Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu

Get ready for real cultural immersion today as you spend the day on a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. We begin by exploring two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The first is Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple complex located on the banks of the Bagmati River, which includes an array of temples, ashrams, sacred images, and inscriptions. We will spend some time walking around the grounds before driving to Boudhanath, our second stop for the day.

Boudhanath is home to one of the largest stupas in Nepal, which dominates the skyline. Marking an ancient trade route from Tibet, the structure is a subject of many local legends, its construction having been dictated by the landing place of a flying hen. Many of Nepal’s most sacred sites have similar origin stories, revolving around interactions between the sacred, the natural world, and humankind. At Boudhanath, we will enjoy a group lunch and then a walking tour of the site. Eventually, at the conclusion of the tour, you will be driven back to the hotel.

Later in the afternoon, your guides will conduct a 45 – 60 minute pre-trek briefing at the hotel. Following the briefing/orientation, you will have free time to get dinner and explore the city even more! In your free time, you may want to walk to Durbar Square, in front of the old royal palace. Dating back to the third century, it is a site that has housed many generations of Nepalese royalty, including the Malla and Shah dynasties.

Day 3: Travel to Lukla, then Trek to Phakding

Today, you will finally be able to start one of the world’s most exciting adventures: the Everest Base Camp trek! After a very early morning start you will be driven from the hotel to Ramechhap Airport, several hours east of Kathmandu, where you will board a short flight to Lukla Airport (also known as Tenzing-Hillary Airport).

After exiting the airport, you will link up with the trail team (guides & porters) and then head to a nearby lodge in Lukla (9,300 feet / 2,835 meters). While there, you can change, use bathrooms, enjoy some tea and snacks, top off water bottles, and more as you prepare for the imminent start of the trek.

Once everyone is ready we will begin the trek around 9:30 or 10:00 AM, passing Chauri Kharka village and heading north. You will soon enjoy breathtaking views of the Dhudh Kosi River at the base of the valley. Snow-capped Himalayan mountains will provide the ultimate backdrop as you approach your evening’s stay at a tea house in Phakding.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 5.6 miles / 9 kilometers (over ~4-5 hours)

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar

Begin the day with breakfast with your fellow trekkers, before setting out north along the river again, crossing several bridges along the way. We will stop for lunch in Jorsale (9,200 feet / 2,804 meters) before continuing towards Namche Bazaar. Eat heartily, because the post-lunch section is fairly challenging (one of the trek’s toughest segments), with lots of switchbacks and an elevation gain of several hundred meters. Known as the gateway to Everest, Namche Bazaar (11,286 feet / 3,440 meters) is a particularly key trading hub, home to a variety of stores and other services. There will undoubtedly be plenty of color and life to enjoy in the town, set against the natural wonders of the impressive landscape.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~5-6 hours)

Day 5: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar (w/day hike)

Today is our first acclimatization day, as well as a chance to take in the beauty of some of the surrounding snowy peaks. These include Kwangde, Thamserku, and Kangtega, all over 19,700 feet / 6,000 meters. Following breakfast, we will do a day hike up past an old airstrip and through grassy alpine terrain to the Everest View Hotel (13,000 feet / 3,962 meters), one of the highest altitude hotels in the world. Once there, you can enjoy tea and snacks while absorbing the stunning views to the northeast of Ama Dablam (22,349 feet / 6,812 meters), Nuptse (25,791 feet / 7,861 meters), Lhotse (27,940 feet / 8,516 meters), and Mount Everest itself (29,029 feet / 8,848 meters).

Upon return to Namche Bazaar in the early afternoon, you will have a later lunch and then will have free time to explore the town and its vibrant Sherpa culture.

Day-hike distance: approximately 2.5 miles / 4 kilometers (~4 hours round-trip)

Day 6: Trek to Debouche

Today we leave Namche Bazaar and descend towards the Phunki Tenga Bridge over the Dhudh Kosi River, on our way to Debouche (12,533 feet / 3,820 meters). Eventually, we will stop for lunch near some stupas, as a short respite from the narrow and steep path towards Tengboche, a small monastic village. Don’t forget to look up from the trail occasionally, because you will be able to see Mount Everest in the distance!

