Short Everest Base Camp Trek in the Himalayas

You can feel the excitement as your plane lands at Tribhuvan International Airport in the legendary city of Kathmandu. The Nepali capital welcomes you as you pass through passport control. Collect your luggage and then into the crisp mountain air where you will meet your personal representative of Himalayan Planet Adventures. You will be taken to your hotel in the city to relax from your long flight. In the evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner with your guide, dining on wonderful Nepali cuisine while watching a Nepal cultural program.

The Everest Base Camp Hike begins today as you fly to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu region. It is a short 40-minute flight, but what a flight. From Kathmandu, until you reach Lukla, you fly over the very backbone of the Himalayas, looking down from your plane’s window at the impressive snow-capped peaks. After landing, collect your belongings and begin the hike. Today is a short day as you adjust to the mountains. The journey to the Sherpa village of Phakding is on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. The trail leads through dense mountain forests with monkeys scurrying around in the trees. At Phakding, enjoy a view of Mt. Kusum-Kangaru as well as a visit to the local monastery. We spend the night at Phakding, allowing you plenty of time to explore the village, spending the night in a local guest house with wonderful Sherpa hospitality. Trekking time is 4 hours.

We rise for a hearty breakfast, and then it’s off to the very heart of the Sherpa people: the administrative village of Namche Bazaar. We follow along with the Dudh-Koshi River, passing through dense forests of pine and rhododendron trees. At the village of Monjo, we enter Sagarmatha National Park. It is an upward climb to reach Namche Bazaar. There are plenty of places to view Mt. Everest, Lhotse and Kwangde as well as a close-up view of Mt. Tawache. We arrive at the village of Namche Bazaar, where we spend the night in a colorful stone village. Trekking time is 7-8 hours.

It’s a day of incredible sights as we gaze upon Mt. Everest along with several other snow-capped peaks. Everywhere we look, we see the splendor of the snow-capped peaks as well as the cobalt blue skies of the Himalayas. The trail is up and down as we make our way to Tengboche. This village is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region, and Mt. Everest serves as its backdrop. We will spend the night in the village at a local guest house. Trekking time is 5- 6 hours.

We rise early and make our way upward to reach the pretty village of Dingboche. We stop first at the famous monastery at Tengboche. Once we feel blessed, we begin climbing higher and higher to reach our destination. Along the way, we see Mani Walls, created by Buddhists in a testimony to their faith. There is plenty of wildlife to see along the way. There are farms surrounded by low stone walls that mark the boundaries between properties. The Sherpa people grow barley, buckwheat, and potatoes up here while grazing goats and yaks. It’s about a five-hour trek today to reach Dingboche where we will spend two nights.

The high elevations of the Khumbu region require that we allow our bodies to adjust to the thinner mountain air to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). We rest some, but we are still active as this is the best way to avoid the side effects of Altitude Sickness. We hike to the top of Nagarjuna View Point for an amazing view of the snow-capped peaks and the green Imja Valley below. We return to our guest house for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Having spent two nights at Dingboche, we are rested and ready for more adventure. It’s another day of awesome views as we pass prayer monuments and chhortens. We reach in two hours the village of Thukla. It’s a small village with a tea house where we can get tea while looking at the high mountain vistas all around us. We can easily gaze upon Mt. Pumori as well as numerous other peaks west of Mt. Everest. After Thukla, the trail winds gently next to a massive glacier until we reach the teahouses of the village of Lobuche. It’s around 4 – 5 hours to reach the village where we will enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep at a local guest house.

We make our way to the village of Gorakshep where we will leave our backpacks and then make our way to our destination: Everest Base Camp (EBC). It is from EBC that those climbing Mt. Everest begin their climbs. We will see many people here, either beginning their climb or those returning in triumph from conquering the world’s highest mountain. We cross rocky dunes, moraines, and streams while looking at the awe-inspiring Khumbu glacier. It’s a day of incredible photographs as we head back to Gorakshep. We enjoy our own victory dinner at Gorakshep, having made it all the way to EBC!

No visit to Everest Base Camp is complete without a short climb to the top of Mt. Kalapathar. From EBC, there is not a good view of Mt. Everest as another mountain blocks your view of the peak. However, a two-hour climb to the top of Mt. Kalapathar is well worth the effort as it offers the finest view of the mountains! From its lofty summit are awe-inspiring photographic opportunities to take pictures of the jewels of the Himalayas. Mt. Kalapathar is not a difficult climb and is considered a trekking peak. Once we’ve taken our pictures, we make our way back down, collect our backpacks and head down the trail to the village of Pheriche. This village is home to the Himalayan Rescue Association which aids trekkers. From here, look over the ingenious farmland, created by the brilliance of the Sherpa people as they work to establish level land in a world where nothing is naturally level. We will spend the night in the village. Trekking time is 6 – 7 hours.

We are returning from our trip today, and our journey brings us back to that colorful village of Namche Bazaar. It is a day of descending along a very beautiful trail as we pass through some picturesque villages. We arrive at Namche Bazaar to spend the night at our guest house. Use some of this time in the village to purchase last-minute souvenirs. There are wonderful handicrafts available in Namche Bazaar. Trekking time is 6 – 7 hours.

It’s our last day of hiking as we make our way to the airport at Lukla. It’s a long day as we continue to descend, following the Dudh Koshi River for part of the way. We arrive at Lukla after a 7/8-hour journey where we will spend our final night in the Khumbu region.

After breakfast, we fly out of Lukla and return to Kathmandu via the 40-minute journey. Once back in the Nepali capital, you will be taken to your hotel to enjoy a free day. Rest up from your journey, take a hot shower as well as feast on a variety of cuisines in the local restaurants in the city.

We always reserve an extra day on the Everest Base Camp Hike as bad weather can sometimes close the airport at Lukla. Unless we need this day for the hike to EBC, enjoy the free time here. Explore old royal palaces, visit ancient temples, or do some shopping. There are excellent buys in and around the Thamel area with plenty of selection for items like khukuri knives, pashmina, and clothing. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your friends at Himalayan Planet Adventures.

Say “goodbye” to the mountains as you depart the legendary city of Kathmandu and make your way to your next destination. Before you leave, be sure to talk to your friends at Himalayan Planet Adventures about other trips back to the Himalayas. You’ve conquered EBC, but there is so much more to see. How about a return trip to the lakeside city of Pokhara amid the snow-capped Annapurna’s? There are also amazing jungle safaris into Chitwan and Bardia National parks where Royal Bengal Tigers and One-Horned Indian Rhinoceroses roam freely and can be seen. Whatever your interest, Himalayan Planet Adventures can make it possible. They offer trips into not only Nepal but also Tibet, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Plan to return to the amazing lands of the Himalayas!