16 days tour

Everest Base Camp Trek

$ 2,560 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $2,560.00

Everest Base Camp Trek

This tour includes:

Accommodation

We stay in teahouses for most of this trip but start and end in the comfort of a locally run hotel within walking distance of the buzzy Thamel district, a prime location to many amenities. Hotel Royal Singi, Kathmandu The Hotel Royal Singi, a three-star hotel, has been welcoming Exodus travellers for more than two decades. The name is inspired by the Snow Lion, a mythical creature in Tibetan Buddhism, which symbolises immense joy, positivity, delight and comfort. The hotel embraces the name with a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard, and complimentary wifi throughout. Thereโ€™s also an Exodus desk in the lobby and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings. The Royal Singi is well located near the Thamel district, close to banks, restaurants, shops and attractions. Teahouses in the Everest region Staying in teahouses is a time-honoured tradition for expeditions to Everest Base Camp and, in fact, most hiking trips within the Himalaya. They may be basic, but teahouses become a welcome sight after a day of hiking through the region. The hub of teahouse living is the dining room, which is usually decorated with colourful, traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. We stay in twin-share bedrooms, which come with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow. Remember to bring (or hire) a sleeping bag, rooms are unheated so can get cold at night. Below are a couple of the teahouses we typically use en route. Green Tara Hotel, Namche Bazaar The Green Tara Hotel is one of our most popular teahouses on the Everest trail, offering cosy accommodation and warm hospitality. The comforts of a hot shower, delicious Sherpa cuisine and a snug dining space allow you to relax during your stay. The restaurant, wifi, charging ports and warm lounge enhance your experience, while the breathtaking views of Namche Bazaar and Himalaya mountains certainly leave a lasting memory. Ama Dablam Lodge One of our most-liked lodges in the Everest region, with an amazing view to Ama Dablam (we usually have breakfast on the terrace looking across to this beautiful mountain). You will also enjoy true Sherpa hospitality here thanks to Tashi Sherpa and her family. Tashi also runs a bakery, so make sure you try her famous fresh apple pie and homemade cookies. Worth knowing Some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Your leader will not offer this to you. Almost all teahouses have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by โ€“ a torch (flashlight) is essential. Charging facilities are generally only available in the dining room (charged at approximately 200-500 Nepalese rupees/US$1.50-US$3.80 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental. Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main building. Toilets are usually squat-style, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the bin provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down โ€“ if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to. Some lodges have hot โ€˜showersโ€™ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes this is simply a bucket of hot water. Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime โ€“ use soap or hand sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes. Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services. Extra accommodation If you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative. Single accommodation If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a tea-house, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.

Others

All listed transport and activities Arrival and departure transfers

Meals

Breakfast is included throughout the trip. In the teahouses, breakfast will be a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee is also served. On some days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake with jam/honey will be served. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish โ€“ additional items not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. Please note, some more remote teahouses/lodges are unable to provide an extensive menu due to irregular delivery schedules. During periods of bad weather or a high volume of trekkers, there may be a more limited menu choice. Also, the menus and extras are generally more expensive at higher altitudes. Lunches are taken at a teahouse en route โ€“ sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the groupโ€™s order to make it more expedient. Dinner is in the same teahouse you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it). Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos: a Nepalese dumpling (fried or steamed) thatโ€™s filled with meat or vegetables. Meat is available in the teahouses but we advise against eating it. Meat is often carried in the heat for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money โ€“ we recommend using hand sanitiser. Dietary requirements Gluten-free diets: We strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten-free breakfast options are limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg. On specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast/with an extra egg) will be served. Vegan diets: Breakfasts are limited to a choice of muesli/porridge made with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the egg) or vegetable fried rice. Lactose-free diet: The same will apply although you will also have a choice of egg each day. If you buy imported food and drink on trek, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Drinking water Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 0.7gal to 1gal (three to four litres) per person per day. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal. The teahouses sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 Nepalese rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek), which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double as a hot-water bottle. Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. This should not be drunk untreated, so we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/CamelBak (ideally two and wide mouth) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek โ€“ we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the productโ€™s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions). Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source โ€“ visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. These bottles filter the water as you drink, though the spout may not be the most efficient while moving on trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.

