Welcome to the majestic Everest Base Camp trek, where the majesty of nature coexists with modern comforts like electricity and WiFi. Wifi and Electricity facilities during the Everest Base Camp Trek are small yet significant facilities that are necessary for the trekkers to stay connected to their well-wishers and families, and capture beautiful memories in photos and videos.
So, what is the availability of WIFI and Electricity facilities during the Everest Base Camp trek?
At Lukla
As you land in Lukla, the buzzing hub of trekkers, you’ll find cozy tea houses offering WIFI connectivity and reliable electricity. This essential service ensures you stay connected while immersing yourself in the stunning Himalayan landscape.
Every tea house provides electricity free of cost for general purposes like charging phones, power banks, camera batteries, and so on. Similarly, the tea house WIFI is free for the guests as well.
At Phakding
Situated beside the Dudh Koshi River, Phakding is your first camp which offers you a peaceful space to settle after a day hike. Here, the tea house experience is enhanced with WiFi connectivity, enabling you to share your vacation with family and friends back home. Your electronics will always be charged thanks to the electricity facilities, allowing you to capture every special moment.
Although some tea houses might charge 200 to 300 Nepali rupees for WIFI.
At Namche Bazaar
Ascending to Namche Bazaar, you enter a vibrant town brimming with Sherpa culture and hospitality. Namche Bazaar, a popular stopover during the Everest Base Camp trek, has both Wi-Fi and electricity facilities available. However, it’s essential to note that the quality and reliability of these services can vary. While some teahouses and lodges may offer Wi-Fi access, the connection might be slow or intermittent due to the remote location and rugged terrain.
Similarly, electricity supply may not be constant, and power outages can occur occasionally. It’s always a good idea to carry portable chargers or power banks for your electronic devices and to be prepared for limited connectivity during your trekking adventure. Even with less connectivity, there are many things to do in Namche during your Everest Base Camp Trek.
At Tangboche
At Tangboche, home to the renowned Tangboche Monastery, you’ll find a blend of spiritual tranquility and modern conveniences. Tangboche generally has limited Wi-Fi and electricity facilities. While some lodges and teahouses may offer Wi-Fi access, the connection can be slow and unreliable due to the remote location and mountainous terrain. Similarly, the electricity supply in Tangboche may not be constant, and power outages can occur. It’s advisable to bring portable chargers or power banks for your electronic devices and to be prepared for limited connectivity during your trek.
At Dingboche
As you reach Dingboche, nestled amidst alpine landscapes, WIFI connectivity continues to accompany your journey, through a card system. This remote oasis doesn’t compromise on modern comforts, offering reliable electricity facilities to recharge your devices and stay connected throughout your adventure.
You will have two options 24hrs WIFI and 48hrs WIFI, which is for single device use. 24hrs WIFI card will cost you around 800rs and 48hrs will cost you around 1200rs approximately.
At Lobuche
Its panoramic mountain vistas, provide a serene backdrop for your trek. Here, WIFI access ensures you with a card system at a similar price, then you can share your high-altitude experiences, while electricity facilities maintain a steady power supply for your devices, allowing you to capture every scenic marvel.
At Gorakhashep
Finally, as you approach Gorakhashep, the last stop before Everest Base Camp, WIFI connectivity remains accessible, through a card system. Allowing you to share the anticipation of reaching this iconic destination. Electricity facilities ensure your devices are powered up for the ultimate Everest experience.
Some frequently asked questions about the WIFI and Electricity facilities during the Everest Base Camp Trek:
How much does the WIFI cost During the Everest Base Camp Trek?
During your Everest Base Camp Trek, some tea houses might charge you money for the WIFI facility, which is around 200 to 300. Or it’s free in most of the teahouses to use for the trekkers.
As you ascend during the trek after Tangboche, the tea houses provide WIFI Facilities to trekkers by card system. Where, the WIFI card with 24hr service, is available for 800rs to 900rs approximately and the WIFI card with 48hr service for 1200rs to 1500rs approximately.
How do I get a Nepali SIM card?
Here is a procedure for getting a Nepali sim card as a foreigner in Nepal:
- Valid Visa: Make sure you have a valid visa to stay in Nepal. Tourist visas are usually available upon arrival at the airport or border entry points.
- Identification: You will need to provide identification, such as your passport, and a passport-sized photograph.
- Visit a Mobile Service Provider: Go to one of the major mobile service providers in Nepal, such as Ncell or Nepal Telecom (NTC). If you are in Thamel then you can find many shops providing the Nepali sim, or even hotels provide this service.
- Fill Out Form: Fill out the form provided by the service provider. This form will ask for your personal information, including your name, address in Nepal (hotel or residence), and contact details.
- Submit Documents: Submit your identification documents along with the filled-out form.
- Payment: Pay the required fee for the SIM card and any chosen prepaid plan. Which is 500rs Approximately.
- Activation: Once your documents are verified and payment is made, your SIM card will be activated. This process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.
- Insert SIM Card: Insert the activated SIM card into your phone.
Is the Data pack from the SIM card enough for the whole EBC Trek?
The Nepali sim that you will get in Kathmandu will expire as your visa expires in Nepal. The data pack from the sim works perfectly fine within Kathmandu but as you leave for the Everest Base Camp Trek, the data will be relatively less convenient as you land in Lukla. As you ascend forward it will be comparatively less and less convenient. After you reach Tangboche, you will have the signal but you cannot use your data pack. It will be only good enough for making calls.
At Dingboche and Lobuche you will not have any network of the sim. At Gorakhshep you will get your network back but it will be only good enough for making calls you will not have data access.
In these specific places, we suggest you get a card with WIFI.
Is an Electricity facility available during the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Yes, there is electricity available during the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, it’s important to note that the availability of electricity can vary depending on the specific location along the trekking route. In general, in lower altitude areas like Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, and Pangboche some of the tea houses along the trekking route have electricity, often generated through solar panels or small hydroelectric systems.
However, at higher altitudes areas like Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakhshep are more like remote areas, electricity may not be available or may be limited to certain times of the day when power sources are operational. It’s recommended to bring portable chargers or power banks to ensure you can charge your devices during the trek.
How reliable are the WIFI and Electricity facilities during the Everest Base Camp Trek?
During the Everest Base Camp Trek, the reliability of WiFi and electricity facilities can vary. In general, as you go higher into the mountains, the availability and reliability of these facilities tend to decrease.
- WiFi: Along the trek, you may find WiFi in some lodges and tea houses, especially in more developed areas like Namche Bazaar. However, the speed and reliability can be quite limited and may not be suitable for tasks requiring high-speed internet, such as video calls or large file uploads.
- Electricity: Most lodges and tea houses along the route have electricity, often generated through solar panels or small hydroelectric systems. However, power outages and fluctuations are common, especially during bad weather or peak tourist seasons. Charging electronic devices like phones and cameras may require extra time or may be subject to additional fees.
To ensure you can stay connected and keep your devices powered, it’s advisable to carry portable power banks or solar chargers. Additionally, managing expectations about the availability and reliability of WiFi and electricity in remote mountain areas can help you have a smoother trekking experience.
