Overview
The Everest base camp short trek takes you into the region that has captivated adventurous men and women since the 1920. This shortened itinerary is perfect for those who are in great health and wish to see the beauty and wonder of the Everest Region.
The trail is dotted in small villages with prayer wheels, mani stones, and stunning scenery. Converse with your new-found friends around dining-room fire in the evening. On Everest base camp short trek route, iconic Kala Patthar (5545m) provides you breathtaking scenery of the Everest region while Namche Bazaar mesmerizes you with its history, culture, and diversity.
The Everest base camp short trek begins in the lively city of Kathmandu. Next, we will embark on a short and scenic flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, you trek through the trail marked with diversity. Trekking through unique villages includes Phakding, Benkar, Monjo, Jorsale, and others.
Along the way visit several monasteries, chortens and prayer wheels. Crossover suspension bridges festooned with prayer flags. as walk enters Sagarmatha National Park. Walk along the torrential Dudh Koshi River until you reach the buzzing Namche Bazaar. Namche is a Himalayan town with interesting shops, fabulous food, stunning views, and culture. Namche Bazaar is also a traditional trading hub and one of the highest permanently settled villages in the world.
After acclimating at the lower elevations then heading towards scenic Tengboche and its impressive monastery. From Tengboche adventure leads to stunning Gorak Shep and the iconic Kala Patthar for a surreal view of the Himalayas. Kala Patthar is famous for its breathtaking view of glittering peaks including the Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Changtse. Here, you will also be able to view the majestic Khumbu Glacier, the famed Khumbu Icefall, the glacial rivers and avalanche paths.
Returning back from the high Himalayas, you shall explore the authentic lifestyle of the Sherpa community and get insider insight of the rich cultural heritage of these legendary people. Everest base camp short trek ends in Lukla before returning to the medieval capital city of Kathmandu.
Everest base camp short trek route is basically available year round. March to May and September to December is the best time of the year for this trek. Join Trekking Planner Nepal for this trek to make sure you get the best out of the trip. We are happy to provide you with award-winning service and be a part of your adventure of a lifetime. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.
- Enjoy the adventure walking at the foot of world number one Mt. Everest
- Grand views of mountains and beautiful landscapes from the start to an end
- Super flight to Lukla with awesome panorama of Himalaya with Mt. Everest
- Enjoy immense culture of Buddhism within Sherpa village with traditional life
- At Sagarmatha National Park world heritage site enriched with flora and fauna
- On top of high Kalapathar with spectacular views of Mt. Everest and giant peaks
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350m/4430ft)/Group meeting
- Day 02: Flight to Lukla (2828m/9279ft) 35m and trek to Phakding (2780m/9121ft) 3-4 hrs walk
- Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11287ft) 5-6 hrs walk
- Day 04: Rest day at Namche Bazaar
- Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3850m/12632ft) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4350m/14272ft) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day 07: Rest day Dingboche
- Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16109ft) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day 09: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m/16995ft) 3-4 hrs walk and Everest Base Camp (5364m/17600ft) 2-3 hrs walk
- Day 10: Trek to Kala patthar (5545m/18193ft) 2-3 hrs walk and to Pheriche (4280m/14042ft) 5-6 hrs walk
- Day 11: Trek to Namche bazaar (3440m/11287ft) 4-5 hrs walk
- Day 12: Trek to Lukla (2828m/9279ft) 5-6 hrs walk
- Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu (1350m/4430ft )
- All airport pick up drop by private vehicle (for both international and domestic flights)
- Welcome/ farewell dinner dinner in an authentic restaurant
- Kathmandu to Lukla to Kathmandu flight with airport departure tax
- National Park entrance fee and Trekkers’ Information Management System( TIMS card)
- A highly experience, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking, well-trained, Government license holding guide. Price includes his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
- 02 guest to 01 porter with their insurance, salary, food, accommodation and equipment
- Accommodation in the mountain during the trekking
- Three meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner and tea/coffee during the trekking.
- First add kit box
- Trekking Planner’s sleeping bag, down jackets, T-shirt, cap, duffle bags, city and trekking route maps – if necessary.
- Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your travel insurance company)
- Oxymeter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily during the trek (very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms). This helps ensure your trek is in the safest hands possible.
