Trip Overview
Mt. Everest, is the tallest mountain in the world. It stands 8,848m above sea level and is the destination for hikers and adventurers from all over the world. The Everest Base Camp Trek will bring you into some of the oldest and most treasured spots on earth where you will see breathtaking views of cliffs, towering glaciers, and forested hills. Experience the beauty of nature and the local Sherpa traditions of Nepal. This is regarded as one of the finest in the world. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the majestic Mt. Everest and it is a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Your trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) begins on the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla where you’ll land at Tenzing-Hillary airport. There are no roads between the two towns and the only way in is by plane. There are some beautiful views of the Himalayas. The flight takes about 30 minutes and then you’ll be landing in the mountain top village. The air at the higher elevations is cool and crisp and lush, green forests stretch as far as the eye can see. The beautiful and serene mountain villages, the friendly people, and breathtaking view of the mountains makes this trip a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You’ll have a guide with you every step of the way as you travel along the trails to EBC. There is much to see along the way like jagged cliffs, sparkling clear pools of water, and suspension bridges.
You’ll make stops in Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Gorakshep on the way. You’ll spend the night in some of these villages and experience the hospitality of the people of Nepal. It is a 2-day trek to Namche Bazaar, which is the main trading hub of the region.
The natural beauty of the Khumbu glacier is one of the best features of the trek. The beauty of the surroundings, the peaceful feeling of being in nature will acquaint you with a different way of living. Each of the villages you’ll be visiting has its own culture and belief system. Tibetan Buddhism started here and is apparent everywhere you look. You’ll see beautiful icons of the Buddhist faith and life in the Himalayas. As part of the trek, you’ll also get a chance to visit a few of the monasteries and gompas in Nepal like the historic Tengboche Monastery. Each stop along the route is an experience in culture and hospitality. The trek to EBC is an adventure that you must experience for yourself.
Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
Namche Bazaar has been the center of commerce between the mountain dwellers of the high Himalayas and the region’s lowland traders. It is the first stop along the trail to Everest Base Camp and you get a chance to see what life is like for the mountain people. Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa capital of Nepal as well as the gateway to Mt. Everest.
Hotel Everest View, although not one of the designated overnight stays, is a sightseeing opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Located within the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, it holds the record for being the highest placed hotel in the world at an altitude of 3,962 meters, and offers incredible views of Everest from the guest rooms. The hotel is a 4-hour hike from Namche Bazaar. A hotel at the top of the world is a sight to behold. Nestled into the Himalayas, it has a gorgeous view of the mountain with all the comforts of home.
Along the Dudh Koshi River and hiking through the Imja Khola valley, you arrive in Tengboche. Tengboche is the spiritual center of the Khumbu (Tengboche Monastery). It is the oldest monastery in the region with a collection of religious art and offers an insight to the Buddhist culture in Nepal. The area is a photographer’s paradise as the majesty of the Himalayas as a backdrop for the monastery, is truly a sight to see.
One of the highlights of the EBC Trek is ascending Kala Patthar, the highest point on the trail. You arrive at sunrise for one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see, the sun coming up over the rocky crags of Mt. Everest. It is a moderate level trek, so with the proper level of training beforehand, you will be able to do the trek with few problems. The trail is uneven and unpaved, so you will be walking a rough path all the way. It includes many ascends and descends. The highest point you will reach is Kala Patthar at 5,545m and each day you will be gaining an altitude of 500-600m. You will be walking for 5-6 hours every day, so we suggest you prepare yourself with the appropriate exercise routine.
The EBC Trek is suitable for most trekkers and hikers of average fitness levels. The trek takes place over a 12-day period, it is moderately difficult so you should have strong legs and be physically and mentally fit to meet the challenge. If you’re worried about keeping up on the trek, it is recommended to practice various cardiovascular exercises in preparation for the adventure. The air at higher elevations is thinner and some may find it hard to catch their breath if they are not prepared for the change in altitude.
There is no hiking experience needed for the trip. You should be able to walk and climb moderate hills to keep up with the guides. To guarantee the safety and wellbeing of the group, everyone gets opportunities to stop and take a break along the way always when needed. It helps a lot to get plenty of rest and hydration during the hikes, as well as being in good physical condition. The sooner you acclimate to the environment the faster you’ll adapt to it. The main goal is to sustain your energy over long periods to keep a steady pace.
The best time to do the EBC Trek is in the spring from February throughout May. You can actually do the trek any time of year, but the mountains of Nepal are known for quick and harsh changes in the weather. The best time to visit is when the temperatures are moderate and the atmosphere is relatively dry. Later in the season, it gets very humid which makes hiking more challenging. Another good time for the trek is in the fall from September throughout November. Regardless when you plan your trek, you will see wildlife, flowers blooming, and clear blue skies making it an unforgettable experience
Trekkers are provided with all the basics like accommodations, meals, and transportation. Everything is arranged ahead of time by our staff prior to the trek. Hundreds of people journey to Everest every year to take a trip up the mountain. It’s an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Our guides and staff will make sure your trip is memorable and one that you will cherish forever. You will be setting out on a 12-day adventure into the mountain villages of Nepal, a place that few people get the chance to see. It’s like stepping back in time to a simpler way of life surrounded by nature. Your itinerary is designed to show you all the best sights and a chance to visit remote areas that are only accessible on foot. Contact us today to book your adventure.
