Come on the adventure of a lifetime in Nepal with Sari!
On October 16th, join Sari (the face behind @irishontherun) on a once-in-a-lifetime 16-day Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal. This tour is for anyone who wants a real challenge, a sense of achievement, and the kind of trip that changes you – all while doing it in a supported, organised way with a brilliant group of people.
We’ll start in Kathmandu with a few days to settle in, explore Nepal’s most important cultural and religious landmarks, and get fully prepped before heading into the mountains. Then it’s time for the iconic journey into the Khumbu region: flying into Lukla and trekking from teahouse to teahouse through Sherpa villages, suspension bridges and mountain valleys, with acclimatisation days built in to help your body adjust safely.
The build-up is unreal, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and then the big moments: walking to Everest Base Camp and waking up early to climb Kala Patthar for sunrise views over Everest and the surrounding peaks (weather permitting). After the trek, we return to Kathmandu for a well-earned reset: hot showers, comfy beds, good food, an opportunity to get out of our hiking gear and a proper final night together before heading home.
If hiking in Nepal has been on your list, this is the ultimate one.
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most iconic multi-day hikes in the world. Over 16 days, we’ll journey deep into the Khumbu region, trekking from teahouse to teahouse through Sherpa villages, crossing suspension bridges, and gradually gaining altitude as the landscape becomes more dramatic.
This trek is challenging, there’s no pretending otherwise, the distances each day aren’t crazy but the altitude and terrain make the last two days especially difficult, but it’s also incredibly rewarding and done in a fully supported way. With proper acclimatisation days built in, experienced local guides, and porters carrying the bulk of your gear, you’re free to focus on putting one foot in front of the other and soaking in the experience and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Nights are spent in traditional teahouses, and each day brings a real sense of progress and achievement.
Highlights Include:
- Guided sightseeing of Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- A guided tour of Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square
- Scenic flight into Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region
- Multi-day trek through the Khumbu region with acclimatisation days built in
- Staying in traditional teahouses along the trail
- Walking to Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
- Sunrise hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for panoramic Everest views (weather permitting)
- Sherpa villages, monasteries, suspension bridges, and glacial valleys
- Experienced local guides and porters throughout the trek
- Dinner in the highest Irish Pub in the world
- Return flights between Kathmandu and Lukla
- Time to rest and recover back in Kathmandu after the trek
- Operated with a strong focus on responsible and ethical trekking
Price
💲 EUR 2699 per person full price (twin/double sharing)
Inclusions:
✅ Airport pick up and drop off services by private AC vehicle
✅ 4 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on twin / double sharing basis with breakfast
✅ Private AC vehicles for sightseeing tours in Kathmandu
✅ English-speaking city guide in Kathmandu
✅ English-speaking trekking guide for the entire trek
✅ Necessary porters (one porter carries belongings of 2 people, up to 20kg total)
✅ Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
✅ Khumbu Rural Municipality permit
✅ All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
✅ Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) during the trek
✅ Return domestic flights between Kathmandu and Lukla (including airport taxes)
✅ Rescue support and first aid kits
✅ Insurance and equipment for Nepali staff
Exclusions
✘ International flights to Nepal
✘ Visas
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
✘ Tips for guides and porters
✘ Alcoholic & soft drinks
✘ Personal expenses (showers, charging devices, snacks, etc.)
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
When you land in Kathmandu, the team will meet you at arrivals and transfer you to the 4-star Hotel Barahi. Settle into your room, and later we will have a short welcome & informational chat with Sari and our trekking guides to go through some trip essentials, answer any questions, fill you in on what to expect and meet the group.
In the afternoon, we will go on a sightseeing tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), including:
- Hanuman Dhoka (Old Royal Palace)
- Kumari Chowk (House of the Living Goddess)
- Kasthamandap (House of Wood)
I recommend landing in the morning or mid-morning so that you can join this tour.
That evening, get to know the rest of your group over in a nice restaurant in Kathmandu. Dietary requirements will be accommodated.
Accommodation: Hotel Barahi, Kathmandu
Included meals: Welcome Group Dinner
Day 2: Explore Kathmandu
After breakfast, we will go on a guided tour of Kathmandu by private coach. Today is about getting a feel for Kathmandu and how life works here. We’ll spend the day learning about local customs, religious traditions, and the history that shapes daily life in the city. It’s a chance to understand Nepal a bit better before we head out of Kathmandu and into the mountains.
