Why Trekking and Travel In Nepal

How to get to Everest Base Camp I've been on the Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC) 2018 on several occasions and wanted to culminate all the information I gathered about just that specific trek on one page. If there's something not mentioned here, just contact me and I'll let you know before adding it here. From package tours to budget guides there are many ways to Everest Base Camp! Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular treks in Nepal. And, for good reason. You get to see the tallest mountain in the world up close! Not only that but you get to see the entire Himalayan mountain range which is quite spectacular. The top photograph on this page is exactly what you can see at the end of this trek! Below is a list of categories on this page that will hopefully answer all your questions about the trek. LIST OF QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT EBC » Where is Mt Everest Base Camp? » A Map of Everest Base Camp Facts about Mount Everest » How to arrange a trek to Everest Base Camp? » Best time of year to go trekking to Everest? » What equipment do I need to go trekking to Everest Base Camp? » How fit do I need to by to go trekking to Everest? » What happens if I get sick on the trek? » How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek? » How much does an Everest Base Camp Trek cost? » Food & water on your trek » Climbing Mount Everest » Everest Base Camp Journal » Everest Base Camp Itinerary » Earthquake 2015 Update (EBC is open) » Everest Base Camp Frequently Asked Questions » More articles on trekking in Nepal Where is Mt Everest Base Camp? There are two Mt Everest Base Camps. One on the Chinese/Tibetan side of Mount Everest and one on the Nepalese side. Everest North Side Base Camp: Tibet/China You can literally drive nearly all the way to Mount Everest's North Base Camp if you are in Tibet. There's a one day same day return hike to the camp. You'll be limited to a tour and have to deal with the hassles of permits etc. And you don't get all that close to Everest. But the north camp offers the best view of Mt Everest as a whole mountain and there's less trekking involved. Everest South Side Base Camp: Nepal This is the most popular trekkers base camp for Mt Everest and the more famous one. Reached by a 8/16 day trek its views of Everest are limited up close due to some other mountains in front of it. However you do get spectacular views of all the Himalayan mountain range while being right on them. And, you get the fantastic trekking experience with no permit hassles. Map of Everest Base Camp Trek This map shows you the trekking routes from Jiri, Lukla and Gokyo The RED line is the famous Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trek The YELLOW line shows a side trek to Gokyo The ORANGE line shows the route from Jiri to Lukla Please note this map should not be used as a practical trekking map. While the main Everest Base Camp Trek route remains the same there are variations depending on weather conditions, time of year, natural events and physical changes to the trek paths. Detailed trekking maps can be obtained in Nepal at very low costs. Facts about Mount Everest Everyone knows Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world but here are a few more facts to fill some voids. Height of Mount Everest Mt Everest is 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) in height. A measurement officially recognized by both the Nepalese and Chinese governments. How high is Everest Base Camp? South Everest Base Camp is 5,364 meters (17,598 ft) The Tibetan North Side Base Camp is 5,545 meters (18,192 ft) Who discovered Mount Everest? No one really. It has always there and in plain sight. However there have been several people accredited for accurately measuring Mount Everest in being the tallest mountain in the world. On the way to Everest Base Camp! Original British surveyors in the 19th century began mapping the world's highest mountains. Between politics, weather, and other obstacles if took over 50 years to finally confirm Everest as being the tallest mountain on earth. In 1847 Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India, James Nicolson and Radhanath Sikdar (India) are accredited with completely most of the early surveying. What's Mount Everest's real name? Before the survey Everest had many names from the many peoples that lived in the area. Andrew Waugh named the mountain after his predecessor as Surveyor General of India: George Everest. This was initially rebuked by George Everest but the name stuck none-the-less. The Chinese have launched several campaigns to call the mountain Qomolangma as was their first recorded name. While in Nepal the Nepalese have called Everest Sagarmāthā as a counter to the Chinese claim. Who was the first person to climb Mount Everest? George