The Ultimate Guide to Trekking to Everest Base Camp (Part 1)
In my Complete Guide to trekking to Everest Base Camp (Part 1 & 2) I’ll cover everything you need to know, and how this epic adventure to the roof of the world is an experience of a lifetime that will challenge you, and reward you with lasting memories.
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CONTENTS
PART 1
Introduction to Everest Base Camp (EBC)
Kathmandu, Nepal
How Long is the Trek to EBC?
Trekking route to EBC (Nepal)
Itinerary - Day-to-day
The Ideal time of Year to trek to EBC
How cold is it at Everest Base Camp?
Do I need to train for Everest Base Camp?
How to train for Everest Base Camp
My Top Tips to Completing the Trek to EBC
Preventing Altitude Sickness on EBC
Diamox - Should I take it?
Drink plenty of water
Eat well and as often as you can
Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey
Daily health check
Positivity is the key to success
Going solo (see current guidance)
Going in an organised group
How much does it cost to do the EBC trek?
Everest Base Camp Trekking Permits
Choosing Travel Insurance
Kit List
Packing Tips
For Part 2 of my Ultimate Guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek, which you can find here, or via the link at the end of this guide…
I’ll be covering…
CONTENTS
PART 2
A Day-To-Day Trekking Guide
My Diary - Day 1 to Day 11
Reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
Gokyo Lakes (Extension)
My Diary - Day 12
Day 13: Cho La
Day 14 to Day 15: Gokyo Lakes
Day 16 to Day 19
Everest Base Camp Trek: Summary
Don’t just think about about Everest Base Camp - Do it!
INTRODUCTION TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (EBC)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Namaste, from Kathmandu
Your journey to Everest Base Camp begins from the moment you arrive at the amazing, if not a little crazy, city of Kathmandu.
Kathmandu lies at 1,400m/ 4,593ft, and is home to around 1.5 million people, densely squeezed in to this sprawling city. Kathmandu is vibrant, with many quirky back streets, filled with stalls, shops, and restaurants, and you find yourself constantly turning your head to try and take in everything around you!
The buildings, many of which were destroyed or damaged in the awful earthquake in 2015, appear to be standing or leaning atop each other, and it’s a miracle some of them still stand at all. Electricity supply is something to marvel at as well. Miles of pylons adorned with grotesquely twisted cables line every street.
There are cars, motorbikes, buses and throngs of people everywhere you go, and just trying to cross the street can be a risky business! It’s total chaos, but I loved it…and so will you!
But Kathmandu has a unique beauty and mystique about it. A holy city, Kathmandu is home to many temples, stupas and golden pagodas. We were fortunate to visit their largest Stupa, Budhanath, known as the Great Stupa, which was an amazing experience!
Other places you may also wish to explore could be - Swayambhunath monkey sanctuary, Thamel, Durbar Square Palace. Not forgetting sampling the array of food on offer (although best advised to choose meat free, at least before your EBC trek).
Although you don’t get to spend much time in Kathmandu due to tight itineraries, it’s common to get at least an afternoon/evening on arrival, with one full day after you’ve been to Everest Base Camp, before you depart Nepal. So you’ll want to explore what you can in that short amount of time, as it’s an incredible place, and the perfect Introduction to your Everest Base Camp experience!
EBC Itinerary
How Long is the Trek to EBC?
A recommended EBC itinerary allows for up to 16 days total (including flights to and from Kathmandhu.
The trek itself to Everest Base Camp (EBC) usually takes 11-12 days to complete on a 130km round-trip; Allowing for 8 days to get to Base Camp (from Lukla) and 3-4 days to get back down to Lukla. This includes 10 trekking days and a minimum of 2 short trekking acclimatisation days.
You may come across some independent companies claiming they can get you to EBC in a shorter amount of time. But that carries a big risk. Despite the overall trekking distance being manageable, there is good rationale for the EBC trek to be stretched over 12 days, in order to cope with the steep rise of altitude.
Trekking Route to EBC (Nepal)
There is a standard route for trekking to EBC that most people would normally do. En route you pass through many local villages, camping grounds, and lush green forests, where you cross several wire suspension bridges that span the galacial rivers, before breaking through into the higher Himalayas, with outstanding views of the Himalayas.
