Base Camp Trek Permit blog, featuring these permits in detail.

Solo trek to Everest Base Camp: Is it doable?

Unlike the Manaslu Circuit Trek and Nar Phu Valley Trek, the trek to Everest Base Camp is not a restricted area trek. Hence, an individual trekker can complete the Everest Base Camp Solo Trek independently. Also, you’ll encounter many solo trekkers on the trek.

However, hiring a licensed trekking guide is highly recommended. Trekking with a licensed trekking guide ensures your safety. Moreover, your trek guide manages the tea houses for accommodation, especially during the peak trekking season when lodges get fully occupied.

Why solo Everest Base Camp Trek can be risky?

Fact: Every year, a few trekkers lose their lives while trekking solo on Everest. Some get altitude sickness, whereas some get lost along the route.

The high-altitude landscape and the altitude profile of the EBC trek are higher than most of the trekking in Nepal. Thus, altitude sickness is prone to every trekker in Everest Base Camp Trek.

It can be a serious issue if you get altitude sickness at higher elevations while trekking solo. As everyone will be taking care of their groups, no one will keep an eye on you.

Moreover, you may need a helicopter evacuation during emergencies. And solo trekkers often don’t get an on-time helicopter evacuation.

However, if you trek with a trekking agency or with a guide, you’ll be on the safer side. An on-time helicopter evacuation is possible while trekking with the trekking agency. Moreover, you’ll get proper attention along the trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

Everest Base Camp Trek isn’t difficult if we consider the trekking route’s difficulty. Moreover, the anti-clockwise crossing of Cho La Pass isn’t demanding either. There aren’t steep ascends or avalanche-prone regions. What makes it a challenging trek is the sheer altitude, almost 5,500 meters. And at this altitude, the risk of getting altitude sickness is very high.

Every day’s walking distance is around 8-10 kilometers, which is doable in 5-6 hours. Thus, the short distance walk each day ensures comfort and less fatigue. Moreover, you’ll settle in at well-established tea houses that provide nutritious meals and comfortable overnight sleep.

Along the trek are two acclimatization stops or rest days. You’ll stop for a day at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. These stops help your body recover from fatigue and adapt your body to soaring altitude.

However, the trek like Everest Three Passes Trek, is challenging. Thus, we advise you to trek to Annapurna Base Camp or Langtang Valley Trek before planning the three-pass trek.

Altitude Sickness and Prevention

Altitude sickness is prone while trekking to Everest Base Camp. However, with adequate acclimatization, physical fitness, and a great mindset, you’ll avoid altitude sickness and conquer the Everest Base Camp.

Few trekkers get altitude sickness at Namche Bazaar. However, most trekkers who get altitude sickness develop the symptoms at Dingboche and Lobuche. Thus, if you still feel better at Lobuche, you’ll avoid altitude sickness.

Here are the symptoms of altitude sickness.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Blurry vision
• Loose motion

Trekkers who get altitude sickness experience at least three of these symptoms together.

If these symptoms persist and you keep trekking to higher elevations, the symptoms deteriorate to:

• HAPE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema)
• HACE (High-Altitude Cerebral Edema)

Once trekkers develop HAPE and HACE, only an on-time helicopter evacuation within 12 hours to a lower altitude can save their lives.

Prevention

The first step to prevent altitude sickness is to get proper acclimatization. And on 12 days of Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll acclimate for two days, one day at Namche and another at Dingboche. The two rest days are adequate for the acclimatization.

Another way to prevent altitude sickness is to rehydrate frequently. And at least with oral rehydration salt for at least once a day. Moreover, you must consume adequate meals each day to remain energized.

Many trekkers consume Diamox (Acetazolamide) to prevent altitude sickness. And it does, too. However, after consuming this medicine, your body becomes dependent on it. And if you want to trek further in the coming times, your body demands the medicine.

After getting altitude sickness, the only way to survive is to descend to a lower altitude.

Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking for 12 days requires considerable clothing and gear. That is why a packing list for the Everest Base Camp Trek is among the essential trek preparations.

Upper Body

• Pullovers, zip ups, and fleece
• Thermal layers
• T-shirts
• Windbreaker (GoreTex)

Lower Body

• Trekking pants
• Thermal layers (inner)
• Trekking boot (Waterproof)
• Socks, kneecaps

Personal Hygiene and Gadgets

• Sunscreen, moisturizer, vaseline, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.
• Mobile phone, camera, binoculars (recommended)

Documents

• Passport, photos, travel insurance, etc.

Note: This is a brief overview of the gear and clothes you’ll need for this trek. However, we have a complete Packing List for the Everest Base Camp Trek Blog where we’ve included everything in detail. Have a look!

Trek Preparations

You are advised to start preparing for the trek after paying the trek confirmation fee. Or if you’re planning to trek solo, you must prepare for at least two months before embarking on the trek.

Here are a few trek preparations you must do for Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025.

Buy Essential Trek Gears

As mentioned above, you need to organize a packing list for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The list includes clothes, trek gear, documents, insurance, etc. You have to put everything that is necessary for the trek. For your reference, we’ll send you a complete packing list.

