Must Know for Everest Basecamp Trek Without Flight by Road
Here Trekking Trail Nepal collecting some common questions for everest base camp trek via road. These question are change into some basis information that make your preparation as top of Everest and push you to reach to base camp.
1. The Best Time to Trek
- Spring: Months of March, April, and May: Blooming rhododendrons, white mountains with blue clear skies.
- Autumn: Months of October, November, and December : Crisp air, stable weather, cold morning and evening, warmer day, and vibrant festivals.
While trekking during winter or monsoon is challenging, the road-based approach makes year-round travel feasible, avoiding flight cancellations and weather-related delays. Everest trekking during monsoon (June to August), and winter (Mid December to February) is challenging due to poor weather, basis amenities, slippery or snowy trail conditions, and low visibility. However, the Everest Base Camp Trek without flight approach allows year-round travel by avoiding the risk of flight cancellations to Lukla.
2. Physical Fitness and Preparation
The Everest trek is moderately to challenging in grade. The only difficult side is altitude and some short steep uphills. However you dont' have to plan severely. As perfectly planed itinerary and guidance, average or good physical fitness is must for this Everest trek via road. Daily up-hill and down hill hikes about 5 to 7 hours on rugged terrain makes you achieve your dream.
3. Altitude Sickness, Acclimatizations, and Permits Requires
This Everest Base Camp Trek by Road comes with significant elevation gain, as the trip starts in Kathmandu 1,365m and ascending to Kala Patthar 5,550m within 12 days. Such changes in elevation increases the risk of altitude sickness. However proper acclimatization help mitigate this risk.
Our itinerary at Trekking Trail Nepal is built-in rest cum acclimatization days. You will spend 2 acclimatization hike days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Unlike the standard Short Everest Base Camp Trek, this Everest Trek by road, comes with lower risk of altitude sickness. However it is highly recommended to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, listen to your body, and share every minor changes to our mountain expert guide. Stay alert for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, or insomnia. To minimizes risks:
- Drink at least 4 litres of water daily, sip by sip.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, stop smoking, and follow the healthy routine.
Everest Trek via Rood also requires two permits:
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Fees: NPR 2000/person
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3000/person
Everest is more than a mountain; it's a state of mind and destination of dream.
Difficulty Level
The Everest Base Camp Trek by Jeep extends your trekking by 2–3 days, even fall under moderately challenging grade. Although this is long trek of 15-16 days, this package is suitable for most of hikers, who has good physical fitness, even without prior trekking experience and physical training.
NOTEL: If you don't like overland journey, especially with turn and twist, we suggest you to get the regular Everest Base Camp Trek with Lukla flight.
We are stating this because the road route till Lower Lukla is full of sharps bends, narrow and cliff side. Even passes through uneven hillsides, river valley and dense forests. As we drive longer, our road to everest stepped into rugged gorges and moraines. Here are the most challenging sections of Everest Base Camp Trek without flight:
- Larje Dovan Phedi to Namche Bazaar
- Thukla to Lobuche
- Fungi Thanga to Tengboche Monastery
- Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
These segments involve steep ascents which requires 1 to 2 hours of 8 hours of the day mostly after lunch. Although the Everest Base Camp Trek is not technically difficulty need to be physical fit to deal continuous 12-15 days on the rugged terrain, harsh alpine climate, basis amenities and meal items. This is more difficult on mind setup rather than reality.
4. Accommodation Meals and Upgrades of Services
Typically this trek includes basic tea-house accommodation along the trail and any star hotel stay in Kathmandu. As Everest Base Camp Trekking region is one of the popular area, the standard of hotels and tea house are vires from basis to luxury. The presence of Comfort Luxury Lodges makes possible of Luxury Everest Base Camp Trekking.
Restrooms are common at most lodges, with squat toilets common at higher elevations. Western-style facilities are usually found at lower altitudes. You have to carry your own toiletries for the trekking in Nepal. Twin sharing room is basis principle of trekking in the Himalayas, unless you booked Luxury Trek with single accommodation.
5. Meals on Everest Trek without Flight
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road package with Trekking Trail Nepal comes with three daily meals with tea and coffee. However only breakfast and a farewell dinner will be provided in Kathmandu. With us you will get à la carte menu and choice is yours. We recommend every hikers to be a vegetarian while going up to avoid potential food poisoning from stored meat. Carry some energy bars, snacks, nuts, chocolate, tidbits for the day, although it can be purchase along the trail with higher rates.
6. Upgrade of Services
Trekking Trail Nepal always listen our valued guests, weather to upgrade the services or to customized the itinerary or any. With our Everest Base Camp Trek without flight. Upgrades of hotels from standard to deluxe or even luxury is possible. Same as in Kathmandu. Instead of hiking down to Lukla or even Kathmandu, you can fly in a helicopter. Similarly the choice of luxury land cruiser is available instead of public bus from Kathmandu to Taha-Danda or Salleri. All these upgrade of services on Everest Base Camp Trek via road is possible with your interest, resources and time frame. With helicopter rides, you can make the trek more short and adventurous.
