Exciting Everest Base Camp Trek

Lukla airport

Usually, the flight to Lukla is scheduled in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to the domestic Airport of Kathmandu. A short flight of about 45 minutes will bring you to PasangLhamu Airport at Lukla (2,850 m).

We will then have a small breakfast in Lukla. From there, our trekking journey will begin, trekking through some beautiful settlements which connects to the main trail in Churi Kharka. We follow the east bank of the Dudh Koshi (the River of Milk) where we will witness the terrace culture in Nepal with slate roofed houses and dazzling views on Kusum Kangaru (5,579 m). The destination for today is Phakding (2640 m) which we will reach after a gentle 3 to 4 hours of walking.

Namche Bazaar

After breakfast, we will hit the trail early and head towards Namche Bazaar. Upon leaving Phakding village, the trek continues on the bank of Dudh Koshi River. This part of the trail largely lies under the shades of a pine forest and crosses several yak pastures and Sherpa villages, namely Benkar and Chumoa.

Along the route, we will cross a long steel suspension bridge — The Hillary Bridge — to enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Once we enter the national park, the trail becomes very steep, going uphill towards Jorsalle village. However, after a while, the strenuous trail will treat you to the marvelous view of Thamserku, Everest, Nuptse, and Kusum Kanguru.

As we continue climbing along the steep uphill trail, we will arrive at Namche Bazaar. Often regarded as the Gateway to the Himalayas, Namche Bazaar is surrounded by hotels, teahouses, restaurants, cafes, and colorful markets. From the village, we will have a close-up glimpse of Thamserku and Kongde-Ri.

Everest View Hotel

The trek will take us above 4,000 meters over the next few days, so this day is very important for your body to adjust to the altitude in order to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. As it is a rest day today, you may hike shortly to the hills above Namche Bazaar, toward the settlement of Syangboche. Here, you will visit the Everest View Hotel — one of the world’s highest luxury hotels.

From the hotel’s sundeck, you can savor panoramic views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Mount Everest, Nuptse, Kwange, Kangtega, Lhotse, Taboche, and Khumbila. On your way back to Namche Bazaar, you will also have an opportunity to enjoy the Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum.

Tengboche Monastery

After our acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar, we will be greeted with an adventurous yet pleasant path. At this point, the trail passes through a dense rhododendron forest, with occasional Sherpa villages along the way. With marvelous mountain views in the background, this part of the trail is often regarded as the most scenic portion of the Everest Base Camp Trek. As we continue on your gradual walk along the hillside above the Dudh Koshi River, you will arrive at Phungithanga. Once we pass through Phungithanga, the pleasant route transforms into a more strenuous uphill walk.

We will cross the Imja Khola — a tributary of the Dudh Koshi River — under the shades of the rhododendron forest, and then arrive in Tengboche. Tengboche is a small Sherpa settlement scattered right below a crescent-shaped ridge. It is well-known for being the home of Khumbu’s largest Buddhist monastery — Tengboche Monastery. The sight from the front yard of the monastery is sublime. You can enjoy the close-up view of Ama Dablam along with the surrounding mountains, including Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse from here.

Dingboche

Today, get ready for a long trek to Dingboche. We recommend that you wake up early on this day to watch the sun rise over the beautiful Ama Dablam, as it is extraordinary, and you will be left in awe. After having a meal, the day walking will begin, and we will move north from Tengboche village.

After crossing a suspension bridge over the Imja Khola, the trail continues beside the hamlet of Pangboche village. From here on, the route becomes much narrower. The next village is Orsho, and here, we will take the lower route towards the bank of Imja Khola. There are many mani-walls, prayer flags, and chortens just before you arrive in Dingboche. Situated at 4,410 meters above sea level, Dingboche marks one of Khumbu’s highest Sherpa settlements. Hence, most trekkers begin to feel the effects of the high altitude at this point of the trek. Be sure to keep your body warm and stay hydrated to reduce the risk of falling ill.

Dingboche Stupa

Due to the high altitude, today is yet another rest and acclimatization day to help your body adjust. However, we will still take a short hike to a nearby hill to feel active and ready for the remainder of the trek. While it is a steep ascent from Dingboche to the summit of Nagarjun Hill (located at 5,100 meters), the peak offers beautiful views of Ama Dablam, Lobuche, Lhotse, Nuptse, Cholatse, and Kangtega.

After a brief break at the summit, we will descend back to Dingboche to get some rest. If you are feeling healthy and looking for further activities, you may choose to explore the village for another short tour.

