When to go
February – April and September – December
Price
From £3,499 pp (including flights)
Flight time
09hrs 38mins
Introduction
Travel on foot to one of the tallest mountains in the world, Mount Everest. Travelling through Sherpa country, you’ll pass through remote villages and decorated fields. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of high-altitude scenery, including the Himalaya peaks, the Thyangboche Monastery, and Ama Dablam, which is renowned for its technical rock formations and a favorite among hikers.
At a Glance
Duration
16 days & 15 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,499pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
London – Kathmandu – Lukia – Phakding – Dudh Kosi – Namche Bazaar – Sherpa Villages – Kunde – Khumjung – Kyanjuma – Thyangboche – Khumbu Valley – Imja Valley – Dingboche – Lobuje – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep – Kala Pattar – Pheriche – Kyanjuma – Namche – Monzo – Lukla – Kathmandu
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour | Walking/Trekking
Activity Level
5 out of 7 - Challenging
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
3 nights in standard hotels, 12 nights in teahouses
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 4 people with a maximum of 16
Start/Finish
Kathmandu – Kathmandu
Highlights
Trek to Everest Base Camp
Travel on foot to reach the summit of one of the highest mountains in the world, Mount Everest. With the help of local sherpas and an experienced tour guide, you will retrace the steps of famed explorers, including the likes of Edmund Hillary.
Reach the Hilltop Monastery at Thyangboche
The Thyangboche Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is the largest monastery in the Everest region and stands at 3,867 meters at the top of the hill. Built in 1916, the Monastery was devastated by an earthquake in 1934 but rebuilt, only to be destroyed by a fire and restored in 1989.
Visit the Namche Bazaar in the Sherpa Heartland
The Namche Bazaar is a popular destination for hikers wanting to purchase climbing equipment, essentials supplies, and Tibetan artifacts. There is also a visitor center at the park headquarters, which provides detailed information about the various climbs in the area.
Recommended Hotels
3 nights in standard hotels, 12 nights in teahouses
Sample Itinerary Intro
Everest Base Camp Trek
With help from local sherpas and an experienced tour guide, retrace the steps of classic explorers like Edmund Hillary and reach the top of Mount Everest, one of the tallest (and most challenging mountains to climb) in the world.
On this memorable 17-day journey, you will be amazed by the stunning panoramic views, the hospitable nature of the friendly locals at Everest Base Camp, and the incredible architecture such as the Thyangboche Tibetan Monastery.
Day 1: Fly to Kathmandu
Depart London and fly to Kathmandu.
(N)
Day 2: Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and check in to your hotel. Participate in a full trek briefing in the evening.
Stay overnight at the Royal Singi Hotel.
(N)
Day 3: Lukla – Phakding
Fly to Lukla, a mountain airstrip, and take a short walking trek up the Dudh Kosi, otherwise known as a milk river. Descend into a forested valley and reach the Phakding settlement.
Ascent: 594ft
Descent: 1,280ft
Each subsequent night will be spent in a Teahouse.
(B)
Day 4: Dudh Kosi – Namche Bazaar
Depart Phakding and head north to Dudh Kosi. Travel through the forests and cross the river several times by bridge, passing through the Benkar, Jorsale, and Monzo villages. On a clear day, you may get your first glimpse of Everest summit.
Climb to the Namche Bazaar, a prosperous Sherpa town, and familiarize yourself with the many shops, facilities, and amenities around.
Ascent: 3,478ft
Descent: 863ft
(B)
Day 5: Kunde – Khumjung – Kyanjuma
Climb out of Namche and head to the Everest View Hotel. The hotel sits at 12,730ft and is the perfect spot for a tea break.
There is an optional stop at the Sagarmatha Next experience center. It educates visitors on the importance of reducing waste pollution on the mountain trails.
Descend the forest to reach Khumjung and have lunch near the Sir Edmund Hillary School. From there, visit Edmund Hillary Hospital and proceed to the Kunde and Khumjung villages. Descend the main trail and spend the night at Kyanjuma.
