Following breakfast we embark on a pleasant slightly uphill journey with multiple crossings over the Dudh Koshi River and magnificent views of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. We will continue toward the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where our trekking to register as official visitors to the region. Following a peaceful and serene descend and a gradual walk we will arrive in Lorsale. The enjoyable walk through the riverbed lead to the Hillary Suspension Bridge. As we continue our climb l towards Namche Bazzar, views of Kwangde Peak, its sister peaks, Kusum Kangaru, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, are available and we will take a break at Chautara here to admire the view. Finally, we reach the bustling village of Namche Bazzar, the main gateway of the Khumbu region.

This is first scheduled ‘acclimatization’ day for this trek. It is advisable to stay active and keep moving during the acclimation period to familiarize your lungs with the thing air. We either spend the day taking a day hike to Thame or visiting Khunde or carry out relaxed exploration of Namche Bazaar itself. Namche Bazzar is the main center of the Everest (Khumbu) region and has government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, a bakery and a colorful market each Friday Saturday evening. We will travel to the Tourist Visitor Center near Sagarmatha National to learn about the first climbers in Everest, Sherpa culture and the various plant and animal life of the Everest region. We also take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung to climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche offering timeless views of the highest mountains on Earth. The Khumjung valley is surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the sacred peak Khumbila which hosts a well-known monastery that houses a yeti scalp. We will stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

After acclimatization at Namche Bazaar, we will trek towards Dole. This is where our path separates from the classic Everest Base Camp hike. Classic EBC trek continues towards Tengboche instead of Dole.

The path to Dole is rocky and has many ups and downs. After about two hours of trek, we will reach Mong La Pass(3957m / 12982ft).

From here, we can get amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812m / 22,349ft) and Mt. Khumbila (5,761m / 18,901ft). As we move forward, our trail takes us downhill through forests full of pine and rhododendron and then at Phortse Tenga, a riverside village. However, we will move ahead until we reach our destination for the day at Dole.

We begin by climbing through a scenic ridge above the Dole as the trail passes via Lhabarma at 4220m to Luza at 4360m. The path is steep in most places and surrounded bu thorny bushes on the way to Lhabarma. Offering good views of Cho Oyu, Kantega, and Thamserku the trail takes us through many summer settlements and the charming hamlet of Luza (4360 m). While we ascend from Luza we will see the Dudh Koshi valley, which is a deep canyon with ridged sides. Walking along the path above Dudkoshi while passing through some small hamlets, we reach Machhermo. Machhermo is the last major settlement on the way up to Gokyo. The beautiful stream flowing down from the Kyajo Ri and Phari Lapche mountains runs through the middle of village before draining into the Dudh Koshi. The town is famous as the site where the Khumbu people spotted a Yeti in 1974. We will have the chance to visit the Himalayan Rescue Hospital here for a lecture regarding the altitude sickness, its precautions, and primary treatment.

Today, we climb through the Chorten ride offering views both down the valley and of Mt. Kangtega, Thamserku, as well as northern part of Cho-Oyu (8153m). Beyond the ridge the valley widens as the trail passes through Chorten and reaches Pangka (4480 m) after a gentle walk. Phangka is the site of a famous avalanche that tragically killed 40 people in 1995. We will descend along the riverbank before beginning to climb up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozamba Glacier. After a steep climb along the moraine, we cross an iron bridge over an stream that leads to the first lake, known as Longpongo at 4690m, where we get chance to observe ancient the Lama footprints timelessly captured in stone. At the sight of the second lake, Taboche Tsho you become mesmerized by the shimmering turquoise blue sheet of water sparkling in the sun. We will arrive at the third lake following surging stream before arriving at Gokyo village next to Gokyo lake. Cho-Oyu Mountain serves as an excellent backdrop offering spectacular sights combining the lakes with untouched mountains. After lunch, we will explore around Dudh Pokhari Lake before returning to Gokyo for the night.

The seventh day is scheduled for acclimatization day at Gokyo, and this day, we will explore the Gokyo valley. However, we’ll not miss stepping at the famous viewpoint of Gokyo RI (5,430m/17,519ft). From here, you can see four among the six highest mountains of the world – Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), and Cho Oyu (8,188m). We will also be visiting other Gokyo lakes.

After acclimatizing for a day at Gokyo village, we continue our trek, and the destination for this day is Thangnak. On our way, we will be passing Ngozumpa Glacier. The path itself is full of ups and downs, but it is a shorter trek and you will not be gaining any height.

Thangnak village sits by the side of Ngozumpa Glacier in a serene setting and lies in a perfect place helping trekkers to reach Cho-La high pass (5,330m).

After spending the night at Thangnak, we will be hiking over the rocky trails and the glacial moraines to the top of the Cho La Pass in the very early morning. After a couple of hours of trek, we will step on the top of Cho La Pass, which will reward us with the magnificent views of Cho La Lake and Mt. Cholatse (6,440m).

As we head downhill, the trail becomes icy and slippery. The scenes you get to enjoy from this trek are very pleasant. We will reach our destination for that day – Dzongla – after trekking for about seven hours. It is quite a long trek.

On our tenth day, we will leave Dzongla, following the moraine, and descend along with Chola Lake. Then we follow the Khumbu Glacier. On our way, we can see the memorial statues of the climbers, who passed away in this region.

Unlike the previous day, the hike to Lobuche should be pleasurable, and before reaching Lobuche, we will be following Imja Khola. And sure enough, we will reach our destination for that day – Lobuche – after trekking for about four hours. By reaching Lobuche, we have rejoined the classic Everest Base Camp trek trail

This will be a remarkable day for you, as this day you will be reaching the Everest Base Camp itself. However, the journey will start at Lobuche and elevate significantly as we approach Gorak Shep. Once we reach Gorak Shep, we will leave our belongings there and head up to the Everest Base Camp.

Once you reach Everest Base Camp (EBC), you will feel a sense of achievement – like the fruition of your efforts. Reaching EBC requires consistent physical effort and lots of determination, so in a way, the journey to EBC will transform you into a better person. The views from EBC are incredible, and you will get a chance to enjoy the views of Khumbu Glacier. We suggest you to click as many pictures as you can as they will serve you as a memento for the rest of your life

After enjoying the views from EBC, we will trek down to Gorak Shep and spend our night there but rest assured that another remarkable day will still be awaiting you.

We will wake up at Gorak Shep early in the morning and hike to Kala Patthar to catch the dawn breaking on the Everest Mountain. The sights you will be witnessing will be incomparable to anything that you might have ever seen.

After spending a while at the Kala Patthar viewpoint we will descend to Gorak Shep for breakfast and then rest for some time. Then we will head to Pheriche – the destination for the day

Today offers a much easier walk down to the lower altitudes following the same route back along the terminal moraines at Dughla. As we pass the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, we will see the beautiful Sherpa villages of Pheriche, Orsho, and Shomare. We might take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche or take the regular trial to reach Pangboche. From Pangboche we retrace our footsteps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Debuche. Before visiting nuns at the Debuche monastery. If we are trekking during the full moon of November or December, we might get and opportunity to witness the Mani Rimdu festival in the monastery at Tengboche. After having lunch at Tengboche, we continue through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. After lunch, we will cross the prayer flag bridge over the Dudh Koshi River before passing the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests. As the path approaches Sansa. We may spot mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants and other animals indigenous to Khumbu. After passing Chorten, we reach the army camp camp hill offering one last look at Lhotse, the tip of Everest and Tengboche. After a short walk well will arrive back at Namche

The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. Although we are travelling the same route down, you will see completely different views offering looks at a mixture of open plains, rhododendron and pine forests surrounded by snow covered peaks. We pass through the Sherpa villages’ noticing impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and flags along the way. On arrival in Lukla, we will relax before culminating our trek on a happy note with a small overnight celebration featuring local song and dance in Lukla.

Flight time: Approx. 40 min for KTM/20 min for Manthali. Drive time: Approx. 5 hrs from Manthali to KTM
If everything goes according to the schedule, you will fly back to Kathmandu in the early morning. The flight route from Lukla depends on the trekking season. If your trek is in March, April, May, September, October, or November, you will most probably fly to Manthali, and we will drive you to Kathmandu from Manthali. In other months (December, January, February, June, July, and August), you will fly from Lukla to Kathmandu directly.

If you want to avoid the Lukla-Manthali-Kathmandu route you can book a helicopter. It will cost about 550 USD (extra) per person, provided five people split the cost.

We hope your journey back to Kathmandu will indeed be a relaxing one. The chances are you will find yourself reflecting on your journey to Everest Base Camp and feel a bit excited as you will soon be able to meet your loved ones back home. Good Karma Trekking will arrange a farewell dinner for you in Kathmandu later in the day.