Our Everest Base Camp (Aggressive) is a thrilling, tough, and amazing Himalayan trek from Lukla to Kala Patthar that is mostly a steady climb from 2800m/9187 ft to 5545m/18193ft, the trail taking us through the valley of Dudh Koshi river to the Sagarmatha National Park and finally to the foot of Mt. Everest following the footsteps of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
From Kathmandu domestic airport, we take an exciting mountain flight to Lukla trek to upper Phakding and follow the Dudh Kosi valley which climbs up to the Sherpa capital of Namche, a bustling bazaar that’s a junction for trekkers. From Namche, we trek along a high traversing path where we have our first good views of Everest and then head towards Tengboche Monastery, which is a 2-hour climb.
The monastery sits at 3867m surrounded by dwarf firs and rhododendrons. The monastery is structurally located on a ridge top with commanding views of the Everest landscape. We then descend to the Imja Khola and continue to the villages of Pangboche and Pheriche before finally approaching the Khumbu Glacier. We then follow the glacier to reach Lobuche, and the next day we trek uphill to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak Shep for the night’s stay.
Climbing onto the grassy ridge of Gorakshep we reach the rocks of Kala Patthar (5545m) in about 2 hours from where we gaze at one of the most astonishing views on earth.
This trek is particularly strenuous as there are many ups and downs and the itinerary doesn’t allow us for proper acclimatization days. So this aggressive trek is designed for those who have good physical fitness with some prior trekking experience but have a limited time frame.
Day 1: Arrival KATHMANDU (1300m/4265ft)
Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Overnight in Hotel. Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Fly to LUKLA (2800m/9187ft); trek to PHAKDING (2610m/8563ft) 2-3 hours trek; 200m descent, 50m ascent
Early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and trek to upper Phakding. Descending above farmlands we pass through Sherpa villages of Chheplung, Ghat, and Sano and Thulo Gumela and shrines and monasteries of Drangdrak Gompa and Pema Choling Gompa with breathtaking views of sacred mountain Kumbila and sister summits Kusum Kanguru peaks. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Trek to NAMCHE (3420m/11221ft) 5-6 hours/1000m ascent, 100m descent
Heading for the Namche Bazar, we cross through the hamlet of Zamphute and Tok Tok to see dazzling Thamserku glistening in the sun that stays all the way with us in most of our trek. Passing through the scenic Sherpa villages of Benkar, Chumoa, and Monjo, we reach Utche Choling Gompa on a bluff abutting the Dudh Koshi river and further we make our way between the bluff to the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO declared a world heritage site. Completing halfway to Namche Bazar, we head for the second half of the march that would likely take more time due to the steep climb at the end. Crossing through the last village of Jorsale, a steep stepped path leads us to an amazing high bridge over the Dudh Koshi River gorge, and just before this bridge, the Dudhkoshi is met by its tributary, the Bhote Koshi. Beginning the final steps uphill slowly we reach the heights of Namche from where we can have first look at Mt. Everest, peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge, and finally after about 1.5km/0.9mile) we reach Namche Bazar. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Trek TENGBOCHE (3870m/12697ft) 4 hours; 350m descent, 750m ascent
From Namche, we take the easy level trail that cuts around the ridge from Chhorkung to reach the end of a bluff which is a viewpoint over a grand panorama of peaks, from Thamserku to Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest. From here we reach Kyangjuma (3550m) and a short walk from there takes us to an important trail junction at Sanasa (3600m) from where we take the trail to Tengboche that runs gently downhill towards the river. This trail drops gradually to Lawichasa and on our descending way the thumb like peak of Ama Dablam soars into view above the trail. From Lawichasa a narrow trail branches north to reach Tashinga (3380m) and now the trail drops down on steep stone steps to Phunki Thenga (3250m) and then to a bridge. From the bridge the trail climbs past some water-powered prayer wheels and begins a sustained climb through a forest of tall, mature rhododendrons. We might see musk deer and Himalayan tahr among the trees to eventually follow the path that reaches a Kani and a pair of chortens marking the start of Tengboche village which is scattered across a wide, grassy saddle below a crescent-shaped ridge covered by scrub pines and rhododendrons. The focal point of Tengboche is the famous Tengboche monastery. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Trek DINGBOCHE (4360m/14305ft) 3-5 hours; 70m descent, 580m ascent
From Tengboche we follow the trail through a forest of conifers and rhododendrons, keeping an eye out for monal pheasants and musk deer that leads us to a village of Debuche where we visit Debuche Gompa which has some expressive old thangkas and murals painted on wooden panels. Debuche also has a small Buddhist nunnery on the east hillside. The trail continues through dense forest to reach Milinggo and then drops steeply to a suspension bridge over Imja Khola. We cross the bridge and climb the hillside opposite to a white stupa with Buddhist eyes and after a hundred yards we see a stupa that crowns an exposed bluff, mirroring the soaring tower of Ama Dablam at the end of the valley. East of the stupa is a footprint of Khumbu’s patron Saint Lama Sange Dorje. We soon reach Pangboche village that has the oldest monastery in Khumbu, Pangboche Gompa founded by Lama Sange Dorje. Following the Imja Khola the trial climbs towards the village of Shomare and crossing the treeline beyond this village we are walking up rolling arid stretch, an alpine terrain with patches of scrub and isolated pastures and fields and the yak grazing. Crossing through the yak pasture and herdsmen’s stone huts at Orsho and Tsuro Wog, we turn right where the trail descends to a point near the confluence of Imja Khola and Khumbu Khola. Finally climbing a low ridge we reach the sprawling settlement of Dingboche which is a cold and windy place with sub-zero night temperatures even in summer. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Trek LOBUCHE (4930m/16175ft) 4-5 hours; 700m ascent
On the trail to Lobuche, we find ourselves truly in the lap of the Himalayas with awesome mountains on all sides. Passing by a place called Dusa where we see some herdsman’s uninhabited stone huts, we reach Dughla and then to Chupki Lhara where we see large heaps of stones with prayer flags remembering the mountaineers who perished on a mission to climb Mt.Everest. At the top of the valley is Chola Lake where we get a glimpse of blue waters from high trails. From Chupki Lhara, the trail drops to the Khumbu glacier moraine after which we see three great peaks-Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori straight in front. Now walking the final steps along a murmuring stream we reach Lobuche. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Trek GORAK SHEP (5160m/16930ft) and EBC (5340m/17521ft) and back to GORAK SHEP
This day will be a long hard day for us. Walking by a somewhat grassy terrain and a few scattered boulders, all along we see the snowy wall of lofty mountains ahead. The 60m/200ft ascent takes us to the top of the lateral moraine wall of the Changri glacier, to a level spot called Thangma Riju from where there is a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the mountains all around-Taboche and the Lobuche peaks, Pumori, and the rest of Mahalangur Himal peaks, with Changtse in Tibet now more visible; and Nuptse filling the eastern horizon. The trail now crosses the moraine of the Changri glacier which joins the Khumbu glacier from the west and climbing steeply up a stony slope we reach Gorak Shep from where we catch our first glimpse of Kala Patthar. From Gorak Shep we move towards EBC, to be amidst mountains, not to see them from afar as EBC is not a viewpoint. Walking by the shallow blue waters of Gorak Shep Lake, the Changtse peak in Tibet and the Lho La depression can be seen straight ahead. Crossing through several of the glaciers, icefalls, frozen pools of meltwater, exposed icy walls, and large boulders we finally reach EBC from where trekking ends and mountaineering begins. We descend back to Gorak Shep for the night stay. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Trek KALA PATTHAR (5545m/18193ft); return trek PHERICHE (4240m/13911ft)
Finally, this is our date with Everest, the climax of the trek. We start after an early breakfast without a hurry. Crossing through the wide sandy bed of the dried-up lake and steep zigzags we ascend about 100m to have the great view of Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Changtse. As the climb begins again, we get a grand view of the Khumbu glacier and Nuptse massif and finally we climb to the rocky viewpoint of Kala Patthar. It’s a slow tough climb but every meter ascended is rewarded by a bit more of Everest and finally, we find ourselves sitting on the Kala Patthar rocks in the middle of an unbelievable Himalayan Panorama. Now we return downhill which takes much less time. Retracing the way we came up we pass through Gorak Shep, Lobuche, and from Dughla, instead of moving towards Dingboche, we descend to Pheriche making our way along Khumbu Khola, for the night stay while being back. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Trek back NAMCHE BAZAR
From Pheriche, the trail descends to Tsuro Wog after crossing the bridge across Khumbu Khola and great mountain views. From Tsuro Wog we again start the descending path retracing the way we came up proceeding through Orsho, Shomare, and upper Pangboche and finally to a most beautiful place of Tengboche. The Tengboche monastery is Khumbu’s largest gompa. From Tengboche, we move towards Phunki Tenga and now descend to Sanasa and Kyangjuma and then finally to Namche Bazar. Overnight in Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek back LUKLA
Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Overnight in Lodge.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Fly back KATHMANDU
Flyback from Lukla to Kathmandu and drop at the hotel. This is a leisure day which can be utilized by buying gifts and souvenirs for your friends and family. In the evening you will be invited to join FAREWELL reviewing great photos and share experiences of the trip. Overnight in Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Fly back HOME or extend your HOLIDAYS
Today you have the leisure time till your departure flight. Our representative will drop you at the airport for your flight back home. If you prefer to stay longer, you can consult us for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, mountain biking, Tibet, India or Bhutan tours, etc. Meals: Breakfast
Your safety is of paramount importance to us at Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.
You will be accommodated in Alpine Hotel and Apartment or similar hotels in Kathmandu, standard tea houses during trekking, and tents when climbing. Most tea house accommodations will only have shared toilet facilities. For tent accommodation, a foam mattress will be made available. In the climbing section, toilet facilities will be provided with necessary natural preservation. All accommodations in Kathmandu and tea houses are on a twin-shared basis whereas a single tent will be provided to each individual for the climbing section. We can cater to a special request for a single room in Kathmandu by paying a single supplement of USD 310. However, there are several tea houses on the trekking route that doesn’t allow single room accommodation. On paying a single supplement, you will get a single room in Kathmandu however sometimes it is feasible only in the trekking areas of the lower elevations.
During the Everest Base Camp Short Trek, you can enjoy Nepali, Tibetan, Indian as well as more common continental cuisines. Breakfast (only) will be provided during your stay in Kathmandu whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be available during the trek and climb. While trekking, breakfast will be taken in the same place we stay the night. Similar arrangements can also be arranged for dinner. Lunch will be taken the route to the next destination. During the climbing session, hygienic and freshly-cooked food will be provided. There will also be welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
Please contact us to customize this trek.
Congratulation!