Everest Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu has air connectivity with almost all major hubs in Asia and the Middle East. You can catch a direct flight to Kathmandu from any major city in Asia or the Middle East. Please share your arrival details so one of our staff members can pick you up at the airport. He will be there at the exit or the airport’s terminal holding a signboard with your name and Team Himalaya written on it. After greeting you, he will take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. Once you reach your hotel, a welcome drink will be served. You can check into your room and relax. After resting for some hours, you will meet your trekking guide. You can clear any doubts you have about your trek during the meeting. You can also check your packing list with him and rent or buy any gear or equipment you may need for your trek. If you need his help navigating and finding the right shops, he will. Pack up and have an early night, as you need to catch one of the first flights bound for Lukla.
Overnight in Kathmandu. 

The day has finally dawned when you will be starting your awesome walk to the world’s highest trail. After waking up early, get ready to head to the domestic airport. From the airport, you will catch a tiny aircraft bound for Lukla. The flight to Lukla is considered one of the most extreme in the world, so you can look forward to a memorable flying experience. During your flight, you will be able to enjoy glimpses of some of the highest mountains in the world. The airport in Lukla sits on a tiny strip of land high above a rocky cliff. The landing is sure to give you goosebumps and a racing heart. Once you land at the Tenzing Hillary Airport, you will be greeted by the trekking crew (porters and assistant guide). The porters will carry your heavier luggage, and you will have a light daypack with your essentials. Once done, you will start your trek.
Follow the stone pathway that leads out of the bustling market and takes you down to the riverside. The path is well-maintained and easy to navigate. However, mind the mule trains, as this is a busy route used by tourists, porters, locals, and pack animals as well. The path gradually rises and falls. But there are no steep sections. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air. The Dudh Koshi River valley is one of the most picturesque sections of the trail, covered with conifer forests, cute stone cottages, and the pristine Dudh Koshi River.

After walking for some hours, you will reach Phakding. Cross a metal bridge to reach the lodge where you will spend the night. Enjoy a nourishing, tasty meal upon arrival at the lodge. Soak in the beauty of the mountain scenery before calling it a night.
Overnight in Phakding.

You will continue your trek, walking past Sherpa villages and inspiring scenery. The trail meanders past waterfalls and a lush forest of pine and rhododendrons. From Monjo, you will formally enter Sagarmatha National Park, a natural World Heritage Site. Along the way, you will come across Buddhist structures like mani stones, prayer wheels, chortens, and mani walls. Prayer flags can be seen fluttering at bridges and hillsides. The trail climbs steeply, and there are many switchbacks. You will cross the river several times via swaying suspension bridges. Once you reach the Hillary Bridge, you will know that Namche Bazaar is close by. A bend on the trail brings you to a viewpoint from where you can get a view of Mount Everest. A short walk ahead lies the beautiful Sherpa settlement of Namche Bazaar.

Known as the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar sits at the foot of a steep mountainside, creating an amphitheatre-like vibe. For a settlement at an altitude above 3000 meters with no motorable roads, Namche surprises many visitors with its modern amenities. There are shops, cafes, pubs, bakeries, banks, ATM kiosks, spas, museums, art galleries, lodges, teahouses, and restaurants galore. It is a bustling town and the economic heart of the Khumbu Region.

You will climb up the steep staircase leading into the centre of the town and head to a teahouse or lodge where a room has been booked for you.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar. 

Since you need to acclimate to the thin air at high altitudes, you will spend this day in Namche, resting and hiking to the popular attractions around town. After breakfast, your guide will take you on an invigorating hike to Hotel Everest View, one of the highest luxury hotels in the world and a vantage point for views of the Himalayan peaks.

You will make your way out of the town and climb a winding staircase to the top of the town. Follow a gradual incline past a grassy meadow known as Shyangboche. After taking a gradual ascent, you will finally reach the hotel’s premises. Sit on the hotel deck and enjoy stunning views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and more. Later return to Namche Bazaar. On the way, you can stop by the Sherpa Museum and Sagarmatha Nextt (an art gallery) to enjoy old pictures of Mount Everest expeditions, exhibits, and art pieces created from the waste collected from Mount Everest.

