In this article, we are going to discuss 12 day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary.
Trekking over the Everest Region is a dream for a passionate trekker. 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek makes you explore the parts of Khumbu Region, view the majestic mountain vistas and amazing landscapes, know the lifestyle, religion, and culture of the native Sherpas. All this to make your dream a reality.
Most of the days of the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be spending within the premises of the Sagarmatha National park. Because it is a protected area, you will require permits to trek there. Your journey starts with a scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, you head towards Phakding on the same day.
Strenuous walk to Namche on the other day, followed by acclimatization day at Namche itself. On the following days, your destination will be Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Pheriche, and return back to Namche and Lukla and then again Flight to Kathmandu from Lukla. It is a planned 12-day package for this trek route.
On the way, you will definitely enjoy the spectacular views of mountain vistas. Witnessing the closeup view of some of the world’s highest mountains such as Mt. Everest (8848 m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8210m), Mt. Makalu (8481m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m) is the best part of this trekking. Other mountains that can also be seen from the trekking spots are Mt. Changtse (7550m), Mt. Amadablam (6856m), Mt. Khumbila (5761m), Mt. Cholatse (6335m), Island peak (6179m), Lobuche peak (6145m) and many more.
Below 4000m from the sea level, the trekking route crosses the dense forest of pine, rhododendron, juniper, birch, and silver fir. As the altitude increases treeline will gradually become thinner, and you won’t find any above the altitude of 5000m.
You might as well get a glimpse of Langur monkey and musk deer in the dense forest. The exotic animals like Snow leopards and red pandas live in the forest of the higher altitude in this region. If you are lucky some of them may be spotted from the trekking trail when the trail is less crowded.
This trekking allows you to experience the adventure of mountain region and encourages you to gather memories.
Highlights :
- Scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Witness the Base Camp of the highest peak of the world Mount Everest (8848m)
- Viewpoint at Kala Patthar
- Highest monastery of the Khumbu region “Tengboche Monastery”
- Magnificent up-close view of the highest peaks of the world: Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, and Mt. Cho-Oyu.
Detailed 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Early morning flight to Lukla and then trek to Phakding.
Kathmandu to Lukla’s amazing 40 minutes mountain flight awaits you first thing in the morning. This flight not only takes you to Lukla but also allows you to view the magnificent snow-capped mountains.
Your trek begins from Lukla on the same day. You will descend towards north this day to reach your destination Phakding (2610m), a small village in the Khumbu region. On the way to Phakding from Lukla, you come across some small Sherpa villages along the Dudh Koshi river valley and you get a glimpse of the sacred mountain, Mt. Khumbila (18900 ft). Khumbila means “The God of Khumbu” and the mountain has never been climbed. The trail goes through the lovely evergreen pine forest.
After 4 or 5 hours of trekking, Phakding welcomes you with the open arms. You will stay overnight in Phakding this day.
Day 02: Phakding to Namche
Altitude: 3450 m
The second day of your 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary, wakes you up with new energy. You have to walk to the Namche Bazar this day. You follow the trail that ascends steeply over a rocky ridge to the Benkar valley. You cross the Dudh Koshi River and follow the trail that leads you to Chumoa, Monjo, and Jorsale Village. Again the steep path on the trail takes you to the Namche Bazar, the market area of Khumbu region. On the way, you walk through the alpine forest of pine, juniper, Himalayan fir. On a clear day, you may get to view the stunning sight of Mount Everest (8848m) and Mount Lhotse (8516m). Today’s long walking journey rests at Namche Bazaar.
Day 03: Namche rest day for Acclimatization.
As a result of about 1,000 m of ascending the steep hills yesterday, your body struggles to adjust to the atmospheric pressure and temperature there at the high altitude. You have to ascend further to reach Everest Base Camp, that’s why it is very important for you to rest and adjust to the same altitude, to acclimate your body. This prevents you from suffering from altitude sickness. You should take shorter hikes and get around the village for the day.
You can either explore the Namche Bazar area or if you are interested, you can take a day hike to Khumjung Village (3780m) and explore the monastery there. If you start to hike early morning you can view the glorious sunrise and the gorgeous scenery of Mount Everest (8848m), Mount Lhotse (8516m), Nuptse (7861m), Ama Dablam (6812m), Thamserku (6623m), Kongde (6187m) and many others.
Day 04: Namche to Tengboche
Altitude: 3867m
Trekking Hours: 4 to 5 hours
After leaving Namche in the morning, your trekking journey begins. You follow the trail that heads away from the market area to the mountains. The trail becomes narrower and steeper, you will find some downhills and amazing suspension bridges on this trail. The view from the trail encourages you to move further.
Chorten, prayer wheels, prayer flags can be seen on the way to the monastery. The last climb is strenuous and it takes you to Tengboche Monastery (3867m), the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. The interiors of the monastery are outstanding and attractive. It is situated at the top of the hill, that why you can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountain ranges, Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam, and many more. You will stay at Tengboche tonight.