Lobuche

This day begins with a gradual ascend towards Thukla. Here, you will notice a change in scenery as your surrounding starts becoming bare and desolate, with only alpine scrubs surrounding the trail. After some time, the trail becomes somewhat strenuous, with a steep uphill over the moraine of Khumbu Glacier.

Upon climbing the steep ridge, we will arrive at the summit of Thukla Pass. Here, there is an area where you will see many stone shrines dedicated to fallen climbers. Following this pass, we will walk through grassy valleys and rocky terrain to arrive at Lobuche.

This village consists only of teahouses, with no permanent settlements here. It lies in a narrow meadow sandwiched between Lobuche Peak and Khumbu Glacier. You will be able to enjoy the incredible sight of Taboche and Nuptse soaring above the teahouse. In the evening, you may choose to take a short hike to the narrow gap of the moraine and the mountain wall to see the Khumbu Glacier.

Gorakshep

After having breakfast in Lobuche, we will begin walking on a rough and rocky trail towards Gorak Shep. However, despite the rough trail, you will be able to enjoy views of Nuptse, Pumori, and other mountains. It takes a few hours on this challenging trail before you will arrive in Gorakshep.

We will have a little time to rest and leave your backpack before getting back to walking towards your destination: the Everest Base Camp. Along the way, we will see several small streams and glacial moraines, and you will be walking alongside the Khumbu Glacier. The Khumbu Glacier is similar to a lunar landscape: gray boulders, ice formations, and small craters. It will take about two hours before we will be standing at the foothills of the world’s highest mountain — Mount Everest. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, you can celebrate your achievement with your trekking guide and team members.

From the base camp, we will have a marvelous sight of Khumbu Icefall, Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse, Pumori, Khumbutse, and a little bit of Everest. After celebrating and enjoying the well-deserved view, we will head back to the barren terrain of Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

Kalapatthar

The day today starts before sunrise to hike up to the landmark of Kala Patthar. While the trail is not long, it is steep, rocky, and very challenging. Located at 5,545 meters, Kala Patthar is the highest elevation of this trek. From the summit, we will be able to enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas, with a 360-degree view of the highest peaks in the world including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Pumori, and more.

After taking in the sunrise, we will retrace your steps back to Gorakshep for breakfast, before descending towards Pheriche. We will walk along the rugged trail and pass through Lobuche and Thukla Pass. Once we descend the ridge of Thukla Pass, we will cross a short bridge over a glacial stream to arrive at Pheriche.

Pheriche is a small settlement surrounded by hotels, teahouses, and yak pastures. It is also home to the Himalayan Rescue Association Clinic. This voluntary non-profit clinic serves as a rescue station for trekkers and mountaineers in the Himalayas.

Namche Bazaar

Today, we will be leaving the high Himalayas behind, beginning your walk after breakfast on a more pleasant trail as compared to the last few days. The majority of the day will be spent walking under dense rhododendron and juniper forests.

We may also catch a glimpse of the rare wildlife, including Himalayan griffons, wild goats, musk deer, and pheasants. Along the way, we will pass through several villages, including Tengboche and Phunki Tenga. Once we reach Phunki Tenga, the trail turns into a steep uphill. The ascent takes about an hour before we will walk back down towards the Dudh Koshi River.

Here, we will cross a small suspension bridge to reach Kyangjuma village. This small community is where three popular trails of the Everest region meet — Namche Bazaar, Gokyo Valley, and Khumjung Village. Here, we will follow the trail that leads to Namche Bazaar where we will stay overnight.

Lukla

The trail descends steeply downward, so remember to walk cautiously on the rocky terrain. Take time if you have to, your legs have been used a lot during this trek! After crossing the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi river and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. After our arrival in Lukla, we will stretch those sore legs and recall the experiences of the last couple of days. Our EBC trek is almost over!

Kathmandu

This is the final day of 0ur trek. Early in the morning, while the weather is good, we will board a flight back to Kathmandu. Make sure to enjoy one last view of the incredible region as you fly to the city. After a short 30-minute flight, we will arrive in Kathmandu where we will transferr you back to your hotel.

You are then free to rest or wander around Thamel to purchase souvenirs for your friends and family back home. There are also plenty of restaurants to choose from in this part of the city, serving everything from local to international cuisines. After your time in the mountains, you will be sure to find something to enjoy for dinner. If you have extra days to spare, we can recommend you to other tours and activities too!