Everest Base Camp Trek: Journey to the Roof of the World
The Everest Base Camp trek is the adventure of a lifetime—a journey for those whose dreams soar higher than the clouds themselves. Miles from the clamor of cars, conveniences, and daily luxuries, you’ll immerse your spirit in unmatched natural beauty and stretch your personal endurance beyond what you thought possible.
Your path begins in ancient Kathmandu, where you’ll spend time acclimatizing and exploring the city’s wonders before your ascent. The trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) at 5,364m (over 3.5 miles!) brings you to the foot of the world’s tallest mountain. Along the way, you’ll cross thrilling suspension bridges over vast chasms, discover hidden Buddhist monasteries, and enter the heart of the warm, rugged Sherpa culture.
As you travel alongside fellow thrill-seekers and photographers from across the globe, you’ll spy three of Earth’s 10 tallest peaks: Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu! You’ll rest easy each night in cozy, traditional teahouses, knowing that our experienced, knowledgeable guides and porters are there to ensure the safest, most enjoyable, and most fascinating experience possible. By trekking with us, you’ll support local economies, discover hidden strengths in yourself, and forge both friendships and memories that will last forever.
Ready to start your ascent?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
⛰️ The Basics
| Question | Answer |
| Why Choose us? | We offer an experienced, full-time guide team (averaging 8+ years’ experience) with specialized altitude acclimatization training. Our 24/7 international helpline and knowledgeable ground staff ensure you are supported from arrival to departure. |
| What is the Best Season for Trekking? | The best times are March to early May and September to November. Trekking is possible from December to February but requires preparation for colder temperatures. We generally do not recommend trekking during the June to August rainy season. |
| Is my departure guaranteed to run? | Yes! We guarantee all scheduled departures. Once you make your deposit, you can be assured the trek will run for you. |
| Do I need a Guide? | Yes, we strongly recommend it. Our full-time guides’ expertise and local knowledge are invaluable, consistently cited by guests as making the trip unforgettable. |
| Will the guide speak English? | All of our guides speak excellent English due to many years of experience working with international guests. |
🚶 Who Can Go?
| Question | Answer |
| Are there any age limits? | No, as long as participants are healthy and willing! |
| Is previous trekking experience necessary or not ? | No, we welcome many first-time trekkers. You should be fit enough to be comfortable walking all day. Previous hiking experience is a plus. |
| Are solo female travelers safe? | Yes. Nepal is very safe and welcoming. We use safe, reliable, long-standing partner lodges, and our small group travel format allows guides to be consistently mindful of all guests’ safety and whereabouts. |
💳 Payments & Extra Costs
| Question | Answer |
| How do I pay the balance in Kathmandu? | You can pay the balance with US cash or credit card. Note there is a 13% fee for credit card payments, so paying in cash is recommended. |
| Can I use credit cards on the trek? | No, credit cards are of limited use on the trail. There are ATMs in Kathmandu (limit of 25,000 rupees/day, approx. $215 USD) which are best for getting local currency. |
| What extra costs can I expect? | Plan on $300 to $400 for extra expenses including tips. This covers: Nepal Visa, gear rentals (sleeping bag/jacket), showers, Wi-Fi, snacks, device charging, and extra funds in case of a flight delay/helicopter charter. |
| What about extra hotel nights? | We can arrange extra hotel nights in Kathmandu at the Hotel Address before or after the trek at an additional cost. Please inform us in advance. |
💪 Physical Fitness
| Question | Answer |
| How difficult is trekking? | It is challenging, but achievable with training and determination. Expect 5 to 8 hours of walking per day, generally starting around 8 AM and finishing by 4 PM. |
| How fast do you go? | We encourage a slow pace to enjoy the mountains and aid acclimatization. The head guide typically stays at the back with the slowest trekkers. |
| What is the Best Fitness Program? | Focus on cardio (running, distance walking) and ideally include a few weekend hikes to prepare for walking all day. |
| What physical criteria will ensure I’m fit enough? | You should not have acute or chronic health conditions that impact your stamina, range of motion, coordination, or balance. Consult a physician if you are in doubt. |
🎒 Preparation & Packing
| Question | Answer |
| What are the next steps once I pay the deposit? | Immediately send us a scan or photo of your passport and your arrival flight details. This is required to book your Lukla flight and trekking permit. |
| What type of insurance should I have? | Travel insurance is mandatory and must cover the dates you are trekking. Please email proof of insurance before arrival. |
| Do you rent sleeping bags or down jackets? | Yes. A -20°C sleeping bag is $20 USD rental fee, and a down jacket is $15 USD rental fee for the duration of the trek. |
| What about the duffel bag for the porters? | We provide a duffel bag in Kathmandu. Porters carry this, but it may not be available until the evening. You must carry a day pack for essential items. |
| What are the weight limits? | The total limit for the flight to Lukla is 15kg (33 lbs), split between 10kg (22 lbs) for checked luggage and 5kg (11 lbs) for a carry-on. |
| What should I do with valuables? | Keep your passports, medications, and valuables in your carry-on for the flight and in your day pack on the trek to ensure you have them at all times. |
| Can I leave luggage in Kathmandu? | Yes, you can securely leave extra luggage at the hotel during the trek. |
✈️ Arrival & Visas
| Question | Answer |
| Will somebody pick me up at the airport? | Yes, our airport representative will greet you upon arrival. Look for a driver holding a uniquepath trek sign. |
| Can I get the visa for Nepal on arrival? | Most guests are eligible for a visa on arrival at the airport. It takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on the queue. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity from your entry date. |
| What sort of hotel can I expect in Kathmandu? | We use the hotel as per your request. |
☕ Room and Board
| Question | Answer |
| What kind of accommodation is there on the trek? | We use traditional teahouses, which are small, local hotels offering food and lodging. Rooms are typically shared (2 trekkers/room). Bathrooms are usually shared, with cold running water and western-style toilets. |
| Is it possible to get separate rooms? | We can arrange a private room in Kathmandu. On the trek, we will try to arrange private rooms at no extra cost, but this is often impossible during busy times due to limited lodging. |
| Where will our drinking water come from? | Tea houses provide free, good-quality water that must be treated with purification tablets, iodine, or a Steripen. Bottled water is available but costs more at higher elevations (up to $4 USD/liter). |
| What kind of meals are offered? | Trekkers choose a meal and hot drink from the teahouse menu. We strongly suggest sticking to vegetarian options as meat on the mountain is often not hygienic/properly refrigerated. Dal Bhat (traditional Nepali rice, lentils, and vegetable curry) is an excellent, all-you-can-eat choice. |
| Can I charge electric devices? | Yes, but the tea houses charge an extra fee of $1 to $4 per hour to use electrical outlets in common areas. |
| What about Wi-Fi or phone calls? | Some lower elevation teahouses offer Wi-Fi for $3 to $10. You can also buy a Nepalese SIM card in Kathmandu, but data is still limited to lower elevations. Your guide may be able to let you use their phone for international calls (you must reimburse them). |
| Is it possible to shower on the trek? | Yes. Lower elevation teahouses offer hot gas showers. Higher up, they provide a bucket of hot water. They typically charge $3 to $5 for a shower. |
🩹 Health and Safety
| Question | Answer |
| What about acclimatization and altitude? | Our treks ascend slowly (avg. 300m or 1000ft/day) to minimize altitude problems, which is the rate recommended by high-altitude doctors. Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and monitors your blood oxygen level daily. |
| What happens if I get sick or injured? | Your guide is trained for emergencies and will coordinate a rescue helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu for medical attention, utilizing your mandatory travel insurance. |
| What happens if I have altitude sickness symptoms? | Minor symptoms (like a headache) are common, but if you develop additional symptoms, you must not ascend higher. We can arrange for you to descend to a lower elevation and wait for the symptoms to resolve before joining the next group (extra charges apply). |
| What safety measures are in place? | All guides , carry pulse oximeters for daily monitoring, and maintain a close watch over your condition. They are equipped with first aid kits and phones to coordinate 24/7 rescue efforts with our Kathmandu office. |
| How cold does it get? | Temperatures vary. From March-May and September-November, Lukla is quite warm. Everest Base Camp is cold year-round with nightly lows below freezing. In winter, nights can reach -25°C or colder. |
| Is the food and water safe? | All water in Nepal must be treated before drinking. To be safest, avoid uncooked vegetables and do not eat meat on the mountain. Stick to well-cooked, vegetarian meals. |
📝 Practical Matters
| Question | Answer |
| What happens if the flight to Lukla is delayed? | Flights are occasionally canceled due to weather. Our 14-day package includes one buffer day. If delayed, we rebook for the next day. You may opt for a privately chartered helicopter (at an additional cost of $500 or more). Extra hotel nights ($40) and meals in Kathmandu or Lukla are not included in the event of a delay. |
| Will I be flying from Ramechhap or Kathmandu to Lukla? | Due to crowding at Kathmandu Airport, most Lukla flights are currently diverted to Ramechhap, a small airport about 5 hours’ drive from Kathmandu. Please check our blog for the current status. |
| Should I tip my guide and porter? | While not mandatory, tipping is customary and appreciated. We suggest a tip of roughly 10% of the cost of the trek, divided between the guide and porters. |
| How much money should I bring? | Our treks are all-inclusive. Trekkers find that $15 to $20 USD a day is reasonable for extras like snacks, bottled water, souvenirs, and monastery donations. |
| Do you have any extra charges for solo travelers? | No, we do not charge extra fees for solo travelers joining our group treks. |
| Can I get a refund if I don’t finish the trek? | No, we do not offer refunds for unused days. Our obligation to pay the guides and porters for the time committed remains the same. |
