Nepal

The Everest Base Camp Trek

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia and world's most recent nation to become a republic. Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Nepal is a country of highly and diverse rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north has eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Sagarmatha, known in English as Mount Everest. It contains over 240 peaks more than 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level.

Famous for its spectacular mountain peaks and the loyalty and friendliness of its inhabitants (the Sherpas), the Everest region (Khumbu) is one of the most popular destinations for the tourists in Nepal. The Everest Base Camp trek is arguably the most famous trekking route in the world and provides you with opportunities to take in some truly amazing views from the roof of the world. The Everest Base Camp trek also gives an insight into the lives and culture of Sherpa people who are local to the area and closely linked to the Tibetans on the other side of the summit. The views of the sunrise on the snow capped peak above the Khumbu Glacier is an unforgettable sight from the summit of Kalla Pathar.

Grade                   : 4 +
Duration              : 16 Days/ 15 Nights
Max. Elevation    :5357 m (Everest Base Camp)
Season : May – Early June & Mid September to October

Day 1: Arrive Katmandu (1350 m/ By Flight)

Board the flight to Kathmandu. Meet and greet by Snow Leopard Adventures representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel for refreshment and rest.

We spend the day preparing for our trek. In the evening, pre trek briefing by the Trip Manager. Welcome dinner and overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Fly to Lukla (2880 m) - Phakding (2680 m/ Trek 3 hrs)

Today early morning after breakfast, we board a small twin propeller engine plane to Lukla which highlights the snowline of the Himalayan Range in the north. The landing in the Lukla airport is said to be one of the most spectacular flights in the world.

Upon arrival, we meet up with our guide and porters for the trek. After taking a short break, we start our first day of the trek following the trial leading towards the northwest direction which ultimately descends to Phakding village. The trek to Phakding is very gentle and often downhill as one looses about 300 feet of elevation.

Dinner and overnight stay in Phakding.

Day 3: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3450 m/ Trek 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we follow the Bhote Koshi through the forest and pasture land along the valley dotted with small Sherpa settlements. We cross the Bhote Koshi and climb steeply, along switching back trail lies the large Sherpa village- Namche Bazaar. Near half waypoint, view of Everest (8848 m) and Lhotse (8511 m) come into sight. This prosperous village is largest one in Khumbu region. Mt. Thamserku (6,648 m) and Mt. Kwangde-Ri (6,624 m) loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (5,707 m) dominates the skyline along the west.

Dinner and overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar (Rest Day)

Today we spend the day at leisure for acclimatization.

Dinner and overnight stay in Namche Bazaar.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar - Tengboche (3867 m/ Trek 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we resume our trek en route stopping at the checkpoint to show the permits. The walk is uphill for a short period till we reach a huge prayer stone from where the path straightens and the magnificent views of some of the Himalayan ranges can be seen at far distance.

Later as we walk, we descend through the rhododendron forest watching for the blood pheasant and Imphayan pheasant in the undergrowth. As we reach the valley, there is Imja Khola (river) where we stop for a lunch at Phunki (3200 m) next to several large water driven prayer wheels.

The afternoon is spent climbing slowly on a steep trail to the Tengboche Monastery. Dinner and overnight stay in Tengboche.

Day 6: Tengboche - Pheriche (4240 m/ Trek 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we follow the trail to Pheriche. En route, if we are lucky we can have good sight of Nepal's national bird "Danphe". Near Gorak Shep we are likely to see Tibetan snow cocks racing happily down the hillside. The few houses and the gompa of the tiny Devuche village are off the trees to the west and the nunnery is up the hill to the east. From Devuche the trail passes many Mani walls in a deep rhododendron forests.

Dinner and overnight stay in Pheriche.

Day 7: Pheriche (Rest Day)

Today after breakfast, we spend the day at leisure for acclimatization. We have the option to take a light acclimatization hike up the valley towards Chhukung for a wider variety of photos of the valley and mountains of the Khumbu region.

Dinner and overnight stay in Pheriche.

Day 8: Pheriche - Dugla (4620 m) - Lobuche (4,930 m/ Trek 5 hrs)

Today after breakfast, the trail ascends the broad gently sloping valley from Periche to Phalang Karpo. The views of Tawachee and Cholatse (6440 m) are particularly good from this portion of the trail, which passes through countryside reported to be the habitat of the snow leopard and yeti. We will stop in Dzugla for lunch before pushing ourselves further up over the glacial wall on to Lobuche at the foot of Everest!!

Dinner and overnight stay in Lobuche.

Day 9: Lobuche - Kala Patthar (5545 m) - Gorak Shep (5160/ Trek 7 – 8 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we start our day very early in the morning. After about an hour and a half walk, we get to see the Khumbu Glacier. The path becomes tougher as it gets rocky and also due to high altitude.

We reach Gorak Shep in about three hours. This was the base camp for the Swiss Everest expedition in 1952. We reach Gorak Shep by the lunch time and continue to ascent further up to Kala Patthar to enjoy the views of the Himalayas, without having to climb Everest!

Later, we descend down to Gorak Shep to spend the night.

Day 10: Gorak Shep (Day hike to Everest Base Camp – 5357 m/ 8 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we continue our trek to Everest Base Camp located at the foot of the Khumbu icefall. It is also an opportunity for us to climb Kala Patthar in the event of bad weather on the previous day. We spend the day at Everest/ Lhotse Base Camp giving ourselves the chance to thoroughly explore this historic area.

Dinner and overnight stay in Gorak Shep.

Day 11: Gorak Shep - Devouche (3800m/ Return trek 7 hrs) 

Today after breakfast, we wind up our camp and head down the glacier to re-enter the lush and beautiful valleys surrounded by spectacular snow-capped peaks. The trek to Devouche is delightful and easier by decreasing altitude and warmer, softer climbs.

Day 12: Devouche - Monjo (2860 m/ Return trek 6 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we head back the same route to Namche Bazaar and continue further down to reach Monjo.

Dinner and overnight stay in Monjo.

Day 13: Monjo – Lukla (2880 m/ Return trek 5 hrs)

Today after breakfast, we head back to Lukla covering our last leg of the trek.

Dinner and overnight stay in Lukla

Day 14: Lukla – Kathmandu (By Flight/ 45 minutes)

Today morning we board the flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. We spend the rest of the day relaxing and letting our body recover from the ordeal!

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Kathmandu (Extra Day)

Today, it's a contingency day in the event of flight delay/ cancellation/ on trek due to bad weather condition etc.

Celebration dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 16: Departure Kathmandu

Morning after breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for flight back to Delhi.