13 Days 12 Nights Nepal Everest Base Camp Tour from Kathmandu

Early morning-fly from Kathmandu to Lukla highlights the snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north and landing in the Lukla airport is said to be one of the most spectacular flights in the world. After a short break, the trek starts by following the trial leading to the northwest direction, which ultimately descends to the river at Phakding (2652m).

Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Phakding

Follow the Bhote Koshi through the forest and pasture land, along the valley dotted with small Sherpa Settlements. Cross the Bhote Koshi and climb steeply, along switching back trail, lies the large Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. Near half waypoint, view of Everest (8848 m) and Lhotse (8511m) come into sight. This prosperous town is largest one in Khumbu. Mt. Thamserku (6,648 m) and Kwangde-Ri (6,624 m) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (5,707 m) dominates the skyline along the west.

Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Namche Bazaar

Optional day trip to Khunde/ Khumjung & Swyamgboche

Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Namche Bazaar

Early morning,  walk to the checkpoint to show the permits. Then walk uphill for a short period to reach a huge prayer stone from where the path straightens and we get magnificent views of some of the Himalayan ranges.

Later as we walk we descend through the rhododendron forest, watching for the blood pheasant and Imphayan pheasant in the undergrowth. As we reach the valley, there is Imja Khola (river) where we stop for a lunch at Phunki (3200m), next to several large water driven prayer wheels. The afternoon is spent climbing slowly on a steep trail to the Tengboche Monastery and one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Tengboche lies at the base of Kangtaiga and is a classic setting with superb views backs up the valley to the Ama Dablam, and the Everest poking its southwest face over the huge ridgeline linking Nuptse and Lhotse. At the rear is the beautiful west face of the Tamserku (6,608m) and Kang Taiga (6,685m).

The Tengboche Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of the Khumbu Region and the late afternoon can be spent visiting this ancient Monastery. It is the traditional place where all Everest Expeditions receive their blessings as they walk in towards the base camp. After visiting the monastrie we walk futher 20 minutes down to Deboche, The few houses and the gompa of the tiny village of Devuche are off the trees to the west, and the nunnery is up the hill to the east. From Devuche the trail passes many

Mani walls in a deep rhododendron forests and then another 1 hour walk to reach at Pengbouche

En route to Periche, if you are lucky you can have good sight of Nepal’s national bird “Danphe”. Near Gorak Shep you are likely to see Tibetan snow cocks racing happily down the hillside.

There is a trekkers’ aid post operated at Periche, supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association   (HRA) and Tokyo Medical College. A western physician is usually in attendance during the trekking season. This establishment, and the doctors who operates it, specialize in the study and treatment of altitude sickness and strive to educate trekkers in the dangers of too fast an ascent to high altitudes.

Dinner And Overnight At Tea House, Pheriche

Optional side trip to Chhukung.

Dinner And Overnight at Tea House, Pheriche

 The trail ascends the broad, gently sloping valley from Periche to Phalang Karpo. The views of Tawachee and Cholatse (6440m) are particularly good from this portion of the trail, which passes through country reported to be the habitat of the snow leopard and yeti. Some people do stay overnight in Dugla as suggested by the doctors but many of them go to Lobuche.

 Dinner And Overnight at Tea House, Lobuche

We start our day early in the morning. After about one-and-half-hours walk we get to see the Khumbu Glacier. The path becomes tougher not because it’s uphill but more rocky and also due to the high altitude. We reach Gorak Shep in about three hours.  This was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition.

GorkShep has a small lake that is usually frozen and several monuments to climbers who have died during various Everest expeditions. The carved stone in memory of Jake Breitenbach of the 1963 US expedition and the monument of Indian Ambassador H. Dayal, who died during a visit to base camp after the 1965 Indian expedition, are northeast of the lake.

Most of the trekkers reach Gorak Shep by the lunchtime and they have enough time to climb Kala Pattar and back to Gorak Shep.

 Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Gorakshep 

Everest base camp is not actually a specific site. Various expeditions have selected different locations for a semi-permanent camp during their assault on the mountain. Some of the sites that expeditions have used as base camps are identifiable form debris on the glacier at 5,360m or more. The trip to base camp, while fascinating, is not spectacular as the ascent of Kalapatthar because there is no view of Everest itself from base camp.

Back track all the way to Thukla from where the path diverges towards Periche. Walk down hill to Periche that is windier, and hence feels colder, than most places in Khumbu.

Dinner and overnight at Tea House, Deboche

Back track to Monjo.

Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Manjo

Back track to Lukla.

Dinner and Overnight at Tea House, Lukla

Am:  Early morning, fly Lukla / Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel.

Pm: Rest Day in Kathmandu

Overnight at Hotel

Transfer to International Airport to connect flight to back home.