A Luxurious Way To Everest Base Camp

Trip Overview

No bucket list is complete without a trip to Everest Base Camp. Imagine this – you are standing 5,545 meters above sea level, an uninterrupted view of the majestic Himalayas ahead of you, standing tall and proud is Everest – the world’s tallest peak and there you are staring at it after days of trekking, passing through some of the remotest and yet paradise like trail. That is Everest Base Camp trek – a journey into the Himalayas.

One of the top trekking destinations of the world, Everest Base Camp trek reveals you mesmerizing landscapes and untouched vistas of the Khumbu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park and the Himalayas. Traverse your way through the land of the Sherpas – the fierce climbers and make your way to Kala Pathhar, take in the panoramic views of the Himalayas – Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Cho Oyu, to name a few of the treats that lay en route. A journey like no other, a trek to Everest Base Camp is a must experience.

This journey starts with a dramatic flight to Lukla. From here the hike starts towards north passing through pine forest, Sherpa villages, monasteries, gushing rivers, crossing hanging bridges to arrive at the bustling Sherpa ‘capital’ Namche Bazaar. In the next few days we head towards Phortse via Khumjung village and further we continue our ascend crossing the Imja Khola, the scenery becoming more rugged and crossing the tree line to reach Pheriche. It is then a steady ascent following glacial moraines to Lobuche and then to our lodge at Gorak Shep. From here we hike to the famous and historic site of Everest Base Camp.  From here we fly back to Kathmandu in a Helicopter.        

In this trip we will be using all the luxurious lodges, where available, on the way to Everest Base Camp.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival: TIA, Kathmandu
Overnight: Hotel
Arrival in Kathmandu, met by a Khempalung Adventure representative and hotel transfer. Relax the rest of the day. 

Day 2

Am: Sightseeing (optional) PM: Trek Briefing/Last minute essentials purchase
Overnight: Hotel
In the morning, we explore Kathmandu – explore the traditional architecture and ancient palaces in the Durbar Square, visit temples, and make way to Swayambhu Stupa (the Monkey Temple) which lies atop a hill where we can watch the valley go about its daily life. The Durbar Square and Swayambhu Temple are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the afternoon, we pack for the trek and purchase last minute necessary items (if needed).

Day 3

Helicopter Flight: Kathmandu - Lukla, Trek: Lukla to Padhing (2652 m)
Overnight: Phakding     Namche Drive Duration: 4½ -5 hours. Flight Duration: 3 hours Trek Duration: 3 hours.

Today we head for the Himalayas – a short but a spectacular helicopter flight to Lukla offers us glimpses of the long Himalayan Range – a part of it our home for the next few days. As we take in the snow capped peaks we land at Lukla and meet with the porters.

After we are set and porters have been assigned the luggage, we follow the trail towards the north-east. We cross a suspension bridge to leave Lukla behind. Cross small picturesque villages of Chaunrikharka and Ghat and descend to reach Phakding just by the river.

* Luxurious lodge with attached bathrooms available

Day 4

Namche Bazaar (3447 m)
Overnight: Namche          Trek Duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours. 
Follow the trail with the gushing Dudh Kosi on your right – a pleasant walk as we pass through agricultural fields, small villages and a beautiful monastery. Cross Dudh Kosi at Benkar and be greeted with tantalizing glimpses of snow-capped peaks Kusum Kanguru(6369m) and Thamserku (6623m). Steep climb for 20 mins to reach Monjo – our lunch stop. 

Head to the check post to clear our permits and enter Sagarmatha National Park. A busy trail with several interests – small villages, pine forests. After crossing the river again, a steady climb to reach Namche Bazaar – halfway through the climb catch your first glimpse of the mighty three – Everest (8848m), Mt. Nuptse (7879m), and Lhotse (8383m). 

Reach Namche Bazaar – a bustling little prosperous town in the Khumbu region surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks.

* Luxurious lodge with attached bathrooms available.

Day 5

Everest View Hotel
Overnight: Khumjung          Trek Duration: 2 hours.
Set out from Namche Bazar and reach a small pass – a steep ascent awaits you. Reach Syangboche which features an inoperative airport with a stone plowed runway. A pleasant hike through meadows and small remnants of coniferous forests with beautifully scattered rhododendrons. Kongde Ri (6186m) is behind you. 

We reach Everest View Hotel which features unspoiled views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse amongst other Himalayan peaks.

In the evening head towards towards Khumjung– the largest Sherpa village in Khumbu.

* Luxurious lodge with attached bathrooms available.

Day 6

Phortse (3800 m)
Overnight: Phortse          Trek Duration: 4 ½ hours.
A steep walk towards Mong La pass as we pursue our journey towards EBC. Be greeted with spectacular views of Ama Dablam and Khumbila mountains. Our destination for the day is a very traditional Sherpa village by the name of Phortse where we are likely to spot Himalayan tahr (mountain goats), musk deers and Daphne – the national bird of Nepal.

* Deluxe lodge with attached bathrooms available.

Day 7

Dingboche (4350 m)
Overnight: Dingboche          Trek Duration: 5 ½ hours.
Stunning views of Tengboche and Ama Dablam as we climb up a ridge towards Imja Khola Valley. We reach Pangboche which has an ancient monastery famous for its purported possession of Yeti scalp and hand (the hand is believed to have been stolen). Stop for lunch.

Continue up the glacial valley to Dingboche – en route we pass beautifully carved and inscribed prayer stones – a tribute to the gods as offered by the natives of Khumbu region who revere the Himalayas.

