Everest Base Camp Trek: Overnight at Base Camp

Sleeping at Everest Base Camp – What’s It Like?

Spending the night at Everest Base Camp (EBC) is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that transcends the typical trekking experience. Unlike the standard Everest Base Camp trek, this exclusive overnight stay requires careful planning, special permits, and guidance from expert trekking teams, offering an authentic high-altitude camping experience few adventurers ever get to enjoy.

What to Expect During Your Overnight Stay at Everest Base Camp:

• Heated expedition tents designed for 1–2 people, providing essential warmth and comfort at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet).
• Premium sleeping bags rated for extreme cold and altitude, ensuring a restful night in the thin Himalayan air.
• Nutritious, hot meals freshly prepared in a dedicated dining tent to recharge your energy after a demanding trek.
• Clean and functional basic toilet and kitchen tents maintaining hygiene and convenience.
• No Wi-Fi or cellular signal — just pure Himalayan silence, a blanket of stars, and the awe-inspiring presence of Mount Everest.

A Night Under the Stars in the Heart of the Himalayas

As night falls, the sky above Everest Base Camp bursts into a dazzling display of stars far clearer and more vivid than anywhere else on Earth. This is your chance to disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in the serene beauty and profound stillness of the Nepal high-altitude wilderness.

Sunrise Over Everest – An Unforgettable Moment

Wake up early to witness the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other towering peaks bathed in the golden light of dawn. This surreal experience of watching the first rays illuminate the world’s highest mountains is a rare privilege that makes the overnight stay at Everest Base Camp truly unforgettable.

Trek Difficulty & Altitude – What You Need to Know

The Everest Base Camp trek is a physically demanding high-altitude adventure best suited for fit trekkers with strong stamina and endurance, requiring 5 to 8 hours of trekking each day as you navigate rugged, uneven trails while steadily ascending through some of the world’s highest and most breathtaking mountainous landscapes in the Nepal Himalayas.

The trek reaches a maximum sleeping altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) at Everest Base Camp, with the highest trekking point at Kala Patthar, which sits at 5,645 meters (18,533 feet) and offers stunning panoramic views of Mount Everest and surrounding peaks like Lhotse and Nuptse.

Given the rapid elevation gain and extreme altitude, altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS) is a genuine risk on this trek, so the itinerary includes carefully planned acclimatization days to help your body adjust safely to the thinning oxygen levels and reduce the risk of AMS.

All trekking guides accompanying the group are highly trained in AMS recognition, prevention, and emergency protocols, ensuring continuous monitoring of trekkers’ health and readiness to provide first aid or coordinate evacuation if necessary.

Before and during the trek, you will be educated on the signs, symptoms, and prevention of altitude sickness to keep you informed and safe throughout this high-altitude Himalayan expedition.

This combination of physical challenge, altitude awareness, and expert guidance ensures that the Everest Base Camp trek is not only an adventurous journey through spectacular mountain terrain but also a safe and rewarding experience for those prepared to meet its demands.

Food & Water – What to Expect on the Everest Base Camp Trek

Along the Everest Base Camp trek, teahouses and lodges provide a variety of nourishing meals to keep you energized, including traditional Nepali dishes like dal bhat, as well as noodles, pasta, soups, and other simple but satisfying options suited for high-altitude trekking.

At Everest Base Camp itself, meals are freshly prepared in a basic kitchen tent by trained staff who ensure you receive warm, nutritious food despite the remote and rugged environment.

While water is available throughout the trek, it is essential to treat or filter all drinking water to avoid waterborne illnesses, as untreated water may contain harmful bacteria or contaminants common in high-altitude trekking regions.

Staying well-hydrated and maintaining balanced nutrition with these available food options are critical for your energy levels and altitude acclimatization on this challenging Nepal adventure trek.

