Embark on a luxurious journey to Everest Base Camp, where the adventure goes beyond just Everest itself. This iconic peak is surrounded by towering giants, including three majestic eight-thousanders: Mt. Lhotse (8,516m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Mt. Makalu (8,463m). Along the way, immerse yourself in breathtaking high-altitude landscapes, discover unique vegetation and wildlife, and connect with the rich Sherpa culture and traditions. Explore serene monasteries and experience the warm hospitality that Nepal is renowned for, making this trek an unforgettable blend of nature, culture, and comfort.
Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Experience
Short Itinerary:
Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla (2,850m / 9,350ft) Trek to Phakding (2650m / 8562ft)
Day 2: Trek from Phakding (2,650m / 8,562ft) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m / 11,285ft)
Day 3: Rest day and Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar
Day 4: Trek from Namche (3,440m / 11,285ft) to Tengboche (3,855m / 12,850ft) / Deboche
Day 5: Trek from Tengboche (3,855m / 12,850ft) to Dingboche (4,360m / 14,290ft)
Day 6: Rest day and acclimatization at Dingboche
Day 7: Trek from Dingboche (4,360m / 14,290ft) to Lobuche (4,930m / 16,175ft)
Day 8: Trek from Lobuche (4,930m / 16,175ft) to Everest Base Camp (5,364m / 17,598ft) and back to Gorak Shep (5,185m / 17,010ft)
Day 9: Hike to Kala Patthar Viewpoint (5,555m / 18,208ft), trek to Gorak Shep to Pheriche (4,250m / 13,945ft)
Day 10: Trek from Pheriche (4,250m / 13,945ft) to Tengboche (3,855m / 12,850ft)
Day 11: Trek from Tengboche (3,855m / 12,850ft) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m / 11,285ft)
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3,440m / 11,285ft) to Phakding (2,650m / 8,690ft)
Day 13: Trek from Phakding (2,650m / 8,690ft) to Lukla (2,850m / 9,350ft)
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu/Manthali from Lukla (2,850m / 9,350ft)
The journey begins early in the morning. During peak trekking seasons (March, April, May, September, October, and November), flights to Lukla from Kathmandu may be rerouted to Manthali Airport. If this happens, we’ll wake you up at your hotel around 12:30 am for a 5-hour drive to Manthali Airport. The flight from Manthali to Lukla takes about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can skip the long drive by booking a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, but this will cost around 550 USD, assuming five people share the cost.
For trekking in the off-season months (December, January, February, June, July, and August), you’ll fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla. After breakfast, we’ll take you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for an exciting 40-minute flight to Lukla’s Tenzing Hillary Airport. Once we arrive in Lukla, we’ll begin our trek to Phakding. Today’s hike will be short and relatively easy, allowing time for acclimatization. You’ll also have free time to explore local monasteries and enjoy the charming village of Phakding.
Your trek begins early in the morning, following the northern banks of the Dudh Koshi River. Along the way, you’ll cross several suspension bridges, including the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge. Shortly after, you’ll arrive at the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, where permits are registered. From there, the trail ascends through a dense forest, offering your first glimpse of the majestic Mt. Everest. Continuing onward, the journey leads to Namche Bazaar, the vibrant gateway to Everest Base Camp.
Today is dedicated to acclimatization. Take the opportunity to explore Namche Bazaar, a lively hub with Wi-Fi-connected cafes, restaurants, souvenir and gear shops, clubs, and bars. For those looking to venture further, consider hiking to the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center or trekking to the nearby Sherpa villages of Khunde and Khumjung, just an hour away.
Another highlight of the day is a hike to the Everest View Hotel, where you’ll be treated to stunning panoramic views of Mt. Everest. After enjoying the scenery and activities, return to Namche Bazaar for an overnight stay.
The trek from Namche to Tengboche begins with breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. The trail features a series of challenging ascents and descents, but the stunning vistas make every step worthwhile. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife such as musk deer, pheasants, and Himalayan tahr.
The journey continues with a descent to the Dudh Koshi River, which you’ll cross before ascending through dense alpine forests. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the quaint settlement of Phunki Thenga, followed by Deboche, located a short distance further.
A key highlight of this route is the Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. Once in Deboche, you can use your free time to visit nearby monasteries and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings.
The journey to Pangboche village takes you along the upper trail, passing numerous chortens, mani walls, and small settlements. Along the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Ama Dablam. The trek becomes more manageable as you enter the serene Imja Valley, following the course of the Lobuche River.
