Everest View Trekking

Best Seasons

The best season to do the Everest view trek are during spring and autumn for the best conditions. Spring—late March to May—provides temperatures of 25°C during the day and -15°C during the night. It provides clear skies with the beauty of the blooming flowers and mountains, hence perfect for the treks. Autumn—September to November—maintains temperatures ranging from 12-20°C during the day and between 3°C and –7°C at night, which is equally clear and dry, thus being perfect for views and refreshing weather.

Winter, from December to February, is the harshest period, with the temperatures going as low as -4°C in Namche Bazaar and -10°C to -8°C in higher altitudes during the day and -7°C to -15°C at night. While winter conditions do not make trekking impossible, extra thermal layers and special equipment may be required, and possibly more days added to the itinerary because of the slower conditions of trekking. On the other hand, the winter clear skies and fewer crowds, along with lower costs, do offer a quiet time for the prepared adventurer to trek freely without any hassle.

Difficulty & Altitude Sickness

The Everest view trek is a rather moderately done kind of trek, where one would normally walk no more than 8 hours in a day. Previous technical experience is not required, although physical and mental preparation does help in the task.  As much as it is with a rating of a moderate form of difficulty, altitude illness, unpredictable weather, and rough routes may pose major risks. A major risk is altitude sickness. It causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even shortness of breath.

The risk can be minimized by trekking gradually, acclimatizing oneself at higher altitudes, keeping one’s body well-hydrated and returning to a lower elevation with medical help in case of persistence of the symptoms. Diamox prevents altitude sickness but surely is not the cure for altitude sickness. In severe cases of emergency, it may be necessary to perform helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu for further medical care. Proper awareness and preparation are needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable Everest view trek.

Accommodation

During the Everest view trek, you will be accommodated in local Sherpas’ operated cozy tea houses and guest houses. These particular ‘Tea Houses’ are well facilitated lodges that offer services such as Bed and all kinds of meals; despite being called a ‘Tea Houses’. Accommodations are warm and cozy, with facilities available on a twin-sharing basis or single supplement as per your budget. Mountain washrooms mostly have European-style squat toilets, commodes or a combination of both.

You will have a comfortable stay in tourist-standard hotels with basic needs in Kathmandu before and after treks. On the trek, you will be staying your nights in the high Himalayan tea houses on a twin sharing basis. The Everest view trek offers to provide you with pleasant and well-catered stays throughout your journey.

Foods & Drinks

During the Everest view trek, foods are prepared according to one’s preferences, such as vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Breakfast includes eggs, toast, mountain bread, potatoes, pancakes, and porridge all of which would give sufficient energy for a day’s activities. There is a lot of variety for lunch and dinner: noodles, soups, spring rolls, potatoes, burgers, Momo, pizza, and Dal Bhat—a typical Nepali food where you can refill rice, curry, lentil, and pickles free.

There is cold and hot water, tea, coffee, soft, and hard drinks. The prices of food and drink differ on the Everest trail. Prices are a bit more expensive than in cities. The meals will cost from NPR 800 to NPR 1500, the drinks – from NPR 300 to NPR 600. To save some money during the trip, please pack some dry snacks, energy bars, and water purifier tablets beforehand. Your costs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are in our package. Any foods and drinks other than provided 3 meals, will be on your expense.

Charging Gadgets & Internet

You can charge all the electronic devices throughout the Everest view trek, but sometimes it might be extra. Charging of the electronic devices is free up to Namche Bazaar. From then onwards, you will have to leave your devices with the owners of the tea houses since personal rooms do not have charging ports. For phone and camera charging, you will pay around NPR 250 to NPR 400.

For power banks, it is from NPR 500 to NPR 600. The Everest region is specially covered by a scheme known as Everest link. Wi-Fi cards can be bought at Everest Link Sales Stations in Kathmandu, Namche Bazaar, Lukla, Gokyo and Dingboche as well as at the teahouses along the trail. The price for this Wi-Fi is NPR 1,999 for 10 GB and NPR 2,999 for 20 GB, with both being valid for 30 days, covering the whole area of Everest Base Camp. Alternatively, buy a Nepali SIM card (NCELL) in Kathmandu for about USD 1 or pay a higher price in Namche and Lukla. Anyway, this SIM card will serve only up to Tengboche.

Permits

The Everest View Trek is done in a protected area, and thus you need two important permits to get to Everest Base Camp. The first of these is the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit, which gives permission for admission into the area of Khumbu. It will cost each person NPR 2,000 for four weeks and NPR 2,500 per person thereafter. Get this at Lukla with a valid passport.

There is a need obtain Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit to access the Sagarmatha National Park. This costs USD 30 for international tourists, USD 15 for SAARC nationals, and NPR 100 for Nepali nationals. You can get this at the entry gate of Monjo as well as the Nepal Tourism Board situated in Kathmandu. The costs of these permits are included on your package and we will obtain all the required permits for you.

Trekking Insurance

Another important consideration while going on an Everest view trek is getting a travel and trekking insurance. This insurance will cost around USD 250 to cover a 15-day trek. Ensure it covers all emergencies as well as medical evacuation. Check that your policy covers altitudes from 3,000 to 6,000 meters with helicopter evacuation if you have severe altitude sickness. This insurance will help safeguard you so that your mind can be at rest for this 10-day Everest short trek.

Transportation

The time of year will determine your Everest view trek with your flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. During peak seasons—from March, April, and May, then from October and November—the flights are from Ramechhap since there will be increased airline traffic. You have to take a drive of about 5-6 hours from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, from where a flight of 20 minutes at USD 176 per person will bring you to Lukla. One can also take a direct flight to Lukla from Kathmandu in other months of the year, like January, February, June, July, August, September, and December.

This 35-minute flight will cost approximately USD 217 per person, with the price depending on nationality. You can also use a helicopter for 45 minutes, but it will be on your own, at around USD 350-450 per person for all nationalities. Please note that using the helicopter will result in an extra charge that you must pay from your pocket. Our package includes round way flight tickets either from Kathmandu or Ramechhap in cost, but if traveling by chopper, then you need to pay an extra fee.

Elevation & Distance

This Everest view trek is complete exposure at different altitudes and distances to the Everest region. Starting from Kathmandu at 1,300 meters, it begins with a 30-minute flight to Lukla at 2,860 meters. From the very start in Lukla, the first trek toward Phakding at 2,610 meters would amount to about 8 km. From Phakding, the next 11 km would reach Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters, along the Dudh Koshi River and up through pine and cedar forests.

The next stretch from Namche to Tengboche, at 3,860 meters, is about 10 km with views of the Everest panorama. From Tengboche to Khumjung, at 3,790 meters, it is about 6 km of trekking.

Then from Khumjung to Manjo, at 2,650 meters, it is 10 km; to Lukla the next day, still another 12 km walk. The trek ends with a flight back to Kathmandu. All distances are approximate and vary on the trail and conditions.

Can a Beginner Do This Trek?

Yes, an Everest view trek is easily done by a beginner. As a matter of fact, compared to Everest Base Camp, there are lesser difficulties in this trek which makes it ideal for someone who is just starting their journey in trekking. It calls for a good dose of preparation in the form of regular hiking, strength training, and good gear.

Even then, it’s doable for a beginner if properly acclimatized and supported by a guide, after which they’ll get to enjoy stunning Himalayan views and Sherpa culture. Make sure you prepare your body well and go for a well-organized trek so that you can enjoy the journey.

Preparation & Physical Fitness

Though the Everest view trek is difficult, one can still make it through with proper training. To develop endurance, begin with long walks and hikes at least twice a week; the best training is done in conditions similar to the Everest region. The gym will help in developing your legs for steep ascents and descents; you may use a treadmill and stair machine while workouts, including cardio, are done 2-3 times a week to help in acclimatization and focus at high altitude.

Apply a well-rounded diet, rich in calories and high in protein for muscle building and good health. Allow sufficient time to become fit for it; progress gradually; and use quality gear to minimize the risks involved. Train yourself properly and have the right gear, one can successfully execute the Everest View Trek.

What to Expect From the Trek?

The first thing to expect on the Everest view trek is to prepare for uncertainties. Himalayan weather can sometimes disturb the flights to and from Lukla. In general, the area’s landscape is moderate, with some steep ascents and equally steep descents one can expect along the way. Though considered one of the easier treks, altitude may prove a factor for some trekkers, and it is not uncommon for people to experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness due to reduced oxygen levels in the air.

Accommodation and food are available in abundance, with obvious inflation the higher up the mountain you climb. The Sherpas are very hospitable, but their customs have to be respected. Always be prepared for change at any given time and adjust expectations accordingly. If well prepared, the trek offers great vistas; if ever so full of unforgettable experiences.