EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu International Airport

On arrival into Tribhuvan International Airport, Katmandu, one of our team will be there to greet you with our Soul Himalaya banner and then drive you to the hotel. Once here you can unwind and rest, hook into the free wifi or explore the local area. During the evening there will be a welcome dinner to meet and greet with your ‘trekking guide team’ members and all other trekkers on this amazing adventure to Mt Everest Base Camp.

Day 2: Trip Orientation and Briefing at the Hotel.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we’ll have a trip orientation to learn about your stay in Nepal and answer any questions/concerns about the itinerary. Most importantly after the briefing, we will go through the checklist of all the required gear and items and make sure you are equipped for the journey. If you require more items, there are many local trekking shops to accommodate what you need. After checking each person is fully equipped, we’ll go out on a Katmandu Sightseeing Day Tour, around one of the important cultural hubs of the valley. Katmandu city alone holds four heritage sites that are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2840m) 40 minutes and trek to Phakding (2610m) – 3 hours

After breakfast, we will start the adventure of a lifetime to the Mt Everest Base Camp. The first stop is an awe-inspiring mountain flight to Lukla airport, weather permitting. This is the point from which we will start our trek. The flight is approximately 45-minute aero-views of the majestic mountains of the Himalaya. After we land at Lukla Airport, we will begin our trek and head towards our first overnight stay at Phakding (2610m) local lodge. We should complete this first leg of the journey in about 3 hours.

Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche (3340m)  5 to 6 hours

Gearing up for an early start after breakfast, we’ll follow the trail alongside the highest river, Dudh Koshi, via a long suspension bridge, ascend through the steeps, venturing through the national park, crossing through several small villages Monju from where Sagarmatha National Park begins. Thick acreages of beautiful pine and cedar forests cover the lands and provide a pleasant atmosphere to trek through.After going through the National Park formalities, we will drop down to the river, cross another suspension bridge and continue walk to the high Hilary Bridge at the foundation of the hill. On the way, you will have great views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Kusum Khangru, towering above the picturesque valley.

 Day 5:Namche Acclimation Day and Explore khumjung valley 

Enjoy a leisurely day in Namche, the most important city in this region. It’s the capital of Sherpa land. Numerous lodges, provision stores, and restaurants are found here.  As a Junction to the different trekking and expedition roots of the region, all the mountain lovers meet in Namche. 

It is an ideal place to acclimatize to the high altitude before the adventurous trek begins.  After having breakfast we go to the viewpoint at the top of the village and also visit the Sherpa museum. We can embark on a half-day hike above Namche to the village Khumjung with the principal- “trek high sleep low”. Khumjung offers Sherpa culture, lifestyle and customs which convey many years of history. Here is a chance to see a sacred relic of Yeti in the ancient Khumjung monastery. Khumjung Village itself is also worth looking for the famous Hillary School. Sherpa settlements, the landscapes of mountain pasture, small terrace fields, and the sunset over the Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Everest is admirable.

Day 6: Trek from Namche (3,440m/11,285 ft) to Tengboche (3,855m/12,850ft) - Walking Distance (9.2 km/5.7 miles) - 5 hours

We'll appreciate the dazzling perspectives on Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and AmaDablam while in transit to Tengboche. We might have a chance to see wildlife on the way, like musk deer, fowl, or  Himalayan Thar. Heading towards Tanboche  the trail goes down to cross the DudhKoshi and ascend through dense forest, Proceeding ahead, we'll arrive at Tengboche after a precarious move through pine forest. Tengboche is the largest Gompa in the Khumbu region. It was built in 1916 by Lama Gule with strong links to its mother monastery known as the Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet. In 1934, it was destroyed by an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt. In 1989, it was destroyed for a second time by a fire and then rebuilt. Tengboche monastery is draped with a panoramic view of the mountains, including the well-known peaks of Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. We can visit the monastery and watch their petitions in the evening.

