Jiri To Everest Base Camp Trek - 21 Days

Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport, where our representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your hotel check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Welcome Dinner

From Kathmandu, we embark on a 188 km (117 mile) drive to Jiri. The journey offers stunning views of the Langtang and Ganesh Himal peaks to the north. Our route heads towards Lamosangu (78 km/49 miles) via the Arniko Highway, which connects to Tibet. From Lamosangu, we take a scenic branch road to Jiri. Although the road continues to Shivalaya and Bhandar, buses do not travel beyond Jiri. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

We cross the bridge over the Khimti Khola River to reach Shivalaya village on the riverbank. From Shivalaya, a long, steep ascent leads to Sangbadanda village. Just beyond the village, the trail meets a jeep road. After a short distance, a trail branches off to the left, heading up along the ridge towards Thodung. Another trail branches off the jeep road further ahead, climbing about 150 meters (495 feet) past isolated farmsteads to Khasrubas. The trail then becomes easier, crossing two streams before ascending through rhododendron forests to Deorali, where mani walls signal our entry into Buddhist Sherpa country. After a one-and-a-half-hour descent, we reach Bhandar, marked by two large chortens and a gompa, with good views down the valley. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The trail descends through fields and crosses a few streams, reaching Dokharpa in about 45 minutes. Although there are some confusing forks, we stay left as the path winds down to the Surma Khola stream. Continuing to descend and curve left, the trail reaches the broad Likhu Khola Valley, where we take the second of two suspension bridges. The steep climb to Lamjura La begins here, offering views of snow peaks. After a challenging two-and-a-half-hour climb, we reach Chimbu. At the trail intersection beyond Chimbu, we turn left and walk for two more hours to arrive at Sagar. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Continuing on our journey, the first village we pass is Dagchu (2,840m/9,372ft). As we ascend higher after Goyem, distant snow peaks begin to appear as the forest thins. We reach the top of the ridge adorned with mani walls and cairns, followed by another half-hour climb to Lamjura La pass (3,530m/11,649ft). The descent from the pass is steep and zigzagging. Progressing through more gently sloping open country with stonewalled fields and pastures, we arrive at the settlement of Tragdobuk (2,850m/9,405ft). Continuing on the leftward path, we round a bluff to behold the large and picturesque village of Junbesi (2,675m/8,827ft) below, with views of the snow peaks and Numbur to the east. The descent to Junbesi takes about an hour. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After about two hours of walking, the trail curves around a spur, revealing a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped mountains. On clear days, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu are visible, alongside Thamserku, Kangtega, Kusum Kanguru, and Mera Peak. Continuing almost level, the trail reaches Salung (2,860m/9,438ft), then ascends to the village of Ringmo (2,800m/9,240ft), known for its apple, peach, and apricot orchards. Descending steeply, we arrive at Trashingdo village, where a beautiful gompa offers views of Kusum Kanguru peak.

The trail then winds through forests and across terraced fields, crossing a suspension bridge to reach Nuntala. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Continuing our journey early in the morning, we are treated to stunning views of Karyolung (north) and Kusum Kanguru (northeast) peaks. The trail descends rapidly for about 3 hours to the broad Dudh Koshi River, where we cross over a steel suspension bridge at 1,500 meters, marking the lowest point of our trek.

As we ascend from the river, we pass through the villages of Jubing and Churkha, with distant views of Gyachung Kang (7,922m) and Khumbila (5,761m). The trail then climbs eastward, leading us to the expansive village of Kharikhola. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Descending to cross a suspension bridge over a stream, the trail then ascends very steeply for about an hour, bringing us to Bupsa. We continue through the forest settlement of Kharte to reach Khari La (2,840m/9,318ft), marked by a mani wall. From this vantage point, we enjoy views of Khumbila and Gyachung Kang, with the Dudh Koshi River flowing far below through a deep canyon, reaching depths of up to 1,000 meters in places.

Descending further, we arrive at Puiyan. The typical duration for this segment of the trek is 6-7 hours. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The trail undulates through various ups and downs, cresting a ridge from where we catch glimpses of the Lukla airfield and the village of Surkhe (2,290m) below, surrounded by terraced fields. Continuing through cultivated fields, we pass Cheplung (2,700m), where a French-run health post serves the village of Nachipang.

Descending further, we cross a smaller steel box bridge over the roaring Thado Kosi, a tributary stream, with rhododendron flowers possibly in bloom during May. Continuing along, we reach the farming village of Ghat on the riverbank, descending almost to the river itself, opposite a scar left by a landslide.

The trail then ascends sharply to Phakding village. A popular side trip from here is a short climb to Pema Choling Gompa, a 30-minute walk high on the forested west bank, offering superb views of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku peak. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Heading towards Namche Bazaar, we pass through the hamlets of Zamphute and Tok Tok, with the dazzling Thamserku mountain gleaming in the sun along most of our trek. We traverse scenic Sherpa villages such as Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo before reaching Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff overlooking the Dudhkoshi River. Continuing between bluffs, we arrive at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Halfway to Namche Bazaar, we prepare for the more challenging second half of our journey, which includes a steep climb towards the end. Passing through the last village of Jorsale, we ascend a steep stepped path to a spectacular high bridge spanning the Dudhkoshi River gorge. Just before the bridge, the Dudhkoshi meets its tributary, the Bhote Koshi. Gradually ascending the final stretch uphill, we reach Namche Bazaar, where the first views of Mount Everest peek over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. After approximately 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles), we arrive in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today is dedicated to soaking in the scenic beauty and natural wonders around Namche Bazaar. The village sprawls like a giant amphitheater, with houses and terraced fields cascading down its natural bowl-shaped setting. A walk to the Army post and Sagarmatha National Park Headquarters offers stunning views of the Khumbu peaks, including Mount Everest to the east, the majestic Kwangde Range to the west, and peaks like Kusum Kanguru, Thamserku, Kangtega, Khumbila, Thange Ragi, and Pharchamo.

