If outdoor activities are your thing and you are looking for options Nepal has on its menu. This trek is definitely up your alley. The Everest Region Treks will lead you to the base of the majestic Mount Everest.
Simply thinking about getting there does not make you ready. It all starts with the dream to reach the footsteps of the highest mountain in the world.
Then you work towards putting in all the hustle you need to be mentally and physically fit enough to successfully complete the trek.
By work we mean keeping yourself physically fit, making sure you have packed just enough, financial capability to back you up and most importantly a thorough research on the trek. You need to plan everything, from the places you will be staying at to the number of days you will be walking.
Walking on the most iconic trekking path is exhilarating.
You should familiarize yourself with the highs, lows and the plains of the journey you are planning to undertake. Take a look through the 14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary we have drawn to familiarize yourself with the trail.
Overview of the Trek
You can get the most off the trek to the Everest Base Camp with the 14-day package. It is an ideal number of days with just the right number of days spent trekking and resting on the way.
Your exciting journey starts with a flight that ensures breathtaking views of the Everest Region to Lukla. You will have various rivers, suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags and dramatic landscape to keep you company.
Besides this, the Everest Base Camp also lets you have the opportunity to get a deep insight into the Sherpa community in the Khumbu region of Nepal. All in all, you could very well call this trek a natural and cultural experience that brings you up close with best of both worlds.
Throughout the trek, you will be staying or passing in various small towns and villages like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, Gorak Shep, Kala Patthar, Tengboche, Lobuche, Phakding, Tengboche, and Pheriche.
The Everest Base Camp also exposes you to Buddhist culture and monasteries along the way. A must visit is the Tengboche Monastery, which is one of the oldest monasteries in Northern Nepal.
And above all the larger than life view of 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.
The views are not restricted to when you get high enough. You will get glimpses of peaks and mountains all along the trail.
Get the best of the views, trail, and weather by planning this trek around the peak season. The popularity of Everest Base Camp is very high so you should book your room in the different tea houses along the way in advance.
If you choose to walk in peace and are up for a slightly more challenging trek pick the offseason. You will not need to book anything in advance.
Trip facts
Trek Duration: 10 days
Trekking Destination: The Everest Base Camp
Trekking Region: Everest Region
Trek Start and End Point: Lukla
An Ideal time to make the trek: Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May)
Starting Altitude: At Lukla – 2,610 meters (8562.99 feet)
Highest Altitude: At Kala Patthar – 5,545 meters (18192.257 feet)
Trek Grade: Moderate (Depending on your level of fitness)
Highlights of the 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek
- Magnificent view of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Nuptse, Mount Changtse, Mount Ama Dablam and several other smaller peaks from a high viewpoint.
- Scenic flight to the gateway of Mount Everest.
- Visit and explore the markets at Namche Bazaar.
- Explore Sherpa villages along with the hospitality, heritage, and lifestyle of the ethnic local Sherpas.
- Explore Tengboche and the ancient Thami monasteries.
- Views of Khumbu glacier and ice fall.
- High Quality Meals.
- Luxurious accommodation.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel
Altitude: 1400 meters
You will be transferred to your hotel after you land in Kathmandu. You can stay in and rest before you start your journey to the foothills of Mount Everest the next day. You can also look around the city.
Day 02: Early morning flight to Lukla and then trek to Phakding.
Altitude: 2610 meters
Trekking hours: 4 hours
Your journey to the Everest Base Camp starts the day you leave for Lukla. After a heartwarming breakfast at the hotel, you will leave Kathmandu behind. You will catch a 30-minute flight to Lukla. The flight will treat you with amazing views of the mountain peaks.
You will start your hike to Phakding the same day you land in Lukla. Phakding is about three to four hours north of Lukla. It is a small village in the Khumbu Region standing at a height of 2610 meters.
The walk to Phakding will take you along with the Dudh Koshi river. The weather will be pleasant as you will be walking through the evergreen pine forests and small Sherpa villages. You will also get a glimpse of the sacred mountain, Mt. Khumbila. Khumbila means “The God of Khumbu”.
You will be spending the night in Phakding.
