Everest Base Camp. Graded CHALLENGING

Depart the UK for Kathmandu

We will meet at the airport, all excited for the our adventure ahead then we leave for Kathmandu

Kathmandu

A day in Kathmandu where we will be greeted by Sole Encounters and introduced to our lead Sirdar and taken to our accommodation to explore the city of Kathmandu. A bustling, fascinating city. Take in the sights of local produce, the smells of incense and do some shopping. Depending on the time of departure to Lukla the following day, we will have the opportunity to visit the local monkey temple and learn about its worship by the local Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

A kit check will be arranged prior to departure so any last minute kit additions can be bought or hired locally

Day 3:Fly into Lukla.

Phakding (2610m)(8560f) 3 /4 hours 6 k.m

Today we have an early start with an approximate 6.30 am flight from Kathmandu to the world famous airport Lukla (45 minutes). Lukla airport, also known as Tenzing-Hillary airport, was built in 1964 under the supervision of Edmund Hillary. From the very landing, you are becoming connected to a very prominent historical event.

If the weather is good, the views of the Himalayas from the small plane are amazing. After breakfast in Lukla (2840 m), a short safety talk and an introduction to our porters, we gear up and commence our trek. Today is a fairly gentle introduction, following the milk-white Dudh Kosi River approximately three-hours to Phakding (2610 m).

Day 4:Namche Bazaar (3440m) (11,290f)6/7 Hours 13.k.m

After breakfast at Phakding, we trek approx. 6/7 hours to Namche , lunch on the way to Jorsalle, and we will be following the Dudh Kosi river all the way to lunch. After lunch it is a gentle walk, crossing over the world famous suspension bridges which are lined with prayer flags. Over these bridges it’s not uncommon to take a minute and connect with the amazing feat Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay undertook on their expedition as you walk in their footsteps.

From this point you may notice the first altitude effects as we begin to climb. Here you will have an opportunity to learn how to walk at high altitude by watching the local porters with their heavy loads.

The first effects of altitude will be worth it however as today, we will get our first glimpse of Everest! Namche is the administrative centre of the Khumbu region. This will be the last time to check your equipment and hire any additional gear for high altitude. You will see the Sherpa village there. Afternoon explore at Namche Stay overnight Namche.

Day 5:Namche Bazaar (3440m)

We will stay at Namche Bazaar for another night so that you can properly acclimatise to the altitude. One of the best ways to do this is to take strenuous walk up to a high altitude then come back down to sleep. The aim is to encourage the body to acclimatise whilst you sleep, so there’s an optional walk above the Bhote Khola River Valley towards Thami (3810m). Taking a walk to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the national park headquarters above the village is also a great option. We can discuss as a group what our preferences are at the time depending on how we are feeling.

This stunning vista includes a super panorama of the Khumbu peaks and beautiful views of Everest. The national park headquarters are home to interesting displays of Sherpa lifestyle and culture, and the local flora and fauna. Namche gained its importance during the period when Tibetan salt was traded for the lowland grains of Nepal. Rugs, clothing, salt and dried meat still all do a roaring trade in the village centre, so haggle for any extra supplies you might need.

Day 6: Tangboche (3810m.)(12,660f) 5/6 hours

Today, we trek for about 5/6 hours to reach Tangboche. The trail boasts stunning views of some of the worlds highest and most spectacular; Everest, Lotse, Nuptse and Amadablam as we trek towards the holy ground of Tangboche, with its wonderful gompa (monastery). This is the traditional site where expeditions to the mountains receive their blessing from the high Buddhist Lama, this is where we visit to receive our blessings too. This is the place from where one of the best mountain panoramas can be viewed.

We also have the option of spending some time in the school of Khumjung village which was established by Edmund Hillary in 1961.

By this point we are truly connecting with the history and culture of the Sherpa people and Buddhist tradition. Exploring what Nepalese culture has to offer the soul.

Day 7: Dingboche (4410m.)(14,300f)5/6 hours 8.5 k.m

Trekking approximately 6 hours from Tangboche, we follow the valley through Pangboche village, which holds one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. Some years back, this monastery claimed to house a Yeti skull. Here we will learn about the tale of the Yeti skull.

From this point you are really in high altitude country – congratulations for making it this far! At high altitude, barley is the only crop which can grow here.

We continue to Dingboche, a picturesque village just under the Amadablam mountain. Dingboche is a summer village, used by Sherpas to look after their herds in the summer month, and it offers outstanding views of the mountains of Amadablam, Thamserku, Khangtega, Lotse, Nuptse, Tabuche and Island Peak.

Day 8: Dingboche (4410m.)(14,300) 

Today we take another acclimatisation day. Staying the night in Dingboche we can take a morning hike to Amadablam base camp, Nagarjun Hill or Chukkhung. We then return to the tea house for lunch and the afternoon is yours. You can explore the town, read a book or put your feet up and drink hot chocolate (and Nepal knows how to make a good hot chocolate!)

Day 9: Lobuche (4910 M.)(16,210 f)4/5 hours 7.5k.m

From Dingboche, we ascend the small ridge above Pheriche valley. From the Stupa, scenes of Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) make for a striking vision; they appear to lean forwards from across the valley in the west.

To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of the Cho La are the kings of the skyline. Trekking will now be relatively flat, walking through wide-open plains, but remember that there’s no rush – take your time and ensure you’re well hydrated.

Later the same morning you will cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla and take a light lunch at the foot of the terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier flowing off Everest.

