Everest Base Camp Trek

DAY 1, September 26: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU (4,400 feet)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our local staff who will transfer you to your hotel. There will be welcome refreshments followed by room check-in assistance. Shortly afterwards, a briefing about the trip is given in the hotel lobby. Spare time before this evening’s welcoming dinner may be used to sort your gear and explore your surroundings. We will dine together at an authentic Nepali restaurant and enjoy a presentation on local cultural before returning to the hotel.

DAY 2, September 27: TOUR KATHMANDU

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning to begin your tour of Kathmandu. Visit Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Tour the inside of one of the several monasteries neighboring the stupa. Next visit Pashupatinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and possibly view cremation ceremonies along the banks of the Bagmati River. Continue on to Patan Durbar Square to take in ancient Nepalese architecture and enjoy lunch at the museum garden, housed in a royal palace of the former Malla kings. We will stay the night again at our hotel in Kathmandu. This evening you should make time to sort your belongings, separating the items you and your porter will be carrying.

• Lukla Elevation 9,449 feet
• Phakding Elevation 8,701 feet
• Namche Bazaar Elevation 11,306 feet
• Elevation Loss: 748 feet
• Elevation Gain: 2,608 feet
• Hiking Time: 3 hours from Lukla to Phakding; 6.5 hours from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
• Distance: 4 miles from Lukla to Phakding; 6.4 miles from Phakding to Namche Bazaar

DAY 03 - September 28:  FLY TO LUKLA (9,449 feet) AND TREK TO PHAKDING (8,701 feet) – 3 hours

We provide an early morning transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport to board a scenic 45-minute flight to Lukla. This flight provides a magnificent entry to the trek. One of the most spectacular flights in the world, it highlights the snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north.

Upon arrival in Lukla, you will meet the Sherpa team while they distribute the equipment to the porters and jhopke (a hybrid of a cow and a yak used to carry loads). There will be a short lunch break during which guests are welcome to explore this bustling town on top of a hill with rows of houses, hotels and shops lining cobbled streets.

After lunch we will begin the trek by following the trail northwest through narrow streets, immediately descending from the end of the village through the open hillside. The trail is well defined and there are many shops and lodges catering to trekkers. This day’s trek is a very easy one and ultimately descends to the river at Phakding (8,701 feet), where will have a hot meal and comfortable beds for the night.

DAY 04 - September 29:  TREK TO NAMCHE BAZAAR (11,306 feet) – 6-7 hours

After breakfast you will leave the main village and follow the trail on the left bank of the Dudh Kosi River. It is a pleasant walk as we pass through agricultural countryside, small wayside villages and a monastery.

After lunch, you will trek up to the park permit checkpoint and enter into the Sagarmatha National Park. From there you will descend for ten minutes, then cross a suspension bridge to arrive at Jorsale (9,186 feet). This is a busy trail with plenty of sights. Our first good views are of the west ridge of Kusum Kangru (20,797 feet). You will follow the Dudh Kosi River, crossing a rustic suspension bridge, then slowly climb up a very steep trail to Namche Bazaar. Near the halfway point, you will enjoy your first views of Mt. Everest (29,029 feet), Nuptse (25,850 feet), and Lhotse (27,503 feet), the big three. The climb is nearly three hours as we gain altitude. After arriving at a gate with a sign saying, “Welcome to Namche Bazaar” you will hike another 20 minutes to our lodgings in the heart of Namche Bazaar (11,309 feet).

Namche is a prosperous town and the largest in Khumbu. Thamserku (21,811 feet) and Kwangde Ri (21,732 feet) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (18,724 feet) dominates the skyline along the west. Dinner and overnight accommodations are provided at our lodge in Namche.

DAY 05 - September 30:  REST DAY FOR ACCLIMATIZATION IN NAMCHE BAZAAR

You will rest for a day in Namche Bazaar to aid with acclimatization. You may go for an optional side trip to Syangboche and visit the world famous Everest View Hotel, or visit Thame (the birthplace of famed Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who completed the first summit bid of Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in May 1953). This evening you will have dinner at your lodge in Namche again and prepare to continue trekking again.

• Thyangboche Elevation 12,674 feet
• Elevation Gain: 1,368 feet
• Hiking Time: 5 hours
• Distance: 5.8 miles

DAY 06 - October 1:  TREK TO THYANGBOCHE (12,674 feet) - 5 hours

You will start the day by first going to the checkpoint to check our permits, then walk uphill for about ten minutes after which the path is level for the next two hours. On the way we get a dramatic view of Ama Dablam (22,349 feet) and Kang Taiga (22,241 feet) flanked by the towering view of the Everest (Sagarmatha), Lhotse and Nuptse. You will descend through a beautiful rhododendron forest, watching for the Blood Pheasant and Imphayan Pheasant in the undergrowth.

You will then descend to the Imja Khola River for a lunch stop at Phunki (10,499 feet) next to several large water-driven prayer wheels. The afternoon is spent climbing slowly on a steep trail to Thyangboche Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Khumbu Region. Thyangboche lies at the base of Kang Taiga and is a classic setting with superb views across the valley to Ama Dablam. Everest peeks its southwest face over the huge ridgeline linking Nuptse and Lhotse. To the south is the beautiful west face of the Thamserku (21,680 feet) and Kang Taiga. Dinner is served this evening at our overnight lodging in Thyangboche.

The Thyangboche Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of the Khumbu Region, and the late afternoon can be spent visiting this ancient house of worship. It is the traditional place where all the Everest climbers receive their blessings as they walk in towards the base camp.

• Pheriche Elevation 13,845 feet
• Elevation Gain: 1,171 feet
• Hiking Time: 5 hours
• Distance: 6 miles

DAY 07 - October 2:  TREK TO PHERICHE (13,845 feet) - 5 hours

After breakfast you will embark on the trail with a short, steep, and muddy decent through a forest of birch, conifer and rhododendron to the meadows of Devouche. From there you will continue on a level trail through forests to arrive at a suspension bridge high above the rushing Dudh Kosi River, and take in the view of Ama Dablam. Crossing a suspension bridge, you will continue to climb to the village of Pangboche, which also has a monastery. The monastery lies more on the route to Phortse and is not easily reached from the lower trail, but for those who desire to visit the monastery, the trail bifurcates just before the village after the pass, and a hard 30-minute climb up the ridge brings one to this fabled monastery, which houses the Scalp of the Yeti.

After lunch the landscape becomes very interesting as the vista opens before us and we can see the river flowing far down below. Following the trail that has been cut out along sheer cliffs and descending to Khumbu Khola, we cross a wooden bridge and press forward to the windswept valley of Pheriche. Dinner and overnight accommodations await us there.

DAY 08 - October 3:  REST DAY FOR ACCLIMATIZATION AT PHERICHE

Most people who struggle with the elevation will present symptoms from the altitude of 14,000 feet. Thus it is highly recommended to have a rest day to acclimatize at this altitude before continuing our ascent. Tonight we will take it easy at our overnight lodging in Pheriche.

• Thugla Elevation 15,026 feet
• Lobuche Elevation 16,178 feet
• Elevation Gain: 1,181 feet from Pheriche to Thugla; 1,052 feet from Thugla to Lobuche
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours from Pheriche to Thugla; 5-6 hours from Thugla to Lobuche
• Distance: 2.8 miles from Pheriche to Thugla; 2 miles from Thugla to Lobuche

DAY 09 - October 4:  TREK TO THUGLA (15,026 feet) – 5-6 hours

On the way from Dingboche, you can admire the beautiful view of the Cholatese (20,784 feet) on the west side of the route and Ama Dablam to the rear. After arrival at the ridge, descend for about ten minutes, you will cross a bridge and arrive at Thugla for lunch. The remainder of the day is free for rest and acclimatization.

DAY 10 - October 5:  TREK TO LOBUCHE (16,178 feet) – 5-6 hours

You will begin the day’s trek with a steep, hour-long ascent to a ridge where there is a Sherpa memorial to the brave mountaineers from past expeditions. Chortens dot the skyline facing the mountains and overlooking the valley below. The moraine of the Khumbu Glacier lies farther down the trail with views of Pumori or Widow’s Peak in the foreground. The stark and rugged beauty create almost a moonscape environment. Steadily trekking through the moraine for another hour, our overnight lodging and dinner await us in Lobuche, cradled in a windswept valley with enchanting views of the Tawatse (21,329 feet) and Nuptse (25,771 feet).

• Gorak Shep Elevation 16,929 feet
• Kala Patthar Elevation 18,192 feet
• Elevation Gain: 751 feet from Lobuche to Gorak Shep; 1,263 feet from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar
• Hiking Time: 8 hours from Lobuche to Kala Patthar and back to Gorak Shep
• Distance: 2.8 miles from Lobuche to Gorak Shep; 2.4 miles from Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and back

DAY 11 - October 6:  TREK TO GORAK SHEP (16,929 feet) & CLIMB KALA PATTHAR (18,192 feet) – 8 hours

You will make an early morning trek to Gorak Shep from Lobuche, following the contour of the open landscape along the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraines and scattered rocks. On a clear day Mount Everest can be seen looming behind Nuptse. From a ridge above Gorak Shep, or “graveyard of the crows,” we descend to the alpine settlement where we will stay overnight at one of the two teahouses. This was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. Over the years, several monuments have been erected to memorialize climbers who have died during various Everest expeditions.

After lunch you will continue toward Kala Patthar (18,192 feet). The hour-long trek to the summit is challenging, but well worth it for the breathtaking sunrise views that frame Everest. The giants of the earth loom all around: Pumori (23,442 feet), Everest (29,029 feet), China’s peak, Changtse (24,780 feet), Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and many others. You will return to Gorak Shep for dinner and overnight lodging having reached our highest altitude of our trek.

• Everest Base Camp Elevation 17,585 feet
• Pheriche Elevation 13,845 feet
• Elevation Gain: 656 feet from Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp
• Elevation Loss: 3,740 feet from Everest Base Camp to Pheriche
• Hiking Time: 10-12 hours
• Distance: 2 miles from Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp; 10 miles from Everest Base Camp to Pheriche

DAY 12 - October 7:  TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (17,585 feet) AND TREK BACK TO PHERICHE

After breakfast you will travel along jumbled moraines and erratic boulders, passing by the memorials of Rob Hall, Yasuko Namba, and others who perished during the Everest disaster of 1996. The trail continues on a ridge, where a glimpse of Everest can be seen. At the end of the ridge, a scrambling descent gives way to the entry of the Khumbu Glacier. Everest Base Camp is also the site for the base camps of Lhotse and Nuptse. Various expeditions have selected different locations in this vicinity for semi-permanent tent cities during their assaults on the mountain. Some of the sites that expeditions have used as base camps are identifiable from debris on the glacier. The highlight of the day is the sight of the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, the trek along which can be both exhilarating and intimidating for its volatility. In the evening, you will dine and stay in Pheriche.

DAY 13 - October 8:  BACKTRACK TO KYENGIMA OR NAMCHE BAZAAR – 6-8 hours

Your travel over the next few days will be surprisingly rapid. After spending nearly two weeks at high altitude, you will cherish the euphoria of descending into oxygen-rich climes. Still surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks, you will admire the majesty of this region from a different perspective. Dinner is provided and overnight accommodations await us at a teahouse lodge in Kyengima or Namche Bazaar. If there is spare time when we have reached the village, take the opportunity to shop for souvenirs to remember your trek.

DAY 14 - October 9:  BACKTRACK TO MONJO OR PHAKDING - 6-8 hours

Today you will continue the descent, leaving Sagarmatha National Park before arriving at Monjo, home to the Uche Chholing monastery. You will be in agricultural countryside again, but views of the now-familiar mountains still amaze. You will eat dinner and stay overnight at a teahouse lodge in Monjo or Phakding.

DAY 15 - October 10:  BACKTRACK TO LUKLA – 3-5 hours

This is your last day on the trail, and it is a short distance to go after breakfast. There will be spare time when we arrive in Lukla, and you may wish to find a place to reflect on the sights you have beheld and the friends you have made. There will be dinner and overnight lodging at a teahouse in Lukla. Before bed, take a moment to re-sort your gear so you are ready to hit the ground running in Kathmandu tomorrow.

DAY 16 - October 11:  FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU – 45 minutes

You and your team will take an early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu in a Twin Otter plane. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your hotel where you may deposit your belongings and freshen up. The remainder of the day is free for well earned rest or for an optional sightseeing tour.

