Everest Base Camp Kalapathar Trek

You will board a 30 minute flight to Lukla early in the morning and enjoy the magnificent mountain range as you arrive at Lukla airport. There, you will be introduced to your porter if you booked one. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you will start trekking. The walk to Phakding is a fairly easy 3 hour walk through the Dudhkosi valley. You will head north from the airstrip to Chheplung (2700m) and cross the ThadoKoshi River on a local-style suspension bridge. Just past the bridge, you can see the peak Kusum and Kanggru (6367m), which are some of the most difficult trekking peaks to climb. Beyond the ThadoKoshi, the trail climbs towards the Ghat (2590m) and crosses a ridge marked with painted Mani stones. You will continue the ascend to reach the beautiful village of Phakding where you will stay overnight.

You will start this second day through the Valley of Dudhkosi River. You will cross the Dudhkosi River 5 times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags on the way to Namche. After the last bridge, you will continue your ascent, gradually leading to Jorsale. It is a 2h30 climb up to Namche with two view points on the way. You will enjoy a mesmerizing view of Mt Everest on a clear day on the trail. At Jorsale, you will enter the Sagarmatha National park where you will need to verify your permits. After 5/6 hours of a hard walk, you will finally reach the main trading center of the region : Namche Bazaar.

Acclimatization is very important to avoid altitude sickness. You will go on a day hike through the villages of Khunde and Khumjung and come back to Namche through the Everest view hotel Khumjung. You can see the scalp of a Yeti in the monastery in the region. You will enjoy panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and other mountains on a fair day. After a savory breakfast, you will take a steep 1h climb to the Syangboche airstrip (3790m), from where you will slowly ascend towards Khunde passing numerous chorten (stone Buddhist monuments). From Khunde you will follow the trail eastwards to Khumjung, the largest village in the Khumbu region, at the foot of the sacred peak Khumbila. After having lunch at Khumjung, you will follow a gradual climb to Everest View Hotel where you will enjoy the splendid mountain views. Then you will descend to Namche to spend your second night there (3540m).

Your route to Tengboche weaves in and out of side valleys, making small ups and downs, to the teashops of Kenjoma, and joins the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of Mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are stunning. You will pass the small settlement of Sanasa from where the trail drops towards Phunkithanga (3250m). From here the trail climbs steeply through pine forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3870m. The view from here is rightly deemed to be one of the world’s most magnificent sceneries. Kwangde (6187m), Tawachee (6542m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501m), Amadablam, Kantega and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama as the Himalayan giants. You will spend the night in the Tengboche village.

You will start your trek with a descent through a beautiful forest, then cross the Imja Khola and trek through the village of Pangboche. The route continues through summer pastures to Dingboche. You will spend the night at Dingboche. It is a very relaxing village with lots of mountain views. This is an easy 3/4h walk.

You will start around 8:30am for a nice trek up to Chhukung. You will get a beautiful view of most of the mountains, especially Ama Dablam. The view from Chhukung and further up the valley on the moraines towards Island Peak is tremendous. To the south-west, the eastern face of Amadablam provides an incredible view of the picturesque peak. You will go back down to Dingboche for the night, probably facing strong winds.

You will start with a 1h30 climb to the Chorten trail. Then you will get to Thugla at 4600m to have lunch in a tea house, before climbing the steep part of the day’s trek for about 1h30. You will get closer to high mountains like Mt. Pumori and Mt. Nuptse after a while as you proceed towards Lobuche where only basic accommodation and food is provided. You will walk along a broad valley floor to Thugla, leaving behind the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche at 4240m. A western volunteer doctor, supported by The Himalayan Rescue Association is stationed here and offers treatment and consultation to trekkers as you continue up the valley gaining altitude. When you come out of the valley, you will descend to the yak pastures at Lobuche. Overnight at Lodge.

You will go on a 2h hike up to Gorakshep in the morning. The first part is nice and easy but the trail gets harder 1h later, which is compensated by a really nice view on big walls formed by Everest, Nuptse and other mountains. Once you climb about 150m then the trail gets easier again. Shortly after, you will get to the moraine. Finally, you will get to the world’s highest settlement at Gorakshep. After having lunch, you will walk towards Everest base camp, on a side ridge of the Khumbu glacier. After walking on the ridge for about 1h30, you will cross the Glacier and enter the Everest base camp area. You will reach your final goal by trekking to Everest base camp at an altitude of 5364m. You will get a good view of Khumbu glacier and Khumbu Ice fall. From there you can also see the big crevasses in the climbing way. After appreciating your own efforts and photographing the achievements, you will walk back to Gorakshep.

You will go for a 2h hike to Kalapathar around 4:30am to get the chance to see the sun rising on the mountains and clear views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks. Most of the famous photographs of Everest are taken from this “thump” on the landscape. You will need very warm clothes to go on this hike, as it will begin before sunrise. After having breakfast in Gorakshep, you will go down to Pheriche. Overnight at Lodge.

From Debuche, a 1h30 climb takes you to Tengboche, from where you will descend to Phunkithanga at 3200m. Then you will have a final climb towards Namche Bazaar for the final party night, which is also the last chance to have close-up views of the mountains. Following the same way back to Namche is an easy walk. Once you get to Namche you can appreciate a hot shower and wifi, as well as pasteries and beers in bakeries and bars.

The trail from Namche to Lukla is mostly downhill to the flat part. You will exit the Sagarmatha National park and reach Lukla after a final effort climbing stairs. You will have the opportunity to have dinner with your guide and porter(s) and celebrate the end of your journey.

You will fly to Kathmandu early in the morning, enjoying really nice views of most of the Himalayan range. Do not forget to choose the seat on the right hand sight of the aircraft. Finally you will reach Kathmandu airport, come to our office for a quick brifing and go back to your hotel to get some rest after this amazing 12 day trek.