Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar Trek
Everest Base Camp & Kalapathar Trekking takes you to the heart of the world’s number one Mt. Everest. It is the most exciting and picturesque adventure around the Himalayan range.
The adventure with daily scenic views of beautiful landscapes and giant snow peaks. The trek to Everest base camp and back to Lukla takes 11 days. Lukla is the start and end point for various adventures around Khumbu with a unique airport. The trek to Everest base camp begins with a short scenic flight to land at Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary Airport.
On arrival in Lukla, it is one of the most popular towns around the high Himalayas. Due to its busy airport during the high times of the trekking season. The walk follows a pleasant trail from one traditional Sherpa village to another lovely location. As well as cross several exciting bridges to enter Sagarmatha National Park. The name Sagarmatha is a Nepali word for Mt. Everest, and the local Sherpa calls Chomolungma of Tibetan origin language. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River banks amidst dense woods of fir, rhododendrons, and pine trees.
The walk heads across a high bridge with an undulating climb to Namche Bazaar. The hub of Khumbu villagers and trekkers provides various facilities, from good lodges, restaurants, and banks to ATMs. Namche Bazaar is a perfect spot and height for rest and acclimatization days, as well as to explore its scenic viewpoints.
Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar Trek Highlights
- Sweeping panoramic flight facing fabulous views of Himalayan range of peaks.
- Walk through lovely Sherpa villages adorned with age-old cultural heritages.
- Exciting views of snow clad mountains on daily walks to Everest base camp.
- Enjoy the walk through enchanting forest of rhododendrons and pine trees.
- Adventurous and scenic walks to the world’s highest Mt. Everest base camp.
Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar Trek Itinerary
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport received by staff and guide and for a short drive to your hotels. Situated in the hub of Kathmandu city, around Thamel an exciting location. After checking into your rooms with refreshment our guides will brief regarding the treks. Evening a welcome dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurant to get familiar with the culture and Nepali food.
Morning after breakfast, an exciting tour of Nepalese culture and historical tour around Nepal's landmarks and World Heritage Sites. Rest of the day after an interesting tour, with time for trek preparations.
Morning depart from the hotel after an early breakfast as time for flight to Lukla transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport. After checking through security, then board in a small aircraft either Dornier, Twin Otter or similar plane. Flight of 30 or 35 minutes, enjoy the views of Himalayan panorama with glimpse of Mt. Everest. On landing at Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary Airport, Lukla town the gateway to various adventures around Khumbu and Everest regions. From Lukla, after collecting the baggage’s, then getting organized follow the guide through the town of Lukla. From the main gate of Lukla, downhill, and then on gradual winding path past serval villages, adorned with prayer monuments. As the walk follows Dudh Koshi River with short ups and down to Phakding for overnight stop around Khumbu and Everest regions.
After a pleasant overnight in Phakding, the walk today takes you to Namche Bazaar, the hub town of Khumbu. Morning from Phakding, walk leads to short down and ups, the trail leads through Bhenkar village. Then crossing a long bridge above Dudh Koshi River with short steep climb to Monjo village. Where Sagarmatha National Park entrance located, Sagarmatha a name for Everest, the Sherpa calls Chomolungma. From here a short down to cross another bridge to reach Jorsalle the last settlement before Namche Bazaar. A popular lunch spot en route to Namche Bazaar, enjoy lunch with the sound of the river. Afternoon walk on the river bank amidst dense forest of rhododendron and pines, then cross over a high bridge. After the bridge following winding uphill trail to Namche Bazaar for two overnights stops.
Enjoy rest at Namche Bazaar with perfect height for acclimatization, as well as the hub of Khumbu villagers. In Namche once a week on Saturday a busy colorful market takes place. So, the name Bazaar is tagged with Namche, on rest day take a short hike to the top of Namche Bazaar. The climb of less than hour leads to high ridge offers grand views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse peaks. Includes stunning views of Mt. Ama Dablam with series of snow peaks, and visit the nearby museum. Interested people can take a hike up to Everest View Hotel, the first luxury hotels around Khumbu. Rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore the Namche Bazaar and observe the local cultures of Buddhism.
From Namche Bazaar, after a pleasant two overnights start the morning walk with short steep climb. From the top of Namche Bazaar, the walks gets better on gradual winding up with fantastic views of Everest. Includes series of snow-mountain ranges, the walk follows down to Imjatse River for lunch stop, at Phunki Tenga. A small settlement with few Tea Houses amidst forest surroundings. After lunch climb for few hours through lovely woods to reach Tengboche and the famous monastery.
At Tengboche enjoy the panorama of towering peaks with Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. As well as close views of Ama Dablam and surrounding snow peaks, with time to visit the monastery interior. Observe the monks and priest on prayer and religious activities, with huge statue of Buddha and other famous Guru’s.
After an interesting tour of the monastery check to a nice lodge at Tengboche. Sometimes the guide, leads you to Deboche a small settlement with few nice Lodges. Which is about less an hour downhill through lovely forest of Rhododendrons and pine trees.
Morning enjoy the views of Everest with towering face of Mt. Ama Dablam. The walk starts with downhill to a river, after crossing a bridge, leaving the forest behind for mountainous dry country. From the bridge climb leads to Pangboche, the last permanent village en route Everest base camp. From Pangboche a short climb to a small settlement at Somare for lunch stop. Afternoon walk follow on gradual uphill trail with short down to a stream, after crossing a small bridge. Then climb starts for an hour or more on winding steep up to reach Imjatse Valley, where Dingboche is located. A moderate settlement with many good lodges for overnight halt. Transfer into a nice lodge, amidst beautiful Imjatse Valley, beneath the towering Ama Dablam with views of Island Peak.
