High Passes to Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m)
Our representative will be waiting for you at the Tribhuwan International Airport, once you land you will be accompanied to your assigned hotel. Take some rest or you can visit us at our office for some details about the trek. In the evening, you can stroll around Thamel, the main tourist hub in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02 : Kathmandu - Lukla (2,800m) - Phakding (2,652m): 3 - 4 hrs
You will have to take an early morning flight to Lukla, as the weather is clearer in the morning. The scenic flight will fly you above the Himalayan ranges. The Tenzing/Hillary airport is Lukla will fascinate you as it is an airstrip that is actually hanging off the side of a mountain. At Lukla, you can meet your team leaders and the rest of the staff, the trek to Phakding starts right away. Overnight in Phakding.

Day 03 : Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3,440m): 5 - 6 hrs
After some good breakfast, the trek trail follows alongside the Dudh Koshi River. After crossing several suspension bridges, villages and monasteries, you reach Benkar village a point from where you can enjoy a good view of Mt. Thamserku. There will be a short check of the permits at Monjo, as you near the Sagarmatha National Park. Next stop is Jorsale, which is the last village before reaching Namche Bazaar. You will also cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge and as you near Namche, you can see the glorious views of Kwangde Peak, Kusum peak, Kangaru peak, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other mountains . Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 04 : Acclimatization Day
Please be aware that Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can affect anyone, so it is very necessary to take a day off in Namche Bazaar. You will not be bored here, as there’s lot to do like a short hike to the Khumjung villages. There’s also a Tourist Visitor Center, where one can see an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders and the popular Sherpa mountain culture. The Khumjung Monastery is worth a visit a you can also see the Yeti’s scalp there. The airstrip above Syangboche offers incredible views of Kongde, Thamserku and Khumbila mountain ranges. Overnight in Namche.

Day 05 : NamcheBazzar - Tengboche (3,870m): 5 - 6 hrs
It is yet another day for an exciting trek! Walk ahead with the breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges The Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku and Kwangde are some of the highlights while you trudge. After awhile a short descent and you are by a riverside, after you cross the river it is uphill through the forest pass. After many small ascents and descents you will finally reach Tengboche, it is one of the many beautiful places in the Everest region. Visit the Tengboche monastery, one of the largest in Khumbu region. The chanting and prayers of the monks will set you in peace. Overnight in Tengboche.

Day 06 : Tengboche - Dingboche (4,360m): 5 - 6 hrs
Today you can take a hike in the rhododendron forest till to Deboche. After that cross a bridge over the churning Imja river, you reach the valley wall you can traverse over to the plains towards Pangboche village, this village has the biggest settlement of Sherpas in the region. Witness typical Sherpa village and try out local food! You can opt for another hike to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the region. The following afternoon trek is quite a difficult one, as the landscape opens up to dry, deserted mountains walk ahead towards Dingboche. Overnight in Dingboche.

Day 07 : Dingboche - Chhukung (4,750m): 3 - 4 hrs
Along the way today, you can marvel at the views of Ama Dablam, Tawache, Chalotse and the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse as you trek towards Chhukung. Our trail passes through fields and Imja Khola valley before reaching glacier moraines among the lofty Himalayan ranges. The rugged trail stretches on to Bibre village, here you can enjoy amazing views of Ama Dablam and the Amphu Lapcha mountains. Continue on for around an hour and a half to reach Chhukung, the valley is surrounded by glaciers and Himalayan ranges. Overnight at Chhukung.

Day 08 : Acclimatization Day
The Chhukung valley is absolutely stunning. It is the starting point for many a trek up nearby Island Peak (Imja Tse),this area was conventionally used as a yak grazing land with no lasting habitat. As the Imja Tse peak has gained reputation in the recent years as a trekking peak and the Chukhung Valley is a good acclimatization plane for Everest Base Camp trekkers, several lodges and teahouses have been built there. Take a free day to acclimatize for the journey ahead. Overnight in Chukhung.

Day 09 : Chhukung - Kongma La (5,535m) - Lobuche (4,940m): 6 - 7 hrs
The trek today will start very early in the morning, this is to arrive at the highest part of this whole trip which is the Kongma La pass. There are two options for this, a rugged trail over a mound in the northwest of Chhukung over the Nuptse Glacier grounds or you can choose to walk back to Bibre and walk the trail above the Niyang Khola. The top of the pass is marked by a mound of stones and Buddhist prayer flags fluttering away. Descent from the pass is the difficult part of today’s trek. After hiking on the trail on the far side, you turn north through Khumbu Glacier which takes you to Lobuche. Overnight at Lobuche.

