Reach one of the world's most famous base camps where many legendary journeys to the highest point on earth have begun.
Experience a land of prayer flags which bless the surrounding land with peace, and rest in authentic teahouses each night as you make your way through the Himalaya.
The adrenaline will be pumping as you journey across many exciting bridges with the reassurance of your experienced guides.
Walk in the shadow of the world's highest mountain as you trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp, beginning your adventure in vibrant and charming Kathmandu before setting off into the heart of the Nepal Himalaya. Traverse spectacular gorges, hike across suspense bridges and past majestic peaks and take in the magical landscapes that surround you on this epic route, which should be on the bucket list of every adventurer.
This is a multi-day trek to significant altitude (5,645m above sea level), led by experienced guides, and, although acclimatisation is slow and gradual, you will still feel the effects of altitude. Tough, but truly rewarding, this challenge will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Expert guides and porters accompany the group, meaning you can focus on your ascent with the assurance of an experienced safety team on the mountain.
No technical skills or specialist climbing gear required; this trip is perfect for adventure-seekers and new trekkers alike.
Professionally-organised package includes accommodation, transport, guides, permits, meals, safe drinking water and more.
Optional extension to relax and Nepal's jungles and wildlife on foot, in canoes and by jeep.
This is an extreme challenge and you will find yourself in remote environments with limited facilities with the added test of altitude. It is for those looking for the ultimate adventure.
Training is essential as you will face extremely difficult terrains, long trekking days and often adverse weather conditions.
One of the huge benefits of the Everest Base Camp challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to reach the summit.
This non-technical climb will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber.
Whilst in Kathmandu you will stay in a comfortable hotel.
During the challenge, you will stay in shared rooms in teahouses on the trail. The teahouses are basic yet comfortable. Food will be served communally at the teahouses by the cooks each night.
There are occasional opportunities to use Western-style toilet facilities (sometimes at cost), and on the trek there is infrequent access to running water.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu
44600
Nepal
It is likely that you will need at least one connection to get to Kathmandu.
After weeks of preparation and excitement, you will board your flight to Kathmandu.
You will be met by a local representative at your hotel in Kathmandu. You will have free time to explore the city and also receive a short briefing with the team (please arrive at the hotel before 5pm). You will be given a detailed plan for the days ahead and have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have before having dinner and getting a good night's sleep.
After breakfast, you will make an early start for the flight to Lukla. This is the gateway to the Khumbu region and is nestled in the lower slopes of the Himalaya at an altitude of 2,840m. This is an exciting flight and should give you a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In the afternoon, you will begin your trek and descend towards Phakding. Please note the ability to fly to Lukla is dependent on local weather conditions.
After an early morning start, you will begin your trek from Phakding to Namche, crossing suspension bridges and climbing steeply through pine forests. Namche Bazaar is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu region. Just across the valley to the east stands the majestic peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, the first sign that you are entering Big Peak Country.
Today is an acclimatisation day. You will spend some time in Namche Bazaar before ascending to the Everest View Hotel at 3,900m.
From Namche Bazaar, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. As you follow the path, you will get your first proper view of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche.
Shaded by rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Ama Dablam. Contouring the valley side, you will cross the river again and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingboche.
Today you will have an acclimatisation day in Dingboche before your ascent to the upper section of the Khumbu Valley. Whilst in Dingboche, you will have the opportunity to walk to a viewpoint to help the acclimatisation process.
You will retrace your steps back to Pheriche before continuing along the trail towards Dugla. Ahead of you will be the peak of Lobuche East and, to your left, the formidable north face of Taweche, the scene of many Himalayan ascents during the 1980s and 1990s. After approximately 3 hours you will reach the small collection of lodges in Dugla (4,620m). From here, you will climb steeply besides the glacier, the track eventually leading to a small cluster of teahouses in Lobuche. You will have a rest during the afternoon in order to allow you to continuing acclimatising.
