Sleep at Everest Base Camp

Trip Overview

Trip Itinerary

Dates & Price

Cost Inclusion

Cost Exclusion

Essential Information

Difficulty

Our Sleep at Everest Base Camp Trek is considered challenging in terms of grade due to high altitudes and longer duration hikes. The trail is relatively easier following good paths and yak trails but due to the increasing altitude, it's graded challenging. Please be prepared to walk for 6-7 hrs every day on average carrying your backpack, which will consist of your valuable items, water, extra fleece, snacks etc. Longer treks reaching up to an elevation of 5500m where some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps are located and you need to sleep at an elevation of 5000m for 2 nights at Gorekshep and Everest base camp.

Previous Experience

No previous experience of trekking is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions. Having a previous experience is definitely beneficial but it is not mandatory to participate in this trip. All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. We strongly advise you to prepare yourself for the trip at least 3 months prior to your trip date by doing regular exercises, going on hiking, running, or gym. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable you will find the experience of trekking. All our trip itinerary has been devised keeping every aspect in mind and allows ample time for acclimatization

Meals

All meals are included during the trek to Everest base camp (Day 03 to Day 15 Breakfast).

We will provide three meals a day (B,L,D) during the trek. The menus in the teahouses are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat, Momo (Dumpling) to pizza, and apple pie. Despite the fact that meat is available in the teahouses, we prompt against eating it on the trek. The meat has frequently been conveyed in the warmth from lower elevations for a few days before arriving at the teahouses and can cause stomach upsets or disease. During the trek, Breakfast and Dinner will be served at the teahouse/lodge where you stay and Lunch will be along the way.

At Everest base camp, your meals will be prepared by the chef who will be there to cater to our expedition group. You will get the chance to share the dining table with the climbers and sherpas who are there to summit the world's highest mountain.

If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will be sure to pass your message to your guide. For a gluten-free diet, we highly recommend you bring extra foods especially for breakfast as your options for the breakfast will be limited.

Meals worth USD 500-550 are included on this trip. In Kathmandu, only breakfast will be provided to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where what and with whom to eat for lunch and dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel (4 Nights), Teahouse/Lodge (11 Nights), Tent (1 Night)

Kathmandu Guest House:
In Kathmandu, we stay at Kathmandu Guest House, a well-known hotel where many famous celebrities like Beatles, Ricky Martin, Jeremy Irons, and others have stayed. Centrally located in Thamel, the hotel also boasts of a beautiful garden where you can relax and enjoy the greenery. Breakfast will be provided in the hotel and your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis and if you would like to have a single room, upon request you are required to pay a single supplement price as stated in the trip costing.

Regardless of whether you're coming back from the mountains or touching base from the airport, come and unwind at the hotel beautiful garden, request some fine Italian espresso or a chilled Beer, and escape in the memorable surroundings of Kathmandu's most adored guesthouse.

Teahouse/Lodge (Everest Region):
Trekking in the (Everest area) does not need tremendous logistics in accommodation as there are many clean and friendly Lodges along the trail. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets but with a wonderful view from your window.  All the teahouses/lodges have a spacious warm dining room-lounge. The rooms are fairly basic. Blankets are generally provided by the teahouse but we will provide a warm sleeping bag to everyone. Bathrooms are mostly shared and toilets are squat type in most places. We will arrange for you and your group to stay in local lodges daily. Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary.

On the trek, your accommodation will be on a simple teahouses/lodge with basic and shared facilities.

Everest Base Camp:
Your accommodation at Everest base camp will be on tented camping. A tent will be provided for every 2 travelers. If in case of a single by default, we will arrange a single tent for you at no additional cost.

Single Supplement

A Single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room and it will cost USD 150 per person. A single supplement is only available in Kathmandu for 4 nights. On the trek, there is a limited amount of lodging available and during busy months it's generally impossible to arrange private rooms. This is the case even if you're willing to pay extra since the lodge owners will not give out a private room if it means someone else goes without a room.

Best Season

The best seasons to trek to the Everest region are Autumn (latter half of September till December) and Spring (latter half of March until mid-May).

Autumn:
Slightly colder than Spring but presents clear views of the mountains. The mornings are clear providing best mountain views, days are warmer and night time will get cold and frosty. The temperature during Autumn varies from lowest -10 degrees Celsius at Gorekshep to warmest 25 degrees Celsius at Lukla/Phakding.

Spring:
Another weather window for trekking in Nepal comes during the month of the latter March to May. The temperature will be relatively warmer during this period of time but still, nights will be cold and frosty at a higher elevation. Temperatures will drop considerably as you ascend higher every day. During the spring season, the base camp will be full of tents as Apr-May are preferred time to climb Mt. Everest.

