Everest Base Camp Group Trek

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon arrival at the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transferred to the hotel. After check in, you can either take a rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests.

Overnight: Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar

Max Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft

Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla flight and trek to Phakding

Early morning after breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu airport in the domestic terminal to fly over Lukla, a gateway destination for trekking in the Everest Region. After a 40-minute adventurous and scenic view flight we will reach Tenzing Hillary Airport at Lukla. Here we meet our other crew members and then we begin our first easy trek through forest, villages and along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 2,652m/8,700ft
Flight Duration: 40 mins
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Day 3 Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Today also we follow the Dudh Koshi River and cross suspension bridges many times, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. On the way, we can see the beautiful view of Mt Thamserku (6618m). Passing through the small villages of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo we enter into the Sagarmatha National Park. We cross the last village of Jorsale before Namche and then gradually walk through the forest and bridges until we reach the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers (Larja Dobhan). After about 2 hours of steep climb we reach Chautara from where we get the first sight of Mt. Everest. From there another 1.5 hours of easy walking brings us to Namche Bazzar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading center.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,440m/11,280ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Day 4 Namche Bazaar: Rest day

After 2 days of walking well take a rest in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize the body. It is recommended to stay active during rest days also which helps to acclimatize our body quickly. Walking a little high altitude around 100 ft will help to acclimatize properly. Morning we hike in Thame and later explore Namche Bazzar.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Today the trail has gradual ups and downs with the magnificent view of Himalayas and Musk Deer, Monal, Blue Sheep may come across on our way while walking through the jungle. We begin the day with a gradual walk down to Kayanguma, passing by Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa and viewing massive Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Taboche, Thamserku more snow capped peaks. After that little ahead we reach Sansa, the junction to Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. We follow the right trail to Everest Base Camp through pine forests and come across the bridge over Dhudh Koshi River in Phungi Thanga. From there the trail is a little steep through the forest of rhododendron and fir trees to Tengboche village, the home of the biggest Buddhist Monastery of Everest region and the close up view of massive Ama Dablam, Nuptse and Everest is very impressive.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,870m/12,694ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Day 6 Tengboche to Dingboche

Morning witness and capture the awesome view of mountains in the background of Tengboche Monastery. After breakfast we continue the journey through gradual down from rhododendron trees and come across the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River. About an hour further walk will bring us to Pangboche which offers a dramatic view of Himalayas and village. Passing by several Chortens, Mani walls and Pangboche Gompa we continue the trek through the villages of Syomare, Orsho and Samso Ogma where we meet the junction. From there we follow the right path and after crossing the bridge over the confluence of Khumbu Khola and Imja River we climb steep path to Chyakunwa Kharka from where we can see the spectacular view of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Khangteka, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse and many more. After a few minutes of gradual climb we will be welcomed by chorten and prayer flags in Dingboche.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,360m/14,300ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Day 7 Dingboche to Dughla

Today all the way is dry but offers awesome Mountain View on all sides. We start the trek walking gradually through the Khumnu Khola Valley and reach the yak herders place, Dusa (4503m). After then following the narrow trail well reach Phulung Karpo where the camp site was asserted during the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Further the sight of Chola Lake and Mt. Pumo Ri (7161m) appears on the way. As we descend the trail the view of Mt. Pumo Ri disappears and comes across the roaring stream. We cross the small wooden bridge and climb steep up to Dughla. Dughla offers marvelous view of Nuptse, Cholatse, Thamserku and several other magnificent peaks.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,620m/15,154ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Day 8 Dughla to Lobuche

Today is a short but difficult walking day as we have to walk through the boulder path left by Khumbu glacier. Initially we walk a steep path through the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and climb to Thukla Pass (4830m). At the top there are piles of stones with prayer flags, memorials of death climbers including Babu Chiri Sherpa, 10 times Everest submitter and Scott Fischer, American mountaineer. As we descend to Khumbu Glacier moraine, several great peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, Mahalangur Himal greet us. After crossing Khumbu Glacier we get the beautiful sight of towering Mt. Nuptse (7855m). Further climbing the steep trail along the roaring stream we reach Lobuche.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,910 m/16,105 ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Day 9 Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Kalapatthar to Gorak Shep Or Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep

Today we have two options. First one is, we reach Gorak Shep and in the late afternoon hike to Kalapatthar for an impressive sunset view over Himalayas including Mt. Everest. Second one is, we reach Everest Base Camp and then trek back to Gorak Shep overnight. We can split the group for option 1 and option 2.
After early breakfast well start trekking through the moraine of Khumbu glacier. Passing through the Italian Research Center and Lobuche Pass (5110m) we reach Chongri Glacier. On the way to Chongri Glacier we get our first sight of the summit of the north ridge of Mt. Everest along with 360 degree view of snow capped mountains including Mt. Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, Nuptse and many more. Walking up through the boulder path of Changri glacier we reach Gorak Shep.

Option 1:- Evening we hike to Kalapatthar. Kalapatthar is a popular viewpoint hill. It takes 45 minutes to reach from Gorak Shep. From there we can see very impressive, massive and sky towering Himalayas including Kantenga, Pumo Ri, Thamserku, Changtse Ama Dablam, Kantenga, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest and many more.

Option 2:- Leaving the Kalapathar (view point) on the left and passing by Indian army mountaineers' memorials we continue towards Everest Base Camp which takes us around 3 hours to reach. We celebrate the achievement of our trip goal by capturing massive Nuptse, Khumbuste and Punori from Everest Base Camp in our camera. But from here Mt. Everest is not visible. After spending a memorable moment we trek back to Gorak Shep.

Note: Sunset view from Kalapatthar is more impressive than the sunrise view over snow capped mountains including Mt. Everest. So who wish to hike Kalapatthar today, our guide and porters will accompany you.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 5,550m/18,204ft
Trek Duration: 8-9 hrs

Day 10 Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar / Everest Base Camp to Pheriche

Those participants, who had chosen option 1 yesterday (Kalapatthar), will visit Everest base camp today. And who had chosen option 2 yesterday (Everest Base Camp); they will hike to Kalapatthar today for a sunrise view over snow capped mountains including Mt. Everest and then wait for other participants to return back to Gorak Shep.
After having lunch together in Gorak Shep we trek back to Dughla via the same route and then follow the right side trail to Pheriche.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 5,364m/17,594ft
Trek Duration: 8-9 hrs

Day 11 Pheriche to Tengboche to Namche Bazzar

After breakfast we trek down through rhododendron and juniper forest passing by Samdrang village, stone wall, Tsuro Og and then Samso Ogma, Orsho and Syomare village. Crossing the river several times through suspension bridge and walking steadily we reach at the home of biggest Buddhist Monastery of Everest region, Tengboche. From there we descend down to the river and again crossing suspension bridge, passing by beautiful village of Sanasa, Kyangiuma as well as enjoying magnificent view of Himalayas on the way we reach at Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa. On the way we may encounter wildlife such as snow leopards, colorful pheasants, Himalayan Thak, deer etc. After that, about one hour of gradual walk will bring us to the main town of Everest Region, the Namche Bazzar.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,440 m/11,280 ft
Trek Duration: 6 -7 hrs

Day 12 Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Today is our last trekking day and we trek back the same route but we feel a completely different view. Trail is steep, so we need to walk slowly, supporting our own body with shaky legs. We trek back exploring attractions on the way, experiencing Sherpa culture in beautiful villages and enjoying distant views of the Himalayas. Freezing cold turns to moderately warm and our body gets relief today. After breakfast we begin a gradual walk for a few minutes and then steep down to the Larja Bridge which is the confluence point of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi River. From there the gradual walk along Dudh Koshi River will bring us to the exit point from National Park, the Jorsale village. Again following the Dudh Koshi River, passing by the small villages of Monjo, Chumoa, Benkar and walking through rhododendron forest, we reach Phakding. Few hours of a more gradual walk will bring us to Lukla. In Lukla we relax and stretch our tired bodies. Late afternoon we can stroll around the Lukla. Evening we enjoyed the last dinner with crew members.

Overnight: Guest House/ Lodge

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft
Trek Duration: 6 hrs

Day 13 Lukla-Kathmandu

After early breakfast we fly back to Kathmandu memorizing those exciting and beautiful days. In Kathmandu you can take a rest throughout the day in a hotel or you can explore other attractions of Kathmandu. For memorizing the Nepal trip you can buy some souvenirs for yourself or for friends and family in the Thamel Area. Late evening we celebrate the success of our trip and enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 Departure

After breakfast you are free till departure time. If you have more time you can do shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, our representative drops you to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast