Gongabu, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977-9841409994
info@earthmtreks.com.np
Earth Matter Treks & Expedition Nepal

  • Destination

    Nepal

  • Regions

    Everest

  • Activity

    Trekking/Hiking

  • Accomodation

    Hotel (Kathmandu) / Local Teahouses (Trek)

  • Transportation

    Hiace & Domestic flights

  • Duration

    17 Days

  • Trip Grade

    Moderate

  • Altitude

    5,545m.

  • Best Season

    March-May & Sept-December

  • Start/End Point

    Lukla/Lukla

Destination Region Activity Accomodation Transportation
Nepal Everest Trekking/Hiking Hotel (Kathmandu) / Local Teahouses (Trek) Hiace & Domestic flights
Duration Trip Grade Altitude Best Season Start/End Point
17 Days Moderate 5,545m. March-May & Sept-December Lukla/Lukla

Trip Overview

The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal and starts with a scenic 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the main gateway to the Everest region. From Lukla, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi Valley and passes through famous Sherpa villages such as Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche as you gradually make your way deeper into the Khumbu.

 

The trek takes you to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m, located near the Khumbu Icefall. The following day, we’ll hike up to Kala Patthar at 5,545 m, the highest point of the trek and a great place to see Everest and the surrounding peaks.

 

Gorak Shep, at 5,164 m, is the highest place where you’ll spend the night during the trek.

 

The 16-day itinerary includes 11 days of trekking, with acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. It also includes time for the Lukla–Kathmandu flight, a rest day in Kathmandu before the trek, a buffer day in case of flight delays, and international arrival and departure days.

 

The total trekking distance is around 138 km (85.7 miles), including the Kala Patthar hike and acclimatization walks.

 

The route is non-technical, but the high altitude and long walking days make it physically demanding. With good fitness and preparation, it is manageable for people with little or no previous high-altitude trekking experience.

 

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are generally the most popular seasons for the trek. These months usually bring clearer skies and more stable weather, making for better trekking conditions and mountain views.

Trip Highlights

  • Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and take in the Khumbu Glacier and surrounding mountains.
  • Start early for Kala Patthar (5,545 m) and watch the first light reach Everest and the nearby peaks.
  • Walk through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and other Sherpa villages along the way.
  • Take some time at Tengboche Monastery and enjoy the quiet mountain surroundings.
  • Get used to the altitude during the acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche
  • Cross suspension bridges, walk beside the Dudh Koshi River, and follow the trail deeper into the Khumbu Valley.
  • Meet local people along the trail and get a feel for everyday life in the mountain villages.
  • Spend your nights in simple mountain lodges, sharing meals and stories after a day of walking.
  • Finish the trek back in Kathmandu with visits to Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Bhaktapur.

Itinerary

  • Your Everest Base Camp journey starts in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and the gateway to the Himalayas. After arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll complete immigration, collect your luggage, and head toward the arrival exit. Our airport representative will be waiting outside with a sign with your name. They’ll welcome you and take you to your hotel by private vehicle. Once you check in, you can relax and take some time to recover from your flight. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • Today is for your Everest Base Camp trek briefing and final preparation in Kathmandu. After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide and our office team at the hotel. We’ll go over the trekking route, daily walking schedule, altitude, accommodation, and some important safety information before the trek starts. Your guide will also check your trekking gear and let you know if you’re missing anything. We’ll provide a 70L duffel bag for the trek. If you need anything else, such as a down jacket or sleeping bag, you can buy it in Kathmandu before we leave. Our team will also collect any remaining documents, including your travel insurance details and passport photo, if you haven’t provided them already. The remaining trip balance will be settled during the briefing. Please note that card payments have a 3.5% processing fee. We’ll also confirm the latest Lukla flight schedule, departure time, baggage arrangements, and hotel check-out details. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • We’ll leave Kathmandu early in the morning and drive to Manthali, where we’ll catch our flight to Lukla the following day. The drive takes around 5 hours, passing through small towns, rivers, and hills along the way. After reaching Manthali, we’ll check into our hotel and have the rest of the day to relax and prepare for the flight to Lukla. Overnight stay in Manthali.

  • We’ll take an early morning flight to Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft). During the main trekking seasons, Lukla flights usually operate from Ramechhap Airport (Manthali) due to heavy air traffic at Kathmandu Airport. In this case, we’ll have already driven to Manthali the previous day and stay overnight there. Flights usually operate between 6:00 am and 11:00 am, depending on the weather and airport conditions. After landing in Lukla, you’ll meet the porter team and start the trek toward Phakding. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, passing through Sherpa villages, pine forests, prayer flags, and suspension bridges. If the weather is clear, you may also get views of Kusum Kanguru. Once we reach Phakding, you can relax at the guesthouse or take a short optional walk to Rimishung Monastery, about 30 minutes from the village. Overnight stay in Phakding.

  • Today we’ll follow the Dudh Koshi River, walking through forested trails and Sherpa villages such as Toktok, Benkar, and Monjo. Along the way, you may get views of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku as we continue deeper into the Khumbu Valley. At Monjo, we’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park and complete the permit check before continuing to Jorsale, where we’ll stop for lunch. Jorsale is the last village before Namche, so it’s a good idea to carry enough water for the climb ahead. The trail crosses several suspension bridges during the day, including the Hillary Suspension Bridge. The area can get busy with trekkers, yaks, and mules, so we’ll take our time while crossing. After the final bridge, the trail climbs steadily toward Namche Bazaar, gaining around 800 meters. It’s a long uphill section, so we’ll keep a comfortable pace and take short breaks along the way. By late afternoon, we’ll reach Namche Bazaar, the main Sherpa town in the Everest region and an important stop on the way to Everest Base Camp. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • Today is our acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. After breakfast, we’ll take a gradual hike above the town toward Hotel Everest View. The hotel was built with Japanese support and is known for its high-altitude location. From the terrace, you can enjoy views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku while having tea or coffee. If the weather, time, and energy are good, we can continue to Khumjung Village, where you can visit Hillary School and Khumjung Monastery. After the hike, we’ll return to Namche Bazaar by the same route. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • We’ll leave Namche Bazaar and follow the trail with good views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. After about one hour, we’ll pass through Kyangjuma and continue along the hillside before descending through rhododendron forest toward Phunki Tenga, a popular lunch stop beside the Dudh Koshi River. After lunch, we’ll cross the bridge and start the main climb to Tengboche. The uphill section takes around two hours and is the hardest part of today’s walk. As we climb higher, the forest gradually becomes thinner, with wider views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kangtega, and the Khumbu Valley. Overnight stay in Tengboche.

  • After breakfast in Tengboche, we’ll start the day with a downhill walk through rhododendron forest toward Debuche. The trail is mostly quiet and shaded at first before we begin climbing again. From Debuche, we’ll cross a suspension bridge over the Imja Khola and continue uphill toward Pangboche. As we climb, the forest starts to open up and we get better views of the valley, with Ama Dablam standing above the trail. Pangboche Monastery is about 20 minutes from the main trail and can be visited if time and energy allow. It is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. We’ll stop for lunch at Somare, a small settlement below Ama Dablam. After lunch, the trail becomes steeper and rockier as the trees become fewer and the landscape changes to open alpine terrain. Eventually, we’ll reach Dingboche, a small settlement surrounded by stone-walled fields and mountains. Dingboche is an important stop for acclimatization before heading to higher altitudes. Overnight stay in Dingboche.

  • Today is our acclimatization day in Dingboche. After breakfast, we’ll hike toward Nangkartshang Hill and return to Dingboche to spend the night. The idea is to walk higher during the day and give your body time to adjust to the altitude before going further toward Everest Base Camp. The trail starts near a small stupa above the village and climbs steadily along the ridge. The climb can be tiring at this altitude, with loose and dusty sections and cold winds, so we’ll keep a slow pace and take regular breaks. On a clear day, you’ll get wide views of the Imja Valley, Makalu, Cholatse, Island Peak, and the surrounding mountains. Cho Oyu can also be seen during the earlier part of the climb. There’s no need to reach the very top of the hill. Gaining around 300 to 670 meters is usually enough for acclimatization. Your guide will decide how far to go depending on the weather, trail conditions, and how everyone is feeling. Overnight stay in Dingboche.

  • We’ll leave Dingboche and continue into the open high-altitude landscape. The trail follows the valley toward Thukla, with dry ground, loose rocks, and little vegetation along the way. As we walk, we’ll pass a few small stone shelters used by yak herders when they move their animals to the higher pastures during the season. We’ll stop for lunch at Thukla before starting the climb toward Thukla Pass, also known as Memorial Hill. The climb is steep in places, and the altitude and cold wind can make it feel harder. At the top, you’ll see memorials dedicated to climbers and Sherpa mountaineers who lost their lives in the Everest region. We’ll take some time here before continuing toward Lobuche. From the memorial area, the trail becomes easier and follows the valley toward Lobuche. By late afternoon, we’ll reach the small settlement, where it’s important to rest, drink enough water, and prepare for the next day’s trek to Everest Base Camp. Overnight stay in Lobuche.

  • Today is one of the main days of the Everest Base Camp Trek. We’ll leave Lobuche early, usually after breakfast around 5:30 am, and head toward Gorak Shep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft), the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. The trail starts fairly gently before becoming more rocky as we climb through the high-altitude landscape. About 20 minutes after leaving Lobuche, we’ll pass the sign for the Pyramid Research Centre, an Italian research station located at around 4,980 m. The walk from Lobuche to Gorak Shep is about 5 km and normally takes around 3 hours, depending on the pace and trail conditions. After reaching Gorak Shep, we’ll take a short break for lunch or tea before continuing to Everest Base Camp. The trail follows rocky moraine and glacial terrain alongside the Khumbu Glacier, so we’ll take care on the uneven sections. In winter or snowy conditions, simple crampons may be needed on icy parts of the trail. Most trekkers reach Everest Base Camp around midday. The area is marked with prayer flags and the well-known Everest Base Camp Rock, with views toward the Khumbu Icefall. Everest itself is partly hidden behind Nuptse and Lho La, but reaching Base Camp is still one of the main highlights of the trek. After spending some time at Base Camp, we’ll walk back to Gorak Shep for the night. This is the highest point where we’ll sleep during the trek, so it’s important to rest, stay hydrated, and keep warm. Overnight stay in Gorak Shep.