Mallory made the first expedition in 1921 on the North Face and failed. George Finch made another attempt in 1922 on the North Face and failed. Over the next few years both Mallory and several others made many attempts to reach the peak of Mount Everest but failed. On 8 June 1924 George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made a joint attempt to climb Mount Everest but neither man ever returned. In 1999 an expedition team found Mallory's body and controversy has reigned ever since on whether either Mallory or Irvine had made it to the top. Due to China's take over of Tibet the North Face was closed off for a period in the 1950's. In 1953 Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were able to reach a height of about 8,595 metes (28,199 ft) on the southeast ridge. Again In 1953 a British expedition of Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans came within 100 m (300 feet) of the summit on May 26th 1953 but ran into oxygen problems and had to turn back. Two days later the same expedition made a second attempt on the summit with its second climbing pair Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) and Tenzing Norgay (Nepal). They reached the summit of Mount Everest at 11:30 a.m. local time on 29 May 1953. Though both Hillary and Tenzing said it was a joint effort. After many years Tenzing finally spoke out and said Hillary was the first to put his foot on the summit of Mount Everest. Where is the best place to see Mount Everest? From Everest Base camp you won't see much other than the tip of Mt Everest. The best places to see Mount Everest up close would be a trek up to Kala Pathar or to Gokyo. Both are in the Everest Region. Second to that the Tibetan approach to Everest offers a full view. Outside of trekking there are numerous Everest viewing flights from Kathmandu (weather permitting). How to arrange a trek to Everest Base Camp Everest Base Camp (North Side, Tibet) Tours Treks need to be arranged either in Nepal, Lhasa, or mainland China through an official tour. Tibet permits are now needed. The tours are about 7 days by jeep from Lhasa and requite only one day of hiking. There are slight variations on this tour based on the operators. Everest Base Camp Trek (South side, Nepal) There are many options here ranging from package tours to independent trekking on EBC. Booking online can be significantly more expensive than booking in person when in Nepal. Local trekking permits are required. Either by package tour or independently you have the choice of taking a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri and trek to Lukla then onwards to EBC. Or fly into Lukla and begin your trek from there. The trek from Lukla to EBC takes between 8-12 days return. From Jiri to Lukla is 6-8 days. Is it more expensive to hire a guide online through an agency or can I do it when I get to Nepal? If you are looking for a guide for the Everest Base Camp trek I recommend you read my article on How to find a trekking guide in Nepal. Booking a trek online through an agency is far more expensive than going with an independent guide. Many online agencies are often not Nepalese companies and just have a small office in Kathmandu. The only advantage to booking through an agency is if you are seriously stuck for time on your trip. That said, you still manage the same for a lot less with an independent guide. You may also contact me if you wish to have my personal recommendation. Best time of year to go trekking to Everest Base Camp? Everest base camp weather is subject to change: However the following months have traditionally been used as a guide for preferred times of the year to visit Everest Base Camp. Suspension bridge with Everest in Background October - November/December: this is Nepal's peak and best time to go trekking. February-March-April: this is the end of the dry season and the second best time of year to go trekking. November/December to January/February: the skies are clear but it can get very cold. May - June: This is Nepal's hot season and it can get very warm indeed. June - September: this is Monsoon season and the least popular time to go trekking in Nepal. For more details please see my guide on the best time of year to go trekking in Nepal What equipment do I need to go trekking to Everest Base Camp? Permits If going to the North Base Camp in Tibet your tour operator should have everything provided for you. However do take note of the following as you can't go wrong including them. Clothes If taking a trip to Everest Base Camp in Nepal you'll need the following: Trekking permits you need include the National Park Entrance Ticket & TIMS available at agents and through the official Nepal Tourism Board offices (trekking guides usually take care of this for you). See National Park entry permits and TIMS fees for trekking in Nepal. After that it depends on the