Everest Base Camp Trek on Horseback

Useful Information

Best Season for the Kala Patthar EBC Horse Riding Trek

As one of the most favorite trekking packages in Nepal, the EBC horse riding trek has some best seasons for riding. Without question, the best months for this amazing Everest Base Camp horse trek are from March to May and from September to November. Basically just before and just after the Nepalese monsoon season. During the spring season, meaning March to May the weather will be clear and the day temperatures comfortable. Every year many trekkers from across the world head out to the Everest trekking region during spring. After the monsoon during the fall season, September to November, the temperatures are a bit cooler but the views are incredible. The skies will be clear and it is no wonder that this is one of the high seasons for trekking in Nepal. The 15 days EBC horse riding trek can of course be done all year round, but Alpine Eco Trek strongly recommends doing this trek either in the spring or fall seasons to get the best experience and views.

Accommodation during the EBC Horse Riding Journey

As trekking in the Himalayas requires a lot of fitness, finding a good and comfortable resting place is of great importance. Accommodation during the riding trek is inclusive in the trekking package and our Alpine Eco Trek team makes sure that you get the best available accommodation during the trek, with great views of the Himalayas. The accommodations during the ride to Everest Base Camp are in simple and traditional guest- or teahouses. These have comfortable rooms fitted with 2 or 3 single beds, warm blankets, soft pillows and a comfortable mattress. Most of these teahouses have an attached bathroom but some use a sharing bathroom. On a note, we do recommend bringing a sleeping back as this gives extra warmth and is better for personal hygiene.

During horse trek, overnight will also take place in the big city Kathmandu, and while accommodation here is not inclusive in the package, our Alpine Eco Trek travel team would be more than happy to make reservations for you in one of the 4 or 5-star hotels. Just make sure to request this during your booking and note that the overall cost will increase depending on your choice of hotel in Kathmandu.

Meals during the EBC Horse Trek

A good diet and enough carbohydrates are necessary to reenergize our bodies while trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas, as so meals during the ride are included itself. Breakfast and dinner will take place at the local teahouses where we spend the night and lunch usually takes place on the trek at a local restaurant on the way or will be packed in the morning and enjoyed as a picnic. These meals during the trek differ from the major cities like Kathmandu, and trekkers have a wide choice of different delicacies varying from traditional Nepalese dishes to international dishes such as pizza or pasta.

Breakfast options:

• Gurung or Tibetan bread
• Chapati (dry bread) with cheese
• Oatmeal or muesli
• French toast with either jam, honey or peanut butter
• Eggs 3 ways: scrambled, fried or boiled
• Hashed browned potatoes
• Corn flakes
• Pancakes
• Seasonable vegetables

Lunch and dinner options:

• Nepalese dhal bhat (traditional cooked rice with lentil soup)
• Momo (a plate of Nepalese dumplings)
• Tibetan or Chapatti bread
• Thukpa (a steaming hot bowl of noodle soup)
• Yak steak
• Seasonable soups
• Rice with curry
• Sherpa stew (a delicious bowl of vegetable soup made with local wheat pasta)
• Sandwiches
• Steak
• Spring rolls
• Pizza
• Burgers
• Pastas

A good meal is not finished without a delicious dessert. Most teahouses offer homemade desserts varying per season. Some of our favorites are the homemade rice pudding known locally as khir or the freshly made apple pie. Of course, snacks and pastries can also be bought. To warm you up some hot drinks are also available such as black milk coffee or tea, hot fruit juices, and hot chocolate.

In order to better experience the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar on horseback, Alpine Eco Trek does advise not to drink any alcoholic drinks during the trip.

Drinking-Water

Riding in high altitudes can provide a lack of oxygen resulting in fatigue, as so it is very important to stay hydrated. Luckily there are a lot of drinkable water sources during the trip. Every shop in the Everest region has bottled mineral water for sale and along the trails, there will be a lot of fresh water sources and water taps to refill your water canteen. Although it might be easier to buy some bottles in the shops, Alpine Eco Trek does ask to refrain from buying bottles as these will end up in a landfill or being burned, destroying the environment. Instead, bring some water purifying tablets or a LifeStraw and refill your canteen where possible to stay hydrated.

Passport and Visa

Nepal, has a very easy passport and visa policy. Before you book any trip or trek to Nepal make sure that your passport has at least 6 months’ validity left from when you enter the country. The visa for entering Nepal can also be obtained upon your arrival in the immigration section of the airport, just before the baggage claim. Either bring a couple of passport size photos, to film in the visa application form or use the electronic visa kiosks. Upon Arrival Visa you can also get a visa application online from the website, or direct via a Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country. The visa cost can change yearly so it is always advised to check on the official governments department of immigration website. But the cost for a Nepalese tourist visa is 40USD for 30 days. Try to bring the currency in dollars otherwise, you might need to use one of the money exchangers at the visa application section.
Due to diplomatic relations nationals from China and India carrying a valid passport with at least 6-month validity, can enter the country gratis.

