Trek through to the base camp of Mount Everest & to Kala Patthar
Nepal
Intermediate
Difficulty Level
17 days
Duration
5,644 m
Highest Altitude
6 - 10
Group Size
137,000
Price (excl GST)
64.9
kgCO2e/person
Sometimes the journey to the summit is just as important as reaching the top. The Everest Base Camp trek is a reminder that the beauty is in the journey, not just the destination.
The Everest Base Camp trek is a popular trekking route in the Khumbu region of Nepal, which takes trekkers through stunning Himalayan landscapes, including picturesque villages, lush forests, and breathtaking mountain vistas. The trek typically starts in the town of Lukla and follows the trail to the base camp of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. Along the way, trekkers pass through a series of Sherpa villages, where they can experience the unique culture and traditions of the region. The trek is challenging but accessible to most reasonably fit people, and it offers an unforgettable adventure and an opportunity to witness some of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Please Note: You should start preparing for the trek at least 3-4 months in advance with regular exercise and cardio workouts.
1Arrive in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to hotel for a team briefing in the evening.
2Drive towards Mulkot which is an hour away from Rammechhap airport for our flight the next morning
3Early morning transfer to the Ramechhap Airport followed by a the 45 minute flight to Lukla providing a magnificent entry to the Everest region. We eventually leave Lukla for Phakding. It's an easy day's trek that ultimately descends to the river at Phakding.
4Leave the main village and the follow the trail on the left bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is a pleasant walk for the first half of the day as one passes through agricultural countryside and small wayside villages. Just before lunch, there is a steep climb of about 20 minutes to arrive at Monjo for Lunch. After lunch, trek up to the check post to check the permits and enter into the Sagarmatha National Park. Descend for 10 minute and then cross a suspension bridge to arrive at Jorsale (2800m). Pass through several small villages and beautiful pine forest. This is a busy trail with plenty of human interest. Our first good views are of west ridge of Kusum Kangru (6339m). Follow the Dudh Kosi River, crossing a rickety suspension bridge, which is in a dilapidated condition, and then slowly climb up a very steep trail to Namche Bazaar. Near half waypoint, we enjoy our first views of Mt. Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m) and Lhotse (8383m) – the big three. The climb is for nearly 3 hours, as one gain’s altitude, making breathing difficult due to the rarified air. Arrive at a gate with a sign saying, ”Welcome to Namche Bazaar” but it is very misleading as it takes another 20 minutes to arrive at the main town. This prosperous town is the largest in Khumbu. Mt. Thamserku (6648 m) and Kwangde Ri (6624 m) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (5707 m) dominates the skyline along the west. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel / Lodge in Namche Bazaar. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
5Acclimatization break and overnight stay at a lodge in Namche Bazaar. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
6Post breakfast we start by descending through the rhododendron forest, watching for the Blood Pheasant and Impeyan Pheasant in the undergrowth. As we reach the valley there is Dudh Kosi River where we stop for a lunch at Phunki Thanga (3200m), next to several large waters driven prayer wheels. The next part is spent climbing slowly on a steep trail to the Thyangboche Monastery. Thyangboche lies at the base of Kangtega and is a classic setting with superb views backs up the valley to the Ama Dablam, and the Everest poking its southwest face over the huge ridgeline linking Nuptse and Lhotse. The Thyangboche Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of the Khumbu Region and the late afternoon can be spent visiting this ancient Monastery. It is the traditional place where all Everest Expeditions receive their blessings as they walk in towards the base camp. After visiting Thyangboche Monastery a short, steep and muddy descent to Debouche through the forest of birches, conifers and rhododendrons. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel/lodge in Devouche. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
7Post breakfast we start our trek to Dingboche. For the next half an hour walk we find the path on level ground and proceed further uphill to reach Pangboche (4010m/13,157 ft.). After Pangboche we walk along the river towards the village of Tshomare, we would take a short break at Tshomare for Lunch. Further the trail goes up to the left, through the front yards of a few herders’ huts, over a stone wall and climbs a small ridge before descending to Khumbu Khola, crossing it by a bridge. 10 minutes’ walk further from Khumbu Khola we will reach Dingboche. Overnight stay at a Lodge in Dingboche. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
8Today, post breakfast we go out for acclimatization walk to nearby hillock. We will try gain height of 300meter and from the top, we will be able to see the beautiful views of Mt. Tawache, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lhotse, Everest, and Pumori. Overnight stay at Lodge in Dingboche. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