Transport

For airport transfers, we use a private minibus. Flights to/from Lukla are usually in a Twin Otter or Dornier plane. All flights to and from Lukla no longer operate in/out of Kathmandu Airport (KTM), these flights have been transferred to operate in/out of Manthali Airport (RHP), which is in the Tamakoshi River Valley in Manthali, 82mi (132km) east of Kathmandu. The journey from Kathmandu to Manthali is a four-hour bus drive in the early morning and the return leg from Manthali to Kathmandu is usually five to six hours due to heavier traffic later in the day. The flight time between Manthali and Lukla is about 20 minutes. It is necessary to depart your hotel in Kathmandu at approximately 3am by bus to ensure arriving in Manthali for 7am-7.30am in time for the flights to Lukla (between 8.30am-9am). Your Kathmandu hotel will provide a packed breakfast for the journey. Please read our note on flight safety in Nepal in the Is This Trip for You? section of our Trip Notes. This trekking trip requires you to walk between each overnight stay under your own steam. Other forms of transport may be available along the route (horses, 4x4s etc) but Exodus cannot take responsibility for the safety or cost of any transport that you choose to take, even if provided with the assistance of our leader or staff.

Guide

The group is generally between four and 16 people. We have representatives in Kathmandu who look after your transfers to and from the airport and are around to answer other questions you may have about your trek. The following departures for 2024, starting in Kathmandu will be led by Sukman Tamang, joint winner of our Leader of the Year Award 2022. 24 February, 23 March, and 11 April (TNTA โ€“ Expedition departure) 21 September, 12 October, 26 October, 21 December The departures starting in Kathmandu on 4 April 2024 and 10 April 2025 (TNTA โ€“ Expedition departure) and 30 November 2024 will be led by Valerie Parkinson who has been leading treks in the Himalaya for more than 35 years. She won Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021 and was the first British woman to summit Mount Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. All other departures have an English-speaking Nepali tour leader throughout, who is assisted by Nepali trekking guides. All Exodus leaders are highly experienced, trained in wilderness first aid, and have taken the Exodus leader training courses. The trekking guides are licensed by the Trekking Agenciesโ€™ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and receive additional training through Exodus. The trekking guides will walk with the group, spacing themselves out to ensure the pace is appropriate for careful acclimatisation and to ensure the safety of all trekkers in the group, helping those who may need some encouragement or support. On all our Nepal treks, there will be one trek staff to every four travellers โ€“ this ratio may change if a guide has to stay behind with a group member. The leaders are assisted by additional guides and as many porters or dzos (cow-yak hybrids) as necessary to carry the kitbags. All your main gear is carried for you and you only have to carry whatever you require for that dayโ€™s trek. Dzos carry four client kitbags each and porters carry two โ€“ kitbags should be 22lb (10kg) maximum. Porters are given porter clothing for treks above 14,765ft (4,500m), which includes a windproof jacket and trousers, boots, socks, gloves, hats and sunglasses. All trekking staff are insured by our local partner in Nepal.

