Everest Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Nepal and the beginning of your Everest Base Camp Trek. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, a Himalayan Dream Team representative will meet you and transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free to recover from your international journey or take a short walk around the nearby streets of Kathmandu.

In the evening, we will welcome you with a traditional Nepali dinner, giving you your first introduction to Nepalese food and hospitality. Your guide can also brief you about the days ahead and answer any initial questions about your journey to the Everest region.

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a cultural sightseeing tour of Kathmandu before the mountain journey begins. Today combines some of the Kathmandu Valley's most important heritage sites with final preparation for your Everest Base Camp Trek.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple): Set on a hill overlooking Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is one of the Kathmandu Valley's historic Buddhist sites. Buddhist and Hindu traditions meet here among prayer wheels, shrines and the distinctive white stupa, with wide views across the city.

Pashupatinath Temple: Continue to the sacred Pashupatinath temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River. It is one of Nepal's most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. From the public areas, you can observe temples, sadhus, pilgrims and traditional cremation ceremonies along the river.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Explore the historic royal heart of old Kathmandu, also known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square area. Its courtyards, temples, palaces and traditional Newari architecture provide an introduction to the history and craftsmanship of the Kathmandu Valley.

Depending on time, you can also walk through the traditional streets and local market areas around Asan and old Kathmandu, where spice shops, vegetable stalls, temples and everyday city life create a very different atmosphere from the mountains you will enter tomorrow.

Later, we complete the final Everest Base Camp trek preparation, including a trek briefing and last-minute equipment check. Your guide will also explain the next morning's Lukla flight arrangements, which may operate from Kathmandu or Ramechhap depending on the season and current airline operations.

Today the trekking adventure begins with the journey to Lukla (2,860 m), the traditional gateway to the Everest region. Depending on seasonal flight operations, you will either fly directly from Kathmandu to Lukla (30-40 minutes) or drive early to Ramechhap (Manthali) and take the shorter mountain flight from there.

After landing at Lukla, we meet the rest of our trekking crew, organize the luggage and begin the first stage of the Everest Base Camp Trek.

The trail initially descends from Lukla through the lower Khumbu countryside. We pass small Sherpa settlements, mani stones, prayer wheels and cultivated fields while following the valley towards the Dudh Koshi River.

The route passes through Chheplung (approx. 2,660 m) and continues towards Ghat (approx. 2,530 m) before reaching Phakding (2,610 m). On clear days, the first section of the trail also offers views towards Kusum Kanguru (6,367 m) and the surrounding Khumbu mountains.

Because Phakding lies lower than Lukla, today's relatively short walk provides a gentle introduction to trekking in the Everest region rather than gaining significant altitude immediately.

We arrive in Phakding in the afternoon and settle into our lodge beside the Dudh Koshi Valley. The remainder of the day is free to rest and prepare for tomorrow's longer climb towards Namche Bazaar.

Drive Time: Approx. 4–5 hours Kathmandu–Ramechhap when required
15–20 minutes Ramechhap–Lukla

After breakfast in Phakding, we continue the Everest Base Camp Trek north along the Dudh Koshi Valley. The trail passes through small settlements including Toktok and Benkar, with impressive views of Thamserku (6,608 m) rising above the valley on clear days.

We continue through Monjo (2,835 m), the main entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the permit formalities, the trail descends towards Jorsalle (2,740 m) before following the Dudh Koshi deeper into the valley.

One of today's highlights is crossing the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge, high above the river and decorated with colourful prayer flags. From here, a long and steady forest climb begins towards Namche Bazaar. At a viewpoint along the ascent, clear weather may provide your first distant glimpse of Mount Everest.

After the final uphill section, we reach Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the main trading centre and trekking hub of the Khumbu region. Built into a natural mountainside amphitheatre, Namche is an important stop for acclimatization before continuing higher into the Everest region.

Route: Phakding (2,610 m) → Benkar → Monjo (2,835 m) → Jorsalle (2,740 m) → Hillary Suspension Bridge → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Today is an important acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Rather than spending the entire day resting, we follow the principle of “climb high, sleep low” with an acclimatization hike above Namche before returning to the same lodge for the night.

The trail climbs towards Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel (approx. 3,880 m). Weather permitting, this area provides one of the first outstanding Himalayan panoramas of the trek, with views of Mount Everest (8,848.86 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Thamserku (6,608 m) and other surrounding peaks.

Depending on your pace, weather and acclimatization, the hike can be extended towards the traditional Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Khunde before returning to Namche Bazaar.

The afternoon is free to explore Namche's narrow streets, bakeries, shops and cafés or simply rest at the lodge. More importantly, sleeping for a second night at 3,440 m gives your body additional time to adjust before the trek continues towards Tengboche.

Suggested Acclimatization Route: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) → Syangboche → Everest View Hotel (approx. 3,880 m) → optional Khumjung/Khunde → Namche Bazaar

After breakfast, we leave Namche Bazaar and follow one of the most scenic sections of the Everest Base Camp trekking route. The trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi Valley, with magnificent views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam when the mountains are clear.

