EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

EVEREST BASE CAMP ITINERARY

Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu

Arrival and transfer to Hotel.

Day-2: Guided Sightseeing

Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley.

Day-3: Flight: Kathmandu (1,310m) - Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m).

Our early morning hike to begins with a flight into Lukla - is a lifetime experience, in itself. The airfield is on a slope and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 460 meters! You will land on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After meeting with guides and porters and a short break for tea we hike away from Lukla towards Everest base camp for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding 2,610m. Once you have trekked through the small village of Ghat (2550m), Phakding is a short walk away.

Day-4: Phakding (2,610m) Namche bazaar (3,440m).

After leaving Phakding the path takes us through a magnificent forest of rhododendron, magnolia trees and giant fir trees alongside the Dhud-Kosi river through small villages like Bekar and Monju. You will crisscross over the river a few times on high suspension bridges until you eventually come to the Sagarmatha Check Point where your permits needs to be checked. The climb then goes downhill to the river and then all the way back up to Namche. The trail heads up through blue pine forests and as you climb there are rhododendron trees which bloom in Spring time. Namche is the largest Sherpa village and is the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, gateway to the high Himalayas. This relatively small town is a bustling tourist zone and trading hub literally is perched on a sloping hill. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, from Thamserku to Kongde Ri.Trekkers heading to Mt. Everest, Gokyo, Island Peak and many other destinations for both trekking and expedition, have at least two nights stopover in Namche to acclimitise.

Day-5: Namche bazaar (acclimatisation 3,440 m)

We will spend time here on short walks to acclimatise. Although it says acclimatisation, this means you need to walk for the principle of climb high and sleep low, meaning we gain altitude, then descend again to sleep low, enabling our bodies to better adjust to the altitude. A slow and steady pace with adequate time for acclimatisation is key to success. So we hike up to Everest View hotel for just that, a view of Mt Everest, assuming the weather is clear.

Day-6: Trek from Namche to Tengboche (3,860m)

With incredible views of the Thamserku we steadily descend to the Imja Khola where we see a series of water driven prayer wheels at the little river spot of Pungi Tanga. After a lunch break we begin the slow long steep climb to the famous Tengboche Monastery (3,860m) - one of the most beautiful places in the world. Apart from natural scenery and mountain views, many festivals take place here, such as Mani Rimdu festival. This festival performed at the monasteries in Tengboche, Chiwang, and Thame. This sacred ceremonies held for nineteen days; culminating in a 3-day public festival. Lamas and monks dress in colorful attire with elaborate masks and dance to the victory of Buddhism over Bon. We will get amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam, meaning Mother's Charm Box. According to legend, Lama Sange Dorjee, who came from Tibet's Rongbuk Monastery, founded Thyangboche Monastery in the 17th century. Thyangboche was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. We may continue down to Deboche for the night where it is warmer and accommodation options better.

Day-7: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m)

Continuing up the Imja Khola valley, we hike towards Dingboche (4,410). The route is easier wth a lot less steep ascents than on Namche or Tengboche trek. The terrain becomes like a tundra of grasses and vast open plains as the Khumbu valley opens up ahead of you. Dingboche is the highest permanent Sherpa settlement in the region and also lies on the route towards Island Peak.

Day-8: Trek Dingboche to Chukkung to Dingboche(4,750m)

Today we will do a short trek up to Chukkung up the Imja valley and then return to Dingboche for a night.

Day-9: Trek Dingboche to Lobuche (4,920m) (4-5 hrs).

We have a gentle climb away from Dingboche above the Pheriche valley. After ascending up a small ridge we contour around the base of Khumbu Glacier before climbing for about two hours up Thokla Pass for about 210m in altitude gain. At the top of the pass are several memorial sites with endless strands of prayer flags dedicated to Himalayan climbers who lost their lives in pursuit of their climbing dreams. We then continue alongside the terminal moraine to Lobuche (4,930m) Our distance is quite far as we walk past Gorekshep and continue to base camp Everest itself. We then retrace our steps from base camp to Gorek Shep for our night stop. If there is a chance of clear weather in the afternoon though we may ascend Kala Patthar instead and watch the sunset though what we do will be a decision with the group and guide. Overnight Lodge.

Day-10: Trek Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,140m) to Base camp (6-8 hrs).

Our trekking distance today is quite far as we walk past the village of Gorekshep and continue to base camp itself. We then retrace our stapes to Gorek Shep for our night stop. Overnight Lodge.

Day-11: Hike up to Kalapatthar (5,545m). / Retrace your steps to Dingboche (4,410m) (5 hrs).

Today, we climb up Kala Patthar, a steep ascent, which enables us to get excellent views of the mighty Everest Peak. Kala Patthar lies at 5,545m and is a hard pull but, the view from the top surpasses anything you can imagine and only the creaking of the glaciers around us disturbs the silence. The mountains of Pumori (7,145m), Lingtren (6,697m) and Khumbutse (6,623m) separate us from Tibet and just over the Lho La pass we see the huge rock of Changtse (7,750m) in Tibet itself. This is the roof of the world. We now head back to Gorekshep and then following the edge of the rocky moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We return to Lobuche and continue to Dingboche for our stay overnight in lodges.

Day-12: Trek Dingboche to Tengboche (3,860m) (5 hrs).

Today is an easier walk along the Imja Khola with a visit to the Gompa at Pangboche, before we make a short climb up to the Tengboche Monastery. Camp or Lodge Overnight.

Day-13: Trek Tengboche to Namche (3,440m) (4 hrs)

The trail descends steeply towards Pungki Thanka and then we head on another steep climb to Namche Bazaar. Camp or Lodge Overnight

Day-14: Trek Namche to Phakding (2,610m) (4-5 hrs).

We trek down along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the small village of Phakding. Overnight Lodge

Day-15: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m) (3 hrs).

We trek further to the mountain airstrip at Lukla where we will catch our return flight to Kathmandu the following day. Weather permitting your trekking crew might prepare a farewell treat for you. You would be expected to join in the singing and the dancing! Overnight Camp or Lodge at Lukla.

Day-16: Lukla to Kathmandu by flight.

Day-17: Departure.

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