Everest Base Camp Trek — 15 Days
Trekking from Lukla to 5,364 meters: Sherpa villages, high-altitude acclimatization, and views of the world's highest peaks
This 15-day trek to Everest begins with a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla at 2,860 meters and ascends to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters. The route passes through established Sherpa settlements—Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche—where trekkers stay in locally run tea houses. The highest point of the trek, Kalapathar at 5,545 meters, offers unobstructed views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and dozens of other Himalayan peaks. Daily stages cover 4 to 8 hours of walking at altitude, with designated rest days for acclimatization in Namche Bazar and optionally in Dingboche. The trek includes three nights in Kathmandu before and after the mountain section, time to visit UNESCO-listed sites in the valley, and ends with a return flight to Kathmandu. The trek operates year-round, though March to May and September to November offer the clearest skies and most stable weather.
Best time to go: Autumn and Spring
Highlights
- Flight to Lukla and trek through Sherpa settlements
- Acclimatization day in Namche Bazar with side hikes to local viewpoints and Khumjung village
- Tengboche Monastery, one of the larger Buddhist monasteries in the region, at 3,860 meters
- Trek to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters over glaciated terrain
- Sunrise ascent of Kalapathar (5,545 meters) for panoramic views of Everest and surrounding peaks
- Sherpa hospitality, local tea house accommodation, and three daily meals throughout the trek
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square
Day by day
1Arrival in KathmanduKathmandu · Tribhuban International Airport · hotel in Kathmandu
We collect you from Tribhuban International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu, situated at 1,350 meters. Should time allow, we'll discuss trekking logistics and finalize any remaining arrangements for your journey ahead. Overnight in Kathmandu.
2Sightseeing in Kathmandu ValleyPashupatinath Temple · Boudhanath Stupa · Kathmandu Durbar Square · hotel in Kathmandu
A guided day tour of UNESCO-listed cultural sites: Pashupatinath Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage site; Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world; and Kathmandu Durbar Square with its former royal palace. Return to hotel in the late afternoon for a detailed briefing on the trek ahead. Overnight in Kathmandu.
3Flight to Lukla and Trek to PhakdingLukla · Phakding · Manthali Airport · Dudh Koshi valley
Early morning drive to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap for the 35-minute mountain flight to Lukla at 2,860 meters, where the Everest Base Camp Trek begins. The trek descends slightly through the Dudh Koshi valley, crossing suspension bridges and passing through scattered settlements. The 4- to 5-hour walk reaches Phakding at 2,610 meters. Overnight at a local tea house.
4Trek to Namche BazarNamche Bazar · Everest National Park checkpoint · river gorges
The trek begins on relatively flat terrain, crossing several villages before reaching the Everest National Park checkpoint. Multiple high suspension bridges cross river gorges as the trail steadily climbs. The final section presents the day's steepest ascent into Namche Bazar, a Sherpa trading town at 3,440 meters where the trek's main supply depot is based. The total trek takes 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at a local tea house.
5Acclimatization in Namche BazarNamche Bazar · a viewpoint · Khumjung village · a local tea house
A rest day focused on acclimatization to high altitude. A short hike climbs to a viewpoint with direct views of Everest to the north. The trek continues to Khumjung village, a traditional Sherpa settlement, and returns to Namche in the afternoon. Namche Bazar itself offers shops stocked with trekking gear and supplies, restaurants, cafes, and a weekly market. Overnight at a local tea house.
6Trek to TengbochePhunki Thanka · Tengboche Monastery · local tea house near the monastery
The trek begins with gentle climbing, then alternates between flat and descending sections until Phunki Thanka, where a suspension bridge crosses the Dudh Koshi River. Beyond the bridge, a steep final climb leads to Tengboche Monastery at 3,860 meters, one of the larger Buddhist monasteries in the Khumbu. The day's total hiking time is 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at a local tea house near the monastery.
7Trek to DingbocheDingboche
One of the trek's easier days, starting downhill on a well-defined path through forested terrain. The landscape gradually opens as elevation increases; vegetation thins and the terrain becomes more plateau-like. Views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and surrounding peaks grow closer and more prominent as the day progresses. Dingboche sits at 4,410 meters in a sheltered valley. Trek duration is 5 to 6 hours. Overnight at a local tea house.
