Family Everest Base Camp Trek - 20 Days

Welcome to Kathmandu! Once you land at Kathmandu airport (Tribhuvan International Airport), retrieve your luggage and go through customs (visa, etc.). Then get to the arrival terminal. You will find our representative waiting to greet you. He/she will be holding Icicles Adventure Treks and Tour signboard with your name on it. A comfortable private transfer will take you to the reserved hotel. After checking in, we suggest you have a good rest for the remainder of the day to recover from the jet lag. Overnight in hotel.

Lukla flights now operate from and to Manthali Airport, Ramechhap in peak hiking season. The airport lies approximately 4-5 hours drive from Kathmandu. This additional transfer will be included in the price but it is likely to involve a very early start - between 2 and 4am, depending on exact flight timing. This will happen during October, November, April and May.

After breakfast we start a guided tour to several medieval and spiritual sites in Kathmandu which are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ (Swayambhunath) and Buddhists shrine (BouddhaNath) which is one of the large Stupas in the world. Later after sightseeing program, we will introduce you with your trekking guide and have a small pre-trip meeting. You can also take an opportunity to hire/buy any last minute trekking equipment or bargain for your souvenirs at the many stores. You are advised to pack your things and be set up for your actual Everest base camp trekking adventure that will begin the next day. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast Included)

Wake up at dawn and be ready for the adventure. We will usher you to domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight.

Please be aware that all Lukla flights in peak trekking season (Spring and Autumn) depart (and return to) from Manthali instead of Kathmandu. This is approximately 4-5 hrs drive and often involves an early start on Day 2.

After an adventurous 40 minute flight above the array of beautiful green and white mountains, we arrive at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), an entry town from where your Everest Base Camp trek begins. This is one of the most beautiful air routes in the world concluding in a dramatic landing site on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. In Lukla, we meet our additional crew members and do some packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the prosperous village of Lukla, descend to Chaurikharka, head up the Dudhkoshi valley until we reach Phakding. As we just land at the altitude of almost 3000m today, to assist in acclimatization, we only have a short walk today. Yet, if you are interested in additional activities you can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 3-4 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

We start our walk soon after breakfast. Today’s trek is exciting not only due to few uphill and downhill walks but also because of crossing and re-crossings of Dudh Koshi River and magnificent view of Mt. Thamserku (6,608m/21,675ft) from the Benkar village. We cross more bridges and reach Monjo. We get our trekking permits checked at the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. We tumble down and a gradual walk brings us to Jorsale, the last village until Namche Bazaar. The walk is enjoyable through the river bed and we reach Hillary Suspension Bridge. As we climb up towards Namche Bazar, magnificent sight of Kwangde Peak, Kusum peak, Kangaru peak, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Tawache, and many other magnificent mountains greet us. We break at the Chautara to admire the view. Finally, we reach the colourful village of Namche Bazzar, the main trading village in the Khumbu. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 6 – 7 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

For your successful Everest Base Camp trek, its essential that you get acclimatized gradually. Namche Bazar is an ideal place to spend a rest day to acclimatize to the new altitude before heading off towards higher elevation. It is recommend staying active and mobile during the acclimatization day instead of resting in your lodge. If you trek a few hundred vertical feet during the day, it will help you to properly acclimatize. You can either spend the day exploring Namche Bazar or taking a hike to Thame or Khunde. Tucked away between two ridges amidst the giant peaks of the Khumbu, Namche Bazar is centre of Everest region and has plenty of lodges, tea shops, souvenir shops, money exchangers, government offices, ATMs, Internet cafes, restaurants, bakeries, etc. You can also even enjoy colourful market each Friday evening and Saturday. You can visit Visitor Centre near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where you can observe an assortment of things allied to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various flora and fauna of the Sagarmatha National Park. You can also take an interesting side trip up to Khumjung, Syangboche airstrip and Everest View Hotel, a Japanese build deluxe hotel which offers you great views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and others. Surrounded by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku . Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

Upon breakfast in Namche, we set out towards Tengboche, enjoying superb view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and close up view of Thamserku. Our trek follows more or less smooth trail with few ups and downs which will not bother us as the magnificent view of the Himalayas keeps our company all through the journey. Along the way, we can spot wildlife musk deer, a herd of Himalayan Thar and multicolored pheasants. The trail goes gradually down up to Kayangjuma. The path eventually reaches Sansa, which is the major trail junction to Gokyo valley and Everest Base Camp. The track then follows through the pine forests and after we cross the prayer flags festooned bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, we reach Phunki Thenga, a small settlement with a couple of teahouses and a small army post amidst the alpine woods. After having a relaxed lunch at Phunki Thenga, we gear up for a slightly tougher climb through the pine forests before we reach Tengboche. Tengboche is a great place for close up views of Mt Ama Dablam, Mt Nuptse, and Mt Everest, and it has the biggest Buddhist Monastery of the Khumbu r egion. We pay our visit to the monastery the same day at around 3 pm to witness the ceremony in the principal and popular monastery of Everest region. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

