Everest Base Camp - 12 Days

Elevation: 1400 m →  2860 m →  2610 m

Your Everest Base Camp adventure begins with an early morning mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m)—a short yet thrilling journey that takes about 30–35 minutes. This scenic flight offers breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayan ranges, including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, before landing at the famous Lukla Airport, known for its short runway and dramatic mountain setting.

Upon arrival in Lukla, you will meet the rest of your trekking crew, including guides and porters, and begin the first leg of your trek. The trail from Lukla to Phakding (2,610m) is relatively easy and serves as a perfect warm-up for the days ahead. You’ll walk for about 3–4 hours, passing through charming Sherpa villages, terraced fields, and rhododendron forests. The route follows the Dudh Koshi River, crossing suspension bridges adorned with colorful prayer flags, and offers the first glimpses of snow-covered peaks in the distance.

Reaching Phakding, a peaceful riverside village, you can relax and acclimate while enjoying the serene mountain atmosphere. This first day sets the tone for the trek, combining cultural encounters, natural beauty, and the excitement of venturing deeper into the Khumbu region on your journey toward the base of the world’s tallest mountain.

Elevation:  2610 m →  3440 m

The journey from Phakding (2,610m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is one of the most scenic and rewarding segments of the Everest Base Camp trek. After an early breakfast, you’ll set off along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing several suspension bridges draped with prayer flags, including the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge. The trail passes through small Sherpa settlements such as Monjo, where you’ll enter the Sagarmatha National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning Himalayan landscapes.

As you ascend gradually, the terrain becomes more challenging, with sections of steep climbs through pine and rhododendron forests. If the weather is clear, you might catch your first distant glimpse of Mount Everest along with Thamserku, Kusum Kanguru, and other peaks. The final push to Namche is a steady uphill trek, testing your stamina but rewarding you with spectacular views.

Namche Bazaar, the bustling heart of the Khumbu region, is more than just a resting point—it’s a vibrant mountain hub with shops, bakeries, cafes, trekking gear stores, and even a weekly market. Surrounded by towering peaks, Namche offers the perfect mix of cultural immersion and acclimatization before you venture deeper into the high Himalayas. This day’s trek typically takes 6–7 hours and is a significant step toward higher altitudes.

Elevation:  3440 m

You’ll have an acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar at an altitude of 3,440 meters. You’ll embark on a hike to Hotel Everest View, situated at an elevation of 3,880 meters, and back. This hike takes approximately 4-5 hours and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. After enjoying the stunning vistas, you’ll return to Namche Bazaar and spend the night at a guesthouse, preparing for the adventures ahead.

Elevation:  3440 m →  3867 m

The trek from Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,860m) is a mesmerizing blend of Himalayan panoramas, lush forest trails, and cultural immersion. After breakfast, you’ll set off on a gentle, scenic path that contours along the mountainside, offering breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Khangtega. The trail gradually descends to Phunki Tenga (3,250m), a small riverside settlement where you’ll cross the Dudh Koshi River.

From here, a challenging uphill climb begins through dense rhododendron and conifer forests, especially stunning in spring when the flowers bloom in vibrant colors. The crisp mountain air and the sound of prayer wheels turning in the distance create a peaceful atmosphere as you approach Tengboche.

Tengboche is home to the Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in the Everest region. Here, you can witness monks performing prayers against the backdrop of some of the world’s highest peaks—a truly spiritual and serene experience. This day’s trek takes 5–6 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful sections of the Everest Base Camp route, combining natural beauty with deep Sherpa Buddhist culture.

Elevation:  3867 m →  4410 m

Leaving the serene monastery grounds of Tengboche (3,860m), the trail descends through a rhododendron forest toward Debuche, with the snow-capped peaks of Ama Dablam dominating the skyline. You’ll pass by small settlements and cross the Imja Khola River over a suspension bridge before climbing up to Pangboche (3,985m), the highest year-round inhabited village in the Khumbu. Pangboche offers a great opportunity to visit its ancient monastery and get a closer look at the Sherpa way of life.

From Pangboche, the vegetation begins to thin as the trail enters alpine terrain. You’ll enjoy open views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam as you continue upward. The path gradually climbs to Somare, where many trekkers stop for tea or lunch. Afterward, you cross a small river and face a final, steady ascent to reach Dingboche (4,410m), a picturesque high-altitude village surrounded by stone walls that protect barley, buckwheat, and potato fields from the harsh winds.

Today’s trek takes about 5–6 hours, and the noticeable drop in vegetation reminds you that you’re now deep in the high Himalayas, preparing for even higher climbs ahead. Dingboche serves as a crucial acclimatization stop and offers stunning panoramic views of the Imja Valley and surrounding peaks.

