Everest Base Camp Trek

EBC Trek Equipment and Gears

First, you need a base layer of clothes for the EBC Trek, depending on the weather. A warm white layered jacket, summer pants, a thick layered jacket well insulated for winter, and a raincoat for the rainy season

Likewise, other gear includes trekking shirts, hats, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen, wool socks, hiking boots, and hiking sandals. It is better to use hiking poles for steep, slippery, and uneven roads.

Also, here's a list of gear for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Head, Face, and Neck

• Sun hat or cap (day)
• Fleece beanie/woolen cap (night)
• Balaclava (optional)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreens
• Moisturizers
• Lip Balm
• Face towel
• Scarf
• Neck gaiters

Upper Body

• T-shirts (preferably quick-dry and breathable) (day)
• Parka/windbreaker (day)
• Rain gear/poncho
• Inner thermal (at night)
• Fleece T-shirts (night)
• Fleece jacket
• Down jacket (night)

Lower Body

• Undergarments
• Trekking pants (preferably stretchable, quick-dry, and water-resistant) (day)
• Rain gear
• Inner thermal (at night)
• Fleece/wool pants (night)

Hands

• Light/outdoor gloves (day)
• Warm winter gloves, fleece or woolen gloves (night)

 Legs

• Thin socks (day)
• Warm woolen socks (at night)
• Hiking boots (preferably GORE-TEX) with spare shoelaces
• Floaters or sandals
• Knee support (optional)

Essential Items

• Passport
• Extra passport-size photos (min. 2) for trekking permit
• Cell phone and charger
• Money
• Backpack and rain jacket
• Duffel bag*
• Padlocks
• Rain cover and a day pack (30L)
• Trekking pole
• Sleeping Bag*
• Personal medicine
• Water bottle

Toiletries

• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Facial wash, soap, and shampoo
• Tissues or wet wipes
• Toilet rolls
• Hand sanitizer
• Quick-dry towel
• Handkerchiefs (optional)
• **Basic first-aid kit

Others (Optional)

• Thermo flask
• Portable water filter/purification tablets
• Earplug
• A Universal Adaptor
• Camera, memory card, and charger
• Reading books or maps
• Binoculars
• Watch
• Snack

The items with a "*" sign are the special equipment that can be provided to you by Heaven Himalaya upon your request. You can ask for items like duffels and sleeping bags. You shall return these items upon completion of the trek or climb.

We will also provide you with a basic first-aid kit. However, if you are a regular user of medicine and have your own, you can bring it with you.

Note: Please refer to the female packing list if you are a girl and to the Nepal packing list for more general information.

Staying Safe on the EBC Trek: What You Need to Know

Heaven Himalaya prioritizes the safety of its visitors. While on the trail, our trained guide will accompany you. Kindly note that if there are any safety concerns, we may customize or cancel your itinerary.

You will also have some free time to explore on your own after we accomplish the goal of that day. So, during that free time, you can explore on your own.

But remember, do not go far away from the guide. Except for the representative from Heaven Himalaya, don’t give your belongings to someone to carry or support you along the journey.

We strongly recommend that you keep your important documents and valuable items with you safely. You might also want to use a neck wallet or a money belt to keep them safe. However, hotels we use in cities have a deposit box with a lock, which is more secure to keep your important things. But, along the EBC route, you might not find a deposit box, so keep them locked in your bag.

Although you will have a porter to carry your duffel bag, keep important documents with you and carry them yourself. While sharing rooms in guesthouses, keep your important things next to you and in a safe place.

Here are some measures to follow:

Unexpected medical emergencies

If you are a regular user of any medicine, carry it with you under your doctor’s prescription. If you feel you need some medical help or are allergic to anything, explain it to your guide. He will help you out. If it’s a very urgent situation, we will use a helicopter evacuation to bring you to Kathmandu for a check-up.

Also, always have a better understanding of altitude sickness. If you think you have any symptoms and cannot continue the trek, you can tell your guide. We will figure out a solution for that.

Protests and demonstrations

Although there are no protests or demonstrations along the Everest Base Camp route, you have to be careful about that.

If you find any such cases, do not enter them or leave the area immediately. Do not stay there looking for a wonderful photo opportunity.

Hotel Safety

All the hotels we use are very safe for travelers. However, if you plan to take any extra service on your own that’s not specified in the itinerary, it’s your responsibility to look after yourself.

Some cases include: Don’t go swimming if you don’t know how to swim. Similarly, while visiting the corners of Thamel looking to buy some souvenirs or something, keep your important things in the hotel. Do not carry them with you always.

