Everest Base Camp Trek

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Duration: 18 Days

Trip Grade:

3 Nights in Kathmandu, 14 Nights on Trek.

Itinerary / Graded Challenging to Strenuous

INTRO : The Everest Base Camp 18 days trek offers sweeping views of the Everest Himalayas from the vantage points of Kala Pathar which are spectacular and also culturally rewarding as it visits the largest Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar, Buddhist monasteries of Tengboche and Khumjung.  An extra ordinary trekking experience that is a "must - do" for any avid trekker!

Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu 1330m.

Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel of your choice, meet your crew and present passport, photos to double check on the trek permit requirement and other documentation. If time permits, enjoy a half day tour in Kathmandu to one of the heritage sites which the valley is famous for.  Hotel stay.

Day 2 : Kathmandu 

Day for optional sightseeing tours in this very cultural and historical inner cities.  Hotel stay.

Day 3 : Flight Kathmandu - Lukla, trek to Phakding 2652m. 

All flights to Lukla now originate from Manthali airport, Ramechap a small town 132kms east of Kathmandu, 4hrs drive. So early departure 3.30am from Kathmandu for Lukla flight scheduled from 6am onwards. The short flight of 25minutes has to be one of the most spectacular in the world.  The route over contrasting country north with the snowy Himalayan ranges and rugged foothills below stretching all the away south.  After a sort out and a cup of refreshment, meeting your porter, head off to the trail north west and descends to Dudh Kosi river, stay at Phakding.

Day 4 : Trek to Namche Bazar 3445m.

Follow the Dudh Kosi through forest and pasture land.  Along a valley dotted with small Sherpa settlements.  Cross the Dudh Kosi and climb steeply along Switch backing trail to large Sherpa village.  Views of Everest 8848m and Lotse 8511m come into sight.  This prosperous town is the largest in Khumbu.  A traditional trading center, the Bazaar is held every Saturday.  The wares on display include grains and vegetables tennis shoes and trinkers as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots.  Thamserku 6648m and Kwangde Ri 6224m loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila 5705m dominates the skyline to the north behind the village.

Day 05 : Acclimatization Namche Bazar 3445m.
Rest day.  On may also pay a visit to the National Park centre or pay further visits to the centre of Namche to look around the bazaar.

Day 06 : Trek to Tengboche monastery 3863m.

The trail contours along the eastern flank of Namche Bazaar village and descends through a dusty path to the Dudh Kosi river, there are dramatic view of Ama Dablam 6696m and Kangtega 6779m flanked by the towering heights of  Sagarmatha - the Nepalese name for Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.  Keep a watch  for blood pleasant and the Impayan pheasant in the undergrowth.  Cross the Dudh Kosi at Phungi Tenga and climb through a somewhat long trek up an old rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill.  Here lies Tengboche the main monastery of the Khumbu area.

The views from here are unforgettable as Thyangboche lies at the base of Kangtega and the spur of this ridge offers panoramic views of the pain peaks of Khumbu including Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawoche and Khumbila.

Note :  Tengboche Monastery was burnt down in January 1989.  So the present monastery is the reconstructed one which hosts the important Mani Rimdu festival Oct – Nov. The rebuilt monastery was formally consecrated in 1993 and the religious room of the Guru Rimpoche in the monastery was fully restored in September 2008.  

Day 07 : Acclimatization Tengboche monastery 3863m.

Rest and acclimatize in this interesting venue and a chance to go exploring the surrounding area.

Day 08 : Trek to Dingboche 4412m.

Descend from Tengboche and cross the Imja Khola, then side hill to Pangboche.  An interesting gompa sits above the main village.  The trekker is in the midst of the Himalayas here, with spectacular views all around.  The walk today is a long gradual ascent on a tundra landscape of small shrubs and alpine like scenery on a wide valley leading upto Dingboche. For acclimatisation there is a need to spend two nights around the 4268m level and Dingboche lying in a sheltered spot above the Imja Khola is generally more attractive than Pheriche.  It is however of note that the Himalayan Rescue Association have their aid post at Pheriche. 

Day 09: Exploration Dingboche 4412m.

A day walk up to Chukung valley is highly recommended.  The route gradually ascends to the few scattered stone huts that make up the settlements to the south are every changing views of Ama Dablam and to the north the massive walls of the Nuptse ridge and the south face of Lhotse. 

Day 10 : Trek to Lobuje 4931m.

The route past Pheriche starts over a ridge and stays above the village.  It joins the trail below Tuglha.  Beautiful views of Cholatse 6442m across the valley.  After another steep ascent the trail climbs up over the terminal moraine of Khumbu glacier.  Up and along the west lateral moraine of glacier the trail is rough in parts.  Stark and rugged beauty creates almost a moonscape.  Stay at Lobuje a windswept collection of Lodges tucked in an open meadow between the glacier and Lobuche Peak 6156m.  Tawache and Nuptse are particularly spectacular from Lobuche, towering almost 2kms directly overhead. 

Day 11 : Trek to Gorakshep 5160m.

Early start essential.  Trek along the Khumbu glacier through jumbled moraine and shattered rock.  Climb Kala Pattar 5545m for views of the giants of the east, Pumori 7145m, Everest 8,848.46m, the Tibetan peak Changtse 7550m, Nuptse, Lhotse and a vast array of smaller peaks.  Enjoy panoramic 360* views from here and return to spend night at Gorakshep with small Lodges set amidst a collection of stone walls to keep yaks in the summer pasture.

Day 12 :Trek to Everest Base Camp, trek to Pheriche 4240m.

This is a challenging and thrilling day though long hard walk on the Khumbu glacier on top of rocky uneven surface, alternating between hard to soft dusty glacial deposits. The Everest Base Camp is a cluster of tents and prayers flags at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall at 5340m.  During expedition season Spring and Autumn you may find yourself in the company of hardy Sherpas and their eager summiteers taking a break or preparing themselves for the arduous climb to the top.

Back track along the same route and descend gradually until one reaches the village of Pheriche.  Prepare for a long day's trek including BC visit approx 8+ hours.

Day 13 : Trek to Phortse 3847m.

Continue descending passing through Pangboche.  Stay high on the west bank of Imja river to the Sherpa village of Phortse, which lies on the lower southern flank of Tawache, directly across the valley from Thyangboche. 

Day 14 :  Trek to Khunde Khumjung 3780m.

Descend through forest to the Dudh Kosi.  A very pretty crossing point leads to a steady climb to a chorten offering wonderful views back across the valley to Phortse, Thyangboche and their surrounding mountains.  A traverse leads to a classic descent down a giant rock pathway hewn out of the mountainside.  A plod up the valley leads back to the twin villages.  A time to savour some of the bakery delights of this quaint village set in the backdrop of a hillside amphitheatre with Khumbila 5760m in the background.

Day 15 : Trek to Benker 2710m.

In the morning visit the Sherpa school set up by Sir Edmund Hillary 8 years after his Everest summit. Take a side trek to Evereset View Hotel an immense Nepali Japanese resort envisaged to cater to high end visitors preferring luxury accommodation. Enjoy a coffee break in the terrace of this imposing property with magnificent views of Everest and other peaks. The route home leads back through Namche Bazaar and off down the hill.  Spend night at Benker at the edge of the National Park.

Day 16 : Trek to Lukla 2804m.

From here the walk to Lukla takes about five hours of which the last 1.30 hr are rather surprisingly hard work.  Enjoy a farewell dinner with your trek crew!

Day 17 : Flight Lukla - Kathmandu.

One of the most exciting take-offs in the world wings the Twin Otter high above the Dudh Kosi for the 45 minutes flight back to Kathmandu.  Take a nice break, day free at leisure and catching up with the last minute souvenir hunting in the myriads of outlets in the tourist districts of this city.

Day 18 : Departure.

Transfer to airport for home ward flight!

Options : one can reduce the trek duration by adjusting itinerary OR using a Helicopter charter service on Day 13.  

Please note all walking hours are approximates and depend on an individual's own pace and trail conditions.

Nepali Trek Leader with experience and knowledge will accompany this trip. 

Book this truly remarkable trek - best seasons March to May, October to mid December.

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