Classic Everest Base Camp Trek

At Kathmandu is a free day where one can join in our interesting sightseeing tour as options, as the capital Kathmandu of Nepal is steeped with historical and religious monuments of world heritage sites. afternoon at leisure and preparation for Classic Everest base camp trekking, starting next early morning with an overland journey to Jiri.

Starting early morning after breakfast where the exciting overland journey takes you North East from Kathmandu, past the scenic town of Dhulikhel and then heading towards Dolkha district at Charikot facing views of Jugal Himal with Dorji Lakpa, Langtang and Gauri-Shanker peaks. As the journey continues downhill to the Tama Kosi River, and then uphill on the winding road to reach Jiri a lovely town, regarded as Switzerland of Nepal due to its beautiful location of the green valley- rolling hills with snow-clad peaks. On reaching Jiri transfer to the best lodge available with time exploring its markets full of shops and stores.

After a pleasant stop at Jiri, morning taking a short jeep or a four-wheel drive to reach our trekking point at Bhandar village, where morning drive takes you past farm villages and forested area reaching a nice Shivalaya village, from here uphill on winding dirt tracks following the downhill road to reach pretty and nice looking valley at Bhandar. From Bhandar where our driving ends starting our walks on a wide good trail past many farm villages with a long descent to reach a lovely Kenja village for lunch break, and then afternoon walk leads to a climb to Sherpa areas for an overnight stop at Sete village. Sete village on route Lamjura-la pass within green woodland, an interesting place with views for overnight in first Sherpa village at Sete after 3-4 hours of good walks and few hour drives.

Morning walk follows past Sete village on the high trail within cool nice woodland of tall Rhododendron, oaks, pines, magnolia, hemlock and fir trees as the climb leads to a small farm village at Guranse (means rhododendron the national flower of Nepal). From walking higher to reach a small place around Lamjura with few tea-houses serving as Lodge and inns, from here over Lamjura-la at 3,530 m high with a long descent into the forested trail to Toc-Toc village. After a possible lunch break, the walk is pleasant on winding uphill and then short steep descends towards Junbesi, one of the most charming villages within Solu areas populated by the Sherpa tribe interwoven with Buddhism religion. Here with time to visit its nice traditional Sherpa village with views of Number peaks in the north direction.

rom Junbesi morning a short descend to a stream and then following a wooded area past many Sherpa farmland and villages to reach Salyan danda (hill) with first views of Khumbu Himal with Mt. Everest, and then on the downhill to a river on crossing a bridge uphill to Tak Shindo via lovely place of Ringmo. As walk follows into the woodland of pines and rhododendron to reach another pass of Tak Shindo- La at above 3,130 m high, where walk leads to a long downhill past Tak Shindo village and its Interesting monastery, as our journey continues to descend to reach a nice valley and a village of Nunthala also called as Manidingma. A village of the mixed tribe of hill people mostly Sherpa and Kirat Rai, with Magar-Tamang as well some Hindu Brahmin and Chettries including Dalits. An interesting place to browse around this village of Nunthala with views of Khumbu Himal higher north direction.

With the nice overnight at Nunthala, morning walk past the village ended with a downhill to reach at Dudh Kosi River after crossing a bridge on a winding uphill trail to reach a small lovely village at Jubing populated by Rai people. After a refreshing break continues walking to reach a large village of Khari-Khola where you can find many shops-stores and lodges, a place of Sherpa-Rai and Magar people, from here cross over a bridge with an uphill climb for a few hours to reach a cool area and a hilltop at Bupsa Danda (ridge -hill). A scenic hilltop small village with few good lodges for overnight stops with views of unique landscapes.

From Bupsa on a higher trail reaching at Khumbu area with the steep climb into the forest to reach Paulin / Paya village, located on the roadside of high Khumbu district and then on the pleasant trail to reach above Sukhe village, facing views of Lukla town and its small airstrip. After a nice rest descend towards Sukehe village for an overnight stop, situated below the runway of Lukla airport.

After Sukhe village, where morning walk leads to join at Lukla and Jiri trail at Choplung village above Muse and Ghai-Kharka village with lovely farm fields, after walking on least visited and quiet trails of Jiri, from here on encountering more trekkers, trekking porters, guides and local Sherpa. With time at the junction for refreshing stops and then continue to walk beginning with the pleasant Winding trail to reach Dudh Kosi River valley with Sherpa farm villages as our route leads further encountering prayer walls and spinning bells to reach our first overnight stop at Phakding village.

Our second-day walk is quite long due to the increase in heights as morning starts beyond Phakding entering a river gorge and crossing over a bridge to reach a nice lovely village at Monjo with views of Thermasarkhu peaks. From here short descent to enter Sagarmatha National Park, where all trekkers have to obtain National Park permits, as TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems) pre-obtained in Kathmandu. Sagarmatha is a Nepalese name for Everest, where local Sherpa of Tibetan origin languages calls Chomolungma in both words means Great Mother.

From here cross over a bridge to reach Jorsalle the last village before climbing to Namche Bazaar, at Jorsalle for possible lunch stops and then walks lead towards river banks into lovely woodland of pines and rhododendron after crossing a last high suspension bridge with a gradual climb on the winding road facing views of Kongde-Kusum Kanguru with Everest and Lhotse to reach famous Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is located at 3,440 m high with amphitheatre landscapes adorned with a number of well-built houses serving as hotels, lodges, and resorts. At Namche for overnight stops with grand views of Kongde and Thermasarkhu peaks and time for short walks around its streets lined with well-stocked shops and stores and many restaurants and fresh bakeries.

At Namche Bazaar for a rest day to support acclimatization at this right altitude of above 3,000 m high, on this day taking a short hike to Everest View Hotel above Namche Bazaar, the first Porsche hotels or resort of Khumbu area. Offers grand views of Everest and Amadablam peaks with other adjoining peaks within beautiful green woodland of tall rhododendron and silver fir trees. Other options will be walking high above Namche at the Park Museum area facing mighty views of Everest, Lhotse, and stunning looking Amadablam peaks, with time to visit the museum of great interest with full information of the Khumbu areas for Sherpa culture and history.

From Namche morning a short steep climb to reach a gradual scenic trail, where walk leads on a winding path facing glorious views of Everest with magnificent Amadablam within the cool shade of the woodland. As the walk progress downhill to reach a bridge over Imjatse River to a small place at Phung-Tenga Situated forest surrounding, a possible lunch stop here where an afternoon walk takes you to a climb into the cool shade of the forest and then reaching a small plateau at Thyangboche with an amazing panorama of mountains with Everest in views. At Thyangboche visit its colourful and impressive monastery and witness the priest-Lama and monks active in prayer with the grand surrounding of tall trees and mountains. Thyangboche is a scenic and beautiful spot where once a year in the month of mid-October or November a festival is held called Mani-Rimdu, where you can observe monks adorned with different deities’ masks wading with evil spirits.

Morning walk leads on easy downhill past small place of Deboche and then leaving the green vegetation and tree lines reaching a steel bridge over Imjatse River, where walk leads on an open wide country with magnificent views of Amadablam. A slow uphill reaches you at Pangboche the last permanent village, where other places on the route are temporary settlements to cater the requirement of travelers and trekkers, as the walk proceeds into dry and arid terrain and crossing a small bridge with short steep ups to reach a beautiful Imjatse valley where Dingboche located. At Dingboche staying for overnight with views of stunning Island peak with Nuptse, Lhotse and Taboche peaks with the North Face of Amadablam.

Morning on leaving Dingboche with a steep climb up to a ridge lined with prayer flags and Buddhist monuments Stupas, facing grand views of peaks where the walk from here leads on the gradual uphill to reach Thugla. A small place with about 2-3 tea-house serving as lunch stops located at the end of massive Khumbu glaciers that melts into a torrential river, from here a steep climb for an hour to reach on Thugla ridge top. Here witness some memorials of unfortunate climbers around the mountains of high Khumbu and Everest, after a refreshing break walk is easier with a slow climb to reach Lobuche situated in a corner of the valley beneath Lobuche peaks. Overnight at Lobuche in of its nice and cosy lodge with views of Nuptse peaks towards Everest and Lhotse.

