Everest Base Camp Trek
A journey to the foothills of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak
Trip Overview:
Location
Nepal
Region
Everest
Max-Elevation
5,545 m
Duration
16 days
Accommodation
Hotel /Lodge
Best Seasons
Spring and Autumn
Group
Min. 1 Pax
Difficulty
Moderate
Start Point
Kathmandu
End Point
Kathmandu
Permit
Required
Food
Three Meals/Day
Introduction to Everest Base Camp Trek
A real adventure awaits you. Don't miss the chance to go on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, which takes you right to the base of the tallest mountain in the world, Mt Everest. It is not just a hiking tour, but an exciting experience that attracts adventurers from all over the globe. The breathtaking mountain panoramas and spectacular views at every turn will fascinate you and immerse you in the rich culture of the Sherpas.
The Everest Base Camp trekking route is of historical importance as it was followed by famous mountaineers such as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. This is the most popular hiking route, located just south of Mount Everest. The trek showcases stunning landscapes and provides opportunities to visit Sherpa villages that have preserved their traditional way of life. This close-up look at their culture enhances your trekking experience, making it truly memorable.
The climb to Kala Patthar, standing at 5,545 meters, is another highlight of the Everest Base Camp journey. From this vantage point, hikers can experience unforgettable sunrises and sunsets over the surrounding mountain ranges, renowned for their stunning panoramic views. The Everest Base Camp trek, also known as the EBC Trek, covers a distance of more than 130 kilometers. This trek is not only a challenging physical endeavor, but also a transformative experience that leaves participants with priceless memories.
Fly to Lukla and trek to Everest Base Camp typically takes 12 to 14 days, though it may extend to 16 to 18 days if you include time spent in Kathmandu. The Everest Base Camp trek, along with the climb to Kala Patthar, is a renowned journey that attracts trekkers from around the globe. Most adventures begin with a scenic flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap to the small airport in Lukla. Due to high air traffic at Kathmandu Airport during the peak season, many airlines also operate flights to Lukla from Ramechhap (Manthali). Lukla serves as the gateway to the Everest region, located just south of Sagarmatha National Park, which is at the heart of this incredible trek.
Sagarmatha National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, is renowned for its remarkable biological diversity. Established in 1976, the park is home to various species of flora and fauna, all set against the backdrop of the world's highest mountain range. Trekkers can immerse themselves in stunning views, lush forests, and ancient Buddhist monasteries as they journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp.
As the trek progresses through the Dudh Koshi Valley, trekkers will encounter small Sherpa villages and have the chance to learn about local customs. It is crucial to be in good physical and mental shape to tackle the trek, as the path becomes steeper each day. Proper preparation and acclimatization to the altitude are essential for a safe and enjoyable experience, particularly on the route to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. After reaching these remarkable destinations, trekkers will return to Lukla, where they can take a short flight back to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, concluding their adventure with a smooth transition back to bustling city life.
Overall, the Everest Base Camp trek uniquely combines air travel with road trips, offering a pleasant conclusion to your trekking adventure before you return to the comforts of your hotel in Kathmandu.
Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek
Best Time of the year for the Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp trek can be done all year round, but the best time to do Everest Base Camp trek throughout Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May). Let me inform you why:
- Autumn(September to November)
This season gives moderate temperatures and solid climate. The skies stay clear, presenting stunning views of the mountains. It’s a popular choice for trekkers.
- Spring(March to May)
Pleasant weather and beautiful vistas make Spring another excellent time. March to May is good for trekking to Everest Base Camp.
- Monsoon(June to August)Trekking during the monsoon season is a challenging task. Paths can be slippery and muddy, and flights to and from Lukla are often delayed or canceled due to poor visibility.
- Winter(December to February)The winter trek to Everest Base Camp is ideal for those who want a more adventurous. The weather is usually stable and skies stay clear, but sometimes heavy snowfall makes the journey more challenging.
Accommodation in Everest Base Camp Trek
Accommodation facilities in the Everest Base Camp Trek range from basic teahouses to better-equipped lodges. After all day long trekking, trekkers find a place to rest. Generally, teahouses are warm and cozy, with the availability of warm beds, blankets, and a dining area on a communal basis. The different types of accommodation facilities fall within a wide range of prices and comfort levels, so that trekkers may choose based on their preferences and budgets.
