Our 15-day Everest base camp trek takes you along the main route to the base of Mount Everest (8848.86m). Due to the fluctuating and cold temperatures in the mountainous region, especially around Lukla Airport, trekkers choose to travel to Lukla by Jeep since the Lukla flight is inconsistent.
The Everest Base Camp trek by Jeep starts in Kathmandu City and reaches all the way to famous Everest Base Camp. Enjoy beautiful scenery in a four-wheel drive at the beginning and end of the adventure.
Lukla airport lies in 2,845 meters. So if you choose the land route, you will also gradually gain elevation, which gives you a chance to get used to the altitude instead of landing directly at Lukla airport.
For travelers who want to get close to the Himalayan beauty, the Everest Base Camp Trek by Jeep is an ideal option. This amazing trip gives you a wide view of green valleys, rushing rivers, and snow-capped peaks at every turn, making it the perfect choice for people who want to get the most out of their time in the Himalayas.
Our carefully planned itinerary mixes well-known trails with less-traveled paths that haven't been touched by many tourists yet. You'll see all the well-known sights, but you'll also go into hidden valleys and spend the nights in peaceful, off-the-beaten-path spots that most tourists don't even know exist.
Mount Everest (8848.86m) is in the eastern part of the Himalayas in Asia. Not only does it lie right on the border between Nepal and China, but its peak also forms part of the border between the two countries.
There are two Everest Base Camps, one in Tibet and one in Nepal. This shouldn't surprise you because the mountain is on the border between China and Nepal. You could call the one in Tibet North Base Camp and the one in Nepal South Base Camp.
The base camp in Tibet is where you start your climb up the north side of Mt. Everest, and the base camp in Nepal is where you start your climb up the south side of the mountain. Everest South Base Camp in Nepal is the more famous and busy base camp, and visitors often just call it Everest Base Camp.
Because it is more than 5000 meters high and the weather is bad at that height, it is fair to say that trekking to Everest Base Camp is moderately challenging depending on the weather, elevation, trip length, strength, and the trail.
However, travelling by jeep may be more strenuous, as it takes two days to make it to our trekking point destination, Surky. But the best part is that when you take the ground route, you will gradually gain altitude, which gives the trekkers a chance to get used to the higher altitude instead of landing directly at Lukla airport, which could make them sick.
To go to the Everest base camp, you need two permits: one for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and one for Sagarmatha National Park. The cost of our Everest base camp trek by jeep package includes the fees for both permits.
You are required to come to the office with the necessary documents, which include photographs that are the size of a valid visas, passport, and the fees for the permit.
Hidden trek Nepal will assist you get the permits you need in Kathmandu. If you missed out to do that in Kathmandu, we can get the permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Lukla or at the Monjo Checkpost in Monjo Village if you are already in Lukla. You have to go through the same steps in Kathmandu.
To start your trip to Everest Base Camp, using a guide service can make the experience much better and help you stay safe as you go through the difficult Himalayan terrain.
If you hire a guide service from Hidden Trek Nepal, you will be able to talk to your guide directly before and during the trip, which will help you avoid confusion.
When you use this service, you usually only have to pay for the guide service, which means you can enjoy your trip without spending too much.
You can choose and pay for your own lodging, meals, or transportation. When you hire an independent guide, you can make your own choices along the way. This is different from agencies that usually offer set packages with pre-chosen hotels or lodges.
This service helps you and an independent guide grow their careers, which is good for tourism in the community.
The jeep will arrive early in the morning to pick you up at the hotel. The journey from Kathmandu to Phaplu (also known as Salleri) is a scenic journey that takes you through the heart of Nepal, providing a glimpse of rural environments, rural communities, and terraced fields. The drive takes around 7-8 hours.
This jeep drive begins along the Pasang Lhamu Highway and continues until you reach Khurkot, Okhaldhunga, and Salleri.
Salleri Bazaar is the main market in the Solukhumbu District in the eastern part of Nepal. It is also the gateway to the Everest region. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
You start today's trip with a short drive in a jeep to Surke. You'll have another exciting jeep ride, and on the way to Surke, you'll enjoy the hike through beautiful scenery.
Located just below Lukla town and Lukla airport, Surke is a picturesque settlement inhabited by Sherpa people. Arrive at Surke and spend the night at a local lodge. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Our trekking day officially starts from Surke. We will start our trek after a warm breakfast. Starting with a short walk from Chaurikharkha, we will join the main trail of the EBC trekking route at Chheplung.
As the Lukla to Ebc trail joins here, you can expect lots of trekkers now. We will hike for an extra two hours and reach our destination for today, Phakding (2,610m). Overnight stay in the tea house at Phakding. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Early in the morning, we have breakfast and hike toward Namche Bazar while enjoying the view of Mount Kongde Ri, and prepare for today’s hike. As we start the trek, we will cross through suspension bridges, walk alongside the Dudh Koshi River, cross through the small settlements of Sherpa communities, and finally reach Monjo village.
We will have lunch at Monjo, and check in your Sagarmatha National Park permit at the checkpoint. After continuing through a steeper trail and crossing the suspension bridges twice after Monjo, we will reach Larja Dobhan.
You will see the very first glimpse of Mount Everest as you ascend from Larja Dobhan. An extra five/six hours walk from Phakding takes us to our day’s destination, Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar (considered the Gateway to Everest) is a famous stop during Everest Base Camp trek. It has its own popularity and is home to numerous featured restaurants, shops, lodges, hotels, bakeries, internet cafes and money exchange services. Namche is the biggest town you will come through along the Everest trail. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
As mentioned, Namche Bazar is a vibrant market town and a popular acclimatization point on the Everest Base Camp trail. After exploring the Namche Bazaar, we will leave this town aside and stay at Khumjung to experience a deeper, more authentic experience of local home and community life.
Moving our body is very important during the acclimatization day too. Hike to Everest View Point and extra hike for stayover at Khumjung, will add 3-4 hours of hike this day.
Khumjung is a beautiful village that reflects the Sherpa culture, known for its spirituality, close community, and respect for nature. We will also visit the famous Khumjung Monastery. Taking our time to explore the area, we will stay overnight in the village. Since it is not part of the usual trekking route, the village is likely to be quiet and peaceful. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
After experiencing an unique lifestyle at Khumjungs, we head off to Phortse today. Along the trail we will have our moments with the first views of several enormous peaks: Ama Dablam (6812m), Lhotse Shar (8393m), Taboche (6495m), Khangtega (6782m), and Thamserku (6623m).
Today's trek is relatively shorter, following and prioritizing the proper acclimatization guidelines.
We will take our time to observe Phortes, a less crowded village. Visitors to Phortse can enjoy the beauty of the Khumbu region, explore local Sherpa culture, and witness incredible sunrise and sunset views over the mountains. Appreciating the peaceful environment, we will stay overnight in Phortse. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Today, we will cross the Imja Khola while descending through the rhododendron forests. Gradually we trek to the alpine village of Dingboche. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
We will acclimatize at Dingboche and explore through the best view of Ama Dablam, Makalu, Island Peak, Lhotse, Lhotse sar and other nearby peaks.
As mentioned earlier, we will rest to acclimatize our body but we will keep moving which is required for the body. We will return to Dingboche and spend the night. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Wake up with energy and freshness after a pleasant acclimatization at Dingboche. Have breakfast at the Dingboche’s tea house and move towards the Lobuche. The trail begins with walking through the grazing meadow accompanied by Gokyo, Lobuche, and Tabuche Peak.
The trail leads to Thokla (Dughla), where you will eat lunch, after a gentle climb. As you walk on, you will reach Thukla Pass (4620m), which is a steep climb. You will want to reach Lobuche because of Mount Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, and Mount Pumori. From Dingboche to Lobuche, the hike takes five to six hours. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
For this most awaited day, you need to get up and start trekking early because the trekking hour is long. After walking from Lobuche for 2-3 hours, you will reach Gorakshep after going through Pyramid and Lobuche Pass (5050m).
After having lunch at Gorak Shep, we will leave our backpack on the guest house and go toward the famous Everest Base Camp. From Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp, the path takes 2-3 hours and goes along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier.
From the Everest base camp, you can't see Mount Everest, but the view of other mountains. From the top of EBC, you can see Mount Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Pumori, Cho Oyu, Gokyo Ri, and many other peaks that aren't named.
After celebrating your success, we will use the same path that led you to EBC to get back to Gorak Shep. The whole hike takes about seven to eight hours. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
This day forms yet another extraordinary day on the expedition. We are going to get up early and hike to Kalapathar to see the beautiful sunrise. A two-hour trek from Gorakshep will lead you to Kalapathar. Mount Everest, Nuptse, Thamserku, Lhotse, Changtse, and the surrounding peaks are all visible from Kalapathar, providing breathtaking views.
We will go down to Gorakshep after pleasing your eyes with a surreal view. Lunch will be served at Gorakshep, and we will then descend to Pheriche for our return journey. 4-5 hours are required to complete the journey from Gorakshep to Pheriche. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
After breakfast in Pheriche, we continue our descent and trek to Namche Bazaar on the 12th day of our road route to the EBC trek. Given that these are among the last times where you will encounter those mountains.
After retracing the same route, we will spend the night in a Namche tea house, where we will enjoy our achievement and spend the night. The trek to Namche Bazaar takes approximately eight hours. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
It is approximately eight hours to hike from Namche Bazar to Chaurikharka. The majority of the trek is downhill, which may make it more comfortable for you to walk. We trek all the way to Lukla today to celebrate the accomplishment of your trek with your trekking partner and fellow trekkers. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
We are going to walk to Surke and then take a jeep to get to Salleri. Before you get to Salleri, you will drive along rocky mountain roads with a village in the lower Khumbu area. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
We enjoy breakfast at the Salleri Lodge in the morning and then get ready to drive to Kathmandu. The drive goes along the same road that you used to get from Kathmandu to Salleri. From Salleri to Kathmandu, the road is blacktop and easy to drive on. Nepal's stunning natural beauty can be seen along the drive, which goes through a variety of landscapes. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
The best times of year to trek to Everest are when the weather is nice and the trekkers are comfortable. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to hike to Everest base camp.
The peak trekking season has clear skies, a good trail, and a low chance of rain. This is not the case during the off-seasons of summer/monsoon (June to August) and winter (December to February), when the paths and weather are at their worst.
You can still do the Everest Base Camp Trek by road all year round if you get to Thamdanda by jeep and start the trek there. Taking a jeep ride to the Everest region is definitely a good way to avoid the risk of flight disruptions that often affect people going to Lukla, which is the gateway to the Everest Base Camp.
One of the tough things about a high-altitude trek is getting altitude sickness. Also, keep in mind that not everyone who does Everest Base Camp Trekking gets altitude sickness.
On the other hand, this trek has an advantage: people get altitude sickness less on this trek. Since traveling by road takes a few extra days and we will be going up slowly, individual travelers will have time to acclimate.
Still, we strongly advise that you be mentally and physically ready for this trek. You need to know that you can get altitude sickness if your body doesn't get used to the higher elevation. So, how do you get used to it? By taking a break to get used to the altitude during the hike.
Keep an eye out for signs like headaches, vomiting, feeling sick, having trouble breathing, insomnia, and so on. Every day, drink at least 2 liters of water and don't smoke or drink alcohol.
Thorough preparation and a strong physical foundation are essential for the physically demanding trek to Everest Base Camp. Trekkers should work on their core stability, leg strength, and cardiovascular endurance to prepare for the high altitude, long days of hiking, and rough terrain.
You don't need to be an Olympic athlete to do it, but if you're new to intense walking, it can be tough. It helps to have some experience walking on uneven terrains. If you aren't in good shape, this hike will be very hard for you. If you want to improve your stamina, we recommend that you do a few basic exercises.
Remember, facilities in teahouses decrease as one ascends in elevation.
You will also be staying in tea houses and lodges along the way to Everest Base Camp, and you will be sharing a room with another person. Most of the time, these teahouses are simple but clean. The bed are comfortable and equipped with basic amenities, ensuring that you can rest comfortably in preparation for the upcoming day of the trek.
