everest BASE CAMP itinerary
19 April 2023: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to Hotel.
20 April 2023: Guided Sightseeing
Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley.
21 April 2023: Drive Kathmandu (1,310m) - Rammechap . Flight to Lukla (2,840m). Trek to Phakding (2,610m).
Our early morning starts with a departure at 02h00 to drive to Rammechap to catch the flight into Lukla - is a lifetime experience. The airfield is on a slope and the difference between the two ends of the runway is about 460 meters! You will land on an airstrip built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpas in the mid-1960s. After meeting with guides and porters and a short break for tea we hike away from Lukla towards Everest base camp for a few hours along the Dudh Kosi River to Phakding 2,610m. Once you have trekked through the small village of Ghat (2550m), Phakding is a short walk away.
22 April 2023: Phakding (2,610m) Namche bazaar (3,440m).
After leaving Phakding the path takes us through a magnificent forest of rhododendron, magnolia trees and giant fir trees alongside the Dhud-Kosi river through small villages like Bekar and Monju. You will crisscross over the river a few times on high suspension bridges until you eventually come to the Sagarmatha Check Point where your permits needs to be checked. The climb then goes downhill to the river and then all the way back up to Namche. The trail heads up through blue pine forests and as you climb there are rhododendron trees which bloom in Spring time. Namche is the largest Sherpa village and is the unofficial capital of the Khumbu, gateway to the high Himalayas. This relatively small town is a bustling tourist zone and trading hub literally is perched on a sloping hill. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, from Thamserku to Kongde Ri. Trekkers heading to Mt. Everest, Gokyo, Island Peak and many other destinations for both trekking and expedition, have at least two nights stopover in Namche to acclimatise.
23 April 2023: Namche bazaar (acclimatisation 3,440 m)
We will spend time here on short walks to acclimatise. Although it says acclimatisation, this means you need to walk for the principle of climb high and sleep low, meaning we gain altitude, then descend again to sleep low, enabling our bodies to better adjust to the altitude. A slow and steady pace with adequate time for acclimatisation is key to success. So we hike up to Everest View hotel for just that, a view of Mt Everest, assuming the weather is clear.
24 April 2023: Trek from Namche to Deboche (3,860m)
With incredible views of the Thamserku we steadily descend to the Imja Khola where we see a series of water driven prayer wheels at the little river spot of Pungi Tanga. After a lunch break we begin the slow long steep climb to the famous Tengboche Monastery (3,860m) - one of the most beautiful places in the world. Apart from natural scenery and mountain views, many festivals take place here, such as Mani Rimdu festival. This festival performed at the monasteries in Tengboche, Chiwang, and Thame. This sacred ceremony is held for nineteen days; culminating in a 3-day public festival. Lamas and monks dress in colorful attire with elaborate masks and dance to the victory of Buddhism over Bon. We will get amazing views of Mt. Ama Dablam, meaning Mother's Charm Box. According to legend, Lama Sange Dorjee, who came from Tibet's Rongbuk Monastery, founded Thyangboche Monastery in the 17th century. Thyangboche was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. We continue down to Deboche for the night where it is warmer and accommodation options better
25 April 2023 : Deboche to Dingboche (4,410m)
Continuing up the Imja Khola valley, we hike towards Dingboche (4,410). The route is easier with a lot less steep ascents than on Namche or Tengboche trek. The terrain becomes like a tundra of grasses and vast open plains as the Khumbu valley opens up ahead of you. Dingboche is the highest permanent Sherpa settlement in the region and also lies on the route towards Island Peak.
26 April 2023: T rek Dingboche to Chukkung to Dingboche (4,750m) (4-5hrs).
Today we will do a short trek up to Chukkung up the Imja valley and then return to Dingboche for a night.
27 April 2023: Dingboche to Lobuche (4,920m)
We have a gentle climb away from Dingboche above the Pheriche valley. After ascending up a small ridge we contour around the base of Khumbu Glacier before climbing for about two hours up Thokla Pass for about 210m in altitude gain. At the top of the pass are several memorial sites with endless strands of prayer flags dedicated to Himalayan climbers who lost their lives in pursuit of their climbing dreams. We then continue alongside the terminal moraine to Lobuche (4,930m).
28 April 2023: Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,140m) to Everest Base (6-8 hrs).
Our distance is quite far as we walk past Gorekshep and continue to base camp Everest itself. We then retrace our steps from base camp to Gorek Shep for our night stop. If there is a chance of clear weather in the afternoon though we may ascend Kala Patthar instead and watch the sunset though what we do will be a decision with the group and guide. Overnight Lodge.
29 April 2023: Hike up to Kala Patthar (5,545m) return to Dingboche.
After climbing Kala Patthar for early more sunrise views across Everest, you retrace your steps to Gorekshep, to Lobuche and then head to Dingboche (4,410m)
30 April 2023: Dingboche to Tengboche (3,860m)
Today we have a relatively easy walk along the Imja Khola with a visit to the Gompa at Pangboche, before climb up to Tengboche Monastery.
1 May 2023: Tengboche to Namche (3,440m)
We have a long descent down the right flank of the Dudi Kusu will take us to the village of Phakding.
2 May 2023: Namche to Phakding (2,610m)
We continue down along the gorge of the Dudh Kosi to the village of Phakding.
3 May 2023: Phakding to Lukla (2,840m)
We walk through town to the little airstrip of Lukla
4 May 2023: Flight: Lukla - Rammechap. Drive to Kathmandu (1,310m).
5 May 2023 : Departure.
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