Overview
People, from all corners of the world have always harbored the dream of laying eyes on Mount Everest, the peak in the Himalayas. Named in honor of Sir George Everest it is affectionately known as ‘Sagarmatha’ in Nepali. Embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek offers an awe inspiring experience for those seeking to behold the sight of the world’s mountain towering at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters. Nestled in the Khumbu Valley this base camp serves as a gateway to a region teeming with breathtaking summits such as Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Pomari and Nuptse. Our journey commences, from the town of Lukla nestled in the heart of the Khumbu area and meanders alongside the Dudh Koshi River amidst the Rhododendron Mountains. You might have the opportunity to encounter endangered species such, as Blue Sheep, Musk Deer and various Himalayan birds. Our journey progresses towards Namche Bazaar, a resting place for trekkers adjusting to the altitude. Following the route, through Lobuche and Gorak Shep leads us to our destination. Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the base camp we ascend Kalapatthar to savor views of Mount Everest and the majestic Himalayan surroundings. Come along on this Everest Base Camp Trek for an experience blending vibrant culture pristine forests and unparalleled natural magnificence.
Everest Base camp Major Highlights:
- Lukla - A beautiful Sherpa town and gateway of Everest Trekking.
- Explore Sherpa's culture and traditions.
- Hillary Museum and Sagarmatha National Park Photo gallery
- The Namche Bazaar - 3450m
- Tengboche Monastery
- Sagarmatha National Park
- Massive Khumbu Glacier
- World's highest Mt. Everest base camp
Itinerary
You will arrive in Kathmandu valley at the Tribhuvan International Airport, and our agents from Gravity Expedition will be there to pick you up. They will take you to your hotel, where you can rest and enjoy a delicious and traditional Nepali meal. In the evening, you have the option to attend a fascinating folk cultural performance.
After enjoying your breakfast in the morning, our guide will come to your hotel and accompany you on a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Your first stop will be the Swayambhunath Stupa, situated on top of a hill. This dome-shaped stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, provides breathtaking views of the beautiful Kathmandu city, surrounded by lush green hills and towering snow-capped mountains.
Once you’ve explored the ancient Swayambhunath, you can proceed to Boudhanath, another impressive stupa often referred to as Little Tibet. Here, you’ll experience a clear representation of Tibetan lifestyle and culture in the area.
Moving towards the eastern part of the Kathmandu valley, you can visit the Pashupatinath Temple. While non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple gates, you can still wander around its vast premises and observe the rituals taking place. From across the Bagmati River, you’ll be able to admire the temple’s golden rooftop. Pashupatinath attracts pilgrims from all over the world, especially during Shiva Ratri, a sacred festival honoring the birth of Lord Shiva.
On the following day, it’s important to be well-prepared for the trek. Flights depart very early in the morning from Kathmandu’s domestic airport, and check-in is even earlier. Lukla is located at an altitude of 2880m, so you must reach the domestic airport in Kathmandu to catch a flight to Lukla. The flight duration from Kathmandu to Lukla is approximately 35 to 40 minutes, and it can be quite thrilling. When you arrive in Lukla, it’s common to feel a bit disoriented. Many people have tea, a second breakfast, or lunch before starting the trek. There’s no need to rush to reach Phakding, as the trek can be completed in about 4 hours. The trail passes through Choplung (2660m) and Nachi Pang, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the snowy peak of Kusum Kanguru. The village of Ghat has a small monastery, and Phakding village has lodges on both sides of the Dudh Koshi River. The Phakding monastery, located higher up on the west side, is best visited on the return journey to Lukla. You will spend the night in a lodge.
On the fourth day, in the morning after breakfast, you will embark on a walk through a magnificent Rhododendron forest, offering breathtaking views of the riverside. Starting from Phakding, the trail gradually climbs and winds through a pleasant pine forest. The next village you will come across is Bengkar (2630m), which is famous for its delicious apple pies. As you continue your journey, the route ascends to Monjo (2835m), where the entry check post for Sagarmatha National Park is located. From Jorsale (2740m), the trail becomes uphill, and you will catch a glimpse of Everest as you climb towards Namche (3440m).
