Everest Base Camp Trek October 2024

If the mountain Gods are with us and the flight is on time, you will arrive in Lukla (2800m) around 10am, wander the streets to buy any last minute shopping and enjoy an early lunch, before starting the mainly downhill trek to Phakding (2610m)

The 9km hike to Phakding (2160m) should take 3 hours. When you arrive, you can check into your room and spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising. Make sure you keep well hydrated; 4 to 5 litres of water a day is essential all the way through the trek.

You get to cross a number of vertigo-inducing suspension bridges while gradually moving uphill towards the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and the Everest Region. Next, you head downhill for a short time before levelling out alongside the river crossing mixed terrain. The trail follows the river to the final high double suspension bridges before you begin the quad-burning ‘Namche Hill’. It can take 2 hours to reach the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar (3340m), where we will be based for two nights. Today’s trek is around 12km or 5 hours, with plenty of breaks along the way.

There's no such thing as a rest day in the Himalayas! We climb up to the village of Khumjung, visit the local school and shops, then head back to Namche for an afternoon of great coffee, last-minute shopping and even a massage. 

Today we hike towards Tengboche, at 3860m. After ascending out of Namche, the first 2 hours are relaxed walking, traversing the left-hand side of the valley, high above the river below. The trail descends down toward the river for our lunch stop. From here it will take 2 – 3 hours to hike up the long hill to the town of Tengboche, home to a stunning monastery and coffee shop that sells the best apple pie and espresso. There are 5-6 hours of hiking today, covering 10km.

From Tengboche, we travel to Dingboche, at 4400m. The trail heads up and down hills before crossing the river and then uphill towards Pangboche for lunch (Pangbouche was one of the villages on the trail that suffered most from the recent earthquakes), which usually takes 2-3 hours. From there it is a gradual uphill trek towards the Imja Valley with views towards Island Peak and an hour later arrives in Dingboche. The total trekking time will be 5 to 6 hours. The distance will be 12km.

Today, there's a 300m ascent to the stupa overlooking the town, then it's back down to Dingboche to relax for the afternoon with a Best Life Adventures surprise activity thrown in.

From Dingboche, we head to Lobuche, at 4900m. The trail heads back towards the Khumbu valley and becomes a long and slow trek across a beautiful elevated route towards Dugla, where we stop for a while to eat lunch and rest. This usually takes 2 hours and after lunch, from Dugla to Lobuche, will be an additional 3 hours with plenty of rest stops. After stopping at Dugla we have a long uphill section over the Thukla Pass which tops out at the Everest Memorial, before heading on to Lobuche. We've been lucky enough to secure accommodation at The Pyramid, a stunning glass research station nestled at the base of the mountains, for our own private Himalayan retreat. We will be trekking for 12km over 5 hours today.

Today’s trek is very beautiful and unique, crossing loose rock and glacial moraine. The undulating trail climbs into Gorak Shep and takes around three hours. We have lunch here and rest before the toughest but most rewarding part of your adventure – the walk into Everest Base Camp which takes another 3 hours, where we will spend time basking in the glory of the world’s highest mountain. We then return to Gorak Shep for the night after a huge day of achieving a lifetime goal. 

For those with enough energy reserves left, this is one of the highlights of the trip. A dawn ascent of Kala Patar, the perfect place to watch the sunrise over Mount Everest. It's the toughest physical part of the trek and the return trip takes around 3 hours.

The hike back to Pheriche is around 5 hours, winding back along the path we came up, until Dugla, where we descend into the stunning wide valley where we'll spend the night. A total of 8 hours of hiking today which is very challenging for most people, covering 16km.

Today we will trek from Pheriche back to Namche Bazar. It is another long day and can take approximately 9 hours. As you are heading downhill, to lower levels of altitude, and you can cover the ground quicker than on the way up. When you get back to Namche you will enjoy the delights at the Namche Bakery or play a few rounds of pool at Cafe Danfe before resting up for the long walk back to Lukla. Today’s journey is 22km.

The final furlong! This is another long day and can be one of the hardest, as your body is tired from the trek. You start the day going back down Namche Hill and then tackle the long stretch back to Lukla. Today’s trek can take up to 8 hours and covers 21km. Once you get back through the famous arch into Lukla you can finally say you've completed the Everest Base Camp Trek. Tonight we have a celebration dinner and a few local specialities thrown in too.

If the weather gods are with us we fly back to Kathmandu today and check back into Hotel Tibet. We recommended you book your international flight 2-3 days after your trek finishes. Lukla Airport can close due to sudden weather transitions and for a number of days in a row. If flights are cancelled or delayed for a few days, a helicopter charter flight (approx. $300-$400USD) may be required. Please ensure your travel insurance covers this instance.

Your Best Life Adventure officially ends today, but if inclement mountain weather delays our departure from Lukla to Kathmandu, it is advised that you plan to have at least two extra days in Kathmandu before your international flight departs. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Free time to discover why Kathmandu is one of the friendliest cities in the world.