A typical route…
Going up: Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding – Namche Bazaar – Deboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorak Shep – EBC
Coming down: Gorak Shep – Pheriche – Deboche – Namche Bazaar – Lukla – Kathmandu
ITINERARY - Day to day
Note: Plans are subject to change on an adventure such as EBC. You should factor in the chance of unpredictable weather, and other unforeseen circumstances that could impact the pre-planned itinerary - my own EBC trip was one such example, which i’ll talk about later!
Day 1-2: Flight to Kathmandu (Nepal). Arrive Day 2 and transfer to hotel
Day 3: Kathmandu to Lukla flight. Trek to Phakding - 2610m, 3hrs trekking
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar - 3449m - 5-6hrs trekking
Day 5: Acclimatisation Day - Trek to The Everest View Hotel - 431m ascent - 4-5hrs trekking
Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Deboche - 3820m - 7–8hrs trekking
Day 7: Deboche to Dingboche - 4410m - 6-8hrs trekking
Day 8: Acclimatisation Day - (400m ascent) - 4-5hrs trekking
Day 9: Dingboche to Lobuche - 4910m - 6-8hrs trekking
Day 10: EVEREST BASE CAMP (Via Gorak Shep) - 5364m - 8-10hrs trekking
Day 11: Kala Patthar - 5550m & Gorak Shep to Pheriche 4371m - 8-10hrs trekking
Day 12: Descend from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar - 3449m - 6-8hrs trekking
Day 13: Descend from Namche Bazaar to Lukla - 2850m - 8-9hrs trekking
Day 14: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu - transfer to hotel
Day 15-16: Depart Kathmandu (Nepal) - Arrive UK Day 16
How tough is the EBC Trek?
The traditional trekking starting point from Lukla, at 2,850m / 9,000 ft then climbing to 5,364m/ 17,500ft isn’t easy. However, it’s not a technically demanding challenge, you just need loads of stamina! So you won’t need any previous mountaineering skills or use equipment such as ropes and crampons.
Terrain
You’ll often hear the phrase Nepali Flat mentioned, which is used in jest. That’s because there’s rarely any level patches of trail in the Himalayas. The terrain is undulating, combined with lots and lots of steep steps. Although you’re heading towards higher altitude, you are constantly climbing up and treading down these steps, which really give your legs and lungs a workout!
Throughout the trek the terrain can switch between being wet and muddy in the lower Himalayas, to becoming dry and dusty, especially the higher you go. On the higher sections, there are also boulder fields to navigate. You need to take extra precaution when stepping on and off these boulders, as you’ll be feeling quite exhausted by the time you reach those higher regions.
Altitude
The most difficult part of trekking to EBC is dealing with the effects of less available oxygen at a higher altitude. This is one of the reasons it takes longer to reach EBC than you’d expect. Trekking days tend to be quite long, taking it slow and steady, with some acclimatisation days built into the itinerary. I’ll deal with ways to prevent altitude sickness shortly.
The Ideal time of Year to trek to EBC
There are two times in the year that are ideal to trek to Everest Base Camp: March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn).
Either side of those is the Summer monsoon season. So going in the recommended times are best for chance of less rainfall, clearer skies, and better temperatures (most of the time).
March to May: The weather in the lower Himalayas tends to be quite warm with plenty of sunshine. Although it can feel quite humid at times. The higher you go it can still get pretty cold but with clearer skies on the whole. At this time of year, especially towards April, you’ll see plenty of activity from those who are venturing up to Base Camp in preparation for summitting Everest! So the paths, and lodgings will be busier as a result.
September to November: There tends to be clearer skies, offering incredible views of the Himalayan mountains (although when I went the first two weeks of October, we had all sorts of weather). Mid-October to Mid-November would be the ideal time in my opinion. The disadvantage of this time of the year is that temperatures can get quite low, especially at night.
How cold is it at Everest Base Camp?
Talking of which, temperatures in the Himalayas vary quite dramatically throughout your trek. From Lukla in the lower Himalayas, right through the forests until you reach Namche Bazaar, it can feel very warm and humid. Once you start to move a little higher past the forests and into the more exposed trails, the temperature can drop quite dramatically, going from moderately cold to absolutely freezing!
At Everest Base Camp itself - temperatures can vary between 1 to 2 degrees, to -10 degrees. Although I can tell you by the time I reached EBC, I was down to just one thermal and a t-shirt over the top! It’s a long hard slog from Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp! However, you will most certainly need to be prepared to take more layers, including base, mid-layer, fleece lined, and jacket.
