Short Everest Base Camp Trek

The Short Everest Base Camp Trek is basically the short version of famous Everest Base Camp Trek that has become quite popular nowadays. It includes all the most magnificent features of the Khumbu region but without having to undertake the entire 14 to 16 days trek that the traditional route contains, and this is good news for many people.

As for the target audience of this tour, it is very precise. This itinerary will suit people who have not much time but want to enjoy a real adventurous trip. This trek is perfect for working professionals, beginners with good fitness, and those who would love a Himalayan experience in a shorter period of time. Trust me when I say that if you can spare at least 8-12 days, then this trek is totally possible.

What is so different about the Short EBC Trek anyway? Well, in contrast to the regular trek, which goes all the way up to the Everest Base Camp located at 5,364 meters and other places like Kala Patthar, Gokyo lake, the short one only features some of the most spectacular places – usually reaching Namche Bazaar, Tengboche or even Dingboche, so as to give the trekkers breathtaking scenery and the thrill of reaching high altitude without too much trouble.

As you can see, the short Everest trek has become increasingly popular recently. People nowadays tend to seek experiences that are worth the money spent. This is exactly why so many people choose to go on the Short Everest Trek, which provides all the opportunities to explore the magic of the mountainous region while enjoying amazing scenery.

It is definitely a better option to view the Mount Everest if you have limited time and many people also start from this route, which helps them understand whether they will be able to make it to the next level in the future.

Why choose Short Everest Base Camp Trek?

One of the main reason people choose this short Everest trek is time. Short Everest Base Camp trek is designed to solve that problem. This way, trekkers will have a full experience of Everest within 8 to 10 days.

In terms of the itinerary, the trek includes everything that one would expect while visiting Khumbu region. From bustle Namche bazaar to sacred Tengboche monastery and view Everet, Nuptse and Ama dablam from Everest View Hotel. At the end of the trek, you will not feel like you have missed something.

One of the most brilliant things about the Everest Base Camp Short Trek Itinerary is the option to return via a helicopter service we provide. After completing the trek, instead of walking from the all the top to all the way back to Lukla, some trekkers choose to make the journey back by air which saves even more time and end the trip on a very memorable note.

Apart from making the return journey quicker, this trek is also much easier to prepare for. The reduced length allows trekkers to carry less equipment and reduce lower expenses for food, accommodation, and transport services.

In conclusion, the trek delivers far more than expected despite its relatively short duration.

Everest Base Camp vs Short Everest Base Camp Trek

Choosing between Everest Base Camp and Short Everest Base Camp Trek mainly depend on one question: How much time I have? Both are excellent choices but there are some factors that differs both of these from each other.

Duration

The standard Everest Base Camp Trek will take your around 14 to 16 days to complete the entire trek. While the Short Ebc Trek last between 8 to 12 days based on your plan and mode of transportation. For eg: if you choose the helicopter return option, you will finish even more early. During both treks, you will reach the base camp, but in the Everest Base Camp you will have to climb Kala Patthar for that stunning sunrise which add more days to the itinerary.

Cost

A regular trek to Ebc will typically range from $1300 to $1500 depending upon company, guide, itinerary and type of accommodation. A short Everest Base Camp trek will range between $700 to $1000.

Experience

The classis trek gives you acclimatization day as well as more time to immerse yourself in the Sherpa Culture. If we talk about Short Everest Trek, you need to understand that this is an active and challenging adventure. With limited to reach the destination without missing any important highlight of the trek, you need to walk more hours (like 7 to 9 hours) and even without any acclimatization day. It all depends on your physical fitness and your ability to adjust while you move forward.

Which is best for you?

If you have enough time and you really want to see the Everest Base Camp, go for the traditional route. On the other hand, if you’re a professional with a tight schedule or if you’re on tight budget go for the Short EBC route.

Best Time for Short Everest Base Camp Trek

For trekking in Nepal, there are mainly four seasons and depending on the season you want to trek greatly affect your trekking experience.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the perfect season for the Short Everest Trek for that crystal clear views, stable weather and blooming rhododendron along the route. It has very comfortable temperature at low altitude and manageable at the high altitude.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is another best season to do the Short Everet Trek because during this time the skies will be clear due to monsoon rain and everything will be very clear and fresh. This season offers the perfect visibility for the best view of the mountains, especially the early sunrise mountain view from the top viewpoint.

Winter (December to February)

Although winter trekking in the Everest is not easy due to extreme cold, it has its own uniqueness. During this time there will fewer crowded, peaceful trails, cheaper teahouses and clear view just for you. While the night can become quiet cold, especially after Namche, so definitely take more layered clothes.

Monsoon (June to August)

Most people avoid trekking during the Monsoon season due to the amount of rain that falls. There will zero visibility because of cloud, flight might be cancelled and there will be lots of leeches on the lower part of trail. So, I suggest all trekker to avoid this season, even though you get to see more greenery on the trail.

Accommodation and Meals on the Short Everest Base Camp Trek

The biggest advantages of trekking in Everest Region are that there are a lot of option for accommodation with proper meal throughout the entire trek. You will find tea houses offering accommodation where you can rest, eat and relax after a serious walk in rough terrain. One thing you need to remember is that the accommodation and the meal price increase as you go high up because they have to carry all the supply in their back or by yaks all the way to higher places which is fair enough to increase the cost.

Accommodation of the trail

The teahouses on the trail are mostly run by Sherpa family running their livelihood. In lower altitude like Namche, you will get a comfortable room with attached bathroom, warm blankets, facilities like charging and Wi-Fi. However, in higher altitude places like Gorakshep, the facilities become more limited where the rooms are very simple than before. Even though they offer sleeping bags, bring yourself a high quality for sleeping bag that can withstand negative temperature.