We will visit the following sights:
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world, sitting quietly along the Bagmati River just outside Kathmandu. From the riverbank, we’ll watch public cremation ceremonies taking place – something that’s a normal, deeply respected part of daily life here.
For many people, this is a powerful moment on the trip. It can feel confronting at first, but it offers a rare and honest insight into how life and death are understood in Nepali culture.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and a place where we can watch daily spiritual life. The enormous white dome and the Buddha eyes looking out in all directions make it instantly recognisable, but what makes it special is how it’s used. People come here to pray, walk meditative circles around the stupa, and spin the prayer wheels that line its base.
Because it’s surrounded by monasteries and homes, we’ll get to see monks, pilgrims, and locals going about their routines, which gives us a real sense of how Buddhism is lived day to day in Kathmandu. There are small coffee shops and restaurants here, as well as market stalls where we can buy souvenirs like Nepali prayer flags and have them blessed before our trek.
We will have lunch here (included) before our next stop.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is one of the best places to understand Nepal’s history and craftsmanship. This area was once the royal centre of the city, and many of the buildings you see today were built by skilled Newari artisans whose work still defines the look of the Kathmandu Valley.
As you walk through the square, you’ll see temples, courtyards, and former palace buildings sitting right alongside everyday life. Locals pass through, people stop to pray, and craftsmen continue traditions that have been around for generations. Visiting Patan helps put Nepal’s art, religion, and history into context in a way that’s easy to understand once you’re standing there.
The main attractions in Patan
a) Golden Temple
b) Kumbheshwar
c) Krishna Mandir
d) Jagat Narayan
e) Mahaboudha
f) Ashokan Stupa
g) Machchhendranath Temple
h) The Tibetan Camp
After our tour, we will return to the hotel and have some time for shopping and gear rental (this is something I can help with). Everything you could need gear wise, you can rent or buy for a fraction of the price (think North Face and Arc’teryx jackets for $30) so I recommend holding off and shopping in Thamel for great quality and priced hiking gear here. Except your hiking boots – wear these in well before! Back in the hotel that evening we will pack for our trek!
Accommodation: Hotel Barahi, Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Fly to Lukla + Trek to Phakding
Today we start the trekking portion of the trip. We’ll depart Kathmandu on a flight to Lukla, to take a short flight into the mountains. Lukla is a small trekking town with tea shops, lodges and stores — and it’s where the Everest region adventure begins.
From Lukla, we’ll follow the trail along the Dudh Koshi river on a gentle route with a few ups and downs, passing mani walls and small villages as we make our way to Phakding.
Accommodation: Tea House (Phakding)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar
We’ll continue deeper into the Khumbu region today, crossing suspension bridges and moving through small villages as the valley narrows. After we stop at the National Park entry point, the trail becomes more dramatic — and we begin the steep climb up to Namche Bazaar.
If the weather is clear, we may get our first glimpse of Everest on the ascent, before arriving in Namche — the main hub town of the region, surrounded by mountains on three sides.
Accommodation: Tea House (Namche Bazaar)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Acclimatization Day in Namche
Today is a rest and acclimatisation day, which doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means doing the right amount so your body adapts to the altitude. We’ll take an acclimatisation walk to Sagarmartha Next, an inspiring community-led recycling and sustainability initiative located in Namche Bazaar, the heart of the Khumbu region.
Sagarmatha Next was created to address one of the Himalaya’s greatest modern challenges: waste management in a remote, high-altitude environment. With thousands of trekkers and climbers passing through the region each year, plastic bottles, packaging, and discarded gear can quickly accumulate. Sagarmatha Next works directly with local communities to collect, sort, and recycle waste, transforming it into usable materials while promoting long-term environmental responsibility.
The views of the big peaks are incredible if the skies are clear.
The afternoon is for warm drinks, a slow wander around Namche, and a relaxed evening before we continue higher tomorrow.
Accommodation: Tea House (Namche Bazaar)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek to Tengboche
We’ll leave Namche and follow a scenic trail with some of the most iconic views of the trek — Ama Dablam, and on clear days, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. After descending to the river at Phunki Tenga, we begin a steady climb through forest to reach Tengboche.
Tengboche is famous for its monastery and its sunset views. It’s one of those places where you can’t quite believe you’re actually there. Tengboche is home to one of the best bakeries in the Himalayas, a slice of red velvet cake and a hot chocolate go down so well after this tough day of hiking.