time of year in regards to clothing and equipment. The following are necessities: A good pair of hiking boots Good quality socks A wind cheater style jacket Long sleeve shirts Trekking pants Hat Shorts Rubber sandals Travel towel Water bottles (heat proof & water tight) Water purification system Map Keep in mind if you do the trek during the off-peak winter season you'll need to carry extra clothing. Wearing layers is essential as it can get hot during the day so you'll remove clothing then. While when the sun goes down it can get very cold very fast. Meanwhile in during the monsoon season you'll need to bring a rain jacket, cap and think about additional socks. It's harder to dry things out so spares are essential. Should I buy all my trekking gear at home or in Nepal? Buy your trekking boots at home and break them in before arriving. Good quality trekking socks from home can help too. Though you can get trekking socks in Kathmandu. Sunglasses should also be bought at home as there are many fakes in Nepal. After that you can buy most things in Kathmandu. See below for a more extensive list of things and equipment to pack. Can I do laundry on the trek? Yes, you can either have a guest house do your laundry at a cost per kg. This will not be by machine, it will be by hand. Or, you can do your own laundry in a bucket. There are some guesthouses that will charge you for the use of a bucket. You'll need to bring your own washing line as there might not be one provided or it might be full. Do obey guesthouse rules about not hanging laundry in your room! Please note the above is a very basic list. For a full comprehensive list please see my article on trekking equipment you need for Nepal How fit do I need to be to go trekking to Everest? A certain level of fitness is required. I would advise anyone going to either the North Base camp or Nepal's South Base Camp to see a doctor before you go for a check up and to talk about dealing with altitude sickness. If you go to the Tibet side of Everest you'll spend most of your time in a Jeep with only the minimal of trekking effort needed. For trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal you'll need to consider the amount of days you'll be out trekking. Most days include 4-7 hours of slow hiking. Altitude is the biggest problem (time of year & weather pending). Going slowly is essential to avoid sickness. Do read about altitude sickness in Nepal. Many people from all walks of life, ages and fitness levels have trekked to Everest Base Camp. In the peak season there's nothing much to worry about in terms of cold or extreme weather. Generally speaking, the slower you trek, the easier it is. I have bad knees (or arthritis) can I still go to Everest Base Camp? There are no paved roads so you will be walking on rough paths with loose rocks and rubble. Most people find they can manage this with the aid of walking poles. There are however some larger boulders that need to be climbed. Again, going slowly is the key to knees preservation too. The biggest problem for people with bad knees will be the decent. This is where knees take the the most stress. Again trekking poles will help but only you can be the judge of what you are capable of. Do keep in mind things like the time of year which will be factor too (cold), altitude and carrying a backpack. Mount Everest Himalayan Range from Tibet I would recommend anyone with bad knees, ankles, back or any joint problems to strongly consider taking a porter. Can my children go on the Everest Base Camp trek? Yes is the general rule. It's advisable that your child is reasonable and able to understand and obey instructions immediately. Your child should be mature enough to recognize altitude sickness symptoms. Do keep in mind that unless you have a porter your child will need to carry their own clothes in a backpack. While it is possible for children to do the Everest Base Camp trek it's also important to realistically assess if they are capable. What training can I do before going on the Everest Base Camp trek? There's no specific training needed if you are reasonably fit. If you are completely sedentary then yes some cardiovascular training would be recommended. Stair climbing or hill walking will get most people ready. Remember you'll be walking up and down rough paths for 8-12 days. You'll be at altitude too which will make things much harder. Having a good level of fitness will help you enjoy your trek more and always remember, it's not a race! Getting sick on the Everest Base Camp trek People can get sick when trekking. Altitude sickness is the biggest problem. After that the odd bad stomach can happen as can a sprained ankle. Do read about AMS and understand the dangers of ignoring it. A quick decent is needed if you start to feel unwell. Are there medical facilities on the trek? Most larger villages will have "some" form