Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek - 24 Days

Today, you’ll be requested to visit our office where we’ll have a pre-trip meeting. Moreover, you’ll be introduced to your trekking guide and enjoy a lively conversation with him concerning the intended escapade in the lap of the Himalayas. Then, accompanied by a professional guide, we’ll hit the road for a delightful sightseeing tour around the Kathmandu Valley.

As a UNESCO world heritage site, Kathmandu Valley boasts many monuments and structures that showcase its historical and cultural heritage. Currently, we’ll visit a couple of these sites and find out more facts related to them. First of all, we’ll see the most sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, positioned on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the destroyer, Pashupatinath, and its surroundings provide a sense of calmness to the mind. After that, we’ll visit the sacred Buddhist Stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.

Remaining few of its kinds, these two religious and revered stupas together form the core of Tibetan Buddhism. Finally, we concsightseeisightseeingtour by exploring the inspiring Durbar Square of Lalitpur. Hailed as one of the most striking structures in Kathmandu Valley, the Durbar Square is a feat of ancient Newari architecture that showcases historical palaces, temples and sculptures, museums, and fascinating carvings on wood many more. 

We'll set off early in the morning from our hotel in Kathmandu and make our way up the Sunkoshi River Valley on the mountainous road to Jiri, a small town situated in north-eastern Nepal. This spectacular drive guides you across picturesque landscapes exhibiting terraced farmlands, classic human settlements, and magnificent mountain vistas including Langtang Lirung (7,234m), Dorje Lakpa (6,966m) Ganesh Himal (7,422m), and many more snow-clad peaks.

Today, we'll initiate our trekking journey with an abrupt ascent on a trail which progress to the top of a ridge then descend to the village of Shivalaya (1,800m) across the scenic rhododendron and oak woodland. Afterwards, the trail continues to ascend to Sangbadanda (2,150m) then traverses several tea shops, gushing streams and alluring villages to climb a pass at Deurali. The apex of the pass renders an amazing view of overall Likhu Khola valley and settlement of Bhandar. Thereafter, moving downhill for a distance of about 1 hour, the trail reaches Bhandar (1,520m), a classic Sherpa village positioned far below in a suspended valley.

At the crack of dawn, we'll resume our trek. The trail now makes a descent to Likhu Khola positioned at the elevation of 1,580m. Traversing the spouting river; the trail navigates along the same river on the other side to Kinja (1,570m). Subsequently, we'll tighten our shoelaces to initiate an abrupt ascend to Lamjura pass accompanied by sublime outlooks of the nearby landscapes and far away villages. Succeeding an almost perpendicular climb to Chimbu (2,140m), we'll move beyond a couple of native villages to Sete (2,500m). After a tiresome day, we provide much-needed rest to our weary feet and explore a beautiful monastery in Sete.

With some much-needed break; today, we'll continue our quest to Lamjura Pass. The precipitous and demanding trail to Lamjura Pass (3,530m) will test your endurance to its limit. But this endeavour seems to be worthy; as we get a window of opportunity to experience frost or often snow along the way in winter and prettiness of the landscape including exquisite woodland of rhododendron and maple, utterly sprinkled with aromatic magnolias. Eventually, we'll first descend to Dagchu then climb uphill to Goyom (3,300m). Traversing Lamjura Pass, we'll make a descent to Tragdobuk (2,860m) then advance to the lovely Sherpa village of Junbesi (2,675m). You may also spot and hear a loud roar of aeroplanes bound to Lukla above the sky!!

Bidding farewell to Junbesi Village, we range over the Junbesi Khola and move forward to Khumbu region through an ascent to a ridge (2,980m) where we'll obtain our initial glimpses of soaring Mt. Everest. Afterwards, the trail progress beyond villages of Phaplu and Salleri then continues to Ringmo Khola (2,650m). After that, the trail ascends to Ringmo and head towards Takshindo La (3,071m) featured by a massive chorten. Now, the trekking trail progresses past lonesome Takshindo monastery (2,900m) passes beyond conifer and rhododendron woodland to Nuntala (2,345m).

