Everest Base Camp Trekking

On day 2 of the Everest base camp trekking, we will arrive at Lukla. Depending on flight availability and weather, there are three options to get to Lukla:

Option 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla in 25 min , then trek to Phakding in 3 hrs

You will fly early morning on day 2. You will be leaving Kathmandu and flying to Lukla (2840 m). You will see the beautiful Mt Gauri Shankar (7135m), Mt Melungtse (7181m), and Mt Numbur (6959m) from the airplane. The gateway of the Mt Everest base camp trekking and the land of the Sherpas is Lukla. 

Start trekking immediately from the Lukla runway towards the north in the Lukla village, then down towards Ghat on the east bank of the Dudh Kosi River. The starting part of the Everest base camp trekking is downhill. Then an hour of walking to Phakding with stunning views of Kusum Kanguru (6367m).

Option 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap in 6-7 hrs. Next morning fly to Lukla, then trek to Phakding in 3 hrs.

Depart early in the morning (5 AM) from Kathmandu to Ramechhap. The drive takes about 4 hours, then take the flight from Ramechhap to Lukla (20 min flight).. Then, from Lukla, it will take about 3 hours to trek to Phakding. 

Option 3: Early morning drive from Kathmandu to Kharikhola in 10 hrs and trek to Surkey in 2 hrs. Next morning fly to Lukla then trek to Phakding.

Take an early morning (1 AM) drive from Kathmandu to Salleri which takes about 7 hours. Stay overnight in Salleri and drive to Surkey the following morning which takes about 2 hours. Trek from Surkey to Phakding in 3 hours.

You will be staying overnight in a Lodge/Teahouse.

Our walk continues on, following the progression of the Dudh Kosi River. We climb through a nice forest consisting of rhododendrons and giant pine forests until we reach Jorsale. Once formalities have been taken care of at the check post, we will cross the Dudh Kosi river on a suspension bridge and go off climbing steeply on our way to Namche Bazaar. On the way, depending on weather conditions, we may have views of our first sighting of Everest and Lhotse. Namche Bazaar is also known as the capital of the Sherpas. It is found on a crescent shaped amphitheater which rises above the lower Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi valleys. It has great views of the mountains across the valley.

Lodge/Teahouse

Today we have an acclimatization day to allow us to adjust to the altitude. This is very important before Mt Everest base camp trekking. Visit the local market, get a taste of the local culture, walk up to the Everest viewpoint, or just relax.

If desired we have time to take an excursion to either Thamo or Syangboche village. Thamo has the Thamo Nunnery, and to the north east is the monumental Khumbi Yul Lha, a black rocky mountain, considered sacred by the Buddhists, to the west waterfalls crash down cliff face to the Bhote Kosi river. This trail is also part of he trade route to Tibet. You can come across yaks guided by Tibetan merchants on the way. The world’s highest airstrip is located at Syangboche. In the west of Syangboche there stands Mount Kawande. 

Overnight assisted lodging. 

The Everest base camp trekking starts from the small village of Sanasa is the ongoing process of ascending and descending over a series of knolls until we finally see Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse come into view. We take the less travelled route up the valley to Mongdada, and then we descend sharply downhill through the rhododendron forest towards a small bridge which leads us to the Dudh Kosi river. Once we cross the river, we start to walk into the forest, and we ascend steeply towards Phortse village. Within the forest, it is conceivable to see endangered musk deer or wild peacocks on either side of the river. Phortse is another nice little village in the fabulous Khumbu Valley. From Phortse we will have our first view of Cho Oyu, one of the eight thousand altitude peaks, whilst behind us will rise the high peaks of Taboche (6,367m) and Cholatse (6,335m). 

Overnight Lodge/Teahouse.

The 6th day of Mt Everest base camp trekking begins with a gentle descent through the fields and a section of pine forest. The trail to Dingboche starts with a downhill to Imja Khola. After reaching the valley, we have a gradual uphill to Dingboche. In the way, we will pass through Pangboche village, where we will stop at the oldest monastery. We will also visit the Gompa, which is home to the famous Yeti scalp.