Tea Houses / Lodges
Tea Houses are synonymous with trekking to Everest Base Camp, and with general trekking in the Himalayas.
The term Tea House - doesn’t imply that they are there simply to serve tea! Although you’ll always find a nice, hot cup of Masala Chai, or hot fruit tea welcoming you after a long day’s trek!
They are small, bed and breakfast type of lodgings, where you’ll be staying throughout your trek to Everest Base Camp, and the most popular form of accommodation.
A word about Tea Houses - You’re not in Kansas anymore! They are basic. Let’s get that out of the way. Try to think of them as a solid step up from a tent and you’ll be amazed! Joking aside, some we stayed in, especially lower down, are roomy, and comfortable enough, with more chance of a hot shower on offer.
They are very cold at night, particularly the higher you go, with no heating in your small room. The beds are hard, with often dirty blankets (you’ll be sleeping, or at least trying to, in your sleeping bags anyway). Most bedrooms are shared with another person, unless you pay a little extra to have single supplement.
Toilets, which are often in the form of squat, are down a cold and dark corridor. Don’t expect Western hygiene standards. This is something you better get yourself used to quickly, as if you’ve never experienced a squat form of toilet, It can take some time to work out the best and less risky way of going about your business! (There are videos on YouTube that explain how to use them, but I’ll refrain from posting them here!).
Keeping your body clean is also a challenge as there a very few hot showers in the Himalayas. Those you do find will come at an additional small cost (believe me you’ll take every opportunity to grab a hot shower if available!). So you better get used to wet wiping for the majority of your time on the trek.
Electricity supply can vary from tea house to tea house along the trek. In some we stayed in, sometimes there was no power at all, as their generators had either broken down, or they would ration the supply. That said, practically all bedrooms in the Tea Houses have at least one power socket. So you’ll grab any chance you can to charge your phones, and other electrical devices whenever you can. Otherwise, a Top Tip - when you stay at some villages where there are coffee shops, they can charge your phones for you (they might charge a small fee for).
For Wifi - a lot of tea houses will sell you a wifi card. Getting actual wifi signal however can be hit and miss. My advice here is to purchase a wifi card in Namche Bazaar, or from Kathmandu beforehand. The most common and reliable Wifi card is ‘Everest Link’ (no Wifi cards work at Everest Base Camp however).
You can also stock up on extra supplies, which are ever increasing in price the higher you get towards Everest Base Camp (you should stock up supplies and snacks in Namche Bazaar).
The common room is the centrepiece of a Tea House, and it’s where you’ll find the only source of warmth, in the form of a Yak dung heater! Yep, you heard right! don’t be alarmed, as the dung is well dried, and doesn’t smell. Believe me you’ll be grateful not just for some warmth, but it also gives you an opportunity to dry out any wet clothes.
The common room is also where you gather to eat, drink, sit and chat with your group, and build your camaraderie.
In terms of food and what you can expect - On an organised trek, your food will have been pre-ordered in advance by one of the porters or guides. We usually put in our orders during the day, once we had an idea of what was on offer. Don’t expect there to be a huge variety of options. Most of the time you’ll be on a high carb diet - eggs, chips, and other forms of potatoes, and pasta. But I would also highly recommend trying the local Nepalese favourites, such as momos (dumplings), dal baht, Tibetan bread, and my personal favourite - Sherpa stew!
Overall - embrace your time in the tea houses. They will expose you to the local people and culture, and you’ll find all are very humble and accommodating.
Sherpa Guides, and Porters
Sherpas
Sherpas play a crucial role on your Everest Base Camp trek. They are well known for their for their superb climbing skills, strength, and endurance at high altitudes. They are your guardian angels and without them, your EBC trek wouldn’t be complete!
Although the majority of Sherpas live in the mountain regions of Nepal, they are also found in parts of India and Tibet (China).
Many Sherpas live in the village of Namche Bazaar, which is the gateway to Mount Everest.
Your sherpas and guides will quickly become like family, plus you’ll benefit from group discounts for food, flights and accommodation.
Since my group’s Everest Base Camp trek, we have stayed in touch with our Sherpa guides, regularly connecting via social media. A few of my friends have even been back to EBC privately organised by one of our Sherpa friends, Chhirringcap (below centre).
Porters
The porters are the unsung heroes of the Khumbu region. You’ll often see them along the trek, carrying unbelievably heavy loads on their backs, sometimes up to 90kg on steep terrain! The physically demanding nature of their work requires a huge amount of strength, endurance, and resilience.
The dedication to their work is truly awe-inspiring, as they endure challenging conditions while maintaining their warm, and very helpful demeanor. Their overall contribution to your EBC trek is crucial to your success. They allow you to focus on enjoying your journey while they handle the logistics.
Training for Everest Base Camp
Do I need to train for Everest Base Camp?
Whether or not you need to train for Everest Base Camp really depends on your current physical condition and what you want to get out of this once in a lifetime experience.
Most people however benefit from doing some aerobic conditioning and strength endurance in preparation for the demands of daily life trekking to EBC. I know I did! Although walking is done at a fairly slow and steady pace, you will be trekking for long periods of time, at least 5-8 hours per day, all the while gaining on average 300m (1000 ft) in elevation each day. Plus you’ll be carrying a heavy backpack for long periods of time.
How to train for Everest Base Camp
Getting yourself In good physical shape will really help you to enjoy your overall experience.
Although completely optional, In my opinion there are 4 key ways in which you can train for EBC; Aerobic/Anaerobic, Strength, Core, and of course walking.
Aerobic/Anaerobic: Aerobic can include: treadmill, cycling, running, cross-trainer, rowing etc. Anaerobic is all about increasing your heart rate very quickly, in short bursts of exercise followed by short rest and repeating. This can be done in the form of HiiT (High Intensity Interval Training), such as Spin, HiiT, Tabata.
Strength: Your legs will be doing a lot of work. You could choose to do some weight training in the gym, and/or do some bodyweight training, such as squats, lunges, box/stair jumps, which you could also do at home.
Core: Having a good level of core strength can greatly improve your body’s ability to carry a heavy load every day, minimising potential back issues. Some core activities could include press ups, plank, scissor kicks, bridges.
Walking: You will be hiking for long periods back to back for the duration of your trek. It’s recommended to start getting used to walking, by slowly increasing the frequency leading up to your departure: 45-60 mins 1 p/w, 3-5 hours 1 p/w, 5-7 hours 1 p/w (back to back in last 12 weeks).
Plus, get out on the hills! Taking a few long day hikes on hilly terrain can give you a good feel for how prepared you are to navigate the demands of the Nepali Flat!
I did a lot of my hill training in Box Hill, Surrey. The many steps that are built into the hills really help to replicate what day to day trekking will be like when you’re hiking to Everest Base Camp.
If you don’t live close to any hills, try and find some staircases where you can go up and down in short bursts.
Getting yourself physically and mentally prepared for your Everest Base Camp trek although important, shouldn’t feel overwhelming. You don’t need to be an athlete to make it to EBC, but don’t underestimate it either. If you put in the preparation and time to practice, it will make your experience much more enjoyable.
My Top Tips to Completing the Trek to EBC
Preventing Altitude Sickness on EBC
When you hike at higher altitude, there is far less available oxygen to fuel your body. Ignoring the effects of altitude sickness can be dangerous, and could be fatal. However, for a lot of people who hike up to Everest Base Camp, the most they experience are headaches, and mild sickness.
There are of course ways in which you can prevent altitude sickness, or at least minimise the effects.
Acetazolamide - more commonly known as Diamox - Should you take it?
This is something our group debated a long time before we departed for Nepal. We all ended up using it, taking the attitude of “better safe than sorry”, as opposed to a last resort. We all made it to Everest Base Camp!
But Diamox is not for everyone. Firstly, it acts as a diuretic, which means you’ll be feeling the need to go and pee more frequently (I can concur!), and some people say they can feel a tingling sensation on the skin (I didn’t get that reaction).
Always consult a Doctor or prescribing pharmacist prior to your Everest Base Camp trek, to make sure it’s right for you.
When and how much to take - the recommended practice is to take Diamox before you begin trekking in altitude, until completion of your trek. Assuming you’re not allergic to Diamox, the advice is to take 125mg (typically half a tablet) in the morning, and then 125mg in the afternoon/early evening. Our medics advised us to take them 12 hours apart.
