Nepal · Trekking

12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu via Kala Patthar

12 Days Round trip from Lukla Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Admire panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku
02 Visit Tengboche for beautiful views of Ama Dablam and an old monastery
03 Enjoy views of the eastern snow-capped mountains, including Island Peak
04 Feast your eyes on the Khumbu Icefall, Pumori, and many smaller peaks
05 Hike up to Kala Patthar for an excellent viewpoint over spectacular mountain scenery
06 Experience the lively atmosphere of Namche Bazaar with its many facilities

Witness the spellbinding beauty of the snow-capped mountains on this 12-day trekking journey to Mount Everest, passing through magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia, and giant firs. Starting from Lukla, the trek continues via Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and Everest Base Camp, with panoramic Himalayan views throughout. Along the way, see the beautiful Ama Dablam mountain, visit an old monastery in Tengboche, explore Chhukung Valley, and take in sweeping views of Nuptse, Lho-La, Khumbutse, and Mount Everest from Kala Patthar.

Witness the spellbinding beauty of the snow-capped mountains on this 12-day trekking journey to Mount Everest, passing through magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia, and giant firs.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp-South, Lukla, Dingboche, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Phakding, Lobuche, Kala Patthar, Gorakshep, Chukhung, Pheriche

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

Take a half-hour flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. From the hotel or guesthouse, you can see the airport and mountain scenery.
After breakfast, trek down to Phakding by following the Dudh Koshi River (White River), which takes about 3 hours. Then rest for the remainder of the day.

Day 02

Trek Along the Dudh Koshi to Namche Bazaar

Climb up to Namche Bazaar, which takes around 5 hours.
Follow the Dudh Koshi River through the natural beauty of the Everest region to reach Namche Bazaar. Many people also go to Namche Bazaar for shopping.
After the long trek, relax for the rest of the day.

Day 03

Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar

Climb up to Hotel Everest View, which takes about 2 hours, to see the panoramic Everest range, including views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kusum Kangaru.
Then return down to Namche Bazaar with your Nepali tour guide.

Day 04

Trek to Tengboche Monastery

After a day's rest in Namche Bazaar, continue your trek to Tengboche. It takes about 5 hours to get there. It is an amazing village in the Everest region, where you will have a chance to see a wonderful view of Ama Dablam mountain and an old monastery.
In the morning and evening, the Lama prays in the monastery, which you can visit, and you may also have a chance to meditate.

Day 05

Trek Through Imjatse Valley to Dingboche

After an approximately 5-hour walk to Dingboche, you will emerge into a pleasant level area and can admire the rhododendron-covered landscape.
Enjoy the amazing views of Ama Dablam and Kantega. Continue climbing gradually until you reach a big Mani Stupa.
Continue walking as you enter the Imjatse Valley on the lap of the gorgeous Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse, with views of the eastern snow-capped mountains, including Island Peak.
Reach Dingboche.

Day 06

Explore Chhukung Valley and Return to Dingboche

Look at the gorgeous scenery of the north face of Ama Dablam and the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge as you explore Chhukung Valley, which leads up to Island Peak.
After exploring Chhukung Valley, you will have time to relax in the afternoon. You can also enjoy panoramic views of Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Tawoche Peak, and other mountains.

Day 07

Trek Through Dughla Valley to Lobuche

Today, trek along the Dughla Valley for about 5 hours.
Reach Lobuche by hiking alongside frozen rivers, where stone houses sit in an icy wilderness of stunning beauty.
From ridge tops along the track, feast your eyes on the Khumbu Icefall, Pumori, and many smaller peaks.

Day 08

Trek to Gorakshep and Visit Everest Base Camp

Hike up to Gorakshep and continue to Everest Base Camp before returning to Gorakshep. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach Gorakshep, and you will hike for another 3 hours to get back from Everest Base Camp. At this altitude, it is more comfortable to hike up and come down for the night's stay.
Trek up the valley for a short look at the Khumbu Glacier, following the rocky path on the lap of Kala Patthar and Mt. Pumori.
Gorakshep is situated near Everest Base Camp. You can enjoy panoramic views of Nuptse, Lho-La, and Khumbutse, and there is also a chance to view an avalanche on the way.

Day 09

Sunrise Hike to Kala Patthar and Trek to Pheriche

Begin early in the morning with a hike up to Kala Patthar, an excellent viewpoint to observe Mount Everest and innumerable spectacular mountain views.

Day 10

Scenic Descent Back to Namche Bazaar

Move downhill to Namche Bazaar, which takes about 6 hours and offers very scenic mountain views.
Enjoy your evening in Namche, where many facilities such as drinks, a pool house, and shopping are available.

Day 11

Trek Back to Lukla via Phakding

Walk about 5 and a half hours to get back to Lukla.
On the last day of your trek, walk from Namche Bazaar to Lukla via Phakding.
Also visit the marketplace of the Everest region to relax. There are some bars, restaurants, and shops where you can spend the rest of your day in Lukla.

Day 12

Fly Back to Kathmandu

On the flight from Lukla, there is a chance to see the panoramic Everest range again.
After the half-hour flight, return to Kathmandu with unforgettable memories of your trip.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Lukla 12 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Airport/hotel/airport pick-up and drop-off by private car, van, or bus
Standard accommodation at a hotel in Kathmandu
Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus according to your trip
All your standard meals during the trek
Best available guesthouse accommodation during the trek
Local Sherpa licensed English-speaking guide
The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek
Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff
Everest National Park permits
Down jacket, duffel/kit bag, and sleeping bag
Airfare from Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu, including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla Airport
Surface transfer from and to Kathmandu
All government taxes

What's Not Included

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu
Your travel insurance
Alcoholic, cold, and hot drinks, and laundry
Personal trekking equipment
Tips for trekking staff and driver - tipping is expected
Any other expenses not mentioned in the "Price Includes" section

Know before you go

Everest Base Camp trekking is one of the most popular trekking journeys among trekkers. Starting at upper Phakding, this mountain trek follows the Dudh Kosi River and then leads to Namche, a busy bazaar that is a junction for trekkers, the local Sherpa, and expeditions en route to the mighty Mt. Everest. Along the journey, you are greeted by magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia, and giant firs. The best time for Everest Base Camp trekking is during early autumn and late spring, when the flowers bloom. After trekking through a high crossing path, you will have an enchanting view of Everest, and then a 2-hour walk will take you towards Tengboche Monastery. The beautiful monastery stands at a height of 3867 m and is surrounded by dwarf firs and rhododendrons.
During the Everest Base Camp trek, some of the best views can be seen from this region, where the scenery looks absolutely mesmerizing and stunning. The descent to Imja Khola takes you to the villages of Pangboche and Pheriche and then finally to the Khumbu Glacier. Lobuche, a vantage point for spectacular views of Ama Dablam and other peaks, comes after following the Khumbu Glacier. Then comes the ascent to Kala Pattar [5554 m], from where the beautiful scenery of the Himalayas makes you realize that every step you took was absolutely worth it. Not only that, but you can also see the picturesque southwest face of the colossal Mt. Everest. After reaching Everest Base Camp at the Khumbu Icefall, you make your way back to Lukla.
The specific time to carry out Everest Base Camp trekking is from the beginning of March to the end of May and from the beginning of September to December. However, you can go over the trek details in Nepal and even amend them according to your desire or your vacation.

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