  • A night in Gorak Shep can be difficult for many trekkers because of the high altitude. Even experienced hikers may not sleep well at 5,164 m / 16,942 ft, so your guide will check how you’re feeling before the early morning hike. We’ll start the walk to Kala Patthar before sunrise, usually around 5:00 am, when the mountain views are at their best. The climb looks fairly easy from Gorak Shep, but it gets steeper after the first ridge, and the thin air makes the climb harder. Kala Patthar (5,545 m / 18,192 ft) offers great views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, and the surrounding peaks. You don’t necessarily need to reach the very top to get good views. After around 40 minutes to an hour, the main mountain panorama opens up. Your guide will decide how far to continue depending on your energy, the weather, and trail conditions. It can be very cold before sunrise, so make sure you have enough warm layers. Trekking poles and crampons can also be useful if the trail is icy. After spending some time at Kala Patthar, we’ll return to Gorak Shep for breakfast. We’ll then continue downhill toward Pheriche, passing through Lobuche and the memorials at Thukla Pass. Pheriche is also home to a hospital run by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), which provides medical support to trekkers in the region. Overnight stay in Pheriche.

  • We’ll leave Pheriche and walk downhill toward Pangboche. As we lose altitude, the landscape becomes greener and the air feels warmer. From Pangboche, we’ll continue toward Tengboche, passing through forests and familiar villages along the way. After Tengboche, we’ll follow the trail back toward Namche Bazaar. The route is mostly downhill and passes through the same mountain scenery we saw on the way up. By afternoon, we’ll reach Namche Bazaar, where you can relax and enjoy the facilities of the town after several days at higher altitude. If you’re in Namche on a Friday or Saturday, you may also get a chance to visit Namche Haat Bazaar, where local traders sell handmade crafts, clothes, trekking gear, and everyday items. Overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

  • Today is the final trekking day of the Everest Base Camp route. We’ll leave Namche Bazaar and follow the trail back down the Khumbu Valley, passing through Monjo, Phakding, pine forests, suspension bridges, and Sherpa villages. The walk is mostly downhill and becomes easier as we lose altitude. We’ll follow the same trail we used at the beginning of the trek, but this time with Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar behind us. After reaching Lukla, we’ll check into the guesthouse and have time to rest. In the evening, you can spend some time with your guide and porter team and thank them for their support throughout the trek. Overnight stay in Lukla.

  • After breakfast, we’ll head to Lukla Airport for the flight to Manthali Airport. The flight usually takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on weather and flight conditions. After landing in Manthali, we’ll meet our driver and start the drive to Kathmandu. The journey takes around 4–5 hours, depending on road and traffic conditions. Once we reach Kathmandu, the Everest Base Camp trek officially comes to an end. You’ll have the rest of the day to rest or explore the city on your own. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • Today, we’ll spend the day visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. After breakfast, our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the main sites. We’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. You’ll have time to walk around, visit the temples and courtyards, and learn about the history and culture of the Kathmandu Valley. After the sightseeing, we’ll return to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, shop, or explore Kathmandu on your own. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

  • After breakfast, your Everest Base Camp Trek comes to an end. If you have some time before your flight, you can relax at the hotel or take one last walk around Kathmandu. When it’s time to leave, our team will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Tribhuvan International Airport according to your flight schedule. We’ll make sure you get there with enough time for check-in and security. It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal. We hope you enjoyed your time in the mountains and return home with good memories of your trek with us. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again in Nepal.

Cost Inclusion/Exclusion

Cost Inclusion

  • Airport Pick up and Drop off by private vechile
  • Four nights accommodation in Kathmandu BB plan
  • A cup of tea or coffee with the meal during trekking
  • If and when available, fresh fruit will be provided
  • One Experience Trekking guide & porter per 2 trekkers
  • All air transportation an & ground transportation
  • Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit & Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit
  • All accommodation during the trek (attached bathrooms where available)
  • Three meals a day during the trek (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Staff insurance, meals, accommodations, equipment, transportation, etc.

Cost Exclusion

  • Nepal visa fees
  • Personal Insurance, personal expenses, loss of property, theft, etc.
  • Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
  • Emergency rescue evacuation
  • Sightseeing costs in the city. (Temples, monasteries, etc.).
  • All beverages, snack, and additional expenses such as laundry, hot showers, battery charging, Wi-Fi, etc.
  • Tips for guide & porter.

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