Everest Base Camp Trek

High in the Himalaya, the Khumbu is a beautiful and culturally rich region. The immense mountain landscape and its warm and welcoming people are inseparable, and yet are often in stark contrast with one another. The Sherpa and Tibetan peoples have been living in the high mountains of the Himalaya for thousands of years, and have rich traditions entwined with their mountain surroundings. They are an incredibly generous people, which provides a wonderful respite from the high, cold environs of their surrounding peaks.

We’ll begin the Everest Base Camp Trek in the busy city of Kathmandu, Nepal. We depart the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, via an awe-inspiring flight into the foothills of the Himalayas to the mountain airstrip in the village of Lukla. The Khumbu region is the home of the Sherpa people, and we will visit the bustling village of Namche Bazaar and the iconic Tengboche monastery as we make our way through mountain valleys en route to our destination. The unmatched scenic beauty of this region is truly hard to describe, but as we climb out of deep valleys and gain altitude, it unfolds before us with views of legendary peaks steeped in a rich tradition of mountaineering. Ama Dablam, Baruntse, Imja Tse, Lhotse, Cholatse, Nuptse and numerous other stunning peaks come into view as we climb our way up to the foot of Mount Everest.

On the trek we will be hiking for 4-8 hours a day at a comfortable pace. The trip itinerary (see below) is designed to allow our guests to acclimatize so you can feel good and really enjoy the experience. Yaks and porters help carry the majority of our gear for the trek so that trekkers need only carry a day pack with some extra clothes, snacks, and water for the day. Our trekking teams stay in comfortable, locally owned lodges that we have chosen for their quality, healthful food, as well as the facility.

EBC Spring Trek - Register

Our treks are led by both local Sherpa guides and highly experienced and trained Mountain Trip guides, many of whom have climbed extensively in the Himalaya. Mountain Trip brings our high level of personal service and commitment not only to our trekkers, but also to developing and maintaining relationships with our Himalayan friends and staff, most of whom have worked with us for years. Our guides’ expertise and Mountain Trip’s personal touch enable us to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

If you have questions, please contact the Mountain Trip office at [email protected] or (970) 369-1153.

Join Mountain Trip on this beautiful trek to Everest Base Camp, climb Kala Pattar, and learn about the local culture from our Sherpa guides.

On our spring Everest Base Camp Trek we’ll trek through the spectacular Khumbu Valley, marvel at some of the most iconic and storied peaks in the world, stay in locally owned lodges and tea houses, and visit the bustling Everest Base Camp. This is truly THE iconic trek of Nepal, and each day new views of the Himalayas open up until we are standing at the base of the highest mountain on earth. Our treks are led by a team of local Sherpa guides and U.S. trained Mountain Trip guides, so you get the best of both worlds. We work with a great team of local Sherpa guides on our climbs and treks, most of whom come from the village of Kurima in the Solukhumbu district.

You can do it all in just two weeks! There is an option of flying out via helicopter if you need to make this a two week trek to accommodate people with a more limited time to visit Nepal. (Please contact us for details and costs.)

KathmanduDAY 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU. We’ll meet you at the Kathmandu airport and bring you to your hotel, The Hyatt Regency.

DAY 2: EXPLORE KATHMANDU. This will be a day of leisure in the bustling city of Kathmandu. You can visit local temples and we’ll check your gear to be certain that you have everything you’ll need for the trek. This evening we will have a team “Welcome Dinner.”

DAY 3: FLY TO LUKLA AND BEGIN THE TREK. We’ll catch an early morning flight from Kathmandu to the village of Lukla in the foothills of the Himalaya. After organizing our gear and meeting our team of porters, we’ll have a bit of lunch and then begin our first short day of trekking. We’ll follow the Dudh Kosi river from Lukla up to the village of Phakding (2,610 m/9,000′) along the banks of the Dudh Khosi River, where we’ll spend the first night. (3 hours trekking)

DAY 4: PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR. We continue to follow the Dudh Khosi river deeper into the mountains, where we enter the Sagarmartha National Park and register with the park. From here the trail gets steeper as we climb toward Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,200′), which is the capital of the Khumbu region and the Sherpa people. As the trail climbs toward Namche we’ll cross a spectacular suspension bridge above the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers. (5-6 hours trekking)
Namche Nepal

DAY 5: NAMCHE BAZAAR. This day is spent enjoying the bustling trading hub that is Namche, along with a short acclimatization day hike. This is important as we continue to climb higher into the Himalaya. It’s also a great place to hang out and visit the many bakeries of Namche or purchase any last minute gear for the trek ahead. Our day hike will take us up to the Everest Hotel, where we’ll enjoy our first views of Everest with a cup of tea.

