| > | | | | enters alpine meadows of scrub juniper from where |
| Thinking of trekking to Everest Base Camp? Here's a | | | | the views of Island Peak (6189), Lhotse, Ama |
| day by day breakdown of the trek, which will take | | | | Dablam and the ice walls flanking the Amphu Lapcha |
| you through the green meadows of Shangri La to | | | | pass are one of the highlights of the trek. |
| the rugged snowy peaks of the Himalayas. | | | | Day 6: Rest day (Chhukung Valley) |
| Day 1: Fly to Lukla (2800m 45 mins) | | | | Day 7: Lobuche (4900m 5hrs) |
| The mountain flight into Lukla is stunning and the | | | | Alpine meadows and summer yak pasture lead |
| landing an exciting beginning to the trek. | | | | toward the Khumbu Glacier where there is a steep |
| Lukla - Phakding (2600m 5 hrs) | | | | climb. From Lobuche the view is straight towards |
| Heading through pine and cedar woods along the | | | | Nuptse and the sunsets are spectacular. Altitude |
| Dudh Kosi to Phakding you will encounter your first | | | | makes the climb to the Changri Glacier tough. |
| yak caravans carrying trekking equipment and | | | | Day 8: Gorakshep (5150m 4 hrs) |
| supplies towards base camp. You may also see | | | | Reaching Gorakshep, near a small, usually frozen lake, |
| musk deer, Himalayan tahr and, if you sit quietly on | | | | by lunchtime you can rest or make a side trip up Kala |
| the river banks, water rats. | | | | Pattar, which provides the best views of Everest. |
| Day 2: Phakding - Namche Bazaar (3450m 5 hrs) | | | | Day 9: Everest Base Camp (5337m) |
| Namche Bazaar is the administrative capital of the | | | | The route to base camp follows the Khumbu Glacier |
| region, and its Saturday market remains an important | | | | with its intriquing 15-meter-high seracs of ice, a |
| event bringing traders from villages a week’s | | | | feature unique to Himalayan glaciers. |
| walk away. | | | | Day 10: Pangboche (3950m 3 hrs) |
| Day 3: Rest day (Thame Valley) | | | | Descending the Imja Khola overnight at Pangboche, |
| This is an acclimatization day, so you can take an | | | | the highest permanent settlement. |
| excursion to Thame. Intricately carved mani stones | | | | |
| mark the path to this large valley with a picturesque | | | | Day 11: Namche Bazaar (3450m 6 hrs) |
| gompa on the hillside overlooking the valley. | | | | Continue down through Namche Bazaar and Phakding |
| Day 4: Tangboche (3860m 6 hrs) | | | | to Lukla to pick up your flight back to Kathmandu. |
| Leaving Namche the route is unbelievably beautiful | | | | Day 12: Phakding (2600m 4 hrs) |
| — the Dudh Kosi is far below and Thamserku, | | | | Day 13: Lukla (2800m 4 hrs) |
| Kantega, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest rise | | | | Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu (1300m 45 mins). Stay for |
| above. Woods, rhododendron forests, mani walls, | | | | a few days to explore the Kathmandu Valley and |
| chorten and suspension bridges across the river | | | | soak up the city atmosphere. |
| make this a lovely walk. | | | | Of course, Everest Base Camp is only one of many |
| Day 5: Dingboche (4400m 4 hrs) | | | | Nepal trekking options. You can build your own Nepal |
| Stone steps lead down through rhododendrons, | | | | itinerary with all kinds of Nepal tours including rafting, |
| birches and conifers where almost tame pheasants | | | | elephant safaris, jungle experiences and homestays. |
| are regularly seen. Rising above the tree line the trail | | | | |
