Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary - Fall
Spring vs. Fall: there are fewer trekkers and no climbers in the fall season.
Just loved all of our hotels and tea houses. Of course you have to understand the Khumbu region in general but these places were top notch within each location. How spoiled are we?? Thank you so very much for taking the time to find these beautiful locations and having us stay there. I also really appreciated that the tea house owners were friends and really took pride in their services. Made me feel at home. And, not to forget the Yak and Yeti – just lovely and wonderful food and service and grounds. – Fall Trekker
Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu by 1pm for our mandatory afternoon orientation meeting. You’ll check into our hotel in central Kathmandu and attend a welcome dinner with other trekkers and climbers.
Day 2
We’ll begin our exploration of Kathmandu this morning. While modern by Nepalese standards, Kathmandu is a sacred city to Hindus and Buddhists. Our tour is an important introduction to understanding the cultures that lay ahead. Kathmandu is prominently featured in Buddhist scriptures and Hindu texts such as the Ramayana. Our tour includes three World Heritage Sights — 3,000-year-old Swayambhu (monkey temple), the Hindu temple and cremation site Pashupati, and the great Stupa of Boudhanath. Following our tour, we will complete a thorough gear check.
Day 3
After final administration requirements, we’ll fly to Lukla. Weather permitting, this flight offers outstanding views of the eastern Himalayas. In Lukla, we meet and join our Sherpa staff, load the yaks or porters and begin the ascent to Base Camp. Our first day is an easy walk to lush environs just above the village of Phakding, located on the Dudh Kosi river. Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Day 4
We’ll follow the Dudh Kosi, ascending 2,300 ft./700 m through Himalayan pine and Deodar cedar forests, to the celebrated village of Namche Bazaar (11,300 ft./3,444 m). The village of Namche is an historic trading post where Nepalese and Tibetan traders exchanged salt, dried meat, gold and textiles. Besides being a superb place to shop for traditional crafts, Namche remains the central trading post in the Khumbu, attracting Himalayan and lowland merchants. Our group will spend two nights in Namche, affording us the opportunity to acclimate, visit a local market and spend time with friends in town. On the hike, if the weather cooperates, we’ll capture our first glimpses of Everest and neighboring peaks. Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 5
In the morning, we’ll take an acclimatization hike, gaining 1,000 feet to take in the amazing mountain vista. In the afternoon, we’ll have time to visit sights in Namche Bazaar, including the local marketplace and monastery.
Day 6
On perhaps one of the most fascinating days of the trek, we’ll travel to the village of Thame (12,464 ft./3,800 m), off the main trekking path. A number of famous climbing Sherpa have come from the vicinity of Thame, as do many of Alpine Ascents’ local staff. We will try to visit one of their traditional homes, giving us an intimate view of Sherpa culture. The Thame experience is one rarely afforded to trekkers. After lunch, we climb to the Thame monastery and further explore local Buddhism. We’ll tour this 400 year-old gompa (monastery) and learn about its inner workings and the lives of its monks. As we view the monastery, we’ll discuss the wall paintings and artifacts that are central to Buddhist practice. Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 7
From Thame, we’ll walk to the beautiful twin villages of Khunde and Khumjung (12,400 ft./3,780 m), two of the largest villages in the Khumbu and home of Sir Edmund Hillary’s hospital and school. The day’s walk is moderate and pretty, winding through thick cedar forest. Hiking time: 6 hours
Day 8
We’ll continue on and climb to the village of Tengboche (12,683 ft./3,865 m), the cultural and religious center of the Khumbu. Here, we can often attend Buddhist ceremonies and rituals performed by local monks. Vistas from Tengboche are spectacular. The jagged peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega stand to our south, as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam are visible to the north. The Monastery at Tengboche is one of the most well-known in the world. Views from this locale (one of the finest on earth), include Kwangde (20,293 ft./6,185 m), Tawachee (21,457 ft./6,540 m), Nuptse (25,843 ft./7,876 m), Lhotse (27,883 ft./8498 m), Everest (29,029 ft./8,848 m), Ama Dablam (22,487 ft./6,854 m), Kantega (22,235 ft./6,777 m), Thamserku (21,674 ft./6,606 m). Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 9 – 10
We’ll climb to the village of Pheriche (13,907 ft./4,238 m), which is not far from Dingboche (a village en route to Island Peak). Pheriche has become famous for its high-altitude medical clinic. We’ll visit the clinic and learn more about the effects of high altitude on Himalayan climbers. We’ll also spend an additional day here, further acclimatizing and hiking. Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 11
Above Pheriche, the character of the terrain changes, and we’ll begin to understand the starkness of the high alpine landscape. Our path climbs the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier and continues to the settlement of Lobuche (16,174 ft./4,929 m), where we’ll spend one night. This trail passes through a famous memorial that honors the many Sherpa who lost their lives in the high mountains. Lobuche is located on the flank of an old lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Day 12
The trail winds through the high tundra and glacial moraine to Gorak Shep (16,924 ft./5,158 m), the last inhabited area before Everest Base Camp. Gorak Shep presents a rougher environment and gives us the true flavor of the rigors of mountaineering. This afternoon, depending on weather conditions, we’ll either make an ascent of Kala Pattar (18,300 ft./5,577 m) or walk to Base Camp. Kala Pattar is a small peak with excellent views of Everest, Nuptse and nearby Pumori and will be the highpoint of acclimatization. Many well-known Everest photos are taken from Kala Pattar. Base camp lies beneath the sweeping ridges of Everest and Nuptse. We will sleep at Gorak Shep for the night. Hiking time: 7-8 hours
Day 13
This morning, we’ll make an early ascent of Kala Pattar (if not completed on the previous day) or walk to Base Camp. Afterwards, we will descend to Lobuche, where we will sleep for the night. The slightly thicker air and more comfortable conditions in Lobuche will be a welcome change after our night up high at Gorak Shep! Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Day 14
(Note – climbers may opt to fly back to Lukla on the morning of this day and reach Kathmandu).
Today we’ll descend to lower altitudes and quickly feel the difference in our lungs. We will stop for lunch in Dingboche (14,450 ft./4,404 m), a stunning village of stone huts known as the summer village for local herders. After lunch, we’ll continue to descend to the village of Pangboche (13.074 ft./3.985 m), located across the river valley from Ama Dablam base camp. Hiking time: 7 hours
Day 15
We’ll enjoy our return walk to Namche Bazaar, where we can find shopping, coffee, great food and all the thrills of “urban” life. We’ll spend the evening in Namche. Hiking time 6-7 hours
Day 16
Mid-morning, we’ll descend the hill from Namche and enter the lower valley, returning to lush greenery and the Dudh Kosi river. This night’s stay will be near Phakding or Monjo, just at the head of the lower valley. Hiking time: 4 hours
Day 17
Our final walk to Lukla is a more casual hiking day. In Lukla, we’ll begin the process of readjusting to the lowlands and prepare for the flight back to Kathmandu. It’ll be a memorable night of laughter and merriment. Hiking time: 5 hours
Day 18
Early morning flight to KTM (weather permitting). We’ll spend much of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the amenities of our hotel.
Day 19
Free time to explore the city including the temples and sites of Durbar Square and the neighborhood of Thamel. We’ll assist trekkers with their final shopping needs and have a farewell dinner.
Day 20
Early morning departure
Vern and staff were excellent. Exceeded my expectations. His experience and connections in the region are impressive. He is a rock star on the trail.
Guides
The trip was great! Everything from the city tours, to the acclimatization hikes, to the superb food at base camp, to our fearless leader Vern…it was excellent. I can’t say enough about Vern, as well as Alex and Vladamir.
