Everest Base Camp Trek

Fitness level

This is an extreme challenge and you will find yourself in remote environments with limited facilities with the added test of altitude. It is for those looking for the ultimate adventure.

Training is essential as you will face extremely difficult terrains, long trekking days and often adverse weather conditions.

Mountaineering skills

One of the huge benefits of the Everest Base Camp challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to reach the summit.

This non-technical climb will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber.

Accommodation

• 1 night in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu
• The majority of nights will be spent in shared rooms in teahouses on the trail

Whilst in Kathmandu you will stay in a comfortable hotel.

During the challenge, you will stay in shared rooms in teahouses on the trail. The teahouses are basic yet comfortable. Food will be served communally at the teahouses by the cooks each night.

There are occasional opportunities to use Western-style toilet facilities (sometimes at cost), and on the trek there is infrequent access to running water.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Kathmandu
Kathmandu
44600
Nepal

It is likely that you will need at least one connection to get to Kathmandu.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Depart

  After weeks of preparation and excitement, you will board your flight to Kathmandu.

• Day 2 | Arrival and orientation

  You will be met by a local representative at your hotel in Kathmandu. You will have free time to explore the city and also receive a short briefing with the team (please arrive at the hotel before 5pm). You will be given a detailed plan for the days ahead and have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have before having dinner and getting a good night's sleep.

• Day 3 | Kathmandu to Phakding

  After breakfast, you will make an early start for the flight to Lukla. This is the gateway to the Khumbu region and is nestled in the lower slopes of the Himalaya at an altitude of 2,840m. This is an exciting flight and should give you a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In the afternoon, you will begin your trek and descend towards Phakding. Please note the ability to fly to Lukla is dependent on local weather conditions.

• Day 4 | Phakding - Namche Bazaar

  After an early morning start, you will begin your trek from Phakding to Namche, crossing suspension bridges and climbing steeply through pine forests. Namche Bazaar is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu region. Just across the valley to the east stands the majestic peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, the first sign that you are entering Big Peak Country.

• Day 5 | Namche Bazaar

  Today is an acclimatisation day. You will spend some time in Namche Bazaar before ascending to the Everest View Hotel at 3,900m.

• Day 6 | Namche Bazaar - Thyangboche

  From Namche Bazaar, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. As you follow the path, you will get your first proper view of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche.

• Day 7 | Thyangboche to Dingboche 

  Shaded by rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Ama Dablam. Contouring the valley side, you will cross the river again and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingboche.

• Day 8 | Dingboche

  Today you will have an acclimatisation day in Dingboche before your ascent to the upper section of the Khumbu Valley. Whilst in Dingboche, you will have the opportunity to walk to a viewpoint to help the acclimatisation process.

• Day 9 | Dingboche - Lobuche 

  You will retrace your steps back to Pheriche before continuing along the trail towards Dugla. Ahead of you will be the peak of Lobuche East and, to your left, the formidable north face of Taweche, the scene of many Himalayan ascents during the 1980s and 1990s. After approximately 3 hours you will reach the small collection of lodges in Dugla (4,620m). From here, you will climb steeply besides the glacier, the track eventually leading to a small cluster of teahouses in Lobuche. You will have a rest during the afternoon in order to allow you to continuing acclimatising.

• Day 10 | Lobuche - Gorak Shep

  Three hours beyond Lobuche is Gorak Shep, base camp for the first successful summit in 1953. After passing through Gorak Shep, you will continue trekking to the current base camp where all summit attempts of Mount Everest now depart. There you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and will spend some time exploring the camp before returning to Gorak Shep for the night

• Day 11 | Gorak Shep - Pheriche

  Today you will ascend the Kala Pattar, reaching the highest point of your trek at 5,545m. This climb will take approximately 3 hours and will be tough. However, your efforts will be rewarded by views of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall as well as Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori. You will then retrace your steps down the Khumbu Valley passing back through Dugla and continuing along the flat valley until you reach your overnight stay in Pheriche.

• Day 12 | Pheriche - Namche Bazaar

  You will follow the main Everest trail down the scenic valley, passing through Pangboche and climbing the monastery at Thyangboche. A steep descent of 500m leads through the bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir tree to the Dudh Kosi River. Crossing via a suspension bridge you will climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the path leading back to Namche Bazaar.

• Day 13 | Namche Bazaar - Lukla

  Today is your last day of trekking and you will be able to enjoy being back at a low altitude. You will descend from Namche Bazaar, the trail flattening out as you will cross the river twice more before making your way back to Lukla.

• Day 14 | Lukla to Kathmandu

  You will depart Lukla Airport early in the morning for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be met by representatives and transferred back to your accommodation. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore Kathmandu, visit some of the local temples or grab some last minute souvenirs. In the evening, you and your team will travel into the town for a traditional dinner to celebrate your amazing achievement!

• Day 15 | Free day in Kathmandu

  Today is a free day to spend exploring Kathmandu.

• Day 16 | Travel or Chitwan Safari trip begins

  Those travelling home will depart today, arriving the following day. If you're joining the Chitwan Safari, you will depart on the extension trip for a further 4 days.

Included

• Accommodation
• Meals - breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• All National Park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
• English-speaking professional guides
• Safe drinking water during the trek
• Communal camping equipment including tents and crockery
• Porter service on the trek
• Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
• 24-hour emergency line for use during your trip

Not Included

• Flights to Kathmandu
• Airport transfers
• Tips and gratuities
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
• Any necessary vaccinations or medications 
• Additional food and drink
• Optional excursions
• Personal camping equipment and clothing
• Other items of a personal nature
• Equipment hire is available if required

Carbon offsetting

This challenge follows a carbon offsetting programme in partnership with WeForest, a European non-profit organisation who work tirelessly with local people and projects around the globe to fight climate change by planting trees across the world.

A proportion of your trip costs go towards a tree-planting project in Zambia, where WeForest works with hundreds of small-scale farmers to plant trees to sequester the carbon emissions that your trip produces.

The project also assists the local community by providing these farmers with training and tools to diversify their sources of income while they plant and protect local forests. As a result, they receive a higher income, diversify their economic activities and learn new skills. This allows the local farmers to become self-sufficient.

A responsible challenge

This challenge is operated in a sustainable, ethical and transparent manner - from the initial booking, to your return home, there is a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in all areas.

• Local impact and welfare

  This challenge is locally led, made up of local people with expert local knowledge and a genuine passion for the sites and communities in which they are based. All guides and support staff are paid a fair wage.

• Integrity and transparency

  This challenge is operated with members of multiple accreditation agencies and the organisers are always working towards new schemes to ensure they remain the most informed, transparent, sustainable, safe and inspiring travel company around. Currently members of multiple standards agencies, including ABTA and ATOL, and accredited by Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) and Tourism Concern as an Ethical Tour Operator.

  Commercial partners are granted access to risk assessments, as well as all up-to-date licences and certificates, providing reassurance that they are collaborating with a professional tour operator.

• Single-use plastics

  The Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) pledge was established in 2018 to help fight the harmful consumption of single-use plastics through challenge operations. In all destinations, water is purified from local sources for challenge participants.

  In remote areas where this is not possible, the team prioritise large, decantable cooler bottles which are later recycled. Where the provision of safe drinking water is not possible, teams adhere to a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra.

• Animal welfare

  Animal welfare is taken extremely seriously, so itineraries which facilitate or encourage the mistreatment of animals are not produced or promoted. Animal welfare policies are strongly influenced by industry-standard ABTA guidelines on the treatment of animals. When sourcing ground agents, there would be no partnership with non-compliant agents and the opportunity is taken to help to educate non-compliant agents in best practice.

  As an active member of ABTA’s Animal Welfare Working Group, the organisers are up to date with all animal welfare issues the world over.

You will be required to pay the registration fee at the time of booking and the final balance 10 weeks before departure.

Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!

Costs

Our trek to Everest Base Camp had everything; from the exhilaration of the flight from Kathmandu into the Khumbu valley to the peaceful spirituality of the buddhist monastery we visited high above Namche. Our Nepali guides on the trek were awesome and the staff were on-hand before we departed and on arrival in Kathmandu to answer all my questions! Andrew C, Glasgow