Everest Base Camp Trek

Your Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary begins upon your arrival in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. In the airport, our representatives will welcome you and help transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. You can take some time to rest and unwind. In the evening, you can take a stroll around the bustling streets of the tourist district of Thamel.

Today’s itinerary is divided into two sections. The day begins with a hearty breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide and go on an immersive cultural tour around some of the most prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the capital. The tour typically begins with a visit to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, known for its marvelous architecture. From the ancient palace square, you will head to the hilltop destination of Swyambhunath before stopping for lunch.

After lunch, your tour proceeds to the revered Hindu temple of Pashupati, before finally ending in the serene Buddhist pilgrimage site of Boudhanath. After the half-day tour, you will go through your checklist and confirm you have packed all essentials for the trek. In case you have any items missing, you can head to one of the many trekking shops in Thamel to make last-minute purchases.

You’ll begin in either Kathmandu’s domestic airport or by Jeep to Ramechap Airport. After boarding a tiny plane (sit on the left side for the best views), you’ll fly along the eastern Himalayas and land at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. From here, you follow the footsteps of two of the world’s most famous mountaineering explorers. Lukla is a small village with some tea houses and a few shops for you to get your final snacks and gear. After lunch in Lukla, you will begin your trek with a three to four-hour hike to Phakding.

From Phakding, you begin the first uphill climb through villages and across bridges on your way to Namche Bazaar. You’ll cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in this region, and pass many stone prayer walls etched with blessings for trekkers. You will also pass through the colorful Sagamartha National Park Entrance Gate, where you need to show your permit. The ascent into Namche involves gravelly hills and stone stairs, but coming into the famed bazaar town fills you with energy and excitement. Namche is bustling with life and dozens of shops and cafes. The giant prayer wheels, turned by the water running along the main walkway, lead you to a beautiful stupa that shines in the sun and the moonlight. You’ll be nestled among the mountains with lots of little alleys to explore this afternoon and tomorrow during your rest day. Be sure to visit the Irish Pub for a pint of Sherpa Craft Brew or rave with the Yeti in one of Namche’s nightclubs.

Day three is a rest day in Namche, but instead of resting, take the scenic walk up to Everest View Hotel. This steep uphill will take between 1 and 2 hours. Once you break the crest, you’ll have absolutely beautiful views of the magnificent Ama Dablam Peak. The final walk to the hotel follows a curve along the ridge, and you’ll gaze down into the valleys surrounding Namche.

Everest View Hotel, located at 3,880 meters, offers cozy outdoor seating for chai and your first view of Mt. Everest! On the way back to Namche, you can stop at Sagamartha Next, an informative museum and art collective working to reduce waste in the Khumbu region. You can also visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum and learn more about the local guides who help lead travelers up the mountains.

Leaving Namche Bazaar feels like truly entering the wilderness of Khumbu. You’ll make your way to Deboche while enjoying stunning views of the peaks. There are lovely view places to stop for a cup of chai or a snack. You might also come across the pack yaks hauling supplies into the high altitudes.

From Deboche to Dingboche, you’ll continue your journey upward and pass through Dingboche Monastery. This stunning complex has a large, intricately decorated prayer hall with views of the mountains. Be sure to stop by and enjoy the peace of this mountain sanctuary. After the monastery, you will reach Dingboche, a large village with many guesthouses and several well-stocked cafes. Here you can find some special treats like triple-chocolate cake and stock up on yak cheese.

Most trekkers will take a rest day at Dingboche, sitting above 4,000 meters. From this point on, there is no vegetation or trees to offer additional oxygen. One way to pass the day is to hike to the top of Nangkartshang, a 5,000-meter hill above the village, for acclimatization. Your views of Ama Dablam and Island Peak will be truly breathtaking as you rise above the barren lands below. Nangkartshang sweeps into a jagged set of peaks to the east, creating a dramatic landscape to wander through. If the sky is clear during the night, pop outside for a brilliant glimpse of the stars with the mountain peaks so close to you!

