Pur. Helicopter and Lhotse mountain Everest Base Camp trek

EBC trek and helicopter

12 days

The Everest Base Camp trek is a challenging multiday journey that offers unparalleled scenery, including views of Khumbu Glacier and Everest itself. En route you meet the Sherpa people and learn about their customs and religion. Finally, you catch a helicopter back to the starting point in a breathtaking ride that affords views of the Himalayas few ever see.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Today is meet-up day. We fetch you from the airport and take you to the hotel in Thamel, a busy district in Kathmandu. Arrive early enough and there'll be time to purchase or rent any last-minute items, explore the town a bit, and maybe even take a tuk-tuk ride. We enjoy dinner together as a group and chat about what to expect in the upcoming days.

Ours. Votive temples and shrines in a row at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 2: Drive to Ramechhap

Today we drive southeast for five hours to reach the town of Ramechhap. It's a pretty destination; it's surrounded by terraced farms and snow-capped mountains. There's time to explore the town before our flight tomorrow from nearby Manthali Airport (also known as Ramechhap Airport).

Male Oriental garden lizard (Calotes versicolor), also known as bloodsucker or changeable lizard, sits on the dry branch in Nepal near Ramechhap

Day 3: Trek to Phakding (3-4 hr)

We take a short flight to the mountainside town of Lukla (2,860 m). Then we get walking! We head into in a lush, forested valley. The start of the trek route is a very pretty and relatively easy hike. The trail stays close to the river and passes through picturesque Sherpa settlements. We overnight in the riverside village of Phakding (2,610 m).

Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (6 hr)

Today's trek ups the ante as we must climb greatly in altitude to reach the regional hub of Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Namche sits on the side of a steep valley and overlooks the confluence of two rivers. For the lucky ones here on a weekend, there's a Saturday market that sees folks from all around come to Namche to trade.

Day 5: Acclimatisation day

We have a rest day to allows the body to acclimatise to the jump in altitude to avoid developing altitude sickness. There's a local monastery, Sherpa Museum and other great places to visit in Namche Bazaar. And those who wish can do a day hike to the pretty nearby village of Thame, or to Everest View Hotel where you can order a coffee and take in the amazing view.

A trekker stands by Tibetan prayer flags near to Namche Bazaar, a town that sits along the Everest Base Camp trail and is a common acclimatisation rest stop

Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (5 hr)

Today we head further up the Dudh Kosi valley to reach the village of Tengboche (3,870 m). The views on today's hike of Lhotse, Everest and Ama Dablam are unforgettable! Tengboche Monastery is the largest gompa (Tibetan Buddhist fortification) in the Khumbu region and definitely worth a visit. You can expect to feel the effects of the thinning air.

Ours. Tengboche Monastery, EBC trek, Nepal

Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (5 hr)

We climb up the Imja Khola valley, walking through woods and enjoying increasingly spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks towering around us. Ama Dablam and Island Peak in particular are breathtaking. We also pass by Panboche, the highest year-round settlement in the valley. Its monastery is the oldest in the region. We overnight in Dingboche (4,360 m).

Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (5-6 hr)

As we head deeper into the mountains today, the environment becomes very barren and forbidding, and settlements increasingly sparse and rudimentary. But oh, the mountains, how they soar above us! Expect a rocky path and a steep ascent near the end of the day's climb before reaching the village Lobuche (4,950 m) for the night.

Day 9: Everest Base Camp! (7.5 hr)

We dig deep today, because we have around eight hours of trekking ahead of us, and also the rarified air means every step requires extra effort. The reward is huge: standing in the famous base camp (5,364 m) that's seen the likes of Norgay and Hillary! We also see the Khumbu Icefall and the peaks of Khubutse, Pumori and Changtse. After soaking in the moment, we go back to Gorakshep (5,164 m) for the night.

Day 10: Helicopter ride to Lukla

In the morning we tackle Kala Patthar ('Black Rock'), which leads us to our highest elevation: 5,643 m. From here we have an amazing view of Everest (8,848 m), as well as Lhotse, Nuptse and other epic peaks! We then board the heli for a once-in-a-lifetime flight through the Himalayas back to Lukla. What a way to end the journey!

Ours. Helicopter and bags EBC trek Nepal

Day 11: Transfer to Kathmandu

Today we catch the short but breathtaking flight back from Lukla to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. We then drive to the Thamel district of Kathmandu. There are many great places to eat in Thamel, from fine dining to street stalls, or you could opt for a well-deserved spa treatment followed by a night in!

Day 12: Departure day

Today is farewell time as we pack our bags and head to the airport. If there's time before you flight, you can check out some of the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, a city rich in history and culture. We especially recommend visiting the Monkey Temple, a large complex full of ornate temples and colourful prayer flags.

Inclusions

Domestic flights

Airport transfers

Helicopter ride

Some meals before and after trek

All meals on trek

Experienced, English-speaking trek guide

Porter

All taxes and permits

Group medical supplies

Group route map

International airfares

Nepali visa

Traveller's insurance

Trek guide and porter tips

Snacks, mineral water, cool drinks and alcohol

Wi-Fi on the trek

Charging of tech items on the trek

Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights

What others have to say

See our reviews on

UmbertoNov 2021

Incredible 10 day trip to Nepal - followalice was fantastic to take care of all the admin part to make sure we got in and out of the country very smoo...

Everest Base Camp - EBC trek and helicopter

Gallery

Himalayan tahrs in front of Ama Dablam on EBC trek, Nepal

Sagarmatha NP, view of village, rhododendrons, Image by GRID-Arendal on Flickr

FAQs

Do I need traveller's insurance to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Absolutely! You should never do a high-altitude trek without traveller's insurance. At the very minimum, you should take out medical insurance, which includes helicopter evacuation. Also, the Government of Nepal won't grant you a trek permit without proof of traveller's insurance.

We discuss the type of traveller's insurance you should take out in more detail in Everest Base Camp trek cost.

How do I reach the start of the Everest Base Camp trek?

The easiest and most direct way to reach the start of the Everest Base Camp trail, which is in the town of Lukla, is to take a 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport.

Is Everest Base Camp trek dangerous?

Yes and no. The trek isn't dangerous if done under the guidance of a local guide who knows the route well and also keeps a close eye on the weather. The trail is reasonably safe, while still being a mountainous path. But this isn't a technical route, so there's no rock climbing or anything like that. The biggest dangers are the extreme weather and the high altitude. You need to bring the proper clothing and equipment to keep warm and dry, and you need to include at least one acclimatisation day during your ascent to avoid altitude sickness.

Is the Everest Base Camp trek hard?

Yes, most definitely. But it's also totally doable. There are no technical elements, so it's just about having good fitness and determination. We do recommend bringing trekking poles to help you manage the rocky and uneven sections of the trail.

What is the currency in Nepal?

Nepal's currency is the Nepali rupee, abbreviated to Rs or NPR. Note that the NPR is a closed currency: you cannot get your hands on it outside of Nepal. Fortunately you can exchange major currencies for NPR at Kathmandu Airport, or you can draw some of the local currency from an ATM.

What equipment do I need for the Everest Base Camp trek?

Those trekking the Everest Base Camp route must bring: hardy, worn-in hiking boots; a winter jacket made with a quality insulating material like down; thermal under-garments; a four-season sleeping bag; and a daypack with a hydration bladder. You should also bring a duffel bag for the bulk of your belongings – you give this to a porter to carry.

For a full list of what to pack, please read Everest Base Camp packing list.

What's altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is the body reacting badly to being made to go too high too quickly. The higher we climb, the fewer oxygen molecules we breathe in per breath. Our bodies find it hard to function properly with less oxygen, and need adequate time to adapt. Symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, vertigo, headaches and sleeplessness. Severe altitude sickness can be fatal.

Anything above 3,000 m can lead to altitude sickness, and we climb well above 5,000 m on the Everest Base Camp trek! So this is something to be taken seriously.

Please read more about the sickness and how to try prevent it in How hard is Everest Base Camp?

What vaccines do I need to travel to Nepal?

None. That said, you might like to visit your doctor before international travel for personalised advice. We can also recommend Fit for Travel as a good resource for health and safety advice.

When is the best time of year to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Peak seasons along the Everest Base Camp trail are late September to November, and March to May. These months see little rain, aren't as cold as others, and usually offer good visibility. But given its increased popularity in recent years, the EBC trek can be quite crowded during peak seasons; as many as 500 individuals can set out on the trek route each day!

Learn more about the different months and their conditions in Best time to trek Everest Base Camp.