12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

This morning, we will wake up early and enjoy a delicious hot breakfast at our lodge. Please remember to have a second serving of food, as we will be trekking for approximately six hours today. On our second day of the Everest Base Camp Trek, we begin with a delightful hike through a lush and vibrant landscape filled with refreshing, shaded forests and hidden waterfalls. During our journey, we will have the opportunity to cross picturesque suspension bridges that hang over the fast-flowing waters of the Dudh Koshi river. It is on these bridges that we will catch our first glimpse of some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, including the majestic snow-capped Thamserku, which stands at an impressive height of 6,608 meters. Our journey then takes us to Sagarmatha National Park, a sprawling expanse of breathtaking natural beauty that is named after the Sanskrit term for Mount Everest. After having lunch, we will proceed to cross another set of suspension bridges before finally catching a glimpse of Mount Everest. From this vantage point, one can easily spot the vibrant town of Namche Bazaar nearby. We will select the best trekking lodge that is currently available for tonight's accommodations.

As we ascend to greater altitudes, it becomes crucial to allocate sufficient time for our bodies to acclimate to the reduced air density. Today, we will be spending our time in Namche Bazaar, where we will acclimatize to the high altitude and fully immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of this bustling trading hub. The town is renowned for its bakeries, which deserve recognition for creating delectable pastries at high altitudes. In addition, you have the option to visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or embark on a brief hike to appreciate the scenic viewpoints from Syangboche Airport or the Hotel Everest View. No matter how you decide to spend your day, you will never waste your time at Namche Bazaar. Additionally, you will definitely not go hungry while you are there. Tonight, we will be returning to our lodge to enjoy another night here in town.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will prepare ourselves by shouldering our packs and heading towards the narrow hilltop above Namche Bazaar. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness a one-of-a-kind stupa that serves as a memorial for Tenzing Norgay and his remarkable achievement of reaching the summit of Mount Everest, alongside Edmund Hillary. Soon, you will be able to witness the awe-inspiring Himalayan mountains, including the lesser-known yet remarkable peaks like Thamserku and Kangtega. Make sure not to overlook the iconic triple summits of Kusum Kanguru. As the path continues, it gradually levels out as it nears the Dudh Koshi waterway once more. As we delight in the breathtaking scenery, we will gradually start our ascent through lush rhododendron forests until we reach Tengboche. The vibrant rhododendron blooms during springtime are truly a sight to behold for trekkers. After we arrive at Tengboche, we will check in at a local teahouse. Make sure you seize the opportunity to visit Tengboche Monastery this afternoon. It is the most renowned and historically significant Buddhist gompa in Khumbu.

On the fifth day of the Everest Base Camp Trek, we will pass through the charming villages of Pangboche, Somare, and Dingboche. As we hike through a delightful rhododendron forest and make our way across a lengthy suspension bridge over the shimmering waters of the Imja Khola river, our eyes are captivated by the majestic presence of towering white mountains such as Lhotse and Ama Dablam that dominate the horizon. As we make our way to Dingboche, we will come across a significant number of mani stones that have been arranged along the trailside. These rocks are adorned with Buddhist mantras, either painted or engraved. It is customary to always keep them on your right-hand side as you pass by. Finally, we will embark on a trek across a vast expanse of terraced fields where barley and potatoes are cultivated, ultimately reaching our destination of Dingboche. Let's choose a cozy lodge where we can relax for the next two nights.

According to our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary, we have now reached a stage where our bodies require an additional day to acclimate to the higher altitude. The trekker's motto, as always, is "climb high, sleep low." This means that we can safely ascend to the stunning vantage points of Nagarjun Hill or Chukhung Village in the morning and then return to Dingboche in the afternoon. Both of these day hikes offer exceptional views of Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other majestic Himalayan mountains. This evening, it would be a good idea to grab a meal at one of the local bakeries or cafes in town. In the future, when you watch the sunset over the windswept peaks of the mountains and the stone-walled terraces of Dingboche, it will create a beautiful memory that you will cherish and revisit frequently.

This morning, we will wake up feeling fully acclimatized and prepared to continue our adventure. The hike today starts with a gentle ascent through quaint villages and temporary settlements of herders. During your journey, you will come across well-known mountains such as Ama Dablam and Nuptse. However, make sure you don't miss the opportunity to recognize the lesser-known peaks of Kongma Tse and Taboche. Each of these peaks symbolizes a stunning landmark along the metaphorical journey to Mount Everest. After passing through the small town of Dughla, we will make a stop to honor and pay our respects at a collection of memorial stupas that have been dedicated to climbers who have tragically lost their lives. Next, we will proceed to Lobuche, where we will spend the night. After a long day on the trail, our teahouse offers a comforting reward: a delicious hot meal and a restful night's sleep.

Gorak Shep, along with Namche Bazaar, is undoubtedly one of the most evocative names in the entire Khumbu region. Just the mention of this village's name evokes images of enthusiastic trekkers, amiable Sherpas, and the awe-inspiring Everest massif. We will start our morning with a hike along a rocky glacial moraine, and then we will make our way to Gorak Shep. We will take a short break here to have lunch before continuing our journey to Everest Base Camp. You will undoubtedly feel invigorated as we traverse the challenging path towards our final destination, with the powerful winds of the world's tallest mountain whistling past our ears. Once we reach base camp, it is time for us to celebrate! You will have ample time to admire the breathtaking Himalayan panorama that stretches out before us. Afterwards, we will return to Gorak Shep and savor a celebratory meal, relishing in the satisfaction of our accomplishment as we prepare to sleep.

You may find yourself waking up this morning still filled with excitement from yesterday's achievements. We will take advantage of this momentum and ascend to the magnificent lookout point of Kala Patthar. We will embark on a brief trek in the early morning, which will provide us with the opportunity to appreciate breathtaking 360-degree views of renowned Himalayan peaks and glaciers such as Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Thamserku, and more. You can even get a better view of Everest from here than you did yesterday! Afterwards, we will descend to Gorak Shep and have a relaxed breakfast before embarking on our journey back to Pheriche, following the same path we took earlier. Since we have already hiked this section of the trail in the opposite direction, we can expect a comfortable and familiar route that will take us to another cozy teahouse where we can enjoy another hot meal.

We start our morning with a peaceful descent through beautiful rhododendron woodlands as we head back to Namche Bazaar. After trekking for a few hours, we will arrive at the Imja Khola river. We will then take a break and have lunch at Tengboche. Seize this opportunity to admire the town's exquisite monastery once again. Although photography is prohibited inside, the sights you will witness will leave a lasting impression on your memories. Once we are prepared to resume our walk, we will journey across lush green hills and breezy ridgelines until we reach Namche Bazaar once more. You will have ample time this evening to indulge in some shopping before dinner. Namche offers a wide array of fascinating souvenirs and curios for you to explore. On the Everest Base Camp Trek, we will spend our second-to-last night in a welcoming teahouse.

Today marks the final day of our thrilling journey on the Everest Base Camp Trek. As we leave Namche Bazaar behind, we will embark on a steep descent through several small villages. One of these villages is Phakding, where we spent our first night on the trail. Be sure to take in the breathtaking views of the river valleys and forested slopes from the various suspension bridges. These bridges will offer you one last opportunity to see the beautiful Khumbu wilderness before you leave. After finally returning to Lukla, we will gather together to enjoy a celebratory meal. During this time, we will take the opportunity to reflect upon the profound and transformative experiences we had during our journey on the Everest Base Camp Trek. The adventurous members of our group will definitely want to take the opportunity to thoroughly explore the unique town of Lukla. However, it is important to make sure you get enough rest tonight in preparation for tomorrow's early-morning flight.

As the sun rises over the Khumbu, we will prepare ourselves for our flight back to Kathmandu. Make sure to fully appreciate the breathtaking views of the Himalayas before we bid farewell to the wilderness and make our way back to the vibrant capital city of Nepal. The last night in Kathmandu offers a wonderful chance to buy some last-minute souvenirs and indulge in a delicious meal at one of the city's fantastic restaurants. If you have a morning flight to catch, rest assured that we will ensure you arrive at the airport on time for your departure. If you are planning to stay in Nepal, we would be delighted to help you with any travel arrangements you may need. Regardless of the outcome, we have thoroughly enjoyed having you as our guest on the Everest Base Camp Trek. We sincerely hope that you will consider returning in the near future.