Not only are there much fewer people this time of year, the weather and climate present a different environment than during the standard spring Everest Base Camp treks. Learn more.
By Owen Clarke
Owen Clarke is a freelance outdoor and travel journalist specializing in mountaineering.
You don’t have to go with us to the summit of Everest to experience this breathtaking mountain. Our 18-day Everest Base Camp Trek allows you to travel on foot through the mighty Khumbu Region. The Khumbu isn’t just home to the world’s most spectacular summits, such as Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse. and Ama Dablam. It also offers a glimpse into the ancient world of Tibetan Buddhism and culture. You’ll make friends with local Nepalese people, stay in traditional tea houses, and learn more about the geography, culture, cuisine, architecture, and religion of this fascinating region. We’ll see sites like the Bodnath Stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple, pass through the iconic village of Tengboche, visit the high-altitude research center at Pheriche, and more.
You won’t just trek below awe-inspiring peaks, either, you’ll have an opportunity to climb some too! We’ll attempt to summit moderate peaks like Kala Patthar (18,600 feet) and Lobuche East (20,075 feet), the latter via an optional trip extension, so long as you’re in decent physical condition and have basic snow and glacier skills, such as ice axe, crampon, and roped travel experience.
[Note: Whether you’re looking to train for a full-fledged Everest expedition or a Base Camp Trek, our blog post “How to Prepare for Climbing Everest: Logistics and Physical Training” can help you get started.]
Everest Base Camp Trek: Fall vs. Spring
We’ve decided to switch our Everest expeditions to the fall season, instead of the spring. There are several reasons for this, and you can learn more about our decision in our dedicated blog post, “Why Climb Mount Everest in the Fall?”
However, the short of it is that the fall season is significantly less crowded, offering a quieter mountain, and a more authentic trekking and climbing experience. You’ll be bumping shoulders with local Nepalese, not swarms of other trekkers.
Whether you’re worried about COVID-19 or you simply don’t want to deal with the crowds, the fall season means you’ll experience a much more remote trekking experience, more akin to what it was like traveling in the Khumbu 20 or 30 years ago. There is also less rain in the fall, so floods, landslides, and other obstacles are less common on the approach, and the overall trek will be much warmer. Come with us on our Everest Fall 2022 expedition and find out for yourself!
The Itinerary
You can learn more about the trek on our dedicated Everest Base Camp Trek trip page, but a brief itinerary is below!
Normal Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrivals
Arrival in Kathmandu, Yak and Yeti Hotel for two nights (shared rooms)
Day 2: City Tour
Today we visit the Monkey Temple, Bodnath Stupa, and the Pashupatinath Temple.
Day 3: Fly to Lukla
After an early start, we fly via Twin Otter to the unforgettable landing strip of Lukla Airport (2,800 meters). Weather permitting, this flight offers outstanding views of the eastern Himalayas. We overnight at Phakding which is just a short three-hour hike from Lukla (2,610 meters).
Day 4: Phakding to Namche Bazaar – 3,444 meters
We continue our trek deeper into the Khumbu region making various elevation gains or acclimatization hikes each day. Our two-night stops at both our Namche Bazaar (3,444 meters) and later Pheriche aid our body’s adjustment. Arriving in Namche, we may see lowland porters, highland Sherpas, and Tibetan people trading food and supplies during Namche’s market time. Hiking time 6 hours approx.
Day 5: Namche Bazaar Rest Day / Acclimatization Hike
Day 6: Namche Bazaar to Deboche – 3,930 meters
Today we will pass through the village of Tengboche (3,865 meters), the cultural and religious center of the Khumbu, from where the views are spectacular: the jagged peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega stand to our south and Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam are visible to the north. The Tengboche Monastery is one of the most well-known in the world and the Rinpoche is revered throughout the Buddhist community. Hiking time 7 hours approx.
Day 7: Deboche to Pheriche – 4,207 meters
Our next stop is Pheriche, famous for its high altitude research center where world-renowned physicians acquire data to analyze the effects of high altitude on human physiology. During our stay, we visit the research center and have time to chat with staff physicians. Hiking time 5 hours approx.