Ascent: 2,080ft
Descent: 1,486ft
(B)
Day 6: Thyangboche Monastery
In the morning, descend to the river, cross the Phunki Thangkha settlement, and climb through the forest to reach Thyangboche. Have lunch and visit the famous Buddhist monastery, the largest of its kind in the Everest region.
Ascent: 1,985ft
Descent: 1,050ft
(B)
Day 7: Khumbu Valley – Imja Valley – Dingboche
Descend the forest to Devoche and cross the Imja Khola, a 6,000m straightforward trekking peak. Follow the trail to Pangboche, which is 3 kilometers northeast of Tengboche and the basecamp for those climbing near Ama Dablam.
Have lunch at Shomore and climb to Dingboche.
Ascent: 2,441ft
Descent: 909ft
(B)
Day 8: Dingboche
Spend the day at Dingboche. Gradually acclimatize to the altitude of Mount Everest. If desired, you may climb the Nangkartshang Peak. You can climb all of or a portion of the peak. Please note the full climb is challenging but does provide incredible views. Enjoy free leisure in the afternoon.
Ascent: 2,572ft
Descent: 2,572ft
(B)
Day 9: Lobuje
Take a steep climb out of Dingboche and ascend to Dugla. Then reach the terminal moraine of the Khumba Glacier. Stop for tea and snacks. Then climb to Chukpo Lari, a memorial site for those who have died on Mount Everest. Then follow the trail to Lobuje, where you’ll stay in a treehouse. There is an optional walk to the Khumbu Glacier in the afternoon.
Ascent: 2,265ft
Descent: 315ft
(B)
Day 10: Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep
Prepare for a long, challenging day of walking and climbing. In the early morning, follow the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep. The steep, at times rocky, trail will take about 3 hours to complete. Rest at Gorak Shep.
From there, walk from Gorak Shep to the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Walk along the side of the glacier for a few hours and descend to Everest Base Camp. Stop for a short photo by the Base Camp rock and return to Gorak Shep.
Accommodation options in Gorak Shep are limited. The plumbing facilities may also be affected by the high altitude, causing the water to freeze and making the facilities unusable.
(B)
Day 11: Kala Pattar - Pheriche
Get ready for another challenging day. Take a steep climb over Gorak Shep to the peak of Kala Pattar. Enjoy the incredible views of the Khumba Glacier and an up-close view of Everest. Return to Gorak Shep and Lobuje for lunch. Proceed to Pheriche for the night.
The walk to Everest Base Camp, and the Kala Pattar climb, are both incredibly tough. The order in which you go through each route may change depending on weather conditions and the group’s ability.
Descend: 3,085ft
(B)
Day 12: Kyanjuma
Travel from Pheriche to Kyanjuma and descend to Periche. Cross a few small bridges, make some short climbs, and descend to Imja Khola Valley.
Walk through the rhododendron forests and climb up to Thyangboche for lunch. Descend the ridge to Phunki Tenga and return to Kyanjuma for the evening.
Ascent: 1,935ft
Descent: 4,100ft
(B)
Day 13: Namche – Monzo
Walk to Namche Bazaar. Spend some free time in Namche and have lunch. Then take the trail to Monzo where you will stay overnight.
Ascent: 985ft
Descent: 3,545ft
(B)
Day 14: Lukla
Retrace your steps to Chaunrikhara and start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla.
Descent: 165ft
(B)
Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel.
Spend 2 nights at the Royal Singi Hotel.
(B)
Day 16: Kathmandu
Spend a free day of leisure exploring Kathmandu.
Optional activities include a visit to the monkey temple at Swayambunath, or a visit to a Hindu valley temple in Pashupatinath. There are also various sightseeing tours which can be booked on the day and paid for locally.
(B)
Day 16: London
Your tour officially ends after breakfast. Transfer to the airport and fly back to London.
(B)