In both seasons, Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up in the afternoon and disappearing at night. The given temperature may raise or lower with the change in weather factors: (Sunny, Snow, Rain, etc.)

Note: Our Sleep at Everest base camp is only available during the Spring season (March to May) as to provide you with an experience of (Day at Everest base camp with Everest climbers)

Read more about the best time: https://highlandexpeditions.com/best-time-to-visit-nepal/

Group Size

Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Our group size is small and we only take up to 12 pax in one group. If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of the group varies, the minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 1 the maximum is 12 people.

Travel Insurance

It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal. We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency helicopter evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and leave a copy next to your kin. You must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved.

More information: Travel Insurance

Baggage and Weight Limit

Each client will receive an individual duffel bag for packing their gear. Our duffel bags have an approximate capacity of 80 liters, and we kindly ask clients to ensure that their duffel bag weight remains under 15 kgs. The baggage allowance for Nepal's domestic airlines is a total of 15 kg (10 kgs for the duffel bag and 5 kgs for the backpack) but we can offer additional baggage allowance. We request clients to keep the duffel bag weight under 15 kgs due to porter weight restrictions, allowing maximum of 30 kgs weight per porter. We provide 1 porter for every 2 participants.

During the trek, clients are required to carry only a day pack containing essentials such as a water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. This light load ensures a more enjoyable trekking experience. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will provide clients with a duffel bag, and any additional luggage or items not needed during the trek can be stored at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Drinking Water

We offer hot-boiled water for drinking purposes on our treks to minimize the environmental impact of single-use plastic bottles. Please remember to bring a reusable water bottle or Thermos that can withstand hot water, and feel free to ask our guides to refill it during meal times, particularly at breakfast and dinner.

While bottled water is available at lodges, prices may range from USD 1 to USD 3 as we ascend in altitude. Alternatively, you can bring water purification tablets or a filtration device for your convenience.

Do we stay at the actual base camp or elsewhere?

You will spend one night at the main Everest base camp confronting the mightiest peaks in the world. Your accommodation will be in the actual base camp for one night and it will be a twin-sharing accommodation on a tent. You will also get a chance to see the lives of climbers and sherpa guides at the base camp. Your meals will be freshly-prepared at the base camp by our expedition kitchen staff.

We request you to remain in our designated camp at the Everest base camp and do not visit other camps. Also, we humbly request you to respect the climbers and guides privacy and honour their wishes should they refrain from socializing. They are there for two months and are in a bid to summit the world's highest peak.

Why is this trip only operable during Spring season?

Our Sleep at Everest base camp trek is only available during the Spring season (March to May). During these months, there will be climbers and sherpas guides at the Everest base camp to summit the world's highest peak. We run the trip at these months to provide you with an experience to live a life of a climber at Everest base camp for one day. 

During another season, there will not be climbers at the base camp so the experience of staying at the Everest base camp will not be the same. Thus, we only operate this trip in Spring season in a limited number of group.

Safety

Safety is always a priority while traveling with Highland Expeditions. Our Sleep at Everest base camp itinerary is devised keeping every aspect in mind, allowing proper acclimatization, rest days, and walking hours. On all our Everest treks, we send a supplementary oxygen system and a comprehensive medical kit be it a group of 1 or 12 for an emergency purpose. Besides, we also have a high staff to client ratio on all our treks.

Approach

Our route to Everest base camp trek follows a careful approach with ample time for acclimatization, less trodden route, and breathtaking sceneries along the way. With over 30 years of experience in trekking and climbing in the Himalayas, we have carefully tailored each of our itineraries. We put a lot of care into all the details when it comes to executing any of your ventures. Safety is always a priority while traveling with Highland Expeditions and we have applied this strictly on our approach.

Training

Everest Base Camp Trek is a premier trek that most ardent backpackers, hikers, and lovers of wild places aspire to. The trek is graded challenging and training yourself well ahead will definitely improve your performance during the trek. Answering this question can be a challenge because everyone is starting from a different base of fitness, age, lifestyle, and diet (what you eat on a daily basis).

Always consult with your doctor first to establish if you are healthy enough for the challenges of all-day trekking at high elevation for over a week. Once cleared for takeoff, so to speak, consulting with a qualified trainer, and a nutritionist may also prove beneficial, though many do not.

Read this to find out more about how to train for Everest base camp trek. This is an outline prepared to offer some guidance and tips as to how to begin training for Everest base camp trek.

Typical day

Daily wake up calls will be between 6.00 am to 7.00 am while on the trek. The wake-up time and breakfast time will be decided a night before during the briefing time. The time table for each day will entirely depend on your walking duration for that particular day.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. Before breakfast, you are required to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by the porter while you are having your breakfast. After 3-4 hours of walk, we stop for lunch mid-day.  The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, washing your clothes or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Guide

We possess a deep passion for alpine adventure & the outdoors, and with the small professional group we have on board, we’ve notched up experience that spans almost 3 decades on some of the most isolated trails and highest peaks.

We take great pride in calling ourselves a ‘high-altitude adventure specialist’ and all this is due to our diverse and qualified team of guides. Most of our guides were born in these parts & have relatives living in other parts of the regions where they were born in. We know that locally born staffs are a vital cog in that wheel of sometimes dangerous adventure where anything can happen.

Trip Style

Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private basis. If you are looking for a group to join this trip please check our departures section for availability, dates and price. If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient timeframe for any number of people. If you want to do something that is not included in our trip list, we are ready to tailor a trip to suit your exact requirements. In short, we will make every effort to get you on the trip you want, when you want.

Passport, Visa and Entry Requirements

Passport: All foreign visitors to Nepal must possess a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity beyond their planned departure date.

Visa: Nepal visa can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport (Tribhuvan International Airport) or you can obtain Nepal visa prior to your arrival through the Nepalese embassies, diplomatic missions and consulates near your location. Nepal Visa is also issued at the entry points if you are entering Nepal by land.

Visa Fees: Nepal visa fees are listed below as per the duration.

Multiple entry 15 days – US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days – US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days – US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency

Important Note: It is always advisable to verify the visa requirements upon booking your trip. Visa requirements may vary depending on where you are from and its also recommended to check the transit country requirements as well.

While we share this information in good faith, it is crucial for you to independently verify it and acknowledge that you bear full responsibility for your visa requirements.

Other information

Point of Arrival:
Your point of arrival should be Tribhuvan International Airport  located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Meeting Instructions:
Your meeting point is at Kathmandu’s airport, Tribhuvan International Airport. Upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Airport, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), kindly pay your visa fee and proceed to immigration to apply for VOA (Visa On Arrival), customs clearing and then collect your luggage. Outside the arrival hall, please look out for our team member holding a placard stating ‘Highland Expeditions ’ and you will be escorted to your hotel for checking in.

Airport Pickup and Drop:
We will provide airport pickup and drop-off according to your flight schedule. Your airport transfers are organized based on the flight information you provide to us. If there is a change in your flight schedule, please inform us promptly, and we will adjust the transfers accordingly. Upon arrival, please be on the lookout for our team member holding a placard that reads 'Highland Expeditions' in the arrival area. You will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Similarly, for your departure, we will take you to the airport in accordance with your flight schedule.

Emergency Contact for Airport Transfers: +9779860763929 (Dawa Sherpa)

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Reviews

Gabby B

There aren’t enough words to express how amazing this company and team is! My boyfriend and I recently completed the Sleep at Everest Basecamp Trek, and it was above every expectation we could have had!

From airport pick up to airport drop off, and the communication pre arrival – everything was covered so that there was not possible thing to worry or stress about. The communication and preparation in advance of the trip answered all our questions and had us prepared for the trek in every way. We were picked up at the airport, had hotels and teahouses booked the entire trip, and half day tour of Kathmandu, a farewell dinner, and a drop off back to the airport upon departure.

We were lucky enough that our trip ended up being private trip with just us, our guide Horizon and porter Bala. I cannot say enough good things about these two men. Horizon was super knowledgeable about the area and trek, he set such a good pace, and daily preparation – we had no health issues, and no concerns throughout the trek. As our guide, Horizon was able to work with us and look out for us in every way – timing our daily schedule to avoid crowds, having our best interest physically and mentally, and teaching us so much along the way! We felt prepared and supported, and even through the challenging sections (because there will be some) we felt safe, secure, and supported! We had an absolute amazing trip and it wouldn’t have been the same without him! We consider him a friend and truly enjoyed every moment trekking with him.

The teahouses, food, planning, and everything along the trek is already organized and planned – no stress along the way. The all inclusive nature of the trip really allows you to enjoy every moment and the true experience without worrying about small details, paying each meal, booking accommodations, etc.

Finally, I cannot say enough about the team at Base Camp itself – if you get the chance to sleep at base camp overnight – DO IT! To sit in the middle of base camp, interact with the team and climbers, and be treated to hot meals and coffee at 5364m – thats a once in a lifetime experience!

This industry has become a very commercialized experience, but I will say that I felt extremely prioritized and that our personal experience, safety, and comfort was always top priority. This company is more than just a trekking company – they provide experience, connection, and memories for a lifetime! We feel so lucky to have done this trip with Highland Expeditions! We highly recommend them for all trekking adventures and would love to return for another trip with them!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

Carolyn Essop

Overall the trip was exhilarating, something that cannot be explained. It was tough and challenging, especially the Cho La Pass but was so well worth it. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an adventure