Everest Base Camp trek
The iconic 12 days hike to Everest Base Camp including 2 extras days in Kathmandu
Briefing
The classic 14-day trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular tours in Nepal. The trek itself takes 12 days to cover the 80 miles (130km) from Lukla to Everest Base Camp and back. During the trek, all services are included (food, accommodation at selected hotel/guesthouse, permits, guide...). Additionally, the tour includes 2 days at 3 stars hotel in Kathmandu and airport transfers, completing a once in a lifetime adventure.
Please note that the tour can be modified to suit your needs, e.g. change the accommodations or the itinerary. Simply let us know your requirements when requesting a quote so that we can offer you the proposal that best suits your preferences.
This iconic tour offers the views to some of the great peaks of the Himalayas, such as Everest, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse and others, but that's not all. You will live an immersion in the Sherpa culture, and along the route you will visit different monasteries.
You can book the tour in private service or join a group to share this experience with other travelers. You can also do this route in less days by booking the Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return.
Are you ready to live this adventure that combines nature and local culture to perfection? Keep reading and we will tell you all the details.
Tour details
Included
- All airport transfers
- Roundtrip flights between Kathmandu/Manthali and Lukla
- 2 nights in a double room in a 3* hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast included.
- 11 nights lodging in shared dorm during the tour
- Full board during the trek
- English speaking certified trekking guide
- Taxes, entrance and administrative fees to all cultural sites and national parks
- Luggage porter during trekking (1 porter per 2 travelers)
- Farewell dinner at a top notch restaurant!
- Welcome kit (map, cap, certificate...)
Not included
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- International flights and its airport departure tax
- Beverages
- Entry visa for Nepal
- Personal trekking equipment
- Travel insurance including emergency evacuation coverage at high altitude
- Tips
Important information
📆 To book this tour you have to request a quote: select your dates in the calendar, the number of passengers and tell us the details you consider. We will send you a personalized proposal without obligation.
Shared tours have a maximum group size of 14 people and include two guides. If the group is less than 8 people, only one guide is included.
During the months of March, April, May, October and November the domestic flight may depart from Manthali, in which case a private transfer will be included. During the months of July and August are the monsoon season and the tour does not operate due to bad weather.
This route has no age restrictions, but is demanding, so it is essential to be in good physical condition and have no medical condition that may be aggravated due to the altitude.
The domestic flight has a baggage limit of 33 lb (15 kg), each additional kilo has a cost of 2 to 5 USD.
It is mandatory to have a medical insurance with coverage for routes at very high altitudes.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 15 days before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, in case of no-show or not completing the tour, no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal.
You will be picked up at the international airport in Kathmandu and a transfer will take you to your 3* hotel located in the best area. Once you are settled in, you will have a meeting with your guide to coordinate all the details, check your equipment, documentation and get everything ready for the adventure. Obviously, he will also answer any last minute questions you may have.
This is the only activity planned for this day, as arrival times may vary. If your flight schedule allows and you feel like it, you can include a city tour and discover the main UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Flight from Kathmandu or Manthali to Lukla and trekking to Phakding
Difficulty: Medium.
Distance: 5 miles (8.2 Km).
Duration of the hike: 3 to 4 hours.
Elevation gain: from 1.400m (4,500 ft.) to 2.610m. (8,560 ft.)
Highlight: panoramic views during flight.
Depending on the season, the flight to Lukla will depart from Kathmandu or Manthali. In this case, a private transfer will take you from Kathmandu to Manthali. This journey takes 6 hours, so you will be picked up at 2 am.
A short flight (20-35 minutes) will take you to Lukla, where you will have breakfast with the whole group before starting the trek to Phakding. The hike starts following the Dudh Koshi River, passing several suspension bridges and picturesque Sherpa villages. Once we reach Ghat, we will start an ascent to Phakding, where we will spend the night.
Day 3: Trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Difficulty: Medium-high
Distance: 7.5 miles (12 Km)
Duration of the hike: 6 to 7 hours.
Elevation gain: from 2.610 m (8,563 ft.) to 3.441 m (11,289 ft.)
Highlight: Views of Mount Thamserku (6,608 m - 17,716 ft).
After breakfast, the first part of the trekking begins, which runs along the Dudh Koshi River, with no major ups or downs along the way, passing by suspension bridges and small villages. Afterwards, we will enter the Sagarmantha National Park. The second part of the trek is a 2.5 hour hike that offers views of the majestic Himalayas, from peaks above 6,000 m (19500 ft.) and glacial rivers to sacred stones and prayer flags. Finally, in the early afternoon we arrive at Namche Bazaar, a bustling Sherpa village.