Day 05: Tengboche to Dingboche
Altitude: 4410m
Trekking Hours: 5 to 6 hours
From Tengboche, you will descend through the dense conifers, birch, and rhododendron forest. The spectacular view of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Ama Dablam gives you the courage to pass the trails and energizes you to get to your destination. You climb down to Devuche from Tengboche and cross the Imja River. This trail takes you to Pangboche.
Now your trail ascends to Imja Valley. After crossing the Lobuche River on the way, a few hours of climb leads you to Dingboche. The destination for today. The unusual view of the field enclosed by stone walls is amazing. Local people use stone walls in the fields to protect their crops like barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold wind. Rest well since you are now above the altitude of 4000m, a good rest will help you acclimatize well.
Day 06: Rest day at Dingboche
Altitude: 4410m for further acclimatization
This is the second acclimatization day of this 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek journey. Since Dingboche village is 4000m above sea level it is essential for you to take a day rest in the same altitude range so that your body will acclimate to the atmospheric pressure and the level of oxygen there. Most of the trekkers or mountain climbers acclimate at this stop. Dingboche is in a remote area surrounded by the mountains.
On this day you can take a tour of the village, the view of the village is amazing, the typical houses with stone bricks and tin roofs. You will love to get around the buckwheat, potatoes, and barley field. You can see yaks, Himalayan goats, horses grazing in the ground. Or if you wish to hike on this day you can hike to Chhukung valley. You will be rewarded with an amazing view of the great Himalayas like Mount Makalu, Mount Lhotse, Mount Ama Dablam, and others. Overnight again at Dingboche.
Day 07: Dingboche to Lobuche (4940m) (4 to 5 hours)
After breakfast, you prepare to leave Dingboche to head to Lobuche. As you leave Dingboche you follow the trail across the vast plains. After about 2 hours of trekking, You reach Thukla and have a short rest there and ascent to Dughla Pass (4830m). There is a memorial park for an American mountaineer Scott Fischer and a Nepali mountain guide, 10 times Everest submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa, who had lost their lives during the mountain climbing at the top of Dughla Pass.
Further ascending you past the tree line and enter into glacial moraine. You will catch the first glimpse of Kala Patthar from there and stunning mountain vistas of Mount Pumori, Mount Khumbutse, and others. The view of the mountain is never boring and will take away all your tiredness of walking. You then reach Lobuche and this is the place where you are staying tonight.
Day 08: Lobuche to Gorakshep- EBC- Gorakshep. (5 to 10 hours)
On the eighth day of 12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary, you will hike the trail that crosses the Gorak Shep Lake. You will head to your primary destination the Everest Base Camp from Lobuche early in the morning. You will come across the memorials of Indian army mountaineers with prayer flags on the way. You are now above 5000m from sea level, you may feel dizzy and difficult to walk due to high altitude. You should not hurry, just relax your body and keep walking slowly. As you pass through the rocky moraine path you see tents of mountaineers on the Everest Base Camp.
As you continue the rocky trail for a while, you will reach the destination of this trek the Everest Base Camp. From here, You can see the snow-capped mountains that surround you. Mount Nuptse, Mount Khumbuste, and Mount Pumori stand tall and welcome you to Everest. After visiting Everest Base Camp you will trace back to Gorak Shep and rest after the strenuous walk all day.
Day 09: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and down to Pheriche 6 hours trek.
The sunrise view from Kala Patthar at 5643m is one of the missions today. You prepare to leave Gorak shep early in the morning before sunrise. As the area is moraine glacier, the trail to Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep is a rocky and little bit difficult. Upon reaching Kala Patthar you get to be amazed by the 360-degree up-close Panoramic views of Mount Everest. The magnificent sunrise view from the mountain vista will take your breath away. After enjoying the views you descend towards Pheriche. Overnight stay in Pheriche (4371m) today.
Day 10: Pheriche to Namche (6 hours of downhill)
The tree line welcomes you and leads you to Namche Bazaar this day. After leaving Pheriche in the morning you descend down through the hills of juniper and rhododendron trees and cross the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. You follow the trail that descends through dense pine forests. You may see colorful pheasants and mountain goats in the forest. The trekking trail takes you to Sansa, from where you can view the familiar mountain from a different angle, Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku, and Mount Nuptse. You follow the winding path on the way through the forest and finally reach Namche Bazar. You can collect the souvenirs in the market and enjoy the rest of the evening there.
Day 11: Namche to Lukla (7 hours of downhill)
It is time to say goodbye to Namche Bazaar for this time. You will now trace back the same steep trail downward. You should walk carefully on these trails. The trail becomes easy to walk after crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. After a couple of hours, you finally reach Lukla. If you have time you can roam around the place otherwise enjoy the rest of the day resting.
Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu (early morning flight, 30 minutes)
You will leave Lukla “the gateway to Everest” today, early in the morning. The scenic 40 mins take you off from Lukla to Kathmandu. After you reach Kathmandu after long trekking to the Himalayas, you can rest in your hotel. Else make the best of the moments you are here, enjoy souvenir shopping and sightseeing around Kathmandu.
