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Nepal Everest Base Camp trek

Get Ready To Explore
Mount Everest Base Camp

If you ever wanted to see the top of the world
without being an expert mountaineer,
you can not get closer to that
then hiking to the Mount Everest Basecamp!
On the exhausting way, you will be rewarded
by the beautiful landscape, amazing Himalaya panorama
and the Sherpa culture of local people.
If you take your time, you probably can handle the altitude:
Slowly is the key

Begin

Kathmandu, Nepal

End

Kathmandu, Nepal

Transport

Domestic flights and trekking

Duration

Two weeks

Costs

Per person, eight-hundred-fifty USD

Season

May, two-thousand-eighteen

The highlights

Most exciting is, when finally reaching the Mount Everest Base Camp - the effort is worth it!

EBC - Everest Base Camp

Namche Bazaar as the gateway to the high Himalaya. It is definitely worth to spend at least a day for acclimatization

Namche Bazaar

Don't miss Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. Take a walk at Thamel district, the inner city center

City of Kathmandu

On the way to Namche Bazaar, you can not miss the Hillary suspension bridge

Hillary suspension bridge

Lukla airport is one of the most extreme airports in the world

Lukla airport

Khumbu Glacier is the world's highest glacier

Khumbu Glacier

On the way, you probably will spot Mount Everest and Lhotse summit several times

Everest and Lhotse summit

What to expect

With an average to good fitness level as a minimum, you're good to go! However, you need to be aware of expecting approximately 6-8 hours hiking per day, but there are no climbing, snowshoeing or rope skills needed. People of completely different fitness levels and ages are hiking up. Still, you need to check your health and be aware of altitude sickness signs. But if going up slowly and take acclimatization rests, it will be an extremely valuable experience.

Usually, there are two main periods for traveling. September/October and March/April/May. In the autumn months, it is rather dry but cold, while as in spring it is typically warmer. But the raining season is approaching with the beginning of June that can result in cloudy conditions and limited views. In May it is mostly dry, but cloudy by the end of the days.

Since this route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is getting more and more popular, the amount of travelers is increasing from year to year. To avoid overcrowded paths, villages and accommodations better come sooner than later or try to avoid peak seasons!

The film

1st part
Kath­mandu
2 - 4 days

Usually, when traveling to Lukla as the starting point for trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp, it is worth to spend a few days in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Visit Thamel, the touristic inner district of Kathmandu with its restaurants, souvenir shops and market places. Don't miss Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located about 15km east of Kathmandu. And Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest unique structures stupas in the world, located about 11km northeast from the city center. Kathmandu Durbar Square is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally enjoy the view from Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple.

Room in Ashram

recommended stay | type: airbnb
Such a lovely host and the food is delicious! The main road with taxi and bus availabilities is a 5 minutes walk away. The location on the eastern side of Kathmandu is close to the airport and to Bhaktapur.

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Thamel district

recommended activity | type: sightseeing
Take a walk through the central district of Kathmandu and find delicious food, original souvenirs and clothes or equipment for your hiking at the local markets.

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Shops at Thamel

Arteliers at Bhaktapur

Sunset at Boudhanath Stupa

View from Swayambhunath

Bhaktapur

recommended activity | type: sightseeing
Bhaktapur is a nice half- or full-day activity to get out of the rush of Kathmandu city because traffic is forbidden inside the Bhaktapur area. It's easy to get there by bus or taxi. The entrance fee is about 20 USD. Inside you can find good restaurants for lunch or dinner, ateliers and souvenirs or just a coffee at one of the coffee shops.

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Boudhanath Stupa

recommended activity | type: sightseeing
Have a coffee or beer at one of the beautiful rooftop terraces around Boudhanath Stupa and enjoy the view to one of the largest unique structures stupas in the world. If you enter the square from one of the side entrances you can probably avoid the little entrance fee, that is supposed to be used to maintain the place, as they say.

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Kathmandu Durbar Square

recommended activity | type: sightseeing
That's a subjective opinion, but Kathmandu Durbar Square as the only activity that could have been skipped easiest. Even though it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inner buildings and temples are beautiful, it's quite some overcrowded and very touristic. The remainings of the Kathmandu earthquake from 2015 and the respective rebuildings are interesting to see, however, it is a personal opinion if the approximately 20 USD are worth it.

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Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

recommended activity | type: sightseeing
Rather climbing up the Monkey Temple Swayambhunath. Pay attention to the monkeys on the way up as they might be a little intrusive, especially when feeding them. The place is also touristic but the view over Kathmandu city impressive.

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Mayur Restaurant at Bhaktapur

recommended eat | type: coffee
Sitting outside and watching the activities on the square in front of the Dattatreya Temple while enjoying a cold drink or coffee at Mayur Restaurant. They have the best Momos in town

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La Casita at Boudhanath Stupa

recommended eat | type: food & drinks
If you would like to have a change from the traditional food, enjoy the delicious Spanish dishes at the rooftop terrace of La Casita. Later relax while having a cocktail watching the sunset behind the Stupa of Boudhanath.

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Lukla airport

Ceremony at Lukla monastery

Hillary suspension bridge
2nd part
Lukla and Phak­ding
1 day

Arriving with morning flight in Lukla and immediately starting walking to Phakding. Stay overnight at Phakding.

Lukla is the starting point when arriving per plane or chopper from Kathmandu. Hopefully, you have enjoyed the last days in Kathmandu, because from here on you need to rely on your walking fitness unless you decide to take a chopper or donkey to continue...

Just joking, the first leg will be an approximately 4 hours trek to Phakding, mostly downhill. Don't miss to watch arriving or departing airplanes at Lukla airport. This is just exciting! But you might find more time to explore Lukla on the way back.

There is not too much to do in Phakding.

Beer Garden Lodge at Phakding

recommended stay | type: Lodge
After the first trekking session, you most likely want to recover and adjust yourself to the altitude. Take your time and relax in the dining room. You will figure out that the nights can become cold and the only heating is the oven in the middle of the dining rooms. That applies, of course, the higher you get on the route. So grab a book or bring card games to socialize with other people. They most likely will have a similar itinerary and you probably will meet them again.

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The Nest at Lukla

recommended stay | type: Basic Hotel with private bathroom
Due to bad weather conditions on the way back, spending some days at this place in Lukla while waiting for a returning flight to Kathmandu. Keep in mind, that you plan some spare days in advance because of unreliable flight schedules! However, the rooms have a private bathroom and a shower.

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Lukla airport

recommended activity | type: Point of interest
Lukla airport is one of the world's most extreme airports, so only watching airplanes and choppers landing itself is exciting. The flight schedules are very weather dependent and therefore often get canceled or postponed.

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Note:Plan some spare days in case of bad weather conditions as your flight can be delayed or canceled!

Kemgon Gompa Monastery

recommended activity | type: Temple
During that time in May, there is a daily ceremony held by the monks. It's quite an interesting alternation for spending the time besides coffee bars and little walkings through the village. The monks are praying and local people giving gifts to the monastery and its monks. Free tea also for trekkers!

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Hillary suspension bridge

recommended activity | type: Point of interest
On the way from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, you will cross the Hillary suspension bridge. It is the highest bridge on the trek. Since trekkers and donkeys need to cross it, there can be a queue, especially in peak season.

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Everest Coffee Bar at Lukla

recommended eat | type: coffee
Western-style coffee bar with good coffee, drinks, and food. Free Wifi and power supply if needed.

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Hint:Power supply for charging mobiles, cameras or power banks and Wifi is usually a paid service, that is offered at accommodations. However, some bars and restaurants provide it for free when consuming there.

Cafe Danphe at Lukla

recommended eat | type: coffee
This lodge is also hosting a bakery with fresh cakes and drinks.

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3rd part
Nam­che Ba­zaar
2 days, incl. acclimati­zation

Namche Bazaar is the main trading center and gate to the higher Himalaya region. You can find lots of restaurants, coffee bars, and even Irish pubs. If you need a supermarket, pharmacy, mountaineering equipment or ATM, Namche is the place to get you ready for continuing, since it will be much harder, more expensive or even impossible later on the higher areas. It is recommended to spend another day for acclimatization purposes. Take a half-day hike to the Hotel Everest View, where you can spot the Mount Everest for the first time on clear days.

Hint:An ATM is only available in Namche Bazaar. In Lukla cash can be withdrawn with credit card from the bank during the working hours.

The Nest Restaurant & Hotel

recommended stay | type: Budget Hotel
Low budget room, but meets the requirements for a two nights stay. Having a warm shower for an extra fee is really feeling valuable.

Remember, the higher you come the more expensive everything gets. Internet access and recharging of your mobile or camera are also on an extra. Better have a coffee in one of the bars, most of them having free Wifi and power supply when consuming there.

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Namche Bazaar

Hiking to Hotel Everest View for acclimatization

recommended activity | type: Hiking
"Hotel Everest View has been listed on the Guinness Book of World Records (2004) as the Highest Placed Hotel in the world at 13000ft"

as it is stated on their website. On a clear day, you can see the summit of Mount Everest. Unfortunately, due to cloudy weather, not lucky enough that day to spot it. However, have lunch and tea before returning to Namche Bazaar.

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Syangboche Airfield

Shops at the Bazaar

Syangboche Airfield

recommended activity | type: Point of interest
In an approximately 30 minutes walk from Namche you can reach the Syangboche Airfield. It is an unpaved airstrip for cargo flights or helicopters and STOL aircrafts making chartered flights from Kathmandu or Lukla. You will pass by when hiking to the Hotel Everest View.

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Walk through the Bazaar

recommended activity | type: Sightseeing
Walk through the small streets and see the shops, markets, equipment stores, and groceries. You can find almost everything, just check the shops, they have original products and of course tons of fakes. If you need a pharmacy or sleeping bag, you can find it here.

Keep in mind, that the nights in higher regions can get cold and not all accommodations provide additional blankets. If you have finished your shopping tour, have a rest in one of the restaurants, Irish pubs or coffee bars.

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The Nest Restaurant & Hotel

recommended eat | type: food
During the trek, you will notice, that it is common to usually eat at the same lodge where you or your guide respectively agency has booked your night stay. In some accommodations, the price for a night is even higher if you eat away.

From experience, the menus are typically almost the same at any place - meaning very western style. You can find anything from

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