Most of these teahouses have their own bathrooms with hot showers, but only a few places to stay have communal bathrooms with separated shower areas. In the same way, some well-known places like Namche and Syangboche have lodgings with amenities you would expect from a five-star hotel. There are also luxury properties along the way that you can stay at for an extra fee.
Foods and Drinks at Everest Base Camp Trek
During the trek, different cuisines like, Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, Local, and a few Western will be available. Our Everest Base Camp Trek by Jeep package includes all three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The locals cook the food in a clean way using fresh vegetables that they grow themselves. These meals are very important and full of nutrients during the trek. Namche also has a lot of cafes, restaurants, and pubs. If travelers want to, they can go to them at their own expense. The guide is happy to help you find or recommend some of the finest places with great food and atmosphere.
EBC trekkers who don't want to fly to Lukla or who want to start their trek at a lower altitude can take a Jeep ride to Surke. Surke is a trailhead near Lukla that promises an easier way to get used to the altitude. You can get to this place from Kathmandu by taking rough roads, but you need to plan ahead to make sure your trip is safe and comfortable.
The road is mostly paved from Kathmandu to Salleri. After that, it's just a dirt and gravel path. It has steep hills, sharp turns, and landslides that happen sometimes during the monsoon.
Be ready for an exciting 14-16 hour Jeep ride before and after the EBC Trek. You'll get to experience the unique flavor of Everest Base Camp Trekking on the Kathmandu to Surke Jeep Ride.
It can be hard to stay connected on the Everest Base Camp Trek because of both environmental and technological problems. But it's very important to pick the right network partner.
Most tea houses and lodges on the Everest Base Camp Trek also have Wi-Fi. Ncell and NTC both offer mobile network bundles for 2G and 3G. For enhanced internet connectivity in the Himalayan region, the Everest Link Card prepaid broadband wireless service is an option.
To book the Everest Base Camp Trek, you'll need to work with a registered trekking agency in Nepal like us. Hidden Trek Nepal will handle the necessary permits, guide, and potentially accommodation and transportation.
We are concerned about your safety whenever you book a local company like ours, and we are here to help. Throughout every step of your trip, you will constantly have someone with years of experience to provide you with the best recommendations.
By making the reservations as early as possible, particularly during the peak trekking seasons, you may assure that you will be able to secure your desired accommodation without encountering any difficulties. Given that the majority of the most desirable places to stay in the region are often reserved well in advance, it is always a good idea to begin your planning process as early as possible.
Thamel is Kathmandu’s tourist hub and the most visited part of the city. There are hundreds of hotels, guesthouses, and hostels in town; therefore, if you’re a budget traveller or backpacker, you’ll likely stay in this part of town.
You will love spending time in Thamel; It’s a great place to hang out and meet fellow travellers, walk the streets and soak in the atmosphere that only really exists in this area.
It’s also right in the heart of town, close to all of the major things to do in Kathmandu. Thamel is also the perfect place to rent or buy trekking gear.
It is possible to obtain a visa on arrival for individuals from the majority of countries by visiting the online website of the Immigration Department of Nepal. Online forms must be filled out, printed, and brought with you.
The online system can be accessed at https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/ from any location and at any time. The Online Application System can keep your application for 15 days in its system, allowing you to apply at your convenience and present it to the Immigration Authority at the time of admission or visa extension.
Visas on arrival are valid for 15, 30, or 3 months and are priced at:
Before the Trek
We recommend hiking before the Manaslu Tsum Valley Trek, helping your body adjust to higher elevations. Test your gear and break in your hiking boots on these short walks to find and correct any problems while still near city shops and resources.
Some suggestions for hiking places near Kathmandu are: Champa Devi Hiking, Jamacho (Nagarjun Hill) Hiking, Sundarijal Hiking, Chandragiri Hiking, etc.
You can also visit some very popular cultural locations carrying significant histories while in Kathmandu before the trek: Boudhanath (Boudha), the Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, and three Durbar Squares (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur).