In the afternoon, we take a steeper trek on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you’ll reach the emotive sky memorial; a host of memorial cairns built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last fifty  years including Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. This spiritual field of memories commands respect, a collection of so many who dedicated their lives to these mountains. It’s truly an emotional moment amongst the mountains.

From here the view maintains its magnificence, with Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Khumbutse (6623m), and across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550m). We follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuje, arriving early afternoon.

Day 10: Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp (5364 m)

This is the big one – the day we reach Everest Base Camp!

From Lobuche, we follow the valley that runs parallel to the famous Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual ascent enabling you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5160m).

Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately, and then set off towards Everest Base Camp. During our trek we will see incredible glaciers, lakes, ice caves and the notorious and almighty Khumbu Ice Fall which is the South’s gateway to Everest herself.

Everest Base Camp – You’ve made it!! An incredible feat and you deserve this moment to soak it in. Feeling the pride of making it to the foot of the world’s tallest and most famous mountain! Laugh, cheer, cry, take photos and do whatever you have to do to congratulate yourself on an achievement which many would not strive for – you truly deserve this moment.

From EBC we return to Gorak Shep. We will have an early dinner and an early night as the fun isn’t over yet. The next day we get up early to go for your own Himalayan summit – Kala Patthar standing at 5643m – a mighty feat! From the summit, truly awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan giants are rewardingly given.

Day 11: Kalapathar/(5550M)(18,192f) ( Pheriche )4371M(14340f)

Today we witness some of the Himalayas most recognisable sights. It’s time to dig deep as we make an early start to avoid the early morning clouds and go for Kala Patthar summit (5545 m) to witness the best views of Everest. Don’t be surprised if you get a little tear in your eye when you soak up the views of Everest.

Embrace that emotion and spend time here to savour this extra special moment.

The ascent is steep, we’re going for a summit after all, so we start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Kala Patthar is the rocky summit below Pumori. It’s a tough climb, but the view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest – they’re all here.

About three kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Then it’s all downhill from here – the descent to Gorak Shep.

When we arrive back at the lodge we will have a quick drink and head off to the rooms to pack our kit bags while breakfast is being prepared. After breakfast we will set off to Lobuche and Thugla, where we will stop for lunch. Then we’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and head down the valley below Cholatse to Pheriche, where we stop for the night.

It’s a tough walking day (approx. 8 hours), and depending on how the group feels, your leader will decide where you spend the night.

Day 12: Tengboche (5-8 hrs) or Namche (3440m.)(11,290f)

Today, we descend through Imja valley. We see the landscape is greener and walk through alpine meadows to Pangboche. We come back to the tree line, we walk through the bridge and stunning rhododendron forests.

Today we pass the Tangboche monastery again and we descend down to Phungithanga, continuing our way along a beautiful path, high above the Dudhkoshi river. Along the way you have a last view of the mountains Ama dablam, kangeta, and Tangboche monastery. We arrive back in Namche bazaar. You are slowly reconnecting with the civilized world. Walking about approx-7/ 8 hours. You can consult freely with your group leader for Tengboche or Namche on trek.

Day 13: Phakding (2610m.)

We continue our descent through beautiful forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir. We cross the Dudh Kosi River and ascend to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to Namche Bazaar, before descending down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. We’ll follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where we’ll stop for the night (approx. 5 hours).

Day 14: Lukla

You’ve done it, your last day of trekking! Today we continue back to Lukla via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forests, with great views of Kusum Kangaru. It’s only a short walk from here in the valley before making the final climb up to Lukla, where you’ll say goodbye to your Sherpa crew.

Here we get to celebrate with a hot shower and a few drinks with the group before flying back to Kathmandu tomorrow morning.

Day 15: Kathmandu

Weather permitting we take a short early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu on day 14 (approx 45 minutes). We’ll return to the hotel and have free time during the afternoon for further sightseeing or shopping.

Shop in some of Kathmandu’s many markets for clothing, embroidery, carpets or ceramics. If shopping is not your thing, take a trip over the Bagmati River to the adjacent city of Patan, with its abundance of temples and monasteries.

Here we enjoy a final night together.

Contingency day

Included in the trip for bad weather returning from Lukla in case flights are delayed or if we experience bad weather on the trip and decide to rest for an additional day

Day 18: Departure

Here we say ‘Namaste’ to Nepal for memories that will last a lifetime.

At the end of your trek please consider donating to the KEEP Porters Clothing Bank. As you will have come to realise on your tour, porters play a vital role in the tourism industry enabling tourists to visit Nepal’s most picturesque and difficult terrain. The majority are subsistence farmers who travel from lower areas of Nepal to the higher elevated trekking routes to find employment. Contrary to the belief that porters are well-adjusted to the cold and altitude of the Himalayas, every year many porters suffer from a variety of illnesses such as altitude sickness, snow blindness, hypothermia and frostbite and some even die as a result. The Clothing Bank was set up in 2009 to provide ill-prepared porters with better clothing suitable for trekking in a mountain environment and reduce the number of unnecessary illnesses and fatalities which occur each year.
Usually donations of used jackets and trousers/pants from Westerners do not fit Nepali porters who tend to be smaller. However donations of other clothing items such as socks, boots, sunglasses, warm gloves and sleeping bags are always welcome. Your leader can ensure that your donation is passed on.

Return to UK

Well done! Time to head home and grab yourself a well deserved bag of fish and chips on your way home. Hopefully still beaming with the wonderful memories you’ve earned and the new friends you’ve made