Everest Base Camp Trek by Road - 17 Days

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a company representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for resting or exploring the vibrant streets of Thamel. In the evening, we will hold a pre-trek meeting to check your gear and provide a detailed briefing of the upcoming adventure.

The journey begins with a long, scenic drive departing early from Kathmandu. We travel along the BP Highway, following the Sun Koshi River and passing through numerous traditional hill towns. The road winds through terraced fields and lush forests, offering a glimpse into the rural lifestyle of Nepal before arriving at Salleri, the headquarters of the Solukhumbu district.

We continue our journey with a rough, off-road jeep drive from Salleri to Thamdanda, which is currently the end of the road access. After reaching the trailhead, we begin our actual trek, walking for a few hours through beautiful landscapes and forests to reach the quiet village of Paiya (also known as Chutok), where we spend our first night in a mountain teahouse.

The trail descends from Paiya towards Surke, passing through small settlements and crossing the Handi Khola. We walk past the village of Surke, located just below Lukla, and join the main trekking trail that comes from the Lukla airport. We continue through Chaurikharka and eventually reach the village of Phakding, situated alongside the turquoise Dudh Koshi River.

Today’s trek takes us through several suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge. We enter the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where permits are checked. The trail then involves a final, steep zig-zag climb through pine forests. As we ascend, we may catch our first glimpse of Mt. Everest before arriving at the bustling horseshoe-shaped town of Namche Bazaar.

To help our bodies adjust to the altitude, we spend a day in Namche Bazaar. We take a steep hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for a stunning panorama of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Later, we can visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or explore the local markets and bakeries that make Namche the heart of the Khumbu region.

The trail out of Namche offers spectacular views as it winds around the hillside. We descend to Phungi Thenga for lunch before making a steady climb through rhododendron forests to reach Tengboche. This village is home to the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the region, where we can witness monks chanting against the backdrop of Ama Dablam.

We descend through the forest to Deboche and cross the Imja Khola via a suspension bridge. The trail passes the ancient mani walls of Pangboche village, where the treeline begins to disappear. We enter the Imja Valley and ascend gradually to the summer settlement of Dingboche, which is surrounded by stone walls to protect crops from the wind.

A second acclimatization day is vital before heading higher. Most trekkers opt for a hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) or towards the Chhukung Valley. These hikes offer incredible views of Makalu, Lhotse, and the north face of Ama Dablam. Spending time at this altitude helps ensure a successful and safe journey to the base camp.

The trek continues upward onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We stop at Thukla (Dughla) for a break before climbing the steep "Memorial Hill," where monuments are dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on Everest. The trail then levels out slightly as we reach the small settlement of Lobuche, tucked beneath the towering peaks.

Today is the most anticipated day of the trek. We walk across rocky moraine to reach Gorakshep, the highest settlement. After a quick lunch, we push on to Everest Base Camp. Standing on the Khumbu Glacier, surrounded by prayer flags and the Khumbu Icefall, is an emotional highlight. After soaking in the atmosphere, we return to Gorakshep for a cold but rewarding night.

Before dawn, we begin a challenging climb to the summit of Kala Patthar (5,545m). This is the highest point of the trek and offers the ultimate 360-degree view of Everest, Nuptse, and the surrounding giants. We then descend to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue all the way down to Pheriche, where the higher oxygen levels make for a very comfortable night’s sleep.

The descent feels much easier as we lose altitude. We trek back through Pangboche and Tengboche, descending steeply to the river before climbing back up to the ridge. The path eventually leads us back to the familiar streets of Namche Bazaar, where you can enjoy a hot shower and celebrate your achievement with a "mountain latte" or a beer.

We bid farewell to the high mountains as we descend the steep hill out of Namche. Crossing the Hillary Bridge once more, we exit the National Park at Monjo. Instead of heading to the Lukla airport, we continue our trek toward Surke or Chaurikharka, enjoying the warmer air and lush greenery of the lower valley.

Our final day of walking takes us back up to Thamdanda. It is a rewarding trek through the forest, marking the end of our journey on foot. At Thamdanda, our jeep awaits to take us on a scenic drive back to Salleri or Phaplu. We enjoy a final dinner with our trekking crew to celebrate the completion of the trek.

We start early for the 10 to 12-hour drive back to Kathmandu. The journey takes us through the winding roads of the mid-hills, providing one last look at the beautiful Nepalese countryside. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we transfer you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and a long-awaited hot shower.

Your 17-day Everest adventure concludes today. Depending on your flight schedule, our representative will provide a transfer to the international airport. You head home with unforgettable memories of the world's highest peak and the beautiful people of the Khumbu.