Availabilty of food in Everest Base Camp Trek
Another important factor in planning your Everest Base Camp trek is food availability. Most of the teahouses offer a variety of local Nepalese cuisine combined with international dishes like noodles, rice, pasta, and even pizzas. Common ingredients for the meals are lentils, vegetables, and rice; vegetarian options are also easily available. However, it would be advisable to remain flexible about the menu because selection may vary depending upon the season and the local ingredient factor.
Guides and Porters for Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp trekking without a guide is against regulations and poses a risk to your safety and experience. Having a professional guide for the Everest Base Camp Trek really enhances your experience. Our team of highly qualified guides is government-licensed, meaning they have been through rigorous training to meet the required standards for safety and competence. Apart from the guides, there are also the competent porters who are important in your trekking. We hire local porters because they are accustomed to the Everest trails and can carry your belongings effectively, while you can just enjoy the fantastic scenery and celebrate your personal achievement. The guides and porters together will make sure that your trekking in the high Himalayas to Everest Base Camp is a non-forgettable yet safe adventure.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. Transfer to your hotel and a short travel briefing will be given at the hotel/office, and you will be requested to pay the travel dues. Overnight in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, Kathmandu visits Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath Stupa which are all World Heritage Sites. Durbar Square throws light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage places for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as Monkey Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. Late in the afternoon, we introduced you to your mountain/trek guide. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Your guide arrives early in the morning to pick you up and drive you to the domestic airport. You will take a short and scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, where the trek begins. From Lukla, you will trek to Phakding, a small village located at an altitude of 2,610 meters. The trail offers beautiful views of the Dudh Koshi River. Overnight at Phakding.
You will continue trekking along the Dudh Koshi River and cross several suspension bridges. After a challenging climb, you will reach Namche Bazaar, the main trading center of the Khumbu region. Overnight at Namche Bazaar.
This day is reserved for acclimatization to the high altitude. You will take a short hike to higher elevations and then return to Namche Bazaar for rest and exploration. You can visit the local market, museums, and monasteries. Overnight at Namche Bazaar
The trail leads you through beautiful forests and offers stunning views of the Himalayas. You will reach Tengboche, a village famous for its monastery, which provides a panoramic view of Everest, Ama Dablam, and other peaks. Overnight at Tengboche.
The trek continues through rhododendron forests and open valleys. You will cross the Imja Khola River and ascend to Dingboche, a picturesque village with stone-walled fields and great views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight at Dingboche
Another acclimatization day is scheduled in Dingboche to help your body adjust to the increasing altitude. You can hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5083 m) locally known as Nagarjun Hill for breathtaking views of Makalu, Lhotse, and other peaks. Overnight at Dingboche.
The trail ascends gradually as you pass through Dughla (Thokla) and then climb up to Lobuche. The landscape becomes more rugged and barren, providing a sense of being in the high Himalayas. Overnight at Lobuche
Trek to Gorak Shep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. After a short rest, hike to Everest Base Camp where climbers gather for their ascent to the summit, and soak in the incredible surroundings. Return to Gorak Shep for overnight stay. Overnight at Gorak Shep.
Early in the morning, you will hike to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek, to witness the sunrise over Mount Everest. Afterward, you will descend to Pheriche, passing through Lobuche. Overnight at Pheriche.
The trail descends through forests and crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. You will retrace your steps back to Namche Bazaar, enjoying the familiar surroundings. Overnight at Namche Bazaar.
You will continue descending, passing through Phakding, until you reach Lukla. This is your final day of trekking, and you can celebrate the completion of your journey with your fellow trekkers. Overnight at Lukla.
You will take a scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where you can rest, relax, and reflect on your incredible adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Lukla gets occasional flight delays during the main season. This may cause missing your international flights as well, so we recommend you to prepare accordingly. Lukla suffers from quick weather changes and that may affect inbound and outbound flights. We reserved this day for possible flight delays. If we have a timely flight on DAY 03 or 14, we can use this day for rest in Kathmandu. You can shop around local markets and walk around the city. Overnight at Hotel.
We will drop you at the airport by our private vehicle according to your airport time. It is recommended to reach the airport at least two hours prior to departure.
Not Satisfied with the above itinerary? We also offer flexible, tailor-made trips according to your preferences and specification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Reviews:
Marion Beuter & Paul Eugene Rougeolle
Strenuous and demanding trek but very exhilarating journey
We had excellent weather conditions for the two passes (Renjo La Pass and Cho La Pass) trek and Everest Base Camp. Our guide and porter were excellent. As we are aged 68 and 73 years old we needed some additional help from our guide to help us down some very...
