Everest Base Camp Short Trek 2025/2026

The Everest Base Camp Short Trek is considered moderately to highly challenging, primarily due to the high altitudes and rugged terrain. Although the trek is shorter in duration, it requires a good level of physical fitness and stamina as trekkers will be walking for several hours each day on steep and uneven trails. The reduced acclimatization time also means that the risk of altitude sickness is slightly higher. However, with proper preparation, including cardio training, strength exercises, and some experience in multi-day hiking, most people in good health can complete the trek successfully.

The best time for the Everest Base Camp Short Trek is during the pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon (autumn) seasons. Specifically, late March to May and late September to November are ideal. During these months, the weather is generally stable, with clear skies and moderate temperatures, offering excellent views of the Himalayan peaks and comfortable trekking conditions. The spring season also brings blooming rhododendrons, adding color to the trails, while the autumn season provides crisp, clear skies and spectacular mountain vistas.

Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Short Trek is typically in teahouses or lodges. These are basic but comfortable establishments run by local families. Rooms are usually twin-sharing, with simple beds, blankets, and pillows. Some teahouses offer attached bathrooms, but most have shared facilities. Hot showers and Wi-Fi are available in some places but may come at an additional cost. As you ascend higher, the facilities become more basic, and it’s common to stay in rooms with shared bathrooms and limited electricity.

Preparing for altitude is crucial for a successful Everest Base Camp Short Trek. The trek reaches elevations of over 5,500 meters (18,000 feet), so acclimatization is key. Here are some tips:

• Gradual Ascent: Follow a trekking itinerary that includes gradual elevation gains and rest days to acclimate properly.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the trek to help your body adjust to the altitude.
• Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms, so it’s best to avoid it during the trek.
• Medication: Consider taking Diamox (acetazolamide), a medication that can help prevent altitude sickness. Consult your doctor before using it.
• Training: Build your physical fitness before the trek with cardio exercises, strength training, and hiking at higher altitudes if possible.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea, and descend if necessary.

Packing wisely is essential for the Everest Base Camp Short Trek. Key items include:

• Trekking Gear: Sturdy trekking boots, warm layers (including a down jacket), moisture-wicking clothing, gloves, hats, and sunglasses.
• Backpack: A 30-40 liter daypack for carrying essentials like water, snacks, and a camera.
• Sleeping Bag: Although teahouses provide blankets, a good-quality sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures is recommended.
• Hydration System: Water bottles or a hydration bladder, along with water purification tablets.
• Trekking Poles: Useful for stability on uneven terrain.
• First Aid Kit: Include altitude sickness medication, blister treatment, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
• Personal Items: Sunscreen, lip balm, toiletries, and a power bank for charging devices.
• Documents: Passport, permits, travel insurance, and extra passport-sized photos.

Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for the Everest Base Camp Short Trek. Given the remote location, challenging terrain, and high altitude, having insurance that covers trekking activities up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) is essential. The insurance should also include coverage for emergency evacuation by helicopter in case of severe altitude sickness or injury. Additionally, coverage for trip cancellation, loss of belongings, and other travel-related issues is advisable.

During the Everest Base Camp Short Trek, food is available at teahouses along the route. Meals typically include a mix of local and Western dishes, such as dal bhat (rice and lentils), noodles, soups, and pasta. Breakfast usually consists of eggs, porridge, toast, or pancakes. The food is generally simple but nourishing, designed to provide the energy needed for trekking.

For water, it is crucial to stay hydrated. Bottled water is available at teahouses, but prices increase as you ascend. An environmentally friendly and cost-effective option is to carry a reusable water bottle and use water purification tablets or a portable water filter to treat tap or stream water.

While the Everest Base Camp Short Trek takes you through remote areas, there are still options for staying connected. Most teahouses offer Wi-Fi, although it may be slow and is often available at an extra cost. Mobile network coverage is available in some areas, but it can be unreliable as you gain altitude. It’s advisable to purchase a local SIM card (such as Ncell or Nepal Telecom) in Kathmandu before the trek for better coverage. However, be prepared for limited connectivity, especially in higher regions, and inform your contacts that communication may be sporadic.

