Everest Base Camp Trek via Phaplu

Alternative flight of Lukla airport
  • Duration19 Days
  • Difficulty Level Strenuous
  • Activity Trekking
  • Max. Altitude 5644m
  • Starts Kathmandu
  • Ends Kathmandu
  • Group Size 1-20
  • Best Season September to November and March to May
Highlights
  • Glorious vistas from Lamjura and Taksindu passes
  • Serene trekking and better acclimation en route to Lukla
  • Wide variety of landscapes, from the lush lowlands to the heights of the base camp at 5364 meters
  • The beauty and charm of Sagarmatha National Park, with its range of flora and fauna that includes iconic Himalayan wildlife such as musk deer, red pandas, and snow leopards.
  • The homelands and culture of the legendary Sherpas
  • The monasteries of Junbensi and Tengboche
  • The history of Everest Base Camp and the spectacular 360 d360-degrees of the main range from Kala Patthar

The majority of people trekking to Everest Base camp fly into Lukla for the experience. For those looking to better acclimate to the conditions and build up stamina the preferable alternative is to start from Phaplu.

The trek starts with a bus ride from Kathmandu or a private car/jeep. Although the trail from into Sagarmatha National Park is referred to as the classic route to Everest, the original trailhead began at Kathmandu — what an adventure that must have been! All early Everest expeditions including the Hunt expedition with Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary passed through the same route, hence its reputation as the gateway to the region, giving trekkers taking the route a sense of following in the footsteps of climbing history.  

The hike from Phaplu to Lukla passes through a region that is blissfully free of the trekking numbers generally associated with the trails further north. The trek commences by heading out to Traksindu pass and climbs steadily to Lamjura Bhanjyang (3530m) before dropping down again to the crossing of Dudh Koshi east of Nunthala. The route encompasses a wide range of scenery and vegetation, from the verdant forests and patchwork of crops and terraced fields in the lowlands to passes such as Taksindu La  Lamjura pass 3530m and Kari La 3145m all of which help to steadily build up conditioning and stamina for the trials ahead. By the time the trail leads into Lukla trekkers taking the Jiri option should be in fine fettle to tackle the main trailhead and better acclimated for the higher sections of the journey.

The trek then heads into Sagarmatha National Park and on towards Namche, where the landscapes take on a more dramatic turn as the towering presence of Everest and Lhotse take on more significance with each passing day, with surrounding peaks such as Nuptse, Kangtega, and the ever-impressive Amadablam adding their own touch to the stunning panorama. We call in at Tengboche monastery along the way, the obligatory stopping point for many a famous expedition seeking the blessing of the lama before taking on the perilous slopes of the world's highest peak.  Everest Base Camp (5364m) finally greets us with the breathtaking climb to its perch below the famous mountain, with the stunning views from Kala Patthar nearby to add even more wonder to the experience.

Trekking in the region is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many visitors, with Everest as the chief goal thanks to its dramatic scenery, the famed Sherpas and their deeply rooted Buddhist beliefs, and the experience of walking through a timeless land that's a living museum to Himalayan climbing, with Everest itself as the jewel of the exhibits.

Let Nepal Trekking Experts be the ones to guide you via the Jiri route, with options such as the challenging Everest Three Passes or the Gokyo Valley trek available to further extend the adventure. Our staffs are ready and waiting to discuss the variations, so please feel free to get in touch for further information.

Itinerary
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  • Max. Altitude:1400m
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:3 star hotel

Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. An introduction to your trekking program then the rest of the day at your leisure to enjoy the sights, sounds, and culture of Kathmandu.

  • Max. Altitude:1400m
  • Meals:Breakfast
  • Accommodation:3 star hotel

Free day for final trekking preparation and sightseeing

  • Max. Altitude:2469m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Our journey begins with the long drive to Phaplu, the traditional starting point for treks into the Khumbu region in years gone by.  From Phaplu we hit the trail for a brief hike through the forest and along a series of stone steps to Nunthala, our first rest top on the trek, imagining along the way what it must have been like for the first post-war expeditions using the route.

  • Max. Altitude:2345m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

We cross the Ringmu village to start the day, then climb onwards and up through a scenic landscape that gives us our first real taste of the Himalayan experience before us, including the classic trekking peak of Mera relatively close at hand. The path continues at the pass of Trakshindu La, with a serenely sited monastery nearby, before descending a tree-lined pathway to the village of Nunthala.

  • Max. Altitude:2194m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

After crossing the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River the trail leads on through forested slopes and Sherpa outposts until we reach Khari Khola via a suspension bridge and rest there for the night.

  • Max. Altitude:2890m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

A challenging hike today leads us away from Khari Khola and along an undulating trail through the picturesque valley that gradually eases us up toward the village of Puiyan.

  • Max. Altitude:2652m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The day's journey begins with a hike to Chaurikharka, our meeting point with the main trail towards the Everest region from Lukla. Our advantage from all the others making their way along the trail is that we will have given our bodies ample opportunity to acclimate to the altitude and maximize our chances of making it to Everest Base Camp without any issues.

  • Max. Altitude:3440m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Our day starts by following the Dudh Koshi River and crossing over the Edmund Hillary suspension bridge, then heading towards Sagarmatha National Park and the checkpoint at Monjo. The path ascends markedly until it eventually leads us into Namche Bazaar, the regional capital of the Sherpa district.

  • Max. Altitude:3440m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

A rest day to allow the body to acclimate to the high altitude conditions. Namche is perfect for the situation, as there's plenty to do in the scenic town including visiting Khunde Hospital, the local medical facility set up through Edmund Hillary's charitable work in the area, taking in the panoramas from Everest View Hotel, visiting the Sherpa Cultural Museum, or hiking up to Khumjung Valley and its monastery, complete with the display of its famous Yeti scalp.

  • Max. Altitude:3870m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The trail leads away from Namche Bazaar through a series of small villages and a suspension bridge en route to Phunki Tenga and then climbs through a series of switchbacks and dense rhododendron forests to Tengboche. The village is famous for its monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, and justly known for its long association with mountaineering expeditions to the area.

  • Max. Altitude:4410m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

The day begins by descending gradually through more woodland until we cross another suspension bridge and climb steadily towards Pangboche and Sumare, the formidable presence of Amadablam keeping us company all the way. Mani walls and a monastery greet our arrival in Dingboche, Lhotse, Island Peak, and other mountains adding their stunning profiles to the view.

  • Max. Altitude:4410m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Another mandatory rest day, with hikes to Chhukung Ri, Nangar Dzong, or Dolma Ri providing ample opportunities to bask in the glorious panoramas of each viewpoint.

  • Max. Altitude:4940m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

With plenty of rest from the previous day, our bodies are fully prepared for the next stretch towards Thugla, where we pass numerous cairns and monuments dedicated to the many Sherpas and climbers who have perished on Everest's slopes.  Further along on the trail through the barren terrain, we come to Khumbu glacier at the foot of the famous mountain and marvel at the terrible beauty and chaos of the inexorable mass of ice. The day finishes up with our arrival at the jumble of buildings that make up the remote human outpost of Lobuche.

  • Max. Altitude:5140m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Our trek reaches its climax today with the much-anticipated arrival at Everest Base Camp, truly one of the most memorable experiences in Nepal. The morning is spent traversing Khumbu Glacier and heading to Gorak Shep, where we typically pause for a well-deserved meal and the extraordinary views before heading out again for the journey's reward, our arrival at the historic base camp, temporary home through the decades to some of the most legendary figures in the annals of mountaineering. After pausing to drink in the astonishing spectacle, and perhaps view the latest expeditions mounting their challenge, we reluctantly turn around and make our way back to Gorak Shep for our night's rest.

  • Max. Altitude:4280m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Everest may not be within our reach but Kala Patthar is on hand to give added meaning to the visit via unmatched views of the entire Khumbu basin and a sense of accomplishment in scaling the peak. After returning for breakfast and retrieving our trekking gear we hit the trail once more for the pronounced descent to Pheriche.

  • Max. Altitude:3440m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Though the trail is a familiar one the hike to Namche Bazaar provides a different perspective on the scenery, as well as the more relaxed journey that comes from a gradual descent.

  • Max. Altitude:2860m
  • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation:Tea house

Our final day on the trail, easing back to Lukla along the Dudhi Koshi and its suspension bridges. Once at Lukla we can finally throw off our backpacks, take a relaxing shower, and sit back to savor the heady accomplishment of making it to the foot of Everest.

  • Max. Altitude:1400m
  • Meals:Breakfast

After breakfast we take a flight to Kathmandu where you'll have enough time to savor the city's treasure's one last time before getting together for a farewell dinner with friends before departure.

    Farewell and drop-off at the airport, or the opportunity to join another of our programs.

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    Note

    The above itinerary is just a guideline. If you are not satisfied, please feel free to customize your own.

    What's Included
    Cost Includes
    • Complementary airport pick up and drop off
    • Complementary welcome dinner
    • Two-nightt stay on arrival in Kathmandu with breakfast included (twin share basis)
    • All necessary trekking permits, TIMS card, etc
    • All accommodations during trek
    • Three meals a day during the trek
    • Fresh fruit each day if and when available
    • Complementary  duffel bag 
    • Government-registered, First-aid-trained professional local guide who speaks English
    • First-aid kit
    • Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
    • Staff insurance, meals, accommodation, equipment, transportation etc.
    • Rescue arrangements if necessary
    • Agency service charge and government tax/VAT
    • Certificate of achievement
    Cost Excludes
    • International airfare and  Nepal visa fee
    • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu
    • Personal Insurance, personal expenses, loss of property and theft, etc
    • Sightseeing costs (temples, monasteries, etc)
    • All beverages, snacks, and additional expenses such as laundry, hot showers, battery charging, Wifi, etc
    • Tip to staff
    Useful Information
    • Kindly take permission while taking photos of locals
    • Respect the local culture
    • Take a wall side or safe side while passing donkeys or Yak on the way
    • Better to avoid alcohol or smoke above 3000 m.
    • Drink more than 3 liter of water per day
    • Be aware with altitude symptoms
    • Slow and steady is the best way to hike
    • Well prepare about trekking gear
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