Epic Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 1 – Kathmandu

Namaste! Welcome to Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies sit side by side with grand shrines and temples. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. Tonight, join your group and leader for an included welcome dinner and Nepalese cultural performance. If you arrive early, maybe check out the storied stupas and pagodas of Swayambhunath (AKA Monkey Temple) or take a walk around Durbar Square.

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY IN THE CASE OF FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, leading to flight cancellations and varied on-ground conditions. This means you need to be prepared for possible changes to your itinerary while you’re travelling. Flights between Kathmandu/Ramechhap and Lukla are particularly prone to delays.

If bad weather prevents fixed-wing aircraft flights from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla, the itinerary will be as follows:

Day 2 – We will attempt to fly as planned. If this flight is cancelled, we will return to our hotel in Kathmandu/Ramechhap for an additional night.

Day 3 – We will again attempt to fly, but if this flight is cancelled, we will endeavour to charter a helicopter for the group to fly to Lukla. This is reliant on availability of safety audited helicopter operators and that the weather conditions don’t prevent helicopters taking off as well.

You will need to use your emergency funds to cover the cost of the chartered helicopter. The exact cost will depend on how many travellers are in your group and could be up to USD 500 per person. It is common practice for helicopter companies to charge varying prices, so you may pay different amounts to others on the flight.

If we reach Lukla on Day 3, we will pick up the planned itinerary to Everest Base Camp, but take one less day to descend so that we can fly from Lukla to Kathmandu/Ramechhap on Day 14.

Day 4 – If both fixed-wing planes and helicopters are unable to reach Lukla on the morning of Day 3, then on Day 4 we will drive back to Kathmandu. From there we will trek to Annapurna Basecamp. While this trek doesn’t reach Everest Base Camp, our travellers have found it a highly enjoyable trek, with scenery of glaciers, mountain pastures and the Himalayas.

We also advise allowing a few extra days in Kathmandu at the end of your trip, should your return flights from Lukla be delayed due to weather conditions.

Flights going to and from Lukla may be operated out of Ramechhap Airport, in an effort to alleviate congestion at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. In this case, any departures affected will need to wake up quite early on Day 2 to drive the 130 km (approximately 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport. A private vehicle transfer will be provided at no additional cost. Your local leader will give you the most up to date information regarding any flight delays. (D)

Rise and shine this morning for a very early flight from Kathmandu to Lukla – a town sitting at 2860 m above sea level. If the weather is good, the views of the Himalayas from the small plane are amazing! After breakfast in Lukla, a safety talk and an introduction to your porters, gear up and commence your trek. Today is a fairly gentle introduction, following the frothy waters of the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding (2610 m).

Trek to Namche Bazaar, where you’ll spend two nights acclimatising to the altitude – and maybe even get your first look at Everest itself. From Phakding, you’ll begin to head up the valley. The trail, lined with blue pine forest, follows the river valley and is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendron flowers are in bloom. Cross the Dudh Kosi River at Benkar, then continue to Monjo (2835m), a good place to break for lunch. From here, the walk starts to get a little tougher. Cross the Hillary Bridge and begin the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. Get your camera out – on a clear day, you’ll get your first glimpse of Everest. Namche will be your last chance to check your equipment and hire any additional gear for the high altitudes from Dingboche onwards. (B)

Spend a full day and night at Namche Bazaar so that you can properly acclimatise to the altitude. One of the best ways to do this is to take a walk up to a high altitude, then come back down to sleep. Your optional (but recommended) walk today will take you to see views from the Tenzing Norgay Memorial and Sagarmatha National Park Museum above the village. If the conditions are right, this provides panoramic views of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest. The National Park Museum showcases Sherpa lifestyle and culture, and the local flora and fauna.

Continue your hike to higher elevations with a visit to Sagarmatha Next, who support local communities to create and implement a sustainable waste handling system in the region. Return to town – the rest of your day is free. While you’re here, be sure to stock up on any extra supplies you might need. Maybe pop into Namche Bakery, where you’ll find the best sweet treats on the mountain.

Not many groups stop in Phortse – a traditional Sherpa village that offers an insight into their life and culture – so today will be something special. Weave your way above the valley, then take the less-travelled fork in the road just after Sanasa. Most travellers follow the same path to and from Base Camp, while you’ll make more of a loop to see more of the national park. Look out at the epic views of the valley below, then stop for lunch at around 4000 m. Make your way downhill before a final uphill push to your teahouse in Phortse. The dramatic mountain views and quiet ambience of this village make this one of the highlights of the trek. Here, you’ll be almost completely above the tree line, so make sure you snap a photo of the sunset tonight.

