• Raj Kumar Basnet
  • Last Updated on Dec 30, 2023

Everest Base Camp, at the Himalayan foothill of the world's highest mountain peak, Mt. Everest (8848 m), is the most popular trekking destination in the world, attracting thousands of trekkers annually. Trekking in the Everest region used to be a challenge some decades ago, but now, things are different (in a good way). The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trekking trail is equipped with comfortable mountain lodges, tea shops, and restaurants for a pleasurable hiking experience. The trailhead, Lukla, is also well connected to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, by airways. It is, in fact, an exciting flight above the enchanting Himalayas to the slanting runway of Lukla Airport.

There are several ways to book a trip to EBC. If you're planning the trek, you must have already explored some options. We strongly suggest you book the trek with a certified local trekking agency that takes care of your permits, flights to and from Lukla, airport transfers, accommodation, and meals while on the trail, licensed trekking guides, and potters. These trekking agencies provide you with a package deal that turns out to be more economical than the amount you spent if you yourself book all the above individually. For your benefit, please book with a local trekking company based in Kathmandu in order to omit the middle-man commissions that add up to your price when you book via an international travel agency.

Table of Contents

How to book the trek to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu?

The answer is simpler than you thought. There are two options. The first is to check out multiple trekking companies on the internet and choose the one that has an itinerary that matches your requirements and the price that's suitable for you. Please consider that the company you go for is local, experienced in the Nepalese trekking industry, and has good reviews. Make sure you contact the trip operators via mail or phone before booking the trek to find out the authenticity of their business.

Another option is to book a flight to Kathmandu, get a Nepal Tourist VISA on arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport, and hunt for trekking agencies. Most trekking companies are saturated in Thamel, also known as the tourist center of Kathmandu. In Thamel, you'll find everything a trekker needs, from trekking supplies to hotels and restaurants. You can walk into multiple trekking companies and talk to tour operators before booking the trek. This is how you can book the trek to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu.

What is the difference between booking the EBC trek before or after arriving in Kathmandu?

When you book the trek before arriving in Kathmandu, you have two options. One is to book a 12 days EBC trekking package that starts on the day you leave for the trek in Kathmandu and ends on the day you return back to Kathmandu from the trek. This package does not include your accommodation in Kathmandu and airport transfer for your arrival and final departure to and from Kathmandu. The second option is to book an all-inclusive 14-day EBC trekking package that starts the moment you arrive in Kathmandu and ends till you reach the airport for your final departure. This package includes your airport transfers and 3-star accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.

If you're already in Kathmandu and want to book the trek in person, it's best for you to book the 12 days EBC trekking package that covers only the trek and not your stay in Kathmandu. All these trek packages include your trekking permits, trekking guides, and potters, so you can trek hassle-free.

Pros and Cons of Booking the Everest Base Camp Trekking from Kathmandu

While booking the Everest Base Camp trekking package from Kathmandu seems cheaper than booking the all-inclusive EBC trekking package, both sides have pros and cons. Let's discuss the pros and cons of booking the EBC trek after arriving in Kathmandu.

Pros

  • You can physically visit the trekking companies and discuss several EBC trek packages, and communicate your requirements to the tour operator face-to-face. 
  • You can meet your trekking guide in person and talk to them before booking to find out if they're competent enough and a good match for you.
  • You don't have to pay the booking amount before you even meet with the tour operators.
  • You can choose whatever hotel you want to stay in Kathmandu according to your budget.
  • You can flexibly plan your days in Kathmandu before and after the trek.

Cons

  • You might not get your desired trip departure dates as most packages are pre-booked.
  • You'll have to go through the process of finding and booking a good hotel in an unknown city.
  • You'll have to tackle the high rates that taxi drivers charge tourists at airports and other parts of the city.
  • It can be confusing, tiring, and stressful to visit office to office and manage everything else by yourself, especially if it's your first visit to Nepal. 

There you go! We've stated everything you need to know about booking the Everest Base Camp Trekking from Kathmandu and its consequences, along with the comparison of booking the trek from home before you come to Kathmandu. We're just here to help you. In the end, it's your choice if you want to go for a hassle-free booking from the comfort of your home and have everything managed for you before you even step foot in Nepal or if you'd like to wander from office to office and find the best deal and manage everything else on your own.

Whatever your choice, we respect it and would like to provide you with the best experience on your Everest Base Camp trekking journey. You can even add another day in the itinerary for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu before you leave for the trek, which makes it a 15-day EBC trek. Outfitter Nepal is a well-established local travel agency in Nepal that has been offering trekking and tour services in Nepal for more than 2 decades. Our trained trekking guides know the mountains very well and would be by your side in every ups and downs.
We're active 24/7 to make sure that your trekking goes as smoothly as possible. If you'd like to book the trek in advance or would like to come to Nepal and meet us before booking, we're always here for you. Please reach out to us if you have any queries. 

Advantages of Booking Online Everest base camp

Booking your Adventure to the Everest Base Camp can be time saving. It will also help you pre-arrange everything prior to your arrival in Nepal. You will also have important information beforehand like the travel dates of the trek. So, you can plan around your schedule prior to the Everest Base Camp.

While booking Everest Base Camp, you will also have the opportunity to find yourself a trek partners on online forums. Hence, you can also bargain yourself a lower price for the Everest Base Camp as most of the trekking agency provide group rate. You are required to pay only the 10% payment now in advance for the confirmation of the Everest base Camp and you can pay it by online credit cards and the remaining balance is payable when you arrive in Nepal.

Advantages of Booking in Kathmandu

Booking your Everest Base Camp in Kathmandu allows you to experience the personal attachment towards the trek guide and the trekking agency. You will also have plenty of spare time to spend with your trek guide and visiting the trekking agencies in person.

Hence, you will have the opportunity to ask the questions related to the Everest Base Camp with the trek guide or visiting the agency’s office. You will also meet with the agency’s staff and witness their communication process about the important details for the Everest Base Camp in person.

Finding the Best Right Price

During your search for the best price for your Everest Base Camp, you could be tempted by the cheap prices some of the trekking agency has to offer. However, a cheaper price does not guarantee quality service and facilities on the Everest Base Camp.

There is a slight chance that you might get lured in by tour guides on the street. Some travelers who suffer the same fate are dissatisfied or even abandoned by the unprofessional guide.

So, you must avoid such circumstances at all cost as the Everest Base Camp is an expedition through high altitude region and has potential risk factor to it. Hence, even as budget travellers, you should not abandon the option for a better service at a higher price.

One of your main focus should be finding a reliable agency for proper services and facilities. Booking yourself a trek to the Everest Base Camp will cost you around $1400-$1700 for 16 days EBC Trek.  So, you must pay attention to the reviews on the website of the trekking agency to determine the company for your investment.

What to Expect After Your Booking from Kathmandu

After you complete all the booking processes for the Everest Base Camp, a guide will meet you prior to the start of the trek. The guide will ensure the necessary collective information for the trek such as your travel insurance policy.

The guide will lead and assist you throughout the trek and arrange the facilities of meals and accommodations on the trail to Everest Base Camp. In addition, he will inform and explain to you about the diverse geological and cultural significance of the landscape of the Everest region.

You will enjoy the incredible journey through the diverse cultural and natural fusion of the Everest region to the Everest Base Camp.  The trek takes you to backdrop of the tallest mountains on earth Mount Everest. Hence, it will be an incredible journey to the majestic Himalayan terrains and landscapes after you complete your Everest Base Camp booking.

Thing to consider while choosing the Trekking agency

Before you book your trek to the Everest Base Camp, you must select a reliable trekking agency to assist you through all the procedure for the trek. Most of the trekking agency will help you from getting the travel permits to booking you a flight to Lukla.

Furthermore, you should also make sure the travel agency you are travelling with are valid and are registered with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). So, it is equally important to avoid illegal agency regardless of lavish service they promise to offer.

In addition, you should also check detail information about facilities included and excluded on the agency’s official website. You should make sure the travel agency provides pick up and drop, flight tickets, entry permit, meals, comfortable lodges and accommodation throughout the Everest Base Camp.

On the other hand, the feedback of the customer will also help you determine the services the travel agency offer. Everest Base Camp is a moderate hike but it could be strenuous if the travel agency does not offer standard health and safety measures for the travelers. So, you should also examine the safety and health standards of the trekking agency to the Everest Base Camp.

Outfitter Nepal checks all the boxes when it comes to determining a good trekking agency. If you book with us, we’ll help you have a great trekking experience with the memories of a lifetime.

Do I need to book Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek Before I land in Kathmandu

The Everest Base Camp is an amazing journey famous among international travelers and trekkers. Travelers enjoy good hospitality and catering along the trail to the base camp. So, booking ahead prior to the trek will allow your peace of mind as you ensure your fantastic trip to the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You will also have the advantage to meet fellow travelers and gain knowledge about the do’s and don’ts on the trek.

Some Most Popular Treks

Raj Kumar Basnet

Raj Kumar Basnet

Hello, Hi & Namaste Everyone !

Raj Kumar Basnet holds more than two decades of travelling experience in different regions of Nepal. He has trekked in both popular and off-the-beaten-path Nepali trekking trails which have allowed him to gain expertise in tourism. With years of field experience under his belt, he is now concentrating on sharing as much of his tourism knowledge as possible. Now, the co-owner of Outfitter Nepal, he hopes that the knowledge he’s gained over the years would deem helpful for the travellers visiting Nepal!

For More Info: Facebook Page

Call us on WhatsApp+977 9820996633OrChat with us