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Everest Base Camp Trek by Road

No need to take a flight to Lukla; you can reach Surke by road via Salleri

Everest Base Camp trek by road

Trip Overview:

Location

Nepal

Region

Everest

Max-Elevation

5545 m

Duration

18 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 by Road

Everest Base Camp Trek by road (without flight) is possible via Salleri, Phaplu. The Salleri to Everest Base Camp trek is a unique and challenging route that offers an alternative experience to the more common Lukla to Everest Base Camp trek. Salleri and Phaplu (2.5 km from Salleri) have recently been connected to Kathmandu by a blacktop road, and the road to Thamdanda (Tham Danda) just beyond Bupsa is under construction.

It is also possible to drive from Salleri to Thamdanda except during the monsoon season. The Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri without flights to and from Lukla usually takes about 18–22 days and passes through beautiful landscapes, forests, Buddhist monasteries and traditional Sherpa villages.

If you don't want to fly to Lukla and back, the right option is to do the Everest Base Camp Trek via Salleri and return the same way. With the “drive-in” and “drive-out” Everest Base Camp Trek, you don't have to worry about flight cancellations and flights to and from the dangerous airport in small planes.

The trail offers a more gradual acclimatization and starts at a lower altitude in Salleri, Phaplu or Thamdanda. Phaplu to Thamdanda road is under construction but nowadays accessible by 4WD jeeps. It is always better to use a local jeep which knows the road conditions well. The trek from Salleri, Phaplu or Thamdanda to Everest Base Camp provides an opportunity to explore the most fascinating Solu and Khumbu trekking areas together, therefore this trek route is also called Solukhumbu trekking.

There are daily public bus and jeep services from Kathmandu to Salleri and Phaplu (266 km), which take about 8 hours. Some trekkers prefer to travel directly from Kathmandu to Tamdanda in a single day, which is about a 14-hour drive. We advise against choosing this option as it is a strenuous, long journey. From Phaplu, you have the option to either hike or take a local jeep to Thamdanda to shorten your trekking days. The drive from Salleri, Phaplu to Thamdanda (2780 m) takes about 5 hours by local jeep, which can be shared or private depending on the service booked. After reaching Thamdanda, you will start your trek to Paiya (2,730 m) on the same day, which takes about 2 hours.

The next day, you trek to Phakding through a few descents and more ascents. The trek passes through beautiful villages like Surke, Chaurikharka and Chheplung. It is the meeting point of the Everest Trail, which leads from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. From Chheplung, the trail leads gently downhill through rhododendron forests, past several traditional Sherpa villages and slightly uphill to Ghat. The trail from Ghat to Phakding (2,610 m) is mostly flat and easy to walk.

The trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar begins with an easy hike along the Dudh Kosi upstream, past the villages of Monjo and Jorsale. After about an hour of mostly flat terrain from Jorsale, the trail begins to ascend and the view of the surrounding mountains opens up. The ascent is gradual at first, but it becomes steeper as you get closer to Namche Bazaar. Finally, you reach Namche Bazaar, the main trekking hub in the Khumbu Valley. Namche Bazaar is a bustling town with a variety of stores, restaurants, and teahouses. It is a great place to rest and acclimatize to the altitude before continuing the trek to Everest Base Camp.

From Namche Bazaar, the trail climbs through the villages of Tengboche, Deboche, Shamare, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep (5,140 m). The trail passes through breathtaking mountain scenery, including towering peaks, glaciers, and forests. The final destination of the trek is Everest Base Camp, located at an altitude of 5,364 meters.

Everest Base Camp is a remote and barren place, but standing at the foot of the world's highest mountain is an unforgettable experience. To get a better view of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains, you have to climb Kala Patthar, which lies at an altitude of 5,545 meters. The climb to Kala Patthar is steep and challenging, but well worth it for the view.

After enjoying the view from Kala Patthar, trek back along the same path you took from Thamdanda. The trail descends through a steep and rocky terrain, so it is important to be careful and take your time. The views from the trail are stunning, and you will get to see Everest and the surrounding mountains from a different perspective.

