Budget Everest Base Camp Trekking  |  11 Days

Outline Itinerary:

• 1Day 1: Fly to Lukla, Trek to PhakdingMaximum Altitude: 2,610 meters Flight Distance: 138 km Flight Duration: 40 minutes Trek Distance: 9 km Trek Duration: 4 hours  
  We’ll take an early morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla which lasts about half an hour or so. The helicopter takes off from Tribhuvan International Airport before flying over the rolling hills and steep rock face, and mountains. Thanks to the nice and clean morning air, we get an unobstructed view of snow-capped mountains and the archaic villages. Once we land at Lukla and have our breakfast, the trek to Phakding starts with an uphill climb. The trail scrambling beside the mountain and on the left bank of Dudh Koshi River provides a riveting view. After a hike of almost 4 hours, we’ll finally reach Phakding, sitting at an elevation of 2,610 meters. For your viability and comfort, we’ll spend the first night of budget Everest Base Camp Trekking in a lodge at Phakding.
• 2Day 2: Trek to Namche BazaarMaximum Altitude: 3,440 meters Trek Distance: 7.4 km Trek Duration: 5-6 hours  
    After breakfast, we’ll gently walk the trail running through the pine forest and follow Dudh Koshi River valley below. After crossing the suspension bridge, our trail incessantly ascends uphill. From up here, the path unfolds an astounding view of Thamserku for once during the trip. Leaving behind Manjo, we scramble the steep slopes that walk all the way to Sagarmatha National Park. Strolling through the sanctuary and across the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River, we head off to Jorsale. The last 2 hours of walking from Jorsale to Namche is extremely strenuous with an endless steep trail. But it’s also gratifying with beautiful landscapes, flaky ridges, and dramatic views. At Namche, we’ll stay overnight in a tea house.
• 3Day 3: Rest day at Namche BazaarAfter the hectic day, it’s time for us to get a little easy on ourselves and take the day off, before coming at a more rapid pace. Since the trail above Namche is steeper, the chances of getting altitude sickness are unusually high. Therefore, to adapt to the varying atmosphere, we’ll take a quick tour of Syangboche and also enjoy the impressive scenery. The trek to Everest View hotel will take 1 to 2 hours depending on your pace. Seen from the ridge is the towering Mt. Everest that rises all the way up to 29,028 ft. high. We’ll also get to witness the breathtaking landscapes, idyllic Sherpa village, and rolling farmland. Once done with the sighting, we’ll return back to the village following the same course.
• 4Day 4: Trek to TengbocheMaximum Altitude: 3,870 meters Trek Distance: 9.2 km Trek Duration: 5-6 hours  
    With the sunup, we’ll continue our Budget Everest Base Camp trekking. Since the terminal point is Tengboche, we’ll leave for the trail immediately after having breakfast. Today’s expedition will cost us between 5-6 hours of maximum time with the most section tilted up. The trek runs over a rugged trail unraveling the soul-stirring view of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Mount Everest. Over the period, we’ll steer the meandering trail that’s vertically moving. After arriving at Kyanjuma, our trail paves its way through the pine forest to reach Phunki Thenga. Even though the view is amazing for the rest, the trek gets a bit daunting at the end with a constant uphill walk till Tengboche. Overnight stay in a guest house at Tengboche.
• 5Day 5: Trek to DingbocheMaximum Altitude: 4,360 meters Trek Distance: 12 km Trek Duration: 5-6 hours  
    After breakfast, we let the trek to Dingboche get going by coming off the village. The journey from Tengboche starts with a precipitous climb up to Pangboche village. Along the route, we’ll encounter many ancient Tibetan monasteries, beautiful Chortens, and mani walls. After getting lunch, we’ll resume our trek by following the trail foregoing Imja Khola. Next, we climb down the hill and take a small ascend up the rocky track to reach Dingboche. Sitting at 4,410 meters, Dingboche is a coveted Sherpa village in Chukhung Valley. It has a terrific sight to offer with eye-striking terrain of barley and potatoes. Dingboche is a hidden jewel with overwhelming landforms, rippling hills, ruined mills, and green meadows. Tonight we’ll stay in a local tea house at Dingboche.