After an insightful tour, head down to Namche and relax at the lodge or one of the cafes. If you wish, you can also hike to the village of Khumjung, where you can visit the first school in the Khumbu Region established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961. 
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

If you are curious about the wildlife in the Everest Region, you will see plenty on your walk today. The thick forests of Tengboche and Debuche are home to the Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, red pandas, wild yaks, snow leopards, and a host of gayly feathered birds.

Leaving Namche Bazaar, you will ascend a gradual incline and thereafter walk on an even path on the side of a hill with gorgeous views of Ama Dablam and other mountains. From Sanasa, the route branches out—one leads to Gokyo Valley while the other one takes you to Everest Base Camp. You will take the lower EBC trail. The route goes down to the riverside settlement of PhunkiTenga. Here you will stop for lunch and a brief rest. Later, you will continue your trek and make a steep ascent to Tengboche. The hike to and from Tengboche could be the most gruelling part of your journey. The steep descent and ascent leave you breathless and tired. The grand Tengboche Monastery greets you as you enter the village. This is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Khumbu. The houses and lodges are scattered around the monastery, and you will head to a teahouse with comfortable rooms and good food.

Later in the evening, you can explore the village and visit the monastery. Please follow the rules set for visitors while at the monastery.
Overnight in Tengboche.
 

Tengboche offers jaw-dropping views of mountains, including Ama Dablam. As you rise early, you can catch the golden sunlight hitting the whitened summits of the mountains. It’s a sight to be cherished, and you can capture it on your camera.

After breakfast, you will start your trek and head towards Dingboche via Debuche. The trail leads you down a path surrounded by dense foliage. The path descends to the river, then climbs up after crossing a metal bridge. Soon you will reach the village of Pangboche. You will continue your trek, walking through the village of Pangboche. Lunch will be at the village of Somare. The vegetation gets sparser as you walk onward. After leaving Somare, you will walk down a steep staircase and then reach the river. Cross it and take a gentle ascent. After covering a distance of nearly two kilometres, you will finally reach your destination for the day, Dingboche. The village, like other Sherpa villages on the trail, has lodges, teahouses, and cafes.

Overnight in Dingboche.

This is your second acclimatisation day. After leaving Dingboche, you will be hiking at elevations above 5000 meters, so you need to acclimate to the lower oxygen levels. You can take a hike to Nangkarthang Hill, which lies close to the village. The hill, also known as Nagarjun Hill, is a popular vantage point and hiking spot among trekkers. The trail gradually ascends in a zigzag to the viewpoint. From the vantage point, you get 360-degree views of Lhotse and Lhotse Shar, Island Peak, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Barun Tse, Lobuche, Ama Dablam, and Kangtega.

Taboche and Cholatse Himal tower directly above the trail. You can hike almost to the top or walk to the halfway point, where there’s a small chorten and prayer flags. From both points, you get amazing views of the mountains. After taking pictures and soaking in the views, you will slowly walk down to the village. It will take you around four hours to climb the hill and walk back. 
Overnight in Dingboche.

Leaving Dingboche, you will steadily make your way to Lobuche. The landscape becomes more desert-like as you head up. On the way, you will cross the Thukla Pass, which has memorials dedicated to deceased climbers and Sherpa guides who lost their lives on Mount Everest. The trek includes an uphill ascent that will leave you breathless. Thus, go slowly, taking micro-breaks in between. You will make a brief stop at the Sherpa village of Thukla for lunch. Beyond Thukla, there are no villages, only stops with teahouses. As you leave Thukla, the trail opens up, and you will see great snowy mountains and glaciers towering next to the trail. The green vegetation and forest cover are completely gone, and the trail is filled with dirt, rocks, and boulders.

After a slow hike, you will finally reach Lobuche, which has only a few teahouses. You will check in at the teahouse, where a room has been booked for you. 
Overnight in Lobuche.

You will hike to Everest Base Camp today, so you need to start your trek early. You will walk alongside the Khumbu Glacier on a trail filled with loose earth, pebbles, and rocks. There’s no sign of greenery, except tall, imposing mountains covered with snow and glacier moraine. After walking for a couple of hours, you will reach Gorakshep, a small rest stop with a few teahouses scattered across the dried, sandy lake bed. Many people are curious to find the ground sand in Gorakshep. The ground is sandy because Gorakshep sits on a dried lakebed.

