Guided Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days

Elevation: Kathmandu 1,338m / 4,390ft

Welcome to Nepal! As you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, your driver will be waiting to greet you warmly and transfer you to your guesthouse or hotel (your airport transfer is included). Once you've checked in and settled, we'll hold a pre-trip meeting to talk through the trek ahead and check in on everyone's health and fitness, so we all set off feeling confident. We'd suggest a short stroll around the local streets to stretch your legs and soak up the buzz of Kathmandu. Your representative will also confirm the time of tomorrow's domestic flight to Lukla.

Please note: during peak trekking season (spring and autumn), all Lukla flights operate from Manthali rather than Kathmandu. Manthali is roughly a 4–5 hour drive away, so this often means an early start on Day 2.

2,652m / 8,700ft · 9km · 3–4 hours

This morning we transfer to the airport (included) for the short, spectacular flight to Lukla — one of the most scenic mountain flights anywhere. You'll have been given your flight time at last night's meeting; if it's an early departure, your guide will arrange breakfast to take with you. Try to sit on the left of the aircraft for the finest views during the roughly 20–35 minute flight (a little shorter from Manthali, longer from Kathmandu). At Lukla you'll meet the rest of your crew — the porters — and enjoy a tea or coffee while they organise the luggage. Your guide then leads you through the National Luminary Pasang Lhamu Memorial Gate, where the great adventure truly begins. It's around an hour's walk to Thado Koshi; you can stop for lunch here or carry on to eat at the lodge. Either way, you'll walk beside the rushing Dudh Koshi river, crossing suspension bridges and pausing for a famous glass of mango juice before arriving in Phakding. Collect your room key and rest, or explore the village and its nearby monasteries, before the group gathers for dinner around 7:30pm.

3,440m / 11,283ft · 12km · 5–6 hours

After breakfast at the tea house, we pack up and hand our duffel bags to the porter team before setting off. Your leader will brief you on the day ahead, then we follow rocky forest trails wrapped in rolling hills, entering Sagarmatha National Park through its large stone-stepped gateway. It's mostly downhill to our lunch stop at Jorsale — after which the real challenge begins, with a demanding uphill climb to Namche. Along the way we cross two suspension bridges, the iconic Hillary Bridge among them, and if the skies are clear you'll catch your very first glimpse of Mount Everest just beyond it. The air cools as we climb, and depending on the season there may be a little light rain or wind, before we finally reach the famous Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Check in to your cosy stone-and-timber lodge and rest, or explore this amphitheatre of a village — full of restaurants, bakeries and shops, with ATMs on hand if you need them.

3,780m / 12,402ft · 4–9km · 3–6 hours

Today we climb above 3,000m, where the altitude can begin to be felt. It won't affect everyone, but a mild headache or a little dizziness is completely normal at first, and your guide will keep a close eye on everyone, making sure you're well hydrated and fuelled. This is a magnificent day for views: Thamserku, Ama Dablam and Everest itself all come into sight. We hike up towards Syangboche and the Everest View Hotel at around 3,800m, where we pause for a pot of tea or coffee and drink in that unforgettable Everest panorama. This gentle "climb high, sleep low" outing is key to good acclimatisation, so afterwards we return to our Namche lodge for a second night's rest before dinner.

3,860m / 12,660ft · 12km · 5–6 hours

After breakfast we set off towards Tengboche and its great circling prayer wheel. The morning is a lovely, mostly level walk with Ama Dablam for company, then a descent through beautiful rhododendron forest — a good moment for some dried fruit or an energy bar. We cross a striking suspension bridge to reach Phunki Thangka, our lunch spot, before a steep, forested climb up to Tengboche, where a real sense of achievement greets you at the top. Once you've settled into your lodge, explore the area's highlight: Tengboche Monastery, the oldest and largest in the Khumbu, rebuilt in 1989 after a fire (you may even spot the monks playing football). Treat yourself to cake and pastries at a nearby bakery, then enjoy a relaxed evening at the lodge.

4,410m / 14,464ft · 11km · 5–6 hours

The day begins gently, descending through fragrant forest to Deboche and across the Imja Khola on a suspension bridge, with yak pastures dotting the landscape. A steady climb then brings us to Pangboche, where sweeping Himalayan views open up and a tea house makes a welcome spot for a refreshing drink. From here we continue through rocky, windswept trails, stopping for lunch at a tea house along the way as the air grows thinner — so keep sipping water and topping up your energy. Crossing several hills in the late afternoon, spirits lift as our tea house comes into view at Dingboche, a village of chortens, stone-walled fields and a handful of welcoming lodges, where we spend the night.

