Everest base camp trek

Ever wanted to see the tallest mountain of the world? This is your opportunity. It’s a walking trek to Everest’s base camp and other smaller peaks in the area.

Length of trip: 16 days
Departure date: April 11, 2020
Cost: $2500.00 USD

Majestic view of the Khumbu region from Pumori ABC, photo credit Neal KUSHWAHA

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Upon your arrival, our airport representative will welcome you at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu (KTM) and bring you to the hotel in a private car. Your hotel stay is included in the cost.

You attend a pre-trip meeting this day. During this meeting, we introduce you to your leader/guide. It’s another opportunity to ask questions about the trek or anything related to our trip. We perform a gear check and offer the opportunity to rent or purchase any items you may need including medication. We also host everyone for a traditional Nepali dinner.

In order to ensure your luggage arrives with you and any potential delays in flights, consider arriving earlier by a day or two. Although not included in the costs, it will also give you some time to tour the city.

Day 02: Flight to Lukla (2,804m) and trek to Phakding (2,610m)

Flight time: 35m
Trek time: 3-4h walking
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

An early morning start takes us to the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu (KTM) for a 35m scenic flight to the Tenzing and Hillary Airport in Lukla (LUA). Upon arrival, our guide will brief you and introduce your porters before we begin our trek towards Phakding.

Upon our arrival in Lukla, you will have some time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. The trek beings by descending towards the Dudh Koshi River where we will join the main trail to Namche Bazar, located just above Chunrikharka (2,713m). This walk is considered to be a short hike that will help with acclimatisation. After almost 3-4h of walking we arrive in Phakding. There are several monasteries to visit along with a breathtaking terrain. We stay in a local lodge for the night.

Day 03: Trek to Namche Bazar (3,441m)

Trek time: 5-6h walking
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi, crossing the majestic river may times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagarmatha National Park, the trail climbs steep with breathtaking views. There are many good restaurants, hotels, lodges shop, money exchange, bakeries and teahouses as Namche is the biggest village along the whole Everest trail. Major attractions of this day are amazing view of Mt. Kusum, Lhoste, Nuptse and a first Glimpse of Mt.Everest. We stay in a guest house overnight.

Day 04: Namche Bazar acclimatisation day (rest day)

Optional trek time: 3h walking
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The entire day is be spent in Namche to help our bodies acclimate. Namche is an important acclimatising spot. It is advisable to remain active instead of sitting idle during the day. Today, you will go to Everest View Hotel for better view of mountains and you can visit the National Park Headquarter, Monasteries and the Museum. The afternoon and evening can be spent roaming around the local shops and market. We stay in the same guest house overnight.

Day 05: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m)

Trek time: 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The trek begins shortly after the breakfast. We follow the trails along the glacial water of Dudh Koshi. During our ascent, we enjoy the phenomenal view of the Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The enthralling Thamserku exit is in the close vicinity of the trail along with the lush of the temperate vegetation including rhododendron, oak, juniper etc. Sometimes we catch a glance of wild fauna such as the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, snow leopard, and different varieties of birds. Upon reaching Tengboche, you may visit the famous Tengboche Monastery decorated with beautiful Sherpa art and unique wall hangings. We stay overnight at lodge in Tengboche.

Day 06: Trek to Dingboche (4,350m)

Trek time: 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

From Tengboche the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche amongst thousands of Mani stones. Our ascent continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa Village of Dingboche with its exquisite view of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We spend the night in a local lodge.

Day 07: Acclimatisation hike to Nangkartshang peak (5,083m)

Hike time: 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This day is in place to assist with our acclimatisation. We don’t make progress towards Everest Base Camp. Instead we take a hike to Nangkartshang peak just above Dingboche. The peak has an excellent view, especially of the gorgeous Ama Dablam. If weather is clear, you will get to see Ama Dablam from its summit to base. You can spend the afternoon strolling the village or resting. We stay the night in the same local lodge.

Day 08: Trek to Lobuche (4,910m)

Trek time: 5h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

The trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits. We continue to the village of Labuche, located at the base of the enormous Lobuche Peak. Due to change in air density, some trekkers may feel the effects lower di-oxygen and higher altitude. We stay in guesthouse for the night.

Day 09: Trek to Everest base camp (5,365m) and return to Gorak Shep (5,180m)

Trek time: 8h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This is a difficult day. It is a lot of work and is most certainly physically and mentally challenging. We walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp, the closest you can get to Mt.Everest without mountaineering equipment. There are expedition teams in camp with intentions to attempt the summit of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. Soon after our arrival, we return back to Gorak Shep for the night and rest in the lodge.

Day 10: Morning hike to Pumori ABC (5,700m) and return to Gorak Shep (5,180m)

Trek time: 8h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This will likely be the most difficult day of the entire trek, our summit day, but is also the most rewarding. We begin early and the majority of the morning is spent ascending to Pumori advanced base camp (ABC). The ascent is demanding but we are rewarded with the magnificent mountain panorama view of the Khumbu region and you see the summit of Everest directly. You are surrounded by giants such as Nuptse, Chagatse, Lingthing, Khumbuche and countless others including Pumori behind you. In the distance you also see Makalu. The entire Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu Glacier, Everest Base camp be seen clearly from Pumori ABC. Hopefully it is not a cloudy day. We return back to Gorak Shep and spend night in the same lodge.

Day 11: Trek to Pheriche (4,200m)

Trek time: 8h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Early in the morning we head to Kalapathar (5,555m). We return along to Gorak Shep and after a short rest, we descend to Pheriche. We begin to feel the more dense air as we rest in Pheriche. We spend night here in a lodge.

Day 12: Trek to Tengboche (3,860m)

Trek time: 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

As we bid farewell to the Pheriche valley and the majestic giants, we continue with our descent to Tengboche. We will get another opportunity to visit the Tenchboche monastery.

Day 13: Trek to Manjoo (2,835m)

Trek time: 4h
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

We continue with our descent and arrive in Manjoo. We are in the trees and the di-oxygen levels are significantly higher. You will sense the thick air, and feel very strong.

Day 14: Trek to Lukla (2,804m)

Trek time: 5h
meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

This is our final day of the trek. We did it! Upon our return to Lukla, we take the time to rest and reflect upon the trek: the friends we made, our personal achievements, and our team effort. The afternoon is free, so take the time to wander the town, shop in the markets, relax, and enjoy a hot shower. If you haven’t already, you may consider having a few drinks with your friends and possibly enjoy some dancing. We stay overnight in Lukla at a guest house.

Day 15: Flight to Kathmandu (1,400m)

During our flight back to Kathmandu (KTM) from Lukla airport (LUA), we enjoy the view of the Himalayan mountains one more time. Upon our arrival at the Kathmandu airport (KTM), our team members greet you and transfer you to the hotel. We stay one more night in Kathmandu.

Day 16: Departure flight

The entire trip concludes on this day. Our team drops you off at the Kathmandu Tribhuwan International airport (KTM) for your departures home. You may optionally extend your stay from here.

Consider the possibility of delays departing from Lukla airport when booking your return flights.

Included

  • Airport, hotel pickup and drop off service via private vehicle (international and domestic flights);
  • Welcome dinner at a Nepalese restaurant
  • 2 night standard twin-sharing accommodation in a hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast;
  • Basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-sharing and possibly dormitory-style rooms;
  • Three meals per day during the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner;
  • A highly experienced, helpful, knowledgeable friendly, well-trained, government license holding trekking guide;
  • Sagarmatha national park entrance fee and Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card;
  • Everest national park permits and Khumbu permit for trekking;
  • Return trip airfare between Kathmandu and Lukla airports including departure taxes at both airports;
  • All applicable government taxes and tourist service charges as per the itinerary;
  • The required number of local staff and porters to carry our gear during the trek (one porter for every two guests);
  • Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and general medicine for all staff; and
  • Supporting arrangements for emergency evacuation services; all trekkers must have emergency evacuation insurance.

Excluded

  • Your personal Nepal VISA fees (requires two passport photos and fees in USD); can be acquired online or in person at the Kathmandu airport upon arrival;
  • Your personal expenses (beverages, sundries, laundry, phone calls, alcohol, extra porter, etc.);
  • Excess baggage fees for flight to-and-from Lukla;
  • Medical expenses, medical insurance, trip interruption and/or cancellation insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, and any other health and insurance fees;
  • Any other extended trips and accommodations;
  • Tips for the guide, porters, and drivers for your appreciation of their service; and
  • Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in the “included” list above.

Gear list

Download our gear list for trekking and mountaineering.

Trip photos

Pro tip: have a look at the Flickr stream photos to prepare yourself of the scenery, the weather, and gear/clothing inspiration.