12 Days Everest Base Camp Trekking

Flight 35 minutes, trek 3–4 hours (about 8 km) | Altitude: Lukla 2,860 m, Phakding 2,652 m | Overnight: Phakding (lodge)

An early transfer takes you to the domestic airport in Kathmandu – or, in the busy spring and autumn seasons when Lukla flights operate from Ramechhap, a 4-hour drive leaving at about 2:00 am. The 35-minute flight to Lukla (2,860 m) is one of the most thrilling in the world, skimming green ridges with the Himalaya on the left before landing on a short, sloping runway built into the hillside.

At Lukla you meet your porters, have a cup of tea while the loads are sorted, and start walking. The trail descends gently through Chheplung and small Sherpa farms, past mani walls carved with Buddhist prayers and colourful prayer wheels, to the banks of the Dudh Koshi (“milk river”). An easy first day helps your body start adjusting to the altitude. Overnight in a comfortable lodge at Phakding.

Trek 5–6 hours (about 11 km) | Altitude: 3,440 m | Overnight: Namche Bazaar (lodge)

Follow the Dudh Koshi upstream, crossing it several times on long suspension bridges strung with prayer flags, through Benkar and pine forest to Monjo. Here your permits are checked at the entrance to Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch at Jorsale the trail crosses the high Hillary Suspension Bridge and begins the steep climb – the toughest of the trek so far – through pine forest towards Namche. On a clear day, a viewpoint halfway up gives your first glimpse of Everest peeping over the Nuptse–Lhotse ridge. Take it slowly. Namche Bazaar, the horseshoe-shaped trading capital of the Khumbu, has bakeries, gear shops, cafés and the Saturday market.

Acclimatisation hike 3–4 hours | Highest point: Everest View Hotel 3,880 m | Overnight: Namche Bazaar (lodge)

A rest day to help your body adapt – but following the golden rule “climb high, sleep low”, you take an active hike. Climb above Namche past the Syangboche airstrip to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for a terrace view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku.

Continue to Khumjung, one of the largest Sherpa villages in the region, to see the Hillary School and the monastery said to keep a “yeti scalp”. Return to Namche for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and the national park visitor centre above the village, or simply relax in a bakery with a view.

Trek 5–6 hours (about 10 km) | Altitude: 3,867 m | Overnight: Tengboche (lodge)

One of the most beautiful walks of the trek. The wide “balcony” trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi with superb views of Everest, Lhotse and the elegant Ama Dablam; look out for Himalayan monal (Nepal’s national bird) and musk deer.

After Kyangjuma the trail drops steeply to the river at Phunki Tenga for lunch, then climbs for about two hours through rhododendron, pine and juniper forest to Tengboche. The monastery here is the largest in the Khumbu, set on a ridge in front of a breathtaking mountain amphitheatre. In the late afternoon you can join the monks’ prayer ceremony (around 3 pm).

Trek 6–7 hours (about 11 km) | Altitude: 4,360 m | Overnight: Dingboche (lodge)

Watch the sunrise light up Everest and Ama Dablam, then descend through moss-draped forest to Deboche and cross the Imja Khola. The trail climbs gently to Pangboche (3,985 m), one of the oldest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu, with a 17th-century gompa.

Above Pangboche you leave the trees behind and enter the windswept upper Imja valley, walking past yak pastures and stone huts to Dingboche (4,360 m), the “summer valley” of stone-walled barley and potato fields. The village is ringed by Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak, and its lodges have some of the best views on the trek.

Acclimatisation hike 3–4 hours | Highest point: Nangkartshang 5,083 m | Overnight: Dingboche (lodge)

Your second acclimatisation day. After breakfast climb the ridge behind the village towards Nangkartshang Peak. The climb is steep but steady; at the viewpoint (about 5,083 m) a 360° panorama opens up of Makalu – the world’s fifth-highest mountain – Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Taboche and the Imja valley stretching towards Island Peak.

Return to Dingboche for lunch and spend the afternoon resting, drinking plenty of water and enjoying the scenery. This day is important for a safe ascent to Everest Base Camp, so take it easy.

Trek 5–6 hours (about 8 km) | Altitude: 4,940 m | Overnight: Lobuche (lodge)

Walk up a broad, open valley above Pheriche with views of Taboche and Cholatse to Thukla (Dughla, 4,620 m), a tiny lodge stop at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier, for lunch.

After Thukla comes a steep climb up the glacier’s terminal moraine to Thukla Pass, where dozens of stone memorials and prayer flags remember the climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives on Everest – a moving place to pause. The trail then follows the edge of the glacier to Lobuche (4,940 m), with Pumori, Lingtren and Nuptse rising ahead. Nights here are cold, so keep your warm layers handy.

Trek 7–8 hours (about 15 km) | Highest point: Everest Base Camp 5,364 m | Overnight: Gorak Shep (lodge)

The big day. Follow the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, scrambling over rocky sections, to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the last settlement on the trail, in about three hours. Drop your bags, have an early lunch and continue on to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m).

The path weaves across the moraine to the foot of the famous Khumbu Icefall. In spring (April–May) the base camp is busy with the colourful tents of Everest expeditions; in autumn it is quieter. Take photos at the base camp rock and soak in the view of the icefall, Nuptse and Khumbutse before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.

Trek 7–8 hours | Highest point: Kala Patthar 5,644 m | Overnight: Pheriche (lodge)

Start very early (around 4:30 am) with a head-torch for the climb up Kala Patthar (“black rock”), the highest point of the trek. Reaching the top for sunrise, you are rewarded with the classic close-up view of the summit of Everest turning gold, along with Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse, Pumori and the whole Khumbu Glacier below.

Return to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then begin the descent – breathing becomes easier with every step. Retrace your route past Lobuche and Thukla, then take the lower trail into the wide valley to Pheriche (4,280 m), home to the Himalayan Rescue Association aid post.

Trek 6–7 hours (about 14 km) | Altitude: Namche 3,440 m | Overnight: Namche Bazaar (lodge)

A long but enjoyable day of descent with the thicker air giving you new energy. Walk down the valley through Pangboche, cross the Imja Khola and climb briefly to Tengboche, with a last chance to visit the monastery and look back at Everest and Ama Dablam.

Descend through the rhododendron forest to Phunki Tenga, then make the final climb up to the balcony trail and around the hillside to Namche Bazaar. Celebrate with a hot shower and a slice of apple pie in one of the bakeries.

Trek 6–7 hours (about 19 km) | Altitude: Lukla 2,860 m | Overnight: Lukla (lodge)

Descend steeply from Namche to the Hillary Bridge and follow the Dudh Koshi back through Monjo, where you exit the national park, and Phakding. The last hour climbs gently back up to Lukla.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide and porters – the people who made your trek possible – and reconfirm your flight back to Kathmandu.

Flight 35 minutes (or flight to Ramechhap + 4-hour drive) | End of trek

Take an early morning flight back over the hills to Kathmandu (or to Ramechhap, followed by a drive of about 4 hours) and transfer to your hotel. Flights from Lukla depend on the weather and can be delayed, so we recommend keeping a spare day in Kathmandu before your international flight.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing, shopping in Thamel or celebrating your achievement.