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Trek to Everest Base Camp

Trek the famous trails to Everest Base Camp and follow in the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

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Trip Ref #9926

Trek to Everest Base Camp

Trek the famous trails to Everest Base Camp and follow in the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

DURATION

14 nights

LOCATION

Nepal

ANNUAL LEAVE

2 weeks off work

SEASON

Sep—May

GROUP SIZE

Up to 12 people

MEETING POINT

Kathmandu Airport, Nepal

ACCOMMODATION

Classic

Hotel · Glamping · Teahouse

OVERALL RATING

4.8

Based on 69 reviews
DIFFICULTY

Challenging

You'll need to be fit and able to hike all day for the full duration. This coupled with altitude, make this trek particularly challenging.

Hike undulating trails, cross suspension bridges, navigate glaciers and dodge yaks as you trek through mountaineering history

Drown in the dramatic mountain views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Mount Everest - the world's tallest mountain

Ascend from Everest Base Camp to Kala Patthar at 5550m for views of Everest that only a select few will ever see

Unsure which trek in the Everest region is for you? Read our handy guide or check out the Everest and Gokyo Lakes Circuit

Day 1

Arrive in Kathmandu

After checking in you'll have a pre-departure meeting with your guides to run through the final plans and arrangements for the trek. You'll finish the day with a group dinner to get to know your team for the next few weeks.

Day 2

Journey to Manthali

You'll have the morning free to explore a little more of Kathmandu before jumping on the bus and heading to Manthali. This remote region is where most Lukla flights now depart from (although if you're lucky they sometimes depart from Katmandu) and you'll spend the night in safari tents near to the small airport so you're ready to jump on the first flight in the morning.

Day 3

Trek to Phakding

Hiking

4hrs · 7.5km · 610m up · 830m down

Today starts with a short flight to Lukla Airport in the Everest region. After meeting the other crew members you'll start your trek, passing through the prosperous village of Lukla before reaching Phakding on the Dudh Kosi River. You'll spend the night in the village and should have time to visit some of the nearby monasteries.

Occasionally Lukla flights can be delayed or cancelled - please see the FAQs for further information.

Day 4

Namche

Hiking

6hrs · 10.5km · 1670m up · 880m down

Start the day with a walk through beautiful pine forests and along the track to the Dudh Koshi River. One of the (many) bridges is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge with a particularly epic viewpoint of the gleaming Mount Thamserku (6618 m). From here you'll continue through the village of Jorsale before a challenging uphill climb to Namche Bazaar, where you'll get your first glimpse of Everest.

Day 5

Acclimatise and explore Namche (3440m)

Today will be a rest day in order to acclimatise to the altitude, but rest assured, there’ll be no time to get bored! Instead, there’s the opportunity to hike to a nearby viewpoint and enjoy mammoth vistas of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Lhotse...we could go on. On the way back, you’ll walk around the Khumjung valley and have the chance to visit the Hillary School and Khunde Hospital, before heading back for the night.

Day 6

Namche to Tengboche

Hiking

6hrs · 9.3km · 1270m up · 840m down

Things get challenging as the trail forks northeast along a tributary valley and you approach the holy ground of Tengboche (3860m). There you’ll be met by a monastery, yak pasture and the world’s highest sacred institution combined! Team this with more epic views of Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Everest and you'll find it's worth every puff.

Day 7

Tengboche to Dingboche

Hiking

6hrs · 10.4km · 930m up · 440m down

Trek past the Gompa holding the famous Yeti scalp and pass summer yak pastures on the way to Dingboche, where you'll stay for the night. Most of the trekking in this area is comparatively gentle, although taking it easy is recommended due to the high altitude.

Day 8

Explore and acclimatise at Dingboche

Today you 'll have your second acclimatisation day at Dingboche (4410m), which is vital considering the high altitudes you’re now reaching. Fear not, you can get still involved in some optional hikes to the nearby Nagajun Hill or Chukung Village which both boast panoramic views of Ama Dablam and Makalu.

Day 9

Dingboche to Lobuche

Hiking

5hrs · 7.8km · 690m up · 120m down

Climb at a leisurely pace and cross ice covered torrents until you reach Lobuche (4910m). Here, you’ll be met with stone houses that sit amongst the frozen wilderness. Only one more night until your goal.

