Permits and Fees
For the Everest Luxury Trek, you need a national park entry permit and a local entrance permit. These fees are applicable to all foreign nationals. Sublime Trails bears both permit fees for our guests so you don’t have to worry about it.
The local entrance permit is also known as the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. The fee is Rs. 2,000 per person. This is intended to go towards the development fund of the municipality.
Meanwhile, the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit fee is Rs. 3,000 per person. This fee is levied by Nepal Government in order to preserve the natural state of Sagarmatha National Park and conserve its flora and fauna.
Documents and Visa Procedure for Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek
A valid passport, national park permit, and local government permit are the only documents that you’ll need. As mentioned earlier, Sublime Trails will take care of the permits for you.
Meanwhile, you’ll have to make visa arrangements yourself. Nepal issues visas on Arrival for foreign nationals, which you can get after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport. However, you can also get your Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions in your country if you wish to avoid the Visa queue during peak travel seasons.
You can get a Visa valid for either 15, 30, or 90 days, each costing $30, $50, and $125 respectively. Meanwhile, there are some countries that have done reciprocal Visa waiver agreements with Nepal, meaning nationals from these countries do not need to pay Visa fees (for specified periods).
To see if you’re from a country on this list, visit this information page from the Government of Nepal, Department of Immigration.
Comfortable Accommodation on Everest Luxury Trek
Sublime Trails ensures you are hosted at the finest accommodation stops during your luxurious trek to Everest Base Camp. The names of lodges where we will spend our nights are mentioned on the itinerary. We have a sound relationship with their managers and staff, and they’re willing to go out of their way to ensure you have a pleasant stay.
All lodges mentioned have state-of-the-art services that include the best that can be done in their location. They feature nourishing food, hospitable staff, and well-heated rooms. Dining rooms are spacious and heated with most featuring elaborate mountain views.
We constantly scour each location and keep an updated database to make sure our guests are hosted at the best lodge at every stop.
Meals on EBC Luxury Trek
This trek features traditional, Asian, and Western foods.
Bread, sausages, butter, hot tea, and coffee are available at all accommodation stops. Furthermore, you can enjoy the flavorsome Dal Bhat, a Nepalese staple, at every hotel.
With improved infrastructure, most hotels now also provide various pastry items straight from the oven. You’ll also get to relish numerous cuisines prepared from Himalayan potatoes. Additionally, expect to taste flavorful soups prepared with a rich blend of locally sourced spices.
While we encourage you to try out all cuisines offered during the trip, note that consuming caffeinated items and alcoholic beverages may make your treks difficult. Instead, consume more fresh vegetables, soups, and all other delicious gourmets available.
Here’s a sample meal plan:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Corn Flakes, Porridge, Eggs, Pancakes, various kinds of bread, Toast with Jam, Butter, Cheese, Honey, Tibetan bread or Chapati, fruits, Hot beverages(tea, coffee, milk, etc.)
Lunch: Nepalese Dal Bhat, Soups, Tibetan Bread, Sherpa Stew, Steaks, Thukpa, Pasta and Macaroni, Sandwiches, Momo (dumplings), Tenduk Noodles, Potato Items, Desserts
Dinner: Nepalese Dal Bhat, Soups, Tibetan Bread, Thukpa, Tenduk Noodles, Pasta and Macaroni, Salads, Potato Items, Desserts
Weather/ Best Time For EBC Luxury Trek
The best time for the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek is the spring and autumn seasons. The former of the two seasons falls from March to May in Nepal and the latter falls from September to December.
These are also the travel seasons all over Nepal, as the weather is clear and mountain views are spectacular.
Winter, on the other hand, can also be a good time to go on a peaceful hike. However, the snowing season makes combating cold extra difficult. Nonetheless, the mountains look lively during winter because of the excess snow.
Summer trekking is also feasible, but there are higher chances of rainfall and flight cancellations.
After carefully analyzing weather conditions, view, and comfort, we organize all our Everest Luxury treks in spring and autumn.
Acclimatization During Everest Luxury Trek in Comfort
There are a total of 5 days on the Ultimate Everest Base Camp Luxury Tour for acclimatization. This is considerably longer than in the standard trekking itinerary to Everest Base Camp. There are two acclimatization days in Namche, two in Dingboche, and one in Tasinga.
Acclimatizing at lower altitudes is essential before we resume our trek to higher altitudes. As you ascend, the oxygen levels decrease, and your body needs time to adjust. Gradually ascending, taking rest days, and staying well-hydrated prevent altitude sickness.
Increasing the number of acclimatization days makes the rest of the hike a lot more pleasant. You’re basically combating fatigue and altitude-related complications that can occur during the rest of the trek.
Note that acclimatizing doesn’t necessarily mean resting at the locations. While resting at these locations, you’ll also get an opportunity to explore the surrounding highlights and even hike to better viewpoints of the area.
Gear, Porters, and Packing Checklist
Sublime Trails bears the service cost of porters on the luxury trek.
Each porter will carry a maximum of 20-25 kgs (45-55 lbs) during the trip. One porter is assigned to two trekkers. Thus, plan to take no more than 10-12 kgs of baggage during the trek.