Work on fitness

Fitness is a must for EBC Trek. Thus, you must work on fitness for at least two months before joining the trek.

Here are some basic yet effective fitness exercises that are best for trekking.

• Treadmill running or morning/evening walks
• Cycling and swimming
• At least two hikes, a hike in a month

All these mentioned exercises are cardio exercises. Cardio exercises help you maintain efficient breathing.

Get your travel insurance

Everest Base Camp Trek exposes you to the risk of altitude sickness. A handful of trekkers get altitude sickness and fly out on a helicopter to the hospital in Kathmandu.

Thus, we suggest you buy travel insurance with helicopter rescue coverage up to 5,645 meters. If you get altitude sickness, you’ll need a helicopter rescue. And, with travel insurance, it’s easy to get the on-time helicopter rescue. Moreover, your hospitalization cost, loss, and damage of goods all get covered by the insurance.

Research about the trek

It’s best to research more about the Everest region and the trekking around it. There are many videos, blogs, and articles where people share their personal experiences of the trek. Thus, by watching the videos and reading about personal experiences, you’ll have a better understanding of the trek.

Travel Insurance: Get it!

Travel insurance with helicopter rescue coverage is a must if you’re planning for Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025.

As mentioned earlier, a trek to Everest Base Camp exposes you to altitude sickness. And, if you get altitude sickness, a quick way to get rid of it is a rapid descent, which is possible only with a helicopter.

Mind you, helicopter rescue coverage costs USD 5-6k, which is exorbitant. Paying this amount may not be possible if you’re on a budget. But travel insurance with helicopter rescue coverage can get you a helicopter with entire rescue coverage.

Apart from the helicopter rescue, travel insurance helps you in many ways. For example, travel insurance pays all the hospital bills if you get injuries along the trek and need hospitalization. Moreover, if any of your stuff and gadgets get damaged during the trek, you can claim for replacement with your travel insurance.

Thus, travel insurance has many benefits, particularly for your safety during a health crisis.

Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek: Weather & Temperature

March, April, and May are the best months to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. Not only for the trek, Spring is also a time for the Everest expedition. Thus, you’ll get the vibe of an Everest expedition at the base camp.

Late September, October, November, and early December are also wholesome months to trek to EBC.

Everest Base Camp Trek in Spring: March, April, and May

March remains cold, but in April, the temperature starts rising. By May, you’ll feel the heat. The lower elevations remain humid, and higher elevations are warmer than in March. With no rain and clouds, you’ll experience a 100% visibility. And with this, you’ll have a wonderful viewing experience of the high mountains.

With winter’s snow, almost all the mountains, including Mt. Everest get blanketed by lofty snow. The white mountains will be a joy to watch along the trek.

Early March can be snowy at the base camp, with occasional snowfall. However, later months are entirely snow-free and amazing to trek.

Here’s an overview of the average temperature you’ll experience in Everest in Spring.

Landmark	Altitude	Avg. Min Temperature	Avg. Max Temperature
Everest Base Camp	5,345 meters	-7°C	8°C
Tengboche	3,860 meters	-4°C	9°C
Namche Bazaar	3,440 meters	-3°C	12°C
Lukla Temperature	2,860 meters	1°C	14°C

Everest Base Camp Trek in Autumn: September, October, November

The rainfall and fog till mid-September often disturb the flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. However, if the weather clears, flying to Lukla would be amazing. From the flight to Lukla, you’ll get a view of elegant lush valleys and terraces, misty forests, and green high-altitude terrain.

October and November are two absolute months for Everest Trek. The clear weather in these months allows you to get a close-up view of Mt. Everest from Kala Patthar. Moreover, the sightseeing each day gets better with clear weather.

The sunset viewing over Everest and Nuptse from Kala Patthar excites your Everest experience.

The downside of trekking in Autumn is that the temperature decreases. Till October end, the temperature remainsfairly warmer. However, past the first week of November, the temperature drops significantly.

Here’s an overview of the temperature at Everest Base Camp in Autumn (Average of three months).

Landmarks	Daytime average temperature	Nighttime average temperature
Lukla	9 °C	-3 °C
Namche	6 °C	-7 °C
Dingboche	3 °C	-10 °C
Gorak Shep	0-1 °C	-17 °C

For detailed guide, we have separate Everest Base Camp Trek Blogs on weather and temperature for March, April, May, September, October, and November.

Find our Everest Base Camp Trek Blog useful?

If you’ve made it this far, we assume that our blog, Everest Base Camp Trek Blog, has been informative for you. Also, we assume that you’re planning to do Everest Base Camp Trek in 2025.

If you want to trek to Everest in 2025 with us, you’re welcome!

We are a local trekking agency based in Kathmandu, with years of expertise in guiding adventurous souls to Everest and other regions of the country. Our exciting EBC Trek package and dates are available for the Spring and Autumn of 2025.

For more details, check out our package, 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek.

Travelers Review

The reviews below are from our clients who did wholesome trekking and tours in Nepal with us. All the reviews here reflect how we run the trekking, treat our clients, and organize the trek and tours. Below listed reviews are from TripAdvisor, which is the most accurate and trusted review platform among travelers.

Have a read at what our clients say about us!!