For those who want to explore the unreached sites of the Khumbu region, our team has prepared the Everest Base camp trek itinerary for you. This itinerary includes acclimatization days, trekking days, and everything that might be helpful during the trek. 14 days is a good amount of time to properly experience Nepal’s myriad options for adventure including your arrival and departure days.
The given 14 days of the EBC trek itinerary includes all of the beautiful places of the Khumbu region. During the trek, you will pass through the long suspension bridge, waterfall, monasteries, ancient villages, spectacular snow-capped mountains, Gokyo Valley Lake, Everest Three High Passes, and others.
Moreover, if you want to customize your own itinerary then we can work on it along with you. Thus, to discover the beauty of the hidden sites of the Khumbu let’s follow our given itinerary.
Contents
Day 1: Welcome to the Capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu
After your flight landed at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will go to the hotel by means of transportation through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to your designed hotel.
Day 2: Travel to Ramechhap via four-wheelers (4-5 hours), fly to Lukla (20 min), and walk (3-4 hours) to Phakding
On your second day, you will travel towards Ramechhap via four-wheelers in 4-5 hours. Ramechhap is 132 kilometers far from Kathmandu. Afterward, you will fly to Lukla, your flight from Manthali to Lukla only lasts 20 minutes, and you’ll enjoy Nepal’s iconic mountain views throughout. Touching down on the narrow mountaintop runway, your adventure begins. After your arrival In Lukla, you will head out on a half-day trek. You’ll follow a riverside trail downhill through the Dudh Koshi Valley, passing farms, stone villages that covers with Tibetan prayer flags, and snow-topped mountains toward your first overnight in Phakding.
Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (5-6 hours walk)
Your today will be one of the toughest days, as you will hike for nearly 6 hours along the pine-flanked Dudh Koshi River on a steel cable suspension bridge. During the trek, you can also witness the local yaks and other wildlife that amble along the same route. From there, you will also get access to visit the gorgeous Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO-listed nature reserve that is home to snow leopards and red pandas. And, also no need to worry about the permit, you can get it at Monjo.
Talking about the weather and climate, if you are lucky enough, then you can catch a glimpse of Mount Everest in the distance. Following a small hike, you’ll arrive for your overnight stop with time to shop for souvenirs or any extra gear you may need. Namche, the main trading village in the Khumbu region, is the historic meeting point for Hindu traders from the lowlands and Tibetan yak caravans.
Day 4: Acclimatization day
Today is your first day for the acclimatization which allows your body to adjust to the high altitude. On this day, you can explore the gorgeous Namche Bazaar or you can hike to Sagarmatha National Park museum, Syangboche airport, a statue of Tenzing Norge Sherpa, and so on. From there, you can see the spectacular mountain including Kwangde (6,011m), Nuptse (7,861m), Lhotse (8,516m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Thamserku (6,623m), Kangtega (6,782m), and of course, Mount Everest (8,848m).
Day 5: Trek from Namche bazaar to Tengboche (5-6 hours)
After a day and a half spent resting up in Namche, you’ll be ready to hit the road again. As you leave Namche, you will be welcomed by an unobstructed glimpse of the Himalayas. While passing through the stone villages, stupas, prayer flags, mani walls, and mountains, such as Ama Dablam, and Tengboche Monastery, you can take several photographs as well.
Adding to the trail, the trail up to Tengboche is a dusty switchback route but the panoramic views from the monastery make it all worthwhile. After crossing over steep descent over the river along yet another suspension bridge, you will reach Phunki Tenga. Following a steep climb, the shady path zigzags through rhododendron forests and high-altitude vistas keep your eyes peeled for the region’s colorful mountain bird species. Finally, the beautiful Tengboche welcomes you with a big smile.
Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche trek (5-6 hours)
Dingboche monastery has the honor of being Khumbu’s largest monastery. It was endowed back in 1667 and is famous for the house of the skull and hand of a rumored yeti. However, you can also enjoy the sceneries of Thamserku, Lhotse, Nuptse, Khangdawa, Island Peak, Mera Peak, Mt. Makalu, Kangi Peak, Taboche peak, and peak 39. Here you will spend your night and the next day.
To reach here you have to pass the steeply descend forest, Imja Khola River, part of the Dudh Khosi tributary, village name Pangbopche, which is situated directly opposite to Ama Dablam, one of the region’s landmark summits. Thus, on day 6, you will be able to see several chortens, a monastery, prayer flags, and sacred Buddhist mani walls.
Day 7: Rest day at Dingboche
After having a few days of continuous walking, your body is likely to be ready for rest. Thus, this is the second day for the acclimatization which allows your body to adjust to the high altitude. Similarly, on this day, you can head to an old Buddhist hermitage, known as Nangar Dzong. There’s also a viewpoint, known as Nakarsank where you can easily reach on foot. There, you’ll find strings of bright prayer flags and a scenic viewpoint.
Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuche trek (5-6 hours)
After resting up one day at Dingboche you will feel at ease on your body. On this day you will walk straight go up and walk moderately to Thukla village through the juniper forest. After reaching Thukla, you will take a rest and have a delicious lunch. Following breakfast, you can explore the row of stone monuments that were built in memory of six climbing Sherpas who died in an avalanche at Lobuche.
The route continues gently along the slope of the glacier, eventually reaching the small cluster of houses known as Lobuche. Overall, on this day, you can see the Lobuche Peak, Choltse, Taboche, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Barutse, and the Ama Dablam from the base camp of Lobuche. Interestingly, you can also see the rows of tent houses over there.
Finally, your today’s journey ends at Lobuche. This place has only a few huts at the foot of Himalayan giants.
Day 9: Lobuche to Gorak Shep trek and hike to Everest Base Camp (6-7 hours walk/5364 m)
After an early wake-up, you’ll depart Lobuche at the crack of dawn, just in time to catch the sun as it reaches the summits of the Himalayan peaks. From there, you will see the whole valley gradually light up with golden light as the morning sun illuminate the base, and then regularly works its way up. Today on your ninth day, you will be able to see the beauty of the Khumbu region. Your journey will begin with a buzz of pre-expedition power. As you leave Lobuche, you will witness the beauty of the Khumbu region more clearly and more precisely.
After that, you will head towards the Khumbu Glacier on your way and the trail stops at Gorak Shep, a dry, sandy lakebed that sports an ominous moniker. It’s a simple, rustic setting, with a few basic lodges scattered along breathtakingly harsh and treeless mountain scenery. Continuing climbing along the Khumbu glacier, you will reach your destination which is Everest base camp. There, you can enjoy the view and take a picture as much as you want. Then after, you have to move back to 75 expedition teams—you’ll make your way back down to Gorak Shep, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 10: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and trek to Pheriche (7-8 hours)
Today, you will trek to Kala Patthar. It is a relatively small peak that can be climbed just in one day. In Nepali, Kala Patthar means a black stone which is famous for the closest Everest view where the Everest base camp Helicopter tour lands. Through an ascending trail, you can enjoy very close-up views of Himalayan sceneries including Mt. Everest, Mt Pumori, Mt. Lhotse, Mt Makalu, Barutse, Khagtewa, Ama Dablam, Mt. Cho you, Kusum Kangaroo, Tabuche, Lobuche, Cholatse, and others. After a few hours of walking, you will reach Gorak Shep, and there, you will have breakfast. Similarly, from Thukla, you will go down to Pheriche through the Juniper forest. En route, you can enjoy the mountain views on your right-hand side.
Day 11: Pheriche to Namche bazaar (6-7 hours hike)
On day 11, your next destination will start from Pheriche towards Namche bazaar. Talking about the trail, it has a combination of upward and downward pathways through the forest of Juniper along isolated villages like Samdrung and Warsha. Following that, you will hike towards Orso and then after a few descend through the forest, you will reach Namche bazaar. Passing through the suspension bridge over the Imja River, you will have lunch en route at Pangboche. However, today the trails are descending but some uphills must be tackled! As we approach Namche, the forests and greenery return.
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla trek (6-7 hours)
As we have mentioned above Namche is one of the most beautiful trading hubs in the Khumbu region and a gateway to the world’s tallest mountain Everest. After having a good breakfast in Namche bazaar, you will head towards Lukla. To reach Lukla, the route follows previous ways like the Dudh Koshi River all the way down to reach there. While being there, you can enjoy the Sherpa culture, food, and language. To reach Lukla, it is equal to having a successful trek to celebrate.
Day 13: Lukla to Ramechhap by air and drive back to Kathmandu
Today is a day to say goodbye to Mount Everest and the Khumbu region. As you will board your flight back to Manthali Airport on this day. The flight will take 20 minutes to reach Manthali. After reaching Manthali airport, you will have a drive back to Kathmandu through the previous roadways.
Day 14: Fly back to your hometown
Well, now this time to say farewell to Nepal, enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café. You need to go to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward flight. Should you stay longer in Nepal or have a late flight, please note that the hotel check-out time is 11 am.
