Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek

Best Season and Time for the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek

The luxury Everest Base Camp trek can be organized around the clock depending on your skills, and desire but the most popular time is in autumn (September, October, and November) and spring (March, April, and May).

Enough hikers can also be seen during winter chills of December, January, and February but summers (June, July, and August) are best to avoid due to torrential rainfall.

During the spring months, some snow from passing winter can still be seen at Namche and towards the high Pass and hills. But the route enlivens with the bright and colorful blooms of magnolias and rhododendrons- two of Nepal’s most cherished symbols. In fact, you will find stunning clusters of bright pink bushes along every part of the trek.

On the other hand, the autumn trails burst into life with the yellowish-brown hue of the fading trees, and the paths are free from the remnants of melted snow, showing no trace of rain. This means that all routes are accessible in autumn, making for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

The frigid climate in winter can be harsh but the right preparation and gear will get you through. In fact, the warmer sunny days will make up for the colds of morning and night.

Which one should you choose: Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek or Classic Everest Base Camp Trek 14 days?

First of all, both the luxury Everest Base Camp trek and classic Everest Base Camp Trek 14 days trips are made to take you to the base of the very top of the planet- the Everest. Both the trip will begin and end in Kathmandu with Lukla being the starting point for the trek.

Both the trip will allow you to feel the atmosphere of solitude with nature and the feeling that you are walking among high mountains. On both trips, you will get to meet the Sherpas- the people who are behind every climb to Everest and other mountains in Nepal.

In both journeys, you will travel through and spend nights at their very atmospheric villages finding their unique monasteries, Buddhist stupas, and Mani stones with religious writing.

In addition, as part of both trips, you will ascend to the Kala Patthar from where you will watch some of the highest summits of the world burn out like fire under the first ray of the sun.

Thus, in both trips, the altitude will be the main troubling factor which you will feel of course. And thus, both trips have proper rest days sorted out at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.

Now, let’s analyze the distinction between the two trips.

When comparing the traditional Everest Base Camp trek 14 days program to the luxury Everest base camp trek, it’s clear that the classic route presents a greater challenge.

The classic trek requires a return trek to Lukla along a circular path, which increases the number of walking days but offers the chance to experience the stunning scenery from a different viewpoint. In terms of comfort, accommodations on the classic trek consist of three-star hotels in the city and basic mountain lodges along the way.

On the other hand, in the luxury Everest Base Camp trek, you will return to Kathmandu from Gorakshep engaging in the speculator flight by helicopter. You will fly above the majestic mountains, with breathtaking views right beneath you.

This helicopter ride not only offers a unique perspective but also saves you four days of trekking. You can then spend more time exploring the enchanting Kathmandu Valley, and the serene beauty of Pokhara, or undertake an exciting Chitwan safari.

For even more luxury, your overnight stays will be in five-star resorts in Kathmandu and premium lodges or guesthouses in the Mountain villages. Your imagination of eating international cuisine or sleeping on the warm room set against the backdrop of the Himalayas will truly be fulfilled.

When we are asked to recommend one of these two trips to our guests, we cannot choose just one. The landscapes, culture, region, and atmosphere of both trips are remarkably similar yet distinctly different.

Is the luxury Everest Base Camp Trek challenging?

Our Luxury Everest Base Camp trekking is a journey of moderate challenge with shorter trekking days and accommodations in premium shelters except in Pheriche, Lobuche, Phortse, and Gorakshep.

However, we still should not forget that this is a classic hiking adventure that requires daily walks of 5 to 7 hours until we reach Everest Base Camp. It is also important to note that this trek takes you to altitudes exceeding the 5545 m mark amidst some of the high mountains of the planet.

Therefore, altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, and climate conditions play crucial factors in the successful completion of the trek and the health of the participants.

Fortunately, the trail to Everest Base Camp is free of technical difficulties, with well-marked paths and excellent infrastructure. In addition, the welcoming Sherpas are always eager to lend a hand, making our trekking experience as easy and pleasant as possible.

Who should join our luxury Everest Base Camp Trek?

Any healthy adult and even a schoolchild can complete the luxury Everest base camp trek with ease. We have designed this program for those individuals who crave adventure along with the finer things to enjoy along the route.

It is also an ideal choice for parents with young children who are eager to immerse their children in the natural wonders while ensuring their safety and comfort.

We understand you are busy professionals who juggle demanding careers and have very limited time for personal enjoyment. Thus, this trip is also suitable for you as the traveling journey only spans 11 days.

Additionally, it is also a comfortable trip for seniors looking to spend their special moment in between the breathtakingly stunning mountains. Since no past mountaineering or hiking experience is necessary, this trek is also an excellent opportunity for beginners who are just stepping into the world of high-altitude journey for the first time.

So if you are passionate about trekking and can comfortably walk for a few hours, we would love for you to join our luxury Everest base camp trek journey.

Risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek

No matter how much luxury we add to the adventure, the ever-present threat of altitude sickness aka Acute Mountain Sickness will continue to be a concern during the luxury Everest base camp trek.

You will have to deal with the higher elevation that goes on increasing to above 5500 m at the end of the trip Kala Patthar. With higher altitude accompanies the risk of altitude sickness which is the body’s reaction to the lower oxygen concentration in the air.

Although not everyone will experience this sickness, but it is common that you may feel a headache when you exceed the elevation of 3000 m. This is the alarm signal that your body is sending you to prevent the condition from getting worse.

In such cases, we always advise our clients to drink 3-4 Lt of water each day of trekking. In addition, we have placed the rest days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche with the first few days of the trek with gradual hikes so that you can acclimatize properly to the route without getting too tired.

In order to make your adventure pleasant, you can start taking Diamox tablets- a drug that will help in lapidifying the acclimatizing process.

However, if your condition gets worse and symptoms such as vertigo, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue develop, you must quickly tell our guide about your condition. Accordingly, he will either halt your trek for a day or two or take you to a lower area and resume your trip after you get better.

Preparation and Safety Measures for Luxury Everest base Camp trek

Although no previous trekking experience is needed for our luxury Everest base Camp trek and since we are not going to climb any summit either, still preparing for this trip is very important.

If you are already a regular athlete, keep going and you will be fine. Keep up your aerobic sessions and combine them with leg exercises to strengthen your legs and prepare them for the effort of several days.

Also, spend some weekends going out to the nearby mountains or hills with your hiking boots and a backpack and walk for several hours in walking mode and see how you feel.

If you are not a regular athlete, you can still do it! But you will have to put in the effort to achieve it. We recommend that you find a professional to guide you and the ideal is to have a plan of 4 times a week that includes aerobic training (running, biking, swimming, walking, squats, push-ups and pull-ups, etc) along with developing leg muscle mass so that you can withstand prolonged effort in the mountains.

Training 2 to 4 months prior to the trip and on a consistent basis will surely prepare you adequately for the experience.

We also encourage you to learn essential first-aid practices in case of any injuries, infections, or faints. Also, gather relevant information about the climate pattern and the terrain of Everest. If you have any health concerns, please consult a specialist before taking part in this trek.

We intend to make this trek for everyone so we work to create the safest, healthiest, and happiest environment possible during the 11 days. Still, the path can only be walked by you so don’t be reckless in adequate preparation.

Accommodation and Meals on luxury Everest base camp trek

Since your comfort is our priority, we have chosen the finest accommodations for you during our luxury Everest Base Camp trek. In Kathmandu, you will spend two nights at a stunning five-star hotel right in the city center.

Throughout the trek, you will experience the comfort of premium lodges such as Ganesh Himal lodge when you are in Lukla, Namaste Lodge when you are in Phakding, and Namche and Dingboche Resort when you are in the village.

In the villages where the premium options may be limited, we will house you in the most comfortable guesthouses available.

For meals, in Kathmandu, we will serve you a high-quality and flavorful breakfast every morning. We will serve three meals- lunches, dinners, and breakfast every day during the trekking part of the trip.

The premium lodges along the trail are known to deliver top-quality hygienic organic diets with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections. Pie, cake, pudding, pasta, pizza, sushi anything you like will be served to you.

However, in simpler accommodations, the food options may be restricted to Dal Bhat, dumplings, noodles, and egg dishes.

Transportation

We will provide airport pickup and hotel transfer, as well as domestic airport pickups and drop-offs in a private vehicle. Additionally, we will take care of your flight arrangements from Kathmandu to Lukla or from Ramechhap to Lukla.

If needed, a private 4×4 vehicle will be at your disposal to transport you to Ramechhap Airport. Your helicopter return journey from Gorakshep to Kathmandu will also be organized by us.

Communication and Internet on luxury Everest base camp trek

For communication and staying connected with your loved ones, you can pick up the SIM Card from the local mobile networks of Nepal: NTC or Ncell. Their signal is pretty reliable up to Tengboche village but it can get a little shaky afterward in Dingboche and Lobuche. While you on the Dughla Pass (4830 m) again network available up to Everest base camp and Kalapatthar.

We also like to recommend you one more convenient option: purchasing and activating virtual eSIM cards from NTC or Ncell while you are still in your hometown. These cards can be easily acquired and activated online, which provides you with all the benefits of a physical SIM card.

As for WiFi, the two major operators of Everest Link and Airlink have been providing their prepaid cards which you can purchase when in Namche. You can also pay the modest amount of USD 3 to 5 for these cards in the hotel where you are staying.

These WiFi cards come with various options but the most chosen and cheapest option would be to opt for the 10 GB card with one month validity period.

Likewise, on several routes of Everest Base Camp, you may also find free open WiFi signals, particularly at Everest View Hotel. In the absence of WiFi, you can always rely on 4G mobile internet as a dependable option.

Travel Insurance

Reaching the higher altitude means running to not only the adventure but also running to the unthinkable risks. Injuries, sudden onset of illness and infections, accidents, and altitude sickness are some of the risks during our luxury Everest base camp trek.

Therefore, travel insurance is not an option but an obligatory necessity that will protect you financially when you run into these unforeseen and expensive incidents. Please note that insurance companies often do not include trekking as part of their coverage.

So when you go to take out the insurance policy for our trip, please make sure that your policy has the coverage for trekking part, rescue by helicopter, and medical costs.

Do not forget about the mountains and heights, and the famous altitude sickness. Make sure to include the activities above 5000 m elevation with the altitude sickness in case of rescue.

Rules and Permits for the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek

Please remember that since April 1st, 2023, trekking alone in Nepal is no longer an option. For the safety of all travelers, the Nepal Government has made it mandatory for each traveler to have a licensed local guide, especially when journeying into remote areas such as Everest Base Camp. Additionally, all trips need to be coordinated through a registered travel and trekking agency in Nepal.

We also need to have the entrance permit for the natural reserve of Everest (Sagarmatha) National Park along with the fee for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality.

Each hiker will be charged Nepali rupees 3000 for the park permit and rupees 2000 for the municipality.

Don’t worry; these expenses and the steps to secure your permits are all covered in our service package.