Everest Base Camp Trek: 11 Nights 12 Days

Your journey begins with an exhilarating 35-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, renowned for its short, uphill runway nestled amidst towering peaks—a memorable start to any Himalayan adventure.

After meeting your trekking crew, you'll begin with a gentle descent through the villages of Chheplung and Thado Koshi. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges adorned with prayer flags. You'll pass through small settlements with traditional Sherpa homes and mani walls—stone structures carved with Buddhist mantras.

Your destination is Phakding, a welcoming village on the banks of the river. This first day is strategically designed as a gentle introduction to trekking, allowing your body to begin adapting to the mountain environment.

Today's trek is more challenging and involves a significant altitude gain. The path continues north, following the Dudh Koshi and crossing multiple suspension bridges. The most notable is the high Hillary Bridge, which spans a deep gorge.

A key milestone is reaching the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, your permits will be checked. The trail then climbs steeply in a series of switchbacks—this is the most demanding section of the day.

Your effort is rewarded at a scenic viewpoint that offers your first distant glimpse of Mount Everest's summit. The final ascent leads to Namche Bazaar, the bustling administrative and commercial hub of the Khumbu region, built in a natural amphitheater overlooking the valley.

This is a crucial day for acclimatization, following the mountaineering adage: 'climb high, sleep low.' A morning hike takes you to the Everest View Hotel, famously known as one of the highest-placed hotels in the world.

This landmark offers a spectacular, unobstructed panoramic view of the Himalayan giants, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the stunning Ama Dablam. The hike helps your body adapt to higher altitudes while minimizing the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

The afternoon is free for exploration. You can visit the informative Sagarmatha National Park Museum to learn about the local flora and fauna, or the Sherpa Culture Museum to gain insight into the history and traditions of the Sherpa people. Alternatively, enjoy the comfort of a local bakery.

The trail from Namche is relatively level initially, offering magnificent, open views of the Himalayas. You will then descend sharply through a pine forest to the river confluence at Phunki Tenga.

A sustained climb through a beautiful forest of rhododendron and blue pine brings you to the ridge-top settlement of Tengboche. The landscape is dominated by the majestic peak of Ama Dablam, which appears directly ahead.

The spiritual heart of the Khumbu is the Tengboche Monastery (Dawa Choling Gompa). This is the largest gompa in the region and a vital center for Buddhism. If timing aligns, attending the afternoon prayer ceremony is a profoundly peaceful experience, filled with the resonant chants of monks.

You will descend through a forest into the Imja Khola valley, crossing the river and passing the nunnery at Deboche. The trail then climbs gradually past the village of Pangboche, which is home to the region's oldest monastery.

The landscape undergoes a noticeable transformation, becoming more arid and rugged as you enter a high-altitude alpine environment. The imposing north face of Ama Dablam remains a constant and dramatic companion.

Your destination is Dingboche, a primary settlement in the Imja Valley. The village is characterized by its extensive stone-walled fields, which protect barley and potato crops from the wind. This scenic village serves as an important acclimatization stop before venturing higher.

This second acclimatization day involves a hike to Nagarjun Hill (also known as Dingboche Ri). The climb is steep but provides a critical gain in altitude, further stimulating your body's production of red blood cells.

The summit offers one of the most comprehensive viewpoints on the trek. From the top, you are treated to a breathtaking 360-degree panorama that includes Makalu, Lhotse, the towering face of Everest, and the entire Imja Valley with its sprawling glacier.

After descending to Dingboche, the afternoon is dedicated to rest and recovery. Proper hydration and relaxation are essential at this altitude to prepare for the even higher elevations to come.

The trail ascends through a stark, high-altitude landscape along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. You will pass the small village of Pheriche before crossing the Khumbu Khola river.

A significant and poignant landmark is reached at the top of the Thukla Pass. Here, you will find a somber collection of stone cairns and memorials dedicated to climbers from around the world who have lost their lives on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. It is a place for quiet reflection.

Beyond the pass, a short, final climb brings you to the small and rugged settlement of Lobuche, situated in a dramatic, rocky landscape directly beside the Khumbu Glacier, marking your entry into the highest realm of the trek.

This is the day you reach your primary goal. The trail to Gorak Shep traverses the rocky and undulating lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Gorak Shep is the final settlement with teahouses, a stark outpost nestled beside a frozen lake.

After securing accommodation, you will proceed without heavy packs towards Everest Base Camp. The final approach is across the Khumbu Glacier itself, a surreal landscape of ice seracs and moraine.

Standing at Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is a profound achievement. During the spring climbing season, it is a bustling tent city; outside of that period, it is a powerful and silent monument at the foot of the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Soak in the immense sense of accomplishment before returning to Gorak Shep.

A pre-dawn start is required for the climb to Kala Patthar (5,550m), a small peak renowned as the finest viewpoint for Mount Everest. The climb is challenging in the thin air but is universally regarded as the visual highlight of the trek.

From the summit, as the sun rises, it illuminates Mount Everest's south face, Nuptse, and Pumori in a spectacular display of light and color. This landmark provides the most complete and iconic photograph opportunity of the world's highest mountain.

After descending to Gorak Shep for breakfast, you begin a long but rewarding descent, retracing your route to the village of Pheriche. The descent allows your body to recover in the significantly thicker and warmer air at this lower altitude.

The return journey continues with a long descent. You will pass back through Pangboche and the spiritual center of Tengboche, now viewing the familiar trail from a new perspective.

The climb from Phunki Tenga back to Namche Bazaar, once demanding, now feels easier with the acclimatization you have gained. Returning to the bustling hub of Namche provides access to amenities and a celebratory atmosphere.

This evening offers an opportunity to reflect on your monumental achievement with your guide and fellow trekkers, sharing stories from the high Himalayas.

The final day of trekking retraces the path along the Dudh Koshi River, descending through the villages of Benkar, Phakding, and Ghat. The suspension bridges and forests now feel familiar, marking the successful conclusion of your circuit.

Arriving in Lukla brings a sense of completion. The evening is traditionally marked by a farewell dinner, an important cultural practice to express gratitude to the guides and porters whose support was instrumental in the trek's success.

If the weather is clear, you’ll take a morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, enjoying your final aerial glimpse of the stunning mountains you’ve journeyed through.

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our services will conclude. You will depart with profound memories of turquoise rivers, prayer flags dancing in the wind, and the unparalleled accomplishment of having stood in the shadow of the roof of the world.