Arrival
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Arrive into Kathmandu. You will be met by our staff at the airport and transfered to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can relax or sightsee around Kathmandu.
Everest Base Camp Trek Route
Nepal · Khumbu
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes 35 minutes. The trek is nine days uphill, which includes two full days rest and acclimatisation to the last settlement of Gorak Shep. After visiting Everest Base Camp and climbing to the high point of Kala Pathar (for dawn views of the sun rising behind the summit of Everest), the descent is three days. We always allow a bad weather day for flying into or out of Lukla. The start dates refer to the latest arrival date in Kathmandu and the end date refers to the earliest you can book your return flight home for. Private trips are welcome, we can adapt the itinerary to whatever date you wish. We often take couples or small groups of two or three, but for a solo traveller there would be an extra charge. Rest day and acclimatisation to jetlag, sightseeing plus trek briefing. Possible drive to Ramechhap** – see ‘Lukla Flight’ details below. You can trek to Everest Base Camp from March to early June, and September to early December. Kathmandu is at an approximate altitude of 1400m and the flight to Lukla will take you up to a height of 2866m. With Everest Base Camp standing at 5360m and Kala Patthar at 5545m, the base camp trek gains a total of 2679 metres from Lukla and 4145 metres from Kathmandu.
Trail mini map
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Use this GPX in your preferred navigation app.
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Acclimatisation & Sightseeing
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Rest and acclimatisation to jetlag; sightseeing plus trek briefing. Possible drive to Ramechhap** in the afternoon – see Lukla flight details below.
Flight to Lukla
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Flight* to Lukla, walk downhill to Phakding or Monjo along the edge of the Dudh Kosi River. Easy, busy path, surrounded by forest.
Namche Bazaar
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Uphill to Namche Bazaar which is the Sherpa ‘capital’ in the heart of the Khumbu region. Initially follow the valley to Monjo where you enter the National Park, then cross the river a few times and start a long unrelenting path uphill, with one spectacular bridge spanning a deep gorge. Leave the coniferous forest behind, and arrive at a huge natural amphitheatre with the houses spread around the sides.
Acclimatisation & Sightseeing
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
This is an acclimtisation day which you can rest or enjoy the sights and sounds of Namche. You can also go for short walks to the Sherpa museum and other local places of interest.
Deboche & Pangboche
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Walk to Deboche which is near the famous Thyangboche Monastery. The path out of Namche is initially steep and then opens out into a high valley, passing through villages like Pangboche before negotiating two steep hills. After this it is a short walk to the beautiful rhododendron glade where you will find the lodge.
Dingboche & Ama Dablam
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
A gradual gradient up to Dingboche. The path skirts the side of the valley with the river far below on your right and passing beneath the spectacular Ama Dablam. The village sits on the confluence of two valleys and is good farming land.
Acclimatisation & Sightseeing
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
This is another rest and acclimatisation day. In the neighbouring village of Pheriche you can visit the Himalayan Rescue Association to listen to the daily lecture on high altitude health, and get a check up from the medical staff or go on a local walk up teh valley towards Island Peak or up one of the neighbouring ridges.
Lobuche & Thukla Hills
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Trek up the high valley to Lobuche which is alongside the huge Khumbu Glacier. You can now easily feel the effects of the thin air as the hike takes us up to the Thukla Hills where there are many stupas erected in memory of Sherpas who have died on expeditions.
Gorak Shep & Base Camp
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Hike on the glacial moraine to the final settlement of Gorak Shep, the last outpost of a small collection of huts just below a shoulder of Mount Pumori called Kala Patthar which is our destination the following morning as it’s a fine viewing point for Everest. We’ll have lunch at Gorak Shep and then walk on for roughly 1.5 – 2hrs and visit Everest base camp. We trek along the lateral moraine and finally over the Khumbu glacier itself to the base camp at the foot of the Khumbu Ice Fall.
Kala Patthar Summit
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Early morning climb to the summit of Kala Patthar (5540m) to see sun rise behind the peak of Everest. This is a tough walk in the cold and not to be underestimated. Take warm clothing. Back at the lodge for breakfast and a walk back down past Lobuche, dropping to Pheriche at 4370m.
Additional weather day
Kathmandu to Kathmandu
This day is here to allow for any delays either flying into our out of the mountains. If the weather is stable you can fly down to KTM or you can spend an extra day in the mountains. Please read our Himalayan Flight Delays info page.
Lukla Flight
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Lukla flight* to arrive in Kathmandu / Ramechhap in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Rest and sightseeing.
Departure
Kathmandu to Unknown finish
Depart Kathmandu. If you leave in the morning it is possible to arrive in London the same day, or arrive home on day 18.