An Everest base camp trek is the adventure of a lifetime, a journey for those whose dreams soar higher than even the clouds. Miles from cars, conveniences, and daily luxuries, you’ll saturate your spirit in natural beauty and stretch your personal endurance beyond what you thought possible. The path begins in ancient Kathmandu, where you’ll acclimate and explore the city at your leisure while anticipating your ascent.
Your trek to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m (over 3.5 miles!) to the base of the world’s tallest mountain will bring you over suspension bridges spanning chasms of thin air, through hidden Buddhist monasteries, and into the heart of the warm, rugged Sherpa culture. As you travel alongside thrillseekers and photographers from all over the globe, you’ll spy Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Makalu – three of Earth’s 10 tallest peaks! You’ll rest easy at night in cozy, traditional teahouses knowing that our experienced, knowledgeable guides and porters are there to ensure the safest, most enjoyable, most fascinating experience possible. You’ll support local economies, discover hidden strengths in yourself, and make both friends and memories that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for?
Day 1 – Kathmandu: Arrival Day
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital and cultural hub of Nepal! We’ll be waiting with a warm greeting and easy transfer to your hotel. Plan on an evening briefing on last-minute specifics about your trek and an early lights-out: you have a big day ahead.
Day 2 – Kathmandu To Lukla Flight And Phakding
Altitude: 2,800m/9184ft (Lukla) & 2,652m/8,698ft (Phakding)
Walking Distance: 8km (3-4 hours) *
Flight time: 15 min from Ramecchap
Drive time: 4 hours & 30mins (Kathmandu to Ramecchap)
After a short morning flight to Lukla, you’ll be introduced to your guide and porter. Kick off your trek with an easy walk through Chaurikharka village and descent towards Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m/8,300ft). The trail follows the bank of the Dudhkoshi River until Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft), where we will be staying for the night to acclimatize. Enjoy your free time in Phakding, a popular stopping point.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. Its about a 4 hour drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu so we will get started for the airport around 2 am. The return drive at the end of the trek is between 4 and 6 hours depending on traffic.
Day 3 – Phakding To Namche Bazaar
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
Walking Distance: 10-12km (5-6 hours)
We’ll have breakfast in Phakding before gearing up for the trek to Namche Bazaar, the biggest sherpa village in Nepal. Our trail takes us first over the Dudhkoshi River via a long suspension bridge, and then through a beautiful pine forest to Monjo, about two hours away. Soon thereafter, we will approach the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park for a brief permit check and then descend to Dudh Kosi River (spotting Mani stones along the way!) en route to Jorsale. Lunch will be served here, and then it’s uphill to Namche. Our path along the riverbank is flanked by two crossings, one of which is the Hillary Suspension Bridge. It’s a tough climb up the hill to our resting place, but you’ll be rewarded in Namche Bazaar with your first glimpse of Everest in its majesty.
Day 4 – Namche Bazaar: Rest and Acclimatization day
Altitude: 3,440m/11,283ft
At this point, we take a well-deserved break! Today will be spent resting and allowing our bodies to become acclimatized to the lofty altitude. There’s an optional 2 hour hike to Everest View Point, an uphill walk that will help speed acclimatization. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Namche Bazaar. Check out the Sherpa museum for an overview of the Sherpa culture and history of mountaineering. On Saturdays, the Hatt Bazaar is open for trading and an intimate look at the locals’ marketplace. It is part of the larger Namche Bazaar, a shopping hub filled with all manner of trekking and mountaineering clothing and equipment.
Day 5 – Namche Bazaar To Tengboche
Altitude: 3,870m/12,684ft
Walking Distance: 10km (6 hours)
Breakfast in Namche Bazaar fuels us for another day of trekking towards Everest Base Camp today! Breathtaking views of the Himalayas – Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde – are some of the highlights not be missed. A short drop takes us to the riverside, then it’s across the river upwards through the forest pass. Brace your legs for a continual uphill trek at this point, alternating between a gradual grade and some seriously steep ground! Our destination, Tengboche, is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Everest region. Its views, which include Ama Dablam, are legendary. We’ll stop in on the Tengboche monastery, which is one of the largest in Khumbu. Nourish your spirit with a guided tour of the monastery grounds, followed by chanting and prayer with the resident Buddhist monks.
Day 6 – Tengboche To Dingboche
Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft
Walking Distance: 11km (6 hours)
Our trek today kicks off with a walk through the rhododendron forest to Deboche followed by a bridge over the raging Imja Khol River. We’ll pass the valley wall and then traverse the plains to Pangboche village, the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. Enjoy a great opportunity to observe a typical Sherpa village and have lunch with the locals! The intrepid can brave a brief hike to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the area. Our afternoon trek will be a difficult one, as the landscape gives way to dry, deserted mountains and we hike towards Dingboche.
