12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal with Kala Pattar Hike

• Transfer to Kathmandu airport to board the flight to Lukla (2,800 m), a journey of about 30-35 minutes.

• Enjoy views of the rugged terrain as you arrive at Lukla Airport.

• Meet the other trekking members and have breakfast at the lodge. Your luggage will be taken care of by the porters here.

• Begin walking towards Bhaisekharka along stone-paved trails, passing plenty of prayer rocks while enjoying the flourishing village of Lukla. Capture some of the most beautiful rural scenes on the entire trek. This first short hike is specifically designed for acclimatization.

• Freshen up after reaching Phakding and take a trip to nearby monasteries.

• Stay overnight in a lodge at Phakding.

Duration of the trek: 4 hours.

• Trek to the first suspension bridge and continue on an easy uphill walk through the settlements of Zapute, Toktok, Benkar, Chumoa, and Monju, the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. Enjoy views of small tea houses and shops along the way. After completing the National Park formalities, the trail drops steeply to the long suspension bridge built across the Dudh Koshi River.

• Cross another suspension bridge and continue walking to the high Hillary Bridge at the bottom of the hill.

• Climb uphill to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest. This ascent offers your first great view of Mt. Everest, hidden behind Lhotse-Nuptse, along with other peaks such as Mt. Lhotse and Mt. Kusum Khangru.

• Stay overnight in a lodge at Namche Bazaar.

Duration of the trek: 5-6 hours.

• Namche is an essential acclimatization stop, and it is recommended to stay active rather than idle. You may go to Thame, an old Sherpa village, or choose another good option such as Khumjung, Khunde, or Khongde village. These excursions further aid acclimatization while allowing you to enjoy views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding snow-capped peaks along with Sherpa culture. You can also visit the National Park head office, museum, and monastery, or simply spend your time exploring the cafes, shops, bakeries, and restaurants of Namche Bazaar.

• Stay overnight in a lodge at Namche Bazaar.

• Have breakfast at the lodge in Namche Bazaar.

• Follow the trail that climbs briefly towards the ridge and then continues easily to Kyamjuma. From there, descend slightly to Dudhkoshi at 3,250 m. Between Kyangjuma and Sanasa lies virtually the only birch and rhododendron forest on the trek to Lobuche. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as musk deer, multicoloured pheasants, and herds of Himalayan thar.

• Reach Sansa, a major trail junction for both Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp.

• Take a steep ascent that leads to the famous Tengboche Monastery.

• Stay overnight in a lodge at Tengboche.

Duration of the trek: 5 hours.

• Hike for about half an hour down to the riverside through lush forest, cross the river, and then take a gradual climb to Pangboche (3,860 m), the valley's highest settlement. Along the way, spot several chortens, mani walls, and small villages, and enjoy close-up views of Mt. Ama Dablam.

• Continue ascending to Pheriche, from where a fairly moderate walk leads to the Imja Valley. Tackle the final steep climb of the day to reach Dingboche for your overnight stay.

Duration of the trek: 5-6 hours.

• Climb the ridge north of the village to appreciate magnificent views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Lhotse, and numerous other peaks visible from Dingboche. The vantage point on the ridge also offers a chance to observe the Imja Khola Valley and the charming fields and pastures of Dingboche (optional).

• You may also simply spend your day exploring Dingboche Valley.

• Stay overnight at Dingboche.

• Climb to Dughla through the Khumbu Khola Valley. As you reach Dusa, the valley begins to narrow.

• Continue through Phulong Karpo.

• Enjoy views of Chola Lake and walk on for majestic views of Mt. Pumori (7,138 m), which disappears as the trail descends and curves past a roaring stream.

• Cross a small wooden bridge and ascend to Dughla.

• Climb the steep terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, where you can see memorials to Sherpas who perished on the glacier of Mt. Everest. Spot other great peaks such as Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal.

• Continue up to Lobuche for your overnight stay.

Duration of the trek: 5 hours.

• Proceed to Gorakshep and check in to the mountain lodge.

• Have lunch and begin the climb to Everest Base Camp.

• See the crest of Everest's north ridge along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, and more. A short ascent from here rewards you with a 360-degree vista of snowy mountains.

• Take a steep climb through the torrent of the Changri Glacier, which also gives you a glimpse of Kala Pattar.

• Walk through rocky and glacial trails that finally lead to Everest Base Camp.

• Return to Gorakshep (5,160 m) for your overnight stay.

Duration of the trek: 7-8 hours.

• Hike to Kala Pattar.

• Walk uphill for a couple of hours until you reach the famous viewpoint of Kala Pattar, which offers some of the best views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam.

• Spend some time here appreciating and taking photos of the breathtaking snow-capped peaks all around you.

• Hike back to Gorakshep, have breakfast, and retrace your steps to Pheriche for your overnight stay.

Duration of the trek: 7-8 hours.

• Go downhill to Pangboche village.

• Cross the bridge over Imja Khola and continue climbing towards Tengboche.

• Take a steep descent from Tengboche and cross the first bridge over the Dudh Koshi River on the return trip to Phunki Tenga.

• Pass the villages of Tashinga and Sansa to reach Kyangjuwma. From here, Namche Bazaar is an easy walk.

• Enjoy a hot shower and visit restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.

Duration of the trek: 7-8 hours.

• Descend from Namche Hill to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Koshi River near the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers.

• Reach Monjo and complete the formalities at the National Park check post.

• Continue walking to Phakding for lunch.

• Proceed to Lukla. Much of the trail is fairly flat, allowing you to enjoy open plains, rhododendrons and pine forests, Sherpa villages, prayer stones, and flapping prayer flags with very little effort.

• Stay overnight in a lodge at Lukla.

Duration of the trek: 7-8 hours.

• Fly back to Kathmandu and enjoy a scenic 30-minute flight from Lukla.

• Transfer from Kathmandu airport to your hotel.