10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is a short and fast version of the standard trek to Everest Base Camp. It comprises trekking from Lukla to the base camp, climbing up Kala Patthar, back to Lukla, and then a flight to Kathmandu all in 10 days. It is intended for travelers who have a limited time to experience the beauty and culture of the Everest region. 

The route and major sights are practically the same; however, there is a difference in the speed of the itinerary as well as the absence of a rest day for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar. Therefore, 10 days' itinerary requires additional preparation and a strong physical fitness. 

This trek would be ideal for people who are fit and able to trek for extended periods of time at high altitudes. Due to the fact that the schedule is much quicker than the normal EBC trek, this trek would suit those trekkers who are comfortable with long walking days and have good endurance. 

The highest altitude on the trail is at Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters or 18,192 feet above sea level. The Everest Base Camp itself has an elevation of 5,364 meters or 17,598 feet. 

It is considered a moderately challenging trek due to the high altitude and fast pace.

Even though it does not involve any technical climbs, you have to walk around 5-8 hours a day on mountain tracks with steep ascent and descent. Besides, there is no dedicated acclimatization day set aside like that of a regular EBC trek which increases the chance of altitude sickness. 

Trekking experience would be useful but not absolutely necessary. First-time trekkers can also do the Everest Base Camp Trek with the right preparations and professional guidance. 

You should be moderately fit. The preparation for the trek should involve strength and endurance exercises such as:

• Regular hiking
• Walking for long hours
• Running and/or cycling
• Stair climbing
• Swimming
• Planks 
• Lunges 
• Deadlifts 
• Squats
• Push ups 
• Sit ups

Yes. Due to the short period involved there is less time for breaks but a faster rate of elevation gain. The trail remains the same; only the walking schedule changes.

Which is the toughest day on this journey?

The toughest part of this route would be:

• Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp
• Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar early morning walk

This involves high altitude, thin air, and more hours of hiking.

People in their fifties and sixties have successfully made it through the Everest Base Camp route. Nonetheless, you need to consult with your physician and check whether the quick 10-day schedule suits you.

Yes. As you will be trekking above 5,500 meters there can be a chance of altitude sickness. The symptoms include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to sleep well

Any signs of altitude sickness will be monitored by our guides throughout the trip and they will take appropriate action whenever necessary. 

Safety is our priority at Nepal Eco Adventure. We have experienced guides who monitor trekkers throughout the trip. They have the basic medical first aid kit and an oximeter for measuring oxygen saturation and heart rate.

Besides, guides set a suitable pace based on individual trekkers’ fitness levels and acclimatization needs ensuring a safer and more comfortable trekking experience.

The guide will evaluate the situation and make sure that he takes the most suitable step. If necessary, the itinerary can be modified, you can come down to a lower altitude, or helicopter evacuation can be organized. It is important to have travel insurance covering a high altitude helicopter rescue.

Yes, Diamox is widely used to prevent altitude sickness during high altitude treks. It is advisable to first visit your doctor and get his/her opinion about your suitability for this medication.

Here are some ways to avoid getting altitude sickness

• Walk at a slow pace
• Stay hydrated
• Do not drink alcohol
• Eat healthy foods
• Rest enough

Basic medical services are available along the route to the base camp of Everest but access to advanced medical care is unlikely. In case you become very sick or get injured, you may need to be air-lifted to Kathmandu. 

Yes. Travel Insurance is necessary for this high altitude mountain trek and must cover

• Trekking at an altitude of up to 6,000m
• Medical expenses
• Evacuation by helicopter
• Cancellation or delays of the trip
• Baggage loss or theft 

The trip starts with a scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. For the peak trekking season when there is lots of traffic, there might be flight operations from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) instead of Kathmandu. 

The flight lasts for about 35 minutes from Kathmandu and around 20 minutes from Ramechhap.

The mountain weather changes in no time and there might be some delays and even cancellations in Lukla flights. We will help you in re-scheduling your flight. Keep some extra days in your schedule after the trek. 

