Everest Base Camp Express Trek

We get up early in the morning, a little more early than earlier days, may be due to excitement. Most probably, we board a morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport. It shall be great experience to watch best views of Everest and other Himalayan ranges in our eye level from aircraft. Best Himalayan views are seen if you sit at left side of the front facing aircraft. It will be more or less 27 minutes of flight and after landing at Lukla airstrip, we meet our further porter friends who will arrange our baggage to carry towards next stop. We will have a cup of tea/coffee and begin our hike towards Phakding via gradual ascents, enjoying much of riverside walk along the hill crossing a suspension bridge couple of times. Stay overnight at Phakding. Walking time: 3 to 4 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

We begin our day quite soon today as weather seems to be nicer on mornings with clear views and perfect temperature to hike across the hills i.e. not too hot and not too cold. We first see the nice view of Thamserku at northern side across the hill and also we get to enjoy awesome views of landscapes and similar Sherpa cultural influences along main trekking route. While making our way forward, we also enter via Sagarmatha National Park Entrance gate where our TIMS gets checked and encircling huge mani stone just next to gate, we go mostly downhill until we reach river ground level next to Dudh Koshi river. Then-after we hike uphill, cross beautiful iconic Hillary suspension bridge and finally arrive at Namche Bazaar later on the day. We stay overnight at one of the quality lodges in Namche Bazaar. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

It will be an acclimatization day today as proper acclimatization is necessary even while we are heading for Everest base camp in an express (faster) way. During our rest day today, we will make it an active one by hiking to higher altitude and later descending to lower elevation at Namche for overnight stay. This is a good strategy to avoid altitude sickness and make our body adapt according to changing situations. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, money transfer and mainly hotel and lodges targeted for hikers however, it would be better idea to buy souvenir in Namche while returning back from the top.

For acclimatization, we usually go towards Sagarmatha National Park headquarter from where we can see nice Himalayan panorama in all directions. Also there is a big statue of legendary mountaineer Tenjing Norgay Sherpa. We also do visit cultural museum over there that gives us more insights into lifestyle of local Sherpa communities and their stories on climbing Everest Himalayas. Then after, an hour steep hike to Syangboche and further gradual ascend to Hotel Everest view is the way to go for tea/coffee enjoying surrounding snow capped Himalayas. In this way, we return to our teahouse for lunch and later enjoy free activities at popular Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. We stay overnight at same tea house at Namche. Walking time: 4 to 5 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

After completion of our breakfast today, we look forward towards Tengboche that let us grab excellent views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku and other neighboring peaks. Our trek route takes us most of the downhill towards Phunki Thenka via refreshing rhododendron forests. There after crossing the suspension bridges, we have our lunch over there at one of the finest restaurant with delicious menu items.

Upon lunch, we take only uphill walk through pine trees and jungle trail until we reach the top of hill. It would be a challenging adventure to hike up in a one go. There we might take couple of quick stops to make our breath normal again. Finally after reaching the top, first thing we do is get the room keys of our lodge, and step out to immerse in surrounding atmosphere. Tengboche is popular for its ancient monastery where we might be visiting next morning during daily prayers while today we can give our visit to local bakery and taste some great Himalayan pastries, cakes etc. We stay overnight at local teahouse in Tengboche. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

We set off through more of forested lands, Yak grazing area via Deboche and cross wooden bridge over Imja River. Then after it will be mostly careful ascend towards Pangboche village where we have our lunch. We can see the change in surroundings hiking above 4000 meters. We face, more of small shrubs, rocky dusts and strong winds more and more as we get higher. One thing to never forget to bring while trekking at higher altitudes is wind proof jacket and full head mask to avoid strong blast of air. The common sickness here is Khumbu cough and to avoid these illness, precautionary methods should be taken by well preparing for this trip. After we arrive at Dingboche, finally we step into local lodge and stay overnight. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

At Dingboche, we will have our second acclimatization day that helps us pushing forward without getting slowed down by elevating altitudes. Now while making this far away in our trip, we must know that acclimatization refers to active day when we hike to nearby higher place and return to lower place for sleeping.

Therefore there are two options in-front of us at Dingboche. Either we can hike up-to Nagarjun hill or go further towards Chukkung ri for excellent up-close views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Thamserku, Awi peak and many others at touching distance. We also get a glance of Pheriche valley from top. However the stone huts with snow capped Himalayas at backdrop would make anyone spellbound. In this way, after getting awesomely acclimatized, we return to our lodge at Dingboche and have our lunch. Free fun filled indoor or outdoor activities until end of the day. We stay overnight at same lodge. Walking time: 3 to 4 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

Leaving behind our tea house at Dingboche, we take steep ascend in the first hand to get over a hill at southern side of trail. From the top of which flattering prayer flags, small chorten and great views is seen. Then it will be gradual comparatively easy hike to our lunch place called Thukla. There are couple of rest house and bakeries over there. After having our lunch there, we again ascend to Chukpo Lari. It shall be kind of emotional for anyone where memorials of Everest climbers are built in their memory. Trekking further, we get awesome view of Lobuche peak, and even few camps there during spring. These camps must be of climbers looking forward to summit Lobuche peak. In after a while we enter our guest house at Lobuche and enjoy indoor activities at kitchen or simply take rest at room. Walking time: 4 to 5 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

Getting up early is recommended to start our long walking day even sooner in the morning. Our grueling hiking day begins with an ascend to Lobuche Pass. Slowly walking through very unstable rocky path, after an hour or two, we arrive at Gorakshep. We checking at our one of the few guesthouse at Gorakshep. At this point above 5000m altitude, getting slide headache is common. So, If you feel same then don’t hesitate to ask for garlic soup two times a day and always take plenty of water. Drinking water is not easily available at Gorakshep, and highest cost per bottle at this altitude. Fill your water bottle with boiled water or even black tea in case of shortage. You need to take sips while walking up to and returning from Everest base camp. It will be an extra special moment to step at base camp of highest Himalaya. Jump with a joy in successfully getting up to Everest base camp. After few precious once in a lifetime of memories, return to Gorakshep for overnight stay. From EBC, Khumbu glacier and views of Pumori, Nuptse, Khumbutse is seen. Views of Everest is however best seen from Kalapatthar tomorrow morning. Walking time: 8 to 9 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

Another option you have today is to hike Kalapatthar today evening and target Everest base camp tomorrow morning. This gives you chance to view awesome sunset views from Kalapatthar. If we do this , we will be hiking up steep in sunlight and returning in dusk. You can discuss or plan your interest and suggestion from our professional trekking guide at the final moment too. In any option, we will be staying overnight at Gorakshep.

Most probably we shall be at highest point of our Everest base camp trek today at top of Kalapatthar at 5545m above sea level. As we hike up the black rocky hill, named Kalapatthar, we start to see excellent views of Nuptse in front and slowly Everest appears in front of us showing its magnificent beauty like we had only seen on images. Being there live is however completely different feeling. We get ready very early before sunrise and hike in complete dark at steep trail, so, we need to prepare well with head torch on. At the top of Kalapatthar we can also see weather station and small stupa with prayer flags tied downwards. In this way we accomplish our mission and now after we return towards from where we started. We target to arrive at Pheriche today. Walking time: 7 to 8 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

We target to go from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar today, so it will be long walking day too. Therefore we get ready early in the morning and start our hiking activity immediately after having our early meal. We can feel that breathing becomes much easier as we are descending to lower altitude sharply. Usually we walk the same route via Pangboche, Tengboche and Namche Bazaar. Therefore, previous uphill walk becomes downhill and downhill walk becomes uphill. Regardless being the same route, change in direction gives us different perspective to us. We shall probably focus more on local flora and fauna, landscape views and let go off that urge to go at the top. However, we need to be more careful while walking downwards and have strong leg grip, managing our shaky legs with trekking pole is important. Finally after hiking for 5 to 6 hours we again arrive at Namche, and get some souvenirs. Buying local products promotes local tourism. We take good rest at local lodge in Namche Bazaar. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

Surpassing popular Namche Bazaar, we cross the same Hillary bridge but this time from another side of the hill that connects us to Jorsale. In this way, we exit from Sagaramatha National Park gate, walk through local village settlements, forests and leave behind Phakding. Crossing the suspension bridge couple of times over Dudh Koshi river finally takes us to Lukla. After arriving at Lukla, we celebrate our successful completion of Everest base camp express trek in total of just 14 days. It is achievement in itself. At Lukla nearby airport, we stay overnight at one of the local lodge. Walking time: 6 to 7 hours, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

As the sun rises today in the morning, it resembles happiness and feeling of a satisfaction among us. We pack our luggage, baggage and get ready to fly from Lukla to Kathmandu early in the morning. Due to uneven weather conditions after noon, usually flights will takeoff in the morning. After landing at Kathmandu and checking into your hotel, enjoy free time until end of the day. You are recommend to go for spa, take short day trip to visit around UNESCO heritage sites or simply take rest at your hotel. Make the most of your trip in Nepal. Later overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu. Flying time: 30 minutes, Accommodation: Local lodge, Includes: B, L, D.

After spending 13 days of challenging yet exciting and remarkable Everest trip, the time comes when we transfer you to International Airport 3 hours before your scheduled international flight to onward destination. We hope that we have offered you with great memorable adventures around Everest Himalayas. See you soon . Remember and recommend us if you or anyone you know is planning for trekking holidays in Nepal. Farewell. Includes: Breakfast.