Everest Base Camp Premier Trek

On this Nepal hiking tour, we will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal and transport you to our hotel in Thamel (tourist section of Kathmandu). Depending on what time you arrive, you may take time to rest or explore some of the the area near our hotel. This evening, we will meet for team introductions and our group orientation. Subsequently, we will go out to dinner at our favorite local Nepali restaurant. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water en route, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Self-care begins immediately.

This morning, we will enjoy our first Nepali breakfast at our hotel. Then we will visit the famous “Monkey Temple” of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath. Once we are ready to leave Swayambhunath, we will travel to the largest Buddhist stupa in the world, Boudhanath. After our temple tours, we will travel back to Thamel. We will have free time to explore the area, purchase last minute trekking supplies or rest in your room. Lunch and dinner are on your own today so feel free to explore. We will set a time to meet for an orientation meeting to our trek and thorough briefing of our itinerary to the Khumbu valley and Everest Base Camp.

• Hiking Mileage: 4.9 miles (7.9 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1720 ft. (524 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2330 ft. (710 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

After breakfast, we will travel back to Tribhuvan International Airport for an in-country helicopter flight (35 minutes) to the village of Lukla (9,380 ft./2,860 m.). Most companies take planes to Lukla due to lower cost, however we opt for the much more reliable helicopter option. The weather in Lukla often causes in-bound flights to be delayed for days or even weeks. It is extremely common to see upset visitors leaving the airport returning to Kathmandu. By using helicopters, we have a much higher possibility of getting to Lukla without problems.

Upon arrival in Lukla, we will be immersed in the Sherpa and Tamong cultures of the Khumbu Valley. At the airport, we will meet our porters for the expedition and arrange our personal and group gear accordingly. This begins our journey to Everest Base Camp as we begin walking from Lukla to the village of Phakding (8,563 ft./2,610 m.). Today’s walk is mostly downhill and will take roughly 3-4 hours. Upon arrival in Phakding, we will check into our lodge and have some down time to take in the area before being served our Nepali dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 6.2 miles (10 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 5260 ft. (1603 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2700 ft. (823 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey to the famous Namche Bazaar (11,286 ft./3,440 m.)! From Phakding, we will cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. If the weather is clear, we will have our first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu valley and has a traditional market. Historically, Hindu traders from the lowlands would meet Tibetan yak caravans that had crossed the glaciated Nangpa La at this market. Once we arrive in Namche, we will check into our rooms and have some free time before dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 1.6 miles (2.6 km.) *Optional, but recommended for better acclimatization
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1100 ft. (335 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 1-2 hours

Today we will sleep in and have a late breakfast. We will be staying in Namche in order to acclimatize to the altitude and rest before ascending higher. Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the magnificent peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of tea shops and souvenir shops. After breakfast, we will choose to either visit the Khunde hospital, which was set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a walk up to the ridge above Namche for the amazing view of the mountains Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest. We will come back for lunch at the lodge and then have the afternoon free. It is a great day to drink chiya (tea), read books, send post cards or hang out around the fire with the locals. We will determine a time to meet for dinner where we will deliver the plan for the next day.

• Hiking Mileage: 5.6 miles (9 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3860 f. (1177 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2770 ft. (844 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

This morning, we will wake up early in Namche, have a big breakfast, and continue walking slowly above the waters of the Dudh Kosi (Milk River). We will follow the ridge for amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse en route to our destination. Tonight, we will be staying in the village of Tengboche (12,664ft/3,860m), home to the famous Tengboche Monastery. Inside the monastery we will see large wall hangings, a 20-foot Buddha, the musical instruments, and robes of the local Lamas. Depending on our timing, we will observe a local prayer ceremony before dinnertime.

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (11.3 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3396 ft. (1035 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 1920 ft. (585 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After breakfast we will depart from Tengboche on “Nepali flat” terrain (Ups and Downs). We will be walking through the villages of Debuche and Pangboche. If time allows, we can visit Lama Geishe in Pangboche for a prayer ceremony and expedition blessing. We will then ascend to the traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (14,496 ft./4,410 m.). From Dingboche we will have great views of Mt. Lhotse, Imja Tse and Ama Dablam. We will check into our rooms and have some down time before being served dinner. After dinner, our guides will provide the plan for the next day.

• Hiking Mileage: ~1.4 miles (2.2 km.) *Optional, but recommended for better acclimatization
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1100 ft (335 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 3 hours

This morning, we will sleep in and have a leisurely morning for acclimatization purposes. After hot drinks and breakfast, we’ll take an acclimatization hike up a hill behind Dingboche. The old heuristic is “climb high, sleep low,” and gaining 1,100 ft. elevation today is the goal. We will be back in Dingboche for lunch and the afternoon is free before being served dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (11.3 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3750 ft. (1143 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 1865 ft. (568 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

After a large breakfast in Dingboche, we’ll take to the trail. The trail to EBC continues along the lateral moraine (a glacier made ridge) of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by memorials for climbers who have died on nearby mountains. We will continue to ascend higher into the mountains until we arrive at the small outpost called Lobuche (16,109 ft./4,910 m.), named for the peak which stands to the south. Once in Lobuche, we will eat and have hot drinks. Tonight, we have some time to relax, acclimatize, and rest before dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 7.2 miles (11.6 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 2341 ft. (714 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 1675 ft. (510 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

This morning, we will wake up at Lobuche, eat breakfast, and depart for the village of Gorak Shep (16,814 ft./5,125m.). We will walk for roughly 2 hours with the most beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Pumori. Once we arrive in Gorak Shep, we will check into our rooms and have a light lunch. After lunch we will begin walking slowly to Everest Base Camp (17,598 ft./5,364 m.). Upon arrival at base camp, we will celebrate with group photos and celebratory treats! Additionally, there will most likely be mountaineering teams attempting to climb Mt. Everest staying at EBC we can mingle with. From base camp there are incredible views of the highest mountains in the world as well as the Khumbu Icefall. Once our team is ready, we will begin to descend back to Gorak Shep where we will rest, drink, and have a hefty dinner. After dinner our guides will provide the plan for the following day’s challenging hike.

• Hiking Mileage: 9 miles (14.5 km.) *Optional Hike: 2.3 miles (3.7 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 1440 ft (439 m.) *Optional Gain/Loss: 1360 ft. (415 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 4390 ft. (1338 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

Today will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek (*optional morning hike). We will wake up early, at around 5 am, grab a hot drink and head out into the mountains to attempt to climb Mt. Kala Patthar. This a small peak (by Himalayan standards) at (18,192 ft./5,545 m.) which offers the best view you will get of Mt. Everest in Nepal without climbing it! You can also get magnificent views of other giants, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Chagatse, and Mt. Lhotse. This portion of the trek is optional, but we highly encourage participation. After the ascension, we will head back to Gorak Shep, where we will eat breakfast and pack before a gradual descent to the village of Lobuche, where we will eat lunch.

After lunch, we will continue down to the village of Pherice (13,911ft/4,240m), where we will check into our rooms and have free time until dinner is served. We will be ready for a well-deserved, good night’s sleep!

• Hiking Mileage: 6.5 mi (10.5 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1850 ft (564m)
• Elevation Loss: 3150 ft (960 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

This morning we will have breakfast and begin our descent out of the mountains. We will follow the river and climb back up to the Sherpa village of Tengboche (12,664 ft./3,860 m.). We will have great views of the giant Himalayan range consisting of such mountains as Kwangde, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku! We will check into our guest house, awaiting a relaxing evening and dinner.

• Hiking Mileage: 9 miles (14.5 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 4000 ft. (1219 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 7365 ft. (2245 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

This morning we will wake up early, have breakfast and retrace our steps down to Phunki Thenga. We’ll then climb the ridge towards Namche Bazar. After lunch in Namche, we descend down to another small Sherpa village named Monjo (9,310 ft./2,838 m.) where we will stay the night.

• Hiking Mileage: 7.8 miles (12.5 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3760 ft. (1146 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 3770 ft. (1149 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

This morning we will wake up early, enjoy breakfast, and follow the Dudh Kosi (Milk River) down to Phakdinga and Chhuthawa. Then, climb to the village of Lukla (9,380 ft./2,860 m.). This is our last day trekking so we’ll be sure to be present in the moment, in the incredible place we are in. Once in Lukla, we check into our guest house, have dinner and let the celebratory party commence. This will be our last night with our local guides and porters and will be a good opportunity to say a farewell thank you and provide gratuities. Additionally, this will be a good opportunity for you to try some local “Rocksi, Chang, or Thumba”! We will dance and sing traditional songs until the night is over.

After breakfast, we say farewell to Lukla and head to the airport for our flight back to Kathmandu (approx. 45 min helicopter ride). Once we settle back into our Thamel hotel,  you will have the afternoon and evening free to explore the city or rest. Lunch and dinner today in Kathmandu will be on your own.

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a half-day optional guided tour to a UNESCO World Heritage site called Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It is an ancient royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur city, an hour driving distance from Thamel.  This square contains various temples, palaces and courtyards all of which were built in traditional Nepalese architecture.

Those who don’t want to do this tour will have time to rest, shopping until we meet for dinner. Lunch today will be on your own, but tonight will be our last night together in Nepal. We will make it a good one with a final farewell dinner in a Nepalese restaurant with cultural dancing!

Today is the final day of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Our shuttle driver will arrive to your hotel 3 hours before your flight departure and deliver you to Tribhuvan International Airport. Thanks for choosing Wildland!