After the Trek
After the Everest Base Camp Trek, relaxing and enjoying Nepal's splendor is worth it. After the lengthy trek, Nepal is also a great place to relax with views, and cozy cafés. We recommend:
Hidden Trek Nepal is known for having skilled porters and making each tour unique. They know both the history and geography of the area well enough to make sure you have a safe and useful trip.
Everest Base Camp is a commercialized route, yet we design treks that explore the beaten path, leading you through hidden valleys far from the usual tourist crowds. Instead, you’ll stay overnight in quiet, beautiful valleys that most tourists don’t visit. We offer a more peaceful, authentic, and immersive experience in nature.
We also provide flexible solutions, such as a "guide only" service for independent trekkers who would rather handle their own logistics with expert advice. With Hidden Trek Nepal, you interact with people, environment, and the desire of adventure at every turn rather than simply travel.
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Yes. You can get to Everest Base Camp without flying to Lukla. You can drive from Kathmandu to Surke and then start your trek there. This way, you can finish the trek faster without having to take a flight.
The best times to trek Everest Base Camps by jeeps are during the pre-monsoon (March to May) and post-monsoon (September to November) seasons. These periods offer stable weather, clear skies, and optimal trekking conditions.
The trail leading to Everest Base Camp is not particularly difficult. The trail is largely flat and comfortable, with the sole exception of the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. The trail does not contain any technical climbs with snow, with the exception of the winter season's peak.
You can hire a guide or porter for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Kathmandu or by contacting trusted trekking agencies, like Hidden Trek Nepal. We clearly communicate your requirements, and provide guide options who can navigate the trails, especially in challenging conditions. We also arrange to meet your guide or porter before your trek (in Kathmandu or Lukla).
Hidden Trek Nepal’s Everest Base Camp Trek set departure dates are tailored for the group joining option.
Of course, the most important part of the Everest Base Camp Trek is Everest Base Camp itself, which is the base camp for the world's highest mountain (5364m).
Furthermore, the most breathtaking moments of the Everest Base Camp Trek include the opportunity to witness the Khumbu Glacier and capture Mt. Everest, the highest point on Earth, during a stunning sunrise from Kalapatthar. Putting one's foot in the Everest Base Camp and seeing Mt. Everest is the greatest achievement in people's lives, and it is extremely important.
There are jeep services that go directly, and the trip takes about 17 to 18 hours. The jeep leaves Kathmandu early in the morning and gets to Surke in the evening. It is best to ask about the present condition of the roads and make a reservation ahead of time, especially during the busiest trekking times.
The price of a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Surke depends on a number of things, such as the type of Jeep, the season, extra services, whether the Jeep is shared or private, and the number of people in the group. A ride to Surke, on the other hand, is available at a discount through Hidden Trek Nepal. Get in touch with us if you have questions about how much the Jeep costs in Surke.
Because the Khumbu municipality didn't mind people trekking alone, you can go to Everest Base Camp by yourself. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that the region can be more easily navigated and the trek more enjoyable and challenging if you travel with a group of at least a few other trekkers and hire a guide.
You should make sure that you have both medical and evacuation insurance. When you choose an insurance plan for a trip to a Himalayan country like Nepal, you should be careful because some companies may make exceptions for adventure travel.
Please let us know if you don't understand something about the insurance, and we will help you. Most of the time, getting insurance in your home country before you go abroad is better.
Yes! Kathmandu has many shops (Thamel area) selling:
It is not compulsory to have a porter for the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, we highly recommend hiring one, which will relieve you of your luggage and enable you to fully appreciate the journey. Hidden Trek Nepal provides the best porters, and the service is added on our package too.
The highest point of our journey is over 5000 meters. Most of the time, we'll be walking 3000 to 5000 meters above sea level. At this altitude, the weather is unpredictable and the temperature is low.
The nighttime temperature varies between 5 degrees Celsius in the summer and -15 degrees Celsius in the winter. Everest region has sunny days and temperatures that range from 15 degrees Celsius in the summer to -5 degrees Celsius in the winter.
Mahesh Reddy
United States
Amrit was a great guide!! He had an infectious energy about him and was always smiling!! Loved learning new card games and listening to him sing, highly recommend him!!!
Cris Aranega Capdevila
Spain