Immunizations: Though, Nepal doesn’t have official vaccination requirements, it is nevertheless a good idea to consider some vaccines before coming here. See Immunization chapter under Safety for more details. It is also a good idea to read the chapter on Pre-existing Conditions before leaving home. Here is a list of the most relevant ones only:
Travel Insurance: Before you set out also make sure you have travel insurance that covers helicopter rescues. See Insurance under Safety for more details. Also, make sure to register with your embassy with your itinerary details before leaving. Go to our Embassy section for links.

Flight Tickets to Nepal

Book a Hotel in Nepal: There are a lot of review based web portals to book hotels in Kathmandu. However, it shouldn’t be much of a problem to get a room even if you haven’t booked in advance.
Packing Tips: Indeed exciting times we live in. Just make sure you don’t pack off valuables in your luggage for the international airport at Kathmandu isn’t too well renowned for packing everything in after a security check. Valuables are better off in your hand carry.

Things to do at the Airport in Kathmandu

Get a Nepali Visa: Visa on Arrival for most countries. Need USD 25(15 days)/ USD 40 (30 days)/ USD 100 (90 days) in one of these currencies: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. You will need your passport and 1 passport size photo.
Get a Nepali SIM Card: Both NTC and Ncell. two of the most popular telecom companies, provide SIM cards based on GSM technology. Tough luck if your phone is of the CDMA kind.
Comprehensive Packing List for Trekking in Nepal

Both branded items and local take on branded items are available in Kathmandu. It is totally possible to get everything and anything you will need for a trek here. A word of cautions about local products though: Being labeled North Face or Mountain Hardwear, as most local products are, doesn’t bless them with durability. However, there are good fakes and bad fakes and most are okay for the price. If you spend some time checking and rechecking the stuff especially the zippers and stitching, it will provide service for at least one trek. Or you could just stick to one of the branded outlets in Thamel.

However, bringing some stuff from home will save you time in Kathmandu and will also give you peace of mind. Also if you don’t know, the dress code for the mountains is layers. And avoid cotton inners at all costs.

Gear from your Home Country

• Trekking Boots- Lightweight, waterproof, ankle support, some toe room and most importantly broken in.
• Daypack/Rucksack with pack cover- If you plan on hiring porters, a 30-liter bag should be enough. Otherwise look for a 70 liter one.
• Passport size photos- 5-7 should be good.
• Sunglasses with straps- Straps are important as sunglasses happen to be the one thing that people misplace most often while taking pictures or resting.
• Spare glasses/lenses- If you wear glasses or contact, having a spare is very important.
• Inner Thermals- Both top and bottom will make your trek that much more enjoyable.
• Fleece- Great for layering with wind/waterproof jacket for walking.
• Wind/Water Jacket- Make sure it is breathable and is waterproof.
• Down Jacket- Mornings and evenings can be pretty chilly. Will make your stay at camp and short excursions that much more comfortable.
• Fleece pants- So you can remain warm and feel clean during the evenings.
• Wind pants- Waterproof breathable is recommended.
• Gloves- Make sure it is at least windproof.
• Underwear- 4-6 should carry you through a two-three week trek.
• Flashlight- Look for LED head torches.
• Camera with extra battery- One extra battery should be good as charging can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. Also, you cannot charge, if you don’t have a charger. Do not forget that.
• Socket Adapter- Many sockets in Nepal are of Type C that is they have circular pins. It will be handy to have an adapter just in case.
• Water filters or Water purification tablets- To give you peace of mind and protection when you aren’t sure of the water. Water filters are amazingly small and efficient these days.
• Optional Gear you should consider bringing from your Home Country
• Vitamin supplements- One thing that you will be short on during a trek is Vitamin C. Supplements are always welcome.
• Zip locks- Useful in oh so many different ways, for first aid kits to toiletries to documents.
• Running shoes- Great to keep your feet comfortable in treks like ABC, Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu in which a sizeable portion of the trek goes through low country.
• Swiss Army Knife- Pack it off in your luggage if you don’t want it confiscated at airports.
• Binoculars- Consider small and light ones unless watching wildlife is your main purpose.
• Books- A trek is a perfect time to catch up on reading. However, it would be tough to finish more than 2 books in a single two-three week trek.
• Gaiters- Keeps your feet dry and warm if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Gear you can easily get in Nepal

