To the Sherpas and Tibetans however she is ‘Chomolungma’ - Mother Goddess of the Earth. And the Nepalese have their own name, ‘Sagarmartha’. At the foot of Mount Everest, on its southern side, lies the Everest Basecamp used by the successful 1953 expedition of Hilary and Tenzing and countless Everest expeditions ever since.
Although situated in the heart of the Himalayas, at a height of 5600m metres (18,370ft), a trek to Everest Basecamp is not the sole preserve of high altitude mountaineers. There are no rocky ridges to traverse, no scrambling or technical climbing, just a good well-graded path, accessible to all keen hikers and trekkers, which leads all the way to the foot of the world’s highest mountain.
However one element that should not be underestimated is that your efforts to experience the Everest trail and its fabulous culture, history and scenery, will all take place at altitude. The key to trekking to Everest Basecamp is therefore careful pacing and plenty of time to acclimatise (acclimate).
With more than a decade experience of organising Himalayan treks you can be sure that all Earthbound Expedition treks to Everest Basecamp allow optimum acclimatisation - with some days spent either just walking for a couple of hours or at rest.
When choosing a trip to Everest Basecamp another factor to look for is whether you will actually reach Basecamp or instead, visit the nearby viewpoint peak of Kalar Patar. This peak, rather than Basecamp itself, offers the best close-up views of Everest.
As we appreciate that reaching Basecamp is the pinnacle for many trekkers and walkers, all of our Everest itineraries include both Basecamp and Kalar Patar. Join us on this 19-day, the most famous trek in the world ( Everest base camp trek) - a must do trek!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu. Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by Earthbound Expeditions representative and transferred to hotel which is located close to the tourist district of Thamel and offers comfortable accommodation.
Day 2: Kathmandu - sightseeing. A pre-trek briefing will be conducted today, also introduce with guide. This will also offer you the ideal opportunity to ask any last minute questions that you may have. A half day sightseeing tour of World Heritage sights will also be arranged. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Kathmandu - Lukla (2880m) - Phakding (2740m). Our early morning flight by Twin Otter aircraft rushes us to Lukla, the most renowned mountain airstrip in the world. On the flight we watch the rugged foothills give way to the snowline of the Himalaya; many of the world’s highest mountains, including Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu (the world’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th highest respectively) may sometimes be seen from the window of the plane. Once we are in Lukla Surprisingly, this high-altitude trek begins by descending to the river at Phakding. WE stay there.
Day 4: Phakding - Namche (3445m). The first day may have been surprisingly long for some, but stay at Phakding allows us to begin the ascent to Namche Bazaar first thing in the morning. At about half-way up the hill, a gap in the trees allow us to spy Everest for the first time. If the weather is clear the top of the South-West Face will be just visible behind the long Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. A plume can often be seen stretching away from the very summit.
Namche is the most prosperous and the largest town in the Khumbu. A bazaar is held here every Saturday. The wares on display include meat, grains and vegetables, tennis shoes and trinkets as well as hand woven aprons and Tibetan boots. The Sherpas play host to trader from the foothills, as well as Tibetans from over the border. Thamserku (6648m), Kwangde Ri (6187m) and Khumbila (5707m) surround the natural bowl that Namche sits in.
Day 5: Namche - Rest / acclimatization day. We take the day off to allow our bodies to adjust to the rarefied atmosphere before ascending to higher altitudes. The secret of safe acclimatisation is to ‘climb high, sleep low’ so it is safe for the more energetic amongst us to hike up the hill behind Namche to the airstrip at Syangboche, or stroll across to the museum behind the police post. Others may prefer to ‘chill out’ and visit one of the lodges for a freshly-baked cinnamon roll. Namche is a busy and bustling trading place and there is always plenty going on.
Day 6: Namche - Thame (3801m). After our day off we traverse west, enjoying marvellous view of Kwangde Ri and the waterfalls that cascade off its flanks. The trail stay high up on the bank of the Bhote Khose, and we wander through a yellow and white rhododendron forest that comes into full bloom in May.
As we cross the river, we look back down the valley for beautiful views of Thamserku and Kusum Kangru (6369m), before ascending through more rhododendron forest to pasture lands in front of Thame. This is the birth place of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary in 1953. We camp in meadows at the edge of the village.
The hour-long climb to the cliff side monastery is well worth the effort. From this point, trekkers can skirt above the village to climb across the ridge in order to view the route to the Nangpa La, a pass to Tibet frequently used by the Sherpas and their yaks during the monsoon.
Day 7: Thame - Khumjung (3,791m). We return back down the valley via Thamo, a hillside nunnery, and then take a high trail that by?passes Namche and finally drops into Khumjung. This village is one of the most beautiful in Khumbu. The Himalayan Trust has a school here, as well as a medical post (for locals and trekkers) in nearby Khunde.
Day 8: Khumjung - Tengboche (3863m). The trail this morning descends to the Dudh Khosi. There are spectacular views of Ama Dablam (6696m) and Kantega (6779m) as well as Everest (8848m) and Lhotse (8501m). Keep a look-out too for pheasant in the undergrowth.
