Hiking the Everest Base Camp Trek

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures for the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, please refer to the US Embassy’s foreign travel advice for Nepal.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 15 days of hiking
  • Porter
  • Airport pickup and drop off
  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park permit, TIMS)
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and fresh seasonal fruit after dinner (while on the hike)
  • Down jackets and sleeping bags (provided upon request)
  • First aid medical kit
  • Full-day guided city tour in Kathmandu by a private vehicle
  • Insurance of guide and porter
  • Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight tickets
  • Lodge expenses
  • Nepal Ascent Treks duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map
  • Stay in the city at the finest hotel (3 nights, twin-sharing room at Kathmandu)
  • Transportation in a private vehicle
  • Welcome and farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants with traditional music and dance
  • 1-hour trekkers massage/ yoga after the trip completion
  • 5 hot showers (attached bathroom) during the trek
  • Local sim card

What’s not included:

• • Any additional trips
  • Extra hot showers, wi-fi, and battery charging on the hike
  • Extra porter charge
  • Meals in the city (apart from breakfast and other mentioned special dinners)
  • Nepal arrival visa
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance which covers emergency rescue and evacuation

In order to participate in this strenuous trip to the Everest Base Camp, you need to be in excelent physical condition as you’ll be hiking for 2 weeks, 3-9 hours per day. We recommend that you start exercising a couple of months prior to the trip, at least 3-4 hours a week. During your trekking days, there will be some steeper and more challenging ascents along the way. There will be less arduous days reserved for acclimatization and rest. Keep in mind that you’ll also be carrying a backpack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before the start of the adventure. 3 to 4 hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, or cycling per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Gloves
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Trekking pants and full-sleeved t-shirts
  • Lightweight hiking boots and hiking socks
  • Sandals
  • Climbing gear
  • Gaiters
  • Sleeping bag (provided upon request)
  • Towels and undergarments
  • Spare clothes for layering
  • Waterproof rain jacket and down jacket
  • Sunhat and wool hat
  • Money belt
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Notebook and pen
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, aspirin, band-aids, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for the tour to operate. Maximum group size is 12 people. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. 

Hiking the Everest Base Camp Trek can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A 20% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking and it is non-refundable. You’ll pay the remaining 80% on arrival to Kathmandu prior to the start of the trip. While the deposit is paid via bank transfer or credit cards, the remaining 80% balance must be paid to the guiding company in cash prior to departure for the trip from Kathmandu.

If the Client cancels or postpones their booked trip for any reason, their deposit remains valid until they are ready for the trip. Alternatively, they can transfer the booked trip to others. The company will not be responsible to refund any amount if the trip is canceled or postponed due to clients’ personal reasons or any unfortunate circumstances. 

The guiding company requires a written notice in case of any cancellation.

• • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip, Client may reuse 100% of the total cost for another trip, valid for a year.
  • For cancellations fifteen (15) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to reuse 80% of the amount paid for another trip, valid for a year.
  • For cancellations seven (7) calendar days prior to the trip, Client is entitled to reuse 50% of the total amount for another trip, valid for a year.
  • Any changes, amendments, or additions in aggregation to the trip the Client has booked, such as hotels, transfers, additional days, etc., will account for an additional administration fee of $20/ booking per change. These additional charges are imposed by hotels, ground operators, or airlines, and not by the company.

To get to your Everest Base Camp Trek adventure, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport. Your guides will come pick you up and take you to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city.

Once you’ve arrived to Kathmandu, your guide will suggest the best place to meet—most likely, it will be the hotel you’re staying at or a restaurant at which you’ll have your welcome dinner. You’ll go through a briefing about the trip and prepare for the adventure ahead.