It starts with a dream. Then you ask questions… basic questions. Then you seek for answers. If you dream of venturing into an Everest Base Camp trek but you don’t know where to start, then this post might come handy. I compiled the common questions and tried to answer them to the best of my knowledge and with the help of my recent experience in EBC.

Dreams are meant to be fulfilled guys! So here it is! 🙂

IS A GUIDE REQUIRED?

No. The trails are well established.

IS IT NECESSARY TO JOIN A TOUR PACKAGE?

No. Trek packages are quite expensive and a do-it-yourself trek is allowed and possible.

HOW MANY DAYS OF TREKKING DO I NEED?

On the average, the entire trek takes 12 to 14 days. But it can be done in at least 11 days like we did, eight days going to the base camp and three days going down to Lukla.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO ACCLIMATIZE?

The risk of altitude sickness is very likely given the high altitude, so for you safety – YES! Remember, altitude sickness can be fatal.

WHERE TO STAY DURING EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

There are inns and lodges in every village up until Gorakshep, the last village before EBC. Rates can go for as low as 100 Rupees or even free if you will be dining in their restaurant. Reservation is not usually required except on peak season (October) when inns and lodges get fully booked.

IS THERE ACCOMMODATIONS IN EBC?

None. Trekkers stay in Gorakshep which is around two hours away to EBC, one hour going back. The usual itinerary is a day trip to EBC: Gorakshep – EBC – Gorakshep.

WHEN TO CLIMB?

Climbing season is all year round but it is best to go during dry season (October to May). Peak season is October, lodges are usually full and trails are busy. Pre-monsoon season is from March to May which also happens to be Everest season so expect that the base camp and the trails are pretty busy. Winter is from November to February, it is generally clear on these months and less busy but it can be very cold and it usually snows on the upper villages .

DOES IT SNOW ON THE BASE CAMP?

During winter, December to March, it usually snows on the upper villages (from Dingboche and up).

DO I NEED PERMIT for EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

TIMS Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Permit are needed. TIMS Permit is available in Nepal Tourism Board office in Brikuthimandap daily (except on National Holidays) from 9AM to 4PM, bring two ID pictures of any size and fee of 2,000 Rupees. Payment for Sagarmatha National Park Permit is readily available in the village of Jorsalle, prepare 3,390 Rupees.

DO I NEED A TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

Travel insurance is not required but highly encouraged. Please, please get one that includes airlift. It is for your own protection. Unless you are willing to pay hefty amount in case of emergency and you have none.

HOW MANY HOURS OF TREKKING DAILY?

On the average, expect to trek at least four (4) to six (6) hours daily.

HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND FOR THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

I spent around 152,000 Nepalese Rupees (1,400 USD) for the trek ALL- IN (airfare, foods, accommodation, permits and other miscellaneous expenses included). No guide, no porter and no travel insurance.

WHAT IS YOUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

First Day (Day 1): Manila to Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu
Second Day (Day 2): Kathmandu to Lukla (2,800m) to Phakding (2,652m)
Third Day (Day 3): Phakding (2,652m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Fourth Day (Day 4): Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Fifth Day (Day 5): Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,860m)
Sixth Day (Day 6): Tengboche (3,860m) to Dingboche (4,410m)
Seventh Day (Day 7): Acclimatization Day: Trek to Nagarzhang Peak (5,050m)
Eight Day (Day 8): Dingboche (4,358m) to Lobuche (4,928m)
Ninth Day (Day 9): Lobuche (4,928m) to Gorakshep (5,160m)
Tenth Day (Day 10): Gorakshep (5,160m) to Everest Base Camp (5,320m) to Gorakshep (5,160m)
Eleventh Day (Day 11): Gorakshep (5,160m) to Pheriche (4,371m)
Twelfth Day (Day 12): Pheriche (4,371m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Thirteenth Day (Day 13): Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Lukla (2,800m)
Fourteenth Day (Day 14): Lukla to Kathmandu + Free Time in Kathmandu
Fifteenth Day (Day 15): Free Time in Kathmandu: Durbar Square + Bouddha Nath Stupa + Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur to Manila

HOW DO I GO TO EVEREST BASE CAMP?

From Kathmandu, Nepal, fly to Lukla and start your trek from there. You may also take a local bus to the village of Jiri and trek from there to Lukla and all the way to EBC but it will entail at least three additional days.

WHAT AIRLINES FLY TO/FROM LUKLA?

Tara Air, Goma Air, Gorkha Airlines, Sita Air, Nepal Airlines and Simrik Airlines fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. AMong these, only Tara Air (with Yeti Air as parent company) has online booking and payment option.

DO I NEED TO BOOK THE FLIGHTS TO/FROM LUKLA AHEAD?

It is advised to book ahead your Kathmandu to Lukla flight even before you fly in to Nepal but not the Lukla to Kathmandu leg. Understand that there are a lot of factors affecting the trek and you won’t know exactly when you will be back until you have reached Namche Bazaar on your return. You may also book it on your return to Lukla but flights on the day after your arrival might be fully booked. So book only the Lukla to Kathmandu once you have returned to Namche Bazaar or Lukla. There are airline office and numerous booking agents in both villages or you may book online.

CAN I DO IT?

This is a high altitude trek, proper training and conditioning are needed to do this. The risk of altitude sickness is high, thus proper acclimatization and pacing are important. Again, remember, altitude sickness can be fatal.

IS THERE ELECTRICITY IN THE STATIONS?

Electricity is present in all villages along the EBC trail although fluctuating and limited on some villages. But some lodges have solar panel as standby power. Charging of gadgets usually has a fee, charging rate goes up with the elevation. I suggest you bring your own solar-powered power bank.

IS THERE MOBILE SIGNAL / WIFI IN THE LODGES?

Most villages have mobile signal and even wifi. Lodges charge specific amount for wifi but charm sometimes work to have it free. “Everest Link” prepaid hotspot is also widely available in every village starting from Jorsalle, most lodges sell prepaid cards at 100MB for 350 Rupees and 200MB for 500 Rupees.

MY GET UP AND PACKING LIST FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK?

I trekked on the first week of December, it was winter and cold but thankfully it didn’t rain or snow during our journey. I used my Deuter Act Lite 40L + 10L backpack for our 11-day EBC trek. My trekking shoes was Merell Moab 2 Gore-Tex. I bought a trekking pole at Namche Bazaar for 250 Rupees which was really helpful.

My usual day trekking outfit was just a sweatshirt, fleece and trekking pants. But at night, I used layers of warmers – base layer warmer inner shirt, outer shirt, bubble jacket, warmer pants, outer pants, gloves, layers of socks, bonnet and neck scarf.

Got more questions? Hit the comment button below. 😀