Trek to Everest Base Camp
Hiking/Trekking in Nepal with SWS Mountain Guides
Highlights
- Fully-supported trek to Everest Base Camp (17,580 ft.)
- Ascend of Kala Patar 18,200 ft. for spectacular views of Mt. Everest
- Proper acclimatization schedule for the best summit success
- Small group sizes with low guide to client ratios
- Climb with SWS Mountain Guides with over 20 plus years of international guiding experience
- Experienced American guides on every expedition and trek
- Excellent safety record in over 29 years of continuous operation
- Optional trekking peak ascents available
Full Description
Everest Base Camp trek with full porter support - an adventure travel tour of a lifetime!
SWS Mountain Guides provides the adventure trip of a lifetime with a portered and teahouse trip for backpackers and climbers a like. Our Nepal trekking starts with a morning flight into Lukla at 9,200 ft. before descending down the forested trails to Phakding, our first teahouse at 8,500 ft. As the trail ascends along the ridges and valleys of the Khumbu region the environment quickly changes to conifer forests and high alpine terrain.
After eight full days of hiking we reach Gorak Shep and a short hike to Everest base camp. Next day's optional side hike to Kala Patar at over 18,000 feet gives you the most spectacular view in the Everest Region without having to climb Everest itself! "I couldn't be more excited about this trek," says SWS Mountain Guide James Brown. "This is one of the most exciting regions of the world if you love the mountains. This trip allows an awesome sampling of big peaks and an opportunity of emergence in Nepal and Sherpa culture."
It is a perfect starting point for people interested in climbing or trekking the Himalaya in the future. After our successful trek to Everest Base Camp we return via the same route to Lukla for our flights back to the modern world and Kathmandu. For the more experienced trekkers or climbers there will also be the opportunity for an optional side climbs (please allow 6 additional days) of Island Peak, 20,285 ft. or Lobuche at 20,155 ft. depending on the available trekking peaks. These climbs pose a more technical adventure to the trip despite being one of the smaller peaks of the Himalaya.
Includes:
- Professional American guide(s), local Nepal guide(s), porters,
- Complete support in Kathmandu with our sister company Maya Devi Trekking
- Information support in the US
- Land transportation
- 4 star hotels in Kathmandu for 3 nights
- Tea house fees
- Nepal Government permits and park entrance fees
- Guide and Porter Insurance
- Guide/Porter basic Tips
- Local guide and porter flights and transportation
- Sightseeing with local guide(s)
- Domestic flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and return
- Domestic airport tax
- All food while trekking and/or climbing
- Trekking permits, climbing permits (as needed)
- Local communication, safety equipment, and group technical equipment
- Beverages (except: beer, soda, bottled water, designer water and alcohol)
Excludes:
- International airfare to Kathamandu, Nepal
- International airport taxes
- Meals in cities
- Rescue insurance and medical insurance
- Visa fees
- Personal beverages
- Laundry
- Personal items such as: sleeping bag, pack, proper footwear, personal clothing, personal snacks
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Kathmandu (1300m/4,260 ft.) Arrive in Kathmandu Airport late evening/transfers to Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2
Kathmandu (1300m/4,260 ft.) Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley with a visit to the Monkey Temple. Evening in Kathmandu Hotel
Day 3
Flight to Lukla (2840m/9,315 ft.) about 45 minutes flight & 3 to 4 hours Hike to Phakding (2610m/ 8,560 ft.), a rolling hike up and down with a net loss of 750 ft. Excellent Scenery along the Dudh Koshi River.
Day 4
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m/ 11,283 ft.) A morning flat hike along the river with an afternoon climb up to Namche Bazaar of 2,650 ft.
Day 5
Namche Bazar for Acclimatize (3440m/11,283 ft.) Rest Day exploring Namche Bazar or optional hike to the Everest View Hotel (12,600 ft.) with your first view of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse Shar, and 1,300 ft. climb to the hotel with a visit on the way back to a Sherpa Village.
Day 6
Namche Bazar to Tengboche (3860m/ 12,660 ft.) After a rest day, we hike up and down for the morning before descending to 10,660 ft. with an afternoon climb up to Tengboche of 2,000 ft. and our teahouse for the night. A visit to the Buddhist Monastery is a must with prayers a 4 pm.
Day 7
Tengboche to Pheriche (4243m/ 13,850 ft.) Today we hike through the Rhododendron Forest down to the river crossing at 12,200 ft. Before beginning our rolling up and down ascent to Pheriche at 1,3850 ft., elevation gain is 1,550 ft. for day but lots of up and down along the river as we leave the tree line for the higher elevations.
Day 8
Pheriche (4243m/ 13,850 ft.) Rest, Acclimatize, and Relaxation day, with a must visit to the Himalaya Rescue Association Hospital and an altitude lecture held daily.
Day 9
Pheriche to Lobuche (4910m/16,100 ft.) Today is a slow steady climb to Lobuche with views of the surrounding high peaks of Lohotse Shar, Lochuche, Nuptse, and Everest, elevation gain of 2,250 ft.
Day 10
Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5140m/16,850) Again, another slow and steady climb to Gorak Shep, a spectacular village at the base of Everest and the huge Lohotse face, elevation gain of 750 ft. With an afternoon hike to Everest Base Camp on the Khumba Glacier at 17,580 ft. Reaching our goal with a rolling hike of 750 ft. of elevation and view of Everest and Pumori. Returning to Gorak Shep for the evening in the Everest Cirque.
Day 11
Gorak Shep to Kala Patar (5545m/18,200 ft.) and hike back to Pheriche. Up early for a climb of Kala Patar and the best view in the Everest Region, returning to Gorak Shep for a second breakfast and packing up for our descent to Pheriche dropping 4,350 ft in elevation for some of that thick air.
Day 12
Pheriche to Tengboche
Day 13
Tengboche to Namche Bazar
Day 14
Namche Bazar to Lukla
Day 15
Early Morning Flights back to Kathmandu from Lukla/Evening in Kathmandu/Hotel in Kathmandu
About The Operator:
SWS Mountain Guides
Headquarters:
Mt. Shasta, CA
Established:
January 1981
Our 2010 courses and climbs are conducted year around whether a first-time backpackers or a skilled mountaineer, we have a course to get you started or improve your techniques. We have been teaching & guiding, mountaineering, backpacking, winter mountaineering, rock & ice climbing for over 29 years on the best mountains in California. As well as conducting small personalized expeditions, treks & adventure travel throughout the world for over 20 years. We have an excellent safety record and our climbs and courses are kept small for maximum safety and the best experience! So whether you want to backpack in Yosemite or Climb some of the worlds biggest mountains, come explore our website and "EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE" with SWS Mountain Guides.