Day 8: Pheriche Rest Day / Acclimatization Hike
Day 9: Pheriche to Lobuche – 4,909 meters
Situated on the flank of an old lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, as the trail winds through the high tundra and glacial moraine to reach Gorak Shep (5,158 meters), Lobuche is the last inhabited area before Everest Base Camp. Hiking time 6 hours approx.
Day 10: Lobuche to Gorak Shep – 5,158 meters
From Gorak Shep, we will make an ascent of Kala Patthar (5,577 meters), a small peak with excellent views of Everest, Nuptse, and nearby Pumori. Many Everest photos are taken from the summit of Kala Patthar, from where we also look down onto Everest Base Camp. Hiking time 4 hours approx.
Day 11: Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp – 5,350 meters
Our team will finally hike into base camp and find BBE’s camp, settling in for the night and a warm welcoming celebration with the climbers and Sherpas. Whilst we are at Base Camp we can walk to the base of the Khumbu Icefall to get a closer view of the route that weaves its way through enormous jumbled seracs. Hiking time 3.5 hours approx.
Day 12-14: Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar – 3,444 meters
We begin our return to lower altitudes and quickly feel the difference in our lungs. Our first overnight stop is at the village of Pheriche, right on the vegetation line. We spend our second night of descent in the now seemingly lush Deboche before arriving back in Namche Bazaar on Day 15.
Day 15: Namche Bazaar to Lukla – 2,800 meters
Our final day of trekking from Namche Bazaar down to Lukla.
Day 16: Lukla to Kathmandu
Early morning flight to KTM (weather permitting) and a free day to relax and enjoy the restaurants of Kathmandu. Yak and Yeti Hotel for two nights.
Day 17: Contingency Day
Free final day in Kathmandu for some final souvenir shopping / this day must be available in case of delayed flights in or out of Lukla or if weather postpones our trek at any point.
Day 18: Departures from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport
Lobuche East Extension Itinerary
Days 1 – 11: As per Normal Trek Itinerary
Day 12: Everest Base Camp – 5,350 meters
Today we spend a second night at EBC for “static” acclimatization and review some cramponing, ice axe, and belay skills from Everest Base Camp.
Day 13: Back to Lobuche – 4,909 meters
Saying farewells to the trekking team headed for Pheriche, we spend a night back at Lobuche.
Day 14: Lobuche East High Camp – 5,800 meters
Today we make a considerable ascent to high camp, mostly on rocky terrain. Our high, just below crampon point for summit day, has wonderful views. Shared VE-25 tents.
Day 15: Lobuche East Summit Day – 6,119 meters
An early start for our summit bid, to climb the south shoulder of Lobuche East before ascending the summit ridge, where we rope up to follow this classic ridge to the 6119-meter summit. Outstanding views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam await, amongst others. We then continue down to Lobuche East Base Camp for the evening.
Day 16: Bad weather contingency day
Day 17-19: Lobuche East Base Camp to Namche Bazaar – 3,444 meters
We begin our return to lower altitudes and quickly feel the difference in our lungs. Our first overnight stop is at the village of Pheriche, right on the vegetation line. We spend our second night of descent in the now seemingly lush Deboche before arriving back in Namche Bazaar on Day 19.
Day 20: Namche Bazaar to Lukla – 2,800 meters
Our final day of trekking from Namche Bazaar down to Lukla.
Day 21: Lukla to Kathmandu
Early morning flight to KTM (weather permitting) and a free day to relax and enjoy the restaurants of Kathmandu. Yak and Yeti Hotel for two nights.
Day 22: Contingency Day
Free final day in Kathmandu for some final souvenir shopping. This day must be available in case of delayed flights in or out of Lukla or if the weather postpones our trek at any point.
Day 23: Departures from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport
Why is the Trek Unique? (Culture & Environment)
Our Everest Base Camp Trek is one of a kind because you aren’t simply making your way to the world’s highest summit. You’re experiencing the unique culture of the Nepalese people along the way. From tours of the Monkey Temple, Bodnath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to the bustling Namche Bazaar to the iconic Tengboche Monastery, you’ll experience everything there is to see in the mighty Himalaya firsthand, all on foot with a pack on your back.
You’ll bump shoulders with yaks on the trail, share tea with Sherpas, and trek past ancient monasteries, and because we’re trekking in the fall season, you’ll experience a much quieter, more remote adventure.
If you’re looking for a truly authentic Himalayan adventure, look no further!