EVEREST BASE CAMP
Highlights
Trek to the Most Famouse Base Camp in the World
Watch Sunrise over Mount Everest
Meet the Famous Sherpa People
Explore the Medieval City of Kathmandu
This guide will take you on a journey to one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas, passing through the beautiful valley of the Dudh Kosi river and the mystical Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar. You will bear witness to some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery as you stand in awe at the foothill of the 5th furthest point from the center of the Earth!
The area we have chosen for you is the Khumbu Valley in Nepal's Everest region. We'll trek the famous route, walked by many of the World's best mountaineers all the way up to Base Camp. We will also summit Kala Pattar (5,545m) in time for sunrise on our highlight day, to see Everest (8,848m) and Lhotse (8,501m), the World's 1st and 4th highest mountains.
Witness the changing landscape as you hike higher and higher, leaving behind trees and bushes, before hiking through snow, rock and ice.Meet the famous Sherpa people and snake your way up to base camp with porters, cows, donkeys and yaks carrying supplies for the climbing expeditions.
The Itinerary
Our Mountain Quests team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Today is a free day to rest from your flight, settle in, check your gear and perhaps some last minute shopping while in the Capital for your upcoming trek. In the evening we'll have a group briefing for the trip, where we can all meet each other and discuss the trek in detail.
We finally get started on our adventure with an early morning 30 minute flight to Lukla (2840m), the gateway to the Khumbu region of Nepal and home to Mount Everest. After landing and arranging our porters for our gear and luggage, we'll be on our way to Monjo (2840m) where we'll spend our first night in the mountains.
From Monjo we'll enter the Sagarmatha National Park, the gates of the Everest region. We'll skirt along the Bhote Kosi river, crossing several suspension bridges before rising up to Namche (3440m). On our way up to Namche, we will catch our first glimpse of Everest at a hidden lookout point if the weather is clear. This starts to ramp up the excitement for the following days!
We'll spend 2 nights in Namche, a beautifully well put together Sherpa town in the middle of the mountains. Considering there are no roads you'll be shocked at what you'll find here. We won't ruin the surprise - it's a sight! Today we'll trek up to the Everest View Hotel to see the stunning panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku peaks (on a clear day). This is a taster of what's to come and it will blow your mind! We stay an additional nights here in order to acclimatize to the thinning air, meaning the body needs time to adjust to its new oxygen poor surroundings. A pretty relaxing day to get yourself ready for the higher altitudes.
Today we trek to Debuche (3710m), a stunning little village not normally frequented by as many trekkers as other villages in the vicinity. We trek across the foothills before descending to the Imja river and then rising back up the other side to Tengboche. After having lunch in the famous German bakery at Tengboche we visit the highest monastery in the Khumbu, before walking down to Debuche for the night.
The first thing you’ll notice today is a distinct change in the terrain as we break through 4000m. At this altitude trees struggle to grow and are replaced by shrubs and grasslands. We trek up to Dingboche (4410m) and here you can really feel that Everest is close! The surroundings have changed, the gloves and wooly hats are needed and the mountains start to close in. Dingboche is a pretty big town and we can spend the afternoon getting some laundry done or refuel on cakes at one of the several bakeries there.
As we have gained another big chunk of altitude, today we'll spend the day acclimatizing in Dingboche. We'll walk up to a lookout point, which is not an easy task, as it touches 5000m, but will really help with our acclimatization. From here we may be lucky enough to see Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), Nuptse (7861m) and even Cho Oyu (8201m) and Shispangma (8013m). That's 30% of the World's mountains over 8000m! After a quick rest and photo session, we head back to town to relax with a good lunch and a nap or a cup of hot chocolate.
Things really start to change today as we head up to our next resting place, Lobuche (4910m). Up here rocks start to replace any shrubs or grass. On our way up to Lobuche we pass the famous Everest fallen climbers memorial at the Thokla pass. It's not long after that to Lobuche, where we will stop to spend the night.
Heading to Gorak Shep (5180m) from Lobuche involves a gentle ascent on rocky terrain, that traces the Khumbu glacier. We'll head through the final village on the trek, Gorak Shep for an early lunch before trekking to base camp (5364m), where you'll see the annual mountaineering circus. We'll mingle with the climbers before heading back to Gorak Shep to spend the night.
This is our very own summit day! We'll climb up to the summit of Kala Pattar (5545m) where we will see uninterrupted panoramic views of Everest and Lhotse for sunrise. This is a key highlight of the adventure and you'll feel on top of the World! We'll head back down to Gorak Shep for some food before descending to Dingboche (4410m).
We'll retrace our steps back to Tengboche (3860m) and we'll quickly feel the oxygen returning back to our lungs. In fact, because of all the acclimatization we've had, the air will feel rich and the body will respond well. We'll take lunch in Pangboche before arriving at Tengboche for the night.
Not the easiest day, as we head down into the ravine we were previously in outside Tengboche, before climbing back up the other side to reach Namche.
Our final day on the trek takes us back to Lukla where we'll reflect on the unbelievable life-changing journey we've just completed. It's time to rest before we fly back to the madness that is Kathmandu tomorrow.
An early morning flight will get us back to the Capital. It's definitely time for some rest and relaxation. We can point you in the direction of the nearest massage!
A spare day in Kathmandu, where we can organize another city tour for you, get you out on a day's white water rafting or just leave you to relax. A great idea to have this spare day in order to absorb any delays along the trek.
It's time to leave us, but we look forward to seeing you again soon. We'll make sure you get safe and sound to the airport on time for your returning flight home.
What To Expect
FOOD - Food will be prepared in the teahouses and will be international in nature. Pastas, potatoes, meat and vegetables. Breakfasts will include eggs in different ways, cereals, teas and coffees. The food and drinks will be clean and well prepared, giving us all the energy we’ll need for our trip.
ACCOMODATION - In Kathmandu we’ll be in a well-run, clean hotel, with en-suite bathrooms, in-room TVs, 24 hour hot water and power and laundry facilities. Rooms will be on a twin-share basis. In the mountains we will be staying in tea houses (think family owned lodges that have been upgraded for international trekkers) on a twin share basis.
GEAR - We will provide all participants with a full kit list that is provided upon booking. This is a highly recommended list of important items that will make your journey with us comfortable, as well as safe. Please refer to the list for full details.
TREKKING ASSISTANCE - We will be accompanied by a full complement of porters who will be helping us with our excess luggage. Trekking days will see us carrying our day packs, with water, food and waterproofs in them.
Inclusions
Accommodation in Kathmandu
All the necessary trekking permits
All meals and accommodation during the trek
All domestic transportation
Full-qualified guide
Porters to carry group personal equipment during the trek
Exclusions
International flights to and from Kathmandu
Meals in Kathmandu (allow USD 10-15 per meal)
Carbonated and alcoholic drink
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Tips
Travel and medical Insurance (covering rescues)
Rescue and early departure from the trek
Personal gear
Inquiries?
If you have questions about this trip, would like to know more or thinking about booking this trip with us, then please contact us at: