Everest Base Camp via Phaplu – 20 Days

Day 01 - Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m)

Our airport representative will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival. He/she will escort you to the respective hotel in a private vehicle. Your prior trip meeting will be scheduled on the very day at the hotel before dinner. However, our airport representative will give you a brief idea about the second day’s schedule on your way to the hotel. During this meeting, we will introduce you to your leader/guide. Please do not hesitate to ask questions about your trek or anything that is related to your trip. To make you feel comfortable, we host a welcome dinner for you in a popular restaurant in the city where you can enjoy authentic Nepali meal along with cultural programs including ethnic dance and songs. And the night you will be spending at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Note: If you happen to arrive after 4 pm you would be briefed about the trip by our guide, this will be the pre-trip meeting for you, so please make sure that you ask all the questions. But if you arrive earlier than 4 pm, your pre-trip meeting would be on that very day at our office. During the meeting, we will introduce your trek leader/guide. For the meeting, please make sure you bring the passport, three copies of passport-size photos and a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. During this meeting, please clear the due balance, if any, and sign the legally binding trip form as well as the non-liability disclaimer.

Day 02 - Spare Day

The spare day is your time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area for trekking essentials.

Day 03 - Fly to Lukla (2,804 m) and Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)
Total duration: 3 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

An early morning start takes us to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for the 35-minute scenic flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,804 m). On arrival at the airport, the guide will brief you and introduce your porters before we begin our trek towards Phakding (2,610 m). After landing you’ll have time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. Then the trek begins by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where you’ll join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2,713 m). This walk is considered to be a short hike that will help you to acclimatize. After almost three to four hours of walk, you will reach Phakding. There are many beautiful monasteries to visit, beautiful Lukla village and a breathtaking terrain to view. There are many resting places and lodges in Phakding and you will be staying in one of these lodges tonight.

Day 04 - Rest day (2413 m)
Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After your hilarious drive from Kathmandu to Phaplu, you will get a full day to rest at Phaplu. If you are well enough, you can also explore the Phaplu village as well as the airport. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 05 - Trek to Nuntala (2230 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today, your trek starts with a gently ascend towards Tak Shindo-la pass, from where you can view some of the mountains including Thamserku, Kantega, Kusum, Kangaru and Mera Peak.  Then, starts to walk in steeply downhill through small hamlets of Sherpas’ and green forest to the small town called as Nunthala. Spend overnight at local lodge.

Day 05 - Trek to Paiya (2230 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After breakfast, starts walking in downhill through the Dudh Koshi River and cross a suspension bridge of 109 m long. Then, climb up to the village Jubing through the field of barley, wheat, and corn. The trail continues to ascend till you reach the village of Khari Khola. Here, you will cross a wooden bridge and continue to walk in the uphill trail where you can see some water-driven mills. You will then reach to Paiya where you will spend your overnight.

Day 07 - Trek to Phakding (2610 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today, you will finally reach the main entrance to Khumbu. Following the up and down trail crossing several villages and suspension bridge following Dudh Koshi River, you will head your journey to Phakding. On the way, you will pass several mani-walls and boulders engraved with Buddhist prayers. Spend overnight at the local lodge.

Day 08 - Trek to Namche (3440 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

The trek chases the northern trial up the Dudh Kosi valley to Monjo. At Monjo, the trek officially enters Sagarmatha National Park where you have to issue Sagarmatha National Park Permit Card. Continuing the trail along the steep uphill climb while savoring the first glimpse of Everest; you will arrive at the hub of Sherpa- Namche Bazaar. Spend your overnight at local lodge.

Day 09 - Rest day in Namche (3440 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

It is a day to acclimatize you with higher elevation. On this day, you can go for a short hike to Khumjung, a beautiful settlement of Hospitable Sherpas. OR, you can roam around the Namche that offers Internet Cafes, restaurants, ATMs, and colorful markets. Even, you can enjoy the traditional living of mountain dwellers that is even beautified by the awe-inspiring surrounding and high altitude flora/fauna.

Day 10 - Trek to Tengboche (3860 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

With a delightful breakfast in Namche, you will walk on the side of the valley above the Dudh Koshi River. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you will descend steeply to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga; you can see water-driven prayer wheel. Also, it is an ideal stopover for lunch where you will take rest for a while before making the steep climb to Tengboche. Along the trail, you can enjoy the beautiful rhododendron bushes, birds and superb mountains that let you forget about the tiring zigzag trail. You will get the first view of spectacular mountains including Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, Tawache, Kangtega, Thamserku, Nuptse. Once you reach Tengboche, you can explore the Khumbu largest monastery- the Tengboche Monastery.

Day 11 - Trek to Dingboche (4410 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Starts your trail passing through lush forests of birch, confer and rhododendron trees. On the trail, you can have mesmerizing views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. You can slowly steep down to Deboche, then cross the Imja River to Pangboche. Ascend toward the upper Pangboche, you will visit one of the oldest monasteries of Khumbu- the Pangboche Monastery. You will continue your hike to the Imja valley and Lobuche River on the way to Dingboche. It is an attractive village that is beautified with the field of barley, potatoes, and buckwheat along with grazing animals.

