Hiking the Everest Base Camp Trek

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu (1,300m/ 4,264 ft)

  Your guides will come pick you up from the Tribhuvan International Airport and take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Freshen up and head to the finest Nepalese restaurant in the city to meet up with your group. Go through a briefing about the trip and then return to the hotel.

  

• Day 2: Kathmandu Valley (1,300m/ 4,264 ft)

  Tour the UNESCO world heritage sites in Kathmandu. You’ll visit important places for Buddhist and Hindu rituals and ceremonies, such as the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These historical sights boast numerous works of art and they portray the ancient history of Nepal. You’ll also visit many smaller temples and spend the day wandering around Kathmandu. Return to the hotel and pack your bag with appropriate equipment for the upcoming days.

  

• Day 3: Lukla — Phakding (2,651m/ 8,700 ft)

  Kick off the day with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. It will be a thrilling ride as the pilot navigates between hills and lands on a small strip atop a hill. With Lukla as the trek’s starting point, pass through the Cheplung village, enjoying the sight of Mount Khumbila, considered to be home to the patron God of the local area. As you reach Phakding, you’ll get a sense of the place’s popularity, as it has numerous lodges and tea houses welcoming guests. Stay there for the night and take in the view of the mighty Kusum Kangkaru, which means “Tree Snow-White Gods.”
  Trekking: 3-4 hours

  

• Day 4: Phakding — Namche Bazaar (3,438m/ 11,280 ft)

  Continue trekking ahead and cross the Dudh Koshi river several times by suspension bridges as you pass through the Sherpa villages of Tok Tok, Benkar, and Monjo, where the Sagarmatha National Park area begins. Your guides will take care of all the required formalities at the entrance. Passing through Jorsalle, you’ll gradually ascend the valley to the foot of the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. Halfway up the climb, you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Lhotse. You’ll reach Namche Bazaar, the land of Sherpas, where you’ll spend the night.
  Trekking: 5-6 hours

  

• Day 5: Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar (3,438m/ 11,280 ft)

  You’ll go for an acclimatization hike in the morning, ascending out of Namche, past the world’s highest airstrip at Syangboche, to the Everest View Hotel. Marvel at the highest peaks on Earth as you sip on your tea: Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and many other Himalayan giants. Start descending through the Syangboche airstrip to the National Park, where there’s a statue of Tenzing Norgay, the first person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest along with Edmund Hillary. After you’ve explored the Sherpa museum, return to Namche Bazaar and visit its ancient monasteries. You’ll stay at Namche Bazaar for the night.
  Trekking: 3-4 hours

  

• Day 6: Namche Bazaar — Tengboche (3,870m/ 12,649 ft)

  Descend to the Dudh Koshi river where the trail passes through small settlements of Sherpas, along lush rhododendron forest. Climb steeply through the forest to Tengboche—as you reach it, visit the most famous and largest monastery in the Khumbu region. Once again, enjoy the panoramic view of the highest mountains on earth. Rare species of flora and fauna can be spotted in the forest surrounding the monastery. Spend the night in Tengboche.
  Trekking: 4-5 hours

  

• Day 7: Tengboche — Dingboche (4,360m/ 14,300 ft)

  Descending through the forests to Debuche, cross the wooden bridge over the Imja River. Keep trekking the uphill trail to Pangboche, which rewards you with views of the giant Himalayas. Spend some time exploring the Pangboche monastery. Ascending the Imja Valley, stop for a lunch break at Somare. After that, keep hiking to Dingboche, crossing a wooden bridge over the Khumbu Khola along the way. Dingboche is your place for the night.
  Trekking: 5-6 hours

  

• Day 8: Rest day at Dingboche Day 8: Acclimatization at Dingboche (4,360m/ 14,300 ft)

  Spend the day at Dingboche for acclimatization, a beautiful village with a wide variety of mountain vegetation and domestic animals. Go on a hike to Nangkar Tshang, lying at the height of 5,100m, which is a great way to acclimatize. You’ll also see a number of peaks, such as Taboche, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam. Climb a steep hill and reach the top, from which you get views of Imja and Pheriche Valley. Return to Dingboche and spend the night there.

  

• Day 9: Dingboche — Lobuche (4,940m/ 16,207 ft)

  As you head towards Lobuche, you’ll pass through the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche that provides emergency medical services to trekkers in need. Reach Chupki Lhara, which provides great views of gigantic peaks. Walk down to the moraine of Khumbu Glacier and keep trekking to Lobuche, where you’ll spend the night.
  Trekking: 4-5 hours

  

• Day 10: Gorakshep — Everest Base Camp (5,364m/ 17,594 ft) — Gorakshep (5,164m/ 16,940 ft)

  Today’s the day! Start the hike following the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep. As you reach Gorakshep, have a short break and lunch. From there, the trail runs along the side of the Khumbu Glacier for a couple of hours and finally, you’ll reach Everest Base Camp. Congratulate yourself for reaching the camp and take in the surrounding views of mountain peaks, the Khumbu Glacier, Khumbu icefalls, and colorful tents contrasted against the snow. Return to Gorakshep.
  Trekking: 8-9 hours

  

• Day 11: Kala Patthar (5,545m/ 18,192 ft) — Pheriche (4,288m/ 14,070 ft)

  Start your hike with a steep climb out of Gorakshep and ascend to Kala Patthar, meaning the “black rock”. From the top, you get a panoramic, close-up view of the highest peaks on Earth. Enjoy the sunrise and return to Gorakshep, where you’ll have breakfast. Walk down to Pheriche and spend the night there.
  Trekking: 8-9 hours

  

• Day 12: Pheriche — Namche Bazaar (3,440m/ 11,280 ft)

  Walk down from Pheriche, have a short climb, and descend to Somare. Follow the Imja Khola Valley down to Pangboche. Trek down to the Imja River and walk through rhododendron and birch forests to Debuche. From there, climb up to Tengboche and have lunch. Trek down to Phunkithanga, cross the Imja River, and climb back up to Kyangjuma. Finally reach Namche Bazaar and spend the night.
  Trekking: 6-7 hours

  

• Day 13: Namche Bazaar — Lukla (2,800m/ 9,186 ft)

  Take the rocky downhill trail towards Dudh Koshi River. Head to Lukla by crossing Monjo, where you’ll see prayer flags, mani walls, and chortens. As you reach Phakding, keep trekking to Lukla. Spend the night at a lodge.
  Trekking: 6-7 hours

  

• Day 14: Lukla — Kathmandu (1,300m/ 4,264 ft)

  Take a flight back to Kathmandu. Roam around the city and go to a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of the trek.

  

• Day 15: Departure

  Your guides can drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport if you wish to go home and get your well-deserved rest. There’s also an option to stay a bit longer in Nepal and choose your next adventure. Just let your guides know to make proper arrangements.