This part of the trek has a five hundred metres gain but it is a little more gradual. Give a good lovely look to the Everest today morning because you will not see Everest from your trial until you reach Gorekshep. We set off and straight away through musk deer trail (the trail is called so as plenty of musk deer is seen there among birch and rhododendron forest) and the village of Deboche and descend down to the suspension bridge over Imja Khola. This stage of the trek has Ama Dablam towering over us on our right the whole time with the bluest of sky showing every detail of this magnificent mountain. We pass through several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages. You would better have a tea break at Pangboche to enjoy the view of the most beautiful mountain on earth, Ama Dablam while sipping your tea. After Pangboche, we spent most of the day walking close to the river with a reasonable ascent towards the end of the walk before arriving Dingboche. At this altitude 4410m the lack of oxygen in your breath is normality. At Dingboche you will notice there are no more trees around and the only vegetation present is small spiny shrubs. While trekking in these parts you better watch where you land your foot. There are stones and rocks everywhere and accidentally kicking one really hurt. On arrival at Dingboche, we will see beautiful array of fields enclosed by stone walls to protect barley, buckwheat and potatoes from the cold winds and grazing animals. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 6 – 7 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

This would be your second acclimatization day in course of your Everest Base Camp Trek and you are suggested to stay active. To aid acclimatization our guide will take you to climb Nagerjun (5100m), a hill located on the edge of the Chhukung valley directly above Dingboche. The trail becomes steep at times, resulting in a physically challenging day but the view says – keep going. Ascending the hill takes about five hours. Taweche (6367m), Cholatste (6335m), Lobuche (6119m), Awi Peak (5245m), Amphu Gyabjen (5630m), Ama Dablam (6856m) seen from a different angle, Lhotse (8516m) 4th highest peak, Nuptse (7861m), Island Peak (6189m), Mt Peak 38 (7590m), Makalu (8481m) 5th highest peak, Thamserku (6608m), Kangtega (6685m) and Chola Tsho a lake at 4590m are just some of the named peaks that surround us, and there are many unnamed peaks too that add magnificence. The Pheriche Valley looks beautiful as well. After a short rest, you start the descent back to Dingboche. Rest at your lodge after lunch. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 3 –4 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

The pathway ascends steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and climbs the valley gradually to Dugla. The mountain view on our left is spectacular. We soon reach Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet heart touching place where there is an array of memorials in tribute to the climbers who died during Everest expedition. This is an eerie place and as you take in these memorials you realize the vastness of what Hillary and Tenzing achieved in 1951. From here we have a beautiful vista of the peaks that are in the Nepal-Tibet border. We move on and the trail eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuche (4,910m) our next destination, a small settlement with a few teahouses. We are now in the vicinity of Everest but the great mountain still remains elusive. After a rest, walk around the place, be active and don’t miss to watch the sunset over Nuptse. It’s a big day tomorrow ultimate push to your goal, the Everest Base Camp. We know you are excited! Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

The trail runs parallel with the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier until we climb onto a moraine at the Changri Nup Glacier. It then undulates as we cross the glacier over rocky paths until we descend to Gorakshep. As we reach Gorakshep, we find the snowy mountains looming all around us including the top of the world – Mt. Everest. Overnight in local lodge in Gorakshep. Walking Time: 3 – 4 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

Today is great day on your Everest base camp trek and we wake up rather early and start our walk early. Our desire of being at Everest Base camp is going to be fulfilled today. We walk past lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier which is a tough path and when you stand still and quiet you can occasionally hear cracking or scraping sound of the glacier movement. Everest does not seem to get any nearer and by now we have five of the world’s highest mountains in such a small area. We see crest of north ridge of Everest along with Mt. Pumori, Mt. Mahalangur, Mt. Lingtern, Mt. Khumbutse, Mt. Nuptse, etc. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before we finally drop onto the glacial moraine itself. Not far to go now, the trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to Everest Base Camp. We do not get views of Mt Everest but can see the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western side. The Ice Fall is regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain. If it's spring we will see colourful tents that add charisma in the grey surroundings. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip. Spend some time taking photos in the natural amphitheatre. Trek back to Gorekshep takes about another three hours. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

Today is another important day of your Everest Base Camp Trek. We are going to conquer Kalapatthar today which provides the most assessable point to view Mt Everest and the views are said to surpass the wildest imagination. We start early in the morning to catch the outstanding views from Kalapatthar witnessing the first light of day striking on Mount Everest. Kalapattar (5,550m) is a small peak literally meaning black rock, it appears as a big brown bump below the impressive Pumo Ri (7,165m) and above Gorakshep (5,140m). Kalapatthar offers splendid views of the Mount Everest Panorama. During the ascent to Kalapatthar, we take several breaks to catch our breath and to take pictures from several outstanding view points. After about two hours of an ascent, we reach Kalapatthar. We push ourselves to climb the rocky projection near to the summit manifested by cairns and prayer flags. At the very top of Kala Patthar is a small stupa and a weather station. Standing on top of Kalapatthar can be an emotional experience for you. After enclosing as many pictures as we like of the gorgeous Everest, its neighboring peaks and as whole scenery, we trek down to Lobuche. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

Today, the trekking trail mostly is flat and downhill and its much enjoyable heading down in altitude than going up. We descend enjoying the scenery to arrive at Thukla, the best place to have a cup of coffee enjoying the picturesque mountain views. Moving further we cross the natural spring water originating from bottom of Everest. Walking along the valley we reach Pheriche where we will be having lunch. There is also a hospital located over there. We further head down to our final destination of the day to Pangboche. We can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche, which is supposed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region or take the regular trail to reach Pangboche. Pangboche is a beautiful and populated village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imja Tse River flowing through the spacious productive valley. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

The path stays high all day as it traverses (sometimes very narrow in places) the rocky hillside. The views across the valley down to the Tengboche Monastery and up behind us towards Pangboche and to Ama Dablam are spectacular. As the mist rolled in and over the black rock faces, we will be feeling as if we entered some fairytale kingdom. Arriving into the quiet beautiful village of Phortse, we will witness the potato farm, visit local schools and monasteries giving us an insight to local lifestyles. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 4 – 5 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

Today the trail goes to down hill thorough the lush Phortse Tenga then climbing hill for about an hour until Mongla danda. Here you may enjoy incredible view of Mt. Everest (8848), Lhotse (8516m), Lhotse shar (8382m), Nuptse (7879m), peak- 38(7591m), Ama dablam (6856m), Thamserku (6623m), Kangtega (6783m), Kusum kangaru (6367), Cholaste (6335m), Tabuche peak (6495m), Khumbi La (5765m) and Kwangde Ri (6011m). From Kyangjuma the trail follows for a while easy level walk through rhododendron forest to Sanasa .There is three way directions from where one way right hand side leads to the direct Everest base camp trek and another way up ward left hand side leads to the Gokyo valley trek. From here the trail steep climbs up approximately one and half hour. We arrive at large Sherpa village, Khumjung Now the trail descends and ascends frequently up to Khumjung. The Khumjung village is said to have the largest settlement of Khumbu region. There is well-equipped high school built by Edmund Hillary in 1960. There is an old monastery where the skull of Yeti is believed to have preserved. The neighboring village of Khumjung is Khunde where a well equipped Hospital is built by Edmund Hillary in 1964.Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

The trail ascends slightly to the Syangboche airport and descends to Namche Bazar at an altitude of 3440m. After the relaxing, we have tea, coffee or lunch and continue trek down to Jorsale. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

After again multiple crossings over the prayer flags festooned suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries, the trail becomes more level and natural. The more we trek downwards the more we feel easier to breathe as the air gets denser. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today. Although we are following the same route down, we feel completely different views with open plains, rhododendron and pine forests, and in the distance snow covered peaks. Upon arrival in Lukla, stretch those sore legs and summon up the experiences of the last couple of weeks. Celebrate your successful and safe trek with your crew. Overnight in local lodge. Walking Time: 5 – 6 hrs, Included Meals: B, L, D

The early morning flight drops us in Kathmandu. Flights to Kathmandu are usually scheduled for morning because wind can create problem to fly the aircraft after noon. But sometimes the flight can be delayed and even canceled due to bad weather and other reasons that are beyond our control. You will be transferred to hotel in Kathmandu after arrival in Kathmandu. You can rest in your hotel, could do some last minute shopping and packing, or stroll around Thamel. Overnight in local lodge.

Mountain weather becomes unexpectedly bad sometimes that can affect the Lukla-Kathmandu flight to be delayed and even canceled. An extra day would help you to be in safe side from missing your flight back home. If everything went smooth as planned, you can use this day for sightseeing around Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage sites. Overnight in Hotel in Kathmandu. Included Meals: B

Today your Everest Base camp trekking comes to an end. If you have more time you can do some shopping, sightseeing, be at leisure or your individual activities. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight we will transfer you to the airport and see you off on your home-bound flight. We believe your experiences during the past few days are sure to leave memories you will cherish. Overnight in Hotel in Kathmandu. Included Meals: B