Overview
About Sliabh Hiking
Sliabh Hiking was founded by April Brophy in 2022. The Sliabh ethos is all about embracing the beauty of the mountains, getting closer to nature, meeting new people and learning new skills along the way.
The Sliabh Hiking Community has grown as a supportive and safe space that welcomes all levels to join along adventures in the hills.
Their mission is for people to enjoy the hills, push themselves a little further on adventures and be part of an outdoor community that brings nothing but smiles and joy.
Trek to Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Our Everest Base Camp trek is a 16-day expedition through the spectacular Khumbu Valley to the foot of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
Across 13 days on the trail, you’ll follow one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes. Along the way, you’ll stay in locally run, traditional tea houses and experience life in the Sherpa communities of the Everest region, with incredible views of peaks including Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest itself.
You don’t need previous high-altitude trekking experience to join. With a good level of fitness, consistent training and the right preparation, Everest Base Camp is an achievable goal for first-time high-altitude trekkers as well as experienced hikers.
Throughout the expedition, you’ll be supported by our experienced Nepalese guiding team and a dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor.
In addition, our itinerary includes two dedicated acclimatisation days – one in Namche Bazaar and one in Pheriche – giving your body time to adjust to the altitude gradually.
The route reaches Everest Base Camp at 5,364m, with the option to trek to Kala Patthar at approximately 5,550m for one of the best-known views of Mount Everest.
Pre- and post-trek, we’ll also spend time in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, a melting-pot of ethnicities and a great contrast to the relaxed pace of life in the mountains.
Expedition Highlights
Reach Everest Base Camp – 5,364m
Stand at the foot of Mount Everest after an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Himalayas.
Optional Kala Patthar Trek – approx. 5,550m
Weather and conditions permitting, make the early-morning trek to Kala Patthar at 5,550m for one of the best panoramic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and the surrounding Himalayas.
Dedicated Expedition Doctor
A dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor travels with the group throughout the expedition, providing an additional layer of medical support at altitude.
Trek with Like-Minded People from Sliabh Hiking
This is a private group departure for Sliabh Hiking, meaning you’ll be in great company throughout.
Everest Base Camp Expedition Costs & What’s Included
The total expedition price is shown above.
Just pay a €399 deposit to secure your place. A part-payment of €1,000 is due six months before departure, with the remaining balance due three months before departure.
You can choose to pay the balance in instalments or in full.
Before You Go
- Pre-departure training weekend in Wicklow, Ireland
- An Earth’s Edge team jacket, buff and cap for you to keep
- Ongoing pre-departure support from the Earth’s Edge team
- Advice on training, equipment and preparing for altitude
In Nepal
- Highly experienced Nepalese Expedition Guide and mountain guiding team
- Dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor
- Internal flights between Ramechhap and Lukla
- Accommodation throughout the expedition, based on twin sharing in hotels in Kathmandu and in mountain tea houses during the trek
- All meals and drinking water as outlined in the itinerary, except in Kathmandu and Ramechhap where accommodation is based on B&B
- Celebratory dinner at the end of the expedition
- Planned group transport throughout the trip
- Airport transfers that match our recommended flights
- Required trekking permits
- Fully stocked expedition medical kit
Flights
Flights to Nepal are not included in the expedition price.
Travelling from Ireland? We’ll send you our recommended flight timings approximately 10 months before departure. These are designed to connect with our complimentary group airport transfers.
You are, of course, welcome to choose alternative flights that suit you better. Just make sure you arrive in Kathmandu in time for the expedition briefing on Day 1.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu.
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Arrive in Kathmandu and settle into your hotel before meeting the team for a detailed expedition briefing.
We’ll talk through the journey ahead, answer any last-minute questions and make sure everyone is ready to begin the trek.
Day 2
Transfer to Ramechhap. Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding (2,610m), 3 hrs trekking.
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We make an early transfer to Ramechhap Airport before taking the spectacular mountain flight to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region.
From Lukla, we begin trekking through the Khumbu Valley towards Phakding, following trails alongside the Dudh Kosi River.
Day 3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), 8 hrs.
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Today we continue through the valley, crossing suspension bridges and entering Sagarmatha National Park before beginning the long climb towards Namche Bazaar.
Weather permitting, we may get our first distant glimpse of Mount Everest along the way.
Day 4
Acclimatisation Day in Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
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Today is an important acclimatisation day.
Rather than simply resting, we’ll usually head out on an acclimatisation walk before returning to Namche Bazaar to sleep at the same altitude.
There will also be time to explore this bustling market town and enjoy the surrounding mountain views.
Day 5
Namche Bazaar to Phortse (3,950m), 5 hrs.
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Leaving Namche behind, we continue deeper into the Khumbu Valley towards Phortse.
This is a beautiful day on the trail, with impressive views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Day 6
Phortse to Pheriche (4,371m), 6 hrs.
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We continue higher into the mountains as the landscape becomes increasingly rugged and dramatic.
On a clear day, there are excellent views towards Everest and the surrounding peaks as we make our way to Pheriche.
Day 7
Acclimatisation Day in Pheriche (4,371m)
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Our second dedicated acclimatisation day gives your body more time to adjust before we move into the highest section of the trek.
We’ll usually take an acclimatisation hike before returning to Pheriche for another night.
Day 8
Pheriche to Lobuche (4,940m), 6 hrs.
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Today we climb higher towards Lobuche, passing the memorials dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives on Mount Everest.
By now the landscape feels distinctly high-altitude, surrounded by some of the biggest mountains in the Himalayas.
Day 9
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and Gorakshep (5,164m), 9 hrs.
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Today is the day! We start early and trek to Gorakshep, where we stop before continuing towards Everest Base Camp. From Gorakshep, it takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach Base Camp across rough, rocky glacial terrain.
After time to take in the achievement and enjoy the surroundings, we return to Gorakshep for the night.
Day 10
Kala Patthar (5,550m) and Trek to Dingboche (4,410m,) 10 hrs.
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Weather and conditions permitting, there is the option of an early-morning trek to Kala Patthar at 5,550m.
Kala Patthar offers one of the classic panoramic views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan giants.
We then begin our descent through the valley towards Dingboche.
Day 11
Dingboche to Tengboche (3,860m), 4 hrs
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We continue descending through the Khumbu Valley to Tengboche, home to one of the best-known monasteries in the Everest region, enjoying increasingly green surroundings as we lose altitude.
Day 12
Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), 4 hrs
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Today we descend all the way back to Namche Bazaar. After several days high in the mountains, you’ll have some time in the afternoon to relax, explore or pick up a few souvenirs.
Day 13
Namche Bazaar to Phakding (2,610m), 5 hrs
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We continue retracing our route through the valley, crossing the familiar suspension bridges and descending alongside the Dudh Kosi River towards Phakding.
Day 14
Phakding to Lukla (2,860m), 3 hrs
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Our final trekking day takes us back to Lukla.
With the walking complete, it’s time to relax and celebrate the end of an unforgettable journey through the Himalayas with our guiding and porter team.
Day 15
Fly to Ramechhap, transfer to Kathmandu
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We fly from Lukla back to Ramechhap and transfer by road to Kathmandu.
That evening, we’ll get together for a celebratory dinner and a final night as a group.
Start Planning Your Journey
Facts
Preparing for Your Everest Base Camp Trek - FAQ's
Is Everest Base Camp Suitable for Beginners?
Yes. You don’t need previous high-altitude trekking or mountaineering experience to trek to Everest Base Camp.
What matters most is having a good level of general fitness and being prepared to train consistently in the months before departure.
This is a sustained trek, with 13 days on the trail and several nights above 4,000m, so it shouldn’t be underestimated. However, we move at a steady pace and you’ll be supported throughout by our Nepalese guiding team and dedicated expedition doctor.
If you’re unsure whether Everest Base Camp is right for you, book a free consultation and we’ll talk it through with you.
How Fit Do I Need to Be?
We classify Everest Base Camp as a Level 4 expedition. You should have a good level of general fitness and be comfortable walking for several hours over hilly terrain on consecutive days.
Regular hillwalking is one of the best ways to prepare, alongside cardiovascular and strength training.
Your training weekend in Wicklow will also give you an opportunity to spend time in the hills before travelling to Nepal.
What About Altitude?
Altitude is one of the biggest challenges of trekking to Everest Base Camp. Base Camp itself sits at 5,364m, while the optional trek to Kala Patthar reaches approximately 5,550m.
Our itinerary is designed to allow your body to adjust gradually, with a steady rate of ascent and dedicated acclimatisation days in Namche Bazaar and Pheriche.
Our experienced Nepalese guides will set a steady pace, and a dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor travels with the group throughout the trek for additional medical support and peace of mind.
What Is the Accommodation Like?
During the trek, you’ll stay in locally run tea houses throughout the Khumbu Valley.
Tea houses are a classic part of trekking in Nepal. Accommodation is generally simple, with twin rooms and shared communal dining areas where trekkers gather in the evenings.
In Kathmandu, you’ll stay in hotel accommodation based on twin sharing.
What Should I Pack for Everest Base Camp?
You’ll experience a wide range of temperatures during the expedition, from relatively mild conditions lower in the Khumbu Valley to much colder temperatures above 4,000m.
You’ll need suitable trekking footwear and clothing, warm insulating layers and a sleeping bag, along with the other personal equipment outlined in our packing list.
See our full Everest Base Camp equipment list.
When Is the Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp?
The main trekking seasons in the Everest region are spring and autumn.
We schedule our Everest Base Camp expeditions between March and May and September and November, when conditions are generally best suited to trekking and there is a better chance of clear mountain views.
Mountain weather is always changeable, however, so you should be prepared for a range of conditions at any time of year.
Read Our Everest Base Camp Guides
Looking for even more advice?
Explore our Everest Base Camp guide for detailed information on training, altitude, equipment and what to expect on the trek.