After Thamdanda, take a local jeep to Phaplu, Salleri. Stop there and take a private jeep, a shared jeep or a bus to Kathmandu the next day. After a long trek and a long drive, you need a good rest in Kathmandu.

Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek by Road

Photo Gallery

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Itinerary

After you arrive in Kathmandu airport please check our company board outside the main gate there will be our airport representative you will meet with him and he will transferred to hotel by private vehicle and our representative will help you to check-in your hotel after that if time enough, representative will take you to our office for short briefing about the trip but if not enough time then give a short trip brief in hotel and request to pay the due balance for the trip. Overnight at Hotel.

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 at Hotel

Early in the morning, we start to drive from Kathmandu to Salleri in a local Jeep/bus . It is a long drive but the road is nice. It is newly constructed road. During the drive, we can view the panoramas of Riverside, jungle, wonderful landscape and the scattered villages. We cross the bridge at Sunkoshi River and continue through Okhaldhunga. On the way, we can see the incredible peaks as Dudhkunda (Numpur Himal), Everest and others.Then it is a continual drive up and up, which takes us to the district of Solukhumbu, Salleri and Phaplu. Overnight at Teahouse/Lodge. Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast in the early morning, take a local jeep to Thamdanda, the journey takes about 5 hours. The jeep stops at Kharikhola for lunch and continues the drive until you reach Thamdanda (2780 m). The road stops at Thamdanda and from here you trek to Paiya (2730 m). The walk takes about 2 hours. Overnight Stay at Paiya. Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, you follow the winding trail with few small ups and downs to small Surkhe village located at the beneath of Lukla. Then you climb to the north to Chaurikharka, a large scattered village with a monastery. It is known as the breadbasket of the Khumbu area because the land is very fertile for barley, wheat, and enough green vegetables. After Chaurikharka, continue your trek to Chheplung where you will see many trekkers coming from Lukla and returning from Everest Base Camp. From Chheplung, the trail is quite busy with trekkers, porters and pack animals as you join the trail from Lukla. After a few hours of trekking, you will reach Phakding (2,610 m). Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, you continue trek along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. Continuing up the Dudh Koshi valley you will reach a cluster of local Bhatti (porter rest houses) and a small hydroelectric project. The trail climbs up over the ridge and pines to the small village of Toktok. You will soon get your first view of Thamserku peak (6608 m). The trail again climbs steeply around the ridge and reach Benkar. Here you find waterfalls. Leaving Benkar the trail crosses east bank of Dudh Koshi River over suspension bridge and heads to Chumoa. From Chumoa it’s another steep climb to the outskirts of Monjo village. Just above the Monjo, there is a checkpoint for Sagarmatha National Park. Your trekking card is checked here. Afterward, the trail cuts across to the west bank of the Dudh Koshi River on another suspension bridge and runs to Jorsale. Above Jorsale you follow the river bank over gravel before climbing to the forest. You will see flowing together of Bhote Koshi and Dudh Koshi rivers. From here it continues ascent through dense pine forests and then eventually enters to Namche Bazaar. Overnight at teahouse.

Acclimatization is most important before heading higher. Most off the trekker’s acclimatization at Namche on their trek schedule. Today you may excursion either Thame village or viewpoint as your wish but better to consult with your guide regarding the day trip earlier night. If you prefer to Thame it takes approximately 7/8 hours walking both way go and return to Namche. it is popular for visiting Thame monastery but most of the trekker’s choose the easy option just to go Viewpoint in the stand point of splendid view of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Lhotse shar (8382 m), Nuptse (7879 m), peak- 38(7591 m), Ama dablam (6856 m), Thamserku (6623 m), Kangtega (6783m), Kusum kangaru (6367 m), Cholaste (6335 m), Tabuche peak (6495 m), Khumbi La (5765 m) and Kwangde Ri (6011 m) etc. overnight at teahouse.

