Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days

For decades, Everest Base Camp trek has been the most popular treks in the world. It is a dream for many.

The 12 days Everest Base Camp trek is a special itinerary. It is for those who are willing to step on to the foot of Mt.Everest but on a tight schedule. In this 12 days trek, you will be exploring the natural and cultural attractions of the Khumbu Region.

This trek also offers other attractions such as Kala Patthar (5545 m), Sagarmatha National Park. And, the spectacular views of Mt.Makalu, Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Cho Oyu, and other such peaks.

The settlement of the Sherpas at Namche Bazaar, Phakding, Tengboche, and Dingboche is unique.

Accommodation at guest houses and tea houses provide basic amenities. You can enjoy breakfast and dinner in the tea houses itself.

The trek starts with a flight to Lukla which ends with a scenic flight back to Kathmandu.

During the 12-day trek, you will enjoy the local Sherpa culture and their amazing hospitality. You will come across many chortens, monasteries, and colorful prayer flags. And the view of the giant mountains will leave you speechless.

The trek takes you through varying landscape, pine forest, and glaciers. The views of the lakes, waterfalls, and springs add into the ambiance of the place.

Along with the snow-capped mountain view, the biodiversity of the place is beautiful. Allow it to enthrall you with its beauty.

Everest Base Camp Trek  12 Days Highlights

• Discover the lifestyle and culture of the local Sherpa people in Namche Bazaar
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site- Sagarmatha National Park
• Admire the exquisiteness of the world’s highest peak- Mt Everest (8,848 m)
• Visit the Everest Base Camp and a panoramic view from Kala Patthar (5,555 m)
• Wildlife like Snow Leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan Monal
• View of other peaks above 8000 m: Mt Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Lhotse, and so on.
• The deepest glacier in the world- Khumbu Glacier & icefall.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu –Lukla –Phakding

Distance: 8 km

Altitude: 2,562m/8700 ft

Travel hours: 35 min flight + 3-4 hrs trek

Early morning we will take a flight from Kathmandu Airport to Lukla. It will be a 30-35 minutes flight to Lukla –a gateway destination.

If you are lucky and the day is clear you will get to enjoy the eye-catching view of the terrain. On reaching Lukla you will meet the majority of the crew members followed by breakfast at the lodge.

Here, you prepare the luggage for the porters. After that, you will begin with the enjoyable trek to Phakding.

The first day of the trek is special as it is your first step to acclimatization. Once you reach Phakding, the lodge city, you can freshen up and then visit nearby monasteries

You will spend the night in one of the lodges in Phakding.

Highlights of the day:

• Beautiful scenic view of the terrain from the plane
• Colorful Lukla village
• Phakding Village
• Monasteries and Mani prayer rocks

Day 02: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Distance: 10 km

Altitude: 3,440 m/11,280 ft

Travel hour: 6-7 hrs trek

The second day starts with breakfast at your lodge in Phakding. You will then be taking the trail that leads you to the first suspension bridge.

You walk uphill through the settlement of Zapute, Toktok, Benkar, Chumoa leading to Monju, a gateway to Sagarmatha National Park.

You will need to register your trekking permits here. After the formalities, you will then cross a long and steep suspension bridge above the Dudh Koshi river.

The trail will take you through a dense forest of pines, firs, and rhododendrons. You will finally arrive at the biggest town in the Everest Regions- Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar –a gateway to Mt.Everest will give you the first view of Mt.Everest.

You will rest for the night at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Highlights of the day:

• Small settlements
• Sagarmatha National Park
• Suspension bridges
• Namche Bazaar
• the first view of Mt.Everest

Day 03: Namche Bazaar- (rest, acclimatization and exploration day)

Altitude: 3,440m/11,280ft

Among two stops kept for acclimatization, Namche is the first one. Acclimatization is an essential part of any trek. It helps you to get familiar with the changing altitude. And it helps you in avoiding altitude sickness.

Though this day is for rest, you will not be staying idle all day. Thus, you will be taking small hikes to explore the villages nearby.

A short hike to Thame, Khunde, and Khumjung village aids in acclimatization. Meanwhile, you also get to enjoy the views of Mt.Everest and surrounding snow-capped peaks.

You will also have time to enjoy the traditional Sherpa culture visit the National Park head office, Museum, and monasteries. Or, you can even spend time trying the cafes, bakeries, and restaurants at Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar is the main trade center of the Everest region. It features important services like the post office, dental clinic, hospital, and ATMs.

You will spend the night at Namche Bazaar.

Highlights of the day:

• Thame, Khunde
• Khumjung villages
• National party head office
• Museum
• Monasteries
• Cafe, bakeries, Restaurants
• Good electricity with internet access

Day 04: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Distance: 8 km

Altitude: 3,870m/12,694ft

Travel hours: 5-6 hrs

After breakfast at Namche Bazaar, you will follow the trail to Everest. It will lead towards the ridge and an easy way to Kenjoma then descends slightly to Dudh Koshi at 3250 m.

Through this trail you can see a collection of Mani stones, the splendid view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Ama Dablam and a very close up view of Thamserku.

Between Kenjoma and Sanasa is the only rhododendron forest of the trek to Lobuche. This trail also gives you an opportunity to spot musk deer, multi-colored pheasants, and Himalayan Thar.

You will then reach a small settlement of Sansa. After the steep ascent, you will reach Tengboche at 3870 m where you will visit Tengboche monastery.

You will spend the night at Tengboche.

Highlights of the day:

• Dudh Koshi River,
• Spectacular views of Mt.Everest, Mt.Nuptse, Mt Lhotse, Mt.Ama Dablam
• Rhododendron forest
• Different flora and fauna
• Tengboche Monastery.

Day 05: Tengboche to Dingboche

Distance: 10km

Altitude: 4,360 m/14,300 ft

Travel hours: 5-6 hrs

The day starts after breakfast from Tengboche. You will walk for about 30 minutes along the riverside through the lush forest. Then you will hike up to the settlement of Pangboche 3860 m.

Here you can witness several chortens, mani walls, and small villages as well. You will also get a close view of Mt.Ama Dablam.

Later in the afternoon, you will ascend to Periche from where a moderate walk leads you to Imja Valley. Here, after climbing the last and the steepest climb of the day, you will reach Dingboche.

You will spend the night in a lodge in Dingboche.

Highlights of the day:

• Lush forest
• Magnificent Chortens and Mani walls
• Steep climbs

Day 06: Dingboche –Rest and acclimatization day

Altitude: 4,360 m/14,300 ft

This is the second day for acclimatization. During this day you will get to rest and adjust in the increasing altitude. Your body needs to adjust to the changing altitude so as to function well.

But, you will not be sleeping or resting for the entire day. You will take shorter treks to the neighboring villages where you can explore the culture. Plus, get habituated tot he increasing altitudes.

You will also get to see the peaks like Mt.Ama Dablam, Mt.Lhotse, Mt.Makalu and Mt.Cho Oyu. The trek to Chhukung is a refreshing one and is among the highlights of the trek.

Or, you can simply spend your day admiring the picturesque Imja Khola and charming fields and pastures.

You will spend the night at Dingboche.

Highlights of the day:

• View of Mt.Ama Dablam
• Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, Mt.Cho Yu
• Stone walls covering Imja Valley
• Charming fields and pastures of Dingboche

Day 07: Dingboche to Lobuche

Distance: 7 km

Altitude: 4,940 m/16,205 ft

Travel hours: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, the trail starts with a climb to Thugla(4600 m) through the Khumbu Khola valley. You will then continue half an hour long steep trek through Phulong Karpo.

During the walk, you can enjoy Chola Lake and a majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7,138 m/23,418 ft).

On crossing a small wooden bridge the trail ascends to Thugla. The Himalayan Rescue Association is also stationed here and will provide you with necessary treatments.

From here, you will climb up the steep terminal of the Khumbu Glacier, which offers memorials of Sherpa who perished on the glacier of Mt. Everest. The trail then gently climbs up to the Lobuche.

You will spend the night in Lobuche.

Highlights of the day:

• The view of Chola lake
• Spectacular views of Mt.Pumori
• The Himalayan Rescue Association
• Memorial of Sherpas

Day 08: Lobuche to Gorak Shep- Everest Base Camp- Gorak Shep

Distance: 15 km

Altitude: 5,160 m/16,930 ft, and 5,364 m/17,594 ft

Travel hours: 8-10 hrs

This is the day you will be doing a lot of trekking. You will take a 2- hour trek to Gorak Shep where you get to check into a lodge and have lunch.