of medical clinic during peak season. Lukla, Namche, Khumjung, Pheriche and Gokyo all have clinics but none are modern and are best used for minor ailments. You should bring your own personal medicine with you as medical supplies are basic. For serious medical attention helicopter evacuation is available. Ut's highly recommend you get proper travel insurance to cover this in Nepal. How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek? In terms of terrain there are no ropes needed and no ice picks needed. There is no vertical climbing involved. The ground is not paved. It is rough, rocky and gravel strewn. Most of the trek involves long paths that go up and then down. People with weak ankles should take caution. Depending on the time of year you go there can also be snow and ice in the trails. There are some boulders that need climbing, but you can also walk around many. The Khumbu Glacier can be tricky to walk on due to potholes, rocks and unsettled ground. Use caution or seek the expertise of a guide. I've never trekked before, can I still go to Everest Base Camp? Yes of course! The word "Everest" gives many people the impression of snow blizzards, summits and frostbite. During peak season you are more likely to see tanned people in shorts, selfy sticks and sun cream. So long as you are reasonably fit and come prepared you'll do well! How much does an Everest Base Camp Trek cost? Costing for an Everest Base Camp Trek is subject to many things. Package tours bought overseas are the most expensive. Package tours bought within Nepal are next. Going with an independent guide and porter is next. Going with just a guide is next. And finally going it alone is the cheapest. A Yak near Everest Base Camp Package tours of 10-12 days can cost up to USD$1,200. Not including flights to Lukla or water. This does include accommodation, permits and meals. Guide only services to Everest Base Camp can cost from $30 to $60 per day not including your food or accommodation. The more you pay, the more experience your guide should have. Porter fees are roughly half that of guides. The cost of an average teahouse with shared bathroom is 200 rupees in the off season and 400 in peak. The cost of one liter of water reaches a maximum of 200 rupees at Gorak Shep. It starts at around 80-100 rupees. The cost of a plate of Dal Bhat starts at around 200 rupees and climbs to 600 rupees. Permits are needed depending on how you tackle your trek: Sagarmatha National Park Permit is around 3000 Nepalese Rupees ($33) + 13% VAT If trekking independently you'll need a TIMS card which is about 2000 NPR ($22) - if taking a guide or porter you should get a discount on this - but not always. Bring at least two passport sized photos with you and your passport for getting these permits. Sagarmatha National Park office is at the Tourist Board Office in Kathmandu, however most trekking agents can get these for you. Depending on the number of days you will be trekking you can work out the costs from the above. Many people with trekking experience will still consider a guide/porter as they are cheaper. It should be noted these are trainee guides and may not have a lot of English. The benefit is having someone carry half your load, act as translator for bargaining/directions, a little information on your surroundings and company. Please note prices here are rough estimates and fluctuate depending on the time of year, weather conditions and political situations in Nepal. However they should give you a rough idea on budgeting your trek to Everest base camp. Do read my article for a full break down on how much an Everest Base Camp trek costs. Food & Water on the Everest Base Camp Trek What type of food is available on the Everest base camp trek? Every tea house you come across will offer a menu. On it you will find things like, pancakes, chow mein, eggs, potatoes, pasta and tibetan bread. The menus are in fact very similar to that which you will find in Kathmandu at a basic restaurant. Meat is harder to find past Namche and you might want to think twice about it unless you are really staying in high-end accommodation. The reason is simple: refrigeration (or lack thereof). The second thing to keep in mind is that meat is quite costly on a trek due to getting it there and keeping it fresh. That said, you can still buy a steak at EBC if you want (peak season)! I often bring some Yak cheese on a trek. If you have porter you might also consider bringing some cans of tuna. But again, these are also available on the trek but will cost double or triple more than in Kathmandu. By far the most popular food on the trek is Dal Bhat. A mix of rice, soup, vegetables and vegetable curry. It's served in large portions and satisfies most large trekking appetites! Is there bottled water on the Everest base camp trek? Yes, there's bottled water from Lukla all the way up to