The greatest trek in the world—Everest Base Camp Trek—can be even greater if you make it ruggedly luxurious. This means the very best lodgings, food, guides, actually spending 2 nights at the Everest Base Camp, (unlike 99% of trekkers!) and getting a helicopter ride back! An Everest summiter and an IFMGA guide will lead you on this 16-day journey along the 40-mile route all the way up to the 17,598-foot base camp. This is where you’ll find surprisingly fancy accommodation, get a champagne breakfast, try out ice climbing, and mingle with aspiring summiters. And instead of the 3-day walk back to Kathmandu, a helicopter will come whisk you away—this scenic flight back will give you a bird’s eye view of the most spectacular mountain terrain in the world! So you see: this exclusive and luxe trek isn’t just any ol’ trek. It’s an unforgettable journey through the highest mountains, magical landscapes, and intriguing history—with an added bonus of unparalleled Everest comforts that you won’t find anywhere else.
With an IFMGA Mountain Guide and Everest Summit Guide by your side, you will experience the Everest Base Camp Trek in the most unique and comfortable way possible. Starting from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, where you’ll stay at a 5-star hotel, you will continue your way up to Everest Base Camp and stay at the finest mountain lodges available along the way. Once you reach the Base Camp Proper, you will mingle with the summiteers and see where the action happens! Don’t forget it’s all about Rugged Luxury, this means heated dome tents just for you! After an ice climbing clinic, you will fly back to Kathmandu and discover the city on a full-day tour. Do the most iconic trek in the world the luxe way!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Rugged luxury is all about bringing a dash of refinement to remote places and innovating to achieve comfort and a sense of indulgence, without sacrificing the experiential aspects of adventure travel that we all seek and love.
It’s still an untamed, off the beaten path expedition that satisfies your desire for exploration and being close to nature, but with as many creature comforts as possible. In a nutshell, it’s comparative luxury in really remote places.
This Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp trek is achievable and accessible to anyone who is healthy, relatively fit, and willing to train for the adventure. You will receive a pre-trip departure booklet and a program which has all you need to know about trekking at altitude, gear, visas, and more. Follow the program and allow yourself sufficient time to prepare for this adventure—you will not only enjoy the trek, but be able to immerse yourself in the surroundings and be truly present, without feeling totally out of your comfort zone.
Walking at altitude is a slow process, so we encourage you to settle into the rhythm and pace set by your experienced guides. Enjoy taking in the magnificent views of the mountains around you, and the quaint villages that you pass through. There is no rush at altitude. You will spend 4 to 7 hours hiking each day. Be prepared to walk in all weather, and on undulating mountain terrain, crossing creeks and rivers and climbing some high passes.
From the minute you land in Lukla, you are at altitude, and your body requires time to ease and adjust to this new altitude naturally. One of the best ways to do this is to climb slowly. This itinerary is designed to allow time for acclimatization to minimize the stress of altitude on the body. However, illness at altitude can be experienced in varying degrees, from a slight headache, breathlessness or fatigue. Your guides know the signs and will work with you to help avoid and manage altitude illness. We will ask you to practice a very high level of hygiene at all stages of the trek. Your guides take many precautions to make sure we minimize the chances of our team members getting sick.
The accommodation during the tour will be the best of the best, based on single rooming. Of course, it goes without staying that if you’re travelling as a couple or would like to stay together in rooms, your guides will provide you with double occupancy.
All your food on the trail is taken care of and dietary adjustments are possible. While in Kathmandu, your guides will take you to one of the best restaurants in the city and you’ll enjoy breakfast there.
Once you get on the Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll stay at the finest teahouses, where hosts prepare delicious and locally sourced food.
Once you reach the base camp, the food you’ll be served is the finest one on Mt. Everest. There will be a head chef, Kumar, who has been cooking for Everest expeditions for more than a decade and trains at 5-star hotels in the off-season.
Generally, while on trek and at the base camp, you can expect omelettes, pancakes, porridge, chicken, rice, stir fry, vegetables—sustainably farmed and local. You are certainly welcome and encouraged to bring some of your favorite snacks, though rest assured that your guides provide plenty of food and there will be opportunities to purchase snacks along the trail.
This gear list has been carefully compiled over years of treks and expeditions. Please take it seriously. All of the items on the list are mandatory. If you don’t have all the items on the list, you will be required to purchase them in Kathmandu. Please contact us for specific items or more details on items.
Clothing
Personal equipment
Personal items
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Group sizes and pricing
Rugged luxury Everest Base Camp treks can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital and the starting point of your tour, most people fly into Tribhuvan International Airport. Your guides will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your five-star hotel in Kathmandu. Feel free to arrive any time, but make sure you communicate it well with your guide so they know when to pick you up.
Apart from the fact that you’ll have a highly experienced and knowledgeable person by your side—who’ll also make sure you have the best time in the country—trekking in Nepal is no longer allowed without a guide. This decision has been made for the tourists’ benefit, as many tourists have gone missing over the past few years when they went trekking by themselves.
Deposits
When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% of the trip price is to be paid 120 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
Cancellations
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The CTSS team went above and beyond every step of my journey, from when I booked my EBC trek to after I got home. Big Tendi Sherpa was a wealth of knowledge and thought if every little detail to ensure we made it to camp healthy. We stayed in the best tea houses along the way, and the amenities and service at EBC were next level, from the espresso bar to the massage tent.