Top 16 Things to Know Before You Trek to EBC

27th Sep, 2019

If you're planning to do the Everest Base Camp Trek for a wonderful trekking experience, there are a few important things you need to know before you go. Whether you're trekking solo or with a guide, these insights will help you prepare both mentally and physically for an unforgettable adventure.

Everest Base Camp Location

GPS coordinates of Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Latitude: 28.0043 Longitudes: 86.8557.
Everest is the tallest Mountain and known as the roof of the world. Mt. Everest in English, Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolongma in Tibetan language (8848m. / 29029ft.) is in Solukhumbu district of North-Eastern Nepal. It is marks the international border of Tibet China and Nepal. Mount Everest is the most outstanding part of Mahalangur range of great Himalayas. It takes a week to reach the base camp of that mountain from Lukla during the trekking.

Best Season for Everest Base Camp Trek

There are two main trekking season for Everest Base Camp. Autumn trekking season (September to November) and spring trekking season (March to May) are the best trekking seasons. The weather is perfect sunny and warm with wonderful mountains views clean air and not rain compare with other trekking season (winter and Monsoon) If you want and wish to avoid crowds and enjoy some alone time with nature and culture, you can do this trip during the winter (December/January and February) also could be an option. But, the temperature during winter could be little bit cold for most trekkers. In the summer season (June to August) is raining but best for nature lovers. That is why; you can choose your best season for Everest Base Camp Trek depends on your Vacations.

Board a Flight to Tenzing- Hillary Airport- Lukla

Most trekkers fly to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla to begin their Everest Region trekking, including the Everest Base Camp Trek. Lukla is a popular entry point because it offers the easiest and quickest access to the Everest Base Camp. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes.

However, during the peak trekking seasons—from mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to mid-November—all Lukla flights operate from Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu. Ramechhap is about 140 kilometers from Kathmandu and takes roughly 4 hours by private vehicle.

Lukla Airport is located in the mountainous region, and the flight passes over scenic hills, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas to the north. If you fly to Lukla, your trek typically begins the same day.

There are alternative routes to reach Lukla by bus to Jiri or Phaplu, but these options require extra trekking days before joining the main trail.

Keep in mind that weather conditions in the Himalayan and hilly regions can be unpredictable, especially affecting flights to and from Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu. Delays and cancellations are possible. Therefore, we recommend that trekkers allocate a few extra days before and after the trek in case of such disruptions. At High Pass Adventure, we always do our best to adjust your itinerary to ensure the most reliable and enjoyable trekking experience possible.

Food and Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest region is popular trekking destination in Nepal. There are many new tea-house because every day increasing new house and tea-houses from starting tourism. Tea-house is not only offers tea but also food and place to sleep. If you are signing up for tea-house trek in Nepal, you will not need to carry food and camping gear. That is why hike for 5-7 hours at day time and rest and sleep in the tea-house at night during the trekking in Nepal. If you are planning of trekking in the popular area of Nepal like Everest region, Annapurna Region and Langtang Region etc are the best tea-houses trek and best way to experience and explore the Himalayas of Nepal. The routes are the trekking trail to the Himalayas has beautiful tea-houses at the lower altitude and increase many nice tea-houses in the high altitude.

So, you can have easy to finding comfortable accommodation in the Everest region. Almost all tea-houses are tried to give you best service for all traveler. Every different place diffident quality of the tea-house so, you can choose based on your budget. During the Everest Base Camp Trek, food is mostly typical Nepali (Dal-Bhat) and you can choose food menu every Tea-house. Most of the tea-houses produced fresh Vegetables on their garden and serve to costumer. So food and accommodations are enough in Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

In Nepal, many trekking agencies organize the Everest Base Camp Trek at different prices, so there is no fixed cost for hiking to Mt. Everest Base Camp. However, we at High Pass Adventure offer a reasonable price for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

We provide a 12-day itinerary, and the cost depends on your group size and the types of tea houses you choose. On average, the cost ranges from USD 1,000 to USD 3,000 for a 12 to 17-day trek, and this is for a full package.

Please note that the package excludes personal expenses such as hot showers, WiFi, phone calls, electronic device charging, beverages, and personal shopping.

If you choose to organize the trek yourself, the overall cost will be quite similar. Basic accommodation typically costs USD 5–10 per person per night, and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) range from USD 5–10 each. Additional costs include guide and porter salaries, their insurance, trekking permits, and round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lukla (for both the guest and the guide).

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Most of the trekkers follow the itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek. If you continue walk to Everest Base Camp by following itinerary, it takes 6 days to get there but there are 2 extra days for acclimatizing day and 4 days back to Kathmandu from the Everest Base Camp. Combine all together is 12 days itinerary of Everest Base Camp Trek. We always offer best itinerary to all costumer.

Outline itinerary of Everest Base Camp Trek.

