Everest Base Camp Short Trek - 12 Days

Early morning transfer to the airport for the Lukla flight. The flight to Lukla is a lifetime experience in itself. The airfield is at high evaluation, and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about an exceptional 60 meters only. Trek to Phakding, which has an arresting, green landscape with a view of Kusum Kangraru.

We follow the Dudh Koshi, ascending through Himalayan pine and cedar forests to the celebrated village of Namche Bazaar. Namche is a historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchange salt, dried meat, and textiles.

Besides being a splendid destination to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading post in Khumbu that attracts Himalayan and lowland merchants. You will spend two days at Namche for acclimatization, visiting local markets, and spending time with your team. On the hike, we capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks. 

This day is especially sectioned for acclimatization. We will hike to Syangboche Airport (3700m), supposed to be the highest airport in the world, then continue climbing to Everest View Hotel for great panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Amadablam, Tawache, etc. We visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery on the way back.

The uniform and easy trail leads us towards the view of Mount Everest, descending deep into the Dudh Koshi Valley at Pungki Thanka. From this point, it ascends the right flank of the Dudh Koshi valley to Tengboche Monastery (3860m), the spiritual center of the Khumbu. The climb is lengthy but is more than adequately compensated by gorgeous views of Mount Amadablam and, on a clear day, views of Mt. Everest and its surrounding peaks. 

Descend through a beautiful forest, cross the Imja Khola, and trek through the village of Pangboche (3900m). Perhaps today is the most exciting day because you will not lose altitude like on other days and enjoy views of Mt. Amadablam, Mt. Lhotse, and other peaks. The route continues through pastures to Dingboche, the ‘summer valley.’ 

This would be your second acclimatization day that requires about 6 hours of trekking to an altitude of 5100m. After breakfast, you ascend Nagerjun (5100m), a hill located on the flanks of the Chhukung valley directly above Dingboche.

The main aim is to climb high and sleep low. The foot path sometimes becomes steep, resulting in a physically strenuous day. Ascending the hill could take up to 5 hours at altitude. From this altitude, there are good views of Lobuche East (6119m), Lobuche West (6145m), Taboche Peak (6367m), Thamserku (6608m), Kangtega (6685m) and Ama Dablam (6856m). On a clear day, you could see Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, with great Pheriche Valley views.

After a short rest, you start the descent back to Dingboche. The walk at altitude takes about 2 hours. After lunch, take a well-deserved rest; afternoon temperatures could drop rapidly as the sun sets over the mountain tops. You will also spend a second night in Dingboche. 

Trek along a broad valley floor to Dughla, passing the Trekkers Aid Post at Pheriche (4240 m). This trek is staffed by western volunteer doctors and supported by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which offers treatment and consultation to trekkers. Continue up the valley, gaining altitude. We come out of the valley to descend to the yak pastures of Lobuche. 

After a short climb through meadows, look down at the Khumbu glacier. Straight ahead is Kalapattar – the best vantage point from which to view the entire south face of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks. After a few hours, we will get to Gorekshep and continue our journey to the Everest base camp. There is not much elevation gain, but there are a lot of ups and downs, and, combined with altitude, this can be an exhausting trek – but the journey is worth it. After approximately 3 hrs of hiking, you will arrive at the base camp and enjoy a magnificent view of the Khumbu glacier and icefall, where the Everest expeditions begin. 

The day starts with a hike up to Kalapattar (5545m), the best viewpoint to witness Mount Everest in all its glory and the spectacular Himalayan range. We then trek back to Gorekshep for breakfast and descend to Pheriche. 

It's an easy walk along the Imja Khola, a short climb to Tengboche, a descent of Pungki Thanka, a steep climb to Kyangjuma, and an easier trail to Namche. 

The trek continues along the Dudh Kosi River to the small mountain airstrip at Lukla, where you will catch your return flight to Kathmandu. 

30-minute amazing scenic flight back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast at the hotel, approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight, a representative from Tidy Himalaya will take you to the airport.