Classic Everest Base Camp Trekking

Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief regarding Classic Everest Base Camp trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.

Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.

MorThe morning breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which are listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. After scan citing and enjoyable tour back to the el with free afternoon preparation for Classic Everest Base Camp treks.

Day 03: Drive to Jiri 1,900 m - 06 hrs journey.

An interesting drive towards east of Kathmandu on Nepal-Tibet/ China Friendship highway for few hours, on reaching at Khalichaur at Bhote Kosi River, leaving the main highway as the drive leads on winding uphill road to Charikot, a nice town of Dolkha distirct with views of Gaurishanker and Melung tse and as far towards Langtang and Everest on east directions. From this town downhill to Tama Kosi River and climb back to reach at Jiri a nice hill town, regarded as Switzerland of Nepal, due to it beautiful location of hills and valley cooler climate and views of snow-clad peaks.

Day 04: Drive to Bhandar (Chyangma) 2,195m and trek to Kenja 1,640 m - 05 hrs.

After overnight in Jiri, a short leads to start our walks from a nice village Bhandar, as drive leads to Shivalaya village and farm areas to reach at Bhandar village, this place is also called Chyangma village, the area around of mix tribe of people with Tamang, Newar, but predominantly Sherpa people. Morning our first day walk starts heading into farm areas to reach at Kenja village, a nice moderate size village, situated in a warm valley just beneath the high hills of Lamjura and Pike danda, offering views of Numbur peaks.

Day 05: Trek to Guranse 3,230 m via Sete 2,575 m -06 hrs.

Enjoining pleasant stop at Kenja, where morning walk starts with steep climb all the way to Sete village from here onwards the temperature gets cooler. As walk continues on high trails within enchanting woodland of tall rhododendron, magnolia, oaks and pine trees and then finally reaching our overnight stops at Guranse, a small village of Sherpa-Magar and Tamang the name Guranse means rhododendron that covers the forest around with Guranse trees.

Day 06: Trek to Junbesi 2,675m via Lamjura-la 3,530 m -06 hrs.Starting with cool morning walk towards Lamjura-la pass with steep climb into forest of rhododendron, pines and oaks trees then through many small farm lands and hamlets, after few hours of climb reaching on top of Lamjura pass marked by a big stupa with few lodges, from the top descend leads through forest all the way to Sherpa village at Toctoc. After a short stop continues a talk on the winding path to Junbesi, and then downhill to Junbesi, a lovely large Sherpa village with an interesting monastery and a high school funded by Hillary Trust.

Day 07: Trek to Nunthala (Manidingma) 2,190 m - 06 hrs.

After a pleasant stop at Junbesi, morning walk leads to a winding path with a glimpse of Mt. Everest and other snowcapped peaks, and then down towards a river to cross over the bridge, a short climb brings you at a nice Ringmo village, stopping here for lunch after a refreshing stopan hour of slow climb into forested areas to reach at Trakshindu pass of 3,070m high, which marked with mani and chortens with views of Numbur, Kusum Kangguru, Thamersarkhu and Kantega peaks. From here downhill to Nunthala past Takshindo village and old monastery, continue to descend to reach a farmland on the outskirt of the village, a short walk from the bottom of the hill brings you at the big village at Nuntahla also called Manidingma, a village of Rai and Sherpa people.

Day 08: Trek to Bupsa Danda 2,250 m - 06 hrs.Air gets cooler as the route leads close to Khumbu area, on leaving Solu region, morning begins with a downhill into the forest to reach a bridge over Dudh Kosi River, after crossing the raging Dudh Kosi River on winding uphill to Jubing village. After Jubing an hour climb to Kharikhola at 2,200 m high, which is a large village of Sherpa and Magar tribes, after a short break heading up hill after crossing Kharikhola with steep climb for an hour to our overnight stop at Bupsa, a small village perched on a ridge with superb views of rolling hills and valleys.