Drink plenty of water
It probably goes without saying it’s extremely essential to make sure you take in enough water during your EBC trek. You’ll need to take on board 3-4 litres p/day, and this will greatly help you cope with the effects of higher altitude. If you are planning on using a water bladder, it can be quite difficult to know exactly how much water you’ve sipped whilst you’re out on the trail. Regular checking when you take rest periods is recommended, as is topping up your water supply when available. I would also advise taking a 1 litre water bottle with you as a back up, if you’re relying on your water bladder as your main source.
Eat well and as often as you can
It’s really important to take in as much food as you can. You’ll be burning a hell of a lot of calories every day. Whilst it’s difficult to take on board what you’ve lost, allow yourself the opportunity to refuel as much as possible. Sometimes you won’t feel like eating too much…you’re tired, you may experience a loss of appetite due to nausea, and your brain is really just thinking about rest and recovery. Ensure you carry plenty of high protein snacks for when you’re out trekking, and ensure you have 3 good meals a day. This will help your body and mind recover a lot quicker, and help you to manage any effects of high altitude too.
Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey
You’ll find that your Sherpa guide or expedition leader will be up at the front to set the slow and steady pace. Taking it very slow, and measured during the trek to Everest Base Camp is as important as staying hydrated to preventing altitude sickness.
Ignore others who might be well ahead of you. It isn’t a race. So go at your own pace, and don’t feel you need to ‘keep up’. It’s better to reach your goal much later than others, than to get into trouble by acting on your determination just to get it done.
Daily health check
Every day our medic would give us a check over to make sure we were coping ok with the physical and emotional demands of our trek. It’s vital to be honest how you’re feeling, especially if you’re experiencing any headaches or nausea. Most headaches you can deal with by taking paracetamol etc, but if they get any worse you MUST tell your medic. Similarly if you’re experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, or palpitations. All of which are a sign that you could be suffering from Acute Altitude Sickness, which untreated can result in both pulmonary and cerebral edema. In that worst case scenario you would require immediate evacuation and medical attention.
Positivity is the key to success
Throughout your time in the Himalayas you will be tested, both physically and mentally. You’ll be hiking every day for long periods of time, across challenging terrain, and at higher altitudes than your body is used to. Don’t underestimate how hard a toil this can take on your mental strength. It can often be an emotional experience, as your body and mind start to feel the effects of your exertions.
But wait a minute…look around you and take it all in! You’re in the Himalayas! From the stunning forests and rapid white rivers, to the suspension bridges, stupas, and memorials all adorned with the familiar colourful Tibetan flags. As you move into the higher Himalayas, the scenery changes, and you see the magnificent mountain peaks of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Mount Everest! Everywhere you go is a treat for your eyes, and it makes all the efforts SO worthwhile I can assure you!
Booking your EBC trip
Going to Everest Base Camp is a big deal. You want to get it right, and know exactly what you’re signing up to. There are plenty of options on how and who you choose to go with.
I’d been dreaming about my own trip to EBC for many years, so when the time came for me to actually stop dreaming and turn it into a reality, I wanted to get it right! So will you!
Going Solo
Notice: Nepal bans solo trekking for foreigners which came into effect on 1st April 2023
With so many tour operators offering you the chance to trek to EBC, it’s hard to know where to start. I know some people prefer to take things as they come, fly out to Kathmandu, and hire a guide once there. There’s the possibility of finding other people out there who you can form a small group with. But that carries its own risks as you could end up with people who you haven’t got to know, have different expectations and motivations to your own.
Until the ban came into force in April 2023, preventing trekkers going solo without a guide…it carried a great deal of risk, which is why it came into force. The Himalayas are vast, and it’s not a place to get lost! The local guides (Sherpas) and porters are all born and bred here, and they know the region, the landscape and terrain, weather, lodges or tea houses etc. better than anyone.
If you want a taste of experiencing going to Everest Base Camp without a group, you will at least need to hire a local guide, so you have the best chance of being safe, and indeed of achieving your end goal - making it to Everest Base Camp.
Going in an organised Group
As I mentioned much earlier, I went on an organised trip with a highly reputable company I’ve used many time previously for events back in the UK - Action Challenge.
There’s obvious huge advantages of going in an organised group - from knowing straight from go that the whole itinerary has been carefully structured and planned, with highly experienced expedition leaders, medics, local Sherpa guides and porters in place. They will have successfully taken many other adventurers to EBC, and know how to organise a successful and importantly safe trip.
