Everest Base Camp trek is an adventure of a lifetime that takes you to the base camp of the world's highest peak, Mt Everest (8848m). 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.
The exhilarating Everest Base Camp trek starts with a scenic flight to Lukla. Follow the trails through Sherpa villages and trek past towering peaks towards Everest. Once above the tree line, you will be closer to the ice-giants than on any other trail.
This 16 day Everest Base Camp Trek is designed to minimize the risk of AMS by limiting daily altitude increases. Two rest days are included as the altitude rises. The first is at Namche Bazaar: explore the town and 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. Continue through Pangboche to Dingboche for the second acclimatisation day: walk to Nangkartshang Gompa for unparalleled views of the Nuptse glacier, Ama Dablam’s north face glacier and to the east, 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 teahouse up Kala Patthar offers superb views of Everest, the South Col, Nuptse and the lower glacier.
The easier four day downward trek uses an alternative lower route and overnights in different villages.
The best times of the year to perform the Everest Base Camp 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 Trek is a strenuous trek that takes you up to altitudes of 5554m (Kalapattar). The 130 km 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.
NRS. 3000 ($30) per person
Khumbuu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality
NRS. 2000 ($ 16) Per Person
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 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.)
After breakfast, drive to the TIA and head to the domestic terminal for a flight to the Tenzing Hillary airport in Lukla. Land at the tiny hillside airstrip as you arrive 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.
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).
A more adventurous five hour 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.
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, 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.
Good views from the village include the Everest group. There is an important monastery that is well worth visiting. At October’s full moon the colourful, Mani Rimdu festival is held; with Tibetan Opera and masked dancing.
Overnight in Tengboche.
Descend to the scattered stone village of Debuche (3 820m): with a nunnery. Cross the Imja Khola to the north and gradually ascend 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 Dingboche.
To acclimatise: head north to the Nangkartshang Gompa 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 teahouse in Dingboche.
Ascend slowly to a ridge and the hamlet of Duse (4 500m) with western views of Taboche and Cholatse. Continue through kharkas 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. Continue to and overnight in Lobuche.
A desolate trail along the moraine heads for the last, seasonal, village of Gorak Shep below Pumori. 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 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 Gorak Shep for the night.
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 Oyu (8 201m) can be seen further to the west:
After breakfast: retrace your steps to Lobuche (4 940m) and the landmark memorials on the glacier’s snout. Descend the moraine and follow the western trail to lower and warmer Pheriche. Overnight in Pheriche.
Climb gently up an alternative trail to Pangboche (4 280m): and the Khumbu’s oldest monastery (17th C). A quieter trail north of the river passes through ‘game country’ (including musk deer) to Phortse, on the Gokyo Lakes trail. Overnight in Phortse.
Trek south through Mong La (3 975m) to Sanasa (3 600m). Join the broad main trail and walk back to Namche (3 440m). Then drop into the greener valley and Jorsale (2 830m). Exit the National Park and walk down to Monjo; at a comfortable altitude. Overnight in Monjo.
Follow the Dudh Koshi, through farming villages to Phakding (2 610m). Cross the suspension bridge at Thado Koshi and walk to Cheplung (2 700m). Descend and then climb steeply back 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.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
NB: Cloud and turbulent weather along the mountain ranges is common and may lead to internal mountain flight delays or cancellations. We suggest you allow at least one extra day after your trek before flying out of Nepal.
While I was doing research for this trip, I emailed the owner Prem to ask about the details and he was courteous and very willing to reply to all my questions, so I decided to go with him. Then he assigned me a great guide Mahesh who had been trekking with me 12 days on EBC. At first I was a bit uncertain but then Mahesh was the best guide I ever had. He was professional, proficient in English, quickly reactive to situations, and genuine. We had a great time and I got to know more about the region. Trekking in EBC has become a lifelong experience thanks to Prem and Mahesh. Highly recommend whoever want to trek in Nepal. Landmark discovery is the choice to go.
Date of experience: October 2018
Trekking in EBC
25th Apr, 2022
Two friends and I went on a guided trek with Landmark Discovery Treks to Everest Base Camp at the end of May beginning of June. While it was the beginning of the wet season, we had great luck with views and weather - especially on the day at EBC.
Badri (our awesome guide) had an calm collected character through the whole trip.
Ben Poulter
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
davidwarth
25th Apr, 2022
Me and my friends planned to visit Everest Base Camp so we booked this amazing trip with Landmark Discovery Trek and we went to Nepal on 1st Oct. The price is so affordable and the service was great. Prem was so prompt to reply all my emails. When we arrived there, we faced one problem because of the weather condition. Most of the flight to Lukla were cancelled due to cloudy weather for few days so do our flight but Prem helped us a lot to get the earliest flight on the next day (which is very difficult at that point of time with so many desperate passengers who want to fly Lukla asap). But thanks to him we got to fly on the next day with the earliest flight.
The trekking experience is really mind blowing! I have no word to describe how amazing it was. Photos and videos cannot really capture the real beauty of the nature, you must go and see it for yourself. But unfortunately I was having sore throat and sick.The guide and porter help me a lot while I was very weak and need to go very very slowly. I am really thankful to all of them. And then I got altitude sickness after 4 days of trekking and need to go down immediately so only one of my friends make it to the base camp.
But Prem arrange another itinerary for us. After we rest for 2 days, we got to go to Pokhara City and saw a lot of snow mountains with amazing sunrise view. After we came back from Pokhara we had one day tour in Kathmandu. If you are the history and heritage lover, this is the place for you. All the temples are very beautiful with full of interesting history.
Last but not least, for this trip although I was so sad that I didn't make it to the base camp we still have unforgettable experiences in Nepal, all thanks to Landmark Discovery Trek Team! I will prepare better and will go back again to Everest Base Camp with this Tour. :)
Riding H
25th Apr, 2022