Trekking trip to Everest Base Camp and the panoramic peak of Kala Pattar
11-day trekking (4 – 9 hours daily)
Enjoy the best view of Mt. Everest from the summit of Kala Pattar (5,643 m)
Hike in the footsteps of great expeditions to the famous Mt. Everest base camp
On a panoramic high path from Khumjung via Phortse to Trekking Pangpoche Stay
in Tengpoche (3,867 m), the main Sherpa monastery. Encounter
the legacy of Everest pioneer Sir Edmund Hillary in Khunde and Khumjung. Visit
the “One Day – One Tree” reforestation project in Pangpoche
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Nepal
Flight to Kathmandu with arrival the next day.
Day 2 – Drive to Mulkot
There is time until lunchtime to rest or take a short stroll through the old town of Kathmandu. After lunch we drive east along the BP Highway to the town of Mulkot, located directly on the Sunkoshi River. With the journey we already cover most of the distance to Ramechhap airport, from where we will take our flight to Lukla tomorrow morning.
Day 3 – Flight to Lukla – hike to Phakding
Early in the morning we drive to Ramechhap airport. A propeller plane takes us in about 20 minutes to Lukla (2,840 m), where the accompanying team is already waiting for us. Our trekking begins. Walking slowly and steadily is the top priority because our organism first has to get used to the thin air. We descend to the Kusum River (2,550 m) for about 1.5 hours and then follow the Dudh Kosi (= Milk River) on the eastern bank upstream to Phakding (2,650 m). The rest of the day is used to rest and benefit our acclimatization.
Day 4 – Hike from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Further north we cross the river several times on long cable bridges. In Jorsale there is the “Police Checkpost” at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. This is named after the Sherpa word for Mt. Everest. After a total of three to four hours of walking upstream we reach the confluence of Nangpo and Imja to form Dudh Kosi ( 2,850 m). Behind the steel bridge over the Imja Gorge, we complete the steep and strenuous climb to the famous Sherpa center Namche Bazar (3,440 m) in about two hours. We settle in at a lodge and can take a tour of the business and do souvenir street.
Day 5 – Trek from Namche Bazar to Khumjung
We leave the busy streets of Namche Bazar behind us and climb up to Syangpoche. Passing the airstrip there we reach Khunde (3,850 m), where the Sir Edmund Hillary Hospital is located. We continue along winding paths between the stone-lined fields to the town of Khumjung (3,800 m), our destination for today. In the afternoon you can take a walk to Sir Edmund Hillary School.
Day 6 – Hike from Khumjung via Tengpoche to Deboche
Via Sanasa we hike down into the deep Imja Kosi gorge and to the hamlet of Phunki (3,250 m). After a climb that lasts about two hours, we reach the ridge of Tengpoche (3,860 m). When the weather is clear, we enjoy the magnificent view of the ice giants in the Khumbu. Peaks such as Kongde Ri, Taboche, Mount Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kang Taiga and Thamserku tower above us. After a visit to the Buddhist monastery of Tengpoche (optional), we continue hiking to Deboche (3,820 m).
Day 7 – Hike from Deboche to Dingpoche
We descend to the bridge over the Imja Kosi, then continue to Pangboche (3,930 m). In the village, which is characterized by ancient juniper trees, there is the oldest gompa in the Khumbu area, which is over 350 years old. Forests that have been cut down around the town are also being reforested as part of the “One Day – One Tree” project. We pay a visit to the project area. In the afternoon we follow a slope path to the bridge over the Imja Kosi (4,135 m) and after a short climb we arrive in Dingpoche. At 4,410 m, this place is the highest, permanently populated village (even in winter) in the Khumbu region.
Day 8 – Acclimatization day in Dingpoche
We’ll use today to get used to the altitude. A recommended excursion destination is the climb to the viewing point on Nangkartshang Peak (5,060 m). Alternatively, the village of Chukung (4,730 m) can be visited. Back at the lodge in Dingpoche, we use the afternoon to take a walk to the local stupa and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains.
Day 9 – Hike from Dingpoche via Duglha to Lobuche
The climb to a chorten is only short, offering a final view of the Chukhung Valley. We take a leisurely hike along the mountain path above the Pheriche Valley to the glacier river of the Khumbu Glacier. We rested in the hamlet of Duglha (4,620 m) below the terminal moraine and then mastered the strenuous steep section over the old moraine to the memorial shrines for injured mountaineers and Sherpas. We continue in the hollow between the Lobuche Mountains and the Khumbu lateral moraine, climbing slightly up to the simple lodges of Lobuche (4,910 m).
Day 10 – Trek to Gorak Shep and visit Mt Everest base camp
Ascending and descending several times over the terminal moraine of the Changri Nup glacier, we complete the energy-sapping trek (approx. three hours) to the Gorak Shep high alpine pasture (5,160 m), where we will spend the night in a lodge. Since we are sleeping here at the highest point of this trip, we have to take special care to ascend slowly and drink enough water. After a break, we continue into the valley over the rubble-covered glacier and reach the base camp of Mt. Everest (5,364 m) about three hours later. A historic place – almost all Everest expeditions start from here to the infamous Khumbu Icefall, which lies imposingly in front of us. After a short rest we hike back to Gorak Shep.
Day 11 – Climb to Kala Pattar and hike to Pheriche
For the summit day to Kala Pattar (“black mountain”) we have to get up early. Behind the dry lake we can already see the route to the panoramic summit of the 5,643 m high Kala Pattar (approx. two hours). It’s not just the proximity to Everest that’s impressive – Pyramid (about 10 km away as the crow flies!) and the Nuptse Ridge, but also the deep view of the ice world of the Changri and Khumbu Glaciers with the base camp area in the distance. A strong wind blows on the top of this foothill of the Pumori. After we have looked around enough, we go back to Gorak Shep for lunch and then descend along the familiar route via Duglha to Pheriche (4,240 m), the place with the highest hospital in the region.
Day 12 – Hike from Pheriche via Pangpoche to Phortse
First we pass a small pass and hike along the valley path down to Pangpoche. We take a new route for the rest of the way back. It leads over a panoramic high-altitude path to the terraced village of Phortse (3,810 m), where with a bit of luck we might spot blue sheep. We settle into our lodge in Phortse and enjoy the afternoon sun. In Phortse, as in the village of Pangpoche, deforested forest is also being reforested as part of the “One Day – One Tree” project. The project area is located above the village.
Day 13 – Hike from Phortse over the Mon La to Namche Bazar
We say goodbye to the Sherpa trading center and hike along the path we already know, the only route from Namche Bazar to Lukla, to our lodge near the airstrip. In the evening we can celebrate our farewell to the Khumbu Himal with our team.
Day 14 – Hike from Namche Bazar to Lukla
We say goodbye to the Sherpa trading center and hike along the “highway”, the only connection from Namche Bazar to Lukla, to our lodge near the airstrip. In the evening we can celebrate our farewell from the Khumbu Himal with our team.
Day 15 – Flight to Ramechhap and drive to Kathmandu
If the weather cooperates, we will fly to Ramechhap in the morning with a propeller plane and drive back to Kathmandu from there. In the afternoon we reach the capital and check into our hotel. The rest of the day can be used as freetime.
Day 16 – Sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley
This day is free to go on excursions and sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley with your tour guide (optional) or individually. We recommend visiting Kathmandu with Durbar Square and a walk to Swayambunath. In the evening we can meet for a farewell dinner in a restaurant (optional).
Day 17 – Return flight
Transfer to airport .