Emergency Fund

Please make sure you have access to a few extra hundred dollars in case you need it the right way. It will come in handy in circumstances that are beyond our control, such as landslides, earthquakes, etc. Also, it will help you if you want to buy something, like some souvenirs or paintings, that fascinate you and you can’t leave them there.

We take all measures into account for your safety. If you have any questions, you can call us at +977 9851273867 or email us at [email protected].

Emergency Contact

We will ask you for the details of a person to be used as an emergency contact at your side. So, while filling up the form, make sure you fill in the correct details of the person and his or her relationship with you.

The best time to trek to Everest Base Camp

Traditionally, the best months for the Everest Base Camp trek have been March, April, and May in the spring, as well as September, October, and November in the fall. These months typically offer stable weather conditions, clear skies, and more moderate temperatures, making for a more enjoyable trek.

However, climate change has been affecting weather patterns, including in the Himalayan region. In recent years, only April, May, October, and November have continued to be popular and recommended months for the EBC trek due to their relatively stable weather.

During spring (March, April, and May), the weather is calm, with a clear sky and bright days suitable for high-altitude climbs.

Likewise, colorful rhododendron flowers and trees with new leaves around the trail are eye-catching. One disadvantage of the spring hike to EBC is that the trail is crowded and busy.

During the autumn months (September, October, and November), temperatures are moderate with clear skies. Also, there’s less chance of problematic rain or snowfall. Although you may get a slight rainfall on some days, the scenic views after the rain are breathtaking. The autumn season is also one of the best times for trekking. People crowd this season.

Besides, if you travel in October, you may be part of the famous Mani Rimdu festival. Buddhists celebrate the ancient festival in monasteries like Tengboche Monastery for 19 days on Mount Everest. Just as per tradition, the locals have specified the dates for the celebration of Mani Rimdu as the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of October.

Other than that, June, July, and August are the months of challenges. The roads are muddy and slippery. This is the off-season, so trekking is peaceful with less disturbance and has clear and stunning views of the Himalayas.

Finally, December, January, and February are the off-season because of the extreme cold in the mountains. The temperatures are as low as -17 °C. However, some also choose these winter months for the EBC hike, as it is the right time if you want to avoid crowds. If you wish to trek in the winter, you need to prepare more. Many eager travelers have trekked during this time as well.

However, choose any time for the trek, as Heaven Himalaya is always there for you to assist.

Seasonal Weather Conditions

The weather and climate in Base Camp vary with the seasons. So, we divide the weather conditions and environment into four different seasons: spring, monsoon, autumn, and winter.

During spring (March to May), the weather is warm and dry. Visibility is clear, making it a perfect trekking season for Everest. Likewise, during the monsoon (June to August), the rain makes the path wet. Even the visibility is unclear because of patches of cloud. So, we do not recommend trekking during the monsoon.

Autumn (September to November) is also a perfect time for the Everest Base Camp Trek. During this time, the weather is dry and bright, and visibility is complete.

Winter (December to February) is too cold. The path is full of snow, which makes walking difficult. Do not expect the mountains to be warm. It is always cold on top. Afternoon: The weather gets windy with strong breezes. Still, trekking is possible during early or late winter in Nepal.

Where You’ll Stay on the Everest Base Camp Trek: Teahouses and Lodges

Depending on the level of service you choose, there are various accommodation facilities available on the EBC Trek. You will find some excellent hotels near local teahouses.

During the trek, we stay at various teahouses and guest houses, offering comfortable accommodation facilities. The rooms and restrooms at guesthouses are clean and comfortable, although they are quite simple. The lodges usually have a wooden-style bed with a sheet, cover, and pillow.

Likewise, there’s a communal dining area that serves healthy local food and some international dishes. For an extra cost, you can usually get additional amenities such as an electric blanket, Wi-Fi, and a hot shower. You can also buy snacks and drinks at the teahouses.

At lower altitudes, you may have access to Western-style toilets, but as you ascend, you will typically encounter squat toilets or more basic toilet facilities. Thus, it is advisable to bring your toilet paper, as it may not be available in some lodges.

Understanding the Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty Level

We classify the trip to the base camp as a moderate-level trek. One needs to walk for around six to seven hours on average for approximately twelve days.

Although it’s a moderate hike, there are many difficulties in the hiking routes. Walking is peaceful, but sustaining the rising elevation can be hard sometimes. It requires no techniques or experience for the trek, but previous experience may be an advantage.

Although training is not a compulsion for the trip, it requires a level of stamina and endurance. Here, we will guide you to train for the Everest base camp.

As the hike demands a continuance capacity, routine exercises like walks and aerobics may help you maintain your body’s stamina. Likewise, we recommend hiking in some hilly areas for a few weeks before trekking. Besides, you can work on your cardio and strength endurance at a gym center.

Although it’s not a mountaineering activity like any marathon run, it might be hard sometimes. Waking at high altitudes with a scant amount of oxygen can challenge you with no experience trekking. So aerobic training can be helpful for you to walk at high altitudes with low oxygen.

We have the habit of not carrying any heavy bags unless it’s a long adventure journey. So, hiking to some nearby hills with a rucksack on your back for at least a week before the commencement of the EBC trip is commendable.

Training for your Everest Base Camp Trek depends on your health and physical fitness. Besides, mental preparation and a powerful will to reach the destination are what you need to have for your successful journey ahead.

How Long Is the Everest Base Camp Trek? Distance, Route & Travel Options

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek covers a total length of approximately 130 km or about 80 miles, round trip, starting from Lukla and returning. If starting from Namche Bazaar and returning, the distance is about 51.2 km. The straight-line distance from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp is roughly 153 kilometers.

This trek is a long and iconic hiking adventure, well-known worldwide, that takes you to the foothills of Mt. Everest. It allows you to explore Sherpa villages and natural heritage sites along the way.

The time required to complete the Everest Base Camp hiking journey depends on the specific route and means of transportation you choose. If approaching from Nepal’s side, you can complete the trek in 8, 12, or 14 days. Alternatively, a helicopter ride from Kathmandu Airport takes just 45 minutes.

With Heaven Himalaya, the short Everest Base Camp trek will typically take 14 days, including 2 days allocated for acclimatization on the itinerary. The daily walking distance averages around 8 to 13 km, with a duration of 5-7 hours of trekking each day.

The starting point of this beautiful hike is Lukla. To begin the journey, you’ll need to take an early morning flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap, depending on the time of the year. For treks during April, May, October, and November, you’ll fly to Lukla from Ramechhap, which takes about 20 minutes. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), there are no direct commercial flights from Kathmandu to Lukla during these months due to traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport. However, for other months, you can take a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which usually takes around 45 minutes.

Upon your arrival at Lukla Airport (Tenzing Hillary Airport), known as one of the world’s most challenging airports, your trek will officially commence.

Food and Drinks on the Everest Base Camp Trek

We do breakfast around 7-8 a.m. Most of the tea houses offer French toast, honey toast, toast bread with eggs and cheese, plain toast, and egg items. Other options include chapati, oat porridge, fried or mashed potatoes, etc.

These breakfasts are excellent for your hike to Everest Base Camp. We have other options on the menu, depending on the place or the accommodation you choose.

For Lunch and Dinner, we get foods like cereals, grains, and rice. At lunch, they serve food containing carbohydrates in abundance. Although every item is available, we don’t recommend non-veg items during the tour. A vegan diet is fresh and also good for a hike.

We have lunch from around noon to 1 p.m. They typically serve traditional Nepali dishes such as Dal Bhat, which contains cooked rice, boiled lentils, vegetable curries, and pickles. However, you will also find noodles, momo items, pasta, macaroni, pizza, sandwiches, and spaghetti in some places.

We have dinner at around 7:30–8:00 p.m. You will get dinner according to the lodge menu, which includes traditional Nepali and some Western food.

Remember, food items vary from place to place, but the food we take is good enough for trekking.

Besides, if you are keen on trying some Sherpa food, you can try Su Chya (butter tea), Tsampa, or Tibetan bread for breakfast. Likewise, other Sherpa foods are Veg Shakpa (Sherpa Stew), Shyaphale, Veg Thukpa (noodle soup), Riki Kur (potato pancakes), Ting Momo, and Rilduk (soup with potato lumps).

For drinks, most of the teahouses and hotels serve a wide range of coffee, tea, hot lemon, hot juice, chocolate, milk, etc. Some hotels offer cappuccinos, Americanos, and café lattes. Avoid drinking and smoking during your trip.

For water facilities, during the trek to EBC, you can get tap water everywhere, but it’s not safe to drink, so it’s better to keep a water purification tablet with you. The local government has banned plastic bottles since January 2020.

Better yet, bring your reusable bottle and make sure your bottle can hold hot water as well. You can also get bottled water, but it will cost you some money. Also, you need to pay for the hot water. So, it’s better to carry some Nepalese cash with you.

Boiling water is preferable as you go to high altitudes, and it is also safe and convenient. As you go up, altitude sickness might take place, so keep yourself hydrated and have a sip of water from time to time.