Travel Insurance

In order to trek in the mountains or Himalayas of Nepal, travel insurance is obligated. The country is beautiful and full of natural phenomena but trekking across rocky edges and slippery slopes can be dangerous. So to protect yourself and as an extra security a fully covered travel insurance for treks and mountain or adventure tours in Nepal. Make sure that your travel insurance policy covers at least the following: emergency helicopter rescue, illness, personal injury, medical evacuation and costs. Having a reliable travel insurance policy for the trip is how you keep yourself safe from the unknown. Make sure to send a copy to our Alpine Eco Trek team during your booking of any of our treks and tours, and to keep a copy on your person during the activity.

Packing List for the 15 days EBC horse trekking

In order to make your packing time smoother and easier Alpine Eco Trek has prepared a short packing list for the trip. Most items can be rented or bought within Kathmandu, Thamel.

Make sure to pack the following:

Clothing:

• A few pair of thermal underclothes
• Fleece jacket or pullover
• A wind and water proof jacket
• Down jacket
• 2 pairs of trekking pants
• Cotton trousers for hiking
• Mitten or woolen gloves
• Comfortable and warm hiking socks
• Trekking boots with spare laces
• Cap or scarf to protect from the sun

Gear:

• Standard trekking poles
• Water purification item(s)
• A sleeping bag
• Water canteen
• Toiletries
• A head light
• Washing towel
• Laundry bag
• A small lock for your backpack
• Personal medication

Having these items and clothing prepared you are officially ready for the incredible Everest Base Camp horse riding tour.

Safety and Satisfaction

For Alpine Eco Trek your satisfaction and safety is of top priority, and every trek we create a unique experience for you. For your safety and experience, we provide an experienced and charming Sherpa trekking guide. These mountain masters know every turn and bend of the entire region and will guide you safely to your destination. Our team is always ready to listen to your remarks about the trek or trip that you went with Alpine Eco Trek. This way we can always make sure to increase the satisfaction of our future trekkers.

Before the trek, the safety rules and regulations will be explained and should you get any difficulty during the trek our friendly guides are there to help you get through it.

Responsible Tourism with Alpine Eco Trek

With greenery and natural habitats of wildlife disappearing slowly every generation, responsible tourism is more important every year. The entire team of Alpine Eco Trek strongly believes in doing our part in support of responsible and sustainable tourism. While the local economies of entire communities depend on trekking trails and seasons, a lot of destruction and pollution happens when many people gather. Alpine Eco Trek is strongly against loitering and disturbing the local traditions and culture during any type of activity.  As so we ask all our trekkers and travelers to always:

• Respect the local people and their beliefs, customs or habits.
• Always keep it clean and green.
• Consult with your guide if you want to do something for the local communities.
• Being associated with KEEP, Alpine Eco Trek organizes eco-friendly responsible tours, hikes, and treks in Nepal.

Horse and Transportation during the Trip

A trip comes with a lot of planning and moving to remote places, as so renting horses and land transportation during the trip is provided by Alpine Eco Trek and is already included in your package. We arrange necessary horses and horsemen from Lukla and airport transfers in Kathmandu, and a 2 Way fly ticket to Lukla the gateway into the Everest upper region. Furthermore, if you want to book city tours, Alpine Eco Trek can arrange private vehicles with a tour guide if necessary, just inform our travel team during your booking.

Booking and Payment process with Alpine Eco Trek

To make your booking experience easier, the booking and payment process with Alpine Eco Trek is made simple. Any type of a booking can be done via our website or by email, and the payment process via bank transfer. A 10 percent deposit of the total price is required at least 15 days before arrival in order to book and reserve your permits, accommodation, transportation, and guide. The rest of the amount can be paid upon arrival with credit card or cash.

As a government authorized and registered trekking and adventure operator in Nepal, Alpine Eco Trek has been organizing adventures in Nepal for over two decades. For further reference, you can find us through our government register number: 1907/071. Alpine Eco Trek is also associated with various travel and trek organizations trying to improve the tourism sector in Nepal.

Last-Minute Booking

Having a last-minute decision to trek to Everest Base Camp? Now with Alpine Eco Trek, you can make a last-minute booking for the horse riding holidays to Everest Base Camp. This can be done one day prior to the start of the trip and the total payment should be made during the booking. Last-minute bookings can cost a bit more due to emergency permit applications and last-minute reservations. Do note that with Alpine Eco Trek last minute booking is not possible for any of our Tibet or Bhutan trips.