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    Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: Lukla, Namche, Gorak Shep, and EBC

    Here you will find an Everest Base Camp trek itinerary with all of the information which, lucky for us, a handful of intrepid travelers learned the hard way, leaving us a plan to safely enjoy our adventure through the Himalayas…to the tallest mountain on earth. Mount Everest.

    An official Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary with distances, elevations, and hiking times
    Inspiration for our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary, which blends the official itinerary with the wisdom of thousands of experienced trekkers

    This overview will take you through arriving in Kathmandu, packing, and prep, booking the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, and review an itinerary with distances, hiking times, and elevations for the Everest Base Camp Trek. We’ve also included tips for you to stay healthy and happy along the way.

    Over 8 days, a fellow trekker and I hiked the 72 miles round trip with no porters or guides and carrying all of our own gear.  We booked our own accommodation at teahouses along the way, arranged our own meals on the trek, and carried all of the medication and first aid essentials we needed to comfortably and safely get to Everest Base Camp and back to Kathmandu, enjoying ever moment along the way bringing my Everest Base Camp Trek Cost to less than ~$1000. 

    This guide summarizes the trip, all of the tips we’ve learned from guides, porters, and other trekkers along the way and will (hopefully) inspire you to make your own, independent trek to Everest Base Camp. Whether you go alone or with a tour, this Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary and over guide will help you enjoy every moment.  Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Good luck!

    A Quick Overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek

    The Hike to Everest Base Camp: An achievable and worthwhile adventure

    Mount Everest is the tallest peak on the planet and on many bucket lists as a must see before kicking said bucket.  From my experience completing the hike to Everest Base Camp, it is a very worthwhile goal. The roughly 72 mile roundtrip through the Himalayas is challenging but rewards trekkers with amazing views and an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

    Best of all, despite the challenging nature of the Everest Base Camp trek it is a very achievable goal.  Towards the end of the EBC trek I sat atop Kala Patthar, the peak that provides the best view of Everest anywhere, and shared the moment with elderly trekkers, overweight trekkers, and completely novice trekkers.  With desire, preparation, and persistence, any trekker can share the same beautiful views and sense of accomplishment we enjoyed.  This overview will quickly share my experience making the Everest Base Camp Trek happen without guides or porters and will prepare you to make the hike to Everest Base Camp happen for you too.

    For an entertaining and detailed account of the journey, checkout out my series “The Everest Base Camp Trek Experience” or start with “Part 0: Why would anyone go to Everest Base Camp? 

    Or head to Trip Advisor’s Everest Base Camp Page for more perspectives

     

    Arriving in Kathmandu and Prep

                  Your To Do list:

    • Go to Thamel to purchase any necessary gear
    • Look for pharamcies (with green or red cross) to purchase medications
    • Confirm packing list
    • Acclimatize

    I flew into Kathmandu Airport, as most arriving trekkers do.  Upon arrival at the airport I purchased a local SIM card and data that would provide data service in Kathmandu and on the EBC Trek from Lukla town up to Pheriche.  Hailing a taxi was easy at the airport, as was communicating in the airport and Kathmandu – the town sees so many westerners and English speakers that getting around is a breeze.  The taxi ride to my hostel in Thamel took 45 minutes with heavy traffic,but provided an interesting tour of the city.



    Booking.com

    a week prior, from Kathmandu to Lukla and I only had 24 hours to buy and rent all of my gear and prepare for the trek so Thamel made it very convenient to acquire everything for the trek.  It is possible to buy or rent virtually any necessary gear in Thamel.  Vendors rent gear of sufficient quality for the trek or sell knockoff gear of major brands, such as Northface and Columbia, that will suffice for one EBC trek and costs about a third of the name brand retail prices. Visit at least 3 vendors to inspect gear before purchasing or renting anything.

    The Thamel Kathmandu Clothing and Gear district is the place in Kathmandu for trekkers to pick up all their gear for the Everest Base Camp Trek
    The Thamel Kathmandu Clothing and Gear district is the perfect place for trekkers to pick up gear for the Everest Base Camp Trek

    Thamel, the outdoor tourism and gear vending district that caters to tourists and trekkers in Kathmandu, was where I spent most of my preparation time.  I had booked a flight on Yeti airlines,

    Several pharmacies and a large grocery store (Shoprite) sell the remainder of essentials needed for the trek.

