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Kathmandu, Nepal Overview
It’s the mountain of all mountains – the highest point on Planet Earth. For many years, Mount Everest was only accessible to the local villagers who call it home and the bravest of mountain explorers. Now, this high-altitude legend can be traversed by practically anyone who aspires to witness its majesty firsthand.
There a few things that eclipse the feeling of trekking through a mammoth mountain range, and the Khumbu Region is as big as it gets. The ascent from the mountain hub of Lukla, through fertile fields, past towering peaks to the lunar landscapes of the Khumbu glacier is a worthy trek for even the most avid adventurer.
Every step you take towards Base Camp robs more vital oxygen from your already heaving lungs, every step becomes slower and more lethargic yet somehow the old-fashioned practice of one foot in front of the other gets you to the end of another day. It's a battle of mind over matter that may see the fastest fail, as the methodical march on towards the nightly teahouse, one chapter closer to their ultimate goal.
The ever-changing landscapes, bustling villages and passing yak trains provide a welcome distraction from the constant uphill slog, set to the background sounds of gushing mountain streams, tinkling prayer wheels and giggling school kids.
Our expeditions to Everest Base Camp (EBC) are so much more than a hike in the Himalayas. With Best Life Adventures, your journey to the roof of the world will be one of cultural immersion, deep insight, and connection with this awe-inspiring landscape.
Best Life Adventures have a 98% success rate for getting our clients to Everest Base Camp. We also invite families with children aged 14+ to join us on our expeditions to the world’s highest mountain. We run expeditions during the Himalayan Spring and Autumn climbing seasons (April/May and October/November).
Following the success of our previous expeditions, we have revised and improved our EBC itinerary to take you places other bog-standard trekking and travel companies don’t even know about. We give you a seriously unique adventure in the Himalayas that includes Wim Hof-style glacial lake swimming (Autumn season), a tour of the Italian glass research station known as, The Pyramid, a local Nepali cooking class, and the best traditional Japanese Shiatsu massage you can find once you're back in Kathmandu.
If you trek with us in the spring summit season (April/May), you get to stay overnight at Everest Base Camp with the summit teams rather than at Gorek Shep. This is something no other trekking company offers.
WE HELP PRESERVE AND GIVE BACK
We make a donation to the Australian Himalayan Foundation, on behalf of everyone who books a trek with us, to help improve living standards in the Himal region through better education and training, improved health services, and environmental sustainability.
As part of our commitment to preserving the livelihoods of the people, and the landscapes of the Khumbu region, we have added a number of sustainability initiatives to each and every one of our EBC treks:
- Rather than consume disposable plastic water bottles throughout our trek, we operate a water filtration system using our MSR and Katadyn water filters and issue each trekker with their own supply of Purinize water treatment drops to ensure fresh, clean drinking water throughout the trek. This gives you the best chance of maintaining excellent gut health which in turn, gives you the greatest chance of getting to base camp.
- We work with Sagamartha Next, based in Khumjung Village just above Namche Bazar, to help change the perception around waste in the Khumbu region, and provide support to the local stakeholders, by entering into their 'Carry Me Back' initiative which helps remove recyclable waste from the valley. Each and every one of our trekkers carries at least 1kg of plastic or aluminium waste, downhill from Namche to Lukla, where it's taken to the nearest recycling plant.
GROUPS AND CHARITY OPTIONS AVAILABLE
As part of our commitment to supporting various charities, we can run these expeditions as ‘Extreme Fundraisers’. We also operate private, bespoke expeditions to EBC for corporate groups, families, and beyond. Contact us for more information.
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MINIMUM NUMBERS - this expedition is subject to a minimum number of paying guests and once reached, the expedition is guaranteed to go ahead if not, it will be cancelled, and you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate expedition or departure date or receive a full refund.
INSURANCE - We highly recommend taking out personal travel insurance within seven days of booking this expedition, which will ensure you are covered if things go pear-shaped. Remember to get a policy that covers you for trekking to 6000m with emergency helicopter evacuation, and in case of trip cancellation (e.g. due to low numbers or weather conditions). In the past, we’ve worked with a number of different companies and have had the best customer experience and speed of response with World Nomads, but the decision is 100% yours if you have a preferred company.
Explore the Khumbu & sleep above the clouds
Location : Everest Base Camp, Nepal, Khumbu, Nepal
Experience what it’s like to stay at Everest Base Camp alongside the global expeditions preparing to summit Mt Everest. Dine under the stars, hear stories from Sherpa mountaineers and wake up in one of the coolest places on earth. You’ll also have the chance to walk to the bottom of the infamous Khumbu Icefall.
