Total distance in Km: 130km ( Lukla- EBC- Lukla )
Highest point: Kalapattar ( 5644m/18517 ft. )
Lowest point: Lukla ( 2860m/9383 ft. )
Board on the amazing adventure of lifetime with Everest base camp trekking. Picture yourself through stunning landscape, amazing Sherpa people and their culture at high mountain trails. The journey promises breathtaking views of the highest mountain of the world accompanied by many 8000m mountains. Join us for an unforgettable experience of trekking high up in the Himalayas while you will be encountering warm hearted locals and conquer challenging terrain. If you have limited time or you want to experience Everest from a bird ‘s eye view then Everest base camp trekking with helicopter return is the best option for you.
Following are some information regarding the places that you will come across Everest base camp trekking. You can follow this as an itinerary for Everest base camp trekking as well.
Lukla
Elevation: 2860m/9383 ft.
This is the place where your trekking starts. You will reach Lukla by flight which is around 35 minutes from Kathmandu. The flight to Lukla is an adventure in itself as you will be landing on one of the shortest runways accompanied by mountains all around. This beautiful town in the lap of the Himalayas offers a variety of shops and Lodges catering to the tourists providing western style meals and trail supplies. There is high temperature fluctuation, and temperatures can reach freezing even in the middle of summer. Lately, Lukla has become a commercial place because of the many trekkers, visitors, and mountaineers that come every year. Thus, though the town is small, it is full of bustling trekkers and mountaineers. There are lots of hotels and lodges offering bed and breakfast. Apart from that, the town also offers luxury for luxury seekers as few places provide attentive service to guests, decent room size with private bath, electric blankets, internet and many more. Three course meal for dinner good continental breakfast you name you got in such a harsh place in the lap of a mountain.
Phadking
Elevation: 2610m/ 8562ft.
Generally this is the first stop for a night for many trekkers going to Everest base camp. While in Phadking you will find many comfortable hotels and lodges from basic to mountain luxury like Yeti Mountain home. The small place is surrounded by hills of Dudh Koshi River, the place is located in a picturesque location. The trail is not that challenging, you will have an easy walk following the trails leading to Namche bazar. As you proceed, you’ll encounter porters and donkeys transporting supplies for the Base Camp, making the journey even more fascinating.
Namche Bazar
Elevation: 3440m/ 11286 ft.
This will be the day 3 of your trek where you will be hiking to Namche bazar, a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat and textiles. Lately it is a modern town where you can find internet cafes, a variety of local shops offering imported as well as local goods and handicraft. Trekkers stay at Namche for 2 nights usually for acclimatization. You must hike for about 5-6 hours in order to reach Namche.
Tengboche
Elevation: 3860m/12664ft.
Tengboche, approximately 9.6 km from Namche Bazaar, this will be day 4 of their Everest Base Camp trek. The trail leading to Tengboche starts an easy, flat stretch followed by a descent into Dudh Koshi Valley at Pungki Thanka. Tengboche is home to the renowned Tengboche Monastery, the highest situated monastery in the world. Along the way you will encounter many Chorten, Mani walls, and stunning views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Tengboche Monastery hosts the vibrant Mani Rimdu festival every October. Pilgrims, trekkers, and travelers receive blessings from the residing Rinpoche. The area has a number of tea houses and lodges. You could also find some bakery cafes near Tengboche as it has a variety of items to offer. Looking at spectacular views of mountains you could enjoy some baked delights as this is going to be an unforgettable moment in your life.
Dingboche
Elevation: 4410m/14469 ft.
Dingboche is the final Sherpa village on the trail. You will witness a rich Buddhist culture while on trails. Prayer flags, wheels, Chortens, and Mani Walls are commonly seen and you will also see people praying, tying prayer flags and more. The place is ideal for acclimatization, and is usually the second day of acclimatization. Dingboche provides amazing views of Ama Dablam, island peak, Everest, and more. The river Imja Khola flows directly from the majestic Imja Tse (Island Peak). Dingboche is also a last place on trails to Everest base camp where you can find rental of climbing gears as well as trekking gears.
Lobuche
Elevation: 4990m/16210ft
Reaching Lobuche will be day 8 of your trek. Trekking along the broad valley of Dughla and passing through a small health post at Pheriche, you will reach Lobuche. You will witness mountains like Nuptse 7861m, Tabitha 6501m, Pumori and many others. Dughla (aka Thukla) is also considered the famous memorial viewpoint as the place holds beautiful prayers written in memorials by well-wishers and family of climbers. Those who lost their lives summiting Everest have memorials in Thukla, Sherpa’s, hikers and climbers etc.
Gorak Shep
Elevation: 5164m/16942ft
This is the last place on the trails of Everest base camp with lodging facilities. From Gorak shep there aren’t any lodges, only camp sites for mountaineers. Lately Gorak shep have modern lodges and some do have internet facilities as well. This is the final stop before going to Kalapattar and the base camp of the top of the world, Everest base camp. After reaching Kala Pattar and basecamp you will come back to Gorak shep and spend the night there. It is suggested to start your day early in the morning at 4 or 5 am in order to witness the amazing view from Kalapattar.
In conclusion, you can follow this itinerary as well. You will come back the same trail that you have used to get high up to the Everest base camp. However you do not have to stop at the same place that you have done while climbing. You will find plenty of hikers and having interaction with them can help you a lot.
