Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp! The very name is synonymous with the history of modern mountaineering, particularly with the conquest of Mount Everest itself by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa back in 1953. Such history adds an extra dimension of exhilaration to this trek in the Khumbu area, known as Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, home to the famous Sherpa people of Nepal. The joint border of Nepal and Tibet is straddled by Mount Everest, and this ultimate northerly region of the Himalayas is full of superlative snow capped mountains, rocky and craggy peaks, rushing rivers, deep lakes and glaciers.
This classic trek of the Everest region, surrounded in all directions by astonishing mountain vistas, concentrates on the main Khumbu valley. It allows ample time for necessary acclimatisation, in readiness for the ascent of Kala Patthar with its stunning views of Everest itself, and for the incredible walk over the famous Khumbu glacier to the focal point of the trek, Everest Base Camp.
An unforgettable, breathtaking flight to Lukla from Kathmandu leads straight in to the trek, which ascends, through forests and intriguing Sherpa villages, to the thriving settlement of Namche Bazaar. The birthplace of Tenzing Norgay is a small local village – Thame – with an option to visit.
The beautiful Imja Khola Valley offers up marvellous views of fabulous peaks and glaciers, as does the highest camp of the trek, at Gorak Shep, from where begins the ascent of Kala Patthar (5545m). At last there will be a sighting of the familiar black, rocky, triangle shape of the south-west face of Everest, with a day visit to the focus of this trek – Everest Base Camp. After this undeniably demanding visit to EBC, a more serene activity is a visit to the celebrated Thyangboche Monastery, the region’s most important centre of Buddhism, but more than worth the effort if just because of its fame.
Packed with strenuous effort, this trek is all about experiencing the majestic beauty of the tallest and most magnificent mountains in the world, as well as gaining an insight into the cultural life of the Sherpa people of the Khumbu, not to mention forming a link with those first, intrepid conquerors of Mount Everest.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transport to Hotel. Overnight at hotel
Day 02: Kathmandu World Heritage sightseeing, and preparing for trek. Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Flight to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2610m). About 40 minutes’ flight and 3 to 4 hours’ walk; 230m altitude loss; Overnight at lodge
Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m). About 6 to 7 hours walk; 830m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 05: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at lodge
Day 06: Trek to Thyangboche (3860m) or Debuche (3710m). About 6 hours walk; 420m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 07: Trek to Dingboche (4410m). About 6 to 7 hours walk; 700m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 08: Acclimatization day at Dingboche Explore Imja valley; Overnight at lodge
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche (4910m). About 5 to 6 hours walk; 500m altitude gain; Overnight at lodge
Day 10: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5361m) and back to Gorak Shep (5140m). About 7 to 8 hours walk; 451m altitude gain and 221m altitude loss; Overnight at lodge
Day 11: Early morning ascent of Kala Patthar (5545m), and trek back to Pheriche (4270m). About 7 to 8 hours walk; 451m altitude gain and 221m altitude loss; Overnight at lodge
Day 12: Trek to Phortse (3810m). About 5 to 6 hours walk; 630m altitude lost; Overnight at lodge
Day 13: Trek to Manjo (2835m). About 6 hours walk; 975m altitude lost; Overnight at lodge
Day 14: Trek back to Lukla (2800m). About 4 hours walk; 35m altitude loss; Overnight at lodge.
Day 15: Fly back to Kathmandu; Shopping /leisure time. About 40 minutes’ flight; Overnight at hotel
Day 16: At leisure in Kathmandu; optional visit to Jamarko (EPHC), our project in support of disadvantaged children and community, and last night farewell. Overnight at hotel
Day 17: Transfer to airport for international departure
Date & Price
All ACCESS-HIMALAYA adventure travel trips are small group departures and therefore places can fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book your trip as soon as possible.
Price Includes
... in Lodge Trek
Accommodation in Kathmandu, bed & breakfast basis, (accommodation in twin room unless otherwise arranged) - accommodation facilities/details outlined belowAll three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during the trek
All internal transportation as stated in itinerary, including domestic flights (see itinerary above)
In Lodge trek – mostly basic twin room with clean bed and mattress (toilet facilities may be outside – NO ATTACHED BATHROOM, unless otherwise arranged. Extra cost is applicable and subject to availability)
National Park entrance fees
TIMS permit
Experienced staff - (guide, assistant guides, porters or yaks)
Staff and porter insurance
Sightseeing in Kathmandu as stated in itinerary (guide and transport only)
Free gift of Access-Himalaya trekking kit bag for each member of group (to be distributed on arrival in Kathmandu)
Free airport pick and drop
Price Excludes
... in Lodge Trek
Your personal equipmentInternational flights
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control
Your travel insurance, (Make sure the policy covers helicopter rescue and evacuation service)
Medical examination and vaccination costs
Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips, shower and bathroom facilities on the trek etc. Hot shower charge could be $2 to $5 per person on trek)
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and elsewhere-apart from trek (see itinerary)
Heritage sights/Monastery/Temple entrance fees
Trek and Tour crew tips at end of tour
Availability Explained
- A AVAILABLE - Trip date is available and open for bookings. Go for it!
- G GUARANTEED - Trip is reached minimum numbers and this is 'Guaranteed to Run'
- L LIMITED - Trip is 'Guaranteed to Run' and there are a very limited number of available places remaining. Immediate booking is recommended.
