Everest Base Camp Trek by Road

Today, you will embark on a long scenic drive from Kathmandu to Phaplu, the administrative center of the Solu region. The drive is an adventurous journey through winding mountain roads, offering picturesque views of terraced fields, small villages, and lush forests. The journey provides an introduction to the diverse landscapes of Nepal and offers a glimpse into the daily life of the local people.

After breakfast, you will begin a scenic drive from Phaplu toward Surke. The route follows rugged mountain roads through terraced hillsides, dense forests, and charming Sherpa settlements. Along the way, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Solu Khumbu region and the distant Himalayan peaks.

You’ll arrive in Surke by late afternoon and check into a local guesthouse. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatize before continuing the journey toward Paiyun and Namche in the following days.

Today, we are heading toward Phakding. It is the first destination we reach that is included in the regular trekking route.

The trekking track is flatter, meandering along the valley’s contours through lush, fragrant mossy woodlands. You’ll be trekking along a trail cut deep into the valley’s rocky side, where you might see mule caravans following you.

Standing on top of the slope of the impenetrable valley, the walking trail rejoins the Dudh Koshi River Valley, where you can witness beautiful vistas of the ebbing river below.

We leave the settlements of Phakding and follow a trail toward Jorsale that brings us to Monjo, another beautiful Sherpa hamlet.

Our leading destination today is Namche Bazaar. We reach the bustling town by going through Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo.

Endangered animals such as Snow Leopard and the Himalayan Thar call the park’s forests home. We will be treated to a breathtaking vista of the Himalayas set against beautiful pine and cedar forests throughout the trek.

We will arrive in Namche Bazaar after a strenuous climb up the elevation.

Today is a rest day. You can utilize this day exploring attractions around Namche Bazaar or simply sitting in a cafe enjoying warm coffee while engaging with a book or journal.

However, if you do not want to sit still, you may visit the Syangboche Airport.

It is 3700 meters above sea level and is one of the world’s highest airports. From the airstrip, the views of the Himalayan hamlet and the Peaks are breathtaking.

Then, hike to Everest View Hotel for a delightful warm tea or coffee while enjoying the area's superb scenery.

After a beautiful hike, visit the excellent Sherpa Culture Museum to learn more about the region's significant inhabitants.

Following the trail leading to Dudh Koshi valley at Pungki Thanka, we leave Namche Behind and start our journey to Tengboche village.

The village houses the grand Tengboche monastery with the incredible sights of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, and many other peaks. The largest monastery in the Khumbu region is also known as the spiritual heart of the area.

The Tengboche Monastery is the Khumbu’s spiritual core, while Namche is the region’s commercial center. It is also known as the Dawa Choling Gompa, and the monastery’s hillsides are gorgeously adorned with rhododendrons in the spring.

We proceed towards Dingboche village, or Summer Valley, crossing the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola.

We climb the small ridges that tower over the small villages of Sherpa and reach Dingboche. Throughout the trek, the impressive sights of Lhotse, Ama Dablam shall accompany you.

This is the second acclimatization day on the trek. Trekkers are free to use the day however they like. It is arranged to help trekkers adjust to the increasing altitude; staying engaged with light activities such as short hikes is best.

Partake on a walk to Nagerjun, located just above Dingboche on the edges of Chhukung valley. It is absolutely beautiful and offers heart-pounding sights of Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Kangtega (6685m), Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), and Ama Dablam (6856m). Along with mountain scenes, you can also see Pheriche valley. Savoring awe-inspiring views from Nagerjun valley, we descend back to Dingboche.

Overnight at the Guesthouse, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

This day begins with a gradual ascend towards Thukla; here, the scenery changes and becomes much barer and more 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, you will arrive at the summit of Thukla Pass. There is an area where you will see many stone shrines dedicated to fallen climbers.

Following this pass, you 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 can enjoy the incredible sight of Taboche and Nuptse soaring above the teahouse.

In the evening, you may take a short hike to the narrow gap between the moraine and the mountain wall to see the Khumbu Glacier.

It takes a few hours on this challenging trail before you will arrive in Gorak Shep. You will have a little time to rest and leave your backpack before walking towards Everest Base Camp. Along the way, you will see several small streams and glacial moraines and will be walking alongside the Khumbu Glacier.

The Khumbu Glacier resembles a lunar landscape with gray boulders, ice formations, and small craters. It will take about two hours before you 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 Everest Base Camp, you 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, you will head back to the barren terrain of Gorak Shep for an overnight stay.

 Located at 5,545 meters, Kala Patthar is the highest elevation of this trek. From the summit, you can enjoy the sunrise over the Himalayas, with a 360-degree view of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Pumori, and more.

After taking in the sunrise, you will return to Gorak Shep for breakfast before descending towards Pheriche. You will walk along the rugged trail through Lobuche and Thukla Pass.

Once you descend the ridge of Thukla Pass, you 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.

Most of the day will be spent walking under dense rhododendron and juniper forests. You may also glimpse rare wildlife, including Himalayan griffons, wild goats, musk deer, and pheasants.

Along the way, you will pass through several villages, including Tengboche and Phunki Tenga. Once you reach Phunki Tenga, the trail turns into a steep uphill. The ascent takes about an hour before you return to the Dudh Koshi River. Here, you 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, you’ll follow the trail to the Namche Bazaar, where you will stay overnight.

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Surke is a downhill journey, traversing through Sherpa villages and forests. It is part of a longer trek that bypasses the Lukla flight, and the route involves following the Dudh Koshi River towards the end.

We trek down to Surke Village, passing Jorsale, Monjo village, Phakding etc. 

Trek back to Phalpu, and our trek is over.

If you want to avoid a long drive to Kathmandu, you can take a flight, but you should be aware that flights to Lukla (which is a common starting point for treks) may depart from Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu, especially during peak seasons. During these periods, a drive to Ramechhap (about a 5-hour journey) is required to catch the flight, which is a shorter flight than a direct one from Kathmandu.

We get on the waiting vehicle that will take us back to Kathmandu.

A representative from Nepal Hiking Team will bring you to the airport approximately three hours before your flight back home. We wish you a safe return journey!