Everest Base Camp Trek – Self-Launched

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and transfer to a guesthouse or budget hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu's well-connected trekker hub. Spend the afternoon sorting your gear, picking up any last-minute trekking supplies (Thamel has countless kit shops), and visiting a travel agent to confirm your Manthali-Lukla flight. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dal bhat at a local restaurant and rest up — your early-morning departure is tomorrow.

🚌Prepaid airport taxi to Thamel (~£5)

🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar budget hotel in Thamel (~£15-20/night)

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a prepaid taxi to Thamel (~£5)
• →Visit a local trekking agency to confirm Lukla flight booking (e.g. Tara Air or Summit Air, ~£140-160 return)
• →Organise your trekking permit (TIMS card ~£15) and Sagarmatha National Park entry fee (~£25) — can be done at the Nepal Tourism Board office or via a local agent
• →Browse Thamel's gear shops for any missing equipment
• →Dinner at a local Nepalese restaurant in Thamel (~£4-6)

Set your alarm for 2–2:30am. Take a pre-arranged jeep or shared taxi from Kathmandu to Manthali Airport (Ramechhap), approximately a 4-hour drive — this is the current departure point for all Lukla flights. Fly to Lukla's famous Tenzing-Hillary Airport (one of the world's most dramatic runways). From Lukla (2,840m), meet your independently hired local guide and porter, then begin the trek north along the Dudh Kosi valley through forest and suspension bridges to the small settlement of Phakding.

🚌Shared jeep Kathmandu–Manthali (~£12), domestic flight Manthali–Lukla (~£80 one-way, included in return)

🛏Phakding teahouse (~£5-8/night, dinner and breakfast payable separately)

• →Pre-dawn shared jeep transfer Kathmandu to Manthali Airport (~£10-15 per person)
• →Scenic 30-minute mountain flight Manthali to Lukla with Tara Air or Summit Air (included in pre-booked return fare)
• →Meet your independently hired licensed guide and porter at Lukla (hire directly through a Kathmandu agency: guide ~£25-30/day, porter ~£15-20/day, split if trekking with others)
• →Trek Lukla to Phakding via the Dudh Kosi valley (9.3km, ~3-4 hours)
• →First teahouse dinner and acclimatisation rest

Head north out of Phakding, following the Dudh Kosi through dense rhododendron and pine forest. Cross several dramatic suspension bridges through the villages of Benkar, Monzo, and Jorsale. The trail steepens considerably for the final climb to Namche Bazaar. Halfway up, on a clear day, you'll catch your first spine-tingling view of Everest peering over the Nuptse-Lhotse ridge. Namche is a prosperous, buzzing Sherpa town with bakeries, coffee shops, gear stores, and a weekly market — explore in the afternoon.

🚌On foot

🛏Namche Bazaar teahouse or guesthouse (~£6-10/night)

• →Trek Phakding to Namche Bazaar (13.3km, ~5-6 hours)
• →First views of Everest summit from the ascent trail
• →Explore Namche Bazaar's market, bakeries, and gear shops
• →Visit the Sherpa Culture Museum (free entry)

A crucial acclimatisation day: climb high and sleep low. Ascend steeply from Namche past the Shyangboche airstrip to the famous Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest and Ama Dablam over a cup of tea. Stop at the Sagarmatha Next experience centre to learn about waste reduction on the mountain. Descend to Khumjung for lunch near the Sir Edmund Hillary School, then visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital in Kunde. The Khumjung Monastery reportedly holds a 'yeti' skull — worth the small entry fee. Descend to spend the night at Kyanjuma.

🚌On foot

🛏Kyanjuma teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for Everest and Ama Dablam views
• →Visit Sagarmatha Next experience centre (free)
• →Explore Khumjung village and Sir Edmund Hillary School
• →Visit Edmund Hillary Hospital in Kunde
• →Khumjung Monastery and 'yeti' skull exhibit (small entry fee ~£1)
• →Overnight at Kyanjuma teahouse

Descend from Kyanjuma to the river crossing at Phunki Thangkha, then climb steeply through beautiful forest to Thyangboche (3,867m). Arrive by lunchtime and spend the afternoon visiting the famous Thyangboche Monastery — one of the most atmospheric Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas. The backdrop of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam at sunset is extraordinary. Keep an eye out for Himalayan tahr (wild mountain goats) in the surrounding forest.

