Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,593ft)

Meals: Welcome dinner (own account)  |  Accommodation: The Everest Hotel, Kathmandu

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our representative will meet you outside the terminal and assist you with your transfer to your hotel. Your stay in Kathmandu will be at the Everest Hotel (or similar), a comfortable 3-star hotel located in Thamel, the city’s main trekking hub, within walking distance of gear shops, cafes, and local attractions.

The rest of the day is free from any trekking activities. Use it to rest and settle in after your long, tiring flight. If you arrive with enough spare time, you can take a short walk to the Swyambhunath Stupa for a panoramic view over the Kathmandu Valley. You can even just explore the nearby Thamel area to purchase any last-minute trekking gear and experience the local atmosphere.

In the evening, a mandatory pre-trek briefing at 6:00 pm in the hotel. Meet your lead guide, review the full 15-day itinerary, and receive all necessary trek documents and permits. Use this session to review your packing, understand altitude considerations, and clarify any questions you have. Also, submit your travel insurance details and emergency contact information during the briefing before concluding the day.

Arriving early? If you have a day or more before the trek begins, we can arrange a guided Kathmandu sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur. Ask us about extending your stay.

✈️ Flight details: Please share your arrival flight details at least 7 days before departure so we can arrange your airport transfer without confusion.

Note: We need your flight/travel details for the airport/road transfer service. Please provide them 7 days before the tour departure date.

Day 2: Kathmandu / Ramechhap → Lukla (2,850m) → Phakding (2,650m)

Trek: 7.5 km  |  Walking time: ~3 hours  |  Elevation: -200m descent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Phakding

Begin your day early with a mountain flight from Kathmandu (or Ramechhap) to Tenzing-Hillary Airport (2,850 m). You will board a small Twin Otter aircraft for a 45-minute flight, where your views shift from the Kathmandu Valley to the Himalayan range at eye level. As you land, you will experience Lukla’s short, uphill runway, set dramatically between a steep drop and a mountain wall.

On arrival in Lukla, meet your guide team, organize your gear, and attend a short safety briefing before your trek begins. You then start walking with a gentle descent into the Khumbu Valley, passing through Chaurikharka village and following trails lined with mani walls carved with Buddhist prayers.

Continue along the route as you cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, fed by glacial meltwater. You will walk at a relaxed pace for about 3 hours, allowing your body to adjust and ease into the trekking rhythm.

Arrive at Phakding and settle into your lodge. If time allows, you can take a short walk to Rimishung Gompa, a peaceful monastery set on a forested hillside, where you may observe monks during their afternoon prayers.

⚠️ IMPORTANT — Ramechhap Airport (Apr, May, Oct & Nov departures): During peak season, the Civil Aviation Authority redirects Lukla flights from Kathmandu to Ramechhap (Manthali) Airport — approximately 130 km from Kathmandu, a 5–9 hour drive. This means Day 2 begins at 1:00–2:00 AM. Peregrine provides shared transport for the Kathmandu–Ramechhap segment at no extra cost. We confirm the departure point at the Day 1 briefing.

Note: For April, May, October, and November bookings, travel to Ramechhap by road and then fly to Lukla. We provide transportation for the Kathmandu-Ramechhap segment and arrange your return flight from Lukla to Ramechhap, followed by a drive back to Kathmandu. The Ramechhap drive takes about 5 - 9 hours.

Day 3: Phakding (2,650m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Trek: 8.0 km  |  Walking time: ~5–6 hours  |  Elevation gain: +790m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar

Begin your day from Phakding and prepare for your first major ascent toward Namche Bazaar. Follow the trail along the Dudh Koshi River as you move north through Benkar and Chumoa, passing your first mani walls carved with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. Walk clockwise around these sacred structures as you continue along the route.

Reach Monjo (2,835 m) and enter Sagarmatha National Park through the official checkpoint. Present your permits here before continuing deeper into the protected region, known for its high-altitude landscapes and rare wildlife.

