The idea

Everest Base Camp is the most famous trek on Earth, and you don't need to be a mountaineer to get there. No ropes, no ice axes. Just good legs, some training and two weeks off the grid.

The trek. We fly into Lukla and follow the Dudh Koshi valley into the Khumbu: Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, Lobuche, and finally Base Camp at 5,364 m, at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall.

The sunrise. The next morning we climb Kala Patthar (~5,550 m) in the dark for the view every Everest photo is chasing: the summit turning gold right in front of you.

Done right. We take two acclimatisation days, including the one at Dingboche that faster itineraries skip. An experienced Alpomania lead guide, Nepali assistant guides and a GGP trip leader walk with you the whole way.

Everything handled. Lukla flights, porters, lodges, every meal on the trail, the Kathmandu hotel and all crew tips are covered.

Short on time? The 12-day Heli Signature flies you in by helicopter and lifts you out right after the Kala Patthar sunrise.

I mean, c'mon — the highest mountain on Earth, glowing gold, and you're standing right in front of it.

ITinerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Kathmandu

Land in Kathmandu (1,400 m). We pick you up and take you to the hotel in Thamel.

In the afternoon: a gear check with our lead guide and time to grab anything you're missing. Thamel sells everything. In the evening: altitude briefing, swag handout and a welcome dinner together.

DAY 2

Fly to Lukla, Into the Khumbu

An early flight to Lukla (2,860 m), one of the most dramatic landings in the world. In peak season flights leave from Ramechhap, a pre-dawn drive from Kathmandu.

Porters take your duffel and we walk 3–4 hours down the Dudh Koshi valley to Phakding (2,610 m).

DAY 3

Namche Bazaar, Sherpa Capital

Days 3–4. Into Sagarmatha National Park, across the high Hillary Bridge and up the steep climb to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), about 6 hours.

Day 4 is for acclimatising. We hike up to Hotel Everest View (3,880 m) for our first look at Everest, with coffee and cake on the terrace, then come back down to sleep.

DAY 4

Tengboche Monastery

Day 5. Down to the river, then a long climb through rhododendron forest to Tengboche (3,860 m), about 5 hours.

Tengboche is the monastery Sherpas visit before climbing the big peaks. We stop by for a blessing for the team.

DAY 5

Dingboche: Climb High, Sleep Low

Days 6–7. Across suspension bridges and up the Imja valley to Dingboche (4,410 m), a full day on the trail.

Day 7 is our second acclimatisation day, the one faster itineraries skip. We climb a ridge to around 4,900 m for big views of Ama Dablam and Lhotse, then sleep low. Our guides check everyone's oxygen levels daily.

DAY 6

Lobuche and the Khumbu Glacier

Day 8. Up past the climbers' memorials at Thukla to Lobuche (4,910 m), about 5 hours. For the first time we walk beside the Khumbu Glacier.

DAY 7

Everest Base Camp

Day 9. Along the moraine to Gorak Shep (5,140 m), then on to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. About 7 hours in total.

In spring, Base Camp is a tent city of climbers from around the world getting ready for the summit. We walk back to Gorak Shep to sleep.

DAY 8

Sunrise on Kala Patthar

Day 10. Alarm around 4 am. We climb Kala Patthar (~5,550 m) by headlamp, slow and cold, for the most famous view in the Himalaya: Everest turning gold as the sun comes up.

Breakfast back in Gorak Shep, then down to Pheriche (4,250 m). The hardest and best day of the trip.

DAY 9

Back Down the Valley

Days 11–12. Two long downhill days with thicker air and warmer nights: back to Namche Bazaar, then on to Lukla.

Our last night on the trail is a thank-you dinner with our guides and porters.

DAY 10

Kathmandu, Then Home

Days 13–15. A morning flight back to Kathmandu and the first hot shower in a week.

Day 14 is our weather reserve. If the flights ran on time, we spend it in Kathmandu: Swayambhunath (the monkey temple), Pashupatinath and the giant Boudhanath stupa, then a farewell dinner. Day 15: transfer to the airport.

Heli Signature (12 days): fly in to Lukla by helicopter, and lift off from Gorak Shep right after the Kala Patthar sunrise. Same route up, same acclimatisation days.

THE Essentials

All the important information, guidelines, and recommendations you’ll need to ensure a smooth and memorable experience.

Duration

15 Days (12 with the Heli Signature)

Price

≈$5,450

Effort

Moderate–Challenging. 4–7 hours of walking a day at high altitude, up to ~5,550 m. No climbing skills needed.

Group Size

Up to 12 participants

01.

Do I need climbing experience?

No. Everest Base Camp is a trek, with no ropes or technical skills. What you need is fitness: you should be comfortable hiking 5–7 hours a day with a daypack, many days in a row. We'll send a training plan when you book.

02.

What about the altitude?

That's the real challenge, so we go slowly. We have two acclimatisation days, in Namche and Dingboche, and our guides check everyone's oxygen levels daily. If someone isn't doing well, safety comes first and an assistant guide takes them down. Insurance with helicopter evacuation is mandatory.

03.

How cold does it get?

Kathmandu is warm. On the trail, sunny days are pleasant, but lodges aren't heated, and nights at Gorak Shep and the Kala Patthar sunrise can drop to −10 to −20 °C (14 to −4 °F). You'll need a sleeping bag rated −15 °C comfort, a down jacket and warm gloves. We'll send the full kit list.

04.

Where do we sleep?

A 4-star hotel in Kathmandu, and mountain lodges (teahouses) on the trek: twin rooms, simple and cosy, with a warm dining room where everyone hangs out in the evening. Bathrooms get more basic the higher we go. Single rooms are available for a supplement, but they're not guaranteed above Dingboche.

05.

What is the Heli Signature?

The same trek in 12 days instead of 15. You fly in to Lukla by helicopter and fly out from Gorak Shep right after the Kala Patthar sunrise, skipping the walk back down. Same route up and same acclimatisation days. From ≈$7,400, with a minimum of 4 people.

06.

Are tips included?

Yes. Tips are a big part of the crew's income in Nepal, so we cover all of them: guides, porters and lodge staff. No counting cash at 5,000 m.

07.

April or October?

Both are great. April is spring: rhododendrons in bloom, and the climbers' tent city at Base Camp. October comes right after the monsoon, with the clearest skies of the year, and Kathmandu gets ready for its festival season. Exact dates are coming soon.

Everest Base Camp: Sunrise on the Roof of the World

The idea

ITinerary

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