Everest Base Camp Trek: 14-Day Hike with Flights & Sherpa Culture

Summary

Everest’s shadow, yak bells, tea houses and long climbs

You’ll fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, trek through Sherpa villages with a local guide, cross swinging bridges over wild rivers, and finally stand at Everest Base Camp itself. Expect smoky teahouses, mountain sunrises you’ll never shake off, and small moments with locals that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound—the little propeller plane shuddering over to Lukla, then suddenly the slap of cold air and a jumble of voices as we landed. Our guide Mingma grinned at us like he’d seen it all before (he probably had), and handed me my duffel. The trek started right away—no slow build-up—just boots on stone paths through villages where kids yelled “Namaste!” and prayer flags tangled in the wind. The Dudh Kosi River ran fast and milky below us; you could smell pine needles crushed underfoot. We stopped for tea in Phakding, the steam curling up into the chilly morning, and I realized how far from home I was already.

I didn’t expect Namche Bazaar to feel so alive. It’s perched on a slope that makes your legs ache just looking at it, but somehow there’s always someone selling yak cheese or fixing boots or laughing at some inside joke. On our acclimatization day, Mingma led us up behind town for what he called “a little walk”—which turned out to be a lung-buster—but then Everest just appeared between clouds. Not even dramatic, just…there. I still think about that view when I’m stuck in traffic back home. At night, we crowded into a smoky teahouse for dal bhat; one of the porters taught me how to say thank you in Nepali but I’m sure I got it wrong.

The days blurred into each other after that—rhodo­dendron forests near Tengboche (the monks chanting at dawn), stone-walled fields around Dingboche where potatoes grow against all odds, icy wind along the Khumbu Glacier. There were moments when my legs screamed but then someone would point out Ama Dablam glowing pink in the sunrise and you’d forget everything else for a minute. Base Camp itself is strange—just tents and prayer flags flapping in impossible wind—but standing there with everyone grinning like fools felt huge. The way back down was quieter; maybe we were all thinking about what we’d done or maybe just tired.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Kathmandu

• Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport
• Meet ART staff and transfer to hotel
• Overnight at hotel with breakfast

Day 2 — Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding

• Early morning flight to Lukla
• Meet trekking crew in Lukla
• Trek to Phakding via Sherpa villages
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 3 — Trek to Namche Bazaar

• Breakfast and hot drinks
• Trek through pine forest crossing Dudkosi River
• Climb to Namche Bazaar with mountain views
• Explore Namche Bazaar market area
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 4 — Acclimatization day at Namche

• Ascend to Syangboche and Everest View Hotel
• Relax and explore Namche Bazaar
• Visit Sherpa Museum and photo gallery
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 5 — Trek to Tengboche

• Trek through rhododendron forest to Tengboche
• Visit Tengboche Monastery
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 6 — Trek to Dingboche

• View monastery and mountains at Tengboche
• Trek through forest and villages to Pangboche
• Cross Lobuche River and hike to Dingboche
• Overnight with meals

Day 7 — Acclimatization day at Dingboche

• Rest day at Dingboche
• Day hikes to Nagarjung Hill or Chukkhung Valley
• Enjoy mountain views
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 8 — Trek to Lobuche

• Climb to Duglha and Chukpo Lari ridge
• Visit memorials for climbers
• Arrive at Lobuche
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 9 — Trek to Everest Base Camp and Gorak Shep

• Trek along Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep
• Check in at Gorak Shep
• Walk to Everest Base Camp and take photos
• Return to Gorak Shep
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 10 — Hike Kalapathar and trek to Pheriche

• Early morning climb to Kalapathar
• View sunrise and Himalayan peaks
• Breakfast at Kalapathar
• Trek through moraine and descend to Pheriche
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 11 — Trek back to Namche Bazaar

• Descend through Sherpa villages
• Cross Dudkosi River and trek via Dingboche
• Climb to Tengboche and descend to Namche
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 12 — Trek to Lukla

• Descend steep trail to Lukla
• Pass Jorsalle, Manjo, Benkar, Phakding villages
• Cross suspension bridges over Dudkosi River
• Overnight at local tea house with meals

Day 13 — Fly back to Kathmandu

• Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
• Leisure day in Kathmandu
• Overnight at best hotel with breakfast

Top questions

How long is the Everest Base Camp trek from Kathmandu?

The full trip is 14 days including flights between Kathmandu and Lukla.

Is hotel pickup included for this Everest trek?

Yes, airport pickup in Kathmandu is included at the start of your journey.

What kind of accommodation will I have during the trek?

You’ll stay in local trekking lodges or tea houses along the route.

Are meals provided during the Everest Base Camp trek?

Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the trek.

Is there a local guide on this trip?

A licensed Nepali trekking guide leads every group from start to finish.

Does this tour include flights between Kathmandu & Lukla?

Yes—round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are part of the package.

Is rescue service available if needed?

An emergency rescue operation is available if required (covered by travel insurance).

Do I need special permits for this trek?

Trekking documents including Everest region permits are arranged for you.

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup in Kathmandu, round-trip flights to Lukla with departure taxes covered, all trekking documents like Everest region permits and TIMS card handled for you, guidance from an experienced licensed Nepali guide plus porters for luggage support throughout. Every night you’ll stay at local trekking lodges or tea houses with full-board meals—breakfasts steaming in chilly mornings, hearty lunches mid-trail, dinners shared by firelight—and there’s even a basic first aid kit (including Diamox) carried along just in case altitude gets tricky.