14 Days • 13 Nights
Everest Base Camp Trek
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll fly to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, trek up through pine forests and Sherpa villages to bustling Namche Bazaar, acclimatise amid soaring peaks, visit the spiritual Tengboche monastery, and climb through the high Khumbu to Everest Base Camp itself, with a dawn ascent of Kala Patthar for the classic view of Everest. Prayer flags, glaciers and the warmth of the Sherpa people fill the days.
With careful acclimatisation, an expert Sherpa guide and porters, and all trek logistics arranged, it is the trek of a lifetime, handled with care.
Trip Highlights
- The dramatic mountain flight to Lukla
- The Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar
- The spiritual Tengboche monastery
- Standing at Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
- Sunrise on Everest from Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- Soaring peaks — Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam
- Sherpa villages, monasteries and prayer flags
- Careful acclimatisation and expert guides
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 14-day journey.
Arrive in the capital and settle in, with a welcome dinner and a trek briefing with your guide.
Explore the temples and stupas of the Kathmandu Valley and make final preparations for the trek ahead.
A thrilling dawn flight to the mountain airstrip at Lukla, then a gentle first day's trek down to Phakding beside the Dudh Koshi river.
Trek up through pine forest and suspension bridges into Sagarmatha National Park, climbing steeply to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar.
An acclimatisation day at Namche, with a hike to a viewpoint for your first sight of Everest, and time to explore the market town and museums.
Trek along the valley with magnificent views of Ama Dablam, descending and climbing to the spiritual Tengboche monastery, the largest in the Khumbu.
Continue up through Pangboche and rhododendron and juniper into the higher, starker landscape of Dingboche.
A second acclimatisation day, with a hike to a ridge for panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, aiding your ascent.
Trek up the Khumbu valley past memorials to fallen climbers, into the high, glacial world beneath the great peaks, to Lobuche.
The big day — trek to Gorak Shep, then on across the glacier to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, before returning to Gorak Shep.
A pre-dawn climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the classic sunrise view of Everest, then begin the descent, trekking down to Pheriche.
A long descent back through the valley and its villages to Namche Bazaar, the air growing thicker and warmer.
A final day's trek down through forest and Sherpa villages to Lukla, celebrating the completion of the trek with your guide and porters.
A dawn flight back to Kathmandu and your onward connection, with a final Nepali breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private Kathmandu guide
- 2 nights Kathmandu, 11 nights in teahouse lodges on trek
- Daily breakfast in Kathmandu, a welcome dinner, and full board throughout the trek
- A Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour
- Round-trip flights Kathmandu-Lukla
- An experienced Sherpa trekking guide and porters
- All national park permits, the TIMS card and the Khumbu fee
- All trek logistics and a careful acclimatisation schedule
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fees (visa on arrival or online)
- Travel insurance (mandatory, with high-altitude and helicopter evacuation cover for treks)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities and personal trekking gear
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities for guides and porters
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or online in advance; bring a passport photo and US dollars in cash for the fee. Your passport should be valid at least six months
- Currency: The currency is the Nepali Rupee. Cards work in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but carry cash for trekking, villages and small purchases — ATMs are only in the cities
- Best season: October to November and March to April are the prime seasons, with clear skies and the best mountain views. The monsoon (June to September) brings cloud and rain; winter is cold at altitude but clear in the lowlands
- Altitude: High treks reach serious altitude (Everest Base Camp over 5,300m), where altitude sickness is a real risk. We build in acclimatisation days, ascend slowly, and your guide watches for symptoms
- Trek insurance: For any trek, travel insurance that specifically covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is mandatory — this is essential and non-negotiable
- Trekking life: On trek you stay in simple teahouse lodges with basic rooms and shared bathrooms; hot showers and charging often cost extra. A good level of fitness and broken-in boots make all the difference
- Mountain flights: Domestic flights (including the famous Lukla flight for Everest) are weather-dependent and delays are common, so we build in buffer time; a helicopter option can be arranged
- Temple etiquette: Remove shoes and leather items at Hindu temples, walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, and note that some temple interiors are open only to Hindus
- Health: Drink only bottled or purified water, carry any personal medication, and consult a travel clinic about altitude medication and vaccinations. Comprehensive insurance is essential
- Power & connectivity: Power cuts are less common than before but carry a power bank; a local SIM gives data in towns and along popular trails. Nepal uses type C/D/M plugs at 230V
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on trek and at the Chitwan jungle lodge, plus a welcome dinner in Kathmandu. Elsewhere, lunches and dinners are left free to explore Nepal's food.
Are guides and transfers arranged?
Yes — you have private guides and drivers for sightseeing, and an experienced trekking guide (and porters) on any trek, all arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or apply online beforehand. Bring a passport photo and US dollars in cash for the fee; we guide you through it.
When is the best time to visit?
October-November and March-April are the prime seasons, with clear skies and superb mountain views. The monsoon (June-September) is cloudy and wet; winter is cold high up but clear in the lowlands.
Do I need to be fit for the treks?
The trekking itineraries require a good level of fitness and preparation, with several hours of walking a day on hilly terrain. We grade each trek clearly and build in acclimatisation; the cultural tours need no special fitness.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, treks, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a scenic Everest flight, a jungle safari, a luxury lodge or a shorter or longer trek. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Is insurance really mandatory for trekking?
Yes — for any trek you must have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation. This is essential for your safety and is non-negotiable.
How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?
It is a challenging but non-technical trek requiring good fitness, mental resolve and time to acclimatise. You walk five to eight hours a day at high altitude; no climbing skills are needed, but preparation is essential.
What if I am affected by altitude?
We build in two acclimatisation days and ascend gradually to minimise the risk, and your guide monitors you closely. If needed, the plan is to descend, and your mandatory insurance must cover helicopter evacuation.
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