Mt. Everest: The Top of the World

You’ll fly from Kathmandu to a regional airport in Lukla, Nepal, where your guide for this trip will meet you. As soon as you’re together, you will start your trek to Everest Base Camp. The first leg today will include a 4-hour hike over increasingly steep terrain, a long suspension bridge, and an incredibly scenic view. Your group will spend the night in Phakding before heading out early in the morning.

After breakfast, your guide will lead your second day’s trek to Namche Bazaar. Today’s hike will take about 6 hours and will require plenty of breaks and resting along the way. When you finally arrive in Namche Bazaar, you’ll be treated to all the comforts that this main trading post provides. There are several stores, cafes, restaurants and bakeries in Namche Bazaar. Take some time to relax, take it all in, and indulge before the serious hiking continues on day three. 

This stop is an important one in terms of acclimating to the altitude. If you trek too high, too quickly, you could face grave physical ramifications. You’ll spend the night in Namche Bazaar and get an early start.

The group has about 5 hours of hiking and climbing in store today on the trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche. There will be breathtaking vantage points along the way until you finally arrive in Tengboche. Here you’ll recuperate for the night. You might also choose to tour the vast Tengboche Monastery during your stay.

Today the group will ascend more than 8,000 feet on its trek from Tengboche to Dingboche. Pacing yourself at these altitudes is extremely important. The ascent today should take about 4 hours before the group will stop for rest and recuperation. There is a small internet cafe in town and a few small gathering spaces where you can meet and visit with other climbers and guides.

You’ll ascend another 10,000 feet today on your climb up to Lobuche. There will be another high altitude suspension bridge, and you’ll pass through Khagan Chorten. This area has hundreds of prayer flags in various colors honoring those that have lost their lives on the mountain. It is also a high altitude cemetery and a grim reminder that trekking on this mountain is serious business. The group will trek for about five hours today before calling it a night in Lobuche.

Today you’ll make your final trek to Everest Base Camp. You’ll climb an additional 10,000 feet today before finally arrive at south base camp. The views will be remarkable. Once you arrive, kick back and marvel at the scenery, appreciate how far you’ve come, and revel in being so close to the very tip top of the world. Be sure to take a few pictures for the scrapbook before starting your descent down the mountain.

You’ll start your trek today down the mountain back to Lukla. Depending on the weather and your guide’s recommendation, this descent might go quickly or take a little longer. You’ll have to be patient and flexible. Once you’ve arrived in Lukla, you’ll board a small plane and head back to Kathmandu International Airport.