The journey begins with a scenic 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, landing at the legendary Tenzing-Hillary Airport — a short runway perched at 2,820m with Himalayan peaks in every direction.

From Lukla, the trail drops through pine forests and Sherpa villages along the Dudh Koshi river valley, arriving at Phakding (2,560m). An easy, rewarding first day — the perfect warm-up for what's ahead.

Overnight at a tea house in Phakding.

The trail follows the Dudh Koshi upstream, crossing high suspension bridges — including the famous Hillary Bridge — through steep gorges. The climb to Namche is tough, but just before town comes your first glimpse of Everest over a ridge.

Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) is the Khumbu's busiest Sherpa town — with tea houses, gear shops, bakeries, and a legendary Saturday market.

Overnight at a tea house in Namche Bazaar.

A rest day in Namche — and one of the most important days of the trek. Acclimatising here significantly reduces the risk of altitude sickness higher up.

Hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for sweeping views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. Back in town, explore the Sherpa Culture Museum, Edmund Hillary School, or Namche's bakeries and gear shops.

Overnight at a tea house in Namche Bazaar.

The trail climbs out of Namche through rhododendron and juniper forest, with views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse lining the ridge. A descent to Phunki Thanga is followed by a steep climb to Tengboche (3,867m).

Tengboche Monastery — the Khumbu's most sacred — sits on a ridge with one of the finest mountain backdrops in Nepal. Stay for the evening prayer ceremony if timing allows.

Overnight at a tea house in Tengboche.

The trail descends from Tengboche through birch and rhododendron forest to Pangboche — one of the oldest Sherpa villages in the Khumbu, with a historic monastery worth a short stop.

From here, the route enters open alpine terrain, leaving the treeline behind. Dingboche (4,345 m) sits in a wide valley framed by Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Lhotse — a key acclimatisation stop before the push higher.

Overnight at a tea house in Dingboche.

The trail climbs through moraine ridges and open rocky terrain, passing the Thukla Memorial — stone monuments dedicated to climbers lost on Everest and the Khumbu peaks. A sobering and powerful stop.

From Thukla, the route follows the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine to Lobuche (4,930m). At this altitude, reduced oxygen is felt — walk slowly, breathe steadily, stay hydrated.

Overnight at a tea house in Lobuche.

The day every trekker comes for. The trail follows the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Gorakshep (5,164m), where you drop your bags and push on to Everest Base Camp (5,364m).

At the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, surrounded by Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse, the scale is unlike anything else on Earth. In spring, expedition tents dot the glacier below.

Return to Gorakshep. Overnight at a tea house.

Start before sunrise for the steep hike to Kalapathar (5,545m) — the trek's highest point and the finest viewpoint for close-up photographs of Everest. At sunrise, the light across Everest's south face is extraordinary.

Descend to Gorakshep for breakfast, then begin the long drop back down through Lobuche and Dingboche to Pangboche (3,900m). The lower altitude feels warmer and noticeably easier to breathe.

Overnight at a tea house in Pangboche.

A long descent retracing the trail through Tengboche Monastery and down to Namche Bazaar. With every hour of walking, the altitude drops and breathing comes easier — the body noticeably recovering after days above 5,000m.

Stop at Tengboche for a final look at the monastery and the peaks before dropping back into the forest. After the stillness of the upper Khumbu, Namche feels alive.

Overnight at a tea house in Namche Bazaar.

The final trekking day follows the trail back through Phakding, crossing the Dudh Koshi suspension bridges one last time before climbing up to Lukla (2,820m).

Celebrate completing the Everest Base Camp Trek over dinner with your guide — Lukla is buzzing with trekkers swapping stories from the trail. Your Trek Completion Certificate is awarded here.

Overnight at a tea house in Lukla.

An early morning flight from Lukla brings you back to Kathmandu in 35 scenic minutes. Lukla flights are weather-dependent — short delays are common, so plan accordingly.

On arrival, a vehicle transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours — explore Thamel, shop for souvenirs, or mark the end of your Everest Base Camp Trek with a farewell dinner.

Your 11-day adventure ends here.