Everest Base Camp Trek

Your journey to Everest Base Camp begins with a flight to Lukla, either from Kathmandu or Manthali. While it takes 45 minutes to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, it takes 25 minutes from Ramechhap’s Manthali airport. As you get to Lukla, you’ll take a moment to soak in the area’s majesty and start your trek towards Phakding. The route gently descends through stone villages, terraced fields, and fluttering prayer flags. You’ll pass through suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. A 3- to 4-hour trek from Lukla takes you to Phakding, covering an approximate distance of 7.5 to 8 km. Your day is spent overnight and dinner at the lodge in Phakding.

Lukla flight information: The flight between Kathmandu and Lukla can be delayed due to weather and high air traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport, especially during peak season. Thus, you may have to take a flight to Lukla from Ramechhap’s Manthali airport. However, you must travel by jeep for approximately 5 to 6 hours to reach the Ramchhap airport from Kathmandu. Similarly, the congested traffic in the Airport, unmanaged runway, and topographical difficulties caused the flight delay to Lukla. Thus, it is advisable to add at least two extra days to your trip to avoid missing your international flight. 

Good morning on the first day of waking up in the Himalayas. Have a sip of a cup of tea and a warm morning meal while enjoying the beauty of Phakding, and pack your backpack for your day’s walk. The day begins with a crossing of the Dudhkoshi River, which involves several suspension bridges. Today, you’ll enter the Sagarmatha National Park, where you must verify the park’s permit at Monjo village, the entry point of the national park. Entering the National Park, you’ll get to Jorsalle (2,740 m/ 8,989 ft), a perfect stop for a rejuvenating lunch.

After lunch, you’ll resume your walk following a gradual ascent section. Continuing the walk, you’ll reach the iconic Hillary suspension bridge. The first view of Everest on the way will energize you, and the view of Thamserku will accompany you. A 5-6 hour trek from Phakding takes you to Namche Bazaar, covering a distance of 12.3 km. Overnight and dinner at Namche Bazaar.

Trekking above 2,500 m poses the risk of altitude sickness, and trekking without proper acclimatization can lead to serious problems. As you are already above 3,000 m, acclimatization is crucial for you. Thus, day three is for you and your body to adapt to the changed temperature and become accustomed to high altitude. After breakfast at Namche Bazaar, you’ll go for a short hike near the village.

Everest View Hotel and Khumjung Village are two hiking points that offer the opportunity for acclimatization and provide an amazing view of the surrounding mountain peaks. Similarly, Sagarmatha National Park Museum, Everest Photo Gallery, and Syangboche Airport are optional side visit spots on this day.

At an elevation of 3,880 m (12,730 ft), the Everest View Hotel is the world’s highest and one of the best viewpoints of the Everest region. The Hotel is located 5.4 km away from Namche Bazaar, requiring a 2-3 hour hike. View of Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Lhotse Sar, Peak 38, Amadablam, Thamserku, Khumbila, Khangthegu, Cholatse, Taboche, Phortse Peak, Kusum Khangkaru, and Kongde is jaw-dropping from the Hotel. Along with Everest View Hotel, you’ll visit Khumjung village and its popular landmarks, experiencing the area’s culture. After a pleasant day hike, you’ll return to Namche Bazaar for your overnight stay.

Enjoy your warm breakfast in Namche Bazaar and start your day towards Tengboche with fresh energy after an acclimatization day. The pathway begins with a gradual ascent with a stunning view of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest. The route descends steeply through pine and rhododendron forests to Phunki Tenga, where you’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. There, you’ll stop to have lunch and rest for a while.

Continuing the trek after lunch, the trek leads up through forested paths. The section is quite challenging but rewards you with incredible views. The memorial stupa for Tenzing Norgay on the trail is one of the highlights of the route. After walking for 6-7 hours, covering a distance of 9-10 km, you’ll get to Tengboche, your overnight and dinner point.

This morning, you can explore the Tengboche monastery, participate in worship, and gain spiritual experience. Your trek begins after breakfast with a gradual descent that winds through alpine forests and crosses the Imja River on a suspension bridge. The path is beautiful, and if you are lucky, you may spot Himalayan monals or musk deer. You’ll pass through Pangboche, the oldest Sherpa settlement in the region. You’ll have your lunch in the village.

After lunch, the pathway ascends through alpine scrub and yak pastures. The majestic peak of Ama Dablam remains your companion all along. Within 5-6 hours of Tengboche, you’ll get to Dingboche, covering a distance of 9-10 km. Overnight and dinner at Dingboche.

You are constantly walking at high altitudes, so you need to rest and acclimatize regularly. Thus, day six is another acclimatization day on the Everest Base Camp route. Similarly, it is the last acclimatization point before you reach Everest Base Camp. On this day, you’ll go for a light hike to Nagarjun Hill, aka Nangkartshang Peak, at 5,100m.

It takes 4-5 hours on a round trip from Dingboche to Nangkartshang Peak and back. The highlight of the Hill is a panoramic view of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. After the hike, you’ll return to Dingboche and spend the day resting, hydrating, and eating. Overnight and dinner at Dingboche.

