Everest Base Camp 2024

The world famous trek to Everest Base Camp.
A guided and supported trek to see the world's highest mountain, in the heart of the Himalayas.

This 20 day trip (UK to UK) will have you hungry for more travel, more adventure, more Nepal.
I'll personally be with you, guiding the trip, looking after you, preparing you in the build up.

A British leader, and an excellent Nepalese team to look after you on the trek.

£2500pp excluding international flights.

Full Itinerary here;

1. Fly from the UK to Kathmandu.
2. Usually arrive following day.
3. Sightseeing day and/or travel to Manthali. (this could be a day later depending upon arrival times from uk) chat upon booking.
4. Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding.
5. Phakding to Namche Bazaar.
6. Acclimatisation day at Namche.
7. Trek to Tengboche.
8. Tengboche to Dingboche.
9. Acclimatisation and small walks at Dingboche.
10. Trek to Lobuche.
11. Lobuche to Gorak Shep, climb Kala Pattar for sunset.
12. Base Camp Day and back to Lobuche.
13. Trek to Pheriche/Dingboche
14. Pheriche to Tengboche.
15. Tengboche to Namche Bazaar.
16. Namche to Lukla.
17. Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.
18. Contingency day in case of weather/altitude. (Sightseeing day if not done at the start.)
19. Fly back to UK arriving day 20. (Or the same day of fight times allow)

DAY 1. Leave the UK. Chill out on the long flights to Kathmandu, Arriving the next day.

DAY 2. Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer from the airport to hotel accommodation, where a full briefing will take place. Recover from the journey and sightseeing depending upon flight times and have dinner.

DAY 3. Buy any last-minute supplies, and enjoy a spot of sightseeing the chaos that is Kathmandu/travel to Manthali if flights to Lukla are to leave from there.

DAY 4. We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night. Trek Profile: approx. 4 hours walking / 6km / sleeping altitude 2,652m.

DAY 5. Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests of rhododendron, giant fir and magnolia trees, and both in spring and autumn the ground is bright with flowers. After Jorsale (2,805m) we cross the west fork of the river, the Bhote Kosi, and start the steep climb to Namche Bazaar. About 300m up this ascent we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. Another 300m of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, administrative centre of the Khumbu region. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa village and an important trading centre with a weekly market selling fresh foodstuffs brought up from lower villages. Trek Profile: approx. 7.5 hours walking / 16km / sleeping altitude 3,445m.

DAY 6. We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Continuing, we trek to the villages of Kunde and Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde we can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital, and there should also be time to visit the monastery in Khumjumg. We stay back in Namche Bazaar for a second nights rest. This itinerary can and does change depending upon the strengths of the group, with the main objective at the best interests for everyone.

DAY 7. This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here just after lunchtime and in the afternoon we will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan Tahr and musk deer in the forest surrounding the monastery. Trek Profile: approx. 4-6 hours walking / 11km / sleeping altitude 3,867m.

DAY 8. We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley, we have lunch at a tea house on route, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4,530m, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. You’ll be glad to finally arrive and stop walking here, as the altitude makes its presence known!! Trek Profile: approx. 7 hours walking / 9km / sleeping altitude 4,350m.

DAY 9. We spend a day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb part way up Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam. Or alternatively just rest, and enjoy the village and views. Acclimatisation walk around Dingboche - Trek Profile: approx. 5hrs walking / 5km.

DAY 10. The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet poignant place where there is a line of memorials in tribute to the climbers who have died on Everest and from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuche, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed. Trek Profile: approx. 5-5.5 hours walking / 8km / sleeping altitude 4,930m.

DAY 11. We leave early towards Gorak Shep, a windy rocky trail through the moraines of the Lobuche glacier. On arrival, which should be after 3 hours of walking we will have lunch, and chill for a while, leaving our packs behind, head up the highest point of the trip for sunset. Kala Pattar is 5550m, and the most spectacular view of the world’s highest peak, as we watch the sunset and turn the peaks red and gold. Returning in the dusk to Gorak Shep for a well-earned rest before the next day’s trek. Trek Profile: 6km to Gorak Shep/ 3 hours walking. Sleeping altitude 5,184m. Kala Pattar 3 hours up, 1.5 down.

DAY 12. A long hard day awaits as we head to base camp. The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short steep sections. The trail is rocky in places as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here to base camp and back there are no lodges so we will fill our water bottles and take some snacks for the walk to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, where in spring, you would see in the distance some of the expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. In winter it’s unlikely as it’s not often climbed this time of year. From the Base Camp we get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. After a short photo stop by the Base Camp rock, we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Trek Profile: approx. 8-10 hours walking / 11km / sleeping altitude 5,184m.

DAY 13. We retrace our steps through the Lobuche glacier back to Lobuche, stopping for some refreshments, and continuing our journey to the village of Pheriche, where we will spend the night as part of our descent. Start to feel the air thicken as we lose altitude. Trek Profile: 6 hours walking/ 8km/ sleeping altitude 4,243m.

DAY 14. Descending through Pheriche, we cross a small bridge and have a short climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola Valley. We follow the valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. We drop down to the rushing river then walk through the peaceful rhododendron forests to the village of Devoche from where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge for mid-afternoon. A good rest before the last 2 days of trekking.

DAY 15. The walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi. Firstly a steep drop down before a climb back up to regain the high trail, taking in plenty of refreshments on route. Arriving back in Namche for some last photos and shopping, also the best caramel latte I’ve ever had! Definitely a visit to the highest pub to celebrate before one more day.

DAY 16. Leaving Namche behind and dropping back down into the valley and its wonderful bridges, our last but tough day all the way back to Lukla. Although downhill, there are plenty of stiff uphill sections to try and break the weariest of trekkers. We will stop for lunch in Phakding before continuing to Lukla and its bustling streets, complete with Scottish and Irish bars to tempt you all.

DAY 17. Fly back to Kathmandu, to hotel accommodation, nice hot shower and clean clothes. Dinner to celebrate in the evening and some free time to just chill or shop.

DAY 18. This is a spare contingency day in case of weather stopping Lukla flights, which can be a regular occurrence, does give an extra day also for anyone struggling to acclimatise.

DAY 19. Fly back to the UK (usually arriving home on day 20)