About Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp Trekking – 12 Days

Firstly, the Everest Base Camp Trekking begins in Kathmandu and heads to the Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla on a short flight. Then, you trail along the Dudh Koshi River before entering the Sagarmatha National Park. From here, you follow the Imja River and head to Tengboche. As you enjoy the views of Mt. Ama Dablam (6856m), you will reach Dingboche. At Dingboche, you will acclimatize for a day and hike to the local peak called NangkarTshang (516m). Then, the next part of the trek takes you to Thukla and Lobuche. Further, you trek along the Khumbu Glacier and reach Gorakshep. Next, you trek along the arid trails to settle at the Everest Base Camp. The base camp is sure to awe you with the views of mountains like Pumo Ri and Nuptse. Then the trek heads to the next highlight of the trip, Kalapatthar. The vantage point offers a surreal view of mountains like Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8516m), Ama Dablam (6856m), and many others. Finally, the return trip begins, and you retrace your steps via Thukla and Tengboche. Then, you return to Lukla via Namche Bazaar and fly back to Kathmandu.

Trip Facts

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Weather

-15°C to 18°C

schedule

Duration

12 Days

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Difficulty

Moderate

hotel

Accommodation

Lodges

restaurant

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

nature

Best Season

Sept, Oct, Nov, March, April, May

flight

Transportation

Flight

access_time

Daily Activity

Approx. 5 - 6 Hours hike

people

Ethnic People

Sherpa, Rai

terrain

Geographic Terrain

Mountain, Forest, Village, Glacier

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Region of Nepal

Everest Region, Khumbu

height

Max. Altitude

5364m./17701ft.


12-DAY EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore the Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Glacier, and Icefall
  • Enjoy the trek across the Sagarmatha National Park
  • Visit various Sherpa settlements like Tengboche, Thukla, and Lobuche
  • Relish the panorama of Everest Himalayas including Mt. Everest (8848m), Lobuche (8516m), and Cho Oyu (8188m)
  • Trek to the remote and adventurous trails of the Everest region
  • Take a spiritual visit to ancient monasteries like Tengboche, Pangboche, Khumjung, Nangkartshang, and more
  • Witness the remains of Yeti, the abominable snowman, at Khumjung Monastery
  • Discover the diverse flora and fauna of the Khumbu region including red pandas, snow leopards, and more
  • Experience Sherpa people's culture, traditions, local customs, and hospitality firsthand
Everest Base Camp

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Everest Base Camp Trekking begins at Kathmandu.

The day begins rather early as you pack your bags and drive to Tribhuvan International Airport. Embark on a domestic flight to Lukla. The scenic half-hour long flight takes you over the pristine forested hills and deep ravines towards Lukla. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy your breakfast and then embark on the first day of the trek. Enjoy a scenic trek along the pristine Dudh Koshi River to Phakding village. Overnight in Phakding.

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Leaving Phakding, you’ll begin trekking upstream along the Dudh Koshi River towards Monjo village.

You’ll walk past few scenic waterfalls en route. At Monjo, you’ll get the permit for Sagarmatha National park. The trail continues through Jorsalle and crosses few suspension bridges en route to Namche Bazaar. Namche is the largest village in the entire Everest Region. Enjoy the majestic sight of Kongde Ri range from Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche.

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Today is a rest day, and you can undertake a scenic tour around the village.

Later, you can also take a short hike to the Khumjung and Khunde villages. After exploring Namche Bazaar, you’ll begin trekking uphill for an hour to reach Khumjung Monastery. A small Sherpa village of Khumjung is home to Khumjung Monastery, which has preserved the remains of Yeti, an abominable snowman. Walk past the scenic Syangboche Airport towards Khunde village. You can visit the equally beautiful Edmund Hillary School en route to Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche.

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Leaving Namche Bazaar, you’ll begin trekking upstream along the Dudh Koshi River.

A steep hike takes you towards Phunki Tenga village. The trail continues alongside the mesmerizing view of Ama Dablam (6856m) and climbs over 427 meters in altitude. Tengboche village is home to Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest Region. The 100-years old monastery celebrates the history of Tibetan-Buddhism. It also hosts the annual festival of Mani Rimdu in October. After spending some time at Tyangboche, you will descend to Debuche. Overnight in Debuche.

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After enjoying your breakfast, you’ll embark on the trek.

Leaving Debuche, you’ll leave the forested path behind and begin climbing the rocky terrain. The trail drops to the pristine Imja Khola (River) and begins to rise again en route to Pangboche village. Walk past thousands of Mani stones en route to Shomare. The day ends at Dingboche village, a remote Sherpa village. Overnight in Dingboche.

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Today, you’ll spend the day acclimatizing at Dingboche.

To better utilize this day, you can take an adventurous hike to the local peak of the Nangkartshang peak (5083m) named after the century-old Nangkartshang monastery. From the top, you can catch the natural sights of Mount Taboche (6367m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Island Peak (6189m), Lhotse (8516m), and Mount Everest (8848m). Retrace your path back to Dingboche village overlooking the beautiful Mt. Pumo Ri (7165m). Overnight in Dingboche.

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Leaving Dingboche behind, you'll continue your trek towards Lobuche.