You’ll leave Dingboche after the morning meal and head towards Lobuche. The day begins with a gentle, steady climb, following the route above the Pheriche Valley. After 2 to 2 and a half hours of trek, you’ll reach Thukla, a small settlement with a few teahouses. We pause at Thukla for a warm lunch. After lunch, the trek continues and reaches the steepest part of Thukla Pass (Dugla Pass). After the pass, the route becomes more gentle but crosses a rocky and uneven section alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Within 5-6 hours of trek from Dingboche, you’ll get to Lobuche. Overnight and dinner at Dingboche.

Day eight is one of the most iconic and rewarding days you’ve been waiting for. You start your day early, trekking slowly along the edge of Khumbu Glacier. The route is mostly flat but uneven and rocky, with a low oxygen level adding to the challenges. After 2-3 hours of trek from Lobuche, you’ll reach Gorakshep. There, you’ll take a short break and leave your backpack in the teahouse of Gorakshep, and you’ll hike to Everest Base Camp, your ultimate destination.

From Gorakshep, you’ll follow the route along the lateral moraines of the Khumbu glacier. The section is physically and mentally challenging due to the thin air and rocky sections. Upon arrival at the EBC, you’ll see prayer flags, stone cairns, and dozens of expedition tents in the climbing season. While Everest’s summit is not visible from the base camp, the view of Khumbu Icefall, Nuptse, and Pumori is awe-inspiring, making your challenges worthwhile. After soaking in the moments at EBC, you’ll return along the same route to Gorakshep for the night stay.

Are you ready for another remarkable adventure? Today, you’ll hike to the highest point of the trek, a vantage point, Kalapatthar (5,555 m). You’ll begin your day early as you must catch the sunrise. Thus, you’ll start your hike before dawn with a headlamp. The ascent to Kalapatthar from Gorakshep takes about one and a half to 2 hours and a distance of 1.5 km. The best part of the vantage point is that you can see the sunrise lighting up the snow-capped peaks of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding mountains. Similarly, the vast Khumbu Glacier and icefall are also awe-inspiring from the location.

After enjoying the view from the vantage point and clicking photos, you’ll descend back to Gorakshep, which takes around 30-45 minutes. Have a morning meal at Ghorakshep and make your way towards the descent to Pheriche. The pathways retrace through Lobuche and Thukla Pass. It takes approximately 5 hours to descend, covering a distance of 12 kilometers. Your day’s night stay and dinner are at the cozy teahouse in Pheriche.

From the tenth day, you’ll continue your descent as you’ve completed the trek to EBC and Kalpatthar. The day begins after breakfast, passing through alpine meadows and stone walls. After 2 hours of trek from Pheriche, you’ll reach Pangboche, where you can take a short break and have lunch.

From Pangboche, the walkway continues downhill through pine forests and rhododendron groves, heading towards the Imja Khola River. Crossing the suspension bridges over the river, you’ll reach Tengboche, your overnight stay and dinner point. It takes 4-5 hours to get to Tengboche from Pheriche, covering a distance of 9-10 km. 

After breakfast at Tengboche, you’ll start to descend through rhododendron, pine, and juniper forests to Phunki Tenga. The route is rocky and can be slippery, so you must use trekking poles for balance. Along the way, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshu River.

After crossing the river, you’ll face a steep uphill stretch to Kyangjuma, where you can rest and have lunch. From Kyangjuma, the walkway gently descends to reach Namche Bazaar, your overnight destination. It takes 4-5 hours to descend from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar.

The trek from Namche Bazaar descends steeply through rhododendrons and pine forests after breakfast. After days of walking in the alpine zone, you’ll finally walk through a green forested area. The most thrilling part of the trek is crossing the Hillary suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River.

You’ll pass through Monjo villages, where you’ll exit the Sagarmatha National Park. At Manjo, you’ll rest and have lunch. After Monjo, you’ll get to the day’s destination, Phakding, taking 4-6 hours from Namche Bazaar. Your overnight stay and dinner will be at Phakding.

Day thirteen marks the final day of Everest Base Camp trek 14 days. You’ll leave Phakding after finishing your breakfast. The day begins by crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. You’ll pass the villages of Ghat and Thaso Koshi. Similarly, the pathway winds through rhododendron and pine forests, offering a refreshing walk with the sound of chirping birds and a flowing river. It takes 3-4 hours to descend from Phakding to Lukla. Overnight and dinner at Phakding.

On the fourteenth day, you’ll fly back to Kathmandu as your Everest region trek ends. Due to unpredictable weather, we’ll manage an early morning flight. You’ll either fly to Manthali airport or directly to Kathmandu airport, whichever is possible. If you land at Manthali airport, you must take a drive to Kathmandu, which takes approximately 4-5 hours. However, if you take a direct flight to Kathmandu, you’ll have more time to explore the city. Overnight at Kathmandu’s hotel.