Once you arrive with the group, you have two nights' tented accommodation with the summit teams before trekking back to Gorek Shep and summitting Kala Patar. To complete this epic part of the journey, you then take to the skies with a private helicopter flight over the stunning route you’ve already trekked. You then overnight in Lukla before departing for Kathmandu the next day on a scheduled fixed-wing aircraft. This option is the same duration as the standard trek.
- Two night’s accommodation at Everest Base Camp
- Scenic helicopter flight from Gorek Shep, along the Khumbu Valley, to Lukla (avoiding return hike)
Sleeping Bag Hire
Location : Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
If you'd like to hire a warm, down sleeping bag for the duration of your trip, please select this now. There's nowhere better than the inside of one when the frost is nipping at your nose!
Down Jacket Hire
If you'd like to hire a warm, down jacket for the duration of your trip, please select this now. It is essential to have one of these for the last few nights of the trip where temperatures can drop to below -5c, or if you intend summiting Kala Patar (5600m).
Helicopter Mountain Flight
Location : Gorak Shep, Khumjung, Nepal
Take a different view of the Khumbu region from up high, in a helicopter with a scenic flight over the trail you've spent the last week walking, well worth doing! From the landing pad at EBC, head over Gokyo Lakes, past Ama Dablam and take in the magnitude and magnificence of the Himalayas.
This will take place either from Gorek Shep, Lobuche or Namche. To be confirmed during the trek.
THE LUXURY WIND-DOWN
Location : Kathmandu, Nepal
After staying at Everest Base Camp for a night to soak up the majesty of the Khumbu Glacier, take to the skies with a private helicopter flight back to Lukla for an overnight stay, before returning to Kathmandu.
After the exertion of the last week trekking, you’ll be pampered, massaged and brought back life in the salubrious surroundings of Gorkana Forest Retreat for the next two days. With an indoor pool, 18-hole golf course, luxury spa and yoga retreat you’ll be back in perfect condition in no time at all. This option is the same duration as the standard trek but so much kinder to the body.
This activity will start when the group leave Everest Base Camp on their return leg of the trek, from 5 - 7 May 2024
Kathmandu Cultural Tour - 1/2 day
Price : US $50 cash, to be paid on day of tour
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Location : Kathmandu, Nepal
Head out and explore Kathmandu with your trekking crew, an English-speaking guide and visit some of the most historic, iconic tourist sites including:
- The Monkey Temple
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Swayambhunath Stupa
All transport, entrance fees and bottled water are taken care of
WELCOME TO KATHMANDU
Please ensure you arrive in Kathmandu no later than today for your check-in at Nepali Ghar Hotel.
Compulsory group briefing at the hotel AM. This will be conducted before the optional Cultural Half-Day Tour departs.
Tonight we all head out as a group for a Nepalese Cultural Dinner.
Fly to Lukla
If the mountain Gods are with us and the flight is on time, you will arrive in Lukla (2800m) around 10am, wander the streets to buy any last minute shopping and enjoy an early lunch, before starting the mainly downhill trek to Phakding (2610m)
Trek to Phakding
Location : Phakding, Nepal
The 9km hike to Phakding (2160m) should take 3 hours. When you arrive, you can check into your room and spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising. Make sure you keep well hydrated; 4 to 5 litres of water a day is essential all the way through the trek.
Trek to Namche Bazaar
Location : Namche Bazaar, Namche, Nepal
You get to cross a number of vertigo-inducing suspension bridges while gradually moving uphill towards the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and the Everest Region. Next, you head downhill for a short time before levelling out alongside the river crossing mixed terrain. The trail follows the river to the final high double suspension bridges before you begin the quad-burning ‘Namche Hill’. It can take 2 hours to reach the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar (3340m), where we will be based for two nights. Today’s trek is around 12km or 5 hours, with plenty of breaks along the way.
Acclimatisation Day
Location : Namche Bazaar, Namche, Nepal
There's no such thing as a rest day in the Himalayas! We climb up to the village of Khumjung, visit the local school and shops, then head back to Namche for an afternoon of great coffee, last-minute shopping and even a massage.
Trek to Tengboche
Today we hike towards Tengboche, at 3860m. After ascending out of Namche, the first 2 hours are relaxed walking, traversing the left-hand side of the valley, high above the river below. The trail descends down toward the river for our lunch stop. From here it will take 2 – 3 hours to hike up the long hill to the town of Tengboche, home to a stunning monastery and coffee shop that sells the best apple pie and espresso. There are 5-6 hours of hiking today, covering 10km.
