Everest Base Camp Trek from Jiri

Welcome to the vibrant capital of one of the most exciting countries in the world: Kathmandu. It is a city with an altitude of 1,400 meters. Upon arrival, one of our representatives will meet and transfer you to your place of accommodation.

After checking in and at your leisure, stroll around the colorful shops, cafes, and ancient temples lining the busy streets. Evening at leisure. Get ready for fun; the next day is the time to head out and explore a bit more in the heart of Nepal.

This is your prep day for the trek. It starts with a detailed briefing where you will be introduced to your guide and fellow trekkers. It is the time when you go through the itinerary, check gears to ensure that every fellow is well prepared for the journey. After the briefing, you will then take some short free time at Kathmandu.

You could either pay a visit to the UNESCO Heritage Sites like Swayambhunath, popularly known as the Monkey Temple, or the hallowed Pashupatinath Temple. Most likely, you will use this day to see as much of the city as possible, do some shopping, and make some last-minute purchases.

Your Everest Base Camp trekking commences with a beautiful drive from Kathmandu to Bhandar, the village lying at an altitude of 1,520 meters. The road snakes through some very picture-perfect landscapes and finally reaches the place with views of lush green valleys, fields in terraces, and the simple villages, which can be termed as nothing but spectacular.

The drive takes about 8 to 9 hours, but seems quite interesting because of the changing views. As you reach Bhandar, the serene surroundings of the Himalayan foothills will probably embrace you in complete serenity. Good night; rest well for tomorrow, you start walking.

From the bustling village of Bhandar, we take the entire day to reach 2,500 meters at Sete. The trail drops down to Likhu Khola, followed by a gentle rise but steep with rhododendron and pine forests. You will pass some lovely villages where you can meet friendly locals and hospitality is experienced for yourself. The higher up you go, the crisper the air and the more breathtaking the views. Sete is a small village perched on a ridge with views that justify the effort one puts in during the day.

Today's trek takes you over the Lamjura Pass, which is the highest point on the route between Jiri and Namche Bazaar at 3,530 meters. Starting steady uphill through lush forests of tall trees that seem to form a canopy overhead, this day begins. You will find prayer flags fluttering in the wind when you reach the top of Lamjura Pass, marking its summit.

From here, the path starts down to the bottom of the valley, leading to the lovely village of Junibesi at 2,675 meters. Rich in Sherpa culture and surrounded by a picturesque environment, Junbesi is an ideal place to rest and enjoy complete serenity.

Leaving Junbesi, the trail crosses several suspension bridges and continues ascending through dense forests to Nunthala, 2,345 meters. There are several other traditional mountain villages and a handful of interesting monasteries along the way—one is able to see that local life is still being carried on as it has for centuries.

The trail contours around the hillside, up and down; fabulous views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Then the trail descends really steeply as you approach Nunthala to this welcoming village that would offer you a good rest and help rejuvenate for the days ahead.

Today, it will be around 2,040 meters to Kharikhola via terraced fields, dense forests, and pretty Sherpa villages. The trail involves upward and downward routes with several vantage points along the journey where you can stop and enjoy the scenery. You cross the Dudh Koshi River on a suspension bridge, a noteworthy milestone of your trek.

It is the serene greenery and the chirping of birds that welcome any person close to Kharikhola, rendering perfectness to the end of the day's trek. This village is so famous for its friendly inhabitants, yet maintaining that much-admired traditional Sherpa culture.

The trek today is genuinely one of the most wonderful, from the foothills of the Himalayas from Kharikhola through to Paiyan, at an elevation of 2,760 meters. You walk through dense forests and clearings with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Actually, you will have passed through several small villages where you can look at the local life, and, maybe, you have the chance to chat with the local people.

You are going to get a bit of a workout because there are some steep and enduring ascents and descents on the path, yet the tranquil setting and dynamite scenic beauty make it all relative. Paiyan is a peaceful village where you will spend the night, again enjoying the calmness of the mountains.

The day's trek closer to the Khumbu region reaches as far as Phakding, at 2,610 meters, through lush forests and along the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, with views of snow-capped peaks. Getting closer to Phakding, you will start realizing that the landscape is changing and the robust beauty of the Khumbu begins to come into view.

Situated on the way to Everest Base Camp, Phakding is a small village with good accommodations that are suitable for spending a night and getting acclimatized enough to tackle an uphill ascent up to Namche Bazaar the next day.

Today is perhaps the most exciting day of the trek as you make your way to Namche Bazaar, the Gateway to Everest, lying at 3,440 meters. The path contours along the Dudh Kosi River, crossing several suspension bridges decorated with prayer flags; the incline gets steeper as you trek higher.

However, the brilliant views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and other Himalayan giants around are more than worth your effort. Namche Bazaar is a lively Sherpa town that lies in a natural amphitheater, yet it offers many services, like cafes and markets, as high as this place is. You'll spend the night here, soaking in the unique atmosphere of this high-altitude hub.

Namche Bazaar, at 3,440 meters, is a great place to acclimatize as you gain altitude. This morning's short hike up to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880 meters helps with acclimatization, whereby one is rewarded with the panoramic view of Everest and nearby peaks. The body is also able to regulate itself with the thinning air in this hike, essential for further trekking upwards.

