Lukla to Everest Base Camp

Trekking in the Everest region, locally known as Khumbu, is on the bucket list of every trekking enthusiast. Trekking to the base of Mount Everest is a dream of every trekker and adventure seeker. Who wouldn’t want to see the world’s highest peak in front of them?

The Everest Base camp trek takes you to the foothills of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. Standing at 5,364 meters, the Everest Base Camp offers an up-close view of some of the world’s highest peaks.

Ever since Lukla airport was established in 1964, the Lukla to Everest Base Camp route has been the standard and most popular trekking route in the Everest region. In the past, the trail from Jiri was the only route to Everest; these days, the trail that starts from Jiri to Everest Base Camp is known as the classic Everest Base Camp Trail.

The Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC Trek) will fill your journey with amazing experiences and memories. You can explore the rich Sherpa culture and witness the astounding biodiversity of Sagarmatha National Park. Centuries-old monasteries found while going from Lukla to Everest Base Camp are historic and hold great value among the locals. En route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, we spend overnight at Tyangboche. This small Tyangboche village is named after the Tyangboche Monastery, which is also known as Dawa Choling Gompa. It is the largest monastery in the Everest region and is the Sherpa community’s Tibetan Buddhist monastery.

Mount Everest is gorgeous by itself, and the people living around make the place even better. The views are incredible, and the overall experience is unforgettable. So wait no more, pack your bags, and embark on your journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp.

Highlights of Lukla to Everest Base Camp:

• An exhilarating mountain flight above the great Himalayan range marks the start of this remarkable journey to Everest Base Camp as you fly from Kathmandu to Lukla.
• Experience the historically rich culture of the Sherpas and immerse yourself in the local lifestyle.
• Centuries-old monasteries reflect the richness of art, architecture, and history.
• The views throughout the Everest Base Camp trek are some of the best in the world, with glorious peaks always in sight.
• Green valleys with dense forests add beauty to the landscape, and the biodiversity at this altitude in Sagarmatha National Park is astounding.
• Reaching the Mount Everest Base Camp, at the base of the world’s highest mountain standing at an altitude of 8845 meters, is an achievement in itself.
• Watch the sunrise from the top of Kala Patthar; the beauty during the golden hour will leave you spellbound.
• You will also have a chance to witness the Khumbu Glacier, the world’s highest glacier.

Lukla to Everest Base Camp brief itinerary:

Day 1: Take a short flight to Lukla, followed by a trek to Phakding.

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar.

Day 3: Acclimatization and side trips in Namche.

Day 4: Trek to Tyangboche.

Day 5: Trek to Dingboche.

Day 6: Hike to Nagartsang and back to Dingboche.

Day 7: Trek to Lobuche.

Day 8: Arrive at Everest Base Camp and trek back to Gorakshep.

Day 9: Hike to Kala Patthar and Pheriche.

Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar.

Day 11: Trek to Lukla.

Day 12: Flight back to Kathmandu and onward to your hotel.

Detailed Itinerary of Lukla to Everest Base Camp:

Day 1: Take a short flight to Lukla, followed by a trek to Phakding.

Maximum altitude: 2,840 meters

Duration: 3-4 hours

The day begins with an exhilarating flight to Lukla, overlooking the grandeur of the Himalayas. It is an adventurous start to this fantastic journey.

After landing in Lukla, you trek for about 3 to 4 hours, mostly downhill through forests of rhododendron and oak trees, crossing traditional Sherpa villages. The trail is comfortable and well-maintained.

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar via Monjo.

Maximum altitude: 3,440 meters

Duration: 6-7 hours

The walk starts to get a bit tough from this day. The trail leading to Namche from Phakding is rocky and steep, mostly uphill. Suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Bridge on the way to Namche, might give you chills. The Hillary Bridge, named after Sir Edmund Hillary, is the final suspension bridge that you have to cross while entering the famous town of Namche Bazaar. Along the way from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, other than these thrilling suspension bridges, the sight of dense forests of rhododendron, fir, and magnolia alongside the Dudh Koshi river will calm your heart and soul.

