everest base camp
There are too many superlatives to describe this trip of a lifetime. 'Sagamartha', the Everest Region of Nepal, is home to some of the highest and awe inspiring peaks attracting visitors from all over the world. This largely remote and untouched place includes a trek up Kala Pattar (5643m) showcasing direct views of Mt Everest (8848m), visit to the Khumbu Ice Glacier and Everest Base Camp.
We can offer additional trips including Island Peaks (6189m), Mera Peak (6476m)
and the Gokyo Lake Circuit.
Overview
• 18 day trip
• Accommodation
• Food
• Altitude training
• Experienced Australian guide
• Parks and permits
• Internal flights
Example Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Kathmandu! A Traditional Nepali Dinner and Cultural Dance. Your group leader will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax, meet your teammates and take a stroll through Kathmandu’s bustling streets | We’ll enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner together and watch a cultural performance before getting much needed rest.
Day 2
Kathmandu City Tour Buddhist Temple and Hindu Shrine. Visit some of Kathmandu’s most noteworthy sights, including the white dome of Boudhanath and UNESCO’s Pasupatinath. You will learn about Nepal’s religious diversity while seeing ancient religious practices firsthand. At night, we’ll discuss the itinerary for our trek and what to expect in the days leading to Everest Base Camp.
Day 3
Flight to Lukla (2,800m / 9,186 ft) and trek to Phakding (2,600m / 8,530 ft)
The short, steep Lukla airport is one for the books. After landing, we’ll make our way through farming communities and Sherpa villages before seeing our first views of the Dudh Koshi River.
Day 4
Namche Bazaar (3,450 m / 11,318 ft)
Namche is what postcards are made of! To get there, we’ll cross suspension bridges passing over rushing rivers and framing snow-capped peaks. Your trekking team will be sure to wake you with ample time to enjoy the day. We’ll pass several mountain villages before we get our first views of Mount Everest.
Day 5
Rest Day
Wake early to see golden mountain peaks and sip tea before we stroll to a local Tibetan-Buddhist center. Today our focus is rest and acclimatizing in preparation for climbing at higher altitude.
Day 6
Khumjung (3,780m / 12,401 ft)
Known as ”Valley inside the Clouds,” Khumjung is a three hour walk from Namche. This village is home to a yak farm, the monastery with the famous yeti scalp, and Sir Edmund Hillary’s school. With a free afternoon, you can choose where you’d like to wander or simply awe at the mountain setting.
Day 7
Trek to Phortse Village (3,810m / 12,500 ft)
Here, our itinerary diverges from most. We’ll skip the overcrowded traditional trails to explore the lower section of the Gokyo valley. It will take us about 6 hours to walk the ridge of Mong-La, and we may encounter musk deer along our way. The terraced village of Phortse will reward our efforts and keep us warm for the night.
day 8
Dingboche (4,360 m / 14,304 ft)
Words can’t do justice to today’s trek. Be sure your camera is ready! Mountains will surround us and, if we’re lucky, a musk deer will cross our path to Pangbuche and Somare. We’ll have lunch in the shadows of Amadablam, and peaks that were previously hidden will slowly reveal themselves as we trek further into the Himalayas.
day 9
Rest Day
After breakfast, our group will go for a morning excursion to help us acclimatize further and take in the stunning 360-degree mountain views. Our destination is a hilltop where we will see a bird’s eye view of Imja valley and the village of Dindbuche below. The world’s fifth higher mountain, Makalu, will also frame our photos.
day 10
Lobuche (4,910m / 16,108 ft)
Gradually we will make the ascent above tree line and reach a wide meadow. Cholatse, Lobuche and Pumari mountains contrast this new landscape. “Sherpa’s Graveyard,” the area in which memorials have been built to honor those lives lost in this region is a sobering moment. We will rest at this landmark before continuing onto Louche, a settlement built at the foot of Lobuche Mountain.
day 11
Gorak Shep (5,288m / 17,349 ft) and Everest Base Camp (5,360m / 17,585 ft)
It will take us three hours to reach Gorak Shep from Lobuche. It’s a rocky, snowy terrain, and we’ll stop for lunch before setting out for Everest Base Camp. At Base Camp, we see the icy-blue Khumbu Ice Fall and prayer flags and tents from current and past excursions. This is a moment you’ll remember for life.
day 12
Kalapathar (5545m / 18192 ft) and return to Pheriche (4240m / 13901 ft)
Though the sunrise trek to Kalapathar is a difficult one, the sunrise view is worth it. This is the highest we will reach on our trek together. At the top, dreamy Himalayan peaks will turn purple and gold in the morning sun. We’ll celebrate before beginning our descent to Pheriche.
day 13
Namche Bazaar
Taking a different route, we’ll visit the Tyangbuche Monastery. You’re welcome to light a butter lamp and visit the monastery grounds. Upon returning to Namche, you may crave a piece of apple pie at one of the local bakeries or take advantage of cheaper wi-fi prices to reconnect with friends at home.
day 14/15
Lukla
We retrace our steps through the rhododendron forests to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. Phakding will be a friendly memory as we complete our journey. Tonight we complete our adventure together eating, drinking and dancing at a local tea house.
day 16/17
Lukla to Kathmandu
In case of bad weather, we’ve scheduled an extra day in our itinerary as flights can be postponed. After reaching Kathmandu, you have earned your rest! Take a hot shower and spend the day as you please. Our leaders have recommendations for you based on your interests, including gift shopping, local restaurants or late-night happenings.
Day 18
Departure