This morning, we'll make a descent on the trail, along with the Dudh Koshi (Milk River). Thereafter, the trail climbs uphill across a number of Sherpa settlements, lush woodlands, and terraced woodlands to Khari Khola (2,194m).

Today, the trail ascends precipitously to the top of a ridge which harbours Bupsadanda Village. Afterwards, we'll head to Bhumsing (2,300m) and proceeds through the woodland of rhododendron and oak. We may get a glance of Langur monkeys here in the spell-binding woods. Beyond the tapered canyon, the trail ends up at Puiyan (2,890m).

As we require resuming our adventure; we'll hit the road again!! In the beginning, we'll pursue the meandering trail that passes over ridges then make its headway down to Surke. From here, we can observe the airstrip at Lukla Airport. The trail now exits from Sunkoshi Valley and forge ahead to the north, getting as far as ChauriKharka Village. Subsequently, the trail unites connects to Lukla then continues beyond a couple of Sherpa settlements; all the way to Phakding (2,610m).

As we'll have already entered the Khumbu region; we’ll now march towards its most celebrated and renowned town i.e. Namche Bazaar. Traversing the serpentine river of Dudhkoshi River multiple times via the exhilarating suspension bridges, the trail also advances across rhododendron, fir woodlands, classic Sherpa villages and Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979A.D.); ultimately, reaching its destination: Namche Bazaar. The Sherpa town encompasses internet cafes, a bank with one ATM, medical supplies and Tibetan souvenirs shops, a German Bakery, and a couple of lodges. Furthermore, it also serves as a commercial and administrative centre of the whole region; Namche is a honeypot for Sherpas, Tibetan traders and porters from the faraway villages.

This very day is our first day entirely dedicated to acclimatization, which is an important activity to accommodate our body according to the Himalayan surroundings before going to a higher altitude with low levels of oxygen. On top of that, there is no scarcity of trails to nearby villages and vantage points to aid the process. Therefore, we'll perform a hike to Everest view hotel (3,900m) where we can observe mesmerizing outlook of majestic Mt. Everest and return back to Namche Bazaar.  Here, the town itself flaunts elegant panorama, which chiefly includes Mt. Kongde Ri (6,187m) to the west and Mt. Thamserku (6,623m) to the east.

Filled with energy and excitement, we'll depart from Namche Bazaar and head to our next destination of the day. The levelled as well as easy trekking trail heads to Kyangjuma then plummets into the Dudh Koshi Valley at Pungki Thanka. On the way, you cannot afford to miss the jaw-dropping sight of embracing Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Kwangde and Thamserku. Subsequently, the trail climbs on the right side of the Dudh Kosi valley; eventually leading to Tengboche (3,860m).

On the day thirteen of our adventure, we'll pursue the trekking trail, which first advances into the splendid woodland of rhododendron then emerges at Deboche. Navigating across the bridge spanning over the Imja Khola; the trail now proceeds past the flatland to Pangboche (3,985m). You can explore this classic village of Sherpa community and pay a visit to the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest in the region. Today may prove to be most blissful day owing to the fact that there is no rapid loss of elevation like any other days during the trek itself. On top of that, we can enjoy the outlooks of Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Ama Dablam and other neighbouring peaks. The trail extends through meadows and makes it to Dingboche (4,400m) renowned as summer valley.

Today is the second day of our journey predominantly allocated for acclimatization. There is a lack of oxygen and extreme cold in higher elevations; therefore, it is crucial to adapt according to the surroundings especially in the Himalayas. Improper acclimatization and negligence can make you a victim of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which may result in death. In order to facilitate this process, we'll perform a hike to Chhukung Ri (5,546 m) via Chhukung Village. The top of Chhukung Ri extends dreamy outlook of Mt. Makalu (8,485m), world’s fifth highest mountain. After gazing this fine sight, we'll trek down to Chhukung Village then head back to Dingboche.