Sample Itinerary
- Day 01 – Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu
The adventure begins with arrival in Kathmandu. You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative from our team, who will help you with your luggage and transportation to your hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you can enjoy the afternoon and evening in Kathmandu. - Day 02 – Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour and Preparation for the trek
Today we will visit four major UNESCO World Heritage sites: the remarkable Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas, the Hindu temple complex of Pashupatinath, and the world-renowned Kathmandu Durbar Square. After your tour, we will have a briefing regarding the upcoming trek. - Day 03 – Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding (2652m) Distance – 8 km, Duration: 3 hours
Today the Everest Base Camp Trek begins. We wake up early and enjoy a quick breakfast at the hotel before heading off to the airport, where we will board the flight to Lukla. The brief flight offers stunning views of the Himalayan range. From Lukla, we hike to Phakding. The small settlement of Phakding is situated on the banks of the Dudh Koshi, a high-altitude river which runs all the way from Everest and is known for its milky, opaque water. - Day 04 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) Distance – 10 to 12 km, Duration: 6 hours
Leaving Phakding, we will trek north on a path leading to Monjo. This small town is the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. As it doubles back and forth across the Dudh Koshi River, our trail winds its way past tiny settlements called Tok Tok and Jorsale. After crossing a final suspension bridge at the junction of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, we will hike uphill for about two hours before reaching Namche Bazaar. - Day 05 – Acclimatization Day – Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,962m) Distance – 3 to 4 km, Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Today is an acclimatization day: as we ascend to higher elevations, it’s important to let our bodys adapt to the thinner air. There is a lot to see and do in Namche Bazaar. For one, you will get to enjoy your first view of Everest itself, and also many neighboring peaks, among others the distinctive summit of Ama Dablam. - Day 06 – Namche to Tengboche (3860m) Distance – 10 to 11 km, Duration: 5 hours
Leaving Namche Bazaar, we trek uphill through fragrant woodlands and passes alongside quiet Himalayan villages. Many trekkers regard this route as the most scenic section of the entire Everest Base Camp Trek. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse are just a few of the stunning peaks that tower over the trail. Our destination for today is Tengboche. This village is best known as the site of the important Tengboche Monastery. - Day 07 – Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m) Distance – 11 to 12 km, Duration: 5 hours
After breakfast in Tengboche, we begin our morning hike by descending towards the tiny village of Deboche. We will cross a handful of suspension bridges over the Imja Khola before reaching Pangboche. Continuing from Pangboshe, past the village of Orsho, we will finally arrive at the small Sherpa village Dingboche. - Day 08 – Acclimatization Day- Hike to Nagarjun hill: Distance – 5 to 6 km, Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Now at altitudes greater than 4,000 meters, we will need more time to adjust to the thin air. Today is therefore reserved for acclimatization. Just south of Dingboche is a steep hike to the top of Nagarjun Hill, from which we have awsome views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Lobuche, and Taboche. Trekking to this vantage point also offers a panoramic view of the entire Imja Khola valley, where Imja Tse, the 6,189-meter mountain better known as Island Peak, rises above the town. - Day 09 – Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m) Distance – 11 to 12 km, Duration: 5 hours
After leaving Dingboche, today’s hike takes us past the lonely huts of yak herders, as we trek towards the tiny settlement of Lobuche, where today’s trek ends. Lobuche is a small village nestled in the shadow of the mountain, which shares its name. Lobuche is comprised almost entirely of guesthouses, so it is the ideal spot to spend the night. - Day 10 – Lobuche to Gorakshep (5180m) – Everest Base Camp (5364m) – Gorakshep, Distance – 14 to 15 km, Duration- 8 hours
Today is the day we finally get to see Everest Base Camp. From Lobuche, we will trek toward Gorakshep. This is a little village where trekkers’ lodges and guesthouses are situated on the edge of a frozen lakebed. Gorakshep was once the site of the original Everest Base Camp, and it is your last stop before pressing on to the base camp’s current location.
Leaving Gorakshep, we will begin hiking alongside the Khumbu glacier moraine and its associated Khumbu Icefall, which is regarded as a particularly hazardous part of the climb for those attempting to summit Everest. We have now arrived at Everest Base Camp. We will return to Gorakshep to spend the night. - Day 11 – Gorakshep – Kala Patthar (5545m) – Pheriche (4210m) Distance – 13 to 14 km, Duration – 7 hours
Today’s hike is to the vantage point of Kala Patthar. We will depart Gorakshep in the early morning to ascend the viewpoint in time for sunrise, climbing a series of challenging switchbacks. Kala Patthar represents the highest elevation of the entire journey. From Kala Patthar we begin trekking towards Pheriche, a small farming community. - Day 12 – Pheriche to Namche (3440m) Distance – 14 to 15 km, Duration- 7 hours
Today we will trek from Pheriche back to Namche Bazaar. The going is significantly easier now that we are descending. - Day 13 – Namche to Lukla (2800m) Distance – 18 to 19 km, Duration – 7 hours
Today we will trek back to Lukla. The return journey will be familiar, but we will get a new perspective on the many chortens, mani walls, and gompas along the way now that we are traveling in the opposite direction. We will pass through the village of Cheplung leading to Lukla. We will arrive in the late afternoon and spend the night Lukla. - Day 14 – Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
Wake up early to bid farewell to the spectacular scenery of the Khumbu before boarding the morning flight back to Kathmandu. - Day 15 – Reserve day in Kathmandu
This day is reserved in case there are any weather-related delays with your return flight from Lukla. - Day 16 – Farewell and Departure
This morning, you’ll wake up to enjoy your last breakfast in Kathmandu. Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be transported to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure, starting your journey home.