Meals on the Trail

The food menu on the teahouse is more diverse considering how far in the mountain they live. Here you can find dal bhat, pasta, noodles, fried rice, pancakes, soup, Tibetan bread and sometimes even pizza. The most suitable and appropriate meal would be dal bhat which is made from rice, lentis and some vegetable. Dal Bhat is the reason you can even walk on the trail because it provides great energy. For breakfast, the options are generally eggs, toast, porridge, or pancakes.

Tip from Someone Who Has Been There: Instead of drinking cold water, drink hot lemon or ginger tea during your stay. Hydration plays a very important role, and drinking warm drinks allows the body to adapt much faster to the altitude.

Permits Required for the Short Everest Base Camp Trek

There are two permits that should be arranged before the start of the trek. Both permits are compulsory and checked at several checkpoints. It’s better to get these permit a head of the trek to avoid any last-minute problem.

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit

This permit allows you to enter inside the Sagarmatha National Park, which cover the entire trekking area of the Khumbu including the Everest trekking trail. The permit cost is around $25 USD per person.

Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit

This is a local permit for the Khumbu region. The cost of this permit is $15 USD per person, and all the money goes into the local conservation and community development.

Both of these permits are included in the package, so we “Epic Trek Nepal” will assist you in getting them. You just keep the permits with you always because there are checkpoints on the way that will require you to show the permits.

Transportation option for short Everest Base Camp Trek

To begin the Everest Base Camp journey, every trekker being from Lukla, which can only be reached by either plane flight or helicopter ride. Here’s what you can choose for your transportation:

Kathmandu to Lukla Flight

This is the most popular choice to reach Lukla airport (Tenzing-Hillary) which take about 35 to 45 min from Kathmandu airport (Tribhuvan Internation Airport). Airlines such as Tara Air, Summit Air and Sita Air are responsible for the flight which cost around $510 for round trip.

Ramechhap to Lukla Flight

This is secondary option to reach Lukla. During peak season, when there are many trekkers, Nepal government redirect the Kathmandu to Lukla flight to Ramchhap to Lukla. This airport is 4 to 5 driving hours away from Kathmandu where the flight journey take place around 2 or 3 AM. Compared to Lukla flight from Kathmandu, this flight will be more punctual and hassle free. The cost of one-way trip for foreigners is about $190 and for whole round trip it cost around $380.

Helicopter Option

The helicopter is the most flexible transportation for the Short Everest Trek. Most people usually start their trek with an airplane flight and end with a scenic helicopter flight to go back. The price is around $500 to $1200 which also depends on the starting point and group size.

Safety Tips for the Short Everest Base Camp Trek

Short Everest Base Camp Trek sounds fantastic like you get to experience Everest region with minimum time but trekking at higher altitude with limited time require more attention than you expected. The first thing you need to remember is that this itinerary doesn’t include acclimatization day and that is why your health and safety should always be protected the entire time.

There is always threat of getting altitude sickness and it can happen to anyone who is not careful enough, which is why you should remember one main rule “climb high sleep low”. On top of that, you need to very focused on your body condition as there will be no room for mistakes here. In case you experience any symptoms of altitude sickness like headache, dizziness or nausea, inform your guide about what’s going on and if the symptoms keep on increasing, descend as soon as possible.

Staying hydrate is another factor to keep yourself away from altitude sickness. Most people, especially beginner doesn’t drink as much as they should, and it deteriorates the health rapidly. Trekkers should ensure to drink at least 4 to 5 hours of water daily and only purified water. Tap water may contain diseases which can create problem.

The weather in high altitude is very unpredictable and can changes instantly. What begin as a bright morning can end up begin a chilly snowstorm in the afternoon. So, packing proper warm clothes is essential to keep yourself warm.

Purchasing a travel insurance is a must for such trek due to unpredictable weather and rapid altitude gain on short Everest Base Camp Trek. Before purchasing, you need to ensure it covers high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meter and emergency helicopter evacuation.

Last but not the least, begin a responsible trekker will make sure that neither you nor the environment suffer any damage. Take all your garbage with you, always walk clockwise around the mani stones and stupas. Also, do not forget to take a first aid kit with necessary medications.

Final Thoughts on the Short Everest Base Camp Trek?

This Short Everest Base Camp Trek teaches us something that we need to know is that we do not have to spend months to feel something really memorable. This adventure can be completed within 9 days when you will walk across ancient Sherpa villages, cross well-known suspension bridges, sleep under the night sky high above sea level, and see the highest mountain on the earth with your own eyes.

So, if you have been waiting for just the right moment, well, this could be it. The mountains will not disappear anytime soon, but your chance at enjoying them may not last long enough for you to decide. Better plan your Short EBC Trek now and make that first step towards your ideal adventure.

Frequently Asked Question

How difficult is the Short Everest Base Camp Trek?

It is very difficult as it requires significant physical effort due to the increased distance being covered in a smaller number of days without the rest stops.

Can Beginners do this trek?

Yes! But you should know that this trek is not for someone that just know about trekking. Beginners will be able to complete the trek successfully as long as they are physically fit and they get used to walking and climbing steps before heading to Nepal.

What the duration of Short Everest Base Camp Trek?

The trek usually lasts somewhere between 8 to 12 days, depending on your itinerary.

Is travel insurance necessary?

Of course, it is absolute thing. You mainly need travel insurance for helicopter evacuation at altitude up to 6,000 meters because without insurance support the cost will be very expensive.

What is the highest point of the trek?

It depends on whether your short trek reaches the Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) or not because some treks only finish at the altitude of Ama Dablam Base Camp/Tengboche Monastery at 3,867 meters (12,687 feet).

Is the helicopter return included?

This totally depends on the package you choose. Usually, standard packages do not include the helicopter ride, while add on packages have their prices set with the standard price already paid upfront.