Hiking in Nepal: The Everest Base Camp Trail

Nepal boasts eight of the world’s tallest mountains and the world’s oldest Hindu and Buddhist sites, and is home to some of the greatest mountain walks on earth. From ancient Kathmandu with its enchanting medieval palaces, pagodas, temples, statues and stupas, to the Khumbu Valley and its unparalleled scenery, the kingdom of Nepal’s Everest region is on every hiker’s bucket list. You’ll walk under the shadow of some of the most famous and beautiful mountain giants on the planet, and even visit the fascinating world of a base camp when you hike to spectacular Ama Dablam. We use helicopters to get in and out of the mountains, which avoids the long trek out and makes it possible to see all the best of the area in a reasonable length of time. Your gear is carried by native porters, so you can hike in comfort, and we use the best inns available in the villages where we stay, so you’ll always have a private room, a warm bed, a hot shower, and wonderful meals! AND, you’ll enjoy the camraderie of hikers from all over the world, each of them on thier own lifetime adventure…the vibe is impossible to describe!

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Day 1 - Kathmandu

You'll start your adventure when you arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport. Since Kathmandu is an at altitude of 4,600 feet, it's the perfect place to spend a couple days to acclimatize for your trek into the mountains. Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted by one of our representatives to complete the immigration and visa formalities. After collecting your baggage, you will be escorted by the representative outside the airport where our local guides will be waiting in the arrivals section. It's a very short transfer to your gorgeous 5 star hotel in the city center. After checking in you'll meet your local Tour Leader and guide and have an informative orientation meeting, followed by a gear inspection. This will help you prepare for your upcoming adventure and make sure you have everything you need.

Now it's time to get out and start exploring the city! You'll have a short transfer to one of Kathmandu's most impressive landmarks...Boudhanath - one of the major centers of Tibetan Buddhism. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stupa is built on a massive three level mandala and is one of the largest in the world. Constructed sometime after AD 600 when the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism, this stupa is one of the most beautiful and graceful in Nepal. With the distinctive whitewashed dome flanked by an ornate gilded tower painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, the monument is an amazing sight. You can join the Tibetan pilgrims on their morning and evening koras (circumambulations) around the exterior to experience the ambiance for yourself. A popular tourist attraction, there are many shops around the stupa selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and a variety of exclusive Tibetan specialties and delicacies. Boudhanath has an extra element as the place gleams with oil lamps while prayer flags soar high fluttering simultaneously. People start their kora around the stupa in a clockwise direction spinning prayer wheels...the entire place appears both mysterious and magical!

In the early evening you'll go to one of our favorite local restaurants for an amazing 6 course dinner! The chef will treat your senses to a culinary splurge as he pays homage to Nepal`s vibrant ethnicity and its traditional food.

Day 2 - Pashupatinath

Today after a leisurely breakfast, you'll visit the magnificent temple of Pashupatinath. This astonishing architectural beauty is situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple is built in pagoda style with a gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. The temple stands as a symbol of faith, region, culture and tradition. Dedicated to the Hindu God of Destruction, Lord Shiva, this temple is regarded as the most sacred temple of all Lord Shiva temples. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or symbol of Lord Shiva. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After the visit, transfer to Old Kathmandu city – which offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history, culture, and architecture of Nepal. With our local guide we'll explore the ancient temples and palaces – renowened for its ancient buildings, traditional architecture, and vibrant street life. Then you'll head off on a short walking tour to Thamel - a bustling neighborhood known for its lively atmosphere, and a popular area with many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Despite being more modern, it retains a unique charm. This district is the tourist hub of the city, filled with a maze of narrow streets teeming wth shops offering colorful textiles and clothing, trekking gear and supplies, local food products and artisanal handicrafts. Sprinkled throughout is an eclectic collection of cafes, bars and hotels. Pedestrians, bicycles, cars and even rickshaws all wind along the streets between the shops and stalls, giving this area a wonderful energy and vibe! You'll have plenty of free time in Thamel to wander and get lost. This is also a great opportunity to pick up any last minute items you'll need for your Everest adventure.

Tonight we'll meet again for another wonderful group meal at one of our favorite local eateries. Get to bed early as tomorrow the real fun begins!

Today is rated EASY as primarily this is a city walk and tour.

Day 3 - Lukla to Monjo

This morning we'll have a private transfer to nearby Tribhuvan heliport for our scenic helicopter flight into the Himalayan mountains. Our destination is the tiny airstrip of Tenzing-Hillary airport, (originally built by Sir Edmund Hillary) in the tiny town of Lukla, perched on the slope of the mountain. At 9,347 feet, it's the perfect place to begin our hike up the Khumbu Valley. Disembarking from the helicopter, we'll meet our porters, hand off our gear to them and begin our trek. You'll only be carrying your daypack with water and any other essentials you'll need on the trail...camera, rain jacket, etc. Today we'll walk through many villages as the trail itself is not just a route for hikers, it's the main (and only) artery for transporting people and supplies to the hundreds of mountain communities that rely on it. As such, we'll share the path with villagers, freight porters, pack trains of mules and dzo (a cross between a yak and a cow) and plenty of other hikers on their way (or returning) from hiking adventures up the valley. You'll be enthralled by the Nepalese culture and the local people you'll meet, it’s like stepping back in time, like nowhere else on earth. The scenery today is excellent...shady pine forests interspersed with open areas providing glimpses of the surrounding peaks such as Thamsorku, Kangguru and Kongde Ri, all over 20,000 feet! The villages we pass through are fascinating in their own right...allowing us a peek at daily life in the Himalayan mountains. In one of them we'll pause at a local cafe to enjoy lunch and take a break. At several points today you'll use the local suspension bridges to cross over the whitewater rivers that run along the valley floor. Thrilling but safe, the bridges are sturdy enought to handle the pack trains so they're more than stout enough for the hikers.

By afternoon we'll arrive at the village of Monjo and our simple but charming family-run inn. After checking in and unpacking, you can take a hot shower, then relax and enjoy the local vibe. The inn will serve us dinner tonight and afterwards it's always fun to linger around the woodstove with the other hikers and exchange stories and laughs of the day's adventures. You'll meet people from all over the planet in these unlikely places, it's part of the experience to share your adventure with each other.

Today's activities are rated MODERATE. The hike has a total distance of 7.5 miles, and a hiking time of 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace. There are some ups and downs, but we have nearly all day to go 7 miles, so we can go at our own pace with plenty of breaks. The hike starts at an altitude of 9,347 feet and ends in Monjo at 9,000 feet, with 2149 feet of ascent and 2500 feet of descent. The trail is wide and the trail surface is mostly packed earth or rock. As you'll find on nearly all sections of the trail, most uphills are either a gentle grade or stone steps for the steeper sections. The trail today has quite a few shady areas as it passes through the pine forests on the mountain slopes.

Day 4 - Namche Bazaar

After a hearty mountain breakfast we start our trek towards Namche, by crossing the river on high suspension bridges. A little further on we'll come to the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. After registering with the rangers we'll continue on. The terrain is now becoming more vertical, with steep-sided valleys plunging into whitewater rivers fed from the glaciers upstream. Villages are becoming fewer as the landscape changes. The suspension bridges are WAY up there, too, with dramatic views up and down the valleys as you cross them.

We are now seeing more of the soaring Himalayan peaks, including Khumbila, Kangtega and the majestic Ama Dablam on the horizon. If it's clear you'll be treated to your first glimpse of Everest as it peeks over the shoulder of its neighbor Nuptse. Today's trail is mostly level and then uphill, a slow climb up to the thriving and bustling town of Namche Bazaar, a small, colorful village that has developed into a prosperouos trading and market hub for the mountain inhabitants of the Khumbu region. Famous for its homemade yak cheese and butter, Namche is also where most of the Sherpas who work in the trekking and climbing industry hail from. Situated on the slope of an arch-shaped mountain, the town has amazing views of giant Himalayan peaks up and down the Khumbu Valley. Despite its development, Namche Bazaar still retains its ancient culture, traditions, and heart-warming hospitality. Besides the usual collection of small hotels, local restaurants, and equipment stores, one can even find a regular pub, Wi-Fi facilities, and a place to play pool. Our plan is to spend two nights here to relax, rest and acclimatize. This is also a good place to restock for anything you might need.

Tonight we'll again relax in a comfortable inn and enjoy more home-cooked food. As always, the ambiance of the cozy common room and the camaraderie of the other trekkers is something to be savored and enjoyed!

Today's hike is rated MODERATE. Looking at the numbers you'll see that we have an ascent of 2900 feet and a descent of only 640 feet, which means the trail is a steady uphill hike. However, the total distance is only 3.8 miles, and once again we have literally all day to do it. So we can go at a very relaxed pace with lots of stops to rest, take pictures and enjoy the view. The hiking time will probably be only about 4 hours, which means a pace of less than 1 mph! We will start in the morning at an altitude of 9000 feet, and end up in Namche at 11,250 feet.