8Trek to LobucheLobuche
A short day of walking—approximately 4 hours—through increasingly austere terrain with massive mountains visible in all directions. The trail ascends to Lobuche at 4,930 meters, where trekkers arrive in the early afternoon. The settlement is sparse and marks the beginning of higher-altitude walking. Other trekkers heading toward Gokyo Lake via this route may be encountered. Overnight at a local tea house.
9Trek to Everest Base Camp and Return to GorakshepEverest Base Camp · Gorakshep · Lobuche to Gorakshep
The longest day of the trek, covering glaciated terrain with large boulders and scree fields. From Lobuche, the trek climbs steadily to Gorakshep at 5,170 meters—the final settlement with lodging before base camp—taking approximately 2 hours. After settling into accommodation and eating lunch, a second walk continues across the glacier to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters, a rocky moraine depot used during climbing expeditions. This section takes about 6 hours round-trip walking over wind-exposed glacier. Overnight at Gorakshep.
10Kalapathar Sunrise and Trek to PhericheKalapathar · Pheriche · Gorakshep · Kalapathar summit · Gorakshep to Pheriche via Lobuche · descent route to Pheriche
An early predawn ascent of Kalapathar (5,545 meters) takes place before sunrise. From the summit, panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and dozens of other Himalayan peaks become visible as light spreads across the range. After descent and breakfast at Gorakshep, the trek heads down to Pheriche at 4,240 meters via Lobuche, taking 4 to 5 hours. The descent passes several stone memorials dedicated to climbers and trekkers who have died in the region. Overnight at a local tea house.
11Trek Back to Namche BazarNamche Bazar · Tengboche Monastery · Phunki Thanka
A long descent losing approximately 800 meters in elevation. The trail alternates between steep downhill sections and intervening climbs, some of which are notably demanding. Around midday, the trek passes Tengboche Monastery again before a steep descent to the river crossing at Phunki Thanka. The final section climbs steeply for 2 hours to reach relatively flat terrain and Namche Bazar at 3,440 meters. Trek duration is 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at a local tea house.
12Trek Back to LuklaLukla · Namche · suspension bridge near Namche's base · Phakding
Another long descent returning to Lukla at 2,860 meters. The trail descends steeply from Namche to the river valley, then follows a more moderate gradient past the long suspension bridge near Namche's base. From there, the route continues on relatively flat terrain through several Sherpa villages, including Phakding where the trek began. The trek takes 6 to 7 hours. Overnight at a local tea house in Lukla.
13Flight Back to Kathmandu and Hotel TransferKathmandu · Lukla
An early morning 35-minute flight returns to Kathmandu from Lukla's small mountain airstrip. Transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu allows time to rest and wash after the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu.
14Spare Day in KathmanduKathmandu · Kathmandu Valley
A scheduled contingency day reserved for weather delays affecting the Lukla flight or additional acclimatization if needed at higher elevations. If the trek proceeds on schedule, this day can be used to revisit historical sites in Kathmandu Valley, shop for souvenirs, or rest before departure. Overnight in Kathmandu.
15Final DepartureKathmandu airport
Transfer to Kathmandu airport for international departure.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Pashupatinath Temple
- 3Lukla
- 4Phakding
- 5Tengboche Monastery
- 6Lobuche
- 7Gorakshep
- 8Pheriche
- 9Gorakshep
- 10Tengboche Monastery
- 11Lukla
- 12Namche
- 13Phakding
- 14Kathmandu
- 15Lukla
- 16Kathmandu
Included
- Included
- Arrival and Departure Arrangements
- 3 nights accommodation on twin sharing in Kathmandu
- Every morning, breakfast in Kathmandu
- One day sightseeing in the cultural heritage monuments in the Kathmandu valley
- Private car, professional tour guide, and entrance fees for Kathmandu sightseeing
- Flight ticket of Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu
- Flight ticket for your guide from Kathmandu
- Everest National Park permit and TIMS card for trekking
- Professional, helpful, and friendly trekking guide for the entire trek
- Trekking porter
- Salary, food, accommodation, insurance, and equipment for the guide and porter
- 11 nights accommodation in local tea houses on twin sharing
- 3 times food and hot drinks during your trekking days
- Farewell with a dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant
- Warm jacket and a down sleeping bag are returnable if you need
- Emergency evacuation management
- Service charge and official taxes
Not included
- Excluded
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Bottled drinks and bar bills
- Personal insurance, equipment, and tipping
- Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
- Extra cost because of any natural calamities that are not in our hands
- Any other activities, other than those mentioned in the cost, including
Activities: TREKING, HIKING