The Everest Base Camp Short Trek is not only a journey through breathtaking landscapes but also an immersion into the rich culture of the Sherpa people. As you trek through villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the Sherpa community, visit ancient monasteries, and learn about their Buddhist traditions. The trek also offers insights into the daily lives of the locals, their agricultural practices, and their adaptation to the harsh mountain environment. The trek is a cultural adventure that allows you to connect with the history and spirituality of the Himalayas while achieving the goal of reaching Everest Base Camp.

For group treks (treks that start on a specific date and are open for travelers to join), the group size can range from 2-10 people but typically ends up being around 4-6 people.

(Jun to Aug), Most of Nepal experiences heavy rain for a few hours each day. It’s humid, wet, and the trails in the lower regions (Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Langtang, etc) can be quite muddy. If you don’t mind the rain you’ll have the trails to yourself, the skies often clear up in the morning, and certain treks offer stone-paved trails that drain the rain and make for easy trekking. Also, certain regions, like Mustang and the upper reaches of Everest, lie in the rainshadow of the Himalaya and receive little rain but views however are still likely to be restricted, showers.

The main trekking regions of Everest / Annapurna / Langtang have Wi Fi facilities on the major trekking routes. There will be times when trekking in remote areas when it is not available.

Many sites on Google speak about 2.500 meters as when problems may arise. In our experience this is misleading you may feel a slight headache but rarely anything more that a painkiller won’t relieve. If we are talking about the possibility of contracting a more severe form of altitude sickness it is likely to occur over 4.000 meters and once again rare and easily resolved by descending to a lower altitude. Altitude sickness describes several symptoms that happen to your body when you’re exposed to a higher elevation within a short period of time. When people are traveling or either climbing to a higher elevation quickly. The higher you climb, the lower the air pressure and oxygen levels get. Our bodies can handle the shift, but they need time to gradually adjust. Himalaya Heart Treks carefully designs treks to minimise any risk. Having said that genrally people will experience the following to a lesser or higher degree.

Lack of Appetite / Nausea / Fatigue / Shortness of Breath

Payment in Hotels, Trekking / Travel Agencies, and Airlines are made in foreign exchange. Most of the International Cards including Visa Card, Master Card, JCB, Maestro, Americal Express etc. Are widely accepted by hotels, restaurants and leading travel/trekking agents. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only (10 %)Percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM and Debit Cards are widely in use in major cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and others.

Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. One rupee equals 100 paisa. The rate regularly fluctuates and is fixed and published by Nepal Rastra Bank every other day.

Private Tours are tailor-made itineraries built by us around your travel dates and personal interests, whereas group trips are pre-packaged and depart on specific dates. Group trips are also open for others to join, whereas private trips are just for you. You will find a list of fixed departure dates on our website.

For most nationalities visa can be obtained on arrival in Kathmandu. It takes around 45 minutes and is the most convenient way to get your visa you will need passport size photos.. You can also apply for a visa in advance from a local Nepali consulate in your country if you’d like to have everything arranged in advance.

Cost:

15 Days – 25 USD

30 Days – 40 USD

90 Days – 100 USD

For mountain flights, you’re allowed 5 kg. carry-on to the plane and 10 kg. for checked-in luggage. For Non-Mountain Sector Flights, the check-in allowance increases to 20-25 kg.

Himalaya Heart Treks organise complete tours, meaning everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive in Nepal to the moment you leave, including all of your accommodation in a three star Hotel. If you require better accommodation please let us know and we can arrange this and adjust the tour cost accordingly. Each of our tour pages shows clearly what is and what is not included in the tour price.

Personal expenses (Tips, Soft Drinks, Bar Bills, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Donations, and Extra Snacks, etc) are not included in your tour price. When checking a particular trek page on our website we have clearly stated what is and what is not included. If you’re going trekking, the only things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket are wifi and battery charging (when available), extra meals outside of what’s included, Alcohol, Soft Drinks, Perhaps and Hot Showers.

Check the list of items necessary for trekking in Nepal.

Clothes

• Good and comfortable trekking boots
• Warm socks for evening
• Light trekking socks
• Warm clothes for morning and evening
• Couple of T-shirts
• Light trousers/shorts
• Sun hat
• Warm hat
• Sandals for evening
• Swimming costumes

Daily Uses

• Toiletries and medical kit
• Sunglasses
• Suntan lotion
• Small towel
• Warm sleeping bag

Tools

• Flashlight or head torch
• Trekking poles
• Backpack with rain cover
• Water bottles
• Purification tablets