    ** (See a full recommended Everest Base Camp Gear Packing List here) **

    [wd_hustle id=”base-embed” type=”embedded”]

    Note: For hiking, rely on time and elevation change estimations instead of distance as distance estimation can be deceptive in terrain such as the Himalayas and the Khumbu

    A plane taking off from Lukla Airport, “the most dangerous airport in the world”.  Landing in Lukla marks the start of adventure for most hikers on the Everest Base Camp Trek
    A plane taking off from Lukla Airport, “the most dangerous airport in the world”.  Landing in Lukla marks the start of adventure for most hikers on the Everest Base Camp Trek

    Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport

    Lukla: Elevation: 9,317ft /2,840m, Kilometer 0

    0 hours hike

    Flying from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport and Lukla town, the common start of the EBC trek, is relatively easy.  For the cheapest flights and most options, flights should be booked online through directly through the servicing airlines’ websites one week in advance.  The airlines currently servicing the Kathmandu to Lukla route are Yeti Airlines, Tara Airlines, Simrik Airlines, and Goma Airlines.  Several flights leave each morning between 6:00AM and 10:00AM, but weather delays which create visibility issues are common and tend to resulted in cancellation of later flights.  To avoid being bumped, aim for the earliest flight of the day possible.

    Note: on return flights, airlines will gladly change you to an earlier flight coming from Lukla Airport to Kathmandu Airport for free as long as space is available, just speak with the airline staff in tiny Lukla Airport, but they will likely charge a change fee to move to a later return flight.  Jump to Flight Information for more information on booking flights to Lukla online

    Lukla to Phakding

    Phakding: Elevation: 8,563ft/2,610m, Kilometer 8

    ~3 hours hiking, 8km

    Upon arrival at the airport you will grab your bags and proceed through Lukla town to Phakding, your first scheduled stop on the Hike to Everest Base Camp. Lukla town will be a tiny, quaint town with a single, cobblestone main street, a trekker registration point, and a green arch welcoming you to start the trek.  Along the way to Phakding you will pass several tiny hamlets with small bed and breakfasts tempting you to stop early, or at least sit at a table with a shaded umbrella for a coffee or cold coke.

    Tiny Lukla town sits next to Lukla Airport and exists solely for last minute gear purchases, trekker registration, and respite for weary, hikers returning from the Everest Base Camp Trek
    Tiny Lukla town sits next to Lukla Airport and exists solely for last minute gear purchases, trekker registration, and respite for weary, returning trekkers

    After 8 kilometers and 3 hours of walking you will arrive in Phakding.  Phakding is an excellent stop for the first day as the distance walked and elevation of the town aid in acclimatization while you sleep.  Enjoy a meal of dahl bhat, a Nepali rice and lentil stew, in place of any meat dishes to avoid food poisoning that commonly happen with poorly handled meat along the trekking route.

    Phakding to Namche Bazaar:

    The Adventure (and incline) begin

    Namche: Elevation: 11,860ft/3,440m, kilometer 18.5    

    ~5 hours hiking, 10.5km

    Start early the following day to enjoy the beautiful views and photo opportunities that early daylight provide, and to ensure all of the good teahouses in Namche Bazaar aren’t taken when you arrive.  The road to Namche crawls up and down a steep hillside along a rushing river hundreds of feet below, and along a lush green forest above.  Just prior to entering officially entering Sagarmatha National Park, the park containing Mount Everest and several other renowned peaks, you will have to pay a ($35) fee and register, then continue past beautiful prayer wheels into the national park to really begin your EBC Trek.

    A chaotic and traffic jammed steel cable foot crossing to the mountain on the otherside of the valley midway through the day’s walk will be an adventure as herds of yaks, porters carrying 80lb+ bags, and streams of trekkers take turns crossing a steel cable bridge suspended high above a rushing river.  As you cross, the finally zigzagging ascent to Namche Bazaar begins

    All along the Everest Base Camp Trek, porters carry 60-100lb loads
    All along the Everest Base Camp Trek, porters carry 60-100lb loads

    The trail will zigzag up the mountain and highlight exactly how far from acclimatized you may be, but don’t worry, just walk slowly, and breathe naturally avoiding exertion.  At the top of the switchbacks, to the right, a public restroom and water station sit for a perfectly timed break.  Even better, to the left of the bathrooms and just past the water station, it is possible to glimpse the tip of Everest through the trees if weather permits.  After the break, continue on the trail stopping briefly at a ranger station to record your information, and check your Trekker Information Management System (TIMS) card before continue on another 30 minutes into the impressive mountainside Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar to rest for the night and spend a rest day acclimatizing.

