Everest Base Camp Trek

We tour Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath stupa and Boudhanath stupa which are all world heritage sites. The Durbar Square sheds light on the life of the royals in ancient times. Pashupatinath temple is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for all Hindus. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, we are introduced to our fellow participants and discuss our trip at Adventure Series Nepal’s office. Overnight in Kathmandu.

We take an early morning flight to Lukla which is where all Everest treks begin. We meet the rest of our team in Lukla and start trekking from there. We walk on a trail that gradually descends to Cheplung village from where we get a glimpse of Mt. Khumbila, a sacred mountain which has never been climbed. From here, we gradually descend until Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.

We hike through a pine forest and follow a northern trail up the Benkar valley. We cross the Dudh Koshi River and pass through Chumoa and Monjo villages before reaching the entrance of Everest National Park. Crossing a suspension bridge, we continue alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, ascending on a steep trail until we reach Namche Bazaar, the largest town in the Everest region. We spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

We have the opportunity to explore Namche Bazaar, the main town of the Everest or Khumbu region. It offers various amenities such as government offices, ATMs, internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a vibrant market. We can embark on a hike to Sagarmatha National Park and witness a breathtaking sunrise over the majestic Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and more. For a day excursion, we can trek to Khumjung village. Today, we also have the chance to visit the Hillary School and a monastery that houses a fascinating yeti scalp. We will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

The trek from our starting point to Phunki is relatively easy. From there, we begin our ascent towards Tengboche village, home to the renowned Tengboche monastery, the largest monastery in the Everest region. Situated in the breathtaking Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. If we arrive at Tengboche by 3 o'clock, we can witness a Buddhist religious ceremony as the monastery opens at that time. We will spend the night in Tengboche.

As we continue our trek, the trail takes us through verdant forests adorned with birch, conifer, and rhododendron trees. Along the way, we are treated to magnificent views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Descending, we reach Debuche and cross the Imja River, eventually arriving at Pangboche. Opting for the upper Pangboche trail, we are rewarded with stunning vistas of the Himalayas and the Pangboche Monastery. Continuing our journey, we traverse the Imja Valley and the Lobuche River before ascending to Dingboche. This charming village greets us with picturesque barley, potato, and buckwheat fields, adorned with grazing animals scattered across the landscape.

Taking a day to acclimatize to the high altitude, we spend our time in Dingboche. Rather than remaining idle, we embark on a climb up a ridge situated behind the village. From there, we are rewarded with breathtaking views of six of the world's tallest peaks, including Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. Additionally, the majestic Cholatse and Taboche peaks captivate our gaze. Towards the northwest, more Himalayan peaks rise above the Khumbu Khola Valley, with Lobuche West, Lobuche East, and Lhotse standing prominently. Another vantage point on the ridge allows us to admire the picturesque Imja Khola Valley and the charming Dingboche village itself. We spend the night in Dingboche, rejuvenated by the stunning scenery.

We trek through a wide pass, enjoying the majestic presence of the Himalayas surrounding us. As we approach Dusa, the valley begins to narrow. We pass the campsite where the first successful Everest Expedition took place in 1953 and catch glimpses of Mt. Pumori. Our trail descends, and we say farewell to Mt. Pumori as we cross a stream and make our way to Duglha, a small village adorned with prayer flags across the valley. Ascending from Duglha, we reach the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Continuing our trek, we traverse boulder-strewn slopes, ascending Chupki Lhara, a ridge offering breathtaking mountain views. The ridge is adorned with prayer flags and memorial shrines for climbers who lost their lives on Mt. Everest. Descending to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, we are greeted by magnificent peaks such as Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal, with Mt. Nuptse is also visible as we cross the glacier. We spend the night in Lobuche.

The trek to Everest Base Camp is relatively manageable, but it involves ascending and descending on a glacier path and navigating rough terrains. As we approach the base camp, we are greeted by fascinating melt patterns and the captivating sight of gently rounded ice towers on the upper section of the Khumbu glacier. The Everest Base Camp itself is a breathtakingly beautiful location. We are treated to awe-inspiring views of mountains such as Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. After taking in the scenery and immersing ourselves in the experience, we begin our return journey towards Gorak Shep, where we will spend the night. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

We rise early in the morning to embark on the ascent to Kala Patthar. The surroundings are dark, with cold temperatures and possibly chilly winds. We make our way up a moderately steep trail at a comfortable pace. During the climb, we are treated to views of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse mountains. The summit of Kala Patthar offers an outstanding panoramic view. We can behold the world's tallest mountain, Everest, along with other magnificent Himalayan peaks. After spending some time at the summit, we make our way back to Gorak Shep, which is relatively easier compared to the ascent. For trekkers visiting Everest Base Camp, they start their day with an early breakfast as the hike to the base camp is longer than the ascent to Kala Patthar. After returning to Gorak Shep, both groups have lunch together. Following lunch, we descend to Pheriche, where we will spend the night. Overnight in Pheriche.

Today's trek involves descending approximately 2,000 feet in elevation, traversing a trail with varied terrain. We make our way through a hillside adorned with rhododendron and juniper trees, crossing a bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. Descending swiftly through a pine forest, we have the opportunity to spot mountain goats, pheasants, and other wildlife and birds native to the area. Eventually, the path leads us to Sansa, where we can admire the scenic views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse mountains. We continue our journey on winding trails and through another forest before reaching Namche Bazaar. We spend the night in Namche Bazaar, completing our day's trek.

Today marks the start of our trek to Namche Bazaar, navigating rocky terrain. The majority of the trek involves descending along a trail that runs parallel to the Dudh Koshi River. We cross several suspension bridges and pass by monasteries and villages along the way. Finally, we reach Lukla, where we will spend the remainder of the day resting. It is worth noting that today marks our final day in the mountains. We spend the night in Lukla, preparing for the next phase of our journey.

After completing our long and rewarding mountain journey, we board an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we have the option to rest and recuperate or engage in some souvenir shopping. If we wish to explore other areas of Kathmandu, our guides are available to assist and provide recommendations. In the evening, we come together for a special farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. We spend the night in Kathmandu, cherishing the memories made during our adventure.

We have allocated one contingency day in our itinerary to account for any potential flight cancellations due to adverse weather conditions in the Lukla sector. This additional day ensures that we have flexibility and can adjust our plans accordingly. Additionally, after completing our challenging and exhilarating two-week trek, we have planned a rest day in Kathmandu. This day allows us to relax, recharge, and reflect on our incredible journey in the mountains. We can take this opportunity to explore more of Kathmandu, engage in souvenir shopping, or visit various cultural and historical sites in the city. By incorporating this contingency day and relaxation day, we ensure that our itinerary is flexible, providing a buffer for any unexpected situations while also allowing us to fully enjoy and experience the vibrant city of Kathmandu before concluding our adventure.

On the final day of our itinerary, we make arrangements for a transfer to the airport in Kathmandu in order to catch our respective flights back to our home countries. This marks the end of our incredible journey in Nepal.