Everest Base Camp Trek — Self-Launched

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Take a taxi or pre-booked transfer to Thamel, Kathmandu's backpacker hub (~£5–8 by metered taxi). Check into a guesthouse in Thamel and spend the afternoon sorting any last-minute gear, exchanging currency, and collecting your TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System, ~£10) and Sagarmatha National Park permit (~£25) from the Nepal Tourism Board office on Bhrikuti Mandap. These are mandatory and best obtained in Kathmandu. In the evening, explore Thamel's restaurants and cafes to fuel up before the trek.

🚌Taxi from KTM airport to Thamel, ~£6

🛏Thamel budget guesthouse — options include Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar (~£10–15/night for a twin shared room)

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to Thamel by taxi (~£6)
• →Collect TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit from Nepal Tourism Board office
• →Browse Thamel for any last-minute trekking gear (buffs, gloves, snacks)
• →Rest and acclimatise at low altitude before early morning flight

Take an early morning domestic flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport — one of the world's most dramatic runways perched at 2,860m. Book directly with airlines such as Tara Air or Summit Air (~£100–120 return per person; book well in advance especially in peak season). Upon landing in Lukla, meet your independently arranged guide and/or porter if not already organised. Begin the 4-hour, 8km trek downhill through pine forests to Phakding (2,610m) along the Dudh Koshi river. Arrive and check into a teahouse for your first night on the trail.

🚌Domestic flight Kathmandu–Lukla with Tara Air or Summit Air, book direct at ~£100–120 return

🛏Teahouse in Phakding — basic shared room, meals included (~£5–8/night)

• →Scenic 35-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
• →Trek from Lukla to Phakding: ~8km, 4 hours, 230m elevation gain
• →Walk through rhododendron and pine forests along the Dudh Koshi river

An iconic and challenging day's trek: 10.5km, 5–6 hours, with 830m of elevation gain. Cross several suspension bridges over the roaring Dudh Koshi river, pass through Monjo (the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park — have your permit ready for checking), and push uphill through Jorsale to the steep final ascent to Namche Bazaar. On a clear day, catch your first glimpse of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse peeping above the ridge before you arrive. Namche Bazaar is a colourful mountain town with bakeries, gear shops, and WiFi cafes — stock up on snacks and check in to your teahouse.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar — options include Khumbu Lodge or similar (~£6–10/night shared room)

• →Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar: ~10.5km, 5–6 hours, 830m elevation gain
• →Cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge over the Dudh Koshi river
• →Pass through Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Monjo — have permits ready
• →First views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse on the ridge before Namche

A vital rest and acclimatisation day — do not skip this. The golden rule at altitude is 'climb high, sleep low'. Take a day hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku — this is free to hike to. Visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum (small entry fee ~£2) to learn about Sherpa history and mountaineering heritage. Optionally continue to the traditional Sherpa villages of Khumjung or Khunde. Return to Namche for the night. Use the afternoon to rest, hydrate, eat well, and enjoy the teahouse atmosphere.

🚌On foot

🛏Same teahouse in Namche Bazaar (~£6–10/night)

• →Day hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic Himalayan views — free to walk to
• →Visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum in Namche Bazaar (~£2 entry)
• →Optional walk to Khumjung or Khunde Sherpa villages
• →Rest, rehydrate, and acclimatise — do not ascend further today

A stunning 9km, 4–5 hour trek with 420m of elevation gain through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth. The trail passes through Kenjoma and Sanasa, descends to Phunke Tenga at the river, then climbs steeply through rhododendron forest to Tengboche. The monastery at Tengboche is the largest in the Khumbu region — visit it for free (small donation welcome) and soak in views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Nuptse, and Lhotse. If you time it right, you may catch monks performing evening prayers. Check in to a teahouse nearby.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse near Tengboche Monastery (~£5–8/night shared room)

• →Trek Namche to Tengboche: ~9km, 4–5 hours, 420m elevation gain
• →Pass through Kenjoma and Sanasa with superb Ama Dablam views
• →Visit Tengboche Monastery — the largest monastery in the Khumbu (free entry, donations welcome)
• →Attend evening puja (monk prayers) if timing allows

Trek 12km over 4–5 hours with 550m of elevation gain, passing through the charming villages of Deboche, Pangboche (one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in the world, with a small ancient monastery worth a quick visit), and Pheriche before arriving in the wide glacial valley of Dingboche. The landscape becomes increasingly raw and lunar as you ascend. Dingboche sits at 4,410m — altitude effects are more noticeable here. Drink plenty of water, eat well, and avoid alcohol.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Dingboche (~£5–8/night shared room)

• →Trek Tengboche to Dingboche: ~12km, 4–5 hours, 550m elevation gain
• →Pass through Pangboche — visit the ancient Pangboche Monastery (optional, small fee)
• →Cross the Imja River and enter the high alpine valley of Dingboche
• →Monitor yourself for signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Second essential acclimatisation day. Take a steep hike up to Nangkartshang Gompa (5,083m) — a 673m gain that takes 3–4 hours return — for panoramic views of Island Peak, Makalu, Lhotse, and the Imja River valley. Alternatively, hike to the hill behind Dingboche for views of six-thousander peaks. Return to Dingboche (4,410m) to sleep lower than your highest point of the day. Rest in the afternoon. Teahouse dhal bhat is your best friend tonight — it's nutritious, warming, and often comes with free refills.

🚌On foot

🛏Same teahouse in Dingboche (~£5–8/night)

• →Acclimatisation hike to Nangkartshang Gompa (5,083m): ~4 hours return, 673m gain
• →Views of Island Peak, Lhotse, Makalu, and the Imja River valley from the ridge
• →Optional: explore the Imja River valley towards Chhukung
• →Return to Dingboche to sleep — rest and hydrate in the afternoon

Trek 8km over 4–5 hours with 500m of elevation gain. The trail climbs through Dughla, passing a series of memorial chortens and stone cairns erected in honour of climbers who lost their lives on Everest — a deeply moving and sobering experience. Continue along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche at 4,940m. Facilities are basic here; teahouses can be crowded in peak season. Eat, rest, and prepare mentally for tomorrow's biggest day.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Lobuche (~£5–8/night shared room, basic facilities)

• →Trek Dingboche to Lobuche: ~8km, 4–5 hours, 500m elevation gain
• →Pass the Dughla memorial chortens — a sobering tribute to Everest climbers
• →Walk along the Khumbu Glacier lateral moraine to Lobuche
• →Rest well — tomorrow is the biggest day of the trek

The iconic day. Start early and trek 8km to Gorakshep (5,164m) in 3–4 hours, passing the Italian Research Centre. Drop your bags at a teahouse in Gorakshep, then continue the 3.5km round trip to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) across the rocky moraine of the Khumbu Glacier — allow 2–3 hours return. Stand at the base of the world's highest mountain and soak in the achievement. Return to Gorakshep for the night — it's too high to sleep well, but necessary for tomorrow's Kala Patthar sunrise. Total trekking distance today: ~15km, 5–6 hours moving time.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Gorakshep (~£6–10/night, very basic at this altitude)

• →Trek Lobuche to Gorakshep: ~8km, 3–4 hours along the Khumbu Glacier
• →Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m): ~3.5km round trip from Gorakshep, 2–3 hours
• →Stand at the base of the world's highest mountain — a bucket list moment
• →Return to Gorakshep teahouse for overnight stay before Kala Patthar sunrise

Wake at 4–5am and hike the steep 45–60 minute ascent to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the most iconic sunrise view of Everest in existence — the mountain glows gold as the sun rises over the ridge. This is the highest point of the entire trek. Descend back to Gorakshep, have breakfast, and then make the long descent all the way to Pheriche (4,371m) — a 12km, 6–7 hour day in total. Your body will feel the altitude loss as welcome relief. Pheriche has a well-known Himalayan Rescue Association medical post worth visiting if you have any altitude concerns.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Pheriche (~£5–8/night)

• →Pre-dawn hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise views of Everest — the highest point of the trek
• →Watch the sun rise over Everest, Pumori, Nuptse, and Changtse in spectacular golden light
• →Descend from Gorakshep back through Dughla to Pheriche: ~12km, 6–7 hours total
• →Visit the Himalayan Rescue Association medical post in Pheriche if needed (free consultation)

A long but rewarding day trekking 14km in 6–7 hours back down to Namche Bazaar. The descent is significant — dropping nearly 1,000m — and your knees will feel it. Trekking poles are highly recommended on the downhills. Pass back through Tengboche, Phunke Tenga, and Sanasa. Arriving in Namche feels like returning to civilisation — enjoy a celebratory slice of apple pie or fresh coffee at one of the many cafes in town. WiFi is available. Well-earned rest tonight.

🚌Trek only

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar (~£6–10/night)

• →Trek Pheriche to Namche Bazaar: ~14km, 6–7 hours, significant descent
• →Pass back through Tengboche and the Dudh Koshi river valley
• →Celebrate with coffee, fresh food, and WiFi in Namche Bazaar
• →Rest legs and recharge — the end is in sight

The final day of trekking: 19km, 6–7 hours, tracing the route back through Phakding, Benkar, and Chheplung to Lukla. It's a long and undulating day but largely downhill. The trail follows the Dudh Koshi river for much of the route. Arrive in Lukla in the late afternoon — check in to a guesthouse near the airstrip and celebrate with fellow trekkers. Lukla has several lively lodges and restaurants. Confirm your morning flight back to Kathmandu (departures are early and weather-dependent — be prepared for potential delays).

🚌Trek only

🛏Guesthouse in Lukla near the airstrip (~£6–10/night)

• →Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla: ~19km, 6–7 hours, mostly downhill
• →Follow the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers back through Phakding, Benkar, and Chheplung
• →Arrive in Lukla and confirm your morning flight to Kathmandu
• →Celebrate the completion of the EBC trek at a Lukla lodge or tea house

Take your early morning domestic flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu (~35 minutes). Note: Lukla flights are highly weather-dependent and delays of a day or more are common, especially outside peak windows — factor this into any onward travel plans. On arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Thamel by taxi (~£6). Check into your guesthouse, have a long shower, and spend the evening exploring Thamel's restaurants and bars. Highly recommended: visit the Garden of Dreams or Boudhanath Stupa if time allows. A celebratory dinner at a rooftop restaurant is well deserved.

🚌Domestic flight Lukla–Kathmandu (included in return ticket booked on Day 2)

🛏Thamel guesthouse (~£10–15/night)

• →Morning domestic flight from Lukla to Kathmandu (book return with Tara Air or Summit Air in advance)
• →Transfer from KTM airport to Thamel by taxi (~£6)
• →Optional: visit Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath Temple in the afternoon
• →Evening exploration of Thamel district — celebratory dinner and drinks