Then there’s the big advantage of going with a group of people. In our group there were 12 that had booked to do the Everest Base Camp plus Gokyo Lakes trip, with another 12 people doing the classic Everest Base Camp trip. So 24 of us plus all the additional support crew. We split up into our groups during the higher days of our treks to make it more manageable.
Long before our trip we were put in touch so we could form a bond. We set up a chat, so we could all discuss our plans together, share our thoughts, concerns, what kit to get, and just generally get excited! So when they day came when we all met at London Heathrow Airport, we felt we already knew each other, and it felt easy being with these amazing people.
On the trip itself, I can’t tell you how much you rely on the support from each other. When times get tough, and believe me they do, having someone you can rely on just to give you some kind words of encouragement and a big hug, makes all the difference.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp doesn’t just push you to your physical limits, it pulls on your emotions too.
Then there’s the times when you reach your Tea House, and you’re all together, exhausted from all your exertions. But those times were some of the best! Eating a meal, telling jokes, and we even had quiz nights which were a real laugh!
The bonds we forged during our EBC trek were so strong that even today we still regularly chat as a group, and meet up from time to time to go on other hiking adventures.
How much Does it cost to do the EBC Trek?
Prices can vary quite dramatically, depending on how and who you intend to go with to Everest Base Camp. If you’re planning on going with an organised group, It’s always worth checking out the comparisons between the tour operators to see what’s included and what isn’t. Similarly, if you’re planning on going on your own, there will be a lot of things you’ll need to factor into the overall costs that otherwise would be included in a package.
Typically if going from the UK, Land only prices (excluding International flights, travel insurance, and Visa) range from around £1,250-£1,400. If booking with International flights, then this typically rises to between £3,750-£4,250. (prices quoted as of 2024).
What’s usually included in a full package cost to Everest Base Camp is:
International flights, including taxes
Two night’s accommodation in Kathmandu on either side of the trek
Flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and return flight
Accommodation for the entire trek (typical teahouses in Nepal)
All food and treated water (3 meals p/day), excluding snacks
A small group of licensed and trained trekking Sherpa guides. Plus porters for carrying your larger bags and supplies for the trek
Permits for trekking and the National Park/Conservation Area entry permit
Some treks are cheaper if they don’t offer food and drink as part of the costs. So you will need to set aside a budget to account for this.
What isn’t typically included…
Travel insurance, which you must arrange yourself and ensure it includes emergency rescue (helicopter)
For Land only packages - International flights/airfare
Visa costs for Nepal and the organisation of the trek
Hiking gear - a full list of what you’d need is covered later on. But you can also rent some equipment either at home or when in Nepal, such as a sleeping bag or down jacket
Snacks - You can buy the majority of what you need in Namche Bazaar (There is a strict weight limit for flying to and from Lukla)
Medication (including altitude sickness tablets)
Budget on trek: You should also budget around £300+ for food, drink and souvenirs on top of the trek cost.
Tipping: It’s also good practice to to tip your Sherpa guides and porters at the end of your EBC trek. They all work tirelessly on your behalf - leading you safely to EBC, securing accommodation food and drink at the tea houses, carrying your packs, all with grace and beaming smiles.
EBC Trekking Permits
If going on an organised package, EBC trekking permits are usually included in the price. Otherwise you will need to obtain them yourself.
There are two permits required to trek the Everest Base Camp trail.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit It costs NPR 2000 Per Person and is obtained in Lukla.
The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit is needed since you will trek through the park. It costs NPR 3000 Per Person.
Choosing Travel Insurance for EBC
Trekking up to Everest Base Camp means it’s vital to get travel Insurance that includes high altitude. You obviously will need a travel insurance policy that covers the usual, such as loss, damage, in-patient medical treatment and repatriation, but you will also need cover to include mountain ascents and mountain rescue.
My advice is to check the small print, as most travel Insurance policies only cover you to go to either 2,500m or up to 5,000m altitude. In which case you’ll need extra cover that Includes trekking up to 6,000m altitude.
Plus due to the changeable weather in the Himalayas, I would strongly advise taking out missed flight cover. I talk from personal experience, as we were unable to fly by plane out of Kathmandu to Lukla, and on our return too! We therefore had to charter helicopters! That cost an additional £300 p/p on the way out, less on the way back. Fortunately I had cover in place so I could claim it all back on my return.
