In this article, we are going to discuss the 10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
Have you ever dreamt of trekking to the foothills of the majestic Mount Everest – Everest Base Camp? Do the alluring sight Himalayas make you want to attempt the trek?
It is every passionate trekker’s dream to trump the ever-challenging Everest Base Camp. The magnificent Himalayas are a sight to behold. The panoramic view of Mount Everest should melt all the stress of your life away. The up-close views of three other peaks over 8000 meters and several other peaks add to the beauty of the trek.
If you have the passion and money to make the trip but the thing holding you back in time. And you cannot make the time for the 13 days Everest Base Camp Trek let alone the 22 days Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek.
Is this your case? Or do you want to skip the stress of walking for 13 days?
In both cases, the 10 days Everest Base Camp Trek is just perfect for you.
10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Trip facts
Trek Duration: 10 days
Trekking Region: Everest Region
Trekking Destination: The Everest Base Camp
Trek Start and End Point: Lukla
Best time for the trek: Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May)
Starting Altitude: At Lukla – 2,610 meters
Highest Altitude: At Kala Patthar – 5,545 meters
Trek Grade: Moderate (Depend on your level of fitness)
The 10-day trek to the Everest Base Camp is amongst the best packages. You will get all the benefits of the Everest Base Camp Trek but in a lesser number of days. You will see breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks and experience the local culture.
And to get the best of the trek, and Nepal, you should trek during the peak seasons.
The 10-day Everest Base Camp trek is designed for the trekkers who are looking forward to enjoying the Everest region but also have a busy lifestyle. It is an ideal trek for any trekker visiting Nepal for a short period of time.
The views and the culture will all combine to create an experience that you will cherish. The trek will take you along the Dudh Koshi River. You will have the sounds of nature and the Dudh Koshi River to accompany you through most of your journey.
You will be trekking and exploring parts of the Khumbu Region in the 10-day trek. The Everest Base Camp Trek is considered to be one of the most rewarding treks in the Khumbu Himalaya range. You will be able to enjoy scenic views of the majestic mountain and the amazing landscapes. Besides this, you will also get a hands-on experience of the culture, religion, and lifestyle of the native Sherpas.
Because you will be entering the Sagarmatha National Park you will need to carry the necessary permit to enter the region.
Your journey to the Himalayas will start with a flight to Lukla. The trekking part starts only after you reach Lukla. Your first stop on the trip is in Phakding. The next day, you will be walking from Phakding up to the thriving hub of Namche Bazaar.
The magic awaits.
From there you will hike 4 to 5 hours to reach Tengboche – your third stop. The following day you will walk from Tengboche to Dingboche.
Your next stop will see you at Lobuche then Gorak Shep. You will get to the Everest Base Camp and back to Gorak Shep on the same day. The majestic panoramic view of the peaks will be waiting as you trek from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar. The same day i.e the seventh day you will down to Pheriche.
Your walk down to Namche will start on the eighth day of the trek. You will walk back to Lukla on the second last day. You can relax on your flight back to Kathmandu on the last day of the trip.
The 10-day Everest Base Camp Trek will also let you interact with the locals and learn about their culture and heritage. The trails will also pass through a lot of Sherpa towns that you can enjoy exploring. You will enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals while you adjust to their culture and admire their lifestyle.
You will see and can visit numerous Buddhist monasteries on the way. It is a treat to explore the Tengboche monastery. Tengboche Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Northern Nepal. The Tengboche village is spectacular in its own rights. It is encircled by the beautiful snow-capped mountains.
That being said you are there for the breathtaking views of the majestic mountains. And you need not wait for the views. The moment you get off the plane at Namche, you will be welcomed by the wonderful views of the mountains.
The trail will treat you with splendid views of the peaks at every turn.
You will be able to see Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse, Mount Pumori, Mount Changtse, Mount Lingtren, Mount Amadablam, Mount Thamserku, Mount Kantega, Mount Kusum Kanguru, Mount Kongde, Mount Khumbila, Mount Twitch peak, Mount Cholatse, Island peak, Lobuche peak, Pokalde peak, and Honku South Peak.