Day 12 - Rest day for acclimatization (4410 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

It is a day to acclimatize you in the high altitude. Today, considering your physical fitness, you will be taken to Chhukung valley following the Imja River. From here, you can view the stunning mountains and Glacier lakes including Island Peak (6189m), Amphulapche (5663m), Lhotse Shar (8382m) and Lhotse (8516m). The main aim of today is to acclimatize you properly for more challenging days onwards.

Day 13 - Trek to Lobuche (4930 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today, the trek will continue up the village from where you can enjoy the mountains including Mt. Makalu. You will take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier and reach Dugla. You will rest for a while after taking lunch at local lodges. Then, you will walk on the trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb, there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche. It is situated in the beneath of Lhotse ridge.

Day 14 - Trek to Everest Base Camp, back to Gorakshep (5140 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

It is the most interesting and challenging day of this trip as the day starts with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Today, you will hike up to the Everest base camp at an altitude of 5364 m. You will head through the horizontal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. On the way to Gorekshep, you will witness the north ridge of Mt. Everest, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Nuptse and many more. Further climbing through the Changri Glacier, you can have the first glimpse of Kalapatthar. You will stop at Gorekshep for a lunch; then continue to walk for your ultimate destination- the Everest Base Camp. The splendid views of the mountains and scenarios make the journey livelier, even snubbing the entire tiresome walk in the steep route. The trail will last for approximately 3 hours from Gorekshep. Once you reach base camp, you can actually see the deadliest route to the Everest that makes the journey more adventurous. You will get to spend quality time exploring the base camp and surrounding areas and return to Gorak Shep to spend the night.

Day 15 - Trek to Kalapatthar (5550 m), back to Dughla (4620 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Next, to Everest Base camp, this day is too exciting and adventurous hiking to Kalapatthar. You will get an early morning call from our guide to get ready to hike first at Kalapatthar. The reason is to catch the sparkling yellowish snowcapped over the mountains especially Mt. Everest by the strike of every ray during sunrise. Every second becomes an exciting moment of a lifetime; well, don’t forget to capture in camera. Then, you will return back to Gorekshep with refreshing mood and descend back towards Dugla where you spend your overnight.                     

Day 16 - Trek to Pangboche (3930 m)
Total duration: 5-6 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today, you will mostly trek downhill. As you retrace your steps from Duglha, you will descend to Pheriche. You can visit The Himalayan Rescue Association, a trekker’s aid post. You will stay for a while for your lunch. Then, you will cross the Khumbu River by a wooden suspension bridge and follow the Imja River to the village of Pangboche where you will spend your overnight.

Day 17 - Trek to Namche (3440 m)
Total duration: 4-5 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

It will be the steep down following the River, crossing the bridge and enjoying the route decorated with birch and rhododendron forest. Your sight will even keep on catching few Himalayan giants including Everest, Kwangde, Tawache, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kantega and Thamserku. Overnight will be refreshing at Namche.

Day 18 - Trek to Lukla (2840 m)
Total duration: 4-5 hours

Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today is the final day of the trip. You will walk following Dudh Koshi River down to Lukla. You will have a celebration with the involvement of the Guide, Sherpa and Porters as well. They will serve some local’s beer called “CHANG” and enjoy party learning some dance step from traditional Sherpas.

Day 19 - Flight to Kathmandu (1350 m)
Meals Included: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

You will board a plane back to Kathmandu. Arriving at Kathmandu you will be transferred to your hotel and rest of the day will be your leisure time. You can go shopping, message, or rest at the Hotel. Evening time, we invite you for a farewell dinner at an authentic restaurant. You can share your experience, feedback us and give us a chance to make your evening a wonderful time.

Day 20 - Departure transfer (1350m)
Meals Included: Breakfast

You will depart Kathmandu carrying lots of adventurous memories of the Everest Base Camp trek.

Dates and Cost

Note : Set your own departure date if you have a group size of 2 packs or more.

Cost Include

• Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop off service by a private tourist vehicle.
• Welcome Dinner at Typical Nepalese Restaurant with cultural dance show
• Farewell Lunch/Dinner at the finest restaurant in Thamel Kathmandu
• 3 Night Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast.
• 16 Night basic guesthouse accommodation during the trek in mostly twin-share and occasionally dormitory-style rooms.
• Full Board Meal during the trek
• Local licensed English-speaking trekking guide.
• The required number of local staff and porters to carry your luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests.)
• Food, accommodation, insurance, equipment, and medicine for all staff.
• Everest National Park permits
• Khumbu permit for trekking
• Exclusive medical kit bag, Duffle Bag, Trekking T-shirt, Trekking Maps
• Sleeping Bag  Trek (upon request)
• Down Jacket during Trek (upon request)
• Airfare from Kathmandu – Lukla - Kathmandu including airport departure tax in Kathmandu and Lukla airports.
• All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
• Official expenses.