Leaving Dingboche behind, you will skirt the bottom of Nangkartshang and make your way to Lobuche. Along the way, you’ll cross a powerful river and have a steep climb up to lunch. You will also walk through an area with dozens of small stupas and rock cairns, created in memory of those who have lost their lives to the pursuit of Everest. The area is peaceful and offers a place of reflection to all those seeking to know the tallest mountain on earth. The village of Lobuche, named after the mighty mountain, acts as a base for those attempting the summit as well as those trekkers moving onward to EBC. Choose a teahouse high on the hill so you can appreciate the sweeping views of the Himalayas with the peak of Mt. Lobuche rising in the west. You are now so close to your destination, and you will truly feel surrounded by the magic of these mountains!

The walk from Lobuche to Gorakshep is relatively short and requires you to cross the threshold of 5,000 meters. Gorakshep is a small collection of teahouses at the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. You’ll arrive in time for lunch and can rest for a bit before the second half of your day begins. This is the day you will cross the glacier morrows and set your feet on Mount Everest Base Camp! The afternoon walk is what you’ve been waiting for and trekking towards for eight whole days. Your views will change as you descend into the rock debris and deposition zones. Fortunately, your reward will be incredible as you navigate through the changing tracks and finally arrive at EBC! If you’re visiting Everest Base Camp during the spring season, the camp will be filled with dozens of tents for the expedition teams and guides hard at work. During the off-season, the area is completely deserted, and you’ll have the whole space to yourself. Be sure to take a picture with the Everest Base Camp Rock - a scene that changes every year with glacial melt and runoff. Now is a time to celebrate! You’ve journeyed to one of the world’s most legendary locations at 5,364 meters! Congratulations!

You’ll wake up early in Gorakshep and begin your last challenging ascent, Kalapathar. This high hill stands at 5,644 meters, higher than Everest Base Camp, and offers stunning views of the peaks. A sunrise climb is a magical sight, and your hardware work results in watching golden rays bathe the world’s tallest mountain in streaks of gold and pink. The hike takes about 2-3 hours and completes your EBC journey with one last stunning view of Mount Everest. After descending, you’ll have breakfast in Gorakshep and then begin your journey back to Pheruche.

Your journey to Pheruche takes you along a different path. From this small village, you return to the main hiking route as you make your way back to Namche Bazaar. You’ll recall the vibrant energy in Namche, a perfect place to return to for some souvenirs and some new menu options for dinner.

Leaving the commercial hub of the Khumbu region, Namche Bazaar, behind, you will continue along the familiar trails, trailing the Dudh Koshi River to Lukla. After a short 3 to 4 hours, you will reach your final Himalayan overnight destination, Lukla. Celebrate your amazing fete with your fellow trekkers, relishing the local cuisines and warm Sherpa hospitality.

Enjoy your final breakfast in Lukla surrounded by icy giants and incredible Himalayan landscapes. After breakfast, you will head to the airport and board your flight back to the Ramechhap Airport. This is a short 20-minute flight that gives you incredible views of the majestic peaks from an aerial perspective.

Upon landing in the Ramechhap Airport in Manthali, you will board a private vehicle and head back to Kathmandu on a scenic 4-hour drive. You have the rest of the day to yourself. Enjoy the day with a holistic spa experience or a much-deserved rest.

GMT Adventures includes an extra buffer day in your itinerary in case your flights to Lukla are delayed due to unpredictable weather or other unforeseen reasons. If the itinerary runs on schedule, you can enjoy your final day in Kathmandu, revisiting some of your favorite locations or hanging out with your fellow trekkers in a cozy cafe or vibrant bar in Kathmandu’s tourist district of Thamel.

You have come to the end of your 16-day Everest Base Camp trek. Begin your day with breakfast in your comfortable hotel. Depending upon your flight time, you can either prepare to leave for the airport or engage in last-minute souvenir shopping to commemorate this incredible 16-day journey.

Our representatives will receive you 3 hours before your flight, ensure a smooth transfer to the airport, and officially conclude your EBC trek in Nepal.