After a brief rest and refreshment, you will continue your hike to Everest Base Camp. Keep your pace slow but steady, resting at intervals to take long breaths. You may struggle with your breathing over here, as the atmosphere contains only 50% oxygen. The trail follows the Khumbu Glacier, offering stark, stunning scenery. Surrounded by towering mountains, the landscape is bare yet strikingly beautiful. Rocks, ice seracs, and water-filled craters can be seen along the trail. You need to be careful with your footing and maintain your balance, as the path is covered in loose scree and glacial moraine that can be slippery.

On reaching Everest Base Camp, you can take pictures and celebrate the success of your trek. You have made it, and you are finally standing on the EBC rock. If you have time and energy, you can walk to the actual Everest Base Camp, where mountaineers set up camp. From this point, you can get close-up views of Nuptse, the Khumbu Icefall, and Mount Everest peeking behind Lhotse.
Later, walk back to Gorakshep.
Overnight in Gorakshep.

Your guide will wake you up early in the morning before daybreak. Get ready and grab something to eat before heading out and taking the trail to Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar means black rock. However, it is not a Black Rock but a treeless brown mound or hill from where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of some of the tallest mountains in the world.

You will make your way out of the teahouse and walk on the path leading to the viewpoint. It is a steep climb and can be tough due to the low oxygen levels. So go slowly and stop to take long breaths frequently. Once you reach the top of Kala Patthar, you will be greeted with a jaw-dropping panorama of tall, snowcapped mountains rising in a chain, stretching as far as your eyes can see. Pumori, Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, Lobuche, etc.

You will be able to view the Western Cwm and the Khumbu Icefall, which look stunning. The summit of Mount Everest is not seen from Everest Base Camp due to its grandiose proportions, but you can enjoy the magnificent view of this great mountain from Kala Patthar.

After taking pictures and enjoying the view, you will head down to the teahouse in Gorakshep. Pack your bags, have a hearty breakfast, and walk towards Pangboche. The path descends gradually and ascends, passing through isolated settlements and windswept valleys. At Thughla, you can stop for lunch before carrying on to Pheriche, one of the highest Sherpa settlements. As you steadily descend, you will see signs of greenery. There’s more oxygen here, and you can feel the difference in the air. You will be able to breathe more comfortably. After a long and tiring hike, you will finally reach Pangboche, an ancient Sherpa village.
Overnight in Pangboche.

Today, you will walk through some great scenery again. Today's trek to Namche is gruelling, too, with steep ascents and descents along the trail. However, since your body has gone through a transformation from spending so many days at high altitude, you will find the hike less tiring than when you walked the same route on your way to EBC. The ascent and descent from Debuche, Tengboche, and Phunki Tenga can prove to be a bit hard on your knees. After this patch, the trail will get easier and even. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy the beautiful vistas of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest.

A long descent will finally bring you once again to a lodge in Namche, where you will spend the night. Enjoy a warm shower and have your favourite food.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Walk on the same path that you took at the start of the trek. After being in the rarefied air, you can enjoy the rich, oxygen-filled air again. Walk slowly at a relaxed pace, taking in the beautiful views. On reaching Lukla, you will head to a lodge where you can enjoy a warm shower and a delicious meal. In the evening, you can celebrate the success of your trek with the local crew who helped you reach the base of the world’s tallest peak and brought you back safely. The last night of the trek is usually merry, filled with songs and dances by the local crew. There will be plenty of chyang, the local alcohol, and you can have a good time with the local crew one last time.

Before retiring for the night, it is customary to thank and tip the porters and guides for supporting you on your memorable journey.
Overnight in Lukla

Everest Base Camp Trek finally comes to an end. You will catch one of the morning flights from Lukla to Kathmandu. The flight is thrilling and hair-raising as the small plane taxis down the narrow, steep runway. Enjoy the fascinating views of the mountains and hills for one last time as you fly into Kathmandu Valley. Once your plane lands in Kathmandu, you will be escorted back to your hotel. You can rest and chill at your hotel or spend the day exploring the city and shopping for souvenirs by yourself. 
Overnight in Kathmandu.

After an amazing adventure, it’s finally time to bid goodbye to Kathmandu and Nepal. Our staff will drive you to the airport at least three hours before your flight departs. But if you feel like spending more time in Nepal and discovering more destinations, feel free to get in touch with us. We have many more tours and outdoor adventures that might interest you.