Everest Base Camp Treks
You've arrived at the website of Team Mount Everest - a team that's totally dedicated, with undistracted focus, to getting adventurers safely and comfortably to one of the most beautiful, inspiring and historic places on the planet - Everest Base Camp - and an outfit whose leadership has assisted more than 10,000 trekkers safely to 5,000 metre high peaks on some 3,000 separate expeditions.
To find what you're looking for you'll need to use the menu button at the top right ☝️or the search box. And if you think there's anything missing, just tell us and we'll add it 👍
👊 Who are Team Mount Everest?
Team Mount Everest was established by John Rees-Evans, a visionary who also founded Team Kilimanjaro. As the pioneer tour operator in the mountains since 2004, Team Kilimanjaro has empowered over 10,000 trekkers to triumphantly reach the summit. Building upon this remarkable success, John Rees-Evans brings his expertise, passion, and unwavering commitment to the Everest realm, ensuring that Team Mount Everest provides an unparalleled experience for climbers seeking to conquer the world's highest peak.
Learn more about Team Mount Everest 👉
🥾 Climbing to Everest Base Camp Successfully
Over the past 17 years with Team Kilimanjaro we have witnessed non-TK climbers failing to summit, due to how little effort they’ve spent considering the most important factors that contribute to summit success on a climb: Route selection and acclimatisation strategy.
With this in mind, Team Kilimanjaro founder, John Rees-Evans, has used his 17 year mountain experience and love for the mountains to plan routes for Team Mount Everest.
Learn why you're more likely to summit with Team Mount Everest 👉
📅 Best time to trek to EBC?
This is often one of the first questions we get asked. Happily, the answer is that you can trek to EBC every single day of the year! 🎆 However, in spite of the fact that if it ain't raining, it ain't training, a lot of people don't like getting heavily rained on when trying to enjoy some of the planet's most breath-taking views.
To cater for those who want to stay reasonably dry, we therefore recommend avoiding the monsoon season: June to July.
However, there are some important weather-related considerations and other factors that affect our recommendation, such as route selection 🧭 and crowding.
Take a moment to learn more about ❄️ Himalayan weather 👉
💵 Cost to trek?
This depends on your group size, support level and any upgrades you may request.
See our detailed climbing costs 👉
But apart from the actual price of the climb which only covers your costs within Nepal, there are additional costs that you'll need to be aware of...
😱 Can you trek to Everest Base Camp without a guide?
It is possible to trek to Everest Base Camp without a guide, but it is not recommended. Trekking to Everest Base Camp involves a significant amount of physical and mental challenges, as well as potential altitude-related risks, and having an experienced guide can help ensure your safety and success on the trek.
A guide can provide a wealth of knowledge and support, including navigation, logistical assistance, safety advice, and cultural insights. They can also help you acclimatize to the altitude and monitor your health, which is essential for avoiding altitude sickness and other related health issues.
👥 Can you trek without porters?
Yes, it is possible to trek to Everest Base Camp without porters, but it would require you to carry all of your own gear and supplies, which can be a significant physical challenge, especially at high altitude.
Porters are commonly used on treks to Everest Base Camp to carry heavy loads and relieve trekkers of the burden of carrying their own gear. This can be especially helpful for those who are not accustomed to carrying heavy loads over long distances, or who want to focus on enjoying the trek rather than worrying about the weight of their backpack.
🧭 Best itinerary
Nepal boasts some spectacular and demanding treks, and we have curated various routes for you to choose from. Each route offers its own distinct attractions. It's essential to select a route that matches your experience level and the duration of your trip.
Learn more about the 7 routes Team Mount Everest has to offer 👉
📚 Climb Guide
Periodically, people ask us for advice on where to find resources for hiking to Everest Base Camp. Although having a guidebook is not required because you will be escorted by a local expert with great knowledge of the Everest region, some people prefer to become familiar with the mountain before their trip and have a reference available.
The best guide to trekking in Nepal is undoubtedly the one written by Jamie McGuinness. Jamie lives in Kathmandu and has summited Everest 6 times.
⏱️ How long does it take to trek Everest Base Camp?
The duration of trekking to Everest Base Camp does not have a specific minimum timeframe, as it depends on the chosen route. The time taken to complete the trek can vary based on factors such as the individual's acclimatisation process and whether they trek back or opt for a helicopter return.
In spite of having no minimum trek lengths, we recommend that climbers spend a minimum of 10 days ascending and descending unless they are already acclimatised from a recent high altitude trek completed within 3 weeks prior to their Everest Base Camp climb.
