12 day Everest Base Camp Trek

This Everest Base Camp trek with Adventure Mountain Explore Treks and Expedition starts with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, with the vehicle departing Kathmandu around 1:00 AM. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the bus station in Thamel to board the early morning transport to Ramechhap. Upon arrival at the Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, your guide will handle all necessary airport formalities. You’ll then board a short 12-15 minute flight to Lukla, landing at the renowned Tenzing-Hillary Airport- often considered one of the most challenging and thrilling airstrips in the world. 

In Lukla, you’ll meet the porters who will be assisting you to carry your luggage throughout the trek. As you enjoy your first breakfast in the Everest region, they’ll prepare your luggage for the journey ahead. After a hearty meal, your unforgettable Everest Base Camp Trek officially begins with a trek to Phakding- your first overnight stop in the Everest region. 

Lukla to Phakding is the first leg of the Everest Base Camp Trek. The distance is approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) and depending on the breaks and pace an average hiker takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete this journey. Starting at the elevation of about 2,840 meters at Lukla, you will hike down to 2,610 meters at Phakding. This section gently introduces you to trekking in the Khumbu region, as you leave the bustling airstrip town of Lukla and descend gently through the forest of pine and charming traditional Sherpa villages like Chheplung and Thado Koshi. The trail is well marked and maintained with gradual ascents and descents. Mani stones, prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags decorating the trail set a deep spiritual tone for the journey. This section also offers the first and a very wonderful view of Kusum Kanguru. Enjoying a pleasant walk through these pine and rhododendron trees and villages steeped in local Sherpa culture you will hike to a peaceful riverside village of Phakding. This section of the trek is relatively easy and provides a perfect warm-up for the more challenging days to come.

Around late afternoon, you will go for an acclimatization hike to the nearby monastery with your guide for additional cultural immersion. Overnight in a lodge in Phakding.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Please note: During the off-season months (June to September and December to February), flights to Lukla operate directly from Kathmandu Airport.

Climbing from Phakding to Namche Bazaar is the second leg of the Everest Base Camp Trek and often the first real challenge, with steep ascents and thinning air testing every step. Located roughly 10 kilometers north of Phakding, the hike today takes about 7-8 hours for an average hiker. Starting at the elevation of 2,610 meters at Phakding you will hike up to 3,440 meters at Namche, gaining about .

After breakfast, leaving the beautiful settlement of Phakding, as you make your way towards Namche, you will experience the first of the many suspension bridges on the trail. Continuing further, gradually, along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, you will pass the charming villages like Zam Fute, Tok Tok and  Bengkar before reaching Monjo, a gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park, where your permits are checked. Your guide will take care of the national park formalities at Monjo. Now crossing several suspension bridges, including the famed Hillary Bridge that rises high above the river, the trail begins a steep and sustained climb through the forest of pine and rhododendron. This section of today’s trail is physically demanding, both due to gain in altitude and steep terrain. However, about halfway up, and on clear days, you will be greeted with the first view of Mount Everest rising high above Lhotse and Kusum Kanguru. After about 2 hours of steady climb, the trail levels off as you approach Namche Bazaar, which is a vibrant heart of Khumbu and the main trading hub for Sherpas. This day’s transition also marks a transition from forest valleys to alpine terrain, therefore, some trekkers might feel slight effects of altitude. Therefore, it’s recommended to stay hydrated and maintain a consistent stride. 

Once in Namche, you will check into the pre-booked lodge for you and can spend the remaining time at leisure. Overnight in a lodge in Namche.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This marks the first of two designated acclimatization days on the trek. After surpassing 3,000 meters in elevation, allowing your body time to adapt is essential, before continuing to higher altitudes. To enhance acclimatization, your guide will organize a hike to elevated viewpoints or nearby villages situated above Namche. Light activity at higher altitudes significantly aids the adjustment process. Beyond helping with acclimatization, this hike offers a chance to explore additional scenic highlights of the Everest region. 

As the hike today is relatively short, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a relaxed morning and a leisurely breakfast at your lodge in Namche before hitting the trail. The acclimatization hike begins with a half an hour hike to the memorial of the legendary Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, perched on a small hill just above Namche. With Himalayan giants, Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam rising in the background, this bronze statue of Mr. Norgay offers an iconic and unforgettable photo opportunity. After visiting the statue, for a more grander perspective, your guide will now guide you to the Hotel Everest View in Syangboche. Built by a Japanese entrepreneur in the 1970s, this hotel standing at the altitude of 3,880 meters is also listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest altitude hotels in the world. With sweeping views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and more, it’s the perfect place to sip a warm cup of tea/coffee, while soaking in the grandeur of the Himalayas.  

