14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu with Kala Patthar

Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transferred to the hotel. After check-in, you can either take a rest or hang around the city, depending on your interests.
Accommodation: Hotel Encounter Nepal

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 1,300m/4,264ft

Early in the morning after breakfast, transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport to fly to Lukla, the gateway destination for trekking in the Everest region. After a 40-minute adventurous and scenic flight, we reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. Here, we meet our other crew members and then begin our first easy trekking day through forests, villages, and along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 2,652m/8,700ft
Flight Duration: 40 mins
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Today, we continue following the Dudh Koshi River and cross suspension bridges many times, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. On the way, we can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Thamserku (6,618m). Passing through the small villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we enter Sagarmatha National Park. We cross the last village of Jorsale before Namche and then continue with a gradual walk through forests and over bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers at Larja Dobhan. After that, a steep climb of about 2 hours brings us to Chautara, from where we get our first sight of Mt. Everest. From there, another 1.5 hours of easier walking brings us to Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading center.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,440m/11,280ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

After 2 days of walking, we take a rest in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize the body. It is recommended to stay active even on a rest day, as this helps the body acclimatize more quickly. Walking a little higher in altitude, around 100 ft, will help with proper acclimatization. In the morning, we hike to Thame and later explore Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast

Today, the trail has gradual ups and downs with magnificent views of the Himalayas, and we may come across musk deer, monal, and blue sheep while walking through the जंगल. We begin the day with a gradual walk down to Kayanguma, passing by the Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa and enjoying views of massive Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Taboche, Thamserku, and more snowcapped peaks. A little farther ahead, we reach Sansa, the junction to Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. We follow the right trail toward Everest Base Camp through pine forests and come across the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River at Phungi Thanga. From there, the trail becomes a little steep through forests of rhododendron and fir trees to Tengboche village, home to the biggest Buddhist monastery in the Everest region, where the close-up views of massive Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest are very impressive.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,870m/12,694ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

In the morning, witness and capture the awesome mountain views in the background of Tengboche Monastery. After breakfast, we continue the journey with a gradual descent through rhododendron trees and come across the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. About an hour farther on foot brings us to Pangboche, which offers dramatic views of the Himalayas and the village. Passing several chortens, mani walls, and Pangboche Gompa, we continue the trek through the villages of Syomare, Orsho, and Samso Ogma, where we meet the junction. From there, we follow the right path and, after crossing the bridge over the confluence of the Khumbu Khola and Imja River, climb a steep path to Chyakunwa Kharka, from where we can see spectacular views of Taboche, Ama Dablam, Khangteka, Thamserku, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many more. After a few minutes of gradual climbing, we are welcomed by chorten and prayer flags in Dingboche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,360m/14,300ft
Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Today, the trail is dry all the way but offers awesome mountain views on all sides. We start the trek by walking gradually through the Khumnu Khola Valley and reach the yak herders' place, Dusa (4,503m). Then, following the narrow trail, we reach Phulung Karpo, where a campsite was established during the first successful Everest Expedition in 1953. Farther along the way, the sight of Chola Lake and Mt. Pumo Ri (7,161m) appears. As we descend the trail, the view of Mt. Pumo Ri disappears and we come across the roaring stream. We cross the small wooden bridge and climb steeply up to Dughla. Dughla offers marvelous views of Nuptse, Cholatse, Thamserku, and several other magnificent peaks.

Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,620m/15,154ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Today is a short but difficult walking day, as we have to walk through the boulder path left by the Khumbu Glacier. Initially, we walk a steep path through the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and climb to Thukla Pass (4,830m). At the top, there are piles of stones with prayer flags and memorials to deceased climbers, including Babu Chiri Sherpa, a 10-time Everest summiter, and Scott Fischer, the American mountaineer. As we descend to the Khumbu Glacier moraine, several great peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal greet us. After crossing the Khumbu Glacier, we get a beautiful sight of towering Mt. Nuptse (7,855m). Further climbing the steep trail along the roaring stream, we reach Lobuche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 4,910 m/16,105 ft
Trek Duration: 3-4 hrs

Today, we have two options. The first is to reach Gorak Shep and, in the late afternoon, hike to Kalapatthar for an impressive sunset view over the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest. The second is to reach Everest Base Camp and then trek back to Gorak Shep for an overnight stay. We can split the group for option 1 and option 2.
After an early breakfast, we start trekking through the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Passing through the Italian Research Center and Lobuche Pass (5,110m), we reach Chongri Glacier. On the way to Chongri Glacier, we get the first sight of the summit of the north ridge of Mt. Everest along with a 360-degree view of snowcapped mountains, including Mt. Pumori, Mahalangur, Lingtern, Khumbutse, Nuptse, and many more. Walking up through the boulder path of Changri Glacier, we reach Gorak Shep.
Option 1: In the evening, we hike to Kalapatthar. Kalapatthar is a popular viewpoint hill. It takes 45 minutes to reach from Gorak Shep. From there, we can see very impressive, massive, sky-towering Himalayas, including Kantenga, Pumo Ri, Thamserku, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest, and many more.
Option 2: Leaving Kalapathar (the viewpoint) on the left and passing by Indian Army mountaineers' memorials, we continue toward Everest Base Camp, which takes around 3 hours to reach. We celebrate the achievement of our trip goal by capturing massive Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Punori from Everest Base Camp in our cameras. But from here, Mt. Everest is not visible. After spending memorable moments there, we trek back to Gorak Shep.
Note: The sunset view from Kalapatthar is more impressive than the sunrise view over snow-capped mountains, including Mt. Everest. So if you wish to hike Kalapatthar today, our guide and porters will accompany you.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 5,550m/18,204ft
Trek Duration: 8-9 hrs

Those participants who chose option 1 yesterday (Kalapatthar) will visit Everest Base Camp today. Those who chose option 2 yesterday (Everest Base Camp) will hike to Kalapatthar today for a sunrise view over snowcapped mountains, including Mt. Everest, and then wait for the other participants to return to Gorak Shep.
After having lunch together in Gorak Shep, we trek back to Dughla via the same route and then follow the right-side trail to Pheriche.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 5,364m/17,594ft
Trek Duration: 8-9 hrs

After breakfast, we trek down through rhododendron and juniper forest, passing by Samdrang village, stone walls, Tsuro Og, and then Samso Ogma, Orsho, and Syomare village. Crossing the river several times by suspension bridge and walking steadily, we reach Tengboche, home to the biggest Buddhist monastery in the Everest region. From there, we descend to the river and again cross a suspension bridge, passing by the beautiful villages of Sanasa and Kyangiuma, while also enjoying magnificent views of the Himalayas. On the way, we reach the Tenzing Norgye Memorial Stupa. We may also encounter wildlife such as snow leopards, colourful pheasants, Himalayan thars, deer, and more. After that, a gradual one-hour walk brings us to the main town of the Everest region, Namche Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 3,440 m/11,280 ft
Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

Today is our last trekking day, and we return by the same route, though the views feel completely different. The trail is steep, so we need to walk slowly, supporting our own bodies with shaky legs. We trek back while exploring attractions along the way, experiencing Sherpa culture in beautiful villages, and enjoying distant views of the Himalayas. The freezing cold turns moderately warm, and our bodies get some relief today. After breakfast, we begin with a gradual walk for a few minutes and then descend steeply to Larja Bridge, the confluence point of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. From there, the gradual walk along the Dudh Koshi River brings us to the exit point from the national park, Jorsale village. Again following the Dudh Koshi River, we pass by the small villages of Monjo, Chumoa, and Benkar, and walking through rhododendron forest, we reach Phakding. A few more hours of gradual walking bring us to Lukla. In Lukla, we relax and stretch our tired bodies. Late in the afternoon, we can stroll around Lukla. In the evening, we enjoy the last dinner with the crew members.
Meals: Breakfast
Max Altitude: 2,800m/9,186ft
Trek Duration: 6 hrs

After breakfast, you are free until departure time. If you have more time, you can go shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Black Diamond drops you at the airport. In the evening, we organize a welcome dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant, where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Meals: Farewell dinner, Breakfast

After breakfast, you are free until departure time. If you have more time, you can go shopping or sightseeing around Kathmandu. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight, a representative from Black Diamond drops you at the airport.
Meals: Breakfast