- Trek to Everest Base Camp, 70 years after the first summit
- Celebrate in Namche and soak up Sherpa culture
- Walk amid the highest mountain range in the world, with incredible views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam
- Visit the hilltop Thyangboche Monastery
- Enjoy a traditional Sherpa dinner with a special guest speaker
- Receive a free commemorative T-shirt

Everest Base Camp - 70th Anniversary Trek
- Home
- Asia
- Nepal
- Walking & Trekking
- Everest Base Camp – 70th Anniversary Trek
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first Everest ascent with this special, one-off trek to Everest Base Camp
Salute the heroism of Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay with a hike to Everest Base Camp, 70 years after the adventurers first summited the highest mountain on the planet. Guiding us on this iconic trekking trail is Jangbu Sherpa, a highly trained Nepalese mountain leader who has scaled Everest six times and helmed Exodus tours for more than a decade.
Our route takes us through Sherpa country, past cultivated fields and small villages, and there will be time to acclimatise before reaching spectacular high-altitude landmarks, including the Thyangboche Monastery, and never-forgotten views of the mighty Himalaya peaks. We can even scale Kala Pattar (18,129ft/5,545m) for a magnificent view of Everest.
For the anniversary day – 29 May 2023 – we avoid Everest Base Camp, where the celebrations will be muted with the start of the annual marathon, and instead head to Namche, where there will be festivities for the marathon finishers with Sherpa dancing and food. This trip also includes an exclusive three-course Sherpa meal with a special guest speaker closely connected to Hillary and Norgay’s record-breaking ascent in 1953.
Highlights
Key Information
- Three nights in standard hotels and Thirteen nights in teahouses
- 13 days walking with full porterage
- Led by experienced Everest summit guide, Jangbu Sherpa
- 70th anniversary teahouse dinner
- Commemorative T-shirt
- Group normally 4 to 16 plus tour leader and local staff. Minimum age: 16
- Altitude maximum 18,129ft (5,545m); average 12,795ft (3,900m)
- Travel by private minibus and two internal flights
- Between five and eight hours walking per day, with some longer days
- Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit on trek
- Countries visited: Nepal
What's Included
- All breakfasts included and one dinner
- Morning tea delivery on trek
- Welcome drink at each overnight lodge
- Three nights in standard hotels and 12 nights in teahouses
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on trek)
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Full porterage throughout trek
- Exodus kitbag
- Commemorative T-shirt
- Trekking map (provided locally)
- Trekking permit and national park fees
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu only)
- Visas and vaccinations
- Sleeping bag (hire in advance from US$75)
- Down jacket (hire in advance from US$56)
- Hire package including down jacket and sleeping bag from US$93
12 Days of Walking & Trekking
Approximately five to eight hours walking per day on average, with some longer days
High altitude; including steep, rocky terrain
9 km / 5.6 miles
13 km / 8.1 miles
11 km / 6.8 miles
6 km / 3.7 miles
11 km / 6.8 miles
5 km / 3.1 miles
8 km / 5 miles
13 km / 8.1 miles
13 km / 8.1 miles
17 km / 10.6 miles
4 km / 2.5 miles
8 km / 5 miles
13 km / 8.1 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- The use of a local leader and trekking support staff (guides, porters/yak herders) means our customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural and social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels, teahouses and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprises.
- Following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Exodus has been able to support Karma, our local partner’s Food Package Project in Nepal, which has distributed food parcels to those in need on the streets of Kathmandu at a time when lockdowns and a lack of tourism left many without an income.
- It was not until 2005 that the ancient tradition of ‘chhaupadi’ (banishing menstruating women and girls to huts or sheds during their period) was made illegal in Nepal. In rural parts of the country, menstruation is still a taboo subject. Since 2018, Exodus has supported the Freedom Kitbag Project, providing reusable sanitary wear and education in reproductive health to many hundreds of women and to their wider communities.
