Classic Everest Base Camp Trek

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes, depends on traffic

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: (2,575 m)

Hiking duration: 7 – 8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We further descend the trail from Bhandar through deep forests crossing a few streams passing the small settlement of Dokharpa. Again passing through some streams ahead, we reach Likhu Khola Valley. Crossing over the second suspension bridge, we ascend the ridge to reach the settlement of Kenja. The trail to Lamajura La pass begins from here. Snow clad peaks are visible as we ascend. Some hours of hard climbing takes us to Chimbu. Taking the right trail we continue about 2 hours to get to Sete. Overnight at Sete

Altitude above sea level:(2,670 m)

Hiking duration: 7 – 8 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We take an uphill climb to Lamjura La through forests of pine, magnolia, maple, birch and rhododendrons. Pass by the villages of Dagchu and Goyem, we reach the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazzar at Lamjura La pass at 3,530 meters covered with prayer flags, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding green mountains. We descend the pass to Tragdobuk and Junbesi. We spend the afternoon here, exploring the most delightful village (Junvbesi) before Namche. Overnight at Junbesi.

In the morning, after breakfast, we visit the surrounding hills and some Buddhist Monasteries. Junbesi is a good place to take a rest day and there are some of the interesting sidewalks to Buddhist Monasteries in the surrounding valleys. The valley of Junbesi Khola runs north towards Thubten Chholing Monastery, a huge Tibetan Buddhist Monastery founded by the revered Lama Trulsik Rinpoche, who fled to Nepal from Rongbuk Gompa in Tibet with a large group of Anis (Nuns) and monks in the 1960s. Since then, many more refugees have fled to Thubten Chholing en route to join the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala in India. The small monastic cells dotted around the hillside are reserved for private meditation by resident monks and nuns. The trail to Thupten Chholing starts in front of the Junbesi Gompa and follows the west bank of the Junbesi Khola upstream past a Chorten. Cross to the east bank by the powerhouse at Mopung, and then climb the ridge to the Gompa. After visiting the Monastery, we retrace our way back to our Lodge.

Altitude above sea level: (2,250 m)

Hiking duration: 7 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Head up the valley through the forest again, where you will catch your first sighting of Everest and the surrounding peaks. The closer mountains will appear much taller than Everest at first. Cross the suspension bridge of Ringmo Khola then ascend to the village of Ringmo, where you will pass extraordinary examples of Tibetan architecture. Descend through one more dense forest packed full of life before reaching Nunthala where you will spend the night.

Altitude above sea level: (2,300m)

Hiking duration: 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Shortly after leaving Nunthala you will reach the Dudh Koshi River – Milk River in Nepali. You will see why as you cross the suspension bridge above the foaming white rapids of the river. From here you turn north and head towards the overnight destination of Bupsa – a gradual ascent up the valley.

Altitude above sea level:(2,290 m)

Hiking duration: 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

From now, the remainder of the trek will be largely uphill as you slowly make your way to the base camp. The day starts with an ascent through a forest bustling with monkeys and verdant foliage before reaching some barren hillside. You will pass some small villages before you reach Surkhe, a small village located just below the Lukla airstrip.

Altitude above sea level: (2,840 m)

Hiking duration: 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We start to climb north to Chaurikharka, a large scattered village with a monastery and a high school. It is known as the breadbasket of the Khumbu area because the land is very fertile for barley, wheat, and enough green vegetables. Today we can see many trekkers from Lukla coming back from Everest Base Camp. From here the path is quite busy with trekkers, porters, and pack animals. Additionally, there are a few hours of good scenic walking which will bring us to Monjo.

Altitude above sea level:(3,445 m)

Hiking duration:4–5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today there is a long and steep climb up to the trading town of Namche Bazaar. Halfway up the hill, we are rewarded with our first views of Everest and Lhotse. Namche is the largest town in the Khumbu and has superb views of Thamserku (6,648m), Kwangde (6,220m) and Khumbila (5,700m).

Today we take a rest day to allow us to adapt to the gain in altitude. There is plenty to do in and around Namche, we can take a short walk above the town to get a view of Everest. There is also an interesting Sherpa Culture Museum which is well worth a visit. We will return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon you can either relax or visit the Bazaar.

Altitude above sea level:(3,867 m)

Hiking duration: 5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Straight through Namche’s town, join the main trail emerging onto a precipitous canyon wall above the Dudh Koshi. Continue to a junction in the trail then descend to the river, crossing the bridge at Phutenga, 2 hours from Namche.  Ascend steeply up a forested ridge to a saddle, a little less than 2 hours away. Thyangboche’s monastery lies here with its spectacular views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku.

Altitude above sea level:(4,350 m)

Hiking duration: 5–6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Teahouse lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Trekking past the Gompa, which holds the famous Yeti scalp, at Pangboche, are the summer yak pastures and here lies no doubt as to the Spartan lives of Sherpas. Beyond this, it is as well to understand that overnight sleeping facilities can reflect the harshness of our surroundings. Much of the walking in this area is of comparatively gentle gradient, although a leisurely pace is anyway recommended due to the high altitude.

Altitude above sea level: Nangkartshang ((5,080 m),  Chukung village (4,730 m), Samso Chopo Ridge (5,140 m)

Hiking duration: Optional 3 hours hike to Nangkartshang (View Point), Chukung village approx. 5–6 hours,  Samso Chopo Ridge 6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

You spend the acclimatization day of your Everest Base Camp trek in Dingboche today, utilized by short hikes to a higher elevation to adapt yourselves to the heights.

Hike to the Nagerjun Hill would be a great option to spend time at Dingboche. Nangkartshang nestled above Dingboche on a hill at the edges of the Chukkung valley. The hike provides the panoramic views of Lobuche East (6,119 m), Lobuche West (6,145 m), Kangtega (6,685 m), Taboche Peak (6,367 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), and the Ama Dablam (6,856 m).

Alternatively, you can also embark on a couple of hours’ hike towards Chukkung, a way to Island peak and superb views of Amadablam, Makalu, and accompanying the Himalayas.

Also, you have the option to take a day hike to Samso Chopo Ridge. This hike is one of the least crowded and most picturesque of the trip. The hike provides a chance to witness 360-degree views in addition to the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Though it is a steep, 2,700-foot climb, you will be rewarded with stellar views once you get to the summit, and well worth the effort.

Altitude above sea level: (4,931 m) Lobuche

Hiking duration:  5 hours approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After having an early breakfast, you start trekking uphill gradually along a plateau of yak herder shelters. The trail offers superb views of mountains like Everest, Cholatse, Lobuche, and Pumari spread out before us in a contrasting and spectacular landscape.

After two and half hours of gradual walk, we will reach Thugla nestled below the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier-the the highest glacier in the world.  From Thugla, the trail goes directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier before turning left just past the climber and Sherpa memorial. The memorial park is for all the people that had lost their lives climbing Everest, some with inscriptions detailing their accomplishments, and others with no more than a simple pile of rocks.

You are now away from the tree line area and into the glacial moraine. From here, you caught the first sight of Kala Patthar. The trail now descends slowly and flows to the western side until you reach the valley of Lobuche.

Altitude above sea level: Gorak Shep (5,288 m), Everest base camp (5,360 m)

Hiking duration: (Lobuche – Gorak Shep) 3hrs approx. (Everest base camp)   4–5 hrs approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is the main day as you summit Everest Base Camp (EBC). After breakfast, get prepared and hike along the rocky terrain alongside the Khumbu glacier to EBC. Leaving Lobuche, the trail to Gorak Shep is extraordinary through the rocky moraine undulating trail.

After a light lunch at Gorakshep,  continue to hike to Everest base camp. You trek across the rocks towards the several colorful prayer flags that mark the spot.  Celebrations and screams fill the air as you reach the spot that marks where base camp is. Once you step into base camp, you will be encircled by massive snow-capped mountains. Spectacular views of the notorious Khumbu icefall were revealed in proximity.

After spending a remarkable time in the base camp, you take a descent back to Gorakshep.

Altitude above sea level: 5,545 m (Kalapathar)

Hiking duration: (Gorak Shep – Kalapathar) 3hrs approx, (Kalapathar-Lobuche) 3-4 hrs. Approx

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

In the early morning, you set off for Kala Patthar, the big hill located next to Gorak Shep. ‘Kala’ means black and ‘Pathar’ rock, together with being ‘Kalapathar’ or black rock. The hike to the summit of Kala Patthar, altitude of 5,545 meters / 18,192 feet, is tough but well rewarded. Kalapathar is a popular vantage point for panoramic vistas of Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhostse, Pumori, and several other peaks. Like sunrise and sunset, the views are more vibrant. Kalapattar is one of the prime highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek.

After soaking up the captivating views from Kala Pathar, you will begin descending back down to Gorakshep for the breakfast. Thereafter, you continue to trek down to Lobuche.

pass.

We descend on a trail along the Dudh Koshi River and pass the first Gokyo lakes. On the way, we also enjoy views of the Cholatse and Taboche peaks. Our trail descends before climbing a hill. After reaching the Chorten at the edge, we see great views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu, and Kangtega mountains. We walk past Machhermo, Luza and Lhafarma villages before reaching Dole. Overnight in Dole.

Altitude above sea level: (2,835 m)

Hiking duration: 5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We descend on a steep trail to Phortse Thanga admiring rhododendrons, wildflowers, and waterfalls. We also come across mountain goats, musk deer, pheasants, etc. From Mong, we can admire a good view of the Khumbila peak. On our way to Namche, the view of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtega mountains are ours to admire. After walking for a while, we reach an intersection where the trail from Sanasa meets our trail. We walk on a trail that clings to a forested slope beyond Kyangjuma, winding through several bends. We retrace our steps back to Namche Bazaar and then down to Monjo village overnight.

Altitude above sea level: (2,840 m)

Hiking duration: 5 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Tea House Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

From Monjo we carry on the descent of the Dudh Khosi valley through the villages of Phakding, Ghat, and Cheplung. At Chaurikharka we start ascending the final hill of the trek to reach Lukla. Overnight at Lodge.

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m), Kathmandu

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Lukla if we could not fly on the scheduled date and time, or we can organize a guided day tour in or around Kathmandu. You can spend your leisure time shopping for souvenirs for your beloved ones or simply relax after an exhausting but momentous adventure.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the incredible experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.