The original Everest Trail, known as the classic route to Everest Base Camp trek before flights became available. Offers a captivating 20-day journey. It guides trekkers from the foothills through traditional Sherpa villages, lush forests, challenging mountain passes. Ultimately into the heart of the Himalayas, nestled at the base of the world’s tallest peaks. Trekking in the lower regions, away from the main Everest trail, provides a unique insight into the culture and lives of the friendly Sherpa people. This classic route takes you through villages like Jiri, Bhandara, Sete, Junbesi, and Nunthatla before connecting with the standard route in Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and beyond towards Base Camp. The trek can be physically demanding due to numerous steep ascents and descents.
This trail starts at lower altitudes, allowing for better acclimatization and increasing the chances of successfully completing the trek. The scenery along this journey is diverse, ranging from alpine forests, Sherpa villages, and yak pastures to glaciers. The glacier-fed rivers crossed by impressive suspension bridges, and the bustling market town of Namche Bazaar. This trek offers a perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, nature, and wildlife, creating truly unforgettable memories. While it may be a few days longer. It allows exploration of the entire Everest Region, lower the Solu region and the upper the Khumbu region.
Classic Everest Trail begins in Kathmandu, where we will drive to Bhandar. The trek commences from Bhandar, ascending steeply through forests, deep gorges with bridges, and numerous villages until we reach Surke. Then from Surke, the path becomes less steep but still involves many ups and downs way to Namche Bazaar.
Beyond Namche Bazaar, the capital town of the Khumbu, the trail leads into high Himalayan valleys with fast-flowing rivers, surrounded by towering peaks. The gradient remains consistently gradual, villages become more spaced out, and the terrain becomes colder and more exposed. After Dingboche, the effects of altitude become noticeable, so it’s advisable to proceed slowly towards Gorakshep. Along the trail, there are plenty of teahouses where you can take breaks. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, you find yourself surrounded by the world’s highest mountain peaks, with the awe-inspiring Khumbu icefall.
To catch a panoramic view of the Khumbu icefall and mighty Mount Everest, you wake up early and ascend the Kala Patar. On your way back, you get to enjoy the mountain vistas you might have missed during the ascent. This Classic Everest Base Camp trek concludes in the village of Lukla, from where a short flight takes you from the mountains back to the vibrant streets of Kathmandu.
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later in the evening, we will have a pre-departure meeting regarding the details of your trip.
Our day starts with an early morning kick-off. Our guide will promptly pick you up from your hotel, and we’ll embark on a picturesque journey to our destination. Heading eastward, we’ll take the scenic Arniko Highway, passing through various cities like Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panchkhal, Dolalghat, and several charming villages including Jiri and Shivalaya, before reaching our final stop, Bhandar.
During this drive, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Nepalese countryside and enjoy stunning mountain vistas, including the majestic peaks of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Dorjee Lakpa, and more.
Departing from Bhandar, we kick off the first day on our Classic Everest Trail by descending to Likhu Khola. We then follow the river’s edge, trekking to Kenja. Continuing our trek, we encounter a challenging uphill climb that leads us to Chimbu. Along the way, we pass through several Sherpa villages, and eventually, we reach Sete, a charming village nestled within the enchanting rhododendron forest.
Today’s trek will be long and tiring. After having breakfast at Sete, we follow the trail that leads us to Lamjura Pass, situated at an altitude of 3530 meters. This ascent is gradual and takes us through rhododendron, magnolia, maple, pine, and birch forests, all with the majestic Himalayan Mountains as a breathtaking backdrop.
Lamjura La, the pass itself, offers a wide grassy saddle adorned with prayer flags and prayer walls. It stands as the highest point between Jiri and Namche Bazaar. Upon crossing the pass, we begin a steep descent through the fragrant fir and colorful rhododendron forests, eventually arriving at the charming Sherpa village of Junbesi.
As the morning unfolds, we’ll be greeted by the majestic Numbur Himal. Our trek begins with a crossing of the Junbesi Khola, followed by an ascent through a dense forest boasting rhododendron, blue pine, and oak trees. Along this path, we’ll catch glimpses of prominent peaks such as Mt. Everest, Thamserku, Kantega, Kusum Kangaru, and Mera.
Our trail then descends to Salung, where we cross the Dudhkunda Khola, and it ascends once again, leading us to Ringmu before reaching the Tak-Shindo Pass. From this vantage point, we’ll make a gradual descent, passing by shepherds’ huts, traversing through thick forests, and crossing numerous streams. Finally, we’ll arrive at our destination for the day, Nunthala, also known as Mani Dingma.
Following breakfast, we start our trek with an easy descent through forested areas and terraced farmlands until we reach the Dudh Koshi River. This river originates from the Ngozumpa glacier in the Gokyo region. After crossing the river, our trail leads us through terraced fields and a series of villages, eventually guiding us on a steep descent through forests to a Chautara, a resting place that overlooks the river.
We continue along the river, passing through more forests before ascending through terraced fields to reach the Rai village of Jubhing. Subsequently, our journey continues with a gradual ascent until we reach the village of KhariKhola. Advancing further, we cross the Khari Khola stream and then embark on a steep climb to finally arrive at Bupsa.
Leaving Bupsa behind, our trek takes us through thick and lush forests as we ascent towards Kari La Pass at 3,145m. Beyond the pass, our journey leads us to Paiya, winding its way through the dense forest. As we proceed further, the trail involves a series of ascents and descents through the forest, passing villages like Chheubas and Paknepani eventually leading us to a small tributary named Surke, situated alongside the Dudh Koshi River.
Leaving Surke, we trek uphill above the stream on a rough stone steps for approximately 20 minutes until reaching a junction by a small stream and a mani wall. At this point, you’ll follow the path that steadily ascends to Chheplung. Once you reach the Chheplung village, the trail merges with the one coming from Lukla.
This marks the conclusion of our trek along the classic Everest trail route, and we transition onto the regular and commonly used trail, which leads us toward Phakding along the Dudh Koshi valley. Along the way, you’ll pass through forests, cross suspension bridges, encounter several mani walls, small chortens, and prayer wheels. Upon reaching Phakding, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Rimishung Monastery.
In the morning, we will resume our trek along the DudhKoshi River, taking in the breathtaking views that unfold before us. Our route will take us over multiple suspension bridges that cross DudhKoshi River, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. As we continue, we’ll arrive at the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint to register our permits and then make our way through the dense forests. It’s in this lush greenery that we’ll have our first glimpse of the majestic Mt. Everest. Moving forward, our steps will lead us to Namche Bazaar, the lively entry point to Everest.
Today we will rest and acclimatize. We have several hiking options: visiting the Hillary School, immersing in the Sherpa culture, exploring the Syangboche Airport and local yak farms, or, for Everest enthusiasts, hiking to the Everest View Hotel to witness breathtaking Mt. Everest views.
Leaving Namche Bazaar, our trek continues by crossing the milky DudhKoshi River. Surrounded by beautiful rhododendron forests, we enjoy stunning views of Everest and Ama Dablam as we ascend the valley. Once we reach PhunkiTenga, we cross the river and start climbing through the lush forest towards Tengboche. At Tengboche monastery, we have a fantastic viewpoint to admire the majestic peaks of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, and Tobuche. A short 15-minute walk from Tengboche takes us to our lodge in the tranquil village of Deboche.
Our today’s destination is Dingboche. On our journey, we will come across numerous Chortens (Buddhist shrines), mani walls (stone walls adorned with prayer wheels), and charming villages that adorn the landscape. Notably, we’ll pass through Pangboche, a village that provides stunning vistas of the majestic Mt. Ama Dablam. As we continue our ascent, the altitude gradually rises, and upon nearing Dingboche, you’ll notice fields enclosed by sturdy stone walls, which serve as protective barriers for crops. It’s truly remarkable to see how the locals manage to cultivate barley, buckwheat, and potatoes in such a challenging environment.
Today is our second day of acclimatization. Given the significant gain in altitude, it’s essential to give our bodies time to adapt to the thin air and high elevation. However, to make the most of our day, we can choose to embark on a hike to Nagajun Hill, which stands at around 5,050 meters, or we can opt to head toward the village of Chukung. Both options offer breathtaking views of prominent peaks like Ama Dablam and Makalu, as well as the mesmerizing sight of lakes and glaciers that adorn the landscape. This enriching experience will keep us engaged while providing plenty of opportunities to marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds us.
As we proceed on our trek, it’s important to prepare for a more gradual yet challenging ascent due to the increasing altitude. Our route will take us past Dungla, but not before we tackle a demanding and steep climb to the summit of a high hill. At the peak, we will come across memorial stupas, solemnly dedicated to the climbers and trekkers who tragically lost their lives on Everest over the years. The trail then leads us through rugged mountainous terrain, eventually bringing us to Lobuche. This small settlement provides captivating views of Mount Lobuche, Mount Pumori, and the majestic Nuptse, offering us a breathtaking backdrop for our journey.
Today is the highlight of our trek as we embark on the journey to reach Base Camp. Our adventure begins early in the morning as we hike alongside the formidable Khumbu Glacier, which stands as the world’s highest glacier. The trail winds its way over rocky moraines, guiding us towards the settlement of GorakShep, a village nestled amidst the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
Upon our arrival in GorakShep, we will leave our belongings behind and commence a hike up to Base Camp. The views from Everest Base Camp are truly awe-inspiring, captivating our senses and offering opportunities to capture photographs, reflect on our remarkable journey, and celebrate our achievements. After savoring these unforgettable moments, we will make our way back to GorakShep.
Our day will kick off with an early morning rise, as we prepare for an invigorating hike to Kala Patthar. This ascent offers us a remarkable opportunity to witness a sunrise above the majestic Mount Everest and its neighboring peaks, including Nuptse, Changtse, and Lhotse. This moment provides the most ideal conditions for capturing breathtaking photographs of these iconic mountains. After fully immersing ourselves in the awe-inspiring panorama and allowing the beauty of our surroundings to touch our souls, we will retrace our steps back to GorakShep.
After breakfast, we will make our way back to Pheriche.
It’s important to keep in mind that both the trek to Everest Base Camp and the climb to Kala Patthar are physically demanding. Depending on the group’s abilities and weather conditions, we may adjust the order of activities accordingly.
After breakfast, we’ll descend towards Tengboche. Our path leads us through captivating rhododendron forests, across the ImjaKhola bridge, and through a juniper forest, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty. Upon reaching Tengboche, you can explore the Tengboche Monastery, one of the largest in the Khumbu Region.
If the weather stays clear, the mountain views as we approach Namche Bazaar are truly stunning. As we approach the end of our trek, we’ll have free time to explore Tibetan shops for souvenirs or simply wander around the lively Sherpa capital and relax with a cup of coffee. Leaving Namche Bazaar, we descend through the forest, heading towards the DudhKosi River, and continue to retrace our steps by crossing the river multiple times. Ultimately, we leave Sagarmatha National Park and reach Monjo, marking our progress toward the end of our unforgettable adventure.
On our journey back, we follow the same path along the east bank of the DudhKosi River, retracing our steps towards Lukla. This offers us an opportunity to unwind, reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had, and cherish the warm hospitality of the Sherpa community.
Bidding farewell to the mountains we will board on a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we’ll drop you at your hotels, providing a chance to settle in and unwind after our exciting trek.
