Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days

To begin your tourist spree in Nepal, you’ll go on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu to some of the UNESCO World heritage sites like the Monkey Temple, i.e. Swayambhunath, and the Holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. Continue on, we head for the giant white Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath. This enormous round Stupa is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and is visited daily by people from around the world.

Last up is a stroll around the old palace squares of Kathmandu, locally named Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. While the palaces and temples are ancient and not used, the entire area is like a maze of cobblestone alleys filled with handicraft shops and markets.

On this day, you can also stay back and prepare for the trek. The preparation includes gear shopping or exploring gear rental options for the trek and stocking up everything else that you might need on the trail. 

The day begins with an early morning flight to Lukla. As the most dangerous airport, which is basically a thin airstrip located on the hills, the flight is quite adventurous. The landing can get thrilling, but it adds to the adventure! You will start seeing mountain views from your flight to Lukla itself, making it feel like a mountain flight. Landing in Lukla, we start at an altitude of 2,860m/9,380ft above sea level.

Now you have officially begun your Everest Base Camp trek journey. After meeting up with our Beyond the Limits porter team and holding a final gear check, we set out on the Everest Base Camp trek!

Our first destination is the village of Phakding at an altitude of 2,610m/8,563ft. Mostly descending, we trek through lush forests alongside the Dudh Koshi River until reaching the suspension bridge leading to the village.

This day is light and perfect for getting accustomed to the Himalayan trails as it keeps you at a low sleeping altitude for initial acclimatization. 

After our first overnight, we have a long day ahead as it’s a straight climb upwards to Namche Bazaar. We need to elevate by about +900m/2,953ft in a single day.

The trail consists mostly of jungle trails as you pass through dense pine forests following the Dudh Khosi Khola while crossing Sherpa settlements. At Monjo, we have our first permit check post as well as a short break. This marks the entry into the Sagarmatha National Park.

You will then cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge, and ascend steeply to Namche Bazaar, the bustling capital of the Khumbu region. If the weather permits, you might just get your first glimpse of Mt. Everest right before entering Namche Bazaar.

The feeling just gets surreal, and we head further ascending to Namche Bazaar, also known as the biggest Sherpa village in the Everest region! This capital of Khumbu is going to be your home for a couple of days.  

This is an important day for acclimatizing, and you will be heading up for acclimatization hikes near Namche Bazaar to allow your body to adapt to the change in elevation. Namche Bazaar is full of areas to explore on its own including the mountaineering museum, a vibrant market, bakeries and restaurants, and even the highest pub in the world is located here. Thus, it also serves as a last supply post before heading on.

Acclimatization is based on the climb high sleep low principle. Keeping that in mind, you will properly acclimatize to avoid any chances of getting acute mountain sickness.

Beyond the Limits Treks takes you on an acclimatization hike to the Everest View Hotel, from where the first views of Everest can be seen! The hike goes up to Syangboche and then down into the Khumjung Valley. You will return back to Namche Bazaar as Hiking to 3,880 m and descending back to sleep at 3,440 m stimulates red blood cell production without stressing the body overnight. 

The next day, we continue on our trek to Everest Base Camp and head for the region’s oldest and largest Buddhist Monastery in Tengboche (3,867m/12,687ft), also known as Tengboche Monastery. On the way, the panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam appear, followed by a sharp descent to the river and a subsequent steep climb to the hilltop monastery at Tengboche.

Being the spiritual heart of the Everest region, merely being at the Tengboche Monastery gives a spiritual feeling. Stay here and see the monks performing the puja duties before turning in for the night. 

Our next destination is Dingboche at 4,410m/14,470ft which also serves as our second acclimatization destination to further prepare you for the challenges of high altitude. You will leave the tree line behind and head down from Tengboche through forests to finally cross the Imja Khola River to arrive in Pangboche, also known as the Imja Khola Valley.

Moving ahead, you will cross stone walled villages to finally reach Dingboche, which is also the main point for Island Peak Climbers. Views of Mount Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, and Island Peak are the day's main highlights.  

Having spent our first night in Dingboche, we’ll hold our second acclimatization hike up to the Nangkartsang Peak with a height of 5,170m/16,962ft. It’s quite a hike in terms of challenges, but the rewards are just amazing.

Incredible views of Mt. Lobuche (6,119 m / 20,076 ft), Mt. Thamserku (6,623 m / 21,729 ft), Mt. Kangtega (6,782 m / 22,251 ft), Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 m / 22,349 ft), Taboche Peak (6,542 m / 21,463 ft), as well as others can be seen from atop Nangkartsang Peak!

Alternatively, you can also discuss with your guide and go for an acclimatization hike to Chhukung Valley. Ultimately, the goal is to help you acclimatize while also enjoying the experience and views. We head back down to Dingboche for an overnight stay.  

On this day, we move further ahead to Lobuche (4,940 m / 16,210 ft). The trail follows a steady ascent up the valley. The ascent is gentle at first but becomes steeper when approaching the Trekker's Memorials (Chupki Lhara).

This marks a significant point on the trek as it is an emotionally significant ridge adorned with stone monuments for climbers who perished on their journey to Everest.

Continue along the moraine until you arrive at Lobuche. Serving as a crossroads for trekkers heading to the Gokyo Lakes, it makes for the perfect place to overnight, as the next day we’ll be reaching Everest Base Camp!

Start early with a short trek to Gorak Shep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft) which is the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. Following a part of the Khumbu moraine, we ascend gradually until reaching the village.

After checking into the local tea house and dropping off heavier gear, have some lunch and mentally prepare yourself as you will then head out for EBC! The trail is quite wide and goes along the moraine. On the way, you will see the Khumbu glacier which is the world’s highest and longest glacier. It’ll take about 2 to 3 hours to reach Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep, and the feeling is just incredible. As you spot the colored tents of the base camp, a wave of accomplishment hits you. Take the feeling in as you are standing at the place where mountaineering legends are formed.

Enjoy the stunning views of mountains that stretch in front of you and take some photos. Spend some time exploring and making memorable memories before returning to Gorak Shep. After a long day, it is important to get a quick sleep as the next day we hike up to Kala Patthar hill in the early morning. 

Brace yourself as this will be the last challenging day on the trek. With your head torches and flashlights, you will head out early in the morning. It’ll still be dark, so make your way slowly and steadily. Make sure you reach the blackish hill just in time to see the sunrise rising over the stunning Himalayan giants like Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and casting the orange glow on their neighbors.

This is also the closest clear view you will get of Mt. Everest as the peak is actually not visible from the EBC. The view from Kala Pathhar is incredible and breathtaking. Enjoy the moment! After reaching back at Gorakshep and having enjoyed breakfast, we’ll be heading back down, making our way slowly back to Lukla. We will stop at Pheriche for the day. Get your well-deserved rest after a long day. 

Retrace your steps back to Namche Bazaar as it is a long, rewarding day of descent for you. Spend the night at Namche Bazaar.

This is your final trekking day. Store the memories of the Himalayas in your heart and descend back towards Lukla. Before reaching back at Lukla airport, it is customary to hold a celebration party in Lukla with the team to celebrate successful conquering of the trek.

The next day, you will fly back to Kathmandu to conclude the 14-day Everest Base Camp trek. 

Today, your Himalayan journey comes to an end as you will take a flight back from Lukla to Kathmandu. Enjoy your leisure time and celebrate with a farewell dinner with the team. Prepare for your journey ahead.