Mount Everest is the ultimate adventure for hikers, climbers, and mountaineers. Standing at 8,848m, it is the tallest mountain in the world and attracts intrepid climbers each year who want to brave the thin air, tough conditions, and gruelling ascent. For those who don’t want to potentially risk their lives, the Everest Basecamp Trek is another fantastic tour that immerses you in the gorgeous scenery of the Himalayas.
In this guide, we look at where to book your Everest Basecamp trek and provide a little info on what you can expect. This includes a handful of reputable tour operators that host this trek in 2021. Maybe this could be just the epic adventure you are looking for?
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a highly reputable tour operator. They have an established network of tour providers and experts. Also, they offer bespoke small-group travel tours throughout the world. Their tours cover the six continents including Antarctica, and they also have a range of Everest treks – including the Everest Basecamp trek.
Currently, their basecamp trek starts and finished at Kathmandu – it includes flights from the city to the starting point of Lukla and 15 days of action-packed adventure. Along the way, you will see some amazing sights and also ascent the Kala Patthar Summit. For accommodation, you will stop in traditional teahouses which are basic but provide shelter from the elements and unpredictable conditions.
This trek from Intrepid is great value and the maximum group size is 16 so its still a relatively intimate affair.
GAdventures
G Adventures is another reputable tour provider that operates in a similar manner to Intrepid Travel. I have used G Adventures twice – once for a three-week adventure to Antarctica, and once for a interesting journey through Jordan. Both were excellent trips and I cannot recommend G Adventures enough – a great company that also offers reasonable prices.
Aside from the Everest Basecamp trek, they give tours all over the world – from Greenland and Svalbard to Central America and Australia. Definitely give them a try! Aside from the boat tours, their packages are usually small-group excursions too which many people prefer.
Their Everest Basecamp trek is 15 days and starts and ends at the legendary Kathmandu. The initial days are spent at Namche Bazaar to help acclimatize to the high altitudes. After this, you get to travel to the basecamp and there are numerous optional hikes and excursions along the way. As with most basecamp treks, you will be stopping in teahouses and most of the time you will be sharing dormitories.
Exodus
Exodus Travel have a long history and are a celebrated travel company. They provide tours worldwide and have some amazing African safaris, and adventures in Central America. Currently, due to the pandemic, they are also offering a refund guarantee and a COVID-10 refund commitment which will give tentative travellers greater reassurance.
Their basecamp trek is 16 days long, and has group sizes of between 4 to 16. Its listed as a 5-rating or “challenging” in terms of physical fitness, so you need to be fairly capable and energetic! The price is a little more expensive than other trips, but we still feel for what you get, it’s great value.
The accommodation includes 3 nights in hotels, and the other 12 nights in traditional teahouses. Also, the two internal flights between Lukla and Kathmandu are included. During the trek, you will experience Sherpa culture and have amazing views of the Himalayas including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse. The tour has great reviews and it operates usually between the months of October to May.
Evertrek
Evertrek is a bespoke company that offers a myriad of exciting treks and expeditions. They have a small but experienced team who have a real passion and love for extreme travel and mountainous landscapes like the Himalayas. Their itineraries include Macchu Picchu, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Toubkal to name a few epic destinations.
Their Everest Basecamp trek is fantastic value, and for your money you get a 15-day adventure including flights to and from Lukla airport. During the season, they have regular departures and you should easily be able to get a space on one of their treks.
You will stop in traditional teahouses, and it also includes several nights in comfortable lodges in Nepal. We also like that this tour has some cool extras too. For example, it includes a welcome and farewell dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Bookmundi
If you want to compare different Everest Basecamp trek itineraries, Bookmundi has a great comparison section. Here you can see a myriad of basecamp treks through third-party providers – some of which may indeed be other operators we have listed.
This makes it incredibly easy to look at the different prices for specific departure dates. The site is also informative and has a great layout so you can quickly look at the overview of each trek and what to expect. Bookmundi also offers similar services and tour comparisons for locations around the world.
Adventure Consultants
Adventure Consultants are one of the best-known operators for adventure trips, expeditions, and hiking. They specialize in treks and offer tours to locations like the European Alps, New Zealand, Polar treks, and of course Himalayan treks. You can rely on their expert knowledge and the tours they provide have fantastic value for money.
Their basecamp trek is actually a little longer than others at 18 days and isn’t that much more expensive. You will depart from, and return to Kathmandu, and the price also includes flights. The trek continues across the Khumbu Valley on well-trodden Sherpa trails. For accommodation, you will stop in traditional teahouses.
Interestingly enough, this trek also includes time in Kathmandu and you will meet your tour group in this city and get to explore this mesmerizing place. If you want to take this tour with true experts and enjoy a little longer time in this region, the Adventure Consultants basecamp trek is a fantastic choice.
Why is the Everest Basecamp Trek Popular?
Unfortunately, not everyone is fit enough to ascend to the top of Mount Everest. It is a grueling climb and one of the most difficult and dangerous mountain climbs in the world. Each year, Everest claims many lives and it can be treacherous.
If you don’t want to summit Everest, but still want to experience the sublime landscapes of the Himalayas, the Everest Basecamp Trek provides a fantastic alternative. The two base camps are located at 5,364m (South Base Camp in Nepal), and 5,150m (North Base Camp in Tibet) respectively. As a result, you are right up in the ceiling of the Himalayas. You can of course see the monumental Mount Everest too.
Aside from the spectacular scenery, the Basecamp Trek gives you great insight into Sherpa life, the different routes they take, and how the basecamp operates in preparation for ascents to the summit of Everest. It’s a fascinating journey and a great accomplishment in its own right. You do also still need a decent level of physical fitness and some minor training – but nothing too intense!
Plan Your Ultimate Adventure Today and Venture to the Himalayas
If you are looking for your next adventure, why not embark on a truly epic trip and embrace the Everest Basecamp Trek? Whilst you will not summit Mount Everest, you will still see it revealed in all its glory. Moreover, you will venture into the heavens and witness one of the most dramatic and memorable mountain landscapes in the entire world! Alternatively, for something less extreme, check out our guide on the most epic walks in the UK!