Everest Base Camp Trek

Anapurna
Everest as seen on the trail to Tengboche from Namche (Photo: Jenny)

Everest Base Camp Trek (19 days, 18 nights)

Towering Himalayan peaks from Everest to Ama Dablam, picturesque Sherpa villages, and sacred Buddhist monasteries - aspects that define the magical and inspiring landscape of the Khumbu region in eastern Nepal. Khumbu is the home of Mount Everest (8,850m) - better known as Sagarmatha among Nepalis and Chomolongma among Tibetan -speaking communities. Located in the Sagarmatha National Park, many visitors come to this region to glimpse the world's highest peak but come away with much more: an appreciation of the local people who make their home in this high and difficult landscape, a spirit of adventure that brings them back to the Himalayas, and other individual and personal experiences.

As you trek through the villages of the famous Sherpa people, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains that rise above the clouds. From Gorakshep at 17,100 ft., your highest camp, hike to the Everest Base Camp the site from where every year hundreds of climbers attempt to reach the summit of the tallest peak in the world. Also climb Kalapathar (18,195 ft) for an up-close view of the south face of Everest. Return to Lukla via Khumjung, one of the largest Sherpa villages.

 

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu

Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu

Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house cityguide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a Million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in the world. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum storing ancient Nepali artifacts, followed by a tour of Patan Durbar Square. Drive back to Kathmandu. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Phakding (8,700 ft.)

Your day will start very early today as most flights to Lukla are scheduled for the early morning hours. Be ready for a wait at the airport as your flight can be delayed due to weather. The flight is approximately 25 minutes and the landing at Lukla airport is very dramatic. After a brief stop at Lukla, set off on your hike to Phakding. Past Lukla, descend to Chaurikharka and continue on a fairly level trail to Choplung. Continue on a descending trail to Ghat. There is a monastery, numerous prayer wheels, mani stones and a chhorten at Ghat. Whenever possible, please remember to turn all prayer wheels in a clock-wise direction and to walk on the left side of shrines and manes (i.e. keeping these sacred objects to your right. From Ghat, it is approximately 20 minutes to Phakding. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Phakding to Namche (11,270 ft.)


Mani stone (Photo: Jenny)

The day's trail follows the Dudh Koshi until you begin your ascent to Namche. Pass several villages to Monju. Before reaching Monju is the village of Chumoa where in the 1970's, an eccentric but creative Mr Hagayuki lived without a visa for almost 10 years - farming and running the Hatago Lodge - before being deported. Just beyond Monju is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where your park permit will be checked. Depending on the time you reach this point, lunch will be either at Monju or the village of Jorsalle inside the park.

Past Jorsalle, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi and crosses it only to recross it at the base of the hill which climbs up to Namche. The climb is long and steep. The switchback trail is well-worn and wide through a pleasant pine forest.

Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 05 - Namche (11,270 ft.)

Today is an acclimatization day. You are free to visit the National Park Museum or wonder around Namche town. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Namche to Tengboche (12,900 ft.)

Climb to the top of Namche Bazaar, then walk on a fairly level trail to Kenjuma and Sanasa. Here there are extensive displays of souvenirs to tempt you. Bargaining is very much in order! The trail descends to Dudh Koshi which must be crossed to reach Phungi Tenga. There is a now-deserted army post here. Past this point, the trail ascends to Tengboche monastery through conifer and rhododendrons forests.

Visit Tengboche monastery in the evening or watch the setting sun cast its last rays over Everest if the skies are clear. There is also an eco-centre with historical and cultural exhibits in the monastery compound. If monks are performing prayer ceremonies when you visit, please do not take flash photos or otherwise disturb the ceremonies. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 07 - Tengboche to Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

From Tengboche, the trail descends steeply to the small village of Debuche, where quietly tucked away in the trees is a nunnery. Well past Debuche, cross the Imja Khola and climb to the village of Pangboche. Past Pangboche, the trail climbs to Shomare and then to Orsho on a shelf above the river. Beyond Orsho, the trail divides, the left leads to Pheriche and the right to Dingboche. We will take the trail to Dingboche in the Imja valley.

From today, you will start to notice the change in the landscape. Forests give way to arid landscape with shrubs. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Dingboche (13,950 ft.)

Rest day for acclimatization. Free to go for a day hike or to just relax. Overnight local lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Dingboche to Dughla (15,100 ft.)

Take the high route over Feriche to Dughla. Today is a half day. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Dughla to Lobuche (16,200 ft.)

Another short trek day today. Climb directly up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier into an area dedicated to climbers who have perished on Khumbu's mountains. Past this point, it is a very gradual incline to Lobuche. After you have settled in at your lodge, you are welcome to visit the varioius memorials to those who have perished on Everest, or hike up one of the ridges above the village for excellent views of Nuptse and Lhotse. Overnight HCR lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Lobuche to Gorakshep (17,100 ft.)

Another short trek day. Begin the climb today by ascending gently through meadows in the Khumbu valley. Then cross several steep moraines while also walking on an active glacier. Gorakshep is situated on a sandy and flat section that served as base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest expedition. Continue to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorakshep. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Gorakshep to Feriche/Pangboche


View enroute to Kalapathar (Photo: Werner)

The trek to Kalapathar (18,195 ft.) is the final high-altitude climb of this trip, as a result of which you will perhaps achieve the highest reward for your perseverance. The trail ascends steeply to Kala-Pathar, but the view from here is one you are unlikely to forget. Return to Gorakshep and descend to Feriche. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 13 - Feriche/Pangboche to Tengboche

Retrace trail to Tengboche monastery. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 14 - Tengboche to Khumjung

Descend sharply to the Dudh Koshi river and then ascend to Mong danda. Follow the slopes of Khumbila towards the hidden valley of Khumjung. At Khumjung, visit the Khunde Hospital and then the Khumjung School - both projects of the Himalayan Foundation. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

 

Day 15 - Khumjung to Monjo

Descend to Monjo. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 16 - Monjo to Lukla

Last day of trekking to Lukla. Overnight lodge. (All meals)

Day 17 - Lukla to Kathmandu

Fly Lukla to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (Breakfast)

Day 18 - Kathmandu

Full day of Sightseeing in Kathmandu: visit Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. Then drive to Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Overnight Hotel Tibet. (All meals)

Day 19 - Depart for home

Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to your hotel. Day Free.

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person. The deposit must be wired. We will refund up to $30 to cover your wire expenses. Wire details will be provided. The balance of the amount must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks, cash or by credit card (visa only).

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Cancellation policy:

- Cancel 30 days prior to the beginning of the trip, deposit valid for any trip undertaken within a year with us in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India.
- Cancel anytime prior to the beginning of the trip, forfeit trip deposit.
- No refunds once trek begins.

Altitude sickness

This trek does involve sleeping and hiking at high altitude. We will, as we do for all high-altitude treks, provide a GAMOW bag for this trip.  A GAMOW bag is a portable hyperbaric chamber that looks like an inflatable extra-large sleeping bag. The effective altitude inside the inflated GAMOW bag is about 5000 feet lower than the altitude you are at; it has been very effective in the past in relieving headaches and other symptoms of altitude sickness.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Mountain Treks organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers every year. Feel free to ask us for references who can tell you about their experience with us.

TREK RATING:

This trek is rated strenuous and involves trekking at high altitude; highest altitude reached is 18,192 ft. at the summit of Kalapathar. Highest overnight elevation is 17,100 ft at Gorakshep. The entire trip involves a lot of up and down. A Gamow Bag will also be provided.

No technical climbing experience is required for participation on this trip.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

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Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813

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