Everest Base Camp Trekking

Everest Base Camp Trekking is one of the wonders of the world, besides the tallest peaks on this planet earth. The Mt. Everest soars to a height of  8,848.86 m or 29,031 and a little inch more. 

It Stands as the world's highest peak, located around the high Khumbu Valley, North Mid-East of Nepal. Straddle the boundary between Nepal and Tibet, China, where the North Face or Col is across the borders. The south face of Mt. Everest base camp is more popular than the other sides in Tibet. An enjoyable, and exciting adventure to Everest base camp where views of giant peaks follow you all along the walks from the start to the end at Lukla. Trekkers will be amazed at the scenic dramatic landscapes from dense forest to arid and arctic zone terrains.

Everest base camp trekking is the most exciting adventure, where trekkers will experience the true mountain wilderness. An exciting, short flight lands at Tenzing & Hillary Airport in Lukla. 

Where most adventures around the high Khumbu and Everest region begin and complete. The walk follows the gradual main trail through several Sherpa villages lined with prayer monuments. The walk then enters the Sagarmatha National Park treasures, exotic flora, and fauna, including the world’s famous highest peaks. As the walk advances, then leaving the Dudh Koshi River Valley with climb to the famed Namche Bazaar. 

The hub and capital of the Khumbu Sherpa’s, at Namche Bazaar, having a rest day to allow acclimatization. The adventure continues heading higher, walking on a scenic trail amidst beautiful coniferous and deciduous forest to reach Tengboche. A picturesque location with a majestic monastery surrounded by a series of snow peaks with views of Mt. Everest.

Slowly, the walk heads down and up leaving the tree lines behind for a wide open to arid country. The trail follows towards Everest Base Camp after overnights in the Dingboche and Lobuche settlements. 

Where the landscape changes into a rocky moraine as you reach around the glaciated valley to Gorakshep. Located, on the midways of Everest base camp and towards high Kalapathar Hill. From Gorakshep towards our main goal and highlight of the adventures as you stand beneath the world's highest peaks. 

Enjoy the dramatic scenery of arctic-like terrains with remorseless fields of ice, snow, and glaciers. The massif Khumbu Icefall tumbles to feed the glaciers, one of the sources of the Dudh Koshi River.     

After an exciting moment of a great delights, on achieving the major highlights. The next adventure leads you to the top of Kalapathar, the highest spot of the adventure rewards with a spectacular view. Where, the giant mountain encircles the black rocky ridge of Kalapathar, with close views of Everest, at a mere distance. 

On completing the major goals and highlights, you return on an alternative route through Pheriche Valley. You Then go to to Namche Bazaar and back to Lukla for the last overnight stop. From Lukla, a sweeping scenic flight brings you to Kathmandu after an overwhelming experience on Everest Base Camp Trekking.

Highlights

• One of the most sought adventure destination in all the Himalayan region.
• Adventurous scenic walks in the heart of world’s highest Mount Everest.
• Following the classic routes of Tenzing & Hillary the legendary mountaineers.
• From beautiful coniferous and deciduous forest to sheer mountain wilderness.
• Climb on top of famous viewpoints of Kalapathar for closest views of Everest.

Short Trek Summary

Mode of Trekking: In the best available Tea-House and Lodges.

Trekking Grade: From Moderate to Adventurous walks.

Highest point: On top Kalapathar 5,643 m /18,514 feet and Everest Base Camp 5,364 m/17,599 feet high.

Areas of Trekking: Nepal North Mid-East, around Mahalangur Himalayan Range, of Khumbu district.     

Start and Ending Point: Lukla to Lukla with flights both ways.

Trekking Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days with flights both ways. 

Total Trekking distance: 160 km/80 miles, round trip from Lukla to Lukla.(Excludes mileage on extra optional hikes in Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and climb of Kalapathar)

Total Trip in Nepal: 15 Nights and 16 Days from arrival to final departures.

Best Seasons For Everest Base Camp Trekking 

The best time and seasons for Everest Base Camp Trekking or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas is  Spring and autumn/fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. On the other hand Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking where most days are bright and sunny days for clear views. Usually,Morning and late afternoon until nighttime are cold, and chances of light snowfall above 3,000 m high.

The Routes And Trails On Everest Base Camp Trekking

Trekkers joining for Everest Base Camp or other adventures around Nepal Himalayas must have been aware beforehand. Knowing that Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. The walk leads ups and downhill with few gradual sections to enjoy. The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. 

En route to Everest base camp, starts with pleasant gradual path with few short steep ups till Jorsalle. You cross the high bridge on leaving Jorsalle village and Dudh Koshi River Valley.  There is a steep undulating climb for few hours to Namche Bazaar, and from Namche onwards wide scenic views can be seen and winding gradual ups can be experienced.

Few hours climb into lovely forested path to Tengboche Monastery, and then a slow climb to Pangboche village. The walk gets easier with gentle ups to Dingboche, but the rise in altitude makes the walks longer. From Dingboche to Lobuche with short steep ups with gradual winding ups till Thugla. 

A steep climb of less than an hour to Thugla high ridge, and then an easy gentle ups to Lobuche. But the gain in altitude and thin air makes the walks tiring and longer, from Lobuche to Gorakshep. On almost flat trail to start and then climb up to rocky moraine to Gorakshep. From Gorakshep a long winding ups on rocky trail then coming across small icy streams and glacier to cross. Then reaching Everest Base Camp, located on a rocky moraine with ice and glaciers.

Culture And Religion On Annapurna Circuit

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the high Khumbu of North Mid-East Nepal, are populated by the Sherpa. The highlanders of eastern Himalayas, the Sherpa menfolk are famous and renowned, as the world’s best mountaineers and guides. The Sherpa’s follows strong Buddhism religion, similar to their early Tibetan predecessors. The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines, as well the famous monastery of Tengboche and Pangboche. The religious monuments includes a series of prayer walls, spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religious and cultural interest. 

Food, Accommodation and Lodges Facilities

The food and lodge accommodations around Khumbu region of Everest region, at designated overnight stops. 

Guests can choose their meals by looking the menu of the respective places and order it freely. The foods are according as listed on the menu, from breakfast, lunch, dinner or main courses. Including side snacks with warm and cold refreshment drinks, served in a nice and cozy dining room, with a fireplace. 

In Nepal, the most favorite and popular national food and meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice. Served with mild curry of seasonal vegetables, includes Dal, a lentil bean soup with pickles, and hot sauce as options. 

Breakfast from oats porridge, and cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis, and pancakes includes a choice of egg variation. 

Lunch and Dinner from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are best in the Khumbu areas en route to Everest Base Camp. The lodge accommodations from Namche Bazaar onwards, are simple and nice rooms.

From Namche Bazaar till Tengboche and few places like Dingboche, most lodges provides common bathrooms and toilets. But with a good food menu of limited varieties, some villages offer fresh homemade bakery items. In most places, the rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures from Namche Bazaar onward, using hot showers is at an extra cost. 

All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions.   

In a large group with more than 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all. It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Trekkers is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. As well as taking care of garbage and litter during the whole trek.

Trekkers must be aware that the Khumbu region from Lukla to Everest Base Camp offers various standard of Lodge accommodations. From budget to tourist standard and luxury lodges, interested people can upgrade the standard of accommodation on booking; with Woman Adventure (P) Ltd. 

Important to know that alcohol drinks is not healthy and good while going up to higher altitude. But can enjoy after completing the main highlights, on return journey to Lukla, and reaching to safe heights.

Physical Fitness Requirement And Insurance

For Everest Base Camp Treks, trekkers should be physically fit and in a sound health. For a person with a medical history and special dietary, please inform Woman Adventures So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventure. All age groups can join this trek . For minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well for elderly persons. All needs to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. 

Sometimes, treks might have to be re-routed to other safe destinations due to broken trails by avalanches and rock falls. As well with the unfavorable bad weather, which will obstruct the schedule flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

As well on return flight to Kathmandu also, if some members get seriously ill, needs immediate evacuation. By fastest means of transportation or using a Helicopter service to the nearest hospital. 

In this condition, if it arises, the trekker has to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. Should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim the reimbursement from your insurance. 

To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for Everest Base Camp Trekking.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparations.

Day 03: Fly to Lukla 2,860 m and trek to Phakding 2,610 m-04 hrs. 8 km

Day 04: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m-06 hrs. 12 km

Day 05: Rest day in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization with short hike.

Day 06: Trek to Tengboche Monastery 3,867 m-05 hrs. 10 km

Day 07: Trek to Dingboche 4,410 m -05 hrs. 12 km

Day 08: At Dingboche rest day for acclimatization and short hike.

Day 09: Trek to Lobuche 4,928 m -05 hrs.11 km

Day 10: Trek to Everest base camp 5,364 m via Gorakshep 5,180 m-06 hrs. 12 km plus 6 km back to Gorakshep.

Day 11: Climb to Kalapathar 5,630 m and trek to Pangboche 3,900 m- 06 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Khumjung 3,790 m via Tengboche-06 hrs.

Day 13: Trek to Monjo 2,880 m via Namche Bazaar-05 hrs.

Day 14: Trek to Lukla and transfer to a lodge-04 hrs.

Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. 

Day 16: In Kathmandu free day for individual activities with options for tours.

Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.

Please note Woman Adventures (P) Ltd. Encourages women as guide, porters and staff. In all our treks and tours, a new step and concept in Nepal, to uplift the women empowerment.