Everest Base Camp Trekking

Welcome to Kathmandu! A representative will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm where you’ll meet your fellow trekkers and find out what’s in store for the next two weeks. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to do in Nepal’s colorful capital. Maybe visit the stupas and pagodas of Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or check out Durbar Square. After the meeting, enjoy an included welcome dinner to sample some classic Nepali dishes and watch a cultural dance performance.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY DUE TO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS:

Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, which can result in changes to the intended itineraries. Flights throughout Nepal – particularly in high mountain areas – are often delayed or cancelled due to poor weather. Flights between Kathmandu/Ramechhap and Lukla are particularly prone to these delays which can vary the itinerary of departures. In case of bad weather preventing the fixed wing aircraft flight from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla, the contingency plans are as follows:

Day 2 – We'll attempt to board the booked fixed-wing plane as per the itinerary. If this flight is canceled, you’ll return to your hotel in Kathmandu/Ramechhap for an additional night.

Day 3 – You'll again attempt to board the booked fixed-wing plane. If this flight is canceled, you’ll endeavor to charter a helicopter to transport the group – provided helicopters are available and weather doesn’t prevent them from flying to Lukla. There may be delays for helicopter flights due to limited availability of safety audited helicopter operators.

Travelers will need to use their emergency fund to cover the cost of the chartered helicopter. The exact cost will depend on how many travelers are in your group and could be up to USD 500 per person. It’s common practice for the helicopter company to charge varying prices, so you may pay different amounts to others on the flight. If you reach Lukla on Day 3, either by fixed wing aircraft or helicopter, you’ll then follow the same itinerary to Everest Base Camp, but descend over one less day to take your return flight from Lukla on Day 14.

Day 4 – If both fixed-wing planes and helicopters are unable to reach Lukla on the morning of Day 3, you'll drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle on Day 4. While you won't be able to reach Base Camp itself on the alternative itinerary – the Langtang Gosainkunda Trek – travelers have still found it a highly enjoyable trek with superb views of snow-capped mountains and the beautiful lake Gosainkunda. This lake is sacred for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

We also advise allowing a few extra days in Kathmandu at the end of your trip in case your return flights from Lukla are delayed.

Today you have an early flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. If you’re lucky with the weather, you’ll get amazing views of the Himalayas. You might want to grab some breakfast in Lukla (9320 ft) when you arrive before meeting your crew of porters and guides that’ll be looking after you on your trek. After a safety briefing, it’s time to gear up and start the journey to Everest Base Camp! Today is a fairly gentle introduction, following the milk-white Dudh Kosi River upstream on stone trails to the small village of Phakding (8562 ft). Settle into your first teahouse and maybe get to know your fellow trekkers over some chai.

Today you’ll trek to Namche Bazaar – the capital of Everest’s Khumbu region – to spend two nights acclimatizing. From Phakding, hike up the valley through blue pine forest – it's even prettier in spring when rhododendron flowers bloom. Cross the Dudh Kosi River at Benkar, and don’t forget to look up at the snow-capped peaks of Kusum Kanguru (20,895 ft) and Thamserku (21,729 ft). Then press on to Monjo (9300 ft) for lunch. It gets a little tougher from here with a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. You’ll enter the national park, hike through the village of Jorsale (9202 ft) and continue upstream before crossing the spectacular Hillary Bridge to climb to Namche Bazaar. On a clear day you might even get your first glimpse of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche. Namche will be your last chance to check your equipment and hire any last-minute gear for the high altitudes from Dingboche onwards.

You’ll stay at Namche Bazaar for another night to properly acclimatize to the altitude. A great way to do this is to take a strenuous walk up to a higher altitude and come back down to sleep. Your optional (but recommended) hike today will take you to the Tenzing Norgay Memorial and Sagarmatha National Park Museum above the village. If the conditions are right, this views here include the peaks of Khumbu and Everest. The national park museum is also home to interesting displays about Sherpa lifestyle, culture and mountain flora and fauna. Then, continue to higher elevations with a visit to Sagarmatha Next – an organization that supports local communities to create sustainable waste systems. Return to town for a free afternoon.

Ascend through small settlements to Tengboche to visit Tengboche Monastery. According to local legend, Lama Sange Dorjee, who came from Tibet’s Rongphu Monastery, founded the monastery in the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. Spend a bit of time in the monastery and visit the Sherpa Heritage Foundation museum before settling in for the night at your teahouse.

