18-Day Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu with Lukla Flight

• Arrive at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.

• Attend a short briefing about the tour and trek program ahead.

• Spend free time visiting nearby historic or countryside areas, or simply rest.

• Sightsee around Kathmandu's World Heritage Sites, where your Nepal guide will show you the UNESCO-listed temples. They showcase superb ancient and medieval Newari art and architecture, rich in a unique fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism.

• Explore the city's major places of interest.

• Meet the trek leader or guide in the afternoon for the trek briefing and final trek preparation.

• Sample a delicious traditional Nepalese dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurant with cultural dances.

Pick up in the morning for a drive to the domestic airport.

• Enjoy the incomparable first scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2827 m). The flight itself is exciting, flying parallel to the Himalayan giants bordering Nepal and the Tibetan side of China. Flight time is about 40 minutes, and you land at an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s.

• Meet the porters who will carry the equipment during the trek.

• Explore the village before hitting the trail.

• Descend towards the Dudh Kosi River, passing lucky prayer stones and prayer flags.

• Join the main trail to Namche Bazaar and the great adventure areas. The walk is easy, and after passing through the small villages of Chheplung (2650 m) and Ghat (2550 m), reach the lodge at Phakding. Visit local people around the area, rest, read books, or play new card games.

• Start the day from Phakding and cross the river to walk through stretches of blue pine and rhododendron forest, which are especially spectacular in spring when the flowers are in bloom.

• Cross the Dudh Kosi River at the end of Phakding, staying on both the east and west banks of the river, and enjoy great views of the snow-capped peaks of Kusum Kanguru (6369 m) and Thamserku (6623 m). Take a short walk to Monjo (2835 m) and have lunch.

• Ascend towards Namche Bazaar. It is a short walk to the entrance of the national park, followed by a fairly steep descent to cross the Dudh Kosi again to Jorsale (2805 m). The trek continues upstream on generally flat terrain, crossing back to the right bank to the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Dudh Kosi rivers.

• Climb steeply to the village of Namche Bazaar after crossing a large and stable suspension bridge high above the river. A slow and steady pace is recommended on this section of the climb. Make the most of the fantastic photographic opportunities as the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Taweche come into view for the first time. Take time on this path, which is used by local people as a 'foot highway' on this important trading route.

• At Namche, stay in a lodge in the heart of the village. (6.5 hrs)

• Stay at Namche for a second night to allow proper acclimatization to the high altitude and to enable full exploration of the town and its surroundings. Namche is a prosperous village situated in a large, protected hollow. It gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal.

• Go on guided walks and take a steep climb out of the village bowl to the flatter areas around and above Shyangboche Airstrip and Everest View Hotel, where beautiful views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Tawoche, Peak 38, and Thamserku abound. There are various options, including a walk with a series of great peaks rising to well over 6,000 meters just to the west.

• Explore the national park headquarters to see the interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture.

• Follow the route to Tengboche, weaving in and out of side valleys with small ups and downs, to the teashops of Kenjoma, and join the trail from Khumjung just before a collection of Mani stones. The views of Everest and Ama Dablam are excellent from this part of the trek. Pass the small settlement of Sanasa, from where the trail drops towards Phunki Thanga (3250 m). From here, the trail climbs steeply through forests and around Mani stones as it follows the side of a hill to the saddle on which the monastery of Tengboche sits at 3870 m. The view from here is rightly considered one of the world's most magnificent. Kwangde (6187 m), Tawachee (6542 m), Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse (8501 m), Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku provide an inspiring panorama of Himalayan giants.

• Spend the night in Tengboche village (5 hrs).

• Start descending through forests of birch, conifer, and rhododendron to the village of Dingboche. From here, the level trail passes many Mani walls in a deep rhododendron forest.

• Cross the Imja Khola River and climb the route past some magnificently carved Mani stones to Pangboche (3901 m). This is the highest year-round settlement in the valley, and the Pangboche Gompa is the oldest in Khumbu. It once contained relics said to be the skull and hand of a yeti. Beyond Pangboche, the route enters alpine meadows above the tree line, mostly consisting of scrub juniper and tundra.

• Cross the Imja Tse River and arrive in Dingboche, a labyrinth of walls and pastures. Dingboche lies in the valley formed by the Imja Tse River that flows down from Island Peak. This is one of the best valleys to feel truly in the lap of the beautiful mountains Ama Dablam, Kantega, and other peaks. (5 hrs)

The most important thing for acclimatizing at high altitude is a slow ascent. Therefore, it is imperative to spend an additional night at Dingboche to aid the acclimatization process.

• Spend the day hiking to Nzagazong Parbat to a height of 5000 m, from where the view is truly marvellous.

• Enjoy majestic views of Island Peak (6189 m), the rehearsal trekking peak, the south face of Lhotse, the giant Ama Dablam, and Mt. Makalu (8030 m). After enjoying the views, return to Dingboche (4 hrs).

• Trek up the valley to Lobuche and make sure to stay well hydrated. From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge behind the village above Pheriche Valley. From the chorten at the top, the peaks of Taweche and Cholatse (6440 m) dramatically line the valley to the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119 m) and the snowfields of the Cho La can be seen.

• At Dughla (4620 m), take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier, which has flowed off Everest. In the afternoon, climb steadily to reach a ridge with a line of memorial cairns built in memory of Sherpas and other climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last 50 years. From here, the view is spectacular: Pumori (7145 m), Lingtren (6697 m), Khumbutse (6623 m), and, across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550 m) are seen at the head of the valley, while Everest is hidden behind the towering walls of Nuptse and Lhotse. Then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuje, arriving in the early afternoon. (5 hrs)

• Hike to the western side of the broad Khumbu Valley and ascend gently through meadows beside the glacial moraine. The ascent becomes steeper and rougher as it crosses several side moraines. After rounding a bend in the trail, the conical peak of Pumori comes into view. On the lower slopes of this mountain, a ridge extending to the south terminates in a small peak known as Kala Pattar (5545 m), meaning 'black rock'. The trail then makes a short descent onto the sandy, flat expanse of Gorak Shep.

• Continue to the current Everest Base Camp, which is about a 4-hour return walk from Gorak Shep.

Return to this small settlement after the visit to the base camp (6 hrs).

• Go to Pheriche, retracing the route back to Dughla, and then continue straight downhill from the bridge to reach a lower trail, staying high above the valley floor. The views here are of a great valley and meadow. You can easily recognize Lobuche Peak, and Cholatse is visible in the distance to the left of Ngazong Parbat. It is amazing how quickly the trail is retraced after the challenge of ascending it on the way to Everest Base Camp.

• Now well acclimatized, head quickly back downhill to Dughla, taking a different route along the wide alpine valley to Pheriche for a long tea break. There is a trekkers' aid post here, supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which, although not manned year-round, is well worth a visit if open. (7 hrs)

• Ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of Imja Valley, Ama Dablam, and Kantega, before taking lunch at Orsho.

• In the afternoon, descend to Shomare and later pass through Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, then retrace your steps to Debuche and on to Tengboche. (6 hrs)

• Descend steeply to the suspension bridge at Phunkitenga and, after a break and a cup of tea, cross the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Tashinga. From here, the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa before returning to Namche Bazaar, where you stay overnight. Enjoy a final opportunity to visit the shops in the bazaar. (5 hrs)

• Head back to Phakding through busy Namche. Descend to Jorsale Bridge through jungle and rough trail, then walk to Monjo along the riverbank, cross the long suspension bridge, and continue gradually up and down to Phakdingma. This is a short and sweet walk, allowing time to rest on the way back before reaching Lukla the next day. (3 hrs)

• Retrace your steps back to Lukla.

• Head out from Phakding after breakfast and, although the final ascent to Lukla is a surprise for most trekkers, reach the airport in the early afternoon. Lukla is famous for its end-of-trek celebrations, although it is best not to overdo it, as the plane ride back to Kathmandu is not best enjoyed with a hangover. (3 hrs)

• Rise early in the morning to be ready for the arrival of the aircraft for the flight back to Kathmandu.

• Meet at the airport and go to your hotel in Kathmandu. Do not miss the chance to freshen up, do your laundry, and rest as you readjust to the lower altitude.

• Enjoy a party night. The guide can recommend the best and most memorable restaurant to experience the nightlife.

• Spend leisure time in Kathmandu. It is indeed time for souvenir hunting around Kathmandu's noted places, with an optional trip to tranquil historic heritage sites. Extra drive and drop services are provided anywhere.

• Meet the guide at the hotel for departure and transfer to Kathmandu's international airport.