While a base camp hiking trip may not require the same level of mountaineering skill as a climb to the summit itself, we advise that you have a high level of fitness and hiking skill before you take up this exhilarating challenge. Training focuses in the months leading up to your trip should include cardio fitness and leg strength. Practise steep hikes too, if you can.
The costs of our Base Camp treks vary depending on which one you choose. As a guideline, you can expect to pay at least £2,199 (excluding flights). Each trek is at least 16 days long and includes the guidance of an expert tour leader, accommodation, transport, porterage, and breakfasts, among other things.
Hiking to Everest Base Camp is relatively tough, so you should make sure you’re confident in your level of fitness before you book your trip.
When you view each of our Everest Base Camp treks, you’ll find an activity level rating that gives you a better idea of the difficulty level.
You will also find a breakdown of how much distance we will cover each day and an indication of what you can expect the terrain to be like.
Whichever variation of our trek you choose, you’ll start hiking from Lukla airport and at some point in the trip, you’ll reach the Everest Base Camp and have a chance to explore it. Your group won’t be trekking up Mount Everest itself, but you’ll cover lots of ground in the surrounding region and get unforgettable views of the world’s highest mountain.
Our Mount Everest Base Camp trips include climbing neighbouring mountains, such as Kala Patthar, Gokyo Ri and Lobuje. Each is a challenge in its own right. To see specifics about trekking routes, view the itinerary on the page.
Many of our travellers ask us how long it takes to trek Everest Base Camp. Well, our base camp hikes take somewhere in the range of 12-15 days. You’ll spend around 5-9 hours walking each day, though it’s possible that your trip may include the occasional day that’s longer.
It’s important not to rush the trek, so we’ve factored in time to acclimatise to altitudes that become gradually higher the further your group progresses. One of the core principles of acclimatisation is to “climb high and sleep lower” so our routes account for this.
Each day, your trek will be anywhere from 3-12 miles long. View a breakdown of each day on the page to see specific details on the distances you’ll travel.
In any season, mountainous climates can be unpredictable, so it’s important you’re prepared for all temperatures and weathers.
With us, you can book an Everest Base Camp trekking holiday between April and November (dependent on the exact trek you select).
The pre-monsoon season takes place from March to May. You can expect temperatures to be mainly warm day and night in the lower altitudes. At Base Camp level, there is still a chance of snow during this time. There will be flowers along the route, making for lovely scenery.
From June to early September, it’s monsoon time! When you land in Lukla, you can expect to experience a lot of rain. At higher altitudes, the rainfall may be slightly lighter. It’s a quieter time for Everest Base Camp walkers because the monsoon season is less popular, but if you don’t mind the extra challenge, it can still be a rewarding trek.
The main trekking season is mid-September to November, because this is post-monsoon season and usually offers clear skies and mild temperatures. You must still be prepared for cold nights if you’re travelling in this season though. They can reach -10C at some of the higher altitudes we’ll be in.
This depends on which season you visit. In April and May, night-time temperatures of -1°C are normal. During the monsoon season, a 4°C night-time temperature is normal. If you trek with us during October to November, then expect lows of -8°C at night.
This depends on which Everest Base Camp trek you select. If Kala Patthar is on your route, you should be aware that many hikers find this quite difficult. Its elevation is 5,540 metres. From this peak, you’ll get stunning views of Everest itself, but of course, you’ll need to be physically fit enough to take on the challenge.