Everest Base Camp Trek - Expedition Departures

Taking us to the most iconic base camp of all, at the foot of the greatest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (8848m), this is one of the world's classic treks. This special departure has the added excitement of camping at Base Camp itself for two nights; a magnificent setting at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall, at a time when it will be bustling with expedition parties preparing for their summit attempts. The journey to Base Camp passes through Sherpa country and allows time to acclimatise before reaching the spectacular high altitude scenery: the incredible monastery at Thyangboche, views of Ama Dablam, Everest and other mighty Himalayan peaks.

This tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, 12 nights in lodges (teahouses) and two nights full-service camping at Everest Base Camp.



In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, a four-star hotel within walking distance of the Thamel district. There is a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard and complimentary wifi throughout. There is an Exodus desk in the lobby and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings.



Teahouses on this trip are basic but adequate. The hub of teahouse living is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful, traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and your leader will not offer this to you. Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 200-500 Nepalese rupees/US$1.50-US$3.80 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental.



We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.



Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually squat-style toilets, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the bin provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to.



Some lodges now have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water.



Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.



Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services.



Mattresses are provided for the two camping nights and you sleep in tents pitched on the glacial moraine. There is a dining tent with chairs and a basic heater, toilet tents and full camp staff. All food and hot drinks, snacks and water are provided while camping.



Extra accommodation



If you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative.



Single accommodation



If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.