Tengboche is home to the Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most famous monastery in the Everest region. Here, you can witness monks performing prayers against the backdrop of some of the world’s highest peaks—a truly spiritual and serene experience. This day’s trek takes 5–6 hours and is considered one of the most beautiful sections of the Everest Base Camp route, combining natural beauty with deep Sherpa Buddhist culture.

Elevation:  4410 m

You’ll enjoy an acclimatization day in Dingboche, a crucial step in adjusting to the high altitude. You’ll embark on a hike to Nangkartsang Peak, which stands at an elevation of 5,083 meters, and return to Dingboche. This hike typically takes around 4-5 hours and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. After the hike, you’ll return to your guesthouse in Dingboche, where you can relax and rejuvenate for the remainder of the day and prepare for the continuation of your trek.

Elevation:  4410 m → 4940 m

From Dingboche (4,410m), the trail gradually climbs above the village, offering sweeping views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Taboche. The vegetation now consists mainly of small shrubs and hardy grasses as you trek further into the alpine zone. After about two hours, you reach Dughla (4,620m), a small settlement at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, where most trekkers take a short break before tackling the steeper section ahead.

The trail from Dughla ascends a steep moraine ridge, leading to the Thukla Pass, where you’ll find memorials to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest. It’s a moving spot, surrounded by prayer flags and stone cairns, with the peaks of Pumori, Lingtren, and Khumbutse towering around you.

From the pass, the trail continues more gently along the western side of the Khumbu Glacier, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The final stretch brings you to Lobuche (4,940m), a small but busy settlement serving as the last major stop before Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp.

Today’s trek takes about 5–6 hours and involves a significant gain in altitude, so you’ll need to pace yourself and stay hydrated as you prepare for the ultimate approach to Everest.

Elevation:  4940 m →  5364 m → 5164 m

Leaving Lobuche (4,940m) after an early breakfast, the trail follows the rocky moraine alongside the Khumbu Glacier, with awe-inspiring views of Pumori, Khumbutse, and Nuptse. The path gradually climbs, though the altitude makes each step more challenging. After 3 hours of trekking through rugged glacial terrain, you reach Gorak Shep (5,164m), the highest overnight settlement on the trek. Here, you’ll drop your bags, have a light meal, and prepare for the final push to Everest Base Camp (5,364m).

The route from Gorak Shep to Base Camp is a 2–3 hour walk across uneven ground, winding between ridges and moraine mounds with close-up views of the Khumbu Icefall. As you approach, the colorful tents of mountaineers appear during climbing season, surrounded by a sea of prayer flags. Standing at the base of the world’s highest peak is an unforgettable moment, filled with excitement and achievement.

After spending time soaking in the atmosphere and taking photos, you return to Gorak Shep for the night, completing a challenging but deeply rewarding 7–8 hour trekking day. The thin air, glacial landscapes, and sheer scale of the Himalayas make this one of the most memorable experiences of the entire journey.

Elevation:  5164 m →  5545 m → 4371 m

Your day begins early—often before sunrise—as you set out from Gorak Shep (5,164m) for the steep but rewarding climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m), one of the best vantage points for Mount Everest. The trail is short in distance but physically demanding due to the high altitude and steep incline. As you ascend, the first rays of sunlight illuminate Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, painting the peaks in shades of gold and pink. Reaching the summit of Kala Patthar is a triumphant moment, offering an unparalleled 360° panorama of the Khumbu Himalaya.

After soaking in the views and capturing photographs, you descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast. From here, the trail retraces its way down through Lobuche and follows the valley along the Khumbu Glacier before descending further into lower altitudes. The day’s trek passes through glacial moraines, alpine meadows, and eventually into the more oxygen-rich environment of Pheriche (4,371m).

The entire journey takes around 7–8 hours, combining the exhilaration of reaching Kala Patthar with the relief of descending into lower elevations. The night in Pheriche feels warmer and more comfortable after the high-altitude challenges of the previous days.

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Elevation:  4371 m → 3440 m 

Leaving Pheriche (4,371m) after breakfast, the trail descends gradually through picturesque valleys and scattered alpine meadows. As you follow the winding path, you’ll pass through charming Sherpa villages such as Dingboche and Pangboche, each offering stunning mountain views and opportunities to explore local monasteries and culture.

Continuing down, you cross the Imja Khola and trek through forested areas filled with rhododendrons and pines. The air becomes noticeably warmer and the vegetation denser as you lose altitude. After crossing several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi and Imja rivers, you’ll approach Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the bustling trading hub and gateway to the Everest region.

The trek takes approximately 6–7 hours and offers a rewarding mix of natural beauty, cultural insights, and a gentle return to lower elevations, preparing you for the remainder of your journey back toward Lukla.

Elevation:  2860 m → 1400 m 

Your journey in the Himalayas concludes as you take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla, which typically lasts around 35 minutes. Alternatively, if you flew to Manthali/Ramechhap, you’ll then proceed with a 20-minute flight to Kathmandu, followed by a 5-6 hour drive to the city.