Day 7: Trek from Tengboche (3,855m/12,850ft) to Dingboche (4,260m/14,290ft) - Walking Distance (12 km/7.45miles) - 5 hours

Today we'll be going towards the higher path while in transit to "Pangboche town" passing numerous Chortens, mani dividers, and little towns on our way. We can see the mysterious perspective of AmaDablam on the way. The further journey gets simpler as we enter the Imja Valley crossing the Lobuche stream. We will be plummeting into the waterway and trip to the steepest move towards Dingboche. As we reach Dingboche, we will be seeing the wonderful game plan of fields encompassed by stone dividers securing crops like grain, buckwheat, and potatoes by the nearby locals.

Day 8: Rest day and Acclimatization at Dingboche  

By now we have gained an altitude of more than 4200 mt.  So it will be ideal to have rest for a day. After breakfast, we will ascend about 3 hours to Dingboche Ri. From the top we enjoy the panoramic views of the various mountains. Descending back to Dingboche, in the afternoon, we stroll around the village discovering local activities based in agriculture and animal husbandry above the tree line is quite interesting.

Day 9: Trek from Dingboche (4,260m/14,290ft) to Lobuche (4,930m/16,175 ft)- Walking Distance (8.5 km/5.2 miles) - 5 hours

Today, we will go through the top of Pheriche village, and cross a small river which comes from Khumbu glacier. We will stop for lunch in Thukla.  After that, we will continue ascending up Thukla pass in about 45 minutes, where we see a memorial of the expedition members who lost their lives during the expedition. Further, as we gain the altitude there are stunning views along the way. Crossing over the beautiful mountain village in Lobuche, we will spend the night at the pyramid International Laboratory/ guest house located at 5050 mt. Since 1990, it has been offering the international scientific community a priceless opportunity to study the environment, climate, human physiology, and geology in a remote mountain protected area.

Day 10: Trek from Lobuche (4,930m/16,175 ft) to Everest Base Camp and back (5,364m/17,598ft) to gorakshep (5,185m/17,010 ft) - Walking Distance (15 km/9.32 miles) - 6-8 hours

With much energy worked in us, we will start our initial journey making a beeline for the Everest Base Camp. We will travel across the parallel moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. We will show up at Gorakshep(lodges settlement finishes here), where the snow-topped surrounded mountains are approaching to us. Further, we proceed our excursion to the base camp, we'll see the Army Mountaineers Memorials. With a little bit more efforts we will arrive at the long-desired destination: the Everest Base Camp!   You will observe the most profound icy mass on the planet; Khumbu Glacier and icefall. With much fulfillment, we'll head back to Gorakshep for the night.

Day 11: Hike to Kala Patthar(5,555m/18,208ft), journey to GorakShep to Pheriche (4,250m/13,945ft) - Walking Distance (9.6km/6 miles) - 5 hours

Today, getting up early morning, we will ascend to Kalapatthar before the sunrise. We reach the highest elevation at 5545m. at Kalapatthar to see the outstanding view of Mount Everest and Pumori. We will spend a little time at Kalapatthar before returning to Pheriche village and spend the night.

 Day 12: Pheruche to Phorche:6/7 hours 

Today, we will have a bit long but a beautiful day hike along the Imja River. On the way, we will pass through Pangboche an old Sherpa settlement where we stop for lunch. Pangboche is considered to be a holy place as there is an old Monastery Lama Sange Dorjee meditated there assisted by Yeti for his daily work. That’s why yeti is considered as a God in Sherpa society. All expedition teams worship in Pangboche Monastery with a wish to get success. We continue to Phorste a Sherpa village lies above the junction of both Imja and Dudhkoshi River.  We spend the night in this beautiful little village in Phorste above the rivers.

 Day 13: Trek from Khumjung to Manju(2835m)– Namche 6 hours

Today, we continue our trek by further descending to the Dhud Koshi River. Crossing the river, on the way we meet the Gokyo route. We gradually climb through a rhododendron and Himalayan birch forest to a little village Mong- La where we take lunch with great pleasure of having a fantastic view of Ama Dablam, Taboche, Cholatse, and other peaks. After an hour hike, we join to Everest classic trail in  Khyengjing Gompa then continue to the trail to Namche.

Day 14: Trek from Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,285 ft) to Lukla 2,850 m/9,350 ft)

Descending down from Namche you arrive at the lower altitude within a short period of time which changes the perspective of the landscape dramatically. Getting into the warmer valley of Dudhkosi you will remember the cold breeze of Kalapatthar and Everest Base Camp as in your memory. We will pass through Phakding and reach Lukla the same day.

 Day 15: Lukla- Kathmandu

After having breakfast, we take a return flight to Kathmandu in the morning. In clear weather, the views of the Himalayan Mountains are spectacular. Transfer to our hotel. After lunch, we visit Bhaktapur, a sumptuous pedestrian city located 15 km from Kathmandu: the most beautiful of the three imperial cities of the valley.

Day 16: Departure

Our office representatives will escort you to the airport for your connecting flight home. It’s been wonderful meeting you & knowing you all of these weeks. We are sure you’ve had the vacation of a lifetime & we hope you will pass on your experiences to the generations to come. We will remember you & also hope you will remember us in the days ahead. Take care!!! You can place any of your complaints, recommendations or suggestions regarding any matter through our website. We would be very grateful if you could please write feedback or a review on the website at  Soul Himalaya treks online

UPPER BODY LAYERS 

• Walking t-shirt  -2 merino wool, capilene or synthetic fabric over cotton t-shirt which is  quick dry.
• Sleeping t-shirt -1 it can be cotton.
• Thermal base layers top -1 mid weight long sleeved t-shirt of merino wool or polyester, capilene or polartec power dry. 
• Insulating layers -1mid weight fleece that can be worn over other layers 
• Fleece vest optional -advisable for those who feel cold 
• Rain jacket -1 essential 
• Down jacket -1 essential it’s very cold above 4,000 meters.
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LOWER BODY LAYERS

• Underwear - enough for trek (notice you can wash along them along the way)
• Hiking trousers -2 quick dry and light weight trousers no cotton, but zip offs are good.
• Sleeping trousers 1 light weight yoga style evening sleeping, but no jeans.
• Trekking shorts -1 if no zips off trousers . below the knee for ladies.
• Rain pants -1 advisable 
• Thermal long johns 1 for evening or sleeping.
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PACKS&BAGS

• Duffle bag pack 1 to store excess luggage in at hotel. Soul Himalaya provides duffel bags for the duration of the trek. These are easier for the porters to carry.
• Day pack with rain cover -1to carry your personal items during the treks eg camera and chocolate, water.
• Sleeping bags -1 3season (4season oct-feb).
• Compression stuff sack -1 for sleeping bags.

FOOTWEAR 

• Trekking boots -1 must be well worn and comfortable with ankle support.
• Socks -3 good and warm enough and worth spending money on quality socks.
• Flip flops or camp shoes-1 light weight for evening use.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 

• Water bottles -2 one or two liters nalgene or sig style or a bladder.  Bladders are preffered
• Water purification drops -1 it is cheap and easy to buy in Kathmandu (piyous).
• Lip balm -1 with SPF factors.
• Sunglass -1 essential good uv protection. 
• Suncream we recommend SPF 30 greater. 
• Bandana -1 this useful for a variety of purposes. 
• Baseball head (cap) it is useful for sun during the hiking. 
• Warm woolen hat -1 it is very useful evening and morning when we hike above the 3500m.
• Flash light or head torch -1head light is best as it leaves your hand free and extra batteries. 
• Personal first aid kit -1 include any prescribed medication (should be your all personal medication).
• Travel towel -1 light weight and compact. 
• Wash kit -1 travel items for the trek. 
• Instant hand sanitizer -enough for trek and alcohol based for keeping your hands clean. 
• Camera with charge and enough batteries for your treks 
• Book or journal as you like. 
• Pack of cards/travel board games for evening fun. 
• Trekking snacks enough for trekking and good selection available in Kathmandu. 
• Toilet roll and rubbish bag it is very important we don’t leave rubbish in the mountains. 
• Trekking poles optional and advisable for anyone with knee issues.
• Gloves warm enough.  Preferably warmers as well 
• Neck warmer \Buff. 

A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND ATTITUDE IS ESSENTIAL -DONT COME WITHOUT IT NAMASTE.
 Note  All of above the equipment you can get cheaply in Kathmandu. If you have any queries please feel free to ask.
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