Everest base camp trek – Wellness Adventure

Arrive in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Our airport representative will meet you and bring you to your hotel. You will be briefed for the trek.

Morning walking tour of Ason (an old spice market) and the ancient Durbar Square (palace). In the afternoon, we have lunch, and we take a 4-5 hour drive to Manthali to stay overnight to catch an early morning flight to Lukla (2,840m) the next day. 

Note: You can buy a seat on a direct helicopter flight at an additional $450 per person to avoid the 4-5 hours of drive to Manthali.

We fly to Lukla in the morning. Depending on the time we arrive in Lukla, we will do a longer hike of 5 hours to the village of Monjo. If we arrive in the afternoon, we will trek for 3 hours to get to Phakding village. Overnight lodge. 2,650m. 3-hour trek. We have two options because the flight to and from Lukla depends on the weather. The weather can cause delays in flights.

 We trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441m). (3.5 hours walking from Monjo or 6 hours from Phakding). Overnight lodging. We enter Sagarmatha National park at Jorsalle in the morning. We have about a 90-minute hike with a mixture of undulation (of the Himalayan scale) before we have a 2-hour steep climb to Namche Bazaar.

We stay in a lodge above the bustling Bazaar area for “Social Distancing.” This lodge is owned by L.S Sherpa, a conservationist and a photographer.

He also runs the Sherpa Cultural Museum and the Everest Documentation centre. 

We go to the National Park Headquarters for the views of Mount Everest and other mountains before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Then, we take a steep uphill hike to the village of Khunde, where Sir Edmund Hillary built the first hospital, and on to Khumjung village, to see the school also made by him and the Monastery with the Yeti scalp.

Kunde and Khumjung villages are located in a broad valley below Mount Khumbila (the Sherpas’ protector deity). We spend the night at Khumjung village. Not many trekkers stay in this village. 3790 meters.

We have an ascend as we leave Khumjung village. We continue to go ‘off the beaten path toward the village of Phortse for lunch. We hike up steadily to a small pass called Mong-La, with a cluster of tiny tea houses. We have a 350-meter drop to Photrse Tenga and a 200-meter ascend to Phortse village. We might be able to see Danfe Munals (Impeyan Pheasants), Nepal’s national bird, on the trail.

We will get a different vista of surrounding peaks from this village. It is home to the Khumbu Climbing Center. The indoor climbing building was inaugurated on 13th June 2019. It is where the Sherpas and other indigenous Nepalese have learned essential climbing skills since 2014.

The hike to Pangboche is a series of ups and downs on an exposed but wide trail. It generally takes two and a half hours (or longer with photo stops) to reach Pangboche. We stay at a long-time friend’s lodge. His lovely dining room is like a mini mountaineering museum with oxygen bottles, goggles, wooden boxes from the Tenzin and Hillary’s 1953 Everest Expedition, and artefacts from later expeditions.

After breakfast, we hike up to the less trekked base camp of the most beautiful mountain in this region – Amadablam. It is a three-hour trek to Amadablam Base Camp (ADBC). The panoramic views of the surrounding peaks will reward your tiredness as you climb higher.

You might be able to see the mountaineers’ campsite during the autumn climbing season. Our team will serve you the packed lunch they carried from the lodge at the Amadablam base camp.

We will head down to the village after lunch. It usually gets windy in the afternoons. Your trek leader will remind you to pack layers of clothing and a windproof jacket.

Our team will make a good meal with superfood as ingredients to recover from your excursion. It will also give you all the nourishment you need to get ready for higher altitudes in the coming days—a five-hour hike.

We have a short trek to Dingboche. You will be taken towards Nakardzong Ridge for acclimatization despite being a short hiking day. The previous day’s hike up to ADBC and above 4500 meters in the afternoon, plus our specially prepared meal with superfoods, should get you well acclimatized to this altitude and energized. Overnight lodge (3 to 4 hours walking).

 We have a short 20-minute uphill walk to a Stupa with stunning 360-degree views of Mount Makalu 8481 meters, Lhotse 8501, and other ‘smaller mountains (in the Himalayan context). Then, we have an undulating hike for two to two and a half hours with Mount Taboche 6542 meters and Cholatse 6440 meters on our left before crossing the Khumbu river to stop for lunch at Thuglha 4620 meters. 

We have a steep climb of 45 minutes to the top of Thuglha, where there are numerous memorial “Chortens” in honour of those who perished on Mount Everest. The final stretch of a gentle uphill trek to Lobuche 4900 meters takes about 90 minutes. Overnight lodge (5-6 hours walking).

 Today is the day for most people to achieve this bucket list wish of being at Everest base camp. We start by hiking on undulating terrain for about 45 minutes before ascending to Gorakshep-La pass. Then, we spend the next two and a half hours walking next to a lateral moraine in a series of ups and downs. Don’t forget to stop and look up at the awe-inspiring vista of Himalayan Peaks around you while sipping your water – rehydration is essential at all times. 