The final stretch involves a steep climb to Dingboche, a charming village where fields are enclosed by stone walls to shield crops like barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds. While today’s trek is slightly more demanding due to the higher altitude, the incredible scenery makes it a rewarding experience.
Today is dedicated to a second acclimatization day in Dingboche, allowing your body to adjust to the higher altitude. While we take it easy, the day is far from idle.
You’ll hike up the ridge above Dingboche, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of majestic snow-capped peaks, including Lhotse, the rear face of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. The hike also offers stunning vistas of the Himalayan peaks encircling the Khumbu Khola Valley to the north, making it an unforgettable experience.
The trek to Lobuche is both captivating and rewarding, offering breathtaking mountain views throughout the journey. The trail begins with a short uphill climb near a ridge crowned by a shrine, followed by a path through a wide valley.
As we progress, we’ll cross a glacial moraine and pass a small cluster of lodges. The trek gradually ascends, offering ever-improving views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. Along the way, you’ll come across memorial statues honoring climbers who lost their lives in this challenging terrain, a poignant reminder of the mountain’s power.
Upon reaching Lobuche, you’ll find a relatively large settlement with several hotels and shops, providing a comfortable base for the night.
Today is your big day as you will be stepping on the Everest Base Camp itself. However, we begin our trek from Lobuche and head to the Everest Base Camp. We will be trekking through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to reach the mesmerizing Gorak Shep that sits surrounded by stunning mountain peaks.
We leave our luggage at Gorak Shep and head to Everest Base Camp. You spent your time and energy to reach Everest Base Camp, to experience this very moment. As you stay at the Everest Base Camp, enjoying the incredible views, you might get flooded with the memories of your struggle to get here.
This is the closest you will ever be to Everest unless you want to climb it. With a rush of pride in your bodies and a celebratory mood, you will enjoy the views and click pictures to the heart’s content. Then you will head back to Gorak Shep for the evening.
Today marks the pinnacle of your journey. Kala Patthar, a renowned viewpoint, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks. We’ll start early in the morning, hiking to Kala Patthar to catch the sunrise over Everest and its neighboring mountains.
After taking in the awe-inspiring views, we’ll head back to Gorak Shep for breakfast and a brief rest. From there, we’ll continue our trek through dense forests and meadows, making our way to Pheriche, a charming village. Along the way, you’ll have time to reflect on the unforgettable memories made at Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
Today, you’ll trek down hillside trails surrounded by rhododendron trees. In spring, the landscape bursts with color as the rhododendrons bloom. The trail will take you across a bridge over the Imja Khola, leading you into a Juniper forest before arriving at Dingboche.
After a final steep climb, you’ll reach the renowned Tengboche Monastery. This will be your stop for the night, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s journey.
The trail to Namche Bazaar meanders through dense forests, teeming with wildlife such as pheasants, musk deer, mountain goats, and, on rare occasions, snow leopards. If you’re lucky, you might spot these fascinating creatures along the way. As you make your way back, take time to capture photos and admire the views of Everest’s summit and the rear face of Lhotse. Upon reaching Namche Bazaar, you can head to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
As we begin our return journey, the path descends alongside the Dudh Koshi River. You’ll cross several suspension bridges along the way. After trekking through lush forests and passing small villages, you’ll arrive at Phakding, just beyond Benkar.
This day marks the final stretch of our trek as we descend along the Dudh Koshi Valley. From the Kusum stream, the trail gently ascends toward Lukla. Just before reaching Lukla, the path steepens to the west. After the initial climb, we pass through the small village of Toktok, offering a fresh perspective of the surrounding landscape. Continuing onward, we’ll eventually reach the bustling town of Lukla, where we’ll rest before catching our flight back to Kathmandu the following day.
At the end of your trek, you’ll fly from Lukla to either Manthali or Kathmandu, depending on the trekking season. If you’re trekking during the busy months (March, April, May, September, October, or November), you’ll likely fly to Manthali, and we’ll arrange a 5-hour drive to Kathmandu. During the off-season (December, January, February, June, July, and August), you’ll fly directly to Kathmandu.
To avoid the long drive from Manthali to Kathmandu, you can opt for a helicopter ride for an additional cost of around 550 USD, which will be shared with four other passengers.
We hope your flight from Lukla is a relaxing one, giving you time to reflect on the memories made along the trail. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll have the rest of the day free to enjoy at your leisure.