Day 5 - Go Get Lost Day

Today is all about rest and relaxation, and of course acclimatization. You can opt to wander around the town and explore the many shops and stalls. It's a great place to pick up some local crafts and gifts. The nearby Sherpa Culture Museum is worth a visit, or if you feel like more action is necessary, a visit to Syangboche or some other nearby Sherpa villages are good options. Doing some short local hikes will help you get better acclimatized, too.

Today is rated EASY as you don't really have a scheduled hike.

Day 6 - Khumjung and Tashinga

After breakfast, we'll head higher up the valley towards the famed Everest View Hotel. This iconic property has long been a stop on the Everest Trail, the views from its deck is one of the first and best of magnificent Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks. At this point you'll be getting into the landscape of the "real" Himalayas and their highest peaks. Prepare yourself for breathtaking mountain scenery beyond description. Impossibly high, soaring, jagged peaks coverd with snow, towering over you. Looking down you'll see valleys beneath you plunging so far you can’t see the bottom. Mountain scenery on a scale you can never imagine until you're there, immersed in it! We're now overlooked by some of the highest and most famous peaks in the world...Tabouche, Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.

We'll pass through a side valley and the peaceful little village of Khunjung, known for its Buddhist monastery and picturesque rock walls dividing the fields. It's also the perfect venue for lunch and a break from hiking. Afterwards we'll continue on a small side trail to our home for the evening, a beautiful inn tucked away on a remote mountainside near the town of Tashinga. Once again we'll be reunited with our gear, clean up and have plenty of time to relax before dinner.

Today's hike is rated EASY to MODERATE. The total distance is only 4 miles, with a reasonable 1440 feet of ascent and 1302 feet of descent. You'll start in the morning at 11,250 feet and finish at 11,864 feet, so no appreciable elevation gain, which is good for acclimatization. The trail surface is typical, packed earth or a rocky surface.

Day 7 - Pangboche

This morning, looking across the valley, you can see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche, but first we have to descend to the river. This takes about an hour, descending steeply in a series of zigzags to the Dudh Kosi river. A little way further on is a small hamlet, Phunki Tanga, where we'll stop for a cup of tea. The scenery is gorgeous with canyons, glacial streams and several hanging bridges. It is 2-3 hours from the bridge to reach the monastery at a slow, even pace. At first you climb steeply up through a shaded path in a pine forest, then emerge to walk up a long gentle straight path that rises like a ramp to the monastery. Emerging at the top, there is a mandala gateway and a huge chorten, which are passed before your first sight of the gompa. The setting is nothing short of magic and it is incredible to think that the temple was burnt down only a few years ago and was rebuilt largely through the efforts of the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust.

Your mountain views today are even better, to your left you're practically in the shadow of Cholatse and Taboche, both well over 20,000 feet. To your right the jagged pyramid of Ama Dablam is just across the river, towering over you at 22,500 feet. And in front is the end of the Khumbu Valley, with the massive shoulders of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest seeming to block your way. All of them are between 25,000 and 29,000 feet tall, and present an awe inspiring spectacle even at a distance. For company we still have plenty of other hikers, porters carrying freight, and pack trains. You'll notice that the majority of the pack animals has gradually shifted as the altitude has increased in the last couple of days. Now you see mostly yaks, as they are in their element in these high mountains areas.

This afternoon we'll arrive in the small hamlet of Pangboche, perched on a hill just across the river from Ama Dablam. The usual routine will ensue...check into our rustic but comfortable inn, unpack your gear that the porters dropped off in your room, clean up, meet for a drink, then dinner and lively conversation around the fire.

Today's hike is rated MODERATE with a total distance of 4.7 mile and a hiking time of 4-5 hours. The trail has some definite ascents and descents today, but we go slow with frequent breaks. There is 2,684 feet of ascent and 1,155 feet of descent. You'll start in the morning at an altitude 11,864 and finish in Pangboche at 12,927. There's not as much shade on the trail today, but at these altitudes it's cooler which makes for more pleasant hiking. The trail surface remains the same as all the other days, alternating between packed earth and rocky steps.

Day 8 - Ama Dablam Base Camp!

