Everest Base Camp Trek| 14 Days Itinerary

A few permits are necessary before starting the EBC trek to observe local standards and values and promote responsible tourism.

The first type of permit is the Khumbu Rural Municipality permit card, which is required from all trekking enthusiasts in Nepal. This permit is useful for trekkers' record-keeping purposes in emergencies and can be acquired from any Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. 

Also, where the trek spans through the Sagarmatha National Park, trekkers require a Sagarmatha National Park Permit since the park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

This permit is necessary to access the park, hike into the protected area, and help conserve the park and other species. Sagarmatha National Park Permits can be bought at the park entry point in Monjo or from the various offices of the Nepal Tourism Board. 

For trekkers beginning their journey from either Jiri or Salleri, another permit called the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (GCAP) permit is essential because part of the trek lies within this conservation area as one approaches the Sagarmatha National Park.

The Everest Base Camp trek is ordering and requires good physical fitness. Trekkers should prepare by exercising regularly, including cardiovascular workouts, strength training, and endurance activities.

Running, cycling, swimming, and hiking are excellent ways to build stamina. It's also beneficial to practice walking on uneven terrain with a loaded backpack to simulate trekking conditions. Core strength and flexibility exercises can help prevent injuries and improve overall fitness.

Preparing for the altitude is crucial; thus, trekking at high altitudes before the trek can be beneficial. Additionally, mental preparation is important as the trek can be physically and emotionally challenging. Consistency in training and gradually raising the intensity will help ensure you are well-prepared for the trek.

Clothing:

• Lightweight, moisture-wicking base layers
• Insulating layers (fleece or down jacket)
• Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket and pants
• Trekking pants and shorts
• Thermal underwear (for colder months)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection
• Comfortable trekking socks and liner socks

Footwear:

• Sturdy and broken-in trekking boots with good ankle support
• Lightweight trekking shoes or sandals for sunsets and rest days

Gear:

• Backpack (30-40 litres) with rain cover
• Sleeping bag (rated for at least -10°C)
• Trekking poles for stability and reducing impact on knees
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• Water bottles or hydration system (minimum 2 litres capacity)

Personal Items:

• Personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer, wipes)
• Quick-dry towel
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+), lip balm with SPF, and moisturizer
• Personal medications and first aid kit
• Toilet paper and plastic bags for waste disposal

Miscellaneous:

• Lightweight day pack (optional for side trips)
• Snacks and energy bars
• Trekking map and guidebook
• Camera or smartphone with extra batteries/charger
• Trekking permit 

Optional Items:

• Portable solar charger or power bank
• Travel pillow or pillowcase
• Gaiters (for snow or wet conditions)
• Binoculars
• Buff or scarf

One of the trekker's most dangerous adversaries on the Everest Base Camp trek is altitude sickness, which calls for the trekkers to spend some time before embarking on their trek. Pace is important, and one should ascend high and sleep low, as this is achieved by ascending to higher altitudes in the daytime but descending to a more inferior altitude to sleep at night.

You should have off days after every 600-800 meters of elevation gain or about 2,000-2,600 feet. One should drink a lot of water, and it is recommended to avoid alcohol and caffeine as they have a diuretic effect.

Carbohydrates are foods that provide a good energy source; therefore, a healthy diet should contain many carbohydrates. This signal notifies the person that something is wrong and that they should seek medical help.

Headaches, dizziness, and nausea are signs of altitude sickness. The described symptoms should decrease or be less severe if one goes to a lower altitude; if not, it is advised to consult a doctor. Some drugs like Diamox can be used to prevent it, but consult with the doctor before taking it. 

One may require a passport to enter Nepal, which should have a validity of at least six months. Own arrangements mean having a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu or a visa obtained from the Nepalese embassy or consulate in advance. There is a tourist visa, which is valid for 15 days, 30 days or 90 days and has multiple entries. 

For the EBC, a 30-day visa is usually adequate. The fee for the visa depends on the period through which the applicant wants to visit the United States of America. Make sure you have passport-sized photographs and the exact cash, as it is expected that you have to pay for the visa application in cash, possibly in US dollars.

Passport and visa copies are also advised to be taken along with the originals in case of loss. You have to worry about the current status of the visa requirements before your travel.

Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for the Everest Base Camp trek. The policy should cover high-altitude trekking up to 5,000 meters, including emergency medical treatment, evacuation by helicopter if necessary, and trip cancellation. Make sure it also covers lost or stolen baggage and personal items.

It's advisable to have a copy of your insurance policy and the emergency contact numbers provided by the insurance company. Verify the policy details and ensure you understand the procedure for making a claim, especially in a medical emergency.

Even though there are basic tea houses only in the EBC trek, there is a good variety of lodges for the tourists to choose from, depending on their comfort level and the number of dollars they are willing to spend.

There are quite a number of teahouses in the area where you can find rooms for the night at a lower price; the rooms are very basic and offer very little in terms of amenities, but they include a bed and a blanket, and the price also covers the use of the shower facilities which are usually located outside the room. 

These teahouses also provide eating places where trekkers can get their meals, from basic Nepali foods to a variety of meals we can get in other parts of the world. There are more sophisticated lodges that reward comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms and sometimes hot showers, especially where trekkers find themselves in larger villages with a variety of lodges such as Namche Bazaar and Tengboche.

The availability of lodging arrangements also decreases with altitude, and where trekkers find lodges, there may be no more than a teahouse that provides bare basic services because of location and altitude constraints.

You should expect these facilities to be relatively bare and natural and may entail sharing rooms and a limited power supply. Most of the teahouses and lodges trekked also offer formal dining sessions with nutritional foods suitable for trekkers, such as vegan and celiac diets. 

It is suggested that it would be wise to get a sleeping bag suitable for low temperatures, given the high altitude that the hike takes you through, as it may get cold at night. It is rarely requisite to make any prior bookings for any accommodation.

However, there is a high probability of getting congested, especially during the spring and autumn when most trekkers get out in large numbers to trek. People visiting trekkers are thus advised to be open to the idea of shifting their itinerary based on possible availability and weather.

Food and water are paramount aspects of the Everest Base Camp trek, ensuring trekkers stay nourished, hydrated, and energized throughout their journey in the high-altitude environment.

Food

During the trekking, it is possible to grab meals from the teahouses and lodges, which offer meals that suit the trekker's preferred diet. The natives eat a lot of boiled rice and lentils called dal bhat, momos, a Nepali style of dumplings, and Thukpa, a noodle soup.

There are also international dishes such as pasta, pizza, and pancakes, which will suit everybody's taste. Food is usually consumed in specific eating places that make it common ground for the trekkers to sit, eat and exchange experiences. 

A good meal emphasising carbohydrates, proteins, and fats should be eaten to build energy reserves that will enable you to endure trekking. Trekkers should also pack their own snacks, such as energy bars, nuts, and fruits, for energy upsurges between meals.

There is not much concern for clean foods and hygiene, but teahouses and lodges are somewhat clean in preparing and serving food in their kitchen. That being said, trekkers who are on a restricted diet or have food allergies should inform their person in charge or teahouse owner prior to check-in. 

Water 

The trek to the Everest Base Camp requires hikers to drink a lot of water since the air in the mountains combined with walking can cause dehydration. Trekkers must ensure that they take between 3-4 litres of water a day forältitude sickness, diseases, and overall health.

Of course, you can buy bottled water in the teahouses and lodges en route; however, purifying tap or stream water using iodine tablets, chlorine drops or a water filter is more ecological. Do not, in any circumstance, take water that has not been treated to prevent waterborne diseases. 

Other warm beverages such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are also consumed mainly to warm a person up and keep them hydrated, particularly during cold weather. In terms of water bottles, trekkers are advised to bring a personal and refillable water bottle because Trekkers' Hotel does not serve tap water and discourages the use of plastic water bottles.

Regarding the costs related to the offers that the Everest View Trek Company provides, it is possible to state that the expenses for every specific package are $ 1300 for foreign tourists and INR 80000 for Indian visitors.

Some services usually incorporated in these packages are accommodation, meals, permits, guide services, and domestic flights. It is known that prices depend on the group number, some services that are included in the itinerary, or the time of the year. 

Simplicity is the key word for accommodation because the major facilities available include teahouses and lodges that offer basic to moderate services. Accommodation is within the price bracket of NPR 500 to 1,500 (USD 5-15) per night, depending on altitude, and the services offered include laundry services.

Laundry services are also part of the accommodation, to the tune of about NPR 2,000 to 3,000 (USD 20-30) per day, and the cuisine consists of local and international cuisine. 

It is safer to have guide and porter services, apart from helping negotiate the steep terrain. The cost for a guide is roughly 20-30 USD per day, whereas the cost of a porter, who is mainly involved in luggage portering, is approximately 15-25 USD per day. These services make sure trekkers and climbers have an easy time on their treks through difficult terrain. 
 
Transportation is composed of a round-trip flight fare to/from Kathmandu—Lukla, which is necessary for reaching the lands of Everest. Airlines serving this route charge between USD 350 and 400 per person, depending on the airline and the time of year.

Domestic flights are essential due to the geographical locations of most of these markets over irregular terrain and the relatively poor road network to the regions. 

Snacks, drinks, hot showers, and charging electronic devices at teahouses also add to the list of extra spending. Therefore, these features may differ, but they are crucial in that they provide comfort during trekking.
 

Starting from Kathmandu, where trekkers usually start their journey, it's advisable to withdraw enough Nepali rupees before heading to Lukla, as ATMs are scarce along the Everest Base Camp trekking route. In Lukla, there are ATMs available, but reliability can vary, and they may not always have cash.

Namche Bazaar also has ATMs, providing another opportunity to withdraw money if needed. However, beyond Namche, ATM facilities have become increasingly limited, and it's recommended to carry sufficient cash for the trek, including for accommodation, meals, and any unforeseen expenses.

If you prepare to trek to Everest Base Camp, it's important to note that independent trekking is not allowed in Nepal. You must have a licensed guide with you, and having a TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System) further emphasizes this requirement. The TIMS card is issued to ensure your safety and to regulate trekking activities in the region. Having a licensed guide enhances your safety and enriches your trekking experience by providing local insights and cultural context and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This requirement aims to promote responsible trekking and to support the local economy by employing trained professionals from the region.

Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass Route:

Highlights: Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass (5,420m)

Features: Turquoise lakes, panoramic views of Everest

Three Passes Trek:

Passes: Kongma La (5,535m), Cho La (5,420m), Renjo La (5,360m)

Features: Views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu

Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek:

Starting Point: Jiri (lower Solukhumbu region)

Route: Original path of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

Everest Base Camp via Helicopter Trek:

Option: Scenic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla or higher points

Benefits: Shorter trekking duration, scenic aerial views

Everest Base Camp via Arun Valley and Mera Peak:

Features: Flight to Tumlingtar, trek through Arun Valley

Includes: Mera Peak ascent (6,476m), cultural exploration
 

The EBC trek is classified as a moderate to high difficulty level requiring stamina and good health. Trekkers must be ready to walk for 6 to 8 hours daily over rough and steep terrains and sometimes high-altitude areas. 

The trek takes a maximum height of 5,364m/17,598ft at the EBC and 5,644m/18,192ft at Kala Pathar, which is usually a part of the EBC trek to provide a better view of the tallest mountain.

A common issue to note is the altitude; trekkers must ensure they get used to it and be attentive to their bodies; more often than not, trekkers require more rest days due to altitude issues.

General mountaineering experience is not necessary, but those with prior trekking experience and those who were cardio-vascular and strength trained should be ready to face the rigorousness of the trek. 

Under certain circumstances, extending the recommended time for visiting the Everest Base Camp trek may be possible. The pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (fall) seasons are the best seasons for Everest Base Camp trek. 

Autumn from late March to early May is one of the best times for the EBC Trek. This season is characterized by consistent weather patterns and relatively moderate temperatures, suitable for trekking. The dense forests of rhododendrons, especially during the blooming season, make the trek even more enjoyable with the varying shades of red and pink. 

Also preferred for the clear skies and the wonderful view of mountains, the Autumn is also from late September to early November. The trails are relatively dry when the monsoons are over, and the weather is clear, which provides good visibility of the great mountain ranges in the Himalayas. 

Autumn weather also remains stable, with warm temperatures during the day and colder at night, particularly in highland areas. Trekking during the monsoon period is unsuitable because many regions are covered by water, the roads are slippery, and it is foggy. Winter trekking is also unsuitable because it is very cold, and trekking passes might be closed.