Everest base camp is one of the most attempted treks by people from all over the world. Everest base camp is a beautiful trek in the land of Nepal. It is very scenic and anyone who appreciates sighting tall and huge mountains very closely would fall in love with this trek. The trek to the base camp has much folklore, stories of legendary mountaineers who attempted the mighty Everest, successful as well as unsuccessful attempts. During our attempt to the base camp each day we feel the personal connect with the mighty peak Everest and approaching its base camp also causes goose bumps...!!
We complete this trek in 14 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
Day 1) Delhi to Kathmandu (4,585 feet) (1hour 40mins) to Thamel (20mins drive)
Take the flight from Delhi to Kathmandu which generally takes an hour and 40mins to land at the Tribhuvan International airport – Kathmandu. From here we get into the taxis for a 15 to 20mins drive to Thamel. We spend the evening taking the relevant permits and permissions for the trek. After these formalities are dealt with, we have a team briefing in which the route and entire trek schedule will be shared with everyone.
Day 2) Thamel to Kathmandu to Lukla (9,250 feet) (25mins flight time) to Phakding (8,700 feet) (8kms/ 5hours)
Today we drive back to Kathmandu airport and take the first flight to Tenzing-Hillary airport – Lukla. Landing in Lukla airport is an adventure in itself. Due to unpredicted weather conditions, we need to ensure to take the first flight to Lukla.
After this short flight, we will trek for 5 hours to Phakding. Our trek for today will be descending through a small forest trail followed by the local villages.
Day 3) Phakding to Namche bazaar (9kms/ 7 – 8hours) (8,700 feet – 11,300 feet)
The really trekking starts from today and it will get tougher in the days ahead.
We will cross a suspension bridge with gradual downhill and uphill climbs at the start. We will be trekking mostly through the forests this day. We reach the Monjo village after about 3hours of trekking and enter the ‘Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO World heritage site)’. Another 3 to 4 kms of a steep climb through the forests and we reach the picturesque bridge right over the Dudh-kosi river. From here we can see peaks like the Kangde Ri (19,700 feet) and Thamsekru (22,020 feet) along with the mighty Everest (28,980 feet) for the first time.
Day 4) Namche Bazaar acclimatization day
Acclimatization Day. Namche Bazar is at 11,300 Ft and we trek further up to 17,600 feet tomorrow, hence a rest day is most important.
Today’s acclimatization walk to Everest view hotel is very important. Our body needs to get used to the low O2 levels and physical strain of trekking. Once we are back, we can explore Namche bazaar as well.
Day 5) Namche to Tengboche (10.5kms/ 5-6hours) (11,300 feet – 12,690 feet)
Today’s trek will be moderate, and we will be able to complete it in 5 to 6 hours.
We make it to the top of the Namche bazaar market after half an hour of the trek. A comfortable trek for a couple of hours and we reach Shanasa. An hour’s decent and we reach the Imjatse river. We will rest here for an hour.
An hour from here and we reach the Buddhist entrance of Tengboche. This will be our night halt point.
Day 6) Tengboche to Dengboche (12kms/ 5-6hours) (12,690 feet – 14,500 feet
After crossing a few scattered homes and lodges, we cross the river over a bridge. After trekking through the forest patch filled with trees like Himalayan birch, rhododendron, Fir, Juniper etc, we reach the beautiful Deboche. From Deboche we get the amazing views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.
After this we trek mostly uphill to reach the mini gate from where we have 2 route options to choose from. We take the route that goes from Pangboche as this route is more beautiful. We reach Dengboche and retire for the rest of the day.
Day 7) Dengboche – Acclimatization day
Today we rest to acclimatize.
Day 8) Dengboche to Lobuche (11.5kms/ 6-7hours)(14,500 feet – 16,250 feet)
Today we will pass the famous Khumbu glacier.
The first hour of the trek is an easy gradual trek to the Tibetan Mani (a symbol built in remembrance for someone). A gentle trek down and we reach the plains of Pheriche – the Himalayan Rescue Association. The route takes us through Phangboche which has amazing views of Ama Dablam right above us. After Pheriche, we cross the Khumbu glacier. The famous Scott Fisher’s memorial also can be seen here.
Day 9) Lobuche to Gorekshep to Everest base camp and return to Gorekshep (15kms/ 8hours) (16,250 feet – 17,000 feet – 17, 650 feet – 17,000 feet)
Today’s trek is the longest distance we will cover.
We trek mostly on the glacier till we reach Gorekshep.
From here the trek to Everest base camp is a strenuous climb of a few hours.
On reaching the base camp we spend some time, click some pictures and start our descent back to Gorekshep. Everest Base Camp’ is the closest we get to the world’s highest peak “EVEREST”. Spending time here is a must for every mountain lover.
Day 10) Gorekshep to Kalla pathar and back (4kms) & Gorakshepto Pheriche (15.5kms/ 7hours) (17,000 feet – 18,625 feet – 14,250 feet)
Today we will trek to the highest point of our trek- Kalla pathar scaling up till an altitude of 18,625 feet. We trek for about an hour, climbing on a steep route.
After this steep climb we have gradual and easy ascends opening up the best views of the mighty Mt. Everest.
Post some rest, we pick up our stuff and we start our descend. It will be a long trek descending to Pheriche.
Day 11) Pheriche to Namche bazaar (14.5kms/ 7 to 8 hours) (14,250 feet –11,300 feet)
Today will be a gentle descend of 6 to 7 hours, followed by an ascend to reach Namche. We cross the Himalayan ranges once again retracing to our stay for the night.
Day 12) Namche to Phakding to Lukla (18kms/ 8 to 9 hours) (11,300 feet –9,250 feet)
Post a good breakfast we can spend some time in Namche bazaar before we head for Lukla. Trekkers generally do some local shopping from here before we start our trek to Lukla.
This would be an 18kms stretch today to get to lukla. We trek down to Phakding and continue our descend to Lukla.
Day 13) Lukla to Kathmandu
From Lukla we proceed towards the airport to board our 35mins flight to Kathmandu. From there we head straight to our hotel and check-in. The entire day is free for everyone to plan as they please. We will have a closing ceremony in the evening.
Day 14) Check out from the hotel and head to the airport
We check out from the hotel latest by 10.30am and take a drop at the airport to catch our respective flights.
*NOTE – We generally opt for the Tara Airlines to book our 2 way tickets as per our itinerary. However, the airline operator holds the right to change/ re-schedule/ cancel the flight due to weather, security or any other reason that may deem fit to them. The carrying baggage limit is 10kgs and the hand baggage limit is 5kgs.
Total trek distance – 120 (including walk’s on rest/ acclimatization days) Inclusions:
1. Meals - All the meals from Lukla to Lukla.
2. Accommodation – Hotel in Kathmandu: Day 1 & Day 13.
3. Tea-house stays on the trek on double / triple sharing basis with proper bedding – 11 nights
4. Flights & Airport transfers- As per the itinerary: Kathmandu to Lukla on Day 2 and return on Day 13.
5. Necessary permits and entry fees along with TIMS card per trekker
6. A certified wilderness first aid responder for any medical emergencies
7. An experienced and certified skilled mountaineer as the trek leader
8. 2 guide for a group of maximum 12-14 trekkers. Generally it is 1 guide to about 6 members.
9. All our guides and trek leads are professionally trained/ skilled and have many years of relevant experience in guiding and leading treks.
10. Toilets – well maintained, clean and hygienic
11. First aid medical kit with medical assistance for the trekkers
12. Oxygen cylinder with oxy meter for a close daily check-up
13. Camping & trekking permits and permissions from the local administrations/ authorities
Exclusions:
1. Service tax 5% (as per the current in GST)
2. Porter/mule charges to carry your personal bags/ offloads
3. Any meals/services not mentioned above
4. Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
5. Insurance
6. Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
7. Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
8. Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.