Mount Everest Base Camp has been a popular destination for trekkers since the very first expeditions to the Nepalese side of Everest in the 1953. To reach this part of the Himalaya within a limited time, we have devised this two week trek to Everest Base Camp which runs directly to and from Lukla.

The Everest Base Camp trek, a very well known mountain trek, starts at the upper Phakding and follows the Dudh Kosi valley which climbs up to the Sherpa capital of Namche, a bustling bazaar that’s a junction for trekkers, the local Sherpa and expeditions en route to the mighty Mt. Everest.

The itinerary has been designed to visit and explore the high lakes of the Khumbu region. This includes the Imja Lake, the Kala Pattar lakes and the famous Gokyo lakes. Scientific researches will be conduct during the exploratory days for the government of Nepal.

This trek will be led by Eric Lon, masseur and physiotherapist. Daily practical teachings of yoga and massage are included.

Note: This trek is going higher 5 times over 5000 meters. The itinerary below has been designed to allow the body to acclimate to the high altitude but be aware that you need to be in a good overall physical state to join our group.

HIGHLIGHTS
- trek to the foot of the Mount Everest
- 3 weeks in the fantastic Khumbu area, home of the friendly Sherpa people
- participate in a scientific trip with the aim to collect data on the melting of glaciers and development of glacial lakes
- benefit from the experience of Eric Lon and get 1 massage/yoga class every day
- Optimized acclimatizing process and easy trek on easy trails

FLICKr Everest Photo Gallery

The price includes:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation in lodge during the trek 
Kathmandu/Lukla/Kathmandu airfares
English speaking local expert guide, porters
Foreign leader and 1 massage/yoga session every day
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.
Airport transfers and escort
Insurance of the guide and porters

The price excludes:
International flight & departure tax
Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Personal gears & clothing (available on hire)
Tips, any expenses of personal nature, client's insurance.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
It’s a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. And as your plane hits the tarmac, 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 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, its 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. At eventide, you will be briefed about your trip.

Day 3 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 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.

NAmche Bazaar is the only village where you can get massage from local shops. Good thing you're trekking with a skilled leader with years of experience in yoga and massage.

Day 5 Trek to khumjung
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. We will stay at Khumjung for the night.

Day 6 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 7 Trek to Dingboche
We are now completly immersed in the Sherpa commmunity and the ig peaks are in sight with Ama Dablam and its impressive face.

Day 8: Trek to Chukhhung
This is a 3 hours walk to Chukkhung where all climbers attempting Island Peak are preparing themselves for the big day. We stay just at the bottom of the south wall of Nuptse and Lobtse.

Day 9: Exploration of Imja Lake
Today, we head to the Island peak base camp where the lake of Imja is standing. This is a very large lake which is treatening the whole khumbu region. We take measurements again as we did previsouly on the Gorak Shep lakes. These datas will be useful for the numerous organizations which are controling the environment developments.

Day 10: Trek to Lobuche
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 11 Trek to Gorak Shep [5184m] - Exploration of Lakes
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. In the afternoon, we go for an exploration trip to the lakes located at the foot of Kala Pattar. We take measurements of the depth and the size of the lakes and use a kayak to do so.

Day 12 Trek to Kala Pattar [5540m]
We make our way to the top of one of the finest viewpoints in the Everest region, Kala Pattar [5554m]. The view is absolutely breath-taking with Mount Everest and other massive peaks around us. We sleep at Gorak Shep or Lobuche.

Day 13: Trek to Cho La Pass BC
We are now heading south to join the Cho La pass Base Camp which is located on a new valley west of Chukkhung. Just before passing Cholatse, we turn right and go straight to the end of the valley where the Cho Lass pass is located.

Day 14: Trek to Gokyo
This is a long day to reach Gokyo and so we start very early in the morning. The views from the Pass are amazing and we get our first glimpse of this new valley. We then go down and cross the Cho Oyu glacier to join Gokyo.

Day 15: Climb Gokyo Ri
Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake and we leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As we climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Makalu slowly come into sight and the view from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is one of the finest to be had in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Pattar. For those who still have some energy, there are more good views to be had by dropping back down to the main path and following it north to the fourth and fifth of the Gokyo lakes, the latter being about three hours from Gokyo.

Day 16: Exploration of lakes
Today, we head north to the base of the Cho Oyu south face. On the way, we encounter 3 lakes which we will study and gather datas for the Nepali government.

Day 17: Trek to Dole
Easy day as we are only descending to go back to Namche Bazaar. We will stop of Dole to take an afternoon rest and enjoy the beautiful sceneray.

Day 18: Trek to Namche
Wandering in the Khumbu region is a delight and we enjoy it as much as we can. It is again an easy day and we can take our time to follow this gorge which lead to Namche eventually.

Day 19 Trek to Lukla [2800m]
Our final day's trekking follows the Dudh Kosi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains is the ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the sherpa guides and porters, where we can sample some chang, try Sherpa dancing and look back on a memorable trekking experience.

Day 20 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 21 Free day in Kathmandu

Day 22 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 wild-water rafting, a Tibet tour or even mountain biking, etc- please ask us).  

FLICKr Everest Photo Gallery