Everest Base Camp - A trekking route including an ascent of Kala Pattar
Duration: 19 days airport to airport with 14 days challenging trekking
Previous Experience Required: Suitable for keen walkers who are able to walk for 4 - 5 hours per day. The walking feels more strenuous at altitude and you will carry a light rucksack. Most of the route is on well established paths/tracks but gets rocky on the final approach to base camp.
Group Size: 8
Maximum Altitude: 5600 metres

This exciting and beautiful trek is for many the ultimate trekking experience, following in the footsteps of legendary mountaineers from around the world. The programme has been tailor made to ensure sufficient acclimatisation and time to soak up the sights and sounds of Kathmandu and the many sherpa villages along the way.

This is not a big company trek subbed out to gap year student on a free holiday. This is an expedition that will be managed and led by Rob Johnson to ensure a high quality trip in an unrivalled environment.

It begins preparing for the trek in Kathmandu. Here you are immediately immersed in hustle and bustle of this famous city. We then enjoy a breathtakingly picturesque flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and the sights and sounds of Nepal overpower the senses. The trek starts through the Everest National Park to the prosperous village of Namche Bazaar and  on to Khumjung, where Edmund Hillary opened the very first school for Sherpa children.

From here we go on to the alpine lake region of Gokyo where we will make an ascent of Gokyo Ri to gain an extraordinary panorama of snow-encrusted Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, together with deep valleys and the longest glacier in the Nepal Himalayas.

After Gokyo we move on to Gorak Shep,  where there is a chance to climb Kala Pattar (5600m) for yet more breathtaking views, which include the instantly recognizable rocky triangle which is the south-west face of Everest. Our visit to Everest Base Camp entails a challenging walk with stunning views of the Khumbu icefall. After EBC we trek back to Lukla in readiness for our return flight to Kathmandu.

The trek will be led by Rob Johnson, an International Mountain Leader and Mountaineering Instructor, and will employ local guides and porters. Click on the environment link at the top of this page to read about the high codes of conduct we adhere to whilst working in this environment. In addition 1% of your course fee is donated to environmental charities.

Outline itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
We will be met by our local guide at the airport and taken to our hotel for the night. The hotel is a comfortable base with twin room accommodation.
Day 2: Kathmandu
We can spend the morning sightseeing and the afternoon preparing for trek. This is an acclimatisation day and it makes sense to do as little as possible!
Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2840m) and trek to Phakding (2652m)
The flight is by Twin Otter plane to the legendary Lukla landing strip and if the weather is kind we will catch our first glimpse of Everest in the distance.
Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m)
Continuing along the banks of the Dudh Kosi river we enter the Khumbu National Park, crossing several suspension bridges along the way. A pull uphill leads us to the village of Namche Bazaar.
Day 5 : Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Whilst we relax and allow our bodies to adjust to the thinner air we can enjoy this busy little trading town. Many Tibetans cross the nearby border to trade their wares and the market is a thriving and fascinating place to while away an hour or two.
Day 6: Trek to Tengboche (3860m)
The trail is well established and as we gain height the views become ever more spectacular and we will get our first really good views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Tea shops along the way offer us refreshments until we reach the monastry village of Tengboche.
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4410m)
The trail continues its winding way up hill and we head into the Imja Valley to the small farming village of Dingboche.
Day 8: Acclimatization day at Dingboche.
There are couple of options; option one - a day hike to Chhukung Ri (5550m) and option two – another day hike to Cho La trail as far as the glacial lake below Cho La Tse. Alternatively we can chill out and enjoy the sunshine!
Day 9: Trek to Lobuche (4910m)
The trail climbs steeply beside glacial moraine before reaching the friendly little village of Lobuche. Day 10:
Day 10: Acclimatization day Lobuche
We have the day to organise ourselves ready for the trip to base camp and to fully acclimatise as we are now over 16 000 feet above sea level.
Day 11: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5364m) and back to Gorak Shep (5288m)  
The path becomes less well defined as we head over glacial moraine to base camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. We will spend time soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the area and of course taking as many photos as we can before heading back the way we came up to the village of Gorak Shep. It was here that the 1953 expedition has their base camp.
Day 12: Very early morning ascent to Kala Patar (5545m) a classic Everest viewpoint for sunrise view on Everest, then back to Pheriche (4270m). The climb is tiring and takes about 2-3 hours but can offer spectacular views that will stay with you a lifetime. You will have views of Everest, the Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori.
Day 13: Trek to Phortse (3810m)
With the aim of the expedition behind us we can enjoy the thicker air as we descend passing more tea house along the way.
Day 14: Trek to Khumjung (3780m)
We pass through the bird filled Rhododendron forests and enjoy more spectacular views of the mountains that were behind us in ascent.

Day 15: Trek back to Phakding (2652m) via or Khunde (3840m)

Day 16: Trek back to Lukla (2800m)

Day 17: Fly back to Kathmandu

Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu

Day 19: Return Home

This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions in the mountains.

Cost Includes:

 ·         Bed & Breakfast at hotel in Kathmandu (twin sharing accommodation unless otherwise arranged)
·         All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
·         All internal transportation including Lukla (KTM/LUK/KTM) flights.
·         All Lodge Accommodation in trek (twin room)
·         National Park entrance fees.
·         Experienced guide and porters, including staff insurance.
·         Transport and a Guide for sightseeing in Kathmandu
·         Airport pickup and drop
·         Either Down Jacket or Four Season Sleeping bag with fleece liner, for trek/climb (without charge)
·         Free Trekking Kit bag about 75L. (given to you on arrival in Kathmandu)
·         Pre-course training day in the UK
·         10% discount of equipment from Cotswold Outdoors
 

 Cost Excludes:
·         Flights to and from Kathmandu
·         Your personal equipment.
·         Your Travel Insurance.
·         Medical examination and vaccination cost.
·         Personal expenditure, including bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.
·         Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond our control.
·         Any costs incurred in leaving the trek early
·         Trekking crew tips at end of trekking.

Dates
We run this trip for group bookings only. You will need a minimum of 6 people. Please email rob@expeditionguide.com

Bookings

You can choose to pay securely online with your debit or credit card or by post with a cheque:

Online: You can book securely online below by clicking on the buy now button.

If you are booking more than 8 weeks in advance you can pay a deposit of £100 and complete the online booking form to secure your booking. The balance can be paid by cheque 8 weeks prior to commencment. Click here to pay a deposit.

By post: Download a booking form here if you prefer to book by cheque through the post.