12-Day Everest Base Camp Trek: Self-Launched Edition

Rise early for your domestic flight from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) — one of the world's most dramatic landings. Book your flight in advance through a Nepali ticketing agent such as Tara Air or Summit Air (~£120–£150 return). On arrival in Lukla (2,840m), meet your independently hired guide and begin the well-marked trail descending through pine forest and traditional Sherpa villages to Phakding. Check into a teahouse and explore local monasteries. A short, gentle day to acclimatise.

🚌Domestic flight Kathmandu–Lukla (~£120–£150 return, pre-booked). All trekking on foot from Lukla.

🛏Teahouse lodge in Phakding (e.g. Hotel Phakding, Yak Lodge) — ~£5–8/night, rooms often free if you eat dinner there

• →Domestic flight Kathmandu to Lukla via Tara Air or Summit Air (~£120–£150 return, book directly on their websites)
• →Trek Lukla to Phakding (~3–4 hours, ~8km)
• →Explore local monasteries and traditional Sherpa houses along the trail
• →Check in to a teahouse lodge in Phakding

A longer, more demanding day. Trek through forested trails alongside the turquoise Dudh Koshi River, passing the villages of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, and Jorsale. Enter Sagarmatha National Park (permit checked at the gate — buy yours in Kathmandu for ~£25). Cross the famous Tenzing-Hillary suspension bridge before the steep final climb up to Namche Bazaar, the bustling hub of the Khumbu region. Reward yourself with a hot meal and your first glimpse of Everest from town.

🚌Trek on foot (~11km)

🛏Teahouse or guesthouse in Namche Bazaar (e.g. Hotel Namche, Sherpa Lodge) — ~£6–10/night

• →Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (~5–6 hours, ~11km)
• →Pass through Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, and Jorsale villages
• →Enter Sagarmatha National Park (permit checked at gate)
• →Cross the iconic Tenzing-Hillary suspension bridge over Dudh Koshi gorge
• →Steep final ascent to Namche Bazaar

A crucial rest and acclimatisation day — do not skip this. Your body needs time to adjust before ascending further. Explore Namche's vibrant Saturday market, gear shops, cafes, and bakeries. Take the recommended acclimatisation hike up to the Sagarmatha National Park viewpoint for jaw-dropping views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam. Optionally continue to Khumjung village to visit the famous Hillary School and a monastery said to house a Yeti scalp. Return to Namche for the night.

🚌Hiking on foot only

🛏Teahouse or guesthouse in Namche Bazaar — ~£6–10/night

• →Acclimatisation hike to Sagarmatha National Park viewpoint (~2 hours return) — free, follow trail from town
• →Optional day hike to Khumjung village (3,790m) — another ~1–2 hours each way
• →Explore Namche Bazaar market, gear shops, and bakeries
• →Rest, hydrate, and prepare gear for higher altitude days

Trek from Namche through rhododendron and pine forest with continuous Himalayan panoramas. Descend to Phunki Thenga, cross the bridge over the Imja Khola, then make the steep climb up to Tengboche — home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. Tengboche Gompa is unmissable; attend an evening prayer ceremony if timing allows (free, respectful dress required). The mountain views from here — Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse — are among the finest on the entire trail.

🚌Trek on foot (~10km)

🛏Teahouse lodge in Tengboche (e.g. Tengboche Guest House) — ~£5–8/night

• →Trek Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (~5–6 hours, ~10km)
• →Descend to Phunki Thenga and cross Imja Khola bridge
• →Visit Tengboche Gompa — the largest monastery in the Khumbu (~free entry, donation appreciated)
• →Attend evening prayer ceremony at the monastery if available

Trek through high-altitude scrubland and ancient glacial valleys. Stop at Debuche village and its nunnery, then continue through Pangboche — one of the oldest villages in the Khumbu, with a monastery worth a brief visit. Follow the Imja Khola valley upward to Dingboche, a cluster of stone houses at 4,410m surrounded by potato fields and dramatic peaks. You're now well into altitude territory — drink plenty of fluids and take it slow.

🚌Trek on foot (~10km)

🛏Teahouse in Dingboche (e.g. Peaceful Lodge, Himalaya Hotel) — ~£5–8/night

• →Trek Tengboche to Dingboche (~5–6 hours, ~10km)
• →Visit Debuche nunnery — small donation appreciated
• →Explore Pangboche village and its ancient monastery (~free entry)
• →Arrive in Dingboche, rest and acclimatise

A tough but spectacular day at altitude. Climb to Duglha and pass through Chupki Lhara, a ridge scattered with memorial cairns for climbers lost on Everest — a deeply moving spot. Then traverse the rugged lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier with views of Khumbutse, Lingtren, and Pumori before reaching Lobuche. Altitude will be felt here — move slowly, eat well, and stay warm. Nights at Lobuche are cold even in peak season.

🚌Trek on foot (~9km)

🛏Teahouse in Lobuche (e.g. Lobuche Guest House, Pyramid Guest House) — ~£5–8/night

• →Trek Dingboche to Lobuche (~5–6 hours, ~9km)
• →Climb to Duglha and pay respects at Chupki Lhara climber memorials
• →Trek along the Khumbu Glacier moraine
• →Arrive Lobuche — rest and warm up in the teahouse

The big one. Start early from Lobuche, passing Gorak Shep Lake and the Indian Army mountaineer memorials, before the final push across rocky glacier moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Stand where legends have stood, with the Khumbu Icefall roaring above you and coloured expedition tents (in season) stretching into the glacier. Take your time, soak it in — then retrace your steps to Gorak Shep for the night. This is the highest point of the trek and every step counts.

🚌Trek on foot (~12km total)

🛏Teahouse in Gorak Shep (e.g. Everest Base Camp Lodge, Gorak Shep Lodge) — ~£6–10/night

• →Trek Lobuche to Gorak Shep (~2–3 hours, ~5km)
• →Continue to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) (~2–3 hours from Gorak Shep, ~7km round trip)
• →Explore the base camp area and view the Khumbu Icefall
• →View Indian Army mountaineer memorials at Gorak Shep Lake
• →Return to Gorak Shep for overnight

Rise before dawn for the pre-sunrise scramble up Kala Patthar (5,545m) — the highest point of the trek and arguably the best viewpoint for Mount Everest in the world. Watch the summit of Everest glow gold in the first light of day, with Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse, Nuptse, and Pumori all within view. Then descend all the way down to Pheriche for the night — a long but rewarding day that feels increasingly easier as the oxygen thickens.

🚌Trek on foot (~16km total descent)

🛏Teahouse in Pheriche (e.g. Himalayan Hotel, Inn the Clouds) — ~£5–8/night

• →Pre-dawn ascent of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise Everest panorama (~2–3 hours from Gorak Shep)
• →360-degree views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Pumori, and more
• →Long descent to Pheriche via Lobuche (~5–6 hours)
• →Rest and recover at Pheriche teahouse

A long descent back through the Khumbu valley, feeling noticeably stronger with every 100m dropped. Trek through rhododendron and juniper forest, re-cross the Dudh Koshi River bridge, wind through the dramatic Dudh Koshi gorge, and descend back into Namche Bazaar. Celebrate with a hot shower (available for ~£1–2 at most guesthouses), a proper meal, and maybe even a cold beer. You've been to Base Camp. You've earned it.

🚌Trek on foot (~18km)

🛏Teahouse or guesthouse in Namche Bazaar — ~£6–10/night

• →Trek Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (~6–7 hours, ~18km)
• →Trek through rhododendron and juniper forest
• →Re-cross Dudh Koshi River bridge and traverse the gorge
• →Celebrate return to Namche — hot shower, good food, and rest

The final day of trekking — a long but celebratory descent back to Lukla following the Dudh Koshi valley all the way down. The trail feels fast and familiar now. Arrive in Lukla in the afternoon, check into a guesthouse, and celebrate your achievement with fellow trekkers over a well-deserved meal and local tongba (millet beer). Check your return flight time and confirm the booking with your agent.

🚌Trek on foot (~19km)

🛏Guesthouse in Lukla (e.g. Everest Summit Lodge, Lukla Lodge) — ~£5–8/night

• →Trek Namche Bazaar to Lukla (~6–7 hours, ~19km)
• →Celebrate completion of the Everest Base Camp trek
• →Confirm return Lukla–Kathmandu flight for Day 11
• →Evening celebration dinner in Lukla

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu — confirm the night before as schedules can shift. On arrival, transfer to your Kathmandu guesthouse (budget options in Thamel from ~£8–15/night). Treat yourself to a farewell dinner at a local Nepalese restaurant in Thamel — try Chez Caroline, OR2K, or The Rum Doodle for classic trekker celebrations. Reflect on one of the world's great walking adventures.

🚌Domestic flight Lukla–Kathmandu (covered in return ticket booked Day 1). Taxi from airport ~£5–8.

🛏Budget guesthouse or hotel in Kathmandu Thamel (e.g. Hotel Encounter Nepal, Kathmandu Guest House budget wing) — ~£8–15/night

• →Morning flight Lukla to Kathmandu (~35 minutes, included in return flight booked on Day 1)
• →Transfer to Thamel guesthouse (taxi from airport ~£5–8, or pre-arrange hotel pickup)
• →Farewell dinner at a local Nepalese restaurant in Thamel (e.g. The Rum Doodle, Chez Caroline)

Last morning in Kathmandu. Grab breakfast at one of Thamel's many cafes — try a masala omelette and milk tea. If time allows before your international flight, browse Thamel's trekking gear shops for souvenirs, pick up a Tibetan singing bowl, or visit Boudhanath Stupa (~£3 entry) one final time. Head to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight — arrive at least 3 hours early for international departures.

🚌Taxi to airport ~£5–8

🛏Checkout — no accommodation needed

• →Leisurely breakfast in Thamel
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel's gear and craft markets
• →Optional visit to Boudhanath Stupa (~£3 entry) if time permits
• →Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport (taxi ~£5–8)