EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

After warm breakfast, our second day trekking commences from Phakding. The trail from Phakding leads to various Sherpa villages: Rimijung, Benkar and Chhamuwa which offers serene beauty in the Himalayan region. Climb through the magnificent forest of rhododendron, fir and Mongolia trees until you arrive at the boarder of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo village. Submit your TIMS card and National park entry card before you move ahead. From Monjo, the trial advances through Tenzing-Hillary suspension bridge over Dudh-Koshi river in Jhorsale village which is the confluence of Dudh-Koshi and Bhote-Koshi rivers. The trek concludes at Namche, the largest tourist hub in Everest region. Namche has all the amenities to spend the night at fully accommodated hotel.

Trek Distance: 7.4 km/4.6 miles

Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Highest Altitude: 3440 m/11,285ft

The day at Namche will be the day for exploration and acclimatization. Health expertise suggests acclimation is necessary in Everest region trek to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). On this day, the guides arrange short trek from Namche to other Sherpa settlements in the Khumjung valley. The short trip heads towards the Everest view hotel, one of the world’s highest hotels in the world for tea break and also for panoramic view of Mt. Khumbila (5,761m), Mt. Thamserku (6,623m), Mt. Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Ama Dablam (6,812m). The trail then climbs uphill to Khumjung and Knude village with the physically fit trekkers. The trekkers with weak physical fitness can return to the lodge at Namche. The main climax of the trip is to visit Khumjung Gompa and Khumjung Hillary school which was established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1961. After inspecting Khumjung Gompa and school, drop down to another Sherpa village, Kunde which is renowned for ‘Hillary hospital’: the largest hospital of Khumjung region established in 1966.

Time taken: 6 hours, 8-10 km

Water sources: You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

The trek from Namche to Phortse Thanga. Mt Everest peeks at you from behind the mountains in the distance. PC: Christopher Immanuel

The trail climbs out of Namche and descends to Khumjung village. Khumjung is a Sherpa village with 40-50 houses. From Khumjung, the trail climbs up the stairs and hugs the sides of the mountain. It diverges from the main Everest highway at Sanasa, after Khumjung. Up to Sanasa, you will be trekking through forests, after which you reach a village.

You’ll be able to see Tengboche monastery from here. It is said that Tenzing Norgay spotted this monastery from the summit of Everest. The trail then climbs to Mong La, a vantage point, where you’ll have lunch. From here, you descend to Phortse village.

Time taken: 5-6 hours

Water sources: Start with carrying 2 litres of water. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

The trail starts from behind tea houses in Phortse Thanga, through dense rhododendron forests. This section will remind you of the Goechala trek in Sikkim. The trail relentlessly climbs and at this altitude, you’ll feel the climb. From the forests, you eventually reach meadows and small grass lands.

You’ll see Cho Oyu massif, the sixth highest mountain in the world, ahead. This is an additional treat on this trail!

Lafarma, at 14,206 ft, is the first settlement that you reach. Macchermo is 75 minutes ahead. Macchermo can get really cold – especially in the autumn season.

Time taken: 6-7 hours

Water sources: Start with carrying 2 litres of water. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

The climb is not much today but the sights are a treat. You will now walk among big mountains – the tallest in the world!

Gokyo Lake 1 is around 2 hours 40 minutes out of Macchermo. Behind the Gokyo settlements, you can see Cho Oyo dominate the background like a white wall. To the left of the settlement is the trail to Gokyo Ri at 17,575 ft. You get one of the best views of Everest range from here.

Time taken: 6 hours to Gokyo Ri and back; 3 hours to reach Thangna

Steep ascent to Gokyo Ri. To Thangna, short steep ascent followed by 1.5 hours glacier walk. Gradual ascent after this.

Water sources: Start with carrying 2 litres of water. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way. 

Start the day by climbing Gokyo Ri. Though the mountain looks small, it will take 2-3 hours for you to reach the summit. From here, you will see the longest glacier in the Himalayas – Ngozumpa – flowing down, and the big mountains in front. You’ll also get a beautiful view of the Gokyo lakes behind you.Don’t forget to get photographed with Everest!

After an early lunch, head out to Ngozumpa glacier. You need to cross over this to get to Thangna, at the base of Chola Pass. Ngozumpa glacier is an unstable section of the trek that is prone to rockfalls so make sure you follow your guides. This is a beautiful glacier which is moving constantly, but you don’t feel the movement.

You’ll take an hour and a half to cross the glacier. Thangna is a mostly flat walk from here.

Time taken: 9-10 hours

4-5 km gradual ascent followed by 1 km of gradual descent. 1-1.5 km of trekking on boulders followed by 1 km glacier walk. 1 km steep descent on boulders easing off into a gradual descent.

Water sources: Start with carrying at least 2 litres of water. No water sources till you cross Cho-la pass.

