Nepal
Everest Base camp
Everest Base camp overview
Everest Base Camp sits at the top of almost every trekker’s bucket list, and for good reason. Standing at 5,364m beneath the Khumbu Icefall, looking up at the tallest mountain on earth, this is an experience that very few people ever have, and one that nobody forgets.
At Vertex Expeditions, we’ve designed this journey to give you the best possible chance of not just reaching Base Camp, but truly experiencing everything the Khumbu Valley has to offer along the way. The journey to Everest base camp is every bit as remarkable as the destination itself.
From Lukla, the trail winds through ancient monasteries, rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages, with the scenery growing more spectacular with every metre of altitude gained. Our itinerary is built around smart acclimatisation, with well placed rest days to keep you feeling strong throughout. Alongside Base Camp, you’ll summit Kala Patthar (5,545m) for a sunrise over Everest that will stop you in your tracks.
This is a challenging trek but with the right preparation and our team beside you, it is absolutely within reach.
Included in Package
Airport & Transfers
- Private airport pick-up and drop-off
- All necessary transfers between airport and hotel
Accommodation
- Kathmandu: 2 nights in a comfortable 3-star hotel (twin-sharing) with breakfast
- During the trek: 11 nights in traditional teahouses (twin-sharing)
Meals
- Full board during the trek: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily
Trekking Equipment & Support
- Sleeping bag (rated to approx. -20°C)
- Duffel bag (approx. 75L)
- Everest region trekking map
- Group first-aid kit
Additional Benefits
- Certificate of completion
- Free luggage storage in Kathmandu
- Complimentary trekking cap and T-shirt
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with the team
Permits & Fees
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- All required government taxes and local fees
Guides & Support Team
- Professional, licensed, English-speaking trekking guide (first-aid trained)
- Assistant guide for groups of 10+
- Experienced porters (1 porter per 2 clients)
- All staff wages, insurance, food, accommodation, and equipment
Flights & Transport
- Return domestic flights: Kathmandu/Ramechhap ↔ Lukla
- All required airport transfers
Safety & Emergency Support
- Full insurance coverage for all Nepali staff
- Assistance with emergency evacuation (client insurance required)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu’s lively traveller district. This vibrant neighbourhood blends traditional Nepali culture with modern comforts—colourful prayer flags hang above narrow alleyways lined with cafés, trekking shops, and centuries-old temples.
After checking in, you’ll have time to unwind from your journey or take a short walk to soak in the atmosphere of the city. In the evening, you will meet your guide and fellow trekkers for a detailed briefing. This session will cover the full itinerary, safety procedures, altitude awareness, and a thorough gear check to ensure you are fully prepared for the days ahead.
- Max. Altitude: 1,400m
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Time: 40 mins drive from airport
Day 2: Fly to Lukla – Trek to Phakding (2,600m) | 3–4 hours walk
An early start takes you to the airport for one of the most scenic flights in the world. Over the course of 30 minutes, you’ll fly above rolling hills, deep valleys, winding rivers, and distant Himalayan peaks before landing at Lukla’s famous Tenzing-Hillary Airport, perched dramatically on a mountainside.
After breakfast in Lukla, your trek begins. The trail descends gently through the village and into a pine-scented landscape. You’ll follow well-worn stone paths, cross suspension bridges draped in prayer flags, and pass through small Sherpa settlements such as Ghat. Along the way, mani stones carved with Buddhist prayers line the route, a reminder of the region’s deep spiritual heritage.
After 3–4 hours of relaxed walking, you arrive in Phakding, a peaceful riverside village where you can settle into your teahouse, enjoy a warm drink, and take in your first real taste of life in the Himalayas.
- Max. Altitude: 2,640m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) | 5–6 hours
After breakfast, you continue along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing a series of high suspension bridges that sway gently above the rushing turquoise water below. The trail winds through forests and villages such as Bengkar and Monjo, where you officially enter Sagarmatha National Park and complete permit checks.
Soon after, you reach the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge—one of the longest and highest in the region, decorated with fluttering prayer flags. Beyond this point, the trek becomes more challenging as a steady uphill climb begins. The path zigzags through pine forest, and with each turn, the anticipation builds. On a clear day, you may catch your first distant glimpse of Mount Everest peeking above the ridgelines.
Eventually, the trail opens up to reveal Namche Bazaar, the vibrant heart of the Khumbu region. Built into a natural amphitheatre, this bustling Sherpa town offers bakeries, cafés, shops, and sweeping mountain views.
- Max. Altitude: 3,440m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Namche – Acclimatisation & Rest | 5–6 hours walk
Today is dedicated to acclimatisation, an essential part of trekking at altitude. After breakfast, you set out on a gradual but steady hike toward Hotel Everest View. The trail climbs above Namche, passing the small Syangboche airstrip and open yak grazing pastures.
