Everest Base Camp Trek

It’s time to get up, zip up your suitcase and fly from your chosen UK airport into the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. The holiday starts straight away with a special welcome from our concierge at the airport and an inclusive transfer directly to your 4 star hotel. Flights usually arrive in the late morning (although schedules can change) which gives you plenty of time to make yourself comfortable in your hotel room, enjoy some refreshments and explore part of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu is spectacular so we always like to include a full day for you to explore the capital and its surrounding areas. This breathtaking city has boomed in recent years becoming a busy modern city with a rich medieval heart. There is so much to see and do from exploring the bustling streets, doing a bit of shopping, tasting incredible food all before relaxing in your hotel garden with a cup of Nepalise tea in one hand and a tasty cake in the other.

While you’re in Kathmandu, make the most of the day and visit Thamel, one of the commercial neighborhoods in the city famous for its shops. Thamel is an easy walk from almost anywhere in Kathmandu and is the best place to pick up some souvenirs to take home!

Say goodbye to Kathmandu – for now! – and take a 30 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. This small town has become a huge hit for trekkers thanks to the new airport and its great accommodation options close to the hiking trails. As soon as you arrive you’ll feel instantly ready for tomorrow’s trekking adventure, with mountains filling your eye line everywhere you look.

The first day of your Everest Base Camp Trek starts easy setting off from Lukla. Trekking for around 3 hours you will pass through the north end of Lukla into the village of Cheplung where you will get to witness your first sights of earthquake damage. As you continue north from Cheplung you’ll catch views of the Dudh Kosi roaring along the bottom of the valley before crossing a swaying metal suspension bridge that leads to the village of Thadokoshi. After a short rest and a quick explore of the area you will then head into the village of Pakding where you will stay for 1 night.

This 5 and a half hour trek shows you following the trail north across Dudh Kosi Valley, meandering through the pines about 100 metres above the west bank of the river. Crossing the Ghatte Khola by a small hydroelectric project, the trail climbs up over the ridge to the tiny village of Toktok. From here it’s a short climb to a fine view of Thamserku, the 6608m peak that rises to the east of Namche Bazaar. You will then follow the trail into Benkar where you can see stunning waterfalls and rock paintings on the cliffs above.

Heading north from Benkar you’ll pass through the villages of Chumoa and Monjo before heading through the Sagarmatha National Park and crossing a suspension bridge into the village of Jorsale. From here you’ll climb another drooping suspension bridge which floats above the Dudh Kosi before enduring a zigzagging ascent through dense pine forests where you will witness your first glimpse of Everest. Once you reach the stone steps of upper Namche Bazaar you can set down your pack for a night of rest.

You can spend day 5 resting your feet or exploring the area a little further, but it is important to ensure you give your body chance to climatize to the altitude. There are numerous short walks through the hills around Namche that are great at getting a feel for the area. One side trip you can take is a 6 hour walk from Namche to Thame while another is a 4-hour trek through the Sherpa villages of Khumbu.

You will leave Namche Bazaar and make your way towards Tengboche. There are several routes to choose from but a particular favourite is to climb to Shyangboche and Khumjung which helps avoid the repetition on the journey back.

Take another rest day in Tengboche and make sure to give the famous Tengboche Gompa a visit. This is the largest and most active monastery in the Kumbu and is currently being restored after taking some damage in the earthquake. You can also climb the prayer-flag-strewn hill above the Hotel Himalayan or take a hike to the nunnery at Debuche.

Leaving Tengboche you will make a 3-and-a-half-hour trek to Pheriche. On the way you will pass through some villages like Milinggo and Pangboche where you can see more evidence of the earthquake. You can visit the Pangboche Gompa on your way, the oldest monastery in Kumbu which was recently restored in 2010. Heading north from Pangboche, you will then follow the path into Shomare and then Orsho before finally making your way into Pheriche.

Take another rest day in Pheriche to aid the acclimatisation process. There is plenty to explore in this area as well as several interesting hikes to places like the Nangkartshang Hermitage, a collection of retreats built around the meditation cave of Sange Dorje. A slightly longer excursion could take you to Chhukung and the famous Chhukung Ri which gives you fairy-tale views of peaks including Ama Dablam, Baruntse and Makalu.

Follow the wide trail north from Pheriche along the valley floor and within an hour you will reach the seasonal village of Phulaji Kala with its scattered stone goths and huge bowl of a valley. Continuing for another hour you will drop down to a glacial stream rising up the other side of Dughla.

Another short 2.5 hour trek today leaving Dughla and heading directly up the gravelly terminal moraine of the Khumba Glacier. At the top of the ridge the path bears left and you can see memorials decorating the hill to remember lost climbers and Sherpas. As you cross the ridge, the perfect peak of Pumori soars into view before finally making your way into Lobuche and its tangle of lodges. While you are here, it is worth climbing the ridge east of the village to see your first views of the Khumba Glacier.

Follow the trail from Lobuche through the narrow gap between the glacial moraine and the mountain wall, past the turn off to the Italian Pyramid and take a moment to look out over the Khumbu Glacier. You will take a couple of short but steep climbs and a 45 minute traverse of the terminal moraine of the Changri Shar Glacier before reaching the Gorak Shep.

Making your way from Gorak Shep, you will finally trek into the Everest Base Camp. This 6-hour climb is a scramble over an ever-changing path across the Khumbu Glacier starting at the north end of the sandpit at Gorak Shep. Make sure to keep your eye out for tiny pika (mouse-hares) on your journey that are often seen scurrying between boulders on the path. The base camp will be easy to spot with its brightly coloured domed tents and prayer flags wedges between rocks at the bottom of the Khumbu icefall. On your way back down to Gorak Shep, detour south to the lower ridge to look down over two glacial lakes that form the base camp for Pumori.

With only a 2 hour trek back to Lobuche, you can visit Kala Pattar if you make it up early or take it easy and retrace your footsteps back to your accommodation in Lobuche.

Take your time today over the downhill stroll to Pheriche. Continue down the moraine to Dughla and drop to the bridge over the gushing stream that flows out of the glacier.

Drop down the valley to Orsho and follow the west bank to the Imja Khola to Shomare and on to Pangboche. For a bit of variety you could also take a detour through Phortse, a sprawling Sherpa village on the flat-topped ridge overlooking the confluence of the Imja Khola and Dudh Kosi.

From Tengboche, retrace your steps down to Phunki Thenga then climb the ridge towards Namche Bazaar. You can follow the level trail along the ridge to Chhorkung or take the path that climbs steeply up the ridge above Sanasa to Khumjung.

Your last day of the trek back to Lukla. You will start the journey heading downhill from Mache to the Dudh Kosi before crossing the high suspension bridge and following the path level to Jorsale. From here, it’s an easy run through Benkar and Phakding to Lukla.

Celebrate your achievement with a few drinks at one of the bars in Kathmandu after boarding your flight.

Time to leave the kingdom of Nepal with a heavy heart