The Everest Base Camp is one of the most iconic trekking adventures in the world and also probably the most frequented name on the bucket list of most adventure enthusiasts, and rightly so.
But this incredible journey requires meticulous planning and along with lots of choices that can leave you confused. One most important choice that you need to make here is regarding your trekking companion.
With hundreds of tour operators offering Everest treks, finding a reputable and reliable company can be overwhelming, especially for first-time trekkers. However, it is also important for your safety and enjoyment.
So, how to choose the best company for Everest Base Camp trek? This is the trickiest part, but worry not, we’ve got you. In this detailed blog, we’ll break down the things to consider while choosing the best company for EBC trek.
Things to Consider While Choosing Everest Base Camp Company
Registration and Licenses
The first thing that you need to make sure before signing up with any local company is whether or not the company is officially licensed and registered with the relevant government bodies.
The two main associations that you need to look for are the affiliations with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and with the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Sometimes, they are also affiliated with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Association with these bodies indicates that the trekking company for EBC is licensed to operate under the legal framework of Nepal and you are not getting scammed.
It ensures that the company adheres to industry standards and regulations. While you sign up with them, make sure to demand transparent business details including tax and VAT certificates for further confirmation.
Experience and Expertise in EBC Trekking
During your research, you might find that some trekking companies, although registered and licensed, are rather new. Now, while new companies can be good, it is best to opt for companies having longevity.
This longevity comes with stability, experience, and years of expertise in EBC trekking which can make your trek much more comfortable. Having operated treks in the region for years, these companies will have refined its operations over the years.
Look for operators who offer multiple itineraries in the Everest region even beyond the EBC trek, like Gokyo Lakes, Three Passes Trek, and helicopter return options.
These companies often have guides who know the trails inside out and can give you the best insights on seasonal conditions and local cultures. This can come in quite handy during the treks.
Quality of Guides and Porters
Your entire trekking experience solely depends on the kind of guides and porters that you will be trekking with. It is safe to say that the quality of guide and porter can make or break the trek.
Opt for trekking companies that hire local Nepali guides, when it comes to the EBC trek as nobody knows the Everest region like the locals do. After all, they are indeed the guardians of the Himalayas.
Their unparalleled knowledge of the terrain, weather patterns, local culture, and emergency routes is invaluable. They are often naturally more attuned to the environment.
Also, make sure that the guide is government licensed, highly trained and certified in first aid, recognizes altitude sickness and knows how to deal with it, and knows certain emergency procedures.
Their communication skill should be top notch, and they should be well versed in English for better communication. Also inquire about the guide to client ratio while you are at it. The smaller it is, the better attention you will get on the trek.
When it comes to porters, you need to make sure that the trekking company treats the porters well.
Porters should be properly insured, well paid, well equipped with their personal trekking gear, and limited to safe weight loads which is maximum 25 kg. Anything beyond this should not be allowed.
Safety Protocols
Safety of the trekkers, guides, and porters should be the topmost priority of any trekking company as the Everest region, while a frequented trekking area, can present many challenges too.
The main thing included here is the presence of acclimatization days in the Everest Base Camp itinerary. At least a couple of days for acclimatization is mandatory to prevent altitude sickness.
Be extremely wary of companies offering unusually fast itineraries without much acclimatization days as rushing acclimatization can increase the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which can be life threatening if not taken seriously.
Also, ask the trekking company if they carry safety aids on the trek like pulse oximeters, supplemental oxygen, first-aid kits, and satellite or local mobile communication as all of these can save the day in case of any unforeseen emergency.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to inquire about the emergency evacuation plan of the company in case things go wrong.
Group Size and Customization Options
While trekking in the Everest region, the group size makes more difference than you would like to think. Therefore, it is important to choose the company for EBC trek based on the group sizes that they offer.
A smaller group preferably up to maximum 12 members can be ideal for your regular EBC trek. With this group size, you will get more personal support along with flexibility on the trek.
Anywhere more than this number and your trek will soon to feel very chaotic with different people having different pace, outlook towards the trek, and different needs too.
Also, check the group to guide ratio. In a group of 12 people, having 2 guides would make your trek much more comfortable. Ask for customization options in the itinerary if you want a private trek instead of a group adventure.
Inclusions and Exclusions in the Package and Transparency
Every trekking company offers different prices for the Everest Base Camp trek which usually depend on the itinerary, inclusions, and the experience of the trekking company.
A good company for Everest Base Camp trek will always provide a detailed breakdown of what is and isn’t included in the package price at the time when you ask for price details.
Usually, a standard EBC package includes trekking permits (TIMS, Sagarmatha National Park entry), Kathmandu-Lukla flights, all trekking day accommodation in teahouses, all meals during the trek, a licensed guide, and porters.
