Everest Base Camp Trek

Duration	18 Days	Per Day Walking	5 - 7 Hours
Max Altitude	5,630m	Accommodation	Teahouse
Trek Grade	Moderate to Strenuous ****	Best Season	February, March, April, May, October, November

 

Ever since the days of early climbing expeditions, Sagamartha (Everest) at 8,848m has had a lure of its own, drawing climbers to scale it and trekkers to gaze on its icy faces. The trek to base camp of the Mt. Everest has become one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal, yet few people return from the trek unmoved by the experience of being right in among the highest peaks in the world.

The trek starts from Lukla - a 30 min flight from Kathmandu. Landing at its tiny airstrip, the adventure really begins. During the trek trekking we spend several days passing through the homelands of the Sherpa people, their villages and Buddhist monasteries, with close up views of Mt. Everest and neighboring Ama Dablam, considered by many to be among the most beautiful mountains in Nepal.

Much of this trek takes place at high altitude, and so we spend a few days at the beginning of the trek acclimatising. This is vital in order to ensure a successful trek.

Itinerary:

Day 01	Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 02	Kathmandu City Tour (Optional) Full or half day exploring some of the sights of Kathmandu, such as the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square).
Day 03	Flight to Lukla - Trek to Phakding (2,610m) The short flight (30 min) is awe-inspiring as we fly parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and Tibetan China. Upon arrival in Lukla, we will be met by our local guides and porters. There will be time to explore the village whilst the Sherpa crew sort and load equipment. Once ready, we start a short trek descending on a wide trail northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. The valley contains beautiful pine and rhododendron forest. The walking is easy and we follow the river's course, passing through the village of Ghat. After 3 hours we reach the village of Phakding.
Day 04	Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,535m) From Phakding we head up valley on a busy trail, with porters from the lower Solu district in the south carrying supplies to Namche, and Sherpa's with their half yak,half cow beasts "Zopkio" taking trekking and climbing expedition equipment to the higher valleys. We continue along beside the Dudh Kosi through beautiful alpine scenery - fragrant blue pine and fir forest, glimpsing spectacular views of Kusum Kangru (6,369m) and Thanserku (6,608m) along the way. Crossing the Dudh Kosi again to the western bank at Jorsale, we make our way to the entrance to the Sagamartha (Everest) National Park. Continuing upstream along the banks to the meeting of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi, it is here we begin our first sustained ascent to Namche Bazar after crossing the large suspension bridge. Walking at a slow pace, we have a fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,511m), Nuptse (7,879m), Arna Dablam (6,856m) and Taweche (6,542m) come into view for the first time. Climbing again, the path takes us through pine trees to reach the village of Namche Bazar.
Day 05	Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar Today is an all important full day to rest and acclimatise. Namche is famous for its local market,as each week Sherpa's from the surrounding villages come to buy food and to socialise. Any food not grown locally, such as rice, corn and some vegetables is brought in from the lowland villages, which can be up to a 6-10 day walk from Namche Bazar. Rising early, those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks. In the afternoon you can walk along the Thami Valley, or visit the National Park Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture, mountaineering in the park, flora and fauna.
Day 06	Namche Bazaar to Khunjung From Namche we trek out of the village and follow a small trail high above the Dudh Kosi River, where the views are incredible - behind to the west, the ridge of Nupla and Kwangde Himal (6,194m); across the valley to the south, the towering ice walls of Thamserku (6,623m), and to the east at the head of the valley, the Lhotse and Nuptse wall, towering a full 3,500m above the valley at Dingboche. Everest looms above the ridge, a black, triangular rock. Sagarmatha, "Goddess Mother of Earth", is a truly magnificent sight. On a small ridge across the valley, the monastery of Thyangboche can be seen, a small speck against the gigantic mountain background. We descend to Khunjung a small Sherpa village. Here tourism has hardly changed the life of the Sherpa's. Maybe you will take the opportunity to sample the Sherpa speciality, Riki Kur - a type of potato fritter enriched with yak butter. The afternoon is left free to assist with further acclimatization.
Day 07	Khunjung to Tengboche (3,850m) In the morning we descend to the village of Shanasa and on to Trashinga where the trail drops steeply to cross the Dudh Kosi at Phukitenga (3,250m). In the late morning we climb steeply before the trail levels out to ascend gradually towards Tengboche. It is a steady ascent of approximately 2 ½ hours through pine fir, black juniper and rhododendron forest. Tengboche is set in a beautiful meadow, high on a ridge surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. A peaceful, tranquil position the Thyangboche Monastery is a wonderful sight, spectacularly situated.
