Joining Arrangements & Transfers

All clients traveling to Kathmandu will be met at the airport by a TTG representative who will arrange the transfer to the group hotel. Look for our logo at the arrival gate.

Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Trek

In Kathmandu, the group will stay in a hotel as mentioned in the itinerary, or similar categories. We choose hotels not far from downtown, mostly in central Thamel, for easy access to shopping, dining, and other attractions.

During the Everest Base Camp trek, we stay in lodges or tea houses. These Nepalese trekking lodges, also known as ‘tea-houses,’ are simple, friendly, and atmospheric. As they are far from the nearest road, they are basic since everything must be carried up by porters or animals. Most lodges have heated dining areas, often attractively decorated. Bedrooms are basic, unheated, with wooden beds and foam mattresses. You will need a sleeping bag. The lodges have shared washing and toilet facilities. Some lodges offer solar-powered showers (charged at $5 per shower) and battery charging facilities (charged per hour, $1-2). Staying at the lodges is a great way to meet fellow hikers and locals. Most accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis, and solo travelers will room with another single traveler of the same sex. In some places near the passes, we might stay in multi-bedded rooms due to limited options. In Kathmandu, single rooms are available for an additional cost, but on the trek, only shared rooms are available.

Solo Travelers

Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation, and we do not charge a single supplement. Single travelers are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex. If you prefer your own single room, a single supplement is available, but only in Kathmandu, not on the trek.

Flight from Ramechhap

Flights to and from Lukla may be operated out of Ramechhap Airport to alleviate congestion at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. This requires an early wake-up on day 3 to drive the 130 kilometers (approximately 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport. A private vehicle transfer will be provided at no additional cost. Your local leader will give you the most up-to-date information regarding flight delays.

Alternative Itinerary During Flight Cancellation

Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, often resulting in changes to our intended itineraries. Flights, especially between Kathmandu and Lukla, are often delayed or canceled due to poor weather. Our contingency plans are as follows:

• Day 3: Attempt to board our booked fixed-wing plane as per the itinerary. If canceled, return to our hotel in Kathmandu for an additional night.
• Day 4: Attempt again to board our booked fixed-wing plane. If canceled, we will try to charter a helicopter to transport the group, provided helicopters are available and weather permits flying to Lukla. Travelers will need to use their emergency funds to cover the cost of the chartered helicopter, which could be up to $500. If we reach Lukla on day 4, we will follow the same itinerary to Everest Base Camp but descend one day faster to catch our return flight from Lukla on day 15.

Food on Everest Base Camp Trek

Typical meals in the Everest region lodges include Nepali dishes and some international cuisine like pizza and chips. We encourage you to eat local food whenever possible to support the local economy, and these foods are always fresh. We order meals in advance, and the trekking leader will suggest what is safe and good to eat. Breakfast usually includes porridge, eggs, and bread; lunch is a simple meal like noodles or rice; and dinner is two courses consisting of soup and a main meal. All drinks, desserts, and beverages are extra. In Kathmandu, breakfast is included. We recommend staying vegetarian during the trek for better food safety.

A Typical Day in Everest Base Camp Hiking

Shortly after first light, you will wake up, pack your kitbag, and prepare for the day. After breakfast, we set off on the day’s trek. We typically reach our lunch stop by mid-day after about 3-4 hours of trekking. Lunch is taken at tea houses along the route, and this is a time for relaxing, reading, and enjoying the sun. Porters usually catch up with the group during lunch. The afternoon walk is generally shorter than the morning session. On arrival at the lodge, the trekking leader will organize everyone’s room. After checking in, you may relax with a drink on the terrace before dinner. Dinner is in the dining room, which usually has some form of heating. This is a great time for socializing and sharing experiences from the trek. By 9:00 pm, most trekkers will have retired to bed, and by 10:00 pm, the lodge will be quiet.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be led by an experienced English-speaking local leader. On the Base Camp trek, porters will carry luggage.

Spending Money

Approximately $500-600 (or equivalent in other currencies) should be sufficient for personal expenses, including tips for guides and porters, and for drinks and meals in the city. It is not necessary to obtain local currency (Nepali rupees) before departure. Sterling, US Dollars, and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. We recommend carrying travel money in cash since most will be exchanged on arrival in Kathmandu. ATMs in Kathmandu dispense rupees. During the trek, you can buy snacks, chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and beer, which become more expensive as you gain altitude.

Guidance on Tipping

Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Tips are not part of the wages of your guides, porters, and trek crew but are very much appreciated. Tipping is voluntary and should be based on good service. Normally, tips are given at the end of the trek. Most groups give tips with a bit of ceremony (or a party) on the last evening to mark the end of the trip. We recommend about 10% of your trip cost for tips. Many people also like to donate equipment to the porters and trek staff. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves, socks, head-torches, and trekking poles are highly prized. Your local trip leader will arrange for a fair distribution among the trek crew.

Baggage Allowance

Your baggage on the Everest Base Camp trek will be carried by porters. The packed weight of your trek bag should be no more than 13kg. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on the trek at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Altitude in Everest Base Camp Trek

This trek involves high altitudes, reaching over 5,500 meters. The human body can adapt to a wide range of altitudes, but it’s important to follow some simple rules to acclimatize successfully. Our itinerary considers this carefully to ensure proper acclimatization. Here you can find further information about Altitude Sickness.

Gear List for Everest Base Camp Trek

The following checklist should help with packing. The packed weight of your trek bag should be no more than 13kg.

Essential Gear:

• Hiking boots
• Socks
• Trekking trousers
• Waterproof over trousers
• Underwear
• Base layer shirts
• Casual shirts and T-shirts
• Fleece jacket or warm jumper
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm jacket (down)
• Sunhat
• Warm hat
• Sunglasses
• Gloves or mittens
• Daypack (30 liters)
• Headtorch and spare batteries
• Sun protection (including total block for lips, nose, etc.)
• Water bottles (1 liter x2, one for hot and one for cold)
• Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10°C)
• Washbag and toiletries
• Toilet paper (available in lodges)
• Antibacterial handwash
• Small towel
• Dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
• Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
• Basic first aid kit

Optional Gear:

• Trekking poles (recommended)
• Trainers or similar
• Spare laces
• Shorts
• Thermal base layer (leggings)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Travel clothes
• Camera
• Penknife (pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

Find more details about Equipment Checklist.

Notes

The Nepalese are traditional and conservative in their dress. Please respect this and avoid wearing revealing clothing or sleeveless tops. Shorts should reach just above the knee. For women, it is preferable to wear trousers or a long skirt.

Passport & Visas

A passport with 6 months remaining validity is generally required. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct travel documents and visas. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change. All nationalities require a visa for Nepal. The visa fee is $25 for 15 days, $40 for 30 days, and $100 for 90 days, obtainable on arrival. Bring 4 passport-size photos for permits.

Trekking Permits

We need your passport copy by email as soon as you confirm the trip. We also need 3 passport-style photographs of yourself.

Health & Vaccinations

Contact your doctor or travel clinic for any specific vaccinations or preventive measures. Routine courses and boosters recommended in the UK (e.g., diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella) are advisable, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malaria prophylaxis is not usually required for the mountains but might be necessary in rural low-lying areas. Have a dentist check-up before the trip. Know more about how you can stay healthy in Nepal: Staying Healthy in Nepal.

Currency

The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. We can change money in Kathmandu at a better rate than hotels and airports. Guides will show you where to exchange money after arrival.

Electricity Supply & Plug

Check if you need an adaptor for your electrical items at Plugs and Sockets

Preparing for Your Everest Trek

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on the trekking holiday, getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in the hill country is the best training but jogging, squash and swimming are also good for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina. Note that you will encounter a lot of steps on the Everest trail while ascending and you might wish to tailor your exercise to take this into account. Whatever your preparation you should make time to spend at least a few days prior to your trip making long walks in a hilly country. It is also a good idea to do some reading about the country and the culture of the local people before you embark on an Everest holiday. You can explore our blog page and read Everest base camp trek: a complete beginner guide, on which we have tried to give most of the information you need to know before planning for Everest base camp trek.

Climate in Everest region

October to November and March to May are the best times for the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. These months either side of the summer monsoon season are neither too hot in the foothills nor too cold in the higher elevations and they offer the best conditions for trekking. Pre-monsoon is the best time to see the colourful blooms of the rhododendron at lower elevations. The post-monsoon months usually offer the clearest skies and the most settled weather. At either of these periods you will encounter a wide range of daytime temperatures during your Everest trip from approximately 25ºC in Kathmandu to approximately 14ºC at 3000 metres, and approximately -5ºC at Everest Base Camp. The ‘real feel’ temperature in the middle of the day will be much warmer than this but at night in the rarefied air the temperatures plummet and you can expect to experience overnight temperatures below freezing anywhere above 3000 metres. In the Everest Base Camp, Chola pass – the nighttime temperatures may reach –10ºC or exceptionally, below this. Extended periods of rain or snow are very unlikely outside of the monsoon period but short-lived storms can and do occur.

Books

• Lonely Planet Guide to Nepal. Lonely Planet
• Rough Guide to Nepal. Rough Guides
• Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti
• Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya. Stan Armington
• Kathmandu and the Kingdom of Nepal. Prakash Raj
• Portraits of People: Nepal Himalayas. Eric Valli
• Maurice Herzog

Maps

Everest Base Camp. 1:50,000. Nepal Maps

A good scale map with contour interval at 40 meters. This is the definitive map for the Everest Base Camp trek.

Special Dietary Requirements

Let us know your special dietary requirements in advance. We will do our best to accommodate them.

Weather Conditions

Weather in the Himalayas can be unpredictable. While trekking in the Everest region, expect a wide range of temperatures, from warm days in the lower valleys to freezing nights at high altitudes. Be prepared for potential rain or snow, and always check the weather forecast before heading out.

Not to forget?!

Please do not forget to come with a positive attitude, flexibility, a sense of humor and appetite of adventure and discovery!