Short Everest Base Camp Trek

The journey of Short Everest Base Camp Trek begins with the 40 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. For many People, this will be the smallest plane have ever traveled on an exciting start to the Everest trek. This flight takes it to the Khumbu region of Nepal. 

The plane flying to Lukla from Kathmandu has no IFR on board so, we cannot take off until they told the weather condition suitable where we will be landing at Lukla Airport. Because of this long-delayed occurs regularly. Lying the stretch of Lukla, it is common to see porters offering their services, most people trekking in this Everest region would have organized by Trekking Trail Nepal. Considering the remote location the village on the sky above is surprisingly busy in between the plane carrying trekkers you can see army and rescue Helicopter at the airport. 

Lukla has various shops and lodges that one can have basic western style meals and pick up any last minute items for trekking to Everest Base camp and climb ahead. There are many restaurants in Lukla, so you can have tea or breakfast before you begin the first-day trekking. A typical menu in Lukla will have large variety foods like fried rice, Noodles, soup, Pizza, Mo: Mo, breakfast cereals, hot and cold drinks and most junk foods you can get at home. People usually try to avoid eating meat here on wards, as there is no cold storage and the possibilities sick stomach is very high. 

The journey from Lukla to Phakding should take between 2-3 hours going at slow and steady pace. The trail starts with the gentle climb of the mountainside on the left bank of the Dudhkoshi River which provides a lovely view of most of the days walking.There is the well-worn path with step leading down and up by the time you reach Phakding you will be 200 meters lower than you were at Lukla. The trekking trail from Phakding starts with easy, following the Dudhkoshi River Valley below and both way all around surrounded by Rhododendron forest.There is several small villages along the way to stop for foods and drinks.

There is a large amount of accommodation available at Phakding, but as the itinerary of the Short Everest Base Camp Trek, we have to walk 2-3 hours more to reach Monjo or Jorsalle crossing several suspension bridges over villages like Tok Tok, Benkar, and Chuma. We will stay in Monjo or Jorsalle. Most of the lodge is 3 story building with large dining room, full bar, and restaurant. The quality is very basic, the room comes with bed, mattress, and one pillow. There are no electrical socket and the toilet is shared. Today several time you  have to use the suspension bridges just to cross the Dudhkoshi River.

Today’s trekking will take somewhere between 6 and 9 hours depending on your fitness label. As you leave Monjo in the direction of Namche, you enter what you know as Sagarmatha National Park. To enter you have to buy a ticket by submitting personal details with 34 USD Per person. It is very important to carry your passport with you.

You will cross the river 2 times today. These High Bridges are decorated by locals with prayer flags, although there is no need for prayers, as the bridges are made of steel and feel very secure. There is no shop in between this Jorsale and Namche Bazar. After the second bridge, the trekking trail becomes surprisingly difficult.

The walk till Namche is steep and continuously upwards, there is no level or downhill walking. This section of the hike before lunch may take 2 or more hours. People of average fitness level can walk for several minutes only and need several minutes of rest to catch their breath.

After reaching Namche in our lodges, we will enjoy the views and food and then we will go for an acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel. The major attraction as an itinerary of the Short Everest Base Cam is the High Suspension Bridge over Dudh Koshi and the first viewpoint of the rest of Mt. Everest from Everest View Hotel. At this altitude, your body will know the lack of oxygen in the air. It will be especially noticeable if you attempt things like running the stairs or playing.

Namche Bazar is the most important town in the Khumbu region, the land of the Sherpa people. This town is located at 3443 meters above sea level.

The walk from Namche to Pangboche takes between 6 and 8 hours. The day begins with a very steep and tiring walk out of the Namche village. There is a large amount of construction taking place in Namche Bazar, with many new trekking lodges being built. The sound of stone being cut is replaced with the sound of wind blowing with the trees and the calming sound of yaks and Jhakpi’s bells. The atmosphere is changed so quickly.

Tengboche Monastery can be seen in the distance on a clear day, as well as the summit of Everest. After about 30 minutes of hiking the ground level off and your pace will increase. After hours of 2-level and easy trekking, you have to walk downhill losing much of the altitude you gain over the last day so you can use a new steel suspension bridge to cross the river.

