EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

Arrive at Kathmandu Airport. Upon arrival, met by representative from Sacred Summits and transferred to the hotel. At the hotel, the guests will be welcomed with a welcome drink and assigned to their rooms.

18:00 Hrs: A short briefing about the trek will be carried out at the hotel lobby.

Overnight at the Hotel

AM: Free on own

PM: Drive to Ramechap from Kathmandu. The roadway distance from Kathmandu to Ramechap is 164 kilometers which takes 3 hours 53 minutes to reach the destination. If you are going to Everest Base camp via Ramechhap airport then this is the ideal place stops over to board flight to Lukla to hold a night before taking flight to Lukla.

Rest of the day is free on own.

Overnight at the Lodge

Early morning transfer to the airport to fly to Lukla (2880m) Flight- 25 min. This 25 minute flight provides a magnificent entry to the trek. It highlights the snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north and the rugged landing at the Lukla airport which is said to be one of the most spectacular flights in the world. Upon arrival, meet the Sherpa team and while the team reassembles the equipment for the distribution to the Porters OR Jhopke (a cross between and cow and a Yak used to carry loads). During this break, the guests are welcome to explore this bustling town on top of a hill with rows of houses, hotels and shops lining both sides of cobbled street.            

The trek starts by following the trail leading to the northwest direction through the narrow street, which immediately descends from the end of the village on a trail through the open hillside. The trail is well defined and there are many shops and lodges catering to the trekkers. There are suspension bridges to connect the main trail and the villages along the way.

The main trail is also shared by packed animals and local porters, so it is advisable always to walk on the wall side and leave the way for the potters and animals. From there we follow the regular trail passing small villages of Chaurikharka, Cheplung, Thado Koshi and Ghat with shops and restaurants along the way, it’s from here were we will have the glance of the Mt. Kusum khanguru. Continue further past the monastery, Mani walls and chorten to arrive at the posh looking Yeti Mountain Lodge, from here climb gently to finally arrive at the cluster of lodges at Phakding (2,652 m). Upon arrival at Phakding we check in to the lodge. Rest of the day is free to relax or browse around this small village

Overnight at the lodge                                                                Duration of Trek:  3 ½ - 4 hours.

Leave the main village and the follow the trail on the left bank of the Dudh Koshi River. It is a pleasant walk for the first half of the day as one passes through agricultural countryside, small wayside villages and a monastery. We cross the Dudh Koshi at Benkar where there are tantalizing glimpses of the snow peaks Mt. Kusum Khangaru (6369m) and Mt. Thamserku (6623m). Just before lunch, there is a steep climb of about 20 minutes to arrive at Monjo for Lunch.

After lunch, trek up to the check post to check the permits and enter into the Sagarmatha National Park. Descend for 10 minute and then cross a suspension bridge to arrive at Jorsale (2800m). Pass through several small villages and beautiful pine forest. This is a busy trail with plenty of human interest. Our first good views are of the west ridge of Kusum Khangaru (6369m). Follow the Dudh Koshi River, crossing over a suspension bridge, and then slowly climb up a very steep trail to Namche Bazaar. Near half waypoint at top danda, we enjoy our first views of Mt. Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7879m) and Lhotse (8383m) - the big three. The climb is for nearly 3 hours as one gain in altitude making breathing difficult due to rarified air.

Arrive at a Kani (Gate) with a full view of Namche Bazzar. Upon arrival at Namche Bazaar (3447 m) check into the lodge. This prosperous town is the largest in Khumbu. Mt. Thamserku (6648 m) and Kongde Ri (6624 m) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbi Yul (5707 m) dominates the skyline along the west.