At the hotel, you are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Thamserku. Enjoy a hot drink while taking in one of the most iconic viewpoints in the Himalayas.
On the way back, you can visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum to learn about the history of mountaineering in the region, as well as a nearby monastery. The afternoon is free to relax in one of Namche’s cafés or browse local shops for gear and souvenirs.
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860m) | 5–6 hours
After breakfast, you follow a gently undulating trail carved into the mountainside, offering breathtaking views across the valley toward Everest, Nuptse, and the striking peak of Ama Dablam. The route passes through Kyangjuma and Sanasa, small settlements with panoramic viewpoints.
After a short break, the trail descends through pine forest to the river at Phunki Tenga, where you stop for lunch. From here, the climb becomes more demanding as you ascend steadily through shaded woodland.
The effort is rewarded as you arrive at Tengboche Monastery, perched on a ridge with spectacular mountain views. In the afternoon, you can visit the monastery and experience the peaceful atmosphere as monks chant during prayers.
- Max. Altitude: 3,860m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360m) | 5–6 hours
After breakfast with views of Ama Dablam, the trail descends through rhododendron and fir forest to Debuche, where you cross a suspension bridge. From there, you continue to Pangboche, one of the oldest Sherpa villages in the region.
As you climb higher, the landscape begins to change. Dense forest gives way to open alpine terrain, with wide valleys, grazing yaks, and scattered chortens and prayer walls.
Arriving in Dingboche, you’ll notice the thinner air and more dramatic surroundings. Fields are enclosed by stone walls to protect crops from wind and animals, and towering peaks rise in every direction.
- Max. Altitude: 4,360m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 5–6 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Acclimatisation at Dingboche
Another important acclimatisation day. After breakfast, you take a steady hike up to Nangkartshang Viewpoint. The climb is steep but rewarding, with expansive views of Makalu, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Prayer flags flutter in the wind against the stark alpine backdrop.
You return to Dingboche by early afternoon, with the rest of the day free to rest, explore, or simply take in the incredible surroundings.
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 1 day
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m) | 4–5 hours
Today’s trek takes you deeper into the high alpine environment. Passing through Dughla, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged. You then ascend the steep Thukla Pass, where memorials to climbers who have lost their lives on Everest stand as a powerful reminder of the mountain’s scale and challenge.
Beyond the pass, the trail crosses glacial moraines in a stark, icy landscape. Surrounded by peaks such as Pumori and Lingtren, you make your way to Lobuche, a small, windswept settlement with a handful of lodges.
- Max. Altitude: 4,940m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) via Gorak Shep (5,170m) | 8–9 hours
An early start brings you to Gorak Shep, your final overnight stop. After a short rest and lunch, you continue toward Everest Base Camp along the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. The terrain is rugged and surreal, with ice formations, rock, and shifting moraine underfoot.
Reaching Base Camp is a defining moment. Surrounded by prayer flags and the vast glacier, you take time to absorb the achievement and capture photos at this iconic location.
You then return to Gorak Shep for dinner and rest at high altitude.
- Max. Altitude: 5,364m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 8–9 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Kala Patthar (5,545m) – Trek to Pheriche (4,280m) | 8–9 hours
Before dawn, you set out for Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek and the best viewpoint for Mount Everest. The climb is steep but manageable, and reaching the top in time for sunrise is unforgettable as the first light illuminates Everest’s summit.
After taking in the views, you descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast before continuing down to Pheriche. The descent through wide valleys brings a noticeable increase in oxygen and energy levels.
- Max. Altitude: 4,280m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 8–9 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) | 7–8 hours
Continuing your descent, you retrace your route through Pangboche and Tengboche, with the option to visit the monastery once more.
As you drop in altitude, the landscape gradually becomes greener and more vibrant. Arriving back in Namche Bazaar, you can enjoy the comforts of lower elevation, including hot food, warm showers, and a lively atmosphere.
- Max. Altitude: 3,440m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 7–8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla | 7 hours
After breakfast, you continue your descent through Monjo and Phakding along familiar trails. Crossing suspension bridges and passing through Sherpa villages, you make your way back to Lukla.
In the evening, celebrate the completion of your trek with your guides and porters.
- Max. Altitude: 2,840m
- Accommodation: Teahouse
- Time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu | 30 minutes flight
An early morning flight returns you to Kathmandu, offering one last view of the Himalayas from above. The rest of the day is free for relaxation, shopping, or exploring the city.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Time: About 30 minutes
- Meals: Dinner
Day 14: Departure Day
If your departure is later in the day, you may have time to visit cultural sites or do some last-minute shopping before being transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey.
Trip Details
Duration
14 Days
Price (pp)
£2,100