Yes, it is possible to organize helicopter transportation services at an extra fee depending on the flight availability and the weather conditions.

The airport of Lukla is one of the most scenic and thrilling mountain airports in the world. It serves as access to the Everest region and offers fantastic Himalayan views. 

It is common for Lukla flights to be delayed or canceled due to weather conditions which are out of anyone's control. In such cases, Nepal Eco Adventure will help to arrange alternatives where possible. But the extra costs due to flight delay like hotel, food and transfer costs, fall on the traveler's shoulders unless covered by insurance. 

Accommodation will be provided at the tea houses and mountain lodges locally available.

The rooms will usually be:

• Twin-sharing
• Basic yet comfortable
• Furnished with beds and blankets

There can be private rooms available in certain villages at lower and mid elevations depending on the season and demand. However, twin-sharing accommodation is a standard arrangement while trekking.

There are several types of food that the tea houses offer. They include:

• Dal bhat
• Noodles
• Pasta
• Soup
• Potatoes
• Eggs
• Tibetan and popular Western food

The package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and hot drinks like tea and coffee. In addition, there will be fresh fruit every evening after dinner.

Yes. Foods for both vegetarians and vegans can be found at teahouses. But your dietary needs should be mentioned beforehand so that your food can be prepared accordingly.

Yes. Boiled, filtered and bottled water is available at the tea house. Boiled water usually costs you USD 2-9 per liter, depending on the altitude and location of a teahouse. Instead, it would be much better for you to use a reusable water bottle together with water purification drops or tablets to ensure safe drinking water and reduce plastic waste.

Hot showers are provided in most of the tea houses but at an additional cost (USD 2-10). But as you go higher up the mountains, the availability of hot water will become scarce due to weather related issues and limited resources. 

Yes. The Nepal Eco Adventure provides you with a competent English speaking and government qualified trekking guide. Our guides are well-informed about:

• Trail status
• Altitude safety
• Local culture
• Mountain conditions 

Yes. We provide one porter for every two trekkers. Porters carry the shared luggage and get their rightful pay, accommodation, food, transport, and insurance.

On average, a porter carries 20-25 kg shared by two trekkers. It is suggested to bring only the necessary trekking equipment and keep the backpack to 10 to 12 kilograms to keep the total weight bearable for the porter. 

Yes. You are allowed to keep any extra luggage you may have but would not require during the trekking period. The extra luggage can be left either in your hotel in Kathmandu or at our office. Your baggage will be kept safely throughout the trek and will be available for collection when you return. 

Required Permits are:

• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

Nepal Eco Adventure takes care of all the documents and arranges the permits necessary for this trek on your behalf.

Yes. Nepal Eco Adventure provides:

• Duffel bag
• Trekking map
• Medical kit
• Oximeter

Down jackets, sleeping bags, and trekking poles can be rented if needed.

We advise you to take a light daypack of about 5-7kg that should have water, snacks, extra clothes, sunscreen, medicine, a camera and other frequently required items. 

Your booking can be confirmed with the necessary deposit as per the following payment methods:

• Bank Transfer
• Wise.com
• Western Union
• Online card payment

You can send us a booking request via different means like website, phone, WhatsApp or email. 

A 20% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remaining amount can be paid as per the Nepal Eco Adventure payment policy.

Yes. The itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trek can always be customized according to your schedule, fitness level, budget and preference for travel. 

If you prefer more acclimatization days, or if you want some side excursions to the Gokyo Lakes, Chhukung, or even a helicopter ride back, we can plan the entire trip for you. Tell us what you want and we will make an itinerary that suits you perfectly. 

It is recommended that you book at least a month or two before your desired travel date especially during the peak trekking season of spring and autumn when it's hard to arrange the logistics. 

Yes, last minute bookings are possible depending upon the availability of guides and permits among other logistics. But we recommend that you book early to get your trip organized in time. 

The currencies of major countries including US Dollars, Euros, Pounds, and Australian Dollars can be exchanged easily in Kathmandu. It is better to have enough Nepalese currency before embarking on the trek. 

