The towering Mount Everest (8848.86m) and its surrounding Himalayas are the crown jewel of Nepal. 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek adventure in these Himalayan trails has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. Moreover, the base camp of Mount Everest is on the bucket list of many avid trekkers. It is the dream destination of every trekker who would love some adventure in the wild.
12 days Everest base camp Trek is an outstanding Trekking Itinerary from Exciting Nepal provides trekkers with a tremendous adventure. The trails of this trek will take you through the enchanting natural and cultural paths. Trekkers will pass through various natural landscapes, including snow-clad mountains, green hills, grasslands, meadows, valleys, rivers, glaciers, lakes, and others during the trek.
The spectacular trails pass through Sagarmatha National Park, offering outstanding adventure. There are rare and endangered wildlife of the region, including animals like Red Panda, Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, monkeys, etc. The rhododendron flowers bloom during the spring season. You will experience colorful trails and aromatic smells throughout the tracks in peak seasons.
12 Days Everest Base camp Trek Discerption
The itinerary of this trek is compact with proper time for rest and acclimatization. This walk aspect ensures that you will not get altitude sickness along the journey. You will acclimatize twice during the way, once in Namche and then in Dingboche. The stunning views of the entire Everest region is a prime attraction of this trek.
An exciting aspect of this trek to EBC is passing through the cultural settlements of the Sherpa community. The community shares its heritage from across the border on the Tibetan side. The local people’s unique cultural heritage and tradition are ideal exploration opportunities. Other ethnic communities in the region include Tamang, Gurung, Bhotia, and others.
You will also get accompanied by the help of a professional guide who will help you navigate the challenging trail. They will also give you local insight into the people, and their heritage. You will stay in cozy tea houses and lodges, which provide warm meals and a nice place to stay during your trek. There might not be any fancy facilities, but you will experience warm hospitality and welcome in these places.
We provide these incredible 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek reasonably priced. You will get a great experience and an excellent value for money. If you consider taking this trek with us, you can contact us to get more insights and book your trip. Happy traveling!
Highlights of 12 Days Everest base camp trek
- Snow clad mountain views including Lobuche East, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Lobuche West, Thamserku, Taboche Peak, etc
- Exciting trekking adventure to the foot the highest mountain peak in the world, Mt Everest
- Wonderful Himalayan sunrise from Kalapathar overlooking the silver mountains
- Trekking through the adventurous, rural, and rugged terrains of the region
- Exploring the wildlife of the area that includes some of the rare and endangered species
- Cultural exploration of the region, including Tibetan Buddhist heritage, monasteries, settlements, etc
- Warm welcome and hospitality in the teahouses and lodges
- Incredible views of the Himalayan mountains, including during the trail
12 Days Everest base camp trekking route
The trekking route for this outstanding trek to 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek gets explained below. Firstly our staff representative will pick you up from your location and then take you to the international airport in Kathmandu. From there, you will travel to Lukla, the point where you begin your journey.
From Lukla, you will continue your journey to Phakding, from where you arrive, passing through the settlements of Monjo and Jorsale. You will also pass through incredible trails to arrive at Namche. Namche Bazaar is the first point where you will get to rest and acclimatize.
Various hiking points, including Khunde hill and Syangboche, will help you acclimatize. There are also cultural acclimatization points, including a museum. There you can experience and explore the heritage of the Sherpa community. Namche has a vibrant atmosphere that includes local settlements, cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc.
Upper Part of Mt. Everest Region Trekking Trail.
From Namche, you will trek to Tengboche, where you can find a spectacular Buddhist monastery and an incredible viewpoint. From Tengboche, you will follow through with Lobuche to arrive at Dingboche. Dingboche is another acclimatization point where you will rest for the day. You will arrive at Everest Base Camp passing through these settlements.
Gorak Shep is the last village settlement with the tea houses in the region and was also the original base camp of Mount Everest. Finally, you will arrive and explore the beauty of Everest base camp and capture these incredible images on your camera. You will then continue your return trek to Gorak Shep.
There you will stay overnight before trekking in the morning to observe the Himalayan Sunrise from Kala Pathar. From Kalapathar, you can watch the snow-clad mountains in all their glory. Finally, you will trek back from Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep before arriving at Periche.
From Pheriche, you will arrive at Namche, where you will stay for a night. Finally, tracing back the steps you took during these 12 Days short Everest base camp trek, you will arrive at Lukla. Finally, the tour ends as you take the stunning scenic mountain flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Best Time for the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
The peak season for trekking and climbing in the Everest region is the post-monsoon season of autumn and the pre-monsoon season of Spring. The Incredible climate and weather in these two seasons make them ideal for these adventurous tracks. Besides that, Travelers can trek their way through these terrains without any such challenges in the seasons.
Spring season
This Spring is beautiful as colorful trees with wildflowers bloom along the trails. The hills in the courses turn completely colorful, providing a vibrant experience for trekkers. Moreover, the climate remains ideal with a minimum of precipitation, making the way even more exciting.
While the nighttime can remain chill, you should also prepare yourself with warm clothes and trekking gear. The spring season also brings clear blue skies amongst silver mountains. You can observe the majestic natural vista of the region. The Spring is a fabulous time for trekking and traveling the beautiful foothills of the Himalayas.
Autumn season
Autumn is another ideal time for this outstanding trek. It comes after the monsoon season, so there is no heavy rainfall and slippery trails during this trekking season. Trekkers can pass in the beautiful forested trails with vast trees without hesitation during this season. Overall, the weather remains calm and stable throughout the trek.
Moreover, the temperature is around 20 degrees in the daytime, and the nighttime temperatures can drop approximately 10 to 15 degrees. Trekkers can also experience the cultural festivities, especially in the lower region trails, as main festivals fall in autumn. The sky remains mostly clear throughout the season as well.
Off-season treks
The offseason treks are equally beautiful, but they come with their challenges. These challenges include heavy rainfall, snowfalls, slippery trails, leech-infested trails, landslides, and avalanches.
The challenges make this trek quite tricky in the off-season of winter and monsoon. But if you wish to, you can trek in the seasons. However, you must prepare well with sufficient training before starting the trek. Packing and preparation of trekking gear and warm clothes are also essential during this trek.
Why To Trek The 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek?
Incredible mountains vista
The trek in the Everest region is wonderful and gets known for its great mountain views. You will cross various natural terrains to reach your destination at the end of the trek. Trekkers will get the best views of the whole diverse landscapes of the region during this trek. The beautiful trek will take you through the beautiful landscapes of the region. Besides that, you can also get awe-inspiring adventures during this Everest Base Camp trek.
Adventurous trails
This trek’s beautiful but adventurous trails are another reason you should take this trek. The trails are ideal for trekkers who want a quick adventure in the Himalayan region. The walks pass through incredible green hills, mountain valleys, cliffsides, waterfalls, lakes, etc. The trails require you to have proper training and practice to complete. Hence, trekkers need a good training regime at least a few months before starting this trek.
Safe and comfortable trails
The trekking journey in this region is safe as our team ensures the safeguarding of the trekkers. Properly experienced guides handle our treks with many years of experience running these trips. Proper professional guides and porters will also accompany these trekkers. They will help you navigate and save you from various emergencies along the trail.
Cultural exploration
Another beautiful aspect of this trek is that it allows you to complete cultural exploration of the region. Trekkers will explore the beautiful local settlement and other religious and cultural heritage.
The beautiful trails provide you with unique insights into the local place. Local people and professional guides will help you translate the local language and give you detailed insights into the region. If you decide to travel in autumn, you will also have a chance to celebrate the festivals with the locals as it is a festive time in the region.
Things to Consider for 12 days Everest base Camp Trek
Some of the significant aspects that you should essentially consider for the high-altitude Himalayan trek are as follows:
Trekking guide
Trekking guides are essential companions of trekkers as they will help you remain safe and comfortable and they will also deal with navigation by providing you with the correct and ideal way to travel because they have an in-depth knowledge of the local place and know the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days itinerary’s route pretty well.
They will also help you with language barriers as they can work as a translator and provide you with inside knowledge about the local place. Besides that, they will also help you find tea houses/ lodges and meals in the region as they have local connections. Trekkers can also hire porters along the trail responsible for carrying your stuff. Some guides also worked as potters, but they will cost you more.
Travel insurance
Trekkers should ensure they have travel or trekking insurance. This thrilling adventure takes you through taxing terrains. To remain safe and covered in emergencies, you will require proper travel insurance covering various aspects.
One significant aspect of this high-altitude trek is moving 4000 meters above. These travel insurance packages must cover essential factors like altitude sickness, injuries, accidents, theft, loss of property, and evacuation in case of emergencies.
Acclimatization
Trekkers must acclimatize in various ways during the trek because they need to adapt at high altitudes faster. This process is also essential because the air pressure and oxygen levels at high altitudes are pretty low. Proper rest and acclimatization will complete their journey without any hassle.