Continue through Jorsalle and cross the well-known Hillary Suspension Bridge (3,352 m). From this point, if the weather is clear, you may catch your first distant view of Mount Everest rising above the ridgeline.

Begin the final ascent with a steady climb of around 600 meters through forested switchbacks. Take your time, maintain a comfortable pace, and gradually make your way up to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), where you will settle in for the night.

Day 4: Acclimatisation Day at Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Trek: Optional 3–4 hour acclimatization hike  |  Max elevation: Up to 3,962m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar (2nd night)

Use this day for essential acclimatization in Namche Bazaar, allowing your body to adjust properly before moving to a higher altitude. Follow the “go high, sleep low” approach, which helps your system adapt by increasing oxygen efficiency and reducing the risk of altitude sickness.

Start your morning with an acclimatization hike after breakfast, heading up to the ridge above Namche. From this viewpoint, you can observe Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam rising across the skyline.

Continue your ascent toward Syangboche (3,780 m) and reach Hotel Everest View (3,962 m), known as one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. Take a break here to enjoy tea or lunch while taking in wide panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks before descending back to Namche for the night.

Afternoon exploration highlights:

• Sagarmatha National Park Museum & Visitor Center — free, excellent context for the days ahead
• The Saturday/Sunday market — early morning Tibetan and Sherpa traders at the lower square (if your trek falls on a weekend, do not miss this)
• Hillary School — built by Sir Edmund Hillary in the 1960s for the Sherpa community
• Khumjung Monastery (45-min hike) — home to the legendary ‘Yeti scalp’ and one of the oldest gompas in the Khumbu

Day 5: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Tengboche (3,860m)

Trek: 9.2 km  |  Walking time: ~5–6 hours  |  Net elevation gain: +420m (with a 600m descent and re-ascent mid-route)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Tengboche

Depart from Namche Bazaar and follow a wide contour trail that leads north through Kyangjuma and Sanasa. Walk at a steady pace along this scenic section, where you will have continuous close-up views of Ama Dablam, one of the most striking peaks in the Everest region.

Descend gradually through alpine forest filled with pine and rhododendron, losing elevation as you move toward Phunki Thenga (3,250 m). Use this riverside stop for lunch and a short rest before beginning the next climb. Keep an eye on the surrounding terrain, as this section often reveals wildlife such as Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and the colorful Danphe pheasant.

After the break, begin a steady uphill climb through dense forest toward Tengboche Monastery. Gain elevation gradually and reach Tengboche, where the monastery sits on an open ridge with wide mountain views, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam.

Arrive in time to explore the monastery area and, if your schedule allows, attend the afternoon prayer ceremony held inside the main hall. Settle in for the night after taking in the surrounding Himalayan panorama.

Mani Rimdu Festival: If your trek falls in October or November, check whether the famous Mani Rimdu festival is taking place at Tengboche. This three-day Buddhist festival of masked dances and rituals is one of Nepal’s most extraordinary cultural events.

Day 6: Tengboche (3,860m) to Dingboche (4,410m)

Trek: 10.8 km  |  Walking time: ~5–6 hours  |  Elevation gain: +550m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Dingboche

Depart from Tengboche Monastery and begin your day with a descent through juniper and rhododendron forest toward Deboche (3,820 m). Continue along the trail and cross the Imja Khola via a suspension bridge before starting a gradual climb into open alpine terrain. As you move forward, you will notice Ama Dablam rising sharply to your left, while Lhotse dominates the valley ahead and Makalu appears in the distance on clear days.

Reach Pangboche (3,930 m), the highest permanently inhabited village in the Khumbu, and take a short stop to explore the area. You can visit Pangboche Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the region, known for its deep cultural significance and local legends.

Continue your trek with a steady ascent through a widening valley as the landscape becomes more open and rugged. The vegetation thins out, and you begin to feel the transition into high-altitude terrain. Follow the trail toward Dingboche (4,410 m), where stone-walled fields and scattered settlements define the village.

Arrive in Dingboche and settle in for the night. Take time to walk around and observe the traditional stone enclosures built to protect crops as you adjust to the quieter, high-altitude environment.

⚠️ Altitude note: You are now at 4,410m — nearly 1,000m higher than Tengboche. Headaches, mild fatigue, and reduced appetite are common and normal. Inform your guide immediately if symptoms worsen.

Day 7: Acclimatisation Day at Dingboche (4,410m)

Trek: 3–5 hours, optional acclimatization hike  |  Max altitude reached: Up to 5,083m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Dingboche (2nd night)

Use this day to acclimatize in Dingboche (4,410 m), allowing your body to adjust before moving to higher elevations. Kala Patthar (5,545 m) and Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) lie just two days ahead, so take it slow and focus on proper rest and adaptation.

Morning health check: Before starting the day’s hike, your guide will carry out a quick health check using a pulse oximeter, a small clip-on device that measures your blood oxygen level. A reading above 85% at this altitude is generally considered a good sign of acclimatization. Your guide will monitor these readings carefully throughout the trek, as they are trained in high-altitude first aid and use this information to help ensure your safety and well-being.

Acclimatization hike — choose your level:

• Shorter option (2–3 hours): Hike south along the ridge to approximately 4,800m. Views of Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Island Peak. Return for lunch.
• Longer option (4–5 hours): Continue to the summit of Nagarjun Hill (5,083m) — your first time above 5,000 meters. Panoramic and extraordinary. Alternatively, hike to Chhukung (4,730m) or, for very fit trekkers, to the ridge of Chhukung Ri (5,550m) — actually higher than EBC itself.

Return to Dingboche for lunch and spend the afternoon resting and recovering. Eat a carbohydrate-rich meal, drink plenty of fluids, and allow your body time to fully restore at altitude. Keep the pace slow for the rest of the day and focus on relaxation. On clear nights, you may also see the Milky Way stretching across the sky, offering some of the best stargazing conditions in Nepal.

Day 8: Dingboche (4,410m) to Lobuche (4,940m)

Trek: 7.9 km  |  Walking time: ~5–6 hours  |  Elevation gain: +530m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Lobuche

Follow a clear change in landscape today as you leave behind the last traces of vegetation. The final trees and shrubs fade away, the tones shift from green to grey and brown, and you enter the high glacial terrain of the Khumbu, where the environment feels more lunar than alpine.

Continue the ascent above Thukla (4,620 m), where you climb a steep rocky moraine toward Thukla Pass (4,830 m), also known as Dughla Pass. At the top, you pass through a powerful memorial site marked by stone chortens dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Mount Everest, including names like Scott Fischer, Rob Hall, and Babu Chhiri Sherpa, with prayer flags worn thin by constant wind. Take a few moments here to pause, reflect, and continue with awareness of your surroundings.

Beyond the memorials, the trail follows the edge of the Khumbu Glacier moraine, revealing dramatic views into the ice fields below as the glacier slowly retreats under climate pressure. You then continue toward Lobuche (4,940 m), which sits in a cold, exposed hollow at the glacier’s edge.

You now feel the altitude more strongly, so you must keep your pace steady and your breathing controlled throughout the walk. The silence of the valley becomes more noticeable as you move further into the high Himalayas. This section also reminds you how quickly conditions can change at this elevation.

Accommodation note: Lobuche teahouses are the most basic on the entire trek — simple rooms, thin walls, limited heating, and a minimal menu. This is normal at 4,940m and part of the authentic high-mountain experience. Come mentally prepared and use all your layers tonight.

Day 9: Lobuche (4,940m) → Gorak Shep (5,185m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364m)

Trek: ~13.5 km total  |  Walking time: ~7–8 hours  |  Max altitude: 5,364m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Gorak Shep

Begin the day early from Lobuche, setting out before sunrise into the cold, thin air, moving carefully as your body adjusts to high altitude. This is the day everything has been building toward. The trail follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, a vast moving river of ice descending from the slopes of Everest, and the landscape quickly shifts into a stark, lunar environment of grey rock, frozen ground, and scattered glacial debris.

You pass memorial cairns dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on the mountain, and continue steadily through a harsh yet powerful high-altitude setting. You will need to maintain a slow, steady rhythm as the air becomes noticeably thinner along the moraine. After around three hours, you reach Gorak Shep (5,185 m), the last settlement before Everest Base Camp, located on a dried glacial lake bed.

Drop your bags, take a warm lunch, and continue along the moraine toward Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), a 3.5 km round-trip journey that takes roughly 2 hours. When you arrive, the atmosphere feels quiet and unreal, as there is no permanent structure and Mount Everest remains hidden behind surrounding peaks like Nuptse and the Western Cwm.

What you see instead is the raw, shifting edge of the Khumbu Glacier, with the dramatic ice formations of the Khumbu Icefall rising above you. You take time here to absorb the setting before returning to Gorak Shep. In spring, expedition camps bring bursts of color and activity, while in quieter seasons the glacier feels still, isolated, and vast.

You made it. Stand here for a moment. Take photographs. Breathe the thin air. You are at the base of the highest mountain on Earth. After spending time at base camp, return to Gorak Shep (allow 1.5–2 hours back).

Day 10: Kala Patthar (5,545m) → Gorak Shep → Pheriche (4,250m)

Wake up at 4:30 AM and begin your pre-dawn ascent from Gorak Shep. Move carefully in the cold darkness with headlamps guiding your way as you climb for about 90 minutes toward Kala Patthar (5,545 m). This early start is essential, and you will find the effort worthwhile as the first light approaches.

Reach Kala Patthar just in time for sunrise, where you finally see the full south face of Mount Everest after it was hidden from view at Everest Base Camp. From here, you take in sweeping sights of the West Ridge, South Col, the Khumbu Icefall, and the icy expanse of the Western Cwm, along with the towering wall of Lhotse. The moment at over 5,500 meters leaves a lasting impression as the morning light transforms the entire Himalayan range.

Descend back to Gorak Shep for a hot breakfast and a short rest before beginning your long return journey south. Follow the familiar trail back through the Khumbu Valley, descending approximately 14 km toward Pheriche (4,250 m). The downhill section feels faster but demands control, so you use your trekking poles and maintain a steady rhythm to protect your knees.

Arrive in Pheriche by evening and settle in for a well-earned rest after one of the most demanding days of your trek. You can also reflect on how quickly the landscape changes as you lose altitude and return toward greener terrain. The experience of reaching both Kala Patthar and descending the same day creates a strong sense of completion in your journey.

Day 11: Pheriche (4,250m) to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

Trek: ~19 km  |  Walking time: ~6–7 hours  |  Descent: -810m

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar

Begin the return journey from Pheriche as you retrace your steps through the Khumbu Valley. Many trekkers find this section unexpectedly emotional, as the mountains that once felt like a challenge now slowly recede behind you, allowing the experience to fully settle in.

Follow the trail north briefly before crossing the river and turning south toward Shomare and then Pangboche. Continue at a steady pace as you move through familiar terrain, gradually losing altitude while revisiting the villages that marked your ascent.

Cross the Imja Khola below Tengboche Monastery and begin the final approach toward Namche Bazaar. Along this stretch, the views of Ama Dablam rising in the distance are among the most striking of the entire trek.

Arrive in Namche Bazaar and settle in for a comfortable evening with hot showers, bakeries, and connectivity. Take time to relax and celebrate your progress as the journey begins to wind down.

Day 12: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) to Lukla (2,850m)

Trek: ~18 km  |  Walking time: ~6 hours  |  Descent: -590m net

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |  Accommodation: Teahouse, Lukla

Begin your final full trekking day from Namche Bazaar and start a steep descent through pine forest into the Dudh Koshi valley. Retrace the familiar trail from earlier days, now moving in reverse, where each section feels more familiar and reflective as the journey nears its end.

Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge once again, pass the familiar mani walls, and follow the sound of the glacial river as it leads you downhill. Continue steadily until you reach Monjo, where you officially exit Sagarmatha National Park.

From here, take the final uphill stretch through Chaurikharka and continue toward Lukla (2,850 m), the same hill town where your journey first began. Arrive by evening and settle into your lodge.

Spend your final night on the trail in Lukla, where you can relax in restaurants serving pizza, pasta, and dal bhat, or enjoy coffee and cold drinks with reliable Wi-Fi. Take time to celebrate with your guide and porter team, sharing gratitude for their support, effort, and companionship throughout the trek.

Day 13: Fly Lukla (2,850m) → Kathmandu (1,400m)

Flight: ~45 minutes  |  Meals: Breakfast  |  Accommodation: The Everest Hotel, Kathmandu (or similar)

After a final early breakfast in Lukla, transfer to the airstrip for the morning flight back to Kathmandu. The 45-minute flight retraces your outbound journey in reverse — but now, having walked every valley below, the aerial view carries an entirely new meaning. Back in Kathmandu, the afternoon is entirely yours. Check in, shower for a long time, and rest. In the evening, Thamel’s rooftop bars and restaurants are waiting.

⚠️ Flight delay note: Mountain weather in the Khumbu can change rapidly, and Lukla flights are canceled more often than any other domestic route in Nepal — particularly in morning fog during autumn. If your flight is canceled, Peregrine will assist with rebooking on the next available flight. We strongly recommend building at least one buffer day into your international connections after this trek. Comprehensive travel insurance covering flight delays is essential.

Day 14: Kathmandu Sightseeing + Farewell Dinner

Activity: Full-day guided sightseeing  |  Meals: Breakfast + Farewell Dinner

Accommodation: The Everest Hotel, Kathmandu (or similar)

After nearly two weeks in the high Himalayas, you return to Kathmandu and experience the shift in atmosphere immediately. Hot showers, fresh fruit, cold drinks, and the city’s constant movement create a strong contrast with the mountains’ quiet. Spend the day with your guide exploring the city’s highlights and getting reintroduced to one of Asia’s oldest capitals. Move through the streets at a relaxed pace as you take in the energy, culture, and daily life that define Kathmandu.

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple): Begin your day at Swayambhunath Stupa, an ancient site perched on a hill west of Kathmandu with sweeping views across the valley. The iconic all-seeing eyes of the stupa face the four cardinal directions, watching over the city from above. Hundreds of rhesus monkeys move freely through the surrounding forest, where they are considered sacred to the site and remain an integral part of its living atmosphere.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the old city. Explore its medieval palaces, courtyards, and temples that once served as the royal seat of the Malla and Shah kings. Walk through the intricately carved wooden architecture and observe the historic Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, which remains one of the city’s most unique cultural traditions.

Pashupatinath Temple: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine, located along the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Walk through the temple complex as you observe sadhus, sacred shrines lit with butter lamps, and daily rituals that continue without interruption.

Experience the riverbank atmosphere, where traditional cremation ceremonies take place, offering a deeply cultural and spiritual insight that is unique to this sacred site.

Evening: Peregrine hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your achievement. Gather with your guide team and fellow trekkers for a traditional Nepali meal — dal bhat, tarkari, momo, and sel roti — with reflection on everything you have shared over the past two weeks. This is also the moment to present your appreciation to your guides and porters, and to receive your EBC trek completion certificate from Peregrine Treks.

Day 15: Departure from Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

After a final breakfast at your hotel, our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in time for your onward international flight. Plan to arrive at least 3 hours before departure to complete check-in, customs, and security procedures smoothly.

As you board your flight and watch the haze over Kathmandu slowly fade below, you begin to reflect on the journey. Somewhere to the northeast, beyond the clouds, stands the mountain that brought you here. You walked to its base, you breathed its air, and you earned every view along the way.

Extending your trip? Nepal has much more to offer. Ask us about adding a Chitwan National Park jungle safari, a Pokhara lake retreat, or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek to your journey. Luggage can be stored at our Thamel office or at the hotel at no charge while you explore.