Today the trail at first slightly climb up for a while up to the Chor camp at Namche Bazzar then continue easy level walk to kyangjuma 3550 m. Along the way from chor camp at Namche bazaar to kyangjuma you may enjoy incredible view of Mt. Everest (8848), Lhotse (8516 m), Lhotse shar (8382 m), Nuptse (7879 m), peak- 38(7591 m), Ama dablam (6856m), Thamserku (6623 m), Kangtega (6783 m), Kusum kangaru (6367), Cholaste (6335m), Tabuche peak (6495 m), Khumbi La (5765 m) and Kwangde Ri (6011 m). From kyangjuma the trail follows for a while easy level walk through Rhododendron forest to sanasa .There is two way from where one way left hand side leads to the Gokyo valley trek and another way right hand side leads to the direct Everest base camp trek. From sanasa the trail descends gradually through pine forest to lausasa where there are a few teahouses aftermath the trail drops steeply through the pine and Rhododendron forest to Phungi thanga, a small settlement on the river banks of the Dudh kosi at 3250 m. The trail climbs steeply at beginning then a gradual ascent through blue pine and Rhododendron forest at the hill top of Tengboche Monastery at 3867 m. The view of sunset and sunrise as well as magnificent view of the Mt. Everest including other Himalayas form Tengboche probably most amazing during your treks. Tengboche monastery is one of the beautiful monasteries in solu khumbu area as well as the religious center of the whole ‘Sherpa land ‘entire solu khumbu area. Overnight at teahouse.

From Tengboche the trail at first descent to Deboche (3820 m) through a forest of birches, juniper, conifers and rhododendrons. There is a small settlement as well as monastery at Deboche. The level trail further ahead from Deboche to Imja khola passes many mani walls in a deep rhododendron forest. Along the way from Tengboche before crossing Imja khola you can often see the musk deer, pheasant (national birds of Nepal) and blue sheep etc. After crossing the Imja khola the trail climbs past some magnificently carved mani stones to lower pangboche (3930 m). Beyond pangboche the trail lead level and gradually up to somare (4010m) then level walk to orsho (4190 m). There are two trails further ahead from orsho whereas one trail higher up left hand side leads to Pheriche and lower trail right hand side above Imja khola leads gradually ascend to Dingboche (4410 m).during the day you can see amazing views of Mt. Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Lhotse shar (8382 m), Nuptse (7879 m), peak- 38(7591m), Ama dablam (6856 m), Thamserku (6623m), Kangtega (6783 m), Kusum kangaru (6367 m), Cholaste (6335 m) and Island (6189m) overnight at teahouse.

From Dingbouche the trail follows through farmlands and meadows before continuing along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier then you will reach at Dughla (4620m) after that continues rocky steeply climb uphill to Dughla Pass (4830 m) from whereas you can see the lots of stone memorials of climbers who have perished on nearby summits. You can see magnificent views including Mt. Ama dablam (6856 m), Thamserku (6623m), Kangtega (6783 m), Cholaste (6335 m), Lobuche east (6090 m), Pumori (7165 m), Lingtren (6713 m), Khumbutse (6639 m)and Nuptse (7879 m) etc. Beyond the Dughla Pass the trail gently climb up and drops a bit then continue level walk to Loboche (4910 m). Overnight at teahouse

Today, the trail follows western side of khumbu valley ascends gently through meadows nearby the glacial moraine after that ascends and descends in the rocky path with some rounding the bands. Along the way you can enjoy incredible views of Pumori (7167 m) Lingtren (6713 m), Khumbutse (6639m), Nuptse (7879 m), Lobuche east (6090m) as well as Khumbu glacier and icefall. After finishing several bands you will a bit descends to Gorak Shep (5140 m). After reaching Gorak Shep you may have your lunch and leave your bag pack at teahouse then start your journey to Everest base camp (5364 m). You will spend about 4 and half hours trek up to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak shep. The trek trail is on glacier and snow capped rocks. You can also see many small frozen lakes around the Everest Base Camp. There are several mountains including Pumori (7165 m), Lingtren (6713 m), Khumbutse (6639 m), Nuptse (7879 m) and Lhotse (8516 m) but you can’t see the mount Everest (8848m) from Everest base camp although you will see it along the trail. The most impressive view from Everest base camp is the Khumbu icefall. After enjoying beautiful moment at the Everest base camp then return back to Gorak Shep. Overnight at teahouse.

Today early in the morning from Gorak shep hike up to Kala patter for magnificent view of the numerous Himalaya as well as breathtaking view of sunrise. The trail from Gorak sheep to Kala patter at the beginning steep climb up approximately half an hour reach the flat land where have been attending Nepal government cabinet meeting regarding the issue of the global warming in 2009.it was first cabinet meeting in such a high place in the world. Aftermath the trail steep climb with lots of bends finally you reach at kala patter after that about 50 meters steeply with rocky climbing to summit the main Kala pattar (5545 m). Today you may see excellent view of sunrise on the Mt. Everest (8848 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7879 m), Ama dablam (6856 m), Thamserku (6623 m), Kangtega (6783 m), Kusum kangaru (6367 m), Cholaste (6335 m), Tabuche peak(6495m) Lobuche peak (6090 m) , Lingtren (6713 m), Khumbutse (6639 m), Lho La ,south col, changste as well as Everest base camp, Khumbu Icefall and few lake. Once you are at the kala pattar you may feel you are touching Mt. pumori and close-up view Mt. Everest. Finally the dream comes in true then will return back to Gorak shep have a breakfast continue trek heading down through Lobuche and Dughla. Little further from Dughla you will cross the river comes from Everest base camp and khumbu icefall then you will meet two trail where one way left hand side goes to Dingboche and lower one right hand side goes to Pheriche . From here easy walk in the valley to pheriche (4260 m). Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, you descend to the valley of Orsho then follow the west bank of Imja Khola to Shomare and on to Pangboche. From Pangboche you retrace your footsteps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Debuche and Tengboche. From Tengboche, you trek down to Phunki Thenga then climb the ridge towards Namche Bazaar. Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, From Namche Bazaar you descend the long way before crossing the bridge and walking further to Monju. You will stop in Phakding for lunch. Then continue walking enjoying the lush green scenery around and passing through the incredible mountain scenery and local Sherpa villages until Surke. overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, you start your hike to Thamdanda, which takes about 4 hours. From Thamdanda, you will take a local jeep to Phaplu. Today the drive takes about 5 hours. It's a long day's journey, but you have to do it to shorten the trip. Overnight at teahouse.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu by jeep or bus on the same scenic road on which you previously drove from Kathmandu to Salleri. The overland journey takes about 7–8 hours, depending on the driver and road conditions. After arriving in Kathmandu, you check into the hotel, have a rest and go outside for dinner in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.

You can shop around local markets and walk around the city and do your own sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast, End of our services with departure transfer to the Kathmandu airport to board flight for your onward destination

Not Satisfied with the above itinerary? We also offer flexible, tailor-made trips according to your preferences and specification.

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Thad Ball and Timothy Litzenburg

A Memorable 5 day Trek with Alpine Adventure

My friend and I booked a 5-day trek in the Annapurna region and had a fantastic time. Binod of Alpine Adventure Club is very professional and guided us through all the requirements of trekking in Nepal. He created an itinerary based on our interests and we could not be happier...

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David & Wendy Galloway

A Highly Recommended Everest Adventure

I goggled companies that do the trekking in the Everest region and 3 came up immediately. I replied to them all and Alpine Adventure Club Treks & Expedition answered me straight away. They were excellent with informing me with what you would expect and what we needed to bring etc....

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Jack Richeson

Memorable Annapurna Adventure with Expert Guidance

This was my first trip to Nepal and my first time trekking. I was only able to spend a short time here and there was a lot that I wanted to do. The Alpine Adventure Club Treks & Expedition group was very helpful in planning my trip to make the...

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Flavia and Alexandre

Great Service! Highly Recommended

Namaste! Our 6 days trekking was amazing. It was wonderful to walk through out the lovely villages, meeting people and also the breathing views of the mountains.We loved the guest house too. And the staff is very very good. Our guide and porter were great!! We are happy to say...

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