Trekkers must also stay away from alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration, and drink as much water as possible while trekking. Your trekking device will help you acclimatize at various points during the trek. Acclimatization also includes exploration at a gentle pace, and you should not treat this trek as a race. The trekker should not gain more than 600 meters in altitude on each trekking day.
Physical fitness
Physical fitness is another essential part of a trekker’s journey. Trekkers taking this thrilling trek in the region must have a proper training regime before starting on this trek. Physical fitness is also essential as it will help you climb high-altitude terrains with ease.
There are various training regimes that you should perform. This includes strong physical exercises and mental preparation. Besides that, you will also require to perform aerobics or cardiovascular exercise. That helps you remain flexible and enables you to breathe well in a low oxygen atmosphere.
Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860m) then trek to Phakding (2804m), 6.5 KM Approx.
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3445m), 8 KM Approx.
Day 03: Rest Day in Namche Bazaar.
Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3850m), 9.5 KM Approx.
Day 05: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4350m) 11 KM Approx.
Day 06: Acclimatization in Dingboche / Explore Around.
Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4950m)
Day 08: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5160m). Trek to Everest Base Camp 5,364 m and Down to Gorakshep.
Day 09: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kalapathar (5554m). Trek down to Pheriche (4371m)
Day 10: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Day 11: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 12: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu early morning
Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days Itinerary in Detail
Day 01: Kathmandu to Lukla Flight, and Trek to Phakding (2804m)
Maximum altitude: Phakding (2610m/8560ft)
Walking Duration: 3-4 hrs
Overnight: Phakding
Our 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a scenic mountain flight to the entry point of the Everest region, Lukla. These snow-clad mountains you can observe during the mountain flight will enchant you. The beautiful flight also provides you with outstanding views of the region's natural landmarks.
The mountain flight lands at the smallest airstrip of Lukla airport, with a cliff on one side. Hence, this flight is generally considered one of the thrilling experiences by travelers worldwide. Trekkers can rest for some time after arriving at the Lukla and then continue their trek. The first section of the tour will take you to the settlement of Phakding.
The trek duration from Lukla to Phakding is just around 3-4 hrs. This trail passes through the Dudh Koshi River valley. You will cross the river several times during the journey on a suspension bridge. After a walking couple of hours, you will arrive at your destination of Phakding. You can find many tea houses and lodges to rest after the trekking journey.
Day 02: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3445m)
Maximum elevation: 3440m/11290 ft.
Walking duration: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Namche Bazaar
The trek trails from Phakding to Namche start along the narrow cliffside trails. The walk continues gently uphill as you pass through the village settlements of Jorsale and Monjo. Monjo has the Sagarmatha National Park entry point, where you will show your permits. You can complete the formalities to enter the national park premises.
Sagarmatha National Park is a beautiful landscape with many natural wonders. There are dense forests, rivers, water streams, etc., along the trail will make the trek quite adventurous. Namche Bazaar is the commercial town and the center for many business activities in the Khumbu region.
The cultural village has a vibrant atmosphere, making the bazaar ideal for exploration. Various cafes, hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and others along the trail. The viewpoint in the area provides you with the best views of the snow-clad mountains. After exploring the site in the guest house or lodge in Namche Bazaar, you will rest.
Day 03: Rest and acclimatize for the day in Namche Bazaar
Namche is ideal for acclimatization during this 12 days Everest base camp trek. The majestic view of the entire Himalayan region makes this place perfect for exploring around. It will also help you in adapting to high-altitude conditions that you will gain during the duration of this trek.
After having your early morning meal, you will start your trip to the Syangboche Airstrip. The viewpoint provides travelers with a bird's eye view of the Namche Bazaar settlement. Trekkers will also get sweeping views of the Himalayas. Besides that, you can also hike to Khunde, a small hill near the Namche bazaar.
The Everest View Hotel is another sightseeing destination to get views of Mt Everest. If you want a more cultural exploration, you can visit the Sherpa museum, where you can look at a Yeti skull. The settlements of the town also provide a unique perspective of the region. Many cafes, hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, and souvenir shops make the trip vibrant. After exploring around, you will return to the teahouses and rest for the evening.
Day 04: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3850m)
Maximum altitude: Tengboche (3860m/12660ft).
Walking hours: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Basic Teahouse
The trek in this journey takes you to the village of Tengboche from Namche. The trail passes through alongside the Dudh Kosi Valley, through the settlement of Phungki Thanka. Alongside that, you will observe the most incredible views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.
The track is a challenging uphill climb alongside the serene Dudh Koshi River. The Tengboche village is a settlement lying at the junction of two rivers, the Dudh Koshi and the Imja Khola. The town remains surrounded by Hills, where you will arrive passing through the forest trails.