We pass through Kyangjuma before descending through forest towards Phunki Tenga (approx. 3,250 m) beside the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing the river, the main challenge of the day begins: a sustained uphill climb through rhododendron, pine and fir forest towards Tengboche.

We eventually arrive at Tengboche (approx. 3,860 m), beautifully positioned beneath Ama Dablam and surrounded by some of the Khumbu's most impressive mountain scenery.

After settling into the lodge, we visit the renowned Tengboche Monastery, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa. It is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the Everest region and an important spiritual centre for the Sherpa community. If the monastery is open to visitors at the time of our arrival, there may also be an opportunity to quietly observe the monks during their daily prayers.

Route: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) → Kyangjuma → Phunki Tenga (approx. 3,250 m) → Tengboche (approx. 3,860 m)

We leave Tengboche and descend through rhododendron and conifer forest towards Deboche, with Ama Dablam dominating the landscape ahead. After crossing the Imja Khola, the trail climbs gradually towards Pangboche, one of the oldest permanent Sherpa settlements in the upper Khumbu.

From Pangboche, we continue through Shomare as the vegetation becomes noticeably thinner and the landscape increasingly alpine. The trail follows the Imja Khola Valley, surrounded by dramatic peaks including Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, Taboche and Cholatse.

As we move above 4,000 metres, the pace becomes deliberately slower. After crossing the river, a gradual final ascent brings us to Dingboche (4,410 m), a beautiful high-altitude settlement surrounded by stone-walled fields.

Dingboche will be our home for the next two nights. This is an important stage of the Everest Base Camp acclimatization schedule, allowing the body additional time to adapt before continuing towards Lobuche and elevations above 5,000 metres.

Route: Tengboche (3,860 m) → Deboche → Pangboche (approx. 3,985 m) → Shomare → Dingboche (4,410 m)

Today is our second important acclimatization day on the Everest Base Camp Trek. We remain based in Dingboche and take a gradual hike onto the ridge above the village towards Nangkartshang Hill, following the principle of climbing higher during the day and returning to sleep at a lower elevation.

We do not need to reach the highest point of the ridge. Your guide will decide how high to climb according to the group's condition, weather and acclimatization. From the upper slopes, clear conditions reveal an impressive panorama of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Island Peak, Taboche and Cholatse, together with the Imja Valley below.

After descending to Dingboche, the afternoon is free for lunch, rest and hydration. Spending a second night at 4,410 m is particularly valuable before tomorrow's ascent towards Lobuche.

Acclimatization Route: Dingboche (4,410 m) → Nangkartshang ridge/hill → Dingboche (4,410 m)

After breakfast, we leave Dingboche and climb gradually towards the broad alpine valley above Pheriche. The landscape is now increasingly barren and dramatic as we approach the glacial environment of the upper Khumbu.

The trail continues towards Thukla/Dughla (approx. 4,620 m), where we stop before tackling one of today's steeper sections. From Thukla, the route climbs the moraine to Thukla Pass (approx. 4,830 m).

At the top are the well-known Everest climbers' memorials, stone monuments and prayer flags dedicated to mountaineers and Sherpas who lost their lives in the Everest region. It is a powerful and reflective place along the route.

From the memorial area, the trail becomes more gradual as we continue beside the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier towards Lobuche. Peaks including Pumori, Nuptse, Lingtren and Khumbutse dominate the increasingly high-alpine landscape.

We arrive at Lobuche (approx. 4,910 m) in the afternoon. At this altitude, we keep activity light, stay well hydrated and rest in preparation for tomorrow's journey to Everest Base Camp.

Route: Dingboche (4,410 m) → Thukla/Dughla (approx. 4,620 m) → Thukla Pass & Everest Memorials (approx. 4,830 m) → Lobuche (approx. 4,910 m)

Today is one of the most anticipated days of the entire Everest Base Camp Trek. We leave Lobuche early and follow the rugged trail north towards Gorak Shep, the final settlement before Everest Base Camp.

The route runs alongside the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, with increasingly dramatic views of Pumori, Nuptse, Khumbutse and Lingtren. After negotiating the undulating glacial terrain, we reach Gorak Shep (approx. 5,164 m).

After a rest and meal at the lodge, we continue towards Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). The trail crosses rocky moraine beside the Khumbu Glacier, and the surrounding landscape becomes increasingly dominated by ice, rock and towering Himalayan peaks.

Reaching Everest Base Camp is a special moment. During the main spring climbing season, expedition camps may be visible across the glacier as mountaineers prepare for their Everest summit attempts. The dramatic Khumbu Icefall rises ahead, marking the beginning of the climbing route towards the higher slopes of Mount Everest.

Although the summit of Everest itself is not fully visible from Base Camp, the setting beneath the world's highest mountain and beside the Khumbu Icefall makes this one of the most memorable locations in the Himalayas.

After photographs and time to appreciate the surroundings, we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep for the night.

