Everest Base Camp

DAY 1: KATHMANDU – LUKLA  After breakfast at our hotel we drive to the Domestic Airport to fly to Lukla. From here we trek to the village of Phakding. The trail descends northwest to the village of Choblung in the Dudh Kosi Valley. The trail is easy and follows the river’s course, passing through Ghat and finally leads to the small village of Phakding for our overnight stay.  Flight Time 35 minutes  Trek 3 hours  Guest House  Altitude 2623m    

DAY 2: PHAKDING – NAMCHE BAZAAR  The trail heads beside the Dudh Kosi and continues upstream along the banks to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi. After crossing the large suspension bridge, the trail starts ascending through pine tree forests to reach the distinctive horse-shoe shaped bowl village of Namche Bazaar where we stop for our overnight stay. There is a Sherpa Museum in Namche which details their home life and mountaineering achievements. Today there is a long uphill section in the afternoon, however there are fantastic photographic opportunities on the way as the peaks of Everest (8848m),   Lhotse (8511m), Nuptse (7879m), Arna Dablam (6856m) and Taweche (6542m) come into view for the first time.   Trek 6 hours  Guest House  Altitude 3440m    

DAY 3: ACCLIMATISATION DAY IN NAMCHE BAZAAR  Rest day for acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. As the name suggest, Namche is famous for its local market or bazaar. Rising early, those who climb to the ridge above Namche will be rewarded with the stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu peaks with views of Everest, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. The day can be spent exploring this colourful village, walking along the Thami Valley in the afternoon or visiting the National Park    Headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture.   Guest House  Altitude 3440m    

DAY 4: NAMCHE BAZAAR – TENGBOCHE  Today is fantastic walking with stunning views throughout, as we follow a fairly flat route in the morning, followed by a steep ascent into Tengboche. Tengboche is a lovely town with a bakery and famous monastery that we can visit.  Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 3867m    

DAY 5: TENGBOCHE – PANGBOCHE  Today is a very short walk although the altitude can make for slow going. Despite being a short day the route takes us through some wonderful scenery. The day begins with a steep descent out of Tengboche through rhododendrons and the village of Deboche. We then cross another of precariously perched bridges before beginning the steep ascent to Pangboche itself. This final ascent takes us past some magnificent Gompas with tremendous views back to Tengboche where the monastery dominates the ridge.   Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 4252m    

DAY 6: PANGBOCHE – DINGBOCHE  We continue on a relatively easy track as we clear the tree line and are rewarded with uninterrupted mountain views. The final section of the track is the steepest but relatively short and it should not pose a problem.  Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 4350m    

DAY 7 : DINGBOCHE – DUGLHA  Today we have a short but very picturesque walk to Duglha beginning with a steep ascent out of Dingboche onto the ridge above Pheriche. On reaching the Gompa on the top of the hill we are rewarded with fantastic views of the previous days trek as well as views of the Cho La pass and Labouche peak. From here our trail is very easy and relatively flat and affords uninterrupted views. Duglha is reached around lunch time and is situated just below the Khumbu Glacier.  Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 4350m    

DAY 8: DUGLHA – LOBUCHE  We have a steep climb in the morning up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and up over the snow line. We pass by a set of memorials to climbers – a fitting tribute to those who have risked everything on their attempts to summit Everest. From here we have a very beautiful and easy walk into Lobuche, and again we are treated to spectacular views of the mountains.  Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 4930m    

DAY 9: LOBUCHE – EVEREST BASE CAMP – GORAKSHEP  It is from Lobuche that we make the attempt to get to Base Camp. Depending on conditions we will either make the attempt today (a long walk of approximately 9 hours) or we will stop for lunch at Gorak Shep and climb Kala Patthar in the afternoon, weather permitting. Due to the now severe altitude and ever changing weather conditions it will be the decision of the Expedition Leader in consultation with the doctor as to which of the options we take, but any decision will be with the safety of the whole group in mind.  Trek 9 hours  Guest House  Everest Base Camp 5364m  Altitude 5288m    

DAY 10: GORAKSHEP – EVEREST BASE CAMP – KALA PATHAR – LOBUCHE  As above  Trek 9 hours  Guest House  Altitude 5545m    

DAY 11: LOBUCHE – TENGBOCHE  Today we retrace our steps back to Tengboche and we should now find the going easier due to acclimatisation. We head back through Pheriche and visit the HRA clinic where those that wish can take part in the medical survey being carried out there by the medical staff looking at the effects of altitude. It is a quick and painless process involving eye checks and the measurement of oxygen saturation levels in the blood. The survey will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the effects of altitude on the human body and how to prevent some of its life threatening effects. The afternoon is a magnificent walk and is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the true extent of the trek we have undertaken so far.  Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 4930m    

Day 12: TENGBOCHE – KHUMJUNG  Today we follow an easy path although there are a couple of steep sections. We will arrive in Khumjung at lunchtime, it is a wonderful tranquil place and home of the Sherpa’s. It has been well supported over the years by mountaineers and has beautiful well maintained tea houses and a superb bakery, which is guaranteed to have your favourite cake and decent coffee to boot. In the afternoon we will visit the Sherpa Heritage Museum.   Trek 5 hours  Guest House  Altitude 3780m    

DAY 13: KHUMJUNG – LUKLA  A good days walking with some very steep downhill sections. This is our final day in the Khumbu and there should be plenty of free time for reflection and to soak up our last views of the highest mountains in the world.   Trek 8 hours  Guest House  Altitude 2623m    

DAY 14: LUKLA – KATHMANDU  We fly back to Kathmandu and Rest for the day.  Flight Time 35 minutes