5,100m / 16,728ft · 6km · 4–5 hours

Wake to some of the most beautiful mountain views of the whole trek, right from your lodge window. After an early breakfast we set off on our second acclimatisation hike, and your guide will talk you through two options. The first is Nangkartshang (Nagarjun) Hill — around two and a half hours up and half an hour down a steady slope, rewarded with prayer-flag-draped ridges and a magnificent mountain panorama. The alternative is a tougher, rockier climb to Chhukhung at 5,559m / 18,238ft — around 7–8 hours in all, but hugely rewarding, with close-up views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Island Peak and more. Whichever you choose, we return to our lodge afterwards for a well-earned rest and dinner.

4,910m / 16,105ft · 12km · 5–6 hours

After breakfast we climb steadily out of Dingboche, following gradual trails with the Himalayas rising to the south, towards our lunch stop at Dughla (Thukla). Crossing rocky terrain and clear mountain streams, we refuel at one of Dughla's couple of tea houses before tackling the short, steep climb to Thukla Pass. At the top we're surrounded by mountains as far as the eye can see, and we pass the moving memorials to the many brave climbers who have lost their lives on Everest. A gentler walk of just over an hour, with Lobuche Peak ahead, brings us to our lodge at Lobuche for the night.

Everest Base Camp 5,364m / 17,594ft · 12km · around 9 hours

Today is the big one — the day we've all been waiting for. We begin with a rugged, rocky walk to Gorakshep over sometimes-unstable ground with no clear path, so keep your trekking poles to hand and take it steady. At Gorakshep we check in to our lodge, rest and have lunch, before setting off on the narrow trail to Everest Base Camp itself. Your guide will keep you safe and steady every step of the way. And then — you're there. Take a moment to feel enormously proud: you're standing at the foot of the highest mountain on Earth, surrounded by the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall, with Lhotse and Everest towering above. Take your photos, soak it in, and celebrate — mission accomplished! We then retrace our steps to Gorakshep for dinner and a good rest.

Kala Patthar 5,545m / 18,192ft · Pheriche 4,210m / 13,809ft · 12km · around 7 hours

A very early start today for the climb to Kala Patthar, to witness sunrise over Everest between roughly 5am and 7am. It's a steady ascent in the dark, so have your head torch ready. As you climb you may hear the eerie crack and rumble of ice from Nuptse, and at the top you're treated to the finest Everest views of all, as first light turns the snow-capped peaks a glowing gold. Kala Patthar is the coldest point of the trek, so wrap up thoroughly, head to toe, keeping exposed skin covered — and a bowl of hot garlic soup back in Gorakshep works wonders. After this magical sunrise we descend to our rest stop for the night at Pheriche.

3,440m / 11,280ft · 15km · 6 hours

We set off early to retrace our route towards Namche, a day that's largely downhill in gradual stages. You'll notice how much easier breathing becomes as we lose altitude, and the now-familiar trail feels different with your goal accomplished. We'll stop at Pangboche or Tengboche for lunch before the final descent into Namche Bazaar, where there's plenty of time to pick up souvenirs and relax.

2,800m / 9,184ft · 19km · 7 hours

Our final trekking day — and another to celebrate! We make our way back to Lukla, crossing river tributaries and the Phakding valley, drinking in the Himalayan atmosphere one last time. There's time for a drink, a dance and a proper celebration of everything you've achieved. Tipping is customary here, and greatly appreciated: your contributions to the porters and guides directly support the local people and communities who help make this incredible journey possible. We enjoy a final evening together at our tea house before resting up.

1,338m / 4,390ft

Savour one last morning in the heart of the Khumbu before boarding our flight back to Kathmandu (most often a morning departure, though times vary — your guide will confirm the details). On arrival you'll transfer to your guesthouse or hotel with the rest of the day at leisure — explore a little more, keep celebrating, or simply put your feet up. This evening we gather for a farewell dinner, hosted by the operator at a lovely restaurant near Thamel — the one included meal of your trip, and a fitting way to toast your achievement together.

Kathmandu 1,338m / 4,390ft

Today your adventure comes to an end. After breakfast there's time to say goodbye to your fellow trekkers before your included transfer to the airport for your onward flight — we'll aim to have you there around three hours before departure. Safe travels home, and congratulations on reaching the foot of the world's highest mountain

Good to know: airport transfers (arrival, to/from the Lukla flights, and departure) are included. Accommodation is a guesthouse or hotel in Kathmandu and tea houses along the trail. Meals are not included except the farewell dinner on the final evening, leaving you free to choose from the tea house and restaurant menus along the way.