Everest Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal's bustling capital city! When you arrive at the airport, our welcoming personnel will meet you and transport you to your hotel. Take some time for yourself and prepare for the fantastic journey that awaits you.

Trekkers Society organizes a pre-trip meeting in the lobby of your hotel or at our office after breakfast, about 8 a.m. We introduce your tour guide and chat briefly about the trip during this meeting. You can ask our trip leader questions to ensure that you are properly prepared for this trip. Please include four passport-sized pictures, a copy of your insurance policy, and paperwork for the journey. Following the meeting, we will begin our sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley with our skilled and informed tour guide and private transportation. During the day tour, you will see Kathmandu Durbar Square, Monkey Temple, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath. You can explore the free evening and enjoy the dinner somewhere at your interested place. Overnight at Hotel. (Accommodation & Breakfast included).

After breakfast, we will be transported to Kathmandu airport's domestic terminal for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway point from which our trip begins. We arrive at Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport after a thrilling 40-minute flight over the stunning green and white mountains. This is one of the world's most picturesque flight routes, ending in a spectacular landing on a hillside surrounded by towering mountain peaks. We meet our other crew members in Lukla, and after some packing and preparations, we begin our journey through the wealthy settlement of Lukla till we reach Phakding. We just have a short hike today to help with acclimatization. However, if interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight at Guest house. (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included)

The trail brings us through a lovely pine forest and along the Dudh Koshi River, passing via multiple suspension bridges, one of which is the famed Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we receive a beautiful view of the gleaming Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). We arrive at the checkpoint and entry to Sagarmatha National Park after passing through the villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo. We proceed through the last settlement of Jorsale before arriving at Namche Bazaar for lunch. The route ascends through trees and through bridges till we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a two-hour arduous hike, we get our first glimpse of Mt. Everest peeking above the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We pause at Chautara to take in the scenery at this point. We still have around 1.5 hours to trek to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and the primary trade center in this region. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

This is the trek's scheduled 'acclimatization' day. Instead of being inactive, health professionals usually advise us to be active and moving throughout our leisure days. We either spend the day hiking to Thame, visiting Khunde, or relaxing and touring Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazzar is the primary hub of the Everest (Khumbu) region, including government offices, ATMs, Internet cafés, stores, restaurants, a bakery, and a colorful market every Friday and Saturday nights. We can acclimate better if we hike a few hundred vertical feet during the day. Our guide takes us to the Tourist Visitor Center at the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters, where we may learn about the first Everest climbers, Sherpa culture, and the varied plant and animal life in the Everest region. We also take a fun side journey up to Khumjung. We continue our ascent to the famed airfield at Syangboche. The Everest View Hotel, a Japanese project to develop a luxurious hotel with spectacular views of the world's highest mountains, will be built just above the airfield. The Khumjung valley is flanked by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku, as well as the sacred summit Khumbila, which holds a well-known monastery with a yeti scalp. We also go to Hillary School, which is on the same property. We stroll back down to Namche Bazaar after eating lunch and spending some time in Khumjung. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

After breakfast in Namche, we begin our walk to Tengboche, with spectacular views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Our hike takes us on a gentle route with a few ups and downs, all while admiring the majestic Himalayas. Along the route, we may see pheasants, musk deer, or a herd of Himalayan Thar. The route descends steadily to Kayangjuma. The path finally arrives at Sansa, a significant trail junction leading to Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. After passing through the pine trees and over the prayer flag-draped bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we arrive at Phunki Thenga, a little village with a few of teahouses and a small army station amidst the alpine woods. After a leisurely lunch at Phunki Thenga, we have a difficult climb up through the pine trees before reaching Tengboche. Tengboche is an excellent location for close-up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest, and it is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region. We go to the monastery the next day about 3 p.m. to see the event in the main and most popular monastery in the Everest region. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner Included)

Tengboche's monastery is more beautiful in the morning, with the mountains in the background. At this point, we may snap photographs of the monastery and the surrounding beauty before embarking on our day's excursion. We chose the top path to have a better perspective of Pangboche hamlet. We travel by a number of Chortens, Mani walls, and little communities. The restaurant where we stop for lunch not only serves wonderful cuisine, but it also provides a spectacular close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. In the afternoon, we can go north to Pheriche or eastward beneath Mt Ama Dablam's towering north face. As we approach the Imja Valley, the walking becomes more moderate. As we reach the Lobuche River confluence, the valley gradually opens. We drop into the river and begin the final and most difficult climb of the day up to Dingboche. We will witness a stunning variety of fields surrounded by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals when we arrive at Dingboche. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

The day begins with a climb up the Khumbu Khola valley to Duglha. The trek over the parched terrace is worthwhile, with spectacular mountain vistas on all sides. The valley narrows as we approach Dusa, a yak herder's settlement, and we proceed via Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Chola Lake is located above Phulung Karpo. As we continue, we can see Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) in the distance. Mt. Pumori fades from view as the route lowers and twists, and we come across a raging stream. We rise to Duglha after passing a tiny wooden bridge. From here, we can view the summit of Mt Nuptse, as well as Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku, and numerous more stunning peaks. After lunch, we climb the Khumbu Glacier's steep terminal moraine. As we reach Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with magnificent mountain vistas, we traverse through boulder-strewn slopes. At the summit of the ridge, there will be an arrangement of stones with prayer flags as tributes to Scott Fischer, an American mountaineer, and Babu Chiri Sherpa, a Nepali mountain guide who died while on a mission to climb Everest. As the route descends to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we are confronted by numerous magnificent peaks, including Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal. We are very close to Everest, yet the mighty peak remains elusive.

