15 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

Best Time for the 15 days Everest base camp trekking

There are two main seasons for the 15 days Mount Everest Base Camp trek. The first season is spring, usually from the end of March to May. The second season is autumn, usually from late September to November.

Both of these main seasons usually overlap with the main monsoon season, offering less rainfall and clearer skies, providing relatively dry weather.

In March, there are fewer crowds, you have easier access to teahouses, and prices can be more favorable. Most of the snow on the walking trail melts making the hiking more comfortable.

April on the other hand presents the busiest time for the 15 Days Everest base camp trek. Clear skies, stunning views, and pleasant temperatures characterize this period.

May is the warmest month though with less harsh nights. But the heat may hamper the view and there may be some early monsoon rains.

Likewise, September is the first month after monsoon, so there may be some rain. However, this period is stunningly green especially the lower elevation zone between Lukla and Namche Bazaar.

October on the other hand is the second busiest month for travelers after April. Many people choose this period on the Mt. Everest Base Camp trek because it offers the perfect stability between delightful temperatures and full clear skies.

Cold winter conditions can already occur in November. It is not unusual to encounter snow at high altitudes and you will need the right thermal gear to stay comfortable at night. However, the reward is extremely crystal like skies and fewer visitors on the trail.

Elevation and trekking distance

The 15 days Everest Base Camp trek extends over a total length of 130 km along the circular path. The Everest Base Camp itself stands majestically at 5364 m altitude. The Lukla town is the beginning point of the trek that is 135 km far from Kathmandu. The distance can be covered within half an hour’s flight from Kathmandu and 20 minutes from Ramechhap flight.

The maximum height of the trek is Mount Kala Patthar (5545 m), while the highest overnight accommodation will be at Gorakshep at an altitude of 5180 m. Each day, we will cover a feasible distance of 10 to 15 km by walking.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day during the trip

Our exclusive 15 days Everest Base Camp trek includes 12 days dedicated to a long hiking adventure through the majestic Khumbu trail. This trail consists of a large number of descents and ascents. The rivers here flow south from the Himalayan glaciers, the trail climbs to the ridge, then descends to the next river, and then climbs again and again.

The track starts at an altitude of 2800 m and ends at an altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level – the altitude of the Everest base camp. However, the average travel times of the individual stages are not particularly high: 6 hours.

The highlight, toughest, and longest walk unfolds on day 11 when we commence our challenging ascent to Kala Patthar from the lodge of Gorakshep followed by a descent to Pheriche taking approximately 8 to 9 hours of hiking.

The more tranquil walk will take place on days 3 and days 14 when we walk from Lukla to Phakding and Phakding to Lukla requiring just 3 hours of easy walk.

15 days Everest base camp trekking difficulty and acclimatization

The 15 days Everest Base Camp trek difficulty level falls within the medium category. There are no particular risks or technical difficulties and does not require particular training or walking endurance.

The average daily difference in altitude to be covered is quite low, and the length of the individual stages is not excessive. The only difficulties come from the altitude and the relative acclimatization which can generate altitude sickness.

In order to decrease the likelihood of altitude sickness, we have organized an acclimatization trek to the Everest View Hotel (3880 m) in Namche Bazaar and Nagarjung Hill at 5100 m in Dingboche. Additionally, our planned daily walking duration focuses on manageable stages, prioritizing gradual altitude gain.

The route is also well signposted and frequented and there are numerous options for food and accommodation along the route eliminating the need for the cold nights under tents.

The last lodge is at Gorakshep from where in 2 hours of walking you can reach both the Everest base camp and the summit of Kala Pattar.

Can a beginner trek to Everest Base Camp?

The 15 days Mount Everest Base Camp trek is not a high-intensity itinerary, but rather a multi-day, moderate-intensity hike. The daily program includes a medium walk through villages which allows you to be sheltered whenever necessary.

So, in addition to the astounding hospitality of the Sherpas and their culture, you will also have adequate provision of food, lodging, and the minimum facilities needed for a night stay. It is a trekking route where you have many places to rest and multiple routes.

During the entire trek, you will only carry your small daypack, with your belongings for the day, such as extra clothes, food, water, a camera, and others. The porters will carry the largest backpack, which can have a limit of 15 kg.

We also like to focus that our Everest base camp trek 15 days journey cost includes accompaniment by a local Nepalese guide and porters along the entire route, permits to access the mountain zone, accommodation and meals in lodges along the trek route, ground transfers, and flight costs to Lukla according to the program.

And, in case of unfavorable climate and weather, we will also reschedule your flight accordingly. This implies that we will support you throughout the 15 days Everest Base Camp trek thus presenting a wonderful chance to explore the marvels of Nepal suitable for beginners, families, children, and older individuals.

Preparation and training for 15 days Everest base camp trekking

Although the Everest base camp trek difficulty is mediocre, you will need some preparation because you are in the mountains for longer and cover longer distances on a daily basis.

You can start with walks that can be in a nearby park or on a hill, the location is not important, but it is important that you get a routine and feel good energy after the walk. It is enough to start with 2-3 km, and then slowly increase the distances every following week.

After the walk, you can engage in some simple leg stretches or whole-body stretches that will relax your muscles as soon as possible. Always leave a rest day between walks.

Eliminate the elevator as an option, take the stairs to your home or to the next meeting in the office building. Stairs seriously strengthen your legs.

After one-day hikes, you should later move on to two-day or three-day weekend hikes, as this is how your legs get used to multi-day hikes. In the beginning, you should go on tours where you do not exceed more than 15 km per day with 900 m of total ascent, and later you can add both length and height.

Over time, as you gain more and more fitness, include some aerobic sports during the week: cycling, swimming, running, squash, etc because that way you get a double benefit – you strengthen your legs and, on the other hand, increase your aerobic endurance.

Alternate Routes for the Everest Base Camp

If you desire to walk the same path as Hilary and Tenzing did back in 1953, then we suggest you take the Jiri route to Everest Base Camp. In earlier times, there was no motor road, but now the well-built road stretches all the way to Jiri so you can start your walking trip from Jiri to Phakding. However, this particular route needs you to cover more ground and traverse through remote villages where finding warm shelter rooms may be a challenge.

If you aim only to gaze on the grandeur of the great Everest and its sister mountains, then you can take a 4 to 5-hour easy helicopter ride over Everest Base Camp with landing at Kala Patthar and then Everest View Hotel.

A new short and easy route also has been discovered that runs through the Mapya Dhudhkoshi rural municipality. This trail will not only allow you to dwell in the splendor of the Solukhumbu region but also see Mount Everest, Mera Peak, Lhotse, and Makalu.

This is only a week-long itinerary that includes a panoramic drive from Kathmandu to Salleri followed by hiking to Selgudi Danda, Kudam Camp, Yotelme, and Khastap, before returning to Kathmandu.

To elevate your experience and adventure in the Everest region, you can combine either the mystical Gokyo Valley trek or the Three Passes trek in your Everest Base Camp tour.

Altitude Sickness

The true problem of the 15 day Everest Base Camp trek is the challenge of altitude sickness. As we initiate our journey, we will transition from the lowlands of Kathmandu to the elevated town of Lukla at nearly 3000 m above sea level.  Then, we will keep on increasing elevation as we proceed further and further on the trail.

The Khumbu air at such increasing height contains less oxygen than we are used to, thus leading to mild physical discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Such as drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, headaches, and sleep disturbances.

To combat these conditions, we strongly advise you to make the most of the acclimatization days we have carefully planned for you in Namche and Dingboche. Additionally, climb gradually, limit your ascents to a maximum of 800 meters per day, and take regular rest days.

Avoid the use of sleeping pills, smoking, and alcohol, stay hydrated, pace yourself, dress warmly, and take preventive medications like Acetazolamide (Diamox) or Ginkgo biloba extract.

Add garlic to your meals, even in soup form, and be prepared to stop or descend if serious symptoms arise. And, don’t leave a fellow trekker experiencing altitude sickness alone.

Transportation, Accommodation, Food and Drink during 15 days Everest base camp trek

Private transportation will be used for all travel during the 15 days Everest Base Camp trek. We will oversee your convenient airport pick-up and drop-off services, along with careful management of flight arrangements from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu. A private car, jeep, or van will be organized for exploring Kathmandu, while a private vehicle will also be arranged for the drive to Ramechhap.

In Kathmandu, you will enjoy a comfortable stay at a 3-star hotel, where you will be accommodated in a spacious room with two beds to be shared between members of the same gender.

As you journey from Lukla to Namche, you will sleep in a comfortable lodge or guest house where there can be a private bathroom and hot shower. However, as you continue from Namche onwards, the accommodation will be more modest. The possibility of washing is limited. There won’t be many showers around and the water is normally cold. Hot shower is paid extra.

During the trek, full meals are included along with hot beverages (such as tea or coffee) and fresh fruits every evening. During the stay in Kathmandu, only breakfast is complimentary while lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.

The typical Nepalese dish is rice, lentils, and cooked vegetables, and the Sherpas eat a lot of potatoes and yak meat. Meals will be eaten at the lodges and also along the trail, but in these lodges and in all the villages we pass through, we will have international options (Italian, Thai, Indian, etc.) and many types of food, so we can vary the menu and eat very well.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/WIFI

The telephone and internet coverage in the Khumbu region has significantly improved in recent years largely because of its increasing fame.

Both NCELL and Namaste, the two national networks, provide reliable service in most of the Khumbu Villages, while satellite phones are also available at the refuge along the trail. The Everest Link wifi prepaid cards can be bought in lodges for the WIFI connections.

Additionally, new guesthouses have been constructed with amenities favoring the Western tourist. There is electricity up to Namche Bazaar, and you can easily charge any device. From there, you can recharge your battery using solar panels and pay a fee that varies from lodge to lodge (approximately US$5 to US$8).

Sometimes they put many devices on the same solar panel, and the current (divided) is too low for each device and you can’t charge it, but it usually works. To be on the safe side, it is best to buy an extra battery in Kathmandu and take it with you on the trail.

We remind you to bring cash as these services have to be paid extra on your own. And please remember, the higher the village, the more the price you pay considering the high altitude positions.

Permits for 15 days Everest base camp trekking

Permit for Sagarmatha National Conservation Area and Pasang Lhamu Rural Village Development Permit are required for the Mount Everest Base Camp trek 15 days journey. The conservation area permit can be secured in Kathmandu or Lukla while the local municipality permit will be secured in Lukla.