Everest Base Camp Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival Day
Personal welcome at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to your hotel in the lively tourist district of Thamel. After a short briefing on our trip plans you will be able to go out to explore the bustling Thamel streets.
Day 2 - Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast we will tour the city, visiting many of the “City of Temples” historic landmarks including Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and the stunning Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 3 - Lukla to Pakding
After breakfast we will take a short 30 minute scenic flight into the mountain village of Lukla where we start our trek. From Lukla we will have an easy 3 hour walk up the Dudhkoshi Valley through small farms and villages towards Pakding village where we will stay in a local lodge for night.
Day 4 - Pakding to Namche Bazaar
The mornings walk will continue up along the Dudh Kosi river though forests and farms to the small village of Jorsalle where we will stop for lunch. From Jorsalle we will cross an impressive 100 high suspension bridge and ascend up to the mountainside town of Namche Bazaar. As we climb our of the valley you will be rewarded with views of the surrounding snow caped peaks and our first viewpoint of Mount Everest. 3 hours trekking
Day 5 - Namche Bazaar Acclimatisation Day
At an elevation of 3450m we take a rest day to allow our bodies to get used to our high altitude. Our rest day gives us time to explore the market town of Namche Bazaar and to visit the local buddhist monastery. For those who have too much energy can make the afternoon walk to visit the Hillary School in Khumjung and the Himalayan Trust’s Hospital in Khunde. 6 - 7 hours trekking
Day 6 - Namche Bazar to Tengboche
From Namche we will gradually wind up the valley passing buddhist shrines and passing though Rhododrendon forests to Tengboche where we will stay for the night. Along the trail we will soak up the impressive mountain scenery that surrounds us and get our first view of the imposing peak of Ama Dablam. At Tengboche we will visit the famous monastery and get to see the elaborate and colourful paintings that cover its walls. We might even pop into the Tengboche Bakery for one of their famous cakes seen as we have come all the way up here! 5 hours Trekking.
Day 7 Tengboche to Dingboche
From Tengboche we follow the trail up the valley, through more Rhododrendon forest and small Sherpa vilages. As we get higher the landscape open up to alpine pastures with grazing Yaks scattering the landscape. Our day ends in the picturesque village of Dingboche with its stone walled fields set amongst a backdrop of snow capped mountains. 5 hours Trekking.
Day 8 - Dingboche Acclimatisation Day
At 4360m high we need to take another acclimatisation day to allow of bodies to get used to the thin air at this altitude. In the morning we will take a short walk to help with this process and then you are free to relax or explore as you wish. Acclimatisation Walk of 2 hours.
Day 9 - Dingboche to Lobuche
Our trail continues gradually up through the alpine grasslands to Thukla at the base of the mighty Khumbu Glacier where we stop of lunch. From Thukla we climb up to a small pass and to where Everest Memorial where stone shrines “chortens” dot the landscape in the memory of the those who have lots their lives in the Himalayas. We continue up alongside the glacier with views of Nuptse and Pumori before we reach the Yak herders settlement of Lobuche. 5 - 6 Hours Trekking.
Day 10 - Lobuche to Gorek Shep and Everest Base Camp!
Our trail continues up the Khumbu Valley with great views of the glacier ice below and huge mountain peaks around us. We will reach the tiny village of Gorek Shep where we will have an early lunch and drop off our packs at our lodge before heading off for Everest Base Camp further up the glacier. We walk onto the glacier as we make our way up to Everest Base Camp where in the climbing season hundreds of expedition tents form a makeshift city of climbers hoping to make it all the way to the top! 7 - 8 Hours Trekking.
Day 11 - Gorek Shep, Kala Pathaar and back down to Pheriche
Before the sun wakes up we will make the 2 hours climb to the top of a small peak called Kala Pathaar at 5545m. From this vantage point we will watch the sun slowly rise and and light up Mount Everest and the skyline of jagged peaks that surround you. Once we have taken it all in and used up our camera batteries we will return down to Gorek Shep for breakfast. You will now find the trekking much easier as we walk back down the valley and will make it to Pheriche Village today. 7 - 8 Hours Trekking.
Day 12 - Pheriche to Phortse
From Preriche you will be able to enjoy this beautiful section of trail more as we effortlessly walk back down the valley. We will take a slightly different route down and so tonight we’ll be staying at the village of Phortse. 5 - 6 hours Trekking
Day 13 - Phortse to Namche Bazaar
An easy days walk back through the rhododrendon forests and through the sleepy village of Khumjung to the bustling Namche Bazaar. 6 Hours Trekking.
Day 14 - Namche Bazaar to Lukla
After over a week high up in the mountains you will be happy to descend back down into the beautiful green valley below. Today we will reutrn all the way back to the start of the trail at Lukla where we will be able to celebrate our successful trip with a Yak Steak and an Everest Larger! 8 Hours Trekking.
Day 15 - Lukla to Kathmandu
With a little luck the weather will be great and we will fly back to Kathmandu first thing in the morning. This will leave you with the rest of the day in Kathmandu to visit temples, look around the markets or simply put your feet up for the afternoon.
Day 16 - Extra Day in Kathmandu
Today is an extra day in case our we are delayed on our trek or with our return flight from Lukla due to the weather. All going well you will simply have extra time to explore Kathmandu where you could visit Kopan Monastery or one of the amazing charities that operate in Kathmandu. We will meet up for a final dinner together before we have to say goodbye.
Day 17 Departure Day
Transfer to Kathmandu Airport.
Note - If the above itinerary does not meet your needs we can easily adjust this to suit your travel requirements.