🚌On foot

🛏Thyangboche teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Trek Kyanjuma to Thyangboche (6.4km, ~4-5 hours)
• →Visit Thyangboche Monastery and attend afternoon puja if timing allows (small donation welcome)
• →Watch sunset over Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam
• →Spot Himalayan tahr in the monastery forest

Descend through forest to Devoche and cross the Imja Khola river, entering the Imja Valley. The trail climbs through Pangboche (3,900m), the highest permanent settlement in the valley. Lunch at Shomore, then cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja rivers. A short steep climb brings you to Dingboche (4,350m), a summer settlement encircled by enormous peaks. You are now well above the tree line — the landscape becomes dramatic and sparse.

🚌On foot

🛏Dingboche teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Trek Thyangboche to Dingboche via Pangboche (11.8km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Visit Pangboche Monastery (oldest in the Khumbu region)
• →First views of Lhotse and Ama Dablam up close
• →Rest and hydrate well at Dingboche teahouse

Do not skip this day — altitude sickness is a serious risk above 4,000m. Rest, hydrate, and monitor how you feel. If you're acclimatising well, your guide can lead you up Nangkartshang Peak (5,100m) for extraordinary views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche, and Ama Dablam — a tough 3.5-hour climb but worth every step. Alternatively, climb partway for views then return to rest. The afternoon is free to relax, read, and let your body adjust.

🚌On foot

🛏Dingboche teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Optional acclimatisation hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,100m, ~3.5 hours return, guided)
• →Rest, hydrate, and monitor for altitude sickness symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness)
• →Discuss altitude sickness recognition and protocol with your guide
• →Explore Dingboche village

The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten (Buddhist shrine) and ascends gradually to Dugla at the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Stop for tea before a steep climb to Chukpo Lari — a poignant memorial ridge honouring climbers lost on Everest, with stunning views toward the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail eases off as you follow the valley floor to the tiny hamlet of Lobuje. In the late afternoon, walk up onto the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine for incredible sunset views of Nuptse.

🚌On foot

🛏Lobuje teahouse (~£5-8/night, basic but functional)

• →Trek Dingboche to Lobuje via Dugla and the Everest memorial chortens (8.8km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Pay respects at the Chukpo Lari memorial ridge to fallen Everest climbers
• →Optional afternoon walk onto the Khumbu Glacier's lateral moraine
• →Watch sunset on Nuptse from Lobuje

The big day. Leave early (around 6–7am) and follow the Khumbu Glacier northwards along rocky moraine to Gorak Shep (5,184m), approximately 3 hours of tough walking. Eat, rest, and fill water bottles — there are no teahouses between Gorak Shep and Base Camp. From Gorak Shep, follow the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, ascending through extraordinary ice seracs, for roughly 2 more hours to reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Stand where legendary expeditions have launched, see the Khumbu Icefall up close, and take your photo at the Base Camp rock. Return to Gorak Shep for dinner and an early night in the most basic accommodation of the trek.

🚌On foot

🛏Gorak Shep teahouse (~£6-10/night, very basic — sleeping bags essential)

• →Trek Lobuje to Gorak Shep (5.5km, ~3 hours)
• →Rest, eat and refill water at Gorak Shep before final push
• →Trek Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (3.5km, ~2 hours each way)
• →See the Khumbu Icefall and photograph the Base Camp rock
• →Return to Gorak Shep for overnight

Rise at dawn (around 4–5am) to ascend Kala Pattar (5,545m) for the most celebrated views of Everest on the entire trek — the summit is right in front of you. It's a steep 1.5–2 hour climb from Gorak Shep in cold, thin air, but the sunrise panorama across Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori is utterly unforgettable. Descend back to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then begin the long descent all the way back down to Pheriche for a well-earned rest.

🚌On foot

🛏Pheriche teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Pre-dawn ascent of Kala Pattar (5,545m) for classic Everest sunrise views (~1.5-2 hours up)
• →Photograph the Everest panorama from the highest point of the trek
• →Descend to Gorak Shep for breakfast
• →Trek Gorak Shep to Pheriche (13.6km, ~5-6 hours descent)

A long descent day retracing your steps through now-familiar terrain. The descending altitude will bring increasing oxygen, warmth, and energy. Trek back through Thyangboche and Namche, enjoying the mountain scenery from the opposite perspective and stopping to revisit favourite teahouses. Spend the night back at Kyanjuma.

🚌On foot

🛏Kyanjuma teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Trek Pheriche to Kyanjuma (17.5km, ~6-7 hours)
• →Pass back through Thyangboche Monastery area
• →Re-explore Namche Bazaar en route — grab a coffee at one of the excellent bakeries
• →Celebrate the descent with a hearty dinner at Kyanjuma

Continue the descent through Namche Bazaar — now's your chance to browse those souvenir shops properly, pick up a yak-wool scarf or Everest patch, or sit in a rooftop café with a spectacular mountain view. Continue down through the valley to Monzo for the night.

🚌On foot

🛏Monzo teahouse (~£5-8/night)

• →Trek Kyanjuma to Monzo via Namche Bazaar (11km, ~4-5 hours)
• →Browse Namche Bazaar souvenirs and gear shops
• →Stop for coffee or a hot meal in Namche's bakeries
• →Enjoy increasing greenery and warmer temperatures as you descend

The final trekking day. Follow the Dudh Kosi valley south, crossing the familiar suspension bridges in reverse through Jorsale, Monzo, Benkar, and Phakding before the final climb back to Lukla. Celebrate your achievement in Lukla this evening — the town has several lively bars and restaurants where trekkers and their guides traditionally celebrate completing the EBC route. Confirm your return flight to Manthali for the following morning.

🚌On foot

🛏Lukla teahouse or guesthouse (~£6-10/night)

• →Trek Monzo to Lukla (13km, ~5-6 hours)
• →Farewell dinner with your guide and porter — tip generously as a large portion of their income depends on it
• →Confirm return flight to Manthali for the next day
• →Celebrate completing Everest Base Camp trek in Lukla

Take the early morning flight from Lukla back to Manthali Airport, then arrange a shared jeep or private car back to Kathmandu (~4 hours). Lukla flights are notoriously weather-dependent — build flexibility into your return international flights if possible. Arrive back in Kathmandu in the afternoon and check into your Thamel guesthouse. Evening free to enjoy a proper shower, a restaurant meal, and the satisfaction of having trekked to Everest Base Camp.

🚌Domestic flight Lukla–Manthali (included in return fare), shared jeep Manthali–Kathmandu (~£12)

🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar Thamel guesthouse (~£15-20/night)

• →Early morning flight Lukla to Manthali (included in return fare)
• →Shared jeep or minibus transfer Manthali to Kathmandu (~£10-15)
• →Check back into Thamel guesthouse
• →Celebrate with a proper sit-down dinner in Kathmandu

A full free day to explore Kathmandu at your own pace. The city rewards exploration: the UNESCO-listed Boudhanath Stupa is one of the world's largest and most serene Buddhist stupas; Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River is one of Hinduism's holiest sites; and the medieval squares of Patan and Bhaktapur are extraordinary. Book independently via GetYourGuide for a guided Kathmandu heritage walk, or simply wander. Treat yourself to a massage, do some final souvenir shopping, or reflect over a rooftop café meal.

🚌Local taxi or walking

🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal or similar Thamel guesthouse (~£15-20/night)

• →Visit Boudhanath Stupa — UNESCO World Heritage Site (entry ~£2)
• →Visit Pashupatinath Temple (entry ~£8 for non-Hindus)
• →Explore Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for city views (entry ~£2)
• →Optional: day trip to Bhaktapur Durbar Square (~£8 entry)
• →Book a Kathmandu heritage walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15-20)
• →Thamel souvenir shopping and rooftop restaurant dinner

Your adventure ends in Kathmandu. Arrange a prepaid taxi from Thamel to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5) in good time for your international departure. Consider leaving a review for your local guide and porter on platforms like TripAdvisor — it makes a real difference to independent local operators in Nepal.

🚌Prepaid taxi to airport (~£5)

🛏N/A – departure day

• →Final breakfast in Thamel
• →Prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5)
• →Depart Kathmandu