Everest Base Camp Trek

Day-by-Day Itinerary

• 1 Day 1 Fly Kathmandu → Lukla (2,860m) · Trek to Phakding (2,610m) 3–4 hrs walk
  An early morning 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (ranked among the world's most dramatic runways) kicks off your adventure. After meeting your guide and porter team, you begin trekking south through pine forests and terraced fields, descending gently alongside the Dudh Koshi river to the tea-house settlement of Phakding. Overnight at tea house; dinner included.
• 2 Day 2 Phakding → Namche Bazaar (3,440m) 5–6 hrs walk
  A highlight-packed day: cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge (three times!), enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, and make the steep final 700m climb to Namche Bazaar — the gateway to the Khumbu region. The Sherpa capital sits in a natural horseshoe, with bakeries, craft shops, and the famous Hillary School. First glimpse of Everest and Lhotse awaits those who rise early. Overnight Namche.
• 3 Day 3 Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar Rest day
  Acclimatization is key to a successful trek. Today you rest and explore Namche: visit the Sherpa Museum, hike 200m uphill to the Everest View Hotel for jaw-dropping Himalayan panoramas (Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku), or browse the famous Saturday bazaar. Optional: a short acclimatization hike to Thame or Khumjung village. Your body adapts while you soak in the culture.
• 4 Day 4 Namche Bazaar → Tengboche (3,860m) 5 hrs walk
  A scenic traverse high above the Dudh Koshi gorge, passing the classic Everest panorama viewpoint and the yak-grazing pastures of Sanasa, before descending to the Phunki Tenga river crossing and climbing to Tengboche. The famous Tengboche Monastery — the largest in the Khumbu — commands a ridge with one of the most photographed views in Nepal: Ama Dablam and Everest perfectly framed. Monks' evening puja is unmissable.
• 5 Day 5 Tengboche → Dingboche (4,410m) 5 hrs walk
  Descend from Tengboche through juniper and rhododendron forests to Deboche and Pangboche — home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu — before the valley opens into the wide Imja Khola basin. The landscape becomes increasingly alpine and stark as you climb to Dingboche, a summer yak-herding village surrounded by ancient stone-walled fields. Acclimatization headaches are common here; drink extra water and rest well.
• 6 Day 6 Acclimatization Day in Dingboche Rest day
  A second acclimatization day above 4,000m is medically essential. Your guide will lead an optional hike up Nagarjun Hill (5,100m) above the village — a superb viewpoint for Island Peak, Makalu, Lhotse, and the vast Amphu Lapcha. This "climb high, sleep low" technique is the most effective prevention against altitude sickness. Spend the afternoon resting, journaling, or chatting with fellow trekkers at the tea house.
• 7 Day 7 Dingboche → Lobuche (4,940m) 4–5 hrs walk
  The trail climbs gradually through a wide glacial valley past the Thukla Pass memorial (chortens honoring climbers lost on Everest) — a sobering and moving place. Beyond the pass, the path follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier into the bare, rocky bowl of Lobuche. At this altitude, cold nights, thin air, and minimal vegetation are the norm. An early dinner and good hydration prepare you for the biggest day ahead.
• 8 Day 8 Lobuche → Gorak Shep · Everest Base Camp (5,364m) 7–8 hrs walk
  The summit day of the trekking portion. Drop your heavy pack at Gorak Shep (5,164m) and push across the rocky glacier moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). The roar of the Khumbu Icefall, the colourful dome-tent city of expedition climbers, and the towering mass of Everest's southwest face create an overwhelming sensory experience. Return to Gorak Shep for the night, exhausted but elated. Dinner and overnight at Gorak Shep tea house.
• 9 Day 9 Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar (5,545m) · Descend to Pheriche 7 hrs walk
  Wake before dawn (4:30 am) and climb the steep shale slope of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise over Mount Everest — the finest, most accessible view of the world's highest peak. The golden light illuminating the summit pyramid with Nuptse and Changtse as wings is a sight that changes people. Descend all the way back to Pheriche (4,240m) for a well-earned night at lower altitude, where breathing feels effortless again.
• 10 Day 10 Pheriche → Namche Bazaar (3,440m) 6 hrs walk
  The descent feels remarkably easy after days at altitude — you'll notice your lungs filling more completely with every step down. Retrace the route through Tengboche (optional monastery stop), Phunki Tenga, and climb back to Namche Bazaar. Treat yourself to a pizza, espresso, or a cold Everest beer at one of Namche's many cafés — a well-earned celebration. Last shopping opportunity for souvenirs and gifts.
• 11 Day 11 Namche Bazaar → Lukla (2,860m) 6–7 hrs walk
  A long but satisfying final day of trekking: descend from Namche, cross the Dudh Koshi on the suspension bridges, and follow the river upstream to Phakding and onward to Lukla. The tea-house hub of Lukla buzzes with returning trekkers. Your guide will host a farewell dinner this evening — daal bhaat and raksi toasts, with heartfelt goodbyes to your porter crew.
• 12 Day 12 Fly Lukla → Kathmandu Flight day
  Morning flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting — Lukla flights can sometimes be delayed 1 day due to mountain weather, which is why we build buffer days into this itinerary). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Thamel. The afternoon is free for exploration: Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, or the Thamel bazaar. Celebrate the completion of your Everest trek with a special dinner.
• 13 Day 13 Rest Day / Optional Activities in Kathmandu Free day
  A flexible buffer day in Kathmandu — essential given Lukla's weather dependency. If your Day 12 flight was on schedule, use today to explore at leisure: Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO Heritage Site), Patan Museum, a cooking class, or final souvenir shopping in Thamel. Our team is available to arrange any optional tours or assist with onward travel arrangements.
• 14 Day 14 Depart Kathmandu — Farewell Nepal Departure
  Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Our representative will see you off with a traditional khata (silk blessing scarf). You leave Nepal with aching legs, a full memory card, and the quiet certainty that standing beneath the world's highest mountain changed something in you. Safe travels — and we hope to see you again on the trails of Nepal.