Day 4: Acclimatization hike from Namche Bazaar to Everest View Hotel.
Difficulty: Medium.
Distance: 3.35 miles (5.4 km).
Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Elevation gain: from 3.441 m (11,289 ft.) to 3.880 m (12,730 ft.)
Highlight: views to Mount Everest.
Namche Bazaar is the trading centre in Everest Region, and due to its altitude and cultural heritage is the perfect location to do an acclimatization day to avoid altitude sickness.
The acclimatization trek begins with an ascent to the Everest Viewpoint, continues to the picturesque village of Syangboche (famous among trekkers for its captivating views) and continues on a flat trail to the Everest View Hotel. Once there, you will have breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.
Finally, we will return to Namche Bazaar to explore the town, have dinner together and spend the night in the same guesthouse as yesterday.
Day 5: Trekking from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Difficulty: High
Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Elevation gain: from 3,880 m (12,730 ft) to 3,860 m (12,664 ft).
Highlight: view of Tengboche monastery at sunset and the Himalayas in the background.
The trek begins on a rocky, descending path along the Dudh Koshi River to Kenjoma, crossing a rhododendron forest. We continue descending and reach Phunke Tenga, famous for its breathtaking views of mountains above 6,000 m such as Kangtega and Thamserku.
Once in Tengboche, we will visit the monastery, observe the Lamas performing a prayer ceremony and enjoy the views of the monastery and Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Nuptse on the background. This is one of those moments you will remember 💫
Day 6: Trekking from Tengboche to Dingboche
Difficulty: high
Distance: 7.1 miles (11.5 Km)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: from 3,860 m (12,664 ft.) to 4,410 m (14,468 ft.)
Highlight: Buddhist stupa and closer view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse.
We start the hike with a descent through the alpine forest to the village of Pangboche, famous for its agriculture and its views of the great massifs. Along the way, we will cross some suspension bridges.
From this point we start an ascent, we will cross Somare village and the last stretch will take us to Dingboche, during this part of the trek we will have a closer view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Lhotse. Finally, once in Dingboche, mountains like Peak 28, Island Peak and Ama Lapcha are still visible.
Day 7: Acclimatization route to Nangkartshang Peak
Difficulty: medium
Distance: 3.16 miles (5.1 km)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Elevation gain: from 4.410 m (14,468 ft.) to 5.083 m (16,684 ft.)
Highlight: Views of Ama Dablam from Nangkartsang Peak
As we did on the 4th day in Namche Bazaar, we will provide our body time to get used to the altitude and avoid altitude sickness.
So for this day only a short hike uphill to Nangkartsang peak is planned, reaching for the first time an altitude above 5000 m (exactly 16,684 ft). From the top of the peak we will have perfect views of Ama Dablam, as well as being able to observe other peaks such as Lhotse, Makalu or Cho Oyu.
Once back from trekking, we will have free time in Tengboche to get to know the village better or simply spend the afternoon in a teahouse and rest in the same accommodation as yesterday.
Day 8: Trekking from Dingboche to Lobuche
Difficulty: high
Distance: 5 miles (8 Km)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Elevation gain: from 4.410 m (14,468 ft.) to 4,910 m (16,109 ft.)
Highlight: The views of Thukla Pass and the climbers' memorial stones.
We start the day ascending the Khumbu Khola valley. We will walk along the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and arrive at the Thukla Pass. This place is not only famous for being one of the most popular viewpoints, but it is also a mystical place. Houses hundreds of small memorials to the souls of climbers, Sherpas and adventurers who have lost their lives in the Himalayas and it is decorated with the colorful prayer flag, the ones that comes to mind when thinking of Nepal.
Once we cross the Thukla pass we will notice a change in the landscape, more arid and rocky until we reach Lobuche, a village that offers privileged views of great mountains such as the Nuptse, Lobuche and Pumori.
Day 9: Everest Base Camp trek and overnight at Gorak Shep
Difficulty: high
Distance: 7.2 miles (11.7 Km)
Hiking time: 8-9 hours
Elevation gain: from 4,910 m (16,109 ft) to 5,364 m (17,598 ft.)
Highlight: Everest Base Camp
We will have breakfast and head to Everest Base Camp, passing through Gorak Shep, the village where we will spend the night. The trek continues through a rocky and undulating terrain, offering views of the Khumbu glacier and icefall.
The most awaited moment arrives: we are at the base of the world's highest mountain, the iconic Everest base camp, where we will see teams prepared to ascend to its summit. We could describe the feeling and the views, but it is something better experienced 😉
Day 10: Trekking to Kala Patthar and descent to Pheriche
Distance: 9.4 miles (15.2 km).