As the route traverses the Khumbu Glacier, Mt Nuptse looms to the right. We begin to feel out of breath owing to the high altitude as we walk along a murmuring stream, leaving the Khumbu Glacier behind. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

The path to Gorak Shep continues across the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine. We walk by the pyramid signpost. Ahead on the route, we can see the crest of Everest's north ridge, as well as Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, and other peaks. A short rise will lead us to Thangma Riju, from whence we can see a 360-degree panorama of snowy mountains. We obtain our first view of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll under Mt. Pumori, as we climb steeply to the peak through the stream of Changri Glacier. As we approach Gorak Shep, we will see snow-capped mountains all around us, including the highest point on the planet, Mt. Everest. After lunch and recuperation, we hike to Everest Base Camp via the once-vast Gorak Shep Lake. We continue straight ahead, passing the memorials to Indian army mountaineers. Only after reaching Everest Base Camp do we realize how much we admire the Everest climbers who face the perilous path via the Khumbu icefall. The vibrant colors of Mountaineer's tents stand out against the monotony of drab surroundings (particularly in the Spring). The mountains we can see from the base camp include Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. From here, Everest is not visible. We have just completed our journey's main goal. However, the sunset view from Kala Patthar is more beautiful than the dawn vista, hence it is recommended that you visit today at sundown. The panorama created by the setting sun's rays striking the snow-capped mountains is amazing. For those who prefer to continue on to Kala Patthar, our guides and Sherpas will organise a hike to Kala Patthar for an outstanding sunset view today rather than the next day. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

Today marks the climax of our journey. We leave early in the morning to see the magnificent vistas of Mount Everest from Kala Patthar as the sun rises. However, we must first prepare for an early morning departure in the dark and cold (-10 to -25 C). There is also the possibility of a cold breeze, which is pretty typical. Even as Everest begins to emerge between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse, familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse tower to the east. During the ascent to Kala Patthar, we may stop to collect our breath and take photographs at various spectacular viewpoints. We arrive at Kala Patthar after a few of hours of ascent. We scramble from here to the rocky outcrop at the peak, which is marked by cairns and prayer flags. As we near the summit, we sit on the Kala Patthar, where our gaze wanders from one enormous peak to another, soaking in the breathtaking Himalayan panorama. We snap as many photographs as we can and save the best ones in our minds for a lifetime. When we get back to Gorak Shep, we have breakfast and wait for the other participants to return. Those who will visit Everest Base Camp today will have an early breakfast because the Everest Base Camp walk takes longer (4-5 hours) than the Kala Patthar hike. The party will have lunch together upon their return to Gorak Shep, and the afternoon will be spent descending to Pheriche for a nice night's rest. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

Today, we go down a slope covered in rhododendron and juniper trees. Pink and scarlet rhododendron blooms flame our surrounds in the spring. We either have lunch at Tyangboche or wait until we reach Phunki Tenga, depending on our appetite and condition. After passing the prayer flag suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, the route descends steeply into the pine trees. The way finally arrives to Sansa, the region's principal trail intersection. We stop for lunch at Kyangjuma (3570 m/11,710 ft). With each mouthful, we unwittingly enjoy the stunning Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse. Following lunch, the route to Namche Bazaar winds through multiple bends as it clings to the steep forested hill beyond Kyangjuma. While walking through the forest on the route, we keep an eye out for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, and colorful pheasants. We arrive at Namche Bazaar army camp after going through a Chorten. At this point, we'd want to take one final long look (and photograph!) back to Lhotse, the summit of Everest, and Tengboche. When we get to our lodge, we take a good hot shower and sleep well in our Namche Bazaar room. Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

The route slopes sharply, so we must walk gently and with control as our unsteady legs battle the rough ground. The route becomes more level and natural after passing the suspension bridges across the fast-flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries. The mild wind has begun to warm us up by today. As we journey through this lovely mountain air, any leftover sore throats and colds will be gone by today. Despite taking the same path down, we have quite different perspectives. We capture vast plains, rhododendron and pine woods, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. While walking through the Sherpa settlements, we see the outstanding faith in Buddhism and the culture of prayer stones and prayer flags. When we arrive in Lukla, we stretch our tired legs and reflect on the events of the previous several weeks. We end a magnificent adventure on a good note, with everyone safe and well with a grin on their cheeks! Overnight stay at the Guest House. (Includes breakfast, lunch, and supper)

After our lengthy mountain adventure, we fly back to Kathmandu today. The airplane arrives in Kathmandu early in the morning. We may rest and relax at the hotel all day. If we want to bring some gifts back from Nepal for friends and family, we may head to several local stores or go out to Thamel for traditional Nepalese handicrafts. This brief expedition may be done with or without the assistance of Shikhar Adventure guides. In the evening, Shikhar Adventure will organize a magnificent celebration supper for successfully completing our climb to Everest Base Camp! In Kathmandu, spend the night. Breakfast and dinner are included.

We say 'Namaste' to make memories that endure a lifetime. There are no planned events for today, and you may check out at any moment. The hotel's check-out time is 12 noon. If you are leaving later, you can leave your stuff at the hotel. We will offer transportation for your departure at any time.