Everest Base Camp Trek - 15 Days

One of our team will be at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. We go over your tour in more detail and answer any questions you may have. The rest of the day is free to explore bustling Kathmandu.

A cultural exploration day is due in Kathmandu today. A sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley. Visit the major cultural sites during the day. exploration of the Kathmandu. While driving to different parts of Kathmandu valley, you will learn something about the life in the capital city. The tour today mixes culture, history and spirituality together to give you an exceptional city touring experience.

In the early morning we take the spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827m), flying parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibet. Flight time is about 40 minutes to the airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After landing we will have time to explore the village while the Sherpa crew sort and load the trekking equipment. In the afternoon, we begin the trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River, where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, just above Chaunrikharka (2713m). The walking is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat (2550m), it is a short walk to Phakding.

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The trail today follows up the Dudh Koshi Valley, hiking through pine forest, crossing the river twice via small suspension bridges before reaching the village of Monjo. Monjo is the entrance gate of the Sagarmatha National Park. After entering the park there is a slight climb to Jhorsalle, the trail passes waterfalls with a lot of bio diversity on the way. We are rewarded with our first glimpse of Kusum Kanguru (6369m) Thamserku (6608m), Everest (8848m) and Nuptse (7879 m). A steep climb up to the beautiful large village of Namche Bazaar (3440m) a buzzing center of trade where many tradespeople come to haggle and sell their wares. Overnight Lodge.

As we are going to be at over 5000 metrs in a few days we need to spend a day here allowing our systems to get used to the higher altitude. Set in a beautiful natural amphitheater, Namche Bazaar is one of the most attractive settlements in the Khumbu region. This is a good opportunity to make short acclimatization treks.One is the hike up to Khumjung, a lovely Sherpa village above Namche visit The Everest View Hotel from where there are wonderful panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, Tawche, and Kwangde . Then back down to soak up the atmosphere Namche provides.Overnight Lodge

It’s about here that the real trek begins although the start today is deceptive with a pleasant walk through the forest with magnificent views of the mountains. We follow a path that traverses around the hillside high above the Dudh Kosi River. After walking for around an hour we arrive at Phungithanga. The trail climbs past some water-powered prayer wheels and then continues with a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons that act as cover for musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Tengboche (3870m), is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent-shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and firs. From the top of the hill, the mountains reveal themselves for what they truly are, the distinctive peaks of Amadablam (6856m) Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7861m), Lhotse (8501m) are both inspiring and humbling. We stop to visit the renowned Buddhist Monastery at Tengboche, the largest in the Khumbu region. Overnight Lodge.

The early morning vista of the mountains behind monasteries are spectacular from here. We leave Tengboche heading north to cross the Dudh Kosi river via a small suspension bridge which crosses the river valley. We continue on as far as Orsho to take the lower path along the west bank of the Imja Khola. Beautiful forest of birches conifers and rhododendrons. Continuing up the river past several chortens and mani walls strewn between small villages to reach our overnight destination of Dingboche. Dingboche set among an array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect the barley, buckwheat, and potatoes. The village acts as a gateway to several other treks towards Chukung and farther beyond towards Makalu. Overnight Lodge.

We spend an additional day and night here to aid the acclimatization process. There are optional hikes. A short hike 400 m to climb to Nangkartshang Gompa on the ridge north of Dingboche is a good one. Good views of Makalu (8463 m) from here. There is also the possibility for a day trek to Chhukung (4,730m) approx. 4/5 hours. To the north of Dingboche, there are spectacular views of Lhotse’s huge South Face. Oernight Lodge.

We begin today with a descent to Pheriche village. It joins the trail below Thungla.There are some beautiful views of Cholatse across the valley. There follows another steep descent over the terminal moraine of Khumbu glacier. Today’s provides great views of the Mt.Tawache, Ama Dablam and to the north-Pokalde (5741m), Kongma-Tse (5820m) and the giant wall of Nuptse. The trail leads on through a grassy valley, rugged beauty at its best before reaching Lobuche a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and Lobuche peak. Tawoche and Nuptse are particularly strong from Lobuche towering just above. Overnight Lodge.

From Lobuche we follow the narrow gap between the glacial moraine and the mountain walls. It is possible to make a detour to the edge of moraine to look over the Khumbu glacier if we have time. Wonderful views of Mt. Pumori, Nuptse, and other magnificent peaks on the way to reach Gorakshep which is the original location of the Everest Base Camp.The new camp is situated further up the valley.

After lunch we continue to Everest Base Camp Distance 3.5 km one way. The trail passes over rocky moraine and several small streams. At Base Camp we have the opportunity to experience the freezing and harsh conditions that mountaineers brave to summit this famous mountain. It is a place for climbers to gather to make their final preparations. We explore base camp and its surrounding glacier before our returning back to Gorakshep. Overnight Lodge.

We are hoping for the normal sparkling and clear day as we set off early to climb Kalapathar ( around 2 km from Gorakshep.) It is now you fully appreciate what this trek as been about and all that effort. The reward is an almost surreal experience of the 360-degree dramatic panoramic view of Mt Everest and the surrounding mountains of Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, Mt. Khumbetse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku along with many other peaks in the range. Spend some time to gather your thoughts before we leave for the easy walk for about 2hrs to Lobuche and onwards downhill to Pheriche. Continue down moraine to Dughla and then drop to the bridge over a gushing stream that flows out of the glacier to reach Pheriche. Overnight Lodge

A lovely day now fully acclimatized and everything is easy especially as its downhill most of the way. We trek down a hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees full of wildlife; Pheasants, Himalayan Griffons, Musk deer and wild goats are all fairly common here along with a huge variety of birds. It takes approximately 3-4 to reach Tengboche and having lunch there than continue walk to Namche Bazaar After lunch we descend steeply through beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Thyanboche and then down again to Phunkitenga. After a welcome break and perhaps a cup of tea we cross the Dudh Kosi, and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Sanasa, before returning to Namche Bazaar where we spend the night

We rise early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of the aircraft, for the flight back to Kathmandu. We will be met at the airport and transferred to our Hotel. -B

It is time to say good bye . We really hope that you had a great time in Nepal. We will drive you to airport for the departure flight as per the schedule. – B