Budget Everest Base Camp Trek - 12 Days

Day 1 : Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport and trek to Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft).

Trek distance: 6.2 km/3.8 miles
Altitude: 2,846 m/9,337 ft
Duration: 35 minutes flight & 3-4 hours trek
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

We will leave Kathmandu early in the morning and take a short flight to Lukla. The flight offers a breathtaking aerial panorama of the Himalayas. In Lukla, porters will join us for the trek. They will carry our duffel bags. Following the footsteps of our guide, we will descend from Lukla to Phakding village. This around 200-meter descent is crucial for acclimatization.
The trail goes through forests of rhododendron and magnolia. We will cross the Dudh Kosi river many times on the way via suspension bridges. The trail is tranquil and passes by villages like Chheplung (2,660 m) and Ghat (2,592 m). In Phakding village, we will visit an old monastery. Today, we will witness views of Mt. Khumbila and Mt. Kongde Ri.

Day 2 : Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.

Trek distance: 7.4 km/4.6 miles
Altitude: 3,440 m/11,290 ft
Duration: 6 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

From Phakding, our next stop is Namche Bazaar. It is a very famous town in the Khumbu region and a tourist hub on the way to EBC. Leaving Phakding, the trail ascends via Toktok (2,760 m) and Bengkar (2,630 m) villages. The trail keeps going through forests of magnolia and rhododendrons, crossing the Dudh Kosi river several times. The Hillary Bridge is the longest one.
Upon reaching Monjo, we will take a lunch break and register our permits at the police check post before we continue trekking ahead. The later part of the trail gradually ascends through forests and small settlements. Right before the final steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, we will come across a point from where the first glimpse of Mt. Everest is seen.

Day 3 : Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar: hike to Syangboche Airstrip (3,748 m/12,297 ft) and Everest View Hotel (3,962 m/13,000 ft).

Duration: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 3,962 m/13,000 ft
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

In Namche Bazaar, we will have our first acclimatization day. This is a rest day, which is spent hiking and resting to adjust our body to elevation. While traveling in the Himalayas, where everyday altitude increases, you have to take acclimatization days to avoid altitude sickness. For the hike, we will walk to Hotel Everest via Syangboche Airstrip. The hiking route is uneven and offers excellent views of Mt. Thamserku.

Upon reaching Hotel Everest View, we will get to see a distant view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Ama Dablam. The Hotel Everest View is a luxury lodge in the Khumbu region. After spending some time here, we can hike back to Namche Bazaar or continue our excursion to the ancient Khumjung monastery. Later, in Namche Bazaar, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery.

There is a lot to see and explore in Namche Bazaar itself. You will have a great time here!

Day 4 : Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Monastery.

Trek distance: 9.2 km/5.7 miles
Altitude: 3,860 m/12,660 ft
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Leaving Namche Bazaar, we will continue the trek to Tengboche village. The trail ascends to Kyangjuma (3,550 m) and then descends to Phungi Thanga (3,250 m). The trail from here crosses a suspension bridge and gradually ascends to Tengboche village, following uneven hillsides.

Once we reach Tengboche village, we will leave our stuff in the lodge and later visit the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region. We get to see stunning views of Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Everest from here. In the monastery, there are many antiques, thangka paintings, statues, and scriptures. Do not disturb monks if you see them meditating.

Day 5 : Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche.

Trek distance: 12 km/7.45 miles
Altitude: 4,410 m/14,470 ft
Duration: 5 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Leaving Tengboche village, we will once again trek through rhododendron forests and descend to Deboche (3,320 m). The trail descends further to Imja Khola. Crossing the river on a suspension bridge, we will walk to Pangboche village. Here, we will visit the Pangboche monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region.

Further, we will cross one more suspension bridge and trek past villages like Shomare (4,010 m) and Orsho (4,190). As we get close to Dingboche, we can see barley and paddy fields. Dingboche is known as the summer valley of the Khumbu region.

Day 6 : Acclimatization in Dingboche; hike to Nagarjuna Hill (5,100 m/16,732 ft).