This beautiful trek will take approximately 6 to 7 hours from Phakding and will conclude at Namche Bazaar. This day is generally considered one of the more challenging days of the trek, not because of the terrain itself, but because it’s the first critical day where the effects of high altitude become noticeable. You will spend the night in a lodge.
It is important for everyone to take a rest day in Namche in order to acclimatize to the altitude. Namche Bazaar is a well-known and popular place to admire the stunning views of Mt. Everest and the entire Himalayan mountain range, including breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, Namche Bazaar is famous for its local museum.
In the early morning, after enjoying breakfast, you will take a pleasant one-and-a-half-hour walk to witness the magnificent view of Mt. Everest and experience the beauty of a sunrise. After returning to the hotel and resting for a few hours, you can spend the evening exploring the charm of Namche village and its vibrant markets. The local people will warmly welcome you and provide incredible hospitality. You will also have the opportunity to visit the local museum, where you can learn about the native flora and fauna as well as the history of Mt. Everest. You will spend the night in a lodge.
There are multiple routes to choose from when traveling from Namche to Tengboche. The next stop on the trek is Tengboche, which takes approximately 5-6 hours to reach. Tengboche is a well-known and traditional place, renowned for its Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and the Sherpa religion, which is followed by many monks.
You will begin your trek early in the morning, around 8 am. Throughout the journey, you will be treated to breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Cholatse, Kantaiga, AmaDablam, and Thamserku. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to visit impressive Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and experience the Sherpa religious practices. The Buddhist monasteries open every day at 4 o’clock in the evening, welcoming tourists who can enjoy engaging in worship and meditation. Finally, you will witness stunning sunset views from Tengboche. You will spend the night in lodges.
Dingboche is renowned for its stunning trails that offer breathtaking views of the majestic mountains and deep valleys. It is situated at an altitude of 4,481m. Right from the beginning of the trek, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the area. The entire day’s trek will take you through forests filled with a variety of lush trees, including birch, conifers, and rhododendron.
Along the way, you will often come across many yaks, adding to the charm of the journey. The scenic trail will gradually descend to Devuche, crossing the Imja River, until you reach Dingboche. In Dingboche, you will find the Himalayan Rescue Association Trekkers and receive medical assistance in case of any high-altitude concerns. They will provide you with valuable information about coping with high altitude.
It is crucial to spend an extra night in Dingboche to help your body adjust to the altitude. Many trekkers find joy in exploring Dingboche during the day, but there are also several fascinating day hikes in this area. One delightful short walk takes about an hour and involves climbing past prayer flags and chortens to reach Nangkartshang Hermitage. This collection of retreats is built around the meditation cave of Sange Dorje, situated on the ridge north of Dingboche.
The trail continues uphill for another 90 minutes, leading to a viewpoint at 5070m. From there, you can enjoy fantastic views of Cholatse (6443m) and Taboche (6542m) to the north, the lakes at the base of Ama Dablam to the south, and Chhukung and Makalu (8463m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world, to the east. Throughout the journey, trekkers are advised to follow the valuable guidance of Gravity guides. You will spend the night in Dingboche.
From this point onward, the trek will gradually become more challenging due to the higher altitude. We will pass through Dungla (Thukla), but not before undertaking a tough and steep climb to the top of a high hill. At the summit, you will see small chortens, which are memorial stupas dedicated to the climbers and trekkers who lost their lives on Everest over the years.
The next part of our adventure will take us through rugged mountain terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement that offers incredible views of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari, and the Nuptse. Be prepared for a cold night as we are now nearly three miles above sea level, and the evenings can be quite chilly. We will spend the night in Lobuche.
The initial part of the trail from Lobuche follows a narrow passage between the glacial moraine and the mountain wall, passing by the turn-off to the Italian Pyramid. It will take you approximately 2 hours of trekking to reach Gorkshep, which is situated at an altitude of 5,164m. Throughout the journey, you will be treated to magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Pumori, and many other Himalayan ranges.
Upon reaching Gorkshep, you will enjoy a delicious lunch and have the option to hike to Kalapathar (5,644m) if the weather is clear. Kalapathar hill offers arguably the best view of Mt. Everest in the entire Nepal Himalaya. Mornings are usually clear and this is the ideal time for the ascent. It is often considered the highlight of the trek for many people, although clouds can quickly roll in and obscure the peaks. After enjoying the breathtaking views, you will return to Gorakshep for an overnight stay at Gorakshep Lodge.