Day 10 : Lobuche - GorakShep (5,170m) - Everest Base Camp (5,364m) - GorakShep: 7 - 8 hrs
It will be another long day of today, after some hours of trek; you reach Gorakshep from Lobuche across the rocky deposits shaped by the Khumbu Glacier. However the 360 panoramic sights of the grand mountains that includes Pumori, Khumbutse, Nuptse,Mahalangur mountains will leave you in awe. After a short lunch break and you will continue to trek across the sandy flats at Gorakshep and ascend onto the moraines of the Khumbu glacier. It is through this mesmerizing glacial ice columns and rocky deposits you will eventually reach the famous Everest Base Camp. The view of the mighty Everest we and the Khumbu Ice Fall are worth the effort. The Nuptse will be above and the Pumori Mountain will be behind as you take in the amazing view of the Base camp. Then it is a trek back to Gorekshep for the night. Overnight in Gorakshep.

Day 11 : GorakShep - Kala Patthar (5,545m) - Lobuche (4,940m): 8 - 9 hrs
Today is an exciting day, you have to start early in the morning for an amazing sunrise view from the most prominent natural viewpoint on earth and also for the views of the mighty Mount Everest. The first orange ray of the sun gives a different color to the mountain itself; immerse yourself in the surrounding as you reach to the rocky projection of Kalapattar to witness several mountains standing proudly right in front of you. The summit ridden with prayer flags will offer you a sense of victory. Capture the memories in your camera as much as you can before trekking back to Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche.

Day 12 : Lobuche - Dzongla (4,830m): 3 - 4 hrs
It is mostly downhill hike from Lobuche on a track next to the Khumbu Glacier. Further away the track divides into two, you will have to take the right one. The area is dry and cold, on the way you pass through a stupa and tombstones, erected in memories of one’s passed away. Sometime later the trail starts to ascend, from here you will see Chola Tsho Lake close by. Continue on further and you will pass a smaller lake and cross the Chola Khola Bridge prior to reaching Dzongla. Overnight in Dzongla.

Day 13 : Dzongla – Cho La Pass (5,368m) -Thangnak (4,680m) - Gokyo (4,800m): 7 - 8 hrs
Another day another pass, as you trek along the Cho La Lake appears. The trail ascends and the steep incline is not easy, you will have to trudge over some the boulders strewn around. The last leg of climb to the Cho La is a little tricky as the track bends round a ravine. At the top of the pass is you will see prayer flags and stone mounds, the scene from the top is magnificient. The track takes you to the rim of the Ngozumpa glacier, one of the longest glaciers in Nepal, upon reaching the other side of the glacier, you can see the second Gokyo Lake of six lakes in total, the third Gokyo Lake is a little further away. Finally by the edge of this lake is the Gokyo Village. Overnight in Gokyo.

Day 14 : Rest day in Gokyo - GokyoRi (5,357m): 3 - 4 hrs
A free day in Gokyo will help you adjust better to the climate. The view of the mountains are breathtaking after you climb the Gokyo Ri, take a short tour of the fourth and fifth Gokyo Lakes and enjoy the views of Cho-Oyu, Gyachung Kang, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makulu mountains and the huge Ngozumba Glacier. Or you can simply take some rest to reenergize. Overnight in Gokyo.

Day 15 : Gokyo - Renjo La (5,360m) - Marlung (4,210m): 7 - 8 hrs
You will have to start early today to complete the long trek ahead. The track flows next to the Dudh Pokhari or Milk Lake for a while, after about two hours earlier than descending towards the Renjo La pass. The views of the Himalayan and Rolwaling ranges and others are stunning as well as the views from the Renjo La pass. You will also have a chance of viewing the mighty Mt. Everest from the top of the Renjo La pass. Further on the track winds down a rugged staircase made of stone to reach the south bank of Angladumba Tsho Lake, from here you can see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. Afterabout almost an hour from Lumde you reach Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Koshi River. Overnight at Marlung.

Day 16 : Marlung - NamcheBazzar: 5 - 6 hrs
As you start your trek from Marulung to Thame village, you are walking on a track used by Tibetan traders from many centuries ago. After sometime you cross the Bhote Koshi River and descend towards Taranga village. The trail continues on downhill and after crossing two bridges you will reach the village of Thame. From here, a gradual descend on a track that passes through a few small villages, you will reach your destination, Namche Bazaar it is the biggest town in the high Everest region, take some rest and stroll about the town. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 17 : NamcheBazzar - Lukla: 6 - 8 hrs
After an early breakfast, you can start your trek towards the Hillary Suspension Bridge and then through several local villages until Lukla. In Lukla you can celebrate your conquest, you made it! This would officially be your last night in the mountains, take back sweet memories. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 18 : Fly Back to Kathmandu
Lukla is the gateway to the Everest Region and the way back to Kathmandu. In the morning you can take a brief scenic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Our representative will transfer to your hotel upon landing for some much-needed rest and reflection after your trek conquering the Himalayas. In the evening you can stroll around Thamel, one of the best Nepalese tourist hubs in town. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 19 : Departure from Nepal
Goodbyes are not easy! Today is the day to leave the Himalayas behind, we hope you enjoyed a lot and probably you will be back for another exciting adventure very soon. Farewell friend!