Day 03: Phakding to Namche (3450 m)
Altitude: 3450 meters
Trekking hours: 6 hours
After a hearty breakfast, you will start the trek along the Dudh Koshi river to your next destination at Namche Bazaar. The trail will ascend steeply over a rocky ridge towards the Benkar valley.
The trails will take you across the Dudh Koshi River via the suspension bridge. One of the notable bridges you will be crossing this day will be the Hillary Suspension Bridge.
After your adventures with the suspension bridges, you will reach the Sagarmatha National Park. You will need to register your permits here.
You will pass Chumoa, Monjo, and Jorsale Villages on your way to Namche. You will get your first glimpses of Mount Everest, and Mount Lhotse further along the trail.
You can keep your foot up and relax after the 6-hour walk or visit the marketplace in Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is your night station for this day.
Day 04: Rest Day for acclimatization at Namche Bazaar.
Altitude: 3450 meters
Namche Bazaar is a marketplace. There is plenty of things to do here since there are many Internet cafes, shops, and restaurants. You can go shopping for in case you may have forgotten something.
You will find everything you need from clothing stores to souvenir stores. You can explore the little town. The marketplace is buzzing with activity as it is the main center of the Khumbu Region.
In case you are up for it, you take up an early morning hike for a mesmerizing sunrise over the mountain ranges. Alternatively, you can enjoy the day exploring the lifestyle and culture of the local Sherpa people.
Day 05: Namche to Tengboche (4 to 5 hours)
Altitude: 3860 meters
Trekking hours: 4-5 hours
You will gradually gain altitude as you continue your trek along the narrow trails to Tengboche. The trail gives you some downhill trek and suspension bridges. The climbs may be a little challenging but the views will encourage you to move further.
The magnificent views of Mount Everest, Mount Nuptse, Mount Lhotse and Mount Ama Dablam will be your reward on a clear day. The pine forests on the trail are the house to the local wildlife, like musk deer or herd of Himalayan Thar. You may spot them grazing along the trail.
The final climb to reach Tengboche is a little steep.
The trail to the Tengboche monastery will be dotted with prayer wheels and prayer flags. The monastery is famous for the 20 feet sculpture of Buddha in its province. Tengboche is a small village situated atop a hill that will give you fabulous views of the mountain ranges.
Enjoy the heat from the heat stove placed in the Tengboche teahouse.
Day 06: Tengboche to Dingboche (5 to 6 hours)
Altitude: 4410 meters
Trekking hours: 5-6 hours
On day six, you will descend through the dense conifers, birch, and rhododendron forests leaving Tengboche behind. The trail will lead you down to Devuche until you cross the Imja River. After crossing the river, the trail will slowly gain height until you reach the village of Pangboche.
The spectacular view of the mountain range along with the blooming flora will you energize you along the way.
Following the Lobuche river, you will enter the Imja Valley. A few hours of a steep trail after that will take you to Dingboche. The unique view of the field enclosed by stone walls on the way is splendid. Stone walls are used to protect crops from the wind and animals.
Your end destination for the day: Dingboche.
Day 07: Rest day for further acclimatization at Dingboche.
Altitude: 4410 meters
Dingboche is a popular acclimatization spot among trekkers. Dingboche enjoys a pleasant environment site is a perfect place to enjoy before you continue the journey. Dingboche is a famous summer settlement for yaks. You’ll see a lot of yaks grazing over a slope of the cliff, even on the way to Dingboche.
This beautiful village has many fields enclosed by stone walls. The walls protect the crops – barley, buckwheat, and potatoes – from the wind and animals.
There always are short hikes to Nagarjun Hill or Chukhung Valley in case you want to explore instead of relaxing by the warm fire.
Day 08: Dingboche to Lobuche (4 to 5 hours)
Altitude: 4940 meters
Trekking hours: 4 to 5 hours
You will prepare to head to Lobuche early morning. You will be hiking through an ascend before you come across the vast plains. Two hours hike from Dingboche you will reach Thukla.
You will take a short break at Thukla before you start the climb to Dughla Pass (4830m). There is a memorial park, for Scott Fischer and Babu Chiri Sherpa who lost their lives climbing Mount Everest, atop of Dughla Pass.