🗺️ Map
This map provides an overview of the route that takes you from the starting point in Lukla to the iconic destination of Everest Base Camp. The routes we offer vary with all roads leading to Everest Base Camp.
Please note that this map provides a general overview, and it's essential to have a detailed and up-to-date trekking map, along with a knowledgeable guide, to ensure a safe and successful journey. Enjoy your adventure to Everest Base Camp!
🏃♀️ Preparing to Trek
So, you've decided to trek in Nepal but want to know what you need to do to prepare? It's very straightforward. There are just five simple steps:
- Book your climb. We recommend you do this as early as possible so you're committed and there's no more room to dither and make excuses! It only takes a deposit of USD 150 to secure your place and you can do this by card, quickly and painlessly 😉. Just ask us for a card payment link.
- Start buying your equipment. You don't need to buy everything on Day 1, but we strongly recommend you get your day sack and hiking boots early, so you can break them in, identify any possible problems, and remedy them when you still have plenty of opportunity to look at options. Check out our recommended kit list where we offer suggestions on specific items and where you can download a printable PDF Packing List.
- Start training! Although we do get a few last minute bookings, if you have time to do so, we recommend starting your training 3 months before you plan to climb. If you're ready to get started right now, download our 12 Week Training Plan. And if you don't like following training plans, just try to do three cardiovascular sessions per week or 30 minutes or more, and two 5-8 hour endurance sessions in the hills with 10-12 kg of weight.
- Book your flights to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). While we don't necessarily recommend booking your flights many months ahead of travel, it's worth looking at flight prices early so you can get a feel for the price trend and buy when fares are cheapest. Check out our flights page where we review 7 fight comparison sites and offer our recommendations on how to find the cheapest flights to Kathmandu.
- Get your visa for Nepal. We recommend obtaining your visa ahead of travel so you don't have to queue on arrival. We offer step-by-step guidance on how to apply for your Nepalese visa online, so it's really simple to do this.
🧬 How fit do you have to be to trek to EBC?
When we recommend that you book your climb at least 3 months in advance and commit to our 12 Week Training Plan, we don't want you to think that trekking to Everest Base Camp is only possible for super-fit people. That's definitely not the case and over the years we've assisted many people to the summit who would admit they were in bad shape and didn't find time to train.
The main reason we want our climbers to train is simply because they'll enjoy the experience so much more and remain far more alert to the incredible natural beauty around them.
That said, we recommend you read our suggested minimal health requirements for climbing Everest Base Camp 👉 where we offer a couple of pointers to determine whether you're fit enough to stand a decent chance of reaching the summit.
😓 How hard is it to trek to EBC?
The trek to Everest Base Camp is considered a challenging trek and is suitable for experienced trekkers. The trail involves steep ascents and descents, with some sections being quite strenuous. Additionally, the high altitude can be challenging for many people, as the oxygen levels are lower, and the risk of altitude sickness is a concern. Therefore, it is recommended to have proper training, preparation, and acclimatisation before attempting this trek. However, with proper preparation and a good level of fitness, it is a rewarding experience that offers stunning views of the Himalayas and the opportunity to explore the unique culture of the region.
👮🏾♀️ Current COVID-Related Visitor Requirements
Entry and exit requirements may change over time. It is essential to refer to the latest information from official sources such as the Embassy of Nepal or the Ministry of Home Affairs, for the most up to date and accurate information. We do, however, provide you with the most up to date information. Please note that these requirements can change rapidly, and it is crucial to consult your sales agent or relevant authorities for the most current information before planning your travel to and from Nepal.
Learn more about the entry and exit requirements of Nepal 👉
🕵️♂️ Keeping Family and Friends Updated
Having operated high altitude treks for 15 years, we realised long ago that it can be unsettling for family and friends back home to know that their loved ones are in what is technically an inhospitable wilderness environment where a lot can go potentially go wrong, without their being contactable or able to report back home.
Team Mount Everest is unique in the extent to which they are equipped and trained to provide near-daily reports back to families and friends, describing the groups' progress and providing photographs of the happy group enjoying some of the greatest natural beauty on the planet. If you're a mother, child or spouse of a loved one, this makes all the difference. Far from having that subconscious underlying worry that something may have gone wrong at an elevation from which immediate, rapid descent is simply not an option, and where mild AMS can rapidly deteriorate into pulmonary or cerebral oedema, one may instead rest assured that all is well, and enjoy the near-daily reports not only confirming that your loved one is safe, but that in most cases, they're actually having the time of their life.