• 6Day 6: Trek to LobucheMaximum Altitude: 4,940 meters Trek Distance: 10.7 km Trek Duration: 4-5 hours   
  It’s the sixth day of Budget Everest Base Camp Trekking and we’re all ready to precede Lobuche. Stretching 6.6 miles from Dingboche, the trail walks over the edge of the steep hill and rocks above Chukhung Valley. Once we reach Thukla, the trail forges ahead to the terminal moraine of Khumbu Glacier which provides an exquisite view of Everest’s natural landscape, primeval monasteries, and pretty villages. You shall also spot the memorials in the area which serves as a center for the memory of lost souls in Everest. After traversing the rugged trail on to the ridge for almost an hour, we’ll finally reach Lobuche. The walk surely comes with a fascinating view of Island Peak, vibrant valley, and cirque. Overnight stay in a tea house at Lobuche.
• 7Day 7: Trek to Gorak Shep, hike to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorak ShepMaximum Altitude: 5,364 meters Trek Distance: 6.9 km Trek Duration: 8-9 hours   
  The trek to Gorak Shep really takes some serious beating and ample time. Therefore, without messing around, we’ll start walking the moraine in the wee hour. Of course, it’s tedious roving the path to Gorak Shep but with the dramatic scenery and mountain pass, we’ll be able to enjoy ourselves. The journey from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp has a wild mountain track, full of boulders and rocks. After turning up at Gorak Shep, we’ll stop by the tea house and have brunch before continuing the excursion. An hour-long trip to Everest Base Camp includes a steeper trail that ascends up to 5,364 meters. After the long trip, you’ll eventually get to sight the imposing Mt. Everest as well as Nuptse and Cho Oyu. As long as we’re at the campsite, you can scout the realm and also catch a glimpse of Khumbu Glacier.
• 8Day 8: Hike to Kala Patthar, trek to PhericheMaximum Altitude: 5,643 meters Trek Distance: 15.2 km Trek Duration: 7-8 hours  
  After the hearty breakfast in the tea house at Gorak Shep, we’ll set off for the hike to Kala Patthar. The hike is about 1-2 hours long with a vertical ascent over the crags and cobblestones. At Kala Patthar, you’ll get the most impressive and closeup view of Changtse and the north face of Lhotse. After exploring the scene, we’ll take a switchback down the mountain and over a steep path to Gorak Shep. A quick stop at the tea house for lunch and we set off on the trip to Pheriche, which passes beautiful villages, ancient Chortens, and memorials. The trek to Pheriche is relatively easy compared to others with most of the trail walking lowland. The village provides a postcard view of a range of snow-capped mountains, vivid green alpine forests, and monasteries. Overnight stay in a tea house at Pheriche.
• 9Day 9: Trek to Pangboche-Tengboche-Namche BazaarMaximum Altitude: 3,440 meters Trek Distance: Trek Duration: 5-6 hours   
  Following the successful ascent of Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, it’s time for us to return back to Namche Bazaar. Hence, after having breakfast, we’ll follow the trail out of Pangboche and continue walking through the rhododendron forest. Traveling a few miles further, we’ll reach Pangboche where we’ll stop for a moment to have lunch. After retrieving the energy to take up the trail again, we’ll resume the trip. The entire walk from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar takes about 4-5 hours, passing Phunki Thenga. Next, we’ll cross the suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River and sail across the pine forests up below up to Kyanjuma. From here, the trail descends the hill, going all the way to Namche. Overnight stay in a lodge at the Sherpa town.
• 10Day 10: Trek to LuklaMaximum Altitude: 2,860 meters Trek Distance: 13 km Trek Duration: 4-5 hours   
  For the last day of Budget Everest Base Camp trekking, we’ve fascinating trail moving Namche Bazaar to Lukla. The hike is a lot easier this time with most trails walking downward. Following the rocky path, we’ll walk towards Dudh Koshi River and then over the suspension bridge. From the other end, our trail continuously rambles downhill to the level ground. As we move forward, the course delves through the pine forests and rhododendron. In the last few hours of the trek, we’ll walk the flat terrain and pass a few Sherpa settlements before reaching Lukla. The village provides a magnificent view of gentle hills, lush green forest, and tempting waterfalls. Today we’ll spend the night in a guest house at Lukla.
• 11Day 11: Fly back to KathmanduMaximum Altitude: 1,400 meters Flight Distance: 138 km Flight Duration: 40 minutes   
  Unfortunately, it’s the end of our Budget Everest Base Camp trekking as we’re all set to take our flight back to Kathmandu. After enjoying the typical Nepali breakfast in the town, we’ll take a short walk up to Lukla airstrip. The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu lasts nearly 40 minutes during which we get to sight the cascading waterfalls, majestic hills, and lustrous pastures. Once we land at Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff will drive you back to the hotel where you can get some rest.