Day 7 – Dingboche: Rest and Acclimatization day
Altitude: 4,400m/14,435ft
This is your chance to rest up before the last leg of our adventure! Savor a full day of exploring Dingboche and the surrounding valleys of Chhukung and Imja, the latter of which links with Island Peak, the high passes of Amphu Laptsa, and Makalu Barun National Park. Taking an optional trek to the valleys will pay off in rewarding views, but taking it easy is the most important thing today. You’ll need your rest for the penultimate day of ascent tomorrow.
Day 8 – Dingboche To Lobuche
Altitude: 4,900m/16,076ft
Walking Distance: 11-12 km (6-7 hours)
From here on forth, the trek will move more gradually be more challenging, due to the higher altitude. We’ll pass Dungla, but not before a tough, steep walk to the top of a high hill. Here are the memorial stupas dedicated to the climbers and trekkers who lost their lives to Everest over the years. The next part of our adventure brings over craggy mountain terrain to Lobuche, a small settlement with amazing views of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumari and the Nuptse. Prepare to snuggle up for a cold night, as we are now almost three miles above sea level and the evenings can be downright chilly!
Day 9 – Lobuche to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp, Ebc to Gorekshep
Altitude: 5180m/16,994ft (Gorekshep) & 5364m/17598 (EBC)
Walking Distance: 15km (6-8 hours)
This is it! Our big day kicks off with an initial, relatively easy trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep. The subsequent, straight trail to Everest Base Camp is harder, involving rocky dunes and moraine, formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris. On the way to our destination, we’ll approach the famed Khumbu Glacier and icefall, located on the slopes of Everest. At the Base Camp, our goal, you’ll have the chance (during the spring climbing season) to meet climbers attempting to scale the mountain’s summit. Break out your cameras for unbelievable views of breathtaking beauty. As the afternoon sun starts to wane, we’ll head back to Gorekshep for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a grueling and busy day.
Day 10 – Gorekshep to Kalapathar and Pheriche
Altitude: 5,545m/18,192ft (Kalapathar) & 4,320m/14,173ft (Pheriche)
Walking Distance: 12-13km (5-6 hours)
We’ll wake before dawn today to trek towards Kalapathar (which means “black rock”) for a fiery, glorious sunrise over Mt. Everest. The day’s first light will illuminate your spectacular view of Nuptse Nup, Changtse and Lhotse.This may be, of the whole journey, your most opportune moment to snap amazing pictures of Everest and its neighboring peaks. Afterwards, it’s back to Gorekshep for breakfast and down in the direction of Pheriche, our nighttime stop. Our pace will be a lot brisker as we descend, and the walking is easier going this way.
Day 11 – Pheriche to Namche
Altitude: 3,440m/11,284ft
Walking Distance: 13-15km (7-8 hours)
The walk from Pheriche back to Tengboche is mainly downhill, although it does, counterintuitively, require an hour scaling a hill. We’ll be in Namche by late afternoon and off to bed before our last day on the mountain.
Day 12 – Namche to Phakding and Lukla
Altitude: 2,800m/9,184ft
Walking Distance: 16km (6-7 hours)
After breakfast, we trek toward the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then pass through several local villages. Our arrival in Lukla brings an evening in our last Tea House and, traditionally, a party with your trekking crew: you made it! Thanks to great teamwork and perseverance, you’ve accomplished a physical feat of which others only dream. This is your last night on the mountain, which can be bittersweet.
Day 13 – Lukla to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1350m/4428ft
Flight time: 35 min
In the morning, you’ll hop a brief flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (See Note), where your journey both began and ends. You’ll transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed solo rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. We’ll reunite in the evening for a farewell dinner at one of the best Nepalese restaurants in town, where we’ll be eager to hear your feedback on the trip.
Please Read: Lukla Flights are departing and returning to Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu due to ongoing upgrades at Kathmandu Airport. Its about a 4 to 6 hour drive from Ramechhap back to Kathmandu depending on traffic.
Day 14 – Kathmandu: Departure Day
Altitude: 1,350m/4,428ft
It’s your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We’ll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we’ll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones.
| City | Night (s) | Hotels / Camps |
| Kathmandu | 01 | Mulberry Hotel |
| Phakding | 01 | Camp |
| Namche Bazaar | 02 | Camp |
| Tengboche | 01 | Camp |
| Dingboche | 02 | Camp |
| Lobuche | 01 | Camp |
| Gorakshep | 01 | Camp |
| Pheriche | 01 | Camp |
| Namche Bazaar | 01 | Camp |
| Lukla | 01 | Camp |
| Kathmandu | 01 | Mulberry Hotel |
– 14 day adventure, 11 of which include 3 meals a day.
– 02 nights of accommodation in Kathmandu, breakfast included.
– Round-trip airfare between Kathmandu/Ramecchap and Lukla.
– Accommodation while trekking.
– Airport transfers.
– Everest trekking permit and TIMS (traveler security) Card.
– Fully-licensed, English-speaking guide.
– Porter service.
– Local and government taxes.
– Farewell dinner.
– International Airfare.
– Tips, gratuities, Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks, camera/ video camera charges, or any other expenses of a personal nature.
– Visa fees, personal insurance.
– Any item not specified under cost includes.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.