We can take between 10 and 35 trekkers on this trip, but would expect a group size of 10-20.

Trekking Everest Base Camp is all about endurance rather than speed. You'll be waking up early in the mornings and trekking for long distances each day so ensuring that you have a good level of fitness before you depart is key. Sticking to our training plan will really pay off. The best form of preparation is to walk for good lengths of time on undulating terrain, and where possible to follow this up with a similar length trek the next day. It is important that you train with the walking boots that you will be using on the trek itself and with your day pack on your back.

Trekking at altitude makes even the simplest tasks feel like hard work, and along with feeling cold and fatigued, there will be tough times for everyone. Our route allows for excellent acclimatisation to the altitude, with two acclimatisation days to allow you to trek higher than you sleep at important points on the ascent.

Symptoms of being at altitude include tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea. Altitude affects people differently and being super-fit is no guarantee of being less likely to feel the effects. Where a participant is suffering from the effects of altitude, it may be necessary to walk them back down the mountain. There is no way of predicting how you will feel at altitude, even if you have been at altitude before.

Our recommendations are to have trained properly, to not drink alcohol in the days leading up to the trip and to listen to your leaders/guides if they try to slow down the trekking pace. The slower you trek the more it helps fending off feeling poorly. A local guide will walk at the front of the group to set the pace. It is not a race - go at a steady pace, enjoy the scenery and the amazing experience! There is a lot of information about Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) in our document ‘The Effects of Altitude,’ so please have a good read.

In order to cover the cost of your place, you will need to individually raise the target. We do encourage teams to sign up, but each individual team member will be required to hit the overall target. 

You will need to be 18 prior to the departure of the trip.  If you are over 65, the only additional requirement is that you provide a medical certificate from your doctor confirming that you are fit and healthy to participate in the challenge.

Before the trip 

We will support you with both challenges of raising your sponsorship money and your training. We provide fundraising support, sponsor forms and publicity tips.

Our training plan will help you achieve the level of fitness you'll need and we'll keep in touch regularly to hear how you are getting on. We also organise a pre-event information morning which is a great opportunity to find out more about the challenge, meet fellow participants and share tips on fundraising and training.

On the trip 

You will be travelling with a UK mountain leader, experienced guides and support staff, and a UK doctor will be with you throughout the journey (for groups of 15+). All luggage is transported by vehicle to the next overnight stop. All you need to carry are the items you need during the day. These should be carried in a 15kg day pack.

Prepare for all weathers as you will experience a range of temperatures whilst trekking at altitude. It’s usually warm and dry at lower elevations, and very cold as we gain height. Never underestimate the power of the sun’s rays, even when it feels cold, there is cloud cover, or the wind is blowing. Please bring SPF30 as a minimum, preferably higher, along with lip salve with a high SPF too. The higher you trek, the more intense the sun’s rays get and risk of burning is increased. A sun hat and quality sunglasses are a must.

You will need to ensure that you have the vaccinations required for this trip prior to travel. You can find some guidance and information on the NHS Fit for Travel website. Always consult your local GP or travel clinic for the latest health advice, as they are aware of any updates in World Health Travel requirements.

Terrain is varied as the route lies through valleys, forest, barren stony slopes and high mountain passes; paths are generally very clear, though expect rough conditions underfoot. There are some steep drops and high suspension bridges. The trek is extremely challenging, not least because of the altitude at which we trek – this should not be underestimated. It’s much more useful when training to think about the hours you need to walk for, and the terrain, not the distance. There’s a reason this challenge is graded very tough.

You must have adequate travel insurance to take part in this trip. As his trip is at high altitude you will need to make sure that this is explicitly covered in your insurance. It is easy to obtain insurance that will cover you for altitude trekking but it often needs to be added on to your package.

You must let the tour operator have your insurance details by at least eight weeks before the departure date. Do also make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions otherwise your insurance company will not pay up should you need to make a claim.

You will be staying in a hotel at the start and end of your trek; expect a standard twin room with en-suite facilities. If you are travelling alone, you will be paired up with someone of the same sex and similar age. You can let us know nearer the time if you wish to share with a particular person. On trek, we stay in tea houses (similar to hostels) which are often very basic with shared facilities, but they provide an excellent base each night, and a great insight to Nepalese hospitality. You will need to take a sleeping bag, but mattresses are provided.

Do we bring our luggage in a normal suitcase?

Please bring your luggage in a soft bag or rucksack.

What are the transport arrangements for the group and our kit?

Private buses transport the group in and around Kathmandu and a small plane flies you into/out of Lukla where the trek starts and ends. Porters carry all luggage once on the trek, apart from your day bag. There are strict rules restricting the weight of the load a porter is permitted to carry, as explained below – see luggage allowance.

What is the luggage allowance?

Your main luggage limit on the international flight is usually 20kg (44lbs) with a 5kg (11lbs) allowance for hand luggage, however, your luggage limit for the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is 10kg (22lbs) with a 5kg (11lbs) hand luggage allowance. Your main toiletries, travel clothing and anything else that you do not require on the trek can be left in a separate bag at the hotel in Kathmandu, so bring something smaller to hold your extras in.

You will need to travel as lightly as possible as there is a weight limit on the trek itself and your main bag must not weigh more than 15kg (33lbs). Stick to the split kit list and you’ll manage that with no problems. Don’t forget that suitcases are not suitable, so soft rucksacks/kitbags only (with no wheels). Take only small bottles of toiletries, sun cream, and half a pack of wet wipes, for example. Doing a practice pack/weighing your bags before you leave home is very beneficial to make sure you will be able to stick to the limit.

The food is fresh and plentiful so make sure you eat well (it’s typical to lose your appetite at altitude, so you may have to make yourself eat at times). Above Namche, we are trekking in a valley the local people hold sacred; no animal can be killed there for food. As such, we only have fresh meat earlier in the trek. Expect porridge/muesli and toast/eggs for breakfast, while lunches are based around rice, noodles or potatoes. Some teahouses have limited cooking facilities, so to cater for the group in a reasonable time-frame, your cook will choose relatively simple dishes for dinner – usually rice, pasta or potatoes with vegetables; you are usually offered a choice. The food is tasty, full of energy and there is plenty of it, but it is carb-heavy for energy, and please do not expect the variety you would have at home.

Bring enough snacks to keep you going each day - around 3 - 4 tasty treats a day. We recommend a combination of slow and fast release snacks such as cereal bars (e.g. Tracker), flapjacks, salted nuts, chocolate bars such as Mars or Snickers, and a packet of sweets.
Bringing a combination of treats will keep you interested in snacking as consistent energy levels are very important. This trip is all about the calories as you may be expending around double your usual calorie intake!