Everest Base Camp Short Trek

As we take off from Kathmandu for our 40-minute flight to Lukla (9,186ft), we embark on one of the most scenic air routes in the world. The journey culminates on a hillside surrounded by towering mountain peaks, making for a breathtaking arrival. Upon landing at Lukla, the gateway to our trek, we’ll meet our other crew members and begin packing and organizing our gear with their help. From Lukla, our trek begins.

After a one-hour gradual descent, we’ll arrive at the Cheplung village, where we’ll catch our first glimpse of Mt. Khumbila (18,900ft), a sacred mountain that has never been climbed. We’ll continue our descent from Cheplung until we reach Phakding, where we’ll spend the night. The trek will be a gradual descent with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, and the night spent in Phakding will offer a chance to rest and acclimate before continuing our journey.

As we begin our trek, we’ll pass through a stunning pine forest and follow the trail north up the valley of Benkar. After crossing the Dudh Koshi River, we’ll pass through Chumoa and Monjo, which is the entrance to the Everest National Park. We’ll then cross a suspension bridge and continue walking alongside the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers, passing through the charming village of Jorsale. As we ascend steeply, we’ll reach the heartland of the Sherpa community – Namche Bazaar.

If the weather permits, we’ll have the opportunity to view the awe-inspiring sights of Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse just one hour away from reaching Namche Bazaar. This will be a breathtaking experience that will stay with us forever. We’ll spend the night in Namche Bazaar, where we can rest and explore the town’s vibrant culture and history.

Namche Bazaar, the main center of the Khumbu region, offers a variety of activities to do, and we’ll spend a day here acclimatizing to the altitude. The town boasts government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, shops, restaurants, and a vibrant market, and our guides can show us around to discover the real charm of Namche Bazaar.

For those interested in hiking, a trek to Sagarmatha National Park is a must-do. The hike offers trekkers a stunning sunrise view, as well as panoramic views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kongde, and other peaks. Alternatively, we can take a day hike to Khumjung village (12,401ft), a beautiful village with a Sherpa settlement. While exploring Namche Bazaar, we’ll have the opportunity to observe traditional Sherpa life and visit the Khumjung Hillary School. We’ll also have the chance to appreciate the flora and fauna found at such altitudes. We’ll spend the night in Namche Bazaar, preparing for the journey ahead.

We will continue our journey by descending through lush forests filled with a variety of trees such as birch, conifers, and rhododendrons. The trek rewards us with breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. As we make our way to Pangboche, we cross the Imja River and enjoy the picturesque trail that offers a more pristine view of the Himalayas and the Pangboche Monastery. We then head towards the Imja Valley and Lobuche River before starting the ascent to Dingboche. Along the way, we will see beautiful fields enclosed by stone walls protecting barley, buckwheat, and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. We will spend the night at Dingboche.

We begin the day with a gradual climb to Duglha, located at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From there, we ascend a steep trail to Chupki Lhara, where we will find an array of stones with prayer flags used as memorials to Scott Fischer (an American mountaineer) and Babu Chiri Sherpa (a Nepali mountain guide), who perished on a mission to climb Everest. Continuing on, we reach the Khumbu Glacier moraine and are met with breathtaking views of several great peaks, including Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal. The trail then becomes easier as we follow the valley to Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche.

We follow the trail to Everest Base Camp, passing through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come across the Indian Army Mountaineers’ memorials. The path from here can be misleading, so it’s essential to follow our lead Sherpa diligently. The walk is strenuous due to the thin air at high altitude. We pass through rocky dunes, moraine, and streams before reaching the Everest Base Camp.

Once we reach the Everest Base Camp, we’ll see tents of mountaineers that stand out in bright colors against the monotony of gray surroundings, especially in spring. From the base camp, we can view Nuptse, Khumbuste, and Pumori. After spending some time here, we’ll head back to Gorak Shep for a good night’s rest.

However, it’s worth noting that the sunset view from Kala Patthar is often more admirable than the sunrise view. So, we recommend that we visit Kala Patthar during sunset today. As the setting sun’s rays strike the snow-capped mountains, the resulting scenery is breathtaking. Therefore, for trekkers who wish to continue to Kala Patthar today instead of the next day, please inform your guide, and he/she will coordinate accordingly.

We will start our day early, in the pre-dawn darkness and cold temperatures ranging from -10 to -14°C. It is important to prepare for the potential of chilly winds that are common in the area. As we set out, familiar peaks such as Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse will tower to the east, with the majestic Everest gradually revealing itself. But, it is upon reaching Kala Patthar that we will get the chance to witness up-close and formidable 360-degree views of Mt. Everest. We will take pictures and enjoy the magnificent mountain panorama before returning to Pheriche for a well-deserved night’s rest.

For those participants who will visit Everest Base Camp today, we will start with an early breakfast to allow for the longer hike compared to Kala Patthar. After returning to Gorak Shep, both groups will have lunch together before descending to Pheriche in the afternoon for a good night’s rest.

We begin our descent through a hillside adorned with lush rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge festooned with prayer flags over the Dudh Koshi River, we continue our trek along the Dudh Koshi gorge, rapidly descending through pine forests. Along the way, we might encounter colorful pheasants and mountain goats. The trail eventually leads us to Sansa, where we can enjoy spectacular views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Nuptse mountains. We pass through winding trails in a forest before finally arriving at Namche Bazaar. We will spend the night in Namche Bazaar.

The trail descends steeply, so we need to walk cautiously as our shaky legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast-flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. Upon our arrival in Lukla, we can stretch our sore legs and reminisce about the experiences of the last couple of weeks. We can enjoy our last evening in the mountains, sharing stories and memories with our fellow trekkers and guides. Overnight in Lukla.

We will catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we may take some rest or go for souvenir shopping. If we want to explore other areas of Kathmandu, our guides can assist us with that. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. We will spend the night in Kathmandu.

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! Although it may be difficult to say goodbye to the beauty of Nepal, take comfort in knowing that you’ve experienced something truly special. Spend your last moments trading emails with your travel companions and organizing your photos. A representative from Himalayan Glacier will accompany you to the airport, about 3 hours before your scheduled flight, to ensure a smooth departure. As you journey back home, take the time to reflect on the unforgettable memories and plan your next adventure in this wonderful country.