Everest Base Camp

3 November to 18 November 2024

It is not important whether or not George Mallory coined the immortal phrase: ‘Because it’s there’ when asked in 1923 why anyone would want to climb Mt. Everest. Since those days this name has caught on people’s imagination. In everybody’s mind there is a hidden urge to have a glimpse of this killer but still legendary mountain.

After the great survey for Indian subcontinent was started by British in 1808 lot of astonishing facts came to light. The whole survey was conducted for almost 60 years. In 1856 it was found that a mountain designated as ‘Peak XV’ standing on the border of Nepal and Tibet was actually the highest mountain in the world. Till 1865 this highest mountain was still called as the Peak XV (8,848 m. / 29,028 ft.). In 1865 it was named after Sir George Everest, who oversaw the initial great survey of India. The Chinese call it by the name Qumolangma or Chomolungma, meaning “Mother Goddess of the World”. Nepalese know this peak by the name of Sagarmatha.

This year we at Hills and Trails have created an opportunity for all fit people to have a glimpse of this spectacular mountain range from very close quarters. You will love to have magnificent views of the Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Khumbu Icefall, and Western Cwm. This trek to the base camp of the highest peak in the world is very famous and is the most frequented trekking route in the world.

After checking into Hotel Hyatt Place or a similar hotel in Kathmandu; we will be briefed by our local partner about the final preparations of the trek. Next day we will proceed by early morning flight to Lukla, a very interesting experience! Lukla is the place from where we will actually hit the trail. We will walk along the rivers of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi into the Khumbu region of Everest. The whole trek route will take us through very busy Sherpa towns, on very long, twisting paths and rickety but still strong suspension bridges. On the way we will have glimpses of many high and mighty peaks of the great Himalayan range. After reaching Gorak Shep, we will see many memorial stones of the great mountaineers and Sherpas who led down their lives in their quest to climb the highest mountain in the world. After visiting the historic place of the Base camp, we will climb the small hillock of Kala Pattar from where one will have magnificent views of the whole Everest region, Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu glacier area.

Itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek (15 Nights & 16 Days)

Day-1
Reaching Kathmandu (1,300 mt. / 4,290 ft.) (L, D.) Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar

Day-2

Very early morning drive from Kathmandu to Ramechaap airport. Almost 4 hours' drive than fly to – Lukla (2,850 mt. / 9,350 ft.) by flight (25 to 30 minutes) – then walking to Phakding (2,640 mt. / 8,661 ft.) Around 4 hours of walk. (B, L, D.) Overnight stay in Guest House.

Day-3
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3450 mt. / 11,319 ft.) Around 5 ½ to 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D.) Overnight stay in Guest House.

Day-4
Rest at Namche Bazaar. Some small excursions to nearby places like Syangboche (3,900 mt. / 12,795 ft.) (B, L, D.) Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-5
Namche Bazaar to Deboche (3,710 mt. / 12,171 ft.) Around 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-6
Deboche to Dingboche (4,350 mt. / 14,271 ft.) Around 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-7
TRest day at Dingboche. Small excursion to nearby high point. (Optional) (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-8
RDingboche to Lobuche (4,940 mt. / 16,207 ft.) Around 6 hours of walk. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-9
Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,170 mt. / 16,962 ft.) Around 3 ½ hours of walk. Then trek up to EBC (5,360 mt. / 17,585 ft.) and back. Around 5 hours of walk to & fro. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-10
Gorak Shep to Kala Pattar (5,554 mt. / 18,222 ft.) and back to Pheriche (4,270 mt. / 14,009 ft.) Total walk time around 10 to 11 hours. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-11
Pheriche to Kyangjuma Total walk time around 7 to 8 hours. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-12
Kyangjuma to TokTok Total walk time around 7 to 8 hours. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-13
TokTok to Lukla. Total walk time around 5 to 6 hours. (B, L, D.). Overnight stay in guest house.

Day-14
Lukla to Ramechaap by flight and then drive to Kathmandu by vehicle. Almost 4 hours' drive (B, L, D.). Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar

Day-15

Rest day at Kathmandu (B, L, D.) Stay in Hotel Hyatt Place or similar

Day-16Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. (B)

Where Will I Stay?

3 Nights in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing FB Basis.
12 Nights in neat and clean small guesthouses on twin sharing FB Basis.

How willI travel?

Visa is not a requisite for the Indian Citizens; however, a valid passport is a mandatory for all Indian citizens.
For non- Indian citizens, the passport must be valid till after at least 6 months of the trek. They are also required to carry 3 photocopies along 3 passport size-coloured photographs. They should get their visa done on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
The travel from Kathmandu to Lukla and back will be by flight.
The trek entails about 7-8 hours of walk every day on various terrains.
With the trek leading up to 18,500 ft, high level of fitness is a pre-requisite for all the travellers.
The luggage will be carried by the local porters with each porter carrying a maximum load of 30kgs. We will allot one porter for two people so its advisable that you carry a maximum of 15 kgs.
If there is a requirement of an extra porter, the cost of that will be borne by the traveller.
In case of un-avoidable/ un-favouring conditions, Hills and Trails reserve the right to make on-the spot changes in which case the group leader’s decision will be considered as the final word.

What about my health?

• A health certificate is mandatory for all the travellers. It should clearly certify that the traveller is physically fit to carry out a high-altitude trek to Everest Base Camp.
• We do take medical precautions, however, due to high altitude traveller can suffer through headache, loss of appetite, nausea, breathlessness and loss of sleep. These ailments are temporary and disappear as soon as the person gets acclimated to the weather conditions.
• 4-5 litres of water intake is a must to avoid altitude related sickness. A tablet of Diamox comes handy to help acclimatization.
• In case of sever medical emergency, all the cost incurred by us on treatment are to be borne by the traveller immediately in cash.
• To ensure safety at all times, it is highly advisable to follow the instructions of the group leader.
• Hills and Trails does not offer any type of insurance against losses. It is recommended that every person gets his/her international travel insurance which is valid in Nepal and covers evacuation, if needed.