Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek - 23 Days

Passport & visa requirements

All visitors to Nepal (except Indian nationals) require an entry visa. Please make sure you have a visa to cover the entire length of your trip, including buffer days. A 30-day visa adequately covers the trip duration for most of our packages, including the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trekking package.

A visa can be acquired at your local Nepalese Embassy or consulate, or on arrival in Kathmandu. However, some Asian and African nationalities are required to obtain a visa in advance. It is better to obtain the visa prior to your arrival to avoid delays at the airport. The visa is valid for 6 months.

On-Arrival Visa Fee:

Multiple entries 15 Days – 30 USD

Multiple entries 30 Days – 50 USD

Multiple entries 90 Days – 125 USD

Note: It is advisable to carry some cash (in US$ or other major currencies) to pay for the visa fee. Traveler’s cheques are not accepted.

Click here to stay updated on any changes in rules and regulations.

Click here to download the online visa application.

Please make sure the validity of your passport is 6 months after your arrival in Nepal. We recommend that you keep with you a photocopy of your passport, separate from the original, to help you in case you lose your passport. It is mandatory to carry your passport on the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek with you, as it is required for internal flights.

Food on the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

The package of Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek includes one course each of breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a cup of tea/coffee. Most of the teahouses on the trail (with the exception of more remote ones) offer some variety of Nepali, Oriental, and Western cuisine.

Breakfast options include cereals (oat porridge, muesli, cornflakes, roasted barley or wheat flour), bread (toast, sandwiches), pancakes, eggs, and chapatti (Indian-styled wheat bread).

As for lunch and dinner: dal-bhat (staple Nepali food comprising a set of steamed rice, vegetable curry, and lentil soup), hashbrowns, mashed potatoes, noodles, dumplings, spaghetti, soup, and pizza, among others.

Breakfast and dinner would be served at the lodge/teahouse where we stay overnight. We would stop for lunch at one of the teahouses between the day’s trek. After dinner, some fruits will be provided.

Your guide can advise you on the best diet to maintain a sound health and fitness level during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek. If you have a special dietary requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.), please communicate it to your guide so that necessary arrangements can be made. Additional orders would attract extra costs payable directly to the respective lodge.

It is worth noting that most of the places on the Everest Base Camp trek via Jiri are deprived of electricity, and they do not have proper refrigeration facilities. Therefore, it is recommended that you maintain a vegetarian diet during your trek as the meat available may not be fresh.

As transport of supplies to the mountain lodges and teahouses involves considerable manual labor and costs, trekkers are expected to be extra careful to keep wastage of food to a minimum.

Drinking Water on the Trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri

While on the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek, please drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration while on a trek can lead to fatigue and other unpleasant experiences that can take the fun out of trekking.

It is advisable to drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water a day, mostly during the daytime. Please carry a water bottle along and some water purification pills, which can be bought at the shops in Thamel. You may refill your bottles at the lodge or at natural water sources.

Please, only fill in places that your guide recommends as safe. Also, please make sure you purify it before drinking. If available, you can also buy bottled water at the lodges where you stay. Please note that the cost of bottled water increases as you reach higher. It may cost from USD 1 to around USD 4 per 1-liter bottle.

How often to drink water?

Drink half a liter of water as you wake up on an empty stomach. You can have another half-liter within an hour of waking up. When you start the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trekking, have regular sips of water in brief intervals before you experience dryness in your mouth.

Your water intake while trekking should be 1.5 to 2 liters. When you feel tired, take a break and hydrate. When you reach your campsite, have a liter of water in small breaks.

Nepalese Currency for personal (extra) expenses

It is advisable for you to carry extra cash for your personal expenses during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek. As far as possible, please carry the cash in Nepalese rupees from Kathmandu itself, so that you get a fair exchange rate.

The amount of money to carry with you depends on your personal spending habits. However, we suggest you carry cash in Nepalese rupees equivalent to USD 15 to 20 per person, per day.

Health and safety concerns during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

When it comes to offering a fulfilling Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek or a safe one, we tip a little in favor of safety. As you ascend higher, chances are, you may be affected by altitude sickness (also, Acute Mountain Sickness).

We strictly follow certain safety guidelines that ensure a gratifying, but more importantly, safe trek for our guests.

Although the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek itinerary itself has been designed to allow your body 2 days of rest and acclimatization in appropriate intervals and the average walking hours have been set at a comfortable 5-7 hours a day, we do take extra precautions to avert any health issues during and after the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek.

Our experienced trekking guides are also trained in ‘Mountain sickness and first aid’ and know how to prevent mountain sickness and also act in case of emergencies.

Pre-trek check-up before trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri

We urge you to get yourself medically examined before taking on the Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri. Please make sure you are cleared by your doctor to make this trip, which involves flying, hiking, and trekking.

If you are given a conditional clearance or have a special medical condition (asthma, and others) or allergy that may be induced in specific conditions, be sure to let us know in full detail so that we can plan accordingly.

Physical Fitness Required for the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekking

Although the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek is not technically challenging, prior experience of an altitude hike/trek is preferred. A good level of mental and physical fitness needs to be developed and maintained. It is advisable to train your body at least two months prior to the trek with cardiovascular workouts.

Practice hikes with a pack of weight roughly equivalent to your actual pack would be really helpful. While on the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek, do not let your determination wither, and maintain a positive attitude at all times.

Altitude Sickness During the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness can be triggered in high altitudes (generally higher than 2400m/7874ft) where there is less oxygen than in lower altitudes. It happens when you ascend to a great height in a short time before your body can adjust to the change. So you need to be careful during the trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri.

Symptoms that take anywhere between 6 hours to a few days to develop include severe, persistent headache, coughing, pressure in the chest, shortness of breath even while at rest, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and others.

The illness may cause a medical emergency, especially when the condition worsens to high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

AMS DO’s

• Stay hydrated. Drink frequently in small quantities before the onset of common symptoms of dehydration, which include thirst, dry lips, nose, or mouth, headache, and fatigue.
• Make sure you eat well, ensuring at least a light meal (soup or others) when you lose your appetite, which is a common occurrence in high-altitude regions.
• Follow your guide’s instructions and monitor your body’s responses to the cold and altitude.
• Acclimatize properly and take rest days when necessary.
• Stay clear of smoking and alcohol consumption at all costs.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Take a first aid kit containing medication for altitude sickness and other common illnesses.
• Medication like Diamox may be taken prior to the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek upon consultation with your physician.

AMS DON’Ts

• Do not climb up too high, too quickly. Avoid walking at a hurried pace, and do not ignore your rhythm of breathing. Slow and steady with calm breathing is the way to go.
• Do not overcommit yourself, which might risk altitude sickness or injury.
• Do not wander away without your guide’s knowledge.
• Do not skip your meals.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp Distance

The actual distance from Jiri to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) round trip.

Breakdown of Jiri to Everest Base Camp Distance:

• Jiri to Shivalaya (1770m/5807ft): 5–6 km
• Shivalaya to Bhandar (2190m/7185ft): 7–8 km
• Bhandar to Sete (2520m/8267ft): 10–11 km
• Sete to Junbesi (2700m/8858ft): 11–12 km
• Junbesi to Nunthala (2194m/7198ft): 17–18 km
• Nunthala to Bupsa (2340m/7677ft): 14–15 km
• Bupsa to Chheplung (2660m/8727ft): 14–15 km
• Chheplung to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11286ft): 12–13 km
• Acclimatization at Namche (Everest View Hotel hike): 4–5 km
• Namche to Tengboche (3870m/12696ft): 9–10 km
• Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m/14468ft): 11–12 km
• Acclimatization hike: 4–5 km
• Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m/16108ft): 8–9 km
• Lobuche → Gorakshep → EBC → return to Gorakshep: 12–13 km
• Gorakshep → Kalapatthar → Pheriche (4240m/13910ft): 13–14 km
• Pheriche to Tengboche (3870m/12696ft): 8–9 km
• Tengboche to Monjo (2835m/9301ft): 12–13 km
• Monjo to Lukla (2840m/9317ft): 9–10 km

Electricity and Charging of your Devices on the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

Some of the lodges in the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek (in more remote areas) are powered by solar panels, and the energy supply is limited. You may be required to pay a minimum price (USD 1 to 3 per full charge) for charging cell phones and other electronic devices, which will be directly collected by the lodge owner.

Internet on the Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri

Local mobile network operators like Ncell and NTC offer limited coverage along the trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri. You can avail of a local SIM for as low as NRs. 100 (less than 1 USD) with limited validity and internet data volume.

On average, NRs. 100 to 500 would take care of your internet usage for the duration of the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trekking. Internet via the SIM network generally works fairly well at Lukla, Namche, and Gorakshep. If you’re not taking the local SIM, you can buy Everest link cards at Lukla or Namche for internet connection with fair coverage at the teahouses in Lukla, Namche, and a few others. It would cost you around USD 10.

Additional/Special Gears for the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

A good quality sleeping bag and down jacket would be required to withstand the drop in temperature at high altitude on the Everest Base Camp trek via Jiri. A minimum rating of -15 °C (5°F) would be advisable for the gears.

Access Nepal offers the option of free borrowing of a decent quality sleeping bag and down jacket. These are rated up to -20 C (68 F). The gears are checked thoroughly for quality and cleaned after each usage.

Please let us know in advance once you have booked your trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri with us, to enable us to arrange one for you. Also, please remember to return them once you are back from your Everest Base Camp trek via Jiri.

Stay with the group

Always walk in a group during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek. The guide will try to stick around with everyone. However, there is a possibility that some people walk faster than others. If that is the case, he shall be walking in turns with the participants. The rest of the group will be accompanied by the porter/s or an assistant guide in a bigger group.

Insurance for the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

To ensure a safe and secure trekking experience to the Everest Base Camp via Jiri, it is highly recommended to obtain travel insurance. As you embark on your journey, you may face various challenges like altitude sickness, harsh weather, accidents, and flight cancellations.

By purchasing travel insurance, you will have coverage in case of any unforeseen events and enjoy a worry-free trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri. Specialist travel insurance would be required to guarantee you are adequately insured.

In addition to covering medical expenses and trip cancellation, please ensure that all activities and destinations in the itinerary are included in your policy, specifically mountaineering or alpinism. Coverage in the event of emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment, and hospitalization in case of injury or death is mandatory.

At Access Nepal, we recommend that you do your own research to select the insurance company. A valid proof of your insurance certificate should be brought along during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek.

While we don’t have any affiliations with insurance providers, we’re happy to offer advice and assistance if you need help understanding your insurance policies or selecting an insurer.

Please note that the insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company, and we cannot be held responsible for any dispute between you and your insurance company. Failure to provide proof of insurance may prevent you from joining your program, and you wouldn’t be eligible for a refund.

Rescue/Evacuation situation during trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri

In the event of a rescue/evacuation situation during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek, your guide will handle the rescue situation in coordination with the base office. In case an evacuation situation arises, the helicopter companies are contacted immediately.

However, due to recent changes in regulations, rescue helicopters can only respond to a rescue call once the Guarantee of Payment (GOP) is received from the client’s insurance company.

It is therefore mandatory to carry with you a summary of your insurance policy containing the policy number and details, along with the Specialty Assistance (24/7) helpline number. Please, make sure you share the insurance policy information with us before you depart for the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek.

Disclaimer (Disruption due to Weather or other unforeseen conditions, Possible change in the itinerary)

We do our best to ensure the above Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is adhered to, but we cannot fully assure you of the same. The conditions in the remote Himalayan regions can be volatile and susceptible to unforeseen weather changes and natural disasters, rendering the existing trails unsafe and may also affect the health of the trekkers.

In case of any emergencies due to the aforementioned reasons or any other, you are requested to respect any decision that your team leader (guide) makes, which is in the best interest of your safety. We humbly request your full co-operation should such a situation arise during the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek.

Transportation During the Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri

Access Nepal arranges for your transportation to the trek start and end points as part of the package services for the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek. A private car with a professional driver is arranged for the transfers.

Flight Delays

Kindly note that the weather condition of both Kathmandu and Lukla is taken into consideration before all Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flights are given the green signal.

Delays of a few hours and even cancellations due to unsafe weather conditions and visibility are not uncommon. We request your patience in such circumstances. However, if possible, we can arrange for helicopter services if you are willing to pay for the extra cost.

We recommend that you arrange for at least a few extra days before your return flight. In the event of the flight being canceled prior to your trip, we will make arrangements for extra nights of accommodation in a hotel in Kathmandu for as many days as needed, the additional costs to be borne by the client.

If the unfavorable condition prolongs to the extent of affecting your Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek, you are welcome to select an alternative package in other areas of Nepal.

Please read the current arrangements for your Lukla flights and Ramechhap Airport.

Luggage Capacity for domestic flight

The baggage capacity for the domestic flight will be 15 kg in total, i.e.

Luggage:         10 Kg

Hand carry:     5 kg

Climate and Best Time to Visit Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trekking

While it is feasible to do the  Everest Base Camp trek via Jiri at any time, the most favorable times to undertake it are from March to May and September-end to November, when the weather is expected to be at its best.

The weather during these months is generally clear with bright sunny days, making for an ideal trekking condition. The temperatures during the day range from 15°C to 20°C, while at night, they can drop to as low as -15°C. However, the climate at higher elevations is highly unpredictable, and it can get quite cold and windy.

It is best to avoid the monsoon season from June to August, as the trails can be slippery and hazardous, and the views are often obscured by clouds and mist.