Everest Base Camp Trek
The classic walk into the Khumbu - Lukla, Namche, Tengboche and the base of the highest mountain on earth.
- Duration 12 days
- Region Everest Region
- From ₹69,999 per person
- Max altitude 5,545 m at Kala Patthar
- Group size 2 - 14 travellers
- Best time Mar - May and Sep - Nov
- Pickup Kathmandu airport, or Gorakhpur by road on request
Overview
This is the trek that put Nepal on the map, and it earns its reputation. You fly into Lukla, walk up the Dudh Koshi valley through Sherpa villages, cross a lot of suspension bridges and climb slowly into a landscape that stops looking like anywhere else on earth somewhere around Tengboche.
We build the walk around two full acclimatisation days, at Namche and again at Dingboche, because altitude is the only thing that reliably ends this trek early. Days are five to seven hours of walking on a good path, with tea houses, hot food and a bed every night. No technical climbing is involved anywhere on the route.
You do not need to be an athlete. You do need to be able to walk uphill for several hours, several days in a row, and be willing to be cold in the mornings. Everything else we handle - permits, flights, guide, porters and the paperwork nobody enjoys.
Destinations covered
- Kathmandu
- Lukla
- Namche Bazaar
- Tengboche
- Everest Base Camp
Highlights
- Kala Patthar at dawn The viewpoint that gives you the full south face of Everest, best in the first light of the day.
- Tengboche Monastery The spiritual centre of the Khumbu, sitting under Ama Dablam with a view that photographs badly and feels enormous.
- Namche Bazaar The Sherpa capital built into a horseshoe of hillside - bakeries, gear shops and the Saturday market.
- Base Camp itself Standing at 5,364 m on the Khumbu Glacier, at the foot of the icefall.
- Two acclimatisation days Built in at Namche and Dingboche, which is the single biggest reason people finish this trek.
- Hand-picked tea houses The warmest lodges on each stage, booked ahead rather than found at 4 pm.
Day by day itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu
Met at the airport and driven to your hotel in Thamel. Afternoon gear check, permit paperwork and a full briefing with the guide who will be with you for the whole trek.
Day 2 – Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Early mountain flight to Lukla - one of the great short flights anywhere - then an easy downhill first day along the Dudh Koshi to shake the legs in.
Day 3 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Five suspension bridges, the Sagarmatha National Park gate, and then the long climb to Namche with the first glimpse of Everest on the way up.
Day 4 – Namche - acclimatisation day
A short climb to the Everest View Hotel and the Sherpa museum, then back down to sleep low. Walking high and sleeping low is what makes the rest of the trek work.
Day 5 – Namche to Tengboche
A balcony path with Ama Dablam ahead almost the whole way, a drop to the river at Phunki Tenga, then the climb to the monastery. Try to be there for the late afternoon prayers.
Day 6 – Tengboche to Dingboche
Through rhododendron forest to Pangboche, then out above the treeline. The landscape turns to stone and sky in the space of an hour.
Day 7 – Dingboche - acclimatisation day
Climb the Nangkartshang ridge for the view over Makalu and Lhotse, then down for a long lunch and an afternoon of doing very little.
Day 8 – Dingboche to Lobuche
Up the Khumbu valley to the memorial stones at Thukla Pass, a quiet place remembering climbers lost on Everest, then on to Lobuche beside the glacier.
Day 9 – Lobuche to Everest Base Camp
The big day. Moraine walking to Gorak Shep, lunch, then out along the glacier to Base Camp and back to the lodge before dark.
Day 10 – Kala Patthar at sunrise, descend to Pheriche
A cold, slow, entirely worthwhile climb in the dark for the finest view of Everest on the trek. Then a long, easy descent into thicker air.
Day 11 – Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Retracing the trail downhill, which is a different walk entirely with the altitude behind you. Bakery, hot shower and a proper dinner in Namche.
Day 12 – Namche to Lukla, fly to Kathmandu
Last trekking day back down the valley to Lukla, then the morning flight to Kathmandu in the dawn window. Transfer to your hotel or onward airport.
What is included
- All airport and hotel transfers in a private vehicle
- Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu mountain flights with airport tax
- Two nights hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing with breakfast
- Nine nights tea house accommodation on the trek
- All meals while trekking - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Government licensed English speaking trekking guide
- One porter for every two trekkers, including their insurance and wages
- Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu municipality fee
- First aid kit, oximeter and daily altitude monitoring
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
What is not included
- International flights and the Nepal visa fee
- Travel and high altitude rescue insurance - compulsory for this trek
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Hot showers, charging, wifi and bottled drinks at tea houses
- Personal trekking gear, and hire of down jacket or sleeping bag
- Tips for the guide and porters
- Extra nights or flights caused by weather delays at Lukla
Photos
Frequently asked questions
- How fit do I need to be?
- If you can walk for five hours with a light day pack and repeat that the next morning, you are fit enough. Two months of hill walking or stairs before you fly makes the trek far more enjoyable.
- What happens if the Lukla flight is cancelled?
- It is common in poor weather. We hold you in Kathmandu and rebook the first available slot, and we can arrange a helicopter transfer at additional cost if your dates are tight. Build one spare day into your return plans.
- Is altitude sickness likely?
- Mild symptoms are normal above 3,500 m. Our schedule includes two acclimatisation days and the guide checks oxygen saturation daily. Anyone deteriorating goes down - that decision is never negotiable.
- Can I charge my phone and get wifi?
- At most lodges, for a fee that rises with altitude. Carry a power bank, and expect very little above Dingboche during a busy week.