* Lodge with attached bathrooms available. Will be providing amongst the best available in this area (Running water in bathrooms not available due to cold climate. Bucket system in toilet / bathrooms)

Day 8

Rest/Acclimatization: Dingboche (4350 m)
Overnight: Dingboche          Trek Duration: 3 – 3 ½ hours.
In the mountains, to avoid AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), it is advised to take rest – let the body acclimatize to the change in altitude. Thus today, we allow a rest day and allow our bodies to adapt before heading higher up.

After breakfast hike to the hill top on the left. Magnificent views of the surrounding Himalayas of Amadablum, Thamsherku, Kangtega etc are visible. One also gets to see the Pheriche village from the top.

* Lodge with attached bathrooms available. Will be providing amongst the best lodge available in this area (Running water in bathrooms not available due to cold climate. Bucket system in toilet / bathrooms)

Day 9

Lobuche (4930 m)
Overnight: Lobuche          Trek Duration: 4– 4 ½ hours.
Follow and ill-defined track across the open landscape – a short steep ascent leads to you to a hill top. Travel along the ridge and arrive at Thugla for an early lunch. (Note: Due to the unavailability of water ahead, this is the only lunch stop available, thus an early lunch).

A steep ascent for an hour and we reach a beautiful memorial site – in remembrance to the brave mountaineers who died during their expeditions. The memorial chortens (shrines) dot the skyline facing the mountains and overlook the valley below them.

The trail leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. A stunning view of the Pumori (Widow’s Peak) is ahead of us. After an hour of steady trek through the moraine, arrive at the windswept valley of Lobuche. Settle down and absorb without interruption, the mesmerizing views of Tawatse (6501m) and Nuptse (7855m).

* Lodge with attached bathrooms NOT available anywhere in Lobuche. Will be providing amongst the best lodge available in this area and Hot water bags or heated blankets in beds will be provided)

Day 10

Gorakshep (5160m) – Everest Base Camp (5360m) – Gorakshep
Overnight: Gorakshep Trek Duration: 7 ½ - 8 ½ hours.
Travel along the Khumbu Glacier through jumbled moraines and scattered rocks – on a clear day Everest can be seen looming behind Nuptse. Approach the ridge above Gorakshep and tread down to reach it.

Gorakshep was used as EBC during the 1950s expeditions and has several monuments dedicated to Everest expeditioners who lost their lives during their attempts to scale Everest. After a short rest, we head up to the EBC – just below the infamous Khumbu Icefall.

The EBC is not a specific location, more of a scattered region, where each expedition team sets camp before heading on towards the summit. Watch the towering mountain ranges surrounding us and be in awe of the treacherous Khumbu Icefall as we trek alongside it. Return to Gorakshep.

* Lodge with attached bathrooms NOT available anywhere in Gorakshep. Will be providing amongst the best lodge available in this area and Hot water bags or heated blankets in beds will be provided)

Day 11

Kala Patthar (5545m) – back to Gorakshep & fly back to Kathmandu in a Helicopter
Overnight: Kathmandu
Early morning an arduous trek uphill for about 2 hours, reach Kala Patthar to catch stunning, panoramic, awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas – Everest included. The trip to Kala Pathhar although difficult is rewarding – find yourself deeply immersed in the majestic Himalayas. Catch sights of some of the tallest peaks of the world – Everest (8848m), Nuptse (7855m), Lhotse (8516m), Pumori (7145m), and more. Kala Pathhar offers the closest view available of Everest from Nepal unless you are climbing the peak.

Take some time to fully take in the spectacular view ahead of us before heading back down. From Gorakshep we will take a helicopter back to Lukla where it will refuel and then to Kathmandu.

Day 12

At Leisure in Kathmandu
Overnight: Kathmandu
Take the day to explore Kathmandu on your own – a city where the modern meets the traditional or just rest and relax in the hotel and visit close by restaurants/pubs go for shopping etc.

Note: If you wish to go sightseeing, please contact our representative for tour options.

Day 13

Final Departure
Last minute shopping of souvenirs and transfer to TIA, Kathmandu for onward journey. Watch the Himalayas pass by as you relive the memories spent only days ago in the heart of the mountains. Relish on the achievement of a lifetime experience.

Trip Facts

Best Period: Feb to May – Oct to Dec

Total Trip Duration: 12  Nights / 13 Days.

Trek Period: 8 Night / 9 Days

In Kathmandu: 4 Nights     

Helicopter: Kathmandu / Lukla (pre trek) Gorakshep to Kathmandu (Post trek)

Trek Type: Difficult

Highest Altitude: 5360 meters

Warning: Altitude Sickness.
Trek Start / End Point: Lukla

Accommodations: Hotels in Kathmandu / Lodges on trek 

Features

National Park: Sagarmatha National Park (1148 sq. kms)

Mountains: Everest, Lhotse, Tamserku, Ama Dablam, Nuptse,  Kantega, Pumo-ri, etc. 

Rivers: Bhote Kosi, Dudh Kosi and Imjatse Khola etc.

Villages: Lukla, Namche, Thyangboche, Pheriche,  etc     

Tribes: Mostly Sherpas & Tibetans 

Forest: Of Rhododendron and Pine. 

Landscapes: Varying from temperate valleys to snow clad mountains

 

An Adventurous Helicopter Ride Watching Marvelous Himalayas With Khempalung Adventure

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