Wifi and Internet Access on Everest Base Camp Trek (What to Expect)
Before starting my trek, I heard various stories about WIFI and internet access on Everest Base Camp trek. One of my friends said that WIFI was so good that she could have practically worked remotely throughout the trek if she wanted to. While, on the other hand, I kept hearing stories of trekkers being out of touch for days due to lack of wifi.
After trekking Everest Base Camp, the truth is that actually there is pretty good wifi connection throughout the trek (even up at Lobuche and Gorakshep), but you have to buy the wifi cards higher up. So, if you are fine to spend money on wifi, then you can get pretty good internet access.
If you want to disconnect from internet and social media, then just let your family know that you’ll be out of touch for 4-5 days, so that they do not get worried about your well-being!
In lower altitude (up to Dingboche), Nepal Telecom works the best for mobile network connection. Up until Dingboche you can also find free WIFI in teahouses and free charging even in your room.
From Dingboche upwards, internet access gets more limited, and you have to buy the WIFI cards (Airlink Cards) to connect to the internet.
Here are my tips on how to stay connected to internet and wifi on Everest Base Camp trek!
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Mobile Network Access on the Everest Base Camp Trek
The two major mobile networks in Nepal are Nepal Telecom and NCell. If you are deciding between which SIM card to get for Nepal, I recommend getting the SIM card by Nepal Telecom.
Nepal Telecom works better during the EBC trek. I had an NCell SIM and there were places where I had absolutely no network, while travellers who had Nepal Telecom, could still get network connection (eg. in Dingboche).
Overall, there is network connection for both Nepal Telecom and NCell in lower altitudes, including Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Tengboche. In Dingboche, only Nepal Telecom works.
Then, from Dingboche onwards (Lobuche, Gorakshep), there is no network either for Nepal Telecom or NCell, and ultimately, if you want to connect to the internet, then you have to get WIFI cards.
WIFI and Internet Access on Everest Base Camp Trek
I found that WIFI and internet access is generally pretty good throughout the EBC trek. Mobile networks work well in lower altitudes. As mobile network is widely available up until Tengboche, you can also get free WIFI access in teahouses up until then.
Network connection starts to get spotty in Dingboche. NCell has no network from Dingboche onwards, but Nepal Telecom still works there.
If you don’t have Nepal Telecom SIM, then in Dingboche, you’ll have to get the hotel WIFI (paid) or get a WIFI card. I got connected to the WIFI at my teahouse (some extra costs), but they also sell WIFI cards for 24h or 48h validity.
In Dingboche, there are also some cafés where you can connect to the WIFI for free. So, in case you just want to send a quick message home, this is a good alternative.
Once you get higher up from Dingboche (Lobuche, Gorakshep), the only option to connect to the internet is through WIFI cards. You can get the WIFI cards in the teahouses or small local shops in the village.
Airlink WIFI Cards
When I got to higher altitudes during the EBC trek, I had to start using WIFI cards to connect to the internet.
Before setting off to my EBC trek, I heard of WIFI cards by Everest Link and Airlink. Although once I was on the trek, I noticed that most of the teahouses use Airlink rather than Everest Link. Nevertheless, they are the same concept.
The Airlink WIFI cards have different validity: 24h or 48h. The way they work is that you get a WIFI card with a code that you can use when you connect to your teahouses’ WIFI. It works the same as if you wanted to connect to your teahouses’ WIFI but when you start to connect, then a page comes up where you can enter your Airlink card’s code to join the WIFI.