base camp. But, the price goes up the higher you go. A one liter bottle of water might start at 30 rupees and at base camp cost well over 100. Keep in mind you'll be drinking several liters a day so the cost mount up. A budget solution to this is to use a chlorine/iodine or a water treatment solution. You can have a guesthouse boil water for you to aid in its sterilization. Bhuddist Prayers enroute to Base Camp Should I bring any food with me on the trek? Most things are available, but at a cost. Chocolate bars seem to be something people crave for and are available all the way to base camp. But they will cost a lot more than in Kathmandu. There's not harm to carry a few bars or again if you have a porter it will help. Probably one of the most underrated things to bring are packets of mints or menthol sweets that help keep your mouth from getting try while trekking. Can I buy beer or coffee on the Everest Base Camp trek? Yes you can. Just keep in mind that both alcohol and caffeine are not recommend when trekking at altitude due to the dehydration it can cause. Information on climbing Mount Everest While this is meant to be a guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek I'll give you some brief details on what's required to actually Climb Mount Everest itself. Aside from the technical training you will need and the costs of travel / equipment you may need to take note of the following: The window of opportunity to summit Everest is in May. That's right, there's only a two to three week window of opportunity to climb Everest every year. A low-budget trip can start with costs of USD$25,000 minimum. Package trips can be up to and well over USD$60,000 just to start. Now let's add some essential things on: Trekkers on the Everest Trail Climbing permits are based on groups fees. $25,000 for 1 person; $56,000 for 4 people; $70,000 for 7 people. Khumbu Icefall Fee – $2,375 per group Satellite Phone permit – $2,300 per phone Garbage and Human Waste Disposal $4,000 Oxygen for group of seven (5 canisters) $30,000 Guide prices start at $25,000 and go up to $150,000 Assistant guides are $15-20,000 Doctor at base camp $3-5,000 Sherpas $3,000 Cooks $3,000 Yak transport of your goods to EBC $100-175 per day Helicopter charters from Kathmandu to Lukla – $5,000 each Donations to various deities and rituals $300-$400 Medical evacuation helicopter from Base Camp to Lukla - $5,000 Technical training can cost up to $8,000 Equipment can cost up to $15,000 Total cost of climbing Mount Everest? $70,000 -$120,000 Want to take a package trip to Everest instead? Okay prices here are between $45,000 - $90,000 with a western guide. You'll need to book about a year in advance. Everest Summiteer Alan Arnette has a good break down of summit prices here. Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Journal I completed the Everest Base Camp Trek during the off-peak winter season in late December and early January. There were harsh cold winds, snow and not many trekkers around. But I kept a handwritten account of the trek and documented it with many photographs. It should give you an idea of what the trek is like at the most difficult time of year. And what to expect. I transcribed everything to my travel blog. The following is my day to day account of the the Everest Base Camp Trek: Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 1 part 1 - Flight to Lukla Everest Base Camp Trek Journal 1 part 2 - Yaks and broken boots Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 2 - First glimpse at Everest Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 3 - Acclimatization Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 4 - Mental battles begin Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 5 - Worst day Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 6 - Memorial at Lobuche Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 7 - Fantastic photos of Everest Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 8 part 1 - Snowed in at base camp Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 8 part 2 - Everest Base Camp Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 8 part 3 - Retreating from the snow Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 9 - Encounters with the Himalayan Tahr Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 9 part 2 - The locals Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 10 - The Everest Drug Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 11 - Trekking at night Everest Base Camp Trek Journal Day 12 - Flying out from Lukla Everest Base Camp Itinerary The above journals will give you a day by day account of my journey to Everest Base Camp. For a briefer breakdown on an average 12 trek here's an EBC itinerary. Day Route Distance (km) Highest Altitude 1 Kathmandu to Lukla (flight) - trek to Phakding 8 km (4 hours avg) 2,660 m 2 Phakding to