Everest Base Camp Trekking FAQs
We try to include some expert ideas to help in planning your Everest Base Camp Trekking FAQs. The list of frequently asked questions tries to answer your queries to ease your expedition to the base camp.
Average walk per day during Everest base camp tour
Normally, the trek completes within 12 days. It takes 8 days to get to base camp and four days to get back down. However, based on the pace of the walk, time availability, and physical fitness, the itinerary can be customized.
Everest Base Camp Trekking difficulty level
The total length of the Everest Base Camp trek is approx. 130km (round trip). However the trek seems quite long, but to consider it in a typical guided trek one has to walk 9-10 days out of the 15 days. On average the distance one covers in a day is around 14 km per day. In this sense, Everest Base Camp Trek is not a much difficult walk.
Health Problems and High Altitude sickness
You are accompanied by well-trained guides who are trained in first aid and altitude problems. Furthermore, the guide will carry the first aid kit during the trek. However, it would be better if you bring your first aid kit along with you. Our guide will care for you in your meal plan which protects you from altitude sickness problems. Furthermore, our guides also carry local mobile phones and SAT phones in case of an emergency.
Charging the electric gazets
The charging facilities will be available in some hotel receptions, however; we have to pay for this service. Please do not forget to bring two or three-pin travel adapters with you while coming in trekking.
Additional expenses / Per day cost for Everest Base Camp Trekking
It depends on your interests and spending habits. While you stay in Kathmandu, you can allocate per person $50 to 70 for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. You can allocate approximately $ 300 to 350 per person to buy meals and drinks during the trek.
Guide and Porter
Oriental Journeys will provide you with a government-licensed holder local English-speaking guide. We can also provide guides who speak French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and any other if you prefer. But for them, you have to pay extra costs.
Hot showers during the trek
The major places like Namche Bazaar and Lukla in the Everest region have a guesthouse with a hot showers. Otherwise, hotel water in a bucket will be provided for the shower. But for this, you have to pay an extra USD 3-4 per shower.
Best time for Everest Base Camp Trekking
The best trekking season starts from mid-September to mid-December in Nepal. The best months to trek to the Everest region are pre-monsoon (February, March, April, and May) and post-monsoon (Late September, October, November, and December), especially in Everest Base camp.
Weather & Temperature
During January, the temperatures in Everest Base Camp is comparatively cold. The temperature ranges between max 4°C during the day and min -17°C at night. Generally, temperatures during the nights and in the early mornings get below freezing point. Whereas, it is a bit less cold during the month of March-April.
Everest Base Camp Trekking FAQs – Necessary gears & equipment
GENERAL Equipment Checklist
- Duffel or Rucksack bag: (Oriental Journeys Team will supply complimentary water and windproof duffel/kit bag, but one extra big duffel bag/suitcase is necessary for non-trek items left at the hotel in Kathmandu)
- Day pack: (Approximately 20-22 Liter)
- Down Jacket: (Your Down Jacket is strongly recommended, but Oriental Journeys also supply complimentary down which needs to be returned after the trek)
- 4 seasons Sleeping bag: (Your sleeping bag strongly is recommended, but Oriental Journeys also supply complimentary sleeping bags that need to be returned after the trek)
HEAD
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
HANDS
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens
- With a waterproof shell outer (Seasonal)
LOWER BODY
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition-weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
UPPER BODY
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition-weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (Optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
FEET
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
- Gaiters for hiking in winter
Equipment Checklist for ACCESSORIES
- Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F *
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- A small pad or combination lock-to-lock
- Trekking Bags/Duffel bags
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Large plastic bags – for keeping items dry inside trek bag
- Day pack (Approximately 20-22 Liter)
- Trekking Poles
- Water bottles
- Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet paper, etc)
- Ear Plug (to save your ear from snoring roommates)
TOILETRIES
- Toothbrush/paste
- Multipurpose soap
- Nail cutter
- Small mirror
- Personal Hygiene:
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll
- Antibacterial hands wash
EXTRAS/LUXURIES
- Binoculars
- Reading book
- Trail Map/Guidebook
- Journal & Pen
- Pencils and small notebooks
- Travel game i.e., cards
Necessary Permits for Everest Base Camp Trekking
Trekkers require two types of permits to enter the Everest Region for trekking. The Everest Base Camp trekking trail falls inside the preserved area of Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha National Park Entry permit is the first thing to issue for the trek which costs 3,000 NPR + 13% VAT, totaling 3,390 NPR (Approx. US $34) for foreign tourists. However, it costs 1,500 NPR. +13% VAT for SAARC nationals. Similarly, the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card costs US$ 20 for Free Individual tourists and US$10 for a trekker traveling with a package trip. Additionally, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality charges NPR 2000 per trekker as the local tax.