If it's Saturday, visitors can enjoy the vibrant Saturday market, where Sherpas from across the Khumbu gather to buy goods sold by lowland Nepalese vendors. It's a colorful and bustling scene with a variety of items for sale. Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Namche, we follow an easy trail that cuts around the ridge through Chhorkung, offering panoramic views from Thamserku to Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Everest. Continuing to Kyangjuma (3,550m), a short walk leads to the important trail junction at Sanasa (3,600m). Here, we descend gently towards the river, passing through Lawichasa where the iconic peak of Ama Dablam comes into view.

From Lawichasa, a narrow trail branches north to Tashinga (3,380m). Descending steeply via stone steps to Phunki Thenga (3,250m), we cross a bridge and ascend through a forest of tall rhododendrons, possibly spotting musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Continuing upwards, we reach a kani and a pair of chortens marking the beginning of Tengboche village. Nestled across a wide, grassy saddle beneath a crescent-shaped ridge adorned with scrub pines and rhododendrons, Tengboche is renowned for its majestic monastery.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Tengboche, we hike through forests rich with conifers and rhododendrons, spotting wildlife like monal pheasants and musk deer. Passing Debuche village and its historic Debuche Gompa, we cross the Imja Khola on a suspension bridge and ascend to Pangboche, home to the oldest monastery in Khumbu, Pangboche Gompa. Continuing past alpine terrain and yak pastures, we reach the windy settlement of Dingboche, where temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Dingboche, we ascend along a ridge through Dusa village (4,503m), surrounded by stunning Himalayan peaks. Taboche and Cholatse's twin peaks dominate the view, with Ama Dablam standing out as a perfect pyramid. Kantega's summit is visible to the left of a prominent saddle seen from Tengboche. The trail descends to a glacial stream and rises to Dughla.

Overnight at a guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Dughla the trail goes directly up the gravelly terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and the path bears left at the top of the ridge on to Chupki Lhara where we see large heaps of stones with prayer flags remembering the mountaineers who perished on mission to climb Mt.Everest. At the top of the valley is the Chola Lake where we get a glimpse of blue waters from high trails. From Chupki Lhara, the trail drops to the Khumbu glacier moraine after which we see three great peaks-Khumbutse, Lingtren and Pumori straight in front. Now walking the final steps along a murmuring stream we reach Lobuche. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This day will be a long hard day for us. Walking by a somewhat grassy terrain and a few scattered boulders, all along we see the snowy wall of lofty mountains ahead. The 60m/200ft ascent takes us to the top of the lateral moraine wall of the Changri glacier, to a level spot called Thangma Riju from where there is a spectacular 360 degree panorama of the mountains all around-Taboche and the Lobuche peaks, Pumori and the rest of Mahalangur Himal peaks, with Changtse in Tibet now more visible; and Nuptse filling the eastern horizon.The trail now crosses the moraine of the Changri glacier which joins the Khumbu glacier from the west and climbing steeply up a stony slope we reach Gorak Shep from where we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar. From Gorak Shep we move towards EBC, to be amidst of mountains, not to see them from afar as EBC is not a viewpoint. Walking by the shallow blue waters of Gorak Shep Lake, the Changtse peak in Tibet and the Lho La depression can be seen straight ahead. Crossing through several of the glaciers, icefalls, frozen pools of melt water, exposed icy walls and large boulders we finally reach EBC from where trekking ends and mountaineering begins. We descend back to Gorak Shep for the night stay. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Finally, this is our date with Everest, the climax of the trek. We start after an early breakfast without hurry. Crossing through the wide sandy bed of the dried up lake and steep zigzags we ascend about 100m to have the great view of Lingtren, Khumbutse and Changtse. As the climb begins again, we get a grand view of Khumbu glacier and Nuptse massif and finally we climb to the rocky viewpoint of Kala Patthar. It’s a slow tough climb but every meter ascended is rewarded by a bit more of Everest and finally we find ourselves sitting on the Kala Patthar rocks in middle of unbelievable Himalayan Panorama. Now we return downhill which takes much less time. Retracing the way we came up we pass through Gorak Shep, Lobuche and from Dughla, instead of moving towards Dingboche we descend to Pheriche  making our way along Khumbu Khola, for the night stay while being back.  Overnight at guesthouse.  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Pheriche the trail descends to Tsuro Wog after crossing the bridge across Khumbu Khola and great mountain views. From Tsuro Wog we again start the descending path retracing the way we came up proceeding through Orsho, Shomare and upper Pangboche and finally to a most beautiful place of Tengboche. The Tengboche monastery is Khumbu’s largest gompa. From Tengboche we move towards Phunki Tenga and now descend to Sanasa and Kyangjuma and then finally to Namche Bazar. Overnight at guesthouse.  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu and drop to the hotel. This is a leisure day which can be utilized buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family. In the evening you will be invited to join FAREWELL reviewing great photos and share experiences of the trip.  Overnight at hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours etc.