Summary of additional cover…
For trekking up to a height of 6,000m
Mountain rescue/evacuation by helicopter
Missed flight connection
For my EBC trip I used Campbell Irvine. They automatically Include trekking up 5,000m to 7,000m. Cover is currently around £100 for a 2 week trip to EBC. With missed flight connection, it’s an extra £20, totalling £120 for full cover.
However, dealing with my missed flight connection when I returned to the UK was quite tricky. So you may wish to get separate cover via another source. For Instance, my bank has travel Insurance with missed flight connection included.
If you do have to fly by helicopter, I can tell you it’s a thrilling experience, and one you’ll never forget!
How to Prepare for EBC
As you’d expect, you’re going to need to take quite an extensive amount of kit to Everest Base Camp. From clothing, and footwear, to equipment, toiletries and medication. A reputable EBC tour operator will provide you with their recommended kit list to take with you. Some may also supply gear or equipment you can rent, such as a sleeping bag or duffel bag for instance.
Kit List
This was the kit list we were given well in advance of our EBC trip. Some items being ‘Essential’ (E), others ‘recommended’(R).
Footwear
Gortex or leather hiking boots (E)
For Men: I wore these Salomon Men's Quest Element Gore-tex throughout my EBC trip, and were ideal! I’d also recommend looking at something like these from Decathlon Grisport Evolution or Berghaus Men's Hillmaster II at Amazon.
For Women: I would recommend Forclaz leather Vibram MT500 Ultra from Decathlon, or the Karrimor Mendip 3 from Amazon, or the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-tex at Decathlon
Trainers or slippers for use in teahouses (R)
For men: I took this pair of slippers, purchased from Amazon, which were fleece lined, and had rubber soles. Really cosy and I was even able to walk around the local villages in them!
4 x pairs thick walking socks plus liner socks (E)
For Men: I took four pairs of Midweight thick merino socks
For Women: I’d also advise getting four pairs of Midweight thick merino socks
1 x heavyweight walking socks for colder days (E)
For Men: These Heavyweight socks are ideal
For Women: I’d recommend these Heavyweight socks
Clothing
Gortex waterproof jacket (E)
For Men: I wore the Rab Kangri GTX, most days when I went to Everest Base Camp! I highly recommend it!
For Women: The North Face Dryzzle Futurelight Jacket comes highly recommended!
Gortex waterproof trousers (E)
For Men: I wore these Gore Tex Berghaus Maitland
For Women: I recommend Haglofs LIM Gore Tex
Heavyweight trekking trousers and 1 x pair of lightweight trekking trousers and/or shorts (E)
I took Zip-off trousers, which are ideal.
For men: I recommend Mountain Warehouse Forest Trekkers or Jack Wolfskin Active Track
For Women I recommend Jack Wolfskin Glastal Zip Off or Mountain Warehouse Explorer
Down jacket (E)
For Men: I wore the Rab Men's Electron Pro Down Jacket, which I still wear a lot in the UK too!
For Women: I’d also recommend the Rab Women's Electron Pro Down Jacket
2 x micro fleece tops (E)
For Men: I took a full-zip fleece, and I would recommend the Snowdon II from Mountain Warehouse. Or there’s the pull on version which is really light but warm! When it got a little colder, I wore a hybrid fleece/ jacket, such as the Quechua SH500
For Women: I would recommend the Snowdon Melange II full-zip from Mountain Warehouse. Or the Snowdon pull over fleece is well priced on Amazon. Again when it gets colder, I’d recommend the Routeburn Pro Hybrid from Jack Wolfskin.
4-5 x wicking t-shirts (E)
For Men: I recommend the Endurance Isocool Active T-Shirt from Mountain Warehouse. Or, something like this one from Nike on Amazon.
For Women: I recommend the Endurance at Mountain Warehouse. Or this Tech TW functional tech shirt at Jack Wolfskin.
Thermal underwear/leggings (E)
For Men: I took 2 x thermal tops, which I bought from Decathlon, and they worked really well. Plus I took 2 x pairs of thermal leggings, also bought from Decathlon.
For Women: I’d recommend the long sleeved Merino wool thermal top from Decathlon. For leggings I’d recommend these from Decathlon too.
