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 (Mandatory)
- 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
- Duffle Bag: A bag over 60 liters for porter use (one bag shared between two trekkers)
- Backpack/Daypack: Personal bag with a 20–30 liter capacity for your use
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.)
Everest base camp trek package (12 Days) information
Arrival, welcome, and trek start.
Airport Transfers: We offer free transportation to and from the airport for all of our trekking clients to make sure your arrival and departure go smoothly. When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will meet you with a sign with your name on it and give you a traditional marigold garland. After that, a private car will take you to your accommodation.
We request you arrive in Kathmandu by one day before the trek starts, by 4:00 PM, so you have time to get ready. On the day of the trek, we'll pick you up from your accommodation and take you to the airport for your flight to Lukla, which is part of your package.
During the busiest trekking months (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights to Lukla may leave from Manthali Airport instead of Kathmandu to ease traffic. In this instance, our guide will pick you up from your hotel at about 12:30 a.m. and bring you to Manthali, where you will take a 20-minute flight to Lukla.
During the off-season (December, January, February, June, July, and August), flights leave directly from Kathmandu. On these days, you'll take a 40-minute flight to Lukla. We can arrange to pick you up at Kathmandu Airport early in the morning if necessary.
(Note:
Budget package: Your flight will be from either Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla, depending on flight schedules. If the flight is from Manthali, you’ll travel there by local bus or shared jeep.
Standard package: Your flight to Lukla will also be from Kathmandu or Manthali, but if it’s from Manthali, you’ll be driven there in a private jeep.
Luxury Package: You’ll travel to and from Lukla by helicopter, which offers stunning views and avoids the risk of flight delays or long road travel.)
Accommodation
Along the way, you'll spend 11-nights in conventional teahouses or lodges on the 12-day trek. The hotel and some of the lodges along the way have amenities like power for charging devices, Wi-Fi, and hot showers. However, you might have to pay for it.
You will need at least two additional nights in Kathmandu, which our package does not cover, but as stated above, we can arrange one for you as per your choices and budget.
(Note:
Budget Package: You'll stay in local teahouses or lodges and share a room with other trekkers.
Standard Package: You’ll stay in standard teahouses or lodges, usually in a room with two people (twin sharing). Whenever possible, the rooms will have attached bathrooms.
Luxury Package: You’ll stay in private deluxe rooms with attached bathrooms in high-quality teahouses and lodges.)
Meals
This travel plan includes three meals a day. The menu has a wide range of foods, from traditional Nepali to Asian to Western. We strongly suggest that you eat things that are good for you and keep you hydrated, like fresh vegetables, green tea, hot lemon, ginger tea, and garlic soup. Dal Bhat Tarkari is a cuisine from the area that has lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry. It's a big supper that will provide you with energy. If you want to be healthy and clean at high altitudes, you should keep away from alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and foods that aren't vegetarian.
(Note:
Budget package: This option does not include any meals or drinks, so you will need to pay for food separately.
Standard package: You will receive three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and a cup of tea or coffee with your meal with seasonal fruits at breakfast.
Luxury package: you will receive three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with seasonal fruits, dry fruits, and nuts at every meal. You can enjoy tea, coffee, juices, cold drinks, and mineral water anytime, except alcoholic drinks. All the extra costs, such as hot showers, phone charging, bed heaters, and internet, are fully covered.)
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.
(Note:
Budget package: There are no porters, so you will need to carry your backpack and belongings throughout the trek.
Standard package: There will be one porter for every two trekkers, who carry up to 20 kg (10 kg per person).
Luxury package: Each trekker has their own personal porter, so you don’t need to carry anything.)
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.
(Note:
Budget Package: you need to bring your own refillable water bottle, and you're responsible for getting your own water along the trail. You can buy bottled water or pay for warm/boiled water at the lodges, but these are not included in the package.
Standard Package: you will be provided with 2 liters of warm water daily. This helps you stay hydrated safely without needing to buy bottled water frequently. if you want more water or cold drinks, you'll need to buy them yourself.
Luxury package: You will have unlimited access to mineral water, coffee, tea, juices, and cold drinks anytime you want, except for alcoholic beverages. There is no need to carry or worry about purifying water yourself.)
Communication
We will provide you with a SIM card in Kathmandu and teach you how to access data and recharge cash on it, but mobile signals may be weak at higher altitudes. For your safety, our lead guide keeps daily contact with all trekking teams via mobile. We are fully prepared to handle emergencies, and our guides are trained to assist whenever needed. Additionally, we use walkie-talkies and satellite phones in areas with no network to ensure constant communication.