Staying Connected on the EBC Trek: Wi-Fi, SIM Cards & Charging Info

Since 2010, there has been a 3G connection on the Everest Base Camp Trek route. The Swedish company TeliaSonera has installed multiple base stations in different spots along the trek. This starts with Lukla and provides connectivity for the entire EBC trail.

NTC and NCELL mobile networks are best for you during your journey. When you arrive in Nepal, get a Nepalese SIM card and buy tourist data packs.

Besides, most of the lodges provide Wi-Fi services, charging $5–6 for an unlimited package, and some of them also provide free Wi-Fi services.

Another option is to enroll in the Everest Link Card, which is easily available at stores in the Everest region. Purchase cards of 50 MB to 100 MB, which is enough for your trip. The price of the card varies from place to place.

Charging phones and other electronic gadgets on the route

The battery gets drained quickly at high altitudes because of the cold, so you need to charge your devices more. You can charge your phone and other electronic gadgets at the lodge, but you need to pay an extra fee for the lodge you stay in. The cost also varies from place to place.

Sometimes there won’t be electricity or there’s low voltage, so carry batteries that last for three days. The best option for charging gadgets on the Everest Base Camp Route is to carry a portable power bank and a solar charger with you.

Don’ts and Must-Know Tips Before Your Everest Base Camp Trek

• High-altitude regions are risky zones. So do not trek alone. Always travel with a friend or a guide. It’s because we never know what might happen and when in the high-altitude regions.
• Avoid walking too fast. Take your time and stroll gradually. Walking fast may tire you out. It is because, with each step, we get closer to Mt. Everest; we gain some altitude. Hence, it may harm your health.
• Acclimatization days are beneficial to cope with rising elevation and prevent altitude sickness. Thus, do not skip the days set for acclimatization.
• Do not go to restricted areas. Always stay on the trail.
• Don’t leave plastics and other waste on the trekking trail. Ask your guide to dispose of it for you.
• Always respect locals and behave pleasantly.
• Don’t trespass in excitement, seeing the high-altitude mountains around you. Everyone feels excited and happy to see the world’s high mountains right in front of them. Enjoy the adventure, but do not trespass in the risky areas. Otherwise, it may keep you at risk and ruin your Everest Base Camp trekking journey.

Before you go,

• The last point of the Everest trek, where an ATM is available for collecting money, is at Namche Bazaar.
• Varieties of food within a fixed menu are available during the trek. However, it is recommended to opt for vegetarian and local Nepali food during the EBC trek.
• Be alert to the symptoms of altitude sickness. If you notice any, consult with your trekking guide and opt for preventive measures.
• If you do not find any gear for the Everest Base Camp trek in your home country, then do not worry; those are readily available for sale or rent in Kathmandu.
• Make sure you go through the complete Everest Base Camp Trek Guide before stepping into Lukla.
• If you are a regular user of any kind of medicine, explain it to your guide beforehand.
• Drones are not legal in the mountains, so if you are looking forward to capturing outstanding pictures or videos with drones, seek permission from the local government.

So, get ready to experience the thrill of trekking on one of the world’s best treks. Heaven Himalaya is here to make your dream come true.

How to Fly a Drone on the Everest Trek: Laws, Permits & Regulations

Everest is a highly restricted area for flying drones. Most of the trekking route falls inside the Sagarmatha National Park, which is why the drones are highly regulated and require special permissions from the concerned authorities. Also, the Everest locale is one of the highest-trafficked flight routes for helicopters.

Although it’s harder to get permission, you can still fly drones on the Everest Base Camp route.

Registration and Authorization

According to current legislation in Nepal, registration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) is mandatory for all drone categories to obtain a flying license.

1. First, visit the Flight Safety Standard Department in Sinamangal, Kathmandu.

2. Submit necessary paperwork, including a completed form as per guidelines.

• Copy of the drone’s handbook specifications.
• Copy of a valid passport.
• Copy of a certificate of company registration (if applicable).
• Clear image of the drone displaying its brand, color, and serial number.
• Overview of drone applications.
• Copy of customs clearance certificate for imported drones.
• Copy of the retailer’s VAT bill for locally purchased drones.

3. The Flight Safety Standard Department will carefully review the submitted documentation about your drone

4. If your registration is approved, a certificate verifying entry, including a Unique Identification Number (UIN), will be issued within two to three business days and will be valid for a year.

Note: Even though you get a flying permit, there are certain rules and regulations that you should follow when flying along the trekking route.