1 x pair of gortex gloves (E)
Unisex: These Salomon Qst Gore-Tex are on Amazon
1 x pair of thick mitts (E)
Unisex: These Forclaz MT500 are available at Decathlon
Fleecy hat/head band (E)
Bandana/buff (R)
Tracksuit bottoms for evenings (R)
Casual clothes (to be left at hotel in Kathmandu) (R)
Equipment
110 litre duffle bag (E)
I took a 100l waterproof duffel bag, which was plenty. The Lomo Blaze Expedition Holdall is on Amazon
35 litre rucksack (with rain cover) (E)
I took my 30 litre Berghaus rucksack to EBC, which is suitable for Men and Women. Or the Women’s Osprey Tempest 30 litre is highly recommended.
2 x walking poles (E)
These Treklite Compact Trekking Poles available at Decathlon
4 or 5 season sleeping bag (E)
It’s recommended to take either a 4 or 5 season sleeping bag. Night’s get very cold in the Tea Houses. So you’ll want that extra bit of warmth and comfort. You may be able to rent one in Kathmandu. But I would advise either renting one from home, or buying one, so you can test it out well in advance.
This 4 season Makalu sleeping bag is light and very snug!
Heavy duty bin liners or waterproof bag liner (E)
Smaller waterproof bags (E)
2-3 litre camelback water carrier / bladder (E)
I took my Osprey 2.5 litre Water Bladder.
2 x 1 litre camelback water bottles (E)
I took 2 x 1 litre Camelbak water bottle
2 x head torch (E)
There’s many on the market, but I’ll recommend 3 to take a look at…Black Diamond Storm 500-R, Petzl Actik Core, or Petzl Tikkina
Sunglasses with 100% UV protection (E)
Sleeping bag liner (E)
This fleece-lined sleeping bag liner is ideal for cold weather!
Some snacks/electrolytes (rest to be purchased in Namche Bazaar) (R)
I use SIS electrolytes which I get from Amazon
Travel towel (R)
Phone chargers and chargebank (R)
Chemical hand warmers (R)
These Lifesystems hand warmers are great!
Toiletries
Antibacterial hand gel (E)
Toilet roll and/or tissues (E)
Sun screen and lip balm (E)
Wet wipes / antiseptic wipes (E)
Bathroom essentials – toothbrush/paste, shampoo, soap/face wash (E)
Personal first aid (E)
Paracetamol / Ibuprofen / Antihistamines / Diammox (E)
KT tape / knee supports (R)
Dioralyte / Imodium (E)
Throat lozenges (R)
Plus a money belt (worn at all times) (E): To store passport, spare passport photo ad photocopy of passport, Nepal Visa, money i.e. dollars and rupees, credit cards, travel insurance certificate and 24 hour insurance contact details
Packing Tips
You’re going to be taking a lot of stuff! It can feel quite overwhelming just how much! Plus, with the strict 10kg maximum weight allowance for the Kathmandu to and from Lukla flights, you’ll need to know exactly what is the right gear to have with you for the entirety of your trek to Everest Base Camp.
Practice packing
Lay out everything on the floor, and work out exactly what you’ll need to get you from Kathmandu to Lukla and beyond. The rest of your gear will remain in Kathmandu at your hotel most likely.
You’ll be able to store some remaining items on you personally, such as in your jacket and trouser pockets. Wearing the heaviest gear for the Lukla flights is advised, so you can pack more.
Buy all the essentials at home
Don’t leave it until you get to Kathmandu to get your hiking boots! You’ll need to allow plenty of time to wear them in. The same goes for other clothing items, such as your down jacket, and waterproof jacket. Buying them in Kathmandu poses a risk to purchasing fake or poor quality hiking gear.
Go on some hikes at home to test your gear
Load up your rucksack with everything you’d expect to carry with you whilst trekking to Everest Base Camp, including 2-3 litres of water. That will help you to train and condition yourself to life on the trail.
In PART 2…
A Day-To-Day Trekking Guide
To discover what it’s actually like day to day trekking up to Everest Base Camp, and to Gokyo Lakes, please now go to Part 2 of my Guide to Everest Base Camp. I’ve included personal accounts of my trip, so you can really get to feel what it’s really like!
You can also check out my Gallery for loads more photos of my Everest Base Camp adventure! Plus I’ve got a few videos in my YouTube channel EBC Playlist!
Thanks for reading!
Namaste
Marc