(Note:
Budget package: A SIM card will be provided, and you will be taught how to take a data package and recharge, but the data is not included.
Standard Package: A SIM card with a limited data package already sets up everything for you.
Luxury package: A SIM card with an unlimited data package already set up for you. So that you can connect with family, share your journey online, or check maps and updates without worrying about running out of data.)
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 5,555 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.
Best Time to Trek Everest Base Camp
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the best times to hike to Everest Base Camp. These times of year have the most steady weather and the best views of the mountains, making for a more pleasant and beautiful climb. During the day in the spring, temperatures stay about 20°C, but at night in higher places, they can plummet to about -5°C. 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 to $1,000 USD per person; this price depends on weather and flight availability, 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 can only provide a personal trek, so you will only be trekking with your group. We will never add strangers to your treks. All the treks are customizable per your schedule.
Individual to Group bookings.
Our treks are organized with a minimum of 2 people, so If anyone is alone and does not have a friend or family joining them, we can organize a group trek open for all. If you prefer to join a group, we can also help you connect with other trekkers. Once you confirm, your group trek will be posted on our website, so others can join too.
This is our policy to make every trek into your own personal holiday in the Himalayas.
Trust trek booking
The Everest Holiday is a registered and bonded trekking operator, ensuring a secure booking process. We are proudly members of the Trekking agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Our Founder, Mr. Ganesh Simkhada, was a former Director of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and formal General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). To confirm your booking, we require a 10% advance payment. Payment options include the Himalayan bank online portal (on our website), major credit cards, bank transfers, Wise, and Western Union. After your arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance. Please send us your important travel documents, such as a passport copy, within one week of booking. Please make sure your passport has a minimum of 6 months of validation period remaining at your arrival date in Nepal.
Last-minute booking
We recommend booking your trek in advance. However, we also offer a last-minute booking option, which requires full payment 24 hours before departure. For the last-minute booking, please contact Shreejan (Joe) at +977-9810351300 or email us at info@theeverestholiday.com. Please note that last-minute treks may face delays due to circumstances beyond our control.
Flexible Schedule
Our trip schedule is determined by your travel date, and you can make any changes to it. If our scheduled trek dates don't work for you, please let us know, and we will be happy to arrange a trip according to your time and schedule.
Trip Extension
You can easily extend your stay with other adventures. We can arrange exciting activities for you, such as a jungle safari (Chitwan and Bardiya), bungee jumping (Pokhara, Everest, Bhote Koshi, and Kushma), rafting (Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Seti rivers), kayaking (Trishuli and Pokhara), paragliding (Pokhara and Kathmandu), zip-flying (Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Kushma), and canyoning (Pokhara and Sukhuta Beach), according to your interests. We can also set up sightseeing tours around the Kathmandu Valley if you're more interested in culture and history. These tours will take you to UNESCO world heritage sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple, and Pashupatinath Temple. We suggest a trip to Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, a hill station just outside of Kathmandu, around sunrise for a serene getaway. We can also set up spiritual trips for Buddhists and Hindus that take you to temples, stupas, monasteries, and meditation centers. When you're booking a trip, please have a look at our ADD-ON package for an amazing adventure during the trek.
Ecotourism practices
We ask that you join our eco-friendly hiking practice because we are very dedicated to keeping the Everest region's fragile beauty safe. At the start of our excursion, each person will obtain their own eco-waste bag. Please put all of your rubbish that can't be composted, like snack wrappers, plastic bottles, and batteries, in this bag. Don't leave anything on the trail, please. Instead, take this bag with you as we walk down, and our guides will show you where to find the public trash cans and recycling bins where you can throw it away correctly. We need your help to keep the Himalayas clean and lovely for the next generation.
The Family
We are a family firm that has been in the tourism business in Nepal for three generations. We believe that all of our employees and teams are family. we started as porters and now run an agency. Our professional and experienced guides and Sherpas will be with you the whole time to make sure your trek is safe and memorable. They know how to do first aid in the bush, rock climbing, and how to stay safe in the mountains. They also speak good English. They are from the upper Himalayas, so they know the area well. We take care of their insurance, food, housing, and medical. Please treat our workers like family, and don't hesitate to ask for help or have questions at any time.
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.
Departure
To arrange your airport transfer, please let us know your hotel name, room number, and flight departure details. We will take you from your hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport so you may catch your trip home. We sincerely hope you had an amazing journey and hope to see you again soon for another trip in Nepal.
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.