Not included:

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only) โ€” Visas and vaccination

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Everest Base Camp Trek

  • Day 1 Day 1: Arrive In Kathmandu
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Arrive In Kathmandu

      The tour starts at the Royal Singi Hotel, which has hosted countless numbers of our trekkers over the years. There is a full trek briefing this evening, in which we gather as a group for the first time and go over any questions you may have. Rest up, we begin our trek to Everest Base Camp tomorrow. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Early Morning Transfer To Manthali For Your Flight To Lukla. Trek To Phakding (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Early Morning Transfer To Manthali For Your Flight To Lukla. Trek To Phakding (Breakfast)

      Start very early this morning to drive (approximately four hours) to Manthali Airport (RHP), where all Lukla flights now operate from. We leave our hotel at approximately 3am to arrive in Manthali Airport in time for the first morning flights to Lukla. The hotel provides a packed breakfast for the journey. Fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (9,190ft/2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading north up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River), then descend from the small plateau into the forested valley. The trail offers tantalising views of green, hilly terrain before reaching the settlement of Phakding, where we spend our first night. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 8,701ft/2,652m)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Follow The Dudh Kosi And Ascend To Namche Bazaar, With Time To Explore Sherpa Villages (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Follow The Dudh Kosi And Ascend To Namche Bazaar, With Time To Explore Sherpa Villages (Breakfast)

      Heading out of Phakding, follow the Dudh Kosi north. Todayโ€™s walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridge as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up the ascent, we may get our first glimpse (cloud permitting) of the Everest summit behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 985ft (300m) climb brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area, which get can explore properly on our return from Base Camp. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, but the town always bustles with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear and Tibetan souvenirs. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 11,285ft/3,440m)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Acclimatisation Walk To Kunde And Khumjung; Descend To Kyanjuma (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Acclimatisation Walk To Kunde And Khumjung; Descend To Kyanjuma (Breakfast)

      Climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 12,730ft (3,880m). Built by the Japanese, this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. En route to the Everest View Hotel, you have the option to stop at the Sagarmatha Next experience centre. Here we can learn about the work this local organisation is doing to tackle waste pollution on the mountain trails, while also seeing amazing art pieces created from waste. Descending through forest, arrive at Khumjung for lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After, walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, enjoy great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalaya giants. Walk back down through Khumjumg to the monastery. Sadly, it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and, after paying the small entry fee (which goes towards repairs), see the only โ€™yetiโ€™ skull in the world. Descending to the main trail, spend the night at Kyanjuma. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 11,810ft/3,600m)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Trek Through The Sherpa Heartland To The Monastery At Thyangboche For Superb Mountain Views (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Trek Through The Sherpa Heartland To The Monastery At Thyangboche For Superb Mountain Views (Breakfast)

      Descend to the river this morning, crossing at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha (10,665ft/3,250m), then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche (12,867ft/3,867m). Arrive by lunchtime and visit the famous monastery in the afternoon. The sunset and sunrise over the mountains are not to be missed โ€“ Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan tahr, a native wild goat, in the forest surrounding the monastery. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 12,700ft/3,870m)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Continue Up The Khumbu Valley And Then The Imja Valley To Dingboche (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Continue Up The Khumbu Valley And Then The Imja Valley To Dingboche (Breakfast)

      Descend through the forest to Devoche and, a little further on, cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily, the trail enters Pangboche (12,795ft/3,900m), the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending, we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja rivers. A short, steep climb brings us to Dingboche (14,270ft/4,350m), a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 14,270ft/4,350m)

  • Day 7 Day 7: Spend The Day At Dingboche For Acclimatisation (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Spend The Day At Dingboche For Acclimatisation (Breakfast)

      Spend the day at Dingboche to continue acclimatising. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak (16,730ft/5,100m) for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam. There is the option to climb halfway up or, if youโ€™re feeling energetic, it takes about 3hr 30min to the top. Itโ€™s a tough, steep climb but well worth the effort for the amazing views. Return to Dingboche for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and acclimatise. Accommodation: Teahouse

  • Day 8 Day 8: Continue The Ascent To Lobuje (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Continue The Ascent To Lobuje (Breakfast)

      The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche, past a chorten (Buddhist shrine), and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Stop for a tea break and snack before the steep climb to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, poignant place with a line of memorials to climbers who have died on Everest and a beautiful panorama of the peaks on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. In the late afternoon, there is the option to walk up onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 16,175ft/4,930m)

  • Day 9 Day 9: Visit Everest Base Camp; Overnight At Gorak Shep (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Visit Everest Base Camp; Overnight At Gorak Shep (Breakfast)

      Today is a very long, hard day as we leave very early, following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (17,008ft/5,184m). The trail rises and falls along the moraine with some short, steep sections. It is also rocky as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It takes about three hours to reach Gorak Shep, where we rest and eat. There are no lodges from here to Everest Base Camp and back, so fill water bottles and take snacks. Start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to Everest Base Camp, the worldโ€™s most celebrated campground and the culmination of our trekking efforts. Itโ€™s a real achievement to reach EBC, so share some hugs or high fives and make sure to spend a moment or two quietly reflecting on your journey and taking in the famed surroundings. Enjoy close-up views of the Khumbu Icefall and see just how difficult it is for climbers to negotiate through the huge ice blocks. Also capture your essential photo at the Base Camp rock โ€“ it can hang on your wall back home forever! Then, having reached our goal, return to Gorak Shep for a well-earned relax. Please note, accommodation options are extremely limited at Gorak Shep and our teahouse is very basic, though the communal dining area is warm, and the food served promptly to satisfy trekkersโ€™ appetites. Because of the high altitude, the plumbing facilities can be affected and water freezes much of the time. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 17,008ft/5,184m)

  • Day 10 Day 10: Climb Kala Pattar For Classic Mountain Views Of Everest; Descend To Pheriche (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Climb Kala Pattar For Classic Mountain Views Of Everest; Descend To Pheriche (Breakfast)

      It is another hard day as we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar (Black Rock) at 18,192ft (5,545m) from where we can look over the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and, above all, a close-up view of the highest mountain in the world. Return to Gorak Shep and retrace our steps to Lobuje for lunch and then continue down the valley to the lower altitude of Pheriche for the night. Please note, the walk to Everest Base Camp and the climb of Kala Pattar are both very tough. Sometimes we may change the order in which we tackle the walks depending on the groupโ€™s ability and weather conditions. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 13,921ft/4,243m)

  • Day 11 Day 11: Retrace Our Steps To Kyanjuma (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Retrace Our Steps To Kyanjuma (Breakfast)

      Descending through Pheriche, cross a small bridge and have a short climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola valley. Follow the valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. Drop down to the rushing river then walk through peaceful rhododendron forests to the village of Devoche, where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge for lunch. Descend off the ridge to Phunki Tenga and walk back up to Kyanjuma, where we spend the night. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 11,810ft/3,600m)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Descend Through Namche To Monzo (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Descend Through Namche To Monzo (Breakfast)

      The walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful rolling trail high above the Dudh Kosi. We have time in Namche and, after lunch, descend through Namche Bazaar and pick up our outward trail again to Monzo, where we stay tonight. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m)

  • Day 13 Day 13: Continue To Lukla (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Continue To Lukla (Breakfast)

      We retrace our steps to Chaunrikhara, where we start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla. Accommodation: Teahouse (altitude: 9,185ft/2,800m)

  • Day 14 Day 14: Fly To Manthali; Transfer To Kathmandu (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Fly To Manthali; Transfer To Kathmandu (Breakfast)

      Fly back to Manthali airport on one of the first flights of the day (approximately 7am to 7.30am) to allow for the five to six-hour bus transfer back to Kathmandu arriving in the city for mid to late afternoon. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel

  • Day 15 Day 15: Free Day In Kathmandu To Explore The City (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Free Day In Kathmandu To Explore The City (Breakfast)

      Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to/from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section within the Trip Notes or the Exodus noticeboard in the hotel in Kathmandu. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel

  • Day 16 Day 16: End Kathmandu (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: End Kathmandu (Breakfast)

      The tour comes to an end after breakfast, so itโ€™s time to start your return journey home. If youโ€™d like a little more time to explore Kathmandu, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

Select a country to define if the visa is required