Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most iconic trail in Nepal, threading through the Sherpa heartland of the Khumbu valley to the foot of the world's tallest mountain. From the hair-raising runway at Lukla, trekkers pass suspension bridges draped in prayer flags, yak-herding villages, and altitude-frosted rhododendron forests before reaching the moraine below Everest at 5,364 m.

The standard itinerary flies from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) and takes 12–16 days for the return journey, spending two acclimatisation nights at Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m).

Kala Patthar (5,545 m) - a black rocky summit above Gorak Shep - is widely considered the trek's photographic highlight, offering an unobstructed sunrise view of Everest's South Face, Lhotse and Nuptse.

The Sherpa people of the Khumbu are the cultural backbone of the region. Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m), rebuilt after a 1989 fire, hosts Buddhist Mani Rimdu festivities (Oct–Nov) and welcomes trekkers.

Altitude sickness is the primary risk. The 'climb high, sleep low' principle is strictly followed; guides recommend no more than 500 m elevation gain per sleeping night above 3,000 m.

The Nepal Tourism Board requires all trekkers to hire a licensed guide and porter team from the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) for most restricted and conservation-area treks.