Overview
Everest Base Camp trekking trail itinerary l best time and season l package cost for Indian and Nepali l difficulty and altitude l route map l permit fees l recommended equipment l organizing company and guide information
Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal
Everest Base Camp is one of the best classic treks in Nepal, Everest base camp is most commonly visited as a two-week trek starting and finishing at Lukla. Moving on from Namche Bazaar the trail follows the valley of the Imja Khola with some spectacular views of the mountains including Thamserku, Kangtega, and Ama Dablam and, dominating the skyline ahead, Everest and Lhotse. The most common night stop after Namche is at the top of a steep climb from the Imja Khola, at Tengboche. This is the site of one of the most significant Buddhist monasteries in Solukhumbu and a visit is well recommended. Following the Imja Khola from Tengboche, the trekking route climbs gradually through Pangboche and emerges above the tree line. Eventually, after a long day's trek, you reach the next night's stop at either Pheriche or Dingboche. The mountain panorama around Chhukung is nothing short of amazing with the massive south face of Lhotse rearing above it to the north and a ring of lesser peaks surrounding it.
From Dingboche or Pheriche, it takes another day's trekking to reach the cluster of tea-house at Lobuche sited on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. Above Lobuche, it is another half-day walk to the last settlement on the trail at Gorak Shep. Here a few basic tea houses provide shelter for the night before undertaking the final leg of the trek up the glacier to Everest base camp. Above Gorak Shep rises the well-known landmark of Kala Pattar. A climb of two to three hours will reward the trekker with a marvelous vista. Barely eight kilometers to the east is the summit of Everest and just the most beautiful mountains to be found anywhere. The trek along the glacier to base camp can take up to four hours depending on the trail conditions. Care should be taken while traveling here, as route finding can be a problem make sure that you have food and drinks for the return trip. The return trek to Lukla basically follows the upward route but rest days are obviously not necessary.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu airport.
You'll be met at the airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Katmandu-Lukla-Phakding: 35 min flight; 4 hours trek.
Transfer to Airport and fly to Lukla 2,800m by small twin otter 35 mins. Start trekking passing some of the beautiful Sherpa villages aside from the Dudhkosi River until Phakding 2,652m is reached.
Day 03: Phakding-Namche Bazaar 3440m. 5 hours trek.
The trail follows the Dudhkoshi River passing the villages and crossing a few Hilary's Suspension Bridges then the trail further climbs from here to Namche Bazaar.
Day 04: Rest Day.
A day is spent here hiking around to acclimatize. Namche Bazaar is the main center in the Khumbu region and has shops, restaurants, a bakery, and a hotel with hot showers, and electric power.
Day 05: Namche Bazaar- Tengboche 3810m 6 hours trek.
A short climb to the top of the village then walk through the forest of birch and junipers and beautiful views of Ama Dablam on the right. Descend to Phunki Tenga then Climb up gradually through a forest to the Tengboche.
Day 06: Tengboche - Dingboche 4240m 7hrs trek.
The trail descends to a suspension bridge through a forest of birches, conifers, and rhododendrons. We then ascend through the forest, past magnificently carved mani stones to Pangboche. Then the route enters alpine meadows above the tree line before reaching Dingboche.
Day 07: Dingboche – Lobuche 4930m 6hrs trek.
The trail ascends the broad, gently sloping valley and climbs steeply into the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glaciers. It then crosses the bridge and climbs higher on the moraine to a row of stone monuments. We then cross the tree line and reach to Lobuche.
Day 08: Lubuche-Gorak Shep 5,160m 4 hours trek.
A gentle climb all the way and a short descent to the last village Gorak Shep with few tea-house facilities. Climb to Kala Pattar 5,545m which offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Pumori, and Ama Dablam.
Day 09: Everest Base Camp excursion and trek back to Lobuche 7 hours trek.
Walk into the Everest Base Camp 5,357m through rocky and glacial trails where climbers gather for summiting Everest then trek back to Lobuje.
Day 10: Lobuche - Tengboche 3870m. 8 hours trek.
The trail gradually descends through scrub junipers, Mani stones, rhododendron forests, and beautiful Sherpa villages to Pangboche then further down to the suspension bridge. From here it is a gentle climb uphill to Tengboche through rhododendron and alpine meadows.
Day 11: Tengboche - Namche Bazaar 5 hours trek.
The trail descends to Phunki Tenga then Climb up gradually through a forest to Khumjung from where a long flat ridge comes to reach Namche Bazaar.
Day 12: Namche Bazaar - Lukla 7 hours trek.
Trek back to Lukla along the same trail and celebrate the successful completion of the trek.
Day 13: Lukla- Kathmandu.
Early morning fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, souvenir shopping, or explore any sights you want to see and evening enjoy Farwell dinner hosted by the company.
Day 14: Departure.
If you have time and are interested in other adventures like white water rating, wildlife safari, or any other activities can extend your holiday or transfer to the airport and fly back to sweet home.
- Arrival/departure transfers.
- 3-night 2-3 star category hotels with breakfast in Kathmandu.
- Domestic flight/ground transportation as per the program, airport transfer.
- Lodge accommodations and all meals during the trek, Down jacket, sleeping bag.
- Cost for a First Aid and Eco trained English speaking guide and Porter.
- Emergency rescue arrangements, medical kit bag.
- All necessary paper works and trekking /entry permits.
- All government and local taxes where applicable.
- Welcome or farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- International airfare and Nepal visa fee.
- Excess baggage charges with the domestic flight.
- Lunch/dinner in Kathmandu.
- Emergency rescue and medical expenses.
- Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills personal porters.
- Tips for the trekking crew.
- Other optional trips/activities and sightseeing if required.
Equiment Checklist
Equipment List:
Footwear:
Well broken-in walking shoes - these must be suitable for snow, thick socks, light socks, sandal or light shoes.
Clothing:
Down or fiber filled waterproof jacket and trousers, sweater or fleece jacket, underwear, warm and cotton trousers or jeans, shirts and T-shirts, shorts, long underwear, towel, wool hat, sun hat, gloves.
Other equipment:
Sleeping bag (4 seasons), trekking hold all or stash sack with lock, day pack, water bottle, sun cream, sunglasses, flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries, lip salve, gaiters.
Other items:
Insect repellent, diary, toilet paper roll, laundry soap, pocket knife, sewing kit, camera, film, cards and personal medical kit.
Map
Trip Essential Information
Introduction and trip briefing:
We give a short brief about the trip to Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. In the meantime, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not very basic. The lodges we use normally have a combination of dormitories, twin, and triple rooms, and beds have a foam mattresses. There are a few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great-looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staff. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However, due to availability issues, you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.
Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under your name and room number. The guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen to how busy they are. However, it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make it easier and shorter time. Nepali, Tibetan, Continental, etc dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, and soups is fresh, hygienic, and healthy.
Guide: English speaking, well experienced, and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, and social responsibilities and are sincerely dedicated to their duty. Actually, our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high-altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay. They can speak English and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well-experienced and confident.
Travel Insurance:
We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and type of insurance are suitable for your trip nature as some do buy cancellation and only for a certain period of time.
Itinerary: The given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be a possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case, if the trip ended a week or earlier, there will be given an option for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.
Washing and Toilet: Most lodges offer hot showers now. Sometimes a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and asks your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that in higher places and cold times there is very little chance to have enough hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand-washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event, it is a good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water freezes then ask your guide to get a warm bowl of water which does not cost money.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges are inside the room or lodge. They tend to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high regions because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced by drinking water in the mountain so you should really care about it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but are environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge a minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.
Transportation: Deluxe private vehicles are provided while on the city tour, airport transfers, and round-trip flights.
Electricity: Small-scale electricity schemes are running in several mountain communities but as they are by definition small the light may not be strong enough to read and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles, or solar light bulbs are often used in the dining room where there is no electricity. A touch light, with extra batteries, is essential. Some lodges have recharging facilities for which there is a small charge. Nepal uses voltages, of 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.
Departure Dates
No fixed departures.
