| Duration: | 14 Days | Trip Code: | CO-101 |
| Trip Grade | Moderate to strenuous | Max-Altitude: | 5555 m /18220.4 ft |
| Meals: | All meals during trek | Accommodation: | Hotel/Mountain lodge |
| Group size: | Minimum of 2 | Transportation: | Private vehicle/flight |
| Trip Start: | Kathmandu | Trip End: | Kathmandu |
| Primary Activity: | Trekking, Sightseeing | Best Season | March to May, Mid Sept to Mid Dec |
The Everest Base Camp trek leads you to the foot of the mighty Everest, but the adventure doesn't end there. As you find solace amidst the Himalayas, the world's highest mountains Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and others offer a glimpse. You will be trekking inside the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sagarmatha National Park which is home to rare animal and plant species. There's a good chance for you to spot a Himalayan tahr or monal while you traverse the impressive landscape dominated by sandy glaciers and vast mountains. Beautiful forests decorated with Rhododendrons, pine, and juniper adorn the trail. The trek is also a great opportunity to witness upper alpine vegetation such as black juniper, buckthorn, and Himalayan Blue poppy. An integral aspect of the Everest biosphere is the legendary Sherpas. Their rich culture is deeply rooted in the region. Amicable, welcoming, and generous, you're sure to be showered with warm hospitality.
The 15-day EBC trek from Classic Outdoors is designed to offer you the right mix of adventure and cultural experience in the Khumbu region. The standard trek allows enough time for acclimatization and can, therefore, be undertaken by averagely fit individuals without any prior experience with high altitude. The trip starts with a scenic mountain flight to Lukla lasting about half an hour and ends with a heritage tour of the historic Kathmandu Valley. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to December) are considered the best seasons for an Everest Base Camp Trek.
Trekking alone? We have multiple guaranteed group departures every month.
Have a group of more than two? Save on your hard-earned money with our group discount offers.
Prefer a private trip? We’d be happy to oblige.
Also check out our Everest Base Camp trek Via Jiri, the traditional route taken by the pioneers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the Everest Three Pass trek, and Gokyo with Everest Base Camp trek for more detailed exploration and the ultimate Everest adventure.
Get in touch with one of our representatives at inquiry@theclassicoutdoors.com and plan your dream Everest trek.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) and transfer to hotel
Day 02: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860m/9383ft); trek to Phading (2610m / 8563ft), ~30 min flight & 3-4 hours’ trek
Day 03: Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,283ft), 5 to 6 hours
Day 04: Namche Bazaar - a day for acclimatization
Day 05: Trek Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3870m/12697ft), 4 to 5 hours
Day 06: Trek Tengboche to Dingboche (4410m / 14469ft), 5 to 6 hours
Day 07: 2nd Acclimatization day of the trek - Dingboche (4410m / 14469ft)
Day 08: Trek from Dingboche (4410m / 14469ft) to Lobuche (4,940m/16,207ft), 5 to 6 hours
Day 09: Trek to Gorak Shep (5164m / 16942ft), then EBC (5364m / 17598ft) and back to Gorakshep, 7 to 8 hours
Day 10: Hike to Kala Pattar (5550m / 18209ft) and trek down to Pheriche (4320m / 14174ft), 7 to 8 hours
Day 11: Trek Pheriche (4320m / 14174ft) to Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,283ft), 7 to 8 hours
Day 12: Trek Namche Bazaar (3,400m/11,283ft) to Lukla (2,652m/8,700ft), 7 to 8 hours
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft), ~30 minutes; Evening farewell dinner
Day 14: Final departure from Kathmandu
Please be aware that due to the sudden change in mountain weather, flights to Lukla occasionally experience delays or are even canceled. Sometimes the visibility is so bad that it may take days for an airplane to take off or land. In order to avoid this, it is wise to add a few extra days before your overseas departure flight.
Our representative welcomes you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. You are escorted to the respective hotel in a private vehicle. The prior trip meeting is scheduled for later. You are also introduced to your leader/guide. Please do not hesitate to ask questions in preparation for the trip. Any missing equipment may be arranged for by evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
You are escorted to the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan Airport by our staff early in the morning to board the flight to Lukla. After a 30-35 minutes flight, you land at Tenzing- Hillary Airport, Lukla from where your trek begins. Our porters greet you at the airport. You can enjoy the majestic view on your way to Lukla from Kathmandu if the weather is clear. A short briefing session over breakfast and we're ready to begin our journey. This walk is considered to be a short hike that prepares you. The trek today gives you a good introduction to the culture and lifestyle of the region. Vividly painted monasteries, farms, traditional stone houses, and mani walls – all make for an enjoyable trek. After almost four hours of walking, we reach Phakding. We stop for the night at a lodge in Phakding.
Today, our trek continues alongside the Dudhkoshi River after breakfast in Phakding. We begin with an uphill walk crossing the suspension bridge with prayer flags that lead to Monju, the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. After clearing the entrance formalities to enter the National Park, we walk down the steep trail to the Dudhkoshi River. After crossing another interesting suspension bridge called the Hillary Bridge, the uphill trail winds up all the way to Namche Bazaar-Gateway to Mt. Everest. Namche is the biggest village in the entire Everest region and offers ample facilities for relaxation and comfort. Major attractions of the day would be amazing views of Mt. Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and the first Glimpse of Mt. Everest. Overnight at a lodge in Namche.
