Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek is best suitable for all luxury travelers who want to stay and enjoy the luxurious services from the beginning to the end of the trekking days in the Everest. Witness breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and a multitude of other peaks along with the serene Khumbu region. Have an authentic experience of the Sherpa culture and mountain lifestyle with the off chance of encountering some exotic Himalayan wildlife.
In answer to an increasing demand for superior accommodation, particularly in the Mahalangur Himal region, home of the Sherpa people, a number of three to five star lodges are being or have been built by the community.
We are now happy to offer you the following itinerary for this special luxury lodge trek to the base camp of Everest, which uses the finest establishments currently available. Our recommendation is that you allow for two nights in Kathmandu, staying at the Yak and Yeti Hotel (or equivalent) before flying to Lukla for the 13 day trek. We also recommend at least two nights and one full day in the city after your trek to allow for unscheduled mountain flight delays out of Lukla caused by inclement weather.
The 16 Day Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek starts with a scenic flight to Lukla. Follow trails through the Sherpa villages that head between towering peaks towards Everest. Once above the tree line, you will be closer to the ice-giants than on any other trail.
The 12 trekking days are designed to minimize the risk of altitude mountain sickness (AMS) by limiting daily altitude increases. Two obligatory rest and acclimatization days are included as the altitude rises. The first is at Namche Bazaar: explore the town and walk up to the Everest View Hotel to view Everest or nearby Khumjung to experience the culture, lifestyle and beliefs of the Sherpa People.
Trek to the hilltop village of Tengboche which has a vibrant Buddhist Monastery and great views. Overnight in nearby Debuche, home to a Buddhist Nunnery. Continue through Pangboche to Dingboche for the second acclimatization day: walk up to Nangkartshang Gompa for unparalleled views of the Nuptse glacier, Ama Dablam’s north face glacier and, to the east, towering Makalu.
As the altitude rises, temperatures fall: forests and farmland give way to alpine scrub; then rock and ice. After a night at Lobuche trek to the highest village at Gorak Shep for lunch. Follow the trail to the ring of peaks surrounding the upper Khumbu Glacier – and the ice fall towards the summit. Base camp is laid out annually on the ice opposite the ice fall. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.
A pre-sunrise climb from your hotel, up Kala Patthar, offers glorious views that include Cho Oyu in the west, the Everest, South Col, Lhotse and Nuptse cluster and the Lower Pumori – Lingtren – Khumbutse – West Face ring that surrounds the Base Camp.
The easier four day downward trek currently re-traces much of the up-route as the number of quality overnight establishments is still limited.With this, the Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge trek comes to a closure.
The best times of the year to perform the Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons. During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous. While it is possible to trek in winter, heavy snowfall and harsh temperatures can sometimes make the trek quite difficult.
Everest Base Camp Luxury Lodge Trek is a moderately strenuous trek that takes you up to altitudes of 5554m (Kalapattar). The 130km journey generally takes a little over two weeks to complete. You will be trekking over rocky hills and semi mountainous terrain for most of the trek. While previous trekking experience is not a necessity, it will certainly make the trek easier. Good physical fitness and stamina is recommended along with ample time and rest days for acclimatization.
Sagarmatha National Park Permit
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
Khumbuu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality
NRS. 2000 ($ 16) Per Person
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card
NRS. 1000 ($10) for organized trekkers
NRS. 2000 ($20) for independent trekkers
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities.
Overnight at Yak and Yeti (or equivalent) hotel.
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)
Overnight at Yak and Yeti (or equivalent) hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the Domestic Airport for the flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region – south of Everest. Meet your local porters and begin the discovery by trekking into the Dudh Koshi Valley: to Cheplung (2 700m) and Ghat (2 530m). Another hour’s walk takes you to Phakding.
Overnight in Phakding
Walk through pine forests along the Dudh Koshi, crossing tributaries, to the Sherpa villages of Benkar (2 710m), Chumoa (2 820m), Monjo (2 840m) and Jorsale (2 830m). This is the gateway and permit checkpoint to the Sagarmatha National Park. Thamserku (6 618m) glistens east of the village. Follow the river to its confluence with the Bhote Koshi: the major rivers draining the Khumbu District. Climb steadily, crossing the high Tenzing-Hilary Bridge, to the first glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. A further 3 hr forested climb leads to the region’s administrative and trade centre at Namche Bazaar.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar
This is the first scheduled acclimatization day. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) experts recommend at least a 24 hr rest period. Keep active: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatisation advice.
Only Namche offers ATMs, cyber cafés, restaurants and bakeries, plus a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday morning. The Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park Visitor’s Centre has informative displays on Sherpa culture, local flora and fauna.
A walk to the village of Khumjung (3 780m) will present a more traditional view of Sherpa life than Namche. Spend a morning walking up to the village. A circular trail is possible. At very least, visit the closer Everest View Hotel (3 880m) to view the Everest cluster.
A more adventurous five hour return trek west to Thame (3 820m): below the impressive Kongde Ri Ridge (6 187m), offers panoramic Himalayan landscapes not visible from the Gokyo or Everest trails.
Overnight in Namche Bazaar
From the top of Namche, the trail contours around a hill to Sanasa (3 600m); and a trail fork: NW to Gokyo, NE to Everest. Look for Himalayan tahrs on high ground, shy spotted deer, and birds – including the colourful (male) national bird: the Danphe pheasant. Descend to water driven prayer wheels at Phunki Thenga (3 250m, the lowest point north of Namche). Cross the Dudh Koshi near its confluence with the Imja Khola and climb steeply for 2 hrs up the Imja Khola Valley through rhododendron and dwarf conifers to the hilltop village of Tengboche – and lunch.
The village is home to an important regional monastery that is well worth visiting. At October’s full moon the monks present the colourful, Mani Rimdu festival, with Tibetan Opera and masked dancing. Good, closer, views from the village include the Everest group.
The overnight stop is at the nearby village of Debuche, home to a nunnery linked to Tengboche and set in Rhododendron and Juniper forest.
Overnight in Debuche.
After breakfast, we descend to cross the Imja Khola to the north before gradually ascending to Pangboche (3 860m) with rear views of towering Ama Dablam (6 856m). The trail follows the river to its confluence with the Lobuche Khola and continues to Dingboche: the last year-round settlement in the region. Walled terraced fields protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from icy winds and marauding animals during the short growing season at this altitude.
Overnight in a Dingboche
To acclimatise: head north to the Nangkartshang Hill ridge (4 800m) for views of the Nuptse Glacier, Chhukhung Ri (4 230m, which masks Lhotse’s glaciers) and Imja Tse (6 189m). Further east, along the Mahalangur Himal Ridge, is imposing Makalu (8 463m). Towards the south is, Amphu Lapcha’s fluted ridge (5 845m) and the unusual view of Ama Dablam’s north face and glaciers. Return to the Summit Lodge.
Overnight in a Dingboche.
Ascend slowly to a ridge and the hamlet of Duse (4 500m) with western views of Taboche and Cholatse. Continue through kharkas (high pastures) to Duglha (4 620m). Then ascend the Khumbu Glacier’s huge stony terminal moraine (~1 hr). Landmark balanced-stone memorials to lost climbers have been placed along its rim. To the north, border peaks along the Mahalangur Himal include Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori. Everest is hidden by the imposing Nuptse-Lhotse wall.
Overnight in Lobuche.
A desolate trail along the moraine heads for the last, seasonal, village of Gorak Shep below Pumori; and the Everest Inn. After an early lunch, trek to cold EBC: positioned on the Khumbu Glacier opposite the dreaded icefall – the most nerve wracking section of an Everest ascent.
During the April-May ascent season, porters and yaks scurry in and out with supplies like an army of ants and the site is a riot of colourful tents perched on the dirty ice. Out of season it is bleak and silent, bar birds wind and avalanches. Everest and the Cwm are hidden behind the West Ridge. Walk back to the Everest Inn.
Overnight in a GorakShep.
From the village, a pre-dawn climb (2-3 hrs) up Kala Patthar, offers sunrise over: Everest (8 848m/29 028ft), Lhotse (8 516m), Nuptse (7 861m) and Changtse (7 550m, north of the Rongbuk Glacier). Then Pumori (7 145m), Lingtren (6 697m) and Khumbutse (6 623m) amidst countless other peaks that crowd your horizon. Cho Oyo (8 201m) can be seen further to the west:
After breakfast: retrace your steps to Lobuche (4 940m) and on to the landmark memorials on the glacier’s snout. Descend the moraine to Duglha (4 620m), then follow the western trail to lower and warmer Pheriche.
Overnight in Pheriche.
There is little variation in the altitude today and a pleasant walk, along one of two routes, leads back to Pangboche (4 280m): and the Khumbu’s oldest monastery (17th C). From there retrace your steps to your Himalayan cultural home in Debuche.
Overnight Ddebuche
After breakfast walk to Tengboche with its great panoramic views. Then tackle the long descent, through rhododendron forest, to Phunki Thenga. Cross the Dudh Khosi and climb to Sanasa: and the broader, gentler trail back to Namche Bazaar for lunch.
Then head south, dropping through the greener valley to Larja Dobhan (2 830m) at the confluence of the Dudh with the larger Bhote Khosi from the Ngozumpa Glacier (and Gokyo). Follow it to Jorsale (2 830m) and exit the National Park before walking down to Monjo; at a comfortable altitude.
Overnight in Monjo
Continue along the Dudh Koshi Valley, through farming villages to Phakding (2 610m). Cross the suspension bridge at Thado Koshi and on to Cheplung (2 700m). Finally, tackle the last rise to Lukla: where your porters will take their leave.
Overnight in Lukla.
After an early breakfast, take the return flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Rest of day free.
Overnight at Yak and Yeti (or equivalent) hotel.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
Kit is best packed in "quiet" plastic bags inside the duffle bag to ensure dryness. (Bring spare bags)
David Warth
25th Apr, 2022
As a 65th birthday present to myself, I elected to go trekking in Nepal. Unfortunately my planned companion became ill and could not come. Accordingly I went by myself. Prem was very helpful in setting this up, and willing to take me as an individual. Trekking with his brother Badri and our porter was a pleasure. At all times I felt safe and well taken care of. They had picked the most "luxurious" tea houses. Some even had electric blankets! From airport pick up to airport drop off everything was handled by Landmark Discovery Treks. Prem had recommended November as the best month for good weather, and we had perfect sunshine. I feel his vast experience made my trip the trip of a lifetime that I will never forget. If you have considered this trek, I would highly encourage you to proceed, and can highly recommend Landmark Discovery Treks