Route: Lobuche (4,910 m) → Gorak Shep (approx. 5,164 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) → Gorak Shep

We begin early for the climb to Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the highest point of our Everest Base Camp Trek and one of the most celebrated viewpoints in the Khumbu.

The trail climbs steeply above Gorak Shep towards the slopes beneath Pumori. Because of the altitude, we walk slowly and steadily, stopping whenever necessary to rest and enjoy the expanding Himalayan panorama.

Weather permitting, Kala Patthar provides one of the trek's finest views of Mount Everest, together with Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Changtse, Lingtren and Khumbutse. Unlike at Everest Base Camp, the upper slopes and summit of Everest are clearly visible from this elevated viewpoint.

After enjoying the panorama, we descend to Gorak Shep for breakfast before retracing the trail past Lobuche and Thukla. As we descend into the Pheriche Valley, the air gradually becomes richer in oxygen and the landscape begins to soften.

We arrive at Pheriche (approx. 4,240 m) for a well-earned night's rest after completing the highest section of the trek.

Route: Gorak Shep (5,164 m) → Kala Patthar (5,545 m) → Gorak Shep → Lobuche → Thukla → Pheriche (approx. 4,240 m)

After breakfast, we continue our descent through the Khumbu Valley. The lower altitude makes breathing noticeably easier as we retrace the trail through familiar Sherpa settlements.

From Pheriche, we descend towards Pangboche and continue through Deboche before reaching Tengboche. There may be time for another look towards Tengboche Monastery and the surrounding peaks before descending through forest to Phunki Tenga.

After crossing the Dudh Koshi, the trail climbs again towards Kyangjuma. This section provides beautiful final views back towards Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest when the weather is clear.

From Kyangjuma, an easier contouring trail leads us back to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). After several nights at much higher elevations, returning to Namche's shops, cafés and comfortable lodges feels like a significant change.

Route: Pheriche (4,240 m) → Pangboche → Deboche → Tengboche → Phunki Tenga → Kyangjuma → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Today is the final walking day of our Everest Base Camp Trek. From Namche Bazaar, we descend steeply through forest towards the Dudh Koshi, crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge once again.

The route continues through Jorsalle and Monjo, where we leave Sagarmatha National Park, before following the familiar trail downstream through Benkar and Phakding.

Although much of today's route is downhill, there are still several short climbs along the way. From Phakding, the final section passes through Ghat and Chheplung before climbing back towards Lukla (2,860 m).

Arriving in Lukla completes our journey on foot through the Khumbu. After checking into the lodge, there is time to rest and reflect on a remarkable trail that has taken us from Lukla through Namche Bazaar and the upper Khumbu to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.

This evening is also an opportunity to thank the local trekking crew who have supported us throughout the mountain journey.

Route: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) → Hillary Suspension Bridge → Jorsalle → Monjo → Benkar → Phakding → Ghat → Chheplung → Lukla (2,860 m)

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the Everest region and take a morning flight from Lukla. Depending on seasonal airline operations, the flight may operate directly to Kathmandu or to Ramechhap (Manthali Airport), followed by a drive back to Kathmandu.

The mountain flight provides a final opportunity to look back across the Himalayan landscape that has been our home during the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, a Himalayan Dream Team representative will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest, enjoy a hot shower, explore Thamel or shop for souvenirs.

Flight Time: Approx. 30–35 minutes Lukla–Kathmandu OR 15–20 minutes Lukla–Ramechhap
Drive Time: Approx. 4–5 hours Ramechhap–Kathmandu when required

Today is kept as a contingency day for the Lukla flight, an important consideration when trekking in the Everest region. Flights to and from Lukla depend heavily on mountain weather and visibility, and delays or cancellations can occasionally occur.

If yesterday's flight operates as scheduled, today becomes a free day in Kathmandu. You can relax at the hotel, explore Thamel, enjoy cafés and restaurants or do some last-minute shopping.

Alternatively, Himalayan Dream Team can arrange an optional Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour to Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, both part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Boudhanath Stupa: One of Nepal's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Boudhanath is surrounded by monasteries, prayer wheels and traditional shops. Pilgrims and monks walk clockwise around the great white stupa while prayer flags flutter above the surrounding square.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Continue to the historic city of Bhaktapur, known for its traditional Newari architecture, temples and brick-paved squares. Highlights include the 55-Window Palace, Golden Gate, Nyatapola Temple and Pottery Square, where traditional crafts remain part of everyday local life.

After sightseeing, return to Kathmandu for your final evening in Nepal.

Note: Optional sightseeing and associated entrance fees are not included unless specifically stated in your package.

Your Everest Base Camp Trek comes to an end today. After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time depending on the departure time of your international flight.

At the appropriate time, a Himalayan Dream Team representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you by private vehicle to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. We normally arrange the airport transfer with sufficient time for international check-in while taking Kathmandu traffic conditions into consideration.

If your flight departs later in the day, you can leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy some additional free time in Kathmandu before the airport transfer.

For travellers wishing to spend more time in Nepal, Himalayan Dream Team can also arrange extensions to Pokhara, Chitwan, the Kathmandu Valley or other destinations.