DAY 6: NAMCHE TO TENGBOCHE MONASTERY AND DEBOCHE. The views above Namche become dominated by the striking mountain, Ama Dablam (6,856 m/22,493′), and views of Everest and Nuptse still off in the distance. The trail eventually drops down to the Dudh Khosi river one more time, followed by a steep climb out of the river valley to the Tengboche Monastery (3,870 m/12,700′). 

Tengboche Monastery

The monastery sits high above the river and under the towering Himalaya. We’ll visit the monastery and visitors center, and enjoy some spectacular views of the Himalaya from this high point. We may have an opportunity to attend some Buddhist ceremonies in the famous Tengboche Monastery, and get a chance to learn about the Buddhist culture that is foundational to the lives of the local Sherpa people at the Sherpa Cultural Center. We’ll enjoy the afternoon here before descending a short way down through lush rhododendron forests to Deboche, where we’ll spend the night. (4-5 hours trekking)

IMG_0461DAY 7: DEBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE. Today we transition from the forest to the alpine as the trail climbs gradually from Deboche through lush rhododendron forests up to the small village of Pangboche, and then the gradual climb up the valley to the village of Dingboche (4,410 m/14,500′). We can stop in Pangboche at another famous monastery, where Llama Geshe offers blessings to climbers heading up into the high mountains. We’ll continue up to the village of Dingboche at the base of Ama Dablam, where we’ll spend an extra day to acclimatize. (4 hours trekking)

DAYS 8-9: DINGBOCHE ACCLIMATIZATION AND HIKING. We’ll spend a couple days in Dingboche to allow our bodies to catch up to the thin air at this altitude. There are many great hikes to take out of Dingboche, including a hike to the village of Chhukung near the base of Island Peak or up the local peak of Nangkartshang (5,073 m/16,644′). There is plenty of exploring to do and it can be a wonderful thing to sleep in and have an extra few hot drinks in the morning. The local Sherpa Cafe offers fresh baked items and a communal space to chat with other climbers and trekkers. The Stupas right outside town offer incredible views and photography in the evening light.
IMG_0554

DAY 10: DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE. The trail ascends slowly out of Dingboche toward the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. This mound of rock was pushed in front of the glacier before it retreated back up to the flanks of Everest. The terrain above here becomes more rocky as we climb higher into the upper Khumbu Valley. Along the way we’ll pass the collection of memorials to mountaineers who have died on Everest. The bulk of Nuptse (7,879 m/25,850ft’) dominates the views as we climb toward the lodges of Lobuche (4,930 m/16,175′), where we’ll spend the night. (5 hours trekking)

IMG_0648Day 11: LOBUCHE TO GORAK SHEP. The trail continues to climb up to the last lodges before base camp at Gorak Shep (5,157 m/16,920′). The terrain becomes more stark and the air becomes colder as we continue to climb into the alpine environment high in the Himalaya. After reaching Gorak Shep we can take a tea break, and if the weather is nice continue up to the famous Everest viewpoint of Kala Patar, which is a short and very rewarding hike. This will be the highest point we reach on the trek at 5,577 m/18,300′. You’ll certainly notice your lungs working overtime as you hike at this altitude. If the weather doesn’t cooperate on this day, we’ll work the Kala Pattar climb into the following day. (3-4 hours trekking)

DAY 12: GORAK SHEP TO EVEREST BASE CAMP. From the last lodges at Gorak Shep, we’ll set off across the enormous moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and on to the bustling tent city that is Everest Base Camp (5,273 m/17,300′) during the climbing season. It’s an unlikely environment of rock and rubble to carve out a home, but a community of mountaineers and adventurers come every year to live in the tent city. When we arrive, we’ll settle into our tents and enjoy meals cooked by our wonderful base camp cook. (4-5 hours trekking)

IMG_0520 2

DAY 13: EVEREST BASE CAMP. We’ll spend the day exploring Base Camp, the lower reaches of the Khumbu Icefall, and feeling the incredible energy of the climbers making their preparations for their Everest expeditions. We’ll be able to watch climbers and the hard working Sherpas begin their ascent through the Khumbu Icefall, and hope to be able to witness the traditional Puja ceremony.

