The walk to Everest Base Camp from Lukla takes you through lush valleys with abundant flora and fauna, past friendly Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries, and far above the tree line towards the earth’s highest mountains. Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and Mt. Everest tower above you on this demanding but very rewarding trek.
The ultimate challenge is this trek is across Cho La Pass (5,420m), which takes 18-21 days and covers both the Gokyo Lake area and the Everest Base Camp. There are some short and interesting "climbs" of Gokyo Ri, Chukkung Ri and Kalapatthar for the classic views of icefalls and glaciers of Mahalangur Himalayan range you will have a breath taking view of Everest, Cho O Yu, Lhotse, Lhotse Shar and Makalu
Trekking Itinerary
Days 1:
Meet at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel
Days 2:
Sight-seeing of Kathmandu: Full day’s sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Swyambhunath (2000 years old temple) and visit Patan city of fine arts. Return to the hotel.
Days 3:
Flight from KTM – Lukla. Trek to Phakding (2,652m).
Days 4:
Phakding to Namche (3,440m)- Beginning with a slight climb to Jhorsalle, the trail passes a waterfall. All day, we pass villages interspersed with magnificent forest- rhododendron, magniolia trees and giant firs. And on the way to walking you will be rewarded (weather permitting) your first glimpse of Kusum Kanggru (6369m) Thamserku (6608m) Everest (8848m) and Nuptse (7879 m). A steep climb up to the beautiful village of Namche bazaar (3440m).
Days 5:
Acclimatization day in Namche. Acclimatization is most important before proceeding to a higher elevation. It is therefore recommended that you take a short days hike to Thame, Khunde or Khumjung or relax and explore the sherpa culture of Namche.
Days 6:
Namche to Tengboche (3,867m): after walking one hour you arrive in phungithanga from there the trail climbs through forests where you can spot musk deer. Tengboche sits on a saddle at 3870m in a clearing surrounded by dwarf fires and rododendroms. Kwongde (6187m) Tawache(6542m) Everest (8848m) Nuptse (7855m) Lhotse (8618m) Amadablam (6856m) Thamserku (6608m) provide and inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants. We visit the Bhuddist Monastry at Tengboche, the largest in Khumbu region.
Days 7:
Tengboche to Pheriche: Beyond Tengboche the altitude really starts to tell. The trail droops down to Dingboche, crosses the Imja Khola and climbs past superb mani stones ( carved with the Tibetan Buddhist chant om mani padme hum) to Pangboche at 3860m The gompa here is worth visiting. Then the trail start climbs to Pheriche 4240m. Where there is a medical facility, which gives lectures everyday on Altitude Sickness.
Days 8:
Pheriche to Lobuche - The trail climbs to Phalang karpo at 4340m then Duglha at 4620m,From Dughla the trail ascends the broad, gently slopping valley and climb steeply in to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier then left in to the memorial area Chukpilhara, before reaching the Lobuche at 4930m
Days 9:
Lobuche to Gorakshep. The trail from Lobuche follows the grassy ablation valley with great views of Pumori then crosses tributary glaciers to reach the dry lake bed of Gokrakchep. Stop for lunch then climb Kalapattar to get the best views of Everest and the surrounding mountains, then and back to Gorakshep for the evening.
Days 10:
Gorekshep to Everest Base Camp back to Lobuche - Early morning we walk to Everest Base Camp, visit base camp area and work down to Lobuche.
Days 11:
In the morning after breakfast drop down via glacier moraine from Lobuche near by Dugla the route will be changed towards the next stop Dzongla (4830m). This is the last stop before crossing the famous Cho La Pass 5330m.
Days 12:
From Dzongla now you are going for the pass, it will be long walking until the next stop so you may need to carry extra bottle of drinking water because on the way there is no any places for buying drinks. After the pass the trail drops down to the next camp site is called Thangnak (4700m).
Days 13:
Thangnak to Gokyo Lake : about 3 hour working to the Gokyo lakes.
Days 14:
Rest day at Gokyo Lake explore around: The excursion to the Gokyo peak usually starts early in the morning. The climb is quite steep first 30 minutes, it will take you an hour to reach the top with its traditional prayer flags. From where you will have a magnificent view of highest peaks, from the west to east are Cho you (8,153m), Gyachung Kang (7,922m), Everest ( 8848m), Lhotse (8,501m) and further way Makalu, On the way to descent you can enjoy, superb view of Gokyo Lake. Overnight in tent.
Days 15:
Trek back to Dole, the rout will be descending down via Dhudh Koshi River bank and on the way you will have many spots of wonderful panoramic views.
Days 16:
Dole to Khumjung (3780m), Khumjung is the largest settlement village in the Sherpa land where you will have chance to see real Sherpas’ life style and there cultural activities, The village has also a high school which is funded by Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation and also an old monastery where they have preserved famous Yeti skull.
Days 17:
Trek back to Phakding, the trail again drops to Namche Bazar and have a short tea/coffee stop and continue descending via same route and on the way stop for the lunch break an hour at Jorsale Village
Days 18:
Phakding to Lukla
Days 19:
Lukla fly back to Kathmandu .
Days 20:
Kathmandu free day, evening culture show with Nepali dinner, hotel
Days 21:
Final departure, transfer to airport
Cost in Standard Tour
Cost in Deluxe Tour
1 - 7 Pax
US $ 1075.00
1 - 7 Pax
US $ 1275.00
8- 15 Pax
US $ 1005.00
8- 15 Pax
US $ 1215.00
16 & more
US $ 980.00
16 & more
US $ 1170.00
Cost Includes :
Cost Excludes:
2 nights hotel in Kathmandu B / B
All meals during trekking [3 meals a day + tea & coffee]
Valley Sightseeing with English speaking guide
English Speaking trekking guide and porter
All ground transportation as per itinerary
Trekking permits or national park entrance permits
Insurance for Nepali staffs
Airfare domestic / international
Visa Fee US $ 30.00
Airport tax domestic / international
Hard / Soft Drinks like alcohol and coke and mineral water
Everest Region
The walk to Everest Base Camp from Lukla takes you through lush valleys with abundant flora and fauna, past friendly Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries, and far above the tree line towards the earth’s highest mountains. Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse and Mt. Everest tower above you on this demanding but very rewarding trek.