Everest Base Camp Trek - 13 days

you will begin your experience by flying from Kathmandu to Lukla. Flying over the Himalayas gives you inspiring views. From Lukla you will start the trek along the Dudh Koshi (Milk River). Along both sides of the trail are rhododendron forests and the aroma of evergreen oaks. As you start to see snowy peaks, the trek gradually becomes more challenging.

Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours

The start of the second day is easy but will grow to be harder. You will see your first view of Everest as you cross the Dudh Koshi. This way will lead you to a lunch break in Monjo. From there, the trail becomes steeper and higher in elevation towards Namche. Slow and steady is best! The end of day two will see you in Namche Bazaar. It is the main center of the Solu Khumbu region, providing you with shops, restaurants, hotels, and a bank and internet service. It is a fun place for both Sherpas and trekkers, to enjoy.

You can use your time to relax and explore Namche Bazaar. It is known as the Sherpa “capital”. Here you can have salt-butter tea and tsampa! The cultural Saturday Market is worth a visit. There is also a national park visitors centre perched on the east side of town that contains a museum.

Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours

An early start will lead you trekking to Thame. The neighboring village is Nauje which has a small Monastery for Tibetan nuns. Among many significant things, the Monastery has a stunningly beautiful prayer wheel, giant in size, carved and painted in dazzling Nepali colors. After the visit, you will head back in the direction of Namche Bazaar towards Khumbila. This village lies at the foot of the sacred peak, Khumbila. The Monastery here was established approximately 340 years ago, has the skull of a Yeti, popularly known as the Abominable Snowman.

Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours

You will begin the day by hiking along the old, but still used, Everest expedition trail. The way to Tengboche gives you a chance to spot some rich Himalayan wildlife like deer, pheasants and monkeys. This trail also has beautiful views of Ama Dablam peak, standing at 6856m. In the afternoon, the trail will lead you upwards through thick forest, home of the Tengboche Monastery. It is the largest, most active Monastery in Khumbu. Many young monks are living and receiving excellent education here. From the courtyard, you can see spectacular sunrises and sunsets over Mt. Everest. The Mani Rimdu (a Sherpa dance-drama festival) takes place here during the full moon in November-December.

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

The trail to Tengboche is very beautiful. You will walk with the lovely aroma of Juniper bushes. Beyond Tengboche the altitude starts to make itself felt. The trail drops down to Devuche, crosses the Imja Khola and climbs past many unique Mani stones in Pangboche. These stones have carvings of the Tibetan Buddhist chant (Om Mani Padme Hum) that virtually speak for themselves... Pangboche is where the Sherpas originally settled in Khumbu. Under pressure of famine or feudal warfare, they migrated from Kham in eastern Tibet. Pangboche Gompa is the original gompa established by Lama Dorje who guided the Sherpas from Kham into Khumbu. The gompa is worth visiting and for a donation the lama will show you some yeti relics. The village is nice to stop for lunch. The trail then climbs to Periche standing at 4240m.

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

At this altitude you will no longer see any trees. Only small bushes and rough grass is left. The extra height gives you unbelievable panoramic views of Mt.Everest and its neighbors. Below are some examples of how high the peaks are: Ama Dablam (6856m) Lhotse Shar (8382m) Pumori (7138m) Lhotse (8516m) Nuptse (7879m) Everest (8850m) Cho Oyu (8153m)

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

Day hike to Kalo Patthar (5550m) and back to Gorak Shep (5160m) the next destination is Kala Pathar, standing at 5550m (Kalo meaning black and Patthar meaning rock). There are more incredible views of Mount Everest and the Khumbu Glacier Valley. After a challenging day, you will trek back down to Gorak Shep, where you will find the last cluster of teahouses, a place to catch a meal and hopefully a warm sleep.

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours

The trail from Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp leads you along the renowned Khumbu icefall. You may encounter some exhibition parties here, shuttling supplies up the dangerous icefall to higher camps. You will have a chance to explore around the area before heading back to Lobuje for the night.

From Lobuje you will now be descending. It is a long but easy way down to Tengboche.

Trekking time: 4 to 5 hours

The direction on day eleven is back to Namche Bazaar. The trail follows down to the Dudh Kosi where there are a series of water-driven prayer wheels. The trek continues back to the Sagarmatha National Park through paths of Pine and Cedar woods and ends in the Chhumao village.

Trekking time: 4 to 5 hours

Further along the same trail, you will walk back to Lukla. You can take the time to relax and enjoy the people, shops and restaurants.

The flight back to Kathmandu leaves before 10:00 am. It can sometimes fluctuate according to weather conditions. In Kathmandu, you can reflect on your experience, put your feet up and relax.