The trek becomes more challenging as you start climbing up to Everest Base Camp. Passing the pyramid sign, you can witness the north ridge of Everest along with Mr.Pumori, Mt.Mahalangur, Mt.Lingtern, Mt Khumbutse and so on.

After a bit of ascending you will be mind blown with the 360- degree view of snowy mountains.

A steep climb through the Changri Glacier then gives you a glimpse of Kala Pattar. After walking through rocky trails you will finally reach the Everest Base Camp (5364 m).

The base camp is a real paradise. Here you will have some time to talk to your fellow trekkers and share your joy of accomplishment.

After reaching the base camp you will return back to Gorak Shep (5160 m) for an overnight stay.

Highlights of the day:

• North Ridge of Everest
• 360-degree view of snowy mountains
• Rocky trails
• Dream destination- Everest Base Camp

DAY 09: Gorak Shep – Kala Patthar – Pheriche

Distance: 15 km

Altitude: (5,545 m/18,193 ft) and (4,280 m/14,070 ft)

Travel hours: 8-10 hrs

The hike to Kala Pattar starts early in the morning.

After hiking for a good couple of hours, you will reach the most desired trekking destination, Kala Pattar (5545 m).

Kala Pattar is a spot for taking spectacular photographs of the Everest and many other peaks. Here you will spend some time appreciating and taking pictures of the breathtaking snow-capped peaks.

Then you will descend back to Gorak Shep. You will take a lunch break here and finally head back to Pheriche where you will stay overnight.

Highlights of the day:

• Sunrise view of Mt.Everest from the best viewpoint of Kala Pattar.

DAY 10: Pheriche – Namche Bazaar

Distance: 15 km

Altitude: 3,440 m/11,284 ft

Travel hours: 8-9 hr

After breakfast, like all days you will prepare to leave Pheriche. The trail drops easy downhill till Pangboche Village.

Then the trail drops to the riverside to cross the bridge over Imja Khola and climbs up to Tengboche. A descend from Tengboche leads you to the Dudh Koshi river.

You will then cross the first bridge over the Dudh Koshi river on your way back, passing the village of Tashinga and Sansa. From here you will reach Khumjung. Hereon, it is an easy walk to Namche Bazaar.

You will spend the night here so that you can enjoy a warm shower and relax in the restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.

Highlights of the day:

• Villages like Pangboche, Tengboche, Tashinga, Sansa, Khumjung and Namche Bazaar
• View of Imja Khola
• Facilities like cafés and restaurants

DAY 11: Namche Bazaar – Lukla

Distance: 18km

Altitude: 2,780 m/9,175 ft

Travel hours: 7-8 hrs

After breakfast, you start descending. After about 7 hours downhill from Namche, you will reach Sagarmatha National Park. Here, you will stop for some formalities at the check post.

This is the last day of your trek.

You will continue your walk to Lukla. Here the trail is quite flat, it allows you to enjoy the plains. You will see forests of Rhododendron and Pine. Plus, Sherpa villages, prayer stones, and colorful prayer flags through the way.

Do take some time to grasp all your experiences which will be memories that you will take along with you.

On reaching Lukla you can take some time to rest and spend with the rest of the crew members.

Overnight stay at the lodge.

Highlights of the day:

• Flat trails
• Rhododendrons and Pine forest
• Sherpa villages
• Prayer stones and colorful Prayer flags

DAY 12: Lukla – Kathmandu by flight

Altitude: 1,300 m/4,264 ft

Travel hours: 35 min flight

Normally flights are always in the morning. However, you will have time to enjoy your breakfast while the guide takes care of airport formalities.

Porters will carry your luggage to the airport. Once the flight arrives, you can directly get into the plane and fly back to Kathmandu.

You can enjoy the final view of the mountains in your 30 minutes flight.

On your arrival at the airport in Kathmandu, you will have a person who will escort you to your hotel.

Highlights of the day:

• Wonderful aerial view of the mountains
• Farewell dinner

Note: All days include Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.

And with detail itinerary, the 12 days Everest Base Camp Trek comes to an end.

However, if you wish to plan your own itinerary, feel free to share with us. We promise to help you customize your trip.

Conclusion

Everest Base Camp trek is a moderate trek which is possible for everyone. All you need is a little bit of preparation and research if you are a novice.

For further information, please feel free to contact us. It is our pleasure to plan your trek with the best guidance possible.