DAY 17 - October 12:  REST DAY IN KATHMANDU

What you choose to do today is completely up to you. One option is to visit the Eco Farm Home for homeless children near Panauti. It is also a good time to shop for keepsakes for friends, family, and yourself. We will meet this evening for the farewell dinner with our Sherpas, guides, and porters.

DAY 18 - October 13:  FINAL DEPARTURE

Today we say goodbye, or “namaste.” Depending on your flight schedule, ideal activities include last-minute packing and shopping until your transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to two hours. To prepare, walk around your neighborhood for at least one hour to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. This is the equivalent of up to twelve laps around a quarter-mile track.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, try walking up and down three flights of stairs.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips complement introductory activities you would encounter on Level 1 trips and will whet the appetite of anybody looking to explore outdoor sports. Your group may stop occasionally to learn about the natural surroundings and their local lore.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for two to three hours. Take a long walk around your local park for at least two hours to prepare.

• Distances

  Level 2 trips range from two to four miles. This is approximately eight to sixteen laps around a quarter-mile track.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on mostly flat terrain and may encounter some rocks and tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be minimal elevation change on this trip. We will gain no more than 500 vertical feet.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 3,000 feet.

Level 3 trips will give you a broad sense of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  Three to five hours is standard. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles or exercising two or three days a week.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be hiking three to six miles on this trip, the average distance run in an hour-long basketball game.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain with bare rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 1,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 4,500 feet.

Level 4 trips balance physical and aesthetic components of the day. Get your heart pumping on intermediate terrain with some rock scrambles and multiple peaks, then enjoy a well-earned break with a stunning view. These trips are effective preparation for even more challenging weekend-long trips.

• Activity

  Trail time ranges from for four to six hours. You should be in good physical shape and exercise at least three times a week to get the most out of the day.

• Distances

  You’ll be traveling five to eight miles on this trip, the average distance run in an hour-long soccer game.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on steadily rising terrain with loose rock surfaces, switchbacks, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 6,000 feet.

Level 5 trips place greater emphasis challenging you physically. Whether you’re still new to the scene or have some experience, you’ll appreciate a more deliberate pace with a capable group.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to seven hours. Prepare for this trip by doing cardio and strength exercise at least three days a week.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover six to nine miles today before heading home.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be hiking on moderate mountainous terrain, which may require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 1,800 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 8,000 feet.

Level 6 trips will push you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be active for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to eleven miles today, nearly a half-marathon.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be hiking on varying mountainous terrain, which will involve navigating various rock faces, loose stones, and steep, uneven trails.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 10,000 feet.

On Level 7 trips you’ll encounter some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available within a day’s drive. These trips are for athletic types and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to eight hours. You can best prepare for a Level 7 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regimen, trying to get your mile time below eight minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 7 hikes can be anywhere from ten to thirteen miles.

• Surfaces

  We will be on mountainous, exposed terrain and steep, uneven trails. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 2,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 12,000 feet.

On Level 8 trips you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available on the east coast. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to truly test themselves. These are our hardest day trips and our weekend trips that prepare you for international adventure.

• Activity

  We will be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 8 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regimen, trying to get your mile time below seven minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 8 hikes range from twelve to fourteen miles.

• Surfaces

  We will hike and scramble up numerous peaks with exposed, uneven surfaces, large boulders, and steep ascents/descents. Hiking boots, poles and headlamps are recommended.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  Up to 14,000 feet.

If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, a Level 9 trip is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best. Only inner fortitude and perseverance will get you and your team to the top and back safely.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least eight to ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and keeping up your hiking skills.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking twelve to fifteen miles per day. 

• Surfaces

  On Level 9 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 4,000 feet per day with some altitude travel likely.

• Altitude

  Up to 17,000 feet.

With the proper technique, experience, and a generous dose of luck, you and a team of the hardiest adventurers around will tackle extreme terrain, unrelenting elements, and improbable odds as you strive to conquer the ultimate outdoor challenge of our Level 10 trips.

• Activity

  You should be ready for a minimum of ten hours per day of excruciating hiking, scrambling, and climbing.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles per day. Prepare with an intense cardio and weight-lifting circuit training regimen to increase cardio output and endurance.

• Surfaces

  On Level 10 trips you will be trekking in the most highly exposed, remote terrain imaginable.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day and prolonged travel at altitude.

• Altitude

  Up to 19,000 feet.