- C CLOSED - Trip has reached maximum numbers and it is unavailable. Please Contact Us to enquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as a private departure
Trip Info (Tour/Trek Styles) Explained
- PG Private Group: This style of trip is organized for specific groups of people (families, friends,school and college students, colleagues, business associates etc.), and is closed to outsiders. If you are interested in this particular trip departure date then please get in touch with us.
- OA Open to All: This trip departure is open to all. However, if you are interested in this particular trip departure date but want your own private group, then please get in touch with us.
- LT Lodge Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is lodge (teahouse) based. All accommodation, including food, is provided in local lodges. Occasionally however, where a large group is concerned we may choose to send our own cook along, as well, to take care of your food hygiene and to cook some special additional items.We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s) and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- CT Camping Based Trip/Trek: This trip/trek is camping (tent) based. We will provide one 3-man tent for every two people, also single tents, where requested, on payment of supplementary costs. All food and drinks are provided by our experienced cook and his kitchen team. We provide all necessary documentation, including permits, and arrange all internal transport. We provide trekking guide, assistant guide(s), cook, kitchen crew, food and drink, and porters/animals for transport of your gear. You merely carry a daysack with essentials, including water.
- GAP Guide, Accommodation & Porter only: In this trip neither food nor transportation is included. Clients are responsible for food and local transportation, and our responsibility is to provide insured guide, insured porter, and all necessary permits. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Clients pay for their own accommodation. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, We can arrange hotels and international airport transfer, on request.
- SG Self Guided/Budget Trip: This trip is specially designed for low-budget travellers who prefer fairly basic facilities with reduced services. It is a pre-requisite that a porter is hired for any self-guided trip, which is an ideal set-up for those who enjoy independent travel with minimum cost. We have added support to minimise the hard work of planning and costing, and we will be available to help in the unlikely event of an emergency. We will arrange all documentation (including permits), before you arrive in Nepal, so that you are free to get on with your adventure, relying only on your porter to help you on your way. All additional costs are the responsibility of the clients, including charges incurred as a result of delays or cancellation of services beyond our control. Hotel accommodation, local transportation and international airport transfers may be arranged, on request.
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Accommodation in Kathmandu
It is our policy to use Nepali-owned accommodation, always, as we feel this is an aspect of fair trade, and the hotels we use in Kathmandu are comfortable, clean, efficient and friendly. Most hotels are also family-run; we visit, and stay in the hotels ourselves, to ensure that facilities are ... read more.. -
Food on LodgeTrek
On lodge treks clients are provided with three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus will be fairly standard, according to the region visited, but will vary in style from place to place, according to availability of ingredients, and in more remote areas choice will be relatively restricted ... read more.. -
Travel Insurance
It is a strict condition of joining an Access-Himalaya adventure holiday that you must be insured against all medical and personal accident risks, including repatriation if necessary. Helicopter evacuation, in the unlikely event of your being injured or taken seriously ill on trek, is very costly - an average rescue ... read more.. -
Nepal Visa and Passport
All visitors to Nepal require a passport (valid for at least 6 months after your return to your home country) and an entry visa. A visa application should be obtained from the Nepalese Embassy, in London (click here to download Nepal visa application form ), or in your own country ... read more.. -
Travel Money
You are advised to take travellers\' cheques with you for safety, and these should be American Express (preferred) or similar, as local bank cheques can be extremely difficult, or even impossible, to cash. ATM facilities are becoming increasingly available in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other large towns, so a Visa, or ... read more.. -
Arrival in Nepal
At Kathmandu airport you should proceed through Immigration (you apply for your Visa here) to the baggage collection area. Once you have collected your baggage you should move on to the Customs officers to have your baggage cleared and chalked up, before leaving the Arrivals lounge. Immediately outside, you will ... read more.. -
Tipping and Service Charges
Tipping is an entirely personal and optional matter and at the discretion of the individual. Should you wish to give a tip in a restaurant, if there is not already a service charge included you may consider a tip of 10%. Recently there has been a recommendation for 10% charge ... read more.. -
Trekking Clothing & Equipment Guideline
The following is a guideline, not a prescription: we hope it will help you find your way through the minefield of items of clothing and equipment which fill the catalogues of outdoor adventure outfitters! Jacket x 1This should be breathable, wind-proof and waterproof (not showerproof), with attached hood. Suitable fabrics to ... read more.. -
Accommodation on lodge treks
Accommodation will be in simple lodges offering twin-bedded rooms with standard foam mattresses (if you require additional comfort you might consider taking along Thermarest or similar self-inflating mattresses). Toilets are mostly of the squat type, situated outside the main building. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring this ... read more..
If our fixed departure dates are not convenient for you or your group, we can also arrange private departures on all of our small group tours. Private group departures will follow the same itineraries as our usual small group tours, or itineraries may be tailormade to suit your own convenient tour date/budgets.
Itineraries may be tailor-made to suit your dates. So if you can’t find a date to suit you or if you want to have your very own tour just with your friends or family then we can help you.
Customised Private Groups:
For most of our usual tours, or itineraries, where there is a group numbering 2 or more, we can customise and organise private group trip(s) where we design the itinerary and activities exclusively for you, according to your requirements and budgets, such as Honeymoon, Anniversary, Family, Scouts, School, College, Fundraising or Charity trips. Find out more about our private group tours.
To enquire about booking a private departure of this tour or about organising your own private group tour, please fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly with details.