Day 08	Tengboche to Dingboche (4,350m) From Tengboche we descend through a forest of birch, fir, juniper and rhododendron to the nunnery at Deboche. Keep an eye open for Blood and Danphe Pheasant, and high on the steep slopes of the valley Himalayan Thar (wild goats). Crossing the Imja Khola, we ascend gradually, with the beautiful Ama Dablam dominating the skyline, to visit the monastery. In the afternoon the trek follows a trail high above the Imja Khola. A little further upstream we cross the tributary and ascend over glacial moraines to Dingboche.
Day 09	Acclimatisation Day in Dingboche Today we have another all important acclimatisation day. This is best spent by going for a walk higher up the valley before descending back to Dingboche to sleep. We will head up the valley towards Chukung. The views are fantastic; the towering south face of Lhotse to the north, Island Peak in the centre of the valley, and the fluted ice-walls of unnamed peaks that line the southern end of the valley form a hauntingly beautiful sight. It may be possible to reach Chhukung Ri (5,546m). From there, we can observe the world's fifth highest mountain Makalu, before descending back to Dingboche.
Day 10	Dingboche to Lobuche (4,950m) Trekking well above the tree line your journey todays brings us to Dusa, from where we descend to a stream at 4,850m. We begin our climb of the Khumbu Glacier en route to Dughla. We continue along the moraine of the glacier, with views of Kalar Pattar and Pumori to reach Lobuche at 4,930m for our evening stay. Take time to rest and acclimatise, ready for the next two unforgettable days.
Day 11	Lobuche to Ghorakshep (5,160m) to Kala Pattar (5,630m) Above Lobuche, we follow the path running through a trough alongside the Khumbu Glacier. Continuing on over rough ground we reach Ghorakshep for a short break and to take on fluids. We will stay overnight here, so we can leave some bags, and take the path onwards for an hour and a half to Kala Pattar, a small, rocky peak on the southwest ridge of Pumori - a slow, steady pace, once again being the best attack. We have no need to rush as we have built in plenty of time to ensure that our trek is successful. Stop and turn around: the scenery is fantastic. It is a hard climb, but the view from the top surpasses the wildest imagination. Huge creaking glaciers surround us and classic views of Everest are available. The views from the summit of Kala Pattar (5,630m) are truly outstanding. Here you are directly below Pumo Ri's light granite, slanted snow channel. The surroundings have an awesome and unnatural brilliance. To the south, the Khumbu Glacier sweeps below you; northwards rise several border peaks including the vertical Lho La, reached from the Tibetan side in 1921, the first time foreigners saw the Khumbu Glacier. Everest rises above them all. We descend in the afternoon back to Ghorakshep (5,160m).
Day 12	Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,400m) After leaving Ghorakshep in the morning, today we finally reach Everest Base Camp. We will have plenty of time to explore and wonder in this place - hope to so many famous expeditions and mountaineers from around the world. We descend again to Ghorakshep in the afternoon.
Day 13	Trek down to Pheriche (4,240m) Today is an easier walk to the lower altitudes. Following the same route back to the terminal moraines at Dughla, we then take a different return trail. We follow the wide alpine valley covered in scrub juniper through the temporary settlement of Phulung Karpo (4,343m), then on to Pheriche. A small settlement, Pheriche has a number of welcome tea house that often have "left overs" for sale from various climbing expeditions. It may be possible to find imported chocolate, tinned salmon, even vegemite!
Day 14	Pheriche to Namche Bazaar This morning we continue down to Orsho, then on through Lower Pangboche and down to Deboche. Following a similar trail through a forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunkitenga, we continue on to cross the Dudh Kosi for a steep descent to Trashinga. After lunch at Shanasa we make our way back to Namche Bazar.
Day 15	Namche Bazaar to Lukla Following a steep descent passing the Bhote Kosi, we cross the river and follow the bank to Jorsale, then on to Monjo. In the afternoon we depart Monjo and continue our descent along the Dudh Kosi, before making a final ascent to reach the Lukla plateau. On arrival in Lukla we will have time to relax and celebrate the completion of our trek.
Day 16	Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu In the morning we transfer to the small airfield for the return flight back to Kathmandu. We will transfer you to your hotel, arriving before lunch, and have the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 17	Leisure Day in Kathmandu Today is all yours - perhaps shop for those souvenirs. It is also a spare day in case we have bad weather along any stage of our trek, to ensure it has been a success.
Day 18	Departure Day - Transfer to the airport for you onward flight.

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