Trek to Everest Base Camp

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is something most people only ever dream of – so we believe it’s worth doing properly. Our Everest Base Camp itinerary is one day longer than most, carefully designed for a safer, more comfortable and more successful trek: at altitude, pacing, hydration and rest are key. Long-haul travel can leave you fatigued before you even begin, so you’ll spend your first night in Kathmandu, then head to a glamping site in Manthali at a respectable hour the following day. That second night gives you time to rest and rehydrate after the journey, instead of tackling a stressful night-time drive on mountain roads – as is commonplace on many other tours. If your flight to Lukla is cancelled, you've also got nearby digs at the ready!

The trek itself follows Wilderness Medical Society guidance for high-altitude trekking, with a gradual ascent and planned rest days to help your body acclimatise. There’s also built-in flexibility to handle any Lukla flight delays at the start of your trek, to give you the best shot at reaching Base Camp, though of course, nothing is guaranteed in the mountains.

Travelling in a small group of up to 12, you’ll be supported by one of Nepal’s most respected trekking teams, with one staff member for every four trekkers – typically including your lead guide, assistant guides and porters. Your local hosts are pioneers in community empowerment, and proud winners of Much Better Adventures’ Host Sustainability Award for the second year running. This is Everest Base Camp done the right way.

A mountain flight to Lukla is included on Day 3 of this adventure, with your return flight scheduled for Day 15. Although departure dates are planned outside the main monsoon season, mountain weather can be unpredictable. Delays or cancellations of flights to and from Lukla are not uncommon during the trekking season. Our itinerary is planned with this possibility in mind, with built-in flexibility.

If your outbound Lukla flight is cancelled, your local host will switch to Plan B:

You'll stay an extra night in Manthali (or Kathmandu) and try to fly the next day. If you arrive in Lukla on Day 4, you'll descend from Gorak Shep to Lukla over three longer days instead of four. Importantly, this doesn't affect your ascent rate to Everest Base Camp, so you'll still have the same number of days to acclimatise.

If poor weather continues and you reach Lukla on Day 5, one night in Namche Bazaar will be skipped on the way up. This change does slightly accelerate your ascent rate, as it removes one acclimatisation day.

Another option – subject to availability – is to charter a helicopter. Helicopters are less affected by poor weather and may be able to fly when planes cannot. If you choose this option, you'll need to pay an additional $350–500 USD per person. This reflects the difference between the helicopter cost and the refund for your cancelled flight.

If Lukla flights are cancelled for more than two consecutive days and you haven’t arrived by Day 5 via any of the options above, it’s no longer possible to safely reach Everest Base Camp in the available time. In this case, your host will offer an alternative trek – usually the Annapurna Circuit from Chame to Jomsom, via the Thorong La Pass.

If you need to stay additional nights in Kathmandu due to flight cancellations, your host will ask you to pay the difference in accommodation costs (around $45 USD per room, per night) as hotels in Kathmandu are more expensive than glamping in Manthali or staying in a teahouse.

See also: When should I book my return flight?

The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu at the end of the trip is usually reliable; however, if the weather is poor, cancellations can happen and there is the chance that you will have to fly the next day. So to play it safe, we advise you to consider booking an extra night’s accommodation in Kathmandu at the end of the trip.

The preferred currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Whilst ATMs are available in the main cities, please do not rely on them as they are often out of order and most have a maximum withdrawal limit equivalent to about £300.

It's best to bring the bulk of your money with you in cash and exchange it at a bank or at one of the many money changers in Nepal – your guide will help you with this. Most major currencies are accepted, including GBP (Sterling), Euros and US Dollars; however, Scottish or Northern Irish currency cannot be changed. Keep your exchange receipts in case you want to change any unused Rupees back into hard currency when you leave Nepal (it is illegal to export Nepalese Rupees, as it is a closed currency).

You will need to carry a fairly large amount of cash while trekking for the meals. We advise that you keep this in a waterproof bag and in your day bag along with your passport.

We work with some of the best leaders in the industry. Every single one of them is government licensed and very experienced. In order to ensure the guides high standard of performance, the host provides them with top-notch in-house training that covers, Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, advanced wilderness first aid, hyperbaric chambers, oxygen system, mountain rescue and incident management.

There is a weight restriction on the flight to and from Lukla of 10kg checked baggage plus 5kg hand luggage. It is not a problem for you to check in 1-2kg more than this as long as you are happy to pay an excess luggage charge (approx. £1 per kg). Some items may be left in the hotel in Kathmandu if necessary.

This trip includes one porter for every two trekkers. They will carry up to 20-25kg of kit so your overnight bags and spare clothes will be transported for you (maximum 12kg per person). You will only need to carry a ‘day pack’ with essentials in (extra layer, snacks, water, suncream, camera etc.

Your host in Nepal can arrange a variety of extra experiences in Kathmandu, should you want to explore further. Please discuss these directly with your host, who will be able to book them for you.

Kathmandu Heritage Tour: Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple). Duration: full day (approx. 08:00–15:00).

Spice Markets & Durbar Square: Explore Asan Market and Thamel, visiting spice and tea markets and learning about the cultural, culinary and medicinal uses of Nepali spices from local vendors. Finish at Kathmandu Durbar Square, home to historic temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Duration: approx. three hours (flexible timing).

Master the Arts: Head to Bhaktapur Durbar Square for a pottery workshop. Learn to spin the wheel and shape clay into simple items such as cups, bowls or vases, and observe traditional drying and firing techniques used by local potters. Duration: half day (approx. 08:00–12:30).

