Everest Base Camp Trek: 14-Day Group Hike & Kathmandu Stay

Summary

Following ancient trails to Everest with laughter, tea, and tired feet

You’ll start in Kathmandu before flying into the Himalayas for a 14-day Everest Base Camp trek with local guides and porters. Expect shaky bridges, warm Sherpa smiles, Buddhist prayers echoing at dawn, and hard-earned views above 5,000 meters. If you’re up for long days on your feet—and don’t mind a bit of unpredictability—this is one journey you’ll feel long after you return home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed my flight to Lukla because I got stuck behind a goat parade near the airport. No one seemed fazed except me. Our guide, Dawa, just grinned and said “Nepal time.” That set the tone for the whole Everest Base Camp trek: things happen when they happen, and you’re just along for the ride (or hike). The tiny plane bumped through clouds and suddenly there were mountains everywhere — sharper than I’d ever imagined. My hands shook a little stepping onto that slanted Lukla runway. It’s not fear exactly. More like excitement with a side of altitude.

The first days felt like walking through a moving postcard — prayer flags snapping in cold wind, kids running past with baskets twice their size, that constant smell of woodsmoke and yak dung fires. We crossed these wild suspension bridges over the Dudh Kosi river (I still hear them creaking sometimes when it’s quiet at night). In Namche Bazaar, our group sat outside sipping sweet tea while porters joked in Nepali nearby. Dawa pointed out Everest for the first time — just a white triangle behind clouds. I wasn’t sure if he was joking but he swore it was real.

I didn’t expect how much the little things would matter: hot lemon tea after hours in sleet, or watching monks chant in Tengboche monastery as incense drifted around us. There was this one morning in Dingboche where my boots had frozen solid overnight; took me ten minutes to get them on and I cursed every step up Nangkartshang Peak… but then Ama Dablam appeared so close it felt like you could touch it. That’s what sticks with me — not just “reaching Everest Base Camp,” but all those weird human moments in between.

The day we actually reached base camp was kind of anticlimactic — no banners or anything dramatic, just heaps of colored tents and the crunch of ice underfoot. Everyone hugged awkwardly and someone handed out Snickers bars. The way back down blurred together except for one last view from Kala Patthar at sunrise: everything gold and blue and silent except for our own ragged breathing. I still think about that view sometimes when city life gets too loud.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer

• Meet airport representative
• Transfer to hotel
• Attend pre-trip meeting

Day 2 — Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding

• Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla
• Meet guide and porters
• Trek to Phakding

Day 3 — Trek to Namche Bazaar

• Trek along Dudh Koshi river
• Cross suspension bridges
• Enter Sagamartha National Park
• Arrive at Namche Bazaar

Day 4 — Acclimatize in Namche Bazaar

• Hike to Sherpa museum
• Visit Syangboche Airport
• Visit Everest View Hotel

Day 5 — Trek to Tengboche

• Trek along Dudh Koshi river
• Arrive at Tengboche monastery
• Observe prayer ceremony

Day 6 — Trek to Dingboche

• Descend to Debuche
• Cross Imja Khola suspension bridge
• Climb to Pangboche
• Arrive at Dingboche village

Day 7 — Acclimatization hike to Nangkartshang Peak

• Hike to Nangkartshang Peak
• Enjoy views of Ama Dablam
• Rest or stroll in Dingboche

Day 8 — Trek to Lobuche

• Trek along Khumbu Glacier moraine
• Pass stone memorials
• Arrive at Lobuche village

Day 9 — Trek to Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep

• Trek to Everest Base Camp
• View Khumbu Icefall
• Return to Gorak Shep

Day 10 — Climb Kala Patthar and trek to Pheriche

• Climb Kala Patthar peak
• Enjoy mountain panoramas
• Descend to Gorak Shep
• Trek down to Pheriche

Day 11 — Trek back to Namche Bazaar

• Descend through Pangboche and Tengboche
• Arrive at Namche Bazaar

Day 12 — Trek to Lukla

• Trek from Namche to Lukla
• Relax and celebrate in Lukla

Day 13 — Fly back to Kathmandu

• Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
• Transfer to hotel

Day 14 — Transfer to airport for departure

• Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport

Top questions

How difficult is the Everest Base Camp trek?

The trek is physically demanding due to high altitude and long hiking days (up to 7-8 hours), but no technical climbing is required. Moderate fitness is needed.

Are flights included from Kathmandu to Lukla?

Yes, round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are included unless peak season requires flying via Manthali airport instead.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

Three-star hotels in Kathmandu; twin-share guesthouses during the trek (attached toilets available in Lukla, Phakding & Namche).

Is food included during the trek?

All standard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included while trekking; breakfast only in Kathmandu hotels.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, proof of travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required at pre-trip meeting before starting your Everest Base Camp trek.

Are porters provided on this tour?

Yes—one porter for every two clients carries luggage throughout the trekking portion.

What permits do I need for this trek?

The tour includes all necessary permits: Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee.

Is airport pickup included on arrival in Kathmandu?

Yes—a representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport for private transfer to your hotel.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup on arrival in Kathmandu plus private transfers between airport and hotel both ways. All required trekking permits are sorted ahead of time along with round-trip flights between Kathmandu (or Manthali) and Lukla. You’ll have an English-speaking local guide leading your group each day plus porter service for your bags during 11 days of hiking. Accommodation covers two nights in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu (with breakfast) and twin-sharing guesthouses along the route; all standard meals are provided while trekking—plus filtered water refills using Katadyn filters—and there’s even seasonal fruit some days when you least expect it.