Everest Base Camp Trek

Take on the adventure of a lifetime trekking in Nepal to reach Everest Base Camp. First summited byTenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, Everest has traditionally been the ultimate goal for mountaineers. Today hard-core trekkers seek the challenge of reaching the mountaineer's Base Camp.Flying in to Lukla, explore the mountains and valleys around the towering peak, rest in Nepalese teahouses, learn about the traditions and cultures of the famous Sherpa and spend time in exotic Kathmandu. Your trek to the base of Mount Everest will surpass your expectations. We ascend in true expedition style savoring the quintessential trekking experience with our guides, crew and porters as we ascend to the base of the world's highest mountain.

Our carefully devised itinerary reflects our proven track record, with time for safe acclimatization - the key to any successful trek in the Everest region. Our trail leads through the famous villages of Namche and Khumjung as well as Thyangboche monastery that reflect the renowned Sherpa culture. We include ascents to Kala Pattar (5545m) from where our guides will point out the classic climbing routes to the Mt. Everest summit. A foray is also included to Everest BaseCamp from where expeditions prepare to climb the world's highest peak. All nights are spent in our exclusive private eco campsites and hand picked eco lodges.

Highlights:

• Sunrise and sunset from Kalapather
• Explore Sherpa culture in Khumjung village
• Walking through Dudhkoshi River      
• Modorate trekking in Khumbu Himalayas
• Scenic flight from Kathmandy-Lukla-Kathmandu

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport
We will receive you from Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to your respective hotel. You will meet our airport representative there with your name board outside the airport terminal. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Pre-trip meeting and rest of the day in Kathmandu to acclimatise 
Customisation: You can choose to take a Kathmandu guided sightseeing & City tour this day (optional - at extra cost). In the morning, after breakfast at around 8am, a pre- trip meeting at the lobby of your hotel or at the station office. You will be introduced to your trip guide and talk in brief about the trip. Trek leader will take up all your queries and make sure that you are fully prepared for this trip. Overnight at Hotel. (Accommodation & Breakfast included)

Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft): 3 - 4 hrs.
After breakfast, you will be escorted to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway destination from where our trek begins. A 40 minute flight above the breathtaking green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world culminating in a dramatic landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Today we start our trek through the village of Lukla to Phakding. Short hike today for acclimatisation. Overnight in Phakding.

Day 04: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3440 m/11,280 ft): 5 - 6 hrs
Trek through a beautiful pine forest, along Dudh Koshi River & through many suspension bridges. One of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. Catch the wonderful sight of Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, after the check post and we enter Sagarmatha National Park. Through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. A final steep ascent for 2 hours, we get first sight of Mt. Everest - A stop over to enjoy the view. About 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 05: Acclimatization Day - Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,284ft)
Acclimatisation day for the trek. We spend the day taking a small day hike to Thame or visit Khunde. Relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar is an option too. Namche Bazaar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. We can also visit Tourist Visitor Center to see assortments of first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, we walk back down to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 06: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m/12,694ft) - 5 - 6 hrs
After breakfast we start our trek towards Tengboche enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows on the gradual trail with few ups and downs overlooking magnificent view of the great Himalaya. The path eventually reaches Sansa which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. Through the pine forests and after we cross the prayer flags and festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses. After lunch at Phunki Thenga, it’s a steep ascent through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. Enjoy the close up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest. We pay our visit to the biggest buddhist monastery today around 3 p.m. to witness the ceremony. Overnight at lodge in Tengboche.

Day 07: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m/14,300 ft): 5 - 6 hrs
We start the trek in the morning, taking the upper trail to Pangboche village. Stopover for lunch with delicious food and a fantastic close-up view of Mt Ama Dablam. After lunch start the trek again. From here onwards, the walk is fairly moderate as we enter the Imja Valley. We descend into the Lobuche river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche, with beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect crops from the cold winds and grazing animals. Overnight at Dingboche.

Day 08: Dingboche - Lobuche (4910 m/16207 ft): 4-5hrs
We start the day with a climb to Dughla through the Khumbu Khola valley. The walk along the arid terrace, soon the valley begins to narrow and we continue through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. On the way we can see the tip of Mt Nuptse, Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku, and several other magnificent peaks. After lunch we climb up the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We keep our ascend Chupki Lhara, an eerie ridge top with dramatic mountain views. At the top of the ridge, we will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (American mountaineer) and 10 times Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide) who perished on a mission to climb Everest. We are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. Overnight at Lobuche.

Day 09: Lobuche - Gorak Shep [5170 m/16,961ft]-Everest Base Camp [5364 m/17,594 ft]- Gorak Shep: 8 - 9 hrs.
Ahead on the trail we see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A small ascent would take us to Thangma Riju from where we get a 360 degree view of snowy mountains. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green knoll beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world - Mt. Everest. After a lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake.

Mountaineer's tents stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings (especially in the Spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip. However, the sunset view from Kala Patthar is more admirable than the sunrise view, so it is suggested to visit Kala Patthar today during sunset. As the setting sun's rays strike the snow capped mountains the resulting scenery is indescribable. For those trekkers who wish to continue to Kala Patthar, our guides and Sherpas coordinate in hiking to Kala Patthar for amazing sunset view today rather than waiting until the next day. Overnight in Gorak Shep at a local lodge.

Day 10: Gorak Shep - Kala Patthar - Pheriche [4280 m/14,070 ft]: 8 - 9 hrs
Climax day of our trip. We start early in the morning to catch the dramatic views from Kala Patthar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mount Everest. However, we need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature (-10 to -25 C) departure beforehand. As we reach the top, take your time at Kala Patthar to admire the unbelievable Himalayan Panorama. On being back to Gorak Shep, we have breakfast and wait other participants to return back. Those participants who will visit Everest Base Camp today will have early breakfast to start early as Everest base camp hike takes longer time (4-5 hrs) than the Kala Patthar hike. Upon return back to Gorak Shep, the group will have lunch together; and afternoon time is taken to descend down to Pheriche for a good night's rest.

Day 12: Pheriche -Tengboche-Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,280 ft): 5 - 6 hrs
Today, we trek down through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. We stop at Kyangjuma (3570 m/11,710 ft) for a relaxed lunch. Following lunch, the trail to Namche Bazaar clings to the steep wooded slope beyond Kyangjuma, winding through several bends. In the past there have been sighting of wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc., while passing through the forest by the trail. Reach the lodge, Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 13: Namche Bazaar-Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft): 6 - 8 hrs
Today the trail starts with a steep descends so we need to walk slowly and under control. Today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze.

Although we are travelling the same route down, we feel completely different views. Upon arrival in Lukla, stretch your legs and relax. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 14: Lukla – Kathmandu
Today, we fly back to Kathmandu. The early morning flight drops us in Kathmandu. We can rest and relax throughout the day at hotel. Purchase souvenirs from Nepal for friends and family. At the evening we will be at a fantastic celebration dinner together for successfully completing our trek to Everest Base Camp hosted our destination team - Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Departure for your onward destination
Take back memories that will last a lifetime. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. Airport drop will be provided for you.