Everest Base Camp Trek and sleep at Everest Base Camp starts with a flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla which is the gateway to Nepal’s famous Khumbu region and from here you will start on your leg. In this trip you sleep at Everest Base Camp for 2 nights in tented camps along with climbers waiting to summit Everest. After the camping nights, you walk back to Gorakshep and onwards to Lukla, from where you board a domestic flight back to Kathmandu. We celebrate your last evening in Nepal joining Farewell Dinner in one of the Traditional Nepalese Restaurant with Cultural Dance.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from our office will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. You’ll have rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the DudhKosi. We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Phakding, we cross through suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. You then take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, you get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market, a meeting place for the traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you can do a strenuous day walk to a higher altitude, coming back down to Namche for sleep.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we start our trek further to Tengboche. Tengboche is famous for its celebrated monastery, the largest in the Khumbu where lots of visitors come for traditional yoga and meditations. From Tengboche we can see nice views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse and Mount Ama dablam.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja River, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja River, A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4,530m, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest days are for acclimatization of body to high altitude. So we take short walks around and enjoy the views.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we walk alongside arid terraces with awesome views of mountains on all sides. We pass through Phulung Karpo, the camp site of the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953 then onwards uphill to to the memorial site. After the memorial site it is an easy walk in the fairly even trail. As we continue towards our destination, the sight of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view. Then the trail descends and curves, paving way for Mt Cholatse, Mt Thamserku and others to appear before us and after a short while we reach Dughla. Walking steeply up at first onto the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. Here you come across scores of memorial cairns commemorating climbers and Sherpa’s that have died on the mountains. The path then slowly climbs along the left hand side of the glacier to Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft), a large village with several tea houses.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we begin the walk from Lobuche towards Gorak Shep meandering on rough terrains. After 2 hours of walk, we will reach Gorak Shep where we will have our lunch and rest for a while. After lunch, we continue to hike on a fairly steep trail at a comfortable pace. As we climb up the hill, we can see peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse and Changtse. The views from the summit of Kala Patthar are outstanding where we will be able to see the world’s tallest mountain Everest and other mighty Himalayan peaks. After spending some time at the summit and soaking in the beauty from the vantage point, we walk back to Gorak Shep, which is relatively easier than hiking up to Kala Patthar.
Overnight: Lodge at Gorakshep
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
About three hours beyond Lobuche we reach GorakShep (5,170 meters), the site of the 1953 expedition’s base camp. Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble. After about 3 hours we will eventually reach base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. For those visiting base camp in the spring, it is a chance to meet teams making an ascent of the mountain. Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend a night here.
Overnight: Sleep in Tented Camps at Everest Base Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We wake up early today for our exploration at Everest Base Camp. After exploring the base camp, we proceed with a day hike ascent into the Khumbu Icefall. This day allows us to climb through the famous Khumbu Icefall almost half the way to the Lhotse Face for a fraction of the price and time. This trip could also be for us if we have plans for climbing Mt. Everest and want to get the experience on the mountain before taking the final step to conquer the world’s highest peak. Using fixed ropes and ladders we navigate through the icefall’s seracs and crevasses. We will manage this and limit the risk of climbing in this area. After this, we will return to the base camp and have a good rest.
Overnight: Sleep in Tented Camps at Everest Base Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin a long walk back along the same trail towards Gorak Shep and then onto Pheriche after wrapping up in the Everest base camp. We will descend along the Khumbu Glacier to arrive at Gorak Shep before continuing further down to Lobuche and finally to Pheriche, which is our night stop. Once at Duglha, we will cross the glistening Khumbu River gushing down all the way from the glacier. Picturesque views of the Himalayan giants won’t stop keeping us afresh as we arrive at Pheriche.
Overnight: Lodge at Pheriche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking mostly downhill, you cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche (3985m). You continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Tengboche you descend to the bridge over the DudhKoshi. At Phunki Tenga, you get to see the water driven prayer wheels, before making your way back to Namche.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your final day’s trekking follows the DudhKoshi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters, where you can sample some chang (home made wine), try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the early morning you take off from Lukla airstrip for a spectacular mountain flight back to Kathmandu. After being met at the domestic airport terminal and transferred to your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this wonderful city; shopping for souvenirs, trying out the various restaurants in Thamel or simply relaxing.
You spend the last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today after breakfast you are in leisure on your own. You will be escorted to airport for your flight home at your flight time
Meals: Breakfast
NOTICE: The Government of Nepal has announced an issue for the flight operation to Lukla. Most of the flights to Lukla will commence from Ramechhap until further notice to avoid the heavy traffic congestion in Kathmandu airport. The airport in Ramechhap is located 130km from Kathmandu (approximately 5 hours drive). Flight to Lukla from Ramechhap airport is almost guaranteed unless the flight is canceled due to bad weather conditions. Such cancellations can occur even in the best time of the year, so please be well informed about the alternatives to Lukla flight cancellations.
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In Kathmandu, you will stay in 4 Star Hotels with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, you stay in teahouses/lodges that generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. Accommodation are on a twin sharing basis. The accommodation in lodges in trekking routes can be single and double rooms, or a dormitory. The toilets in tea houses provide essential and basic facilities and are always outside the room. Single supplement will be provided on request and will cost an additional and depend upon availability. Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the trekking regions at lower elevation, it might be difficult to find them at higher elevations. Hotels in Kathmandu can be upgraded to 5 star in an additional cost.
In Kathmandu breakfast, welcome dinner and farewell dinner are provided. While on trekking and in camping, we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Usually, each day dinner and breakfast will be at teahouses/lodges where you will stay and lunch will be on the way. We make it sure that the food is hygienic and at the same time suits your palate. Foods cooked in lodges and guesthouses on the way are pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat (rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always find hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.
The spring time from March to May and the Autumn months from September to November is considered the best months for Everest Base Camp Trek and sleep at Everest Base Camp
Anyone who is fit and healthy and have a habit of walking for few of hours a day can do this trek. However walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your stamina. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lungs and blood diseases are required to consult their doctor before taking the trip. It is also advised that you inform Eve Holidays about the medical condition before booking the trek.
All of Eve Holidays trekking itineraries are planned keeping in mind the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Going up at higher altitude too fast causes a medical condition called AMS which is serious enough to kill if neglected. We are well aware that it is essential to allow you sufficient time for acclimatization to minimize the risk. However it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. So we suggest to avoid alcohol and drink enough water and get good night sleep during the trek.
March April May and Sept Oct Nov are the best time to trek. But if you trek in March April you will have the chance to see the tents and meet climbers to Everest.
Everest Base Camp Trek and sleep at Everest Base Camp is a moderate trek which any one who is physically fit and have a habit of walking and exercise can accomplish successfully.
It was great. I am so glad that I did this trek. I was doubtful I could walk this much. But I did. Thanks to Maina for her inspiration to do it.