Cho la Pass is right behind Thangna. The ascent, which is quite a climb, has a lot of rubble and scree. The descent is tricky with a snowed out glacier and boulders. Stick to the right of the glacier and follow the guide strictly. Don’t venture on your own. Depending on the situation of the ice, crampons will be used.

After the boulder patch which is hard on your knees, it is a steep descent to Dzongla. You’ll see Ama Dablam’s front view on this day. What a different side to this beautiful mountain!

Time taken- 3 hours

Water sources: Carry 2 litres of water..

The 3 hour walk to Labouche is mostly on a flat trail but you will be walking at quite an altitude.  You’ll come across a junction where the trail splits to Pheriche and Labouche. Take the left. Views of Ama Dablam will accompany you till this point.

Around 90 minutes before Labouche, you’ll meet trekkers going on the traditional Everest highway. Helicopter sorties are commonplace here.

Trek gradient: Moderate. Short, steep ascent followed by 1.5-2 hours of boulder walk. Ends with a gradually ascending trail.

Water sources: Carry sufficient water. You’ll find teahouses on the way to Gorakshep.

It takes about 3 hours to reach Gorakshep, which is a very busy place. You’ll see the terrain change as you approach the place. There are a lot of trekkers coming in. You’ll see Everest Base Camp on the trail to Gorakshep.

After early lunch at Gorakshep, set off for EBC. Make sure you carry your day pack since you’ll need water. The climb is fairly moderate, though the moraines are slippery and the ridge bordering Khumbu glacier is very windy. Everest Base Camp provides a very unique experience since you’ll see potential summiters. The climbers’ tents look striking against the backdrop.

Pease note: drinking water at Gorakshep is chargeable. 1 litre of drinking water costs 350 Nepalese rupees. This is not included in the trek fee. Non potable water is available free of cost – if you’re carrying a water purifying bottle, you could consider using that instead.

The other main highlight of the trek is side trip to Kala Patthar summit (5,644m). It almost takes 2-3 hours to reach Kala Patthar from Gorakshep. So, many trekkers kick off their trek before dawn. If clouds don’t roll down quickly then the summit offers the gleaming view of Mt. Everest (8848m) along with Lingtren (6,749m), Khumbutse (6,636m), Nuptse (7,861m), Pumori (7,161m). Capture the Himalayan range in your soul or camera and also Savor tantalizing panorama at the peak for a few hours before descending to Gorakshep. After breakfast at Gorakshep, the journey from the land of Himalayas descends the same route towards the Sherpa village Lobuche. Lobuche is a junction from where the trail follows the route of Dhugla village along tea houses, tombstones, Lobuche Kharkha. At Dhugla, the trail stops at a fork which leads to Dingboche or Perische. Following the route of Phulaji Kala village, stroll down towards the wide valley, Perische. The village is famous for the elementary health camp that is run under Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA). The health camp provides emergency health service and education about AMS to the trekkers. Today, we sojourn at Perische.

Trek Distance: 9.6 km/6 miles

Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Highest Altitude: 5,545m/18192ft

We’ll be trekking down the trails of the hillside covered by rhododendron trees towards Tengboche. During spring, the surroundings would be so colorful as magic in nature. Our trek will cross the bridge over the Imja Khola and heads into the forest of Juniper. As we walk along with a level of the path of ground through the forest The trail continuously drops down to Orso via a flat trail following the west bank of Imja river and then to Somare. Again, the trail drops down to Pangboche along imja khola and climbs up to Debuche and Tengboche through dense forest.

Trek Distance: 8.5 km, 5.2 miles

Trek Duration: 4-5 hrs

Highest Altitude: 4,371m/14,340ft

After having a refreshing breakfast, today’s trip descends from Tengboche to the most commercial hub, Namche. From Tengboche, descend to Phunki Thenga and again ascend to Sanasa following the same route. The trail presents a relaxing sight of picturesque landscape and mountains while climbing the ridge to Namche. Yippee! The tourist epicenter, Namche is a perfect place to celebrate your achievement. Have fun with international cuisine and chilled beverages at your lodge or at restaurants in the evening.

Trek Distance: 9.2 km/5.7 miles

Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs

Highest Altitude: 3,860m/12,633ft

After breakfast at Namche, Like the other normal days the trek resumes down the steep path to Lukla crossing Dudh Koshi river and Suspension bridge. The small Gompas, rhododendron forest, pleasant environment en-route bewitch the trekkers. Hence, walking for a few hours from Namche, the dense village in the Himalayan region, Lukla appears fascinating from a distance. Lukla is the village with all modern amenities. Enjoy happy hour at Lukla by playing billiards, exploring the pubs or sipping beverages. Overnight, stay at an accommodated lodge in Lukla.

Trek Distance: 13.6 km/8.2 miles

Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs

Highest Altitude: 3,440m/11,285ft