***(If you need to leave the trip early, you can fly back by helicopter to Lukla/Kathmandu from Base Camp on this day, please inquire with the Mountain Trip office for details and costs.)***

DAY 14: EVEREST BASE CAMP TO PHERICHE. After saying our goodbyes to the Mountain Trip Everest climbing team, we’ll begin the trek back toward Lukla. It goes much quicker on the return, but it’s hard to leave this stunning place. (6-8 hours trekking)

DAY 15: PHERICHE TO NAMCHE. One more night in Namche in the bustling village. (6-8 hours trekking)

DAY 16: NAMCHE TO LUKLA. We’ll have one last opportunity to visit our favorite bakeries and even buy a few souvenirs from the Bazaar before heading down the valley back to Lukla. This last day is a big one, but by now you’ll be a fit trekker, and the air just keeps getting thicker as we descend. We’ll spend the night in Lukla and have a farewell dinner with our Sherpa staff before flying to Kathmandu early the next day. (6-8 hours trekking)

DAY 17: FLY TO KATHMANDU. These are usually early morning flights to take advantage of the typically clear morning weather. We’ll return to the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoy one of the many great dinner spots. (This day also serves as an extra day in case we have any weather delays flying in/out of Lukla.)

DAY 18: KATHMANDU. One last day to explore the exciting blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures that define this city. Visiting Durbar Square, Boddinath Stupa, Temples, and shopping in Thamel will keep you busy. We’ll have our final farewell dinner before everyone begins their journey onward.

DAY 19: FLIGHTS BACK HOME!

Inclusions and Exclusions for Everest Base Camp Trek

Included in the Trip Fee:

  • Mountain Trip Guide. Your expedition will be led by one of our guides with extensive 6,000 meter experience.
  • Climbing permits.
  • Sherpa support. We have an all-star team of Sherpa who work with us in the Khumbu.
  • Hotel transfers in Kathmandu.
  • Up to three nights hotel lodging in Kathmandu at a 4-star hotel.
  • Welcome Dinner in Kathmandu.
  • Scheduled group flights via fixed wing aircraft between Kathmandu and Lukla.
  • All food and lodging during the trek to Everest Base Camp.
  • Group climbing and camping equipment as necessary.
  • All porter support to/from Everest Base Camp
  • Custom expedition dispatches so your friends and family can follow along on your adventure.


Not Included in the Trip Fee:

  • Trip cancellation insurance. Please contact us for insurance options.
  • International flights to and from Nepal.
  • Kathmandu personal expenses (apart from those included above).
  • Personal equipment per our equipment list.
  • Customary gratuities for local staff.
  • Sodas, beer, bottled water, Internet and assorted “extras” during the trek to Everest Base Camp.
  • Expenses incurred as a result of an early departure from the expedition.
  • Expenses incurred due to delays beyond the control of Mountain Trip.

Refunds and Cancellations

Mountain Trip recognizes how difficult and disappointing it can be for climbers who must cancel expeditions which they have planned for a long time. Team members must also recognize that, due to the nature of planning expeditions and dealing with governmental permits and regulations, Mountain Trip also accrues significant expenses in the months prior to expedition departure dates. We must therefore adhere to a strict refund policy for all climbers. Trip cancellation and travel insurance is generally available for all expeditions. U.S. and Canadian residents should contact us for more information regarding travel insurance. Our refund and cancellation policy is outlined below.