Nepali Cooking Class: Learn to prepare four traditional Nepali dishes with hands-on guidance, then enjoy one of your creations. This experience supports SASANE and their work addressing human trafficking, child marriage and violence against women. Duration: half day (morning or afternoon).

Although most teahouses have the option to buy bottled water, we advise against it to reduce the use of plastic in the mountains (this ends up being burnt or in landfill out of sight). You will instead be provided with cold water that needs treating. There is a wide range of products available these days which are more effective than traditional purification tablets - some trekkers like to use UV handheld devices such as a Steripen but other options are available (just check the performance in freezing conditions).

This trip includes a return domestic flight to Lukla. Nepal's mountainous terrain and weather make for challenging flying conditions and sadly more incidents (including fatalities) occur here than in other countries. Since 2013 the EU has banned all Nepalese domestic airlines from flying within EU airspace in order to raise awareness of the poor safety record (although no Nepalese airlines were operating routes within the EU prior to the ban). You should be aware that flying in Nepal is an identified risk: please consider this carefully before booking. Additional information can be found on the Aviation Safety Network entry for Nepal as well as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for Nepal

Domestic airlines in Nepal are generally not accredited by any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

What does MBA do about this?

MBA collaborates with other UK travel companies that arrange for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the local airlines. Our local host in Nepal then only uses the carriers that were approved as part of the most recent audit. If any concerns are subsequently raised about an approved airline between audits, we put them on hold until the auditors are satisfied that safety standards are being met.

Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (5550m) as well as for emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip, depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Nepal’s cuisine is shaped by its mountainous geography, agricultural traditions, and strong cultural ties to India and Tibet. Meals are typically hearty and practical, centred around rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, and preserved foods, with meat used more sparingly in many regions.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, there is a wide range of hotels and restaurants serving high-quality food. However, in the remote trekking regions, limited infrastructure (including a lack of refrigeration) means teahouses tend to offer a similar, simple menu throughout. It is generally advisable to avoid meat in more remote teahouses, as freshness cannot be guaranteed—your guide will advise accordingly. A vegetarian or vegan diet is often the most suitable, whilst a lactose-free diet is also not too restrictive. Gluten-free diets, however, can be accommodated but are more limited and repetitive.

Meals in trekking regions are built around dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, and vegetables), along with variations of potatoes, noodles, soups, breads, rice, pasta, and even pizza—sometimes with egg, vegetables, cheese, or tinned tuna. Desserts may include apple pie, chocolate pudding (often with custard), or cake. Breakfast typically consists of toast, eggs, pancakes, Tibetan bread, porridge, or muesli.

Fresh fruit is rarely available, and fresh vegetables become scarcer at higher altitudes. While carbohydrates are plentiful, meals can lack variety and certain nutrients, so bringing snacks such as nuts or dried fruit is recommended.

Some dietary requirements and allergies may not be well understood in remote areas. Your guide will help communicate your needs, but flexibility and preparation are essential when trekking in these regions.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be well catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. There are plenty of options available both in cities and along trekking routes. Common dishes include dal bhat, vegetable momos (dumplings), vegetable noodle soup, and fried rice or noodles with vegetables and/or egg. Potatoes, Tibetan bread, pasta, and pizza are also widely available.

Vegan Vegan diets can be well catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Porridge is a common breakfast and can be made with water on request, though it is often prepared with milk powder by default. Dal bhat is the main staple, though some versions may include ghee - so do check. Momos may contain egg in the dough. While carbohydrates are easy to find, sources of vegan protein are limited, so bringing snacks is recommended.

Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are not available in remote teahouses, so a Kosher diet cannot be accommodated on this trip. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal Certified Halal meat is not available in remote teahouses, although it can be found in Kathmandu and other major cities. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) Gluten-free diets are difficult to accommodate in trekking regions of Nepal. Please inform your host in advance, but be aware that options are limited and often repetitive. Many staple foods—such as Tibetan bread, noodles, pasta, pancakes, and muesli—contain gluten, making breakfast particularly restrictive. You may often rely on eggs as an alternative. Additionally, powdered soups, seasonings, and soy sauce frequently contain gluten, and cross-contamination is a significant risk in teahouse kitchens. Naturally gluten-free options do exist, including dal bhat, potatoes, eggs, plain rice, and simple soups. However, flexibility and preparation are essential, and your guide will assist in communicating your needs.

Lactose Free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many dishes are naturally lactose-free, but you will need to specify at each meal that you require food without milk, milk powder, ghee, butter, or cheese. Porridge and muesli can be prepared with water on request. As sources of healthy fats may be limited, bringing supplementary snacks is recommended. Flexibility remains important in remote areas, and your guide will help communicate your requirements.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that provision for certain mild and severe or life threatening food allergies on this trip may be unreliable. Please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip.

This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

There are three different seasons for trekking in Nepal.

Winter (Dec-Feb): despite being seen as ‘off-season’ this is often the best time to trek in Nepal. The nights can be very cold (down to –20°C), but the trails are quieter and the mountain views are often at their best due to the clear sunny skies.

Pre-monsoon/spring (March-May): temperatures rise significantly in spring and flowers are in full bloom in the lower lands. Although it can still drop below freezing at night, the daytime temperatures tend to sit between 10-15°C.

Post-monsoon/autumn (Sept-Nov): this is the most popular time to trek in Nepal with sunny and mild days generally. It can get cold and windy at higher altitudes; however, skies are usually clear.

Of course, mountain weather is notoriously hard to predict and snow can be expected at any time, so come prepared.