50th Anniversary Everest Base Camp Trek

Arrive in Nepal

Welcome to Kathmandu! Meet your trip leader or an MT Sobek representative and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, receive a briefing and orientation, including information on trekking, altitude acclimatization, areas you will visit, and culture within the region. Enjoy a welcome dinner at Dechenling Restaurant.

Fly to the Khumbu

Transfer to the airport for the mountain flight to Lukla. The short but spectacular flight leaves the Kathmandu Valley and heads into the Himalaya, home to the world's highest mountains. Make an unforgettable landing on Lukla's 1,729-foot-long, 65-foot-wide runway, perched high on a mountainside above the Dudh Kosi (River of Milk). Collect your gear and walk to your lodge. If the flight is on time, fit in a warm-up hike to Kharka, on a trail that leads to Mera Peak, passing small hamlets and resident shepherds along the way.

Hike Lukla to Monjo

Begin trek from Lukla with a descent to the Dudh Kosi. Follow the trail to Phakding, passing mani walls (boulders inscribed with Buddhist prayers), small villages, and well-terraced hillsides. Meet Khumbu locals who, unlike the majority of Kathmandu residents, are Sherpas — people who migrated from Tibet over 500 years ago and still dress traditionally and practice evolved forms of Tibetan Buddhism. With Khumbila (18,800'), sacred peak of the Sherpas, looming above, arrive at the lodge in Monjo (9,317') in the early afternoon. Relax and enjoy free time while you acclimatize.

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Head north into UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park, established in 1976 to protect an area of great environmental, religious, and cultural importance. Cross the Dudh Kosi and begin the steep climb up "Namche Hill" amidst lovely rhododendron, fir, and magnolia forests. As you ascend, catch your first glimpse of majestic Everest (29,028')! Arrive in the vibrant Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar, the unofficial Khumbu capital beautifully situated in a terraced amphitheater facing the hanging glacier below Kwangde (20,293'). Check into the lodge, then spend the afternoon exploring Namche Bazaar.

Explore Namche Bazaar

Today is a free day to rest and acclimatize. There will be time to explore the Khumbu town of Namche Bazaar or take a peaceful stroll around the surrounding area.

Trek to Mende

Today, visit to Sagarmatha National Park Visitors Center and Museum. Enjoy terrific views of the Everest region and see displays on the park's culture, geography, geology, climatology, and wildlife. Next, follow an ancient salt-trading route through fir and juniper forests to Thame Valley and take a steep uphill hike to the pastoral village of Mende (12,595'). In the afternoon, visit the ancient Lawudo Hermitage and marvel at views of Thamserku, Ksum Khang Karu, Kongde, Teng Khamuche, and Khumbila.

Hike to Tashinga

This morning, we step back on the trail, and follow the classic route to Everest on a winding, almost level path. After about three hours, it's a slight detour and another 15 minutes to the lodge in Tashinga (11,800'). The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy — and there's nowhere more relaxing than the peaceful Himalaya!

Ascend to Tengboche and Pangboche

Descend into the deep Dudh Kosi Gorge — one of the most beautiful valley walks on Earth — and then climb steeply to the famous Tengboche Monastery (12,680'). Burned in 1989 and now completely rebuilt, Tengboche is the spiritual center of the Khumbu and a training center for new monks. After lunch, continue through this holy region to Pangboche. This incredibly scenic hike follows the Imja River, and Ama Dablam (22,349') and the great massif of Everest hovers majestically above. The tangible spirituality and stunning scenery of this place always impresses!

Day Hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp

After crossing the Imja River and a gradual ascent to Lhabarma, you find yourself facing Ama Dablam, one of the Khumbu's most beloved and spectacular mountains. Ama Dablam Base Camp (15,013') sits on an open yak pasture beneath the west face, affording incredible views of Kan Tega (22,254'), Thamserku (21,729'), and Tawoche (21,463'). Here you'll likely meet climbing groups, either acclimatizing or fixing their route, as this trek coincides with climbing season. With binoculars you may even see climbers descending the steep ice slopes from the summit. Return to the lodge.

Continue to Pheriche

It's all stunning scenery all the time today as you follow the river with the breathtaking peak of Ama Dablam watching over you. With the giant Himalayan mountains now coming into clear view, cross the Khumbu Khola and make your way up to the remote village of Pheriche (14,070').

Optional Day Hike to Samso Chopo

Today you have options: Put up your feet in Pheriche or take a day hike to Samso Chopo Ridge (16,864'). This optional hike is one of the least crowded and most scenic of the journey, and offers the opportunity to see 360-degree views in addition to the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. It is a steep, 2,700-foot climb, but take it slow and know that the sweet reward of stellar views are well worth it! Return to Pheriche to end the day.

Trek to Lobuche

Walk through the broad and beautiful Khumbu Khola riverbed en route to a herdsmen's settlement — also once a 1953 British Everest expedition camp. With Tawoche and Cholatse towering above, ascend to the hamlet of Dughla, then continue up a steep terminal moraine atop which stand memorial cairns to those lost on Everest. The landscape is now wild and rocky, and an often frozen stream leads to Lobuche — a former yak-grazing settlement now serving trekkers and climbers bound for Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over Nuptse (25,850').

Trek to Gorak Shep

Walk along boulder fields and glacial debris to the edge of the Khumbu Glacier, then continue up to Gorak Shep (17,000'), nestled under the snow-coned summit of Pumori (23,442') and the sheer west face of Nuptse. If you're well acclimatized and up for an additional push, hike up Kala Patar (18,192'), high above the Khumbu Glacier, for a dramatic close-up view of Mother Everest.

Reach Everest Base Camp

It's your big base camp day! An early start helps ensure you arrive before the clouds do. From Gorak Shep it is a fairly arduous trek to base camp (17,600'), initially following the top of the moraine and then descending onto the boulder-strewn glacier. After a couple of hours you reach Everest Base Camp — huzzah! Enjoy sensational views of the Khumbu icefall and surrounding scenery (though not Everest herself). At this altitude the return to Gorak Shep feels long and exhausting, but you can do it. Then take the trail back down to Lobuche.

Return to Pangboche

From Lobuche, follow the path down to tiny Dughla. Instead of taking the trail back to Pheriche, you stay up high on the wide grassy plateau and make your way to Dingboche to admire a glimpse of Imtsa Valley. After lunch descend the pleasant trail to Pangboche. If you did not have a chance to visit the gompa (temple) in Pangboche on the way up, it is worth a quick visit now.

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Hike back to Namche on the mail route, soaking in the mountain views as we hike.

Return to Lukla

Today you return to Lukla along the meandering Dudh Kosi, retracing your steps from Day 4. Pass Sherpa villages and soak in the stunning scenery until you arrive at the familiar lodge in Lukla.

Fly to Kathmandu

Bid a fond, if somewhat hesitant, farewell to the Khumbu as you fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel and enjoy lunch and dinner on your own.

Hinduism & Buddhism in Kathmandu

If your flight from Lukla operates as scheduled, you'll enjoy a morning tour of the Pashupatinath Hindu temple complex on the Bagmati River and Bodhnath's enormous Buddhist stupa — the largest in Asia and the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture in the Kathmandu Valley. This afternoon you're free to roam, relax, or do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing on your own. In the evening, join the group for a farewell dinner.

Depart for Home

After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to airport and depart Kathmandu on your homeward-bound flight. Or if you'd prefer to spend more time in Asia, consider joining one of our extensions in India, Vietnam, or Cambodia. Ask our Regional Specialist for details!