    Namche Bazar

    Namche: Elevation: 11,860ft/3,440m, Kilometer 18.5

    Rest Day Hike: 2 hours, 3km round trip

    Namche Bazaar is a U shaped village that cascades down a lushly green yet steep mountain, and has been a trading hub for native Sherpa villages for ages.  As of recent, the town is a common stop for Everest Treks as the distance hiked to the city and the city’s elevation make it the perfect place to take a rest day and acclimatize 3,324 feet above Phakding in elevation and the previous day’s 10.5 kilometer, the 5 hour hike can be taxing, so a day for the body to catchup is needed.  The tourist industry in Namche has realized this and thus Namche Bazaar is the most developed city along the Everest Base Camp Trek providing easily accessible hot showers, wifi, coffee shops, bakeries, and even the self proclaimed “highest Irish pub in the world” to keep trekkers occupied.

    Namche Bazaar is a U-shaped town on a Himalayan mountainside, once Sherpa trading post and now respite for weary trekkers
    Namche Bazaar is a U-shaped town on a Himalayan mountainside, once Sherpa trading post and now respite for weary trekkers

    Given the On the rest day, a trek to the Everest view hotel for lunch or tea and, weather permitting, a glimpse of Everest from the back patio are common rest day activities.  The hike is a ~1 hour, 1.5 kilometer walk with 1,200 feet of elevation gain to see the hotel that touts itself as “one of the highest hotels in the world” and the only one with a view of the highest peak in the world, Everest.  Other great views and activities include the Namche Stupa, the Sherpa Culture Museum, and the Sagarmatha National Museum.

    Namche Bazaar’s many vendors will sell any gear that you may have forgotten to pickup in Kathmandu, but chocolate, water purification tablets, and other “essentials” may cost 10x what they do at 6,693 feet below in Kathmandu.

    Tengboche

    (Tengboche Elevation: 12,664ft/3,860m, Kilometer 27)

    4.5 hours hiking, 8.5km

    The walk from Namche Bazaar to Dingboche is most distinguished from the rest of the trek by the gradual disappearance of the forest and trees along the route.  The route once again tests trekkers adjusting lungs as the trail drops to the valley floor and climbs to 12,664 feet, Tengboche’s altitude.  Leave Namche and arrive early as teahouses and lodging are limited in Tengboche.  If you do arrive too late to secure a room, hike an extra 15 minutes to Deboche for a room.

    In Tengboche, be sure to visit the monastery for a self guided tour, as the monastery welcomes visitors, and be sure to sit for a session of the monk’s chanting which takes place once in the early morning ~6:30AM and once in the early afternoon (~5:30AM)

    The Tengboche Monastery. A stop between Namche Bazaar and Dingboche for most on the Everest Base Camp Trek
    The Tengboche Monastery. A stop between Namche Bazaar and Dingboche for most on the Everest Base Camp Trek

    Pheriche

    (Elevation: 13,910ft/4,240m, Kilometer 37.5)

    ~4.5 hours hiking, 10.5km

    Leaving Tingboche, you will have to decide if your trail to Everest will pass through Pheriche or Dingboche.  As Dingboche is more developed and has more amenities it may be more suitable for the rest day that many trekkers commonly take according to the recommended acclimatization schedules.

    Though noticeably smaller than Dingboche, Pheriche offers a quieter atmosphere with newer lodging and teahouses and extraordinary views, as the town sits in the middle of a rocky, ascending valley.  Be sure to wake up with the morning light to see the sun rising over the impressive mountain Nagkartshang, to the east.  Wifi is accessible in Pheriche (as teahouse managers to purchase data cards) as are text message and voice calls, but cell data may not be available.

    Pheriche is home to the Himalayan Rescue Association  Hospital that is operational during trekking and summitting season.  The hospital is commonly operated by a mix of western and local personnel.  Consider donating your unused medications on your return trip.

    Pheriche: A great alternative to busy Dingboche for trekkers skipping their rest day
    Pheriche: A great alternative to busy Dingboche for trekkers skipping their rest day

    Duglah

    (Elevation: 15,157ft/4,620m, kilometer 43)

    ~1.5 hours hiking, 5.5km

    The hike from Pheriche to Duglah is a barren, rocky moonscape that is still beautiful as it provides clear views of the surrounding  Himalayn mountains.  The town of Duglah is most suitable as a stop for water, to purchase a hot meal or tea, and to rest and converse with other travelers, but little lodging is available and Lobuche is much more suitable for most schedules.

    Lobuche

    Elevation: 16,863ft/4,910m, kilometer 50

    ~2 hours hiking, 7km

    Lobuche, 7 kilometers and 2 hours from Duglah (and 13 kilometers, ~3.5 hours from Pheriche) is the next stop for most trekkers.  The village of Lobuche resembles more of a gypsy camp as shanty style teahouses and tents (for porters) dot the camp.  The teahouses will be much less insulated and the night’s much colder at this elevation so pack (and dress accordingly).  Pay more attention to staying hydrated and observing for altitude sickness symptoms from this point on in the trek.

    The road to Gorak Shep, through Pheriche, Dughla, and Lobuche
    The road to Gorak Shep, through Pheriche, Dughla, and Lobuche

    Gorak Shep

    Gorak Shep Elevation: 17,650ft/5,140m, Kilometer 58

    ~2.5 hours hiking, (Duglah to Gorak Shep: 8km)

    The trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep continues the barren, moonscape views until reaching the small camp (Gorak Shep) that puts you in walking distance of Everest Base Camp and a much more satisfying view of Everest from Kala Patthar.

    A view of Gorak Shep pre-dawn,before a hike to the top of Kala Patthar for a view of Mount Everest at sunrise
    A view of Gorak Shep pre-dawn,before a hike to the top of Kala Patthar for a view of Mount Everest at sunrise

    Kala Patthar

    Elevation: 16,863ft/5,140m

    ~2.5 hours hiking, round trip

    Kala Patthar is the peak next to the village of Gorak Shep and, from its peak, provides the best view of Mount Everest accessible by trekkers.  Wake early (~4:00AM) to make the 2.5 hour, 2 kilometer round trip hike up the peak in order to see Mount Everest as the sunrises.  Be sure to come early as the best views, and opportunities for photos, happen before the sun comes over the horizon, rising directly behind Mount Everest to the east.  Additionally, the heat from the rising sun on the snow capped mountains generally creates a cloud of mist that obscures Mount Everest, and Ama Dablam to the right, within an hour of sunrise, so, arrive early, ideally before sunrise.

    A view of Kala Patthar
    A view of Kala Patthar

     

    Everest Base Camp

    Elevation: 17,650ft/5,380m Kilometer 62

    ~7.5 Hours Hiking, 12km round trip

    After descending from Kala Patthar (and the view of Everest), stop off by Gorak Shep to get water and food before making the 12 kilometer and ~7.5 hour round trip trek to Everest Base Camp.  The road to base camp is even more barren with small loose rocks and sand continuously on the path, winding up and down hills until finally arriving at the glacier that Everest base Camp sits on.

    At Base Camp, trekkers mill about taking pictures with large boulder’s with “Everest Base Camp” written in heavy black marker, accented with prayer flags in the foreground and background.  Enjoy the view!

    From here, the Everest Base Camp trek of 62 kilometers and 38.58 miles is complete and the return will be much easier as you feel superhuman on the way down, your acclimatization stacking with the increased concentration of oxygen in the air as you descend.

    Celebrating the end of the Everest Base Camp Trek
    Celebrating the end of the Everest Base Camp Trek

     

    Now that you understand the experience of the EBC Trek…

    Logistics for Planning Your Everest Base Camp Trek

    Warnings

    • Avoid eating any meat during the trek: Any meat eaten is carried (unrefrigerated) from Lukla, and many teahouses don’t have the extra and consistent electricity to power a refrigerator.  Avoid food poisoning by staying vegetarian for the duration of the trek
    • Acclimatize appropriately: Avoid exceeding an ascent of more than 300-400 meters per day and schedule a rest & acclimatization day after 1,000 meters. If your breathing is getting heavy, slow down.
    • Take it slow: If you are sweating from exertion or breathing extremely heavily, you’re working too hard. Extreme exertion puts you at higher risk for altitude sickness.  When in doubt, slow down
    • Stick to reliably purified or filtered water: This generally means water that you have purified yourself with water purification tabs, a filtration device (like a Lifestraw) or a purifier (like a SteriPen) Avoid drinking any water that has not been sanitized
    • Don’t plan on drinking bottled water: Bottled water along the trek is extremely costly ($3-$5 per bottle) as you need 3-5 liters daily. Additionally, empty water bottles create waste that the teahouses don’t have the means to properly dispose of, given how many trekkers routinely do the Everest Base Camp trek.  Save money and environmental damage with a portable water filter, a portable water purifier, or water purification tablets that can be purchased in Kathmandu
    Annual Number of Trekkers attempting the Everest Base Camp Hike
    How many trekkers attempt the Everest Base Camp Trek? Over 37,000 trekkers attempted the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2016 alone with April and October and November being the two months with the highest traffic in 2016 followed by April.
    How many trekkers attempt the Everest Base Camp Trek? Over 37,000 trekkers attempted the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2016 alone with April and October and November being the two months with the highest traffic in 2016 followed by April.

    Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla

    Tara Air, Yeti Airlines, Goma Airlines, and Simrik Airlines are the primary airlines that fly from Kathmandu to Lukla.  Yeti airlines is the only airline searchable via major western third-party search engines (e.g., Google Flights, Booking, Kayak, etc.).  Go directly to the websites of the other airlines or search Google for the individual airlines to find Nepal based online third party Bookers or the airlines’ respective sites.

    • Flights cost $165 and $180, one way, when booked at least one week in advance
    • Flight schedule: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu fly daily every half hour between 6:00AM and 10:30AM on various airlines
    • Aim to fly on the first flight of the day to avoid being bumped due to weather
    • For return flights from Lukla to Kathamandu, airlines will generally allow passengers to change return flights (to Kathmandu) to an earlier date than scheduled for free if space is available, but will charge passengers to move a return flight to a later date
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    Websites for Airlines flying from Kathmandu to Lukla

     

    Teahouses on the Everest Trek: What are they and how do they work?

    • “Teahouse” is the common name for most lodging provided to trekkers along the Everest Base Camp Trek. Despite the interesting name, most teahouses are operated more similarly to western style “bed & breakfasts”
    • Teahouses welcome guests for a small fee under the condition that the guest purchases their meals from the teahouse. If, instead, you eat food that you’ve brought, or from elsewhere, there will be an additional charge usually equal to the cost of forgone meals
    • Average costs for teahouse lodging are 200-500 Nepali Rupees (~$2-$5)
    • The average cost of a meal in a teahouse is $7 – $10, depending on your choice of food and drink but meals will be more expensive at higher quality teahouses
      • Hot Drink: ~$1.50 (150 Nepali Rupees)
      • Cereal or Breakfast: ~$3.50 – $4 (350-400 Nepali Rupees)
      • Lunch Dish: $4 – $5 (400-500 Nepali Rupees)
      • Dal Bat: $5 – $6 (500-600 Nepali Rupees)
      • Large Dinner Item: $7 – $9 (700-900 Rupees)
    • Reservations usually aren’t required (or possible) as most teahouses don’t maintain an internet presence BUT the best teahouses tend to be booked quickly by the guides of large groups, either on arrival or in advance
    • For solo/unguided trekkers, the best option is to arrive as early as possible to take your pick of the teahouse
    An average menu and food prices on the Everest Base Camp Trek (in Nepali Rupees)
    An average menu and food prices on the Everest Base Camp Trek (in Nepali Rupees)
    Another average menu and food prices on the Everest Base Camp Trek (in Nepali Rupees)
    Another average menu and food prices on the Everest Base Camp Trek (in Nepali Rupees)

    Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

    An official Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary with distances, elevations, and hiking times
    An Overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek with distances, elevations, and hiking times

    The following is a commonly followed Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary that is suitable for most trekkers:

    Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport.  Hike from Lukla Town to Phakding,

    3.5 hrs , -146m/-486ft elevation change

    Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

    5.5 hrs, +784meters/+2,583feet elevation gain

    Day 3: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (hike to Everest View Hotel)

    Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

    4.5 hrs, +427meters/+1,401feet elevation gain

    Day 5: Tengboche to Pheriche

    4.5 hrs, +510meters/+1,676 feet elevation gain

    Day 6: Acclimatization day in Pheriche

    Day 7: Pheriche to Lobuche (4,928m/16164 ft),

    3.5 hrs, +570meters/+1,867 ft

    Day 8: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,160m/16,929ft)

    2.5 hrs, +491meters/+1,286feet elevation gain

    Day 9: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (YAY!!) and descent to Pheriche

           Kala Patthar, 2.5 hrs hike (round trip), +390meters/+1,311feet elevation gain

    Everest Base Camp, 7.5hrs hike (round trip), +160meters/+521feet elevation gain

     Gorak Shep to Pheriche, 4 hrs

    Pheriche to Namche Bazaar, 9hrs

    Note: The above notes are from an “official” trekking guide provided by Nepal, but my trekker partner and I made the entire trek in a single day.  Plan according to your own trekking ability

    Day 10: Descend from Pheriche to Tengboche,

    4.5 hrs

    Day 11: Descend from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar

    4.5 hrs

    Day 12: Descend from Namche Bazaar to Lukla

    4.5 hrs

    Internet Connectivity on the Everest Base Camp Trek

    • Cell phone data service (3G) is supported to Tengboche,
    • Above Tingboche only text and voice (2G) coverage is supported
    • Sim cards and data can be purchased at a kiosk in the Kathamandu airport just near the arrivals exit, or at vendors in Thamel district of Kathmandu
    • Cell Service Providers on the Everest Base Camp Trek are NCell and Nepal Telecom, 3g to Tengboche and voice/text above Tengboche
    • Internet and Wifi is provided along the entire Everest Base Camp Trek route for a fee. Pay per use wi-fi provided above Tingboche fills in the gap of cellular data service.  Ask Teahouse owners to purchase access cards.

     

     

    Medications to consider taking on the Everest Base Camp Trek

    Consult your doctor or an authorized medical provider prior to using any medications but it is worthwhile to have these medications in your Everest Base Camp Trek kit for emergencies as they may not be readily available (or affordable) along the trek.

    • Diamox (for altitude sickness)
    • Anti-inflammatories for headaches, and general aches (acetaminophen/ibuprofen blend or paracetamol)
    • Electrolytes to add to drinking water
    • Water purification tablets
    • Antibiotics: amoxicillin is commonly sold at pharamacies in Thamel and throughout Kathmandu. Consider purchasing a supply for at least 8 days but contact your medical provider for the recommended run
    • Imodium or similar anti-diarrheal
    • Bismuth tablets or similar for nausea and upset stomach

    Purchase medications for the Everest Base Camp trek at any Kathmandu pharmacy as these medications are (relatively) cheap and excellent “insurance”.  Any unused medications can be donated to hospitals and clinics along the route for use in emergencies or to provide lower cost care for locals.

     

    Food and Drink along the Everest Trek

    • Rely on dahl baht, a lentil and rice soup, as your primary fuel for the trek. For a standard price, the dish is delivered as all you can eat (pretty sweet, eh?) and provides all of the proteins and carbs you need.  Additionally, its cheap and your best bet for avoiding food poisoning.
    • Water: Consume 3 liters per day minimum, optimally 4 or 5 while consuming electrolytes. The thin air and the activity increase risk of dehydration and onset of altitude sickness
    • Bring plenty of water purification tablets (can be purchased at pharmacies in Kathmandu) or a water filtration device. I used the LifeStraw with great results and no issues.  Water purification tablets can go for 10x the Kathmandu price when sold by vendors on the trek

     

    When to Trek to Everest Base Camp

    The best time to trek to Everest Base Camp is either early May or early October, depending on your preferences

    • May: To see the teams summitting Mount Everest.
      • Downside: The skies are less clear due to dust lingering in the air and obscuring views of Everest
      • Downside: Heavier traffic, more crowded trails, and more crowded teahouses
    • October: The skies are clear and the weather is perfect with smaller crowds
      • Downside: Unable to see teams attempting Everest summit \

     

