"Ready to mark one of your bucket lists by doing an Everest base camp trek? We have the best 15 days trekking itinerary that will take you to the land of Mt. Everest amidst legendary Sherpas and iconic Lukla airport & Namche Bazaar."
Everest base camp trekking is among the best trekking routes in the world. With breathtaking views of Mount Everest and other 8000-ers, local Sherpa culture, amazing monasteries, high altitude flora, and fauna, this trek will undoubtedly become the most rewarding journey of your life.
This 15-day trekking tour will take you to Mount Everest base camp at 5,364 meters (17,598 ft) above sea level and Kala Patthar at 5545 meters (18,192 ft). At every turn, you will find a scene that is a delight to all your senses. EBC trek is quite literally the crown jewel of any trekking agency in Nepal and as such is one for us as well.
We have carefully created a suitable itinerary for people from all walks of life which will fill the sense of adventure in seasoned professional and novice adventurers alike. Here’s what you can expect from the trek.
What to expect from the Everest Base Camp trek?
The Everest base camp trek itinerary involves trekking through lush forests and remote villages. Every day, you begin trekking right after breakfast early in the morning. Enjoying simple accommodations and meals with fantastic mountain views, you'll discover picturesque villages one after another. The trail goes along verdant foothills too, and you may pass by yaks & mules. In case of unpredictable bad weather, the team leader will make changes to the itinerary.
- Witness breathtaking snow-capped mountains, beautiful glacial waterfalls, and gushing rivers
- Take one of the most daring flights in the world to Lukla airport
- Enjoy leisurely rest days with native guides and explore the unique Himalayan lifestyle
- Correspond with the local Sherpa people, enjoy Himalayan cuisine, and visit ancient Buddhist monasteries
- Cross high-hanging suspension bridges and glaciers
- Explore the famous Namche Bazaar and hike to the luxury Everest View Hotel
Is the Everest base camp trek appropriate for me?
Let’s be clear. Naturally, trekking to the base of Mount Everest can easily be the most challenging journey you have taken in your whole life. However, with a strong determination and a little preparation, it can be very enjoyable and memorable. Those who have completed the trip have said that it was the single most fantastic experience of their life. We can not oversell you on this.
The starting point for this trek, Lukla, at 2610m, is already higher than most places you have been. Further, the rugged trail takes you higher and higher to over 5000m. (Refer to the itinerary below.) You will walk around 8 hours a day for 11 days with a backpack. At this altitude, your body gets tired and dehydrated sooner and there’s also a chance of getting altitude sickness.
There are many other incredible treks in the Himalayas that are much easier and may fit you better as a beginner trekker. The Himalayas are not going anywhere, and you can gradually upgrade your trekking level.
How can I prepare myself for the Everest base camp trek?
To prepare for this trek, you must concentrate on exercises that will increase endurance like cycling, running, and hiking. We advise you to start your preparation at least 3 months prior to the trek to get ahead of things.
Plan your workouts for five to six days per week, and at least once a week, take a hike to a hill if you are near one. Hiking is an all-around activity that will prepare you for the trek. However, it might not be possible to take a hike every week depending upon your location and your schedule.
You should be able to walk from 5 to 6 hours a day with approximately 5 kg backpack weight on you. Therefore, you need to be in good shape and health to join the Everest base camp trek. If you have a past medical history or health issues, then consult your doctor once and discuss all the possible scenarios your body may see on a trek like this.
Do the following things to prepare for the Everest trek for 15 days:
- Go on day hikes to build a long walking habit.
- You can increase your stamina by swimming, cycling, running, or jogging.
- If accessible, train your body in the gym. Work on your core strength and endurance.
- Incorporate simple meals in your diet to adjust to a new palate while trekking.
- Break in your new boots and get used to it.
You can start a training regimen that includes the following:
- Aerobic workouts
- Strength training
- Training hikes
- Cardiovascular workouts
How should I pack for EBC trekking?
Traveling to the base of Mount Everest needs some careful packing. Since you are traveling to a cold and unforgiving environment, it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Having said that, traveling gears can be pretty heavy. So, be sure to choose lighter gears. Sure, it will cost more but you do have porters, but in the higher altitudes, lighter gear will help you trek easily and be far more comfortable in the mountains. Check the complete equipment and packing guide for Everest base camp trekking.
Be sure to pack these items:
- Head & Hand: Sun Cap, Wool/Fleece Hat, Lightweight Synthetic Liner Glove, Waterproof Gloves
- Upper Body: Short-Sleeved Shirts/T-shirts, Lightweight Top/Thermo Coat, Synthetic or Fleece Jacket, Down Insulated Jacket
- Lower Body: Underwear, Trekking Pants, Woolen Socks
- Toiletries: Hand Sanitizers & Hand wash, Wet Tissues, Toothpaste/Toothbrush, Bath Soap, Shampoo, Moisturizers, Laundry Soap, Garbage Bag, Sunscreen (-50 Spf), Lips Guard (-20/-50 Spf), Zip-Lock Bags, Baby Wipes or Wet Towels
- Miscellaneous: Trekking Poles, Head Torch, Sandals, Lightweight Hiking/Trekking Boots, Rucksack (45 - 55 Ltr.), 1 Duffel Bag, Water Bottles, Pee Bottle, Lightweight Towel, Umbrella/RainCoat, Spare batteries, Waterproof Sacks, Power bank (Solar Recommended), Journal/Pen, Book/Board Game, Bars & Snacks
- First Aid Kit: Water Purification Tablets, Handy Plaster, Crack Bandage, Tincture, Iodine, Strepsils, Antibiotic, Paracetamol, Aspirin, Sinex, Anti-Diarrhea Capsule/Eldoper, Brufen/Ibuprofens, Diamox, Eye Drops
- Travel Documents: Valid Passport, Valid Visa, 4 PP Size Photo, Insurance Paper (Medical & Rescue) & Contact Address, Family/Company Contact Number & Address, Credit Card
If you miss anything, Thamel has plenty of trekking gear shops. You will find cheap and expensive authentic gear shops to choose from. You will find gear shops all the way to Namche Bazaar, just in case, you forget anything.
EBC Trek: Do I need insurance?
We need travel insurance as a part of the booking document for the Everest base camp trek. Travel insurance is only accepted if it covers emergency evacuation (up to 6000 meters) and medical bills. You should know traveling at a high altitude in a remote area comes with certain risks.
If you have well-covered travel insurance, we can easily offer you quick medical assistance. Without travel insurance, evacuation and other medical services can be very expensive. Similarly, you can include flight cancellation and loss/theft of baggage in the insurance.
Here are the recommended insurance companies for the high altitude treks in Nepal, including the Everest base camp trek.
- Sports Cover Direct
- Allianz
- Tyrol Air Ambulance
- Roland
- ADAC
- Med Deutch
Why choose Himalayan Scenery Treks?
Himalayan Scenery Treks and Expedition has been working as an adventure tour operator in Nepal for over 17 years. During this time, we have always prioritized our clients’ safety, comfort, and satisfaction, and this uncompromised service is the reason why we have retained a huge number of our clients.
To date, we have completed over 1000 tours of the Everest base camp. 8000+ trekkers from all over the world have completed the trek with us. We also boast amazing reviews on Trip Advisor.