Nepal: Everest Base Camp Trek

April 12-28, 2025

Do you desire to walk among the tallest mountains on Earth and see mount Everest with your own eyes? If so, we hope you’ll join us on this epic journey to Nepal. The Everest Base Camp Trek is a bucket list item for every seasoned trekker and is sure to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Far from the rush of the modern world, you will settle into a simple daily rhythm on the trail that is immensely enjoyable.

Our experienced local guide team will take excellent care of us. The warmth of the Nepali people and the insight into their culture will add a deeper dimension to the journey. The camaraderie within the group that gradually develops on the trail and the unexpected friendships you form with the locals you meet will be highlights of traveling in this wonderful country. In the evenings we will stay in Nepalese mountain lodges where we will enjoy hot meals and a fun communal atmosphere shared by people from all around the world.

In addition to enjoying the splendors of Nepal we will be giving back to the local communities. A portion of your ticket will be donated to a primary school that we will visit on the first day of our trek.  We are also partnering with a local organization to remove trash from the Everest region.  Each trekker will receive a dry bag to fill with trash and bring back to Lukla.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp will test your physical and mental strength - and it will be worth every moment! Join Melanie and her posse of wanderers on this journey to Nepal.

Link to the Travel Light Adventure Duo Podcast Episode about EBC:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LQlGCkhOYATnrOyWrhWdi?si=7zSfwxoERHS2u7CMnT_9Vw

• You love hiking and want to experience the most iconic trek in the world with a fantastic group of people
• You are up for a physical and mental challenge! 
• You have a positive attitude and are open minded
• You are confident hiking over uneven terrain for 6-8 hours per day
• You are comfortable staying in unheated dorm-style accommodation, sharing a room, and using a squat toilet
• You have done your research on the EBC trek and you’re STOKED (and maybe a little nervous)
• You understand the impacts of being at high altitude (highest point of the EBC trek is 18,519 feet)
• You know that we are flying in small airplanes (Twin otter) or helicopters and landing on mountain runways
• You have a passport that is valid until at least October 2025 or you plan to get it renewed

     *If you have any doubts, connect with me and we will discuss if this trip is a good fit

• This trip requires being in excellent physical condition
• Having previous backpacking experience will enhance the enjoyability of the journey
• Confidence hiking on rocky terrain

• April 12 - Meet the group Kathmandu, Nepal
• April 13 - Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu/ 4 hour drive, overnight in Mulkot
• April 14 - Fly to Lukla, trek to Monjo (8,700 ft) 30 minute flight/ 5 hour trek
• April 15 - Trek from Monjo to Namche (11,286 ft) 5/6 hour trek
• April 16 - Namche: Acclimatization day
• April 17 - Trek from Namche to Deboche (12,696 ft) 5 hour trek
• April 18 - Trek from Deboche to Pheriche (14,304 ft) 6 hour trek
• April 19 - Acclimatization Day
• April 20 - Trek from Pheriche to Lobuche (16,207 ft) 5/6 hour trek
• April 21 - Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (16,961 ft), Trek to Kala Patthar (18,192 ft)  6/7 hour trek
• April 22 - Trek to Everest Base Camp (17,598) and trek to Pheriche (14,304 ft). 8/9 hour trek
• April 23 - Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (11,286) 5/6 hour trek
• April 24 - Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (9,186 ft) 7/9 hour trek
• April 25 - Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu via Ramechhap
• April 26 - Leisure day, optional massage
• April 27 - Souvenir shopping & sightseeing in Kathmandu
• April 28 - Departures back home
  

$3,997 - $500 deposit due upon acceptance, payment plan available

• Payment plan available! Click "BOOK NOW" for details
• $200 from each ticket will be donated to a primary school that we will visit in the Everest region

• Pre-trip guidance on booking flights, what to pack, and how to train
• All airport transfers
• 4 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu & 1 night at Mulkot on twin sharing basis 
• Guided City tour in Kathmandu
• All meals except for two lunches
• RT Flights to Lukla (Weight limit: 22 lbs main baggage and 11 lbs hand carry per passenger/flight) 
• All domestic airport taxes
• All necessary paper work and permits (National Park and local government duties)
• 12–13 nights in Nepalese mountain lodges during the trek (unheated twin rooms, shared bathrooms with squat or western toilets), shared showers (solar or propane-heated hot water at an additional cost), power and Wifi available (for an additional fee) 
• An experienced English-speaking Govt. registered trekking guide and local porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
• Guide and porter salaries, insurance, equipment, transport, food and lodging
• Swiss Katydyn filter for water filtration 
• First Aid kit

