Everest Basecamp Nepal

EBC Trek - Itinerary

Our itinerary for the Everest Base Camp trek:

• Day 1: Fly to Nepal

  Individual departure to Nepal (please contact us about your travel arrangements)
• Day 2: Kathmandu

  Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Hotel overnight near Thamel, the center of Kathmandu. Dinner together. Hotel overnight B/B.
• Day 3: Flight to Lukla - start trekking*
  Drive to Ramechhap, from where we will fly to Lukla. Trekking starts with a short stage to Phakding. Lodge, B&B.
• Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazar
  Along the Dudh Kosi River we cross the valley several times over suspension bridges and reach Sagarmatha National Park where we register the group. The famous Hillary Bridge leads to the steep climb to Namche Bazar. Lodge overnight.
• Day 5: Namche Bazar
  
The former important trading town, regional seat for Khumbu can be called the capital of the Sherpa kingdom. For acclimatization, rest is the best remedy: stroll through the alleys, visit the many cafes, German Bakery and the market. Lodge overnight.
• Day 6: Trek via Tengboche to Pangboche

  With a view of the magnificent Ama Dablam, we trek to Sanasa and descend to the Phunki Tenga river and from there back up to Tengboche (also Thyangboche) where we visit the famous monastery of the same name. We continue hiking to the Sherpa village of Pangboche, where we spend the night. Lodge overnight.
• Day 7: Trek to Pheriche
  Along the relatively flat trail, the shapely Ama Dablam accompanies us and now reveals the view of its north face, while in front of us the bulwark of Nuptse-Lhotse (and behind it Everest) approaches. Lodge overnight.
• Day 8: Trek to Dughla
  From Pheriche trekking through a bizarre high mountain landscape formed by glaciers between Lhotse and Lobuche Peak to Dughla near Chola Lake.
• Day 9: Trek to Lobuche

  We continue trekking through the high mountain landscape between Lhotse, Everest and Lobuche Peak to the Sherpa hamlet of Lobuche. Lodge overnight, half board.
• Day 10: Everest Base Camp
  Below the impressive Nuptse south face we hike early in the morning to Gorak Shep (5,170 m). At 5300 m.a.s.l. we reach the most famous base camp of the world in the middle of an impressive glacier basin. In spring from April-May you can visit our SummitClimb basecamp of the Mount Everest Expedition. Then we hike back and spend the night in Gorak Shep. Lodge overnight, HP.
• Day 11: Kala Patthar
  At 5620 m.a.s.l. today we reach the highest point with the summit of Kala Patthar (5,620 m), an impressive pre-peak below Pumori (7200m). Arguably the most famous mountain panorama in the world awaits us: Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m) surround the Khumbu Icefall. Afterwards some time to enjoy our summit view we descend to Pheriche. Lodge overnight.

Island Peak Climb 

This additional program starts on the 12. day of the EBC trek (+4 days, total 20 days including trekking). Well acclimatized we will go to and up the almost 6200m-high Island Peak. For more details please check our upgrades.

• Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazar
  Today we follow the way back to Namche. Lodge overnight.
• Day 13: Trek to Lukla
  Along the Dud Khosi valley we trek back to Lukla. Lodge overnight.
• Day 14: Flight to Kathmandu*
  We say goodbye to the Sherpa region and fly back Ramechhap, then drive to the lively capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Hotel overnight B/B.
• Day 15: Kathmandu

  There will be time for shopping, buying souvenirs and visiting Swayambhunath, Bodhnath and Pashupatinath. In the evening you will say goodbye to our Nepalese friends, the accompanying team and participants. Dinner and exit in Kathmanndu. Hotel overnight, B.
• Day 16/17: Return journey
  Airport transfer and return flight. Arrival vors. same day or early next morning.

• It has been notified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) that from 01 October 2022, all flights to Lukla (LUA) will be operated from Ramechhap Airport (RCH) rather than from Kathmandu (KTM). This decision is made to avoid traffic congestion at Kathmandu Airport and for smooth flight operation to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region for the trekkers.
• Ramechhap has a small airstrip that lies in the town of Manthali, the headquarters of the Ramechhap district. Manthali is around 135 km in distance from Kathmandu with few existing tourist facilities. The drive to the airport from Kathmandu normally takes around 4-5 hours. This doesn't change anything regarding your trekking schedule. Although it adds a challenge to get up early in the morning at around 2-3 AM and travel by road through a winding mountain road to reach the airport.
• Domestic flights in Nepal are visual flights. In case of inclement weather, flights may be cancelled. Compliance with the program depends on the feasibility of the flights. Also, the standard of the airline does not meet EU standards. Summit Travel GmbH / SummitClimb assumes no responsibility for weather problems or other problems of the domestic flight and any additional costs or damages that may arise as a result.

Helicopter - Flights: EBC / Lukla

If you want to avoid traveling to Ramechhap, there is an alternative option to fly by helicopter to Lukla. A helicopter will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla but you have to pay extra costs to charter the flight or to share the flight with other trekkers. So, you need to let us know a day before so we can arrange a helicopter flight to and from Lukla.

• Currently on sharing basis the costs is USD 800 per person
• Charter flights are USD 3200 per helicopter flight Kathmandu to Lukla

Helicopter flights back from Namche Bazar, or a scenic flight above Everest Base Camp up into the Khumbu glacier, then back to Lukla (Kathamdu) can be arranged.

Participation and Preparation - EBC

Trekking: Endurance for daily hikes with walking times of 4-7h is sufficient. The route is mostly on wide trails and special mountaineering skills are not necessary. You need the willingness to sacrifice comfort as some of the lodges in the Khumbu offer only simple accommodation standards.

The Island Peak climb can be booked optionally and requires mountaineering equipment and some basic experience in mountaineering, knowledge of the use of an ice axe, and crampons, and how to ascent with a fixed rope. We will revirew and train those technics before the ascent. The final summit day covers about 1,000m / 3,300 feet of vertical distance, which typically takes 6-8 hours ascending and 3-4 hours descending.

Local flight Nepal: According to EU law (Regulation No. 2111/2005) we are obliged to inform the passengers about the identity of the operating airlines. All domestic airlines in Nepal do not comply with EU regulations. Especially the domestic flight to Lukla is notorious and there have been several accidents during landing or take-off from Lukla airport.

Travel to Nepal & Rules 2023

Flight: to/from Kathmandu

Visa on Arrival: Under the prevailing law, almost all* foreign nationals with a certificate of complete vaccination against covid-19 or a negative certificate of the Covid-19 test will be able to obtain an on-arrival visa from Immigration Offices at the entry points. Your passport should be valid for min. 6 months at the time of entry.

*exemptions: citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, and passengers traveling with travel documents must bring visas from the Nepali embassy or missions abroad.

Before traveling, you need to fill following government form: CCMC form - Nepal