The climb to Everest base camp is one of the most iconic treks in the world, following in the footsteps of legendary mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. It must be on your bucket list if you enjoy trekking. The 12-day Everest Base Camp trek genuinely retraces the steps of these illustrious mountaineers and provides plenty of time to acclimatize properly and take in the Himalayan sights.
Make sure you sit on the left for your first fantastic views of the Himalayan chain as our journey begins with the exhilarating flight into Lukla. Although the pilots are very skilled, the landing at Lukla may be a white-knuckle experience as they lower the plane onto a small, steep runway. After safely arriving in Lukla, a bustling mountain town at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level, you will meet with your porters and begin your journey after a final check. You will pass by a number of prayer walls, manis, and Sherpa communities with well-kept farms in this lower section of the trek. The terrain is exceptionally fruitful. Hiking in the middle of spring also offers the most spectacular native rhododendron sights.
You are continuously ascending sharply to Namche Bazaar, the Khumbu region’s capital. The town of Namche is quite big, and you can even get real Illy coffee and fantastic chocolate brownies there. To get to Tengboche, with its amazing monastery situated against the backdrop of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lohtse, you must descend to a lower elevation and then climb back up. The following stop is Pheriche, and then a few more days later you reach Gorak Shep, the final destination before reaching Everest Base Camp.
The highlight of this location is the climb up to the top of Kala Pattar (5545m), which is directly behind the hamlet and offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. You ascend to base camp itself from Gorak Shep. Before reaching the entrance to base camp itself, which is a fairly level climb across very rocky and uneven terrain, you will have time to rest, snap photos, and take in the sights. After that, you will descend to Dingboche before returning to Lukla over the course of the following three days to unwind and celebrate with a refreshing beer.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Lukla (2860m) and trek to Phakding (2160m) [30Mins flight & approx. 3 to 4 hours trek]
- An early flight from the domestic terminal of International Airport, Kathmandu to Lukla will keep us engaged with the awesome views of breathtaking mountains.
- After landing on Lukla and taking a short rest, you’ll head towards Phakding by following the Dudh Koshi river and crossing a suspension bridge. On the trail, you’ll see chorten, mani stone, and prayer flags.
- On this first day trial, you’ll start to view beautiful mountains like Karyolung, Nupla, and Gongla. You’ll take a rest at several stops for a tea break or lunch break. You’ll spend a night on Phakding. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Phakding.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m) [Approx. 05 to 06 hours trek]
- On the second day, after having a hot breakfast you’ll head toward one of the biggest rest areas, Namche Bazaar.
- The trial involves high climbing and steep steps through stunning forest, yak pastures, traditional villages crossing rivers via swaying suspension bridges and we enter Sagarmatha National Park where we can see Thamserku Himal rising above us.
- After a long day of hiking and reaching Namche Bazaar, everyone falls in love with the sight of golden mountains at the sunset time. Breathtaking views will be compelled to forget all the tiredness. You’ll spend a night at Namche Bazaar. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Day 3: Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar [Approx. 05 to 06 hours trek]
- Today is an acclimatization day to allow our bodies to adjust to the high altitude. We can hang around Namche Bazaar which is a primary town of Everest region having government offices, internet cafes, shops restaurants and a colorful market. This is also an opportunity to spend a few hours hiking around the area or visit the school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in Khumjung village.
- Some of the mountains on view today are Kwangde (6,011m), Thamserku (6,623m), Kangtega (6,782m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m) and, of course, Mount Everest (8,848m).Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3870m) [Approx. 05 to 06 hours trek]
- This day of trek begins with another early start (around 6 am) through narrow trails. On the trail, you’ll stop in several places to get the outstanding views of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Everest, Mt. Tabuchi, Mt. Thamserku etc.
- There are not many steep ascents and descents today, giving plenty of time to concentrate on photography! Stupas (Buddhist shrines), prayer flags, mani walls (walls with Buddhist prayers carved into them), and mountains, such as Ama Dablam, and Tengboche Monastery, are all worth photographing.
- After a few hours of walks, trails take you to the hilltop village of Tengboche via the rhododendron forested area.
- Tengboche is famous for the largest monastery of Khumbu region i.e.Tengboche Monastery. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Tengboche.
Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche (4360m) [Approx. 05 to 06 hours trek]
- On the fifth day, the trek begins with first descent through the rhododendron forests and then gradual steep climbs. After climbing countless mani stones, first you’ll reach Pangboche. The trail is, of course, very scenic but also quite challenging today. We have to cross the Imja valley and follow Lobuche River before climbing up to Dingboche’s windswept fields.
- This is the highest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu Region. We’ll be experiencing spectacular views of Ama Dablam as we will arrive at Dingboche in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax with a book or gaze at the surrounding mountains. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Dingboche.
Day 6: Acclimatization at Dingboche [Approx. 04 to 05 hours trek]
Trekking through over rising high altitude it is most important to acclimatize at Dingboche spending our day with short hikes around the valley. We can visit the base of NangkarTshang peak with its sacred sites. Hiking around the ridge behind the village, we can view six of the world’s tallest peaks including Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. These hiking activities will help our bodies prepare for the high altitude ahead. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Dingboche.
Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche (4940m) [Approx. 04 to 05 hours Trek]
- On this day, the trail leads gently upwards, climbs toward the Pheriche Valley and you’ll walk into a grassland area.
- After crossing the suspension bridge to Thokla, a steep hike with photographer’s paradise will take you to the Lobuche pass. You’ll see different colorful prayer flags, Khagan Chorten, and a cemetery ground with hundreds of cairn memorials for those who died on the mountain.
- Besides, Lobuche offers some breathtaking panoramic views of mountains Nuptse, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and a few other 7000 meters plus peaks. There is also a high altitude research center which can help with communication for the rescue operation. Dinner and overnight at normal lodge in Lobuche.
Day 8: Trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp (5364m) [Approx. 06 to 07 hours Trek]
- Today, finally we’ll be in the base camp which will definitely make you proud and excited to be near to the top of the world. After all, your dream to be on the top of the world will be fulfilled!
- Today’s trail will be smoothly up and down and is not very difficult. However, we ascend and descend mostly on a glacier path. After having the hot breakfast, first, you’ll head towards Gorak Shep over the wide trails and with the view of the Khumbu glacier and mountains. After you reach Gorakshep, taking some rest we will head to Everest Base Camp, the main attraction of this trek.
- The major highlight of the day is many mountain views including Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Khumbutse, and Mt. Lingtren. After enjoying some beautiful moments at Everest Base Camp we again will be back to Gorak Shep overnight. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Gorak Shep.
Day 9: Trek to Kala Pathar and back to Pheriche (Approx. 07 to 08 hours Trek)
- We wake up early in the morning for the walk up to Kala Patthar. From Kala Patthar 360-degree panoramic Mountain View along with Khumbu Glacier will look amazing.
- We walk on a fairly steep trail at a comfortable pace. As we are climbing up the hill we can see Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse mountains. The view from the summit is outstanding. We can see the world’s tallest mountain Everest along other mighty Himalayan peaks.
- We will trek back to Gorak Shep and after lunch at Gorak Shep descend to Pheriche. Pheriche is another beautiful valley surrounded by rocky hills and mountains. You’ll spend a night at Pheriche. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Pheriche.
Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar (Approx. 06 to 07 hours Trek)
- We lose approximately 2,000 feet in elevation today and walk on a trail with a lot of ups and downs. We descend through a hillside filled with rhododendron and juniper trees and cross a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. We descend rapidly through pine forest where we can easily spot mountain goats, pheasants and other wild animals and birds common to the area.
- After reaching Namche Bazaar, spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Namche. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Day 11: Trek back to Lukla (Approx. 07 to 08 hours Trek)
We begin our trek to Namche Bazaar today on rocky terrain. It is mostly a downhill trek on a trail alongside the Dudh Koshi River. We cross several suspension bridges, pass by several monasteries and villages before reaching Lukla. After reaching Lukla we spend the rest of the day resting as today will be our last day on the mountains. Spend overnight at Lukla. Dinner and overnight at a normal lodge in Lukla.
Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu from Lukla
On the final day of the trek, you’ll take your beautiful flight back to Kathmandu. Once again saying a heartfelt goodbye to the majestic mountains we will land at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your respective hotel.
Important Notes
All information in this itinerary is accurate to the best of our knowledge but please note that changes to our trips can and do occur. This may be due to our effort to improve our program or logistical reasons such as changes in flight schedules, traffic conditions, weather conditions, or government policies. We will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes but cannot be held liable for any alterations made to the published itinerary.
