Self-Launched Everest Base Camp Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu (TIA). Check in to a budget guesthouse in the Thamel backpacker district — the hub for trekking prep. Spend the afternoon exploring Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple, free to walk the grounds, ~£2 camera fee) or strolling Durbar Square (entry ~£10 for foreigners). In the evening, grab dinner in Thamel — momos and dal bhat are cheap and filling at local restaurants. Use today to sort any last-minute gear hire (sleeping bag liners, down jackets, trekking poles all available cheaply in Thamel). Ensure your TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit are ready — you can obtain these at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (~£18 combined).

🚌Taxi from Tribhuvan International Airport to Thamel — ~£5-8 (agree fare before getting in or use a pre-paid taxi booth)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (e.g. Hotel Potala, Hotel Encounter Nepal) — ~£10-15/night

• →Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) — ~£2 entry
• →Explore Thamel and hire any missing trekking gear
• →Obtain TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit at Nepal Tourism Board (~£18 combined)
• →Dinner at a local Thamel restaurant — try momos and dal bhat (~£3-5)

Take the early morning domestic flight from Kathmandu (or Ramechhap/Manthali Airport, ~5hr drive) to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport — one of the world's most dramatic landings. Book your flight independently with Tara Air or Summit Air (book well in advance, especially for spring/autumn). After landing, have breakfast in Lukla, meet your pre-arranged guide and porter, then begin trekking. Today is a gentle ~3-hour warm-up hike (8.5km) following the Dudh Kosi River downstream to Phakding (2,610m). Settle into your teahouse and rest up. Note: if flying from Ramechhap, you'll need to depart Kathmandu by ~2am — arrange a private taxi or shared jeep the evening before (~£15-20).

🚌Domestic flight Kathmandu–Lukla (~£130-160 one way). If departing from Ramechhap: shared jeep/taxi from Kathmandu (~£15-20, depart ~2am)

🛏Teahouse in Phakding (e.g. Riverside Lodge or similar) — ~£3-6/night (rooms cheap; profit model is food sales)

• →Morning domestic flight Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla with Tara Air or Summit Air (~£130-160 each way, book direct at tara-air.com)
• →Trek Lukla to Phakding (~3 hours, 8.5km, relatively flat)
• →Enjoy views of the Dudh Kosi River and surrounding pine forest

A more demanding day (~7 hours, 10km) with a significant elevation gain of 1,090m. The trail follows the Dudh Kosi valley through blue pine forests — magical in spring when rhododendrons bloom. Pass through Monjo (a good lunch stop), enter Sagarmatha National Park (permit checked here), then cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge before the steep final climb up to Namche Bazaar. On a clear day, catch your first glimpse of Everest above the ridge. Namche is the Khumbu's trading hub — stock up on any extra snacks, medications or gear. Wi-Fi is available in most teahouses and cafes (usually ~£1-2/hour or included).

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar (e.g. Hotel Yeti, Khumbu Lodge) — ~£5-8/night

• →Trek Phakding to Monjo (~2hrs) — lunch stop at local teahouse
• →Cross the Hillary Bridge — iconic photo opportunity
• →Steep climb to Namche Bazaar (~2hrs from bridge)
• →First view of Everest on a clear day from the ridge above Namche
• →Stock up on supplies in Namche market

A full rest and acclimatisation day in Namche — crucial for avoiding altitude sickness. The golden rule: hike high, sleep low. Take the recommended acclimatisation hike up to the Tenzing Norgay Memorial and Sagarmatha National Park Museum (free entry) for panoramic views of the Khumbu peaks and Everest. Continue up to Sagarmatha Next if you'd like to learn about sustainable waste management in the region. Return to Namche for lunch, then enjoy the afternoon freely — browse the local shops, visit Namche Bakery for legendary cinnamon rolls, or simply rest. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol.

🚌On foot (acclimatisation hike day)

🛏Teahouse in Namche Bazaar — ~£5-8/night

• →Acclimatisation hike to Tenzing Norgay Memorial (~1,200m above Namche) — free
• →Visit Sagarmatha National Park Museum — free
• →Stop at Sagarmatha Next sustainability centre — free
• →Explore Namche Bazaar market and shops
• →Namche Bakery — famous for cinnamon rolls and coffee (~£3-4)

Today you take the less-travelled route to Phortse Gaon — a traditional Sherpa village that most trekkers bypass entirely. This makes for a more authentic experience with far fewer crowds. From Namche, weave above the valley and take the fork at Sanasa (most people head to Tengboche; you go left toward Phortse). Enjoy lunch at around 4,000m with epic valley views, then descend and push uphill to the quiet teahouses of Phortse (~7hrs, 10km). You'll be almost completely above the treeline. The sunsets here over Ama Dablam and Kantega are extraordinary — don't miss them.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Phortse Gaon (basic but characterful) — ~£3-5/night

• →Trek via Sanasa fork to Phortse Gaon (~7hrs, 10km)
• →Lunch at high-altitude viewpoint around 4,000m
• →Explore the traditional Sherpa village of Phortse
• →Photograph sunset over Ama Dablam and Kantega peaks

A long and rewarding day (~8hrs, 14km) with significant elevation gain. Depart Phortse at sunrise and trek through the ancient Sherpa village of Pangboche — worth a stop at the famous Pangboche Monastery, one of the oldest in the Khumbu. Continue to Shomare for lunch, then push on as the landscape dramatically changes — forests give way to rocky, windswept terrain. Dingboche's distinctive patchwork stone-walled fields come into view as you arrive. On clear evenings, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Island Peak are illuminated in breathtaking alpenglow. Hydrate well and move slowly.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Dingboche (e.g. Moonland Lodge or similar) — ~£4-6/night

• →Morning departure from Phortse at sunrise
• →Visit Pangboche Monastery — one of the Khumbu's oldest (~£1 donation suggested)
• →Lunch in Shomare at local teahouse
• →Arrive Dingboche and witness alpenglow on surrounding peaks

Second key acclimatisation day of the trek. Take the morning hike up to Nagarjun Hill or toward Chukhung valley (closer to Island Peak base) for excellent views — your guide will recommend the best option based on conditions. Return to Dingboche for lunch. Afternoon is free — rest, journal, or head to Cafe 4410, a beloved local cafe that screens Sherpa documentaries daily. This is a great place to socialise with fellow trekkers and hear stories from those ahead on the trail or returning from Base Camp.

🚌On foot (acclimatisation hike day)

🛏Teahouse in Dingboche — ~£4-6/night

• →Acclimatisation hike to Nagarjun Hill or Chukhung (~3hrs, 4km)
• →Visit Cafe 4410 — hot drinks and daily Sherpa documentary screenings
• →Rest and hydrate in the afternoon
• →Chat with fellow trekkers returning from Base Camp

Ascend the ridge above Dingboche into the Pheriche valley. The day starts fairly flat across wide open yak pastures — enjoy the pace and keep hydrated. Cross the Khumbu Khola river and stop for lunch at the foot of the vast Khumbu Glacier terminal moraines. In the afternoon, a steep rocky climb leads to the top of the moraines, where a line of stone cairns memorialises Sherpa and climbers lost on Everest expeditions. The views into Tibet are remarkable. Descend slightly to your lodge at Lobuche (~5.5hrs, 8km). The air is noticeably thinner now — move slowly and eat a good dinner.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Lobuche (basic; very cold at night — bring a good sleeping bag) — ~£4-6/night

• →Trek Dingboche to Lobuche across Pheriche valley (~5.5hrs, 8km)
• →Lunch at foot of Khumbu Glacier terminal moraines
• →Visit the Lobuche memorial cairns — a deeply moving tribute to fallen climbers
• →Views into Tibet from the moraine crest

The big day. From Lobuche, follow the valley parallel to the Khumbu Glacier over rocky, cairn-lined trail to the glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5,160m) — grab a quick lunch here. Then push on to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) — approximately 2hrs from Gorak Shep. At Base Camp you won't see the summit of Everest (it's hidden behind Nuptse), but you'll stand beside the famous prayer flags and the churning Khumbu Icefall — one of the most iconic sights in the world. Soak it in. Return to Gorak Shep for an early dinner — you need to be in bed early for tomorrow's 4am Kala Patthar start. Total day ~9hrs, 8km.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Gorak Shep (the world's highest teahouses — very basic, very cold) — ~£4-6/night

• →Trek Lobuche to Gorak Shep (~3hrs) — lunch at Gorak Shep teahouse
• →Trek Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (~2hrs) — the main event!
• →See the Khumbu Icefall, glacial lakes and EBC prayer flags
• →Return to Gorak Shep — early dinner and sleep by 8pm

4am wake-up, headtorch on. The steep climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m) in the dark is absolutely worth it — you'll be rewarded with one of the greatest mountain views on Earth as the sun rises over Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse. Take your time ascending (it's brutally steep at altitude). Return to Gorak Shep for breakfast — at the highest breakfast spot in the world — then begin the long descent via Lobuche down to Pheriche (~6hrs from Gorak Shep). The descending kilometres feel wonderful on legs and lungs. Celebrate tonight — you've done it!

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Pheriche (e.g. Himalayan Hotel) — ~£4-6/night

• →4am start: summit Kala Patthar (5,545m) for Everest sunrise — one of the great views on Earth
• →Breakfast at Gorak Shep teahouse (~5,140m)
• →Long descent to Pheriche (~6hrs, 12km)
• →Celebrate at Pheriche — local chang (barley beer) is traditional!