Nonetheless, you can discount the weight of essential items that you plan to carry yourself. This includes snacks, camera equipment, sunscreen, water bottles, etc. that you’ll use at any point on the trail.
If you don’t want to purchase gear for a one-time use, Sublime Trails provides the most essential gear on a should-return policy.
Meanwhile, here’s an approximate packing checklist. Note that this list is not all-inclusive. Consult with our representative while you’re planning the trip and our representative will give you a more personalized recommendation.
Clothing:
Waterproof pants
Hiking boots with ankle support
A broad-brimmed hat
Short and long-sleeved t-shirts that absorb moisture
Hiking socks
A warm, heavy jacket made of fleece or down
Fleece pants for warmth
A rain poncho
Light gloves
Sunglasses
A neck gaiter or bandana
Innerwear
Camp shoes or tennis shoes
A lightweight windbreaker
Two pairs of trekking pants
Sock liners (optional)
A sweatshirt (optional)
Trekking Gear & Supplies:
A duffle bag for carrying gear (provided if trekking with Sublime Trails)
A 40L daypack for carrying essentials on the trail
A waterproof cover for the daypack
Water bottles or a hydration bladder (e.g., CamelBak)
A sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures (-18°C/0°F) (provided)
Trekking poles
A headlamp with spare batteries
A lightweight water filter or iodine tablets
Hand warmers
A travel pillow or pillowcase
A stuff sack for the sleeping bag
Drybags in different sizes
Stuff sacks for dirty clothes and shoes
A camera with extra batteries and memory cards (optional)
Small locks for the duffle bag and daypack
A sleeping bag liner (optional)
A quick-drying trekking towel (optional)
Toiletries:
Sunscreen
Lip balm with sunscreen
Toilet paper
Moleskin, medical tape, and/or duct tape for blisters
Pain relievers like Advil or Ibuprofen
Diamox (for altitude sickness)
Personal prescriptions
Antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea
Anti-chafe balm
Diaper rash cream (for rashes or chafing)
Soap
Deodorant
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Razor (as needed)
Shampoo
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Feminine hygiene products (as needed)
Face lotion
Hairbrush
Hair ties
Earplugs (for sleeping)
Additional Supplies:
Important Documents:
Passport (needed for registration at the entry gate)
Visa (can be obtained upon arrival in Kathmandu)
Cash ($200-300 recommended)
Travel Insurance
Training
Training for the trek ensures you are physically prepared for the journey ahead. One effective way to start your training is by hiking in the hills near your home.
The Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek is a challenging journey, but one that is achievable for most people. Individuals ranging from 7-year-old children to older adults have completed this trek.
Nonetheless, to undertake the trek to Everest Base Camp, you do need to maintain a good level of physical fitness and overall good health. The trek involves walking long distances, ascending steep slopes, and navigating uneven terrain, so it does require some strength and endurance. While you don't need to be a professional athlete, you should be in reasonably good shape.
If you want a workout plan at the gym, here’s one recommended by Sublime Trails:
Cardio (3-4 times per week):
Brisk walking, cycling, or swimming for 30-45 minutes.
Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts over time.
Incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions
Aim for at least one longer duration cardio session per week
Strength (2-3 times per week):
Squats, lunges, step-ups, and calf raises.
Planks, Russian twists, and mountain climbers.
Push-ups, pull-ups (or assisted variations), and shoulder presses.
2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions for each exercise, gradually increasing the resistance with time.
Endurance (1-2 times per week):
Flexibility and Mobility (3-4 times per week):
Stretching exercises to improve flexibility and prevent muscle tightness.
Focus on stretching your hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, hip flexors, and shoulders.
Incorporate activities like yoga or Pilates to improve overall flexibility, balance, and core strength.
Additionally, shedding a few pounds makes the trek much easier on your body. Losing weight reduces the strain on your joints and helps improve your overall fitness level. However, we strongly advise you to approach weight loss healthily and sustainably.
Aim to consume a variety of whole foods, such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. For instance, incorporate foods like grilled chicken or fish, fresh salads, quinoa, nuts, and avocados into your meals. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout your training and the trek itself.
While you should push yourself during training, overdoing it may be counterintuitive. You don’t want to be injured just on the eve of your journey.
Wifi, Electricity, and Communication
All lodges on the trekking trails on the luxury trek accommodation plan have electricity. You don’t have to worry about your phone or camera being dead. That’s the last thing you’d want on a scenic journey like this!
Uploading a photo on social media or keeping your family updated are both irresistible during the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek. Thankfully, you can also have internet access at lodges throughout the route. If you purchase a Prepaid Wifi Card from Everest Link, you’ll be able to conveniently use wifi at all lodges where we’ll spend our nights.
Everest Link offers high-speed broadband internet services in the Everest region, and even at Everest Base Camp! Last time we checked, you can buy a 30-day, 10 GB plan at Rs. 1,999 (~$16) or a 30-day, 20 GB plan at Rs. 2,999 (~$23).
Furthermore, Sublime Trails maintains a 24-hour call line for our guests and staff. Your family members can call the hotline and receive updates about your trip, or talk to you directly.