After a pleasant stop at Lobuche, the walk leads towards our main highlights of the journey to reach the much-awaited destination Everest Base Camp, where they walk in the morning leads on the pleasant path and then a short climb to reach higher ground. Then back on nice trails reaching a place where you can visit Glass Pyramid place, a metrological station’s joint venture of Italian and Nepalese Governments, surveying the weather and movement of ice and glaciers. From here with interesting information about the project walk leads towards moraine and ice above Khumbu massive glaciers and then a short descent to a wide-open field at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges. Gorakshep was an original earlier Everest base camp before it moved further east. After a short stop and rest heading towards our goal of walking into moraine and rocks to reach Everest base camp in the backdrop of mighty Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers. Everest hid between the peaks of Lho-la and Nuptse where a tip of Everest can be seen from the base camp, with ever-present views of towering peaks after an exciting moment of the adventure heading back to Gorakshep for the last overnight on the highest point of the journey.

Gorakshep is located beneath Kalapathar and the lofty peak of Pumori, morning a steep climb heading into a rocky path with a vigorous breathtaking uphill to reach on top the highest spot of the adventure at Kalapathar, situated above 5,545 m facing a sweeping panorama of high giant mountains with the view of Pumori and Everest at close distance. After a glorious scenic moment descends to Gorakshep and continue walking on the same trail back to Lobuche to reach Thugla, where the path from Dingboche and Pheriche splits as our walk leads downhill towards a flat windy valley of Pheriche. Walking for an hour on the scenic valley to reach Pheriche a settlement with a number of good lodges to stay with views of Amadablam-Taboche-Cholatse with other series of peaks, at Pheriche for an overnight stop, where HRA (Himalayan Rescue Association Post situated).

From Pheriche, a morning walk leads to the end of the valley with a short descent to a river and then climb to a ridge with a Stupa, where the walk leads to a long descent past Somare and Pangboche village. After Pangboche retracing the journey back uphill to Thyangboche and then downhill to Imjatse River with a steep climb for some time to reach Lobesa and Shanasa villages and then on an easy walk to a small beautiful place at Kyanjima. The walk continues on route Namche with wonderful views of Everest-Lhotse-Nuptse-Amadablam with an array of peaks, some of the areas on the walk lead you to a pleasant place where sometimes one can spot some wild-life like Musk Deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar with colourful Danphe (Lophoporous / Impeyan Pheasant) national bird of the country. Finally, the walk ends overnight at Namche Bazaar after scenic walks of the day from Pheriche.

After a fine morning with mountain views for breakfast, then start walking past Namche Bazaar with a long descent to reach the confluence of Imajatse and Bhote Kosi rivers that makes and joins to Dudh Kosi River. A pleasant walk leads to Jorsalle with the last short steep climb to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, after passing the area reaching at the nice and lovely village at Monjo for overnight stops. Our last walking day of the adventure, where walk follows the Dudh Kosi River all the way to Phakding village and then heading towards Ghat and Tade-Kosi small areas with the last climb to reach the main gate of Lukla. After a final climb of the journey rest of the walk is easy going through Lukla town and its markets place to our overnight stop in a nice lodge at Lukla, with time in the afternoon for short walks.

As per our normal morning flight schedule for Kathmandu, transfer to Tenzing and Hillary Airport terminal and then board in respective airlines plane for the sweeping and panoramic flight back to Kathmandu, overlooking tremendous views of mountains as our air journey ends at Kathmandu airport. After checking out then transfer back to your respective hotels with time in the afternoon for leisure moments and individual activities.

After a wonderful time in Nepal with an amazing time in the high Himalayan mountains on the Classic Everest Base Camp trek, your last day in the country of awesome adventures where our staff or our guide transfers you to the airport for your flight back home or to next port of call.

When can I book Classic Everest Base Camp Trekking? Depending upon your time and duration for the trek you can book this trip at least 2-3 weeks ahead of our departure dates for the trek, with advance payment as per the norms and rules of the company. Make sure that you have checked your medical and physical fitness before signing for the trip and as well purchasing medical and travel insurance which is very important for this kind of adventurous trek in Nepal Himalaya.

