Everest Base Camp trekking permits
The Everest Base Camp trekking route is inside the Sagarmatha National Park, and the trail is also managed by the local government of the Khumbu region. So, two permits are needed for the Everest Base Camp trek. The Everest Base Camp trekking route is inside the Sagarmatha National Park, and the trail is also managed by the local government of the Khumbu region. So, two permits are needed for the Everest Base Camp trek. These are Khumbu Municipality entry fee and Sagarmatha National Park entry permit.
Khumbu Rural Municipality entry fee: Nepali rupees 2000 Per Person
Sagarmatha National Park Permit: Nepali rupees 3000 Per Person
Best time to trek to the base camp of Mount Everest
The best time to trek to the base camp of Mount Everest is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Whereas summer/monsoon (June to August) and winter (December to February) are considered off-time for Everest Base Camp trekking because of unfavorable weather.
Autumn:
Autumn starts the second best time of the year for the Everest Base Camp trek 14 days. The weather gets stable by the end of September, and the climate settles down to neither too hot nor too cold. Rivers, streams, and waterfalls are gushing with water thanks to all the rain. The air is all clean, with the fresh scent of vegetation shrouds the trail. Mountain views are clear. The temperature will be mostly + 10 to +20 even over 4000m.
Spring:
Spring season begins the first favorable time of the year for the EBC trek. The weather gets stable, and the regions begin to unfreeze after the long winter. There is no snow on the trail, and the climate gradually warms up. Likewise, rhododendrons and other vegetation start to bloom throughout the lower part of the trail. The mountain views are excellent, with less humidity. The temperature will be maximum -5 over 4000m during the night and temperature stay + 15 during the day.
Winter:
Winter is another off time for the Everest Base Camp trek, but we see trekkers in this season as well enjoying the journey. Weather is unstable in winter as well, which causes delays and cancellations in Lukla flights. The cold is extreme. If you are well prepared and can handle the cold, you will enjoy the EBC trek in winter. Make sure to have 1-2 contingency days in your itinerary. The temperature in winter will be -10 to - 20 over 4000m.
Everest Base Camp trek difficulty
As per the Himalayan standard, the Everest Base Camp is considered a moderately difficult trek. It means beginner trekkers can do this trek without any trekking experience. You will walk on mountainous terrain to reach EBC. The trail ascends and descends via lush foothills and dense forests in the first few days and then involves glacier and moraine walking with many steep, rugged tracks.
Another difficult part of the Everest Base Camp trek is the altitude rise. You will go above 5,000 meters from sea level and spend multiple days above 2,500 meters. It adds environment and air pressure to your body, which results in exhaustion and altitude sickness. However, if you maintain your pace and acclimatize, you can handle these inconveniences.
Altitude sickness and its symptoms and prevention in detail
Altitude sickness is common on the Everest Base Camp trek. Due to high altitude, trekkers suffer from altitude sickness. It is also easy to avoid it and treat it. You have to be aware of the symptoms and take the necessary actions on time.
Altitude sickness happens if your body does not acclimatize to the elevation. Therefore, our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary has two acclimatization days. These are the symptoms of altitude sickness- headache, difficulty in breathing, insomnia, vomiting, nausea, etc.
If you have previous hiking experience, there is a much lesser chance of getting altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water daily and keep yourself away from anything that may dehydrate your body. Get ample rest and maintain your pace. Do not overexert, and have good food.
Accommodation
During the Everest Base Camp trek, lodges will be your accommodation. Rooms will be twin-shared, so if you want a single room, let us know during booking. Additional charges will be applied. The lodges are simple accommodations with cozy and clean bedrooms and a common washroom.
Services like charging, WiFi, hot showers, etc, cost additional money in the lodges. The blanket provided in the lodges may not be enough, especially at the high altitude, so carry a high-quality sleeping bag during the trek. You can upgrade the accommodation to luxury lodges along the EBC trek route.
Food in trekking
The food during the Everest Base Camp trek is offered as per the menu of the lodges. The food menu in this trek route is very extensive. You will get a huge variety of food, ranging from dal bhat and thukpa to pizza and burgers. We recommend sticking to local meals to avoid any indigestion. Vegetation options are widely available.
Our Everest Base Camp trek package provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a day. You can buy extra snacks and beverages. Avoid alcoholic drinks during the trek because it will make you prone to altitude sickness. Likewise, have a balanced diet and be aware of what you eat.
Drinking water in trekking
Boiled drinking water is found everywhere in the Khumbu region. You can refill your water bottle at just USD 1 to USD 2. It is much less costly than buying plastic bottled water and increasing environmental pollution. For more safety, you can use a water purification tablet.
Porter and guide
During the Everest Base Camp trek with Dream Heaven Adventure, you will trek with a local guide and porter from the Khumbu region. The expense of the guide and porter is included in our Everest Base Camp trek cost, however we urge our guests to tip them for their hard work.
Our guides and porters are friendly and reliable. You will trek with a guide who has good knowledge about the EBC trek route and the region. Along with showing you the way, he will also make sure you are safe and enjoying the journey. The guide will also ensure that you get good accommodation and help you interact with the locals.
Each trekker has a 10 kg weight limit for the duffel bag and a 5 kg weight limit for the day pack. Duffel bags are carried by the porters, whereas you will carry the daypack. Pack the essentials in the daypack, like your water bottle, cash, snacks, charger, documents, SPF, etc.
Trekking gears and equipment
You will need the following things for the Everest Base Camp trek. Do note that you do not have to buy everything as most of them are available to rent in Kathmandu.
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner
- Puffy down jacket
- Daypack (35-45 liters recommended) with rain cover
- Trekking poles
- Sun hat or cap and beanie
- Scarf/neck gaiter/buff (highly recommended)
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- The base layer - underwear, t-shirts, long sleeve, shorts, pants
- Waterproof/windproof jacket/pant
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Trekking pants
- Gloves
- Socks
- Trekking boots and casual shoes
- Dry towel
First aid kits and personal medication
Below, we have made the list of things that you should have in your personal first aid kit for the Everest Base Camp trek:
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Ointment, general medicine, and Diamox
- Cough Syrup (recommended for Khumbu Cough)
- Mosquito repellent cream
- Pillowcase
- Toilet paper, wet tissue, toothpaste/toothbrush, moisturizer, lip balm, SPF, comb, small mirror, deodorant, etc
- Map
- Ziplock bags
- Band-aid and crack bandage
- Passport
- Extra copies of passport-sized photos
- Reusable water bottle
- Water purification tablets or UV water purifiers
- Cash, documents, permits
- Snacks, nuts, energy bars, etc