Trek to Dingboche
Location : Dingboche, Nepal
From Tengboche, we travel to Dingboche, at 4400m. The trail heads up and down hills before crossing the river and then uphill towards Pangboche for lunch (Pangbouche was one of the villages on the trail that suffered most from the recent earthquakes), which usually takes 2-3 hours. From there it is a gradual uphill trek towards the Imja Valley with views towards Island Peak and an hour later arrives in Dingboche. The total trekking time will be 5 to 6 hours. The distance will be 12km.
Acclimatisation Day
Location : Dingboche, Nepal
Today, there's a 300m ascent to the stupa overlooking the town, then it's back down to Dingboche to relax for the afternoon with a Best Life Adventures surprise activity thrown in.
Trek to Lobuche
Location : Lobuche, Khumjung, Nepal
From Dingboche, we head to Lobuche, at 4900m. The trail heads back towards the Khumbu valley and becomes a long and slow trek across a beautiful elevated route towards Dugla, where we stop for a while to eat lunch and rest. This usually takes 2 hours and after lunch, from Dugla to Lobuche, will be an additional 3 hours with plenty of rest stops. After stopping at Dugla we have a long uphill section over the Thukla Pass which tops out at the Everest Memorial, before heading on to Lobuche. We've been lucky enough to secure accommodation at The Pyramid, a stunning glass research station nestled at the base of the mountains, for our own private Himalayan retreat. We will be trekking for 12km over 5 hours today.
Trek to Everest Base Camp
Location : Everest Base Camp, Khumjung, Nepal
Today’s trek is very beautiful and unique, crossing loose rock and glacial moraine. The up and down trail into Gorak Shep takes approximately 3 hours. We have lunch here and rest before the toughest but most rewarding part of your adventure - the walk into Everest Base Camp which takes around 3 hours where we will spend time basking in the glory of the world’s highest mountain! We then return to Gorak Shep for the night after a huge day of achieving a lifetime goal. Check out the other options to overnight at EBC, or fly over the region in a helicopter.
Summit Kala Patar (5600m)
Location : Kala Patthar Summit, Khumjung, Nepal
For those with enough energy reserves left, this is one of the highlights of the trip. A dawn ascent of Kala Patar, the perfect place to watch the sunrise over Mount Everest. It's the toughest physical part of the trek and the return trip takes around 3 hours.
Trek down to Pheriche
Location : Pheriche, Khumjung, Nepal
The hike back to Pheriche is around 5 hours, winding back along the path we came up, until Dugla, where we descend into the stunning wide valley where we'll spend the night. A total of 8 hours of hiking today which is very challenging for most people, covering 16km.
Trek to Namche
Location : Namche Bazar, Namche, Nepal
Today we will trek from Pheriche back to Namche Bazar. It is another long day and can take approximately 9 hours. As you are heading downhill, to lower levels of altitude, and you can cover the ground quicker than on the way up. When you get back to Namche you will enjoy the delights at the Namche Bakery or play a few rounds of pool at Cafe Danfe before resting up for the long walk back to Lukla. Today’s journey is 22km.
Trek to Lukla
Location : Lukla, Chaurikharka, Nepal
The final furlong! This is another long day and can be one of the hardest, as your body is tired from the trek. You start the day going back down Namche Hill and then tackle the long stretch back to Lukla. Today’s trek can take up to 8 hours and covers 21km. Once you get back through the famous arch into Lukla you can finally say you've completed the Everest Base Camp Trek. Tonight we have a celebration dinner and a few local specialities thrown in too.
Fly to Kathmandu
Location : Kathmandu, Nepal
If the weather gods are with us we fly back to Kathmandu today and check back into Nepali Ghar Hotel. We recommended you book your international flight 2-3 days after your trek finishes. Lukla Airport can close due to sudden weather transitions and for a number of days in a row. If flights are cancelled or delayed for a few days, a helicopter charter flight (approx. $500-$750USD) may be required. Please ensure your travel insurance covers this instance.
Explore Kathmandu
Location : Kathmandu, Nepal
Your Best Life Adventure officially ends today, but if inclement mountain weather delays our departure from Lukla to Kathmandu, it is advised that you plan to have at least two extra days in Kathmandu before your international flight departs. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Free time to discover why Kathmandu is one of the friendliest cities in the world.