Day 10

Everest Base Camp

Hiking

6hrs · 11.6km · 630m up · 380m down

Ascend to Everest Base Camp (5380m). Congratulations, you're in the company of legends. Take some time to reflect and enjoy it. Many a new profile picture has been taken here! Once you’ve taken in the views and given yourself a massive high-five, you'll continue back to Gorak Shep (5364m) for the night before beginning the descent tomorrow.

Day 11

Pangboche via Kala Patthar

Hiking

8hrs · 21.4km · 820m up · 2050m down

The best way to see Everest (and its surrounding peaks) is as the sun comes up so be prepared for an early start. You'll ascend to Kala Patthar (5550m), the highest point of the trip, with awesome views of Everest before heading down to Pangboche for the night.

Day 12

Pangboche to Namche

Hiking

6hrs · 13.5km · 1140m up · 1660m down

Descend down to Phungi Thanga and then continue on to Namche, where you'll stay for a night of celebrations.

Day 13

Lukla

Hiking

6hrs · 18km · 1720m up · 2290m down

Set off for the final descent into Lukla (2860m). On the way, you'll trek through a forest of rhododendrons and pine until you reach a Sherpa village. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to say your final goodbyes to the local team before moving on to Lukla.

Day 14

Back to Kathmandu

Fly back to Ramechhap after your incredible mountain journey. You'll drive back to Kathmandu in time for some well-earned beers and a celebration dinner.

Day 15

Last day in Kathmandu

Enjoy a well-earned lie in and breakfast at your hotel, then spend your last day exploring the city before heading back to the airport, and reality.

Included

Internal Flights

Internal flights from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla (return)

Guides

You'll be led by local, expert, English-speaking guides

Accommodation

2 nights in Kathmandu and 11 nights in teahouses on the trail

Meals

Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu

Transfers

Airport transfers and transfers to and from Kathmandu City

Porterage

A porter will carry your overnight luggage on the trek

Permits

All your permits and entry fees are covered and sorted

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Tips for your guides

Some meals as described

Visas where required

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3 – Day 13

Teahouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 14

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 15

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Breakfast is usually either hot porridge, muesli or Tibetan bread served with an omelette or boiled eggs. The menus in the teahouses are very similar at every stop and there will usually be a choice of traditional Nepalese dhal bhat (a mixed plate of lentils, rice, vegetables and pickles - delicious and healthy), Nepalese dumplings (momo’s), mixed noodles, pasta and even pizza. Although meat is available at some teahouses, we suggest you ask your guide for advice about consumption as it tends to depend on how far it has travelled as to whether it is a safe option.

Dairy-free, vegan or vegetarian diets can be catered for while trekking although meals may get a bit repetitive - dhal bhat will likely be your go-to staple. Gluten-free/coeliac diets are tricky to cater for on teahouse treks (beware that powdered soups and seasonings used often contain gluten, and cooking oil is commonly reused and may cause cross-contamination). Please explain your dietary requirements to your guide so that they can assist when ordering, and bringing along some extra food/snacks is advisable.

What is the accommodation like?

In Kathmandu

You’ll stay in a centrally located tourist hotel in the heart of Thamel, close to the main shopping area and heritage sites.

In Manthali

You will stay at the Manthali Resort in safari-tents. There is a swimming pool on site.

On the trek

Generally, most adventures to Nepal are in remote areas where the accommodation will be basic. On the trek you will stay in 'teahouses' – mountain lodges that tend to have a communal dining area and basic toilets.

The rooms are sorted by gender – however, if there is an odd number in the group they may occasionally be mixed. There’s no heating, so you'll need your warm sleeping bag. WiFi and hot showers are often available at a small cost. You can usually charge your phone up, again, you guessed it, for a cost. So remember to take an adapter.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for the two nights in Kathmandu only (not available in the teahouses), subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking: see Optional Extras below for prices.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Kathmandu Airport (KTM)

Anytime on Day 1

Ends

Kathmandu Airport (KTM)

Anytime on Day 15

Transfers

Airport arrival and departure transfers are included no matter when you arrive and depart (even if booking extra nights before or after the trip), provided you have completed your passenger information form and have supplied your flight details in advance.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Kathmandu from major airports in the UK and Europe.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What do I need to bring?

  • Day pack with rain cover (30 litre +)
  • Rucksack or duffle bag (for the porters to carry overnight kit)
Clothes
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Lightweight down jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Lightweight trekking trousers
  • Hiking shorts (if trekking in the summer)
  • Thermals (top and bottom, merino ideal)
  • 2/3 trekking t-shirts/shirts
  • Fleece or warm mid-layer
  • Waterproof thick gloves
  • Glove liners
  • Hiking socks and lighter walking socks
  • Wool hat
  • Sun hat
  • Spare underwear
  • Buff or similar
Shoes
  • Worn in waterproof hiking boots
  • Lightweight trainers (for the evenings)
Sleeping
  • 4 season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Pillow case (optional)
Other
  • Trekking poles
  • Travel towel
  • Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses)
  • 2 water bottles (1 litre each)
  • Metal SIGG bottle (useful to fill with hot water to use as a hot water bottle at bedtime)
  • Headtorch
  • First aid kit and/or personal medication
  • Water purification tablets/system
  • Biodegradable wet wipes
  • Hand gel
  • Small biodegradable bags to take toilet tissue off the mountain
  • Toilet paper/tissues
  • Powerbank
  • Universal plug adaptor
  • Book/kindle/cards for downtime
Winter departures only (end Nov-March)
  • Gaiters
  • Microspikes
  • Extra warm layers (add an extra warm item to all key items above)
  • Extra set of thermals (pair to walk in, pair to sleep in)
  • Merino trekking socks
  • Merino glove liners

What's available to hire?

The below can be rented in Kathmandu:

  • Down jacket: costs approx. $1.5/day with a deposit of $50
  • Sleeping bag (3 season only available): costs approx. $2/day with a deposit of $80
  • Spikes (for Winter departures only) costs approx. $1.5/day.

(Please ask your host if this is needed so they can assist you with how to arrange the hire)

What can you buy in Kathmandu?

Kathmandu has many outdoor gear shops - some are real with kit that is the same price you will find it at home and some are filled with cheaper imitation gear that may not be of the same quality. You will however find a soft duffel bag easily that the porters can carry.

Weight Restrictions

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.

Please remove all unnecessary packing before you leave home and ensure you take all plastic off the mountain to be disposed of in Kathmandu.

Optional Private Room Upgrade (Kathmandu x 2 nights)

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade (Kathmandu x 2 nights)

Pre/post-trip accommodation in Kathmandu (Single)

Payable Before Departure

Pre/post-trip accommodation in Kathmandu (Single)

Pre/post-trip accommodation in Kathmandu (Twin/Double)

Payable Before Departure

Pre/post-trip accommodation in Kathmandu (Twin/Double)

- Will(May 2023)

Much Better Adventures’ EBC Trek was fantastic. The host company did a great job managing picks up and drops offs, answering questions, and making sure we had adequate gear for the hike.

The trail is astoundingly beautiful. It takes you from the relative warmth and humidity of Lukla to the epic snow capped vistas of the Himalayas above tree line. Orchids, rhododendron, and dozens of other flowers bloom along the way. The base camp itself is an exciting destination, but it’s the route there which is really special.

Without a doubt, the most important part of our trip’s success was our amazing team of guides who brought us there.

Pujan, our lead guide, was fantastic. From the beginning, he made himself constantly available for any issue. He told us each night how to find him in case there were any emergencies. Pujan had relentless positive energy - at all hours and altitudes. He exuded a profound love for the mountains, which was clear in his eagerness to share about the local culture and ecosystems. His helpful context significantly enriched my experience. Both his love for the mountains and his enthusiasm were contagious.

D.B. was our phenomenal assistant leader. He was constantly helpful, always calm, and quick to smile. He was an essential part of our tran and I think the whole group would trust him to take us anywhere.

Finally, Sebika was a stellar guide-in-training. It is awesome that Freedom Adventures is taking the initiatives to train female trekking leaders. Sebika was a wonderful presence on our trek - always high energy, cheerful, and super helpful!

Overall, it was the fantastic team of guides that made this trip as enjoyable as it was. In their hands, I felt safe and taken care of at all times.

- Ian(May 2023)

Everest Base Camp Trek. Just returned from an excellent trek to base camp. This trek far exceeded my expectations the trekking team of Pujan Mr DB and Sebika and our three porters were a great team very well organised, knowledgeable and really did make this an unforgettable trek. Our group size was seven which I thought worked well the group dynamic was great. The scenery was stunning, amazing views everywhere you looked. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend MBA organisation was first class a trek I will never forget.

- Astrid(May 2023)

One of a kind trips to EBC and Kalapatthar- I will never forget it! It was HARD for sure, but if you are healthy and fit and done some hiking before, it is totally doable. Bucket list worthy. Highly recommended!