Upon enjoying this short tea break, if you are not tired, your guide will now take you to Khumjung, the largest village in the Everest region. You will explore the village immersing in the culture and lifestyle of local people and also visit the school built by Sir Edmund Hillary, the Hillary School. If time permits you will also quickly visit the adjacent village, Khunde and visit the museum that houses the purported Yeti Scalp, before returning to Namche for overnight stay. Alternatively, if you’re feeling tired, you can head back down to Namche from Hotel Everest View and unwind at one of the town’s cozy cafes instead. Overnight in a lodge in Namche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

You are now heading into the third leg of this Everest Base Camp Trek that brings with it another physically challenging, but scenically stunning day. Located roughly 12 kilometers northeast of Namche, the hike today takes 7 to 8 hours for an average hiker. Starting at the elevation of 3440 meters in Namche, you will hike up to 3,820 meters in Deboche past Tengboche, gaining around 420 meters elevation.

Starting after a warm and wholesome breakfast at the lodge in Namche, you will climb out of Namche and gently winding along a wide ridge head to Kyangjuma, past stupa, mani wall and prayer flags. Enjoying the spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku, you will prepare to steeply descend to Phunki Tenga, past Sanasa. From Sanasa, you will descend through the forest of Rhododendron to the bridge across the Dudh Koshi River in Phunki Tenga. The section is all downhill, therefore, can be hard on the knees. However, after crossing the suspension bridge at Phunki Tenga, the hike is all uphill on a steeply ascending trail that goes through the forest. This hike takes about 2.5 to 3 hours for an average hiker. Tengboche Monastery, the largest and the most important monastery in the Everest region awaits your arrival after the long hike. You will spend some time resting and exploring the monastery. Enjoying unparalleled views of Amadablam, you will now hike down to Deboche, located roughly 20-30 minutes downhill, through the forest, from Tengboche. This village is more sheltered and offers a number of peaceful nightstops with closeup views of Ama Dablam. Therefore, instead of staying at Tengboche, you will hike down to Deboche for an overnight stay.

 In Deboche, you will check into the pre-booked lodge for you and spend the evening at leisure. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

It’s the fourth leg of this Everest Base Camp Trek and this day’s trek offers a beautiful transition into the alpine zone of the region. However, at the same time, the transition is also to more challenging conditions such as colder temperature, less oxygen, strong winds and intense sunlight due to the thinner atmosphere. Compared to the previous two legs, the trek today is easy as you will only cover the distance of around 11 kilometers, mostly on a gradually ascending trail. An average hiker will complete this day’s journey in just 5-6 hours. Starting at the elevation of 3,820 meters, you will trek up to 4, 410 meters gaining around 590 meters elevation.

Leaving Deboche, after a hearty breakfast at the lodge, you will continue on a trail that gently ascends through the forest and follows the contour of the valley along the Imja River. Soon after, you will cross the last suspension bridge of the trek and steadily climb to Pangboche, which is the highest year-round settlement in the region. Pangboche is also a home to one of the oldest monasteries in the region and offers an exceptionally beautiful and dominant view of Ama Dablam. Continuing upward, as you approach Somare, the trail starts to grow more barren. The thinning of the vegetation is very noticeable from here as you will only be able to spot low growing plants such as dwarf shrubs, mosses, lichens and alpine grasses. The final stretch towards Dingboche involves a gradual climb across glacial moraine and windswept plains. By the time you reach Dingboche, the terrain becomes more open and rugged, but the panoramic views of the towering peaks including Lhotse, Island Peak and Ama Dablam.

Once in Dingboche, you will check into the lodge and you can spend the remaining day at leisure. 

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Upon surpassing an additional 1000 meters elevation, after the fist acclimatization, you should allow your body time to adapt, before gaining more elevation as the oxygen level at this altitude is only about 58-60% of sea level.. Therefore, this day marks the second of the two designated acclimatization days on this trek. Here also, your guide will organize a hike to elevated viewpoints to aid the adjustment process.

