Everest Base Camp

Dates Available

OVERVIEW

Nepal, 11D10N, Trek distance ~150km, Highest altitude 5644m/18795ft, Grade Moderate-Difficult, Base Camp Lukla

SHORT ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. Trek to Phakding.
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar.
Day 3: Trek to Pyangboche.
Day 4: Day hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp and back to Pangboche. Acclimatisation day.
Day 5: Trek to Dingboche.
Day 6: Trek to Lobuche.
Day 7: Trek to Gorakhshep. Hike To Everest Base Camp and Back to Gorakhshep.
Day 8: Morning Hike to Kalapathar. Trek Back to Pheriche.
Day 9: Trek to Namche Bazaar.
Day 10: Trek to Lukla.
Day 11: See off after breakfast. Flight to Kathmandu.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Lukla (2860m) from Kathmandu. Trek to Phakding (2610m). ~3hr

Reaching Lukla, 9,383 feet above sea level, Tenzing-Hillary Airport, with its tiny 500m long runway is our first adventure, before we even start the trek. The flight over mountains in the Khumbu Region is all of 35 minutes but presents you with some of the most exquisite views of Nepal and can easily be one of the highlights of this trek. Today is easy, for acclimatisation purposes, a simple trek for 3 hours which starts with descending 300m and then slowly climbs up 100m to reach Phakding. Along the way, we pass countless mani walls painted on the rocks lining the trail and boulders carved with Tibetan Buddhist prayer inscriptions. We also find numerous prayer wheels all along the trail.

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m). ~7hr

We start by walking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing it twice on the high suspension bridges Nepal treks are famous for. The trail is a series of small, repeated ascents and descents, following along the river and again crossing the engraved Buddhist stones characteristic of the area. Monjo, the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park, is where we have to prepare our permits. A steep descent takes us to Jorsalle, by the Bhote Kosi river. From here the flat trail follows the river bed for some after a 600m climb to Namche crossing Larja Dovan Hillary suspension bridge, the largest in this trek.

Day 3: Trek to Pangboche (3985m). ~8-9hr

The trek from Namche Bazaar to Pangboche is extremely beautiful and along your trek, you will get a bird’s eye view of Dudh Koshi River down below and the epic mountain views as Thamserku (6,608m), Kangtega (6,782m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Everest (8,849m) comes into view.
We’ll have a steep descent to Imja Khola or Imja river(45min) at Phunge Tenga followed by a steep uphill (2-3hr) to reach Tengboche. Tengboche has largest monastery in this region. If you’re lucky you can spot some wildlife on the trail today, Daphne or Himalayan Monal, Musk deer, Himalayan Tahr.
A short gradual descent takes us to Debuche, following which cross the suspension bridge and a short climb to reach Lower Pangboche.

Day 4: Day hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4420m) and back to Pangboche.

Pangboche to Ama Dablam Base Camp is one of the best side treks of the Everest region. Walking out of the village, we make a steep descent towards Imja Khola. Then crossing a suspension bridge over the river, we climb the trails for about two hours or so.
The trail takes you to open yak pastures from where you walk towards a small lake. These routes are far less visited by trekkers making it exotic and unspoiled. Following the paths and making gradual climbs, you reach Ama Dablam Base Camp. Return to Pangboche for lunch.

Day 5: Trek to Dingboche (4410m) ~3hr

High altitude scrubs replace trees and formidable mountains suddenly appear within reach just as we cross Pangboche and Somare. Dingboche is the first of a series of settlements leading to EBC established to accommodate trekkers. Beautiful views towards Mt Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu– and more!

Day 6: Trek to Lobuche (4940m) ~5hr

Just above Dingboche and along a plateau of yak herder shelters, we enter a serene sanctuary of panoramic mountains. You will pass Dughla, and it’s a 1 hr hike up to Thukla (4,830m) then onto Lobuche for the night.

Day 7: Trek to Gorakhshep. Hike To Everest Base Camp (5364m) and back to Gorakhshep. (5164m)

Today, we reach EBC!
In spring, expect to see many tents and much activity within the camp.Gorakshep is the last settlement before reaching EBC. From Lobuche, it’s a short trek of a couple of hours across a glacier moraine to reach Gorakshep around mid day.
After lunch, visit EVEREST BASE CAMP.

Day 8: Morning Hike to Kalapathar (5644m). Trek Back to Pheriche (4371m).

Before dawn, we walk a trail up the large black hill behind our teahouse. The summit of Kala Patar or ‘Black Rock’ offers us our first real look at Mt Everest, an unobstructed view of the highest mountain in the world.
After breakfast at Gorakshep, we trek the undulating glacier trail back to Thukla and Pheriche, we look back and around at the snow peaks within this wonderous valley. We continue the downhill trail to Pheriche.

Day 9: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)

With every step descending, you will feel rejuvenated with increasing oxygen in the air. We’ll follow along the trail we crossed a fews days back.
It’s a big descent from Tengboche to the Dudh koshi river crossing, followed by an hour’s hike up the other side heading back to Namche. The trail from here is an easy traverse with familiar sights of Thamserku and the Kongde range as we get back to Namche.

Day 10: Trek to Lukla (2860m)

Big descent back to the valley floor, as we feel the temperatures starting to warm up as you descend. Enjoy the sights of the mani walls around Ghat and other villages, as we make our way back to Lukla.

Day 11: See off after breakfast. Flight to Kathmandu.

Another early morning flight, out of Lukla back to Kathmandu/Ramechhap.

HOW TO REACH

Flights to Lukla are available from Kathmandu or Ramechhap.
If you would like to travel by road, you can reach Salleri-Thamdada from Kathmandu and start the trek to meet the team at Lukla. However this will take 2 days more.

FITNESS REQUIRED

A good level of stamina and cardio is required. Also, prior exposure to high altitude is a must. You can start by jogging everyday. Start slow with shorter distance & keep increasing it with each passing day. As it is a moderate/difficult level trek , we recommend a 45-60 day free hand workout schedule prior to this trek.

WHY THIS TREK

“Because it is there” to quote George Mallory.
Jokes aside, being at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain is an obvious pull but the trek to Everest Base Camp is so much more than just that. Regarded as a classic, magnificent views aside, EBC trek introduces you to the rich and diverse culture of Nepal.
The side trek to Ama Dablam BC is a chance to evade the crowd on the main trail and get the best views of the trek.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TREK

1. World’s highest Mt. Everest Base Camp
2. Kalapatthar – majestic viewpoint
3. Tengboche Monastery
4. Nepal’s biggest Khumbu glacier
5. Namche Bazaar-the Sherpa’s Capital
6. Traditional Sherpa villages, culture, traditions & hospitality
7. Ama Dablam BC, base of the world famous technical peak

BEST TIME TO TREK

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is either side of the monsoon season. Late Sep-Nov and Feb-May are the main trekking months with fairly stable conditions, good visibility and temps at Base Camp getting up to about -6°C. At Base Camp, you might also encounter groups of climbers in late April or early May preparing for their attempts on Everest’s summit.

CONS

None, when it comes to EBC.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Sturdy trekking shoes with good grip, ankle support that can handle boulders firmly. 50-60L rucksack, proper warm winter clothes like jacket, socks, thermels etc.