EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
Country: Nepal
Destination: EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
Arrival At: Kathmandu
Departure From: Kathmandu
Duration: 14 Nights 15 Days
Accommodation: 3-star hotels in Kathmandu; and teahouses during the trek in twin sharing basis
Meals: Breakfast in Kathmandu. All meals during the trek
Activities: Trekking and Culture
Highest Altitude: 5,554m/18192 ft
Best Months: Sept to Nov and March to May
Tour Grade: Moderate
Transfer By: Private Vehicle & Domestic Flight
Group Size: 1-12 people
Permit Needed: Sagarmatha National Park Fee, Lukla Entrance ticket and TIMS
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
DAY 01 KATHMANDU ARRIVAL (1300m/4264ft)
DAY 02 KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING
DAY 03 KATHMANDU LUKLA (FLIGHT) TREK TO PHAKDING (2,652m/8,700ft)
DAY 04 PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3,440m/11,280 ft)
DAY 05 NAMCHE BAZAAR ACCLIMATIZATION
DAY 06 NAMCHE BAZAAR TO TENGBOCHE (3,440m/11,280 ft)
DAY 07 TENGBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE (4,360 m/14,300ft)
DAY 08 DINGBOCHE ACCLIMATIZATION
DAY 09 DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE (4940 m/16,207 ft)
DAY 10 LOBUCHE TO GORAK SHEP TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (5,364m/17,594 ft) TO GORAK SHEP (5,170 m/16,961ft)
DAY 11 GORAK SHEP TO KALA PATTHAR (5545m/18,192ft) TO PHERICHE (4280 m/14,070 ft)
DAY 12 PHERICHE TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (3400m/11280ft)
DAY 13 NAMCHE BAZAAR TO LUKLA (2800m/9186ft)
DAY 14 LUKLA TO KATHMANDU (FLIGHT)
DAY 15 DEPARTURE
Altitude: 1300m/4264 ft
Meals: N/A
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will meet and assist at airport and transfers to hotel. Rest of the day will be free and in the evening, there will be tour briefing of trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Sightseeing: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Swayambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast there will be a guided tour to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. The sites visited will be Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and ancient royal palace complex of Kathmandu Durbar Square. After sightseeing drop back to hotel and overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu.
Altitude: 2,652m/8,700ft
Flight time: 40 min
Trek to Phakding: 3 - 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for a flight to Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), gateway of Everest region. After an adventurous flight for 40 min we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. After arrival at Lukla, our other crew members will join us; we start our trek through the flourishing village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. For acclimatization, we only have a short trek today. However if interested we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery, overnight in Phakding.
Altitude: 3,440m/11,280 ft
Trek to Namche: 5 - 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast start for trek, trail will got through beautiful pine forest, there are many suspension bridges on Dudh Koshi River, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. Mount Thamserku (6618m) is visible in today’s trial. After crossing the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we reach the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We need to pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail goes through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and BhoteKoshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours we get first sight of Mt. Everest over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. We still need to hike about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and main trading centre of this region, overnight at Namche Bazaar.
Altitude: 3,440m/11,280 ft
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
This is the first of the two days set aside for "acclimatization". It is recommended to stay active during the rest day too. We can go for a day's hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or relaxing and exploring Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazaar is the main centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday evening and Saturday. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to properly acclimatize. Our guides will take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe variety of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region.
Altitude: 3,440m/11,280 ft
Trek to Tengboche: 5 - 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After breakfast, we begin our trek towards Tengboche, Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku are visible. Our trail is more or less smooth with few ups and downs. Along the way, we can spot musk deer, herd of Himalayan Thar and multicolored pheasants. The trail goes gradually descend to Kayangjuma. The path finally reaches Sansa, which is a junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The trail then goes through the pine forests and after crossing bridge decorated with the prayer flags over the Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post. After having a lunch at Phunki Thenga, there is slightly tougher climb through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. Tengboche offers close up views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest, and it has the biggest Buddhist Monastery of the Khumbu region. We pay our visit to the monastery the same day at around 3 pm. overnight stay at a lodge at Tengboche.
Altitude: 4,360 m/14,300ft
Trek to Dingboche: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
After Breakfast, We choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village. The trial passes through several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages. we can trek north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Mt Ama Dablam. As we enter the Imja Valley the trail becomes moderate, the valley gradually unfolds as we approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. After descend into the river, begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche. Overnight at Dingboche.
