Everest Base Camp Trek

We will meet you at Tribhuvan International Airport. Unless you have obtained a visa prior to your arrival in Nepal, you will need to get a visa-on-arrival in the immigration department of the airport. Sometimes, this process may take 30 minutes to even 1 & half hours. Inside the airport lobby, one of our representatives will be waiting for you with your name on the Pristine Nepal Treks name board.

We will then drive the 7 km to Thamel (30 minutes) to your hotel. Upon you reach the hotel you will do the check-in and after a while, you will indulge in the briefing session. Also, you will be introduced to the trekking guide as well.

We will brief you regarding your Everest Base Camp trek and if you need any trekking gear, we will help to arrange it. If you need a down jacket then you can rent one and we can recommend you a good shop for it. As for the sleeping bag, the company provides it for rent.

As you already know, we confirm a trip once you have paid a deposit of 20-30% through our online system.  The remaining balance is recommended to be paid in cash. The reason to accept cash payment as full payment is that our bank takes 3.5% interest in online payments.

Today is the first day of your big adventure. According to your Lukla flight schedule, your guide will pick you up at the hotel in the early morning.

The flight to Lukla depends on the season. The reason behind this is that Kathmandu has only one airport with a single runway where both international and domestic airlines operate flights. This makes it harder to operate both domestic and international flights at the same time.

So, on the peak season, you will have to drive to Ramechhap for the Lukla flight.

Kathmandu to Ramechhap Distance: 142 km (88.2 miles)
Operating Time: March, April, May, September, October & November
Manthali Airport Altitude: 474 m (1,555.1 ft)

It is a 4 to 5-hour drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu and the domestic airlines fly to Lukla early in the morning, because Lukla weather is comparatively better in the morning. You need to be in Ramechhap before 7 am so we will need to depart from Kathmandu around 2 am.

About Kathmandu to Lukla Flight

From Lukla, it is a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu so it should take 90 minutes for the round trip. Sometimes during the bad weather, it may take more than two and a half hours. This is why all the domestic flights operate from Ramechhap to Lukla during the busy season.

Operating Time: January, February, June, July, August, & December
Operate From: Tribhuvan Internation Airport (Domestic Flight Area)

Lukla to Phakding Trek

Lukla to Phakding Distance: 7.8km/4.8miles
Duration: 2-3 hours
Difficulty Level: Easy
Phakding Altitude: 2,660m (8,727 ft)

Once you reach Lukla you will meet with our porter, have breakfast, and prepare for trek to Phakding. You will see the Pasang Lhamu statue on top of the exit before you leave Lukla. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first woman from Nepal who summit Mount Everest on 22 April 1993.

Right after that, at the Lukla counter/checkpost, you will stop to obtain permits (Trek Card & Sagarmatha National Park). Worry not our guide will take care of all the permit procedures.

Afterward, the trekking trail leads you slowly down to Chaurikharka, Chheplung, one of the popular Sherpa villages. After this, you will follow the old trekking trail to Thadokoshi village, Ghat, Chhuthawa, and eventually Phakding. There will be short downhill and short uphill stretches, but most of the time trail continues at a similar altitude. Villages are not very big in this area and most of the local people are involved in tourism. You will see hydro project pipelines on the way that provide locals with electricity.

You will follow this EBC trail along the Dudhkoshi riverside. After walking for approximately four hours you will reach Phakding, a tourist-oriented village, at 2,660m/8727.03 ft. There are about 20 lodges, guest houses, hotels, and restaurants, and almost all the trekkers stop at Phakding for the first night.

Trek Highlight:

• First View of Kusum Khangkaru mountain from Thado Koshi gaon
• Enchanting Painted Mani Stones
• Beautiful Prayer Wheels

Phakding to Namche Distance: 10.7 km (6.64 miles)
Trek Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 5-6 Hours

After having a wonderful night at Phakding, the second day of the Everest Base Camp trek will start after a delicious breakfast. Today you trek to the famous Namche Bazar 3,440m/11,286.09 ft. Namche Bazar is called the gateway of Mount Everest. All trekkers and climbers have to come through Namche Bazar to go to Mount Everest.

You should cross the suspension bridge in Phakding which brings you to the other side of the Dudhkoshi River, and you will walk along the beautiful Dudhkoshi River all the time. You will cross at least five suspension bridges before Namche Bazar.

Passing through Tok Tok village, Banker, Monjo, and Jorsalle will be a fantastic walk in the afternoon. At Monjo checkpost, we will stop for permit check-in. After Monjo, you will cross the suspension bridge to stop at Jorsalle for lunch.

After lunch, you will again cross the river and then you will have a steep uphill climb. Approximately one-hour walking will bring you to Larja Dovan where you will see the famous Hillary Bridge with colorful Buddhist prayer flags. Then you need to trek uphill for two hours to Namche Bazar.

Trek Highlight:

• First glimpse of Mount Everest after crossing Larja Bridge
• Enter Sagarmatha National Park
• First View of Kongde Ri

Namche to Everest View Hotel: 2.5km (1.5 miles)
Duration: 2 Hours round trip
Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

It is very important to have an acclimatization day here. Namche Bazar is located at an elevation of 3,440m/11,286.09 ft above sea level and you are trekking to EBC which is 5,364m. You need to stop at many places over 4,000m before EBC. There is always the possibility of altitude sickness after 3,000m. It is advisable to walk slowly and stay at a place for two nights to avoid altitude sickness.

We suggest you hike even though this is the rest day in the Everest Base Camp trek.

Normally, our guide will take you to Char camp which is on top of the Namche Bazar where you can see beautiful mountain views including Mount Everest. You will witness the statue of late Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay and a view of Mount Everest 8,848m, Lhotse 8,516m, Ama Dablam 6,838m, Thamserku 6,608m, Kusum Kangaru Himal 6,367m, Kongde Himal 6,187m, Khumbila, Tawache 6,495m, Nuptse 7,861m and many other high peaks from Char camp.

Go further up to Syangboche 3,800m. It is a steep uphill climb but not too long. Syangboche is famous for a few things: its airport which is the highest airport in Nepal, built at an elevation of 3,780m above sea level; Sagarmatha Next (waste management center) and the Hotel Everest View, which is said to be the highest hotel in the world. Stop at the Hotel Everest View for a short tea break enjoy the view of mountains, then go back to Namche Bazar.

Namche Bazar is popular for its market on the weekend, and on Saturdays, people from different villages come to Namche Bazar to shop and farmers bring their products to sell. As well as the market, this place offers many trekking and climbing gear shops, banks, restaurants, hotels and lodges, a health post, a security post, a military base, a Sagarmatha pollution control committee, a small departmental store, a sauna bath center, massage center, etc.

Highlight:

• Visit Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Park
• Everest View Hotel & view of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam & other peaks
• Visit Sagarmatha Next for handmade recycled products, arts, and others
• You can do Yoga

Namche To Tyangboche Distance: Approximately 9.8 km (6.08 miles)
Duration: 5-6 hours
Trek Difficulty: Very Hard
Tengboche Altitude: 3,860m (12,664 ft)
Namche to Phungi Thanga for Lunch: 4km (2.4 miles) & takes 2-3 hours

After stopping at Namche Bazar for two nights, your EBC trek starts again from here to Tyangboche. The first part of the trail is so smooth and nice with a beautiful Everest view. The path is wide and clean through a constant elevation. You will have a panoramic Lukla Valley view in the south and a gorgeous view to the northeast. Two hours of pleasant walking will bring you to Lausasa where two trekking routes diverge. The north uphill trail goes to Gokyo Lake Valley and the east downhill trail takes you to Tyangboche.

You need to hike approximately one hour downhill to Phungi Thanga where we stop for lunch. After this, you will cross another suspension bridge, and stop at the checkpost for check-in.

Then from here onward, you will climb uphill to Tyangboche for approximately two hours. It is a steep uphill so walk slowly and keep yourself hydrated. Tyangboche is an important place in the Khumbu region. It has the oldest monastery and it is the center of the religious faith of the Buddhist Sherpa people.

Monks live in this monastery and they perform puja every day, in the morning and afternoon. You can go here and get a blessing from a monk.

Check-in at the hotel/lodge and you can go explore the Tyangboche. Overnight stay.

Trek Highlight:

• Visit Tengboche Monastery & get the blessing of Monk
• First astounding view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam & other peaks

Tyangboche to Dingboche Distance: Approximately 10 km (6.2 miles)
Trek Difficulty: Moderate

Today you will trek to Dingboche which is over 4,400m/14,435.7 ft. After a delicious breakfast, you will commence your hike, a 15-20 mins downhill to Deboche, and from here a beautiful horizontal path through the rhododendron forest to the Dudhkoshi River. Then you trek uphill to the famous Sherpa village, Pangboche at 4,000m/13,123.36ft. This village has produced many Sherpa mountain climbers. The tree line is only present in north-facing areas. Pangboche and Somare face south and do not have a tree line at this 4,000m altitude.

After this village, you will travel along the horizontal path for half an hour and then uphill to Somare where you will have an hour-long lunch break. The path is horizontal to Dingboche but the elevation gradually starts to increase. It takes about two and a half hours to reach Dingboche at 4,410m. This comparatively large village is the last in this area and you will spend two nights here.

Highlight:

• Beautiful Pangboche Village also known as one of the biggest settlements in the Khumbu Region
• Walk beside Imja River

Dingboche to Nangkartshang Peak Distance: Approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) uphill
Nangkartshang Peak Altitude: 5,121m (16,801.18 ft)
Hiking Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 4-5 hour round trip

Trekking to EBC is always challenging due to its high altitude. Many trekkers suffer from altitude sickness in this region. It is not only due to the high elevation: weather conditions also play a major role in altitude sickness. Going slowly and taking acclimatization days at these places will be very helpful in adapting to the environment. Your body will adapt and you will be more likely to make it to Everest base camp.

Hiking to Nangkartshang Peak 5,121m/16,801.18 ft will be very helpful on this day. It is a steep uphill climb from Dingboche and takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.  This peak offers beautiful Mount Makalu 8,463m views including Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Island Peak, Kangtega, Thamserku, Tawache, Cholatse, Nuptse, and many other high mountains.

You should then return to Dingboche before lunch and rest for the day. Going up and stopping at a lower elevation is perfect for acclimatization.  Even if you are very careful you can experience altitude problems at this elevation. You must tell your guide if you have a problem. Usually, it will be fine after spending two nights here.

Highlight:

• Hike to Nangkartshang Peak for an amazing 360° view of the Himalayas
• Explore the village area and taste bakery items in Dingboche

Dingboche to Lobuche Distance: Approx 6 km (3.7 miles)
Trek Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 5-6 Hours

After having two nights at Dingboche you will continue to Lobuche today. The first part of the trail is a gradual uphill trek for 20 minutes. Then you follow a smooth gradual horizontal path heading to Thukla for 2-3 hours. You should cross a small river before Thukla 4,600m. This river comes from the Khumbu glacier and due to the fast melting of the glacier, it always changes its path. Sometimes in summer, it is also very wide. There is no fixed bridge. Local people fix the bridge but it is not stable.

You will stop at Thukla (also called Dukla) at 4,600m (15091.86 ft) for lunch. There are only two lodges and one tea shop therefore it becomes very busy in the high season as most trekkers stop here for lunch.

You need to hike uphill after lunch at Thukla. This part is one of the famous uphills of the EBC trek. It is not that long but trekking here in the afternoon will be difficult and challenging, but also interesting. Approximately one hour of climbing brings you to the top of the mountain where you can witness a popular mountaineer’s memorial, where it is always windy and chilly. Then you need to trek another one and a half hours to reach Lobuche.

Normally, the trail is fine here except for during winter. It is a horizontal path but a lot of snow makes it challenging in winter. Lobuche is a tourist-stopping center before Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp. There are only 6-7 lodges, all of similar categories. Due to its high altitude, many trekkers complain about sleeping here and many trekkers suffer from headaches. A mild headache is acceptable but you have to be very careful if the headache worsens, and you should be fine after having a rest.

Meals here are not that tasty and both Lobuche and Gorakshep both places do not have a variety of food because bringing food here is a huge challenge. Most trekkers have little sleep at this altitude.

Our team always carries an oximeter during trekking. You can measure the proportion of oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood of your body. It will help to monitor how your body reacts to this altitude.

Highlight:

• First view of Mount Pumori
• Visit Everest Memorial & pay tribute to the brave souls

Lobuche to Gorakshep Distance (Lunch Stop): 4.5 km (2.7 miles)
Lobuche to Gorakshep Duration: 3 Hours
Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp Distance: 4.1 km (2.5 miles)
Gorakshep to EBC: 2-3 hours

Today is your Everest Base Camp Day. You need to get up early, have a warm breakfast, and start your day around 5 am. The first hour of walking will be easy even though this is high-altitude. You will have a gradual horizontal path in the first section. After walking for approximately an hour you should have a steep 20-minute uphill climb to Lobuche Pass 5,110m.

Then the path is formed by melting glaciers so it is unstable in every season. It is about a two-hour walk to Gorakshep but the views are incredible here. Once you reach Gorakshep 5,180m you can take a break for some food.

After stopping for a while you will continue to Everest Base Camp. It is only one and a half hours to Base Camp from Gorakshep. If you feel very tired, go slowly and take your time. The trail to base camp from Gorakshep is moderate but is also formed by melting glaciers. Everest base camp is also very unstable due to ice melting. Unfortunately, global warming is causing the glacier to melt very quickly. The base camp, where all expedition teams pitch their tents, is located just before the Khumbu icefall area.

Once you reach Everest base camp, we congratulate you. Everest Base Camp is not only a mountain base camp it is the highest mountain base camp. It is a dream destination for all adventure lovers, all nature lovers, and all mountain lovers. Everest Base Camp is located over 5,364m above sea level. This is the highest base camp of the highest peak. It is called that you are not a real adventurer if you have not been to Everest Base Camp.

So take pictures, celebrate your achievement, and enjoy the moment of Everest Base Camp. After an unforgettable time at Everest Base Camp, you will go back to Gorakshep for an overnight sleep.

Highlight:

• Visit the Everest Base Camp and capture the moment
• The last settlement of the Khumbu Region

Gorakshep to Kalapatthar Distance: Approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles)
Duration to Reach Kalapatthar: 2 hours
Gorakshep to Pheriche: Approximately 12 km (7.4 miles)
Trek Difficulty: Hard

This day is also an important day on this Everest Base Camp trek. Early morning you will hike up to Kalapathar 5,545m (18192.26 ft) for the sunrise view over Mount Everest. You can also opt for the sunset view from Kalapathar. However, it has to be done on the same day as going to Base Camp. Most people cannot hike to Kalapathar in the evening after a long day of trekking to base camp. So, it depends on the trekker’s choice.

After seeing the view from Kalapathar, go back to the hotel for breakfast then walk down to Pheriche.

You will follow the same trail you trekked Lobuche and Thukla. After Thukla 4,600m, (you need to cross the River) you take the left trail instead of going right to Dingboche. Pheriche is another Sherpa village situated at an elevation of 4,200m above sea level. There is a hospital here that is very popular among the high-altitude trekkers.

All Nepalese guides and porters receive free treatment in this hospital, but tourists need to pay a high fee. This hospital opens only in the busy season. You will see yaks here most of the time in the year. You will have a pleasant sleep here after the nights over 5,000m.

Highlight:

• Hike to Kalapatthar 5,545m, the highest elevation in the package
• 360° view of astounding mountains from Kalapatthar

Pheriche to Namche Distance: 19.8 km (12.3 miles)
Duration: 6-7 hours
Trek Difficulty: Challenging

After stopping overnight at Pheriche, today you will have a long day at Namche Bazar. You need to cross Pheriche Pass 4,470m in the first section for less than half an hour. Then trek down to Orsho 4,190, Somare 4,010m, and Pangboche village. It will be a constant gradual downhill trek. You will continue to walk down and cross Imja Khola (River) then reach Milingo 3,750m, passing through Deboche and reaching Tyangboche 3,860 is uphill a little. Then it will straight downhill to Phungi Thanga 3,250m from Tyangboche for an hour’s walk.

Normally, Phungi Thanga will be a lunch stop and then you will trek uphill to Lausasa for an hour. The trail will now be a gradual horizontal path to Namche Bazar for a two-hour walk. You will have a lovely room with a private bathroom at Namche Bazar and you will enjoy having a hot shower.

Namche to Lukla Distance: 18.5 km (11.4 miles)
Duration: 6-7 Hours
Trek Difficulty: Very Hard

Today is the last day of walking on the Everest Base Camp trek. After a delicious breakfast, you will follow the same trail you hiked up. The first section of the day will be downhill, past the popular Hillary Bridge with colorful Buddhist prayer flags at Larja Dovan and Jorsalle. You will check out from the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, then follow the Dudhkoshoi River through Banker, TokTok, and Zam Fute, and stop for lunch at Phakding.

It will be a long day walking through Chhuthawa, Nurning, Ghat, Thado Koshi gaun, Chheplung, Chaurikharka, and Lukla. The night in Lukla will be the last night on the mountain of Everest Base Camp trek. Your porter will finish their hard-working job here at Lukla, so don’t forget to celebrate and don’t forget to tip them.

After having an incredible time on the Everest Base Camp trek, today you will fly back to Kathmandu.

Lukla flights are operated only from Ramechhap in the high season due to the high air traffic of Kathmandu airport, so we will most probably fly to Ramechhap from Lukla. It is only a 15-minute flight to Ramechhap. Then we will have 5 hours drive to Kathmandu.

We will take you to your hotel and the afternoon will be free. We are pleased to offer a farewell dinner at a reputable traditional Nepali restaurant in the evening.

Finally, we will drop you at the airport 3 hours prior according to your flight schedule. We hope you will always retain fond memories of Nepal and your Everest Base Camp trek and will recommend Nepal and Everest Base Camp to your friends.

Have a wonderful journey ahead.

Thank you so much.