This morning after breakfast we begin our most exciting hike of the trip, to Ama Dablam base camp! followed a gradual ascent until Lhabarma where we find ourselves standing right in front of the mountain ridge. After crossing the Imja river (fed by the Khumbu glacier on Everest), we started our slow, steady ascent with 360 degree mountain views the entire day. A mere description or even a photograph doesn't do them justice…they tower over you and are CLOSE. At the viewpoint Lhabarma you will have front-row views of some of the most famous and beautiful peaks on the planet…Amadablam (22,493'), Kantega (22,254'), Nuptse ridge (25,849'), Lobuche peak (19,980'), Pumori (23,507'), Thamserku (21,729'), Kangtega (22,254'), Cholatse (20,784'), Taboche peak (21,309'), Khumbi La (18,914'), Kwangde Ri (19,721') and peeking over the smaller mountains...Everest at 29,033. The majesty of the Himalayas as seen here is impossible to describe. Impressive, massive, intimidating, yet beautiful and breathtaking at the same time.

By midday you'll reach the base camp, picking your way through the colorful tents of the climbers getting ready for their summit assault on the near vertical 21,000 foot face of Ama Dablam. Amadablam base camp is located at an altitude of 15,009 feet on an open yak pasture beneath the west face of the mountain. The climbing route, southwest ridge and the hanging glacier, the treasure box of Amadablam sits almost straight above. Settling in for a packed lunch with this type of scenery is unforgettable. After lunch you'll retrace your steps back to your lodge in Pangboche. The rest of the day is free to relax and hang out with your traveling companions and any others who happen to be overnighting there. You'll often enjoy the company of some of the international teams of climbers as they make their way to Everest for the May climbing season.

If you don't feel up to the hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp, you can opt to walk along the next leg of the EBC trail towards the village of Dingboche. The trail is wide and flat with just a slight uphill grade. You can walk for over a mile and have only 350 feet of altitude gain. There will be plenty of hikers and local traffic and the views are incredible as well! At any point you can turn back to Pangboche and your comfortable lodge.

All in all, a day you'll never forget.

Today you have two options, the first is rated EASY. It's a wide, out-and-back route along the EBC trail, fairly flat with a slight uphill grade. It has about 350 feet of elevation gain per mile. Views are excellent and you can turn around whenever you want. The other hike option today is rated HIGH MODERATE to CHALLENGING. It's an out-and-back trail from Pangboche, with a total distance of 5.4 miles. You'll have the entire morning to hike up 2.7 miles, and the afternoon to hike back down. There is 2398 feet of ascent and the same of descent. You'll start at an altitude of 12,927 feet and hit a peak altitude of 15,016 feet at the base camp. The trail is completely open with no tree cover, and the surface is the same as it has been all week, packed earth pathways with rocky sections.

Day 9 - Everest!

Today may be the most thrilling and exciting day of the entire adventure! After breakfast, a private helicopter will arrive at the helipad at Pangboche to take two people at a time on a scenic ride up the Khumbu Valley to overfly Everest Base Camp and see mighty Mt. Everest close-up and personal. This is one of the most electrifying experiences on planet Earth, with a viewpoint that can't be topped! Hovering up the valleys of the Khumbu surrounded by the snowcapped Himalayan peaks along with some of the highest mountains in the world, the view from the vantage point of a helicopter is exhilarating, and an experience that few will ever undertake. If weather permits the helicopter may land for a very short time at Kala Patthar, a ridge of Mt. Pumori that provides a stunning panoramic view of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. Afterwards the helicopter will, (depending on conditions) fly back down the valley all the way to Lukla and land there. The ride from Everest to Lukla provides an unending panorama of awe-inspiring views. You'll be able to look down and see your entire hiking route!

At Lukla the group will be reunited and then board another helicopter for the flight back to Kathmandu, where you'll be met at the heliport and transported back to your 5 star hotel. It's an amazing day! You wake up deep in the Himalayas, get to fly right up to Everest, then by midafternoon you're ensconced in your gorgeous hotel and enjoying all the amenities!

Tonight we'll get together for a festive farewell dinner! There will be plenty to talk about and lots of pictures to exchange. A fantastic end to a fantastic adventure!

Today's experience is rated EASY. There is no hiking, just hopping on and off the helicopter.

Day 10 - Farewell

After breakfast today your Go Get Lost tour will end with a transfer to the nearby airport to board your flight.

HOTELS

Due to availability at the time of booking, hotels listed may change to similar hotels

Kathmandu - 5 Star Dwarika's HotelDwarika’s Hotel is a unique place in South Asia. It is a living example of how cultural restoration and tourism can complement each other, leading to the preservation of historical artifacts and the growth of a rich cultural industry, earning its esteemed title of a living museum. What began as an impulsive action grew into a passion, and soon Dwarika Das Shrestha’s commitment to saving, documenting and restoring artifacts took on a life of its own. He envisioned, the ancient Newari style houses using the rescued carvings will treasure a new lease of life and the appreciation of Nepal’s ancient cultural history will live on forever. Dwarika Das Shrestha passed away on 10 February 1992, but his work continues. His vision of cultural restoration and revival based on a strong feeling for the beauty of a bygone era still stays with Dwarika’s Group profoundly. Remaining true to the earthiness of traditional life in the valley, the rooms capture the essence of a traditional Nepali stay without compromising on comfort. The linen is organically produced and handwoven. The furniture is custom designed and handmade at our own workshop. The en suite bathroom is filled with natural light, bringing the outside in, and a bathtub carved with traditional Newari design adds an opulent feel. The bathroom area also has a separate shower and a toilet to ensure ample space. Our heritage deluxe rooms face the charming courtyard with a spectacular view, offering a front seat to the sunset and an outdoor view. The stay at the heritage deluxe room provides guests with a close-to-nature experience.

Monjo – 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge Vivid wildflowers, brightly-painted teahouses and fluttering prayer flags greet you on arrival in Monjo. A comfortable five-hour's walk over gentle undulating hills from Lukla, Monjo lies at an altitude of 9,350'. The Everest Summit Lodge at Monjo overlooks the village and the narrow, but fierce, Dudh Koshi river. Khumbila peak, the abode of Khumbu region deity, keeps watch over the lodge.

Namche Bazaar – 2 Star Hotel Namche See why so many trekkers make Hotel Namche their small hotel of choice when visiting Namche Bazaar. Providing an ideal mix of comfort and convenience, it offers a charming setting with an array of amenities designed for the mountain hiker. Hotel Namche features a gift shop, shops, and a convenience store. Plus, guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, which has made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Namche Bazaar.

Tashinga – 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge Everest Summit Lodge at Tashinga is placed on a breathtaking, almost uninhabited village, off the main trail to Everest Base Camp and Ama Dablam Base Camp. The lodge is situated amongst pine forest, from where you can gaze endlessly at panoramic views of famous mountains like Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku and other Himalayan giants. The lodge is newly renovated and offers the highest standard of service and hospitality in the area.

Pangboche – 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge Hedged by Everest, Ama Dablam,Thamserku, Kang Taiga and Kongde, the Everest Summit Lodge at Pangboche is where it all comes together. At 13,070 feet, the well-located lodge offers a comfortable welcome, with 10 guest rooms with attached bathroom and shower. There is a dining area and a sunny viewing terrace with panoramas of Ama Dablam and Everest. Pangboche is nestled amid such Himalayan giants that photographs can't record what your eyes see. A day excursion to Ama Dablam Base Camp can be undertaken from the lodge as the crowning moment of your trek.

• 3 Nights Double Occupancy Accommodations at the 5 Star Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu (or similar)
• 1 Night Double Occupancy Accommodations the 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge at Monjo (or similar)
• 2 Nights Double Occupancy Accommodations at the 2 Star Hotel Namche in Namche Bazaar (or similar)
• 1 Night Double Occupancy Accommodations the 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge at Tashinga (or similar)
• 2 Nights Double Occupancy Accommodations at the 3 Star Everest Summit Lodge at Pangboche (or similar)
• Arrival and departure transfers on Day 1 and Day 10
• Airport assistance upon arrival in Kathmandu on Day 1
• Arrival and departure transfers to the heliport on Day 3 and Day 9
• All meals are included: 9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 9 Dinners
• Supplement food during trek
• Filtered water supplied during the trek & treated with Steripin
• All guided hikes as listed
• Completely escorted by a professional English-speaking local Tour Leader and 1 Sherpa mountain guide for each 4 hikers
• 1 porter per hiker (20 kilos maximum)
• Equipment provided: Duffle bag for porter pack, trekking poles
• All transportation in Kathmandu as per itinerary
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in itinerary
• Guided tour of Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Old Kathmandu areas
• Helicopter transfer Kathmandu to Lukla (may be shared)
• Helicopter scenic ride to Everest and transfer to Lukla (private)
• Helicopter transfer Lukla to Kathmandu (may be shared)
• Medical kit, PAC (Gamow bag) and oxygen bottle with mask & regulator
• Everest Conservation fees
• Light butter lamp at Boudhnath
• A lifetime of unforgettable memories!

• Nepal Visa
• Domestic and International airfare
• Beverages and bottled drinks at meals, bar bills
• Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides and reasons beyond our control
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
• Gratuities to trek staff, trek leader, porters, city guide and drivers
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal insurance policy - suggested a comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, thefts, illness, accidents, and hospitalization
• Costs arising from rescue and evacuation of any form
• Departure taxes and visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature; phone calls, laundry, etc.