  • All expeditions require a deposit to secure a spot on the team. Your submission of a deposit constitutes your acceptance of this Fee Schedule, Refund and Cancellation Policy.
  • All deposits for Everest Base Camp expeditions include a non-refundable $1,500 administration fee. (We highly recommend that you consider Trip Cancellation Insurance to protect the administration fee, if not the entire cost of your climb).
  • Final payments for expeditions must be received 120 days prior to the Team Meeting Day.
  • Failure to pay expedition fees by the date they are due constitutes cancellation of your spot on the team and forfeiture of your deposit.
  • Any cancellation 120+ days before your Team Meeting Day will be refunded in full, less the administration fee.
  • If you cancel 120-90 days before your Team Meeting Day, you are eligible for a refund of 50% of any monies paid, less the deposit.
  • No refunds will be provided for cancellations occurring within the last 89 days prior to an expedition.
  • All requests for refunds must be made in writing and received in our Colorado office.
  • If you register for a climb within 90 days of the Team Meeting Day, expedition fees will be due in full to secure your spot on the team.
  • No refunds will be given for unused hotel bookings due to schedule changes, late arrivals, etc.
  • Mountain Trip reserves the right to cancel an expedition prior to the departure date for any reason. In the event that the expedition is cancelled based solely on an internal administrative decision by Mountain Trip (Internal Cancellation), all monies, except for nonrefundable administrative fees, collected by Mountain Trip from team members for the canceled expedition shall be refunded within 30 days. That is the extent of our financial liability for such cancellations. This Internal Cancellation provision shall not apply when external factors that force Mountain Trip to cancel an expedition against its will, including, but not limited to international political upheaval, terrorism, drought/famine, epidemics/pandemics, and/or cancellations imposed by foreign or domestic governments or permitting agencies (External Cancellation). All External Cancellations shall not be subject to a refund unless such cancellation occurs prior to the deadlines set forth in the Refund and Cancellation policies stated above.

The following applies only if all expedition fees are paid by the date they are due:

If Mountain Trip cancels your expedition due to External Cancellation factors resulting from coronavirus more than 90 days prior to the Team Meeting Day, Mountain Trip will credit 100% of your paid expedition fees toward a future program with Mountain Trip or refund all monies paid except for the non-refundable administrative fee.

If Mountain Trip cancels your expedition due to External Cancellation factors resulting from coronavirus 90 days or less prior to the Team Meeting Day, Mountain Trip will credit 75% of your paid expedition fees toward a future program with Mountain Trip or refund 50% of your expedition fee.

General Agreement Concerning Services to be Provided and Responsibilities of Team Members

When registering for an expedition with Mountain Trip, we want to help make sure you understand the services we are providing and the services for which you are responsible.

Transportation is Incidental

The main purpose of becoming a team member is to join us on an expedition in the mountains. As such, any transportation we provide or that you may contract for on your own is incidental to the trip. We suggest that you make sure you have time built into your itinerary for delays.

Transportation to and from Your Destination

We will designate a specific Team Meeting Day for your expedition. Transportation to the meeting point on your Team Meeting Day is to be provided by you. You must arrive in time to be ready to participate in a team meeting at the appointed time on the Team Meeting Day for your expedition. This probably means you will need to arrive the day before, as our Team Meetings for Alaska trips are held in the morning. Expedition climbing is very dynamic, and we will provide you with a recommendation as to when you should book your flights to and from your destination. We suggest you book a ticket that allows you to change your flight with little effort or cost.

Lodging off the Mountain

Mountain Trip will provide lodging per the Inclusions and Exclusions section of the “What’s Included” tab. Any additional lodging due to weather or other delays is your responsibility.  We will help you with make these arrangements.

Responsibilities of Team Members

  • You are ultimately responsible for your own well-being, including making all necessary preparations to ensure good health and physical conditioning.
  • You are responsible for understanding the conditions that may exist on the trek and choosing a trip that is appropriate for your abilities and interests.
  • You are responsible for providing Mountain Trip staff and guides with an accurate representation of your fitness level, climbing ability and the condition of your personal equipment.
  • You are responsible for having knowledge of all pre-departure information and for assembling the appropriate clothing and equipment for your trek.