We’ll now enter into higher elevations via today’s trek; due to which the trail tends to become more demanding. We now head to Pheriche Village (4,240m) that harbours Trekkers Aid Post. Equipped with a western volunteer doctor supported by The Himalayan Rescue Association, the aid post extends treatment and consultation to trekkers. Afterwards, we make a climb to the top of a hillock where a memorial dedicated to trekkers and climbers who lost their lives during Everest expeditions over the years. Finally, we'll advance beyond the pasturelands to Lobuche (4,910m). This village inhabited by native Sherpas flaunts striking view of Mt. Lobuche, Mt. Pumori and Mt. Nuptse. Get ready to experience the soul shivering extreme cold tonight!!!

This very day, we'll march forward to astonishing Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Prepare yourself to live your Everest dream, which you always wanted to!! The straight but rugged trail to Everest Base Camp is exigent; incorporating glacial moraine, and rock heap i.e. forged by deposition of rocks and sediments carried by glaciers. During the climbing season, we can witness the colourful tents belonging to different Everest expedition groups. As Mt. Everest is too close to Everest Base Camp; we cannot observe the full-view of the world’s highest mountain. Instead, we can take pleasure of the vistas including widely celebrated Khumbu Glacier and icefall, positioned on the slopes of Everest. After capturing this heavenly natural splendour in our minds and cameras, we return back to Gorakshep (5,181m) where we can take a most required break, relax and prepare for next day’s trip.

The name “Kalapathar” translates into Black Rock. This spot is well renowned around the entire planet for a vivid and sublime sunrise above the world’s highest peak, the majestic Mt. Everest.; therefore, we'll trek in the direction of Kalapathar before the break of the day. As, the first ray of rising sunshine on awe-inspiring view embodying Everest, Nuptse, Changtse and Lhotse; the curtains from the most divine vista is unveiled, which tend to melt the heart each and every individual who observe it. Actually, the golden sunlight complements the white snow on the mountains. When the first light of day is reflected by these mountains, a spell-binding vista takes its shape, which has been attracting thousands of visitors till date. These outlooks tend to make the entire journey worthy. Additionally, you’ll get the pre-eminent pictures in the entire Khumbu region. Now, it’s time to trek back to Gorakshep. Thereafter, we’ll trek down to Pheriche (4,210m).

We'll continue our descent and climb down on the trail, which runs adjacent to Imja Khola. Thereafter, we will ascend to Tengboche Monastery then we’ll move abruptly downward to Phungki Thanga. Subsequently, we’ll make an abrupt climb uphill to Khumjung. The monastery in this particular village is renowned for the possession of supposed yeti scalp. Take some time to explore the village and get acquainted with its people, culture and traditions.

Resuming the trek, we'll pursue the trail and head down to Namche Bazaar. Here, we’ll recharge the battery of our bodies and have some tea, coffee or lunch. Afterwards, we continue along the trail and progress downhill to Jhorsalle (2,740m).

Today, we’ll traverse the entrance of Sagarmatha National Park and arrive at the village of Monjo. Afterwards, we proceed beyond the woodland of rhododendron and fir to negotiate suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. In the end, we'll advance across several Sherpa villages, Mani walls, small Gompas, man-sized prayer wheels and prayer flags and ultimately, set our foot in Lukla (2,860m).

It’s the day twenty-two of our escapade and today, we'll take a scenic flight back to Kathmandu. The flight utilizes about 30 minutes and takes you to the endless sky, above the irresistible snowy Himalayas. At Kathmandu, you can wander around the celebrated landmarks of the city, capturing the final moment in the frames or you can do some shopping of souvenirs to take back home. If you are tired, then you may relax in your hotel, enjoying the facilities provided by your hotel.

Weather conditions of the Himalayan region are so unpredictable and sometimes dangerous that the Lukla-Kathmandu flight can be delayed and even cancelled. In order to ensure that you catch the flight back home right on time, we have kept an extra day as we don’t like to take chances that would cause discomfort to our valued customers. If nothing goes wrong, then you can utilize this extra day for sightseeing or you can just take some more rest.

This very day marks the end of your adventures in the magical nation of Nepal. We hope that you are genuinely satisfied with our services and expertise. We expect to see you again and share many beautiful moments as we did during this escapade. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Holy Mountain Treks will escort you back to the airport. Farewell!!