Once you have thoroughly explored and enjoyed Kalapathar and Everest Base Camp, it is time to trek back to Pheriche. You can take your time and leisurely stroll downhill towards Pheriche. Continue descending along the moraine until you reach Thukla, then descend further to the bridge that spans the rushing stream flowing out of the glacier.
Pheriche is equipped with good lodges and a clinic operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), staffed with doctors and stocked with oxygen supplies and Gamow bags during the appropriate season. You will spend the night in Pheriche, taking advantage of the comfortable accommodations available.
The trail retraces its steps back to lower Pangboche. Along the way, you’ll come across various mani walls and Chorten, which are adorned with prayer inscriptions and overlooked by the majestic Ama Dablam peak. Descending further, you’ll cross the Imja Khola river and ascend through wispy forests of Juniper trees. Eventually, you’ll reach the small settlement of Deboche, where you’ll find a few locals and several comfortable lodges.
The final part of the trek involves a short but steep climb to reach the renowned Tengboche monastery, situated at an altitude of 3860m. Tengboche holds great spiritual significance for the Khumbu region. Near the monastery, there is an Eco Museum center that promotes the local community and raises funds for the training of monks. You will spend the night in Tengboche, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of this revered location.
After crossing another suspension bridge, we ascend the opposite side of the valley and follow a winding path that takes us back to Namche Bazaar. We then make a steep descent down Namche Hill, which leads us to a suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River and the small village of Monjo. Staying in Monjo provides a quieter environment compared to Namche, and it also means our porters will have an easier walk back to Lukla tomorrow. We will spend the night in Monjo, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Following the same path along the eastern side of the Dudh Kosi river, we descend one last time to reach Lukla. We will arrive in the afternoon, giving us plenty of time to unwind and savor the satisfaction of completing our journey. Lukla is a vibrant community that brings together Sherpas, trekkers, and soldiers, creating an intriguing environment to explore as we conclude our trek. We will spend the night in Lukla, resting and reflecting on our accomplishments.
After enjoying our breakfast, we proceed to the airport for our flights. The airport terminal is very chilly, and the options for drinks and snacks are limited. The flight itself is thrilling, especially when the plane takes off and descends rapidly into the open sky. As the plane navigates past the hillside near Number Peak and maneuvers over the Lamjura Pass, we continue our journey to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, representatives from Wongchhu Peak Promotion will be there to pick us up at the domestic airport. We will then spend the night at a hotel in Kathmandu.
You will have a day of leisure in Kathmandu, and later in the evening, there will be a farewell dinner and celebration. If you wish, you can ask your guide to take you on a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. During this tour, you can visit various museums in the area, including the Narayanhiti Museum, which used to be the residence of the last king of Nepal. Another option is to visit Nagarkot, a hilltop with panoramic views. After exploring the world heritage sites in the valley, you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your Nepali friends and guide. You can even discuss with your guide about extending your stay for activities like Chitwan jungle safari or rafting.
The time has come for your departure. Representatives from Wongchhu Peak Promotion will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport. They bid farewell to you with the hope of seeing you again in the future.
Cost Includes:
- Airport – Hotel transfers in KTM,
- Hotel in KTM for 2nights pre and two nights post trek, including breakfast on double occupancy,
- Accommodation during trek on full board basis,
- Boiled water and fruits thoughout trekking,
- City tour of Boudhanath,Pashupatinath and Swyambhunath before trip,
- Transportation, tour guide and entrance tickets during city tour,
- Flight from KTM –LUKLA -KTM,
- Everest National Park Entrance Fees,
- Guides & Porters during trek,
- Gravity Expedition duffel bag,
- Trekking map,
- Salary & Insurance for all Nepali staff,
- Tips for driver, bell boy, airport helper, and tour guide,
- Welcome & Farewell Dinner with beverages.
Cost Excludes:
- Meals in Kathmandu (except welcome and farewell dinner),
- Extra night accommodations in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary,
- If required to change from airplane to helicopter flight to/from Lukla (i.e. weather), additional costs will be shared by clients,
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks on trek,
- Personal trekking equipment,
- All personal expenses, including Nepal Visa (for country entrance),
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance,
- All other additional charges for additional services, including recommended TIP,
- Additional tips for tour guide, others as one sees fit,
- Personal purchases.