Duration: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 5,100 m/16,732 ft
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This is our second and last acclimatization day before reaching Everest base camp. Like last time, we will go on a hike early in the morning. We will hike to a viewpoint called Nagarjuna Hill. The hiking route is steep and rugged. Upon reaching the top of the hill, we can see outstanding views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, Island Peak, Mt. Ama Dablam, etc. After the hike, we will return to Dingboche village to spend the night.

Day 7 : Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche.

Trek distance: 8.5 km/5.2 miles
Altitude: 4,940 m/16,210 ft
Duration: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

The trail from Dingboche descends and follows an uphill track to Dusa (4,503 m). We will navigate via a glacier field and continue ascending towards Dughla (4,620 m). From here, the trail goes along the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche village. The hills and mountains are very prominent. The lush greenery changes to barren and rocky terrain as we trek to Lobuche village.

Day 8 : Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp via Gorak Shep (5,164 m/16,942 ft) and back to Gorak Shep for a night's stay.

Trek distance: 15 km/9.32 miles
Altitude: 5,364 m/17,598 ft
Duration: 8 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today, we will be touching the Everest base camp. Leaving Lobuche village, we will walk along the Khumbu Glacier and follow a steep route to Pyramid (4,970 m). From here, we will trek through boulder fields and big rocks to Gorak Shep. This is the last settlement before the base camp. From here, we will only trek with our backpacks.
The trail is steep and rocky. We will be surrounded by hills and snow-capped mountains. The Everest base camp is marked with a huge rock and colorful prayer flags. We will explore the base camp and witness the Khumbu Icefall. Later, we will descend to Gorak Shep to spend the night.

Day 9 : Hike to Kala Patthar early in the morning and trek down to Pheriche (4,371 m/14,340 ft).

Trek distance: 9.6 km/6 miles
Altitude: 5,545 m/18,192 ft
Duration: 6 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On this day, we will touch the highest point of our budget EBC trek. Early in the morning before the sunrises, we will begin hiking to Kala Patthar. It is a viewpoint that presents surreal mountain views, including Mount Everest. We will ascend following a steep slope. Upon reaching the top, we will see the sea of the mountains. The view will blow your mind.

Later, we will hike back to Gorak Shep and follow the same trail back to Dughla. From here, we will take another route and descend to Pheriche. On the way to Pheriche, the landscapes are phenomenal as they gradually change to lush green hills.

Day 10 : Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar.

Trek distance: 17.7 km/10.9 miles
Altitude: 3,440 m/11,290 ft
Duration: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

We will leave Pheriche after a delicious breakfast. The trail descends from the village and crosses two suspension bridges further on the way. We will trek past Orsho (4,190 m) and Shomare (4,010 m) villages. At Shomare, we see routes, and both of them lead to Namche Bazaar. We will follow the trail through Phortse Thanga and Mong to Namche Bazaar. While the other retraces the path via Tengboche.

Day 11 : Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla via Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft).

Trek distance: 16.7 km/10 miles
Altitude: 2,846 m/9,337 ft
Duration: 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

We have come to the last day of our trekking adventure. It is time to say goodbye to Namche Bazaar and trek back to Lukla. First, the trail steeply descends and goes through forests and small statelets to Phakding village. From here, we will ascend via lush forests and villages, crossing multiple suspension bridges to Lukla.

Day 12 : Morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla airport and farewell dinner in the late evening.

Duration: 35 minutes flight
Altitude: 1,400 m/4,600 ft
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner

Early in the morning, we will fly back to Kathmandu. The flight will be incredible. The team will drop you at the hotel in Thamel. You have the remaining day free in Kathmandu, so unpack and later pack as it is also your last day in the city. You can spend the late afternoon/evening exploring nearby tourist sites and local markets.

We suggest visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square. Also, do not forget to window shop in Thamel. In the late evening, join us for a farewell dinner and also receive a trek certificate. We will end the trip with delicious food and lovely cultural music and dance.