Tengboche is a religious settlement where you can find a religiously significant monastery. There nuns and monks remain busy in their daily lifestyle of performing holy prayers and worshiping. You can join them in performing evening prayers and experience a spiritual atmosphere. In the evening, you will stay in a lodge near the monastery.
Day 05: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4350m)
Walking duration: 5 hours
Maximum altitude: 4360m/14300ft
Overnight: Dingboche (4350m)
After waking up early to the beautiful Golden sunrise, you will return on your trekking trail. The trek starts from the settlement of Tengboche and leads you to the village of Dingboche. The trials of this trek pass alongside the Imja River, crossing the beautiful river several times on a wooden suspension bridge.
Pangboche is another village settlement that you will need to pass before arriving at your destination. Dingboche is a valley with a 1-kilometer long wall surrounding the village. This gets done to protect the crops from the harsh winds in the town. Hence, it gets known as the "Summer Valley" of the Khumbu region.
You can observe different mountain peaks of the Everest region, including the Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Island Peak, and others from the nearby viewpoint. After arriving at the village, you will rest and explore the area to understand the local lifestyle and traditions. Finally, you will stay at a tea house in Dingboche in the evening.
Day 06: Acclimatization and rest in Dingboche.
Dingboche is ideal for acclimatization in this high-altitude 12 Days Everest Base Camp trek. On this trekking day, you will explore the beautiful landscapes around Dingboche. This includes a stunning Hike to the Nagarjuna peak. The hill remains located in the Chhukung valley and requires you to climb steeply for 3-4 hours.
The view from the top of the Nagarjun peak is incredible, with all-encompassing views of various mountains. These mountains include Lobuche East, Kangtega, Ama Dablam, Lobuche West, Thamserku, Taboche Peak, and others.
After exploring the beautiful region, you can take beautiful pictures of the scenario. You will return to Dingboche to further explore the local settlements. There is the chance to explore the local community's cultural traditions and heritage. Finally, in the evening you will rest at the same tea house that you stayed at earlier in Dingboche.
Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4950m)
Maximum altitude: Lobuche (4940m/16207ft)
Walking duration: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Lobuche
The trail on this day starts from the village of Dingboche as we track through the challenging trains to arrive at Lobuche. We will pass through Dhungla and Pheriche (4210m), where you can find the health Post for trekkers run by The Himalayan Rescue Association.
The trekkers will then pass through the Chupki Lara, a rock-strewn slope. The viewpoint provides you with stunning views of Khumbu Glacier, Mount Nuptse, and others. We will continue our trek for some hours in the uphill and downhill terrains to test our strength and endurance to the core. After arriving at the village, we will find a tea house where you will rest for the evening.
Day 08: Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5160m) - Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) - Gorak Shep (5160m).
Maximum altitude: Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)
Walking duration: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Gorakshep
The trail on this day will take you to the Everest base camp, which is the primary destination of the journey. We will start our trek in the village of Lobuche early in the morning with a gentle climb up a cliff. The trails will allow you to observe the stunning views of the Khumbu Glacier, the world's highest glacier.
After trekking for a few hours through rough terrain, you will arrive at Gorak Shep. In the village, you can find the tea houses where you will keep your luggage and rest for some time before continuing your trek to the Everest base camp. Gorakshep is also the site of the original base camp for the first Mount Everest expedition. This incredible expedition by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay used Gorak shep as their base.
The trail will give you spectacular views of Khumbu Icefall, Khumbutse, and Lingtren peaks. After arriving at the base camp, we will observe and experience the majestic atmosphere of the region. We will further explore the base camp to find tents and climbers for the Everest expedition.
We will then take outstanding pictures of the beautiful base of Mount Everest and its surroundings. We will finally trek back to Gorak shep, where we will rest in the tea house earlier. The trek takes around a couple of hours to arrive at the teahouses, where we sleep for the evening.
Day 09: Trek from Gorak Shep to Kalapathar (5554m) and then Trek to Pheriche (4371m)
Maximum altitude: Kalapathar (5554m)
Walking duration: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Phiriche.
On this day of trekking, you will rise early in the morning to hike to Kala Pathar. Kala Pathar is the viewpoint from where you will get a spectacular view of Mount Everest. Most of the pictures taken in the region of the mountain peaks are from this viewpoint. We will rise around 3 to 4 AM in the dark and trek in Kala Pathar. This is done to observe the golden sunrise from Kalapathar, which is famous worldwide.