Namche Bazaar 12 km (6+ hours avg) 3,435 m 3 Namche Bazaar acclimatization day (hike) (3 hours avg) 4,000m/ 3,435 m 4 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 10 km (6 hours avg) 3,890m m 5 Tengboche to Dingboche 11 km (6 hours avg) 4,400 m 6 Dingboche acclimatization day (hike) 3 hours 4,600m / 4,400 m 7 Dingboche to Lobuche 12 km (7 hours) 4,910 m 8 Lobuche to Gorak Shep & Everest Base Camp * 15 km (8 hours) 5, 180 m / 5, 380 m 9 Kalapathar - Gorakshep - Pheriche * 13 km (6 hours) 5,545 m / 4,320 m 10 Pheriche to Namche Bazaar 15 km (8 hours) 3,435 m 11 Namche Bazaar - Phakding - Lukla 16 km (7 hours) 2,850 m 12 Lukla to Kathmandu 35 minute flight 2,513 m * Depending on the weather Kalapathar climbs and EBC visits are often swapped. e.g., you might climb Kalapathar on arrival and go to EBC the next day or visa versa. Everest Base Camp Trek after the 2015 earthquake Everest Base Camp Trek is fully open. It was never closed and was not directly affected by the earthquake. Namche Bazaar where most trekkers spend two nights for acclimatization Lukla airport: was not damaged at all. Lukla village had minor damage which is repairable. Phakding: had a couple of teahouses damaged. There are still plenty of places open. Namche: contrary to media reports Namche Bazaar had only minor damage with plenty of places still open. Tengboche: had a few damaged teahouses with many more open. Deboche: had virtually no damage. Dingboche: had virtually no damage. Periche: received a lot of damage and is being bypassed by guides. Lobuche: had only a few houses damaged while everywhere else is open. Gorak Shep: had no damage. The Gokyo Treks are also open. Electricity and water have not been affected by the earthquake. Frequently asked questions on the Everest Base Camp trek I get quite a lot of questions about doing the Everest Base Camp trek so here's a compilation of frequently ask questions. Q: I've never trekked before, can I do the Everest Base Camp trek? Dal Bhat is the most popular meal for trekkers It really depends on your level of fitness. For first time trekkers I'd certainly advise in taking a guide, giving yourself plenty of days to complete the trek, taking your time and going during peak season rather than in the off-peak seasons. Q: Everything is so expensive online, how easy is it to arrange an organized tour in Kathmandu? Very easy. You can basically fly in and arrange an organized trek for the next day. Guaranteed that's a little extreme, but it can be done. Ideally I'd give it a couple of days of pricing around and interviewing potential agencies/guides. If you are stuck, drop me an email for a recommendation. Q: I want to do the trek solo but can't book a flight to Lukla online! Help! There are quite a few local airlines flying to Lukla several times a day. They don't offer online flight bookings. A few tour agencies will book on their behalf for you. The easiest way to do it is by visiting an agency in Kathmandu and buying your flight ticket personally. You can also buy an open ended return ticket. Once you know the day you want to return simply telephone the same agency. There is mobile reception along parts of the trek and landlines. The alternative is to buy a ticket from an agent on the Lukla side. Do remember though that flights are heavily subject to weather conditions. Check out my post on flying out of Lukla! Q: Are there dorm rooms available or just teahouses? Most of the rooms are twin rooms. If you are alone, then you'll have the twin to yourself. There are a few teahouses offering dorm rooms, but not many. Q: What is a teahouse? The traditional trekking name given to a Nepalese guesthouse on a trekking trail. Q: I heard Lukla is dangerous to fly into. How true is that? Lukla is indeed a dangerous airstrip as it's one of the shortest in the world. That said crashes are rare, but have happened in the past. Q: I'm genuinely scared of heights is this a problem? Small local house on the Everest trail There are some narrow areas along the trek and some boulders to climb over or around. There are also some steep passes to overcome. Think 45 degree angles. If you can handle that, then you should be fine. The biggest obstacle for people who are scared of heights to overcome comes from crossing suspension bridges. This can be unnerving to say the least. Make sure your guide is aware of this and prepared to deal with any issues that may arise e.g. fainting etc. Here's a photo of a Nepalese suspension bridge to give you an idea. Q: Is it necessary to buy bottled water? Can't we drink boiled or tap water? Yes tap water is available but it's sourced from a natural spring. There may be bacteria in it. Boiling water is a safe option as is using water purification drops or pills. Teahouses charge for boiling water (20-30 rupees per liter) Q: Are there any ATM's on the Everest Base Camp Trek? Yes, but they don't always work and are only available sporadically. It's far better to get all your money ready in Kathmandu. You can get cash advances from hotels but there are also steep fees involved with some charging up to 10%. Money changers will also offer cash advances but again you will be looking at 8-15% rates. Upper scale hotels will take credit cards but again with fees. It's far, far better to bring Nepalese rupees with you. In a fix, bring some US Dollars or Euro for back-up. Q: Is it a good idea to carry food stuffs and cook it using dry wood at higher altitudes? There's very little wood available over 4000m. You will also not be allowed to cook inside teahouses. You can however bring your own snacks or supplementary foods. e.g. cheese, cans of tuna etc,. Q: Do I need special travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp Trek? It really depends on the small print of your current travel insurance provider. Many will not include mountainous trekking or mountain climbing. Do check with them to confirm that trekking to Everest Base Camp is covered by your policy. Many do or will not cover you above certain altitudes either. World Nomads is a provider that will cover you based on different altitudes, but again you need to be sure to select the correct level of cover for your trek! Keep in mind that a typical rescue costs $5,000 just for the helicopter alone, so it's strongly advisable to get insurance cover. Here's an article I wrote about trekking insurance for Nepal. Q: Can bring my own tent to Everest Base Camp? Yes you can. But you'll need to be prepared for the elements. I would advise this only if you are experienced in outdoor camping. Some guesthouses will charge a nominal fee for you to camp there. Likewise keep in main things like camping stoves, fuel and food which will need to be carried. Q: Can I charge my camera batteries on the trek? Should I bring a Kindle, iPad or Laptop? Yes you can charge batteries but you'll be charged by the hour and you'll have to bring your own charger. Same goes for laptops, phones or anything else that you need to plug in. Charges vary between 100 and 300 rupees per hour. I personally wouldn't bother bringing a laptop on a trek, it'll be bouncing around all day and subject to damage. As for iPad's or Kindles? Well keep in mind that you will be meeting others on your treks and will be going to sleep early so there's not always time for reading. There are usually a few old magazines in teahouses that can be read. Q: I have allergies, will food be a problem on the trek? Depends on your allergies! The most common form of food on the trek is Dal Bhat, a plate mix of rice, vegetables and lentils. Here's an exact look at the type of dal bhat you'll get on a trek. Menu's do have a wide choice of plain pasta, noodles, pancakes and rice based dishes. Q: What happens if I get sick or get hurt while trekking? There are basic pharmacies in most larger villages along the trek. There's a hospital in Khumjung and a few altitude sickness clinics open during the peak season. Basically you are on your own for the duration of your trek (hence going with a guide/porter is a good idea). However in the event of an emergency there usually is access to a telephone line or satellite phone for an evacuation via helicopter. This is another reason to be sure you are covered with adequate travel insurance! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions or are looking for a reliable trekking guide. Meanwhile most everything else if covered on other articles on trekking you'll find below or in the right-hand side bar at the top. More information on Trekking in Nepal The above information should give you a brief outline and understanding about trekking to Everest Base Camp. I've compiled more detailed articles on the specifics of trekking in Nepal below. You will find them to be a great place to thoroughly research your trip to Nepal, be sure to bookmark them so you don't forget! You might find my following free guides helpful: My guide on trekking in Nepal Check out my guide on equipment & gear needed for trekking in Nepal Check out my list treks to do in Nepal complete with maps Check out my guide on how to travel overland into Tibet for a lot more! How to choose a trekking guide in Nepal My Day by day account of trekking to Everest Base Camp in the off season (winter) Check out my How to travel overland into Nepal guide Check out my country Guide to Nepal Download my Trekking in Nepal Guidebook Liked this page? You'll love my trekking book! It's a hands on trekking guidebook that's better than the rest. Yes, really! In the book I cover all the popular treks in Nepal with step-by-step accuracy using scalable maps, photographs and travel tested up-to-date trekking information. Just like my other guidebooks to Nepal it's an interactive & printable guidebook like no other.