The entire day is spent in Namche so as to adjust to the gradual drop in oxygen levels and the increasing altitude as we proceed. Namche is an important stop. It is highly advisable to remain active during the day. That is why we have a short hike to Syangboche or the Everest View Hotel. We may also visit the National Parks headquarter, monasteries, and the museum. The leisure afternoon and evening may be spent roaming the market or catching up with the team over a game of cards at the dining hall back at the lodge. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
The trek today starts shortly after breakfast. We make our way out of Namche to follow an easy trail that leads northeast. On our way, the view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam is cherishable. Enthralling Thamserku appears quite close to the lush temperate vegetation including Rhododendrons, Oak, Juniper, etc. offering some greenery beneath. A Himalayan Thar, Musk deer and different varieties of birds may pop up once in a while. The trail eventually drops to reach Phunke Tenga–a small village by the Phungi Khola (river). We stop for lunch here. It is an interesting walk through the forests as the trail winds up all the way to a welcome gate before Tengboche. The famous Tengboche Monastery decorated with beautiful Sherpa art and a colorful entrance catches our eye with Ama Dablam looking spectacular. Overnight at a teahouse in Tengboche.
The journey today begins with a short hike downhill followed by an uphill climb to Pangboche (3,860m/12,664ft) after crossing the suspension bridge. On our way, we can witness small villages and chortens. The view of Kusum Khanguru and Ama Dablam dominates the skyline. Other peaks like Island Peak and Lhotse also await you. On reaching a small meadow with memorials, the trail drops to reach a stream. After a few hours of uphill climb, we finally reach Dingboche (4,358m/14,295ft). The night is spent at a teahouse in Dingboche.
Second acclimatization day of the trek. After breakfast, we take a short hike over a viewpoint to witness the Imja Khola Valley and Chhukung. A worthwhile view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lothse, Island Peak, and many others can be enjoyed. The beautiful field and pastures of Dingboche village look quite alluring from this point. We return back to Dingboche and spend the day enjoying the bakeries and other attractions. Overnight at Dingboche.
The day's trek climbs along the lateral trail of the Khumbu Khola Valley. A breathtaking view of Mt. Pumori (7,161 m) and Chola Lake can be seen. The trail from Dingboche eventually meets the one coming from Pheriche. The gradual climb breaks at a small bridge before we reach Dughla. The trail climbs further above Dughla. We arrive at a collection of stone memorials dedicated to adventurers from different parts of the world who perished while fulfilling their dreams in the Himalayas of the Everest region. About an hour later, we reach Lobuche. As the altitude nears 5000m, we may struggle with breathing or experience some signs of altitude sickness. It is important to remain alert to any discomfort. Overnight at Lobuche.
Today's walk is going to be a bit difficult as we mostly walk along the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep. It is important to remain cautious as we walk over loose rocks and sand. A few hours later, we arrive at Gorakshep. The vast glacial landscape beneath is towered by the mountains above. After lunch and some rest, we start our hike to the Everest Base Camp. On our way, we are able to witness a bit of Everest. After walking over a rocky trail with huge boulders, we reach the Base Camp (5364m / 17598ft). Although Everest cannot be seen, other mountains like Lingtren, Changtse, and Khumbutse appear very close. The vast glacial landscape is particularly humbling. A rock with 'Everest Base Camp 5364' painted on it is the landmark for EBC. We return to Gorakshep for dinner and rest.
The hike to Kalapatthar is optional. At 5550m, it is one of the best vantage points in the Himalayas. It is an early morning hike at dawn. The all-round view of Pumori, Lingtren, Lho La, Everest, Nuptse (upclose), Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Lobuche, and others is awe-inspiring. We retrace our steps back to Gorakshep. After breakfast and some rest, we start our journey back to Pheriche. It is an entirely downward walk as we reach Lobuche and then Dughla in almost half the time it takes to climb up. The day's journey ends at Pheriche.
The trek resumes after breakfast. We follow the trail that leads to Pangboche. Leaving behind the high trails and crossing the river over Imja Khola we reach Tengboche with an enjoyable panorama of the mountains. A few hours of the descent take us to Phunke Tenga. The trail climbs up from here and then flattens as we pass through villages like Tashinga, Sanasa, and Kyangjuma. Walking towards Namche surely jogs our memory from our way up. Overnight at Namche.
Today is the final day of the EBC trek. Shortly after breakfast, we start our descent to the Hillary Bridge. The trek continues to Monjo and then to Phakding. We walk through the villages, farms, and pastures which now seem familiar before arriving at Lukla. The evening can be spent celebrating with the team members or exploring the market. Last night at Lukla.
Flight to and from Lukla are normally scheduled during the early hours as the weather might go unpredictably adverse during the later hours. After breakfast, we walk to the airport and check in. We bid farewell to our porters who help us with our luggage one last time. The flight duration is 30 minutes. You are escorted to the hotel by our staff on reaching Kathmandu airport.
If you have extra days before your flight, we could arrange for day exploration tours or adventure trips such as rock climbing, rafting, bungee jump, and others. Souvenir shopping or touring the city would be a good idea if you have some time to kill before your flight. Our staff will escort you to the airport in time for your flight. Have a safe journey!