Everest Base Camp Trek 18 days

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we are waiting to welcome you in our lovely country, Nepal. Namasté! Depending on the arrival time of your flight, you have some time to acclimatize to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and explore some cozy streets. In the evening, we have a meet and greet where you will meet your trekking guide. He or she will answer all your questions about the trek.

Day 2 Cultural highlights of Kathmandu

Kathmandu has some not to miss cultural treasures. A cultural guide will accompany you to visit the Buddhist heart of Kathmandu, with the enormous white stupa. On the shore of the Bagmati river in Pashupati, you can observe the ritual cremations, or have an encounter with the colorful Sadhu's, that live on the premises of this huge Hindu temple complex. Then the private car will take you to Swayambunath, the Buddhist temple located on a hill, and inhabited by a colony of monkeys. At the bottom of the hill there is a lovely park, where you can admire 3 gold-plated statues of Buddha reincarnations. There is also some time left for trek preparations.

Day 3 Flight to Lukla, trekking to Phakding - ca. 4 hours

The next morning, your adventure towards the base camp of the world's highest mountain starts. Your trekking guide picks you up in the early morning, and you head to the domestic airport. With a small propeller plane, you fly over the amazing Himalayas to the starting point of your trekking, Lukla (2853 m). After arrival, you will meet your porter, and off you go! You walk towards the village Phakding, located at a height of 2652 meters. You lunch on the way, and in Phakding you will sleep for the first time in a cozy, locally owned teahouse.

Day 4-5 Trekking to Namche - Acclimatization Day - ca. 6 hours

We continue walking upstream along the banks of the Dudh Kosi River, crossing the river twice by suspension bridge until we reach the village of Monjo. This is where the Sagarmatha National Park begins. Again we cross a high suspension bridge, this time at the confluence of the Dudh Khosi and the Bhote Khosi. We climb uphill to Namche Bazaar (3440m). Namche is the capital of the region and a busy marketplace where Tibetans sell their wares. From Namche, you can also see some peaks. You spend an extra day in Namche, to acclimatize to the height. You can rest, or walk in the surroundings. This will higher your chances of reaching Everest Base Camp.

Day 6 Trekking to Tengboche - ca. 4 hours

From Namche, the trail runs high above the Dudh Kosi River. Today we also see for the first time some giants of the Solu Khumbu: the Ama Dablam, the Lhotse, the Nuptse and the Everest. We descend and pass some small villages. We cross the Dudh Khosi River and stop here for lunch. After lunch we hike up another 2 hours on a winding path to Tengboche, located a height of 3900 meters. In Tengboche you have enough time to look around and visit the impressive Buddhist monastery.

Day 7-8 Trekking to Dingboche - Acclimatization Day - ca. 4 hours

We start the next day on a descending path through Rhododendron forests and cross a suspension bridge just after Deboche. We continue and after an hour we reach the village of Pangboche. From this viewpoint, the view of the Ama Dablam is breathtaking. Afterwards, we cross the river again, enter the Imja Valley and reach the village of Dingboche (4410m). You can spend the rest of the day at leisure in Dingboche. Early in the morning on the second day, we climb the ridge behind Dingboche. This climb helps you further acclimatize to the altitude. You will hike up to 4900 meters and have a magnificent view of Island Peak, the Ama Dablam and the Tabuche. Afterwards, you hike back to Dingboche.

Day 9 Trek to Lobuche - ca. 5 hours

Today you start early on a fairly easy path. We follow the path to Dugla and walk on a plain above the valley. Along the way we can see the Lobuche East in front of us and the Tabuche on our left. After about three hours, we reach the village of Dugla (4620m), where you have lunch. Afterwards, we walk steeply uphill to the memorial site for the Sherpa`s. From here, we again have a beautiful view of several peaks: Ama Dablam, Cholatse and Tabuche. From Dugla onwards, the trail becomes harder and you walk up steeply, then it flattens out and after a few hours the trail takes you to the village of Lobuche (4920m).

Day 10 Trek to Gorak Shep (5164m) - Everest Base Camp (5380m) - ca. 8 to 9 hours

Today is a long day, so you will leave early in the morning. About three hours walk from Lobuche is Gorak Shep. In Gorak Shep you refill the water, and then you follow the trail further to the famous Everest Base Camp (5380m). During the hike to Everest Base Camp keep an eye out for falling rocks on our left and approach the Khumbu Glacier. And then finally the highlight of your trek: you hike around the base camp and up to the edge of the Khumbu Ice Fall. If you are trekking in March or April, chances are you will meet some expedition teams getting ready to climb the highest mountain in the world. Afterwards, you return to Gorak Shep, where you spend the night.

Day 11 Climb to Kala Patthar (5644m) - Trek to Dingboche (4410m) - ca. 8 to 9 hours

The climb to Kala Patthar is optional, but highly recommended. From this point, you have a magnificent view of probably the most beautiful mountain scenery you will ever see. The climb takes about 3 hours and requires serious effort. The reward at the top makes up for everything: you can see Mount Everest and the Khumbu Ice Fall, as well as the Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori. The path you followed can also be seen beautifully from here. It is guaranteed that the view is more impressive than you had imagined and will stay with you forever. After the morning climb, return to Gorak Shep and continue down the trail to Dingboche.

Day 12 Trek to Tengboche (3860m) - ca. 4 hours

We descend further and enter the Imja Khola valley again. The landscape slowly becomes greener and we continue to Pangboche. On the way, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Lhotse and Nuptse peaks. You walk past mixed birch and rhododendron forests and through small traditional mountain villages until you reach Tengboche. In Tengboche, there is a beautiful old Buddhist monastery that you can visit. You can also attend a prayer ceremony (puja) with the monks.

Day 13 Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m) - ca. 5 hours

Today, you continue down into the valley. You will cross a suspension bridge and climb again along a beautiful path above the Dudh Kosi River. From here you have a beautiful view over the monastery of Tengboche that you visited yesterday. You pass a few more small villages as you continue walking until you reach the familiar Namche Bazaar. Where you had to do without a few things the previous days, you can fully enjoy a delicious coffee and a hot shower here.

Day 14 Trek to Monjo (2835m) - ca. 3 to 4 hours

Slowly your trekking comes to an end and you continue the walk from Namche Bazaar back to the starting point of your trekking. You descend and cross the high suspension bridge. You walk along the river for a while before you cross another couple of suspension bridges. You stop in the lovely village of Monjo.

Day 15 Trek to Lukla (2860m) - ca. 3 to 4 hours

Today is the last day of the trekking. After half an hour you arrive in Phakding. Even though you walked this path at the start of your trek, you will see the Khumbu valley completely differently on the descent. From Phakding you continue your walk to Lukla. In Lukla, you say goodbye to your porter. Flying from Lukla to Kathmandu is only possible in the morning, so you will spend one last night in Lukla. Your guide will fly with you to Kathmandu tomorrow.

Day 16 Flight to Kathmandu - Free time in Kathmandu

Early in the morning, you take a small propeller plane back from Lukla to Kathmandu. This flight takes about 35 minutes. On the way, you will enjoy a last breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.

After arriving in Kathmandu you have some free time to explore this fascinating city further. In Kathmandu there are many sustainable and social businesses: many of their articles are beautiful souvenirs. Of course, there is much more to discover. If you would like to relax your stiff muscles, go for a massage in Seeing Hands, a social enterprise where blind people are trained as masseurs and then also employed there. If you are overwhelmed of the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city, and in need of a quiet spot, go and have a look in the Garden of Dreams. This neoclassical historical garden, is located in the middle of Kathmandu city.

Day 17 Extra day in Kathmandu

Today you have an extra day in Kathmandu to make up for any delay to the Lukla flight. You can visit one of the famous cultural sites of Nepal or see lesser known places. Just let us know what your interests are, and we will be happy to provide you with possible activities.

You can do activities with locals, like for example a cooking workshop with women from a local NGO. Or you could go for a day to Bhaktapur, and walk around the small streets and observe the artisans making ceramic pots. Another option is to visit the ancient Durbar Square of the King City of Patan, and observe its gold- and metalsmiths.

Day 18 Departure day

The end of the journey has come. We hope you had a fantastic trip and take many beautiful memories home with you. At least 3 hours before the departure time of your flight, you will be picked up at the reception of your accommodation for a transfer to the airport.

If you fly out in the evening, you can leave your luggage safely in your accommodation until you are picked up.