• Round-trip flights to Nepal
• Snacks and alcohol
• Nepal entry visa fees
• Gratuities for local guides
• Optional Gear Rental (trekking poles, sleeping bag, etc.)
• Hot showers on the trek (can be purchased for a small price)
• Travel Insurance (this is required)
• Any expense incurred during rescue or evacuation
• Helicoptor ride (If weather is cloudy and planes can't fly for 2+ days we will charter a helicopter)
• Lunch in Kathmandu April 26 & 27
  

• You will need to arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 12th, 2025 (you will need to leave home on April 10th or 11th)
• You can depart Kathmandu on April 28th, 2025
• Please note that due to the irregularity of mountain flights to and from the Everest region it is possible to experience delays in returning to Kathmandu. If your schedule allows I recommend booking your return flight after April 28th

Travel insurance is required. Below are a few options we have used in the past.  Make sure to do your own research to pick the best option for you!

• Safety Wing: https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=Travellight&utm_source=Travellight&utm_medium=Ambassador
• World Nomads: https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance
• Battleface: https://www.battleface.com/en-us/
• A note about CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance: You must insure your full trip cost, purchase the plan more than 10 days before departure date, purchase within 15 days of initial trip deposit, and cancel more than 48 hours before your scheduled departure date

• Into Thin Air, John Krakauer
• The Climb, Anatoli Boukreev

• Deposit ($500 per person) is not refundable in any situation
• After the full payment is made, trip balance (not including non-refundable deposit and any non-refundable payments made to suppliers) may be refunded in full only if trip is sold out and a new and previously unregistered participant books your canceled spot and pays in full.

Please Note:

• Each participant must have $600 USD available in cash (or credit card) for a helicopter in/out of Lukla in case of airline delays/cancellations so the group can maintain the scheduled itinerary.
• Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.

Mountain Flights

Twin Otter aircraft is the usual mode of transport to and from Lukla. This flight is included in the trip package and can be an intense part of the experience due to the nature of the mountain weather and the location of the Lukla runway. If you have any reservations with flying/small planes etc., please discuss this with Melanie.

This service is fairly dependable, however in case the flights are cancelled due to mountain weather conditions, we will work to get you on the next available flight. Should the bad weather persist, your guides will make the call to charter a helicopter for either or both ways. The helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500 m, while the Twin Otter can fly if the visibility is 5000m as per the Civil Aviation Rules.

The cost of the helicopter is payable directly to our guides (have cash) in the event that this service is utilized. You will be given a receipt upon payment so that you may submit a claim from your travel insurance. The cost will be $600 USD. The baggage weight allowed for is 22 lbs check-in baggage + 11 lbs hand carry per passenger. These limits are strictly adhered to so please pack carefully.

Climate & Weather:

While in Kathmandu, we will most likely experience clear sky mornings with cloudy afternoons with daytime temperatures between 65 – 80°F (18 - 26°C). While trekking, daytime temperatures can range from highs of 39-55°F (4 -12°C) with overnight temps averaging 19° (-7 °C). You should expect mornings and evenings to be below freezing. Rain is infrequent and clear weather allows a spectacular view of the stars.

Important Note Regarding Altitude

In the event that a group member must descend the mountain due to altitude sickness, illness or injury, trek staff will accompany them down the trail to lower elevation and support their return to Kathmandu. Provisions are available for a pony/horse ride (non-severe cases) or a helicopter ride (only for severe cases) to decrease the altitude level. We will be able to designate the trekking guides and porters for the mid-travel departures.

Guides will be in constant contact with the office in Kathmandu and in case of emergency, quick response is possible. The arrangement of the emergency evacuation by any means is the responsibility of our local guides and porters.

Once the group member is down off the trail, they will be accompanied to the hospital and later returned to the hotel. Extra nights off the trail are at the group member’s expense, as are meals, bottled water and any other items or excursions during this time as well as any additional fees associated with evacuation such as helicopter rescue.

The group member can then choose:

1. To remain in Kathmandu and await the group’s return.
2. To depart anytime.

In either case, the Travel Light guide and the local partner/guide must be notified of their decision.

*Please note: trip interruption insurance is required in case of flight and/or helicopter delays from Lukla to Kathmandu. We cannot guarantee the day or time of our return flight to Lukla. Trip interruption must cover the cost of rescheduling your flights should you miss your originally planned departure from Kathmandu.

Reminder: You must have access to $600 US for the helicopter in/out of Lukla in case of airline delays/cancellations so the group can maintain the scheduled itinerary. Credit card and/or cash is accepted.