The Adventure travel | Mountain Climbing | Trekking programmes in Nepal
From Price: 1,299.00EUR / GBP1,171.00
The awe inspiring beauty of a Mount Everest base camp trek has seduced adventurers for a long time. While it is relatively accessible to all levels and not technically difficult, it takes mental and physical dedication. Walking into space in not as easy as you think, but the sense of achievement after completing the Everest base camp trek will be immense.
The Everest base camp trek is a fitting Xtreme gap year adventure as it combines the adventure trekking element with the worlds tallest and most extreme mountain range.
Everest Base Camp Trek Tour Highlights:
Kathmandu
Sunset view of the high peaks
Kala Pattar view of to Everest.
Everest Base Camp Trek Mini Itinerary
Everest Base Camp Trek Typical Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrive Kathmandu Day 02 - Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Day 03 - Flight to Lukla & trek to Phakding Day 04 - Trek to Namche (3450m) Day 05 - Rest day in NamcheDay 06 - Trek to Thyangboche[3864m] Day 07 - Trek to Pheriche [4252m] Day 08 - Rest day in Pheriche Day 09 - Trek to Lobuche[4930m] Day 10 - Trek to Gorak Shep [5184m] Day 11 - Trek to Everest BC [5357], back to Gorak Shep Day 12 - Trek to Pangboche [3985m] Day 13 - Trek to Namche[3450m] Day 14 - Trek to Lukla[2900m] Day 15 - Flight to Kathmandu Day 16 - Depart Kathmandu
Accommodation
All Accommodation is included on a shared camping or hostel basis.
Getting There
The programme begins in KathmanduIf you would like assistance with your flights, we can assist with sourcing the best value flight options, just indicate on your booking form.
When To Go
When is the best time to trek Everest base camp?
Trekking to Everest base camp is prefferable at two different times in the year either in the pre-monsoon springtime or the post monsoon autumn. Although, it is possible to join treks that run almost all year round.
Spring (between March May): A pleasant time of year to complete the everest base camp trek.
Autumn (between September November): This is the best time to visit Nepal with the summer (summer is also monsoon) gone by and the winter not yet set in. The weather is pleasant as are the mountain views. This tends to be peak season (excuse the pun) for trekking: because you are virtually guaranteed to see clear mountain views. There are also great festivals in Nepal at this time the biggest being the Hindu festivals Dashain and Tihar.
Please note it is better book well in advance if you are planning on trekking everest base camp around this time.
Why Xtreme Gap?
We know that there are a considerable number of operators out there who offer Everest base camp treks. Some good, some great and others, well lets just say you get what you pay for. Whilst striving to be the best value operator we take not only your safety and comfort seriously but also as a company we place a great level of importance on the quality of the experience. For this reason we have partnered with established operators in Nepal, who have provided high quality Everest base camp treks and high mountain accents for decades and assisted many people to realise their dreams of trekking in the Himalaya.
Furthermore we ensure that the guides and porters rights are well respected, as we believe that looking after the people, who will be looking after you is just as important.
Price and Dates
The everest base camp trek runs to specific dates. These can vary so please contact us for exact dates and prices.
Included
Breakfast
lunch
dinner and accommodation in lodge during the trek
Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu airfare
English speaking local expert guide, porters
National Park fees
3 nights accommodation at 3 star hotel in Kathmandu on double sharing with breakfast
All guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and entry fees.
Day 1 Everest Base Camp Trek: Arrival in Kathmandu
Its a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below is a sight to behold. As your plane arrives our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Welcome drinks will be served and over night at your hotel.
Day 2 Everest Base Camp Trek: Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal and has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, it's two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath. In the evening, you will be briefed about your trip.
Day 3 Everest Base Camp Trek: Flight to Lukla - Trek to Phakding [2656m]
A flight to Lukla and a landing on a steep mountain runway brings us to the start of our trek at the village of Lukla [2850m]. After meeting the crew, we head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail and then stay overnight in Phakding.
Day 4 Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Namche [3450m]
From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve the fragile mountain environment. We then take a steep hike to Namche. If the weather is clear, we get the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market - a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La.
Day 5 Everest Base Camp Trek: Rest day in Namche
Namche is tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu and has an abundance of lodges, tea shops and souvenir shops. It is an ideal place to spend a day, acclimatizing to the new altitude before heading off towards Tengboche. To acclimatize, you visit Khunde Hospital set-up by Sir Edmund Hillary, or take a one hour walk up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche for the sunset view of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest. There are also good views from the National Park Centre and Museum just above the town.
Day 6 Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Tengboche [3867m]
From Namche, the trail contours on to the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. We get our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an ideal stopover for lunch. Here we can rest before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Although the hike up the zigzag path is tiring, it presents us with many beautiful sights of rhododendron bushes with beautiful birds and superb mountain scenery. Tengboche is famous for its legendary monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. A spectacular panorama of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam rising in the horizon can be seen from the campsite.
Day 07 Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Pheriche [4252m]
We descend downhill through a forest, cross the Imja Khola and climb steadily to the village of Pangboche. This village is directly opposite Ama Dablam [6,856 m], and has exceptional views of the mountain, with the gompa, mani walls and scattered pine trees in the foreground. A further two hours walk brings us to Pheriche.
Day 08: Everest Base Camp Trek: At Pheriche
A day for rest and acclimatization. We also get to wander up the valley to look at a lake, the Tshola Tsho and the perpendicular walls of Cholatse and Tawache. We can climb up onto the ridge overlooking Dingboche for the view of the Imja Valley and the incredible south face of Mt.Lhotse.
Day 09: Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Lobuche [4930m]
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.
Day 10: Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Gorak Shep [5184m]
To reach our next stop, Kala Pattar, we follow the Khumbu Glacier. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at our camping place: Gorak Shep. Later in the afternoon, we make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar [5554m]. As the light begins to fade we stroll back to our camp at Gorak Shep and have an early night in preparation for our trek to Everest Base Camp the following day.
Day 11: Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Everest Base Camp [5357m]
A very early start is required to reach the Everest Base Camp. It takes several hours as the trail weaves its way through ice pinnacles and past the crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier. On the return leg, we can take a higher route to get a spectacular view of the Khumbu icefall and the route to the South Col. We return to either Gorak Shep or Lobuche.
Day 12: Everest Base Camp Trek Trek to Pangboche [3985m]
Todays trek is mostly downhill. As we retrace our steps to Duglha and descend to Pheriche, we arrive at The Himalayan Rescue Association, a trekkers aid post and worth a visit. After lunch we cross the Khumbu Khola on a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja Khola to the village of Pangboche.
Day 13: Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Namche [3450m]
We continue to follow the river and, after crossing it, climb back up through birch and rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Kwangde, Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku are just a few of the Himalayan giants to be seen. From Tengboche we descend to the bridge over the Dudh Kosi. At Phunki Tenga, we get to see the water driven prayer wheels, before making our way back to Namche.
Day 14 Everest Base Camp Trek: Trek to Lukla [2800m]
Our final day's trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla. This last evening calls for a celebration. We have a party with our sherpa guides and porters. We sample some chang (local beer) and try out some Sherpa dance steps. Altogether an end to a memorable trip on a merry note.
Day 15: Everest Base Camp Trek: Fly to Kathmandu
We pack up early and head for the airstrip to hop a flight back to Kathmandu
On touchdown, the rest of your day is free to do your own things. You could do some last minute shopping and packing, or send a few post cards home or even go down for a stroll to Thamel, an internationally known hub for tourists in Asia.
Day 16 Everest Base Camp Trek: Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. (Or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, do some whitewater rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc- please ask us).