- Shane(May 2023)

Amazing trip, perfectly managed by our guide Sanjeet.

I would highly recommend this trip, but one thing I think a lot of people would have benefitted from knowing prior is that the challenge to get to ECB is not just being ‘fit’ enough, but being resilient enough. The cumulative impact of the repetitive days walking, lots of free time, cold weather, the food, the altitude, the accommodation etc seemed to be the fatigue that a lot has not anticipated.

- Jaye-Jae(May 2023)

We booked this trip over a year before it took place and it was absolutely worth the wait. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I would highly recommend Much Better Adventures to anyone looking at doing this trip.

Our Nepalese team were fantastic and looked after each of us very well. Pujan is an amazing and knowledgable trek leader along with DB, Sebika, and each of our porters who made the entire trip comfortable, safe, and well organised.

The trek itself has the most beautiful views and you spend days in stunning scenery. As long as you're reasonably fit and healthy the hiking isn't too strenuous and you take plenty of breaks on the way up. The altitude can get quite difficult at times but I really felt that the team and the rest of the group were a fantastic source of encouragement and support the entire way.

12/10 recommend!

- Ellie(May 2023)

The Everest Base Camp Trek exceeded my expectations in more ways than I could imagine! Not only is the trek breathtakingly beautiful, but Pujan, DB and the team continuously bent over backwards to make sure we had the best time possible. They were so dedicated to ensuring that we were cared for, safe, and having a good time.

We were incredibly lucky that the 7 of us booked onto the trek got on so well, and had a wonderful time together but this was just built on by how much we loved our local trek team - I feel so lucky to have had them all on the journey to Base Camp. It was quite easily the best experience of my life and that is mainly down to all the people involved!

We learned so much on this trek, had so many laughs, saw so many mindblowing landscapes, met so many incredible people, and ate so much delicious food - again, I feel so lucky to have had this experience. Nepal and The Himalayas are magical!!!

I also just want to emphasise how incredible our Nepalese team on the trek were, I don't have to words to express my gratitude for them and how they got us all safely up to Base Camp! I can't begin to describe how safe and cared for I felt by them!

- Jack(May 2023)

Fantastic trip, guides and porters were so helpful and pleasant, I would recommend people to have at least a decent level of fitness and experience of hiking for long periods at a time in order to get the most out of this trip

- Jack(April 2023)

The trip was absolutely amazing and couldn't recommend enough. The views along the way are Incredible. Met some great people and the weather was pretty much perfect throughout.

Our guides Kush and Anil were fantastic, they couldn't do enough for us really. Their main aim being getting the whole group safely to Everest base camp, and that's exactly what happened. From recommending what foods and drinks to eat and avoid to checking your blood oxygen levels, they had everything covered. They also set the pace of the trek to accommodate the group's varying levels of fitness and capabilities. Not at any time did you feel rushed by them. A special mention also has to go to the porters for carrying all our luggage safely and securely throughout the trek.

The accommodation along the way surpassed our expectations although it does get more basic as you climb to more remote parts. Sanitary conditions are quite poor and at times get very bad although this isn't helped by people not following simple rules like not peeing on the toilet seat, not flushing toilet paper and in some cases just not flushing at all!!! Soap is rarely provided so take plenty of hand sanitiser with you. Showers are also not recommended after a certain altitude as it gets very cold so be prepared for being quite grubby, so also take plenty of wet wipes! Everyone is in the same boat so don't worry.

Food is good but again gets more basic as you climb. Meat is to be avoided at a certain altitude and also alcohol! I'd advise taking plenty of snacks for fuel as it's certainly needed and they can get quite expensive the higher you go.

If you keep yourself in reasonable shape and have a half decent level of fitness then you should be able to cope with the trek, that being said the altitude is not to be underestimated. Especially if you haven't been to such heights before. Again though our guides took this element very seriously and did regular checks on us to make sure we were safe.

The positives far outweigh the negatives, It's an absolute trip of a lifetime! And in the safest of hands!

- Duy Vinh(April 2023)

This trip was a dream come true! Me and my partner had booked it nearly a year before so we'd waiting for this with great anticipation!

The trek was amazing: the views over the mountains and valleys, everest base camp itself of course is magical, but also all the various villages that we stopped at along the way all have their personal charm. Accommodation is quite basic, especially as you go to higher altitudes, but still relatively comfortable given how remote the locations are, and the food is great. Opportunities for showers are limited once you go past Namche (given that you have to pay maybe queue, but also you might not want to shower given how cold it'll be anyway), so planning in advance what you'll wear over the course of the trip is quite important.

Our guides (Nurbu assisted by Ngima) were amazing!

  • They were very good at setting a pace that balances between getting to point B early enough so that we have time to relax in the teahouses, and having enough time to rest along the way, take pictures etc. Me and my partner were a slightly slower than the rest of the group (never more than a few minutes behind), one of the guides would always wait/walk with us without pressuring us to go faster. Whether the pace feels fast or slow will probably depend a lot on your level of fitness relative to the rest of the group. In my case it felt just right (a little challenging on ascents), comfortable during flatter sections.
  • They naturally found a very good balance between mingling with us and giving us some space: we learnt a lot about the local culture, the geography of the area through asking them questions during the walk itself for example. During meals they would usually be our waiters (veggie dal bhat is all you can eat for example :D !) and help manage all the various bits with the teahouses. The overall atmosphere was really relaxed/fun and joyful mostly thanks to them!
  • Special thanks to them for rushing ahead on a couple occasions to ensure we'd have a table for lunch at the next teahouse.
  • Also still super impressed by Nurbu's card shuffling skills! :D
  • The trek is of course quite challenging due to the altitude: we felt very safe in their hands given the thorough daily checkups, they made it clear we could wake them up in the middle of the night if any problems, they made it clear what symptoms are mild/expected and which aren't etc. No one in our group experienced any major problems due to altitude sickness but we all experienced some mild symptoms: I personally had a hard time during the day where we ascended to EBC itself (felt quite lightheaded) but was fine the day after, we all had some mild/short-lived headaches at various points. Again I felt very safe and the guides were checking on me very often during the 1-2 days when I felt not great.
  • Overall the trip went really smoothly, they gave us many tips to ensure we'd have the best experience: from small bits like keeping windows slightly opened at night to ensure maximum oxygen, to what foods to avoid at higher altitudes etc.

Beyond the pure physical challenge due to lack of oxygen, the other challenges are really around sleeping/eating/breathing as it can be more difficult to sleep + you might lose appetite (i had low appetite for a couple days) + breathing at night can be uncomfortable given how cold/dry the air can be (maybe I should worn a buff at night!). Luckily I didn't have any gastrointestinal issues (only slight discomfort at times). You'll probably experience the khumbu cough (dry/cold/dusty air), I was a bit a stubborn in not wanting to wear a buff over my face during the walk itself, in retrospect I'd have worn it all day long to try and mitigate the coughing as much as possible. The acclimatisation days are really effective (do take part in the "optional" hikes as they really help to acclimatise), it's quite interesting to see your resting heart rate drop quite a bit after having spent a day at a given altitude!

We'll definitely come back to Nepal in the future! Maybe one of the other treks and/or a more city/culture oriented trips

Special thanks to Nurbu Ngima and all the supporting staff, we miss them already!

- Callum(April 2023)

A fantastic experience. The views are unbelievable and the accommodation, although basic in some places, was a better standard than I was expecting. Our guides couldn't have done anymore for us and it was their expertise that meant all of our group made it to EBC. The altitude can be challenging but it's 100% worth it!

We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 499kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

Much of the trek is within the capabilities of people with a good fitness who are keen trekkers. Still, it is important to note that trekking at altitudes above 3000m/10,000ft is more demanding on the body than walking at low elevations. Some training beforehand will help and we advise doing at least one weekend of back to back days walking. The guide will set the pace and as with all altitude treks, the theme is ‘slowly slowly’ to help you adjust to the altitude.

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

We do not include meals on the trek as from experience we know that altitude and physical exercise can mean appetites vary hugely. The cost of food rises as you ascend as it is all carried in by porters and yaks and as you get higher up, very little food can be grown. How much you spend per day will vary according to your choice of meal but generally, people spend between $25-$35 per person per day on meals and hot drinks. Below is an approx. breakdown of some items:

  • Dal Baht: $4 to $7C
  • Chow Mein: $2 to $4
  • Eggs: $2 to $4
  • Toast: $1.50 to $3
  • Tea/Hot Chocolate: $1.00 to $3.00
  • Chocolate Bars: $2 to $4

Teahouses will provide cold water free of charge however it needs to be treated to enable you to drink it. Please read the FAQ re our advice here.

Other extra costs to be considered:

  • Shower: $2-$4
  • Wifi: $2-5
  • Electricity: $2-5

See Lukla flight cancellations FAQ also.

It is customary in Nepal to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. You can give any tips to your lead guide at the end of your trip. This will then be shared amongst the whole team. For full transparency, the lead guide will distribute the tips to the guides and porters in your presence. It is customary for the guides to receive a higher share than the porters as they are more highly qualified. A good rule of thumb is around $140pp as a tip, although the amount you give is entirely your choice. 

If you would like to give an additional tip to a member of the team who has supported you personally please do so directly and discretely.

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 GBP300.

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 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.

When you trek in the mountains, there's always the risk of getting altitude sickness, regardless of how old, young, fit or unfit you are. We would expect most trekkers to feel some mild symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, sleeplessness, heavy breathing) when over 3000m. Our guides are trained to identify the symptoms of altitude sickness so if any more serious symptoms are noted, there is a strict procedure regarding extra care or a rapid descent or evacuation if needed. All of our trips have been designed with altitude best practice in mind so acclimatisation days have been built in and our experienced guides follow advice to ‘walk high and sleep low’.

There are 3 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 minus 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 on any trip so come prepared.

A mountain flight to Lukla is included on Day 3 of this tour, and back from Lukla on Day 14. Although we schedule departure dates outside of the main monsoon season, weather conditions in any mountain region can be unpredictable. It is not uncommon for flights to and from Lukla to be delayed or cancelled during the trekking season. If your flight to Lukla is cancelled then your host will revert to 'Plan B', as follows:

You will spend an extra night in Kathmandu or Manthali and attempt to fly the next day. If you reach Lukla on Day 4, you will skip a night in Namche Bazaar but otherwise follow the normal itinerary.

Alternatively, it may be possible to fly part-way (to Phaplu), then drive on a dirt road to Kharikhola (6-7 hrs drive), and begin trekking from there. In this case, it is still possible to reach Everest Base Camp in the remaining timeframe by skipping a night in Namche Bazaar. This option is available on Days 3 or 4.

There is one further option in the event of flight cancellations to Lukla: to try to charter helicopters for the group (subject to availability). Helicopters are less hindered by poor conditions and can often fly when planes cannot. Anyone taking this option will need to pay roughly USD500 extra per person.

If there are more than two consecutive days of Lukla flight cancellations and it has not been possible to reach Lukla/Kharikhola by the alternative means described above on or before Day 4, then it is no longer feasible to safely reach Everest Base Camp in the time available. Your host will offer an alternative trek in a different region. Usually, the alternative trek offered is the Annapurna Circuit Trek from Chame to Jomsom (via the Thorong La Pass).

Please note that if you spend extra nights in Kathmandu as a result of Lukla flight cancellations, your host will ask you to pay the difference (of around USD45 per room per night) as the hotel in Kathmandu is more expensive than glamping in Manthali or a night 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 consider booking an extra night’s accommodation in Kathmandu at the end of the trip.

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.

We’ve sourced some great optional activities for you to do in and around Kathmandu should you wish to explore that little bit further. Please discuss these directly with your host who will be able to book them for you.

Cook Like a Local: This short cooking workshop (approx. 3 hours) teaches you how to cook popular Nepali dishes like MoMo and Dal Bhat. You’ll meet your teacher and accompany them shopping, then head to the kitchen and learn to cook alongside them. Price: Pay what you think the workshop is worth!

Shop Local: A 2/3 hour guided exploration of the markets of Kathmandu. Prepare to learn about the vendors that line the crowded narrow alleyways and to witness everything you could ever imagine being sold, haggled and bargained for. A great experience to learn about the melting pot of cultures that exist in Kathmandu. Price: $9-$50pp depending on the group size.

Master the of Arts: Patan Durbar Square is popular for its Fine Arts and this trip will explore the local factories where handicrafts are made. You’ll visit 2-3 factories and learn about traditional processes and see art being produced. Price: $14-$59pp depending on the group size.

Introduction to Shamanism: Shamanism, which is believed to heal many diseases, is not practised widely these days however this trip enables you to meet a practising Guru and learn all about this age-old tradition. You’ll visit a small house to have an introduction, followed by lunch and a drumming session where you’ll learn the importance of rhythm pattern to healing. Price: $90-$150 depending on group size.

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).

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

For current advice re travelling in Nepal, have a read of the FCO pages here

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. MBA 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.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

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 (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.

Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.

Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.

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