Overview
Hiking in Nepal is a refreshing change. It’s relaxing and adventurous with picturesque views, terraced cliffsides, lush river valleys, and deep gorges. Nepal has some of the world’s most popular and exciting treks.
Everest Base Camp is one of the many dramatic hikes which provide trekkers an incredible experience to delve into nature. It offers trekkers an endless exploration opportunity to discover several amazing places, learn about new cultures, and meet new people.
The 62 km loop walk will provide you with a stunning view of snow-capped peaks and alpine scenery filled with wildflowers. Starting from Lukla, it runs beside the Dudh Koshi River bank and up the well-worn path to Phakding.
In the next couple of days, you’ll ascend steep slopes and cross suspension bridges numerous times. The trek also involves traveling the remotest part of Khumbu and walking along a lateral moraine.
Although Everest Base Camp Trek is moderately challenging, the difficulty level increases at a higher elevation. You’ll have to take precautions against altitude sickness and other medical emergencies.
Altitude acclimatization becomes a must once you climb Namche. Apart from height, you’ll also have to take care of your physical health and mental fitness. You cannot overwork yourself on the long and strenuous trails of Khumbu.
However, once you make it to the base camp, the trek will reward you with the mesmerizing view of lofty snow peaks and beautiful landscapes. Khumbu’s rugged and meandering terrains will also take you through rolling hills and meadows.
It’ll make you walk along the river banks and climb steep hills and forested slopes, which provide a wonderful backdrop. Kala Patthar will also delight you with the magical sunrise view from the summit.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek
- Breathtaking natural beauty with amazing landscapes
- Aerial view of lofty mountains and lush green hills
- Explore Sagarmatha National Park and its varied wildlife
- Experience the vivacity and uniqueness of the Himalayan lifestyle and culture
- A round tour of the Buddhist monastery in Tengboche
- Gorgeous sunrise view from Kala Patthar
Itinerary
Our representative will screen your arrival flight on this day. They’ll keep track of your landing before organizing a meet and greet service. From here, the staff will drive you on a shuttle to the hotel and help you get your room keys. While at the hotel, take a nap, enjoy food, and go out for a fresh wind.
Kathmandu is an incredible city with lots of history, art, culture, and language. You can spend an entire day exploring it and still not get enough. However, we won’t scout all of it today and instead visit places of great importance.
In the morning, we’ll tour Kathmandu Durbar Square and its symbolic Newari towns. After exploring the royal palaces and courtyards, we’ll drive west to Swyambhunath. It’s an ancient religious complex composed of holy shrines and stupas.
Nestled at the hilltop, Swyamnbhunath also makes a great spot to watch the Kathmandu Valley. At noon, we’ll have our lunch and then head to Boudhanath Stupa in the northeastern outskirt of Kathmandu. As one of the largest spherical stupas, Boudha has many religious shrines and stupas with mani wheels.
Like Pashupatinath, it’s beautifully designed with great architecture that tells you much about Buddhist culture. From there, we’ll make a quick stop at Pashupatinath and then drive away to your hotel.
Lukla Altitude: 2,860m / 9,383ft
Phakding Altitude: 2,610m / 8,563 ft
Walking Hours: 3 hrs
Overnight at: a lodge
It’s time we transfer you to the airport to catch our flight to Lukla. Our staff will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the field, where we’ll board the plane. The flight will last almost thirty minutes and cover all the stunning views.
After the landing, we’ll have our breakfast at a nearby teahouse and then begin our journey to Phakding. The trek from Lukla starts with a gentle climb off the hillside. We’ll walk along the bank of Dudh Koshi River, then follow the well-worn path. After 3 hours of trekking, we’ll arrive at the village of Phakding. Overnight stay in the lodge.
Namche Bazaar Altitude: 3,440m / 11,285ft
Walking Hours: 6 hrs
Overnight at: the guesthouse
We’ll start our day with a nice breakfast and then pack all your stuff to set out on a journey to Namche. The trek kicks off along the Dudh Koshi River bank and a valley above and around. After walking through rhododendron forests, we’ll cross the suspension bridge and head to Sagarmatha National Park.
After registering the permit, we’ll move toward Jorsale, where you can stock goods before the final climb. We’ll spend the last two hours ascending the rugged trail without any stops. Finally, we’ll ease off in a lodge after making it to the village.
The hike from Namche is steep, with an elevation gain of more than 300 meters. Chances of altitude sickness increase sharply from here, so we’ll spend the day at the Namche. We’ll do some side treks, including an easy climb to Everest Hotel View.
It takes anywhere from an hour or two to reach Syangboche. Since the trail is rough and sloppy, the trek can be slightly challenging. But, the trail will still keep you amused with the stunning view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Lhotse. The hilltop doesn’t disappoint either, providing picturesque glimpses of mountainous hills and lush green forests.
After enjoying a relaxing morning and breakfast by the hilltop, we’ll climb down the trail and head to the village. You can now explore the town and visit the Sherpa museum if interested in history. Overnight stay in the village.