• Trekking trousers- 2 pairs. Lightweight and loose.
• Trekking shirts- 2 pairs. Collared ones are better. Avoid cotton.
• Woollen cap
• Trekking poles- You back and legs will love you for these, especially in downhill stretches.
• Water bottle- Get 2 with a wide mouth and which can take in hot water.
• Sandals- Great for giving your feet a breather during the evenings.
• Buffs- 3. Can be used as a neck gaiter, headwear, to mask, hairband and a whole bunch of other ways. One of the best use however is to cover your nose and mouth at high altitudes to hydrate your breath and avoid the cold dry mountain air. Make sure to keep it rather loose around your nose though and your lungs will love you for it.
• Sleeping Bag liner- A light silk liner is good enough rather than the heavy fleece ones. Its main purpose is to protect you from lodge blankets that are washed at most twice a year.
• Socks- 3 pairs are more than good enough. Make sure they are thick woolen ones. For treks that go through low country like Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit, you might consider getting 2 more pairs of lightweight socks too.
• Sunscreen- SPF 30-50 will be good enough. There is little point in going over that. However, make sure it is rated UVA in addition to UVB.
• Lip Balm- Moisturizing and SPF 30 necessary.
• Toilet paper- 2 rolls should be good enough.
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shower Gel- Travel size or sachets ideal as you won’t be showering as much during a trek.
• Shampoo- Travel size of sachets are ideal.
• Towel- A small one will be more than good enough.
• Moisturizing cream- That cold dry mountain air will take its toll on your skin.
• Hand sanitizer
• Plastic Bags- 2 large ones 3 small ones. Comes in very handy to put in your dirty laundry
• Snacks- Carry some chocolate bars and nuts for a quick munch before lunch. Don’t carry too much as you can find them in lodges all along the trails.
• Optional Gear you can easily Get in Nepal
• Sun Hat/Baseball Hat- Great for protection from the sun when it is still warm enough.
• Neck gaiter- A buff can be used in place of this. But this one comes in handy
• Deodorant- Your partner will love you for this.
• Diary
• Pen- Carry some spares.
• Kit Bag and lock- If you plan to hire a porter, a kit bag comes in handy. Make sure you get a lock too. Combination ones are easier.

Medical Kit Checklist

• Due to lax prescription requirements, most of the items are easier to get in Kathmandu.
• Povidone-Iodine cream- 1 tube
• Cotton- 1 roll
• Dressing Gauze- 5 pcs
• Crepe Bandage- 2
• Band-Aids- 10
• Dressing tape- 1
• Moleskin/ 2nd Skin- 1 packet
• Calamine- To aid in skin healing due to sunburns or chaffing.
• Paracetamol 300 mg- 20 tablets. For mild headaches.
• Ibuprofen 400 mg- 10 tablets. To relieve moderate to severe pain.
• Throat lozenges- 20. For cough and sore throat. Can be used preventively against the cold dry mountain air.
• Decongestant- 10 tablets- For nasal congestion. Non-drowsy kinds like pseudoephedrine recommended.
• Antihistamine 10 tablets- For allergies.
• Antiemetic 10 tablets- To control vomit and nausea.
• Azithromycin 500 mg- 3 tablets. For bacterial diarrhea.
• Omeprazole 20 mg- 10 tablets. For gastric problems.
• Ciprofloxacin 500 mg- 10 tablets. For bacterial diarrhea.
• Tinidazole 2 g- 3 tablets (500 mg- 12 tablets). For giardia and amoebic diarrhea.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox) 250 mg - 20 tablets. To aid acclimatization and AMS treatment.
• Dexamethasone 4 mg - 10 tablets. To be used under expert supervision to treat AMS.
• Nifedipine 60 mg - 10 tablets. To be used under expert supervision to prevent and treat HAPE.
• Loperamide 2 mg- 20 tablets. To control diarrhea.