Enjoy the stillness of Phortse at sunrise, then set off along the trail, taking in the incredible views of the mountains surrounding you. You might stop for tea in the ancient Sherpa village of Pangboche. After lunch in Shomare, you’ll notice the scenery around you start to change, with forests being replaced with rocky outcrops. When you arrive in Dingboche, you’ll be greeted by the sight of a patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. If the weather’s right, there will be a gorgeous sunset illuminating the peaks – Ama Dablam, the south face of Lhotse to the north, and Imja Tse (Island Peak), in the centre of the valley.

Today is another acclimatisation day. You'll go on a morning hike to Nagarjun Hill or Chukhung, returning to Dingboche for lunch.

In the afternoon, take some time to explore the town or simply rest up at your teahouse. If you’re looking for a cosy cafe to hole up in, check out Cafe 4410, where you can sip on a hot drink while watching one of the Sherpa documentaries that are screened here every day.

From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge behind the village above the Pheriche valley. From the stupa at the top, Taboche and Cholatse make for a pretty striking scene – they seem to lean forwards from across the valley in the west. Today’s route will be fairly flat on wide-open fields but there’s no rush – take your time and ensure you’re well hydrated. Late in the morning, you’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and have lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier, which flows off Mt Everest.

In the afternoon, there will be a steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you’ll pass a line of cairns (stacks of stones), built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last fifty or so years. From here, you’ll have views of the mountains across the border in Tibet. Follow the valley’s stream to your lodge at Lobuche, arriving in the early afternoon.

Gear up for a big day – today, you’re arriving at Everest Base Camp! From Lobuche, you’ll follow the valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier. You’ll make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5160 m). Grab a quick bite, gear up and then head towards Everest Base Camp. From Everest Base Camp, you won’t get views of Mount Everest, but you’re able to see the glorious glaciers, lakes, caves and the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. You’ll have an early dinner so that you’re able to get up early tomorrow morning for views of the Himalayan giants from Kala Patthar.

Get ready to see some of the Himalayas’ most recognisable sights this morning. Make an early start to avoid the morning clouds and trek to Kala Patthar (5545 m) to get the best views of Everest. The ascent is quite steep and is made more difficult due to the altitude, so start very slowly and ascend at a steady, rhythmic pace. About three km away, Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Icefall. Savour this special moment, then begin your descent to Gorak Shep. When you arrive back at the lodge, you’ll have a quick drink, then pack your kit bags while breakfast is being prepared. Have breakfast at the highest altitude teahouse in the world, then trek to Pheriche, where you’ll spend the night. (B)

Descend through the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare before passing through Lower Pangboche. Here, you’ll reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, then ascend to Tengboche to visit the monastery. According to legend, Lama Sange Dorje, who came from Tibet’s Rongbuk Monastery, founded this site in the 17th century. Tengboche was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt, then once again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. The current monastery was built in 1992. While you’re here, you’ll also visit the Sherpa Heritage Foundation museum before settling in for the night at your teahouse.

Descend along switchbacks through forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir. Cross the Dudh Kosi River and follow the trail to Trashinga.

Continue on the path high above the valley, through to Namche Bazaar, where you’ll stop for lunch. Then, make a steep descent back to the Hillary Bridge and cross the Dudh Kosi River. Follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Chumo, where you’ll stop for the night.

Get ready for your last day of trekking! Today, walk back to Lukla through the blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kanguru. From here, make the final climb up to Lukla, where you’ll say goodbye to your crew. Celebrate with a hot shower and a few drinks with your group before your flight back to Kathmandu tomorrow morning.

Weather permitting, you'll take a short early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Return to your accommodation, then have free time this afternoon for more sightseeing or some shopping. You could visit one of Kathmandu's many markets for clothing, embroidery, carpets or ceramics. Or, maybe take a trip across the Bagmati River to the city of Patan, which has an abundance of temples and monasteries. Enjoy one final night with your group, reliving the trek and celebrating your extraordinary achievements.

Say ‘dhanyabad’ for memories that’ll last a lifetime. There are no activities planned for today and your adventure comes to an end. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.