Hiking time: 8-9 hours.
Elevation gain: from 5,140 m (16863 ft.) to 5,555 m (18225 ft.).
Highlight: 360-degree views of Kala Patthar
The day begins with a demanding uphill trek that will take us to the highest point of the entire trek, the 5,555 m (18225 ft.) summit of Kala Patthar. Imagine the views of the Himalayas, at the foot of Everest, from a lookout point at such an altitude.
We will return by the same route, passing again through the tough Lobuche and Thukla pass, until we turn off to Pheriche, a village located at a lower altitude (4,240 m / 13,911 ft) and where we will spend the night.
Day 11: Trekking from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Difficulty: medium-high
Distance: 12.1 miles (19.5 km)
Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Elevation gain: from 4,240 m (14 ft.) to 3,441 m (11,3 ft.)
Highlight: Suspension bridges and forest hikes
The day's route is almost the longest of the entire tour, as it is downhill. We return to the valley and during the trek we will cross suspension bridges and walk through forests, a very different ecosystem than we have experienced in previous days.
After passing through some small villages, we will reach Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa town where we have already stayed on the outward journey.
Day 12: Trekking from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Difficulty: medium-high.
Distance: 12.4 miles (20 km).
Hiking time: 7-8 hours.
Elevation gain: from 3,441 m (11,3 ft.) to 2,840 m (9,3 ft.)
Highlight: Hillary Bridge and end of trekking celebration.
Get ready for the last stage of the 12-day march. We have 12.4 miles (20 km) ahead of us and, like yesterday, the long distance is allowed by the negative gradient.
We will follow the same route we did on the way up, but obviously in the opposite direction, so some places like small villages and the iconic Hilary Bridge will already be familiar to you.
The last part of the route has positive gradient (just to make sure you've hiked uphill long enough 🤣) and finally reaches Lukla, where in the evening we will go out to celebrate the successful completion of this adventure.
Day 13: Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu or Manthali + transfer.
As with the outbound flight, the return flight will take us directly to Kathmandu or only to Manthali, depending on the season and how crowded the Kathmandu airport is. In case the flight takes us to Manthali, there will be a 6-hour private transfer to Kathmandu. We give more details on this in the FAQ section.
Tonight we will stay at the same hotel as the first night in Kathmandu.
Day 14: Transfer from accommodation in Kathmandu to the international airport.
As on the first day, there are no activities planned on this day either, as the schedule of your international flight may vary. We also offer the possibility to include a cultural visit of Kathmandu.
Depending on your flight schedule, a private transfer will take you to the airport, ending this emblematic adventure.
What to bring to Everest Base Camp trek
During the route we will hike at high elevations, so you have to be prepared for changing weather, from walking in shorts to rainy and cold days. We will find laundries to wash your clothes, so you can reduce the number of pieces you carry.
- 4-season sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Personal backpack of 35 liters
- Hat
- Cap
- Neck warmer
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Thermal T-shirt (first layer)
- Fleece (second layer)
- Warm down jacket (available for rent)
- Goretex jacket (third layer)
- Thermal pants
- Mountain pants (2)
- Waterproof pants cover
- Mountain shorts
- Thin gloves
- Thick and waterproof gloves
- Thermal socks
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Pyjamas
- Flip flops
- Comfortable shoes
- Personal medication (include cough syrup)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Mosquito repellent
- Passport
- Photocopy of passport
- Refillable bottle and camelbag
- Toilet hygiene products
- Water purifier
- Towel
- High protein snacks
- Dry bag for documents
- Cash (15 USD per day)
In addition, during the winter season (November to March):
- Mini crampons
- Gaiters
Where does the tour Everest Base Camp trek start
The best way to get to Nepal is through Tribhuvan International Airport, located in Kathmandu. Once you land in Kathmandu, you will be picked up and will take you to your hotel in the city. At the end of the tour, a transfer to the airport is included, so you don't have to book any additional transfers.
Questions & Answers
Where does the flight to Lukla leave from?
During peak seasons (March, April, May, October and November), the flight will depart from Ramechhap/Manthali due to air traffic saturation in Kathmandu. During all other months, the flight will depart from Kathmandu. The dates indicated are for reference only, as they may change depending on the airline's decision.
Will the porters carry all my luggage?
One porter is assigned to every two travelers and will carry part of your luggage in special bags to protect it. You will have to carry with you a small backpack with what you need for each day's route.
Is it necessary to apply for a visa?
Yes, and you can get it easily upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, with a fee of 50 USD for the 30-day visa and 125 USD for the 90-day visa.
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