Reference Code: EBCKNP
Trip Start: Kathmandu
Trek Start: Lukla
Trek Days: 13 Days
Maximum Altitude: 5550m.
Age: 10 years and above
Season: Spring, summer and Autumn
Accommodation: Lodge
Service: full board
Destination: Nepal
Trip End: Kathmandu
Trek End: Lukla
Trip Durations: 17 days
Physical Rating: Moderate
Group Size: 2-20
Theme: Walking and observation
Meals: Standard
Mount Everest Base Camp has been a popular destination for trekkers since the very first expeditions to the Nepalese side of Everest in the 1953. To reach this part of the Himalaya within a limited time, we have devised this two week trek to Everest Base Camp which runs directly to and from Lukla.
The Everest Base Camp trek, a very well known mountain trek, starts at the upper Phakding and follows the Dudh Kosi valley which climbs up to the Sherpa capital of Namche, a bustling bazaar that’s a junction for trekkers, the local Sherpa and expeditions en route to the mighty Mt. Everest. All along this part of the trail, villages are interspersed with magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia and giant firs. In both the early autumn and late spring, the flowers on this portion of the trek make it the kind of walk you will remember for a long, long time.
From Namche, we trek along a high traversing path where we have our first good views of Everest and then head towards Thyangboche Monastery, which is a 2 hour climb. The monastery sits at 3867m in a clearing surrounded by dwarf firs and rhododendrons. The monastery is structurally located on a ridge top with commanding views of the Everest landscape. The view from this spot, seen to best advantage in the morning, is absolutely mesmerizing and stunning and is rightly deemed to be one of the most magnificent in the world.
We then descend to the Imja Khola and continue to the villages of Pangboche and Pheriche before finally approaching the Khumbu Glacier. We then follow the glacier, first to Lobuche, a vantage point for some spectacular views of the Ama Dablam, Taweche and other peaks and then hike to Gorak Shep for a breather.
We also have the opportunity to ascend Kala Pattar [5550m] from where we can get some awesome views of the Himalayan giants which literally numb your senses with breathless admiration that beholds the eye; and makes up for the lung-bursting climb that took you up there. You soon realize it was absolutely worth it. This also includes fantastic views of the south west face of the colossal Mt. Everest. We then trek down to Everest Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu ice fall before finally making our way back down to Lukla.
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu 1350m. and transfer to hotel
Namaste! And welcome to Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting on arrival at the exit gate of Kathmandu airport. Our staff will welcome you and pick you to your accommodated hotel. Please seek our company palmplate to find our staff at the main exit gate of the airport. Rest of the day you can relax at the hotel or short evening walk around local market on your own as per your wish.
Day 02 Rest and Preparation day
A well deserved rest day at cosy of hotel after a long tiring flight. This day, one can move around nearby local market to purchase or hire trekking equipment that is necessary for the trekking like sleeping bags, walking sticks etc, exchange currency as requirement or simply walk around in the local market or Kathmandu Durbar squire nearby with small entrance fee as per your preference on your own. Evening at the hotel lobby there will be pre-trip briefing in which you will be introduced with your trekking guide and explained about your trip in short, instruction for safety etc.
Day 03 Fly to Lukla 2840m. and trek to Phakding 2610m.
An early start for the spectacular mountain flight to the tiny airstrip at Lukla (2,827m). Here we meet with our porters and begin the trek with a short walk to Phakding (2,600m) where we stay overnight.
Day 04 Trek to Namchebazaar 3440m.
After a flat walk along the Dudh Kosi river we climb steeply climb to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the most important Sherpa town and a former trading centre with Tibet.
Day 05 Rest day for AMS
Today is an acclimatisation day. Namche Bazaar is well worth exploring, with its Buddhist monastery and distant views of Everest. For better acclimatisation it is recommended that you walk to the Everest View Hotel (½ day walk) or to one of the nearby villages such as Khunde, or Thame.
Day 06 Trek to Tengboche 3860m.
After our rest day we set off trekking again. Within an hour the towering summit of Ama Dablam appears to the east, while glimpses of Everest lure us onwards. The gentle trail crosses the Dudh Kosi river at Phuki Teng where we start the long climb up to Tengboche.
Day 07 Trek to Pheriche 4240m.
We descend to the Dudh Kosi river through rhododendron forests. If you are trekking in the spring you may see the rhododendron forests in bloom. We continue to Pangboche village where the monastery once held a possible yeti scalp, apparently stolen a few years back. We overnight at Pheriche (4,252m).
Day 08 Rest day for AMS.
We have an acclimatization day at Pheriche, and a local walk to gain height during the day is recommended, returning to spend a second night at the same altitude. This is a very important aspect of our trek and will undoubtedly assist with the success, as well as with our enjoyment of it.
Day 09 Trek to Lobuche 4910m.
Leaving Pheriche, we head over dry grazing lands, climbing gradually to Dughla. The surrounding stony wastes are the terminal moraines of the mighty Khumbu glacier, which we climb over to reach Lobuche (4,930m.) a cluster of shepherds’ huts and tea houses.
Day 10 Trek to Gorakshep 5140m. and explore Old Everest B.C. 5364m.
Hemmed in by high peaks, the early morning sun is slow to reach Lobuche. It first hits 7,161m Pumori, which we head for as we leave the village and skirt the tongue of the Khumbu glacier. The trail gets rougher as we traverse the glacial debris where an adjoining glacier flows down from Changri La. At reaching Gorakshep, we leave our extra luggage in the lodge. After lunch we will walk up to Old Everest Base camp and return to Gorakshep for overnight.