Overnight at the lodge                                                                Duration of Trek: 5 - 5 ½   hours

After a leisurely breakfast, excursion to Hotel Everest View which starts from the main square in Namche bazaar with a flight of cobbled stone steps all the way  to Shyangboche airstrip (3790 meters), which was built to serve Hotel Everest View. Cross the airstrip and climb past the telephone tower to a trail that leads off to the right (east wards) the trail somewhat levels at the top of the ridge, from here the trail is gradual all the way to the single storey hotel at 3890 meters. Hotel Everest View, as the name suggest have the amphitheater views of the giants of the Himalayas Mt. Everest (8,848 M), Mt Lhotse (8,516 M), Mt Nuptse (7,855 M), Mt Tawoche (6,542 M), Mt.Cholatse (6,440 M), Mt. Amadablam (6,814 M), Mt. Kangtega (6,783 M), Mt. Thamserku (6,618 M) and Mt. Kusum Khangaru (5,808 M) is what is on offer (Weather Permitting)

Note: Please allow for some money today to spend for tea/coffee at the Hotel Everest View as we will be using the premises of the Hotel

After enjoying the views, backtrack to Namche. Along the trail you may also lookout for the Danphe (Impeyan Pheasant) the national bird of Nepal.

After lunch, free to explore the Namche bazaar and may be even enjoy a coffee at the local bakery.Later visit the famous Bazaar, the hub of the Khumbu. Many traders from Tibet are also seen mingling with the local populace.

               Overnight at the lodge                                                                Duration of Trek: 3 ½ - 4 hours.

After breakfast, the trek begin from the main square with a flight of stone steps and  is a steep climb for about 20 minutes to reach a big prayer stone. From there the path is steady with magnificent views of the Himalayas especially of the Mt. Amadablam, Thamserku and Kangtega.

After reaching the re-forestation nursery at Tashinga, the trail drops steeply to cross the Dudh Koshi at Phunke Tenga (3250m), next to several large water driven prayer wheels. Here we stop for lunch in one of the local lodges. The afternoon is spent climbing slowly on a steep trail to the Thyangboche Monastery and one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Thyangboche lies at the base of Kangtega and is a classic setting with superb views back up the valley to the Amadablam, and the Everest poking its south west face over the huge ridgeline linking Nuptse and Lhotse. At the rear is the beautiful west face of the Thamserku (6608m) and Kangtega (6685m).

The Thyangboche 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 monastery, set out on the trail with a short, steep and muddy descent through a forest of birch, conifer and rhododendron to the meadows of Debouche.

Overnight at the lodge                                    Duration of Trek: 5 ½ -6 hours.

After breakfast, continue on a level trail through forests to arrive at a newly constructed bridge high above the fast flowing Dudh Koshi River with fine views of Mt. Amadablam. Cross the bridge and climb for another 10 minutes to arrive at a resting place. Continue to climb till a pass and then there is a gentler walk to the village of Pangboche (3985m) which also has a monastery. The monastery lies more on the route to Phortse and is not easily reached from the lower trail and for those who desire to visit the monastery, the trail bifurcates just before the village after the pass and a hard half hour of climb up the ridge brings one to this fabled monastery. At the monastery is housed the Scalp of the Yeti which traveled the world in the 60's. From Pangboche the trail gradually ascends towards Shomare following the Imja River where we will stop for lunch.

After lunch in the afternoon our route ascends gradually, high above the Imja Khola, passing the tea-houses at Orsho before crossing the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to our lodge in the settlement of Dingboche. The scenery is spectacular although Everest has disappeared behind the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge; the huge peaks that tower above the eastern end of the valley are ample compensation. We are now almost completely above the tree line. In clear conditions, look out for spectacular sunsets here and on Amadablam. Today’s walk is quite tiring due to the altitude, so it is important to take notice of your leader’s advice and recommendations regarding rest and fluid intake.

Overnight at the lodge                                                                             Duration of Trek: 5 - 5 ½ hours

As per the study on high altitude sickness, it has been found that most of the people suffer or show signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) from the altitude of 14,000 ft. Thus it is highly recommended to have a rest day to acclimatize at this altitude before starting an ascent. A walk along the ridge will be organized in the morning.

Note : A trekkers’ sub aid post operates at Periche, the twin village which is about 30 minutes hike. It is supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association 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. A visit to Periche for the afternoon’s lecture on traveling at high Altitude and the effects of High Altitude sickness is worthwhile.   

Overnight at the lodge at Dingboche.                                                 Duration of Trek: 2 ½ - 3 hours.

After breakfast take left hand trail and start ascend towards the top of the hill which has number of Chortens. From the Chorten, Mt. Tawache and Mt. Cholatse (6440m) make for a striking scene as they seem to lean forwards from across the valley in the west. To the north, Lobuche Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of Cho La dominate the skyline. The walking is now generally fairly flat on wide-open ridgeline. After passing the shepherd’s huts, descend, for about ten minutes, cross a bridge and arrive at Thugla for an early lunch.

After lunch, there is a steep ascent for about an hour to the top of the ridge to the Sherpa memorial that is remembrance to those brave mountaineers who died during expeditions. The memorial chortens dot the skyline facing the mountains and overlooking the valley below. Further on, the trail leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with views of Pumori or Widow’s Peak in the foreground.

The stark and the rugged beauty create almost a moonscape. The campsite at Lobuche is reached after two hour of steady trekking through the moraine and is situated in a windswept valley with the enchanting views of the Tawache (6501m) and Nuptse (7855m).

(Note: Due to unavailability of water or restaurant, the only lunch stop available is at Thugla).

Overnight at the lodge                                                                             Duration of Trek: 4 ½ - 5 hours.

From Lobuche, the trek begins with a pleasant walk with a vista of the Himalayan giants surrounding the landscape and a short climb brings one to another valley. Travel along the Khumbu Glacier through the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks. The trail continues to slowly contour on the open landscape and after about an hour, there is a steep ascent for about 10/ 15 minutes. Climb slowly to a ridge and then continue on a trail of rocks caused by rockslides. On a clear day Mt. Everest can be seen looming behind Nuptse.

Arrive at the ridge above Gorakshep and then descend to Gorakshep, a settlement with 4/5 tea houses to stay for overnight.

This was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. In 1953 the British Everest expedition called this “lake camp’. Gorakshep or "graveyard of the crows” 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 Britenbach of the 1963 US expedition and the monument of Indian Ambassador H. Dayal, who died during a visit to the Everest Base Camp after the 1965 Indian expedition, are north-east of the lake.

The trip to base camp, while fascinating, is not spectacular as the ascent of Kalaphattar because there is no view of Everest itself from the base camp. Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Nuptse, which loom over the Base Camp, shades the view of Everest After a quick lunch, trek begins from Gorakshep lodge first through wide open moonscape land and then along the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks passing by the memorials of Rob Hall and Yasuko Namba and others who perished during the Mt. Everest disaster of 1996. The trail continues on a ridge from where a small glimpse of Mt. Everest can be seen. At the end of the ridge, a scrabbling descent leads to the entry into the Khumbu Glacier. The trail through the glacier is an interesting one in that one can actually feel as if one is inside a fridge with the cold seeping from all sides. The Everest Base Camp is also the site for the base camp for Lhotse and Nuptse. It is not actually a specific site as various expeditions have elected different locations for a semi-permanent camp during their assault on the mountains. Some of the sites that expeditions have used as base camps are identifiable form debris on the glacier at 5360m or more. However the highlight of the trip to this place is the sight of the Khumbu icefall and the trek along the Khumbu Icefall is an interesting and an exhilarating one. Later return to Gorakshep.

Overnight at the lodge                                                                Duration of Trek: 7 ½ - 8 ½ hours.

After breakfast take the left-hand side trail and head straight up the hill to Kalaphattar (5545m) for views of Mt. Everest. The trek up to the top is an arduous one and takes about a 2 ½ to 3 hrs to reach.

The early morning or late afternoon is the best time to view Mt. Everest from this vantage point as the sun is behind the observer and directly on the mountains in front. The climb to the Kalaphattar though tough, is well worth it as the views from here are breathtaking. The giants of the earth are all around Pumori (7145m), Everest (8848m), and China’s peak Changtse (7553m), Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m), Amadablam and many others. Later return to Ghorakshep.

After visiting the Base Camp backtracking on scattered rocks and jumbled moraines to return to Lobuche. Cross the stream and then head towards the Sherpa Memorial and then to Thugla. The going is easier as we lose altitude. After lunch cross the Thugla bridge and climb the ridge. Leave the main trail to Pheriche.

Overnight at the lodge                                                                Duration of Trek: 5 -5 ½ hours.

Having been consistently at high altitude above 4200m most trekkers welcome the thought of returning to warmer, softer climbs and the day’s walk to Thyangboche and the buzzing town of Namche Bazaar is a delightful way of doing so. The route starts through the main trail coming from Pheriche and passes through the village of Shomare and  Pangboche (3985m). Descend to the spectacular little bridge over the Dudh Koshi river and head through the fir and rhododendron forest for a lovely afternoon's walk to the meadows of Devouche.

From here, climb for 20 minutes to reach Thyangboche. Descend steeply to the Dudh Koshi and the small village of Phunki (3250m) with its water powered Prayer Wheels for lunch. (Note: The original bridge built by Sir Edmund Hillary was washed away when a flood caused by the land side from the Ama Dablam caused a flooding in this region.) 

After lunch cross the river over the small bridge and start the steep climb towards Sanasa. After the initial climb the trail is relatively flat as we continue the trek towards Namche by following the path round the eastern flanks of the hills.

At the rear is the beautiful west face of the Thamserku (6608m) and Kang Taiga (6685m). 

Upon arrival check into the Lodge

Overnight at Namche Bazaar                                                                   Trek Duration: 6 ½ - 7 Hrs

The trek begins, from the edge of the town, with a huge descent all the way down to Jorsale. Enroute we once again cross the famous bridge over the Dudh Kosi. As we arrive at Jorsale, halt for Lunch at one of the restaurants / tea house / Lodge. It is interesting to watch others starting enthusiastically on the trek ahead as we head down and is also a good feeling to shed a few layer of clothing.  From here we cross the steel suspension bridge of Jorsalle and climb up to the National Park gate where we complete the checkout formalities from the Sagarmatha National Park.

we resume our trek towards Lukla. The trek with a descent to steel bridge then ascends to a ridge. Walk past small settlements and then once again, cross another steel suspension bridge to arrive at Benkar, from here the trail traverses but undulates with short climbs in between to arrive at Toktok village. Cross yet another suspension bridge on approach to Phakding. It is a bit early to stop for lunch and so make an easy walk through the village square past the lodges along the way and after walking for about 45 minutes, reach the village of Ghat, a small picturesque Sherpa village where there are colorful Mani wall along the trail. There are many places to stop for lunch along the Thado Kosi settlement, an ideal place to stop for lunch before heading up to Lukla. Though most of the trail is gradual, there are few short but steep climbs in between on the way to Lukla. There are sign boards along the way pointing you in the direction of Lukla. The trail is well defined and broad and climbs steadily past a few bhattis (Local restaurants) then through scrub forest and through the village of Chauri kharka. The final phase of the trek on approach to Lukla is a steep climb and rewarded by the entrance gate to Lukla. There is a collection of houses and bhattis in Tamang Tolle, a new settlement and a short distance from here is the airport. As you approach the Lukla town, the houses and hotels rapidly increases. Upon arrival at Lukla we check in to the lodge. It is a delightful ending to the trip as one enters into this busy village of Lukla. In the evening, a farewell dinner may be followed by a few celebratory drinks and dancing with our Sherpa companions.

The rest of the evening is free to enjoy the surrounding and prepare for our early morning flight the following day.

Overnight at the hotel                                                                    Duration of Trek: 6 to 6 ½ hrs

After a hearty breakfast, walk up to the airport and later board the 25 minute flight back to Manthali. Upon arrival board the waiting vehicle and take a 4- 5 hrs drive to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is Free.

EVE: Farewell Dinner

Overnight at the hotel                                                                              Flight Duration: 25 minutes

Free until final departure to the International airport.