The view of the sun rising from the white mountains and turning them golden is an incredible sight. From this viewpoint, you will observe the astonishing 360 degrees panoramic vista of the entire Everest Himalayas. Finally, after taking beautiful pictures and experiencing this fantastic scenario, you will return to Gorak Shep. There, you will have your lunch before starting your trek back to their Namche.
Pheriche is a beautiful settlement where you will arrive after spending 3 to 4 hours passing through the local settlements. You will experience the change in topography as the trail begins to get greener. Many locals are busy in animal rearing and observe the overall rural lifestyle. After arriving at Pheriche, you will explore before returning to the tea house to spend the night.
Day 10: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Maximum altitude: Pheriche (4371m)
Walking duration: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Namche Bazaar
After waking up with the fabulous sunrise, you will start your trek back to Namche Bazaar. The trail of this trek will take you to the paths you took earlier in this 12 days Everest base camp Trek. This unique opportunity to explore the different aspects of this trek. We will then pass through cultural settlements observing the heritage and traditions of the local people.
You will arrive at Periche after 3 to 4 hours. There is the village settlement of Tengboche alongside the Imja Khola trails, which you will need to cross. You will then pass through the PhunkiTenka and continue to arrive at the Namche Bazar. There you will explore for some time around the bazaar before returning and staying at the guest house.
Day 11: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Maximum altitude: Namche Bazaar(3445m)
Walking duration: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Lukla
On this journey from Namchi Bazar, you will start the descending trail passing through some of the most scenic vistas. Trekkers will then cross various courses through suspension bridges and other forested areas that you took earlier on this trek.
You will then travel alongside the Dudh Koshi River, from where you can observe incredible natural trails. The trek on this day is relatively short and comfortable as you arrive at the point where you first started your tour. You will rest for the evening and enjoy yourself with fellow trekkers. This 12 day Everest base camp Trek ends in Lukla.
Day 12: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Maximum altitude: Lukla(2850m)
Flight duration: 1.5 hours
As the trek ends, we will take an early morning flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. You will observe the Himalayan Vista for one last time from the flight. You will then get transferred to your location from the airport, and then you can proceed to the next destination.
Training Required for the Trek
As with other treks in the region, you will need to train well for this 12 Days Everest Base Camp trek. There are various training regimes that you can perform before taking on this spectacular trek. This includes strength-building exercises, endurance-building exercises, and flexibility-building cardiovascular exercises. These exercises will help you develop the ideal stamina required for your trekking adventure.
Physical training
The physical training exercises help tackle challenging terrains of the region. They build core strength and stamina along the trail. Various remote and rugged landscapes require immense physical activity. These training can be of different types, including strength building, weight exercises, etc. if you train with weight, you will need a professional weight expert or a trainer to help you. Besides that, these exercises will help you build muscles in different parts of your body.
Cardiovascular training
The various aerobic or cardiovascular training along the trek will help you gain flexibility along the trail. These exercises are essential to complete the beautiful courses with the risk of cramps or any other injuries. You will also experience less fatigue along the route. You can adapt to low oxygen level high altitude conditions with ease and breathe well in these terrains.
Mental training
Mental training will help you immensely during this challenging trek. There are various ways you can perform these exercises along the trail. Mental training will help you with preparing for the tour. Trekkers can also take practice hikes in the neighborhood areas to prepare for the trek. You can get info about the walk through the internet or veteran trekkers.
Difficulty Level of the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
Since you will be trekking through treacherous trails with an incredible amount of challenges, you will find this trek quite tricky. However, if you train well and prepare to trek in advance, you can tackle any difficulties during this trek. Some of the significant challenges that you may face during this high altitude trek are as follows:
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness is a significant tricky aspect of any trekking journey in Nepal. Since the trails pass through high altitudes that move above 4000m, trekkers are prone to altitude sickness. Now to tackle this problem, there are various measures you can take. Among them, the most familiar one is acclimatization.
Acclimatization Is an ideal way of tackling this problem during this trek. During this process, you should rest and not gain more altitude to get used to the changing environment. The high-altitude hike is quite challenging in this regard. Moreover, you should not stay idle and explore the beautiful terrains and keep your foot moving even on days of acclimatization.
Keep yourself hydrated at all times with a total water intake of around 3-4 liters. Do not consume alcohol or any other beverages containing alcohol that can lead to dehydration. Diamox tablets are an ideal anti-nausea medication that will help you subside altitude sickness symptoms. Hence, you can tackle altitude sickness along the trails in these ways.
Remote and challenging trails
The trails of this trek pass through challenging, remote, uphill, and rugged terrains. Hence, you will need to trek through and prove your core strength through these challenges. The trekkers must also traverse through a myriad of challenges, including narrow cliffs, steep trails, meadows, deep valleys, boulder-filled paths, etc.
Hence, one must train in physical and endurance training to tackle these challenges. These training pieces will help you adapt to the conditions quickly, and you can complete these treks without any hassle.
Long duration walks
The travelers need to walk for a minimum of 4-5 hrs per day during the trek for around 10-12 days. These long-duration walks can get challenging for all travelers. For those travelers, who have not trekked in these conditions before, traveling for such a prolonged duration at a stretch can get quite daunting.
Hence, practicing hiking near the hills will help you understand the trek. Besides that, mental preparation with a positive attitude will help you move even in challenging circumstances.
Facilities of meals and accommodation
One factor that can get challenging includes the facilities for meals and accommodations. As this is a remote region trek, there aren't many teahouses that provide luxury services. Hence, you will have to compromise and satisfy whatever gets offered along the trails.
Trekkers will get the basic facilities of meal and accommodation that include a room with beds, mattresses, and pillows. The food in these teahouses has meals like "Dal Bhat," a typical Nepalese dish. There are other varieties of food, but they are generally expensive and get scarce as you move up along the altitude in the trail.
Trek permits
There are various trekking permits that you need to get for this track. These permits include the Sagarmatha National Park permit and Pasang Lhamu Rural Area Permit. Therefore, these permits are essential for you to get before taking on this trek.
Sagarmatha National Park permit is NRs. 3,000 for foreign nationals. Similarly, it is NRs. 100 for Nepalese and finally NRs. 1,500 for SAARC nationals. It is on per personal basis and free for below ten years of age children
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit is USD 20 per person. It is on a per-week basis, and the fee is for the first four weeks. After that, It costs USD 25 per person per week. Since you have a restricted area special permit, you do not require a TIMS permit for the Everest region.
Food and Accommodation
Trekkers will need to stay in tea houses, lodges, and other accommodation facilities run by the locals. While you will get incredible hospitality with these teahouses, the facilities are not that fancy. Trekkers will stay in a basic room where you will get a bed, mattresses, sheets, and pillows.
Trekkers will need to carry extra sleeping blankets as the conditions get entirely freezing at night. The trekkers themselves should carry toiletries. You will get provided Nepalese dishes during your trek in the high-altitude region in meals. Dal Bhat is also perfect because it gives trekkers enough nutrients and energy to tackle high-altitude terrains.
The trekkers will need to track through strenuous landscapes, so they should also carry snacks like protein bars, energy bars, and a large quantity of water to remain hydrated. You can use water purification tablets and chlorine solutions to purify the water. Tea coffee and other hot beverages like garlic and noodle soup are pretty popular among trekkers as they provide a warm meal for a cold day in high-altitude conditions.
A Typical Day of Trekking
The typical trekking day of the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a scenic sunrise from your accommodation. You can freshen up after waking up early and then have your breakfast. We will have our breakfast in the tea houses, including bread, eggs, toast, tea, coffee, etc.
The trekking journey starts from 7-8 AM, as you will need to arrive at your destination before dark. Besides that, you should also get snacks like protein and energy bars to munch on during the trek. We will begin trekking, passing through some of the most beautiful destinations. There are various natural landmarks to explore and take pictures of. We walk through the beautiful natural landscapes of the region.
Along the trail, many cultural heritages, including monasteries, heritage, chortens, gompas, etc. You will trek for some time and then rest in the teahouse to have lunch. After resting for some time, you will continue your trek through the region. Finally, after completing your walk, you can relax in the teahouse, where you can have light snacks.
You will have your dinner in the dining hall in the evening. You will mostly have "Dal Bhat," typically found in most teahouses for dinner. There you must rest well to acclimatize to high altitude conditions. You can interact with fellow trekkers, play board games, or read in the evening. After dinner, you will rest in the room. There are warm blankets, and you can also use sleeping bags for extra warmth in cold conditions.
Solo Vs. Guided Trek
A trekking guide is essential for these high-altitude treks in the Everest region. They help you traverse along these challenging trails and navigate through some rough terrains. Besides that, they will protect you from any external factors along these trails. You will also get the best logistics like accommodation and meals as local connections. However, you must ensure that your trekking guide has a professional trekking license.
The other preference should be to get the local guides who know about the trekking routes in advance. They will help you pass through the best cultural settlements of the region and give you insights into the traditions and heritage. This way, you can avoid the taboos of the local area, and you don't offend the people in any manner.
Besides, these guides will also help keep in check with any medical injuries, acute mountain sickness, accidents, and other emergencies. These porters allow you to carry your heavy luggage along the route. You can enjoy your trekking adventures with ease in these cases. Besides that, you can also hire porter guides who perform the job of both porters and guides.
Tips for the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
- Get yourself for a large quantity of water to remain hydrated along the trail
- Carry snacks and hydrate well during your trekking journey
- Get yourself a proper travel insurance package before the trek
- Always hire a local professional guide who will help you along the trail
- Book all your meals and accommodations facilities in advance
- Carry water purification tablets to ensure safe drinking water along the trails
- Get trekking equipment and clothing on hire from various shops around Kathmandu
- Acclimatize well with proper rest to tackle altitude sickness
- Start trekking journey early so that you will arrive at your destination before it gets dark
- Pack only those trekking gears and clothing that are essential
Packing List - 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
Clothing
- Trekking pants
- Trekking shirts
- Down jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Trekking boots
- Warm woolen cap
- Thermal wears
- Trekking gloves
- Trekking socks
- Raincoat
First Aid and Toiletries
- Anti-nauseant medication
- Water purifying tablets
- Insect repellent
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Sanitizer
- Quick-dry towel
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
Others
- Phone
- Power Banks
- Solar Charges
- Extra Batteries
- Reusable water bottles
- Local SIM card
- Trekking Map
- Camera
Important documents
- Passport
- Trekking Permits
- Travel insurance
Trip Cost US$ 1285 Per person
Cost Includes:
- Airport to Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private vehicle.
- Your entire stander Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek, A Cup of Tea/ Coffe During the Breakfast / Lunch and Diner
- Seasonal Fruits.
- Tea House hotel accommodation during the trek. Attached bathroom Namche and Lukla.
- A highly experienced, helpful and friendly government,license holder Guide, his food, accommodations, salary, insurance, equipment, and medicine etc.
- A Strong Porter among the two trekkers ( one porter sharing among two member ) including all his expenses including full insurance during the trek.
- Round Trip flight fare Kathmandu - Lukla-Kathmandu for member and Guide.
- Kathmandu & domestic airport taxes in Kathmandu and Lukla airport for Group and crews.
- Check in Baggage 10 KG and Hand carry 5 KG, (Kathmandu-lukla-kathmandu)
- Medical supplies, first aid kit box, including Oximeter and pulse meter checker.
- An arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service (paid by your Travel Insurance company). If in case.
- Sleeping bag, down Jacket, Duffel bag and walking Poles (if you don’t have your own, To be returned after trip completed).
- Sagarmatha National Park permits.
- Trekking route map.
- TIMS (trekkers’ information management System.)
- All ground transportation.
- All our government taxes.
- Official expenses .
Cost Excludes:
- Your travel insurance, Recommended.
- International air fare.
- Nepal entry visa fee.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.
- Personal trekking Equipments.
- Extra baggage check in during the flight(Kathmandu-lukla-Kathmandu) if more than 15 KG, 01 USD per KG extra, can pay directly to the airline.
- Hotel night in Kathmandu.
- Activities in Kathmandu.
Start Date - End Data | Status | Cost | Book This Trip |
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Why Take Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days?
Scenic mountain Flight
The starting point of Mount Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days itinerary is Lukla. To get to Lukla, you will catch a flight from Kathmandu. The flight will land in the Lukla airport, one of the most adventurous airports in the world.
The flight is a small one and will last merely 35 minutes long. The mountains of the Everest region will be visible during this scenic flight.
Glorious View of the Mountains
There is no shortage of beautiful mountains in the Everest region. During this 12 days short Everest Base Camp trek, you will go to Kala Pathar. Kala Pathar offers the most awesome view of Everest that you can imagine.
Along with your trek, you will get to view other mountains in this region as well. The mountains are Mt. Cho Oyu (8188), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt. Nuptse (7861 m), Mt. Pumori (7161 m), Mt. Abu Dablam (6812 m), Mt. Imja Tse (6160 m), and Mt. Thamserku (6623 m).
Cultural exploration
Everest region is full of Sherpas who practice Tibetan Buddhism. You will have plenty of time to explore the culture of this region by going to the Tengboche Monastery. The monastery and the people who come there will give you insights into the rich culture of this region.
You will also have time to explore the Khumjung village as well as Namche Bazaar. Both of these regions are symbolic of the people of this region as well as their way of life. Interacting with them is bound to make you appreciate the culture of this region better.
