A classic and challenging trek following the renowned Everest Base Camp expedition route. We trek high above the tree line and tackle an ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) offering stunning views across the South Col and the summit of Mt Everest. We continue along the trail reaching Base Camp, the starting point for summit attempts.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Kathmandu
Transfer to hotel and check-in.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2:
In Kathmandu
In the morning we have arranged a walking tour visiting the bazaars and temples of old Kathmandu, accompanied by a local Nepali guide. After lunch a pre-trek briefing will be given in the hotel where your tour leader will check that everybody is properly equipped for the trek and give you an idea of what to expect on a day to day basis while on the trek.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla; Walk to Phakding
Early morning departure from Kathmandu for a 40 minute flight to Lukla. (Adverse weather conditions and other local factors can cause delays and cancellations. Although seats are booked and confirmed well in advance, it may be necessary to adjust the itinerary to ensure the best use of your time). Spectacular mountain views all the way taking in Gauri Shankar (7415m), Melungtse (7181m) and Numbur (6955m). We arrive in Lukla and meet our Sherpa crew. Depending on flight arrival times there maybe an opportunity to visit the newly completed Lukla Gompa (monestery) and its attached tanka painting school. We’ll take lunch in Lukla, the descend northweast to the village of Choplung (2697m) to head north along the east bank of the Dudh Kosi to Ghat (2545m). We cross the river at Phakding (2650m) and reach our teahouse nearby. About 3 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Continuing along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi through pine and rhododendron forest, we recross the river to the east bank and ascend to Chomoa. Later we cross the Dudh Kosi once more to its west bank before starting the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. During the ascent, we should have views of Everest and Lhotse. We continue through pine forest to reach the horseshoe-shaped bowl containing the village of Namche (3440m). About 7 hours walk with many ascents and descents.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
In Namche
Spend the morning in Namche taking in the local bazaar which sells everything from toothpicks to ice axes, and perhaps visiting the Sherpa museum in the National Park Headquarters.The afternoon is free for you to make an excursion up the valley beyond Namche towards the village of Thamo (3505m) or you can relax in the village.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
Namche to Thyangboche/Deboche
We ascend out of the village and follow a high, fairly level path above the Dudh Kosi enjoying spectacular mountain views of Everest, Nupse and Lhotse as we go. We pass the various ‘shops’ set up by Tibetans selling trinkets and then descend through forest of blue pine to cross the Dudh Kosi again at Phunki (3250m). We make another ascent on a switch-back trail, sometimes made quite dusty by yak trains, to reach the spectacularly sited Thyangboche Monastery (3867m) from where there are brilliant views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse Ama Dablam and Taboche to the north and northeast, Thamserku and Kantega to the southeast and Kwangde to the southwest. Thyangboche Monastery was seriously damaged by fire in 1989 but has since been rebuilt and there will be time to visit both the monastery and the museum. We reach our teahouse at Deboche. 6 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Thyangboche to Dingboche
We descend through meadows and rhododendron forest, past the Buddhist nunnery at Deboche, to the Imja Khola. Then up along the north bank of the river, with spectacular views of Ama Dablam, to a teahouse at Orsho. Crossing the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas we continue to Dingboche (4410m). 7 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
At Dingboche
A day for acclimatisation and exploring: you can do a day’s walk up the Imja Khola valley through Bibre at 4700m to the yak huts at Chukhung. Here are good views of the east face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse wall. Or you can walk north, up along the valley side to the ruined Nangkartshang Gompa, or continue up to nearby Nangkartshang 5100m peak with its fantastic views. 5 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:
Dingboche to Lobuche
We are now well above the treeline and our walking today brings us to Dusa from where we descend to a stream at 4580m. Immediately above we reach the teahouse of Dughla and continue to a ridge, which has several memorials to Sherpas killed on expeditions to Everest. Continue along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4930m. About 6 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10:
Trek to Everest Base Camp; overnight in Gorak Shep
This morning we will have an early start and head up to Everest Base Camp itself. Our trek starts with a gentle ascent initially which later develops into a steeper ascent of about half an hour. A descent back down then brings us to Gorak Shep (5150m) where we will check into our lodge. The trail splits at this stage and goes to the small peak of Kala Pattar one way and Everest Base Camp in the other. We will take the Base Camp route and head up to take a look. There may be the possibility to meet climbers and their crew at the camp on their way up the mountain. Once we have explored the Base Camp and seen all it has to offer we will retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep where we will spend the night.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11:
Ascend Kala Pattar;descend to Pheriche
Taking the other route today we have a steep ascent which brings us to the top of Kala Pattar (5545m). From here, on a clear day, we will have the opportunity to see the breath taking views of the surrounding mountain peaks; Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, Tawache, Pumori Gyachung Kang plus Khumbu Ice fall and Glacier. After taking in this fabulous sight we will head back down again back to Gorak Shep and on to Pheriche for our overnight stay. 8hrs walk
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12:
Pheriche to Phortse
The trail is mostly down hill as we travel to Pangboche. Pangboche is the highest year-round settlement in the upper Khumbu valley. When we reach here we have the chance to visit the Pangboche monastery, the oldest monastery of the region. After lunch we take the high trail to Phortse with spectacular views over Tengboche and Ama Dablam to Phortse (3810m). Approximately 6hrs walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13:
Phortse to Monzo
Our trail today first descends to the river before ascending to reach Mon Danda. We stop here to marvel at the views over Ama Dablam. The trail then descends to join the main trail to Namche Bazaar. After lunch we descend even further to Monzo (2840m). Approximately 7hrs.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14:
Chomoa to Lukla
Retracing our steps along the east bank of the Dudh Kosi, we reach Lukla (2840m) by mid afternoon. About 5 hours walk.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15:
Fly Lukla to Kathmandu
Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (weather permitting). Afternoon free to relax or optional excursion to Swayambunath, a large temple complex situated at the top of a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is affectionately known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys that reside here.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 16:
In Kathmandu
Extra days are specifically included in the itinerary should there be a delay with flights from Lukla due to bad weather conditions. If we return to Kathmandu on time we will arrange a sightseeing tour visiting the Temple of Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal; and Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and destination of Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal. There will also be the opportunity for an optional visit to Bhaktapur, a city retaining much medieval character and some notable 17th century art.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 17:
Tour ends Kathmandu
The tour ends this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast
