Everest Base Camp Trek

An early start takes you by road to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, a drive of 4-5 hours, for the short mountain flight to Lukla. Outside the busiest seasons the flight may leave directly from Kathmandu. Landing on Lukla's sloping hillside airstrip is a memorable start to the trek. After meeting your porters, you follow an easy, mostly downhill trail through Chaurikharka and past carved mani stones to the Dudh Koshi river and Phakding. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in a teahouse.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi upstream, crossing it several times on suspension bridges, to Monjo, where your Sagarmatha National Park permit is checked at the park entrance. Beyond Jorsale you cross the high Hillary Suspension Bridge and begin the long, steady climb to Namche Bazaar. On a clear day, a viewpoint partway up offers your first glimpse of Everest. Take this hill slowly, drink plenty of water and enjoy your arrival in the Sherpa capital. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Namche.

Today you climb high and return to sleep low, the most effective way to help your body adjust to altitude. A morning hike of about 1.5 hours leads above Namche to the Everest View Hotel ridge (3,880 m), where Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku line the horizon. Fit walkers can continue to the village of Khumjung. In the afternoon, visit the national park visitor centre and Sherpa culture museum above town, or relax in one of Namche's bakeries. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Namche.

Beyond Namche the trail contours high above the Dudh Koshi, with Ama Dablam, Everest and Lhotse in view for much of the morning. After Kyangjuma it descends to the river at Phunki Thenga, then climbs steadily through pine and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Its monastery is the largest in the Khumbu, and visitors are usually welcome to sit quietly at the back during the afternoon prayers. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Tengboche.

The day starts with a gentle descent through birch, fir and rhododendron forest to Deboche, followed by a crossing of the Imja Khola and a steady climb past the long mani walls of Pangboche. Above the tree line the valley opens out into stone-walled yak pastures, with Ama Dablam towering to the south. The trail follows the Imja valley to Dingboche, a village of potato fields and teahouses with views of the Nuptse-Lhotse wall. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Dingboche.

A second rest day before going higher is essential. After breakfast you hike slowly up the ridge behind the village towards Nangkartshang Peak, reaching a viewpoint at about 5,083 m. From here Makalu, Lhotse, Island Peak, Ama Dablam and the length of the Imja valley spread out around you. You return to Dingboche for lunch and a restful afternoon, with time to read, wash clothes or chat with fellow trekkers. Walking time 3-4 hours. Overnight in Dingboche.

The trail climbs gently above Pheriche along a broad, open valley before crossing a stream to Thukla (4,620 m) for lunch. Next comes a steep climb up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Thukla Pass, where stone memorials remember climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives on Everest. The gradient then eases as you follow the edge of the glacier to Lobuche, with Pumori and Nuptse ahead. Walking time 5-6 hours. Overnight in Lobuche.

An early start takes you along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier over rocky ground to Gorak Shep, about 2-3 hours away, where you stop for lunch. In the afternoon you continue along the moraine and the edge of the glacier to Everest Base Camp, with the Khumbu Icefall spilling down from the Western Cwm. In spring the camp is busy with expedition tents. You return to Gorak Shep for the night. Total walking time 7-8 hours. Overnight in Gorak Shep.

A pre-dawn start brings you up the steep, sandy slopes of Kala Patthar in around 2 hours. From the top, the first light falls on Everest, Nuptse, Changtse and Pumori, with the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall below you: the finest view of the trek. After breakfast back at Gorak Shep, the long descent begins, past Lobuche and Thukla to Pheriche, where the lower altitude helps you sleep well. Total walking time 7-8 hours. Overnight in Pheriche.

With more oxygen in the air, the walking feels much easier. The trail descends to Pangboche and Deboche, crosses the Imja Khola and climbs briefly to Tengboche, where you can stop for tea with a final close view of Ama Dablam. From there it drops steeply to Phunki Thenga before the last climb and the long, scenic traverse back to Namche Bazaar. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Namche.

Descend the long Namche hill with care to the Hillary Suspension Bridge and retrace your route along the Dudh Koshi through Jorsale, Monjo and Phakding. The final hour is a gradual climb back up to Lukla. This is your last evening on the trail, a good moment to celebrate with your guide and porters and to thank the team who made the trek possible. Walking time 6-7 hours. Overnight in Lukla.

Mountain flights operate early in the day when the winds are calm, so you head to the airstrip soon after breakfast for the flight to Ramechhap and the drive back to Kathmandu, or a direct flight to Kathmandu when available. Weather in the mountains can delay flights, so a little patience may be needed. The rest of the day is free to rest, shop in Thamel or visit Boudhanath Stupa. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Your Everest adventure ends today. Depending on the time of your flight, you may have a few hours for last-minute shopping or a final visit to one of Kathmandu's heritage sites. A Nima Adventure representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your international departure. If your schedule allows, we recommend booking your onward flight with a spare day or two after the trek in case Lukla flights are delayed by weather.