The trail ascends gradually alongside the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, including Tawache and Cholatse. You'll pass through Duglha, where you'll have a break for lunch. Afterward, the trail ascends steeply up to the memorial area dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Everest. From here, the trail flattens out somewhat as you approach Lobuche, a small settlement with stunning views of Nuptse. Overnight in Lobuche.

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Today is a challenging yet rewarding day as you trek to Everest Base Camp.

Leaving Lobuche, the trail follows the rocky moraine path, glacial ponds, and icebergs down to Gorak Shep. After lunch and some rest at Gorak Shep, you'll continue towards Everest Base Camp. The trail can be challenging due to the high altitude and rocky terrain but offers incredible views of the Khumbu Icefall and surrounding peaks. Spend some time at Base Camp soaking in the atmosphere and views before retracing your steps back to Gorak Shep for overnight stay.

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Early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5550m)

After witnessing the sunrise and capturing some breathtaking photos, descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast. Then, continue your descent towards Pheriche. The trail offers panoramic views of mountains like Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and others. Pheriche is a small village nestled in a windy valley, known for its scenic beauty and hospitality. Overnight in Pheriche.

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Leaving Pheriche behind, you'll retrace your steps back towards Namche Bazaar.

The trail passes through Pangboche and Tengboche, offering the chance to revisit the beautiful monasteries and enjoy the serene mountain views. Descend further through forests and cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River before reaching Namche Bazaar. Spend the evening exploring the vibrant market and celebrating the completion of your trek. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

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Today marks your last day of trekking as you make your way back to Lukla.

The trail descends steeply through forests and crosses several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. Pass through Monjo and Phakding before making the final ascent to Lukla. Upon reaching Lukla, enjoy a celebratory dinner with your trekking crew and reflect on the incredible journey you've had. Overnight in Lukla.

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Take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu, bidding farewell to the mountains.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Spend the day exploring Kathmandu, visiting cultural sites, and shopping for souvenirs. In the evening, celebrate the successful completion of your Everest Base Camp trek with a farewell dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.

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FAQ

Yes, Everest Base Camp Trekking is safe for tourists. This area has not been affected by the earthquake in 2015. Also, there have been no outbreaks of epidemics, viral diseases, or COVID-19 in this region. The government and other respective bodies continuously work to facilitate accessible communication, comfortable and safe internal travel, proper healthcare facilities, and accommodation services for tourists.

Even though it is a moderate trek, the trail passes through steep climbs and ascents that can be demanding and tiresome. Therefore, it is beneficial for all travelers to exercise daily starting a month before their trip. This helps the body acclimatize to the physical demands of the journey. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases should inform us before booking the trek and are advised to seek medical advice or consent from their doctors before the trek.

The best seasons to trek this route are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). During autumn, the weather is stable, dry, and clear, making it ideal for trekking. Spring brings vibrant trails with blooming wildflowers and rhododendrons. Both seasons offer clear days perfect for enjoying the stunning mountain views.

Travel insurance covering medical and emergency helicopter rescue expenses at high altitudes is compulsory for trekking members booking with us. You must provide insurance documents before departure. If you do not have appropriate insurance, we can assist you in obtaining one to cover potential altitude sickness and unforeseen events.

Yes, we cover the insurance expenses for our team members, including guides and porters. Nepal Alternative Treks funds their insurance, meals, salary, lodging, transportation, and necessary equipment.

Our licensed guides speak fluent English and some local languages like Sherpa. They are extensively trained to handle emergencies, accidents, and manage accommodations. They have in-depth knowledge of the Himalayas, altitude sickness, geography, local culture, customs, and biodiversity. Their primary concern is your safety and satisfaction throughout the trek, making your journey easier, exciting, and enriching.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs when your body fails to acclimatize to decreasing oxygen levels at higher altitudes, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue. Our itineraries include acclimatization days to reduce the risk of AMS. Our guides are trained to monitor AMS symptoms, provide medical assistance, and coordinate evacuations if necessary. Immediate descent to lower altitudes and medical attention are recommended if AMS symptoms persist or worsen.

Money exchange is limited along the trekking route. It's best to exchange currency in Kathmandu or carry enough cash. Credit cards and foreign currencies are not accepted on the trekking route. Lukla and Namche might offer limited money exchange facilities with lower exchange rates.

We arrange one porter for two trekkers with a weight limit of 20 kilograms per porter (10kg per trekker). If you have excess luggage, you can hire an additional porter at an extra cost.

Lukla flights have a weight limit of maximum 10kg for checked luggage (two pieces) and 5kg for hand-carry. Excess baggage fees apply and are typically around USD 1 per kilogram.

Testimonials

Mr. Amit Modi

The i3 Foundation Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp was a life changing experience for me. The support of the organisation was exceptional making the journey unforgettable.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar

Joining the i3 Foundation Trekking initiative was my best decision so far. The guides were knowledgeable and the experience was simply breathtaking.

Mr. Shravan Jajodia

What truly sets the i3 Foundation apart is their dedication to empower the individuals and create lasting changes. They not only offer immediate assistance and relief but also work towards sustainable solutions that address the root causes of the issues.