Accommodation: Tea House (Tengboche)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche
We continue higher into the Imja Valley today. The landscape starts to shift, fewer trees, more open views, and a more “high mountain” feel. We’ll pass through villages and stone-walled fields, with Ama Dablam towering nearby.
Dingboche is a beautiful settlement with big mountain backdrops and a calmer pace. Tonight is a good time to properly rest, hydrate, and get cosy.
Accommodation: Tea House (Dingboche)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche
Another important acclimatisation day. We’ll do a short hike to help your body adjust — with options that offer incredible panoramas of peaks like Ama Dablam and views toward Island Peak in the distance.
The rest of the day is for eating well, resting, and enjoying the atmosphere of the mountains, tomorrow we push higher again. There is another amazing cafe here that does great coffees and all types of baked goods.
Accommodation: Tea House (Dingboche)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek to Lobuche
We’ll head north today with wide valley views and a real sense that you’re entering the high Himalayas now. The air is thinner, the pace is slower, and everything is about consistency.
We’ll pass Dugla and continue upward to the memorial area (a powerful, emotional part of the trek), before continuing on to Lobuche, tucked in near the morai
Accommodation: Tea House (Lobuche)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Everest Base Camp Day (via Gorakshep)
Big day. We’ll trek to Gorakshep first, then continue on to Everest Base Camp. The trail follows rocky moraine paths alongside the Khumbu Glacier. It’s a challenging day — but it’s also one of the most exciting days of the entire trip.
We’ll spend time at Base Camp soaking it all in and taking photos, then return back to Gorakshep for the night.
Accommodation: Tea House (Gorakshep)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Sunrise at Kala Patthar + Trek Down to Pheriche
Early start for Kala Patthar — the best viewpoint for a panoramic view of Everest (weather permitting). This is one of those moments you’ll remember forever: cold air, sunrise light, and the biggest mountains in the world in front of you.
Afterwards we descend, stopping back through Gorakshep and continuing down to Pheriche where you’ll feel the oxygen returning and the body relax again.
Accommodation: Tea House (Pheriche)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek Back to Namche Bazaar
Today is a longer trekking day, but the good news is: we’re descending. We’ll retrace the trail through familiar villages and suspension bridges, with the scenery opening up again as we drop in altitude.
Arriving back in Namche feels like coming back to civilisation, hair dressers if you fancy a blow dry, pharmacies, shops, restaurants and that buzzing trekking-town energy. It is also home to the highest Irish Pub in the world so we will have a break from the tea house food and have dinner in the Irish Bar. They do epic pizzas and lasagne.
Accommodation: Tea House (Namche Bazaar)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Trek to Lukla
Our final trekking day. We’ll head back down the valley toward Lukla, taking our time and soaking up the last of the trail. There are a few short uphill sections, but overall it’s a satisfying “we did it” kind of day.
Tonight is a lovely chance to celebrate with the group and thank the guides and porters who made the trek possible.
Accommodation: Tea House (Lukla)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Fly Back to Kathmandu
We fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu (via the domestic airport process), then transfer back to Hotel Barahi. After days on the trail, this feels *so* good: proper showers, comfy beds, and a relaxed evening back in the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Barahi, Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Free Day in Kathmandu
A full free day to do Kathmandu your way: shopping, cafés, temples, massages, resting, or a final meal somewhere amazing.
Today includes the massage of your choice at a local spa in Kathmandu.
However, we may need to use today as a buffer day in case of flight delays from Lukla (which can happen due to mountain weather).
Accommodation: Hotel Barahi, Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 16: Depart Kathmandu
Time to say goodbye. Breakfast is included at the hotel, and we’ll arrange airport transfers for your flight home.
Included meals: Breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will be in the group?
The group size for this tour is 14 people; Sari and 13 guests.
How fit do you need to be for the Everest Base Camp trek?
The Everest Base Camp trek is a high-altitude trek with multiple long trekking days (often 5–7 hours), and some tough sections at altitude where everything feels harder. You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you do need a solid base level of fitness and the ability to keep going day after day.
Here’s what’s recommended:
- Walking Endurance: Being comfortable hiking for several hours at a steady pace, including sustained uphill and downhill.
- Stamina: Altitude makes everything feel more intense. Cardio fitness helps you cope better, even if you normally feel “fit” at sea level.
- Preparation: Regular hiking (ideally with elevation), plus some leg strength work and time on your feet will make this experience far more enjoyable.
I’ll provide a training plan after you book, so you’re not guessing what to do to prepare.
How high is Everest Base Camp, and will I feel the effects of altitude?
Everest Base Camp sits at 5,364m (17,598 ft) and Kala Patthar (the viewpoint) is 5,545m (18,192 ft). Most people feel altitude effects on this trek — even if mild — because we’re well above 4,000m for several days.
We manage this with a proper acclimatization schedule, slow pacing, hydration, and guides who monitor the group. If you’re concerned, you can speak to your doctor about altitude medication before the trip.
Do I need any special permits for the trek?
Yes — you’ll need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Rural Municipality permit. These are included in the price and arranged for you.
What kind of accommodation and food can I expect on the trek?
You’ll stay in traditional “teahouses” which are simple lodges offering basic rooms and meals. The bedrooms are usually very small, the shared bathroom facilities are often outside and meals are served in a communal dining hall. Check out my story highlights from EBC, I documented most of our meals and tea houses so you can see what to expect. Most of our tea houses were basic, but very comfortable and tasty food with huge menus. Here is a post which describes teahouses, with photo. Tea Houses also give us the opportunity to connect with locals directly as teahouses are run by locals and located in villages.
Will I have cell service or internet on the trek?
If you get a local sim card, you will have intermittent internet access on the tour. We can help you get one of these upon landing. However you will not have guaranteed reception for the entirety of the trip.
Are there bathrooms and showers along the trek?
Yes, most teahouses have basic shared bathrooms. Some of the tea houses will have ensuite rooms and western toilets. Hot showers are available for a small fee, though they may not be available at every stop, especially the closer we get to basecamp. You can find Western-style toilets in city areas and most of the tea houses. Along the trek where we stop for lunch and toilet breaks during the day will mostly provide basic squat toilets, often in simple outdoor structures. You may or may not find toilet paper. So, it’s better to take your own.
Do I need to carry all my own gear?
The tour will provide porters for the trek. One porter can carry the belongings of 2 persons up to 20 kilograms during the trek. If you would rather not use a porter, you can carry a small backpack of your own belongings.
Porters will not cost extra, as their fees are included in the price. I have specifically chosen a company that pays their guides and porters well, but tipping porters at the end of the trek is customary and appreciated, but not mandatory.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. You will need to submit your insurance documentation at least 45 days before departure. I have a great recommendation for insurance that I used for past treks, I’ll send that to the group.
Do I need trekking poles?
Trekking poles are optional but can be very helpful, especially on steep descents (and you’ll have a lot of descent days on EBC). They reduce impact on your knees and can help with balance, particularly if you’re carrying a daypack.
What should I pack?
A full packing list will be sent to you once you book on the tour. You’ll need mostly hiking boots or trekking trainers, warm layers, and a good down jacket (especially for the higher altitude nights). I also have a great company that I used for rentals on past tours – so you do not need to buy everything.
What will the weather be like during the trek?
Weather depends on the exact October window, but in general October is one of the best months for Everest Base Camp: cooler temperatures, crisp mornings, and often very clear mountain views. Nights at higher altitudes will be cold, so warm layers are essential.
What is the payment and deposit structure for this tour?
To secure your place on the tour, payments are made in instalments rather than one large upfront payment. The standard payment structure is as follows:
- 15% deposit — at time of booking
- 30% payment — April 15th
- 30% payment — July 15th
- 25% final payment — September 4th
If you’d prefer a different payment schedule, you’re welcome to email us to request a custom payment plan, as long as the full balance is paid no later than 6 weeks before the tour begins.
What is the cancellation policy for the tour
We know plans can change, so we’ve kept our cancellation policy clear and fair:
- To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of 15% is required at the time of booking.
- Your final balance is due 6 weeks before departure.
If you need to cancel:
- 12+ weeks before your trip: You’ll only lose your deposit
- 8–11 weeks before your trip: 50% of your trip cost is non-refundable.
- 4–7 weeks before your trip: 75% of your trip cost is non-refundable.
- Less than 4 weeks before your trip: Unfortunately, no refund can be given.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Yes. Most travellers require a visa. Full details will be sent 45 days before departure.
Can dietary requirements be catered for?
Yes, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, the lodges and restaurants we work with can accommodate dietary needs. Please let us know in advance so we can make arrangements.
Travel insurance is required to protect you in case of illness, flight cancellations, or other unexpected events.
