Photo: Jone Jones ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
The most famous trek on Earth.
The trail from Lukla to Everest Base Camp means Namche Bazaar, the Tengboche monastery, the Khumbu glacier and sunrise on Kala Patthar, where Everest shows better than from base camp itself. We stay in lodges and gain height gradually, with two acclimatisation days. Fourteen days Kathmandu to Kathmandu. For those who want their first real encounter with the Himalaya.
- Kala Patthar, 5,644 m, at sunrise
- Everest Base Camp, 5,364 m
- Namche Bazaar and the Tengboche monastery
- The flight into Lukla
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Preparation
Kathmandu, meeting the group
Arrival in Kathmandu at 1,400 m and a meeting at the hotel in Thamel. Gear check, permits, dinner with the guide.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 2 · 8 km, 3 hours
Flight to Lukla, on to Phakding
An early 35-minute flight over the hills to Lukla at 2,840 m. We descend along the Dudh Kosi to Phakding at 2,610 m, 8 km — a soft start.
Overnight: Lodge in Phakding - DAY 3 · 11 km, 830 m of ascent
Climb to Namche Bazaar
Across the suspension bridges and through the Sagarmatha park gate at Monjo, then a steep 600 m climb to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m. First glimpse of Everest from the trail.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 4 · Acclimatisation to 3,880 m
Acclimatisation in Namche
A round trip to the Everest View hotel at 3,880 m and the village of Khumjung. Back to Namche to sleep; the market and bakeries in the evening.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 5 · 10 km, 5 hours
Tengboche monastery
A traverse above the Dudh Kosi, down to the bridge at Phunki Tenga and a 600 m climb to the Tengboche monastery at 3,860 m. Evening puja with Ama Dablam framed in the window.
Overnight: Lodge in Tengboche - DAY 6 · 11 km, 550 m of ascent
Dingboche above the treeline
Through rhododendrons to Deboche, over the Imja Khola and past Pangboche to Dingboche at 4,410 m. The forest ends; stone walls and yaks begin.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 7 · Acclimatisation to 5,000 m
Acclimatisation on Nangkar Tshang
A climb of the Nangkar Tshang hill above Dingboche to 5,000 m, with views of Makalu and Lhotse. Down by lunch, then rest.
Overnight: Lodge in Dingboche - DAY 8 · 8 km, 530 m of ascent
Lobuche and the Thukla memorials
A gentle valley to Thukla, a steep pull to the Thukla pass at 4,830 m with its memorials to those lost on Everest, and another hour to Lobuche at 4,940 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Lobuche - DAY 9 · 12 km, 7–8 hours
Gorak Shep and Base Camp
Along the Khumbu glacier moraine to Gorak Shep at 5,164 m, drop the bags and continue to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. The Khumbu Icefall is two hundred metres away. Back by evening.
Overnight: Lodge in Gorak Shep - DAY 10 · Kala Patthar 5,644 m, 16 km
Sunrise on Kala Patthar
Off at 4:30 for the two-hour climb of Kala Patthar at 5,644 m. Everest, Nuptse and Pumori in first light. Down, then on to Pheriche at 4,240 m.
Overnight: Lodge in Pheriche - DAY 11 · 20 km, 7 hours
Back down to Namche
A long descent via Pangboche and Tengboche to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m. About 20 km, the air thicker with every hour.
Overnight: Lodge in Namche Bazaar - DAY 12 · 18 km, 6 hours
Return to Lukla
Down the Dudh Kosi via Monjo and Phakding to Lukla at 2,840 m, 18 km. A farewell dinner with the porter team.
Overnight: Lodge in Lukla - DAY 13 · Flight, rest
Flight to Kathmandu
A morning flight to Kathmandu, or to Ramechhap with a drive into the city. A free evening in Thamel.
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu - DAY 14 · Reserve, transfer
Reserve day and departure
A buffer in case Lukla flights are cancelled by weather. If all is on schedule — Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and the airport transfer.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Kathmandu, 3 nights
Lodges on the trek, 10 nights
Three meals a day on the trek
Licensed guide and a porter per two participants
Flights Kathmandu — Lukla — Kathmandu
Sagarmatha National Park and Khumbu municipality permits
Airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Meals in Kathmandu
Hot showers, charging and wifi in lodges
Helicopter evacuation or a helicopter return from Lukla
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
You need the fitness for 5–7 hours of walking a day at altitude; no technical skills required. Ivan sets a twelve-week plan and tracks acclimatisation with a pulse oximeter on the trail.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.