Everest Basecamp Trek

Traditional Everest Base Camp itinerary, using best campsite - Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar ~Fully inclusive holiday with a Western Leader

This is your chance to trek to Everest Basecamp and to the exceptional viewpoint of Kala Patar surrounded by the wonderful mountain scenery of the Khumbu valley. A memorable flight from Kathmandu to the airstrip at Lukla takes us into an alpine world where the air is crystal clear and colourful prayer flags flutter from the rooftops. Following the famous 'Everest Trail', we trek to the prosperous village of Namche Bazaar and onwards, alongside the torrential Imja Khola, to the high valley below Mount Everest. During the course of this excellent and relatively easy-paced trek, we visit many delightful Sherpa villages, including the stunningly located Thyangboche with its impressive backdrop of Everest and Ama Dablam. Providing outrageous mountain views and a wonderful insight into the way of life of the hardy Sherpas, this is the perfect trip for a first visit to Nepal and trekking in the Himalayas.

We also offer a more challenging 22 day (20 days land only) trek: 'Everest Basecamp - The Ultimate Everest Trek' - via Goyko Lakes and the Cho La.

Trip Guide: Generally, the trekking conditions on this trip are easy, following good paths and yak trails throughout. Additionally, as the Khumbu is Nepal's most popular trekking destination, the area is well supplied with teashops and lodges and the trails between these are well used and present easy walking conditions. This is the classic walk-in to Everest and our 13 days of trekking allow us plenty of time to comfortably complete the itinerary. To ensure that everyone is in good shape on the steady ascent to Everest Basecamp, our revised itinerary now includes an acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar and 2 further acclimatisation days at Dingboche. This ascent presents no real difficulty and should be within the capabilities of fit and active hill walkers. However, there are a couple of quite long trekking days and it should be noted that trekking at altitudes above 5000 metres is necessarily strenuous.

017687 73966

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.

Day 2: An early start for the dramatic flight through the mountains to Lukla. After lunch we have a short trek to our first night's halt at Phakding (2610m. / 8563ft.). Camp.

Day 3: Following the Dudh Kosi valley upstream we cross and re-cross the river before making a final steep climb to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar (3400m. / 11,155ft.). Lodge.

Day 4: A rest day at Namche for acclimatisation. There is the option of a day hike to the Sherpa villages of Khumjung and Kunde for views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Lodge.

Day 5: Our trail now follows the Imja Khola (river) to reach Thyangboche (3860m. /12,665ft.), located on a ridge below the impressive north ridge of Kang Taiga . Camp.

Day 6: We trek via the last permanent habitation of Pangboche to the seasonal settlement of Dingboche (4410m. / 14,470ft.) at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley. Camp.

Day 7: We make a day hike into the upper Imja Valley, to Chukkung (4730m. / 15,518ft.) below the tremendous 3,000 metre south face of Lhotse. After lunch we return to Dingboche. Camp.

Day 8: Continuing on the main trail we trek via Dugla and then beside the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche (4910m. / 16,110ft.). Camp.

Day 9: We walk beside the Khumbu glacier and cross a tributory dry glacier to reach the Yak pastures at Gorak Shep. (5140m. / 16,865ft.) Camp.

Day 10: The big day as we trek to Everest Basecamp following first the moraine then the Khumbu Glacier itself. We then retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Camp.

Day 11: Our camp is at the foot of Kala Patar and we make an early morning ascent of this classic Everest viewpoint to around 5500m. / 18,000ft. Afterwards we descend to Pheriche (4270m. / 14,000ft.). Camp.

Day 12: We follow the main base camp trail as far as Pangboche. Here we climb to visit the monastery and then take an alternative high trail to the lesser visited village of Phortse (3800m.). Camp.

Day 13: We drop steeply down to cross the river at 3600m. before climbing to the Mon La at 3973m. We then descend and rejoin the main Everest trail to Namche Bazaar and continue to the village of Monjo. Camp.

Day 14: Mostly downhill today following the fall of the Dudh Kosi river, but there's a sting in the tail as we make the final short climb to Lukla. Lodge.

Day 15: Taking a morning flight to Kathmandu, we will have plenty of time after lunch for further sightseeing or shopping. Hotel.

Day 16: Free day in Kathmandu. Hotel

Day 17: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

The group will spend a total of 5 nights hotels and lodges and 10 nights camping.