Unlike Namche, Dingboche is a widely open valley surrounded by snowy peaks and glacial moraines. Your guide will present you with two options: a few hours hike to Nangkartshang Hill, also known as Nagarjun Hill, or a full day hike to Chhukung and back.  

The hike to Nagarjuna Hill is about 4-5 hour (round trip) hike that offers some of the stunning views of peaks such as Taboche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Thamserku, Lobuche, Island Peak, Makalu, Baruntse and Peak 38, along with the windy, open valley of Dingboche surrounded by these peaks. If you choose this trek you will be back to Dingboche for lunch. 

However, if you decide to go to Chhukung for an acclimatization hike, it’s a full-day hike that offers you unforgettable views of Ama Dablam, Baruntse and Makalu. For this hike you will carry packed lunch and only get back to the lodge in Dingboche for overnight stay. 

Depending  on your choice, your guide will take you on an acclimatization hike and prepare your body to adjust to additional lowered oxygen levels in the air in the days to follow. Overnight in a lodge in Dingboche.  

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hike to Lobuche is the fifth leg of this Everest Base Camp Trek. Starting at the elevation of 4,410 meters, you will trek to Lobuche at 4,910 meters gaining around 500 meters elevation. Covering the distance of about 8.5 kilometers, heading northwest of Dingboche, on this day you will enter the glacial valley passing through rocky barren landscape, dealing with icy wind and enjoying the distant glacial views. This hike from Dingboche to Lobuche takes about 5 hours for an average hiker. 

Shortly after breakfast in Dingboche, you’ll begin a gentle ascent along the scenic Imja Valley, surrounded by breathtaking views of towering peaks such as Taboche, Cholatse, and the iconic Ama Dablam. The trail winds through dry alpine fields, glacial moraines, and yak pastures, gradually leading you to Thukla (also known as Dughla), a small settlement where many trekkers pause for tea or a snack before tackling the steep climb ahead. This segment of the hike typically takes around 2 hours. The hike  further to Thukla Pass, is the most difficult section of today’s hike. Therefore, after a short rest at Thukla the hike continues on a sharply ascending rocky switchback trail to Thukla Pass (4,830meters). As you approach the top of this section of the trail, you will reach the most moving section, as you will come across a number of memorials built to honor climbers who lost their lives on mountains, especially Everest. From this section onwards, the trail levels out into the glacial valley. Now following the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, you will continue to Lobuche. 

In Lobuche, you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. You can spend the afternoon either resting at the lodge or exploring the nearby areas.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

This leg of this trek will finally take you to your ultimate destination, the Everest Base Camp. Starting at the elevation of  4,910 meters at Lobuche, you will hike all the way to Base Camp of Mt. Everest at 5,364 meters, before getting back to Gorakshep, gaining around 454 meters of elevation. It’s a long and challenging walk as you will cover the distance of about 10 kilometers and for an average hiker it takes around 7-8 hours to complete this day’s hike. 

The trek begins with a gradual but steady ascent from Lobuche after a hearty breakfast in Lobuche. Following the glacial moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, as you continue on a rocky and desolate high-altitude landscape, you will be swept away by the enchanting views of Pumori, Nuptse and Lingtren. 2-3 hours after leaving Lobuche, you will reach Gorakshep, the last overnight stop on this trek. 

Once in Gorakshep, you will check into the lodge to secure your room for the night, leave your luggage and enjoy a light meal, before continuing toward the base camp. Still continuing along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, you will march towards the base camp on a rough and undulating trail filled with loose rocks and boulders that add more challenge to the already challenging hike. A 2-3 hour walk from Gorakshep will take you to Everest Base Camp, where the landscape opens up to reveal Khumbu Icefall, a massive ice formation. Colorful prayer flags and a big rock marks the arrival of Everest Base Camp. Although Everest is not visible from the base camp, you can still enjoy the panorama of Nuptse, Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Tibet Mountain and Lho La.  Spend some time celebrating the success in your unique way, take pictures and feeling accomplished, before hiking back down to Gorakshep, following the same route, for overnight stay. By the time you reach Gorakshep, you will be too tired to do anything, therefore, have your dinner and call it an early night. Overnight in a lodge in Gorakshep. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner    

You will start this day by hiking Kala Patthar, a rugged ridge that offers the best panoramic view of Mt. Everest. The distance is about 3 kilometers (round trip) and depending on the pace and weather conditions this hike takes about 3 hours (round trip). Therefore, if you are planning to enjoy the sunrise over Mt. Everest, you will start the hike  at least 1.5 to 2 hours before sunrise.

