Reached the base of the world's highest Moutain (Everest) with the most breathtaking sceneries in the Himalayas.
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DestinationsIf you have ever longed to see the highest mountain Everest from a stone\’s throw distance, this is the trek. This trek gives you the opportunity to fulfill a dream while walking through some of the most breathtaking sceneries in the Himalayas. Ever since the days of early expeditions, the 8,848m mountain has had a lure of its own, drawing climbers to scale it and trekkers to gaze at its icy faces. Naturally, the trail to the base camp of the mountain has become one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal, yet few people return from the trek unmoved by the experience of being right among the highest peaks in the world.
From Kathmandu, we fly to Lukla, and the adventure begins as we land at its tiny airstrip. We spend several days trekking through the homelands of the Sherpa people, among their villages and Buddhist monasteries, with distant views of Everest and neighboring Ama Dablam, considered by many to be among the most beautiful mountains in Nepal.
A day is spent at Namche Bazaar, the bustling market town in the heart of Sherpa country, and at Pheriche a cluster of houses set among the high summer grazing pastures of the region. These rest days allow time to explore further and to acclimatize, an important factor in your enjoyment of the trek.
Those who have fully acclimatized may trek to the Everest Base Camp but without doubt, the highlight for most will be the awe-inspiring views that unfold from the summit of Kala Pattar – the chaotic ice sculptures of the Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse, and the south-west face of Everest itself. Not forgetting, of course, the personal sense of achievement that many experiences at the end of their trek, when it is all over and we fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalayas, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your hotel.
Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley.
In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to choose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing tour. Visit Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar.
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up by an English-speaking guide for a full-day tour of the Kathmandu Valley, visiting three sacred sites: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square.
This day fits quite a bit in—helpful for maximizing your time in Kathmandu—but doesn't overload you with too many sites. You can spend as much time as you like at each temple (this is a private tour just for you), although most people tend to spend an hour. For lunch, you'll stop at one of our recommended local restaurants.
Return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the late afternoon and meet your trekking guide who will go over the details for tomorrow's adventure.
Tour length: 7-8 hours (including transfers)
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 03: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding 3,450m.
After breakfast, you'll fly to Lukla (30 minutes) and land on a steep mountain runway, which brings you to the start of your trek. Try to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane and keep your camera close: the flight takes you between mountains and through valleys, with great views of the Himalayas on clear days.
You'll then trek a short distance today through local villages where you'll likely encounter fellow trekkers, locals, and yaks with their tinkling bells. (Having an easy first day is intentional, allowing you time to get used to the higher elevation.)
Continue through the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and stay overnight in Phakding.
Trekking time: 3-4 hours (4.7 miles / 7.5 km)
Overnight: Phakding
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
After breakfast in Phakding, you'll start a steady and steep incline towards Namche. This is a challenging day as you'll start to feel the altitude. The route also consists of a number of high suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi River that you need to cross.
Just beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, which was set up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment (your guide will cover your permit fees here). The trail gets steeper along the way, and if the weather is clear, you will get your first glimpses of Mount Everest.
When you arrive at Namche, settle into your accommodations and explore the town. Namche is a great place to stock up on supplies as there are numerous small shops selling snacks and trekking gear, as well as restaurants and bars. If here on a weekend, check out the Saturday market—a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Trekking time: 4-6 hours (4.6 miles / 7.4 km)
Overnight: Namche Bazaar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Acclimatization day.
Today is a rest day so take time to relax and sleep in. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amid the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops, and souvenir markets. It is an ideal place to spend a day acclimatizing to a higher altitude.
To speed up the acclimatization process, you can also head to the Khunde Hospital set up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a highly-recommended one-hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for views of notable peaks like Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. There are also good views from the Sherpa Culture Museum just above the town.
Overnight: Namche Bazaar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,687 feet / 3,867 m)
After breakfast in Namche, you'll follow the trail along the side of the valley high above the Dudh Kosi River. You'll get your first views of the Khumbu region's giant peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Pass by several villages and numerous tea shops, and descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch and you can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche.
Although this next zigzag path is tiring, your views will include beautiful rhododendron forests, colorful birds, and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in Khumbu, and a spectacular panorama of the aforementioned peaks can be seen from where you'll stop for the night.
Trekking time: 4-5 hours (5.7 miles / 9.2 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tengboche
Day 07: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (14,304 feet / 4,360 m)
After breakfast, take some extra time to enjoy the scenery around Tengboche Monastery before you start today's journey. With mountains in the background, the monastery looks even more beautiful in the morning sunlight.
Once you set out, choose the upper trail for better views on the way to Pangboche village where you'll pass several stupas, Mani walls, and small villages. Stop for lunch at a place that serves delicious food with a fantastic close-up view of Mount Ama Dablam.
In the afternoon, walk north to Pheriche or take the eastward trail beneath the towering north face of Ama Dablam. From here, the walk is fairly moderate as you enter the Imja Valley, which gradually unfolds as you approach the confluence of the Lobuche River. Descend towards the river and begin the last and steepest climb of the day up to Dingboche.
On arrival, you will see a stunning set of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals.
Trekking time: 3-4 hours (6.7 miles / 10.8 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Dingboche
Day 08: Acclimatization day in Dingboche (14,304 feet / 4,360 m)
Today is your second acclimatization day of the trip, so sleep in and relax. Enjoy breakfast with great views of Ama Dablam to the south.
To better appreciate numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche, you can climb the ridge behind the village. This is an ideal (and easy) acclimatizing excursion allowing you to see three of the world's six highest peaks: Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, and Mount Cho Yu. Meanwhile, look west to see the peaks of Lobuche, Cholatse, and Taboche.
In the afternoon, you can relax in the village checking out the lodges, a bakery, a handful of shops, and even an internet café.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Dingboche
Day 09: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (16,175 feet / 4,930 m)
After breakfast in Dingboche, you'll continue trekking up a wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. Then, turn right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier.
The teahouse at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch. From here, the trail zigzags through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb, there are many stone cairns built as memorials to Sherpas who have died while climbing Mount Everest.
From here, the path climbs gently along the glacier to eventually reach a cluster of houses at Lobuche.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours (7.5 miles / 12 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Lobuche
Day 10: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (16,962 feet / 5,170 m),
After breakfast, you'll trek along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Ahead, you'll see the crest of the north ridge of Everest along with Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, and Nuptse. A small ascent takes you to Thangma Riju where you can admire panoramic views and then ascend on a steep trail to the top of Changri Glacier. Soon, you'll reach Gorak Shep.
Later in the afternoon, just before sunset, you'll start the climb up to one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Patthar (5,554 m). As you reach the top, the sunset colors will light up Nuptse and Everest as the stars slowly begin to appear. Before it's too dark, you'll head back down to the teahouse at Gorak Shep for dinner and an early night in preparation for your trek to Everest Base Camp tomorrow.
Trekking time: 3 hours (2.7 miles / 4.3 km)
Overnight: Gorak Shep
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Gorak Shep to Lobuche (16,175 feet / 4,930 m) via Everest Base Camp
Today is the day you've been waiting for! Have an early breakfast in Gorak Shep and get a head start towards Everest Base Camp. It'll take 2-3 hours to get here, as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles and crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. Though the path is a gentle climb, the high elevation makes it more difficult. Take it slow and enjoy Mount Everest views along the way.
When you arrive, you'll be greeted with piles of stones, strings of prayer flags, and a few “Everest Base Camp” signs with dates and elevation. Celebrate with your fellow trekkers and absorb the incredible landscapes.
On the return journey, you can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall. Return to Lobuche for the night.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Trekking distance: 6.6 miles (10.7 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Lobuche
Day 12: Trek from Lobuche to Pangboche (13,074 ft / 3,985 m)
After breakfast in Lobuche, you'll begin a mostly downhill trek to Pangboche. Retrace your steps and descend to Pheriche, where you'll arrive at The Himalayan Rescue Association—a trekker’s aid post worth a visit.
Stop for lunch and then cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge. From here, follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche.
Trekking time: 5-6 hours (9.9 miles / 16 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Pangboche
Day 13: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (11,319 feet / 3,450 m)
After breakfast in Pangboche, you'll continue a downward trek (be careful of your footing) and then climb back up through a beautiful birch and rhododendron forest to get to Tengboche.
From here, descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi River while admiring the Himalayan giants around you. At Phunki Tenga, you'll get to see the water-driven prayer wheels before making your way back to Namche for the night.
Trekking time: 6-8 hours (9.4 miles / 15.12 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Namche Bazaar
Day 14: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (9,186 feet / 2,800 m)
Wake up for an early breakfast in Namche, then retrace your steps back to Lukla following the Dudh Kosi river valley. It's a long day, but it won't be too difficult as it's downhill and you'll be in good shape from all the previous days of trekking.
You'll make your way through villages like Chumoa, Benkar, Phakding, and Chuthawa, eventually reaching the Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate signifying the end of the trek. Though most of the route is an easy downhill slope, the last section of the trail before arriving takes you uphill—a fitting way to finish.
With Lukla’s handful of shops, bars, and cafes—and even a faux Starbucks!—there are plenty of things to occupy your time as you reflect on your experience.
Trekking time: 6-7 hours (11.1 miles / 17.9 km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Lukla
Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel.
After breakfast in Lukla, you'll take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.
Day 16: Free day in Kathmandu.
Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 17: Transfer to the airport. Trip concludes!
It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.
Meals included: Breakfast
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