We cross the river at Phunki Thanga and climb through the afternoon amongst rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill. Suddenly in front of us is Tengboche, the principal monastery of the Khumbu area; the views from here are unforgettable.
Day 9: Tengboche - Rest/acclimatization day. Another catch-up day for our bodies. Nearby ridges offer the opportunity for a half-day hike to get close-up views of Ama Dablam, whilst the monks usually give conducted tours around the monastery.
Day 10: Tengboche - Dingboche (4412m). We follow the path down from Tengboche through the rhododendron forest to Deboche and cross an exciting bridge with the boiling, roaring Imja Khol beneath our feet. A gradual climb takes us to the village of Lower Pangboche. We are now in the heart of the Khumbu, with spectacular views across to Ama Dablam.
The afternoon stroll takes us along a path that hugs the valley wall and then across wide plains to a split in the valley. The Khumbu breaks left, up to Periche, but we take a detour right to the hamlet at Dingboche at the start of the Imja Tse valley.
Day 11: Dingboche - Rest/acclimatization day. Rather than just sitting around in the tents or tea house, we encourage you to attempt one of two hikes. The shorter option ascends the hill immediately behind Dingboche, to drop steeply down to Periche. The Himalayan Rescue Association operates a medical post here and the western doctors conduct excellent seminars on Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) here on most afternoons.
The longer option is to trek up the Imja Tse valley towards Island Peak. The views of Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Cho Polu from here are outstanding. After a few hours the trekker terminus of Chukung is reached, and after a rest we return down the valley.
Day 12: Dingboche - Lobuje (4931m). We climb up to the ridge behind Periche and stay high, mesmerized by the views of Tawoche and Cholatse, until we reach the tea houses at Dughla. A steep, stiff ascent to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier is now tackled. The top of the climb is marked by a series of stone monuments to commemorate some of the climbers that have not returned from expeditions to this region.
A rough but obvious trail cuts across left, away from the glacier, to our camp site at Loboje, a windswept collection of huts tucked in a narrow meadow between the glacier and the Loboje Peak (6156m). The Lhotse ridge is simply awesome from this angle.
Day 13: Lobuje - Kala Pattar (5545m) - Lobuje. A long day and an early start. We trek along the rough path along the side of the Khumbu glacier to the tea shacks at Gorak Shep. Behind rises the attractive 7000m peak of Pumori which dwarfs our trek’s summit of Kala Pattar.
The route up is straightforward and takes most people between 90 minutes and 2 hours. All the peaks - Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam and scores of other lesser peaks can be seen from this wonderful vantage point.
A trip to the actual Base Camp (BC) of Everest is usually omitted as the Khumbu Icefall blocks all view of the mountain and even when expeditions are on the mountain, a route to BC is difficult to find.
Day 14: Lobuje - Phortse (3847m).
We descend all morning via Periche to Pangboche, whereupon we stay high on the west bank of the river all the way to the Sherpa village of Phortse, which lies on the lower southern flank of Tawoche, directly across the valley from Tengboche.
Day 15: Phortse - Namche (3445m). We now descend through a forest to the Dudh Kosi. From the very pretty crossing point, we climb to a chorten where there are wonderful views back across the valley to Phortse, Tengboche and the surrounding mountains. Eventually we turn south off the main trail to Khunde and Khumjung, contouring past the Everest View Hotel. The route then leads down the hill to Namche and more cinnamon roll!
Day 16: Namche - Lukla (2880m). Most people head towards Lukla with a heavy heart. There is something very special about the setting, the villages and the people of the high Khumbu hills and valleys and our memories help us up the deceptively long, final climb into Lukla. Our campsite and house are well located and offer a good final resting spot.
Day 17: Lukla - Kathmandu. Another chance to enjoy this great flight. Please note that flights into Lukla are sometimes delayed due to un-flyable conditions either in fog-bound Kathmandu or windy Lukla; be reassured that our staff in Lukla and in Kathmandu will be doing everything possible to minimize the inconvenience caused if this happens.
Your patience in the sometimes trying circumstances which can occur will be greatly appreciated. Upon arrival back in Kathmandu you will be met by our Earthbound Expeditions representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Day 18: Day in Kathmandu. Today is spent at leisure in Kathmandu. In the evening the management Will host a farewell dinner with cultural show.
Day 19: Final Departure, transfer to airport.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* US $ 1080 per person.
Price Includes:
- 18 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners
- Car / Bus / Flight.
Price Does Not Include:
- single supplement
- travel & health insurance
- international flight and visa cost
- drinks
- tips
- airport tax
- evacuation cost & the cost which is not mentioned above
- 3 star hotel accommodation in cities (twin sharing).
Note: Minimum 2 person in a group, if just 1 person price will be revised. This trip involves walking of 4-6 hours per day and covers an altitude ranging from MIN 1300 Mtr. to MAX 5500 mtr. The local flights is from Kathmandu to Lukla return.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Tibet
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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