Starting in the foothills of the Himalaya this trek follows the traditional route to Everest Base Camp. Following in the footsteps of Hillary and Tenzing and the first Everest expeditions we trek the entire route from Jiri to base camp. We spend six days passing through villages, following winding rivers and acclimatising as we go until we reach Namche Bazaar, the heart of the Sherpa region. From Namche we make our way to Everest Base Camp. We also tackle an ascent of Kala Pattar (5545m) offering fantastic views across to Mount Everest.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Kathmandu
Transfer to hotel and check-in.
Overnight Standard Hotel
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 Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Drive from Kathmandu to Jiri
We leave Kathmandu early this morning and drive along the Tibetan border road to Lamasangu. Turning off the main road we follow a smaller road all the way to Jiri. The road twists and turns its way through Tamang and Chhetri villages until we reach Jiri.
Approximately 7-8 hours drive.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
Trek from Jiri to Bhandar
We trek through lowland villages to Sibalaya, set on the banks of a river, we stop to take a rest and tea before a gradual climb to Deurali (2710m). Crossing a ridge we then descend to Bhandar where we spend the night.
Approximately 7 hours walk.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5 to 6
Lamjura Pass (3530m); trek to Junbesi
We approach our first high pass, and the highest point on this section of the trek, the Lamjura Pass (3530m). There are long sections of ascent to reach the pass and we take things slowly. When we make it to the pass we stop to savour the view, and consider that we are already higher than Namche Bazaar. We descend from the pass until we reach the pretty Sherpa village of Junbesi.
Approximately 7-8 hours walk on each day.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Trek from Junbesi to Thaksindu
Crossing the river this morning we take the upper trail to the Salung ridge where we have our first view of Everest from here, as well as views of Thamserku (6623m) and Kusum Kangaru (6369m). Descending to Ringmo Khola we then tackle the gradual climb up to the Traksindo Pass (3200m). A few minutes below the pass on the east side is Traksindo Monastery. This is a great location for sunrise and setset views which will make the most of.
Approximately 7 hours walking.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Trek to KhariKhola
Today the trail descends through dense forest past traditional Nunthale and Rai villages and through fields before crossing the Dudh Koshi river. After lunch we trek through the Rai village of Jubing to continue on to Kharikhola where we spend the night.
Approximately 7 hours walking.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9 to 10
Trek to Phakding via Poyang
The trail descends from the village before crossing a small stream beside water driven mills. We then ascend to pass Kharte (2830m), and walk through the forest on lower trail to Poyang. Following a tributary of the Dudh Koshi we ascend to our lunch-spot at Mushey (2500m). In the afternoon we pass through the villages of Choplung and Ghat (2550m) to Phakding where we join the modern day route to Everest Base Camp.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12
In Namche
Today we take it easy to aid the body's acclimatisation to the altitude. Namche is a wonderful place to while away a day and it is worth visiting the local bazaar which sells everything from toothpicks to ice axes, and perhaps visiting the Sherpa museum in the National Park Headquarters.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
14
Trek to Orsho
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 our teahouse at Orsho. Approximately 4 hours walk.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15
Trek to Dingboche
From Orsho we have a gentle level walk before beginning to zig zag slowly to the crest of a hill. Descending a little we make our way to Pheriche Bridge where we cross the Khumbu River before taking a flat path to Pheriche. We hope to be able to visit the Medical Post and listen to their talk on altitude and climbing expeditions (please note the talk isn't always available). We then make our way to Dingboche, aprroximately 1 hours walk away. Approximately 4 hours walk in total.
Overnight Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
16
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
17
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
18
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
19
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
20
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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
21
Monzo 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 Simple Teahouse
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
22
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 Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
23
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 Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
24
Tour ends Kathmandu
The tour ends this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast