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The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the world's most iconic treks | <i>Clancy Ivanac</i> Group on our Everest Base Camp trek | <i>Luciana Liberoff</i> Looking down from Kala Pattar | <i>Michael Harkness</i> Our highly trained team will add another level of comfort to your adventure in Nepal | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Enjoy three fresh meals a day, prepared by our cooks, when on trek | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i> Trekkers admiring the views from World Expeditions' private camp at Dingboche | <i>Kylie Turner</i>

Everest Base Camp Trek Guide: Tips & Advice


How hard is it to trek to Everest Base Camp?

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular trekking holidays on earth. Walking through the stunning Khumbu region of Nepal to view the highest peaks in the world is an adventure of a lifetime and something everyone should (and can) experience at least once. While this iconic trek does not require climbing skills, you need a good level of fitness and determination.

Expect occasional rough terrain, plenty of steps, steep ascents and descents (sometimes of 500 metres or more) and varied weather conditions. Activity will generally not exceed eight hours a day but speed is not important, stamina, confidence and continuity are. The trek to Everest Base Camp  is achievable for enthusiastic, relatively fit walkers who love the mountains or just want an amazing adventure.

The key to a successful Everest Base Camp trek

World Expeditions' four decades of experience has proven that longer itineraries allow for better acclimitisation, a critical factor when trekking at altitude. Combine this with stringent safety procedures followed by our highly experienced and first-aid trained trekking guides; clean drinking water provided on trek; as well as fresh and hygienically prepared meals by trained cooks who use local produce, and you have the foundations of a safe experience to allow for a truly memorable trek to Everest Base Camp.

Since 1975, World Expeditions have guided carefully devised trekking itineraries to Everest Base Camp and across the regions of Nepal. With established operations in Nepal, rather than sub-contracting, this gives complete hands-on control over the quality of your trekking holiday in Nepal.

Read on to find more tips and advice when trekking to Everest Base Camp and the different ways to explore the Everest region.

On the right track to Everest Base Camp | <i>Scott Richardson</i>

Getting fit for the Everest Base Camp trek

All our adventures are graded from introductory to challenging with options that range from low altitude hikes to high altitude climbs. Depending which level of trip you choose, we recommend 30 minutes to an hour of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months prior to your departure. Hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also a great way to build your stamina and fitness.


Our Everest Base Camp trek will take you to Kala Pattar | <i>Ayla Rowe</i>

How to best acclimatise on trek

Everest Base Camp is 5360m above sea-level. The air has less oxygen at such altitudes so the more time you give your body to adjust to the change in oxygen levels when ascending at altitude, the better chance you have of realizing your goal. Our treks to Everest Base Camp are between 14 to 25 days and include an extra day between Lukla and the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. This extra day gives your body a better chance to acclimatise and will maximise your chances of successfully completing your trek.
Beautiful shot of rhododendron in front of mountain peak - Photo: Sally Imber

When to trek to Everest Base Camp

Our trekking season for Everest Base Camp extends from mid-September to May. Travel in October and November and enjoy rich autumn colours, clear skies and wonderful mountain views. From January to February, winter treks mean fewer people on the trails and wonderful photo opportunities with snow-dusted landscapes and frozen waterfalls. Nepal has 30 indigenous species of Rhododendron and March to May is the best time to see them, including a colourful display of spring flowers are in bloom during this season.
Our team will keep you well hydrated on the trail | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

Guides and staff

All of our Everest Base Camp treks are fully supported with a bilingual group leader and a team of other staff including driver, cook, kitchen staff and porters. We use expert local leaders and staff who are pivotal to the success of each adventure. By training and empowering local people we are able to provide positive employment opportunities and secure incomes, while our travellers benefit through the authentic experience locals impart.
Receive a souvenir World Expeditions kit bag on all Nepal trek | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

What to pack on your Everest Base Camp trek

On all our Everest Base Camp treks we’ll provide you with a gear package, which includes a sleeping bag and liner, a down or fibre-filled jacket and complimentary kit bag. Make sure you pack a pair of good quality walking boots and merino hiking socks and be sure to wear these in prior to your trek. Also, take plenty of layers and bring a good quality waterproof day pack.
Our cooks will prepare fresh meals for you while on trek | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>

Food and water on trek

All meals are included with our Everest Base Camp treks and a trained cook and assistants will prepare delicious and quality meals for you three times a day. Using as many fresh ingredients as possible, our carefully selected menus combine the best of both western and local cuisine. We cater for any special dietary requirements and carefully manage food preparation and hygiene standards.
Early morning views from Machhermo campsite | <i>Angela Parajo</i>

Accommodation in the Everest region

After a hard day’s trek you can look forward to relaxing in the comfort of one of our private campsites located on the trail to Everest Base Camp. Our campsites comprise of spacious tents with comfortable beds and thick mattresses, composting toilets and hand basins, plus a dining room with eco-friendly heating and windows, offering spectacular views over the Himalaya.


Beautiful jewellery market in Kathmandu, Nepal - Photo: Amanda Fletcher

Budgeting on trek

Due to the inclusive nature of our trip prices, the only other money you will need to budget for is around US$200 – US$400 spending money for incidentals, tipping and souvenir shopping. There are many beautiful handicrafts produced in Nepal. In Kathmandu, shop for pottery from Bhaktapur, paintings, Buddhist thangkas, distinctive weaving from various regions, hand-knitted woollen wear, pashminas, Tibetan rugs and carpets, jewellery, brassware and more.

