12 Day Everest Base Camp Trek

This is the first 'acclimatisation' day for this trek. Mountain climbing experts always advise us to stay active and move around on a rest day instead of being idle. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame, or we visit Khunde; maybe we could relax and explore the lively Namche Bazaar itself.

This is the nerve centre of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday where any and everything is up for sale. If we trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help us to acclimatise properly. Visit Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe a collection of equipment related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. We also take an enjoyable side trip up to the vibrant Khumjung.

We further climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the aerodrome will be the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese scheme to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley is surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak Khumbila, which hosts a famous monastery that houses a yeti scalp. We also visit Hillary School which is located at the same site.

After having lunch and spending some time in Khumjung, we walk back down to Namche Bazaar. 

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

After enjoying a hot breakfast in chilly Namche, we start out for Deboche enjoying fabulous views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and an upfront view of Thamserku.

Our trek follows a gradual trail with few ups and downs overlooking brilliant views of the awesome Himalayas. Along the routes, we come across some wild fauna that includes pheasants, musk deer, and sometimes a herd of Himalayan Thar. The trail goes steadily down up to Kyangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sanasa, which is the major trail junction for Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp.

The pathway then follows through pine forests, and after we cross the prayer-flag festooned bridge over Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Tenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch and some rest at Phunki Tenga, it's then a pretty little gritty climb that goes steeply up through the pine forests until we reach Tengboche.

Tengboche is a perfect spot for close-up views of Ama-Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest and it has the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region. Hiking by rhododendron forests for something like an hour, we reach Deboche. Hereabouts, we crash out at a cosy teahouse lodge.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

With the Mountains as an ideal backdrop, the monastery in Tengboche is a lovely sight to behold more in the morning. We click some pictures of the monastery and the surrounding scenes before we start our journey of the day.

We hike through a few Chortens, mani walls and some small villages after which, we haul up for some grub and while enjoying our meals we savor some upfront views of Amadablam towering just above us; We trek via Pangboche, the highest of the true lasting settlements in the valley and reach the regular settlement, the final steepest climb of the day on our way to Dingboche at the entrance to the Khumbu Valley.

We spend our night in a lodge. With 867 metres of ascent and 416 metres of descent, we finally hit the sack at a local lodge for the night in Dingboche.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

This is a day to haul up and rest without being idle. We can stroll around the village and get pally with the local folks with some interesting conversations. This will give us profound insights into the lifestyles and cultures of the local people in this region. At the same time, we can also relish the landscapes that surround us, and we can also catch up on some reading.

Our acclimatising gets a further boost with our hike to Chhukung village. We then do a steep climb up to Chhukung Ri at 5550m [if we feel like it] and as we top it with gasping breath we soon realize the gritty rise was worth the go; the rewards are as lovely as it comes with the natural beauty that greets us for our efforts, the jaw-dropping vistas of Cho Oyu at 8201m, Pumori at 7161m, the gigantic Lhotse wall at 8400m, Amadablam at 6812m, Makalu at 8481m & Baruntse at 7129m all put together set our hearts on top gear as it skips a beat while watching these massive peaks.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

After crossing by some of the teahouses of Duglha, we plod higher onto the pretty risky moraine of the Khumbu glacier, passing a chain of stone monuments built in memory of Sherpas who have died on mountaineering expeditions to Mt Everest.

From hereabouts, the trail lowers and goes by the west side of the valley to Lobuche. The sunset on Nuptse from this point is an amazing sight to behold. 

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

A real early start is required to reach the Everest Base Camp. It takes several hours as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier.

After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. Only upon reaching the Everest Base Camp do we appreciate the Everest climbers who brave the dangerous route through the Khumbu icefall?

Mountaineer's tents stand out in bright colours against the monotony of grey surroundings (especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from the base camp. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a grand view of the Khumbu icefall and the road to the South Col. 

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today is the most important part of our trip. We start early at dawn to catch the dramatic views from Kalapathar witnessing the first light of day shining on Mt. Everest. However, we need to get prepared for an early morning, dark and cold temperature (-10 to -14 C) departure beforehand. Plus there is always the potential for chilly winds which are quite common.

Familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse tower to the east even as Everest begins to expose itself emerging between the west shoulder crest and Nuptse. During the ascent to Kalapathar, we can pause to catch our breath at several outstanding view points to click pictures. After several hours of rising, we reach Kalapatthar.

From here, we scuttle to climb the rocky outcrop near to the summit marked by cairns and prayer flags. As we reach the top, we sit on the Kalapathar rocks, and our eyes take in the unbelievable Himalayan views, wandering from one mighty massif to another. We take as many pictures as we possibly can with our camera so they can last a lifetime. After this we make our way back to Pheriche with a slow descent; for a good night’s rest which we truly deserve. 

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

The trail from Namche Bazar clings to the steep wooded slope beyond Kyangjuma, winding through several bends. It’s interesting to look out for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards and colourful pheasants while we pass through the forest by the trail.

A steep descent from Namche Hill leads to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi River near the confluence of the Dhudh Koshi and the Bhote Koshi Rivers. We pass the Dudh Koshi River twice at separate locations before reaching Monjo.

Upon this juncture, we are out of the Sagarmatha National Park after exiting from its official entrance near Monjo and finally reach Monjo Village. Monjo is comparatively a quieter place to stay than Namche, and it also means our porters have a less strenuous walk back to Lukla the next day. 

• Breakfast
• Flight : Lukla - Kathmadu

Today, we begin to get warmed up by the light cool breeze. Although we are travelling the same route down, we enjoy entirely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. We take time and walk at our own pace today as this is the last day of our trek.

We experience the Sherpa villages' profound faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayer flags while we walk through the villages. Upon arrival in Lukla, we have plenty of time to relax, stretch those aching legs, and recall the experiences of the last couple of days.

We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with smiling faces! Upon arrival in Lukla, we stroll around while our leader will re-confirm our flight ticket. In the evening, we enjoy the last dinner with our crew and make it a party night which calls for a celebration.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation :

Today, after a hale and hearty b/fast, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us in Kathmandu. We can rest and relax throughout the day at our hotel. If interested, we could buy some gifts to take home from Nepal for loved ones and friends and relatives; we can visit some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods.

 If we want to explore any other areas in Kathmandu, we have to manage time for this today as well! At eventide, we will attend an exciting celebration dinner together for completing our original EVEREST Base Camp trek.

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Flight : flight might delay when weather conditions get bad
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