- All applicable government and local taxes per the itinerary
- Your Nepal Visa fees (should bring small accurate fees in USD and 02 passport size photos)
- All the International air fare from and to Kathmandu (no need to pay departure tax for international flight)
- All meals and accommodation in Kathmandu
- Meals during the traveling time
- Personal travel and health Insurance, Insurance for helicopter evacuation
- In case of extra more nights accommodation, lunch and dinner in city due to early arrival and late departure as well as early back/return from mountain/trekking (due to any reason) than the given time period of itinerary
- Your Personal expenses such as ( laundry, baggage charge, phone calls, battery recharge, bar and beverage bill, boiled or bottle water, hot and cold shower, extra porter.. etc)
- The Tips to the trekking crews and drive
- Extra expenses due to flight delays, strikes, weather condition or any event out of our control
- Anything not included in service includes column
- Duffel/Rucksack bag/Suitcase (We provide one complimentary Trekking Planner duffel bag that is to be returned after the trip)
- Day pack
- Trekking shoes
- Sports shoes or sandals
- Sun Hat/cap
- Warm woolen cap
- Warm fleece jacket or puffy jacket
- Waterproof Gore-Tex layer
- Pullover or warm sweeter
- Raincoat
- 4/5 pairs of good quality socks
- Hand gloves
- 2/3 pairs of trekking trousers
- 3/4 pairs of trekking shirts
- 3/4 pairs of underwear (non cotton preferred)
- Sun glasses
- Water bottle
- 4 season sleeping bag (Optional/we can provide one if you need it. It is to be returned after the trip)
- Flash or Torch light
- Camera and batteries
Activity Level rating of Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar Trekking Route
Someone who is easily able to hike 5-6 hours per day carrying a light weight backpack will be fit enough to do this trek. There are stone steps up and down which are uneven. Due to some long descents, your legs may feel shaky so we recommend the use of walking poles. The maximum altitude of the trek is 5545m, so you need to be careful about your health and altitude related risks. To properly acclimatize one needs to walk slowly and drink lots of water.
Safe drinking water on the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar Trek
Generally, you can find bottled water at lower altitude but it gets harder to find it at higher elevations. Furthermore, it gets more expensive. In those higher altitudes, we recommend you drink previously boiled water which can be purchased at tea houses for a small fee. You can also bring chlorine tablets or a backcountry rated water filter to purify your water if you wish. Due to the lack of regulation and difficulty of disposing of plastic bottles it is highly encouraged to use boiled water. This is very helpful to protect our environment.
Recharging Batteries and Electronic Items on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Hydro electricity or solar power sources are used to charge your electrical items like cameras, batteries, iPods, phones etc. Tea houses or lodges may charge small fee per hour for charging facilities. We recommend buying adaptors before the trip since plugs are limited. In Nepal 220-240 volt power is used and sockets fit round and flat plugs.
Extra Advice for Everest Base Camp and Kala Pathar Trek
In your trekking you might come across some cute, sweet children that you may want to distribute balloons, chocolates, money and pens. Many trekkers have felt the same. But it is best not to do so because it encourages them to beg. While trekking, keep your valuables safe. Do not leave valuables behind. Ensure that you lock your door when you leave your room and do not hang anything outside at night.
Garbage Disposal
Use a dustbin and do not throw anything into the fire. Carry garbage until dustbin facilities are available. Do not litter on the trail. Please be conscious of conserving the environment.
Spending Money per Day
This mainly depends on your spending habits. Normally you should allocate US $9-12 per meal in Kathmandu and Pokhara. While trekking, US $10-15 a day is good enough to buy drinks and chocolates.
Travel Insurance for the Everest Base Camp Kalapathar Trek
You should be sufficiently protected. It is required to have travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation, lost items, liabilities, injuries and medical treatment. Ensure the insurance covers all the activities in the Himalayas. Trekking Planner can offer appropriate medical response based on your policy and insurance.
Washing and Toilet facilities for the Everest Base Camp and Kalapathar Trek
All guest houses offer hot showers, which can be a shower stall or a bucket of hot water. Please note that at high altitude there may not be enough hot water for all the trekkers. Limit the use of hot water unless the water is solar heated for ecological reasons. Every lodge has some kind of washing facilities but you must carry a bar of soap. If the water is frozen simply ask your guide to get warm bowl of water.
Toilets are mainly Asian style squat toilets. Toilets are outside of your room. You are in the mountains: Cleanliness will vary. You should not throw toilet paper in the toilet. Instead use rubbish bin that is kept inside the toilet room.
Tea Houses
On this trekking route local people have built tea house lodges. They are quite charming and include food and beverage facilities. A simple room usually has two single beds. While staying in the tea houses you will have the opportunity to interact with the charming local people and experience their hospitality. Don’t be shy, say Namaste!
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness can affect anyone. At high altitude, the decrease in atmospheric pressure makes breathing difficult due to less oxygen. Mainly, it happens above 3300m (10,000ft). Signs and symptoms are as follows:
- Headache/Dizziness
- Nausea/vomiting
- tiredness/fatigue
- Sleepy but can’t sleep
- Loss of appetite
Prevention for this is to dress warmly as per weather conditions, drink plenty of water, eat well, and walk slowly. It is a good idea to climb higher than you sleep. Keep hydrated and make sure you avoid alcohol.