Tengboche Altitude: 3,855m / 12,850ft
Walking Hours: 5 hrs
Overnight at: the hotel
From Namche, we head uphill past the old mani wall. After a short level walk, the trail elevates, providing a clear view of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. As soon as we cross the river, the path runs a steep hill and passes through pine forests full of wild animals like Tahr and musk deer.
After crossing the old suspension bridge and trekking a steep hill, we’ll stop at a teahouse and have our lunch to reenergize. The last two hours of the trek are intense with continuous uphill. At this altitude, you can sense the lower oxygen, making it difficult to climb the trail.
But, after reaching Tengboche, you can relax and enjoy the mesmerizing view of Ama Dablam. Tonight we’ll stay in a teahouse.
Dingboche Altitude: 4,360m / 14,290ft
Walking Hours: 5-6 hrs
Overnight at: the guesthouse
After breakfast, we’ll leave Tengboche and follow the trail to the river. After crossing the bridge, the trail rises and passes through old villages and mani walls. It runs along the river valley, providing a nice view of Island Peak.
After walking the flat terrains, we’ll enter Imja Valley. From here, the trail is harsh and steep with rocks, making it difficult to climb the trail. Following a trek of 6 hours, we’ll arrive at Dingboche. Overnight stay at a teahouse.
We’ll spend this day in Dingboche for acclimatization purposes. It’s to prevent altitude sickness and minimize risk as much as possible. While in Dingboche, we’ll hike Nagerjun Hill at 5,050 meters. It lies at the edge of the Chukhung Valley and provides a beautiful view of Lobuche, Kangtega, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam. After exploring the valley, we’ll return to Dingboche and take a rest.
Lobuche Altitude: 4,930m / 16,175ft
Walking Hours: 5-6 hrs
Overnight at: the guesthouse
Trek from Dingboche begins with a short but difficult climb. We’ll spend most of the day scrambling steep hills and rugged terrains. You’ll see stone memorials built to honor the deceased mountaineer along the way.
After trekking along the Khumbu Glacier for much time, we’ll finally make it to the Dingboche. It’s a small village in Khumbu that’s quite popular among trekkers climbing Everest. It provides accommodation to the hikers before they journey to the base camp.
Gorakshep Altitude: 5,185m / 17,010ft
Walking Hours: 6-8 hrs
Overnight at: the guesthouse
After the early morning breakfast, we’ll set off on a journey to Gorakshep. The trek is long and strenuous, taking more than 8 hours. We’ll reach Gorakshep after trekking through the lateral moraine of Khumbu Glacier.
We'll arrive at Gorakshep after the trail with loose rocks and boulders. After a short tea break at the village, we’ll continue the trek to Everest Base Camp. The three hours climb to base camp is difficult and strenuous.
We’ll have to climb the rocks over the Khumbu Glacier before ending at the base camp. Since the air is thin at this altitude, breathing becomes difficult. After reaching the base camp, you can click the picture of Everest, Nuptse, and Thamserku.
Once you’ve explored the camp, we’ll return to Gorakshep following the same trail. The trek is relatively easy this time and doesn’t take much time. We’ll spend the night in a teahouse at Gorakshep.
Kala Patthar Altitude: 5,555m / 18,208ft
Pheriche Altitude: 4,250m / 13,945ft
Walking Hours: 5 hrs
Overnight at: the guesthouse
At 5,555 meters, Kala Patthar makes the perfect spot to watch the sunrise view. Hence, we’ll climb the trail early in the morning. It takes about two hours to ascend the rocky mountain and reach the acme.
After getting atop the hill, we’ll get a close-up view of Everest and its surrounding mountains. It also provides a beautiful backdrop of shimmering glaciers and steep mountain ridge. After spending some time at Kala Patthar, we’ll climb down the trail to Gorakshep and have breakfast.
Soon after, we’ll walk along the moraine of Khumbu Glacier and across the river. This section of the trek is most challenging with rockier terrains. It takes almost two hours to descend the trail and arrive at Pheriche. Tonight, we’ll stay in a guesthouse.
We’ll climb down the trail to Namche, following the same route. We’ll trek along the valley and from the hill's edge. Most of today’s walk is downhill through the dense forests and remote villages. We’ll cross the suspension bridge and climb down the trail to Namche on the descent. Overnight stay in the hotel.
After the last breakfast of the trek, we’ll leave Namche and climb down to Lukla. The route takes you through the rhododendron forests and above and below Dudh Koshi River Valley. We’ll pass many beautiful villages and towns along the route.
The trek becomes easy after descending the hill along the Dudh Koshi River bank. A short trek from Phakding, and we’ll arrive at Lukla. We’ll spend the night in this popular Sherpa town and prepare to return Kathmandu.
We’ll have breakfast early in the morning and then a short descent to the airport. The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu will last half an hour. But, despite the short trip, you’ll get a picturesque view of surrounding cliffs, rocky mountains, and breathtaking valleys. After landing, our staff will drive you to your hotel.
A reservation before the base camp trek is a sensible idea. It gives you more security and flexibility on travel. You might even get rooms at the best deal when booked in advance.
The difficulty level of Everest Base Camp depends on altitude, weather, and several other factors. Trekking at a higher altitude is generally more challenging than a lower elevation due to low atmospheric pressure, which triggers altitude sickness. Trekking in winter is extremely hard at the base camp due to the snowy trail that doesn’t provide traction.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is 62km long from Lukla. It’ll take trekkers between 6-7 hours to finish each trail. It takes more time to climb the trail, but the return hike is easier and takes lesser time.
You can find porters to help you with the luggage and backpack during the trek. Each porter can carry up to 25 kg weight for US$20 to US$25. An extra amount will be charged for the extra luggage.
Everest Base Camp is one of the most traveled hikes in entire Nepal. So, it’s quite safe to travel here. But, you’ll have to make necessary preparations before the hike. Everything has to be done beforehand, from training to backpacking and selecting equipment.
You do not need to worry about the permit to Sagarmatha National Park as we’ll arrange it. We’ll also help you get a Khumbu Rural Municipality permit, which costs US$20 per person for the trek.
Teahouses provide a wide variety of services and facilities to the hiker. They can help you with the accommodation, food, and other amenities, making your stay more comfortable and relaxing.
Spring and Autumn is the ideal time for Everest Base Camp Trek. They have warm and comforting weather, which makes hiking less difficult.
Food and Accommodation
There’s a wide variety of accommodation along the route to Everest Base Camp. Hotels, guesthouses, and lodges provide trekkers with shelter and food of their choice. However, teahouses are the ideal option for singles trekking the base camp.
They are relatively cheap and readily accessible. They are mostly owned and run by local communities to accommodate hikers. They are nowhere near luxurious hotels and resorts, but the services are still amazing.
You’ll find all the needed services and facilities in teahouses for a reasonable price. Most teahouses have shared rooms with a bed, mattress, pillow, and blanket. Therefore, it’s better to bring a sleeping bag during the trek.
Apart from nice accommodation, teahouses also serve trekkers a three-time meal. In the morning, you’ll have breakfast consisting of tea, bread, and fresh coffee to drink. You’ll have traditional Nepali food like rice, vegetables, pulses, pickles, and salads for lunch and dinner.
Although foods and snacks are available to buy on the trail of Everest Base Camp, they are quite expensive. So, carrying extra food, drink, and chocolates in your backpack are better. You can have them when you run out of energy.
It’s not to be mentioned that the higher the trail, the lesser the teahouses. There are also no facilities like internet, electricity and other services so bring extra batteries and powerbank. Foods and accommodations are expensive at higher altitudes due to lesser access. Therefore, book the room in advance to avoid the last-minute hassle and extra charges.
How to prepare for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Considering that the Everest Base Camp is a moderate trek, you don’t have to do intense training and exercise. Preparation is a must, though, as it’ll help you overcome all the challenges.
Physical training must encompass a good amount of cardio and aerobic exercise to improve your fitness. Aerobic activities like running, cycling, and biking will help increase stamina and maintain a steady pace.
You can also count on exercise for a high-altitude trek. Training on steep hills and terrains can improve your ability to trek at high altitudes, where there is low oxygen. While ascending higher altitudes starting from the high point, you must spend a few days at the destination and don’t tire yourself.
Start slow and increase your pace over time. You should drink water more frequently while walking long-distance trails. You must also prepare mentally for the trek. You mustn’t stress or have second thoughts regarding the hike. Improve your mental strength and resilience by learning yoga.
When is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek?
Everest Base Camp has a lot to offer during any season but mostly spring from March to May. The weather is at its finest during this time. Although it’s cold at the beginning of the season, the weather gets warm by late April.
The average temperature of the base camp ranges from 17 to 25 Degree Celsius in spring. May could see a scorching summer heat but will still provide you with a great view. The beautiful spring flowers and lush green fields will delight you all along the way. Also, spring has longer daylight hours, so you’ll have enough time to explore and navigate the trail.
Another season with much more to offer trekkers of Everest Base Camp is Autumn. The season delights visitors with lovely weather and amazing views. Hence, it’s no surprise that autumn is the perfect time to make the most of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
It has warm and lovely weather, which provides you with spectacular views. Autumn’s clear skies and the dry weather make it easy to walk the trail. They are not slippery, which makes it comfortable climbing the hill.
Apart from the lovely weather, Autumn also comes with a majestic view. A lot is going on in Khumbu during this time. There are festivals around the corner and breathtaking fall foliage that provides a magnificent view.
Winter and monsoon bring harsh weather to Everest Base Camp. You’ll either experience heavy downpours or snow during these seasons. The monsoon and winter trails are murky and snowy, making them incredibly hard to climb.