- Exodus has had a deep connection with Nepal since the 1980’s and over the years has supported, and continues to support many Himalayan Community Projects, including an elderly person’s home, the High Altitude Workers Welfare Association, providing solar cookers, smokeless stoves and running medical camps in hard to reach communities, to name but a few.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
- By travelling in a small group and on foot for the most part, led by a local leader, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- As part of our right of passage to Everest Base Camp, we buy our trekking permits and pay our Sagarmatha National Park fees, the income from which helps to preserve the region.
- Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead recommending that you refill your own reusable bottles with boiled water on the trek, or that you treat tap water.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
- In Kathmandu, we stay at a family-run Nepali-owned hotel, rather than using a large international hotel chain, and during the trek we stay in small locally owned teahouses, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of this trip.
- Few crops grow nor do animals graze at these altitudes, and as there are no roads to the more remote villages, food is often carried in along the trails by porters or yaks/mules, making its transportation footprint inherently low carbon. Namche Bazaar is the main trading hub in the Everest Region and wares are bought and sold on market day.
- A vegetarian diet is common in Nepal, especially in the mountains where eating meat is not generally recommended due to hygiene concerns and a lack of refrigeration facilities. The staple diet is dal baht, which comes in various forms but generally includes lentil dal, vegetable curry, and rice.
- Exodus established the Braga Tree Nursery Initiative, in the Upper Annapurna region of Nepal, in the 1980s to play a part in tackling the deforestation problem at the time, and to this day, the tree nursery sustains itself.
- The provision of solar cookers to many villages along the popular trekking routes in Nepal has helped prevent further deforestation in the pursuit of wood used for cooking.
- There is no mains electricity in the mountains and many of the teahouses use solar power for hot showers or lighting.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you. When trekking - biodegradable soap, shampoo, and toilet paper are recommended. Keep to paths to reduce damage to plants & disturbances to wildlife.
- Plastic waste reduction: Avoid using plastic bottles or buying mineral water and instead use refillable water bottles wherever possible. Buy boiled water or carry water purification treatment (we recommend a SteriPEN or similar type of handheld UV water purifier).
- Try to buy locally made handicrafts but be wary of items made from wild animals eg. shahtoosh shawls made from endangered Tibetan antelope.
- If while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag then you may be interested in donating to one of our projects. Exodus supports a Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu and also distributes clothing to villages and schools.
Cultural respect:
- The Nepalese greeting is ‘namasté – with hands held in front of the face, the higher they are held, the more respect it exudes. Men will shake hands with men but not with women.
- Walk in a clockwise direction around temples or monuments. Ask permission before entering places of worship and remove your shoes. Leave leather behind before entering Hindu temples.
- Pointing your feet (the least sacred body part) at people or religious places or pointing or beckoning with a single finger is considered impolite.
- Displays of affection should be kept at bay, and loose-fitting clothing that covers legs and shoulders is advisable, especially when visiting homes, monasteries or temples.
- Do it like the locals! The left hand is associated with toilet duties, so eat, wipe your mouth, pass food, give and receive with your right hand. Only handle your own food and drink.
- Ask before you capture people on camera. Exchanging a few words or gestures beforehand can go a long way. Offering (and actually sending) a copy via post is a great way to benefit both parties!
Itinerary
The group flight is an overnight flight departing London this evening.
The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu. You will meet Jangbu Sherpa, your leader for the trip, and he will provide you with a full-trek briefing this evening.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel
The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu. The group flights arrive into Kathmandu in the afternoon and those travelling on them will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. You will meet Jangbu Sherpa, your leader for the trip and he will provide you with a full trek briefing this evening.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel
We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (9,186ft/2,800m) and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading north up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River). We descend from the small plateau into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (8,701ft/2,652m), where we spend our first night.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 8,701ft/2,652m)
Total ascent: 594ft (181m); total descent: 1,280ft (390m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. Today's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridge as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of a steep climb to Namche. Halfway up, we may get our first glimpse, cloud permitting, of Everest, appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A final 984ft (300m) climb brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, but the town bustles all day, every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries, and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs.
You'll be staying at Green Tara Lodge, run by Lakpha Tenzing Sherpa and his family, son of Kancha Sherpa, the last-surviving member of the record-breaking 1953 summit.
Accommodation: Green Tara Lodge (sleeping altitude: 11,286ft/3,440m)
Total ascent: 3,478ft (1,060m); total descent: 863ft (263m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 12,730ft (3,880m). Built by the Japanese, this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After, we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, a rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg to the monastery. Sadly, it was damaged in the 2015 earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs), we will be shown what is said to be a 300-year-old yeti scalp. Descending to the main trail, we spend the night at Kyanjuma.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 11,811ft/3,600m)
Total ascent: 2,080ft (634m); total descent: 1,486ft (453m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we descend to the river. We cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha (10,663ft/3,250m), then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche (12,687ft/3,867m). We arrive by lunchtime and in the afternoon we visit the famous monastery. Sunset and sunrise here are not to be missed – Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse – and keep an eye out for Himalayan tahr (large, hairy wild goats) in the surrounding forest.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 12,697ft/3,870m)
Total ascent: 1,985ft (605m); total descent: 1,050ft (320m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily, the trail enters Pangboche, at 12,795ft (3,900m) the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley, we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short, steep climb brings us to Dingboche (14,272ft/4,350m) a summer settlement where great peaks surround us.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 14,272ft/4,350m)
Total ascent: 2,441ft (744m); total descent: 909ft (277m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend the day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak (16,732ft/5,100m) for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam. There is the option to climb halfway to the peak or, for the energetic, it takes about 3hr 30min to the top. It’s a tough, steep climb but well worth the effort for the amazing views. We return to Dingboche for a late lunch and the rest of the afternoon is free to relax and acclimatise.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Total ascent: 2,572ft (784m); total descent: 2,572ft (784m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a Buddhist shrine (chorten) and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We stop here for a tea break and a snack before the steep climb to Chukpo Lari, a poignant place with memorials to the climbers who have died on Everest and a beautiful panorama of the peaks on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. In the late afternoon, there is the option to walk up onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier – the sunset on Nuptse is spectacular.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 16,175ft/4,930m)
Total ascent: 2,264ft (690m); total descent: 315ft (96m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a very long, hard day as we leave very early, following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (17,008ft/5,184m). The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short, steep sections. The trail is rocky as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us about three hours to reach Gorak Shep, where we rest and eat. There are no lodges from here to Everest Base Camp, so we fill our water bottles and take snacks for the trek.
We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs until we reach our goal.
Welcome to Everest Base Camp, at the foot of the mountain Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summited almost 70 years ago to the day. We get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall, with Nuptse towering above us and Pumori rearing behind. We can really appreciate just how difficult it is for climbers to clamber through the huge blocks of ice, but can you imagine how tough it would have been in 1953? After a short photo stop by the Base Camp Rock, it's time to retrace our steps to Gorak Shep.
Please note, accommodation options are extremely limited at Gorak Shep. Our teahouse is very basic, but the communal dining area is warm and the food served promptly to satisfy trekkers’ appetites. Because of the high altitude, the plumbing facilities can be affected and water freezes a lot. Please let Jangbu know if you have any issues and he'll do his best to help as quickly as possible.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 17,008ft/5,184m)
Total ascent: 2,247ft (685m); total descent: 1,411ft (430m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have another hard day and early start for those keen to climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar (Black Rock). At 18,192ft (5,545m), we can look down over the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and, above all, a close-up of the highest mountain in the world.
We return to Gorak Shep and retrace our steps to Lobuje for lunch and then continue down the valley to the lower altitude of Pheriche for the night. (The walk to Everest Base Camp and the climb of Kala Pattar are both very tough. Sometimes we may change the order in which we tackle the walks depending on the group's ability and weather conditions).
