TREK ON TOP OF THE ROOF OF THE WORLD TO THE BASE CAMP OF THE VERY HIGHEST MOUNTAIN ON EARTH
Take on the challenge of trekking along the renowned Khumbu glacier and through the natural wonders of Sagaramatha National Park to reach the base camp of the highest mountain on Earth. Enjoy wonderful views of Mount Everest itself, while getting close to other Himalayan giants, too, including Mount Lhotse, Mount Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam, culminating in an ascent of Kala Patthar (5554m). All this while undertaking a spiritual journey through this Buddhist heartland of temples, monasteries, chortens and prayer flags.
Nepal
Kathmandu & Everest
Duration
15 days
Mountain Trek, Culture Tour,
Nature Tour & Buddhist Pilgrimage
Extreme
INTRO TO EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
Take on the challenge of trekking along the renowned Khumbu glacier and through the natural wonders of Sagaramatha National Park to reach the base camp of the highest mountain on Earth. Enjoy wonderful views of Mount Everest itself, while getting close to other Himalayan giants, too, including Mount Lhotse, Mount Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam, culminating in an ascent of Kala Patthar (5554m). All this while undertaking a spiritual journey through this Buddhist heartland of temples, monasteries, chortens and prayer flags.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sightseeing in the timeless city of Kathmandu
- An electrifying flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- The magnificent forests of rhododendrons, magnolias and firs of Sagaramatha National Park
- A Buddhist pilgrimage through mani walls, prayer wheels, chortens, monasteries and fluttering prayer flags
- Breathtaking views of the Himalayan giants, including, Mount Everest (8848m), Mount Lhotse (8586m), Mount Cho Oyu (8188m) and Mount Ama Dablam (6812m)
- Meeting and trekking with native Sherpa families
- The ice expanse of the Khumbu Glacier
- Everest Base Camp
- The ascent of Kalapatthar
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Kathmandu – Lukla – Sagaramatha National Park – Phakding – Namche Bazaar – Tengboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorakshep – Everest Base Camp – Kala Patthar – Pheriche
KEY INFORMATION
- 11 days of extreme trekking, maximum altitude – 5,554m
- Departures every two weeks
- This trek is available throughout the year
- On occasion local weather conditions may require the trekking route to be altered in the interests of your safety
- Maximum group size – 8 persons
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Full escort: our trek is fully escorted by an English-speaking, local expert guide and porters (ratio: one porter to two trekkers); our sightseeing tour in Khathmandu is with English-speaking local guides
- Accommodation: 14 nights accommodation – 11 nights in small hotels, tea houses and local lodges (standard rooms with non-attached bathrooms) during the trek, plus 3 nights in a hotel in Kathmandu, all based on sharing a twin room
- Meals: all meals during the trek plus breakfasts in Kathmandu
- Transport: airport transfers in a private vehicle; internal flights (Kathmandu – Lukla and Lukla – Kathmandu)
- Entry fees and permits: All entry fees during sightseeing tour of Kathmandu; Khumbhu VDC entry fees; Sagarmatha National Park permit
- Equipment, clothing and insurance for guide and porters
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your trek, a full risk assessment of your trekking route, a bespoke kit list and facts about the country.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Visa for Nepal
- International flights and any other internal flights not specified above
- Extra baggage charge if any (baggage weight allowance for domestic flight = 12kg + 3kg)
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Meals in Kathmandu other than breakfasts
- Travel insurance
- Any expenses incurred due to emergency evacuation and/or road blocks
- Tips
- Soft drinks, snacks, hot water/showers, internet and telephone charges on the trail,
- All other items of a personal nature including medical expenses
PRICES
SOLO TRAVELLER (PRIVATE TREK)
PRIVATE GROUP BOOKING (2 PAX)
PRIVATE GROUP BOOKING (3-5 PAX)
PRIVATE GROUP BOOKING (6-9 PAX)
PRIVATE GROUP BOOKING (10-14 PAX)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
(IN KATHMANDU ONLY. THIS IS COMPULSORY IF THERE IS NO ONE TO SHARE THE ROOM)
£1995
£1650pp
£1335pp
£1195pp
£1115pp
+£105
DAY 1
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below is the beginning of a whole chain of memorable experiences that will stay with you for a long, long time. As your plane hits the tarmac, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and you will spend the night at your hotel.
DAY 2
Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the historic and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since the country opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, as well as Western influences. There will be a guided tour to the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath, and then to the most popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath. We take a tour to Patan or Lalitpur (the City of Artisans), which is 5km away from Kathmandu. We walk through Patan Durbar Square, and delight in the architectural wonders of the Malla era. Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple and Golden Temple are the major attractions in the square.
DAY 3
Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek from Lukla to Phakding. 4-5 hours walk, approximately
A flight to Lukla and a landing on a steep mountain runway brings us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla [2850m]. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and then stay overnight in Phakding (2656m). Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 4
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar. 5-6 hours walking, approximately
From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. We then take a steep hike to Namche Bazaar (3450m). If the weather is clear, we get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu Valley and has a busy Saturday market – a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. Overnight at Everest Inn Lodge.
DAY 5
Sightseeing in and around Namche Bazaar
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu Valley and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatising to the new altitude, before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatise, you visit Khunde Hospital, set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and a museum just above the town. Sleep a second night at Everest Inn Lodge.
DAY 6
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche. 5-6 hours walk, approximately
From Namche, the trail contours along the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. We get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch. Here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche (3860m). Tengboche offers a spectacular panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam and is home to the largest monastery in Khumbu – Dawa Choling Gompa. Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 7
Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche. 5-6 hours walk, approximately
We descend through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Dingboche (4260m). This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam (6,856 m) and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. A further two hours walk brings us to Dingboche. Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 8
Sightseeing in and around Dingboche
Today is a day reserved for rest and acclimatisation. We also get to wander up the valley to see the lake, Tshola Tsho, and the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. We can climb up onto the ridge overlooking Dingboche for the view of the Imja Valley and the incredible south face of Mt. Lhotse. Overnight at local lodge.
DAY 9
Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche. 5-6 hours walking, approximately
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on our left. We then turn right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier’s terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mount Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche (4930m). Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 10
Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep. 8 hours walking, approximately
We must make a very early start to reach Everest Base Camp (5357m). It takes several hours as the trail first reaches Gorakshep (5184m) and then onwards, weaving through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. We return to either Gorakshep (5184m) or Lobuche (4930m). Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 11
Early morning climb to Kala Patthar and walk back to Pheriche. 6-7 hours walk, approximately.
To reach our next stop, Kala Patthar (5554m), we follow the Khumbu Glacier. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at our camping place: Gorakshep. Later in the afternoon, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Patthar. After Kala Patthar, we trek back to Pheriche (4242m) for the night. Overnight at a local lodge.
DAY 12
Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar. 6-7 hours walking, approximately
We walk back down towards Tengboche and, after crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi river, continue as far as Namche Bazaar (3450m). Great view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Tawache and Lhotse as well as dense wildlife, including some species of pheasant, beautiful griffons, musk deer and wild goat flourish amongst the surrounding forests. Overnight at Local Lodge.
DAY 13
Trek from Namche Bazaar to to Lukla. 6-7 hours walking, approximately
Our final day’s trek follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla (2860m). Our last evening calls for a celebration. We have a party with our sherpa guides and porters. We sample some Chang, try out some Sherpa dances, and end a memorable trip on a merry note. Overnight at Everest inn Lodge.
DAY 14
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu. 27 minutes flying time, approximately)
We depart early for the airstrip to catch our morning flight back to Kathmandu.
On touchdown, the rest of the day is free for us to explore this wonderful city. You might choose to do some last-minute shopping, or perhaps stroll through the city’s historic narrow lanes to enjoy the attractions of Thamel.
DAY 15
Transfer to the airport and depart from Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will greet you one last time and transfer with you to the airport in good time for your flight home.
Everest Base Camp
With add-ons
Our Everest Base Camp trek is also available with add-ons – which include:
- Additional nights’ accommodation can be organised for anyone wanting to extend their stay in Kathmandu. Please discuss this with us at the time of your making booking.
- Additional sightseeing tours of Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley. Please ask for further details
PRICES
Our Everest Base Camp trek
with add-ons
FOR PRICING, PLEASE DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS WITH US AT THE TIME OF MAKING YOUR BOOKING
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