We arrive at Gorakshep 5180 meters about three and a half hours after leaving Lobuche. Some trekkers have a fast and early lunch to continue to EBC. Our staff will bring packed lunch for you to eat at EBC or whenever you feel hungry. It would help if you were attentive as the trail is narrow and slippery in some places. Stand on the ‘safer’ side of the path when allowing other trekkers to pass through. It takes about two hours to reach EBC. We will stop to observe, absorb, contemplate, and of course, take lots of photos for remembrance at EBC. and overnight lodge at Gorakshep (5,120m)

The return journey back to Gorakshep should take about 90 minutes. Most of us will be very tired after this long day of hiking, an adrenaline-filled day of adventure. You will probably have dinner early and go to bed soon after.

Kalapathar, which means Black Rock, is a viewpoint 200-meters higher than EBC with a terrific 360-degree view of Everest, Nuptse, Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and a few other mountains. It takes a slow but steady uphill climb of 2 hours to reach the top. Then, it takes about 60-75 minutes to return to Gorakshep. For some trekkers, Everest base camp is the ultimate goal, giving Kalapathar a miss. 

We head on the same trail to Thuglha. If you have climbed Kalapathar, we stop for lunch at Lobuche. If you have decided to give Kalapathar a miss, then you hike to Thugla for lunch (we had lunch here two days ago on the way up). We take the right path at the fork just past Thuglha. It is mostly downhill to Pheriche, a windswept valley. You will be amazed at how much ground you can cover on the way down with noticeably more oxygen in the atmosphere. The hike from Thuglha takes about two hours to reach Pheriche, 4250 meters. The trek for today can vary between 7-10 hours.

 Tall Himalayan Peaks still surround us despite being on the way down. You will discover that it is much easier to appreciate them on the way down while covering more ground. However, do stop for photos and drink plenty of fluid. 

We will be trekking on the main trail to and from EBC from Pangboche, which we had avoided by coming through Khumjung and Phortse. We will stop at Thyangboche to see the Monastery and have lunch there.

We have a steep descent of 650 meters to Phunki Tenga, where The Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola meet. Then, we have a steep climb of 90 minutes to Kyangjuma for the day’s final leg. 

We can enjoy the after with a hot beverage and delicious confectioneries from their bakery. The owners are cheerful and amiable. 3650 meters. 6 hours trek.

We have a flattish start to the day for 90 minutes to Namche Bazaar. Then, we trek past Namche on a steep downhill to the high suspension bridge. We leave the Sagarmatha National park this morning and have lunch at Monjo. We walk for two more hours after lunch to Phakding, where we stop for the night. Overnight Lodge.

We have a three-hour trek to Lukla. Try remembering your thoughts at the beginning (if you can remember these parts) and now at the end and compare. We celebrate the last night of partying with our support crew! Overnight Lodging.

Fly to Manthali and drive back to Kathmandu for 4 hours. Your afternoon will be free to relax or buy gifts for your family and friends.

Note: You can pre-book a seat on a direct helicopter flight at an additional $450 per person to avoid the 4-5 hours of drive to Manthali.

International departure. You will leave for the airport three hours before your flight time.

A Responsible promise

Despite the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment, we don’t want you to give up your holiday – and we want you to be able to book your trip without any worries.

To provide additional security for your booking, we have introduced a new rebooking and cancellation policy so that you can easily rebook or cancel your trip free of charge if the worst comes to the worst.

Free Cancellation With the Responsible Promise 100% Money-Back Guarantee

For new bookings made between May 10th 2021, and December 31st, 2022, you may cancel your complete package (activities, hotels, tours, excl. flight) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure and get 100% of your money back. However, to stay flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.

Complete flexibility on your booking

Stay flexible with our new rebooking service until shortly before your departure. For new bookings made between May 10th and December 31st, 2021, you may rebook your package (activities, hotels, tours) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure (subject to availability). Rebooking is only allowed once, and you must inform us 30 days before your planned departure. Any additional costs incurred due to changes in your schedule or upgrades, such as additional fees in high season or upgrades to your accommodation, will still apply. To remain flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.

Trek FAQ

Am I too young or old?

Most of our clients have completed their treks from 3 years old to some in their 70s with almost no exercise or training.

Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?

We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel names.

Do I need a Visa?

A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border, and Kerung on the Nepal-China border.

A visa can also be obtained outside of Nepal at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

For more information, go to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.

What should I bring on a Trek?

Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip, please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.

Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.

If you have more questions, please check this article to reference equipment to pack or contact us.

Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travelers?
You are safe as long as you respect the culture, do not show affection in public, and dress decently (this won’t pose too much problem as you will be covered up in layers to stay warm).

Here are some helpful articles:
Am I too old to go trekking?
Arriving at Kathmandu airport.
Should I bring cash or ATM cards?
What to pack for a trek?
Do I need to train for a trek?
What is a typical day on a trek like?
What is the food like on the trek?
The Benefits of using trekking poles.
What do I need to know about high altitudes?
High altitude myths.
How to trek safely?
For more articles, you can go to our blogs.