After sufficient views, you will be returning back to Namche, where you will spend your time exploring the local markets, getting a peek into the Sherpa Culture Museum, or simply lounging around in one of the many cafes this town has. This day of rest and acclimatization prepares you for the challenging days ahead.

From Namche Bazaar, the trek really starts to become interesting. Leaving this bazaar behind, one can fully realize the charm as they trek to Tengboche at 3,860 meters. It is composed of some of the most brilliant vistas along the trip, dominated by majestic views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse.

Before making the steep ascent to Tengboche, you go down to the Dudh Koshi River. This is the site of the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region. Visit this monastery and watch the daily rituals of the monks. Overnight with magnificent views of the Himalayas from Tengboche.

Further up in the Himalayas, today's trek reaches Dingboche, at an altitude of 4,410 meters. The path goes through the beautiful rhododendron forests and then crosses the Imja Khola River before the steady climb toward the destination.

As you go higher, the landscapes become more rugged, spare, and overlooking towering peaks on all sides. This village lies in a wide valley, with views of Ama Dablam and other neighboring peaks that are really admirable. You will spend the night in this village to acclimatize at high altitude and to enjoy the serenity of this remote village.

Moving a little bit further ahead, the trail from Dingboche to Lobuche, at 4,940 meters, gets barren and more barren, with rocky surroundings quite typical of this elevation. This goes up further high above across trails beside memorials of past climbers whose lives have been claimed by these mountains, a very good reminder of how tough Everest is.

The air is thin and the walking is burdensome, but the thought of reaching Everest Base Camp keeps you going. Lobuche is a small settlement amidst high hills that create formidable but beautiful surroundings over the night. So, sleep well because a new day is forming to bring you closer to your goal.

Today is the day that you are going to reach Everest Base Camp, which sits at an altitude of 5,364 meters. Thus, begin with a strenuous trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep, the last settlement before Base Camp, at an altitude of 5,160 meters. Then, after a short rest, you will be on the rocky trail to Everest Base Camp, with all the tall peaks of the Everest Range looming over and the Khumbu Icefall by your side.

From Base Camp, as far as the eyes can stretch, you will see a wonderful landscape with a significant feeling of being at the foot of the world's highest mountain. With this wonderful scenery in mind, having taken so many memorable pictures, you will return to Gorakshep for overnight rest with a fulfilled achievement.

Early morning climb to Kala Patthar, the highest point of your trek at 5,545 meters, right after breakfast. This is quite a steep and demanding climb, but the views of dawn over Everest and surrounding peaks are quite something.

Watch sunrise views, then retrace your steps back to Gorakshep for breakfast before continuing your return to Pheriche at 4,250 meters. The trail makes a gentle descent downwards, so there's a well-needed rest from altitude. You'll spend the night in this quiet village of Pheriche, surrounded by towering peaks of the Himalayas.

Again retracing your footsteps, you will come back to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters. The way back takes you through familiar landscapes of the Khumbu region, which allows you time to stop and visit monasteries, stupas, or viewpoints that you might have passed on the way up.

You will find it easier going down, and with the air getting richer, the surroundings greener, you are assured of finding your way back down to the lower altitudes. Namche Bazaar, the comfort that awaits, and the relaxation time warranted by this long journey are all so beautiful. Spend some more time in town, indulge in a good meal, and reminisce over the great adventure to Everest Base Camp.

Further down, today's journey goes on to Surke, where meadows carpeted with green, at an elevation of 2,535 meters, are spread. The trails descend between healthy forests, cross many suspension bridges, and continue through typical small village settlements, with the return of bright vegetation color.

The chorus of birds and other sounds of nature continue their symphony. Surke is a serene village, nestled perfectly to spend night hours in total rest and relaxation after today's tiring walk. The altitude decreases, with the relief of having a relatively easier time trekking in the last section of the journey.

Today is the last day of the trek, descending to Paiyan at 2,730 meters through some beautiful landscapes, having crossed terraced fields and dense forests, passing traditional villages that dot along the way.

Then you will drive back down to Dingmo, seeing the changing scenarios with the leaving behind of the beautiful foothills of the Himalayas. The drive on this day gives a chance to have some rest for the legs and to have the last views of the mountains. Upon reaching Dingmo, you would check into your accommodation for now, to head back to Kathmandu tomorrow.

On the way back to Kathmandu, drive through the heart of Nepal's countryside, giving you the last views of breathtaking landscapes which have been your home for the last few weeks. Being a long drive, this is a time just to relax and reflect on the incredible adventure you've gone through.

You will be transferred to your accommodation upon arrival in Kathmandu, where refreshment and relaxation await you with full city amenities. You will be free to explore Kathmandu, go shopping, or simply relax at leisure in the evening after this long journey.

This is the last day of your Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri program. You can either further explore Kathmandu, looking around markets or relaxing, as per the flight schedule, since our team will ensure timely transfers to the airport for your outbound flights.

We bid you farewell here and wish you a safe journey home. As you bid a fond farewell to Nepal, take in the unforgettable adventure, the warmth of Nepalese people, and forever in your heart take those moments spent beneath the majestic beauty of the Himalayas.