⛰️ Everest Facts
Location
Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Range of the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and Tibet (which is an autonomous region within China). Its summit is situated entirely in Tibet, but the most common and popular routes to climb it are from the Nepalese side. The coordinates of the summit are approximately 27.9881° N latitude and 86.9253° E longitude.
What's the closest airport to Everest?
The closest airport to Mount Everest is the Lukla Airport (also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport), which is located in the town of Lukla in the Khumbu region of northeastern Nepal. Lukla Airport is often referred to as the gateway to Mount Everest and is the starting point for most trekkers and climbers heading to Everest Base Camp. To reach Lukla, travelers can take a flight from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around 30 minutes and is considered to be one of the most scenic flights in the world, as it offers spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range.
How high is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is located at an altitude of approximately 5,364 metres (17,598 feet) above sea level. It serves as the starting point for most trekkers and climbers who are attempting to summit Mount Everest, and it is also a destination in its own right for many people who want to experience the stunning scenery and unique culture of the Khumbu region of Nepal. While the altitude at Everest Base Camp is already quite high and can cause some mild altitude sickness symptoms for some people, it is still much lower than the altitude of the summit of Mount Everest itself, which is 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) high.
Does it snow at Everest Base Camp?
Yes, it does snow at Everest Base Camp, particularly during the winter months of December, January, and February. However, snowfall can occur at any time of the year in the Everest region due to its high altitude and proximity to the Himalayan mountain range. Even during the peak trekking and climbing season in the spring and fall, it is not uncommon to experience snowfall at Everest Base Camp and other parts of the region.
While the snow can create beautiful landscapes, it can also make the trekking and climbing more challenging, particularly if there is heavy snowfall or if it snows continuously for several days. Therefore, it is important for trekkers and climbers to be well-prepared with the appropriate gear and clothing for the conditions they may encounter, including snow and cold temperatures.
Can a beginner trek to EBC?
There is nothing to prevent a beginner from trekking to EBC. You don't need any experience of altitude, or even of trekking. There's nothing technical or vertical along any of the routes.
Do you need oxygen?
No, you do not need to use oxygen to climb to Everest Base Camp, as the altitude there is below the threshold where oxygen is typically needed. However, the high altitude can still cause some mild altitude sickness symptoms in some people, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue. It is important for trekkers and climbers to acclimatise properly to the altitude by ascending gradually and taking rest days to allow their bodies to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. It is also important to stay well-hydrated and to avoid alcohol and smoking, which can exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms.
How cold is it?
The temperature at Everest Base Camp can vary widely depending on the time of year and the time of day. During the peak trekking season in the spring and fall, the temperature at Everest Base Camp typically ranges from -10°C to 15°C (14°F to 59°F) during the day, and can drop to as low as -20°C to -30°C (-4°F to -22°F) at night.
During the winter months of December, January, and February, temperatures at Everest Base Camp can drop even further, with daytime temperatures averaging around -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F), and nighttime temperatures often dropping to below -20°C (-4°F) or even lower.
What animals live near Everest?
The region around Mount Everest and the Everest Base Camp is home to a variety of animals, many of which are adapted to the harsh mountain environment. Some of the animals that live in the Everest region include: Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Panda, Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal, Golden Eagle.
When was Everest first climbed?
Mount Everest was first successfully climbed on May 29, 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal. The two men reached the summit of the mountain via the Southeast Ridge route, which is now the most commonly used route to the summit.
Who was the youngest person to summit Everest?
The youngest person to summit Mount Everest is currently held by the Nepalese climber, Mingma Sherpa. Mingma Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 23, 2010, at the age of 16 years and 14 days.
Who was the fastest person to ascend Everest?
The fastest person to climb Mount Everest is currently held by the Nepalese climber, Kami Rita Sherpa. Kami Rita Sherpa has summited Mount Everest 25 times, which is a record for the most ascents of the mountain by any person, and on May 16, 2019, he achieved the fastest ascent of the mountain.
Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepal side in just 7 hours and 45 minutes, beating his own previous record of 8 hours and 13 minutes, which he had set in 2017.
📔 Blog
The purpose of this section on the website is to provide timely updates on Nepal and Mount Everest, as well as address any inquiries that may not be sufficiently addressed in the main section of the Team Mount Everest website.
Learn more about Mount Everest 👉
✔️ Quick Reference - Page Contents
🎬 Ready to climb?
If you are eager to embark on a trek in Nepal or seek advice and guidance for planning your expedition to this captivating and welcoming country in Asia, do not hesitate any longer! Contact TME today to start your journey.