The Mt. Everest region is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal offering some of the most spectacular scenery in the country and is a great fusion of incredible scenery, challenging high altitude hiking, and experiencing Sherpa people and their unique culture. This trek takes you through the most popular villages of the Khumbu to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain Mt. Everest. Trek highlights include visiting Everest Base Camp and hiking to Kalapattar (5550m), which means Black Rock, for dramatic views of Mt. Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, and Lhotse, and other peaks of the entire Khumbu region. The terrain you will hike on is well-established trails and paths.

**To be clear, the Everest Base Camp Trek is not a climb of Everest or any mountain (with the optional exception of the aforementioned Kalapattar).**

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The Trek to Everest Base Camp is an extraordinary way to truly immerse yourself into the Himalayan way of life. From the breathtaking sights of the Everest Peaks, Monasteries, and Tea Houses, the culture of the Sherpas, to the stunningly beautiful atmosphere, the local wildlife, and the camaraderie of the wonderful adventure community, these are just a few of the reasons why this Trek is truly worth it.

Mike and Dr. Jon have combined their expertise in fitness, exploration, safety, positivity, and guidance to deliver an immensely well-rounded trip that will hit all the notable Nepalese sights and places along the way. Also included, the Trek will offer unparalleled opportunities, such as: guided Wim Hof Method breathwork (led by Mike), acoustic performances, meditation sessions and more with an emphasis on inner-peace, motivation, and the beauty of life.

We know that choosing the right expedition is important. Making the Trek to Everest Base Camp with this incredible team will be the most fun and rewarding decision you’ll make, for an adventure of a lifetime.

The months of September & October tend to have the most stable and clear weather; trails are quite busy this time of year.

Sunny Fall Days in the 50s-60s below 12,000′ Overnight lows in the 30s.

Above 12,000-14,000′ 40s-50s, lows in the 20s.

14,000-18,000′ 30s-40s, lows in the teens, but the sunshine at high altitude makes it feel much warmer.

While this trek is physically challenging, trekkers do not need to have previous mountain climbing experience. However, before you embark on this trek, we do believe that participating in daily/weekly physical activities such as running, swimming, and hiking is favored. The hike will be approximately 80 miles (130 km) up through the Khumbu Valley, gaining almost 10,000 vertical feet in 8-9 days. On most days, trekkers hike 5 to 6 hours total. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring the villages and relaxing at the lodges.

Given this duration and altitude, an advanced level of endurance and aerobic conditioning is required and we want you to be prepared for this. Strong physical fitness will allow you to enjoy the trek even more, so you are not exhausted at the end of each day, and will also help with the acclimatization process.

For acclimatizing to high elevations, getting up to and above 10,000 feet will certainly be helpful in the weeks leading up to your trek, but it isn’t necessary. We have a tried and tested method for safely gaining altitude on this trek and taking appropriate rest days to allow our bodies time to adapt and produce more red blood cells. We monitor our trekkers pace and physical health to ensure they are moving at the correct pace for them to avoid the issues and symptoms that signify altitude sickness.In summary, you don’t have to be fresh off a marathon PR to enjoy this trek, but being as fit as you can be will certainly be beneficial!

• Consult us for pre-Trek training advice (included in the trek price). You’ll want to do a consistent regimen of aerobic (running, hiking, cycling, etc.) and resistance (weight training, balance, core, etc.) training to sufficiently prepare you for the amount of time you’ll spend your on feet during the trek, the amount of elevation gain, the uneven terrain, and the altitude.
• We hire porters to carry most of your gear other than the daypack you carry each day with food, water, and layers, so your pack should only weigh 10-15 lbs each day. However, we recommend preparing by doing at least one multi-day backpacking trip before you go as a great way to train for hiking several hours a day for consecutive days, and getting comfortable living out of a backpack.
• If you have access to mountains, we also recommend climbing a few peaks to learn how your body adapts to higher altitudes, how to pace yourself on long climbs, how to eat and drink on the move, and to test your gear and figure out how to layer clothing to stay cool or warm, depending on the weather.

With the exception of a few meals in Kathmandu at the beginning and end of the trek, most meals are included in the trip cost. We usually do a welcome dinner together as a team in Kathmandu the day after your arrival in Nepal, and a celebration dinner on the back end of the trip before you fly home.

During the trek, breakfast and dinner will typically be provided at the lodge and lunch will be between at one of the trail side restaurants. Traditional Nepali meal (Dal Bhat) i.e. rice and lentils as well as a variety of different western items such as pizza, pasta, and French fries. You will also want to bring your own snacks and sports drink (in powdered form) for hiking, to maintain your energy levels. We will provide you intermittently with bottled water, but please be prepared to purchase your own water, drinks, and snacks you want along the way, which most of the tea houses and trail side restaurants will have readily available for you. We also recommend you eat vegetarian and can easily facilitate that with the tea houses.

The luxury lodges between Lukla and Pangboche include spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, electric blankets and stylish interiors. Our standard trips are based on shared rooms, usually twin-share. Sleeping tents are spacious enough to stand in and are equipped with cot beds and LED lighting. Typically you will share a tent with one other trekker.

Showers and hot water for washing are available at each camp. We advise people to bring wet-wipes for an impromptu wash in between available showers.

If you wish to do a small amount of laundry during the trek, this will be possible in Namche and Dingboche, however, please be aware that items can take a long time to dry at the higher elevations.

Once you are registered, we will provide you with a Trek-essential list of gear needed. It’s best to buy everything you need several months in advance of your trip so you can test everything out multiple times on training hikes. Getting a blister from new boots on day 1 of your trek is not fun and can ruin the experience.

Please note: While this is a trek to high altitude, we stay on well-established trails and paths. Therefore, you will not need crampons, ropes, harnesses, or other technical mountain climbing equipment.

Upon making the Trek, please ensure your flight from the US is booked no later than Oct 14th to ensure arrival by the 16th

Oct 16-17: Arrive in Kathmandu (elev. 4264 ft / 1300m)

• We’ll assist you to your hotel from the airport. 
• Do a gear check
• Dinner at a popular local restaurant
• Stay at the Aloft Kathmandu Thamel
• City tour

Oct 18: Fly to Lukla / Stay in Phakding

• Scenic airplane or helicopter flight to Lukla
• Continue on to Phakding (elev. 8700 ft / 2652m)
• Stay overnight at our local Sherpa Foundation partners’ home

Oct 19: Trek to Namche Bazaar (elev. 11283 ft / 3440m)

• Hot breakfast, then trek to Namche Bazaar, a 5-6 hour hike
• Cross several suspension bridges, enter Sagarmatha National Park.
• Great views of Everest, Lhotse, and other beautiful peaks and valleys.
• Overnight stay at Camp de Base or Khumbu Lodge

Oct 20: Rest day to Acclimatize

• Hike around Namche Bazaar to shops, market places, and bakeries.
• Optional short trek to Everest View Hotel
• Special outdoor lunch in Village of Khumjung

Oct 21: Trek to Deboche

• 5 to 6 hour trek to Deboche, elevation 12,532ft / 3820m
• Includes steep ascent up to Tengboche monastery, with picturesque background of Ama Dablam and Everest
• Overnight stay at Rivendell Lodge

Oct 22: Trek to Dingboche

• 5 to 6 hour trek to Dingboche, elevation 14295 ft / 4358m.
• Pass the highest year-round settlement of Pangboche, at 3860m
• Continue ascending through alpine meadows and yak herds
• Overnight stay in a lodge

Oct 23: Rest Day to Acclimatize

• Optional hike to Chhukung and Imja Valley toward Island Peak
• Optional hike up to Chhukung Ri
• Or explore Dingboche Valley
• Relax at the Lodge

Oct 24: Trek to Luboche (elev. 16164 ft / 4928m)

• Ascend to Dugla near the terminus of the Khumbu Glacier
• Hike up to the ridge to the Everest Memorials
• Overnight stay at Mother Earth Lodge, the world’s highest bakery
• Visit to Italian Research Pyramid

Oct 25: Trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp

• Hike to Gorak Shep, check into the lodge.
• After lunch, trek to Everest Base Camp (elev. 17450 ft / 5320m).  This is the most wonderful, renowned part of the trek.
• Return to Gorak Shep for overnight
• May also include a 3am start to hike to Kala Patthar (TBD)

Oct 26: Hike back to Deboche

• Depending upon planning and conditions, Trek may include an early climb up to Kala Patthar (elev. 18204 ft / 5550m).  You’ll get sunrise views of Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam.
• Then, a hike back down to Luboche, from Gorak Shep

Oct 27-28: Trek back to Namche Bazaar / Trek 1-3 hours on stone paved trails to Cheplung then Lukla

• Back-to-back days of easy descending down the valley, with overnight lodging and hot showers.

Oct 29: Fly to Kathmandu (helicopter) / End of Trek

• Fly on either an airplane or helicopter back to Kathmandu. 
• Watch planes landing at the famous Lukla airport.
• Group photos.
• Guides will assist you to your hotel in Kathmandu and to the airport for your flight home.

Payment for the trip will be broken down into 3 installments:

• $4,000 non-refundable security deposit down, once application has been accepted
• Second payment of $8,000 is due July 1st, 2022
• Final payment of $8,000 is due sixty (60) days prior to the trip start date. 

Payment can be made by ACH, check, or wire.

Safety and security is our top priority. While there are often risks associated with adventure travel, particularly to overseas destinations that you should consider before booking, our trip is designed to adhere to this and the well-being of all our trekkers. Our trek personnel are constantly monitoring the areas of operation and will cancel or re-route a trip if they feel a destination is unsafe. 

In the event that a trekker becomes sick or injured, a member of our staff will stay with the trekker, should they not be able to go on with the group. We recommend medications to bring for common ailments and will also have extras with us. 

In an emergency, a helicopter can be hired to transport a trekker back down to a hospital in Kathmandu. The Himalayan Rescue Association is our partner in the Khumbu with clinics in several of the villages, so we can take a trekker to those clinics if necessary, and we ask that trekkers join the American Alpine Club for medical insurance through their partner Global Rescue,  which provides for free medical care the entire trek.

We will constantly emphasize the following safety protocols:

1. Stay well-hydrated and caught up on calories. Appetite tends to decrease at higher elevation, so eating can become more of a necessity rather than a pleasurable activity. 
2. Go slow while hiking and keep the heart rate low. No need to rush, enjoy the beauty.
3. Bring adequate layers as the weather can change rapidly in the mountains.
4. Everyone stays with the group.

Covid Disclaimer:

Despite being a predominantly remote location with tons of fresh air, the Everest region was still impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In March 2020, both China and Nepal closed their borders and canceled the 2020 Everest climbing season. In November 2020, Nepal reopened borders to trekkers in a very limited capacity. While most non-citizens still cannot enter the country, trekkers can now seek prior approval and special permits via their trekking company for the fall/winter 2022 trekking season. Stay up to date with current travel restrictions by checking your country’s travel advice.

Trekkers can fly into Kathmandu, Nepal from their home country. We require trekkers to arrive a minimum of 1 day prior to the trek start date to allow for time to adjust to jet lag and to purchase any last minute items in the big city.  

Upon arrival at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), we will have a staff member there to transport you by private vehicle to your hotel in the city.  All trekkers on the team will be staying at the same hotel.  We will assist you in booking your roundtrip flights (the only transportation you arrange on your own and pay for out of pocket) so that you arrive at a similar time as other team members.

Once in Nepal, all your transportation is prearranged and covered.  We fly by airplane or helicopter up to Lukla to start the trek. 

Travel insurance is required for the trek and should include coverage for trip cancellation or delay, baggage loss, medical expenses, and evacuation .  There are many options in the marketplace.  Another current requirement is that the travel insurance cover you for COVID-related contingencies (cancellation, testing, and treatment).  We will help you select the right insurance for you as part of our inclusive pre-trip planning services.

For information on travel advisories and restrictions in Nepal, go to the U.S. Embassy website.  In addition, we check in frequently with our staff in Nepal on what’s happening on the ground in the country (regarding testing, quarantines, etc.) and keep our members updated as their trip approaches.

A valid passport is required for entering Nepal.  We will assist you on applying for and securing your visa upon arriving in Nepal.