Day 09: Trek to Surkhe 2,295 m - 06 hrs.

From Bupsa a slow and steady walk reaches high Khumbu area where the temperature gets cooler as the walk continues through the mixed alpine forest. Walk leads over Kharte Dande pass at 3,880m high, way above Dudh Kosi River and then reaching at Puiyan (Paya) village at 2,800 m high a nice place in the midst of the forest. From Puiyan after having lunch leading on a winding trail with views of Lukla town and its airstrip, then descends to Surkhe village for an overnight stop in Khumbu area.

Day 10: Trek to Phakding 2,640 m - 05 hrs.After Surkhe village located beneath Lukla as the walk from here enters into high Khumbu areas, morning starts on gradual winding up past nice Sherpa farm villages and well tended crops with vegetable fields. As our route encounters several Buddhist monuments Mani (prayer walls) and rows of spinning bells and into the cool shade of woodland to reach our overnight stop at Phakding village located by the Dudh Kosi River.

Day 11: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m - 06 hrs.

Morning walks follows Dudh Kosi River upstream crossing bridges few time to reach at Monjo nice village with views of Kongde and Tharmasarku peaks with holy Mt. Khumbila towards the north. After Monjo enter into Sagarmatha National Park (Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepalese while Sherpa Calls Chomolungma which means Great Mother in both languages), a short downhill and over a bridge to Jorsalle the last village before Namche Bazaar. From Jorsalle walk on river bed with a climb up after crossing the last high bridge and into the cool shade of pines and rhododendron woods with views of peaks as winding uphill walks takes you at famous Namche Bazaar for two full overnights.

Day 12: At Namche Bazaar for rest and acclimatization day.

A full rest and acclimatization day at Namche, an interesting big village and a town with many facilities of ATM-Banks-nice restaurants and bakeries with many stores and shops, at Namche once a week Saturday Market is held which will be active and colorful to witness. On this day one can hike on top Namche for grand views of Everest-Lhotse-Amadablam and other series of high peaks and visit its interesting museum with full information of Khumbu and Sherpa culture with various flora-fauna. Other side hike to Everest View Hotel a climb above Namche for few hours rewards you with stunning views of Everest and other high peaks, for energetic people can take walk around Khumjung and Khunde villages to observe the culture and traditional life of Khumbu Sherpa, located on the glacial valley. 

Day 13: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery 3,867 m - 05 hrs.

After an enjoyable and pleasant time at Namche with rest days, morning walk leads to scenic walks on gradual wide winding trails with views of Everest and other giant peaks, as walk leads downhill to Imjatse river at Phunki Tenga, a small place with few lodges an ideal spot for a refreshing break or lunch stop. Afternoon walk leads to uphill climb into the cool shade of a pine forest to reach beautiful surrounding at Thyangboche Monastery facing panorama of mountains with Everest and Amadablam at close distance, here with time for a tour into monastery and witness monks and priest on prayer. Thyangboche holds an important ‘Mani-Rimdu’ a colorful religious festival where monks perform mask dance to wade evil spirits, the festival falls in the month of October as per the Buddhist lunar calendar.

Day 14: Trek to Dingboche 4,340 m - 05 hrs.

Morning enjoy views of Everest, our route descends into forested areas reaching a metal bridge, from here a slow climb encountering mani (prayer) walls along the walks to Pangboche village, last permanent village on route to Everest base camp. From here walk leads around the barren and windswept country where tree lines fades for small bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron (azalea). Walk leads uphill into a river gorge and then finally opens up into a wide glacial valley on reaching Dingboche with many good lodges around facing views of Imjatse or Island peaks towards east.

Day 15: Trek to Lobuche 4,980 m - 05 hrs.