Enjoy the stillness of sunrise before taking in the incredible views of Kangtega and Ama Dablam (22,349 ft) along today's trail. Stop in Pangboche, and maybe warm up with a tea, then push on to Shomare for lunch. From here, you’ll notice the forest scenery starts to change into rocky terrain. When you arrive in Dingboche, you’ll find a patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. The scenery is once again spectacular and although Everest will be hidden behind the Lhotse Nuptse Ridge, the huge peaks that tower above the eastern end of the valley are just as impressive. Weather permitting, you'll see the sunset illuminating the peaks – Ama Dablam, the south face of Lhotse to the north and Island Peak in the center of the valley.

Today is another important acclimatization day. Take a morning hike to Nagarjun Hill or Chukkhung before returning to Dingboche for lunch – both offer gorgeous views of several high peaks. You’ll also have some time to in the afternoon to explore the village or put your feet up at the teahouse ahead of tomorrow’s climb.

From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge above Pheriche valley. From the stupa at the top, Taweche and Cholatse (21,128 ft) seem to lean forwards from across the valley, while Lobuje Peak (20,075 ft) and the snowfields of the Cho La dominate the skyline. From here, the trail winds through mostly flat open fields – there’s no rush, so take your time and stay hydrated. By late morning, you'll cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla and stop for a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier flowing off Everest. Gear up for a steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines, passing memorial cairns (stacks of stones) built in memory of sherpas and climbers who have died on Everest expeditions over the last few decades. The views here are unmatched, with Pumori (23,441 ft), Lingtren (21,971 ft), Khumbutse (21,729 ft) and Changtse (24,470 ft) across the Tibetan border. Continue along the valley stream and arrive at Lobuche by early afternoon.

Today’s the day – Everest Base Camp! From Lobuche, follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual climb to build the slow, steady rhythm required for walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep (16,929 ft) – reached after about three hours of walking. Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately and press on to base camp. This trek can be achieved in around three hours, and if you’re here during the popular climbing period (March to May), you’ll almost certainly encounter a few yaks along the way. You won’t get views of Everest from base camp, but you can see glaciers, lakes, caves and the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. The return journey from to Gorak Shep takes the same amount of time. Have an early dinner to get up early tomorrow for views of the Himalayan giants from Kala Patar.

Enjoy sunrise at the highest altitude teahouse in the world. Then, head off early to avoid the morning clouds and trek to Kala Pattar (18,192 ft) – the highest point of the trek – for the best views of Everest. The ascent is quite steep, and the altitude makes things more difficult, so go slow and try to keep a rhythmic pace. Kala Patar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest – they’re all here. About two miles away and some 650 ft below, you’ll see Everest Base Camp in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Savor an extra special moment here, then it’s an easy descent to Gorak Shep. When you get to the lodge, pack your kit bags while breakfast is being prepared. After fueling up, set off to Lobuche and Thugla where you’ll have lunch. Then cross the Khumbu Khola and head down the valley below Cholatse to Pheriche to your next teahouse.

Enjoy the extra oxygen in the air as you descend past the villages of Pangboche and Deboche before reaching Tengboche Monastery (12,665 ft). Follow the steep downwards trail through the rhododendron forests, then it’s time for one final ascent to Kyangjuma. Known as the Gateway to Mt Everest, this small village offers stunning views of some of the most iconic peaks in the world –including Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse. Kick off your boots here and take in the views after a good day on the trail.

Descend steeply along switchbacks through forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir. You’ll then cross the Dudh Kosi River and follow the trail up to Trashinga, where the path contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to Namche Bazaar. Stop for lunch here before continuing the downhill trail Hillary Bridge and crossing the Dudh Kosi River and onto your teahouse in Monjo.

You’re almost done – today's your last day of trekking! You'll hike back to Lukla via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru. From here, make the final climb to Lukla, where you’ll say goodbye to your guides and porters. Celebrate with a hot shower and a few drinks with your group before tomorrow morning’s flight back to Kathmandu.

Weather permitting, you'll take a short early morning flight to Kathmandu. Head back to your hotel and get used to being back in the city – maybe use your free time to check out the bazaars in the Thamel area or just take it easy. If you have energy to burn, you could take a trip over the Bagmati River to the adjacent city of Patan to explore its temples and monasteries. Enjoy your final night together as a group and relive all the special moments you’ve shared these past two weeks at an included farewell dinner. You did it!

With no activities planned, you’re free to leave the hotel any time. If you’d like to stay longer in Kathmandu, just speak to your booking agent of time to organize extra accommodation.