The hike begins from Gorakshep. Following the well-trodden, easy to follow, yet a very steep and demanding trail, you will continue towards the summit. The path climbs steadily up a rocky hillside with frequent switchbacks. As you gain elevation Pumori, Lingtren and Lhotse make grand appearance.However, the real reward unfolds when you reach the summit of Kala Patthar. That’s when you will be greeted with a 360 degree panorama that includes Mt. Everest towering above all other mountains. Alongside enjoy grand views of Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, all glowing competitively as the first light of the day slowly hits them. As you look down below, you can also see a distant view of Khumbu Ice Fall, Everest Base Camp and the snaking Khumbu glacier. Enjoying the view you will spend some time capturing these views in your camera, before hiking down to Gorakshep for breakfast. 

The return journey begins after breakfast in Gorakshep. Feeling the sense of accomplishment, you will now hit the trail to hike down to Pheriche. This day’s hike is about 11.5 kilometers and can be completed in about 7-8 hours. The trail from Gorakshep to Lobuche is along the rocky glacial moraine and is still very challenging. However, as you continue down from Lobuche to Thukla the steep descent can be hard on the knees. However, past Thukla, the trail that goes through a wide, open valley is flatter than the previous sections. Although dry, it’s a very beautiful landscape that offers big sky views and yak pastures surrounded by snow capped mountains. 

Once in Pheriche, you will  check into the lodge and spend the evening at leisure- enjoying a warm meal and taking a much needed rest. 

Please note: If you are not too tired, you also have an option to hike down to Pangboche for overnight stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Leaving the alpine zone, today you will enter back to the sub-alpine zone experiencing the significant changes in vegetation, temperature and air density. It’s a long descent of about 18 kilometers, but the entire trail is very scenic and pleasant. An average hiker will complete the journey in about 7-8 hours. 

Leaving Pheriche after a hearty breakfast, you will gradually descend through the wide, open valley past stone-walled pastures and small yak herder settlements to rejoin the main EBC trail, shortly past the Pheriche Pass. From this point, you will retrace your steps through Somare, Pangboche, Deboche and pass by the Tengboche monastery, which you may explore now, if you missed it on the way up. After a short rest at the monastery, you will steeply descend through the forest to Phunki Tenga, cross the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River and ascend through the forest to Sanasa. The trail to Namche from Sanasa levels out. Enjoying the open alpine valleys, dense forest, spiritual landmarks you will ultimately hike down to the bustling Sherpa capital, Namche. 

In Namche, you will check into the lodge and spend the evening at leisure - resting at the lodge, or celebrating the success at one of the pubs in Namche. Overnight at the lodge in Namche. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

This  is the final leg of this Everest Base Camp Trek. You will cover the distance of around 18 kilometers and for an average hiker, it’s just about 6 hours walk. 

After breakfast, as you leave Namche for Lukla, you will continue your descending journey all the way down to Phakding. At Monjo, you will shortly stop, where your guide will take care of the check our formalities. Phakding to Lukla is the final stretch of this day’s hike which is a gradual climb up through the pretty little Sherpa settlements adorned with chortens, mani walls and prayer wheels and prayer flags.

Once in Lukla, you will check into the lodge and you can spend the remaining time at leisure. You can choose to spend this time resting or celebrating and bidding farewell to the porters, who assisted you during the trek. Overnight in a lodge in Lukla. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Breakfast at the lodge and as per your airport reporting time your guide will escort you to the airport and take care of the airport formalities. As per your flight time, you will board the plane and fly to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. From Ramechhap, you will drive back to Kathmandu in a shared minivan that provides shuttle service from Ramechhap to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu you will be dropped to Thamel ending the trip with Adventure Mountain Explore Treks and Expedition. 

In the evening, the company representative will meet you at one of the restaurants to hand over the trek completion certificate and celebrate the success of the trip. 

Please note: If you want to avoid the drive from Ramechhap, you can also choose to fly from Lukla to Kathmandu in a helicopter. Shared or private helicopters can be arranged at extra cost.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner