Everest Base Camp Trek - 8 Days

Grab a window seat—and your camera! Our Everest Base Camp Trek begins with a captivating scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla: the gateway to the Khumbu. The sight of the icebound Himalayas spreading across the country beneath the wings of your plane is nothing short of jaw-dropping, and you can look forward to enjoying even more spectacular views over the course of the next few days. When we touch down in Lukla, we’ll meet up with the Sherpa people and get ready to hit the trail. Lukla is situated at an altitude of only 2,860 meters, and our first day of hiking on the Everest Base Camp Trek will serve as a gentle introduction to the more challenging days ahead.

From Lukla, we’ll ascend gradually to pass by a series of small mountain villages and hamlets before reaching the winding watercourse known as the Dudh Koshi river. We’ll cross a picturesque suspension bridge here and climb the opposite bank to reach the little town of Ghat, where the trail is lined with boulders and rocks carefully inscribed with Buddhist mantras. These are known as mani walls, and you should endeavor to keep them on your right as you pass by. Leaving the village behind, we’ll finally descend along quiet forested paths to reach today’s stopping point: the bustling settlement of Phakding. Each lodge on the Everest Base Camp Trek will provide for all of your meals and sleeping arrangements, and tonight is no exception. There are a handful of excellent trekking lodges here in Phakding, and we’ll select one of the best for our overnight accommodations. 

After breakfast this morning, we’ll depart from Phakding and continue to follow the Dudh Koshi through a veritable wonderland of fragrant pine forest and cascading waterfalls. As we emerge from the wood, we’ll get today’s first glimpse of the marvelous Thamserku. The craggy peak of this snowcapped giant rises to 6,608 meters in altitude, and its appearance on the skyline really brings home the reality of trekking in the highest mountains on the planet. Moving on, we’ll pass a ticketing checkpoint and hike past a number of smaller villages before arriving at the town of Monjo. We’ll stop for a bite to eat or a cup of tea at one of the local lodges here before embarking on the second part of today’s journey.

From Monjo, our trail now enters the wilderness of Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha is the Sanskrit name for Mount Everest, and that mountain dominates the landscape of this national park. But there’s a lot more to see here, including more than 200 species of bird and a few large mammals, like the Himalayan tahr and musk deer. As we tread beneath boughs of pine, juniper, and birch, keep an eye out for the beautiful flowers of the rhododendron—especially if you’re trekking during spring. Further on, a series of striking suspension bridges spanning the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers mark the final approach to Namche Bazaar. This is the commercial center and trading hub of the entire Khumbu region, and we’ll be staying at one of the best available trekking lodges here tonight.

Today represents an important opportunity to let our bodies adjust to the increase in elevation. Namche Bazaar lies at an altitude of about 3,440 meters, so we’ll spend the day exploring the town and its immediate surroundings at our leisure. Visit the Sherpa Culture Museum to learn more about the history and traditions of these fascinating people, or simply browse the many stalls and shops peppered throughout town. Namche Bazaar is also famous for its bakeries, and you won’t want to miss the chance to dig into some fresh pastries while taking in the mountain views. If you’re feeling restless, you can also enjoy a short acclimatization excursion to Syangboche Airport. This is one of the highest airports in the world, and it isn’t used by any commercial airlines. You can also hike to the world-renowned Hotel Everest View, which boasts the best panoramic view in all of Namche Bazaar. After spending the day resting and exploring, you’ll return to your hotel for a second night.

As we climb higher into the Himalayas on the third day of our Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll really start to enjoy some remarkable mountain views. The first half of today’s hike will take us through tranquil rhododendron forests for about four hours before bringing us to Tengboche village. This community is perhaps best known as the home to Tengboche Monastery: the oldest and most important religious institution in the entire region. Its arched entrance is decorated with the traditional iconography of Tibetan Buddhism, and the gompa itself is framed against an eye-catching backdrop of icy summits, including the graceful arches of Khumbila and Ama Dablam. Inside the monastery, you may even have the opportunity to observe local monks performing their daily prayers.

After exploring the monastery and taking a brief rest, we’ll return to the trail and set out in the direction of Pangboche, which should take approximately two more hours. First, we’ll pass through the village of Deboche, where we’ll enjoy a splendid panorama of some of the Himalayas’ biggest peaks piled against the sky, including Thamserku and Ama Dablam. If we have some time to spare, there is a Buddhist nunnery here that’s well worth a look. Then we’ll take advantage of another suspension bridge to cross above the alpine waters of the Imja Khola River on the way to the mountaintop village of Pangboche. We’ll select a trekking lodge or teahouse with a view before settling down to dinner and watching the stars come out against the alpenglow of the Himalayas

We’ll start the fourth day of our Everest Base Camp Trek with a hearty breakfast at our cozy teahouse before setting out. Today’s route rises above the treeline into a dry, arid landscape of rock-studded fields and meadows. We’ll pass through the river valley of the Khumbu Khola, hiking along a trail peppered with mani walls, prayer wheels, and the occasional rock mural. Eventually, we’ll come across the little Sherpa towns of Somare and Pheriche; we’ll stop in the latter to enjoy a magnificent view of the windswept valley capped with soaring Himalayan peaks. There are plenty of lodges and an important medical center in Pheriche, and many trekkers opt to spend the night here. We’ll take this opportunity to savor the view and enjoy a sit-down lunch before pressing on.

With Pheriche in our proverbial rearview mirrors, we’ll set our sights on the community known as Tukla, or Dughla. Many place names in the Himalayas can be spelled in several different ways, and it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with a few of the possible variants in order to recognize signage along the trail. However we choose to spell it, we’ll reach the village of Tukla after approximately two more hours of trekking through herding settlements and glacial streambeds. On the final ascent to the village, we’ll catch a stunning glimpse of Cholatse, Taboche, and the ever-present Ama Dablam. We’ll enjoy a similar panoramic view from Tukla itself, where we’ll select a comfortable teahouse for tonight’s lodgings. Make sure to get plenty of rest—tomorrow is a big day on the trail to Everest Base Camp!

If you thought yesterday’s views were unbeatable, wait until you reach the high-altitude lookout of Kala Patthar. We’ll rise early this morning to make this two-hour trip from Gorak Shep. The short climb will reward us with what’s probably the best viewpoint in the entire Himalayas—and certainly the best view of Everest itself. We’ll stand back and watch the sunrise over the peaks of Everest, Pumori, Thamserku, Nuptse, and Makalu, transforming their snowcapped summits into molten gold with the first flush of morning light. For lovers of alpine scenery, it really doesn’t get any better than this. After savoring the radiant spectacle in all its glory, we’ll hike back down to Gorak Shep to have breakfast at our lodge.

When it’s time to begin our return journey on the Everest Base Camp Trek, we’ll trek down the valley and come back to lower altitudes with surprising rapidity. As we walk across the frozen moraine of the Khumbu once more, we’ll quickly reach the bustling hub of Lobuche, pass the familiar climbers’ memorials, and continue beyond Tukla to reach the village of Pheriche. We’ll spend the night here in a local teahouse. If we have any daylight to spare, the community of Dingboche is only 30 minutes from town and is worth a short visit. Later tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner and memorable mountain views here in Pheriche before getting a well-deserved good night’s sleep.

If you thought yesterday’s views were unbeatable, wait until you reach the high-altitude lookout of Kala Patthar. We’ll rise early this morning to make this two-hour trip from Gorak Shep. The short climb will reward us with what’s probably the best viewpoint in the entire Himalayas—and certainly the best view of Everest itself. We’ll stand back and watch the sunrise over the peaks of Everest, Pumori, Thamserku, Nuptse, and Makalu, transforming their snowcapped summits into molten gold with the first flush of morning light. For lovers of alpine scenery, it really doesn’t get any better than this. After savoring the radiant spectacle in all its glory, we’ll hike back down to Gorak Shep to have breakfast at our lodge.

When it’s time to begin our return journey on the Everest Base Camp Trek, we’ll trek down the valley and come back to lower altitudes with surprising rapidity. As we walk across the frozen moraine of the Khumbu once more, we’ll quickly reach the bustling hub of Lobuche, pass the familiar climbers’ memorials, and continue beyond Tukla to reach the village of Pheriche. We’ll spend the night here in a local teahouse. If we have any daylight to spare, the community of Dingboche is only 30 minutes from town and is worth a short visit. Later tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner and memorable mountain views here in Pheriche before getting a well-deserved good night’s sleep.

The seventh day on our Everest Base Camp Trek will bring us back along the course of the Imja Khola and into the rhododendron forest before revisiting the community of Tengboche. This is about the halfway point on today’s trek, so it’s a good opportunity to take a break, grab a bite to eat, and see if any prayer ceremonies are currently underway at Tengboche Monastery. When we’re ready to move on, we’ll trek for approximately three more hours. First, we’ll descend to the Dudh Koshi River, and then we’ll make the final climb to Namche Bazaar. After catching our breath and resting our feet, we’ll settle in and have the afternoon at our leisure.

With more time to spend in Namche Bazaar today, you’ll get a better sense of this town’s importance to the Khumbu region. Namche Bazaar served historically as a trading hub and center of commerce, although now it’s better known as the heart of the Everest trekking industry. Take some time to explore the wide variety of markets, shops, bakeries, and internet cafes here in town, and make sure to check out the Sherpa Museum to learn more about these hardy mountain folk and their fascinating culture. As always, we’ll book accommodations at the best available trekking lodge, where we’ll enjoy a hot meal and a warm cup of tea as dusk settles over the Himalayas.

After one last morning's breakfast in Namche Bazaar, it’s time to pack our things and begin the last leg of our journey. We’ll be descending to the Dudh Koshi this morning on the way back to Lukla, and it’s a surprisingly challenging section of the Everest Base Camp Trek. The steep grade of our descent to the river can be tough on our knees, so we’ll make sure to take our time. At the river, we’ll cross a suspension bridge before visiting and revisiting peaceful villages like Jorsalle, Monjo, and Phakding. We’ll arrive in Lukla after about six hours in total on the trail, and when that familiar town comes into view, you’ll know that you’ve successfully completed the Everest Base Camp Trek!

Alpine Ramble Treks has arranged an additional night here in Lukla for you. Most travelers don’t get to spend much time in this quirky little community, and it’s worth your time to explore everything that it has to offer. We’ll get checked in at a local lodge, sample authentic Americano coffee at a nearby café, sit down to a celebratory dinner, and bid a very fond farewell to the porters and members of our crew who have made this trek possible. If you’re in the mood to prolong your celebration, there are some lively bars and pubs in town, as well—just remember that you might have to get up early for tomorrow’s flight back to Kathmandu!

Keep your eyes peeled for one last glimpse of the mighty Mount Everest from the window of your plane this morning. This is our final day on the Everest Base Camp Trek, and an aerial view of the Himalayas is a fine reward for all our efforts on the trail. When we return to Kathmandu, you’ll either remain at Tribhuvan International Airport for departure or be transferred to your hotel in the city, according to your travel arrangements.

If you’re interested in a cultural sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, Alpine Ramble Treks would be happy to set you up with a guide to explore some of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites here in the capital, including the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the famous “monkey temple” of Swayambhunath. We can also extend your trip to include a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park, a whitewater rafting excursion, or any number of other exciting adventure activities. When it’s ultimately time for you to depart, we’ll provide complimentary transportation to the airport. We look forward to welcoming you back to Nepal once again!

Please note: If you are a beginner and first time in the Himalayas then this itinerary might not suitable for you, please have some extra days to build the acclimatization or reduce the hike hours! The trekking times indicated above are approximate and are best used as general guidelines. During the Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll be able to travel freely at your own pace. We also have the option to build an extra day into the itinerary to acclimatize, where needed.