Altitude: 4,360 m/14,300ft
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Our second day of acclimatization is at Dingboche. For better view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt Lhotse and numerous other peaks, we climb the ridge on the north behind the village. This will be perfect acclimatizing excursion. From there we can see three of the world's highest peaks, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Cho Yu. To the west, the peaks of Cholatse (6440 m/21,126 ft) and Taboche (6542 m/ 21,463 ft) are visible. As we look northwest, we see an collection of rising peaks at the head of the Khumbu Khola valley. The Lobuche West and Lobuche East peaks are most dominant along with Lhotse which stands over 8501 meters (8501m/27, 890 ft), overnight at Dingboche.
Altitude: 4940 m/16,207 ft
Trek to Lobuche: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The trail goes upwards to Duglha through the Khumbu Khola valley followed by arid terrace and awesome views of mountains on all sides. The majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7138 m/ 23418 ft) comes into view as the trail descends and curves, Mt. Pumori disappears from view. After crossing a small wooden bridge, we ascend the trail to Duglha. After leaving Duglha, we need to ascend the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and pass through boulder-strewn slopes as we ascend Chupki Lhara. As the trail drops to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, several great peaks are visible - Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori and Mahalangur Himal. Mt Nuptse towers to the right as the trail crosses the Khumbu Glacier. overnight at Lobuche.
Altitude: GorakShep (5,170 m/16,961ft) Everest Base Camp (5,364m/17,594 ft)
Trek Duration: 8-9 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The trail to Gorak Shep goes ahead through the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. After passing through the pyramid sign post we see summit of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. A short climb would take us to Thangma Riju from where 360 degree panorama of snowy mountains is visible. Climbing steeply up to the top through the torrent of Changri
Glacier, we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar, a grey-green hillock beneath the Mt. Pumori. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will find snow-capped mountains around us, including the top of the world Mt. Everest. After a lunch and some rest, we continue our trek to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. On the way we come through the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. Finally ultimate objective of our journey Everest Base Camp is reached; Tents of Mountaineer's stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surrounding. Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. Everest actually is not visible from here overnight in Gorak Shep at a local lodge.
Altitude: Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft) Pheriche (4280 m/14,070 ft)
Trek Duration: 8-9 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
We start early in the morning amid predawn darkness and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) to catch the spectacular views from Kala Patthar and observe the first light of a day in the mountains, particularly, Mt. Everest. Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to expose itself. After several hours of ascent, we reach Kala Patthar. From kala Patthar, we scramble up to the top of a rocky outcrop marked by cairns and prayer flags. Mind-blowing Himalayan panorama unfolds before our eyes as they wander from one mighty massif to another. After coming back to Gorak Shep, we have breakfast and wait other participants to return. We descend in the afternoon and arrive at Pheriche in time for a good night's rest.
Altitude: Namche bazaar (3400m/11280ft)
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The trek is usually downhill, through rhododendron and juniper forest. The trial goes along the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing pine forest the trail reaches Sansa village from where views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Nuptse can be seen. After passing a trail through a forest we finally reach Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Altitude: Lukla (2800m/9186ft)
Trek Duration: 6 - 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
The trail descends most of the time. We can enjoy last day of walking in this region, After our arrival in Lukla rest and relax at guest house. Overnight in Lukla.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
We take early morning flight to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu transfer to hotel. Day will be free to rest and relax or for shopping. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey we will organize a dinner, overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast
Morning will be comparatively free. Closer to the time of your flight; you will be transferred to the airport on time to board your flight for onward journey.
Inclusions
- All airport and hotel transfers
- Accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast in twin-sharing basis
- Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during trek with full board meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight and airport departure taxes
- All transfers by private vehicle depending on number of pax
- An experienced English-speaking trekking guide, assistant trekking guide (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, flight, food and lodging
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
- Duffle bag and Sleeping bag during the trek (if needed)
- Kathmandu Monument Entrance fees
- All necessary paperwork and permits (National park permit, Lukla Entrance fee, TIMS)
- A comprehensive medical kit
- All government taxes
Exclusions
- Nepal Visa fee
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Excess baggage charges
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (in the case of early return from the mountain than the scheduled itinerary due to any reason)
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, wifi, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower etc)
- Tips for guides and porters