Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek - 16 days
The important stuff
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Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu | 1,338m
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Settle in, recover from your journey and enjoy your first taste of Nepal’s vibrant capital.
Day 2 – Explore Kathmandu | Flexible Day
Ease into Nepal with a complimentary guided city tour, spend the day exploring Kathmandu at your own pace, or let us arrange something a little different. From temples and heritage sites to food experiences, shopping or simply taking it easy before the trek, the day is yours to shape.
Day 3 – Fly to Lukla & Trek to Phakding | 2,652m | 3–4 hrs trekking
Take the spectacular mountain flight to Lukla before beginning your trek along the Dudh Koshi River. Cross suspension bridges and follow the valley through small villages to Phakding.
Day 4 – Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 3,440m | 5–6 hrs
Enter Sagarmatha National Park and follow the trail through forest and across iconic suspension bridges, including the Hillary Bridge. A challenging final climb brings you into the bustling Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar.
Day 5 – Namche Acclimatisation & Everest View Hotel | 3,780m | 4–5 hrs
Hike above Namche via Syangboche to the Everest View Hotel, where panoramic views stretch towards Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Descend back to Namche for another night and valuable acclimatisation.
Day 6 – Namche Bazaar to Tengboche | 3,860m | 4–5 hrs
Follow beautiful mountainside trails and rhododendron forest before descending to Phunki Thangka. A steady climb leads to Tengboche and its famous monastery, surrounded by some of the Khumbu’s most impressive peaks.
Day 7 – Tengboche to Dingboche | 4,410m | 3–4 hrs
Descend through forest to Deboche before crossing the Imja Khola and climbing towards Pangboche. Continue into increasingly open alpine terrain before arriving in Dingboche.
Day 8 – Dingboche Acclimatisation | Up to 5,100m | 5–6 hrs
Spend a second night in Dingboche while hiking higher to support acclimatisation, with Nagarjun Hill offering an excellent objective. Depending on conditions and preferences, alternative hikes around the Chhukung Valley can offer outstanding views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Island Peak.
Day 9 – Dingboche to Lobuche | 4,910m | 6–7 hrs
Trek through the high Khumbu towards Dughla before climbing past the memorials dedicated to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest. Continue through dramatic alpine terrain to the small settlement of Lobuche.
Day 10 – Lobuche to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep | 5,364m | 8–9 hrs
Trek to Gorak Shep before continuing across rocky glacial terrain to Everest Base Camp. Celebrate reaching the foot of the world’s highest mountain before returning to Gorak Shep for the night.
Day 11 – Kala Patthar & Descend to Pheriche | 5,545m | 7–8 hrs
Make an early ascent of Kala Patthar for one of the trek’s finest views of Everest, Nuptse, Pumori and the surrounding Himalayas. Descend through Gorak Shep and continue down to Pheriche, enjoying thicker air and warmer temperatures as you lose altitude.
Day 12 – Pheriche to Namche Bazaar | 3,440m | 4–5 hrs
Continue your descent through Pangboche and Tengboche, retracing the trail as greener landscapes begin to return. Finish back in Namche Bazaar for a well-earned night in the heart of the Khumbu.
Day 13 – Namche Bazaar to Lukla | 2,800m | 5–6 hrs
Follow the Dudh Koshi valley back through familiar villages, forests and suspension bridges to Lukla. Celebrate the completion of the trek with your trekking crew on your final night in the mountains.
Day 14 – Fly Lukla to Kathmandu | Approx. 30 min flight
Take the morning mountain flight back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore Thamel, enjoy a massage or celebrate completing one of the world’s great treks.
Day 15 – Spare day
An extra day we like to intentionally schedule in, to give everyone heaps more breathing space in case of inclement weather or domestic transport delays. Think of it as a bonus exploration day.
Day 16 - Departure -
Transport
Private airport and hotel transfers
Return private vehicle and flights between Kathmandu and Lukla
Accommodation
4 nights’ twin-share accommodation in Kathmandu at a 4-star hotel such as Ramada Encore Thamel, Hotel Mulberry or similar
11 nights’ twin-share accommodation in local teahouses during the trek
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the trek
Breakfast while staying in Kathmandu
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Seasonal fruit during the trek
Trekking Team
Experienced English-speaking trekking guide/leader for each group
One assistant guide for every 6 trekkers, including their meals, accommodation, transport, salary and insurance
Porters at a ratio of 1 porter per 2 clients, carrying up to 15kg of personal gear per client, including their meals, accommodation, transport, salary and insurance
Permits & Government Fees
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
Local village development fees
TIMS permit, where applicable
All applicable Nepalese government taxes and charges
Equipment & Extras
Complimentary use of a four-season down sleeping bag and down jacket for the duration of the trek
Complimentary 80L duffel bag for personal belongings carried by your porter
Everest Base Camp trekking map
First aid kit carried by your guide throughout the trek
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Nepal visa fees and visa arrangements
International flights and excess baggage charges
Travel, medical and emergency rescue insurance
Additional accommodation in Kathmandu required due to early arrival, delayed departure, flight disruption or an early return from the trek
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, including meals required if returning from the mountains earlier than scheduled
Beverages including bottled or boiled water, tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
Personal expenses including phone calls, laundry, charging devices, hot showers, additional porters and other personal purchases
Personal trekking equipment and clothing
Tips and gratuities for guides, porters and support staff
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No technical experience required • Good general fitness recommended • Previous multi-day hiking experience beneficial
Moderate to Demanding | Good general fitness recommended
Everest Base Camp is a non-technical trek and previous trekking experience is not essential. The challenge comes from spending multiple consecutive days on the trail, steadily gaining altitude and eventually reaching 5,545 metres at Kala Patthar rather than from difficult climbing or technical terrain.
You should arrive comfortable walking for several hours at a time over uneven trails, including sustained uphill and downhill sections. Regular hiking, stair climbing, cardiovascular training and leg-strength work in the months before departure will help prepare you for the repeated daily effort.
Altitude is the biggest variable. Good fitness makes the walking easier, but it does not prevent altitude illness, which is why the itinerary includes dedicated acclimatisation days and gradual increases in sleeping
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Why We Don’t Rush the Mountains
Our trekking itineraries are based on recognised adventure-travel industry standards and established acclimatisation practices for each region.
While itineraries can often be extended to include additional rest days, side trips or a slower pace, shortening the recommended trekking schedule is generally not advised and as such is not supported by Peak Perspectives Travel Co. or our local partners.
These routes and timeframes have been developed around tried-and-tested procedures that help reduce the risk of altitude-related illness while improving your safety, comfort and overall likelihood of successfully completing the journey.
The mountains aren’t going anywhere.
We’d rather help you experience them properly than rush you through them.