17-Day Everest Base Camp Trek (Luxury)

Arrive in Kathmandu where you are met after you go through entry formalities. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Fabled Kathmandu is a bustling third world city of over four million inhabitants that feels much like a vast and busy village. Brimming with historical sites, the city also boasts a number of unique neighborhoods that proudly cling to ancient traditions despite the urbanization all around them. It is also host to a wide variety of quality mid-range and luxury hotels, an outstanding collection of superb restaurants with fare from around the world, outstanding shopping opportunities, intriguing nightlife, and much more.

No trip to Nepal is truly complete without several days of sight-seeing. It's easy to spend two or three full days exploring the city and surrounding communities. If you choose to upgrade your Kathmandu hotel, please note that while the Hyatt Regency is a true 5-star hotel, Dwarika's is more of a heritage hotel with 5-star amenities.

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet

This morning, enjoy a private guided half-day sightseeing tour taking in a number of Kathmandu's highlights including Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. The afternoon will be free to make any final preparations prior to the trek or is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel's surroundings or make an independent journey to the famous Thamel district of Kathmandu.

Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located amidst a lush green setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of Rivers Bagmati. Entrance in the temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Here one can wander among the Hindu pilgrims and witness the fascinating ancient rites of cremation burials at the riverside ghat next to this impressive temple.

Boudhanath is one of the holiest stupas in Nepal and one of the largest stupas in the world. With its four pair of eyes facing the four cardinal directions, it keeps watch for righteous behavior and human property. All around the temple is a rich and vibrant Tibetan refugee community including schools of chanting monks with the smell of incense all around you.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet

Early this morning, you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport for your short flight to Lukla. The flight to Lukla is an experience all its own because the airfield is on a slope and the length of the runway is only 197 feet!

Meet with your guide, or "sirdar," and the rest of the crew. While you have lunch, your crew will load your gear onto the animals or prepare it for a team of porters.

Following lunch, trek for approximately five hours along the Dudh Kosi river to the village of Monjo, passing the stone walls of Lomdzo, the prayer wheels of Nurning, and the painted mani stone near Chhuthawa. As we get closer to Monjo, we'll pass further into the unique magnolia and rhododendron forests of the Khumbu region.

Upon arrival into Monjo, you will check into the Everest Summit Lodge. The lodge overlooks the village and affords scenic views of the forested Dudh Koshi valley. Thamserku Himal (6608 meters) rises high into the sky behind the lodge, serving as an idyllic backdrop. All 20 rooms feature private bath with hot/cold water, with the lodge facilities encompassing a bar, restaurant, and reading room with Japanese massage and laundry on offer.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

The trail continues north up the Dudh Kosi valley to Jorsale, where you officially enter the Sagarmatha National Park. There is an entrance station just beyond the village where trekking permits are checked and National Park fees are collected.

Continue along the trail, passing through and around rhododendron forests, which are in wildly colorful bloom from the end of March through early June. You will cross the Bhote Kosi River and begin a steep section up to Namche Bazaar, the administrative center of the Sagarmatha National Park and the hub of Sherpa society.

On a clear day, Namche Bazaar is often the first place along the trek that our trekkers get their first, prized views of Everest. Namche is the final place on the way up to get last minute essentials such as trekking gear, and it also has internet cafes and a bank. Here you will stay at a classic guesthouse, with each room featuring private bath and hot/cold shower.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Hotel Namche

Today is an acclimatization day, with a relatively 2 hour mild hike to Tashinga, a peaceful clutch of old stone houses where we still stay in an Everest Luxury Lodge. This 20 room lodge, each with en-suite facilities, is situated among pine forests overlooking the Dudh Koshi valley with stunning views of high Himalayan peaks like the Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Taboche Peak and the Khumbila, which is the reputed spiritual dwelling place of the patron demigod of the Khumbu. From here, one can go make a day trip up to Mong Hill or simply relax in the superb surroundings.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

Today trek to Pangboche, an approximately 5 hour trek. Here we will check in and overnight at the local Everest Summit Lodge, which holds just 10 rooms, each with private bath.

Pangboche is at the proverbial door of Ama Dablam (6865 meters), who some consider among the most beautiful mountains in the Himalayas. With Everest to the north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imjatse river tumbling down the valley, the property is situated among the most fabulous scenic points of the entire trek.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

Following breakfast, we will continue our trek with our next stop being Dingboche, along the banks of the Imja Khola River in the Chukhung Valley. This is about a 3 to 5 hour trek depending on how many breaks you take along the trail. Today we overnight in a pleasant guesthouse, with each room featuring private bath.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Snowlion, Himalaya, or Amadablam Lodge

Acclimatize in Dingboche, with an optional acclimatization trek to Chukhung vilage (4730 meters and about 3 to 4 hours round trip) and / or Chukhung Ri (5550 meters and about 7 to 8 hours round trip). Chukhung Ri is a high ridge offering staggering views of Nuptse and other nearby peaks on a clear day.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Snowlion, Himalaya, or Amadablam Lodge

Today we will trek about four hours to Lobuche. Overnight at a classic guesthouse.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Himalayan Chain Resort

Early this morning, trek to Everest Base Camp (5364 meters), then descend back to the Sherpa village of Gorak Shep (5140 meters). This hike will take approximately 8 hours. Overnight at a classic guesthouse in Gorak Shep.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Himalaya Lodge or similar

This morning we will ascend famed Kala Patthar (5550 meters) for a gorgeous bird's eye view of Everest. After enjoying the unforgettable sight of Everest ever so close, we begin our return to Lukla, with our first stop on the way being Pheriche or Dingboche.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Pumori Lodge or similar

We continue our descent, stopping for the night in Tashinga and the lovely Everest Summit Lodge there. Expect about a 5-hour hike today.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

Today we continue our trek downwards to Monjo (about 5 hours of walking) where we'll overnight at the Everest Summit Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

Our last day of trekking. Trek to Lukla (approximately 4 hours) and overnight at the Everest Summit Lodge in Lukla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Everest Summit Lodge

Transfer to airstrip. Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu, arrive, and transfer to Dwarika's Hotel. This afternoon is free to relax or explore Kathmandu as you wish.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet

Free day in Kathmandu. We like to build this free day in just in case your flight between Lukla and Kathmandu the day before is canceled due to bad weather, creating the potential of missing your international flight out. However, please let us know if you would like some organized touring around Kathmandu today at nominal extra cost: there is no shortage of fantastic sights to see and culture to experience with a professional guide.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Tibet

Transfer to Kathmandu Airport and depart or extend your trip.

Meals included: Breakfast