Day 01: Flight to Lukla (2800m) and trek to Phakding (2610 m)
Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Day 03: Rest day at Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Day 04: Trek to Tengboche (3860 m)
Day 05: Trek to Dingboche (4410 m)
Day 06: Rest day at Dingboche (4410 m)
Day 07: Trek to Lobuche (4940 m)
Day 08:Trek to Gorakshep (5180 m) and hike up to Everest Base Camp (5363 m)
Day 09: Trek to Pheriche (4250 m)
Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Day 11:Trek to Lukla (2800 m)
Day 12: fly Back to Kathmandu

Hire a Trekking Guide to EBC Trek

According to the law of Nepal, hiring a trekking guide is not mandatory for foreign trekkers in the Everest Region, including the Everest Base Camp trek. However, there are certain regions in Nepal—such as Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Dolpo, and Mugu Limi Valley—where it is legally required to hire a licensed guide.

Even if it’s not compulsory in the Everest Region, hiring a guide is highly recommended for your safety, comfort, and overall trekking experience. Guides are fully dedicated to their work and known for their responsibility, care, honesty, and kindness, which can make your journey more enjoyable and memorable.

A good guide can easily communicate with you, explain the culture and landscape, assist with logistics, and support you with anything you need during the trek. If you're planning to trek to Everest Base Camp, you can choose from our best guide service packages. All our guides are licensed by the Government of Nepal and have received proper training.

Our guides and porters come from rural areas and possess deep knowledge of the trekking regions. They are also trained in basic First Aid and can assist with medical treatment and emergency services related to altitude sickness during the trek.

Considerations challenge without guide for EBC Trek

Trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) without a guide is possible, but there are several important considerations and challenges to keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The route is located in a remote area, and you must take a flight from either Kathmandu or Ramechhap to reach Lukla. Mountain weather in this region is highly unpredictable, and flights are often delayed or canceled. During such situations, having a guide is extremely helpful, as they can assist with rebooking and managing flight changes.

Altitude sickness is a major challenge for all trekkers, regardless of physical fitness. Without a guide, you might not recognize the early symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and a delayed response can lead to serious health risks. In case of illness, injury, or any emergency, being alone significantly increases your vulnerability. Guides are trained in emergency response and evacuation procedures, ensuring you have support when it’s needed most.

Although the EBC trail is generally safe, there are remote sections where solo trekkers may face risks such as robbery or harassment—rare but not impossible. Accommodation along the route consists of basic teahouses, which can become overcrowded during peak seasons. Guides can help secure better rooms or find alternative lodging when necessary.

Trekking alone can also be mentally exhausting, especially on long, difficult days with harsh weather. The higher you go the more limited and expensive the amenities become—hot showers, Wi-Fi, and charging stations are not always available. A guide can help you plan ahead and make the most of available resources.

In summary, the challenges and risks of trekking to Everest Base Camp are more manageable with a guide who understands the terrain, is experienced in handling altitude-related issues, and can offer valuable local insight. Therefore, hiring a guide for the Everest Base Camp trek is highly recommended to ensure a safer, more enjoyable and stress-free adventure.

Group and Solo Trek are Possible

All trekking agency can provide best and experience trekking staffs for any size of trekking group but it is all depends on trekker’s choice. If you want to love solo trek to Everest Base Camp, you can just hire a guide and he will explain everything. Solo trek is comfortable and flexible but budget is bit higher than Group Join Trek. If you want to do Group Join Trek, it is benefited trek for single trekkers because you can share every thing during the travel. High Pass Adventure always observes with the new idea and recommend to our clients and set up the trekking date of their suitable holiday schedule. If you are single and willing to trek and tour with a group, we can easily arrange suitable group that match your time and interest.

Necessary Trekking Gear for EBC Trek

Trekking gear is the important thing for the travelling and trekking in Nepal because weather is in the mountain area is always changeable every different season and altitude. In the higher altitude, the temperature may drop quickly freezing point from hot weather. Some time unexpected rain falls and snow falls. That is why; you must know pack necessary trekking gears for Everest Base Camp Trek.

Trekking gear for Everest Base Camp Trek

• Walking shoes and sport shoes 1/1 pair
• Normal and warm gloves 1/1 pair
• Sun glasses and sun block cream 1/1 pieces
• Down Sleeping Bag and down warm jacket 1/1 pieces
• Normal Socks 2/3 pair
• Fleece Jacket and Trouser 1/1 pieces
• Head lamp 1 piece
• Gore-Tex Jacket and Trouser 1/1 pieces
• Water bottle 2 pieces
• Trekking day back pack bag 1 pieces
• Trekking stick (pole) 1 pair
• T-shirt 4/5 pieces
• Sleeper (sandal) one pair

Requires Permits & Permits Cost for the EBC Trek 

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trekking route is located within Sagarmatha National Park in the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, in the Everest region of Nepal. Therefore, you need to obtain both a Sagarmatha National Park entrance permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit. Another required permit is the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card, which is for your safety and security as it helps track trekkers' whereabouts in the region. Both permits are mandatory for the Everest Base Camp trek.

The Sagarmatha National Park entrance permit and TIMS card can be obtained through a reputable trekking company at the Tourism Board (Bhrikuti Mandap) in Kathmandu. Additionally, the Sagarmatha National Park entrance permit can be purchased in Monjo, and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permit can buy  in Lukla after starting the trek. You or your guide must carry these permits throughout the trek, as they must be shown and registered at every checkpoint along the trail. If you attempt to trek without these permits, you will have to purchase them on-site at double the cost as a penalty, or you may be forced to turn back.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance permits

• Cost: US$ 30 per person, per trek for all foreigners
• Cost: US$ 20 per person for SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) citizens

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card:

• Cost: US$ 20 per person, per trek for all forieners 

Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Fees:

• Cost: US$ 30 per person, per trek for all foreigners
• Cost: US$ 15 per person for SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) citizens

Altitude Sickness is a Huge problem until Base Camp?

High altitude sickness is main issue in the Himalaya region in the Nepal. Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the famous trekking routes in the world. This trekking starts at 2,600 m at Lukla Airport and getting high point of over 5,500 m at Kalapathar. Along with these high altitudes area come the risk of the altitude symptoms and sickness such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). There is no different of age, gender or physical fitness, when it starts to suffering from high altitude sickness. That is why, we create and introduction best itinerary with acclimatization day. If you have symptoms of high altitude sickness, you have to come lower altitude to rest and sleep with trekking guide.

Symptoms of High Altitude Sickness

Normally starts high altitude sickness from 3,500 m high in the Everest Base Camp Trek. When you will have these symptoms such as Headache, Fatigue, Nausea, Shortness of breath, Dizziness Lack of sleep, Loss of appetite etc, you feel that is high altitude sickness. These symptoms are very common for most trekkers and others people as soon as they arrive in high altitude areas and can be determined by allowing 1-2 days of rest for the body to acclimatize. From then you can climb to higher altitudes.

High Altitude Sickness Can be prevented

This high altitude sickness is the dangerous, when you will walk up after those symptoms but it is easy to prevention. You must have understood about high altitude sickness and that is proper acclimatization is the best fight against that disease. When reached 3000 m or 3500 m, you will have to spend at least two nights. For the Everest Base Camp Trek, Namche Bazaar is the best place spends 2 nights for acclimatization. Normally, trekkers have to ascend 300 m to 500 m per day. Here are main things you can do prevent yourself from high altitude sickness. Climb slowly, eat carbohydrates, Avoid alcohol, drink water, take it easy, sleep lower and medication.
You should not go on any medication without a doctor’s recommendations.

Hire a Porter for Everest Base Camp Trek

If you are planning trek to Everest Base Camp with group or solo, hire a porter is better idea to carry your bag during the hiking. Some trekkers want to do trek without porter but that is not good on the Everest base camp Trek. Porter will carry yours all stuff desired your destination and you carry just a day bag with important stuff. If you carry your luggage yourself, that is very difficult to ascent on higher place and makes very tired. If you buy the full package Everest Base Camp Trek, trekking agency provide best porter to carry your luggage from that cost.

You should Carry Nepali Currency

Everest region is popular trekking destination, so some where they can exchange US dolor and Euros but it is necessary for you to carry Nepali currency during the trek. You can exchange your currency in the Kathmandu city after you landed on Nepal. It is necessary because shopping personal and tipping to driver and trekking staff. You have to exchange an amount of money, which is sufficient the whole trek.

Train Yourself Before Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking in Nepal is walking one place to another on hilly and mountain region. If you never walk on ascent and descent before trek in Nepal, it will be uncomfortable on your health. Only you need basic experience for walking. The Everest base camp trek is not climbing peak so, you do not need any previous technical climbing experience or even any altitude experience to complete that trek. This trek requires you have to be physically fit and to have excellent strength. That is why, we highly recommend to you train like hiking, short running, cycling walking 1 or 2 hours every day before come in Nepal for Trekking in Nepal.

Conclusion

Proper preparation is essential, especially for first-time trekkers, to avoid common mistakes. This article provides helpful guidance for anyone planning to trek to Everest Base Camp—one of the world’s most iconic adventures. However, it’s not something to jump into without thorough planning. Safety should always come first. The trek reaches high altitudes, where risks like acute mountain sickness can be life-threatening. Understanding acclimatization, recognizing altitude symptoms, and knowing when to descend can be life-saving.

While many imagine Everest as a place of remote luxury or untouched wilderness, the reality often includes basic teahouses, crowded trails during peak seasons, unpredictable weather, and simple meals. Being aware of these conditions helps manage expectations and avoid disappointment.

From flight delays in Lukla to permit requirements and essential packing tips, knowing the logistics allows you to focus on enjoying the journey. Although it’s a trek and not a technical climb, it is physically demanding. This guide highlights the importance of fitness, training, and preparing your body for multiple days of hiking at high altitude.

Prices for basic necessities increase as you ascend, so budgeting wisely for things like bottled water, device charging, internet access, and snacks is crucial. The region is rich in Sherpa culture and Buddhist traditions, and showing respect through appropriate behavior and dress enhances your travel experience.

The article also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of trekking independently versus hiring a guide and porter, helping you decide what best suits your needs. With the right preparation, you'll feel more confident, less anxious, and better equipped to have a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable adventure.