Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures

Follow the iconic trail to Everest Base Camp and spend one night camping there

Take one of the world’s classic treks: to the most iconic base camp of all, at the foot of Mount Everest (29,029ft/8,848m). This special departure has the added excitement of camping at Base Camp for one night, a magnificent setting near the Khumbu Ice Fall, at a time when it bustles with expedition parties preparing for their summit attempts. The journey to Base Camp passes through Sherpa country and allows time to acclimatise before reaching the spectacular high-altitude scenery: the incredible Thyangboche monastery, views of Ama Dablam, Everest and other mighty peaks of the Himalaya.

Some departures are led by Valerie Parkinson, winner of Best Tour Leader in the prestigious Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021. See Dates & Prices for details.

Why trek with Exodus?

• Free four-season sleeping bag and down jacket hire
• One of the highest staff-to-traveller ratios on the trek with one staff member to every four travellers
• More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal
• Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days
• We beat the Everest crowds by rising early, avoiding foot traffic on the trails and getting into the next teahouse early for hot showers
• Established protocol for Lukla flight delays
• Exodus annually commissions independent air-safety audits on domestic carriers in Nepal and only use those approved as part of the audit
• Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained to recognise and deal with altitude sickness
• All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage
• Staff carry oxygen, a first-aid kit, and self-assessment acute mountain sickness cards, used to monitor every traveller at altitude
• Speak to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselves

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Internal flight delays

Adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Manthali or Kathmandu cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to allow for this; however, on occasion, persistent bad weather may delay the start of your trek or 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$600 per person, of which Exodus will cover half.

Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek, we will endeavor to get you on the first available fixed-wing flights to Manthali/Kathmandu. If helicopters are allowed to 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 Flight Inclusive clients. Please note, clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for rebooking their onward travel and for any associated costs.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page and walking and trekking fitness training guide. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. 

It is ideal for physically fit and healthy travellers looking to tackle one of the world’s great treks. An adventurous spirit helps too.

There are 14 days of walking with full porterage throughout – you need only carry your backpack for the day.

Worth knowing

• The trail crosses several modern suspension bridges (twice), all of which have mesh sides; some are quite long and high, so anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.
• The maximum altitude is 18,192ft (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 – please refer to the altitude warning in the Trip Notes.
• You should have some trekking experience before joining this trek (experience trekking at altitude is a big advantage). If you do not regularly exercise or hill walk, you should train beforehand.
• Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude lunch stops and vary depending on the group’s pace. There is typically somewhere between five and eight hours of walking per day, with some longer days

These expedition departures offer the opportunity to spend one night camping at Everest Base Camp – there is always the possibility of snow at Base Camp and it is cold in the mornings and evenings and below freezing at night. We arrive at Base Camp early afternoon and then have the rest of the day and the following morning to explore. The setting is spectacular: set at 17,715ft (5,400m) at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Huge ice seracs surround the camp and the peaks of Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse tower above us. We have chosen dates when many expeditions attempt Everest and the Base Camp area is bustling with activity as groups prepare for their summit attempt. We stay close to an expedition team to soak up the atmosphere, excitement and trepidation of Base Camp life. We should even be able to watch teams climb up through the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall. We are not allowed onto the Khumbu Ice Fall (only climbers with permits are allowed). Please note: Anyone suffering from a cold or infection will be asked to stay at the lodge in Gorak Shep to avoid infecting a climber at this crucial time.

This trip includes domestic flights – please refer to the Transport section of the Trip Notes for information about flying safety in Nepal.

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 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. Nepalese 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; it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident the airline meets acceptable safety standards.

We appreciate you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this trip.

Internal flight delays

Adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Manthali or Kathmandu cannot operate. Please read the Important Information section of the Trip Notes for more information.

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.

Vaccinations and Health

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 and chikungunya are known risks in Nepal. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

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.

When trekking at altitude, and particularly in cold weather, there is a higher chance of developing a cough (sometimes referred to here as the Khumbu cough) or cold symptoms. These symptoms could be a result of inhaling cold mountain air or dust (in the Everest region). You can mitigate against picking up coughs and colds by washing your hands with soap and water at available opportunities and using hand sanitiser. Also wear a buff over your neck and mouth when walking at altitude, particularly in colder weather, which will help limit cold, dry air entering your airways and keep your neck and chest warm.

Visa

Nepal

You can obtain your visa in advance or on arrival. 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.

Visa in advance

To get a visa in advance you can apply online at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np and collect it from your nearest Nepali embassy. Find more information at www.immigration.gov.np.

Visa on arrival

1. When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, there will be three lines. If you have already secured your 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.
   Top tip: This process can be completed through the online immigration portal (click ‘Visa On-Arrival’) within 14-days prior to arrival in Kathmandu, helping you to avoid lengthy queues at the kiosks when you come through immigration – ensure you print and bring the confirmation with you. If you have completed your visa on arrival form in advance, go directly to the visa fees counters with your printed confirmation and skip the kiosk queues.
2. Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (in cash, if possible). Make sure to keep the receipt. Card payments are not always possible, so paying in cash is easiest, most currencies are accepted but US dollars are preferred.
3. 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.

Food & Drink

In the teahouses, breakfast will be a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or Tibetan bread), egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee is also served. On some 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. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish – additional items not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately.

Please note, some more remote teahouses/lodges are unable to provide an extensive menu due to irregular delivery schedules. During periods of bad weather or a high volume of trekkers, there may be a more limited menu choice. Also, the menus and extras are generally more expensive at higher altitudes.

Lunches are 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 is in the same teahouse you sleep at (this is custom 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 and meat or vegetables, some rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos: a Nepalese dumpling (fried or steamed) that’s filled with meat or vegetables.

Meat is available in the teahouses but we advise against eating it. Meat is often carried in the heat 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.

Dietary requirements

Gluten-free diets: We strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten-free breakfast options are limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg. On specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast/with an extra egg) will be served.

Vegan diets: Breakfasts are limited to a choice of muesli/porridge made with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers breakfast (without the egg) or vegetable fried rice.

Lactose-free diet: 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 when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 0.7gal to 1gal (three to four litres) per person per day.

We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal.

The teahouses sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 Nepalese 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 as a hot-water bottle.

Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. This should not be drunk untreated, so we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/CamelBak (ideally two and wide mouth) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – 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).

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 – 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. These bottles filter the water as you drink, though the spout may not be the most efficient while moving on trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 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 to 35C (59F to 95F) in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10C (50F) at 11,810ft (3,600m) and progressively lower the higher we go. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post-monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November

The main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20C (68F). Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as -10C (14F) at the highest altitudes.

Winter: December to end of February

Despite the cooler conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear, especially in December, and the mountain views are at their best. Nights are very cold with temperatures down to -20C (-4F) at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures are 19C (66F).

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May

Both day and night temperatures are warmer in general but often a haze builds in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35C (95F) in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season, one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow should be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes.

Please remember, the weather is never wholly predictable in any mountain area, and you should be equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.