Everest base camp trek – the trek in Nepal that started it all!
To trek to Everest Base Camp is one of those things that we always hear about and wonder if we'll ever be lucky enough or brave enough to do it. Ever since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa climbed Mount Everest in 1953 the route to base camp has been something of a pilgrimage for adventure seekers. Not just about getting to Base Camp, this trek also takes us to the summit of Kala Patthar at an incredible 5545m, or 18,192ft. Members of our team have skydived from altitudes lower than this - it's truly a remarkable feat to reach here.
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery at every moment of your trek, it's hard to put into words the trekking experience for anyone that has yet to do it. This classic Everest Base Camp trek sums up what it means to come to the Himalayas, follow in the footsteps of international heroes and trek in Nepal.
From 360 panoramas of snow capped glistening monolithic mountains, to ancient Buddhist monasteries, to vast creaking glaciers and the opportunity to see all sorts of unique and captivating wildlife - this Himalayan trek offers uncountable sights and experiences that you'll never find anywhere else. Learn about the traditional ways of life and culture of the Sherpa mountain people and support the local economy through our rigorously ethical practices.
Our local staff are paid a decent living wage, get provided with all the right gear and are always well looked after. We pride ourselves on this.
After what may well be the most beautiful flight of your life, flying within touching distance of enormous mountains and making a hard-to-believe landing at Lukla mountain airport, we get stuck into the trek, setting off to the famous Khumbu Valley. The lush greenery of the terraced farmland and villages around Lukla soon fade away as we weave along the Dudh Koshi river, crossing hair raising high wire suspension bridges and climbing on until we reach the thriving Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar - where there is plenty to do and see as we acclimatise.
Soon we find ourselves face to face with the true geological royalty of the Himalayan ranges. We trek for some days in the Shadow of the glorious Mt. Ama Dablam, watching the sunrise and set on the picturesque peak and hanging glacier of the "mother and her necklace". We move onwards cautiously but steadily - our expert guides monitoring the progress of each of us as we acclimatise to the thinner air, lower oxygen level and all new surroundings. We ensure we have enough trekking guides in the team that if you have to slow down to acclimatise, someone will always be with you.
As the days go by and we get close to Mt Everest and to Everest Base Camp, we find ourselves up close and personal with the Khumbu glacier and a number of 8000m+ peaks that can leave you speechless. After passing the imposing face of Nuptse we make our way to Gorak Shep, where we'll spend the night at a whopping 5170m. Weather permitting, we'll see the sun set on the side of Mount Everest after perhaps our biggest challenge - reaching the summit of Kala Patthar (5545m), before we descend under the glow of the Milky Way.
The next day will be the day it all comes together, as we make an early start from Gorak Shep, to follow the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and take ourselves all the way to Everest Base Camp (5365m).
Max altitude: 5545m / 18,192ft
Trek length: 15 days
Difficulty:
Sleeping: Hotels / Teahouses
