Equipment Checklist
Only pack what’s needed for the trek to travel light and comfortably. You can store your excess luggage at The Everest Holiday for free. Porters will carry your main trekking bag, but the weight limit is 10 kg for each trekker. Since one porter carries the luggage for two people, we suggest that you and a trekking partner share one large duffel bag (over 60 Liters).
Head
- Sun hat (wide-brimmed)
- Beanie (for warmth)
- Buff or neck gaiter (for sun protection and warmth)
- Lightweight headlamp (with adjustable brightness)
- High-SPF sunscreen (50+) is recommended.
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Face wipes
Upper Body
- Moisture-wicking t-shirts (short and long sleeves)
- Thermal base layer (for colder conditions)
- Fleece jacket and down jacket
- Lightweight puffy jacket (for extra warmth)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Raincoat
- Lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt
- Polypropylene underwear (four)
Hands
- Insulated gloves or mittens (for cold weather)
- Waterproof gloves (for wet conditions)
Lower Body
- Quick-drying pants/trousers (convertible or full-length)
- Insulated pants (for colder conditions)
- Lightweight cotton pants
- Thermal leggings or long underwear (for colder weather)
- Two pairs of thermal/trekking trousers (pants)
Footwear
- Pairs of thick wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks (4 pairs)
- These are waterproof, broken-in boots with ankle support and strong traction.
- Sandals (For use at camp or during river crossings)
- Gaiters (To shield your legs from mud, water, and debris)
Toiletries
- Biodegradable bar soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Medium-sized drying towel
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizers
- The toilet paper is stored in a Ziplock bag.
- Feminine hygiene products
- Travel-sized shampoo
- Nail clippers
- Small mirror
Backpacks
Personal accessories
- Adjustable and lightweight poles (preferably collapsible)
- Water bottle or bladder holding at least 2 liters (insulated for cold conditions)
- Water purification system (tablets, filter, or UV purifier)
- This sleeping bag is rated for optimal comfort at temperatures between -10°C and -15°C.
Extra items
- Camera/smartphone (extra memory cards and batteries)
- Extra batteries or a rechargeable power bank (for charging your devices)
- This is a two-pin plug for your electronics.
- Basic medical supplies (including bandages, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, and Diamox, altitude medicine)
- Personal medications (inhalers, allergy meds, etc.)
- Few passport-size photos
- Passport photocopies
- Notebook and pen
- Binoculars
- Swiss army knife or multi-tool (with scissors, can opener, etc.)
Distance from Kathmandu to Jiri
A gorgeous drive from Kathmandu starts the trip to Jiri, which is the traditional way to get to Everest Base Camp. The travel by local bus normally takes 7 to 9 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The distance is around 188 kilometers (117 miles).
The real journey starts in Jiri. The walk to Lukla is about 170 kilometers (105 miles) long and takes you past beautiful hills, valleys, and ancient Sherpa settlements. The Classical Jiri to Everest Base Camp trail is longer and harder than the regular Lukla route, but it gives hikers a deeper look into the culture and more peaceful scenery, away from the main trekking paths.
Classical Jiri to Everest base camp trek package information
Arrival, welcome, and trek start.
When you arrive at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, your trip starts. Our team will greet you with a traditional Nepali welcome. After your flight, you will be taken to your hotel to rest and heal. After this, your trekking guide will give you a thorough trip briefing that includes information about the path, safety, and the culture to help you get ready for the adventure ahead. Trekking permits and gear checks are now complete.
The trip truly begins with a beautiful drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or Bhandar, which is the historic entrance that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay used in the past. You'll feel welcome and excited as you start your journey to the world's most famous base camp with this warm welcome.
Accommodation
During the trek, you will stay in small, family-run lodges called "tea houses," which are spread out along the road. The rooms are simple but cozy, with twin beds, warm blankets, and shared bathrooms. In lower villages, tea houses are cozier and may even have power and charging ports. As you go up, the amenities get simpler but still warm. The mood of these tea houses is unique; the dining rooms have fireplaces, the Sherpas are friendly, and you can meet other trekkers from all over the world. At each stop, there is more than just a place to sleep. There is also a chance to learn about the culture and get a real taste of mountain life.
MEAL
Food is an important part of the trekking experience, and you'll have three nutritious meals a day along the way. The menus are surprisingly varied, with a mix of Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, and plain Western foods. Dal Bhat, a healthy mix of rice, lentil soup, veggies, and pickles, is the main dish and highly recommended. It gives you the energy you need for long days of hiking. You can also get noodles, fried rice, momos (dumplings), soups, and hearty stews. People often eat porridge, eggs, Tibetan bread, and pancakes for breakfast. As you go higher, the meals get simpler but still warm and filling. They are generally cooked over stoves made of wood or yak dung. Eating together in the tea house dining rooms with other trekkers and the smell of cooking food makes the trip feel more like a group effort.
Luggage
Each pair of trekkers will have one porter who can carry up to 20 kilograms, or 10 kg per person. We suggest teaming up with another traveler and putting your things in a duffel bag that holds at least 60 liters. You should also bring a small daypack for your personal things, like water, snacks, and valuables. You can leave any extra bags at your hotel or at our Kathmandu office for free.
Facilities and Essentials
Water
You can buy a water bottle from shops along the trail or get boiled/filtered water at lodges. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and refilling it with boiled water. Avoid drinking untreated tap, well, or river water. For safety, please use a water purifying tablet, or you can buy them in the shops along the trail.
Communication
Your safety is the most crucial thing. Every day, our trip leaders talk to our main office on their cell phones. We will provide you with a local SIM card in Kathmandu to use on your phone, but keep in mind that cell phone connections are weaker and less reliable as you move higher up. Don't worry; our crew is always ready for everything that comes up.
Travel Essentials
Visa
Except for citizens of India, all foreigners need a visa to enter Nepal. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. You will need a password that is valid for at least 6 months, one passport-sized photo, and cash for the visa fee (US $50 for a 30 visa).
Travel insurance
Having comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trek. Your policy must cover medical expenses and emergency helicopter rescue up to an altitude of 6000 meters. Before the trek begins, you will need to provide us with a copy of your insurance policy.
Currency Exchange
The official currency of Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (NPR), with 1 USD approximately equal to 130 NPR. You can exchange major foreign currencies at banks and authorized money exchange centers in Kathmandu. ATMs are widely available to withdraw NPR, but extra service fees may apply. Make sure your notes are new and undamaged, as old or torn bills may be refused. Only the 100 INR note from India is legally accepted in Nepal. Before traveling to trekking regions, it's best to exchange money in Kathmandu, as there are few exchange options in remote areas.
Extra Expense
While our package covers most of your expenses during the trek, you will need to budget for some personal items like meals and accommodation in Kathmandu, visa fees, snacks, hot showers, personal equipment, Any drinks like tea, coffee, juice, or beer, tips for the crew, etc. We recommend budgeting approximately $20 USD per day for personal expenses during the trek.
The Best Time To Start The Classic Jiri Trek
One of the best seasons to go on the Classical Jiri walk is in the spring. The weather is nice, the skies are clear, and the hillsides are full of color from blossoming rhododendrons and green plants. This time of year, the mountains are easy to see and the weather is great for hiking. Another plus is that spring trails are usually less congested, so trekkers can have a more peaceful adventure in the Himalayas.
Autumn is just as good, with consistent weather and skies that are perfectly clear. The weather is almost perfect for hiking because the daytime temperatures are mild and the air is crisp. The best views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and the peaks around them are from here. Like spring, fall has fewer people than the busiest Everest paths, so you can have a pleasant and rewarding journey.