Highlights of the 10 days Everest Base Camp Trek
- Trekking to the footstep of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. At the height of 5545m, the base camp will have a spectacular view of Mount Everest.
- Helicopter flight to the Everest Base Camp.
- Magnificent panoramic view of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse, Mount Changtse, Mount Ama Dablam, and several other smaller peaks are seen from a high viewpoint.
- Exploring the diverse culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the ethnic local Sherpas in and on the way to the Everest Base Camp.
- Visiting the market town Namche Bazaar.
- Trekking to the footstep of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest.
- Experiencing the warm hospitality of the local Sherpa and Tibetan Community.
- Visiting the recognized monasteries on the trail and the market at Namche Bazaar.
Detailed 10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Early morning flight to Lukla and then trek to Phakding.
Altitude: 2610 m
Trekking hours: 4 hours
The first day of this 10-day trek starts on the day you leave for Lukla. After a healthy breakfast, you leave Kathmandu behind on a 40-minute flight to the Tenzing–Hillary Airport in Lukla. The flight will have amazing views of snow-capped mountain peaks.
Once everyone finds their bags, you will hike to Phakding. Phakding is a small village in the Khumbu Region, towards the north of Lukla at a height of 2610 meters.
It will take you about three to four hours to reach Phakding.
You will be walking along the Dudh Koshi River through the evergreen pine forest. Enjoy the buzz of the small Sherpa villages you pass through. You will also get a glimpse of the sacred mountain, Mt. Khumbila. Khumbila means “The God of Khumbu”.
Phakding is the first stop on the trip where you will be spending the night.
Day 02: Phakding to Namche
Altitude: 3450 m
Trekking hours: 6 hours
The destination for the day is Namche Bazaar. After a big breakfast, you will start the trek along the Dudh Koshi River. You will be following the trail that ascends steeply over a rocky ridge to the Benkar valley.
You will cross the Dudh Koshi River via the suspension bridges. You will be crossing one of the famous bridges on the way, the Hillary Suspension Bridge.
When you arrive at the Sagarmatha National Park your permits will be registered.
Further along the trail, you will pass Chumoa, Monjo, and Jorsale Village. On a clear day, you will get a stunning view of Mount Everest, and Mount Lhotse. Based on the time you reach there you can go visit the marketplace.
Namche Bazaar is your stop for the night.
Day 03: Namche to Tengboche
Altitude: 3860 m
Trekking hours: 4-5 hours
Your trek continues along the narrow trails to Tengboche. You will gradually gain altitude as you make your way to Tengboche. You will see some downhill trek and cross suspension bridges on the way. The view from the trail encourages you to move further.
On a clear day, you will be able to see magnificent views of Mount Everest, Mount Nuptse, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Ama Dablam on the way. It is absolutely stunning. The trail leads you through a pine forest where local wildlife, like musk deer or a herd of Himalayan Thar, may be spotted.
The last climb to Tengboche is quite steep. Chorten, prayer wheels, and prayer flags can be seen on the way to the Tengboche monastery. There is a 20 feet sculpture of Buddha in the monastery that you have to see. Tengboche village is situated atop a hill. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountain ranges from here. You can relax by the fireplace in the kitchen at the hotel in Tengboche.
Day 04: Tengboche to Dingboche
Altitude: 4410 m
Trekking hours: 5-6 hours
From Tengboche, you will descend through the dense conifers, birch, and rhododendron forest. The spectacular view of the mountain range and the flora around you will energize you to pass the trails to your destination. You climb down to Devuche from Tengboche and cross the Imja River. This trail will slowly gain height until you reach Pangboche.
You will enter the Imja valley following the Lobuche River. A steep trail after that will eventually reach Dingboche. Dingboche is only a few hours away after you cross the Lobuche River. The unique view of the field enclosed by stone walls is splendid. Locals use stone walls to protect their crops from the cold wind.
The destination for the day Dingboche is famous for a summer settlement for yaks. You’ll see a lot of yaks grazing over a slope of the cliff, on the way to Dingboche.
Day 05: Dingboche to Lobuche
Altitude: 4940 m
Trekking hours: 4 to 5 hours
After breakfast, you will prepare to head to Lobuche. There is a little ascend before you will come across the vast plains. Two hours from Dingboche you will reach Thukla. You will take a short break here before you start the climb to Dughla Pass (4830m). There is a memorial park at the top of Dughla Pass, for Scott Fischer and Babu Chiri Sherpa who lost their lives climbing Mount Everest.
You will continue your trek past the tree line to the steep lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trek to Lobuche will indeed be a rewarding one as you will have your first glimpse of Kala Patthar and stunning mountain views of Mount Pumori, Mount Khumbutse, and others.
Get your tired feet up and relax for the night at Lobuche.
Day 06: Lobuche to Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep
Altitude: 5380 m, 5164 m
Trekking hours: 5 to 10 hours
Your destination for the day is the Everest Base Camp early in the morning. You will be climbing over steep trails that cross the Gorak Shep Lake. You will pass the memorials of Indian Army mountaineers with prayer flags on the way. After a short stop at Gorak Shep, you will continue your hike to the foothills of the highest mountain in the world.
Since you will be above 5000m from sea level. So you should not hurry, just relax and keep walking slowly.
You will pass a rocky trail to reach the destination of this trek the Everest Base Camp. The view from this point is amazing. You can see the snow-capped mountains of the majestic Mount Everest along with Mount Nuptse, Mount Khumbuste, and Mount Pumori. After visiting Everest Base Camp you will trace your way back to Gorak Shep.
Your stop for the night is at Gorak Shep.
Day 07: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and down to Pheriche (6 hours trek)
Altitude: 5643 m, 4371 m
Trekking hours: 6 hours of trek
Your mission for the day is to make it to Kala Patthar before the sun rises. So you will prepare to leave Gorak Shep before dawn. As the area is moraine glacier, the trail to Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep is rocky and slightly adventurous.
Kala Patthar is a hillock where you will get an up-close 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Everest. The sun rising over the magnificent mountain will take your breath away. You will spend some time capturing the everlasting views in your memory and your camera. After this, you will start your descend towards Pheriche.
Your final stop for the day will be in Pheriche.
Day 08: Pheriche to Namche
Altitude: 3440 m
Trekking hours: 6 hours of descending
On day eight you will be trekking down to Namche Bazaar. You will be walking through the tree line. The hills will be painted with blooming rhododendron trees. Soon after lunch, you will be crossing the prayer flag decorated suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River.
The trail will take you to Sansa. You will be able to see the familiar mountains – Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku, and Mount Nuptse – from a different angle. You could also get the sight of the mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants in the forests.
You will reach Namche Bazaar where you can relax in the lodge. You will stay overnight at the lodge and rejuvenate up for the next day.
Day 09: Namche to Lukla
Altitude: 2860 m
Trekking hours: 7 hours of descending
On day nine you will bid Namche Bazaar goodbye. You will trek down the same trail back to Lukla. You will once again be walking down to the Dudh Koshi valley. The trek will have a little uphill to Lukla.
The trail becomes easier after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. A couple of hours later you will have reached Lukla.
You can go out and enjoy Lukla after you freshen up. If you do not want to roam around you can put your feet up and relax.
Day 10: Lukla to Kathmandu (early morning flight, 30 minutes)
On the last day of the trek, you will wake up with a hearty breakfast. Then you pack up and make your way through the domestic terminal. Finally, it is time to leave behind the “the gateway to Everest” and head forward with exciting memories.
You can enjoy the scenic 40-minute flight back to Kathmandu. You can relax in your hotel in Kathmandu or enjoy the day shopping for souvenirs. You can also opt to go sightseeing around Kathmandu.
10 Days Everest Base Camp Trek – Conclusion
We have countless dreams. But we never have enough time to do everything we want in life. Now you might just not be able to make time for the Everest Base Camp trek. Or you think you cannot trek for that long. The 10 days trek to the Everest Base Camp is catered just for you.
You can not only enjoy all the views and thrill of the trek. But you also get to enjoy it in a short period of time and a manageable budget.
Now all you have to do is book a flight, pack your bag and get to Nepal.
And your dream of getting to the foothills of the highest mountain – Mount Everest is now a reality.