For canceling your trek, you will have to send a cancellation letter via email to Nepal Eco Adventure. The date of cancellation will be taken as the date on which we receive your letter. 

If you choose to cancel the trek after you come to Nepal, no refund can be offered due to the pre-arranged facilities including guides, porters, lodging, permits, transportation, and other facilities. Any extra cost incurred due to premature exit from the trek is entirely your own responsibility. 

In case Nepal Eco Adventure cancels your booking due to reasons within our control, then the payments you made will be refunded based on the applicable circumstances. But in the case of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control such as:

• Natural calamities
• Political disturbances
• Government intervention
• Bad weather
• Flight problems
• Other unexpected incidents

Then reasonable costs incurred in organizing your tour may be deducted from your refunds.

The cancellation fee depends on how many days remain prior to the starting date of the trek.

•  60 days or more before departure, only the 20% booking deposit is non-refundable
•  31-59 days before departure, 50% of the total trip cost  
•  16-30 days before departure, 80% of the total trip cost 
•  15 days or less before departure, 100% trip cost  

No. The 20% advance payment that needs to be made to make sure of your Everest Base Camp Trek booking is not refundable. This amount is to be paid to make the necessary arrangements including obtaining permits, making flight and accommodation bookings, arranging the manpower, and other services.

However, according to the policy of Nepal Eco Adventure, the deposit can be transferred to another Nepal trip in the future. 

Yes. You can reschedule the trip at no extra cost for up to a year if you let Nepal Eco Adventure know beforehand. In case the cost of the trek increases because of an increase in the local cost, permits, transportation, and other services, you would have to pay the difference. 

Your deposited money will be applicable for another Nepal Eco Adventure trek within the validity period. Depending on availability and any possible differences in prices, you can also change the trekking package, tour or adventurous activity. 

Yes. Winter (December to February) is an ideal period for your Everest Base Camp Trek if you are prepared for the cold. The paths will be less busy and the visibility of the snow covered peaks is excellent. Nevertheless, the temperature will get below zero degrees, particularly in high altitude locations and proper cold weather gear is essential for a safe trekking experience. 

The monsoon (June to August) season is not very popular among trekkers because of the rains, cloudy weather, wet trails, and delayed Lukla flights. Nevertheless, the surroundings are fresh and green, and you do not need to worry about a busy trail.

The spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) seasons are best for doing an Everest Base Camp trek. During the spring season, you will get nice weather, good views of the mountains and blooming rhododendrons. During autumn, you will have stable, dry weather, clear visibility and perfect trekking temperatures. 

Yes, during monsoon time, the constant rainfall will increase the possibility of landslides. But we have our guide team who keeps an eye on all the changes in the weather and the trail and makes the necessary changes to the plan.

Yes, during winter trekking to high-altitude places like Lobuche, Gorakshep, and the base camp of Mount Everest, the possibility of heavy snowfall is very high. You can see snow even during spring and fall according to recent weather conditions.

Yes, there might be a chance for the weather to delay the trek due to visibility problems or strong winds around Lukla airport. We advise you to allocate at least one or two buffer days in your itinerary for unexpected events. 

There are different types of Himalayan wildlife in the Everest area. On your way, you may be able to spot animals such as the Himalayan Monal (the national bird of Nepal), the Musk Deer and the Himalayan Thar. 

It will be your great luck to see some rare species like the Snow Leopard or the Red Panda. These wild creatures become more active during the spring and autumn seasons when the weather conditions are stable and pleasant and temperatures are mild. 

• Do not use any plastic containers
• Carrying refillable water bottles
• Following Leave No Trace philosophy
• Honoring local traditions
• Staying at local tea houses

Definitely, the trek features breathtaking scenery, glacier views, waterfalls, forests, animals, birds, monasteries of Buddhists, prayer flags, and the traditional  Sherpa communities making it one of the most photographed treks in Nepal.

Flying a drone requires permission from the concerned authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). Flying a drone without authorization is not permitted.