Follow the iconic trail to Everest Base Camp and spend two nights camping there
Follow the iconic trail to Everest Base Camp and spend two nights camping there
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. In 2024 Valerie Parkinson, winner of the Wanderlust World Guide Awards 2021 will be leading 04 April 2024 departure and Sukman Tamang, joint winner of our Leader of the Year Award 2022 is leading the 11 April 2024 departure.
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking but in order to observe the expedition parties at Base Camp, we operate Expedition Departures in Spring.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as to minus 10ºC at the highest altitudes.
Winter: December to end February. Despite the cooler conditions this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear especially in December and the mountain views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to minus 15ºC to minus 20ºC at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. In Kathmandu maximum daytime temperatures are 19ºC.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but often a haze will build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above
For those confident of their physical fitness, this is a challenging grade trek (level 5) with a chance to walk to Base Camp and ascend Kala Pattar, from where we get superb close-up views of the highest mountains in the world. Please read a description of our Activity Levels, found on our website. You may also find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference.
There are 14 days point-to-point walking with full porterage throughout - you need only carry your daypack. You should have some previous trekking experience and if you do not partake in regular exercise or hillwalking then you should do some physical preparation beforehand. The maximum altitude on this trek is 5,545m and the average is approximately 3,900m. Ample time is given for acclimatisation, but altitude is a factor and must be considered - please refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes for further information.
The trail crosses approximately seven modern suspension bridges (twice) over rivers and valleys. All of these have mesh sides but some are quite long and high and as such anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.
These expedition departures offer the exclusive opportunity to spend two nights camping at Everest Base Camp itself - there is always the possibility of snow at Base Camp and it will be cold in the mornings and evenings and below freezing at night. We will arrive at Base Camp early afternoon and then have the rest of the day and the following day to explore. Set at 5,400m at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall, the setting is spectacular. Huge ice seracs surround the camp and the peaks of Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse tower above us. We have chosen dates when many expeditions attempt Everest and the Base Camp area will be bustling with activity as groups prepare to make their summit attempt. We will be staying close to an expedition team and will be able to soak up the atmosphere, excitement and trepidation of Base Camp life. We should even be able to watch teams climb up through the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall. We will not be allowed onto the Khumbu Ice Fall (only climbers with permits are allowed actually onto the Ice Fall).
This trip includes one or more domestic flights – please refer to the ‘Transport’ section of the Trip Notes for information about the safety of flying in Nepal.
Walking distances and hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
Please Note: Anyone suffering from a cold or infection will be asked to stay at the lodge in Gorak Shep to avoid infecting a climber at this crucial time.
To help you better prepare for your Nepal holiday, please also see our Nepal Destination Guide.
Why Trek with Exodus?
• Over 30 years’ experience of organising treks in Nepal.
• ‘Ask an expert’ – talk to Exodus office staff who have done the treks themselves.
• Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness.
• One of the highest staff to client ratios on trek - 1 staff member: 4 clients.
• All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage.
• Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days.
• Staff carry oxygen and first aid kit.
• Self-assessment AMS cards used to monitor every client at altitude.
• Established protocol for Lukla flight delays – see below.
Nepal Flight Safety
Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas.  The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities.  The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.
Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal
In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident that the airline meets acceptable safety standards.
We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
Internal Flight Delays
Please note that adverse weather conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Kathmandu cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to allow for this, but on occasion, persistent bad weather may delay the start of your trek or your return to Kathmandu.
Should there be a lengthy delay at the start of a trip we will aim to provide a shortened Everest trek, but if adverse weather conditions continue and the main objective of the trek become impossible to reach, an alternative trek to another region of Nepal will be offered. When fixed-wing planes are unable to fly, but helicopters to Lukla are available, clients may choose to travel by helicopter; in this event, the price per person will be approximately US$600 per person, of which Exodus will cover half.
Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek, we will endeavour to get you on the first fixed-wing flights to Kathmandu available. Should helicopters be able to fly, we will consider paying for these on a case by case basis to enable clients to meet their international flights. In the case of persistent adverse weather, Exodus will re-book international flights for Flight Inclusive clients, but please be aware that clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for re-booking their onward travel and for any associated costs.
All flights to and from Lukla will no longer operate in/out of Kathmandu Airport (KTM), these flights have been transferred to operate in/out of Manthali Airport (RHP), which is in the Tamakoshi River Valley in Manthali, 82mi (132km) east of Kathmandu. The journey from Kathmandu to Manthali is a four-hour bus drive in the early morning and the return leg from Manthali to Kathmandu is usually five to six hours due to heavier traffic later in the day. The flight time between Manthali and Lukla is about 20 minutes.
It is necessary to depart your hotel in Kathmandu at approximately 3am by bus to ensure arriving in Manthali for 7am-7.30am in time for the flights to Lukla (between 8.30am-9am). Your Kathmandu hotel will provide a packed breakfast for the journey.
By accepting our offer in writing, you/you confirm that our terms and conditions have both been read and understood and that cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled.
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