Everest Base Camp Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu at any time. Attend the group welcome meeting.

Drive across the beautiful Nepalese countryside as we depart Kathmandu for Ramechhap. While today may be a longer travel day, it means you get to see the amazing beauty of of Nepal.

The mountain flight into Lukla is spectacular and the landing an exciting beginning to the trek – one end of the runway is 60m (197ft) higher than the other. The flight is on a small Dornier / Twin Otter flight and flight duration is generally around 25 – 30 minutes. Once in Lukla, head through pine and cedar woods along the Dudh Kosi to Phakding. Spend the next three nights trekking in the area and acclimatizing in preparation for heading to base camp. This is a challenging trip and involves difficult trekking at high altitudes but the whole experience is simply awe-inspiring!
ALERT: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal regularly switches back and forth from allowing domestic flights to Lukla departing out of Kathmandu airport versus departing out of Manthali airport. The flight used for each individual departure will be determined by what the Aviation Authority is permitting at that time.

In the Himalayas weather can cancel or delay the scheduled flight(s) to/from Lukla airport. To be sure that you make your trek, or return from it, it may be necessary to make this flight by a chartered helicopter. Helicopters can operate in some weather that aircraft cannot. Should a helicopter be needed, it will be at the expense of the travellers, and not something covered by G Adventures. Please keep approximately USD 500 (one way) accessible in case this situation presents itself. This suggested amount is in addition to the emergency fund suggested in the tour details.

Hopefully weather delays will not occur, or if they do it will be for a limited time. Should the delays stretch into days and neither helicopter nor flight are a viable option, a collective decision will be made by the group on how to proceed. This is especially true if the delays are prior to the trek, as the original trek may no longer be feasible. Your CEO will be there to help with this process.

Hike to Namche Bazaar, gateway to Everest Base Camp and spend two nights acclimatizing for the trek. The group will hike mostly uphill today from Phakding and it will take around 7-8 hours to reach Namche Bazaar.
An acclimatisation day allows for an excursion to Thame and Khumjung, the green village.

During today's acclimatization day the group will hike up to Syangboche at 3860m. Weather permitting, you will be able to spend some time here and enjoy tea or coffee while viewing the mighty Himalayas and of course Everest Peak. Return back to Namche where the remainder of the day is yours to rest as you please.

Total time spent hiking today will be around 3.5 hours.

Set out on a 6-7 hr trek through pine and rhododendron forests before arriving in Tengboche. Tengboche is a small village, and home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest monastery in Khumbu region.

Trek to Dingboche, crossing bridges and rivers with sweeping views of the Himalayan region. Walk through forests and alpine meadows and search for wildlife along the way. The group will spend 2 nights in Dingboche to acclimatize.

Today is an acclimatization day. Opt to hike to Chhukung or Nagarjuna Peak (Nangkartshang Peak).
An acclimatization day here can be used to hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung or Nagarjuna Peak (Nangkartshang Peak), a small summer settlement from where stunning views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and the fluted ice walls flanking the Amphu Lapcha pass can be seen. These views are one of the highlights of the entire trek.

Note: Nagarjuna Peak (Nangkartshang Peak) is at 5200 meters, but we only trek half way up to acclimatize.

Hike through alpine meadows and summer yak pastures towards the end of the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche, which has spectacular views of Nuptse. Today the group will walk for around 6 hours gradually following the trail uphill along a glacial river and through small settlements at Dughla and Thukla.

Today includes a challenging climb past the Changri Glacier. From there the group will cross the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep, and then finally enjoy the highlight of reaching Everest Base Camp.

Enjoy an early morning trek to Kala Pattar for stunning sunrise views of Everest and surrounding vistas. Later, trek to Pheriche along a mostly downhill route.

Today the group descends down the valley through Debuche and Tengboche. The trek finishes in Namche Bazaar. After a long day on the trail, the evening will be spent resting and recouping.

The final day of our trek takes us back to Lukla, where we have a chance to relax after the rigorous adventure we just undertook.

Catch the short flight back to Ramechhap, then drive to Kathmandu along the long, bumpy and beautiful route. Come together for an optional farewell diner with your group tonight.

Depart at any time.