However, things like international flights, Nepalese visa fees, personal trekking gear, travel insurance, personal expenses like laundry, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging, and tips for guides and porters are not included in the trekking package.
Pick a company that is transparent about the cost as well as inclusions and exclusions. Make sure to ask about any potential hidden charges before the trek so that you have a set budget.
Responsible and Sustainable Practices
When trekking in Everest region, it is important that you understand that the ecosystem here is quite fragile. The region already struggles with waste management issues as it is.
Therefore, you need to choose a company that operates ethically and responsibly while also contributing positively to the local environment and communities.
Make sure to ask the important questions like do they adhere to “Leave No Trace” principles? What are their waste management policies on the trek? Do they give proper wages to the porters?
Also, research about the CSR initiatives taken by the company. See what they are giving back to the local communities on the trek. Do they primarily employ local staff, source food locally, or contribute to local development projects?
Ace the Himalaya is proud to be one of the few Travelife Certified companies in Nepal, a recognition of our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.
Through our partnership with the Sambhav Nepal initiative, we actively support a range of social programs such as child sponsorship, school rebuilding, and relief efforts following the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
When you trek with Ace the Himalaya, you’re not just exploring the Himalayas, you’re also helping to preserve them for generations to come.
Communication and Support
A major sign of whether a company is reliable or not is the level of their communication, and this should start even before you have hired them. Even during the inquiry phase, they should communicate well and give you the details.
There should be responsive and supportive communication from their end, regardless of whether you are a seasoned trekker or a first times. This helps to prepare you for the EBC adventure.
The things to consider includes their response time, transparency, pre trek guidance, and resource materials. They should reply to your email within 24 hours which is a sign of good communication.
They should answer your queries clearly and with genuine interest, not with one-word replies or copy-pasted responses. The information they provide should be detailed and must include:
- Break down of your day to day itinerary
- Information on acclimatization days and elevation gains
- Detailed inclusions and exclusions transparently
- Tips on gear, clothing, visa, currency, and insurance
- Warning about challenges (like altitude)
They should also provide detailed pre-trek briefings, comprehensive packing lists, and potentially assistance with visa procedures and permits for the trek.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Regardless of the longevity and the experience of the trekking company, what really speaks volumes about the actual service provided by the company are the revies and testimonials given by the past customers.
You can look for these reviews on the company page or on any other third party platforms like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Facebook, and more. Look for detailed experiences rather than generic, overly enthusiastic praise.
Also, watch out for both positive and negative reviews. See how the company responds to any negative feedback. Multiple reviews with very similar wording can also be a red flag.
Any reviews with praise for the guide’s professionalism, the company’s safety standards, excellent communication, and overall trek organization can be a green flag.
Value for Money
The standard Everest Base Camp trek cost ranges from 1200 to 2500 USD, depending on the services provided, group size, support, reputation, and the type and duration of the trek.
However, choosing the best company for EBC trek should not be based solely on the cost of the trek. See, you might not opt for the low price treks and opt for the highest priced one. But what if you don’t get satisfactory services there either?
Remember, it’s not always about finding the lowest price or the highest price, instead it’s about the quality of service, safety, and overall experience you receive for your money.
You need to look for value rather than price which can be analyzed by customer reviews and all the other factors listed above. Investing a little more often translates to a much safer and more comfortable journey.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Below are some warning signs to watch out for while choosing the best company for EBC trek:
- Companies offering unrealistically low prices often tend to cut on safety, services, porter welfare, and the quality of your stay and meals during the trek. If a price seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- Lack of transparency from the company’s end is a major red flag. There should not be hesitation when it comes to sharing information about the trek.
- A company without clear safety protocols can often end up risking your wellbeing on the trek. In that case, look elsewhere.
- Slow, unhelpful, or unprofessional responses to your inquiries are all signs of poor communication which does you no good during the trek.
- Take online reviews seriously, especially if you come across concerning issues like safety breaches, incompetent guides, financial disputes, or mistreatment of staff.
- Companies that rush you into booking without providing sufficient information or time to make an informed decision are pressure selling. Stay away from those.
Why Choose Ace the Himalaya?
Functional since 2006 AD, Ace the Himalaya has been in this industry for almost 20 years. In these long years, we have fulfilled the dream adventures of many trekkers.
Below are some of the reasons why Ace the Himalaya can be the best company for EBC trek for you:
- Fully registered with NTB and TAAN.
- Committed to safe, ethical, and sustainable trekking.
- Equipped with experienced guides, oxygen, oximeters, and 24/7 support.
- Recepient of TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024.
- Actively involved in rebuilding Himalayan communities via Sambhav Nepal.
Lastly, your Everest Base Camp trek will be an adventure of a lifetime. Therefore, make sure to choose the best company as your companion.
Make sure to check out Everest Base Camp Trek with Ace the Himalaya. After all, thousands of satisfied clients can’t be wrong!
