Everest Base Camp In Style – Departure 2

Guests are met at the airport and then transferred to the respective hotels of their choice. Our guide will brief our guests regarding the trip thoroughly.

1,852 m

Today, guests will take a scenic drive to the small town of Ramechhap, as during the high season all flights to Lukla are based from here instead of Kathmandu.

Overnight: Lodge

3 - 4 Hrs

Guests will start early, go to the airport, and take a thrilling flight to Lukla to avoid the rush of trekkers and porters arriving from Kathmandu. Passing by lovely Sherpa settlements, along gentle undulating trails, and the marvelous scenery of the Dudh Koshi valley, we arrive at the village of Phakding (8562 ft/2610m).

After a break for lunch, guests will continue on for approximately 3 more hours to Monjo (2835 m | 9,301 ft). The sounds of strange-sounding birds, the sight of porters, loads aside, resting outside tea houses, weather-beaten, windblown trekkers winding their way back to Lukla, prayer flags fluttering, the brightly painted tea houses, and of course the dramatic scenery are memories to treasure of this first day on the trail.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Monjo

2,835 m / 9,301 ft

A principal benefit of walking as far as Monjo on the second day is that guests can walk up the steep hill to Namche when fit and fresh in the early morning. Guests then leave Monjo and continue to the park gates of Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale, where entry formalities should be done. A walk along the river leads to the Imja Drangka and the Nangpo Drangpo, which combine to form the Dudh Kosi. Crossing the river on the longest bridge in Khumbu, known as the Tenzing Hillary Suspension Bridge, a steep climb to Namche begins. Near the halfway point up the hill, if the sky is clear, one can see views of Everest and Lhotse come into sight.

The climb continues towards Namche. Namche is the largest and most prosperous village in the Khumbu region. Thamserku (6,618m) and Kwangde (6,224m) loom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila (5,707m) dominates the skyline to the north behind the village. The narrow streets at its center are a mixture of traditional and modern, with Sherpa homes.

Overnight: Hotel Namche

3,445 m / 11,300 ft

3/4 Hrs

As we start our day early in the morning, guests will have time to visit the Sagarmatha National Park Visitors Center and Museum, where there are terrific views of the Everest region and numerous educational displays on the culture, geography, geology, climatology, and wildlife within the national park. Guests will slowly ascend to the village of Khumjung in a spectacular position. A visit to the clinic in Khunde and the Khumjung school (both projects supported by the Himalayan Trust) will be an unforgettable experience. The picturesque little gompa in Khumjung is also well worth a visit. On payment of a small donation to the caretaker, you may be allowed to see the so-called head of a yeti, which is kept there.

The trail descends from Khumjung with a view of Ama Dablam (6,696m) and Kang Taiga (6,779m), flanked by the towering heights of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. Guests will then descend from the village, first through walled fields and then through rhododendrons and blue pine forests, to the village of Tashinga.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga

3,450 m / 11,023 ft

5 Hrs

Today is an interesting trek, as guests will be able to see the path sloping diagonally up towards the famous monastery of Tengboche. This takes half an hour to an hour, descending steeply in a series of zig-zags to the Dudh Kosi River. Here, guests cross a suspension bridge in the lee of a gigantic overhanging cliff (3,200 m/10,499 ft). A little way further on is a small hamlet, Phunki Tenga, where tea breaks are recommended. It takes 2-3 hours from the bridge to reach the monastery. Then, it will be a steep climb up through a pine forest and a long, gentle, straight path that reaches the monastery. Emerging at the top, there is a mandala gateway and a huge chorten, which you pass before your first sight of the gompa. The gompa was burned down only a few years ago and was rebuilt largely through the efforts of the Sir Edmund Hillary Trust. Conch shells are blown, the monks arrive, and visitors are expected to sit quietly on the right-hand side of the gompa. A small donation is appreciated. After departing from Tengboche, the path descends towards Deboche, where the small and atmospheric nunnery is well worth a visit. Guests will come across ‘mani’ walls, a form of Tibetan Buddhist prayer. After crossing a bridge over a picturesque gorge, the path gradually climbs, with stunning views of Ama Dablam.

This is a very picturesque village with stone-walled fields, and there is a very interesting monastery set in trees at the top of the village. This is one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region.

Overnight: Shree Dewa, Pangboche.

3,860m / 12,665ft

4-5 Hrs

Ama Dablam (6,812 m/22,349 ft), also known as Mother’s Necklace, is one of the most beautiful and unique mountains in Khumbu. It is important to acclimatize in order to stay fit throughout the trek. After crossing the Imja Drangka River, followed by a gradual ascent until Lhabarma. The elevation of Ama Dablam Base Camp is 4,570 m (15,000 ft). The climbing route follows the south-west ridge. The Ama Dablam Base Camp offers breathtaking views of Kan Tega (6,783m/22,254ft), Thamserku (6,618m/21,712ft), and Tawoche (6,542m/21,463ft).

A fun fact that happened in 1998: an Austrian paraglider accomplished the descent from the Ama Dablam summit to base camp in under 10 minutes. Guests then return to Pangboche after a memorable hike.

Overnight: Shree Dewa, Pangboche.

4,576m / 15,014ft

6-7 Hrs

Ama Dablam is one of the most loved and admired mountain in Khumbu. After crossing the Imja Drangka river, followed by a gradual ascent until Lhabarma you are suddenly standing right in front of the mountain ridge. The fact that one can walk right to its foothill and absorb the aura of the mountain is a real gift of Mother Nature.

Activity: Approximately 12 km / 6- 7 hrs , Minimum Elevation: 3980m, Maximum Elevation: 4850m

Overnight: Shreedewa Lodge Pangbcohe

4,360m / 14,305ft

3/4 Hrs

Guests continue their way towards Bibre’s yak pastures. Dughla is another stopping point for trekkers. Dughla is a small settlement of the Sherpa’s with not much vegetation. Guests will also pass by the memorial stupas of the climbers who lost their lives on Mount Everest. The trail steepens as you gradually get closer to Thukla. Guests then reach Lobuche after a proper hike to a higher altitude. Lobuche is a popular destination for acclamitization, with tea houses and meals. Guests should stay hydrated and eat proper meals to avoid altitude sickness, as tomorrow is an exciting and crucial day. This is an important part of the EBC journey as guests will have a feeling of achievement when reaching Everest Base Camp; the highest point in the world.

Overnight: Tea house

4,950 m / 16,3000 ft

4/5 Hrs

This is the most important day throughout the trek when guests reach Everest Base Camp. An early start is essential to get there before any cloud comes down, and it will probably be very cold. Guests must make sure to eat a proper breakfast. Leaving Lobuche, guests head north-east, along the side of the Khumbu Glacier, through jumbled moraine and shattered rock. There is almost no vegetation here. Guests make several energetic ups and downs across the mountains and descend to Gorak Shep.

From Gorak Shep, it is still a long, fairly arduous trek to base camp, initially following the top of the moraine and then descending onto the boulder-strewn glacier. In the climbing season, you may follow mountaineering groups or yaks carrying supplies. After a couple of hours, guests reach the base camp area, from which, although there aren’t views of the actual summit of Everest, there are sensational close-up views of the terrifying Khumbu icefall and the surrounding scenery of ice seracs and tumbled rocks. At this altitude, the return to Gorak Shep will feel like quite a long way and will use up your remaining reserves of energy.

Overnight: Tea house

5,300m / 17,388ft

6/7 Hrs

At Gorak Shep, guests will be ideally placed for an ascent of Kala Pattar in the clear of the morning before clouds come in to obscure the summit of Everest. This is a tough ascent of approximately 2–3 hours until guests finally reach the rocky summit of Kala Pattar at 5,545m (one of the highest points of the trek). From the summit of Kala Pattar, there are great views of the summit of Everest as well as other Himalayan giants: Pumori (7,145m), the Tibetan peak Changtse (4,501m), Nuptse, Lhotse, and countless other needles and snow-fluted ridges.

Guests can also look down on the Khumbu glacier, where base camp is located during the climbing season in late spring. Afterward, guests will descend to Gorak Shep and take the trail back down to Lobuche. From Lobuche, guests must follow the path, and then instead of taking the trail back to Dingboche, you descend to the flat valley bottom. It is then quite a short distance on the flat to reach Pheriche, where you will stay for the night.

Overnight: Tea house

5,545m / 18,192ft

7 Hrs

This morning will seem much easier comparatively, as guests are descending and are at a lower altitude. From Pheriche, you descend to join the valley of the Imja Khola and retrace your steps past Orsho and down the pleasant trail to Pangboche. It is a great chance to visit the gompa in Pangboche if guests aren’t able to do it on the 6th day.

Leaving Pangboche, guests then descend to cross a bridge over a deep gorge before making a short climb to Tengboche. Watch out for musk deer and pheasants in the woods along the way. From Tengboche, guests descend to the river at Phungithanga and then make the final climb of the day up through the pine forest to reach the Tibetan traders at Tashinga.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Tashinga.

3,450 m / 11,023 ft

15 Km

5/6 Hrs

From Kyanjuma, guests take a delightful undulating trail with some of the last high-altitude mountain views of the trek, looking across to the summits of Thamserku and Kangtaiga. Guests then descend to Namche Bazaar, a place with gorgeous views and hospitable communities. Market day in Namche is a very important event for the people of the Khumbu. On Saturdays, sherpas from all the villages around flock to Namche to do their shopping and also to restock the tea houses. After a proper lunch break at Namche, guests trek back down the Dudh Kosi valley for a short way past the checkpoint at Jorsale to Monjo.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Monjo.

2,850 m / 9,301 ft

5/6 Hrs

Most people head towards Lukla with heavy hearts. There is something very special about the setting. The trail to Lukla follows the main trail as far as Chablung and then turns off above the village of Chaunrikharka towards Lukla. There are signs beyond the stream at Chablung pointing guests in the direction of Lukla. The broad trail leads uphill to the left. After a steep final climb, there is a collection of houses in Tamang Tole, a new settlement a short distance from the airport. As you approach the airstrip, houses as well as hotels rapidly proliferate. On arrival, you can finally relax and perhaps enjoy a celebratory beer.

Overnight: Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla.

2,804m / 9,336ft

5/6 Hrs

Today, we leave the mountains behind and fly back to Kathmandu. Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to weather conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens. Guests’ patience in the trying circumstances that can occur will be greatly appreciated. A final day of leisure in Kathmandu does, of course, provide a valuable ‘cushion’ against missing your flight. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

In the morning, there is a half-day guided sightseeing tour. Guests will visit Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, the two most important Buddhist and Hindu places of worship. The afternoon will be at leisure.

Guests will be transferred to the airport.