Three hours beyond Lobuche is Gorak Shep, base camp for the first successful summit in 1953. After passing through Gorak Shep, you will continue trekking to the current base camp where all summit attempts of Mount Everest now depart. There you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and will spend some time exploring the camp before returning to Gorak Shep for the night
Today you will ascend the Kala Pattar, reaching the highest point of your trek at 5,545m. This climb will take approximately 3 hours and will be tough. However, your efforts will be rewarded by views of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall as well as Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori. You will then retrace your steps down the Khumbu Valley passing back through Dugla and continuing along the flat valley until you reach your overnight stay in Pheriche.
You will follow the main Everest trail down the scenic valley, passing through Pangboche and climbing the monastery at Thyangboche. A steep descent of 500m leads through the bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir tree to the Dudh Kosi River. Crossing via a suspension bridge you will climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the path leading back to Namche Bazaar.
Today is your last day of trekking and you will be able to enjoy being back at a low altitude. You will descend from Namche Bazaar, the trail flattening out as you will cross the river twice more before making your way back to Lukla.
You will depart Lukla Airport early in the morning for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be met by representatives and transferred back to your accommodation. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore Kathmandu, visit some of the local temples or grab some last minute souvenirs. In the evening, you and your team will travel into the town for a traditional dinner to celebrate your amazing achievement!
Today is a free day to spend exploring Kathmandu.
Those travelling home will depart today, arriving the following day. If you're joining the Chitwan Safari, you will depart on the extension trip for a further 4 days.
This challenge follows a carbon offsetting programme in partnership with WeForest, a European non-profit organisation who work tirelessly with local people and projects around the globe to fight climate change by planting trees across the world.
A proportion of your trip costs go towards a tree-planting project in Zambia, where WeForest works with hundreds of small-scale farmers to plant trees to sequester the carbon emissions that your trip produces.
The project also assists the local community by providing these farmers with training and tools to diversify their sources of income while they plant and protect local forests. As a result, they receive a higher income, diversify their economic activities and learn new skills. This allows the local farmers to become self-sufficient.
This challenge is operated in a sustainable, ethical and transparent manner - from the initial booking, to your return home, there is a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in all areas.
This challenge is locally led, made up of local people with expert local knowledge and a genuine passion for the sites and communities in which they are based. All guides and support staff are paid a fair wage.
This challenge is operated with members of multiple accreditation agencies and the organisers are always working towards new schemes to ensure they remain the most informed, transparent, sustainable, safe and inspiring travel company around. Currently members of multiple standards agencies, including ABTA and ATOL, and accredited by Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) and Tourism Concern as an Ethical Tour Operator.
Commercial partners are granted access to risk assessments, as well as all up-to-date licences and certificates, providing reassurance that they are collaborating with a professional tour operator.
The Travellers Against Plastic (TAP) pledge was established in 2018 to help fight the harmful consumption of single-use plastics through challenge operations. In all destinations, water is purified from local sources for challenge participants.
In remote areas where this is not possible, the team prioritise large, decantable cooler bottles which are later recycled. Where the provision of safe drinking water is not possible, teams adhere to a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra.
Animal welfare is taken extremely seriously, so itineraries which facilitate or encourage the mistreatment of animals are not produced or promoted. Animal welfare policies are strongly influenced by industry-standard ABTA guidelines on the treatment of animals. When sourcing ground agents, there would be no partnership with non-compliant agents and the opportunity is taken to help to educate non-compliant agents in best practice.
As an active member of ABTA’s Animal Welfare Working Group, the organisers are up to date with all animal welfare issues the world over.
You will be required to pay the registration fee at the time of booking and the final balance 10 weeks before departure.
Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!
Deposit
£490.00
Price per person (inc deposit)
£1620.00
Our trek to Everest Base Camp had everything; from the exhilaration of the flight from Kathmandu into the Khumbu valley to the peaceful spirituality of the buddhist monastery we visited high above Namche. Our Nepali guides on the trek were awesome and the staff were on-hand before we departed and on arrival in Kathmandu to answer all my questions! Andrew C, Glasgow
If you have any questions or would like to check availability or make a booking, please provide a few details about you, your group size and any preferred dates. A member of the team will then get back to you or you can go ahead and book online.