In the fall, the days are normally pleasant, reaching 25°C, and the evenings are cool, down to -10°C. You can also go trekking in the summer (June to August) or in the winter (December to February). In the summer, the days can be warm, with temperatures at higher altitudes reaching up to 27°C. The evenings, on the other hand, are fairly moderate, around 5°C. During the day in winter, it can be as warm as 15°C, while at night it can drop to -20°C.
Flight Delays
Flights between Kathmandu and Lukla depend on the weather and can sometimes be delayed or cancelled. If your flight is cancelled, a helicopter is a possible alternative. A helicopter flight usually costs between $500 and $1,000 USD per person, and this price is based on a group of five people sharing the cost. To be safe, we highly recommend adding one or two extra days to your travel plans just in case there are any flight delays.
Typical day
We’ll start each morning with an early breakfast. The day’s trek is usually split into two parts: a 3–4-hour trek, followed by a one-hour lunch break, and then a shorter trek in the afternoon. Dinner is served around 7:00 p.m. Afterward, your guide will brief you on the plan for the next day. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, explore the village, or enjoy some downtime with your fellow trekkers.
Trek booking
Personal trek
We offer a personal trek only, so you will only be trekking with your own group. We will never add strangers to your party. Discounts are available for larger groups.
Trust trek booking
The Everest Holiday is a registered and bonded trekking operator, so your booking is completely safe with us. We are proud members of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Our chairman, Mr. Ganesh Simkhada, is the former Director of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and former General Secretary of the NMA.
To confirm your booking, we require a 10% advance payment. You can pay with a credit card, bank transfer, Wise, Western Union, or our online payment platform through a Himalayan bank on our website. The remaining balance can be paid upon arrival in Kathmandu, either in cash or by card.
After booking, please send us a copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date in Nepal) for all the permits and bookings required.
Last-minute booking
For tourists who want to book at the last minute, we can do so with all the necessary paperwork and travel insurance already in order. Please contact us directly or visit our office. For trips that happen at the last minute, we need full payment 24 hours before the trip. Please keep in mind that last-minute plans may be delayed by things we can't control, like severe weather, landslides, or political strikes, so we always recommend booking a month in advance if you can so we can plan better for your trip. You can contact us via email or WhatsApp: +977-9810351300.
Flexible Schedule
We have set departure dates for our treks, but we are flexible. If our scheduled dates don't work for you, please let us know, and we will be happy to arrange a trip that fits your schedule.
Trip Extension
You can easily extend your stay with other adventures. We can arrange exciting activities for you, such as a jungle safari, city sightseeing tours, Bungee jumping, Rafting and kayaking, paragliding, zip flying, Canyoning, according to what you want.
Ecotourism practices
We request you to join our eco-friendly trekking practice as part of our strong commitment to protecting the fragile beauty of the Everest region. Every guest will get their own waste bag at the beginning of our trip if they choose to carry it. Please use this bag to collect all of your personal trash that can't be composted, like snack wrappers, plastic bottles, and batteries. Please don't leave anything on the trail. Instead, carry this bag with you as we go down or up, and our guides will show you where to find the public trash cans and recycling bins where you can properly dispose of it. We need your help to keep the Himalayas clean and beautiful for future generations.
The Family
Our skilled, government-licensed guides and Sherpas will be with you throughout the trek to make your journey safe and memorable. They are trained in wilderness first aid, experienced in rock climbing, and speak English. Hailing from the high Himalayas, they are well-acquainted with the region. We provide their insurance, food, lodging, and medical care when needed. We believe that happy and well-supported staff ensure a better experience for our trekkers.
Ending your adventure
Farewell Dinner
To celebrate your wonderful achievement, we will have a dinner in Kathmandu to say goodbye. This is a terrific chance for you to share your thoughts and experiences with us. We will also give you a trek achievement award to remember your experience.
Tipping culture
Giving a tip is a common method to say thank you for great service. Tips are not required, although they are encouraged at the end of the trek and are best given as a group gift. The quantity of the gratuity should depend on how good the service was, how much the trek cost, and how long it was.