The Tengboche monastery – which we will be able to visit when we pass through the village – is the largest of its kind in the Khumbu region. While the original structure has been all but lost to earthquake and fire, the rebuilding was possible thanks to the contributions of patrons from around the world. Tibetan painter Tarke-la’s work now decorates the sanctum, and you’ll also see many inscribed stones and prayer flags fluttering around the mountain village. You may even be lucky enough to encounter the monks who live and pray here.

After leaving Tengboche, we will continue hiking about half an hour down to the rhododendron forests of Debouche, where we will spend the night. You will be able to enjoy incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of Tawoche to the west and Ama Dablam to the east.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~5-6 hours)

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche

From Debouche, today we will we make our way to Dingboche (14,304 feet / 4,360 meters). We pass through Pangboche and have lunch around the day’s halfway point – at around 4,000 meters altitude, where the treeline ends – before continuing up a gradual ascent to Dingboche. Along the way, you will again be able to spot Everest. In this area, you will also see a patchwork of fields against the mountainsides, where local farmers cultivate barley, buckwheat, and potatoes.

While in Dingboche, you will overlook the Imja River. The town features many kilometers of stone walls, covering much of the valley.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 8.1 miles / 13 kilometers (over ~4-5 hours)

Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche (w/day hike)

Today, being an acclimatization day, features a day hike. We will wake up later (around 7:00 AM), have breakfast, and then depart for the hike around 9:00 AM. In order to help our legs and lungs get even more used to the altitude, we will spend a few hours round-trip hiking Nagarshang ridge (16,732 feet / 5,100 meters). Along the hike, you will enjoy excellent views of the surrounding area.

Upon return to Dingboche, the rest of the afternoon/evening is a leisure day for you to explore the small village as well as relax with your fellow trekkers. If you would like to do another short hike today, that is also an option. Dependent on weather, you could potentially visit Chukhung (15,518 feet / 4,730 meters) about two to three hours to the northeast, a place traditionally used to raise yak.

Day-hike distance: approximately 2.5 miles / 4 kilometers (~4 hours round-trip)

Day 9: Trek to Lobuche

A gentle ascent through alpine scrub and yak pastures today takes us first to Thukla (15,156 feet / 4,620 meters). As we hike above the Pheriche Valley, we will reach the Summiteers’ Memorial in Thukla Pass. This memorial, surrounded by dozens of colorful flags, pays tribute to the explorers who have come before. From this point, we will follow the trail north through a big valley towards Lobuche (16,175 feet / 4,930 meters).

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~4-5 hours)

Day 10: Trek to Gorakshep, then Everest Base Camp

Today, you will finally reach Everest Base Camp!

The day’s journey begins with a roughly three hour hike towards Gorakshep (16,995 feet / 5,180 meters). Gorak Shep is a small village at the intersection of the Changri Shar and Khumbu glaciers.

After a quick lunch in Gorakshep, we follow the Khumbu Glacier northeast towards Everest Base Camp. This glacier flows at 164 feet / 50 meters per year, its melting ice creating a stream which eventually becomes the Dughla Waterfall. Looking out at the sheer scale of the glacier and the mountains that feed it, you’ll certainly be able to understand why these icy Himalayan watersheds are informally known as Earth’s “Third Pole.”

Upon eventually reaching Everest Base Camp (17,600 feet / 5,364 meters), you can revel in the extent of your achievements, take photos, and absorb the adventurous atmosphere. This final gateway to Mt. Everest is where Hillary and Norgay camped for two months before starting their historic climb. Later, you will return to the tea house in Gorakshep with a new appreciation for this unparalleled landscape.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~8 hours)

Day 11: Kalapathar Viewpoint, then Trek to Pheriche

As we prepare to head back south, we will first have an unparalleled opportunity to view Mt. Everest from up close one last time, from the Kalapathar viewpoint. To reach Kalapathar, we’ll have an early start (around 5:00 AM), then set out from the tea house in Gorakshep to gradually ascend a big ridge.

It will be grassy and open until we approach the viewpoint, where we will encounter more boulders and rockier terrain. Upon reaching the viewpoint – which marks the highest elevation point of the trip, at about ~18,000 feet / ~5,500 meters – you will be able to enjoy an incomparable view of Everest, and take prize-winning photographs! Next, we’ll return to Gorakshep to finish packing up, have breakfast, and then depart mid-morning for Pheriche (14,041 feet / 4,280 meters). We retrace our steps south, descending and enjoying increased oxygen saturation as we go!

The trail splits at Thukla (where we usually have lunch on this day) and we will take a slightly different route than we did a few days earlier, when we were heading north. The hike is very easy, through a long stretch of valley, affording us excellent views of Ama Dablam as well as other surrounding mountains. We should reach Pheriche later in the afternoon.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 9.3 miles / 15 kilometers (over ~8-9 hours)

Day 12: Trek to Tengboche

Today, we continue hiking south, following the river and enjoying lunch in Pangboche. We then continue on to Debouche and pass the nunnery, which is also the oldest Buddhist convent in Nepal. Although a 2015 earthquake damaged the building, the site has been rebuilt.

After passing through Debouche we continue a short distance to Tengboche, where we will rest for the night. Today’s hike is descending the entire time (except for a few hundred meters between Debouche and Tengboche at the end).

Daily trekking distance: approximately 6.2 miles / 10 kilometers (over ~5-6 hours)

Day 13: Trek to Namche Bazaar

Starting in the morning, we retrace our steps from several days ago until we reach Namche Bazaar, nestled in the hillside. Tenzing Norgay grew up nearby, and here you will see many local guides and porters who know this terrain better than anyone and who help non-local trekkers and climbers achieve their audacious goals in the Himalayas.

While in Namche Bazaar, you can shop at a local market, explore the town’s streets and architecture, or relax at a cozy bakery or cafe. If you have time, you could also visit the Sherpa Culture Museum. The town also features a pub that bills itself as the highest altitude Irish pub on the planet! (note: if you choose to drink alcohol, please exercise caution/moderation as alcohol consumption at higher altitudes will affect you much faster than when you are at lower altitudes).

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~5-6 hours)

Day 14: Trek to Phakding

As we continue our journey, today we will hike alongside the frigid waters of the Dhudh Kosi River. This river is fed by some of the enormous glaciers that you have experienced up close during this adventure.

While we trace the winding river, we will have lunch in Monjo. Later, we will continue to the village of Phakding, where we will stop to rest for the night.

Daily trekking distance: approximately 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers (over ~4-6 hours)

Day 15: Trek to Lukla

From Phakding, we begin our final full day of trekking. While hiking, you will be surrounded by stunning Himalayan scenery as well as in the excellent company of fellow adventurers. Eventually, we will reach Lukla in the afternoon. Once there, you will be able to enjoy a hearty lunch, shower, and relax at the conclusion of the trekking portion of this incredible journey!

Daily trekking distance: approximately 5.6 miles / 9 kilometers (over ~4-5 hours)

Day 16: Return to Kathmandu, Nepal

This morning we will wake up very early for a quick breakfast around 5:00 AM. Then, we will walk the short distance (5-10 minutes) to the Lukla Airport to catch a flight. Following the brief 15-20 minute flight to Ramechhap Airport, the group will board a private van/shuttle and drive several hours to Kathmandu. Later, upon returning to Kathmandu in the afternoon and refreshing at the hotel, you will have time to explore the city some more.

The Thamel District is certainly a great place to wander, its winding streets lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and more. The Garden of Dreams is also well worth a visit. Located next to the former royal palace, it is a small reserve in which to escape the bustle of the city, featuring greenery, pavilions, as well as decorative ponds.

For dinner, you could seek out an authentic thali. With variations common to much of South Asia, it is a hearty meal which includes rice and lentils, meat, and vegetable curry. Enjoy it, you’ve certainly earned it after the many days of trekking!

Day 17: Explore Kathmandu, then Farewell Dinner

Today is our final full day together, but there is still a lot for you to experience in the Kathmandu area: you might consider seeing some live music in Lazimpat, or visiting the Newa Chen house in northern Lalitpur to experience a 350 year-old Newari home, restored to its original beauty. Our local team can also provide additional recommendations for destinations and activities.

Be sure to explore as much of Kathmandu as you can, before gathering in the evening for our final meal together. Raise a glass to newfound friends, and also to your physical accomplishments and mileage! Finally, take a moment to reflect on the unique experience of having trekked through an incredible part of the world that most have only read about!

Day 18: Final Day in Nepal

Congratulations on a magnificent journey! Count yourself amongst the lucky few who have witnessed the majesty of Mt. Everest from up close. This story is now written into your own personal narrative, and we hope you will remember it for many years to come. Although it may be time to return home, we will all leave with an unforgettable experience to look back on – until your next adventure with us!