Everest Base Camp Trekking Ultimate Guide

Fly from your home to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport. You need to be in the country for around 17-18 days if you are planning for the 15 days Everest Base Camp trekking. For 30 days visa, you will need to pay $40 dollar. You should at least take 30 days visa even if you plan to stay less than 15 days because base camp trekking can be little unpredictable.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Package Cost

There are lots of travel agencies which has different package offering for you. This packages will be a little expensive, but your journey is going to be hassle-free. But if you are in a tight budget, then it is better to go on your own. Try to book package from government licensed agency which has good customer reviews.

Any 15 days Everest Base Camp trek package should not be more than $1200. You may get packages at a cheaper rate, but usually, that is the margin. Food, accommodation, guide, porter, and trek permit cost, all will be included in the package. But as porter and guide are going to be with you during the whole journey and daily tip is one of the ways how they are going to earn money.

You can count on $10-$15 daily tip for your porter and guide in total. Well, $200 more needs to be included in the expenditure for this.

The Journey Of Everest Base Camp Trekking

Hot shower, internet connection is costly on the journey, and it is usually not included with the trek packages. So, the cost is going to be close to $1500 for some luxury. You will be received by your trekking company at the airport and the first day will be spent on Kathmandu. You can get some trekking cloth from Kathmandu as they are cheaper here.

Next day, your journey will be started by landing on one of the most dangerous airports in the world, Lukla Airport. You need to be mentally prepared for daily 5 to 6 hours of trekking. A guide will be there to motivate you, but motivation from inside is more important.

You will seat on a small plane from where you can also see your pilot. The same day 3 hours trek to Phakding (2,700m above sea level). Day 3, 5 to 6 hours of journey to Namche Bazar (3,440m). You will get a day break from trekking to cop up with the high altitude. Great views of the mountains will already start to appear in front of you. Local SIM card has no coverage after Namche Bazaar so make some calls if you want to.

Rest Day And Further

Best option to buy the local SIM card is from the airport, which will cost around 1200nr with 5GB data. Next day, 5 hours of trekking to the Tengboche Monastery (3,860m). The next rest day will come when you reach Dingboche after 5 to 6 hours of trekking from Tengboche Monastery.  On your way, you are going to see lots of yaks. Yaks are very useful animal of that region.

This day rests are very important for weather acclimation. You are now close to the Everest base camp and Day 8 trekking to Labouche (4910m) for 5 hours. Day 9 is going to be tough, but you are going to reach your destination. You will be at the top of the Everest base camp (5365m). Enjoy the achievement because you have climbed more than half of the highest peak mountain in the world. If you are lucky, then you might also see some ice fall on your way.

The same day you need to trek back to Gorak Shep (5,180m). Eight hours of trekking in a single day. Little breathless is normal above this height, so don’t get panicked if you fall in that kind of situation. The best view of Himalaya can be enjoyed only from the Kala Pathar. But for that, you need to wake around 4 am and start the trekking to enjoy the sunset. After that, you will trek down to Pheriche (4,120m). Pheriche to Namche Bazaar needs only hours of trekking. Day 12, you will be back to Lukla Airport after 4 hours of trekking.

Harsh Environment

Weather condition is not always good at this height. So, you might need to stay 1-2 days before you fly back to Kathmandu. If you are lucky and the weather condition is good, then you will be in Kathmandu within half an hour. Finally, your trekking has come to an end. You can stay in Kathmandu for another day to relax and then fly back to your country.

A budget of $2000 will be more than enough for the tour, excluding your country to Kathmandu flight fee. It is going to be a memorable experience for a lifetime.