Everest Base Camp Trek

This day is planned as a calm, restorative break following your overseas flight. If you’re missing anything, you can make last-minute purchases or arrange rentals easily in Thamel.

Today, you’ll attend your pre-trek briefing at your hotel. During this session, you’ll be introduced to your guide, and our office team will walk you through the full itinerary and the day-to-day plan during the Everest Base Camp Trek. If you’d like help reviewing your Everest Base Camp packing list, your guide can assist you after the briefing.

We’ll provide the items you’ll need on the trail, including a Nepal Hiking Team duffel bag, a warm down jacket (rated to -15 degrees Celsius), and a sleeping bag (rated to -20 degrees Celsius). You will also receive a complimentary Nepal Hiking Team t-shirt, a baseball cap, and an Everest Base Camp Trek map. 

During the pre-trek briefing, our team will collect your travel insurance details, a passport photo, and any other required documents. 

The remaining payment for your trek will be collected during the pre-trek briefing.

Our team will also update you on the Lukla flight schedule and status, and let you know in advance when to check out of the hotel.

Card transactions carry a 3.5 per cent processing fee, while cash payments do not.

After the meeting, the rest of the day is free to rest, explore the neighbourhood, or prepare for the fabulous journey ahead.

You can weigh your handbag and duffel bag at the hotel. Lukla flights allow a combined 15 kg for hand luggage and a duffel bag. Excess baggage costs approximately NPR 150 per kilogram, subject to airline approval. Due to strict safety rules for small aircraft, additional weight may be denied, regardless of payment.

We start the morning with an early flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport (2,860 m / 9,383 ft). Lukla flights operate in the morning, typically between 6:00 and 11:00 am.

Depending on the season, Lukla flights depart from Kathmandu or Ramechhap (Manthali Airport). The Kathmandu–Lukla flight takes 25–40 minutes, while the Manthali–Lukla flight is 15–20 minutes. During peak trekking seasons (September–November and March–May), flights usually operate from Ramechhap due to heavy traffic at Kathmandu Airport (TIA).

When the flight is scheduled to depart from Ramechhap (i.e., an indirect flight to Lukla), trekkers drive 5 hours to Ramechhap. We leave Kathmandu around 1 a.m. to reach Manthali Airport for the morning flight (around 137 km distance). 

The landing in Lukla is always a moment you remember, with the small runway sitting right on the mountainside and the peaks coming into view as you touch down.

After arrival, you’ll meet your porter team and visit the Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay statue. The trail then follows the Dudh Koshi River through Sherpa settlements, prayer flags, and pine forests. You’ll cross your first suspension bridge, enjoy views of Kusum Kanguru, and reach Phakding for your first night in the mountains.

Rimishung Monastery is a significant attraction in Phakding. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the monastery from your guesthouse.

If the flight departs from Ramechhap, all additional ground transport, including the 5-hour drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, is included in the 16-day Nepal Hiking Team Everest Base Camp Trek package.

If you’d rather avoid the long drive, you can also take a helicopter from Kathmandu directly to Lukla. Helicopter rates vary by season, but you can expect to pay about USD 450 after deducting the Lukla flight cost. If the weather blocks a helicopter from reaching Lukla, you may land in Surke instead. From there, the trek to Phakding takes about 4 hours, roughly 1 hour longer, and bypasses Lukla entirely.

Keep your original passport with you at the airport, not in your duffel bag, and do not leave it in Kathmandu. After flying to Lukla, you will need your original passport to obtain the Sagarmatha National Park Permit (at Monjo) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit (at Lukla). Your passport is not needed at the remaining trail checkpoints.

Today’s walk is scenic and moderately demanding, following the Dudh Koshi River through villages such as Toktok and Benkar en route to Monjo, with close-up views of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku along the valley.

At Monjo, we enter Sagarmatha National Park to check permits, then continue to Jorsale for lunch. From there, the trail follows a deeper valley with several suspension bridges. Jorsale is the last settlement before Namche, so carry enough water, as there are no facilities or washrooms on the steep climb ahead.

In total, there are five major bridges today, and the last two are the longest and highest.

There are two Hillary Suspension Bridges, but the older one is no longer in use. Trekkers cross the active bridge, which rises about 135 meters (442.9 ft) above the river. Located just before the steep climb to Namche, the bridge can be busy, and brief waits are common to allow yaks or mules to cross safely first.

After the final bridge, the main challenge begins: the steady 800-meter climb up Namche Hill. Once you find a rhythm, the ascent becomes manageable and rewarding. 

We arrive at Namche in the late afternoon and head to the lodge, leaving time to rest and enjoy this lively gateway to Everest.

There used to be a bungee-jumping option on the old Hillary Bridge, and some trekkers recall hearing about it in earlier years. That activity is no longer available due to safety concerns. The old Hillary Bridge is now out of service, as it no longer meets the safety standards required for trekkers in the region.

Today’s acclimatisation day starts with a late breakfast, followed by a short walk above Namche, then a forested path to the Sagarmatha National Park Museum. The ridge features the bronze statue of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, holding his ice axe toward the mountain skyline. Clear mornings reveal Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku.

The museum displays Sherpa history, early Everest expeditions, traditional tools, and vintage climbing gear, offering insight into how local life and mountaineering evolved.

A gentle 35-minute climb continues to Sagarmatha Next, a conservation centre that turns collected waste into artwork and recycled products. Trekkers can watch a short documentary and try a VR experience that explains their environmental mission. 

You can also participate in this initiative by carrying a 1-kg Carry Me Back Backpack from the Pangboche (day 12) or Namche checkpoint (day 13) and dropping it off at the Lukla Checkpoint (day 13) on your return from the Everest Base Camp Trek.

After half an hour hike, you can also visit Syangboche Airstrip. Though often thought abandoned, it still supports charter flights, supply runs, and local logistics.

The ridge then leads to the Sherpa Panorama Hotel, which offers expansive Himalayan views and a quiet place to rest before the final stretch of the ridge. A short walk farther brings you to the Hotel Everest View. This Japanese-built lodge holds a Guinness World Record as the highest-elevation luxury hotel, offering views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku. Trekkers often enjoy tea or coffee on the terrace while taking in the scenery.

If you choose to visit Khumjung, the walk from Everest View Hotel descends gently, passing the green-roofed Hillary School before reaching the monastery, famous for its Yeti scalp on display in a glass case. Please note that the Khumjung hike is optional and should be discussed with our guide.

The trail back to Namche retraces the same route. Lunch and Dinner in Namche. 

Nepal Hiking Team’s 16-day Everest Base Camp Trek package includes free hot showers and attached bathrooms up to Namche. Above Namche, hot showers are available for a small additional fee, and bathroom facilities are shared.

Leaving Namche, the trail soon offers fine views of Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. After about 30 minutes, you pass Kyangjuma, then descend through quiet rhododendron forest to Phunki Tenga beside the Dudh Koshi, a common lunch stop. From here, a steady climb leads toward Tengboche, with thinning forests and widening mountain views as you near the ridge.

Ama Dablam rises dramatically to your right, with Thamserku and Kangtega sharp across the valley. The trail follows the Khumbu Valley, offering clear, distant views of Everest and Lhotse. After lunch, crossing the bridge begins a steep two-hour climb toward Tengboche, the day’s most demanding section.

We generally aim to reach the Tengbouche monastery (also known as Dawa Choling Gompa) by 3 pm, so you can join the evening prayers, which usually begin around 3 - 4 pm. There is also an early chanting session the next morning, usually between 5 and 6 am. Your guide will provide the exact prayer times.

Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most crucial gompa in the Khumbu region, was rebuilt after the 1934 earthquake and a 1989 fire. Despite this history, it remains calm and welcoming. Surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks, Tengboche often invites trekkers to linger longer than planned, absorbing its peaceful atmosphere before continuing.

If you arrive in late October or early November, you may witness Mani Rimdu, Tengboche’s most important festival. The event features masked dances, prayers, and vivid rituals that bring the Sherpa community together.

Upon arrival in Tengboche, you can purchase an Airlink Wi-Fi card, which is the most reliable option as mobile networks begin to weaken beyond this point. The card costs NPR 1,200 for 24 hours with 5 GB of data, or NPR 1,500 for 48 hours with 12 GB, making it a practical choice for staying connected.

The entry fee to Tengboche Monastery is Rs 300 per foreign visitor. Nepali nationals can enter without charge. This cost is already covered in Nepal Hiking Team’s 16-day Everest Base Camp Trek package.

You leave Tengboche by heading downhill, and the trail immediately drops into a quiet rhododendron forest. It’s an easy walk, and the shade feels nice as you make your way toward Debuche.

Once you pass the small settlement, the path stays straightforward until you reach the Suspension bridge over the Imja Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge, the route starts climbing again, and that steady uphill takes you all the way toward Pangboche. You gain altitude gradually, moving through open terrain with expansive valley views.

Pangboche Monastery is a 20-minute detour from the main trail and is worth the stop for its status as the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region.

We stop for lunch in Somare (just beneath the Ama Dablam), a small, breezy settlement that sits right where most trekkers need a break.

After Somare, the trail gets noticeably steeper, and the ground becomes rockier as you push higher toward Dingboche. Trees fade away, the air feels thinner, and the landscape starts to look truly alpine.

When you finally reach Dingboche, you at last step into a wide and sunny village that gives you plenty of space to relax and settle in for the night.

During the mid-monsoon, which also coincides with Nepal’s midsummer (Shrawan Nepali Month, Late July to Early August), many local families follow a long-held belief that lighting fires during this season can bring about natural disasters that may harm their homes, fields, and livestock. As a result, they temporarily relocate from Dingboche to Pheriche or other lower villages until the season ends.

Out of respect for local traditions and customs, Nepal Hiking Team adjusts its route during this period, guiding trekkers through Pheriche rather than Dingboche.

The purpose of this hike is to climb higher for acclimatisation and then return to Dingboche to sleep more safely at high altitude.

The trail starts near a small stupa, where you take the steep ridge route. The climb is demanding throughout, with dusty ground, loose soil, and dried yak dung that often triggers Khumbu Cough. As the altitude rises, the air thins quickly, and frequent pauses to catch your breath are common.

The temperature drops as you climb, and the wind picks up around midday, so covering your face, ears, and head is essential.

From the middle section upward, the views open up. You can see the world's fifth-highest peak, Makalu, along with other iconic peaks like Cholatse and Island Peak, and the full length of the Imja Valley (Dingbouche) below. This is the only point on the trek where Makalu comes into view. 

You won’t see Everest from this hike, but Cho Oyu appears during the early part of the climb.

Seven flag points mark progress on the route, but reaching the summit isn’t necessary. Gaining 300–670 meters is sufficient for acclimatisation, and views change little beyond the fourth flag. The upper section is rocky, unmarked, and often icy in colder months, when crampons can be helpful.

The way down is steep and can be hard on the knees. The dirt makes slipping easy, so trekking poles make a big difference.

We usually begin the hike around 7:30 a.m. if we plan to reach the higher sections. If you plan to go only halfway, starting around 9:00 am or 10:00 am is still fine. Once back in Dingboche, the rest of the day is spent resting and hydrating before moving higher on the trail to Everest Base Camp.

You don’t need to worry about acclimatisation days in Dingboche during the mid-monsoon season. The Nangkartsang ridge is also reachable from Pheriche with the same steady pace. It usually takes only an extra 15 to 20 minutes when starting the climb from Pheriche, making the adjustment simple for most trekkers.

Leaving Dingboche, the scenery shifts quickly as lower-valley features fade with altitude. The landscape opens into an exposed, high-altitude plateau of hard-packed earth, loose rocks, and sparse vegetation. With mountains rising on both sides, this stretch feels broad, dry, and unmistakably alpine.

Between Dingboche and Thukla, you’ll pass a cluster of small stone huts. Easily overlooked, these shelters serve as temporary refuges for yak herders moving across high pastures, quietly sustaining traditions shaped over generations in the Himalaya.

The trail remains gentle and steady, following the river gorge and climbing gradually toward Dhugla. With a clear path and a manageable gradient, most trekkers find this section comfortable and a suitable warm-up for the more demanding terrain ahead.

Thukla serves as the lunch stop before the push toward the pass. A new suspension bridge is under construction here and, once completed, should save trekkers around 30 minutes. From Thukla, the trail climbs gradually beside the glacier until Lobuche comes into view, ending a long but rewarding day at altitude.

The climb from Dhugla to Memorial Hill is a different story. The climb is steep and demanding, with sharp switchbacks and thinning air that make each step heavier. Cold afternoon winds often add to the challenge. At the top, memorials honouring climbers such as Scott Fischer line the ridge, creating a quiet, striking place that naturally slows your pace.

Beyond the memorials, the trail briefly levels out before turning colder and barer on the approach to Lobuche. Low shrubs disappear, giving way to rocky terrain as the path joins the Khumbu Glacier moraine. With wind sweeping the valley, this final stretch feels remote and exposed.

Near Lobuche, many trekkers take a short acclimatisation hike for clearer views of the Khumbu Glacier, though the elevation gain is minimal. In winter, the route follows a narrow, icy path with snow and exposed ice, requiring careful footing; crampons and trekking poles are strongly recommended. In other seasons, it becomes a gentle walk across open grassy meadows.

The day starts very early as you make your push to Everest Base Camp. You wake around 5:00 am, have breakfast at 5:30, and begin walking by 6:00 am. This timing helps avoid crowds, ensures daylight visibility, and reduces risk on the glacier, where melting ice later in the day can make descents slippery. Departure times may vary due to weather or seasonal conditions, and our guide will confirm the schedule during the evening briefing in Lobuche.

You set off at first light, using headlamps only briefly if needed. Temperatures are below freezing, so proper layering is essential from the start. The trail begins with a nearly one-hour flat walk before gradually climbing toward Gorakshep. About 20 minutes in, you pass the Pyramid Research Centre signboard on the left, marking the Italian scientific base at 4,980 meters on Everest’s southern slope.

The terrain is uneven, with several small ridges, and the most challenging section is the final downhill stretch from Lobuche to Gorakshep, which can be icy and unstable in winter. Crampons are essential during the winter Everest Base Camp trek. The route covers about 5 km with minimal elevation gain, yet the altitude makes it demanding. The walk usually takes around three hours, with most groups reaching Gorakshep by about 9:00 am for a short lunch or tea break before continuing to Base Camp.

The route offers constant views of Pumori, which becomes the dominant peak as you gain height. 

Gorakshep, at 5,164 meters, sits on an old frozen lakebed and is the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. Many trekkers feel more substantial altitude effects here, including mild anxiety and tingling fingers from Diamox, with each step requiring noticeably more effort.

The walk from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp is about 3.5 km each way and usually takes around three hours. Although mostly gentle, the trail crosses uneven moraine and large rocks, demanding careful footing. As you move deeper into the glacier, the terrain becomes rougher, and the final section often requires crampons due to exposed, slippery ice. 

Most trekkers reach Base Camp around noon, finding this short stretch more challenging than expected due to thin air, cold temperatures, and rocky ground.

Everest is only partly visible from Base Camp, hidden behind Nuptse and the Lho La, but the site is clearly marked by prayer flags and a stone sign where climbers begin their ascent. The Khumbu Icefall towers directly above, dominating the landscape and drawing immediate attention. Reaching Everest Base Camp is a significant milestone, giving you time to absorb the moment, take photos with your guides and group, and study the icefall up close.

After celebrating the achievement, you return to Gorakshep for the night and reflect on reaching one of the most iconic points in the Himalaya.

In March 2024, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality installed a large welcome board directly in front of the iconic Everest Base Camp rock. The move quickly drew backlash from trekkers, guides, and media outlets, who felt it blocked a vital landmark and pushed unnecessary commercialisation into a fragile area. In response to criticism and concerns about the unstable glacial surface beneath it, local authorities removed the board on May 28, 2024.

A night in Gorakshep is rarely comfortable, as the altitude pushes almost everyone to their limits. Even experienced trekkers often struggle to sleep. Poor rest is normal at 5,164 meters, and your guides will closely monitor your condition throughout the night.

We begin the climb well before sunrise to reach Kala Patthar for the best views of Everest. From Gorakshep, the hill appears gentle, but the true incline reveals itself beyond the first ridge, turning the ascent into a steady challenge. As dawn breaks, the effort is rewarded with Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori glowing in the early light.

Kala Patthar, at 5,545 meters, offers the classic Everest panorama most visitors dream of. Sunrise is ideal, as the sun rises behind you, bathing the mountain wall in warm, translucent light. To catch this moment, most trekkers begin the climb around 4:00 am.

You don’t need to reach the true summit to enjoy outstanding views. After 40 minutes to one hour of climbing, the panorama opens up and looks almost identical. You can stop wherever feels right for your body, as the views appear well before the top. The air is frigid, so warm layers are essential, and simple crampons and trekking poles help on frosty, slippery sections.

After taking in the morning light and the broad sweep of the Himalayas, we head back to Gorakshep for breakfast. 

From Gorakshep, we retrace the trail toward Pheriche, passing Lobuche and the quiet memorials at Thukla Pass. With the most challenging climbs behind you, the walk feels calmer. As altitude drops, breathing eases, and the body relaxes after the early-morning effort.

Pheriche has a hospital dedicated to trekkers, operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) with international volunteer support.

Your guides stay with you throughout, setting a steady, comfortable pace after the Kala Patthar climb. They monitor how you’re feeling, assist on uneven sections, and ensure a confident descent. For many trekkers, this is when the pressure lifts and the achievement truly sinks in.

The sunset view from Kala Patthar often surpasses the sunrise view, as the angle of the light casts a direct shadow on Everest, Nuptse, and nearby peaks, creating deeper colours and sharper contrast. Warm gold and red tones light the mountains, while shadows across the Khumbu Glacier add dramatic depth. At sunrise, much of Everest remains in shadow, with the sun rising just behind it, giving the scene a cooler, softer look.

On Day 10, you may choose a sunset hike instead of sunrise, and many trekkers prefer it for the richer light. However, it’s essential to judge your energy, as the Gorakshep–Everest Base Camp day is long and demanding, and overexertion at altitude can affect the return. If you feel strong and conditions are stable, the sunset option is a rewarding alternative.

We leave Pheriche on an easy downhill trail, a clear contrast to the high, exposed terrain above. The valley widens, the air warms, and signs of life return. As we approach Pangboche, the surroundings feel gentler, and the village’s calm atmosphere is especially welcome after the harsher days at altitude.

After leaving Pangboche, the trail climbs gently toward Tengboche at a comfortable pace. Trees return, the river becomes audible again, and the landscape feels warmer and more alive than the barren heights above. As the monastery appears on the hillside, reaching Tengboche signals a welcome return to lower, greener, and more comforting terrain after days of rock, glacier, and wind.

Leaving Tengboche, we follow familiar forested trails toward Namche, passing welcoming Sherpa villages that stand in contrast to the stillness of the high mountains. With easier breathing and the confidence gained from reaching Everest Base Camp, the walk feels noticeably more relaxed and enjoyable.

By the afternoon, we arrive in Namche Bazaar, a moment many trekkers look forward to, as its comforts feel almost luxurious after the rugged days at higher altitude.

Namche Haat Bazaar comes alive every Friday and Saturday, transforming Namche into a lively trading hub. Stalls offer handmade jewellery, Thangka paintings, woollen clothing, trekking gear, and traditional Sherpa crafts. If you arrive on market days, you’ll see the town burst with colour, energy, and local life unlike any other day of the week.

Your last day on the trail usually feels a little emotional because the journey is coming to an end. We follow the path down the Khumbu Valley, passing through Monjo and Phakding, and the same quiet pine forests you walked through at the very beginning. The descent is steady and familiar, and most trekkers find themselves thinking back on how far they have come since those first steps.

When we reach Lukla, the day usually ends with a simple, happy gathering. In Lukla, most people take some time to unwind with their guides and porters. The group usually ends up chatting about moments from the trail and enjoying a quiet, easy evening together. 

This is also when many trekkers choose to thank the team that supported them from start to finish. A small gesture of appreciation is always welcome, and it means a lot to the people who have helped you along the way.

The mood in Lukla is calm and friendly, giving you a chance to sit back and reflect on everything you have accomplished on this journey. It is a simple but meaningful end to your time in the mountains.

We begin the day with a flight back to Kathmandu, or through Ramechhap if it is the busy season. In spring and autumn, flights shift to Ramechhap, and the drive there takes you through small hill towns and green valleys, which is a nice change after the high mountains.

Our team handles all the arrangements, so you can just relax and follow the plan. The flight is short, but it is a nice moment because you get a last look at the mountains from above. After so many days walking through the valleys and ridges, seeing the same peaks from the air feels almost surprising.

Once we land in Kathmandu, we head straight to your hotel. Most people like to take a shower, rest for a bit, and adjust to the busy city atmosphere again. It is an easy transition and gives you time to settle down after the journey.

Today, you’ll receive your official Everest Base Camp Trek Certificate of Completion, a moment that truly celebrates your journey. Your guide will inform you of the exact time, and the program will be held at your hotel. It’s a simple gathering that highlights an accomplishment you’ll carry with pride.

A good rule of thumb is knowing where to sit for the best views. On a clear day, you’ll catch the most scenic mountain panoramas by sitting on the right side when flying to Kathmandu and the left side when flying to Lukla. It’s a simple trick that turns a short flight into a memorable one.

We keep an extra day at the end of the trek because the weather in Lukla can change quickly, and flights sometimes get delayed. This helps make sure you do not run into any problems with your international flight home.

If everything goes smoothly and you reach Kathmandu on time, the day turns into a nice break. Many trekkers use it to rest, walk around the city, or visit a few cultural sites they missed earlier. Some people just enjoy good food, shop for small gifts, or take it easy after days in the mountains.

If you want to do something specific, such as a city tour or another activity like the Chitwan Jungle Safari, we can help arrange it for you at an additional cost.

On the final day, your trip comes to a gentle close as we take you to Tribhuvan International Airport, ensuring you’re there a full three hours before your flight.

You can lean back during the ride because our team handles every detail with calm, steady attention. You may find yourself replaying small moments from the trail as your departure nears.

This country has a quiet way of touching people, often in ways that only make sense once you’re heading home.

Standing at Everest Base Camp is an achievement that stays with you, becoming even more meaningful each time you look back on the journey.