7. Is there is any festivals along the way
Depending on the dates and months, when you visit, you may witness vibrant festivals celebrated by the locals:
- Gyalpo Lhosar (January or February): Sherpa New Year celebrations. A big festival to celebrate with brother and sisters, with feast.
- Dumji Festival (May or June): Honouring Guru Rinpoche with traditional and spiritual dances and rituals.
- Yartung (August or September): A unique horse racing festival in Lower Solu.
8. Trekking Insurance
Trekking Trail Nepal request you to have a comprehensive travel insurance covering the high altitude emergency air evacuation, medical, and related expenses.Know your insurance that fits for trekking in the Himalayas before purchase. Check out the best Nepal Trekking Insurance.
Some Pro Travel Tips
- Electricity: Charging devices costs USD 2-4 at tea house. We strongly suggest you to carry a solar charger or power bank as backup.
- Internet: Buy a Nepali SIM for better connectivity, however some sections of the trail may lack coverage. If not, every hotel has paid wifi services.
- Cash: Withdraw cash in Kathmandu, Lukla or Namche Bazaar.
- Tipping: Set aside extra funds to tip guides, porters, and drivers, in total 7-10% of trip prices.
- Luggage: Limit your duffel bag max to 12 kg and your backpack to 5 kg, including you camera and valuable gears.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 4 litres of water daily to combat altitude sickness.
- Pack Smart: Apply your experience, or check out our Trekking Gear Checklist.
- Budget Wisely: Account for personal expenses, tips, and optional porter services.
- Be Flexible: Road travel to Salleri can be unpredictable, so plan buffer days.
FAQs for Everest Trek by Road Without Flight
The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most iconic adventures destination for trekking enthusiasts. Most of the hikers take a short flight to Lukla Airport, however as the road is linked to lower Lukla, many are now exploring Everest Base Camp Trek by road. In this program of Everest Trek without flight Trekking Trail Nepal includes here the top frequently asked question and Answers to help you plan your best Everest Basecamp Trek without Flight.
1. Where is the Phaplu, how far from Kathamndu and How to reach Phaplu?
The Phaplu is the small old town in the Lower Khumbu region, close to Phaplu Airport of Salleri. This is the one of the old market place for Everest Area as it lies in the classical trekking route to Everest Base Camp. Salleri is 270 Km far from Kathmandu following the NH03 Highway. Although the distance does not sound long, however the hilly road, lots of potholes, and without highway discipline the journey useably takes about 9 to 10 hours from Kathamndu on 4WD. Above all this overland journey towards Lukla and everest will be the best as it passes through the untouched Sherpa culture of Nepal. You only have 2 option to reach Phaplu. 1. By flight from kathmandu and 2. By road weather private 4WD or public sharing jeep, which roughly takes 9-10 hours with few brunch breaks on the way.
2. How do I reach Salleri, the starting point of the trek?
There are two main ways to reach Salleri:
- By Air: Fly to Phaplu Airport and take a short drive to Salleri.
- By Road: Take a direct bus or jeep from Kathmandu to Salleri. While this option is more affordable, it takes longer (8–10 hours).
3. Is prior trekking experience required for this trek?
While prior trekking experience is not mandatory, it is beneficial. This Everest Base Camp Trek involves average hiking hours but in significant altitude gains. Following the best Itinerary from Trekking Trail Nepal, Everest Base Camp Trek without flight does not need any prior trekking experience. However average physical fitness with active lifestyle with hiking and running will surely enhance your experience.
NOTE: Trek is easy part, the most difficult section is the long driving journey from Katmandu to Tham Dadnda. If you are not used to for over landing in mountainous region please book the private 4WD jeep for more comfort and flexibility.
4. How long does Everest Base Camp trek take to complete?
Everest Base Camp Trek without flight can complete in 13 days, if we count the days from Phaplu to Phaplu, while the complete package is available of 17 or 18 Days. In this 18 days, 2 days are arrival and departure, 2 days for acclimatization, 2 days drive between Phaplu-Kathmandu, Kathamndu-Salleri, and 11 days hiking up to base camp and back, and 1 day is for relaxation in Kathmandu.
5. How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek via road ?
This trek is considered moderately to difficult, similar as the classical Everest Base Camp Trek. If we remove the steep ascent and knee breaking downhill, this trek is moderate difficulty grade. Similarly if we consider bustling and turning off-road drive and high altitude, Everest Base Camp Trek without flight comes under a mild difficult trek category.
5. Is it necessary to hire a porter for this trek?
As per the law of Nepal, all trek must be done with trained guide. However this is not mandatory to have a porter. Having porter for Everest Base Camp Trek without flight by road gives you freedom to enjoy the best of Everest Region in comfortable and peaceful mind. Trekking Trail Nepal strongly recommend you to have a porter who cares you luggage app to 24 kg, normally 1 porter is best for 2 hikers.
Are you ready for Everest Base Camp Trek without flight?
Want to test you upper limits via exploring the region of world highest mountains base camp and the mighty himalaya. Book your Everest Base Camp Trek by Road without Flight today and experience an adventure of a lifetime.
Contact us:
Email: info@trekkingtrail.com
WhatsApp: +9779818008337