A glorious descending day as your body revels in the thicker air. Trek from Pheriche back through the Imja Khola valley and up through rhododendron and juniper forests to Tengboche — home to the Tengboche Monastery, the most famous and beautiful monastery in the Khumbu (entry ~£2). Attend the late afternoon puja (prayer ceremony) if timing allows — a deeply spiritual experience with monks chanting and incense filling the air. Ama Dablam looms magnificently above the monastery. Enjoy a well-earned rest.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Tengboche — ~£4-6/night

• →Trek Pheriche to Tengboche through rhododendron forest (~5-6hrs)
• →Visit Tengboche Monastery — the iconic monastery of the Khumbu (~£2 entry)
• →Attend the afternoon puja ceremony (approx 3pm daily)
• →Photograph Ama Dablam from the monastery grounds at golden hour

Continue the descent through the forests and across the Dudh Kosi valley bridges back toward Namche Bazaar. The return feels different — faster, lighter and with a huge sense of achievement. Namche feels positively luxurious after Gorak Shep. Treat yourself to a hot shower, a pizza at one of the many cafes (yes, proper pizza exists at 3,440m), and a cold Everest beer. Browse the souvenir shops and reflect on what you've just accomplished. Wi-Fi works well here — update your loved ones.

🚌On foot (trekking day)

🛏Teahouse/guesthouse in Namche Bazaar — ~£5-8/night

• →Trek Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (~4-5hrs, downhill)
• →Hot shower at your teahouse — an absolute luxury after days on the trail
• →Celebratory meal — pizza and Everest beer at a Namche Bazaar cafe (~£6-8)
• →Browse souvenir and trekking gear shops in Namche

The final trekking day — a long but satisfying walk (~6-7hrs) back down the valley to Lukla. Retrace the familiar Dudh Kosi trail from Namche, past Phakding and back up to Lukla. Your legs will know about the cumulative days by now, but the downhill momentum keeps things moving. Arrive in Lukla by mid-afternoon — check in to a teahouse, confirm your morning flight back to Kathmandu (or Ramechhap), and celebrate with dinner and drinks with your guide and porter. It's customary and appreciated to tip your guide and porter tonight — budget approximately £30-50 each as a guideline.

🚌On foot (final trekking day)

🛏Teahouse in Lukla (e.g. Buddha Lodge, Sherpa Guest House) — ~£4-6/night

• →Final trek: Namche to Lukla via Phakding (~6-7hrs, mostly downhill)
• →Confirm morning domestic flight at the airline office in Lukla
• →Tip ceremony with guide and porter — a valued tradition (~£30-50 each recommended)
• →Celebratory dinner and drinks in Lukla

Early morning flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu (or Ramechhap, with onward transfer to Kathmandu by shared jeep ~£10). Flights are weather-dependent — be prepared for delays and do not book international onward flights the same day. Build at least one buffer day into your schedule. Once in Kathmandu, check in to Thamel and spend the rest of the day recovering — a hot shower, a real bed and unlimited food awaits. Treat yourself to a massage (Thamel has many excellent therapists for ~£8-12/hr) and a celebratory dinner. Explore Thamel's lively restaurant and bar scene in the evening.

🚌Domestic flight Lukla–Kathmandu (~£130-160, booked as return when you booked outbound). Taxi from airport to Thamel ~£5-8.

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu — ~£10-15/night

• →Early morning flight Lukla to Kathmandu (~£130-160, already booked outbound)
• →Check in to Thamel guesthouse
• →Traditional Nepali massage to recover tired muscles (~£8-12/hr)
• →Celebratory dinner in Thamel — splurge on a proper restaurant (~£10-15)

Final day in Kathmandu — use it for sightseeing, last-minute shopping, or simply resting before your international departure. Must-see options include Boudhanath Stupa (entry ~£5), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest stupas in the world — particularly atmospheric in the early morning when pilgrims circumnavigate it. Alternatively, explore Pashupatinath Temple (entry ~£5 for foreigners), a sacred Hindu cremation site on the Bagmati River. Pick up handicrafts, Thangka paintings or yak wool souvenirs from the Thamel shops. Arrange your taxi to the airport well in advance — allow 2-3hrs before international departure due to security queues.

🚌Taxi from Thamel to Tribhuvan International Airport — ~£5-8

🛏Check-out (or last night in Thamel guesthouse if late flight)

• →Visit Boudhanath Stupa — UNESCO World Heritage Site (~£5 entry)
• →Explore Pashupatinath Temple (~£5 entry)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel
• →Pre-arranged taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5-8)