From the minimum 3-4 person in the group with a maximum of 10-15 persons in the group, in some cases we do allow booking for a single person as well, running independently at extra cost than in groups.

As per the season-wise, where the best time is from March to May when most of the day is clear with minimum temperatures of 0° to 20° Celsius depending upon the altitude and areas. Where most of the morning till mid-days clears for views and walks, sometimes afternoon can get overcast with chances of light rains and snow. March to May will with wild flowers in full bloom especially various species of rhododendron (national flower of Nepal) from trees to short bushes.

Tea-House is the word used in the early days when there were smaller numbers of lodges on route trekking, at present each village has more than 10 to 20 good lodges with pleasant room accommodations, serving excellent food menus as per the season wise. Higher above 4,000 m the lodges are good but due to freezing cold temperatures at night and morning time where they have toilets on the outside, with some inside as common bathrooms and restrooms. All rooms and dining with warm heating and cosy facilities to make your stay much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Most of the places do have electricity on route trekking run by hydro-power after Namche and Thyangboche, where much of the electric supply are private and individual of the lodge owners with sun / solar power to activate electric just for the lodge and as well for customers to charge their computers and cell-phones. Some places do have networks for cell phones and as well for internet like Wi-Fi above Dingboche and in some areas due to high peaks and hills, the networks are disturbed in deep areas like around river gorge areas. At present nearly all people in Nepal including remote villages do have to assist with cell- phones with fine network connections only in bad weather the line can be broken, otherwise it is fine in working order.

In this situation where our guides are well equipped with knowledge for emergency and medical purposes, depending upon the seriousness of the victims if it is much critical where nearest medical attention is needed, we call for immediate evacuation for Helicopter services to reach the victims to the nearest medical station and hospital. For light AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), resting and drinking enough fluid leaving an extra guide to take care of sick clients till he/she recover on route treks or help them to descend to safer areas and take an advance flight back to Kathmandu.

Meals are prepared according to your choice of menu items, all foods are carefully prepared with much hygiene concern, avoiding complaints and maintaining a reputation of the lodges, as they have been serving for more than two decades worldwide travellers.

Well hearing rumours and seeing for your own self is a different picture, to be honest, some people are not used to Asian and spicy foods, that’s why people could get sick with a change of diets as well. To be on the healthy side before and after the treks is to get advice from your guides on what will be the best food to consume while on treks, we strongly suggest staying away from meats items in the first place, as it is not hygienic and could be the stale meat of a week time or more. If you go with a vegetarian sometimes will be the best option to stay healthy till you get immune to local environment and culture.

In our list we always mention general medication to bring from home as well from your doctor's advice also, your doctor might recommend you some basic medication list like a medicine against diarrhoea, headache, fever, cold-flu as well constipation including first aid for cuts-wounds and burns as well. On every trip of ours, we carry comprehensive medical kits which will be carried by our trekking staff, guides or group leader for common use if required as for your own personal illness, where your doctors might have recommended some medicine to carry with you.

Always abide by the rules of the company and guides/leader, most of the main sickness is stomach disorder due to change in foods and culture shocks. If people have travelled to Asia countries and know the food well will be not a problem. Other factors might leads to altitude sickness known as AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) which can happen to any people if they are not careful by walking fast at higher elevations and might catch the symptoms of AMS. We have designed the itinerary days where people can acclimatize well with rest days in a couple of high places before reaching much higher to our goal and highlights. Some people who might take Diamox pills, which are often used as high-altitude pills, should consult their doctors before taking the right dose, which helps to regulate the flow of blood systems from getting clots at high altitudes. Where drinking plenty of fluids, water juice and rehydration drinks including black warm tea also helps as taking much rest after getting tired.

Depending upon the size of the group minimum of 2-3 people in private cars or four-wheel drives, 5-8 persons in a tourist coach, and more on the bus with spacious and comfortable seats with all facilities required for the journey. Sometimes we provide a person and guide on the local bus if it is one or two people this allows minimum and affordable cost, where chartering a coach and a car can be expensive for some clients.