As you get close to Namche Bazaar, the snowy peaks start to appear on the backdrop of this high altitude popular settlement of Namche. This Sherpa village, with beautiful houses and hotels, is a perfect spot for acclimatization.

Day 3: Acclimatization day. Hike to Everest View Hotel, Explore Khumjung and back to Namche.

Maximum altitude: 3,962 meters at Everest View Hotel, 3,790 meters at Khumjung

Duration: 4 hours

Since you are at an altitude of 3,440 meters, it’s better to acclimatize. You hike up to the Everest View Hotel, which is the highest altitude hotel in the world, offering spectacular views of Everest and many other peaks. The place where the Everest View Hotel is situated is known as Syangboche.

While descending, we explore the Sherpa village of Khumjung. You can witness the local lifestyle of the people here. There is a Sherpa cultural museum you can visit to find out more about Sherpas, their culture, and lifestyle.

Besides these, Namche offers excellent facilities for teahouses, restaurants, pubs, and bars to relax.

Overnight in Namche.

Day 4: Trek to Tyangboche

Maximum altitude: 3,860 meters

Duration: 5 hours

On this day, you will walk along the river banks with a few steep inclines. The vegetation will start to disappear.

The view from Tyangboche is an absolute delight for the eyes. You will see panoramic views of various mountains such as Kwangde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Mt Everest. Tyangboche, also known as Tengboche, gets its name from the centuries-old monastery, the Tyangboche monastery, which is of utmost importance in the Khumbu region. The friendly monks, intricate artwork, and blissful aura of this place should not be missed.

Day 5: Trek to Dingboche.

Maximum altitude: 4,360 meters

Duration: 5 hours

The section of the Lukla to Everest Base Camp trail on this day is moderately steep. You will walk through rocky uphill tracks for most of the day. You will cross the 4,000-meter mark today.As expected, the peaks seem to be getting closer, and amazing views start to appear. Beautiful mountains such as Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam look gorgeous. You will come across the Pangboche monastery where you can find the allegedly claimed yeti scalp. The walk follows the trail along Imja Khola. Mani stones and prayer flags add to the beauty of this path.

Overnight at Dingboche.

Day6: Hike to Nagartshang peak and back to Dingboche.

Maximum altitude: 5,080 meters

Duration: 4 hours    

Today, you will spend a day acclimatizing in Dingboche. While in Dingboche, hiking up to Nagartshang (also known as Nagartsang or Nagarjun) Peak is a perfect acclimatization hike.

Nagartshang, at an altitude of 5,080 meters, is an uphill ascent on a rocky and steep trail. The viewpoint offers a mesmerizing view of Makalu and Lhotse. Hiking up to this altitude and returning to sleep at Dingboche will help your body adapt to the increasing altitude.

Day 7: Trek to Lobuche.

Maximum altitude: 4,940 meters

Duration: 5 hours

The trail from Dingboche to Lobuche is rocky with some steep inclines. It is a tough hike, and the high altitude adds to the adventure.

As you ascend higher, the views of Mount Pumori and Khumbu Icefall are rewarding. After a long steep climb, the panoramic view from the top is exceptionally satisfying. There is a memorial in Lobuche in memory of people who lost their lives while attempting to conquer the mountains.

Day 8:  Trek to Gorakshep and return trip to Everest Base Camp.

Maximum altitude: 5,364 meters

Duration: 8 hours

This is a significant day of the trek that started from Lukla. We start our day early, walking through uneven rocky trails towards Everest Base Camp. The views are stunning with mountains and glaciers surrounding you in all directions.

Standing at the Everest Base Camp gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. After spending sufficient time at Base Camp for photos, you trek back to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

Day 9: Sunrise viewing  hike to Kala Patthar and return to Pheriche.

Maximum altitude: 5,545 meters

Duration: 7 hours

Today, you hike up to the utterly famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar. Starting your hike at dawn will help you witness the spectacular and unforgettable sunrise view from Kala Patthar.

This is the best viewpoint to watch Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. When the sun hits the glorious snow-capped mountains, the result is simply stunning. From here, you will trek back to Pheriche for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Trek back to Namche Bazaar.

Maximum altitude: 3,440 meters

Duration: 7 hours

The return trek to Namche Bazaar on this day is a steep descent through stone steps, rocky trails, and grasslands. The walk is easy.

On reaching Namche Bazaar, you can celebrate the success of your trek. There are plenty of bars and restaurants for that. You can also explore the local market and get some souvenirs for friends and family.

Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

Day 11: Trek to Lukla.

Maximum altitude: 2,840 meters

Duration: 7 hours

On the final day of descent, you will enjoy the beautiful view of rivers and snow-covered mountains in the backdrop. The trail passes through river banks and dense forests. Bird watching is quite popular in Sagarmatha National Park.

The feeling of completing the trek will make your walk easy and pleasant. Overnight in Lukla.

Day 12: Flight back to Kathmandu.

This is the day when you take another exciting flight over the Himalayas. The 30-minute flight will take you to the capital city of Kathmandu. Flights might get delayed due to weather conditions, so keeping a flexible schedule is advised.

Our standard 14-day package of the Everest Base Camp Trek includes the above 12 days of the trek. For those with limited time, you can book this 11-day Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return.

Best Time to trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp

Hands down, spring and autumn are the two best seasons to trek in Nepal, and the same goes for the Everest Base Camp trek.

During autumn, the weather is warm, making it easy to trek in such conditions. Visibility is at its best, making the mountains seem spectacular. Additionally, autumn is the time for festivals in Nepal, making it the best time for trekking to Everest Base Camp.

Spring is generally much warmer than autumn, and the all-round greenery and blooming flowers make it a delightful time to trek. There’s a freshness in the air unlike any other time. Those who hate the cold should plan their trek in the spring season, especially between early May to mid-June.

Winter and monsoon are not among the ideal times to trek, but for avid trekkers, this might be the right time as trails are less crowded. Thus, the best time depends on the purpose of the trek, time availability, and your interests.

Accommodation on Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trek

Accommodation during the Everest Base Camp trek ranges from basic to “luxury” hotels. In places like Namche Bazaar or below, you can find luxury lodge options like the Yeti Mountain Home. However, as you go higher from Namche Bazar, the facilities for accommodation become quite basic, and your only option is basic teahouses.

What are teahouses?

Teahouses are basic lodges built along the trail to provide shelter and accommodation to trekkers. They are better than tents but nothing fancy. So, keep your expectations low in terms of trek accommodation. These teahouses offer food services with rooms on a twin or dorm-sharing basis. The teahouse owner arranges all your requirements for food and shelter. On these teahouse treks, you do not need to carry food and camping gear.

Packing Guideline

Head and Hands

• Sun hat
• Warm hat (for morning and evening)
• Polarized UV sunglasses
• Bandana or scarf
• Waterproof and windproof gloves
• Jackets
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Synthetic insulated jacket
• Down jacket
• Windstopper jacket
• Rain jacket

Clothing

• Thermal inner wear
• Moisture-wicking tops
• Convertible hiking pants
• Hiking shorts
• Warm hiking undergarments

Footwear

• Hiking shoes(waterproof recommended)
• Hiking socks
• Hiking sandals

Toiletries and Personal Hygiene

• Antibacterial hand-wash
• Wet wipes
• Tissue or toilet paper
• Sunscreen and other creams
• Moisturizer
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioners
• Feminine hygiene products
• Quick-drying towel

Accessories

• Water bottle
• Trekking Poles
• Crampons
• Headlamps and extra batteries
• Sleeping bag
• First aid kit
• Waist bag for small items
• Extra plastic bags (to keep extra things like dirty laundry and waste)

Additional Recommended Items

• Maps of route and mountains
• Binoculars (optional)
• DSLR Camera and extra batteries
• Pillowcase (For better hygienic stay)
• Your documents

Mosaic Adventure offers a thrilling and memorable trekking experience from Lukla to Everest Base Camp with experienced guides and porters, small groups, and affordable prices. Contact us to book your next adventure and experience a hassle-free and unforgettable journey.