    Rules of Thumb for a good Everest Base Camp Trekking Experience

    • Walk slowly. Avoiding heavy exertion helps you avoid altitude sickness. If you’re heaving too heavily to breathe, you’re walking too fast.
    • Ascend no more than 300-400 meters per day and if you do then schedule a rest day, or, adhere to our base itinerary (see below)
    • Drink a minimum of 3 liters of water per day. Your body will require more water than normally in the conditions on the trek and staying hydrated helps prevent altitude sickness
    • Avoid eating meat on the trek. Most meat is walked in from Lukla, and the higher you go, the more time it has spent outside of a refrigerator.  Additionally, most teahouses don’t have the extra electricity to use on a refrigerator so mishandling of meat is common. Stay with the dahl bhat or vegetarian at least for the duration of the trek

     

    My beloved backpack! 40 liter REI Trail weighed in at 10kgs/22lbs and carried everything I needed for the EBC Trek
    My beloved backpack! 40 liter REI Trail weighed in at 10kgs/22lbs and carried everything I needed for the EBC Trek

    Gear I ABSOLUTELY recommend bringing from home for the Everest Base Camp Trek

    Checkout my full gear list with gear recommended by other trekkers and the gear I brought and trust

    • Reliable water filtration device: Bottled water on the trek can be the costliest expense (at ~$3 per liter) and the most damaging to the environment, and plastic bottles accumulate on the trek route and in towns. I used (and loved) the Lifestraw Go, as it is a reliable water filter combined with a water bottle, but the normal Lifestraw is a great option that other trekkers recommended as well, as long as you have a wide mouth bottle to pair it with.
    • Portable recharge: Electricity and charging are provided on the EBC trek, but at a hefty price so bring your own. These are accessible in Asia but in my experience, electronics purchased in Europe and North America cost the same price and are much more reliable.  On my Motorcycle Adventure through Laos and Vietnam, many of my electronics purchased in Thailand and Asia died from moisture and being bumped.  My electronics purchased in Europe and North America all survived.  I used an Anker portable recharger, but any will do as long as the power capacity is large enough.
    • Durable/waterproof smart phone case: This allows you to use your phone in “less than optimal” weather conditions, keep taking pictures, and keep taking pics and video. The best camera is the one that you have with you, right?  I used the Lifeproof Nuud with great results.  It even survived snorkeling in Thailand and being dropped at 50 miles per hour in Vietnam
    • A local SIM Card: Absolutely worth the $5-$20. You will have cell data service from Kathmandu to Dingboche/Pheriche so having a SIM helps you upload those insta-enviable pics quickly or call out in an emergency.
    • Reliable Travel Insurance: A helicopter flight out due to altitude sickness can cost $2000-$5000, but you can save on this risk with $100-$200 travel insurance.  Friends have experienced infections and sprained/broken limbs which can rack up the medical expenses quickly too, so don’t risk it. Luckily, they all came prepped with travel insurance.

    Other Essentials to bring on the Everest Base Camp Trek

    • Chocolate: Chocolate is a convenient snack and cheers anyone up, but the chocolate available along the trek is usually old, stale, and 3x the normal price of sale in Kathmandu
    • Sanitation wipes: Warm showers above Namche Bazaar are either difficult, extremely costly, or non-existent. Additionally, anything wet dries extremely slowly (if ever) in weather conditions common on the trek.  Remedy your disco worthy body funk by bringing (and using) wet wipes in place of a shower.
    • Sunblock: The thinner atmosphere increases the risk of sunburn so much that even dark-skinned trekkers (like myself) will burn without sunblock. Skip the blisters and bring the block
    • Lip Balm with SPF: Your lips are special.  See the note above (for sunblock)

    How to quickly and easily get in shape for the Everest Base Camp Trek: Rucking

    If you’re looking for ways to get in shape for the Everest Base Camp Trek, I highly recommend considering “rucking,” which is the simple act of walking briskly with a weighted backpack. Click here to learn more about rucking, the benefits of rucking, and how to get started. All you need is a good, durable backpack, which can actually double as your pack for the Everest Base Camp Trek, a good rucking weight for your pack, and a good pair of boots for rucking, and you’re ready to get in shape for the EBC trek.

    For more on the Everest Base Camp Trek, checkout our Everest Base Camp Trek Page for more EBC Trek resources and our story series Experience of Trekking to Everest Base Camp, an incredible seven part series on my journey from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp.

    Overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek, everything you need to know to hike to Everest base camp without a guide

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      About A Brother Abroad

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Carlos is nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.