Everest Base Camp Trek

A Shikhar representative meets you at the airport, welcomes you traditionally with marigold garlands and transfers you to your hotel.

We brief you on the trek that evening, and perform the final gear check. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore Kathmandu.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft), roughly 30-35 minutes. Lukla flights typically operate between 6 AM and 11 AM, when the weather window in the mountains is most stable.

During peak season, flights operate from Manthali Airport instead, meaning we leave Kathmandu around 2 AM for a 4-5 hour drive. This transfer is included in your EBC package at no extra cost, unless you specifically request a private transfer.

Your trek begins here in Lukla. Your guide collects your permits at the nearby checkpoint, and you continue on to the small town of Phakding (2,610 m / 8,563 ft), 6 km (3.7 mi), 3-4 hours, a net descent of about 250 m.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi river through Chaurikharka and Cheplung, both Sherpa farming villages. This is the gentlest walking day of the trek, intentionally paced to let you adjust before the climb into Namche begins.

You'll cross the Dudh Koshi several times today, including the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsalle. The final climb into Namche is steep and sustained, the toughest single ascent of the whole trek, gaining 830 m over the day.

On a clear morning, you'll catch your first glimpse of Everest itself from a viewpoint just before town. Namche has shops, ATMs, and cafes, worth using for any last-minute gear you need

You'll sleep at the same altitude as the night before, but you won't be resting all day. We recommend the hike up to Everest View Hotel (3,880 m / 12,730 ft) and the Sherpa Museum, since climbing higher and sleeping lower is what actually helps your body adjust.

On a clear day, this viewpoint lines up Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku in one frame. This rest day isn't optional in this itinerary; it's built in for your safety.

You'll descend first, down to Phunki Tenga, before a steady climb back up to Tengboche, gaining 420 m over the day. Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, sits right here against the backdrop of Ama Dablam.

Clear afternoons at this stop offer some of the best mountain views of the entire trek.

You'll drop down to Deboche and cross the Imja Khola, then climb through Pangboche, one of the oldest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu, directly beneath Ama Dablam.

You'll pass Pangboche Monastery on the way, home to a relic locals believe is the scalp and hand of a yeti. Scientific testing has found the hand contains human bone, and the scalp is likely fashioned from animal hide, though the legend still draws plenty of curious trekkers. The day ends with a 550 m gain into Dingboche, the highest permanent settlement on this route.

You'll get a second mandatory rest day here, and we'd recommend using it actively rather than sitting still. The hike up to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m / 16,677 ft) opens up clear views of Makalu and Ama Dablam while helping your body adjust before the final push toward Base Camp.

Skipping this day is one of the most common reasons trekkers turn back before reaching their goal

You'll climb through increasingly barren, rocky terrain to Thukla Pass (4,830 m / 15,846 ft), marked by stone memorials to climbers who lost their lives on Everest expeditions.

It's a quiet, reflective stop. Above 4,500 m, noticeably harder breathing is completely normal; just tell your guide right away if you feel unusually short of breath or unwell.

You'll reach Gorak Shep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft) after a short 2-2.5 hour walk, then continue on to Everest Base Camp itself, a round trip of 4-5 hours from Gorak Shep. The final stretch crosses the Khumbu Glacier's moraine, loose rock with no formal trail for much of it, so the pace slows right down.

In spring, you'll find Base Camp busy with expedition teams preparing for Everest summit attempts. One thing worth knowing ahead of time: the summit itself isn't visible from Base Camp. That view comes tomorrow morning, from Kala Patthar.

You'll start before dawn for the climb to Kala Patthar, a steep but short 2.5-3.5 hour round trip. This is the highest point of the whole trek, and it's where you finally get the clear, open view of Everest's summit that Base Camp doesn't offer.

After breakfast back in Gorak Shep, you'll descend 14 km down to Pheriche, a long day but a welcome one, since the air keeps getting easier to breathe with every step down.

You'll retrace your steps today, back through Pangboche, Tengboche, and Phunki Tenga. Going downhill is easier on your lungs but harder on your knees, so this is a good day to lean on your trekking poles.

You'll cover the longest single-day distance of the entire trek today, retracing Day 2 and Day 3 back through Jorsalle, Monjo, and Phakding. Most trekkers arrive tired but in high spirits, since the goal of the trek is already well behind you by now.

You'll take the morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, weather permitting, and transfer to your hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is yours to rest, shop, or celebrate

You'll be transferred to Kathmandu airport around 3 hours before your scheduled departure flight, though this can be adjusted to fit your specific schedule.

If you have time to spare before you fly out, we can arrange a short Kathmandu sightseeing add-on, covering spots like Swayambhunath or Boudhanath, or simply extend your stay for a few extra days to explore the city properly. Just let us know in advance so we can plan around your flight