9On the way, you can watch the beautiful view of the Mt. Cholatese (6443m/21,140 ft.), back on the Westside route Mt. Ama Dablam (6856m/22,495 ft.). After arrival at the ridge, descend for about ten minutes, cross a bridge and arrive at Thugla (4620m/15,158 ft.) for an early lunch. (Note: due to unavailability of water, this is the only lunch stop available). After lunch, the ascent is very steep for about one hour to reach Sherpa Memorial place founded in remembrance to those mountaineers who died during expeditions. Travel along the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks passing by the memorials of Rob Hall and Yasuko Namba and others who perished during the Mt. Everest disaster of 1996. The memorial chortens dots the skyline facing the mountains and overlooking the valley below. Further on the trail leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with views of Pumori (7165m/23,508 ft.) in the foreground. The stark and the rugged beauty create almost a moonscape. The campsite Lobuche is reached after another hour of steady trekking through the moraine and is situated in a windswept valley with the views of Nuptse. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge in Lobuche. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
10Today we start the trek early in the morning. After about one and half hour of walk we can see the Khumbu Glacier. The path becomes tougher not because it’s uphill, but because of the rocky nature and also due to the high altitude. We reach Gorakshep in about three hours and we take a short rest and keep our back packs in one of the lodges. This was the base camp of the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. In 1953 the British Everest expedition called this ‘lake camp’. Gorakshep has a small lake that is usually frozen. We proceed towards the Everest Base Camp. Everest base camp is not actually a specific site. Various expeditions have selected different locations for a semi-permanent camp during their assault on the mountain. Some of the sites that expeditions have used as base camps are identifiable from debris on the glacier at 5340m or more. The trip to base camp, while fascinating, is not spectacular as the ascent of Kala Patthar because there is no view of Everest itself from base camp. Overnight stay at lodge in Gorakshep. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
11Today is the most beautiful day of the trek where you are going to see few good peaks along with Mt. Everest. Start early morning, trek the steep uphill climb to Kala Patthar. One must make sure to take his time and walk at a pace, which you feel most comfortable with. From the top, we get magnificent views of the Himalayan Range. We were able to see peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Chagtse tower and Everest itself close to another peak called Nuptse. It takes us over 3 hrs to make the summit and a whole bunch of stops along the way to catch our breath. We will spend some time at the Kala Patthar summit and capture a life time memory in our cameras. After having some packed breakfast, we will head off down the valley as we begin our return to civilization. It will take 4-5 hrs to reach Pheriche. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge in Pheriche. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
12After having breakfast, start trek to Khymjuma. The route starts back through the long walled paths of the village, and then descends to the bridge. Cross the wooden bridge and a gradual ascent along the flanks of the hills brings us to the pass with a chortens. From here descend continuously and a little further the route joins the main trail coming from Dingboche. From here it takes about 45 minutes to the village of Somare at 4010 m. Pass through the village and then a 45 minute walk along the hill side high above the Dudhkosi brings us to the village of Pangboche (3,985m), an ideal place to stop for lunch. After lunch, we will walk to Khymjuma. The trail goes gradually down up to Thyangboche via Devouche The trail has a few ups and downs while overlooking amazing views of the high Himalaya along the way. Overnight at teahouse lodge in Tashinga. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
13In the morning, start the trek towards Namche by following the path round the eastern flanks of the hills. At the rear is the beautiful west face of the Thamserku (6,608m) and Kang Taiga (6,685m). From Namche Bazaar head to the end of the village and then immediately start to descend to the river. Head along the banks of the river and then further descend to Monjo for overnight. Overnight at teahouse lodge in Monjo. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
14Early morning, it is a surprising hard uphill climb to Lukla after Phakding, which should take about 3 hours. It is a delightful ending to the trip as one enters into this busy village of Lukla. Overnight at teahouse lodge in Lukla. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
15Early morning, transfer to Lukla Airport to board an onward flight to Ramechhap to about 20 minutes. Upon arrival at the airport will drive to Kathmandu & check into the hotel. The rest of the time is free for refreshment and rest. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Meals Included: Breakfast
16This day is we keep it as a contingency day against if there is any delays in Lukla flight.
17After breakfast, timely transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport to board an onward flight to home country 3 hours earlier to the scheduled flight departing time. Meal Included: Breakfast
Read our FAQs for more info.
All meals except for those in exclusions
Accommodation for 13 nights
All transfers before and after the trek
Internal flights to Lukla and back
Qualified guide and support staff
Banjara Trip / Team Lead
Trekking permits and fees
Porterage of upto 12 kg per person
Comprehensive First Aid
Taxes. GST 5%
Mandatory Insurance
Alcoholic beverages and other extras
International flights to Kathmandu
Single room supplement
Personal Expenses like, WiFi, phone charging, hot water, etc while on the trek
Any deviations from the plan
Lunches & dinners in Kathmandu
Tips. These are expected. 10% of trip price
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
The Everest Base Camp trek can be a rewarding experience for those who are physically fit, prepared for high-altitude trekking, and enjoy outdoor adventures. It's important to be aware of the physical demands of the trek and take precautions to prevent altitude sickness. However, if you enjoy challenging hikes and stunning scenery, then this trek could be a great adventure for you.