Overview
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the ultimate Himalayan adventure — a 14-day journey through the legendary Khumbu region that takes you from the world’s most dramatic mountain airstrip at Lukla (2,860m) to the foot of Mount Everest (5,364m). Along the way you pass through Sherpa villages unchanged for centuries, cross glacial moraines, visit Tengboche Monastery perched on a ridge with a panoramic Everest view, and summit Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the highest sunrise you’ve ever witnessed.
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River valley, gaining altitude steadily with two built-in acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar (3,440m) and Dingboche (4,410m) — the gold standard schedule adopted by every responsible trekking operator in Nepal. Group sizes are capped at 16 with a 1:8 guide ratio. All porters are members of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality wage scheme.
Highlights
- Kala Patthar sunrise — closest viewpoint to Everest’s summit pyramid
- Tengboche Monastery — largest in the Khumbu, 3,867m
- Namche Bazaar Saturday market — the Sherpa capital
- Everest View Hotel tea stop (3,962m)
- Khumbu Glacier walk to Base Camp
- Thame and Khunde optional side-valley visits on acclimatisation days
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu (1,400m)
Transfer to hotel in Thamel. Pre-trip briefing with your lead guide at 5:00 PM covering safety protocols, altitude sickness recognition, equipment check, and itinerary review. Welcome dinner.
Fly Kathmandu–Lukla (2,860m), Trek to Phakding (2,652m)
Early morning 35-minute mountain flight to Lukla — one of the world's most dramatic landings. Meet porters, pack loads, and begin trekking south through rhododendron forests and suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. 3–4 hours walking, 210m descent.
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Cross the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge (3,400m) with first views of Everest from a distance. Steep 600m climb through pine forest to Namche, the gateway town to the Khumbu. 5–6 hours, 800m ascent.
Acclimatisation Day — Namche Bazaar
Essential rest day. Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962m) for your first panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Afternoon: explore Namche's bakeries, gear shops, and the Sherpa Culture Museum. Sleeping at 3,440m.
Namche to Tengboche (3,867m)
Traverse the famous Panorama Trail along the valley wall with constant Everest views. Descend to the Dudh Koshi confluence, then climb through silver birch and juniper forest to Tengboche Monastery — the spiritual heart of the Khumbu. 5 hours.
Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m)
Descend to Pangboche (3,985m) — home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. Continue up the Imja Khola valley past yak pastures to Dingboche. Ama Dablam dominates the skyline. 5 hours.
Acclimatisation Day — Dingboche
Hike to Nagarjun Hill (5,100m) for views of Makalu, Lhotse, Island Peak, and the entire Chhukung Valley. Return for hot lunch and afternoon rest. Pulse oximetry check by guide.
Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m)
Cross the Khumbu moraines, passing the Thokla Pass memorial chortens dedicated to climbers lost on Everest. The landscape becomes lunar — stone, ice, and sky. 4–5 hours.
Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,164m), Visit Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
The defining day. Trek along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep for lunch, then continue 2 hours to Everest Base Camp — the seasonal city of expedition teams and the Khumbu Icefall. Return to Gorak Shep. 7–8 hours total.
Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar (5,545m), Descend to Pheriche (4,288m)
Pre-dawn start (4:30 AM) for the 2-hour climb to Kala Patthar — your closest viewpoint of Everest's triangular summit pyramid. Sunrise photographs here are iconic. Descend all the way to Pheriche. 6–7 hours.
Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Long but largely downhill return through Pangboche and Tengboche. Legs know the trail now — the pace is faster. Dinner with live Sherpa folk music. 6 hours.
Namche to Lukla (2,860m)
Final day of trekking. Descend through Monjo and Phakding, crossing the suspension bridges one last time. Celebration dinner in Lukla. 6–7 hours.
Fly Lukla–Kathmandu
Morning flight back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free for shopping or Thamel exploration. Farewell dinner at a traditional Nepali restaurant.
Departure Day
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward flight. End of services.
Cost Includes
- All domestic flights (Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu)
- Sagarmatha National Park Permit & TIMS Card
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide throughout
- Porters (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max 15kg per porter)
- All meals on trek (breakfast, lunch, dinner) + accommodation in teahouses
- Kathmandu hotel (2 nights: arrival & departure, B&B)
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Emergency evacuation insurance for guides and porters
- All government taxes and service charges
Cost Excludes
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days)
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory — must cover helicopter evacuation)
- Meals in Kathmandu (except welcome/farewell dinners)
- Tips for guide and porters (customary: USD 10–15/day guide, USD 5–8/day porter)
- Personal expenses: hot showers, battery charging, WiFi, drinks
Best Season
Spring (March–May): Rhododendrons in bloom, clear skies, moderate temperatures. Most popular. Autumn (September–November): Crystal-clear post-monsoon visibility, stable weather. Both seasons are equally excellent.
Permits Required
Sagarmatha National Park Permit (NPR 3,000 / ~USD 25) + TIMS Card (USD 10). Both arranged by us, included in cost.
