Everest Base Camp Trek

Kathmandu Valley is out-rightly the cultural and opulent hub in Nepal. Despite being highly influenced by modernization, the ancient assets have remained well preserved. The valley is a home to seven out of ten UNESCO world heritage sites of Nepal; Kathmandu city alone holds four of them – Pashupatinath, Boudha Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swyambhunath. Starting late in the morning, Kathmandu valley sightseeing includes a relaxing day tour to these long standing structures.

Situated at the bank of Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Often known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, Swyambhunath is a Buddhist Stupa situated at the hilltop in Nagarjun Hill range that surrounds the Kathmandu Valley from the north-western boundary for a perfect view of the valley. Boudha Stupa is a centrally located heritage site with the biggest Mandala in South Asia. Kathmandu Durbar Square has abundance of medieval architecture with fascinating craft works.

The Kathmandu Valley sightseeing provides an insight to Nepal’s history and how it influences the contemporary culture.  Our guide will provide you the interesting briefings during the tour, and after the tour, you’ll get back to the hotel and prepare for the trek.

Overnight stay at the Hotel, Meals: Breakfast included.

The Everest Base Camp Trek officially begins after a short domestic flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is a 30-minutes flight that takes you towards your first thin air of the trek. Considered as one of the extreme airports in the world, this airport is located at the edge of a hill with a short runway that drops off towards its end to the deep gaping rugged valley. The Lukla flight is one of the most thrilling flights you’ll ever board. The first close glimpse of the mountains, as the flight follows its route amidst the hills and above the gorges, is the highlight of this little adventure.

After you are done with admiring the changing landscape within 30 minutes of difference, you’ll slowly walk towards the Cheplung Village. If you’re blessed with a clear day, the sight of Mount Khumbila visible from Cheplung will make you stand and stare as this will be the beginning of the endless Himalayan sights.

From Cheplung, the trail gradually moves downwards to the small village of Thado Koshi. From here, you’ll witness an amazing sight of Kusum Kangraru Mountain. Across a large suspension bridge is another small village of Ghat. You can stop here for lunch. Not too far from here, you’ll see a large prayer wheel and a large Mani wall, both looked after by a private monastery.

From Ghat, an easy downhill will take you to Phakding. This is a beautiful mountain village surrounded by tall hills in the Dudh Koshi River Valley which lies north of Lukla.  The village is a relaxing stop for the first night of your trek. There are plenty of decent guesthouses and lodges with private bathrooms and hot showers.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

After a soothing morning and fulfilling breakfast at Phakding, the trail proceeds to reach Namche Bazaar. The route from Phakding to Namche encompasses several small villages. The detailed trail is like this: Phakding – Zam Phute- Tok-Tok – Benkar- Chumao – Monjo- Jorsalle- Namche

Zam Phute is an extension major Phakding which can be reached via a short walk through pine forests. Just across a stream, a bridge connects Zam Phute and Tok Tok. A short uphill climb from Tok Tok will take you to Benkar, which is a small village at the crossroad. During spring, you’ll find the village garnished with foxgloves blossoms whereas tiny red berries during early fall. Past a bridge from Benkar, you’ll reach Chumao on a very short walk.

Chumao is a checkpoint for Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) permit. Your guide will take care of all the permits required for the entire trek. A smooth walk from Chumao will take you to Monjo, the last village before Sagarmatha National Park. (Sagarmatha is a Nepali name for Mount Everest). This village lies exactly north of Phakding and it is the entry point to the national park. Monjo onwards, the trail is embedded in the national park and decorated with alpine vegetation of Pine and Cedar. The trail from Monjo to Jorsalle drops to steep downhill. Regardless of the short distance, keep a slow pace to avoid stress on your knees. You can stop by quickly at Jorsalle for lunch and refreshments. You’ll come across an army checkpoint at the end of Jorsalle. Too many checkpoints? Well, make the mountains safe!

From Jorsalle, a gradual uphill climb of nearly 3 hours will take you to the celebrated mountain town of Namche. One epic element to this part of the trail is a really long suspension bridge over the confluence of Bhote Koshi River and Dudh Koshi River. The name of this place is Larja Dhovan. (Dhovan stand for the meeting point of two rivers). Beyond the bridge is the real climb where you’ll cross 3000m altitude mark. The air gets thinner as you climb and you’ll feel the altitude. Your guide will match your pace and take care of everything.

Namche Bazaar is the largest town in the Khumbu region laden with colorful tin-walled cottages built in a way to give the curved feel to the place. You can make some quick purchase of essentials if you need to. If you’ve avoided purchasing any gears in Kathmandu to cut down the luggage weight, you can buy it in Namche. The strategic location of Namche makes it a commercial hub of Khumbu. Its location is a boon for an ecstatic view of the Thamserku Peak and Kongdi RI Himal. We call it a day at Namche!

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

If you are not too tired to wake up early, you should definitely wake up early to see the dawn at Namche. There cannot be any better way to start the day. Namche proves to be the perfect place for your acclimatization of the Everest Base Camp Trek. You can have a leisurely morning and enjoy the breakfast while overlooking stunning views of the periphery from your hotel. After breakfast, you can visit the Syangboche Airstrip located at the hilltop above the town. This is an unpaved airport serving Namche and provides an explicit view of the town and the surrounding mountains.

For rest of the day, you’ll hike up to the Everest View Hotel which sits a little farther from Namche Bazaar. This is the highest altitude hotel in the world and caters a panoramic 360 view of the Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest.

Back at Namche, attractions such as Everest Photo Gallery and Sherpa Culture Museum await your presence. You can even spend remains of the day getting along with a local Sherpa. The people there are so friendly. If your guides and porters are having one of their good days, they’ll be your best entertainer.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

The trail from Namche to Tengboche is long and well settled. In fact, this is the most well-settled trail you’ll find in the trek. You’ll be walking uphill and downhill on relatively flat land. Following a quick walk from Namche to Syangboche, the trail will open straight and wide. This trail takes you to Kyangjuma where you can witness Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest overlooking at you. On the other corner of Kyangjuma is a small settlement of Sanasa where you’ll mostly find souvenir stalls put on for sale. A quick walk through pine forests from Sanasa will take you to Leushyasa. If you get lucky, Himalayan Thars will cross you way. Another attraction of this part is a rock with a painting of Guru Padmasambhava. Do care to pay notice at this artwork.

The trail then stretches steeply towards the Dudh Koshi River Valley to reach the settlement of Pungki Thanka. The view of Everest from here gets majestic. Along the right side of the Dudh Koshi River, the trail slowly marches uphill towards the Village of Tengboche. On this stretch, the change in vegetation is rapid. Decorated with blue pines, and rhododendron, adjoining forest is a habitat to Musk deer and Himalayan Monal.

Tengboche is a beautiful Sherpa settlement seated at the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola Rivers. Tengboche will welcome you with a wide vista of Ama Dablam, Everest and many other peaks in the range. The supreme highlight of Tengboche is the Tengboche monastery. This is the largest monastery of the Khumbu region and widely respected as a spiritual hub of the region. The monastery itself is a great vintage for stunning views beyond forests that are adorned by rhododendron, Impeyan Pheasants and eagles.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

The path from Tengboche to Dingboche starts after crossing the suspension bridge over Imja Khola River. Following the long trail from there, you’ll reach the village of Pangboche. This is a small village with plenty of Mani walls. Also, the alpine vegetation will settle here and let you march along the rugged terrain. The beaten trail from here approaches a crossroad at Orsho. The diversion on the right reaches Dingboche; the left one reaches Pheriche.

As reflected by the name Dingboche, this place receives more sunlight than any other settlement in Khumbu. Hence, it is called “the summer valley” of Khumbu. A kilometer-long stone wall surrounds the village and was built to protect the crops from crazy wind blow descending from the Imja Valley. Beyond the walls, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak peep with awing grace. You’ll feel the oxygen concentration gets lower here. Among the immense beauties, this will be another reason to crash down for the night here.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Considering the increasing altitude, Dingboche is just the right place to spare a day for acclimatization. This relaxing day includes a bit of climbing to Nagarjun Hill at the height of 5100 meters. This hike is strenuous and demands high stamina which perfectly tests you for the base camp climb. The straight hilltop location of Nagarjun is strategic to have a glance at Dingboche. Turn around and you will be able to look over the valley of Pheriche. Look above into the horizon and you’ll see Lobuche East, Lobuche West, Kangtega, Taboche Peak, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Makalu.

Back at Dingboche, the schedule calls for a relaxing sunbath in the warm sun and even warmer hospitality. Pump yourself because you’ll be at the base camp in the next two days!

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Aiming to reach Lobuche for night stop, you’ll come across Thukla right after you set off from Dingboche. From Thukla, the trail marches towards Pheriche (4210m) past Thukla. At this point, the trail gets a bit difficult. So, hold on to a sedated walk.

Proceed where the trail takes you and you’ll reach the rock-strewn oblique of Chupki Lhara. The path from here drops down towards terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. While crossing the moraine, the view of mountain peaks like Khumbutse, the Mahalangur Himal, Lingtren and the Pumori will be at their best. After the crossing, lofty Mount Nuptse will be looking over you. After a short-gentle downhill walk, you’ll reach Lobuche. Lobuche is a small settlement with decent tea houses and logging catering hospitality to the trekkers.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

The morning at Lobuche marks the beginning of the most anticipated day- the day of landing on the Everest Base Camp! Just a further walk away and you’ll reach above 5000 meters altitude. So, you’ve got to take it slow. You might even count your steps. The aim is to avoid altitude sickness at any cost.

A slow walk from Lobuche alongside the right of the Khumbu Glacier will take you to Gorakshep at an altitude of 5181m/16994ft. You’ll notice the tranquility at Gorakshep with a few tented tea houses. From Gorakshep onwards, you’ll find no lodges. You’ll be surprised by the birdlife at such an altitude. Gorakshep itself derives from the name of a raven, called Gorak by the Sherpas.

From Gorakshep, a wide trail on the surface reaches Everest Base Camp. Finally! Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the shoulder, you’ve made it the foot of almighty Mount Everest. The sight of the Khumbu Icefall will be heavenly from here. Adding to the list of heavenly would be the stunning view of the Khumbutse and Lingtren mountains. The duration you’ll be spending at the base camp is determined by the weather condition there. You’ll have to walk back to Gorakshep for the night. So, feed your sight and your soul to the fullest for as long as you can.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Hike from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar starts early in the morning so that by the time you reach Kala Pathar, you’ll be able to catch the sunrise and shimmering Mount Everest in the morning sun. From the top of Kala Pathar, you’ll look over at the Everest closer than ever. The explicit view of the Everest visible from Kala Patthar makes it a perfect vantage point.

The sight of silver Everest turning golden in the rising sun is a work of art coming to life. After filling your soul with the Everest majesties, you’ll hike down to Gorakshep and then to Pheriche which will be your stop for the night.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

The trail back to Namche from Pheriche will move quickly. Firstly, following the Imja River to Tengboche towards Pungki Thanka, pass the Kyangjuma and finally reaching Namche. On your way back, you can take time to admire every element you missed during your pursuit of base camp. You’ll be amazed by how unusually easy the breathing feels. Remember the increasing oxygen concentration. Namche, which was a total new place few days ago, will start to feel homely.

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

The trail back to Lukla is ornamented with prayer flags, Chortens, Mani walls and miniature Gompas lined throughout the villages. The gushing of Dudh Koshi River will sound like it’s hailing your victorious climb to the base camp. You might have run out of clean clothes in your bag pack, but you’ll be full with serenity of the lofty mountains.

On your way, don’t forget to say final sayonara to Phakding. After gradual ascending from Cheplung, you’ll reach Lukla for the night. When you get to Lukla, look back, pinch yourself if need be, you’ve made it!

Overnight stay at the Guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

It’s time to take another thrilling flight back to Kathmandu. Make sure to hold your breath while the flight runs down to the inclined runway at the edge dropping into the gorged valley.

You are one flight away from the end of your trek. Take one last close look at the mountains, for after you board the flight you’ll have only photographs to look at. Take pride in the success of your Everest Base Camp Trek. You might find yourself smiling. It’s alright, you haven’t gone insane. It’s the mountain bliss.

When the flight approaches landing, take a close look at the vibrant Kathmandu getting closer. After you land in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hotel. Meals: Breakfast included.

The most important purpose of including a reserve day in Kathmandu is to compensate for the possible disruption in time schedule caused by Lukla flight delay/cancelation. It is important to stay prepared for unforeseen situations in the mountains.

Even if everything goes absolutely fine, you must be worked up with all the walking. In such a case, you can have the day for relaxation. Take your time to stroll around Thamel and get yourself and your loved ones back home souvenirs if you want to. Also, munch on varieties of foods that the city has to offer.

Overnight stay at the hotels. Meals: Breakfast included

It was a great adventure with you in the mountains. Hope you had an experience of a lifetime. One of the representatives from Nepal Hiking Team will drop you at the airport about 3 hours before your flight. We hope to see you again. Have a safe flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast included