The Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek: Rugged Luxury

Things to know

• What’s special about this Rugged Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek?
  • Instead of just tagging the “trekkers rock” on the outskirts of Everest Base Camp and returning down into the valley, you will actually enter Base Camp Proper—which is something that 99% of trekkers never reach! Once there, you’ll enjoy two nights in exclusive, luxury Climbing the Seven Summits Camp in heated, geodesic dome tents. These are heated and powered with a queen-sized bed, and are the ultimate Everest glamping digs!
  • You’ll have the best accommodation there is—3 nights at a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu, 7 nights in top-class mountain lodges along the trekking route, and 2 nights in exclusive, luxury tents in Everest Base Camp.
  • Your team of Sherpas will be the cream of the crop, led by the legendary “Big” Tendi Sherpa. “Big” Tendi is a three-time Everest summiter, an IFMGA Mountain Guide, and the Technical Director for the Nepal Mountain Guide Association. You will be joined by the strongest, most skilled, and most trusted Sherpas. They are the highest paid on the mountain and you’ll quickly admire and respect their hard work, humility, gregariousness, and strength.
  • Food is held to the highest standard on this trip, just like everything else. You’ll eat at the finest teahouses and once you reach the base camp, you can expect delicious dishes from a top-notch cook who trains at five-star restaurants during the off-season,
  • You’ll get a champagne breakfast on the glacier at Everest Base Camp.
  • There will be a beginner-friendly ice climbing clinic.
  • You’ll experience a 60-minute massage at 17,598 ft (5,364 m)!
  • Instead of spending three days going down the mountain, a helicopter will come and take you back to Kathmandu! As a perfect ending to your trek, you will enjoy a scenic heli flight with spectacular views of the highest mountains in the world.
  • Your guides made sure to make your Everest Base Camp experience as unique and as comfy as possible. So after that massage, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while watching a movie in the famous “Big House”, a huge solar-powered dome that serves as the heart of the camp. Here you’ll also find coffee tables, couches, a library, a yoga area, and a cafe with a professional barista.
  • Finally, keep in mind that this is a rugged luxury experience, meaning that you’ll get a taste of the true, untamed expedition lifestyle blended with all to comforts and luxuries you can get!
• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • 16-day rugged luxury Everest Base Camp trek
    • IFMGA Mountain Guide and Everest Summit Guide
    • World-class porters and Sherpa staff
    • Accommodation
      • Five-star accommodation in Kathmandu (3 nights) — single rooming, dual occupancy for couples
      • Finest teahouse and mountain lodge accommodation in the Khumbu Valley (8 nights)
      • Tented camps at Lobuche Base Camp (2 nights)
      • Luxury Everest Executive Domes at Everest Base Camp Proper (2 nights)
    • Airport transfers
    • All group transportation while on the expedition
    • Domestic flights to Lukla at the start of trek
    • Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
    • All meals while on the trek and at Everest Base Camp
    • 1x one-hour massage at Everest Base Camp Spa
    • Beginner-friendly ice climbing clinic and necessary gear
    • Shared one-way helicopter from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu

  What’s not included:

  • • International flights to and from Kathmandu
    • Airport arrival or departure taxes, visas, associated travel expenses
    • Any extensions prior or post the specified itinerary — however, your guides can help you plan these add-ons, please contact us in time
    • Personal clothing and equipment, toiletries
    • Sherpa tip pool ($400 for trekkers)
    • Guide tips, customary but optional
    • Any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond the normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping
    • Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
    • Bar tabs, mini bars, hotel internet bills, laundry etc
    • Lunch in Kathmandu, souvenirs and personal sundries
• What exactly is rugged luxury?

  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.

• How fit do I need to be?

  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.

• What about the altitude?

  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.

• What's the accommodation like?

  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.

  • While in Kathmandu, you’ll stay at a five-star hotel.
  • Once you get on the trek, you’ll stay at the finest teahouses and mountain lodges in the Khumbu Valley. These teahouses were handpicked by your guides who have stayed at and witnesses them in person, and they’ve been chosen for their comfort, hygiene standards, and food quality.
  • You’ll stay in tented camps at Lobuche Camp as well as in Gorak Shep.
  • Once you finally reach the base camp, you’ll get comfy and rested at luxury Executive Domes by CTSS.

  

  

• What’s the food like?

  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.

  

  

  

• What do I need to bring?

  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

  • • Casual travel clothes
    • Light-weight sneakers for travel and base camp
    • Medium-weight trekking boots with ankle support
    • 2 pairs light socks & 2 pairs medium-weight trekking socks
    • Medium-weight gaiters
    • 2 pairs of thermal underlayers top & bottom (1 light, 1 medium)
    • 4 pairs of underwear
    • 2 pairs of synthetic climbing pants (1 light, 1 medium)
    • 1 pair of insulated pants
    • 1 pair of shell pants (waterproof with full side zippers and fit over climbing pants)
    • 2 Medium weight layers (1 synthetic pile jacket, 1 down or synthetic vest and jacket)
    • Shell jacket (waterproof)
    • Heavy down parka with hood
    • 2 buff neck gaiters
    • 2 heavy-weight winter hats
    • Baseball hat or sun hat that protects the neck
    • Medium-weight fleece gloves
    • Heavy-weight climbing gloves

  Personal equipment

  • • Day pack (30L) and pack cover
    • Heavy PVC duffel bag with locks
    • Down sleeping bag (rated to -20F)
    • Trekking poles
    • 2 headlamps (1 medium-sized, 1 small-sized as a backup)
    • Batteries (make sure to have enough for the whole trip with spares)
    • 2 one-liter water bottles, wide mouth
    • Water purification (iodine tablets, filter, or UV treatment)
    • Multitool
    • Altitude watch
    • Basic medical kit with high altitude meds (blister kit, bandaids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, Diamox (acetazolamide, 125 g) for AMS, antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, ear plugs, duct tape, antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastro-intestinal such as Ciprofloxacin), melatonin, asthma meds if you use it (Advair) cold and flu meds

  Personal items

  • • Prescription eyewear
    • Travel wallet with passport, cash and travel documents
    • 5 passport photos
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen and zync
    • Hand sanitizer (several small bottles)
    • Small soap & small shampoo
    • Pack towel
    • Toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Nail trimmers
    • Baby wipes
    • Book or Kindle / iPad
    • Camera
• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For the rugged luxury Everest Base Camp Trek, the usual group size is between 8 and 12 people with one guide and sherpas. Your guide is a top Everest summit guide who is laser focused on your safety, acclimatization, and success.

  Rugged luxury Everest Base Camp treks 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.

• Getting there and meeting location

  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.

• Why do I need a guide?

  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.

• Entry to Nepal and safety measures
  • • A trip insurance policy is required for the rugged luxury Everest Base Camp trek (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.). If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
    • To visit Nepal, you must have a Nepalese visa. For this trip, you will need a 30 day multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 6 months and costs 50 USD. You can easily obtain it as soon as you arrive in the country, which is usually at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
    • You are strongly advised to build in contingency days on either side of your trip, to allow for travel delays. These days are not included in your trip costs. We also recommend booking a flexible fare for the return flight home. Flights can sometimes be delayed out of the Khumbu due to mountain weather.
    • We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
• Deposits and cancellation policy

  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!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  • • Booking fees are non-refundable. 
    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 120 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-119 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Early bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your early bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how early bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.