While on the expedition, team members are responsible for maintaining basic levels of hygiene and to conduct themselves respectfully with other team members and members of the local population. If a guide feels that a team member is putting other members’ health or safety at risk, the guide has the discretion to remove a team member from a trek.

Use our office staff and your lead guide as pre-trip resources to ensure that all your questions are answered. Travel insurance may help recoup expenses if you need to leave an expedition due to an illness.

Airline Responsibility Passenger/Airline contracts are in effect while team members are onboard any aircraft contracted for use in the expedition.

Many of the items on the list need to fit you well in order for you to fully enjoy your experience on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Please plan ahead with equipment purchased for your trip so you can be certain that your gear fits you well. Part way up the Khumbu Valley is not the place to discover that your pack is too small for your torso or that your boots give you blisters. Recommended items reflect the opinions of our guides. We have used and have faith in all of our recommendations, but they may not necessarily fit or work for you.

Please follow this list closely and don’t hesitate to call or email us for clarifications, or to solicit an opinion about anything you are considering. There is a pretty good selection of gear available in Kathmandu, but we’ll have a limited amount of time to shop prior to your trek. All clothing and equipment should be in good condition and of high quality as we can encounter real Himalayan weather!

Print Equipment

Footwear

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Trekking SocksMost trekkers prefer a light to medium weight, wool or wool/synthetic blend sock for use with trekking shoes. For longer treks bring a pair to change into every 2-3 days.
Light Hiking Shoes or BootsThe days spent hiking require waterproof, well broken in boots or hiking shoes. Trail running shoes will work, if you are comfortable using them, as we will only carry daypacks.
CrocsCrocs make a great lodge/camp shoe. They are lightweight and versatile, you can wear them with a sock in the evening, and even use them for a shower shoe.
Custom InsoleA custom insole can help fine tune the fit of your boot, support your feet. A good fitting boot will be warmer and prevent blisters.

Torso Layers

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Base Layer Top(1 or 2 sets) of Wool or Capilene light weight base layers. Long sleeve or short sleeve base layers work well.
Light Fleece HoodyLight/mid weight fleece (or wool) top with a hood. You will wear this over your light weight base layer.
Puffy Light Insulated JacketSize this layer to fit over your light fleece hoody and wind shell, and it is often layered underneath your expedition parka. Synthetic is easier to deal with and not worry about getting compared to a down filled layer. A hood on this layer in mandatory! *** Guides Tip! Use TWO lightweight puffy layers in the early season or if you are worried about being cold. A Micro or Nano Puff jacket with a Ultra Light Down Jacket or Vest allows versatile layering options.
Hard Shell JacketThis jacket should be large enough to go over your light puffy jacket layer. You do not need the burliest/heaviest Gore-Tex jacket you can find, and we prefer the lightest weight versions.
Soft Shell Wind JacketMany high alpine peaks are cold and dry. We are huge fans of very lightweight softshell wind jackets for high, dry, cold peaks. Weighing just a few ounces, these can be carried in your pocket or in the lid of your pack for rapid deployment. This layer is used in addition to your more waterproof hard shell jacket.
T ShirtSynthetic or lightweight Merino wool shirts can be a nice "extra" piece in the mountains and even on glaciers. Consider this optional. Synthetics dry faster than cotton!
“T” or Sun ShirtSynthetic or synthetic/cotton blend shirts are nice for hiding from the sun. Long sleeve "sun hoodies" are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide a high level of sun protection. Other people favor ventilated, button up shirts- either long or short-sleeved. Whatever you choose, consider it as part of your system, and try it out before your trip.
Vest (optional)A lightweight down or synthetic filled vest can be a nice addition and add some warmth with little weight. **This is an optional layer**
Down JacketA nice simple down jacket that you can put on over your light puffy jacket on a cold night. This doesn't need to be a big 8000 meter down parka.

Leg Layers

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Base Layer Bottoms(1 or 2 sets) of Wool or Capilene light weight base layers.
Light Fleece BottomsAs the air thins and the wind picks up, you'll want a bit more insulation on your legs. This should be a slightly warmer layer that can go over your base layer bottoms when it gets cold.
Hard Shell, Waterproof PantsWhen it's raining a soft shell pant just isn't enough and you'll need a waterproof "hard shell" pant, meaning Gore-Tex or equivalent. These should be as light weight as possible. Fully separating side zippers will help you get them on without taking off your boots. On some peaks, you might carry hard shell pants for the lower mountain, but switch to soft shell pants for the colder and drier upper mountain.
Lightweight Softshell Trekking PantsA lightweight synthetic softshell pant is a great layer that you'll wear every day on a trek or for an ascent of a peak. These are water resistant, breathable and comfortable in a wide range of weather and temps.

Head and Hands

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Medium Weight GlovesA mid-weight glove will generally be a softshell type glove with some light synthetic insulation.
Buff Neck GaiterBuff is a brand of light weight neck gaiters that have grown to become a staple of every guide's kit. These are amazingly versatile, and can be worn as a hat, a neck gaiter or pulled over your face for protection from the wind or sun. They come in many thicknesses nowadays, but we prefer the original weight for its versatility.
Warm HatBring one warm hat or two hats of different weights. Wool or fleece are fine, but your hat must provide ear protection from the cold.
Sun HatBaseball type or wide brimmed sun hats are required for protection against the intense sunshine found on many peaks. You can combine a baseball hat with a BUFF for good sun protection or go for a wide brimmed version to protect your face, ears and neck.
SunglassesSunglasses are essential in the mountains. Choose a pair that are comfortable and provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Sleeping Gear

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
0 degree Sleeping BagYou'll want a bag rated to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer if you tend to sleep cold. Down or synthetic will work fine, although down is lighter and more compact for traveling and packing.

Packs and Duffels

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Large Zippered DuffelYou'll want an XL sized (90 – 100L) duffel for your expedition. Lightweight and inexpensive bags work fine, although water resistant bags like the Patagonia Black Hole Bag 100L are nice for their toughness to weight ratio. A quality duffel bag can work for a sled bag on Denali, a mule bag on Aconcagua and a great all around travel bag.
Trekking Day PackYou will want a day pack of around 30 liters of volume for carrying your extra clothing, food, water, etc. for a day of trekking.
Pack Rain CoverA waterproof jacket for your backpack.

Climbing Gear

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Trekking Poles(Lightweight)Trekking poles can be helpful for long days on the trail and help take some strain off of aching joints going downhill! These are typically lighter weight than a ski pole, and have a smaller basket as you don't use them in deep snow.

Other

GearDescriptionGuide's Pick
Two (2) One-Liter Water BottlesYou will need two, 1-liter plastic water bottles. Please bring wide-mouth bottles, such as those from Nalgene, as these are much easier to fill than bottles with small openings.
Toiletry KitTooth brush & paste, dental floss, Handi-wipes (1 per day on average), a small bottle of hand sanitizer, perhaps some foot powder… keep it small!!!
Personal Medical KitMountain Trip's guides will have fairly comprehensive medical kits developed by our Medical Director, but we encourage each climber to bring a small, personal kit. Items to consider bringing include: blister treatment and prevention, pain relievers, and antacids. Presctiption medications should be based on consultation with your personal physician. Suggested drugs for altitude expeditions include: Diamox (acetazolomide) 125 mg, Decadron (dexamthazone) 4 mg, Nifedipine XR 30 mg, and a couple of antibiotics for respiratory and gastrointestinal issues.
Several Good Jokes!"A Moose walks into a bar..."
Lip BalmBring a tube of quality lip balm with sun protection (SPF).
SunscreenThe sun can be intense at altitude. Bring one small tube for use while climbing and one larger tube for use while not on route.
Water Purification SystemThere are many good options, and they get better every year. Pumps work well, but can be heavy. Our favorite is the relatively easy to use and lightweight water treatment drops by Aquamira. The SteriPen style water treatment is not recommended. Be certain to have enough to treat 3-5 liters per day for the duration of your trip.
HeadlampBring an extra set of batteries, as well. Lithium batteries work the best in cold weather!! For some trips (Carstensz, Everest, Cho Oyu) where we will be frequently climbing at night a second headlamp is a good idea, and always bring extra batteries!
Camp TowelA small microfiber, quick dry, hand towel to use in camp.
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