Walking hours:
Altitude gain/loss:
Accommodation: Lodge/camp
Day 11 Exploration day to Kalapathar 5500m.
Today will be an exciting day. In the rarefied air, we will need frequent stops but if we are lucky with the weather there will be stunning views to feast our eyes upon. We aim to reach the summit of Kala Pattar (5,623m), a steep, but not difficult climb. From its summit we may enjoy uninterrupted views of Everest’s black south west face, seemingly dwarfed by its neighbouring giant Nuptse. Khumbu’s tortured ice field stretches away to the south in an unbroken panorama of snowcapped mountains. We return to our Lodge at Gorak Shep.
Day 12 Decent Trek to Pangboche 3930m.
We descend the Imja Khola Valley to the village of Pangboche, (3,901m), with its 300 year old monastery containing wall paintings and Tibetan manuscripts.
Day 13 Trek to Namchebazaar 3440m.
Through Deboche (3,757m) we continue to Thyangboche Monastery in a magical setting that commands impressive views of shapely Ama Dablam, then on through woodland to reach Namche Bazaar. An optional evening walk will give us our last views of Everest.
Day 14 Trek to Lukla 2840m.
We may awake to the sound of Tibetan horns high above the village. From here the deep valley of the Dudh Khosi drops away as we retrace our steps to Lukla
Day 15 Fly to Kathmandu 1350m. and transfer to Hotel
Weather-permitting, we fly from the tiny mountain airstrip back to Kathmandu, with a last chance to glimpse the mighty snowcapped Himalaya in the distance.
Day 16 Rest and final shopping day
This is the final day in Nepal. A chance to do some shopping, explore at leisure or merely relax by the hotel. We enjoy a final night together, reliving the trek and our extraordinary achievements.
Day 17 Final departure
We say 'Namaste' for memories that will last a lifetime. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. For your final departure, our staff will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Kathmandu airport approximately 3 hours prior to your international flight time.
Inclusion
Lodge basis
All ground transportation as per itinerary
4 night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B plan.
½ day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley with English Speaking Cultural guide
Both way domestic Air fare (KTM-LUK-KTM) with airport tax
TIMs (Trekking Information Management system)
Everest National Park Entry fee
Food for the member during the trek( 3 meals a day as per lodge open menu)
Lodge accommodation on twin sharing basis
Medical supplies(First aid Kit will be available)
All required Nepalese staffs
All Nepalese staffs insurance
Company service charge, VAT and government taxes etc.
Exclusion
International flight with airport tax.
Nepalese Entry Visa fee
Food during stay in Kathmandu
All personal equipment and personal expenses
Photography Charges, Monument charges and Monument entry fees
Personal Medical and travel insurance(must cover helicopter rescue evacuation cost)
Personal Medicine
Telephone and internet charges
Laundry charges
Alcoholic beverage, bottled drinks and cold drinks during the trip
Rescue evacuation charges if required
All Tips...
Equipment List
Clothing and Equipments List
» Pack to pack out - bring enough waterproof bags to carry all non-biodegradable rubbish back down the mountain.
» Remove all unnecessary packaging before leaving home.
» Bring enough warm dry clothes so that you can wrap up rather than burn firewood in the evenings.
» If you are going to trek higher than 5000m or you know it will be cold, buy an aluminum water bottle which can also be used as a hot water bottle at night.
» The easiest way to keep hydrated while trekking is to buy a 1 x liter platypus-drinking bladder to carry in your day pack.
» Make sure to buy proper trekking socks. Don’t buy synthetic socks as these promote sweating and can give you blisters. Always carry a few blister pads in your first aid kit and keep them handy in your day pack.
» Walking poles are very useful while trekking and helpful when descending.
» Please remember that waste disposal and recycling facilitates are limited in Nepal. When buying batteries make sure they are rechargeable and/or high quality so they last longer, and take them home to recycle.
More Lists
There is no definitive list. What you bring will vary according to the area, time of year and the length of your trek. Below is a suggested check list which you should adapt to your own needs. Ask yourself: Will there be snow/how long /high is the trek/are we camping?
» Good quality trekking boots with ankle support
» Lightweight shell/raincoat with hood
» Detachable fleece liner or separate fleece
» Fleece trousers
» Shorts and / or convertibles trousers- quick drying
» Sunglasses
» Sun hat and warm hat(good quality)
» Gloves
» Spare T-shirt x 3
» Sweat towel x 2
» Spare socks x 3 ( walking sock and thin inner sock)
» Small day sack
» Sun cream
» Small water bottle aluminum doubles as a hot water bottle.
» Iodine or water purifying kit,
» Soluble vitamin tablets to taste water or powder fruit drink
» Talcum powder
» Walking sticks or Trekking poles(good quality)
» Camp shoes/trainers/flip flops to wear in evening.
» Spare underwear 3
» Toilet kit
» Tissues
» Pen knife
» Bum bag
» Head torch(good quality)
» Biodegradable washing liquid / soap
» FILM
» CAMERA
» Ear plugs
» Sleeping bag liner(good quality)
» Sleeping bag(good quality-30)
» Bin bag/ gasbag to keep kit dry
» Small towel
» Lip balm
» Available in KTM
Personal First Aid (Aids Kit)
» Antiseptic
» Bandages
» Blister plasters
» Decongestant
» AMS medication like Diamox
» Eye drops – it can get very dusty on trails
» Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen
» Rehydration sachets, Imodium and antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea
» Scissors
» Sterile dressing
» Sticking plasters and tape
» Throat lozenges / sweets
» Tweezers
» A sewing needle etc.
This trekking equipment list has been prepared by Adventure Zambuling Treks (P) Ltd.
