Everest Base Camp Trek – 13 Days
Highlights
- Stand beneath Mount Everest(8848m) & other Himalayan giants.
- Scenic flight to and from Lukla.
- Get acquainted with Sherpa culture.
- Visit an ancient Buddhist Monastery, Tengboche Monastery.
- Remarkable views of the Khumbu Icefall.
Overview
The BBC has listed Everest Base Camp under ‘50 Places to See Before You Die‘. Lying at the base of the world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest and surrounded by tumbling glaciers and 8000 meter giants, Everest Base Camp is a spectacular destination for trekkers willing to take up the high altitude challenge. Combining high adventure with incredible Himalayan views and cultural experience, Ace the Himalaya has designed this Everest Base Camp Trek for trekkers and intrepid adventurers.
Everest Base Camp Trek, which starts from Lukla, is delightful and is full of unexpected thrills. Set off the trek by walking by the side of the Dudh Koshi River, which is terrifyingly beautiful and which links to the base camp and then walk up the hill to reach Namche Bazaar, the biggest of all Sherpa settlements.The trail is filled with a number of photogenic sites. As you head towards the base camp, you constantly come across monasteries, pleasant Sherpa villages, colorful religious flags, and verdant forests. Alongside the trail, there are flowering plants, mani walls with Buddhist mantras written on them for good luck and snow covered mountains.
- Day 1 - Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and s/he will be displaying an Ace the Himalaya signboard outside the airport terminal. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.
- Day 2 - Fly to Lukla (2804 m) from Kathmandu or Manthali and then, Trek to Phakding (2,610 m) – 3 to 4 Hours
For Manthali – Lukla flight: Wake up around 2:30 am, drive to Manthali by shared tourist vehicle for about 4 to 6 hours, and fly to Lukla (20 minutes); Applicable for the peak trekking month of March, April, May, October and November.
For Kathmandu – Lukla flight: Wake up around 5 to 6 am and drive to the domestic airport in Kathmandu for about 30 minutes and fly to Lukla (35 minutes). Applicable for the remaining months, except peak trekking months.
- Day 3 - Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) - 5.5 hours
We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (considered the Gateway to Everest) is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes and bakeries. Namche is the biggest town along the Everest trail.
- Day 4 - Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day
We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. We will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We will also hike up to the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas including Mt Everest.
- Day 5 - Trek to Tengboche (3,860 m) - 5 hours
The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We’ll have trekked to an altitude of 3,860 m upon reaching Tengboche. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. The group will be taken to observe a prayer ceremony either in the evening or in the morning depending on how the trekking goes this day.
- Day 6 - Trek to Dingboche (4,350 m) - 5 hours
From Tengboche, the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche amongst thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We take our time, so we avoid getting affected by the altitude.
- Day 7 - Trek to Lobuche (4,910 m) - 5 hours
Today, the trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits. We continue to climb as we are heading to the village of Lobuche which is located at the foot of giant Lobuche peak. Some breathing problems may arise today due to the altitude.
- Day 8 - Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,365 m) and then Back to Gorak Shep (5,180 m) - 8 hours
This is a big and difficult day walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365 m, the closest you can get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. During spring, there will likely be expedition teams about to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. We return back to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Day 9 - Morning hike up to Kala Patthar (5,555 m) & descend to Pheriche (4,200 m) - 7 hours
This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Most of the morning is spent climbing Kala Patthar, a small peak at 5,555 m. The ascent is demanding but the climber gets the most magnificent mountain panorama – Everest, the highest point on the planet at 8,848 m, towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the giants such as Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep and have hot breakfast, and then trek down to Pheriche.
- Day 10 - Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m) - 7 hours
Leaving the mountains behind us, our descent takes us through Pangboche and Tengboche before continuing to the town of Namche Bazaar. We arrive back to Namche in the afternoon.
- Day 11 - Trek to Lukla (2,804 m) - 6 hours
This is our last day of trekking as we return to Lukla where the trek began. We enjoy this time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. The afternoon is free, so you can wander about, relax and enjoy a hot shower! In the evening, have a few celebratory drinks and dance with your trekmates.
- Day 12 - Fly back to Kathmandu or Manthali from Lukla
Lukla to Manthli flight– 20 minutes and same day drive to Kathmandu by shared tourist vehicle for 4 to 6 hours (Applicable for the peak trekking month of March, April, May, October and November)
Lukla to Kathmandu flight – 35 minutes and transfer to hotel by shared tourist vehicle which takes about 30 min (Applicable for the remaining months, except peak trekking months).
- Day 13 - Transfer to the International Airport for Your Final Flight Departure
The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you to Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
Important Information
Sometimes there may be slight changes in itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control. For instance: last-minute change in government rules, local politics, health condition of trekkers, weather, natural disasters, flight delay/ cancellation etc. During these times, the lead trekking guide will decide the best alternative, upon considering the best interest of participants. While we do our best to minimize the effect, we are not liable for any extra cost and the inconveniences/results due to changes or delays.