Overnight Lodge/Teahouse. Alt. 4410m, 3.5 hour trek.

This will be our second acclimatisation day, you can either explore the village and surrounding area or simply sit and watch the world go by. Before achieving your dream of the Everest base camp trekking, you need to adjust to a new environment. There will be an option for a guided excursion towards the Imaj Khola valley to walk partway up Nagarjun Ri. Within a 30 minute walk from leaving the village on a black rocky trail there are stunning views of Makalu and Borangche. As you look down towards Namche Bazaar, there are stunning views of the Khumbu Valley. The end of the trail opens up to a boulder field and stunning close views of Ama Dablam and Island Peak. We will move back to the village.

Overnight Lodge/Teahouse. 

It is day 8 of our Mt Everest base camp trekking. After our second night in Dingboche and still heading up the wide valley and rising above Cholatse (6,335m) and Taboche (6,367m), and right at the top of the tree line, the trek to Dughla takes approximately two hours. The climb steepens as we reach the Khumbu Glacier. From Dughla, we zigzag our path through the boulders in the moraine as we climb to reach Labuche. Alo

The 9th day of the Mt Everest base camp trekking starts early and is a big day, altitude wise. We aim for the achievement of our dream to conquer Mt Everest base camp trekking. Our trek starts with a gentle uphill along the Khumbu Glacier. The trek eventually becomes steep, rocky for a short period.  With views to die for, the sugar loaf dome of Pomo Ri (7,165m) is directly ahead, on the right, Nuptse (7,861m) rises sheer in a spire, and behind it, mighty Everest (8,848m). The route descends to Gorakshep (5,140m), where we lunch and rest before continuing the trail to Everest Base Camp Trekking. At Base Camp, Everest isn’t visible. After exploring the Everest Base Camp trekking and soaking up all it has to offer, we trek back to Gorakshep to well earnt rest.

Overnight Lodge/Teahouse.

Today is the most truly incredible scenery, and for many of us, the highlight of the trip. It can be one the amazing days of your Everest base camp trekking. It is, once again, an early start to witness the sun rising and to capture this moment as Everest and the surrounding peaks come into view. We follow a steep path. At the top of Kala Patthar (5,554m), we will be rewarded with a stunning view of Ama Dablam, Makalu, Nuptse, Lhotse, and the inspiring black pyramid of Everest. Once we take some photos, we can’t possibly forget and remind ourselves that we have to leave, we will return to Gorakshep and then begin our trek to Pheriche.

Overnight Lodge/Teahouse.

On day 11 of the Mt Everest base camp trekking, we start the day by walking primarily downhill as we backtrack to Pangboche, followed by a rocky but slight upward grade through a forest to Thyangboche coming back to the original walled monastery in Khumbu. We will not be in a rush, and we will be given appropriate time to visit Thyangboche’s arguably legendary monastery, the largest monastery in the Khumbu region, and the museum on the first level of the monastery. While at Tyangboche, it provides a great opportunity to see Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku from a different viewpoint. As we are heading towards the bigger Khumjung valley that resides at the foot of Khumbi Yul Lha,(Khumbu’s most sacred mountain to the Sherpas), we will be staying in Khumjung. On the way, you will enjoy spectacular view of Taboche, Thamserku and Kangtega.

Overnight Lodge / Teahouse.

On day 12 of Mt Everest base camp trekking, we will walk through Namche Bazaar. The trail will continue to descend from Khumjung as we walk through Namche Bazaar and under the magnificent Kongde ridge (6186 m). We will then follow the banks of Dudh Koshi to Phakding.

Overnight Lodge / Teahouse.

On day 13 of the Everest base camp trekking, we will return to Lukla along the eastern bank of Dudh Kosi. This will be the time to relax and reflect on the truly amazing days we have had since arriving in Lukla, and enjoy the Sherpa hospitality.

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla. The flight time is about 25 minutes. Your time is free to go and further explore Kathmandu and all it has to offer, whether those shops are neat or you prefer just to chill. 

This 14 day trip covers your beautiful journey of the Mt Everest base camp trekking, with some highlights like Kala Patthar, Thangboche Monastery, and so on.