Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek
Journey to the Roof of the World in Unmatched Comfort
Route
Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding – Namche Bazaar – Tengboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorakshep / Kala Patthar / Everest Base Camp – Lobuche – Tengboche – Khumjung – Phakding – Lukla
Duration
16 Nights - 17 Days
Tour Type
Private Guided Trekking Tour
Complete Tour Itinerary
Day 01 : Kathmandu / Arrival
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, visit Patan Durbar Square.
Patan Durbar Square: Patan city is believed to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. Most of the monuments were built between the 12th and 18th centuries by Malla Kings. It is known as the center of fine arts and superb craftsmanship of its artisans. The main attractions are the old Royal Palace, Krishna Temple, Taleju Temple, Bhimsen Temple, and Golden Temple (Hiranyavarna Mahabihar).
Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 02 : Kathmandu / Lukla (2806 m) / Phakding (2652 m / Approx. 3 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Hotel.
After an early breakfast, we transfer to the domestic airport to catch our flight to Lukla. Lukla is unique: a Hillary team built the airstrip as part of the Khunde Hospital project in 1965, envisioning it as a makeshift strip to handle emergencies at the hospital. It is now the third busiest airport in Nepal. Weather permitting, we will leave Kathmandu by 8:00 AM and arrive in Lukla by 8:45 AM.
Here, we assemble all our luggage and refresh with some tea before beginning our trek to Phakding. As we leave Lukla, the trail heads down to Chaurikharka. Juniper and pine line the path with the sound of the Dudh Koshi River ever present. In the distance, the snow-topped mountain of ‘Ngothung’ is visible, along with impressive views of Kusum Kanguru to the right. Just before reaching Phakding, we cross a large suspension bridge where we can look down at the surging river, which eventually finds its way to the Ganges — the Holy River of India. Tonight, we will have our first experience of the Himalayan belt.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 03 : Phakding (2652 m) / Monjo / Namche Bazaar (3446 m / Approx. 6 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we trek to Namche Bazaar. Leaving Phakding, the trail heads north up the Dudh Koshi valley. After crossing a stream, we reach the small village of Bengkar, where we can see a beautifully carved stone prayer wall. On the cliffs above the river, it is possible to spot musk deer and Himalayan tahr. The trail is interspersed with rhododendron, magnolia, and giant blue fir forests as we follow it to Jorsalle, the entrance gate to Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, where our permits will be checked.
Before reaching Namche Bazaar, we cross a long suspension bridge over the confluence of two rivers — the Dudh Koshi from the east and the Bhote Koshi from the west. We then have a steep climb up to Namche Bazaar, which we take slowly to adjust to the altitude. After the climb, we will be rewarded with a view of Everest peeking over the ridge of Nuptse. We will camp here at the gateway to Everest for the next 2 nights. Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchanged salt, dried meat, gold, and textiles. Besides being a superb place to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading hub in the Khumbu, attracting Himalayan and lowland merchants. Tomorrow, we will have a chance to explore this busy market town and its surrounding vistas.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 04 : Namche Bazaar (3446 m) – Acclimatization day
Breakfast at Lodge.
We spend today in and around Namche to acclimatize to the altitude. Namche is situated in the lap of the Khumbu Himal range, about 241 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. There will be an opportunity to trek to the Everest View Hotel, where you can see some of the most spectacular views in the region, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Rowaling Himal, and more.
Once back in Namche, the rest of the day is free to explore this bustling village. There are numerous shops for souvenirs and equipment hire, as well as internet access, a bank, and a small Buddhist chaitya. Alternatively, you can relax in a café and enjoy a pastry while taking in the incredible scenery.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 05 : Namche Bazaar / Tengboche (3860 m / Approx. 6 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we leave Namche, and after a short ascent, the path levels out as we follow the contours around Mung Danda. After 2 hours of trekking, we reach the village of Kyangjuma. Just before this village is the first viewpoint of Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Taboche, and Kangtega, where we will stop to soak in the spectacular views. Our path continues through birch and rhododendron forests before descending to Tashinga & Losasa village, where we stop for lunch.
After lunch, we descend for approximately 1 hour until we reach a wooden suspension bridge over the Imja Khola. From here, our path climbs for approximately 3 hours to Tengboche, the cultural and religious center for the people of Khumbu. Beautiful water-driven prayer wheels line the trail, which switchbacks through fir forests. We take this climb slowly due to the altitude; each stop brings stunning views of Kwangde and Kangtega, with a chance of spotting a Golden Eagle. A painted arch, said to cleanse visitors before entering this sacred area, marks the end of our climb and the entrance to Tengboche. Our effort is rewarded by one of the best viewpoints in the world: Kwangde, Taboche Peak, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku form a spectacular Himalayan panorama.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 06 : Tengboche / Dingboche (4343 m / Approx. 5 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we leave Tengboche as the trail drops through a conifer forest past the small settlement of Deboche and a small nunnery. We continue through rhododendron and bamboo forests draped with Old Man’s Beard lichen. After crossing the Imja Khola on a steel bridge, the trail passes musk deer and yak pastures as it ascends past magnificently carved Mani stones to Pangboche (3860 m), where we stop for lunch.
During the lunch break, there is a chance to visit the Gompa at upper Pangboche, the oldest in the Khumbu, which once contained relics said to be the skull and hand of a Yeti (stolen in 1991). After lunch, we continue along the yak pastures, passing beneath the towering peak of Ama Dablam. After crossing the Lobuche Khola on a wooden bridge, the path follows the Imja Khola, climbing and dipping until we reach Dingboche, the highest permanently inhabited village in the Khumbu, where we will stay for the night.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 07 : Dingboche – Acclimatization day
Breakfast at Lodge.
We have the day free to rest and allow for further acclimatization in preparation for climbing Kala Patthar. There will be an opportunity to walk up the valley to Chhukung (4743 m), a small summer village on the way to Island Peak Base Camp, which is about a 3 to 4 hours’ walk. The views from Chhukung are stunning — looking down the valley, we see Numbur Khatang and Karyolung majestically rising above Kwangde, while Taboche Peak and Cholatse rise to the right. Ama Dablam and the fluted snow wall above the Chhukung Glacier feel within touching distance. The rest of the day is free to explore further or relax and take in the surroundings.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 08 : Dingboche / Dug Hla / Lobuche (4930 m / Approx. 5 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we walk up a small ridge and follow the contour around the base of the Khumbu Glacier up the valley until we reach Dughla (4600 m). After lunch, we have a tough 1-hour climb to the terminal moraine of the glacier, where we will enjoy stunning views. Our trail passes through the famous Sherpa Memorial (a row of stone monuments) and memorials to world-class climbers, built to commemorate the many climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives on Everest expeditions. We continue around the glacier to camp at the foot of the Lobuche icefall. Tonight, we can enjoy the sunset on Nuptse — a truly memorable sight from Lobuche.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 09 : Lobuche / Kala Patthar (5545 m) / Gorakshep (5288 m / Approx. 8 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After an early start, we follow a trail along the western side of the broad Khumbu Valley, which ascends gently through meadows beside the glacial moraine. The climb becomes steeper and the ground rougher as it crosses several side moraines. Though the actual distance is not great, we will take it very slowly to compensate for the altitude, stopping at Gorakshep (which acted as a base camp for past Everest expeditions) for hot drinks and biscuits.
We then climb Kala Patthar. This is a hard climb and a true challenge, but the views from the top will be worth every step, surrounded by a massive glacial ice flow. The mountains of Pumori (7145 m), Lingtren (6697 m), and Khumbutse (6623 m) separate us from Tibet, and just over the Lho La pass, we can see the huge rock of Changtse (7550 m) in Tibet itself. But the queen of them all is Sagarmatha (Everest), towering above everything. After savoring 360° views of these Himalayan giants, we descend to Gorakshep for the night.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 10 : Gorakshep / Everest Base Camp / Lobuche (4930 m / Approx. 8 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we follow the Khumbu moraine glaciers to Everest Base Camp. The trail alternates between stony moraine and the glacier surface itself. Views include 15-meter-high ice towers, a feature unique to Himalayan glaciers. Upon reaching Base Camp, we catch a glimpse of the Khumbu Icefall and crystal-clear glaciers. We will also see the Everest expedition teams who stay here to acclimatize before attempting to ascend Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Lhotse Shar. We then descend to Lobuche for the night.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 11 : Lobuche / Pheriche / Tengboche (3875 m / Approx. 6 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we retrace our steps to Dughla, descending most of the way. We cross a small wooden bridge and continue down the Pheriche Valley. We will make a short stop at the hospital here before continuing back to Tengboche.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 12 : Tengboche / Khumjung (3790 m / Approx. 5 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Hotel.
After breakfast, we begin with a steep descent to the bridge at Phunki Thenga/Phunki Khola on the same path we climbed earlier in the week. After crossing the bridge, we climb through rhododendron and blue pine forests until we reach Khumjung, a picturesque village inhabited predominantly by the Sherpa people. There will be an opportunity to visit the beautiful monastery here.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 13 : Khumjung / Phakding (Approx. 7 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we start the day with a visit to the “Schoolhouse in the Clouds,” a secondary school founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. This was the first school built by the Himalayan Trust after Hillary’s successful ascent of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on May 29, 1953. After the visit, we trek along a relatively flat trail to Syangboche and then descend to Namche. From here, we retrace our steps to Phakding, stopping at Jorsalle for lunch.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 14 : Phakding / Lukla (Approx. 3–4 hrs. walk)
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, we continue our descent along the Dudh Koshi River. As we near Lukla, the trail makes a steep ascent for approximately 45 minutes. You will have free time to explore Lukla Bazaar. Tonight we stay in Lukla to prepare for our flight back to Kathmandu tomorrow morning.
Overnight at Mountain Lodge (Tea House) on a Full Board basis.
Day 15 : Lukla / Kathmandu
Breakfast at Lodge.
After breakfast, take a scenic 45-minute flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting). Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will meet you outside the arrival terminal building and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 16 : Kathmandu
Breakfast at Hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath Stupa.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: Founded between 1069 and 1083 AD, this complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples was built primarily between 1200 and 1768 AD and served as the seat of the ancient Malla kings. Main attractions include the Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap, and Kumari Ghar (home of the Living Goddess).
Swoyambhunath Stupa: An ancient Buddhist stupa sitting atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu. Believed to be over 2,000 years old, legend says Manjushree discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake at this site. Main attractions include the Great Stupa, the 365 steps, the Pratapur and Anantapur Temples, and the Manjushree Temple alongside numerous small chortens.
Overnight at Hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 17 : Kathmandu / Departure
Breakfast at Hotel.
Free time until airport transfer for your onward flight.
OR
Have a question in mind ?
Send a question to the tour agent to find out more.
What’s Covered
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Taken Care Of
Tour Portion:-
- 3 nights’ accommodation on single occupancy on a Bed & Breakfast basis in Kathmandu.
- Airport–hotel–airport transfers by AC car with an English-speaking escort.
- City tours by AC car with an English-speaking guide in Kathmandu.
- Monument entrance fees.
- Applicable Govt. Taxes.
Trek Portion:-
- 13 nights’ accommodation on single occupancy at mountain lodges (Tea House) on full board basis.
- Service of English speaking trekking guide and porter.
- Meals ( 3 meals a day) breakfast, lunch, dinner during the trekking.
- Trek permits.
- Everest Conservation Area Permit Fee & TIMS Fee.
- Round-trip airfare Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu.
- Sleeping Bag.
- Government taxes.
What You’ll Need to Cover
- Any services not mentioned in the program.
- Personal expenses.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- International flight tickets.
- Additional meals and beverages.