Accommodation

• Teahouse/lodges during the trek
• Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner during the trek
• Breakfast in Kathmandu

Permit required

• Sagarmatha National Entry Park Permit
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
• TIMS LINK: CLICK HERE (sometimes optional for EBC)

Altitude sickness.

Altitude/ elevation sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), occurs when you ascend to high altitudes too quickly and your body struggles due to a lack of adequate oxygen. It typically affects people after ascending beyond 2500 metres (8,200 ft) and can escalate if ignored.

Common signs and symptoms.

Symptoms usually begin 6-24 hours after ascent and to help control the situation can range from mild to life-threatening. It's crucial to recognise early signs to take the situation under control.

Mild Symptoms

• Headache (Most common)
• Nausea or Vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Dizziness or Lightheadedness
• Fatigue or unusual tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping.

Moderate to severe symptoms:

• Persistent, worsening headache.
• Confusion or disorientation
• Shortness of breath, even at rest.
• Difficulty walking (ataxia)
• Tightness in the chest.
• Severe fatigue.
• Bluish lips or fingernails.

Serious Symptoms:

High-altitude cerebral edema.

• Swelling of the brain.
• Symptoms include Confusion, hallucinations, poor coordination, Drowsiness or even coma.
• Life-threatening and requires immediate descent.

High altitude pulmonary oedema.

• Fluid builds up in the lungs.
• Symptoms include breathlessness at rest, coughing (Possibly with pink froth), Tight chest, and blue lips.
• Fatal if untreated.

Preventive measures.

• Ascend gradually.
• Stay hydrated and avoid. Beverages like alcohol and caffeine, especially in the early days of the trek.
• Consume a high-calorie diet with carbohydrates. Avoid overeating and spicy food that could lead to stomach upset.
• Climb high, sleep low.
• Consider medication. Often recommended for the high elevation trekkers, Acetazolamide is often taken 1-2 days before reaching high altitudes.
• And most importantly, know when to stop or descend.
• And most importantly, report about even the slightest uneasiness to the guide or fellow companion.

Best time to trek

pre-monsoon (March to May) and post-monsoon (September to November)

The best time to trek EBC is during the two main trekking seasons:

Spring (March-May)

• Weather conditions: Spring is known for its warm temperatures and clear skies, providing optimal trekking conditions. The days are pleasantly warm, while the nights can be chilly, especially at higher elevations.
• Flora: This season is also marked by the blooming of rhododendrons and other wildflowers, adding vibrant colors to the landscape.
• Views: clear visibility allows for stunning panoramic views of the mountains, including Mount Everest, enhancing the overall trekking experience.

Autumn (September to November)

• Weather conditions: Autumn offers stable weather patterns with crisp air and clear skies. The temperatures begin to drop as winter approaches, but it remains comfortable for trekking.
• Visibility: This season is known for its exceptional visibility, allowing trekkers to fully appreciate the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes and mountain peaks.
• Cultural events: Many local festivals, including Dashain and Tihar, occur during this time, providing trekkers with a unique cultural experience and the opportunity to engage with the local community.
• Crowd: Like spring, Autumn is a popular time for trekking, so expect to see more fellow adventurers along the trail, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

A typical day at the destination

Morning Wake-up call (6:00 am-8:00 am):

So the typical day at the destination starts followed by a wake-up at around 6:00 am. Your guide or porter will give you a knock on the door, and following that, you’ll be provided with a warm sip of light beverages.

• Freshen up & pack: You’ll freshen up (limited facilities- think basic sink & wet wipes) and pack your gear before breakfast.
• Breakfast (7:00 am-7:30 am): Served in a tea-house dining hall with options including porridge, Tibetan bread, egg toast, pancakes, or muesli with tea or coffee.
• Start trekking (8:00 am): You’ll hit the trail while the sun is still soft and warm and the views are crisp. Morning treks are quieter and more pleasant.

Mid-day (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)

• Trekking continues: you’ll walk for a few hours, with breaks along the way to hydrate, take photos or catch your breath- especially in higher elevations.
• Lunch stops (noon): You’ll walk for a few hours, with breaks along the way to hydrate, take photos or catch your breath- especially at higher elevations.
• Rest and recharge: You’ll rest for around 30 minutes to an hour, letting your body acclimate and adapt, and food settle before hitting the trail again.

Afternoon (1:00 pm-4:00 pm)

• Final stretch: After trekking resumes, it often involves more elevation gains. The pace slows down a bit, especially above 3,000 meters.
• Arrival at destination (3:00 pm-4:00 pm): You’ll reach the next teahouse village by late afternoon. Upon arrival, you check in, drop your pack, and order dinner in advance.

Evening (4:30 pm-9:00 pm)

• Unwind and explore: You can take short acclimatisation walks, write a journal, chat with fellow trekkers, or explore the villages. Some places have bakeries or shops.
• Dinner (6:00 pm- 7:00 pm): Everyone gathers in the warm dining hall. Dal Bhat is the most common meal, along with comforting soups and carb-rich dishes.
• Trek briefing: Your guide may brief you on the next day’s route terrain, weather, and any altitude concerns.
• Early to bed (8:00 pm- 9:00 pm): With early mornings and physical exhaustion, trekkers usually go to bed early. Teahouses get chilly fast, so you’ll feel cosy in your sleeping bags.

