Classic Everest Base Camp Trek

A difficult but scenic full-day public bus ride up the Sun-Khosi river valley to the town of Jiri, the trail-head of the Everest trek and our first camp.

breakfast – bus – dinner – mountain lodge

We begin the walk with a climb to the ridge-top (2400m) after which the trail drops down to Shivalaya (1800m). After reaching Shivalaya, we make another climb to Sangbadanda (2150m), Kosaribas (2500m), then to Bhanjyang, a pass at Bhandar (2200m). We can possibly take a detour between Sangbadanda and Bhandar to visit Thodung (3090m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The trail drops down to the Likhu Khola and crosses the river (1580m), and onto Kenja. Now we make the long climb to Lamjura hill. The first part of the climb is quite steep, whence it traverses to Sete, and an abandoned stupa (2575m). We continue through the villages inhabited by Sherpas and have both Nepali and Sherpa names.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The day begins with a long but gradual climb to the Lamjura pass (3530m). There you are rewarded with frost and often snow along the trail in winter or with blooming rhododendrons in the spring.

The pass is the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar, there you have a good lunch stop. From the top you descend to Tragdobuk (2860m), then to the pretty Sherpa village of Junbesi (2675m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We climb to a ridge (3080m) from where Everest slowly begins to appear before your eyes. From Junbesi the trail leads to the hospital and the airstrip at Phaplu as well as the district headquarter and a small market at Salleri. Leaving Salung, we make our way descending to the Ringmo Khola (2650m) followed by a small climb to Ringmo. We see an apple orchard at this spot; the Apple House offers apple juice, pie and rakshi (rice spirit). The trail from Ringmo to Namche Bazaar was built in the 1980’s and avoids many of the steep descents and ascents of the older route. Then we reach Trakshindo pass (3071m), then the trail drops down pass the monastery of the same name, on to Nunthala (2220m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The trail continues descending to the Dudh Khosi river where the trail then climbs through several Sherpa villages, terraced fields and forests to Khari Khola (2020m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We begin a day with a climb towards Puiyan through Sherpa villages and woods, passing through a narrow canyon before arriving at Puiyan (2700m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

This day we continue a climb from Puiyan to a ridge at (2800m) before a gradual ascent to the final ridge, where we climb down to Surke following the trail towards Phakding (2610m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Khosi, crossing this majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar, known as the Gateway to Everest, is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange, Internet cafes and a bakery. Namche is the largest village (3441m) along the entire Everest trail.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. We will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We also hike up the Syangboche Airport near the Everest View Hotel. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas with a stunning sunrise and sunset over the panorama of Khumbu peaks.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The trail climbs steeply out of valley through rhododendron forest, juniper and large conifers start to appear as the elevation increases making the trekking very pristine in springtime. The trail passes through Yak Kharkas and summer settlements. The views of Khumbi La and Tawache are magnificent throughout the day.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We climb a ridge for an excellent view both down the valley to Kengtega and up towards Cho Oyu and descend to a river and again climbs steep to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa glacier. We will reach Machhermo by early noon.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

The trek today takes us at one of our main destinations, Gokyo (4750m). We will make this camp our base for 2 nights as we will have couple of sightseeing and hiking trips around Gokyo.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Early morning we have a steep climb up to the top of Gokyo Ri (5360m). There are ample rewards for those who attempt this trip – you get stunning views of the super Gokyo valley, the massive Ngozumpa glacier and an incredible panoramic view of the whole Khumbu Himalayas, including the giants Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu and Gychung Kang. This day we have for acclimatization and after noon back to the camp.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We trek to the foot of the Cho La pass (5300m) for our overnight stay. The accommodation in Tagnag is very basic and you probably share a room with other trekkers.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

We start before sunrise at 4 or 5 am to reach the pass by 9-10 am to dodge bad weather conditions of the noontime. We cross over at an altitude of 5420m where we could be exposed to strong winds if we crossing too late. We start to climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problems to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent views, then we descend to the Dzongla at noon. Same as in Tagnag, the accommodation is very basic and you probably share a room with other trekkers.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

A rather easier and shorter trekking route will take us to Lobuche (4910m) after 4 hours of trekking.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

This is a difficult day, as we walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp (5364m). This is the closest you can get to Mount Everest without mountaineering equipment. There will likely be a team there about to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. Then we return  to Gorak Shep for the night.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Most of morning in this day is spent climbing Kala Pattar (5545m), a small peak by the Himalayan standards.

The ascent is demanding but you will get the most magnificent mountain panorama: Everest (8848m), the highest point on the planet, towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the other giants, Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep (5180m), a tiny hamlet, and then trek down to Periche (4200m).

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

From Periche we take a slightly different route down to Orsho then to Pangboche village. Here is the oldest monastery in the region which contains what is said to be the scalp and bones of a Yeti, or abominable snowman.

Leaving mountains behind us our descent takes us through the Tengboche Monastery (3860m) before continuing back to Namche Bazaar (3441m). We arrive back to Namche Bazaar in the afternoon.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Finally we return to Lukla, where a small airstrip is. We’ll spend some time enjoying and reflecting on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. We also have some spare time to explore the town.

breakfast, lunch & dinner – mountain lodge

Enjoying your last glimpse of the mountains you have recently visited for one last time on the scenic flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, we are met and transferred back to our starting hotel.

In the evening, we offer you and your guide a farewell dinner together in a traditional Nepalese restaurant.

breakfast – domestic flight – airport transfer – farewell dinner – hotel

If it’s the final day of your holiday in Nepal, we will bring you back to the international airport. Goodbye friends! We hope that we will meet each other again in the future.

breakfast – airport transfer