I traveled to Nepal in 2024 with friends to tackle the hike to Everest Base Camp. We also stopped over in Dubai on the way to Nepal and in Doha on the way back. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the adventure as well as some things I learned along the way.

Trip Details

Trip Dates: October 31 – November 20, 2024

Countries/Cities Visited:

• Dubai, UAE
• Kathmandu, Nepal
• Villages along trail to Everest Base Camp in Nepal
• Doha, Qatar

Total Cost: approx. $5,000

Cost Breakdown:

• Flights:
  • U.S. to Dubai (one layover) with return from Doha to U.S. (three layovers) on United: 84,000 points (most gained from credit card bonus) + $79 in fees + $131 to purchase additional points needed.
  • Dubai to Kathmandu on FlyDubai: $147
  • Kathmandu to Doha Business Class on Qatar Airways: $410 plus 27,500 Avios (most gained from credit card bonus).
• 14-day trek with Outfitter Nepal: $1,282
• Dubai Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View: $230/person split between two
• Dubai Ubers: $61/person split between two
• Dubai excursions: $273/person split between two
• Kathmandu extra night at Hotel Moonlight: $51/person split between three
• Doha Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli: $132/person split between two
• Doha excursion: $62/person split between two
• Doha airport transfer: $20
• Nepal visa: $30
• Helicopter rides to and from the trek due to flight cancellations: $900
• Foods in Dubai, Doha and Kathmandu: approx. $200-$250
• Porter and Guide tips: $400-$500.
• Miscellaneous/souvenirs: $400

Itinerary

October 31

• Depart U.S. at 1:24 p.m.

November 1

• Land in Dubai at 7:40 p.m.
  • Tip: Ubers were cheap and reliable in Dubai so we mainly used this mode of transportation
• Stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View
  • The hotel was surrounded by construction when we went so our Ubers often had to go about 10 minutes out of the way to drop us off due to no turn access.
  • Tip: Get the breakfast buffet.

November 2

• 9:30 a.m. Dubai Tour
  • Book it? Yes. It was informative and well worth the money.
• 1 p.m. Uber to the Dubai Mall
  • Tip: The traffic was a nightmare around the mall. It could be quicker to get dropped off across the street.
• 4 p.m. Burj Khalifa
  • Book it? Yes.
  • Tip: Do the SKY premium experience; it’s worth it. The 148th floor is less crowded, has seating and is just generally a better experience. They also say you’re limited to 30 minutes but we were never rushed out.
• 6:45 p.m. Uber to the marina (30 minute drive)
  • Tip:There is a specific Uber spot you have to be picked up at but we couldn’t find it. We instead got picked up in a parking garage when our driver happened to find us (thanks, Jesus).
• 7:30 p.m. boarding for 8 p.m. two-hour Moonlight Yacht Tour with food and drinks
  • Book it? Yes. The food was good and it was neat to see the city at night from the water.
• Stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View

November 3

• Depart for Kathmandu at 12:30 p.m. (land 6:15 p.m.)
  • Tip: When flying airlines around the world, check their baggage allowances. FlyDubai has 15lbs worth of hand baggage and 66 lbs of checked baggage per person as we bought extra.

November 4-13

• Hiking to Everest Base Camp with Outfitter Nepal. I won’t post a detailed itinerary of the hike here as you can find that anywhere, including at this link.
  • Book it? Yes. The company takes care of your lodging, meals, safety and flights to and from the trail. They are a local company. Ask for Kapil!
  • Tip: They don’t pay for snacks or water. You’ll spend about $20 on the trail each day.
  • Tip: Be prepared to fly by helicopter there and back. Flights to Lukla are cancelled often and if your trip is delayed by too many days, you could miss your international flight. It was a hefty price to pay, but we made it back to Kathmandu a couple days earlier than expected due to 1) not staying in Gorkashep and hiking back down instead and 2) getting helicoptered out of Phakding.
• Stay at Hotel Moonlight November 13-16

November 17

• Fly to Doha 6 p.m.
  • Tip: We had this flight get cancelled and had to rebook a flight for the same day but in Business Class. Travel insurance can come in handy here, especially since the airline didn’t offer any compensation. We used World Nomads.
  • Tip: Get to the Kathmandu airport early. Everything takes a lot longer.
• Land in Doha 9:30 p.m.
  • Tip: Have your hotel booking on hand for customs and be prepared to pay the visa fee.
  • Tip: We couldn’t find an Uber this evening due to how late it was. We ended up paying for a private transfer which you could book ahead of time.
• Staying at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli
  • Tip: They have multiple buildings so you will be dropped off at the main one and they will then drive you in a golf cart to the correct building.

November 18

• Breakfast at Al Koot Cafe
  • Tip: The Arabic breakfast for four was HUGE but a great way to try a lot of different things. They packed up the leftovers for us and we ate it for lunch two days in a row.
• 10 a.m. Walk the Corniche
  • Tip: Visit the Islamic Art Museum. Tickets are $13. It’s a great way to escape the heat as well as learn about the culture).
• 12 p.m. explore Souq Waqif
• 3:45 p.m. arrive at Box Park for 4-6 p.m. Dhow Sunset Cruise
  • Book it? Yes. This was one of the few cruises I found to be two hours and it was stunning to see the sunset over the city.
• Dinner/Explore Souq Waif
  • Parisa — we tried to eat here but you needed a reservation.
  • We ate at the Syrian restaurant Damasca One which was good, but not anything to write home about.
• Staying at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli

November 19

• 9 a.m. Uber to the Katara Cultural Center + Galeries Lafayette
  • Tip: Go into the Blue Mosque and get a free tour as well as insight into Islam.
• 1 p.m. North Qatar tour
  • Book it? No. While it was neat to get out of Doha, our guide gave us very little information. We’d stop, he’d talk for three minutes and that was all we got. This worked well for us as we had to check out of our hotel and the tour could accommodate all our bags, but I wouldn’t do this again.
• 6 p.m. drop off at airport
• Depart Doha at 9:05 p.m.

November 20

• Arrive home 4:51 p.m.