Everest Base Camp Trek
Duration: 17 days
Region: Everest Region
Dates: March / April / May / October / November
The Everest Base Camp trek takes about three weeks and reaches a maximum height of 5,545m at Kalapattar offering fine views of Mt Everest. The trail involves a tremendous amount of up and down walking. The trek has a number of stunning attractions which include spectacular scenery, monasteries and the Sherpa people of the Solu Khumbu. This trip also includes a side trip to Amadablam Base Camp. The trek starts from Lukla where there is a small mountain airstrip (STOL) at 2,800m and it ends here also.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel upon arrival.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (visit Boudha, Swambunath, Pashupatinath)
Day 03: Kathmandu - Lukla - Phakding
This is an hour flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport (2,800m). The trail from Lukla, leads north from the airstrip and drops steeply for a bit, then descends gently to Phakding (2,700m), your first overnight stop. This is a two hour trek.
Day 04: Phakding - Namche
From Phading the trail continues north up the Dudh Koshi Valley. (Koshi means river in Nepali and it comes down from the Everest glacier). All along this part of the trail, there is a magnificent forest of magnolia, rhododendron and giant firs. On the cliffs above the river it is possible to see musk deer and Himalayan tahr. At Monjo the trek enters the Sagarmatha National Park. The trail follows the river and crosses Dudh Koshi and makes a steep climb to Namche (3,440m). Namche is a very colorful Sherpa village where you will see vendors selling antiques and each Saturday there is an important weekly haat or market.
Day 05: Namche
We will have a rest and acclimatization day in Namche.
Day 06: Namche - Phortse
From Namche, we come to Khumjung which is a 3 hour walk. We stop at Khumjung where there is a school built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust. The views of Amadablam, Thamserku and Tawache are really breathtaking. Khumjung elevation is 3,790m.
From Khumjung, the route descends to the west of the village down the broad valley leading to the dudh koshi and to Phortse at 3,500m, an isolated Sherpa village of about 60 houses. It is five hours walk to Phortse.
Day 07: Phortse - Pangboche - Dingboche
It is a two hour walk to Pangboche. Pangboche at 3,860m is the highest year round settlement in the valley. The Pangboche monastery is the oldest in Khumbu and once had relics that were said to be the skull and hand of a yeti.
The trail follows the Imja khola and gradually ascends to Dingboche (4,410m). From here the views are great and the mountain views are outstanding. This is a four hour trek.
Day 08: Dingboche
We have a rest and acclimatization day in Dingboche. We will day hike to the Chukkung valley and climb Chukkung ri. Return to Dingboche.
Day 09: Dingboche - Lobuche
The trail ascends the broad, gentle sloping valley to Palang Karpo at 4340m. The trail crosses small streams on boulders. The views of Tawache and Cholatse (6,440m) are outstanding from along the trail. From Dugla (4,620m) the trail climbs higher on the moraine to a row of stone monuments built in the memory of those who have died on Everest. The trail then drops a bit and follows the western side of the valley to Lobuche (4,930m). This is a four/five hour trek.
Day 10: Lobuche - Gorakshep
The ascent becomes steeper and rougher as it crosses several side moraines. The peak of Pumori (7,145m) comes into view. On this lower slope of this mountain a ridge extending to the south terminates in a small peak. The trail makes a short descent to Gorakshep (5,160m). You will reach Gorakshep by lunchtime and trek to Everest base camp in the afternoon and return to Gorakshep for the night. This is a 6-7 hour trek.
Day 11: Gorakshep - Kalapattar - Pherice
On this lower slope of Mt Pumori a ridge extending to the south terminates in a small peak. This peak, Kalapattar, is 5,545m and it provides the best vantage point for viewing Mt Everest. We will climb Kalapattar in the morning and spend some time on the top. Return to Goraksheep for breakfast and trek downwards to Pherche.
Day 12: Pheriche - Debouche
Walk down to Pheriche which will take four hour to reach. Visit the famous Debouche nunnery where there are 15 nuns living. In 2005, Climb High undertook the restoration project of the nunnery.
Day 13: Debouche - Namchee
Day 14: Namchee - Lukla
Day 15: Lukla - Kathmandu
Day 16: Visit Bhaktapur
Day 17: Departure
Services Includes
Flights Kathmandu / Lukla / Kathmandu, all meals and accommodations in tea houses during the trek, English speaking Guide / Trek leader, porters for the trek, Sagarmatha national park fees, all airports transfers, sightseeing in Kathmandu, four nights hotel in Kathmandu.
Services Excludes
Insurance (should cover helicopter evacuation in case of an emergency), soft drinks and bottled mineral water, personal trekking gear, meals in Katmandu, any other expenses in case of any political disturbances and natural disaster.