Everest Base Camp with Island Peak

An early morning start takes us to the airport in Kathmandu for the 35-minute scenic flight to Tenzing and Hillary Airport at Lukla (2,804 m). On arrival at the airport, the guide will brief you and introduce our porters before we begin our trek toward Phakding.

After landing we have time to explore the village while our Sherpa crew sort and load our trekking equipment. Then we begin our trek by descending towards the Dudh Kosi River where we join the main trail to Namche Bazaar, located just above Chaunrikharka (2,713 m). The walking is easy. After passing through the small village of Ghat (2,550 m), it is a short walk to Phakding.

We continue trekking along the banks of the Dudh Kosi, crossing the majestic river many times on exciting suspension bridges laden with prayer flags. After entering the Sagamartha National Park, the trail climbs steeply with breathtaking views. Namche Bazaar (considered the gateway to Everest) is home to many quality restaurants, hotels, lodges, shops, money exchange services, internet cafes, and bakeries. Namche is the biggest town along the Everest trail.

We will spend a day in Namche Bazaar in order to acclimatize and adjust to the thinning air. We will trek a short distance to a museum that is celebrated for its exhibits of the traditional customs of the Sherpa people. We will also hike up the Syangboche Airport and the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest-placed hotels in the world. From this point, we can see rewarding views of the Himalayas including Mt Everest.

The trek continues along the rushing glacial waters of the Dudh Kosi with magnificent views of the mountains. We’ll have trekked to an altitude of 3,860 m upon reaching Tengboche. Inside the monastery are incredibly ornate wall hangings, a 20-foot sculpture of Buddha, and the musical instruments and robes of the Lamas. The group will be taken to observe a prayer ceremony either in the evening or in the morning depending on how the trekking goes this day.

From Tengboche, the trail drops to Debuche, crosses another exciting suspension bridge on the Imja Khola, and climbs to Pangboche amongst thousands of mani stones. Our uphill trek continues, taking us to the quaint traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche with its exquisite views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. We take our time, so we avoid getting affected by the altitude.

This day is planned as acclimatization day. We don’t make progress towards Everest Base Camp. Instead we will take a hike to Nangkartshang peak just above Dingboche. The peak is an excellent view point. Especially of the gorgeous Ama Dablam. If weather is clear, we will get to see Ama Dablam from its summit to its feet. You can spend the afternoon strolling around the village or resting.

Today, the trail continues along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by stone memorials for climbers who have perished on nearby summits. We continue to climb as we are heading to the village of Lobuche which is located at the foot of giant Lobuche peak. Some breathing problems may arise today due to the altitude.

This is a big and difficult day walk along the Khumbu Glacier and up to Everest Base Camp at 5,365 m, the closest you can get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. During spring, there will likely be expedition teams about to attempt the summit. The view of the Khumbu Icefall from Base Camp is spectacular. We return back to Gorak Shep for the night.

This will be one of the most difficult yet rewarding days of the trek. Most of the morning is spent climbing Mt. Kala Patthar, a small peak at 5,555 m. The ascent is demanding but the climber gets the most magnificent mountain panorama: Everest, the highest point on the planet at 8,848 m, towers directly ahead and on all sides loom the giants such as Nuptse, Pumori, Chagatse, Lhotse and countless others. We make a quick descent to Gorak Shep and have hot breakfast, and then trek down to Pheriche.

From Pheriche, we take a route to Dingboche, and then we ascend to the Chukhung valley.

From Chukhung we make a leisurely start following the Imja Valley with great views of Ama Dablam dominating the skyline and follow the moraines that flow from Lhotse (8,501 m) towards the sand flats at Pareshaya Gyab. It is only a short distance from here to the Base Camp, which we will reach in the mid-afternoon. Accommodation will be in a tented camp and you will be having camp food cooked by our professional camping team.

The strategy for the climb will be decided by our climbing Sherpa leader at the time, taking into account the group’s acclimatization, weather, snow conditions and other factors. He will provide you ice climbing training to improve your skills with using climbing gear such as ropes, ice pick, harness, crampons etc. The site of the camp is just below the permanent snowline.

The following morning we leave very early for the final climb to the summit. This may take between four to six hours, depending on snow and weather conditions. We will fix a rope on the summit headwall for safety on both ascent and descent. Although it is not a technically difficult climb, the snow slopes are crevassed, the headwall is reasonably steep and a head for heights is useful. To reach the summit, willpower and stamina are required, but the incredible feeling of achievement atop this 6,187 m giant will remain a lifetime memory. The view from the summit is utterly fantastic! Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu and Baruntse are the dominant giants rising above a sea of smaller peaks. Given good conditions, we should be able to descend back to Chukkung from our summit attempt.

We have allowed two days to climb the Island Peak, although we will probably not require more than one if weather conditions are fine.

Leaving the mountains behind us, our descent takes us through various towns of Dingboche, Orsho, Shomare and Lower Pangboche to reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River to ascend gradually through Debuche and then to Tengboche.

From Tengboche, we descend steeply through beautiful forests of juniper, rhododendron and fir to Phunki Tenga. After a welcome break and a cup of tea, we cross the Dudh Kosi River and climb to Trashinga. From here the trail contours high above the valley through to Shanasa, where we have the option of visiting Kunde and Khumjung villages before returning to Namche Bazaar – our stop for the night.

This is our last day of trekking as we return to Lukla where the trek began. We enjoy this time to reflect on the trek as a group and the personal achievement of all those who took part. The afternoon is free, so you can wander about, relax and enjoy a hot shower! In the evening, have a few celebratory drinks and dance with your teammates.

Enjoying the last glimpse of the mountains we have recently visited, the 35 minutes scenic flight takes us back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, we are transferred back to our starting hotel. A farewell dinner in the evening with your guide or an office team member.