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 13,921ft/4,243m)
Total descent: 3,084ft (940m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Descending through Pheriche, we cross a small bridge and have a short climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola Valley. We follow the valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. We drop down to the rushing river then walk through peaceful rhododendron forests to the village of Devoche from where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge for lunch. We descend off the ridge to Phunki Tenga and walk back up to Kyanjuma, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 11,811ft/3,600m)
Total ascent: 1,936ft (590m); total descent: 4,102ft (1,250m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi.
Today is the 70th anniversary, but also the annual Everest Marathon. The runners start at Everest Base Camp and finish at Namche, so we'll likely be cheering many of them as they come down the trail.
On arrival in Namche, there will be a host of festivities for both the marathon finishers and anniversary, which will include Sherpa dances and prize giving with the town buzzing into the night.
This evening, you'll be treated to a traditional three-course Sherpa meal at Green Tara Lodge, hosted exclusively for us by Lakpa Tenzi and his family. His father, Kanche Sherpa, worked as a porter on that heroic 1953 summit and is still an active member of the community. If he is in Namche, he will join us this evening as our special guest speaker, talking us through that expedition 70 years earlier. If Kanche is unable to join, then Lakpa Tenzi will be delighted to step in and share stories from his father’s life and the expedition.
Accommodation: Green Tara Lodge Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 11,286ft/3,440m)
Total descent: 1,115ft (340m)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we have a leisurely start with time in Namche Bazaar. After an early lunch, we descend through the town and pick up our outward trail to Monzo, where we stay tonight.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 9,350ft/2,850m)
Total ascent: 656ft (200m); total descent: 1,312ft (400m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We retrace our steps to Chaunrikhara where we start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 9,186ft/2,800m)
Total descent: 164ft (50m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section within the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast. All customers have a free transfer to the airport, just speak to your sales representative before departure to book.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends in Kathmandu after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in time for the daytime flight back to London.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Nepal
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Nepal. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/nepal
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/nepal
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html
You can obtain your visa in advance or on entry. If possible, apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long. Please note, the Immigration Department of Nepal has suspended visas on arrival for certain nationalities – please check if this applies to you with your nearest embassy or consulate .
When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, there will be three lines. If you have already secured you visa, go straight to the Immigration line. If not:
- Fill in a tourist visa form at the electronic kiosks. After inserting your passport, the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport, complete the details manually using the touchscreen. We recommend taking a passport photo with you just in case.
- Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (in cash, if possible). Make sure to keep the receipt.
- Go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15-, 30- or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration.
Vaccination
Nepal
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Some travellers may also need proof of a polio vaccination. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
There is little to no risk of malaria in Nepal; therefore, antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain high-risk groups. You may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Additionally, dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in Nepal with an outbreak in September 2022. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis, so take extra precautions (such as wearing full-length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day, dawn and dusk) to prevent being bitten.
Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Eating and Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip.
In the teahouses, breakfast will comprise of a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and a choice between either muesli or porridge. Tea/coffee will also be served. On specific days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either a trekkers’ breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake with jam/honey will be served – these options are not available in all teahouses and so we have only included them in locations where they can be guaranteed.
Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route – sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the group’s order to make it more expedient. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is customary in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it).
Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils, meat/vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a Nepalese dumpling (fried or steamed) filled with meat or vegetables.
Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten-free breakfast options will be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of eggs. On specific days, a trekkers’ breakfast (without the toast/with an extra egg) will be served. Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers’ breakfast (without the egg) or vegetable fried rice will be served. If you are lactose intolerant, then the same will apply although you will also have a choice of egg each day.
If you buy imported food and drink on trek, you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important at altitude where it is generally recommended you drink at least three to four litres per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing plastic pollution in Nepal.
The teahouses sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle.
Alternatively, all teahouses will provide free cold water on request. This should not be drunk untreated, so bring a reusable bottle and an effective form of water treatment. There are many products available that are more effective than the traditional purification tablets – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions).
Handheld UV filters such as a SteriPEN are very effective, can treat one litre of water in a couple of minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium battery models and remember you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle (eg Nalgene) for use with these devices.
There are also an array of water filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight, bottles with a small capacity and the product’s performance in freezing conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order, and better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog the filter – in this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15C (59F) to 35C (95F) in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10C (50F) at 11,810ft (3,600m) and progressively lower the higher we go.
March to May
Temperatures will be warmer in general but often a haze will build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35C (95F) in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek at this time. Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable, and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above
Weather Charts
Kathmandu

Is this trip for you?
This celebratory trek has been rated Activity Level 5 (Challenging).
This is a challenging trek for people with good fitness levels. Please refer to our Activity Level guidelines and walking and trekking fitness training guide.
There are 13 days walking with full porterage throughout – you need only carry your daypack. You should have some previous trekking experience and if you do not take regular exercise or hillwalking, you should do physical preparation beforehand. The trail crosses approximately seven modern suspension bridges (twice), all of which have mesh sides. Some are quite long and high and anyone with a fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.
The maximum altitude on this trek is 18,129ft (5,545m) and the average is approximately 12,795ft (3,900m). Ample time is given for acclimatisation, but altitude is a factor and must be considered – see the altitude warning in the Trip Notes.
This trip includes one or more domestic flights – please refer to the Transport section of the Trip Notes for information about flying in Nepal.
Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
To help you better prepare for your Nepal adventure, please also see our Nepal Destination Guide.
Why Trek With Exodus?
- More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal
• Ask an expert – talk to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselves
• Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first-aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness
• One of the highest staff-to-client ratios on trek – one staff member to every four clients
• All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage
• Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days
• Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit
• Self-assessment Acute Mountain Sickness cards are used to monitor every client at altitude
• Established protocol for Lukla flight delays – see below
Nepal Flight Safety
Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.
Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
- The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal
In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident that the airline meets acceptable safety standards.
We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
Internal Flight Delays
Adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Kathmandu cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to allow for this, but on occasion, persistent bad weather may delay the start of your trek or your return to Kathmandu.
Should there be a lengthy delay at the start of a trip, we aim to provide a shortened Everest trek, but if adverse weather conditions continue and the main objective of the trek becomes impossible to reach, an alternative trek to another region of Nepal will be offered. When fixed-wing planes are unable to fly, but helicopters to Lukla are available, clients may choose to travel by helicopter; in this event, the price per person will be approximately US$500-US$600 per person, of which Exodus will cover half.
Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek, we will endeavour to get you on the first fixed-wing flights to Kathmandu available. If helicopters can fly, we will consider paying for these on a case-by-case basis to enable clients to meet their international flights. In the case of persistent adverse weather, Exodus will rebook international flights for clients who have booked flights with Exodus. Clients who have not booked flights through Exodus will be responsible for rebooking their onward travel and for any associated costs.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Hotels & Lodges
The 12 nights on trek are spent in lodges (teahouses) and the three nights in Kathmandu are in a comfortable hotel.
In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, a four-star hotel within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard and complimentary wifi throughout. There is an Exodus desk in the lobby and an Exodus representative will usually be available daily in the mornings and evenings.
Teahouses on this trip are basic but adequate. The hub of teahouse living is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful, traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees/US$1.15-US$2.70 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental.
We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.
Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually squat-style toilets, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the bin provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to.
Some lodges now have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water.
Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.
Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services.
Extra accommodation
If you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative.
Single accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the three nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed but if a single room is available that night, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Thursday Wednesday
18 May 2023 17 May 2023
Saturday Saturday
03 Jun 2023 03 Jun 2023
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From USD 4,179
Optional Single Supplement +USD 224
Special 70th Anniversary departure with Leader, Jangbu Sherpa
Special 70th Anniversary departure with Leader, Jangbu Sherpa
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesNo departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
You may also like
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus' experts.