How tough is it to reach Everest Base Camp?

The Everest base camp trek is categorized as a moderate type of trek. Though, it can be challenging due to the rough, steep uphill and downhill with several hours of daily hiking. That is why physically fit people can easily acclimate to higher altitudes while trekking to Everest Base Camp. On the same note, one can start doing physical exercises in preparation for the trek that will make them easier to hike every day up and downhill. Doing this, it is no anymore tough to reach the Everest Base camp which lies at the height of 5,364 meters / 17,599 feet.

What is the best time to trek Everest Base Camp?

The Everest Base camp Trek is most favored in the spring season from March to May, as you can enjoy the perfect weather at that time. But, the route will be much more crowded during that time.

Similarly, the autumn season i.e. from mid-September to early December is also considered a good time to trek. Here you can expect a moderate type of weather slowly transitioning into mild snowfall in December.

However, if you want to avoid the crowd and seek a peaceful trek, you can visit EBC in the off-season too. Beat Trekking operates treks throughout the year for our visitors according to their preferences.

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

There have been so many visitors with us with whom we do trekking as their first trek in the Himalayan region. If you are fit enough to walk a day uphill and downhill then being a beginner doesn’t matter at all. We have had families with their 7 years old kids to people in age around the late 70s trek to Everest Base Camp.

What do you do in case of a medical emergency?

As in the trip, our guides and his team are always ready with the first aid kit with all medicines required in the mountain region trek. Considering the medical situation you will get good medication and counseling throughout the trip. In case of emergency, you will be rescued immediately to a lower elevation.

How much will be our oxygen level every day in the mountains?

Our guides always carry an oxy meter along with the first aid kit, so you can measure your oxygen level every day.

Do I need to have my travel insurance?

Yes, you need to have your travel insurance to tour Nepal. For more about your insurance queries, you can have a look at our Terms and Conditions.

Can I get a visa On arrival there?

There is an On arrival visa procedure in Nepal. You will get a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. It may take between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the throng. And for more details, you can check here: Terms and conditions.

Can I use my credit cards on the Trails?

Mostly, credit cards can be used in Kathmandu and some limited shops in Namche Bazzar. Moreover, a 13% fee is charged for credit card payments so it is better to offer cash for your payments during the trek.

How much spending do I have to do each day on the trail?

Usually, it depends on your spending habits. Products in the high altitude are more expensive than in city areas so if you want to buy anything from the local market will cost slightly higher. Besides that breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek are included in the packages, and if you want to buy other stuff like snacks, chocolates hot drinks, or any other beverages then you have to buy on your own. Roughly saying, based on our prior experiences people usually spends 2500- 3000 NPR a day on the trip.

Can I charge my electronic gadgets whilst trekking?

Electricity is available to charge your phone, cameras, PCs, and other electronic devices. However, you need to pay some extra cost to charge your phone and devices. Not all lodges and teahouses will charge you extra cost for using electricity. So, it is better to discuss the cost with the owner or you may consult your guide before using the services.

Is a shower available in the hotels we stay overnight?

Hot shower is almost available in tea houses or lodges during the trek. Somewhere hot bucket shower is available rather than a hot tap shower in that case one needs to bath unconventionally. Also ascending to high altitude may lack hot water facilities mainly in the colder season.

Moreover, during the peak trekking season, it is quite challenging to get hot shower facilities due to high demand. All the lodges and teahouses will charge you a certain amount depending upon the season and altitude.

Is laundry service available in the mountain region?

Yes, laundry service is available for you until you pass Namche bazzar. It is difficult to get this service once you walk past Namche Bazzar so you have to wash your clothes manually beyond that. In such case, we recommend you take some extra pairs of clothes during the trip. And if you are uncomfortable washing your cloth on your own then you can pack them separately and get laundry service once you return to Namche Bazzar or Kathmandu.

What about restrooms during the trail?

You can use the restrooms of the teahouses along the way on the trip. In case if teahouse is far away and you feel urgent you can easily find some private place thereof.

Can we surf the internet in the high-altitude zone?

Yes, you will get the facility of Wi-Fi during the trek. Though, Wi-Fi is not available while trekking in the daytime, you can enjoy the internet at the teahouses and lodges where you stay overnight. But again you have to pay some extra cost as Wi-Fi charge which may vary with the altitude we attain.

And for the daytime or the trekking duration, you can get internet data packages using a local SIM card which you can buy in Kathmandu/Namche.

Can we buy/have coffee or tea and stuff like chocolates while trekking?

Yes, you can buy chocolates and other hot drinks in between the way while trekking. There are plenty of teahouses on the way operated by the local community people so that any visitor could take some rest and enjoy little moments with the people there. This will also help people run their businesses.

Is it possible to add extra days to my trip?

Of course, it is possible to add extra days to your trip if you are having your private trip. But if you are joining a group trek, then it is not possible to add additional days to your trip.

Is there any alternative way to Lukla, if the flight is delayed or missed?

The weather here is quite unpredictable due to which flights are not available after midday. Flying to Lukla on another flight/next day flight is the best option in case your flight is missed or delayed. Other than this, using a helicopter/chopper to reach Lukla could be an alternative if you don’t want to wait until another flight which may cost approx. USD 500.00 on sharing basis.

Where can I buy essential gear for my trip?

When you land in Kathmandu, the next day is your acclimatization day. That day you can visit the market over there and buy all the essential gear for you. Or you can also buy them in Lukla or Namche itself, but the price will be higher than in Kathmandu because of their remoteness. You can ask your guide and enlist things that are necessary during trekking in mountains, if you are not experienced or a beginner.

Should I also bring toilet paper?

That is recommended. But, you can also buy it here, both in Kathmandu and on the trekking routes. But the price goes higher with the altitude you attain because of its transportation cost.

What would be the minimum temperature during our trip?

The temperature of the high-altitude region is mostly affected by different factors. It varies in different seasons like the months. Specifically talking about Everest Base Camp, the temperature goes around 1 to 0°C in September to the scale of beyond 0 in December. Except in the winter season, the temperature scale lies around 0°C. However, trekking will keep us warm throughout the trail and mostly we reach base camp at midday which is relatively warmer than dawn and dusk.

What if I need to take a day's rest?

If you are on a private trip, you can customize your itinerary and take a day's rest if you feel so. And, if you join a group then we have to arrange one representative that could be one of our porters who will stay behind with you. Then, you can easily continue the trip the next day provided that you must have a day extra before your international flight.

Do we need extra days for acclimatization?

It is necessary to acclimatize when you are trekking to a height above 4000m. Mainly, there are 2 days of acclimatization when you target to reach EBC. The first day of acclimatization will be on Namche Bazzar where we stay for two nights before we ascend our journey uphill. And the second day of acclimatization will be on Dingboche which is at an altitude of 4410m above sea level.

Can I skip the days of acclimatization?

It is not considered that good to skip the days of acclimatization. However, if you are fit and have been to mountains several times before then acclimatization day could be skipped. But again, you can only skip those days, if you are a regular visitor of high altitudes mountains and healthy enough to keep yourself away from mountain sickness.

May I know about guides?

Our all guides are professional and experienced and are certified by the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management. They have several years of trekking experience in the different mountainous regions of Nepal. They all can communicate with you in the English language so it will be very comfortable for you to trek with our guides.

Do I need porters?

The necessity of a porter usually depends on you and your packages. If you are for a short trek and can carry all your gear then you do not need any porter but for a long trek, porters are essential. As for long treks, all your clothing and gear will be more which would be hard for you to carry in high altitudes.

Usually, porters will be moving ahead of you and you can use your things once you reach your destination of the day. So carrying your most needed things for the day in small bags throughout the trip is good. Other than this, porters here would be more than happy if you make them a business.

Can I leave my extra luggage in Kathmandu?

Yes, you can leave extra luggage at the hotel in Kathmandu and take only the most needed and limited with you on the trip. Your luggage will be safe there and you can collect it once you return from the trek.

How much weight is allowed on the Lukla flight?

The weight limit for the Lukla flight is 15kg/33lbs, including both the duffel pack and daypack. Your duffel pack should be around 10kg/22lbs and a day pack around 5kg/11lbs. If your bag pack exceeds the weight limit, you must pay USD 2-5 for each extra kilo at the air terminal. So it is good to keep baggage as light as possible.

What about COVID-19 protocols there?

A downward trend has shown that COVID-19 has fallen globally in the past few months. And the Government of Nepal has amended the entry protocols for all visitors who want to visit this country. All COVID protocols have now been updated and previously issued notices and protocols are nullified now.

A fully vaccinated visitor need not have to submit a negative COVID-19 test report to enter Nepal. But, s/he is obliged to submit the vaccination card against COVID-19. Also, travelers must be vaccinated 14 days before traveling to Nepal.

Similarly, the case of non-vaccinated visitors who cannot submit their full vaccination certificate will have to show a negative COVID-19 test (RT-PCR, True NAAT, and GENE Xpert) within the last 72 hours before check-in time.

Note: Visitors who submit negative COVID-19 test reports and are fully vaccinated are no longer obliged to stay in quarantine for even a day.