The prices for the Airlink WIFI cards are:
- 24h WIFI card: Rs. 1,200 (USD 8)
- 48h WIFI card: Rs. 1,500 (USD 11)
Internet on Everest Base Camp Trek
| Location | Mobile Network Connection | WIFI (Availability & Cost) |
| Lukla (2,860m/9,383 ft) | Nepal Telecom/NCell (both works) | Free WIFI at teahouses |
| Phakding (2,700 m/8,860 ft) | Nepal Telecom/NCell (both works) | Free WIFI at teahouses |
| Namche Bazaar (3,400 m/11,155 ft) | Nepal Telecom/NCell (both works) | Free WIFI at teahouses |
| Tengboche (3,860 m/12,660 ft) | Nepal Telecom/NCell (both works) | Free WIFI at teahouses |
| Dingboche (4,410 m/14,470 ft) | Nepal Telecom works (NCell no network) | WIFI at teahouses (extra cost) + Airlink cards 24h/48h validity |
| Lobuche (4,920 m/16,140 ft) | No Network | WIFI through Airlink cards (24h/48h validity) |
| Gorakshep (5,170 m/16,960 ft) | No Network | WIFI through Airlink cards (24h/48h validity) |
| EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) | No Network | No network |
WiFI and Network Issues on the EBC Trek
Generally, the Airlink cards work well to connect to WIFI. In some cases, there were some limitations, like, you could only have WIFI access in the dining hall and not in your room.
In addition, if there is some unusually bad weather in the area or the Airlink WIFI is down in the village, then there can be times that you cannot connect to the internet. While I found Airlink cards to work well, WIFI is never 100% guaranteed in remote areas.
Charging Phones & Power Banks
Once you start using WIFI cards and the internet, it will significantly use your phone’s battery. For me, it was a vicious circle of getting the WIFI cards, then having to charge my phone and power bank, so that I can keep using the internet.
In lower altitudes (until Tengboche), there are plugs in your room where you can charge your phone and power bank. However, from Dingboche onwards, you have to pay extra to charge your phone and any other electronics.
I like to stay connected to the internet so that I can keep my family updated during my trek, so I went with getting the WIFI cards in each village.
Honestly, the facilities are so basic in Lobuche and Gorakshep that the only comfort I could give myself were the WIFI cards and access to internet, so I didn’t mind paying extra for WIFI and charging.
Prices for Charging Phones & Power Banks (Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep):
- Phone charge (1 full charge): Rs. 500 (USD 3.50)
- Power bank charge (1 full charge): Rs. 900-1,500 (USD 6-11)
- Laptop (1 full charge): Rs. 1,000 (USD 7)
- Camera (1 full charge): Rs. 500 (USD 3.50)
FAQs: Internet Access & WIFI on Everest Base Camp Trek
How is the WIFI coverage on the EBC trek?
The WIFI coverage on the EBC trek is not too bad. You have mobile network and free WIFI at teahouses in lower altitudes (up until Tengboche). In Dingboche, you only have mobile network if you use a SIM by Nepal Telecom. From higher than Dingboche (Lobuche, Gorakshep), you can only connect to WIFI through Airlink cards.
How much does WIFI cost on the Everest Base Camp trek?
The WIFI is free in lower altitudes on the EBC trek (Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche), then you have to buy Airlink WIFI cards to connect to the WIFI. The Airlink cards costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 8) for 24h access, and Rs. 1,500 (USD 11) for 48h access.
What are the electricity facilities during the EBC trek?
There is charging available in your room in the teahouses in lower altitudes (up until Tengboche), so you can charge any electronics in your room for free.
In higher altitudes (Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep), there are no plugs in the rooms to charge electronics, and you have to pay extra to get your phone or power banks charged.
Conclusion
Overall, mobile networks and internet access is available throughout the Everest Base Camp trek. The network connection works better in lower altitudes, then from higher altitudes (Dingboche onwards), you can use WIFI cards to connect to the internet.
I could use internet through NCell well until Tengboche. Then, from Dingboche onwards I bought the WIFI cards. The WIFI cards are like a scratch card and you use its code like a WIFI password to connect to the teahouses’ WIFI network.
The WIFI cards worked sometimes only in the dining hall of the teahouses but occasionally, some teahouses also had the WIFI connection in the rooms.
For me it was totally worth getting the WIFI cards so that I could update my family during my trek. On the other hand, if you want to disconnect from the internet and social media during the trek, just let your family know that they won’t be able to reach you for a few days, as family members tend to worry a lot if they don’t hear from you during the trek.