The trail will take you past the tree line to the steep lateral ridge of the Khumbu Glacier. Your first glimpse of Kala Patthar and stunning mountain views of Mount Pumori, Mount Khumbutse, along with others will make the challenging trek to Lobuche a rewarding one.
You will relax for the night at Lobuche.
Day 09: Lobuche to Gorak Shep – EBC- Gorakshep. (5 to 10 hours)
Altitude: 5380 meters, 5164 meters
Trekking hours: 5 to 10 hours
You will be afoot the Everest Base Camp on day nine of the trek. The trail to Everest Base Camp will be though steep trails that cross the Gorak Shep Lake.
You will pass the memorials of Indian Army mountaineers decorated with prayer flags. After a short stop at Gorak Shep, you will continue your hike to the footstep of Mount Everest. The trail to the Everest Base Camp will be slightly rocky.
The trail will take you above 5000 meters from sea level. So we would advise you not hurry. Relax and maintain a slow but steady pace until you reach Everest Base Camp. The view from this high vantage point is beyond amazing.
You will be able to see the majestic Mount Everest along with Mount Nuptse, Mount Khumbuste, Mount Abu Dablam, and Mount Pumori. After visiting Everest Base Camp you will trace your way back to Gorak Shep, where you will spend the night.
Day 10: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and down to Pheriche 6 hours trek.
Altitude: 5643 meters, 4371 meters
Trekking hours: 6 hours of trek
Your aim for the day will be to make it to Kala Patthar before the sun rises. This means you trek from Gorak Shep will start before dawn. The trail for the day is a moraine glacier. So, the trail to Kala Patthar from Gorak Shep is rocky and slightly an adventurous one. Kala Patthar is a hillock where you will get an up-close panoramic view of Mount Everest along with other mountains and peaks.
The sun rising slowly over the magnificent mountains will make the tough trek worthwhile. You will be able to spend some time on Kala Patthar capturing the fantastic views in your memories and your camera.
After a while at Kala Patthar, you will start your descend towards Pheriche. Pheriche will be your final station for the day.
Day 11: Pheriche to Namche (6 hours of walking down)
Altitude: 3440 meters
Trekking hours: 6 hours
You will be trekking down to Namche Bazaar. It is a six-hour walk down from Pheriche through the tree line. The hills on the walk down will be covered in blooming rhododendron trees in the spring. Soon after lunch, you will be crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi river.
The familiar mountains – Mount Ama Dablam, Mount Thamserku and Mount Nuptse – will come into your view from a different angle. You could also get the sight of the mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants in the forests.
At the end of the day, you will be back in Namche Bazaar. You can relax as you rejuvenate for the last trek or go souvenir shopping in case.
Day 12: Namche to Lukla (7 hours of walking down)
Altitude: 2860 meters
Trekking hours: 7 hours
You will say your farewells to Namche Bazaar early in the morning. You will retrace the path back to Lukla as you walk down to the Dudh Koshi valley. You will be able to pack a little uphill path as you trek to Lukla.
The trail will become smoother once you cross the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. A couple of hours and you will have reached Lukla. You can go out and enjoy Lukla after you freshen up or relax in the tea house.
Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu (early morning flight, 30 minutes)
Altitude: 1400 meters
It is, finally, the time to leave the “the gateway to Everest” behind. You will be leaving Lukla after a hearty breakfast. You will take the ride to the domestic terminal.
You will enjoy the scenic 30-minute flight back to Kathmandu. You can relax in your hotel at Kathmandu or enjoy the day shopping for souvenirs and sightseeing around Kathmandu.
Day 14: Departure to the airport
Day 14 is the last day of your journey. You will be dropped at the international airport 3 hours prior to your flight.
You will be leaving Nepal with memory card crammed with stills and videos of your journey to the Everest Base Camp. Besides, you will also leave with a little of Nepal in your memories and the experiences of the culture and the people.
Conclusion
Trekking in Nepal is as easy as hopping on a flight, getting the necessary permits and start walking.
But getting to the Everest Base Camp is not like attempting any other trek. Intense research and months of training prepares you for the most iconic trek – the Everest Base Camp Trek.
The 14-day trek is ideal for all trekkers.
Get your tickets and passports ready to scratch Everest Base Camp off your trekking and bucket list.
Contact us if you have any enquiries to make.
