Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

This itinerary does not include travel days. Participants may choose to arrive a day early for ease of travel.

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu by 1pm for our mandatory afternoon orientation meeting.  We’ll check into our hotel in central Kathmandu and enjoy a welcome dinner with the team.

Day 2 – Tour Kathmandu

We’ll begin our exploration of Kathmandu this morning. Our tour includes three World Heritage Sights — 3,000-year-old Swayambhu (monkey temple), the Hindu temple and cremation site Pashupati, and the great Stupa of Boudhanath. Following our tour, we’ll complete a thorough gear check.

Day 3 – Fly to Lukla and Hike to Phakding

We board a small twin-engine plane for the mountain flight to Lukla. In Lukla, we join our Sherpa staff, load equipment, and begin the ascent to Base Camp. Our first day is an easy walk and an introduction to the landscape just above the village of Phakding, located on the Dudh Kosi river.

• Lukla: 9,350 ft
• Phakding: 8,700 ft
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Day 4 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar

We follow the Dudh Kosi through Himalayan pine and Deodar cedar forests to the celebrated village of Namche Bazaar. The village of Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchanged goods like salt, gold, and textiles. Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu. Our group will spend two nights in Namche, affording us the opportunity to acclimate, visit a local market, and spend time with friends in town. We’ll capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks.

• Phakding: 8,700 ft
• Namche Bazaar: 11,300 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 5 – Namche Acclimatization Hike

In the morning, we’ll take an acclimatization hike, gaining 1,000 feet to take in the amazing mountain vista. In the afternoon, we’ll have time to visit sights in Namche Bazaar, including the local marketplace and monastery.

• Overnight in Namche: 11,300 ft

Day 6 – Namche to Thame

One of the most fascinating days of the trip, we’ll leave the main trekking route and travel to the village of Thame. Thame is home to many renowned Sherpa climbers, as well as many of Alpine Ascents’ local staff. We often have the opportunity to visit a traditional home, offering a personal view into life and culture in the Khumbu. The Thame experience is one rarely afforded international travelers.

We’ll climb to the Thame monastery, a centuries-old Buddhist gompa overlooking the valley. Here we’ll learn more about local Buddhist traditions, the lives of the resident monks, and the paintings and artifacts found throughout the monastery.

• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Thame: 12,464 ft
• Hiking time: 5 hours

Day 7 – Thame to Khunde

From Thame, we’ll walk to the beautiful twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung, two of the largest villages in the Khumbu and home of Sir Edmund Hillary’s hospital and school. The day’s walk is moderate and pretty, winding through thick cedar forest.

• Thame: 12,464 ft
• Khunde & Khumjung: 12,400 ft
• Hiking time: 6 hours

Day 8 – Khunde to Tengboche

We’ll continue on to the village of Tengboche, the cultural and religious center of the Khumbu.  Here we can often attend Buddhist ceremonies and rituals performed by local monks. Vistas from Tengboche are spectacular. The jagged peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega stand to our south, as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam tower to the north. The monastery at Tengboche is one of the most well-known in the world, as are the views.

• Khunde: 12,400 ft
• Tengboche: 12,683 ft
• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Day 9 – 10: Tengboche to Pheriche

We’ll climb to the village of Pheriche, not far from Dingboche (a village en route to Island Peak). Pheriche has become famous for its high-altitude medical clinic. We’ll visit the clinic and learn more about the effects of high altitude on Himalayan climbers. We’ll spend an additional day here, allowing our bodies to further acclimatize.

• Tengboche: 12,683 ft
• Pheriche: 14,400 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 11 – Pheriche to Lobuche

Above Pheriche, the character of the terrain changes, and we’ll begin to experience the starkness of the high alpine landscape. Our path climbs the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier and continues to the settlement of Lobuche, where we’ll spend one night. This trail passes through a famous memorial honoring the many Sherpa who have lost their lives in the high mountains.

• Pheriche: 14,400 ft
• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 12 – Lobuche to Gorak Shep

The trail winds through the high tundra and glacial moraine to Gorak Shep, the last inhabited area before Everest Base Camp. Gorak Shep presents a rougher environment and gives us a true flavor of the rigors of mountaineering. This afternoon, if weather permits, we’ll make an ascent of Kala Pattar (18,300 ft.) Kala Pattar is a small peak with excellent views of Everest, Nuptse, and nearby Pumori and will be the highpoint of acclimatization. Many well-known Everest photos are taken from Kala Pattar. We will sleep at Gorak Shep for the night.

• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Gorak Shep: 16,924 ft
• Kala Pattar: 18,300 ft.
• Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Day 13 – Gorak Shep to Everest Basecamp

This morning, we’ll make an early ascent of Kala Pattar (if we didn’t climb it yesterday) and then walk to Base Camp, where we will sleep for the night. Sleeping at Base Camp is a rare opportunity— camping there is prohibited to general tourism to keep crowds down, however our team gets to enjoy the Alpine Ascents camp because of our overlapping summit expedition stationed there.

• Gorak Shep: 16,924 ft
• Everest Base Camp Overnight: 17,600 ft
• Hiking time: 4 hours

Day 14 – Everest Basecamp to Lobuche

We leave Base Camp and begin our return to lower altitudes today. We’ll quickly feel the difference in our lungs as we return down valley to the village of Lobuche, where we will spend the night.

• Everest Base Camp: 17,600 ft
• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 15 – Lobuche to Pangboche

Continuing our descent, we’ll stop for lunch in Dingboche, a stunning village of stone huts known as the summer village for local herders. fter lunch, we’ll continue to descend to the village of Pangboche (13.074 ft./3.985 m), located across the river valley from Ama Dablam base camp.

• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Dingboche: 14,450 ft
• Pangouche: 13,074 ft
• Hiking time: 5-7 hours

(Note – Trekkers may opt to fly back to Lukla and Kathmandu via helicopter in the morning)

Day 16 – Pangboche to Namche

We’ll enjoy our return walk to Namche Bazaar, where we can find shopping,  coffee,  great food and all the thrills of “urban” life. We’ll spend the evening in Namche.

• Pangouche: 13,074 ft
• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 17 – Namche to Lukla

Early in the morning we’ll descend the hill from Namche and enter the lower valley, returning to lush greenery and the Dudh Kosi river.  Our walk to from Namche to Lukla will take most of the day. In Lukla, we’ll begin the process of readjusting to the lowlands and prepare for the flight back to Kathmandu. It’ll be a memorable night of laughter and merriment.

• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Lukla: 9,350 ft
• Hiking time: 8-9 hours

Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu

Early morning flight to KTM, weather permitting. We’ll spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the amenities of our hotel.

Day 19: Kathmandu

Free time to explore the city, including the sites of Durbar Square and the neighborhood of Thamel. We’ll assist climbers with their final shopping needs and have a farewell dinner.

Day 20: Depart Kathmandu

Early morning departure.

This itinerary does not include travel dates. Participants may choose to arrive a day early for ease of travel.

Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu by 1pm for our mandatory afternoon orientation meeting. We’ll check into our hotel in central Kathmandu and enjoy a welcome dinner with the team.

Day 2 – Tour Kathmandu

We’ll begin our exploration of Kathmandu this morning. Our tour includes three World Heritage Sights — 3,000-year-old Swayambhu (monkey temple), the Hindu temple and cremation site Pashupati, and the great Stupa of Boudhanath. Following our tour, we’ll complete a thorough gear check.

Day 3 – Fly to Lukla and Hike to Phakding

We board a small twin-engine plane for the mountain flight to Lukla. In Lukla, we join our Sherpa staff, load equipment, and begin the ascent to Base Camp. Our first day is an easy walk and an introduction to the landscape just above the village of Phakding, located on the Dudh Kosi river.

• Lukla: 9,350 ft
• Phakding: 8,700 ft
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Day 4 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar

We follow the Dudh Kosi through Himalayan pine and Deodar cedar forests to the celebrated village of Namche Bazaar. The village of Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchanged goods like salt, gold, and textiles. Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu. Our group will spend two nights in Namche, affording us the opportunity to acclimate, visit a local market, and spend time with friends in town. We’ll capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks.

• Phakding: 8,700 ft
• Namche Bazaar: 11,300 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 5 – Namche Acclimatization Hike

In the morning, we’ll take an acclimatization hike, gaining 1,000 feet to take in the amazing mountain vista. In the afternoon, we’ll have time to visit sights in Namche Bazaar, including the local marketplace and monastery.

• Overnight in Namche: 11,300 ft

Day 6 – Namche to Thame

One of the most fascinating days of the trip, we’ll leave the main trekking route and travel to the village of Thame. Thame is home to many renowned Sherpa climbers, as well as many of Alpine Ascents’ local staff. We often have the opportunity to visit a traditional home, offering a personal view into life and culture in the Khumbu. The Thame experience is one rarely afforded international travelers.

We’ll climb to the Thame monastery, a centuries-old Buddhist gompa overlooking the valley. Here we’ll learn more about local Buddhist traditions, the lives of the resident monks, and the paintings and artifacts found throughout the monastery.

• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Thame: 12,464 ft
• Hiking time: 5 hours

Day 7 – Thame to Khunde

From Thame, we’ll walk to the beautiful twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung, two of the largest villages in the Khumbu and home of Sir Edmund Hillary’s hospital and school. The day’s walk is moderate and pretty, winding through thick cedar forest.

• Thame: 12,464 ft
• Khunde & Khumjung: 12,400 ft
• Hiking time: 6 hours

Day 8 – Khunde to Tengboche

We’ll continue on to the village of Tengboche, the cultural and religious center of the Khumbu.  Here we can often attend Buddhist ceremonies and rituals performed by local monks. Vistas from Tengboche are spectacular. The jagged peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega stand to our south, as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam tower to the north. The monastery at Tengboche is one of the most well-known in the world, as are the views.

• Khunde: 12,400 ft
• Tengboche: 12,683 ft
• Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Day 9 – 10: Tengboche to Pheriche

We’ll climb to the village of Pheriche, not far from Dingboche (a village en route to Island Peak). Pheriche has become famous for its high-altitude medical clinic. We’ll visit the clinic and learn more about the effects of high altitude on Himalayan climbers. We’ll spend an additional day here, allowing our bodies to further acclimatize.

• Tengboche: 12,683 ft
• Pheriche: 14,400 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 11 – Pheriche to Lobuche

Above Pheriche, the character of the terrain changes, and we’ll begin to experience the starkness of the high alpine landscape. Our path climbs the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier and continues to the settlement of Lobuche, where we’ll spend one night. This trail passes through a famous memorial honoring the many Sherpa who have lost their lives in the high mountains.

• Pheriche: 14,400 ft
• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Day 12 – Lobuche to Gorak Shep

The trail winds through the high tundra and glacial moraine to Gorak Shep, the last inhabited area before Everest Base Camp. Gorak Shep presents a rougher environment and gives us a true flavor of the rigors of mountaineering. This afternoon, if weather permits, we’ll make an ascent of Kala Pattar (18,300 ft.) Kala Pattar is a small peak with excellent views of Everest, Nuptse, and nearby Pumori and will be the highpoint of acclimatization. Many well-known Everest photos are taken from Kala Pattar. We will sleep at Gorak Shep for the night.

• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Gorak Shep: 16,924 ft
• Kala Pattar: 18,300 ft.
• Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Day 13 – Gorak Shep to Everest Basecamp

This morning, we’ll make an early ascent of Kala Pattar (if we didn’t climb it yesterday) and then walk to Base Camp. Afterwards checking out the scene at Base Camp, we’ll descend to Lobuche, where we sleep for the night. The slightly thicker air and more comfortable conditions in Lobuche will be a welcome change after our night up high at Gorak Shep!

• Gorak Shep: 16,924 ft
• Everest Base Camp: 17,600 ft
• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 14 – Lobuche to Pangboche

Continuing our descent, we’ll stop for lunch in Dingboche, a stunning village of stone huts known as the summer village for local herders. fter lunch, we’ll continue to descend to the village of Pangboche (13.074 ft./3.985 m), located across the river valley from Ama Dablam base camp.

• Lobuche: 16,174 ft
• Dingboche: 14,450 ft
• Pangouche: 13,074 ft
• Hiking time: 5-7 hours

(Note – Trekkers may opt to fly back to Lukla and Kathmandu via helicopter in the morning)

Day 15 – Pangboche to Namche

We’ll enjoy our return walk to Namche Bazaar, where we can find shopping,  coffee,  great food and all the thrills of “urban” life. We’ll spend the evening in Namche.

• Pangouche: 13,074 ft
• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Day 17 – Namche to Lukla

Early in the morning we’ll descend the hill from Namche and enter the lower valley, returning to lush greenery and the Dudh Kosi river.  Our walk to from Namche to Lukla will take most of the day. In Lukla, we’ll begin the process of readjusting to the lowlands and prepare for the flight back to Kathmandu. It’ll be a memorable night of laughter and merriment.

• Namche: 11,300 ft
• Lukla: 9,350 ft
• Hiking time: 8-9 hours

Day 18: Lukla to Kathmandu

Early morning flight to KTM, weather permitting. We’ll spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the amenities of our hotel.

Day 19: Kathmandu

Free time to explore the city, including the sites of Durbar Square and the neighborhood of Thamel. We’ll assist climbers with their final shopping needs and have a farewell dinner.

Day 20: Depart Kathmandu

Early morning departure.