6 different ways to trek to Everest Base Camp


The classic: Everest Base Camp Trek & Kala Pattar

The classic trek through Sherpa villages to the base of Mount Everest with a spectacular climb to Kala Pattar (5545m) for unrivalled views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and surrounding peaks. It's our most popular guided trek to Everest Base Camp with all dates guaranteed to depart.

Length: 17 days | Difficulty: Moderate

Trekking towards Everest Base Camp | <i>Ayla Rowe</i>


Beyond base camp: Everest Circuit & the Cho La

Combine our classic Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes treks with a stunning crossing of the non-technical Cho La pass. This unsurpassed circuit trek is a stellar way to discover the Everest region for those up for the added challenge.

Length: 21 days | Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Trekkers descending Gokyo Ri with stunning views of Gokyo Lake | <i>Ayla Rowe</i>


Go remote: Everest High Passes

An ultimate trek that takes you to the best vantage points of the Everest region with exhilarating crossings of the Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, ascents of Kala Pattar and Gokyo Ri, and a visit to Everest Base Camp. It's our most comprehensive trek in the region, but it does come with its physical and mental demands.

Length: 22 days | Difficulty: Challenging

Pristine weather as we ascend over Renjo La Pass | <i>Angela Parajo</i>


Short on time: Everest Base Camp High Flyer

Follow the classic trail to Everest Base Camp, climb Kala Pattar, and take a spectacular helicopter flight over the Himalaya back to Kathmandu.

Length: 14 days | Difficulty: Moderate

Breathtaking views from above the amazing Dingboche | <i>Sally Imber</i>


Leisurely paced: Everest Base Camp over 55's

Designed for the adventurer who prefers a slightly slower pace, more rest days and some greater creature comforts. Savour the classic trek to Everest Base Camp with an itinerary that allows more time to acclimatise while enjoying overnight stays in comfortable eco lodges and scenically located private eco campsites, featuring off the ground camp beds, mattresses and pillows.

Length: 21 days | Difficulty: Moderate

Trekking in the Everest region, Nepal | <i>Tracey Hamill</i>

At your own pace: Self Guided - Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar

A self-guided trek that is perfect for those wanting freedom, flexibility and peace of mind. You will be supported by decades of experience, day to day route descriptions, detailed maps and local porters all whilst supporting responsible tourism practices. Stay in our eco-comfort camps and have ample time to acclimatize - which is the key to a successful trek in high altitude.

Length: 17 days | Difficulty: Moderate

Typical terrain in the Everest region | <i>Mark Tipple</i>

Everest Base Camp Trek: What to expect | Videos

Trekking in the Everest Region with World Expeditions
Are you choosing between a teahouse trekking trip and our camp-based treks in Nepal? Here’s why you should consider our Eco camps in the Everest and Annapurna regions. Did you know that meals on a 2-week tea-house based trek in Nepal could cost you in excess of US$800pp?! A quality trek in Nepal should include all your meals while on trek. It's not just a value for money reason, it also helps protect the local landscapes and your own health while on trek. Why worry about carrying excess cash and looking for a decent meal at the end of a long day on your feet when you could sit back and enjoy what you came for - the glorious Himalaya. Watch this video to learn the seven simple reasons we choose to include meals in all our treks in Nepal. Find your Nepal trek at https://goo.gl/vYxKjb Porters are an integral part of the World Expeditions philosophy and style of travel. We take our travellers off-the-beaten track, avoiding the congested trails, to experience remote tent-based adventures … this style of trekking is enabled by porters. Porters are as important to us as our travellers. Without them, we would not be able to run our quality programs. When we trek, the entire group - travellers, guides and porters alike - are a team who share the same needs for safety in the mountain environment. Check out what benefits we provide our porters to ensure their safety, welfare and wellbeing. World Expeditions is proud to be the founding partner of the 10 Pieces initiative and we're thrilled to be inviting World Expeditions travellers to play a part in the solution to the global problem of litter. Find out at www.worldexpeditions.com/10pieces On treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions as well as a selection of treks in Bhutan travellers can now volunteer to participate in 10 Pieces. We’ll alert you to the opportunity before departure, when you can volunteer to participate. Packing a suitcase and heading off to unknown lands satisfies our urge to take a break from our everyday routine, discover new cultures, reconnect with nature, stretch our boundaries, relax and unwind and then return to our lives feeling refreshed. But there’s more to travel these days. Today, travel also affords us with the opportunity to: - protect the environment - contribute to communities in need - advocate against animal cruelty - take action to protect vulnerable children - support sustainable development and preserve - the world’s many rich and diverse cultures By travelling responsibly, we can return to our lives feeling satisfied that our travels have left a positive impact. World Expeditions has been creating innovative adventure itineraries since 1975. Our commitment to sustainable travel was formed when the company was first established, and today, in the face of a multitude of threats to the environment and societies, our commitment is stronger than ever. Creating genuine sustainable adventure itineraries often translates to real costs, which means that a raft of responsible tourism practises underpins our prices. By integrating these practices into our itineraries we enable our travellers to be ‘responsible travellers’. Conserving environments and cultures takes a united front, which is why we produce this Responsible Travel Guidebook. It’s a reference tool for our travel industry partners, employees and travellers, outlining our company wide initiatives, and it gives guidance to travellers about how to be ‘responsible travellers’. Do you love trying new food? The cultural and geographic diversity of Nepal has resulted in a unique (and delicious!) variety of cuisines. From Momos to Chow mein and the famous Dal-bhat-tarkari (or as the porters say, '24-hour Dal-bhat power!'), check out some of the dishes you can expect to try on any of our Nepal trips! On all World Expeditions treks in Nepal, a chef and kitchen crew accompany the group, preparing three wholesome energy packed meals a day, all under strict hygiene standards.

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