There are many reasons to love Nepal. The People, the places, the ancient arts, the wildlife, rivers, waterfalls and of course the incredible Himalayan mountains . Among these delights is Mount Everest. It is one of the most interesting and geographically fascinating places in the world, standing at 8848m above sea level.
Being on top of the world, this mountain is mystical, massive and majestic. It has been, and continues to be a magnet for explorers from all over the world, an allure that is irresistible to so many people no matter their age. So, if you are thinking of doing a trek to Everest Base Camp, then we are here to make it happen for you.
During the trek, you will not only see the great mountain itself, but many more beautiful and attractive mountains including the beautiful Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Makalu, the fourth and fifth highest peaks in the world respectively. Watch the landscapes change from beautiful evergreen trees that line the mountains, to alpine vegetation and moonscape esque surroundings higher up. Along the way, you will trek through Sherpa villages, see Buddhist monasteries and observe how the locals live in such contrasting weather conditions from the rest of the world.
The Everest Base Camp trek is open all year round, therefore you can make a plan as to what time period is best for you, as we understand peoples schedules differ!
March-May:
The most popular times to trek are when the weather is warm and the views are also clear, so we recommend March to May time if you want the most comfort with the warmer temperatures. This is a popular time of year to trek and particularly to climb, for the big mountain expeditions due to the relatively warm climate.
June-August:
The Everest region at this time of the year boasts the most beautiful green landscapes, as it is the monsoon season and the warmest time to visit. However, this time has it's setbacks due to the changeable wet weather and so be prepared to have more time to make room for the delayed flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. We understand some people prefer not to fly in a 16 seater aeroplane also, so alternative travel can be arranged via jeep, with the journey broken up into two days.
December-February:
This period can be especially rewarding, as it is one of the quieter periods to trek and hence having the mountains more to oneself. This does come at the expense of colder weather however, so we say to pack a good sleeping bag and warmer clothes during this time!
September-November:
This is another timeframe we offer, as the weather is warm and views excellent (from potential clouds), but we will say this is the busiest period for trekkers and therefore if you'd like to have more peace and solitude, we recommend a quieter time of the year.
Happy Hari staff will be waiting for you at the airport, so look out for our company’s logo printed on our t-shirts, holding a sign with your name! Once you meet your leader, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your accommodation in Kathmandu. This is approximately 30 minutes drive. After check-in at the hotel and time to refresh yourself, you will be briefed regarding your upcoming trek and itinerary.
Today, we will take an early morning flight to Lukla. This scenic flight only takes approximately 30 minutes and has breathtaking views of the mountains, so be sure to have a glance out of the windows! Lukla itself is a beautiful mountain village and it is here where we will have a break for tea or coffee. You can also buy bottled water or trekking gear if you still need anything. After our short break we will walk for about 4 hours to Phakding, stopping for lunch somewhere along the way.
After breakfast at Phakding, we will start our journey to Namche Bazaar – the Sherpa capital and base for any Everest Expedition. We will pass several suspension bridges, crossing the beautiful Dudhkoshi River, where there are plenty of nice small tea shops along the way for an opportunity to stop for some drinks and lunch. We will stay for two nights in one of the local teahouses and being one of the biggest villages in the Everest region, Namche has plenty of facilities including a pharmacy, shops for food supplies and a choice of bars to relax and play a game of pool in!
Today, is a day of acclimatisation in Namche Bazaar, with a hike to a beautiful viewpoint where you can see Mount Everest for the first time. We will climb approximately 300 metres and then come back down to rest before the next days trek to Tengboche.
Today, we will start this peaceful trek, which will take us to the well known and beautiful Tengboche monastery. We will reach the village after approximately 6 hours trekking and stay overnight in a teahouse.
We will leave early for another 6 hour hike and Dingboche will be our resting place for 2 nights. It is one of the highest villages in Nepal and at 4410m, it is the last place on the ascending trek that people still do farming, growing potatoes, wheat and vegetables.
Today is another acclimatisation day in Dingboche. There is a choice of optional hikes, one being the crossing of the Imja Khola river, with a steep climb up to the bottom of Ama Dablam, one of the most remarkable and beautiful peaks in this area. Another option is a hike to Nangkar Tshang Peak from where you can absorb a magnificient view of the mountains.
We are getting closer to Mt Everest now! On this 6 hour walk, we will cross the Thukla pass where we will enjoy dramatic mountain views. We will eventually reach the top of the ridge, seeing many prayer flags and memorial stones; a poignant reminder of the many tragic, failed Everest expeditions, such as the one led by Scott Fisher. We will continue towards Lobuche and stay overnight in a lodge/teahouse, where we will rest for the next big day.
Today we will set off on a 3 hour hike to Gorakshep, where we will stop for lunch in these magnificent moonscape esque surroundings. Then, after 3 more hours of steady walking, we will reach the famous Everest basecamp! After taking in the legendary backdrop, we will descend back to Gorakshep, where we will spend our highest night on this trek at 5150m.
The next morning, we will climb up to 5600m to the famous Kala Patthar (meaning 'Black Rock' in Nepalese). This will be the real highlight of your tour! We'll wake up early for this challenging climb and enjoy a stunning panoramic sunrise view behind Mt Everest.
We will then descend back down to Gorakshep to enjoy a well earned breakfast, before our trek back down to Pheriche, lying at an elevation of 4240 m.
Today, we will trek back to Namche Bazaar, where you can do some souvenir shopping for friends and family.
After a good nights sleep, we will slowly trek back to Phakding.
This is our final trekking day, where we will stay overnight in Lukla, before the flight the next morning.
It's back to Kathmandu today, where you can relax or perhaps do some final sightseeing and shopping.
Today, you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule. We hope you have had a great trip!
