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Private Car, Domestic Flight
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Hotel / Teahouse
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Kala Patthar (5,545 m/18,192 ft)
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Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Overview
The Everest Base Camp Trek, which circles the base of Sagarmatha, the world’s tallest peak, is one of the most popular treks in the world. Trekkers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Sagarmatha National Park, which passes via Khumbu Valley, on the popular Everest Base Camp Trek.
As the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, a part of the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, is located at an elevation of 8848.68 metres above sea level. It lies around midway between China and Nepal.
There are also stunning views of other peaks like Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu (8188 m), Lhotse I, Nuptse (7861 m), and Pumori. During the journey, you will have the chance to ascend Kala Patthar, which will take you to a height of 5,500 metres and provide breathtaking views of Mount Everest.
The Khumbu Valley is home to Buddhist monuments, Sherpa stone stupas, Tibetan mani walls with carvings, and long-standing monasteries, in addition to some of the most spectacular views one could ever imagine. This trekking experience is enhanced by the opportunity to interact with other trekkers, learn from them, and exchange experiences.
There are multiple suspension bridges with vibrantly flapping Buddhist flags, as well as the ancient, beautifully carved Mani wall. Situated on the mountain’s ridge, Tengboche Monastery is among the tallest monasteries in the world.
The two base camps are located in the North and South. The South is more popular than the Chinese side and has a more intricate permit system. Successful ascents require a combination of climbing experience, physical and mental toughness, the right equipment, a strong team, and good fortune.
The goal of every traveller is to catch sight of Mount Everest. A lot of people desire to visit base camp and many have the aspiration of reaching the peak. They are prepared to give up a sizable amount of money and time.
Highlights
- Experience the picturesque flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
- Trek along the wilderness of the Sagarmatha National Park
- Visit the lively Sherpa capital of the Khumbu Region - Namche Bazaar
- Discover the captivating Sherpa culture and their way of life
- Journey through rugged trails, charming Sherpa villages, glaciers, lush forests, and many more.
- Come across an ancient Buddhist monastery - Tengboche Monastery
- Reach the Everest Base Camp, the ultimate destination
- A breathtaking panorama of the mountain giants from Kala Patthar
- Get a close-up view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and more during the journey
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport - Received by MTA
You will arrive in Kathmandu at the Tribhuvan International Airport on your first day of travel. The official start of the Everest Base Camp Trek is when you land in Kathmandu. You have to get to your accommodation.
Before you are taken to your hotel in a private vehicle, a staff member from Mountain Thin Air will greet you at the airport's arrival terminal. Until evening, you can spend your free time visiting the well-liked Thamel neighbourhood or relaxing in your cosy lodging. It's filled with bustling streets, vibrant temples, enormous pagodas, and vibrant marketplaces.
Day 2 :
Trek Preparation Day/Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
You usually spend the second day of your Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek getting ready. You'll receive a thorough briefing before setting off on your trek to make sure you have everything you need for the trip. This day should be used for any last-minute trek supplies buying.
If there are any necessities you're missing, use today to rent or buy them from nearby stores. If you want to buy anything for your mountain activities, Thamel is the place to go. Trekkers and climbers can find anything they need at Thamel's branded and small-business establishments.
If you are missing something, you can rent a down jacket, hiking boots, sleeping bags, and many other items. Rent it if you're not interested in packing more. Rent it if something gets missed.
You can also freely explore Kathmandu's cultural attractions, such as the Swayambhunath Stupa, and the ancient Durbar Square, to fully immerse yourself in the history of the area. Moreover, you can go to Pashupatinath, which is the nation's most well-known Hindu temple and is situated on the banks of the revered Bagmati River.
Note: On this day, you have the option for a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu Valley. During the sightseeing, visiting Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square are the major highlights.
Day 3 :
Kathmandu/Manthali to Lukla (2860 m) Flight and then Trek to Phakding (2,652 m), 3 hrs
Part of the journey to Everest Base Camp, which will take you to a location called Lukla, includes the harrowing flight experience. Early in the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the airport. If the weather is right, you will have amazing views of the Eastern Himalayas while on the excursion.
It takes about 35 minutes for the flight. Take in the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and the 35-minute ride will seem like a short while. As soon as you land at the Lukla airport in the morning, you might get a snack and rest.
You will begin your ascent to Everest Base Camp following an exhilarating flight. The majority of your loads will be carried by porters that you will meet at the airport before to departure. Following the suspension bridge, you ascend the mountain to reach Ghat, passing a school and a complex of Mani walls, prayer wheels, and chortens. Trekking through Chaurikharka hamlet and descending to Dudhkoshi Ghat (2,530m) will take you from Lukla to Phakding.
The walk today will be brief and pleasurable since you will be getting used to the new environment. You will see amazing boulders engraved with Buddhist prayers throughout the route.
Day 4 :
Trek from Phakding (2,652 m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), 7 hrs
Stepping further into the Khumbu region is the first activity of this day. You have a brief breakfast and then set off on your trekking adventure today, walking along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River and crossing several suspension bridges.
By stopping in Mojo, some people can shorten their day. On this day, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your permits will be registered when you reach the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, after which you will ascend through the thick forests. Your initial view of Mount Everest will come from this forest.
To reach Namche Bazaar, there is a strenuous uphill hike following the river bed for several hours, following the final Hillary suspension bridge. If the weather is clear and fortune favours you, you may be able to see not only the majestic Himalayas (Kwangde and Kusum Kanguru) but also the Lhotse.
You might see Tibetans, lowland porters, and highland Sherpas bartering food and goods in the Namche marketplace when you get there. Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat, and textiles at Namche Village, a historic trading site.
Day 5 :
Acclimatization Day: Visit to Everest View Hotel/Khumde/Khumjung, 3-4 hrs
A crucial stop on the route to Mount Everest, Namche has long served as the hub of trade in the Khumbu region. Namche Bazaar, at around 3,500 metres, serves as a crucial acclimatisation halt and a chance to explore the settlement and its surrounding area.
A successful expedition to Everest's base requires a schedule of regular acclimatisation days. Remember to visit the market if it's a Saturday. If you have an obsession with Mount Everest, you must hike up to the Everest View Hotel, where you can see some of the most amazing views of the mountain. It is a short hike for about 3 to 4 hours.
You should be able to get some amazing pictures with Ama Dablam in the foreground if the weather is clear. From there, you can see Tarmasarku, Everest, Lhotse, Twache, and Kwangda in close-up. In order to facilitate communication, the hotel offers WiFi for a fee, allowing guests to connect or make calls home.
You may visit Hillary School, the Sherpa community, Syangboche Airport, and yak pastures among your other hiking alternatives. You may also see a variety of artefacts connected to the first mountain climbers to reach the summit of Everest, learn about Sherpa culture, and see a wide variety of plants and animals at the Tourist Visitor Centre, which is close to the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters.
Day 6 :
Trek from Namche (3,440 m) to Tengboche (3,860 m), 5 hrs
Leaving Namche Bazar behind, you head towards Khumjung. Leaving Namche involves a tough climb. The Khumjung and Khunde monasteries, the Hilary school, the Khunde hospital, the Yak rearing facility, etc. are all open to visitors.
At Pungki Thanka, the latter trail descends steeply into the Dudh Koshi Valley after initially being level and easy in the direction of the Everest view. With breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas, the trip continues along the Dudh Kosi's swiftly running glacial waters.
Finally, you arrive at Tengboche, 3,860 metres above sea level. The well-known Tengboche Monastery, the biggest and oldest in the Everest region, is situated in the hamlet of Tengboche. If you arrive at Tengboche Monastery by 3 p.m., you can witness a Buddhist religious ceremony since the monastery opens at that time.
A few teahouses, lodges, and a bakery are located in the Tengboche district adjacent to the monastery. You are able to stand before the Sakyamuni Buddha statue and take part in the lama and monks' prayers.
Views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest are breathtaking from Tengboche, which resembles a piece of handcrafted natural beauty will be visible.
Day 7 :
Trek from Tengboche (3,860 m) to Dingboche (4,410 m), 5 hrs
The next morning, after spending an amazing night at Tengboche, you will return through a beautiful forest and cross the ImjaTse River by a bridge. The path passes through Phangboche, which provides breathtaking views of Ama Dablam looming overhead. The walk from Tengboche to Dingboche is pretty close, and you will probably finish it in the afternoon.
It is possible to encounter individuals who are climbing Lobuche, Imja Tse, and other peaks. You will pass numerous Chortens, mani walls, and tiny settlements along the route. The last permanent hamlet along the EBC route is Pangboche village, which requires a short ascent before a descent. Once more, you will ascend to the Shomare settlement for lunch.
Afterward, the route splits, with the left track going up to Pheriche, then continuing on a steep ascent to the settlement of Dingboche (4460m), which has a number of excellent guesthouses, after passing a suspension bridge.
Views of fields encircled by stone walls to safeguard crops are available. The people farm potatoes, barley, and buckwheat in this harsh climate.
Day 8 :
Acclimatisation day: Hike to Nangkartshang peak, 4-5 hours
This day will provide you with some relaxation and an opportunity to take in Dingboche's natural splendour. At this stage in the Everest Base Camp Trek, your bodies require an additional day to acclimatize to the higher altitude.
Instead of sitting around doing nothing, you ascend a ridge that sits behind the settlement to see six of the highest peaks in the world, including Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. You can also take in views of the lovely Dingboche village and the gorgeous Imja Khola Valley from a different spot on the ridge.
Alongside it is a hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5083m) for acclimatization. Situated just above Dingboche, it provides amazing views of Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains. It's a fantastic half-day trip. Though not nearly as regularly, the peak is climbed. It is a short ascent that, depending on your speed, could take four to five hours.
Day 9 :
Trek from Dingboche (4410m) to Lobuche(4910m), 5 hrs
You'll be well-acclimatized and prepared to resume your adventure when you wake up this morning. The walk today starts with a moderate ascent via tiny towns of temporary herders. After breakfast, you will have a leisurely stroll towards Thukla to start your trek. After that, you will cross the steep terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier.
Don't miss the opportunity to identify the less well-known Kongma Tse and Taboche along with the well-known mountains like Ama Dablam and Nuptse. Ascending further along the trail, you will come to the tiny but lovely town of Thukla across the river. After crossing the bridge, you will now follow the trail that goes to this location.
Having lunch at the base of the terminal moraines will require you to cross the Khumbu Khola from Dugla. From here, a sturdy, steep, rocky trail leads up to the summit of the moraines. Enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains as the trail winds along a ridge. Praying flags and stones, memorial shrines for climbers lost on Mount Everest, are scattered around the ridge's summit. You then arrive at Lobuche village by continuing the path.
Day 10 :
Trek to Gorak Shep (5146m), visit Everest Base Camp, and back to Gorak Shep, 8 hrs
You primarily go along a glacier trail as you ascend and descend today. Along rugged terrain, there's a lot of meandering as well. Before reaching Gorak Shep in the morning, you will walk through a rocky glacial moraine. Before continuing on to Everest Base Camp, you'll pause here for a quick lunch.
You make your way up the steep trail, steadily ascending with a moderate and steady rhythm, following the wide valley running parallel to Khumbu Glacier. The views of the mountain peaks get better and better as you continue to ascend. You follow sand pathways that lead to Gorak Shep, doing several little ascents and descents.
It's time to rejoice when you get to base camp! You'll have lots of time to take in the breathtaking view of the Himalayas that is in front of you. The beauty of the Everest Base Camp is breathtaking. From the base camp, you have breathtaking views of the Nuptse, Khumbuste, Lingtren, and Pumori mountains.
You spend the evening returning to Gorakshep after taking your time to really appreciate the occasion and take pictures.
Day 11 :
Morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m), back to Gorak Shep followed by a trek to Pheriche (4,210m), 7hrs
Without ascending to Kala Patthar, the climb to Everest Base Camp is not complete. Soaring over the picturesque settlement of Gorak Shep, this stunning peak offers one of the greatest views in the Khumbu region.
The weather outside is gloomy, windy, and probably quite cold. On a reasonably hilly trail, you stroll at a reasonable speed. Much of the trail is easy to follow and has a smooth surface. You can gradually ascend the paths, moving away from Gorak Shep.
From the summit, there is an amazing vista. The valley below and the snow-capped peaks are incredibly stunning as the sun rises early in the day. Even compared to yesterday, you can have a better view of Everest. This site is special because of the surrounding sceneries and views of the mountains.
You walk back to Gorak Shep after spending some time at the top of Kala Patthar. You will eat breakfast upon your return to Gorak Shep and then make your way down to Pheriche. Lobuche is the first point since you are going backward. This will be a familiar and comfortable route for you as you have already hiked this portion of the trail in the opposite direction.
Day 12 :
Trek Back to Namche, 7 hrs
On this day, you'll leave Pheriche and head back to Namche. The trek begins after a lovely breakfast following the trails through the lush forests of rhododendron and juniper.
As the journey continues, you'll cross the Imja Khola bridge and reach the Tengboche village. Hereafter, you'll walk until you reach Namche Bazaar.
Day 13 :
Trek Back to Lukla, 7 hrs
This day will be the last day of trekking. The walk follows the route back to Lukla where the trekking journey began. You'll be retracing via the same path through Jorsalle, Monjo, Phakding, and Choplung.
With a heavy heart, bid farewell to the majestic Himalayas and appreciate the journey you accomplished. Once you reach Lukla, you can freshen up and enjoy the end of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Day 14 :
Fly Back to Kathmandu/Manthali
Please remember that the flight back to Kathmandu is diverted to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap during the peak trekking season. Afterward, you’ll reach Kathmandu on a drive from Ramechhap. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has made the diversion due to congested traffic at TIA airport.
Day 15 :
Final Departure
The whole journey to the Everest Base Camp ends today. One of MTA's representatives will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to TIA airport in Kathmandu for the departure back to your home country.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off services
- Domestic flights between Kathmandu and Lukla
- Ground Transportation if necessary (Drive between Kathmandu and Ramechhap)
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during the trekking days
- 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu (BB plan)
- 11 nights accommodation during the trekking days
- Professional and government-licensed trekking guide
- Experienced porter (1 porter for every 2 trekkers)
- Salary, insurance, lodging, transportation, flight, etc. for all the staff
- Sagarmatha National Park entry fee
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit fees
- Seasonal Fruits, Chocolates, and Snacks during the trek
- Toilet paper, Duffle Bag provision
- Warm Down Jacket, Sleeping Bag, Trekking Poles (If needed)
- All administrative costs and government taxes
The Cost Excludes
- International airfare and visa fees
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Meals in Kathmandu (except for breakfast during hotel stay)
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages
- Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and porters
- Costs arising from unforeseen events (landslides, weather conditions, etc.)
- Emergency evacuation and medical treatment costs
- Personal trekking gear (except provided items)
- Charges for additional services or activities not included in the package
- Costs arising from changes in itinerary or extension of stay
- Any other expenses not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
FAQs
What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
What about internet access?
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
How much do guides and porters cost?
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.