Everest Base Camp Trek

Your trip start may vary depending on the trekking seasons. If you are trekking in March, April, May, September, October, and November, the flights from Kathmandu to Lukla may get diverted to Manthali Airport. If you are catching an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu from Manthali Airport, we shall pick you up from the hotel at 12:30 am and drive for 5 hours to Manthali Airport. The flying time from Manthali Airport to Lukla is only 20 minutes. If you are trekking in December, January, February, June, July, and August, you shall fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla. You may also book a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla and avoid the long drive from Kathmandu to Manthali. The helicopter booking fee is around 550 USD, which is shared by five people. Your trek starts from Lukla Airport. We shall collect from Lukla and trek towards Phakding. On the way, you shall pass through Chaurikharka Village. This is also an act of acclimatization. As the trek is quite short, we shall visit the monasteries in the Phakding area.

We will continue to trek along the northern bank of the Dudh Koshi River. The view from our route is magnificent. As we cross numerous suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, including the Hillary Suspension Bridge, we experience the feeling of wilderness and closeness to nature. The route will take us to the Sagarmatha National Park, where we will register our permits and then move towards the dense forest to catch the first glimpse of Mt. Everest. But the destination for the day will be Namche Bazaar, also called the Gateway to Everest.

So as not to shock our bodies and to be able to respond naturally to the demands of the altitude, we spend a day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization. We obey the saying "climb high, sleep low" so as to gradually ascend to higher elevations and then descend to Namche for the night. After a simple breakfast, we head to Syangboche Airport from where we proceed on foot to the famous Hotel Everest View (3,880m) which besides offering a breathtaking view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Thamserku also provides a comfortable stay. In fact, this place is perfect to soak in the natural beauty of the Himalayas. At the same time, if you want to catch a glimpse of the Sherpa culture and lifestyle, take a trip to Khumjung village where we can visit the Khumjung Monastery and the old Hillary School. Later part of the day, we come back to Namche where we can spend the day relaxing, drinking lots of water, strolling around the shops and cafés, and getting ready for the next day at a higher altitude.

Today we plan to leave Namche Bazaar and set off on our gorgeous trek to Tengboche (3,860 m). The path offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Everest area. In addition to Mount Everest, the lineup has Nuptse, Lhotse and the lovely Ama Dablam. The trail is a nice mix of getting out of breath and more challenging climbs and descents, and it goes along the hillsides outside the town and the Dudh Koshi River valleys. Although the trail was quite a bit up and down, the splendid view of the mountains made the hike very pleasant and worth the effort. During the trekking, you will be able to spot some Himalayan wildlife as musk deer, pheasants, and Himalayan thar that are grazing on the rocky slopes. After a short downhill walk to the small and charming village of Phunki Thenga which is located right beside the river, we continued our gentle climb through the pine and rhododendron forests to Tengboche. Now, we visit the famous Tengboche Monastery which is not only the largest but also the most important monastery in the Khumbu region. It is a remote place in the high mountains that, besides giving a lovely feeling of spirituality, the uplifting spirit is a great experience. Stay overnight at a lodge in Tengboche.

Today, we leave Tengboche and continue our trek towards Dingboche (4,410m). The trekking route is full of cultural attractions like traditional chortens, mani walls inscribed with Buddhist mantras, and picturesque Himalayan villages. One of the most notable attractions during the trek today is the majestic and awe-inspiring sight of the mighty peak of Ama Dablam. Our trek starts with a gradual descent through the forest route and then follows the Lobuche River to the broad and picturesque Imja Valley. Then, the trek starts with a steady climb to the destination of the day – Dingboche. Upon arriving at Dingboche, you can see the unique stone walls around the fields to prevent the strong winds and extreme weather conditions from damaging the crops like barley and potatoes. The picturesque and serene location of the valley and the majestic Himalayan ranges make the place a breathtakingly beautiful location during the trek to Everest Base Camp.

Once we arrive at Dingboche and have climbed to such great heights, we spend this day acclimatizing properly. To acclimatize our bodies to the lower oxygen levels, we follow the principle of “climb high, sleep low.” Hence, we go on a worthwhile climb from the village. We climb up on the ridge from where we get magnificent views of the surroundings. From this vantage point, we can enjoy the views of Lhotse, the magnificent rear side of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Cho Oyu, and Makalu towering dramatically above the surrounding landscape. Looking northward, more Himalayan giants rise up from the Khumbu Khola Valley, providing us with another breathtaking high-altitude panorama. Once we have enjoyed the views and allowed our bodies to acclimatize, we return to Dingboche to rest. Dingboche is a charming and picturesque village, with stone-walled fields and the wide-open valley, which seems to be from another era, almost untouched by the outside world.

Today, we start with a gradual but steady uphill walk to the higher elevations from Dingboche. As we walk through the alpine country and the scenery, the views get progressively more spectacular. The route goes across the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and through a small settlement of lodges before reaching the start of the steep climb to Thukla Pass (Dughla Pass). At the top, we discover moving memorials to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest and other neighboring peaks. After this, the route goes across rocky terrain with spectacular views of the Himalayan giants and brings us to Lobuche (4,930m). Once we arrive here, we rest and prepare for the exciting day ahead to Everest Base Camp the next day.

Today is the most awaited and rewarding day of your journey. Today, we start our journey from Lobuche through the rugged lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It is a difficult and rocky journey, but the scenic beauty of the high-altitude mountains is breathtaking. Finally, after several hours of trekking through the rugged and difficult terrain, we reach the last settlement Gorak Shep (5,164m) before Everest Base Camp. From this point, we have the most breathtaking views of the towering Himalayan mountains. After taking some rest and leaving our baggage at the lodge, we move further to our final destination. As we trek through the glacier, finally we reach our destination Everest Base Camp (5,364m), which is the closest point to Mount Everest without the help of climbing gear and equipment. It is the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, which is an unforgettable and emotional experience in itself. The achievement of reaching Everest Base Camp is the greatest triumph of determination, endurance, and courage in the face of adversity. It is the greatest moment of pride in the journey of your life, which will always remind you that hard work and determination can turn your biggest dream into reality.

This day is the actual climax of your adventure on Everest. We wake up early in the morning before dawn and embark on a steady climb to Kala Patthar (5,555m), the highest point of our trek and the best place for a close-up view of Mount Everest. Upon reaching the top of Kala Patthar, we get a breathtaking view of a sunrise as the golden rays of the sun illuminate not only Mount Everest but also surrounding peaks such as Nuptse, Lhotse, and Pumori. The views of the Himalayas from this place are just incredible and offer the best photo opportunity of your trekking adventure. After enjoying the views of the Himalayas from the top of Kala Patthar, we head back down towards Gorak Shep for breakfast and a rest. We head downwards through rough alpine terrain towards Pheriche . As we descend further, our breathing becomes easier as we move into a wide valley surrounded by towering peaks.

Finally, after days of climbing up, today is the day that marks the beginning of our journey back down. We wake up in Pheriche (4,240m) and have breakfast before trekking back down through the open valleys and alpine meadows. We follow the gentle course of the Dudh Koshi River, passing through familiar villages and beautiful forest tracks. With the breathing getting easier and the warmth of the climate a welcome respite from the thin air near Everest Base Camp, the trekking is enjoyable. We head back through the familiar villages of Pangboche and Tengboche, following the mountain trekking route through the beautiful meadows before finally heading back down to Namche Bazaar (3,440m). It feels like a welcome respite to be back in the bustling town of Namche Bazaar, with cafes, bakeries, shops, and Wi-Fi available.

On our final day of trekking, we trek back towards Lukla (2,850m) from Namche Bazaar via the picturesque Dudh Kosi Valley. The trekking route gives us a new view of the mountains, rivers, and villages we had previously crossed during our ascent. This trekking route is as picturesque as our ascent. During our trekking journey towards Lukla, we trek through the forest paths, suspension bridges, and villages. Finally, we arrive at Lukla and stay in a comfortable tea house for our overnight stay before we fly back to Kathmandu the next day, reflecting on the amazing trekking journey we had accomplished.

After successfully completing your trekking adventure, your journey continues as you take a flight back towards the lowlands from Lukla. Depending on the trekking season, your flight may be direct to Kathmandu or via Manthali, followed by a five-hour drive to Kathmandu. Peak trekking seasons: March, April, May, September, October, November Flights during this period operate via Manthali due to air traffic and weather conditions. Off-season: December, January, February, June, July, August Direct flights operate during this period. You can also choose not to take the Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu flight by taking a private helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu. The cost for this is about 550 USD per person if shared among five people. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you can relax and do whatever you want as you reflect on the unforgettable memories of your trekking adventure. In the evening, we at Destination Guru Tours and Treks will arrange a farewell dinner for you as we bid a memorable farewell.