Everest Base camp Trek frequently asked questions:
A: Take a flight from Kathmandu, which is situated at an altitude of 1310m, to Lukla, located at 2860m above sea level. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes, and you will be on a small plane with around 17-19 passengers. From Lukla, begin your trek towards the south face of Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC), reaching an impressive altitude of 5380m or 17600ft.
A: This trek is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. It includes sections with both gentle slopes and steep ascents, but it is generally manageable for trekkers of all ages with some trekking experience. It is important for trekkers to be physically fit, and it is recommended to undergo some training beforehand to acclimatize to high altitudes and prevent altitude sickness. There is no specific age limit for this trek, as both seniors and individuals of minimum age can participate. However, it is advisable to gather information about the route map, itinerary, challenges, altitude, fitness requirements, necessary medications, and other advice from blogs or news sources.
A:
The total distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek is 62 kilometers or 38.58 miles. It typically takes 7 to 8 days to reach Everest Base Camp (EBC) and 3 to 4 days to return to Lukla. The trek to EBC is usually slower due to the high altitude and the need to acclimatize to the increasing heights. Each day, you will cover a distance of less than 8-10 kilometers, and as you ascend, your walking speed will naturally decrease. It is recommended to allocate some extra days in Kathmandu and begin the trek soon after your arrival to account for potential flight cancellations caused by unfavorable weather conditions.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience while minimizing the risk of altitude sickness, it is advisable to follow a 12-day standard EBC Trekking itinerary (including travel to and from Lukla).
A: The ideal time for trekking to Everest Base Camp is during the spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) seasons. These months provide favorable weather conditions and are perfect for high-altitude climbing. During this time, you can expect clear skies and breathtaking views of the mountains. Although it is also feasible to undertake the trek in February and early September, the recommended and most preferred time is during the aforementioned months.
A: Our tour Package includes the cost of your lodging and meals. However, there may be additional expenses for amenities such as hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging batteries, and drinks. We suggest carrying an extra USD 15 per day to cover these expenses.
A: Upon your arrival in Lukla, which is located at an elevation of 2800 meters, you will immediately notice a significant difference in the air temperature compared to lower altitudes. As you make your way towards Dingboche, situated above Namche Bazaar, the temperature will continue to drop gradually. The higher you ascend during your trek, the colder the weather will become. During the winter season, the nighttime temperatures can plummet to as low as -20 degrees Celsius, so it is important to be prepared for extremely cold conditions.
A: Absolutely! It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance that specifically covers emergency evacuation in case of high altitude situations. Altitude sickness can impact anyone, irrespective of their level of physical fitness. The solution is to take your time and walk at a slow pace. If you start experiencing symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), it is advised that you descend to a lower elevation.
A: The overall cost of the trek, including accommodation, fees for guides and porters, and food, remains unchanged. However, because of lower flight fares and permit fees for Indian and Nepalese citizens compared to foreigners, the cost for them will be cheaper. To get the updated price for Indian and Nepalese trekkers, please send us an inquiry.
A: You can bring any gear you already have from your hometown for the trek. But if you need more things, it’s easy to rent or buy them in Kathmandu. Usually, the trekking company doesn’t give you the equipment you need, so it’s better to buy or rent what you need before the tour starts.
A: Of course! You have a couple of choices for drinking water on the trek. One option is to use water purification tablets to make regular drinking water safe. Alternatively, you can refill your water bottle at specific tea shops along the way, as buying bottled water at every stop can be quite expensive. The price of bottled water tends to increase as you progress further. It’s important to note that the cost of drinking water is typically not included in the package. The toilets available are clean and user-friendly, but during winter, the water in them may freeze. Nevertheless, all the toilets are indoors, so there’s no need to venture outside at night.
A: Certainly! You can easily charge your batteries and mobile phones at various places by paying an extra fee. The cost of charging may vary depending on the location. It is advisable to bring a power bank with you, which you can charge in Kathmandu and use in the higher areas, as charging batteries in those areas tends to be quite expensive.
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