Everest Base Camp Trek & Stay Expedition Itinerary

This itinerary is intentionally designed to optimize acclimatization, energy, and overall experience, not just to reach Everest Base Camp, but to arrive there feeling strong and in good style. This is the Rugged Luxury way. 

In the daily itinerary, elevations are listed for each village, and the reported elevation change that is also listed is the difference between villages, not the elevation change you may actually experience. Depending on your route, you may ascend and descend significantly more as the trail rolls over ridges and through valleys. Similarly, horizontal distance can change if you take side trails or detours.

Success in the mountains depends on being flexible enough to capitalize on weather windows, group fitness, and mountain conditions throughout the climb. Our guides will make decisions in real time to maximize your chances of success and take advantage of the best conditions and weather. 

We provide these itineraries as an aid to your planning, but please know they can and will change. Come prepared to embrace the fluidity and joy of tuning into this very unique mountain environment.

  • Overall: Lukla to Everest Base Camp 

  • Distance (one-way): ~37 - 40 mi | 60 - 65 km

  • Total ascent (one-way): ~8,200 ft - 9,800 ft | 2,500 - 3,000 m net gain

  • Cumulative ascent (actual walking): ~11,500 ft - 15,000 ft+ | 3,500 - 4,500 m+ (due to ups/downs)

  • Guide Tip: The trail constantly undulates, so you climb way more than the net elevation suggests.

  • Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where our team will greet you and transfer you to our 5-star hotel. Today is a pure arrival day; you can arrive at any time that suits you. Settle in, rest, relax, and shake off the jetlag. 

    • Overnight: 5-Star Hotel, Kathmandu

    • Meals: _/_/_/

    • Guide Tip: Use any free hours to rest and recover. It’s an exciting journey ahead, but you have lots of time to socialize and explore. Hydrate & get on the timezone.

  • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before an in-depth trip briefing and gear checks with your guide and team. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the city, hit the spa or gym, or relax. Tonight we celebrate with a welcome dinner.

    • Overnight: 5-Star Hotel, Kathmandu

    • Meals: B/_/D

    • Guide Tip: Listen closely during the briefing, as we will answer most of your questions to help you when you repack for your trek. If you’ve forgotten something, today’s your day to go pick it up in town. Thamel has the best selection of quality gear.

  • Our adventure begins! We will take an early-morning scenic flight from Kathmandu to the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla. After arriving in this quaint Sherpa village terraced into the hillside, we will begin our trek as we pass through the gates of Sagarmatha National Park and into the famed Khumbu Valley. From there, we will pass through blooming rhododendrons and pine forests as we trek downhill to the riverside hamlet of Phakding. 

    • Distance: 4.5 mi | 7 km

    • Duration: 3 - 4 hours

    • Elevation Profile:

      • Start: Lukla ~9,383 ft / 2,860 m

      • End: Phakding ~8,563 ft / 2,610 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Phakding

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • TodayFeels Like: Easy and gentle opener with a net downhill, but expect a few short climbs to wake the legs up. 

    • Guide Tip: Start slower than you think. Practice being present and conscious of your foot placement. Use your trekking poles.

  • Today will be our first full day of trekking, following the Dudh Koshi River, crossing its roaring glacial waters via the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge before ascending Namche Hill to the thriving Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar, where we will stay for the next two nights. 

    • Distance: 6.5 - 7.5 mi | 10 -12 km

    • Duration: 5 - 7 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Phakding ~8,563 ft / 2,610 m

      • End: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Namche Bazaar

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • TodayFeels Like: Our first big day, especially the final climb. Steady, slow pacing and self-care are key.

    • Guide Tip: The final climb into Namche is all about learning high altitude pacing. Take small, steady steps and focus on breathing, not speed. Drink lots of water today.

  • Today, we slow the pace to support acclimatization in the thinning air, with a recommended gentle hike to the 300-year-old Thamo Monastery, a quiet, lesser-visited, working monastery offering a rare window into Sherpa spiritual life and culture. The afternoon is yours to explore and enjoy the cobbled streets of Namche. 

    • Distance: 4 mi | 6.5 km (round-trip)

    • Duration: 3 - 5 hours, including stops

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m

      • High Point: Thamo Monastery ~12,500 ft / 3,810 m 

      • End: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Namche Bazaar

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Gentle but noticeable at altitude.  Perfect acclimatization aid

    • Guide Tip: Even on acclimatization/rest days, movement is key. Doing the hike helps your body adapt far better than staying still.

  • We resume our trek, climbing high above Namche Bazaar for our first views of Everest and the striking Ama Dablam, widely considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. A steady ascent up Tengboche Hill brings us to Tengboche Monastery, before retreating downhill through blooming rhododendron forests to the riverside village of Deboche.

    • Distance: ~6 mi | 9 - 10 km

    • Duration: 5 - 6 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Namche Bazaar ~11,286 ft / 3,440 m

      • End: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Tengboche

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Your first classic Khumbu day with rolling terrain and a challenging climb at the end.

    • Guide Tip: Eat and hydrate consistently today. The ups and downs and rising altitude can drain energy faster than expected. You will hear your guides say “bistari, bistari,” which is Nepali for “slowly, slowly.” 

  • As the air thins, we take time to allow our bodies to adapt to the altitude. Today includes a short acclimatization hike above the village and time at Tengboche Monastery, the spiritual heart of the Khumbu Valley. Here, you will receive a traditional blessing from Tibetan Buddhist monks for a safe and fulfilling journey ahead.

    • Distance: 2 - 3 mi | 3 - 5 km

    • Duration: 2 - 3 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m

      • High Point: Tengboche Monastery ~13,700 - 14,300 ft / 4,175 - 4,350 m 

      • End: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Lodge, Tengboche

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Short, sharp but purposeful. A good leg stretch to stimulate your altitude adaptation without overexertion.

    • Guide Tip: Climb high, sleep low. Gaining a little extra elevation today helps your body prepare for what’s ahead.

  • Back on the trail, we climb above the treeline as forest gives way to alpine tundra, continuing to the high-altitude hamlet of Pheriche, a simple stone settlement set within a wide, wind-swept valley. You are now deep in the remote high-Himalaya, with views of some of the Khumbu’s most striking peaks, including Ama Dablam, Taboche, and Cholatse, as well as a deep cultural and spiritual presence.

    • Distance: 6 - 7.5 mi | 10 - 12 km

    • Duration: 5 - 6 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Tengboche ~12,687 ft / 3,867 m

      • End: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Pheriche

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Gradual but steady. Terrain is smoother, but the higher elevations will make you feel it. 

    • Guide Tip: You may start to feel the effects of the altitude a little more here. That’s completely normal. Keep your pace conversational, meaning if you can talk comfortably with your team while trekking, you’re at the right pace.

  • Today we take an acclimatization hike to the ridgeline above the village, where some of the Khumbu’s finest views unfold. In the afternoon, we visit the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), where doctors run daily educational talks on altitude illness.  A long-standing and essential part of helping trekkers and climbers stay safe in this alpine environment. 

    • Distance: 1.5 - 2.5 mi | 2 -4 km

    • Duration: 2 - 4 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m

      • High Point: HRA ~15,800 - 16,300 ft / 4,820 - 4,970 m

      • End: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m

    • Overnight: Mountain Teahouse, Pheriche

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Short but steady, a flexible acclimatization day tailored to your team.

    • Guide Tip: Altitude is all about listening to your body. Small symptoms addressed early can prevent bigger problems later. Keep communication open with your guide: we can help, but we can’t read minds (yet!).

  • Today we leave the main trail behind, side-stepping away from the crowds and into a more remote, expedition-style environment as we make our way to Lobuche Base Camp via the famous memorial chortons. Here, you’ll spend your first night under the stars in our private tented camp - a real mountaineering camp used by Everest climbers as they prepare for their first acclimatization rotation on Lobuche East.

    • Distance: 5 - 6 mi | 8 -10 km

    • Duration: 4 - 6 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Pheriche ~14,340 ft / 4,371 m

      • End: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m

    • Overnight: Tented Mountain Camp, Lobuche Base Camp

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Steady climb into even higher altitudes, allow your pace to slow and become more deliberate as the air continues to thin. 

    • Guide Tip: From here on, self-care is key. Drink before you’re thirsty, layer up as soon as you stop, stay warm, and keep eating, even when you don’t feel like it. The altitude will make you feel like you aren’t hungry.

  • Today’s acclimatization hike from Lobuche Base Camp toward Lobuche High Camp is a bit of an adventure, with a playful rock scramble leading us higher into the snow line. Reaching an elevation similar to Everest Base Camp, this marks a key acclimatization milestone, building both physical adaptation and confidence for the days ahead. We take time to soak in the spectacular views before returning to Lobuche Base Camp for a relaxed afternoon to unwind and enjoy life in camp with the team. 

    • Distance: 2–3 miles | 3–5 km (round trip)

    • Duration: 3–5 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m

      • High Point: Lobuche High Camp ~17,200 - 17,800 ft / 5,250 - 5,450 m

      • End: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m

    • Overnight: Tented Mountain Camp, Lobuche Base Camp

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: A fun, short, hands-on scramble, which is a purposeful challenge at altitude.

    • Guide Tip: Slow everything down.  At this altitude, consistency beats intensity every time.

  • Acclimatization is still the name of the game, and a key point of difference in how we operate. Setting out from Lobuche Base Camp, we go deeper into the Khumbu to climb the lesser-known Awi Peak. A quiet and hidden objective away from the main routes. With no crowds and a true sense of exploration, the panoramic views are exceptional. On a clear day, your views stretch across Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu. Many guests describe this as a highlight of the journey.

    • Distance: 2 - 4 mi | 3 - 6 km (round trip varies by route and high point)

    • Duration: 4 - 6 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m  

      • High Point: Awi Peak ~17,000 - 17,500 ft / 5,200 - 5,350 m 

      • End: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m

    • Overnight: Tented Mountain Camp, Lobuche Base Camp

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Feels like: A big acclimatization day with steady, high-altitude effort that builds strength, confidence, and meaningful physiological adaptation.

    • Guide Tip: Secrets are best kept secret. Some of the Khumbu’s most special places aren’t on the map. Let’s keep Awi that way.

  • You’ve put in the work and taken the time to acclimatize properly. Today, you reap the rewards as we move beyond Gorak Shep, where most trekkers spend the night, and past the usual turnaround point, Trekkers Rock, a spray-painted rock on the very outskirts of camp where most Everest Base Camp journeys end. From here, we continue into the heart of Everest Base Camp proper, with exclusive access to the working summiteer’s camp. This is not the edge of Base Camp; for you, it's the beginning with a level of access rarely experienced by those on the standard route. 

    • Distance: 7 - 9 miles | 11 - 14 km

    • Duration: 6 - 7 hours

    • Elevation Profile: 

      • Start: Lobuche Base Camp ~15,800 - 16,100 ft / 4,800 - 4,900 m

      • End: Everest Base Camp ~17,598 ft / 5,364 m

    • Overnight: Luxury Dome, Everest Base Camp 

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Feels like: Long but rewarding. Being able to skip over Gorakshep is a huge advantage. Keep a slow, steady gait. Pacing is key, with a huge payoff at the end

    • Guide Tip: Sleeping at this altitude can be challenging. Stick to simple wind-down routines, limit screen time, stay warm, and focus on rest rather than on perfect sleep. If you are lying still, your body will thank you regardless.

    Stay in Luxury Domes

  • Today offers a hands-on introduction to mountaineering, with an optional ice climbing clinic on the lower Khumbu Glacier. Under expert guidance, you'll strap on crampons and experience the same techniques used by Everest climbers. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Base Camp. Soak in the unique atmosphere, sip the highest cappuccino in the world, or even enjoy a game of high altitude ping pong in the Big House! 

    • Distance: 0.5 - 1.5 miles | 1 - 2 km

    • Elevation Profile: Everest Base Camp ~17,598 ft / 5,364 m

    • Overnight: Luxury Dome, Everest Base Camp

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Guide Tip: When ice climbing, trust your feet. Stand tall, weight each step, and let the crampons do their job. Save your arms and your energy for where it matters. 

  • A specialized high-altitude helicopter whisks you directly from Everest Base Camp for one of the most spectacular flights in the world, returning you to Kathmandu in a matter of hours. From above, you’ll trace the terrain you’ve just walked, a rare and rewarding perspective, while skipping the arduous multi-day descent and the toll it takes on the body. Back in Kathmandu, reward yourself and unwind with a massage treatment—a well-earned return to comfort. 

    • Helicopter Flights: Everest Base Camp → Kathmandu (see itinerary)

    • Distance: ~85 mi | ~135 km

    • Total Flight Time (including stops): ~2.5 - 4 hours versus the standard on-foot descent, which takes 3 to 4 days of trekking down the valley.

    • Overnight: 5-Star Hotel, Kathmandu

    • Meals: B/_/_

    • Guide Tip: Listen to and watch your guides and ground staff (it might be very loud) as the helicopter approaches. Keep low, stay clear of the tail rotor, and give the pilots space to maneuver. Once in the air, take a moment to look back on the route from above. It’s a rare chance to see the full scale of what you’ve just achieved.

    Flight Itinerary:

    1. EBC → Pheriche: ~5 - 10 minutes (short shuttle to manage payload limits at extreme altitude; brief ground time for 20 - 40 minutes, depending on rotations)

    2. Pheriche → Lukla: ~15 - 25 minutes (layover in Lukla about 60 minutes as the helicopter and pilot change to transition from high-altitudes to the lower valleys)

    3. Lukla → Kathmandu: ~45 - 60 minutes

  • If mountain weather delays your return, you can fly back to Kathmandu this morning. Today you will cap off your Nepal adventure with a guided city tour of Kathmandu, exploring the capital's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the evening, gather for a final celebration dinner at one of Kathmandu's finest restaurants, where you will savor traditional Nepalese cuisine through a refined tasting menu. 

    • Distance: 2 - 3 miles | 3 - 5 km

    • Duration: 3 - 5 hours

    • Overnight: 5-Star Hotel, Kathmandu

    • Meals: B/L/D

    • Today Feels Like: Light and cultural, with very gentle walking and time to explore, a relaxed day compared to the mountains.

    • Guide Tip: Hydrate and recover well. Your body is still adjusting after time at altitude. Light movement during the city tour will help support active recovery.

  • Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Bid farewell to your team and carry the experience with you as you begin reflecting on the journey you just completed. 

    • Meals: B/_/_

    • Guide Tip: Use some of your flight time to reflect on and integrate the experience. It’s been a big journey; this is a great in-between moment to absorb it all, before returning to the pace of your everyday life.

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