Extras to Expect:

• No hot showers daily- Even if available, for a few days, for free.
• Charging costs extra: power banks are lifesavers.
• Wi-Fi is rare or costly- best to unplug and enjoy the immersion into nature.
• Toilets vary- Western at lower elevations; squat-style or basic higher up.

Hiring a guide and porter:

Decide early: independent or through an Agency?

Trekking agency (most reliable):

• Offers licensed, insured guides and porters.
• Handles all logistics: flights, permits, accommodations, etc.
• You pay more, but it’s stress-free and safer.

Independent guide/porter

• Slightly cheaper, but you’ll need to ensure they are licensed and experienced.
• You’ll need to coordinate everything yourself ( permits, itinerary, bookings)

Recommended: Use a government-registered trekking agency in Kathmandu or online ahead of time for verified and insured staff.

Verifying Credentials and Experience

Guide:

• Must be government licensed.
• Should have basic English and first-aid knowledge.
• Experience in high-altitude trekking is a must.

Porter:

• Usually from the local sherpa or rai communities.
• Can carry 20-25 kg of loads.
• Often have limited English but are incredibly strong and helpful.

If you’re booking independently, ask for their trekking licence, insurance details and past client reviews.

Permits and documents (usually handled by guides/agency)

You’ll need:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.
• TIMS card: (if trekking solo without a guide, guided treks, may not require this anymore)

costs ( as of 2024-25 estimates)

• Licensed guides: $25-35/day (including food, lodging, and insurance)
• Porter: $ 18- $ 25/day (same inclusions)
• Guide-porter (combined role): $20-30/day- good for budget solo trekkers.

Formal agreement and payment 

• With agency:
• You’ll sign a contract with clear terms on cost, itinerary, responsibilities, and cancellations.
• You may pay 50% advance and the rest on arrival.

Independent hire

• Draft a basic written agreement (many guides carry a template).
• Agree on payment terms, workload, and responsibilities.
• Make sure they’re insured against high-altitude accidents.

Insurance Requirements

• You should have travel insurance covering trekking up to 5,500m and emergency evacuation.

Guide/porter.

• Must be insured by the agency or employer. Ask for confirmation.

Electricity and the internet on the EBC

Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar (up to 3,440m)

• Reliable electricity in all teahouses- charging is usually free in low elevations.
• Plug types: Mostly type C and D

Above Namche (Tengboche,DIngboche,Lobuche, etc)

• Electricity becomes scarce and solar-powered.
• Charging your devices often comes at a fee, especially after Tengboche.

Mobile network on the EBC trek

You can buy SIM cards from a local general telecommunication store after providing a copy of your passport. As for the data-acquiring process, you’ll get instructions in the manual for the SIM card.

• Ncell and NTC work up to Namche and patchily beyond that.
• Travellers often prefer Ncell, saying it has slightly better coverage up to the Everest base camp.
• By a local SIM card in Kathmandu with a passport copy.

Pro tip: Carry a high-capacity power bank (20,000 mAh or more) and a solar charger if possible. Charging is limited above 4,000m.

Internet speed is good for WhatsApp, email, and occasional social media posts, but might not be as expected for Netflix and YouTube due to the elevations.

Currency details.

Currency used.

• The official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee.
• Notes come in denominations like 5,10,20,5000, and 1000.
• Coins are rarely used and not accepted in remote trekking areas.

Exchange rates.

• Exchange rates fluctuate, but as of early 2025,1 USD is equivalent to NPR 130-135.
• Rates are slightly better at authorised money exchanges in Kathmandu compared to airports or hotels.

Where to exchange.

• Kathmandu (especially the Thamel area) As numerous licensed money changers offering competitive rates.
• You can also exchange it at banks, but they often require passport copies and may charge a small fee.
• ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu and sometimes, like in Lukla, but not reliably beyond that.

On the trail.(EBC.Route)

• After Lukla, no ATM are available.
• No money exchange facilities either- Cash is the only way.
• Only a few lodges accept foreign currency. (USD/EUR) at low exchange rates.

Important tips.

• Carry enough cash in NPR before flying to Lukla.
• Budget for daily expenses, buffer for emergencies, and a tip. (Suggested 3000 to 4000 per day)
• Dividing your money into smaller denominations is easier for transactions.
• Some lodges and shops might not have changed for NPR 1000 notes at higher elevations.

Drinking water on the EBC trek

Drinking water will be available for you throughout the trek in different local shops to buy and refill at tea houses but it’s advised for foreigners to buy mineral water bottles or at least boil the drinking water as the water straight from the source might not settle well with their physiology due to new environment despite the water being clean and drinkable.

There are different methods to obtain water to drink as follows:

Bottled water: The most convenient way to get water is to buy bottled water available easily at local vendors. It’s advised for you to buy water at lower elevations if you want to save costs, as the price of bottled water spikes with rising elevation. A bottle of water costing Rs. 100 at Lukla might cost Rs. 400+ in Gorakshep.

• Despite being convenient, it’s advised for travellers to carry their refillable personal water tumblers to avoid plastic waste.

Boiled water: Most tea houses offer boiled water for a small charge, but getting the boiled water is worth it cause it’s safer from untreated water and since usually the region is visited during cold weather, it’s advised to avoid drinking cold water to avoid the body from losing heat and energy.

Tap or stream water: Water from these sources is readily available to drink but just like suggested before, it needs to be processed through some sort of viable treatment to avoid pathogens.

Filtration process: There are several purification methods that travellers can use for water purification besides the mentioned ones, which can be useful even in times of emergency, particularly for solo adventure travellers to know about them, such as:

Water purification tablets:

• Lightweight and effective.
• Safe but slightly chemical taste.

Portable water filtres:

• Mechanical filters (Life Straw, Sawyer Mini)
• Ideal for stream and tap water.

UV sterilisers (Steripen):

• Quick and efficient (takes around 90 seconds)
• Needs batteries and works best with clear water.

Tips:

• Always carry a bottle or two with you. Some stretches between villages can be long.
• Insulated bottles help with cold water at higher altitudes.
• Purification tablets wait at least 30 minutes before drinking.
• Many trekkers prefer to stay in treehouses and purify by themselves, as it is cheaper and sustainable.

Essentials to bring on the EBC trek

• High-capacity power bank.
• Solar Charger (for off-grid charging).
• Local SIM with a data package.
• Preload offline maps, books and music.
• Extra batteries for the camera, GoPro.

Note: Anyone who needs to be under regular medication, please bring an adequate amount of medication while on the route and also have insurance in case of emergency evacuation by helicopter.

Equipment list for EBC trek

First-aid

For altitude.

• Altitude sickness medicine/Diamox
• Ibuprofen or paracetamol
• Oximeters.

For cuts and wounds

• Antiseptic liquids. (Betadine/Savlon)
• Alcohol swabs or antiseptic wipes.
• Band-aids, gauze pads, adhesive tapes.
• Tweezers and small scissors.

For stomach issues.

• ORS (oral Rehydration salts)
• Anti Diarrheal. (e.g. Loperamide).
• Probiotics or activated charcoal tablets.

For a cold and a cough.

• Lozenges and a nasal spray.
• Cough syrup (Non-drowsy type)
• Lip balm, petroleum Jelly, cold cream.

Miscellaneous

• Blister plasters (e.g., Compeed)
• Elastic bandage for sprains.
• Pain-relieving balm or spray
• Eye drops.
• Thermometer.
• Surgical/ latex gloves.

Hands

• Mittens
• Hand-warmers
• Trekking poles
• Fist wraps
• Woolen gloves

Footwear

• Four pairs of woollen socks
• well-gripped waterproof boots
• Flip-flops
• Crampons

Toiletries

• Soap bars
• Shaving kits
• Nail kits
• Hand-sanitisers
• Toothbrush
• Mid-sized towel
• Sanitary napkins
• Shampoo sachets

Additional

• Notebooks
• Cameras
• Water bladders of min. 2-liter capacity
• Chargers and power banks
• First-aid kits
• Regular medicines
• Multi-purpose Swiss army knife

Other medical advice

• Hydrate constantly at altitude; dehydration is dangerous.
• Rest if the symptoms of AMS starts. - Don't push higher. If your body is warning
• Avoid alcohol or smoking- worsens acclimatization.
• Consult your doctor about high-altitude medication and possible side effects before the trek.

Do’s

• Gain altitude gradually.
• Take a short rest at Forest Camp Low Camp or High Camp as needed.
• Dress modestly, especially in villages.
• Respect local culture.
• Ask before taking photos of locals or religious sites.
• Carry layers for unpredictable weather.
• Include essentials like rain gear, sunscreen, headlamp, power bank, and water purifier in a basic first aid kit.
• Stay hydrated.
• Use water purification tablets or carry a filter bottle.
• Carry cash in small denominations.
• Over the plastics use trash cans or carry your waste down.
• Download offline maps as the networks are limited.
• Ensure your guide is licenced. (Mandatory since 2023)

Don’ts

• Don't rush the trek as ascending too fast might increase the risk of Altitude sickness.
• Don't skip acclimatisation stops if you are feeling tired.
• Do not disrespect nature or culture.
• Do not touch prayer flags, tones, or local Shrines casually.
• Don't litter or pick plans.
• Do not rely on signal phones as the network is limited.
• Don't expect luxury amenities.
• Don't bargain aggressively As prices are fixed or modestly negotiable it takes effort to supply goods to that altitude.
• Don’t walk alone in the dark, avoid trekking. In the early morning or late evening.
• Don't drink alcohol as it increases the chances of dehydration and altitude sickness.

Note: Anyone who needs to be under regular medication, please bring an adequate amount of medication while on the route and also have insurance in case of emergency evacuation by helicopter.

Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory, but it is a generous act to do as a gesture of generosity towards the crew member accompanying you for your trip.