 Cost Exclude

• Your personal expenses for mineral water, soft beverages, confectionaries, laundries, phone calls, hot drinking water, barbills, showers etc. 
• Internet facility, battery chargers, multi plugs etc. 
• Extra baggage excess while flying to Lukla.
• Extra porter if you require. 
• Your travel insurance that covers Helicopter evacuation.
• Medical expenses and trip cancellation. 
• Any other extended trips and accommodation.
• Tips of a guide, porters and driver as a token of appreciation. 
• Any other expenses or charges that are not mentioned in “cost includes” list. 
• Nepal arrival visa.

Passport and Visas:
First, be sure you have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date.  You can obtain visas for Nepal from the Nepalese Consulate in your country or upon arrival in Kathmandu Airport. Nepalese visas cost USD 25 for 15 days and USD 40 for 30 days till date.

Get the required visa for Nepal.
You can get Nepal visa prior to arrival from the Nepalese Embassy at your home country. Likewise, you can easily get an up on arrival visa at Kathmandu airport and other different borders from Nepal. This is for those who travel from India and Tibet. For more information and download please visit Nepal Visa Information.

Bring Official Papers
Some of the required official documents are your valid passport, 4 extra passports sized photographs (for trekking permits), travel insurance, airline tickets, and luggage tags. Visas can be obtained upon entry into Nepal. For detail information, we request you to visit our visa page.

Money & Credit card Info
We find that most of the credit card, master and visa card is blocked from your card provider. It may be because of a security reason. It, sometimes, may bring you in a problematic situation that you can't get money from ATMs and that you find difficult to pay for your treks and tour. To find yourself free from this problem, you can call your card provider before you travel to Nepal and inform there that you are traveling to Nepal. Ensure them to give the authorization for the payment. In Nepal, you have to pay 3.5 % credit card commission s per Nepal Bank rules, on top of your payable amount for the trek cost.  So, please be sure that you bring some cash in USD to pay us. Likewise, be sure you have brought some small amount for your daily expenses as well as for those items which are not included in our cost. We request you not to change money in the Airport. The exchange rate is very low there. Our office provides you with the facility to change your money. Or, you can take help from Money Changers in Thamel.

Travel Insurance:
Our clients must have comprehensive travel insurance package. Their insurance must cover against medical, personal accident, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost of gears, natural calamity, theft of or damage to baggage etc.

Who can trek?
No special degree of fitness is required and that there is no age barrier. However, in the areas over 3000m altitude, extra care should be taken. One can trek who have strong legs and the spirit for adventure to explore the exotic will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the hills of Nepal. Normally, for weary trekkers, we have a list of short, easy and exotic treks and for the experienced trekkers, we offer a longer trek with lots of excitement and adventure. We encourage all men and women, families, students and professionals around the world to enjoy the enchanting trekking in Nepal. You can join us as an individual team member or with your own group. We commit to arranging the best trekking that delights you in the Nepal Himalayas. If you can have fun walking for 3-6 hours up and down hills to Nepal, pack your luggage and join us for an exhilarating and unforgettable journey. All the necessary things for your trekking will be arranged by us. What you can do is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and magnificent view of Nepal Himalayas.

Clothing and Equipment for Traveling in Nepal
Trekking in the Himalayas needs to the arrangement of equipment as you have to find yourself comfortable at higher altitude. The basic clothing item that you are expected to be prepared with are well described here. Remember that excess baggage is likely to be a burden for yourself and your supporting staff. "Pack light, but pack right", is our motto. This will allow you to enjoy a comfortable journey with your energies and enthusiastic zeal focused on the exploration of this enchanting Nepal scenic beauty. Please visit here for Clothing and Equipment list.

Buying and Renting Equipment in Kathmandu
It is not really necessary to spend a large amount of money buying extra equipment and clothing prior to your trip. It is because most of the trekking equipment can be hired from many adventure shops within Kathmandu. Most of the gear is locally manufactured (hence a lot cheaper). Some Chinese gear is likely to be more expensive but qualitative. Sleeping bag and down jacket are easily rented. Each item can be rented for less than USD 1, for a day. You have to manage other items buying them yourself. However, these items are more likely to be cheaper than those in your hometown. We will arrange all the necessary items you need on the second day of your arrival. 

Vaccination for Nepal
All travelers should consult with their physician or update on vaccination requirements before travel. (Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities) For traveling to Nepal; we recommend you to take a vaccination of Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies etc, it is not really must but recommended.

How to Book
While you chose which trip you wanted to go with, contact us to our head office Thamel Kathmandu Nepal by mail or phone, email is more easy and clear options, as soon as we get your email or call we will process for your booking. We need 20% booking amount to confirm your booking, the payment can be made through the Bank transfer, Credit card payment (Master/Visa card) or through online money transfers also Money Gram, Western Unions or others. After we get the 20% amount we will confirm your booking and you will get the official booking and payment receipt. The final balance for the tour will be paid upon arrival in Kathmandu.