From Dingboche climb to a ridge festooned with prayer flags and stupas, then walk on the nice gradual path heading to slow uphill with marvelous scenery to reach at Thugla, where Khumbu glaciers melts into a raging river. At Thugla with possible lunch stop and rest, afternoon walks leads to steep climb on top Thugla hill where you will witness memorials of unfortunate climbers who died on climbs around mountains of Khumbu and Everest. Walk continues for another few hours on nice gradual up to Lobuche for an overnight stop, a place with several nice lodges with views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks. 

Day 16: Trek to Gorakshep 5,180 m and walk to Everest base camp 5,364 m - 06 hrs.

Final day of the adventure heading towards our main highlight and final destinations to Everest Base Camp, morning starts on the wide valley with a slow climb to reach above Khumbu glaciers, walking past moraine dunes reaching at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges on the junction of Everest base camp and Kalapatthar route. Gorakshep was an early Everest base camp till the 1970’s before the route moved further away to present base camp. From Gorakshep few hours walk over moraine and glacier to reach our ultimate destination at base camp with  weeping views of giant peaks of Nuptse-Lo la, Nuptse with notorious huge Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers. In high mountaineering season, this place will be active with climbers and crews with many camps set on top of moraine and glaciers. After a grand time then head back to Gorakshep for the highest overnight stop of the adventure with fantastic memories of the day walks to Everest base camp.

Day 17: Climb to Kalapathar 5,545 m and walk to Pangboche 3,900 m - 06 hrs.

  Morning steep climb on top Kalapatthar at 5,545 m, highest spot of the adventure offers a super panorama of mountains with Everest at close distance. After an amazing time head back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue downhill walk past Lobuche and Thugla, as our route leads to windy Pheriche valley a place with many good lodges Pheriche with health post run by HRA (Himalayan Rescue Association). After Pheriche walk leads down with a short climb and then on long descend to Pangboche village with unique views of Amadablam at close distance.

Day 18: Trek to Kyanjima 3,560 m via Thyangboche - 06 hrs.

From Pangboche morning walk on the downhill to a bridge over Imjatse Rive, and then climb to Thyangboche Monastery within green vegetation and tree lines. At Thyangboche time to relax and enjoy the scenic views, as walk lead downhill to Phunki Tenga with a climb for an hour to reach a small place at Kyanjinma for an overnight stop, which is on route to Namche, a pleasant and peaceful place with superb views of Everest-Amadablam and Tharmasarku with other range of peaks. Here chances of spotting some wild-life like musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar and pheasant Danfe (national bird of Nepal).

Day 19: Trek to Monjo 2,875 m via Namche Bazaar - 05 hrs.

After a nice morning with views of Everest and adjoining peaks, leads to Namche with time for a lunch break and stroll around its bazaar with stores and shops, afternoon walk downhill to Dudh Kosi River to reach at Monjo village for an overnight stop before Lukla. 

Day 20: Trek to Lukla - 04 hrs. Afternoon free for walks.

Our last walk of the adventure, morning short trek of few hours following the same trail back to Lukla past Phakding and Ghat villages crossing over Dudh Kosi, and then with last final climb to reach Lukla town for last overnight stop around high scenic Khumbu and Everest region.

Day 21: Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel with a free afternoon.

Early morning get transferred to Lukla ‘Tenzing and Hillary’ airport for short scenic flight back to Kathmandu overlooking mountain panorama with green hill landscapes as flight reaches at Kathmandu airport and then transfer back to your hotel, with a free afternoon at leisure. 

Day 22: Free and contingency day in Kathmandu and for individual activities.

A free and spare day in Kathmandu for contingency, in case of flight delay and cancellation at Lukla, which happens sometimes due to Himalayan unpredictable weather. To be safe with an extra day in Kathmandu, if all goes well as per our itinerary days, enjoy the rest day with individual activities or join in for another exciting sightseeing tour around Kathmandu-Patan or Bhaktapur.

Day 23: International departure for homeward bound.

Last day in Nepal, a country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfers you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Classic Everest Base Camp Trekking.