Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri – 21 Days

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 at hotel. Meals:Welcome Dinner

From Kathmandu, we take a drive to Jiri on a 188km/117-mile journey. There are great views of Langtang and the Ganesh Himal peaks on the north as our journey heads towards Lamosangu (78km/49miles) through the Arniko Highway that connects to Tibet. From Lamosangu, a nice branch road takes us to Jiri. The further road carries on to Shivalaya and Bhandar but buses do not ply further. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cross the bridge over the Khimti Khola River, and we reach the Shivalaya village on the river bank. After Shivalaya, a long steep ascent leads us to Sangbadanda village. Just beyond the village, the trail meets the jeep road from which, after a short distance, a trail breaks away to the left and heads up along the ridge towards Thodung. The more trail branches off from the jeep road someway ahead, climbs about 150m/495ft, past isolated farmsteads to Khasrubas. The trail now is easy and crosses two streams, then again ascends through the rhododendron forests to Deorali. There are many walls here; we are entering the Buddhist Sherpa country. After descending in about one and half hours we are now at Bhandar with two large chortens and a gompa. From here, we can see good views down the valley. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The trail now descends to fields, crosses a few streams, in about 45 minutes we are at Dokharpa. There are some confusing forks on the trail now, but we keep on walking left as the path winds down to the Surma Khola stream. Continuing to descend and curving left, it reaches the broad Likhu Khola Valley. There are two suspension bridges here, we take the second. The steep climb to Lamjura La begins from here. We can now see some snow peaks. After a hard climbing of about two and half hours, we reach Chimbu from where we take the left at the trail intersection beyond, and after walking for two hours, we are now at Sagar. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we continue, the first village that we pass is Dagchu (2840m/9372ft). As the forest thins and we climb higher after Goyem, distant snow peaks come insight. We ascend the top of the ridge where there are many walls and cairns. Another half-an hours climb brings us to Lamjura la pass (3530m/11,649ft). Now, the way down is a steep zigzag. Descending, less steeply, through the open country now, with stonewalled fields and pastures, reaching the settlement of Tragdobuk(2850m/9405ft). We continue, keeping to the left; as the trail rounds a bluff, the large, picturesque village of Junbesi (2675m/8827ft) appears below with the snow peaks of Karyolung and Numbur away to the east. It takes about an hour to descend to Junbesi. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After walking about two hours, the trail rounds a spur and suddenly a dramatic panorama of snow-mountains greets us. On a clear day, we can see Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Makalu besides Thamserku, Kangtega, Kusum Kanguru, and Mera peak. The trail continues, almost level, to Salung(2860m/9438ft) following the ascending trail to the village of Ringmo(2800m/9240ft), full of apple, peach, and apricot orchards. The trail descends steeply and leads us to the village of Trashingdo where there are a beautiful gompa and good views of the Kusum Kanguru peak. The trail then descends through the forests and then across the terraced fields, we cross over a suspension bridge to reach Nuntala. Overnight at guest house.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continuing our journey early in the morning, there are stunning views of Karyolung (to the north) and Kusum Kanguru (northeast) peaks. The trail descends rapidly to the broad Dudh Koshi River, in about 3 hours, crossing it over a steel suspension bridge. This bridge, at 1500m is the lowest point of the trek. As the trail climbs up, we pass by the villages Jubing and Churkha, from where we can see the peak of Gyachung Kang (7922m) far ahead in the distance, and Khumbila (5761m). The trail further climbs eastward to reach the sprawling village of Kharikhola. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After descending to cross a suspension bridge over a stream, the trail climbs very steeply for an hour and we arrive at Bupsa. Now we have to pass through a forest settlement of Kharte to reach Khari La (2840m/9318ft), marked by a mani wall. From here, we can view Khumbila and Gyachung Kang. The Dudh Koshi River flows down below; this is a cavernous canyon, at places as deep as 1000m. After descending a while, we are now at Puiyan. The usual time taken in this route is 6-7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There are many ups and downs as the trail passes and a ridge crest from where we can spot the Lukla airfield and Surkhe (2290m) down below. This village is settled around the terraced fields. Continuing our journey through the cultivated fields, the trail meets the Cheplung (2700m). Just beyond Cheplung is a French-run health post, in the village of Nachipang. The trail eventually descends to a smaller steel box bridge over the roaring Thado Kosi, a tributary stream. If we are trekking in May, then we can spot rhododendron flowers. Further down is the farming village Ghat on the river bank. The path eventually drops almost to the river, opposite an ugly scar left by a landslide. Now the trail sharply rises to Phakding village. A popular excursion from here is the short climb to the Pema Choling Gompa (30 minutes) high on the forested west bank, and the nearby villages of Sano and Thulo Gumela. There are superb views of Kusum Kanguru and the peak of Thamserku. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 Dudhkoshi 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 Dudhkoshi 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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This is our day to have the great pleasure of scenic beauty of nature. There are many things to explore around Namche and Great Mountain views to savor. The village, sprawling around the natural bowl, looks amazing from up here, its houses and terraced fields seeming like the steps of a giant amphitheater. If we walk a further, our excursion would take toward Army post and the Sagarmatha National park Headquarters. Fro here, we can see the astonishing views of the great Khumbu peaks including Mt. Everest. In the west, the Kwangde range looks spectacular. On the southeast area succession of high peaks: Kusum Kanguru with its three summits, Thamserku standing tall, and Kangtega. The familiar Khumbila peak rises in the north while Thange Ragi and Pharchamo soar to the right of Kwangde. If it is Saturday, we could consider ourselves lucky as we can enjoy the colorful Saturday market. Sherpas from across the Khumbu gather at the street-side market to buy provisions sold by lowland Nepalese we will be amazed by the variety of goods on sale. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 vsit 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, Pangobche 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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On this trail, we find ourselves truly in the lap of the Himalayas with awesome mountains on all sides. From Dingboche, we take the trail that climbs slowly along the ridge through the village of Dusa (4503m) where we have outstanding views of the twin peaks of Taboche and Cholatse and Ama Dablam appears as a perfect pyramid, while the summit Kantega is visible far to the left of the prominent saddle seen from Tengboche. The trail drops down to a glacial stream, rising up the other side to Dughla. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Dughla the trail goes directly up the gravelly terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and the path bears left at the top of the ridge onto 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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final day’s trekking follows the Dudh Kosi down to Lukla retracing the way we came up. Overnight at guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 at hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

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.