At Dingboche for another rest day, before the heading towards Everest base camp. Morning at Dingboche take a hike to high ridge top of Nagar-Tsonga hill, a few hours steep climb. A good exercise to support acclimatization, rewards with fantastic views of Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse. As far as towards Mt. Makalu in the east, after an enjoyable morning hike, rest of the day at leisure.
After a pleasant rest days in Dingboche, morning starts with short climb to a high ridge. Taking short rest with the views of snow peaks, from here on gradual up on winding path to Thugla. A small settlement, where Pheriche and Dingboche trail joins, this where Khumbu glacier melts into a raging stream. At Thugla for lunch stop, a small place with few Tea Shops and lodge, afternoon walk with steep climb. Then reach on top of Thugla high ridge facing grand views of Ama Dablam, Taboche and Cholatse peaks. From here on gradual trail to Lobuche for overnight stop in a nice cozy lodge.
Today the final day towards our main goal and highlights of the adventures, start the morning with early breakfast. The walk follows on a wide path with short steep climb reaching above Khumbu glacier. As walk leads over rocky moraine, and downhill to Gorakshep, located beneath Kalapathar rocky hill and towering Mt. Pumori. Taking a short rest in Gorakshep, the continue walk towards Everest Base Camp. The route leads over rocky moraine of ice and glaciers, then reaching Everest base camp. Enjoy the grand dramatic landscapes of ice, snow and glaciers. The views of Mt. Everest is obstructed by Lhotse and Nuptse peaks, stand close beneath massif Khumbu Ice Fall. After achieving the major highlight of the adventures, return walk to Gorakshep for overnight halt.
From Gorakshep, rising early for the last big climb to Kalapathar Hill top. Takes about two hours of strenuous walk uphill, but for the hard effort rewarded with breathtaking views. Enjoy the close look of Mt. Everest with Lhotse and Nuptse with arrays of giant peaks that surrounds the top.
After a glorious views and refreshing morning adventures, descend to Gorakshep for breakfast. Then leaving the high areas of Everest, head downhill to Thugla past Lobuche. From Thugla the route diverts down to Pheriche Valley, then on easy trail to Pheriche settlement for good lunch stop. Pheriche looks similar to Dingboche with nice lodges and views of towering Snow Mountains.
Afternoon walk down to a river with gradual up to a high hill with prayer monuments. From the top downhill to Somare and then reaching Pangboche Village for overnight stop.
Morning enjoy the grand looks of Ama Dablam, after breakfast on downhill to the bridge. From the bridge, back into green vegetation and tree lines, climb for few hours to reach at scenic Tengboche. After a refreshing break down to Imjatse River with short steep climb to Kyanjima. From here on winding trail to Namche Bazaar for overnight.
From Namche Bazaar start the morning walk to Lukla, quite a long day but easier with down and short ups. The morning walk follows down to Dudh Koshi River, then past Jorsalle to reach Monjo through National Park. The walk continues towards Phakding for possible lunch stop. From Phakding on gradual winding trail with an hour climb to Lukla for last overnight night stop. After an exciting and marvelous adventure around the high Khumbu to Everest base camp.
Morning short walk to Lukla’s Tenzing & Hillary Airport after a good early breakfast. As time for flight to Kathmandu, then board in a small aircraft, enjoy the scenic flight above the green hills. Facing great views off the Himalayan range. Then shortly the plane lands at Kathmandu airport, on arrival at domestic air terminal. From the airport parking lot, drive back to your respective hotels, and rest of the day at leisure.
A free day in Kathmandu, reserved as contingency in case of flight delay, and might lead to cancellation sometimes. Which happens sometimes due to unfavorable and bad weather conditions. If all goes well according to the planned itinerary day, enjoy the free day for another tour and shopping souvenirs of Nepal.
Last day in Kathmandu and Nepal, after a great experience on Everest Base Camp & Kalapathar Trekking. As time for the international flight transfer to Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport. Then bid farewell to the guide, staff as you enter the airport terminal for homeward bound flight, or to next port of call.
Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar Trek FAQs
Everest Base Camp, is not that tough and difficult as it looks. The only hard is climbing for few days like heading towards Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. Rest of the walk following on gradual ups, the only tough about the treks is the gain in high altitude. Including the dry air amidst mountain wilderness, taking slow with enough short rest will overcome the difficulty of trekking. The next hard and tough is climb to Kalapathar Hilltop, just for few hours, rest of the walks is enjoyable.
As this trek leads to steep ups and downhill for 11 days with rest days. The trek involves walking on high altitude, so we recommend minimum age of 14 and maximum of 70 years old. But all should be in good physical shape and with sound health, for person below 18 years. Should be accompanied by parents or guardians and all trekkers needs to buy Travel and Medical Insurance also for the trek.
It is one of the most popular and favorite region for scenic and cultural experience, among all wide-world visitors. Every visitor’s dreams is to stand close in front of the world’s highest peak. Everest Base Camp gets thousands of trekkers every good season of the year. For people who does not want to walk in high seasons, can enjoy the trek during winter low season. Where you will encounter only few group of trekkers and the trail, lodges will nearly empty.
Nearly all the villages and lodges, have electricity run by Hydro or Solar Powers. Trekkers can enjoy the facilities, charging electronic items, as well with Internet and Wi-Fi services. But some smaller places like Lobuche, and Gorakshep the internet and WI-FI, are quite slow and disturbing. Due to weather and landscape wise, other places runs well with cell phone or internets.
