Classic Everest Base Camp Trek 17 Days

Kathmandu Arrival—Welcome to the City of Temples

Kathmandu lies in a lush, sacred valley surrounded by green hills and backed by incredible Himalayan views. Whether you arrive by road or fly into the city, your arrival in Kathmandu is sure to be a memorable experience.

If you’re flying in, our airport representative will be waiting to greet you at Tribhuvan International Airport. Look for a placard displaying your name along with our company’s logo. After a warm welcome, you’ll be driven to your hotel, where we’ll assist you with the check-in process.

For those arriving by road, our representative will either meet you at a designated location or send you the address of your pre-booked hotel, arranged by NSA.

According to your Classic Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary, no scheduled activities are planned for today. You are free to rest and recover from your journey and prepare for the incredible adventure ahead. Overnight stay will be at a comfortable 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.

Today promises to be a wonderful and culturally enriching day! After breakfast at your hotel, your experienced city tour guide will lead you on a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley, exploring some of the most iconic landmarks: Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). These remarkable sites are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are an integral part of Kathmandu’s cultural and religious identity.

Your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating historical facts, legends, and local folklore associated with each site:

• Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist stupas in Asia and serves as a key center for Tibetan Buddhism.

• Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a deeply spiritual site. Interestingly, a scene from the Marvel movie Doctor Strange was filmed on the bridge just below the temple. Witnessing the traditional Hindu cremation rituals at Arya Ghat can be a powerful and eye-opening experience.

• Kathmandu Durbar Square, once the royal seat of the Malla and Shah kings, is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. Within the square lies the Kumari Ghar, home to the Living Goddess Kumari.

• Swayambhunath Stupa, perched on a hilltop, is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. According to legend, the Kathmandu Valley took shape after the Bodhisattva Manjushri drained a primordial lake and built this shrine.

After completing your city tour, you'll return to the hotel for a short rest. Later in the evening, we will have a briefing session in the hotel lobby. You’ll meet your trekking guide, who will provide a detailed overview of your upcoming Classic Everest Base Camp Trek and answer any questions you may have! overnight in Kathmandu.

Swyambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

Your exciting journey to the Everest region begins early in the morning. After a short drive from your hotel, you'll arrive at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Domestic Airport. Following check-in and security procedures at your respective airline counter, you’ll board a small aircraft for a scenic 30-minute flight to Lukla.

Known as the "Gateway to Everest," the flight offers breathtaking aerial views of the Himalayan range, including majestic peaks like Everest and Makalu. As the plane descends onto the narrow airstrip of Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla—one of the highest and most dramatic airports in the world—you’ll feel the thrill of entering the legendary Khumbu region.

After landing, you'll have a short break to refresh and meet your trekking team, including your guide and porters. The trek begins with a gentle descent through Lukla town, heading toward the Dudh Kosi River Valley. Along the trail, you’ll pass charming Sherpa villages, colorful prayer walls, mani stones, and spinning prayer wheels, all set against a backdrop of serene natural beauty.

Today’s trek is relatively easy and takes you to Phakding village (2,610 m), where you’ll spend your first night in the mountains.

About Lukla Flight Busy Trekking Season-Classic Everest Base Camp:

In busy trekking season, from March-May and September-November, the Lukla flight operates from Ramechhap/Manthali, which is approximately 130 kilometers and require 4-5 hour bus drive from Kathmandu, and about 15 minute flight to Lukla. We can enjoy seeing the wonderful landscape and scenery between Kathmandu and Ramechhap. We need to start our journey from Kathmandu early in the morning.

Option: Direct Flight to Lukla by Helicopter from Kathmandu:

As an alternative to the long drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, we offer direct shared helicopter flights to Lukla during the peak trekking season. While airlines operate flights to Lukla from Ramechhap, our shared helicopter service is available from Kathmandu. The cost for a one-way flight (Kathmandu to Lukla) is $550 per person. Please note that a booking is required to secure this service. For more detailed information, feel free to contact us.

After breakfast, it's best to make an early start as today's trek to Namche Bazaar is one of the more challenging yet rewarding parts of the journey. The trail involves several steep ascents, making it a rigorous walk, but the stunning scenery more than makes up for the effort. You’ll find yourself pausing often to admire the dramatic landscapes and snow-capped peaks.

As you reach Monjo, you officially enter Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the unique Himalayan ecosystem. The park is home to rare Himalayan flora and fauna, adding an enriching layer of natural beauty to your trek.

Highlights of today’s trek include:

• Crossing the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge, the highest bridge in the Khumbu region.

• Entering Sagarmatha National Park, with its rich biodiversity.

• Catching your first glimpse of Mount Everest—a truly unforgettable moment.

Your destination for the day, Namche Bazaar, is a vibrant Sherpa settlement carved into the side of a steep mountain. Known as the commercial hub of the Khumbu region, Namche is a blend of traditional charm and modern amenities. The village is dotted with stone houses, cozy teahouses, upscale lodges, inviting cafés, bakeries, and shops selling local crafts and trekking gear. You'll also find banks, ATM kiosks, currency exchange services, and a bustling market that attracts traders from higher Himalayan villages. At night, you’ll stay at a comfortable teahouse run by a Sherpa family, where you can unwind with a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner before resting for the night.

At Namche Bazaar, enjoy a rest day to support acclimatization at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. On this day, take a short hike to the Everest View Hotel, located above Namche Bazaar. This was the first luxury hotel in the Khumbu region and offers breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, and other surrounding peaks. The trail leads through beautiful woodlands of tall rhododendron and silver fir trees.

Another option is to hike to the Park Museum area, located above Namche. From here, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and the striking Ama Dablam. You can also visit the museum, which provides fascinating insights into the culture, history, and lifestyle of the Sherpa people and the Khumbu region.

Today’s trek begins at a relaxed pace. Leaving Namche Bazaar, the trail ascends gradually through fragrant rhododendron forests and passes through quiet Himalayan villages. Many trekkers consider this stretch to be the most scenic section of the entire Everest Base Camp trek. You’re now deep in the heart of the mountains, surrounded by towering peaks such as Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

As you continue, you’ll cross the Imja Khola, a river that drains the slopes of Everest and serves as a tributary of the Dudh Koshi. Your destination for the day is Tengboche, a spiritual center of the Khumbu region, where these two rivers converge.

Tengboche is best known for the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest gompa you’ll encounter on the trek. Surrounded by pine and azalea trees, and framed by the majestic backdrop of Ama Dablam, it’s a truly breathtaking sight. Be sure to step inside to admire the monastery’s exquisite murals and statues. Tonight, you’ll stay in a local teahouse.

Morning views of Everest and the magnificent Ama Dablam mark the beginning of the day. The trail descends for a few hours to a bridge over the Imjatse River. After crossing the bridge, the path continues through open country, where the tree line disappears, leaving only sparse vegetation and juniper bushes. A gentle uphill walk leads to Pangboche village (3,900 meters), the last permanent settlement before Dingboche and beyond. From Pangboche, a gradual ascent takes you to Somare, where you'll stop for lunch. The trek then continues across pleasant terrain, followed by a final ascent to Dingboche village for an overnight stay. Located in the scenic Imjatse Valley, Dingboche offers stunning views of snow-capped peaks, including the North Face of Ama Dablam.

A full rest day in Dingboche allows for proper acclimatization, ensuring that every member of the group is fit and well-prepared for the onward journey to Everest Base Camp. The day includes a short hike to Nangkartshang Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with a stunning panorama of the Imjatse Valley, including views of Island Peak and Taboche. To the east, you can also catch a glimpse of the world’s fifth-highest peak, Mt. Makalu.

After breakfast, as you ascend higher, the air begins to thin, and you may start to feel the effects of the altitude. It’s important to walk at a slow and steady pace—don’t rush. Focus on breathing rhythmically as you move. The landscape around you becomes more barren and desolate, marking your trek above the tree line. Gone are the trees and greenery, and there are no permanent settlements at this altitude. Lobuche is simply a cluster of teahouses run by local Sherpas. Despite this, the views are nothing short of spectacular, with towering mountains rising alongside the teahouses and enveloping the landscape. After a long day, it’s best to turn in early, as tomorrow’s trek takes you to your ultimate destination—Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters.

After a pleasant stop at Lobuche, the trail continues toward the main highlight of the journey—Everest Base Camp. The walk begins on a gentle path, followed by a short climb to higher ground. From there, the trail leads to the Glass Pyramid, a meteorological station built through a joint venture between the Italian and Nepalese governments. This station monitors weather patterns, ice movements, and glaciers in the region. After exploring this fascinating project, the trail continues across the moraine and ice above the Khumbu Glacier. A short descent takes you to the wide, open field of Gorakshep, which has a few lodges. Gorakshep was once the original Everest Base Camp before it was relocated further east.

After a brief rest, the trek resumes, taking you through moraine and rocky terrain as you make your way to Everest Base Camp. The view of the mighty Khumbu Icefall and glaciers is awe-inspiring, with Mount Everest looming between Lho-la and Nuptse. Although the summit of Everest itself is hidden from Base Camp, the sight of towering peaks surrounding you creates an unforgettable experience. After soaking in the excitement of reaching your goal, you’ll head back to Gorakshep for your final overnight stay at the highest point of the journey.

Gorakshep lies beneath Kalapathar and the towering peak of Pumori. In the morning, a steep climb begins as you head along a rocky path, with a vigorous uphill ascent to the summit of Kalapathar, the highest point of the adventure at over 5,545 meters. From here, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping panorama of towering peaks, including a close-up view of Pumori and Everest. After soaking in the glorious scenery, you’ll descend back to Gorakshep and continue along the same trail towards Lobuche, where the path splits at Thugla—connecting the routes from Dingboche and Pheriche. The trail then leads downhill toward the flat, windy valley of Pheriche.

After about an hour of walking through this scenic valley, you’ll arrive at Pheriche, a small settlement with several good lodges offering stunning views of Ama Dablam, Taboche, Cholatse, and other majestic peaks. Pheriche will be your overnight stop.

NOTE: If the ascent to Kala Patthar is skipped, the trekking distance will be 7.1 miles (11.5 km), taking approximately 5 hours.

A morning walk from Pheriche takes you to the end of the valley, followed by a short descent to a river. From there, the trail ascends to a ridge with a Stupa. The path then leads to a long descent past Somare and Pangboche villages. After passing Pangboche, you'll retrace your steps uphill back to Thyangboche.

Trek downhill to the Imjatse River, then embark on a steep climb to reach the villages of Lobesa and Shanasa. From there, enjoy an easy walk to the charming village of Kyanjima. The journey continues toward Namche, offering breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam, along with a stunning array of other peaks. Some parts of the trail lead through scenic areas where wildlife can often be spotted, such as Musk Deer, herds of Himalayan Thar, and the colorful Danphe (Lophophorus/Impeyan Pheasant), the national bird of Nepal, on the way back to Monjo.

Today marks the final walking day of our adventure. The morning begins with a pleasant walk along one of the most scenic paths, following the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding village. From there, the trail heads toward Ghat and the small settlements of Tade-Kosi. The journey includes a final climb to reach the main gate of Lukla. After this last ascent, the rest of the walk is easy, passing through Lukla town and its lively marketplace. Our day ends with an overnight stop at a comfortable lodge in Lukla, where we'll celebrate with fellow trekkers and staff.

Your successful trek to Everest Base Camp comes to a close today. You’ll rise early to bid a fond farewell to the breathtaking Khumbu scenery before boarding your morning flight back to Kathmandu. As you watch the Himalayas pass beneath your window, you’ll now be able to recognize many of the iconic peaks. After the serene solitude of the mountains, the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu may come as a bit of a surprise. You’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure—whether that means relaxing or exploring the vibrant local markets. In the evening, head to one of Thamel’s many excellent restaurants for a delicious dinner.

Lukla-Kathmandu Flight Information:

From March to May and from September to November, the airlines operates flight to Ramechhap from Lukla (15 minutes), then Ramechhap to Kathmandu by overland journey, which takes approximately 4-5 hours depending on road traffic. In the option for a direct flight from Lukla to Kathmandu shared heli flight is available. Contact Nepal Spirit Adventure for the best cost for the Heli flight!!

A buffer day is set aside for emergencies or potential flight delays due to bad weather. If all goes according to plan, you’ll have the freedom to spend this day as you wish. Whether you choose to take a city tour, explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs, unwind at a spa, or simply relax at your hotel, the day is yours to enjoy.

Bid farewell to Kathmandu as you head to the airport. You’ll be transferred to the international airport in plenty of time to catch your flight. If you wish to extend your stay, simply let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you in planning the next leg of your journey into the Himalayas.