Everest Base Camp Trek by Road
5(49)
Day-by-Day Everest Base Camp Road Trek Schedule
Your Journey, Step by Step
Inclusions
What’s Covered in Your Adventure
- All ground transportation during excursions, including airport and trek starting point pickup and departure.
- Comfortable road transportation from Kathmandu to trek starting point.
- In Kathmandu, a three-star hotel with twin beds and breakfast.
- Typical guesthouse/lodge accommodation during trekking.
- All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Seasonal fruits for the hike.
- Licensed English-speaking guide (one guide for every five trekkers; assistant guides for larger groups).
- First aid medications.
- Comprehensive insurance for guides and porters.
- Farewell dinner with Nepali cultural performance in Kathmandu.
- Official paperwork and government taxes.
- Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and Sagarmatha National Park admission fees.
- Sleeping bag and down jacket rental if necessary.
- Company T-shirt, trip completion certificate, and duffle bag for trekking gear.
- Extra lunch and dinner.
- Bills for dessert and bars.
- Your travel insurance and international ticket.
- Tips for the members of the trekking crew.
- Personal equipment and gear.
- Additional snacks and beverages.
- Personal medical expenses.
- Phone calls and internet usage during the trek.
Packing List for the Everest Base Camp Road Trek
Proper packing is key to enjoying your EBC road trek comfortably. Here’s a comprehensive list of essentials to bring:
Sturdy Trekking Boots
Camp Shoes / Sandals
Hiking Socks (4-5 Pairs)
Moisture-wicking T-shirts and thermal tops
Fleece jackets, down jackets
Trekking pants
Waterproof jacket and pants:
Gloves, hats, and buff/scarf
Daypack
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Water bottles
Power bank
Camera or smartphone
Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap
Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm with SPF
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Basic first aid kit
Passport and copies
Trekking permits
Travel insurance documents
Cash in Nepali Rupees
Maps
Navigate Your Journey
Good to Know
Things to Remember
2. Trek lodges or Accommodation
3-star Kathmandu hotels are included in your tour package, but on the trail, witness the true life of the mountains! In-route teahouses provide simple twin rooms with simple beds and little furniture. Shared bathrooms are the norm, with hot showers for a little extra money ($3-5 depending on altitude). The higher you go, facilities become rudimentary – at Gorak Shep (the highest overnight), electricity is limited, rooms are not heated, and in-room nighttime temperatures are below sub-zero. Bring a quality sleeping bag with a rating of -10°C or better for those diamond but chilly Himalayan evenings!
3. Meals and Food Options
Your trekking fare shall be carb-based fare that is perfect to replenish exhausted muscles! Legendary Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, and veg) will be your good friend – Nepali guides assure you of the “Dal Bhat power, 24 hours!” Tibetan breads, soups, momos (dumplings), pancakes, and some noodles follow. The majority of restaurants unexpectedly have varied menus in teahouses, even though the choice varies with elevation. Vegetarian stuff is our advice at high altitude, where meat’s storage history remains doubtful. With altitude, prices increase (a cup of hot chocolate in Gorak Shep will be 3-4 times more expensive than in Lukla), so bring some energy bars and trail mix. Stay hydrated – at least 3-4 liters per day – hot ginger, lemon, and honey tea is great for hydration as well as acclimatization!
4. Trek Difficulty and Physical Conditioning
This moderately demanding trek requires careful planning to succeed! Trekking in the Mount Everest Region Hints and Tips Allow 5-7 hours’ walking per day on very varied terrain, some much steeper than others like the vertiginous climb to Namche (its notorious “Namche Hill”) and the last approaches to Base Camp over boulder-strewn glacial moraines. The biggest challenge? Acclimatization to height gain on ascent from 2,360m at Salleri to 5,545m at Kala Patthar. Train at least 2-3 months prior to leaving: include frequent cardio (running, swimming, cycling), leg and core strength training, and weekend backpack treks. Even with superb physical fitness, trek slowly – it’s not a competition, and acclimatization is worth more than physical fitness!
5. Permits and Documents
You will get two permits for your trek: Sagarmatha National Park Entrance Permit ($30 per person) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit ($20 per person). You can trek individually when you are trekking in Annapurna, but trekking in the Everest region, it is highly recommended to hire experienced guides. Take passport photos and photocopies of your passport so that you can get the permit. Pay these fees as your contribution to trail upkeep, preservation, and facility development for the residents and visitors who offer you a welcome to their mountain community.
6. Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness can occur to any person regardless of how fit. Watch for repeat headaches, lightheadedness, lack of appetite, nausea, and insomnia. The road schedule assures great gradual acclimatization, a much better situation than the Lukla flight option. Namche and Dingboche rest days are essential – use them to make short ascents to higher elevations and descend to sleep lower (the “climb high, sleep low” principle). Consume 3-4 litres of water per day, avoid alcohol totally, and do not disregard any symptoms for your guide. The trekkers’ golden rule at high altitude: if the symptoms are not going away, descend immediately – no mountain view is worth your health! Take Diamox (acetazolamide) on the advice of your doctor, but be aware that it prevents, not cures, altitude sickness.
7. What to Put in the Pack
Pack carefully to change conditions from hot lowland valleys to cold high camps! Your clothing system should include wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers (fleece/down), and water-proof outerwear. Invest in good quality well-broken-in hiking boots with support, warm sleeping bag (-10°C rating), hat, gloves, and some sensible trekking socks. Good daypack (30-40L), trekking poles for knee-saving on long downhikes, headlamp with spares, good sunglasses (UV protection), and water purifier system (tablets or filter) are necessities. No lip balm, high SPF suntan lotion, full first-aid kit, toilet kit, drying towel, and power pack for recharging electronics are permitted. Disregard the trekker’s motto: every extra ounce is on your back for 18 days!
8. Electricity, Internet and Communication
Limited connectivity will be the order of the day! Namche teahouses have standard electricity for charging gear (at $2-5 a cycle), but electricity becomes increasingly limited and solar-panel-dependent from there. Wi-Fi at all the lodges along the trail is an additional cost ($3-8 per lodge) but becomes slower and less consistent after Namche. Nepal Telecom (NTC) generally has better coverage in the Khumbu valley than Ncell – buy a local SIM card in Kathmandu. Men are also accompanied by satellite phones for any emergency, so you’re not exactly disconnected when you’re at one of the most remote locations on the planet. The upside? This digital detox allows you to dive headlong into the stunning mountains that surround you from all directions!
9. Travel Insurance: Not Optional
It is not a recommendation – it’s necessary! Your policy should especially include high-altitude trekking up to 6,000m, emergency medical care, and helicopter rescue. These are the essential coverages that regular travel insurance policies won’t carry, so obtain them in writing as part of your policy. Rescue is around $5,000 to more than $10,000 or even more, depending on where you are and your situation. Leave a copy of your policy with your trekking company before you go so that you can receive a prompt response if something negative happens to you. With the knowledge that you are properly covered, you can relax to have a good time and not worry about accidents in this remote mountain frontier.
10. Money and Additional Expenses
Cash is the monarch of the mountains! ATMs are only available in Kathmandu and Namche Bazaar, so plan early. Spend $15-25 a day on meals (rising with altitude), and top up for snacks, hot showers ($3-5), internet ($3-8), battery charging ($2-5), and shopping at whim. Tip guides and porters are customary – pay 10-15% of your overall trekking expense (around $150-250 per trekker per team). Carry Nepalese Rupees in small denominations since change won’t be readily available in remote areas. Credit cards are accepted by some of the larger teahouses, but usually with a 3-4% surcharge. Carry an emergency fund ($200-300) in US dollars in case of any unforeseen expenses.
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road FAQs
Your Questions, Answered
2. How challenging is the road route trek as opposed to the Lukla route?
4-5 days behind but less physically taxing on your body as it climbs from a lower elevation, therefore safer to do successfully for those altitude sickness.
3. What is the condition of the toilet on this trek?
Very primitive facilities along the way – squat toilets are the norm, a couple of western toilets at Namche and down lower; bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer as these are not typically available.
4. Do I go trekking on my own or do I employ a guide?
Relatively speaking, in comparison to parts of Nepal, you can trek on your own but, in our opinion, should employ a guide for safety, local information, and guide reasons, especially if starting at Salleri rather than Lukla.
5. Will I be able to see Mount Everest while trekking?
No – surprisingly, Everest doesn’t appear until at Namche area on Day 5, and the best views are from Kala Patthar, not Base Camp itself, where Everest is hidden by Nuptse and Lhotse.
6. Should tap water be drunk?
Never, ever drink tap water; use purification tablets, a tried filter system, or buy bottled water (though environmentally irresponsible and rising in cost with elevation).
7. Can we get shower on the trek?
It is possible to get a hot shower in most teahouses for a small additional cost ($3-5), although less frequently and more expensive past Namche; others use wet wipes to clean higher up along the route.
8. Will my cell phone function on the trek?
Nepal Telecom is patchy everywhere except ridges and large villages; purchase local SIM in Kathmandu for maximum effectiveness.
9. What happens if I become sick with altitude sickness or injured?
Your guide will organize immediate descent if necessary – the only remedy for altitude sickness; worst-case, helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu is organized (ensure your insurance covers it).
10. How much do I tip guides and porters?
Tipping is customary and makes up much of their salary – be prepared to budget 10-15% of your trekking fee.
Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
View OurSimilar Packages
Discover our top tours, loved by thousands of travelers annually. Choose the adventure that inspires you and embark on a journey tailored to your desires.
Save 19%
Annapurna and Mardi Himal Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal Combined Trek is an excellent...
Save 30%
Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek
The Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek is one of the...
Save 34%
Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Cho La Pass
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Cho La Pass trek is...
Save 62%
Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lake Helicopter Tour – Guarantee Landing
Take a luxurious helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp, Kalapatthar, and...
Save 39%
Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most remote and...
Save 32%
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Are you ready for a journey that challenges your body, inspires...