Everest Base Camp Trek
Fifteen days from Kathmandu into the heart of the Khumbu — the flight into Lukla, the trading town of Namche Bazaar, the monastery at Tengboche, and the long walk on foot to the base of the world's highest mountain — with lodging, meals, permits and guided support built around a route designed for safe acclimatization, not speed.
The classic route to the base of the world's highest mountain
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the benchmark Himalayan trekking route in Nepal — a roughly 130 km round trip through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on foot from Lukla to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres and back. This 15-day itinerary builds in two rest days in Kathmandu and Khumbu-standard acclimatization stops at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, so the schedule is set by safe altitude gain, not by how fast a fit trekker could technically move.
You'll fly into Lukla — one of the more dramatic short-runway airstrips in the world — then walk up through pine forest and past mani walls and suspension bridges to Namche Bazaar, the trading hub and unofficial "gateway to Everest." From there the trail climbs past Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual centre of the Khumbu with Ama Dablam as its backdrop, through Dingboche and Lobuche, to Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp itself, and a sunrise climb of Kala Patthar for the best accessible view of Everest's summit on the entire route.
Accommodation, daily breakfast, airport and intercity transfers, guided sightseeing and selected entrance fees are arranged for you throughout. This itinerary is the standard template — private departures, an added rest day, or a link into the Gokyo Lakes or a longer Khumbu circuit can all be built in on request.
What you'll actually see
Everest Base Camp itself
The trail follows the Khumbu Glacier to Base Camp at 5,364 metres — a sprawling field of rock and ice at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, the same staging ground used by summit expeditions. Everest's peak isn't actually visible from here; that view comes the next morning.
Sunrise from Kala Patthar
At 5,545 metres, Kala Patthar is the most accessible point on the route for a full view of Everest's summit — Base Camp itself sits too low and too close to the mountain for the peak to be seen. Most trekkers climb before dawn for clear light and calmer winds.
Tengboche Monastery & Sherpa culture
The largest monastery in the Khumbu, set on a ridge at 3,867 metres with Ama Dablam rising behind it. Namche Bazaar and the villages along the route carry the same living Sherpa culture — mani walls, prayer wheels, chortens and butter-lamp lodges throughout.
Sagarmatha National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the upper Khumbu — pine and rhododendron forest giving way to high alpine terrain, with Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam visible from multiple points along the trail.
Your 15-day itinerary
Built around two rest days and a gradual altitude gain, with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in and adjust after your flight, ready for trek preparations the next morning.
A guided morning through Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage sites — Kathmandu Durbar Square and the great stupa at Boudhanath — followed by an afternoon trek briefing, permit processing and a full gear check ahead of tomorrow's flight to Lukla.
An early, scenic flight to Lukla's Tenzing–Hillary Airport, one of the most dramatic short-runway airstrips in the world, followed by a gentle 3–4 hour walk down the Dudh Koshi valley to Phakding — an easy first day that lets the body start adjusting before the real climbing begins.
A 5–6 hour trek following the Dudh Koshi River, entering Sagarmatha National Park and crossing several suspension bridges before a steep final ascent through pine forest to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the trading hub of the Khumbu.
A rest day built for safe altitude adjustment, not idleness — a 4–5 hour hike up to the Everest View Hotel or the village of Khumjung for first views of Everest itself, before returning to Namche to explore its shops, bakeries and small Sherpa museum.
A 5–6 hour walk with the trail's first close views of Ama Dablam, descending to Phunki Tenga before a steep climb to Tengboche — the spiritual heart of the Khumbu, home to the region's largest monastery.
A 5–6 hour trek through Pangboche, the vegetation thinning as the trail opens into the wide Imja Khola valley. Dingboche (4,410m) sits in a sheltered spot with better afternoon sun than the alternative village of Pheriche, which is why we stop here.
A second scheduled rest day, with an optional 4–5 hour side hike up Nangkartshang Hill for sweeping views over the Imja Valley and a first close look at Makalu, Lhotse and the wider Khumbu skyline before continuing higher.
A 5–6 hour trek past the stone memorials at Thukla, raised for climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives on Everest, before a further climb to Lobuche (4,910m), with Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam visible for much of the day.
A trek to Gorak Shep (5,164m) alongside the Khumbu Glacier, followed in the same day by the walk on to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) itself, returning to Gorak Shep to overnight. It's a long, high-altitude day — the itinerary builds in the two rest days above precisely so trekkers arrive here properly acclimatized.
A pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the trip's defining view — the sun rising over Everest's summit and the surrounding Khumbu giants. Descend back through Gorak Shep and continue down to Pheriche (4,280m) to begin the return journey.
A long descending day of roughly 7–8 hours, retracing the route back through Pangboche, Tengboche and Phunki Tenga to Namche Bazaar — noticeably easier going downhill, with a second chance to take in the views missed on the way up.
A 6–7 hour final descent back to Lukla, crossing the Dudh Koshi one last time. It's the trek's closing day — time in the afternoon for a hot shower, a celebratory meal, and reflection on the two weeks behind you.
A short scenic flight back to Kathmandu, with the afternoon free to rest, explore, or pick up any last souvenirs in Thamel. A farewell dinner in the evening marks the end of the trekking portion of the trip.
Enjoy a final breakfast before your airport transfer for departure — or, if you'd like to extend, we can build in extra days in Kathmandu, a Chitwan safari add-on, or a longer Khumbu itinerary via Gokyo Lakes.
Indicative itinerary. Flight schedules to and from Lukla are frequently disrupted by weather, and the exact order, pacing and rest days are confirmed and may be adjusted by your guide in the field for safety and acclimatization. This is normal on this trek and built into the buffer already in the schedule.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 14 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to trek
Pre-monsoon spring (March–May) and post-monsoon autumn (late September–November) offer the clearest skies and most stable weather for both trekking and Lukla flights. Winter is quieter but colder; the summer monsoon brings poor visibility and higher landslide risk.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Cards are usable in Kathmandu; above Lukla, cash is essential — there are no ATMs or card facilities on the trail, and prices for food, charging and Wi-Fi rise with altitude.
Altitude & acclimatization
This itinerary includes two dedicated rest days, at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, specifically to reduce altitude sickness risk. Ascending slowly, staying hydrated and reporting symptoms to your guide early are the most effective precautions above 3,500m.
Permits
The route requires a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a Khumbu Rural Municipality entry permit. We handle the paperwork as part of your trip — confirm with us whether the permit fees are bundled into your quote or billed separately.
What to pack
Layered clothing for temperature swings from warm valleys to sub-zero nights above 4,000m, a good sleeping bag rated for high altitude, broken-in trekking boots, sun protection, and a headtorch for the pre-dawn Kala Patthar climb. A full kit list is provided at booking.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities can obtain a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, though requirements vary by passport. Please check based on your own nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
From Kathmandu's stupas to the Khumbu Glacier
Good to have answered
Is the US$1,799 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 15-day itinerary. It covers your accommodation, daily breakfast, airport and listed transfers, guided sightseeing, and selected entrance fees. The final figure depends on your travel dates, group size and whether you'd like it fully private, and we'll confirm an exact, itemized quote — including permits and the Lukla flight — when you enquire.
How fit do I need to be for this trek?
You don't need mountaineering experience, but you do need solid cardiovascular fitness — most days involve 5 to 7 hours of walking, some of it steep, at altitudes where the air holds noticeably less oxygen. We recommend building up hiking fitness for several months beforehand, particularly if you're not a regular hiker.
Is altitude sickness a serious risk?
It's a real risk on any trek above 3,000m, which is why this itinerary builds in acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche rather than pushing straight up. Your guide monitors the group daily; mild symptoms are common and manageable, but anyone showing signs of serious altitude sickness is brought down without exception. Comprehensive travel insurance with high-altitude and evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Are international flights or the Lukla flight included?
International flights to Kathmandu aren't included unless specifically stated in your quote. The domestic Kathmandu–Lukla flight is confirmed with your quote at enquiry — ask us to itemize this so there's no ambiguity before you book.
What happens if Lukla flights are delayed or cancelled?
Weather-related delays and cancellations at Lukla are common and normal, not a sign anything has gone wrong. Our itinerary keeps buffer where practical, but on multi-day disruptions you may need to adjust your international flight home or consider a helicopter transfer at extra cost — we talk you through contingency options when you book.
Do I need a guide, porter or permits arranged separately?
No — we arrange your guide, permits (Sagarmatha National Park and the Khumbu Rural Municipality entry permit) and, if you'd like one, a porter, as part of putting your trip together. Confirm inclusion details with us at the time of booking so your quote reflects exactly what's arranged.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Yes — this is a template, not a fixed departure. Run it fully private, add an extra acclimatization day, extend into the Gokyo Lakes, or bolt on a Chitwan safari afterwards. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most nationalities can arrange a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, but requirements do vary by passport. Please verify based on your own nationality before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored, itemized quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Everest Base Camp trek
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, itemized quote — including permits and the Lukla flight — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.