Sagarmatha National Park
Your trekking trail will take you through Sagarmatha National Park. The national park, which is a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, is full of alpine vegetation. It is full of forests of blue pine, birch, firs, juniper, bamboo and rhododendron. You will walk through these forests while trekking to Everest Base Camp.
Sagarmatha National Park is also home to many species of birds and animals. Some rare animals in this national park are the snow leopard, musk deer, black deer, and red panda.
1. What kind of training is essential for 12 days short Everest Base Camp trek?
The Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days itinerary is a shortened version of the classic EBC trek. Therefore, you won’t have as much rest as you would normally have. So it becomes all the more important for you to prepare well for the trek.
You should practice hiking before you attempt for this trek. Complete 4 to 5 hikes before you attempt this trek. Training for the 12 days short Everest Base Camp trek will require you to do cardio in the form of running, cycling, or swimming. You can also use elevation masks while exercising to develop endurance.
While training, you should also focus on improving your diet. Food rich in carbohydrates and protein will be necessary to develop appropriate strength in your body.
2. Is Hiring a Guide/ Porter necessary for the 12 days short Everest Base Camp trek?
You might be tempted to not hire a porter in this trek as the duration is small. You may feel you can manage 12 days of trekking without a guide or a porter. But it is necessary for you to hire a porter and a guide.
As this EBC trek is shorter than usual, you will spend more energy while trekking than usual. This might make you prone to altitude sickness. Too much energy drainage while trekking is one of the factors that contribute to altitude sickness.
So you should hire a guide and a porter. Porters will help ease the physical pressure of carrying your load. Guides will also act as your friends as well as mentors and give you the mental support you might need while trekking.
3. What happens in case of an emergency?
Although planning and preparing for your treks can prevent most things that can go wrong while trekking, it is truly impossible to be completely safe. Sometimes trekkers lose track or forget their luggage and at other times, altitude sickness might bring you down.
Therefore, you should have travel insurance while traveling. Chartering a helicopter in case of altitude sickness might be four or even five times costly than your entire trip. Many agencies provide you with travel insurance to EBC. You should talk to them and get one. Make sure you check what things are necessary in your insurance package.
4. What kind of snacks should I take to EBC?
Chocolate is the best thing you can take for your trek. Chocolates are full of carbohydrates and sugar. They are portable and don’t take up a lot of space in your bag. Therefore they are perfect for your trek.
They provide plenty of energy to your body. Whenever you feel you don’t have enough energy to climb up a hill, just take a bite. You’ll feel your body energized. You’ll go the extra mile after that.
5. Is there a packing limit on a plane?
Yes, there is. Every flight you take has a packing limit. The flight to Lukla is no different. The maximum you can carry during your flight is 15 kg per person. You can carry 10 kg of weight in your checked luggage and 5 kg in hand carry.
6. Are there any charging facilities at EBC?
If you are trekking to EBC in the winter season, the number of trekkers is quite low. Most of the rooms during your accommodation will be empty. In those cases, charging will be free.
However, in peak trekking seasons, charging will be very difficult and it will certainly not be free. The teahouse/ hotel owners can charge you up to $5 per hour for charging your electronic devices.
What is the Packing List?
Clothing
- Long base layer shirts that dry quickly
- Couple of short-sleeved trekking shirts
- A couple of Thermal underwear
- 2 liner socks
- 3 pairs of woolen blend trekking socks.
- A pair of waterproof trekking pants with zip-off bottoms
- A couple of fleece sweaters (one lightweight, one heavier)
- 1 wind/rainproof outer-layer jacket and pants
- 1 down jacket. ( -20 D.C )
- 1 warm winter hat
- 1 lightweight thermal layer hat
- A pair of woolen gloves
- A pair of trekking boots
- Umbrella
- Raincoat
Toiletries
- Foot powder (for stinky feet)
- Toilet paper
- shampoo
- Soap
- A quick-dry Towel
- Gold Bond – this just feels good all the time
First Aid
- Diamox – for altitude
- Vicks vapor rub
- Sunscreen
- moisturizers
- Anti-nauseant ( if you get nauseous a lot at altitude)
- Imodium – (in case of diarrhea)
- Mosquito repellent
Similar articles you may like:
- Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp by Helicopter
- How Long Does It Take To Climb Mount Everest?
- Best Time for Trekking To Everest Base Camp
- All Tours and Trekking in Nepal
Final Word
The Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days itinerary is the perfect way to maximize the amount of time spent on your trek. It is cheaper than the classic EBC trek, it saves your time and you get to see all the places you would see during the longer versions of EBC trek. Overall, the 12 days short Everest Base Camp trek is one of the best trekking experiences in Nepal.