But the altitude you lost now must be gained with the tough 2-hour uphill trekking trail hike. Most trekkers will stop here and have their lunch before attempting to make the final push to Tengboche. The price of drinks might be 50 % higher than was in Lukla. Although the meals like rice, soup, noodles, and bread will mostly be the same. The lack of Oxygen in the air is noticeable at these levels. Only the sherpa seems to be able to scale this steep hill at a normal pace. Everyone else is choosing to take it slow and steady. Tengboche village is located at an altitude of 3868 m. In the village importance of Buddhist monasteries is a major attraction, the largest one in the Khumbu Region, while you can see the oldest one in Pangboche village. The structure was built in 1923 but was destroyed by fire in 1989. It is rebuilt with the help of volunteers and under the provision of foreign aid. From here the great view of Everest and Ama Dablam, especially the Himalayas views. In the center of Tengboche there is the bakery, which claims to be the highest in the world at nearly 4000 m it is marly to believe. The chocolate cakes were delicious and tasted freshly baked yesterday.

There is a large greenery and the center of the village is for camping and several lodges to choose from for our lunch since we have to move to Pangboche as Itinerary of the Short Everest Base Camp Trek with gently sloping downhill via Debuche and a short uphill after crossing Imja River.

Today we will hike along the river of Imja from start to end of the day, till Dingboche, widely known as a river valley Chukung Valley or Imja Valley. Many people visiting this Everest region of Nepal only go far to Tengboche or Ama Dablam Base Camp via Pangboche, So from here onwards, there are fewer trekkers, porters, guides, and yaks along the trekking trail. There is some lovely family-run tea house in the middle of Dingboche and Pangboche in a place called Somare, where you can catch your breath with some hot or cold drinks. Overall it is an easy but long day in the whole itinerary of Short EBC Trekking, with the journey taking up to 9 hours including our 2-3 hours of acclimatization hiking after reaching our destination over NangKarTseng.

The village of Dingboche is located in Chukung Valley at an altitude of 4410 m. All trekkers who follow the normal Everest Base Camp Trek will spend 2 nights here in Dingboche for acclimatization purposes. Dingboche heavily relies on Trekking and tourists, with lodges and tenting areas comprising most of Dingboche with some potato fields towards northers northerneast. The Imja River flows directly east to the village. Most people choose to hang around the village, There are many local bars with pool tables, expensive internet services, and satellite phones. But here with Short Everest Base Camp Trek, we will end our day after the possible best acclimatization hike to the NangkarTseng Hill on the North side of Dingboche village.

The day starts up with the steep climb to the edge of the Dingboche Village which provides a great view down into the Chukung Valley, with the Island peak visible at its end. Most people take a short break here and prepare themselves for the long hike ahead. Today's walk will take up to 6 hours and more depending on how the altitude affects you.

As you walk along the side of the valley if you look down to the left at the base you can see another village called Pheriche. There is a medical center at Pheriche for emergencies can be treated. For minor illnesses, there is a fixed charge, this charge makes able to the doctor able to treat the local for free. Most of the hike today is relatively at the ground level. There you can see a few signs of civilization along this trekking trail and in most of the maps mention Dusa. So if you need some refreshments, snacks, or food Thukla or Dhukla 4600 m. is the nearest available spot.

For the last 2 hours, the ground becomes steep, rocky, and mostly strong cold wind from the base of Everest base camp until you reach the small village of Lobuche. Compared to the places like Dingboche and Tengboche there is not much here. Just 5 trekking lodges and camping areas make up Lobuche.

The village is quite exposed and the high wind can cause lots of dust to blow around the village, because of this most trekkers choose to relax indoors. The numbers of trekkers passing through this village can vary greatly and just common for there to be no accommodation. Trekkers may be asked to share the room with strangers or even sleep on the dining room floor with guides and porters. There is no way around this, the nearest lodge is many hours walk the way.

Today we have to walk a little over 5 km. It doesn’t sound like much. Because of altitude, this may take up to 5 or even 6 hours. There is no clear trekking trail and you have to walk over loose rocks which adds to the difficulties. The small village of Goreakshep is the original base camp for climbers heading towards the summit of Everest. The small village located at the base of the peak is called Kala Patthar. The final part of this trek the 3-4 hours walk to base camp is difficult and dangerous. You can see several crashed helicopters in the base camp region.

Because the air is so thin at this altitude landing and taking off can be difficult. Unlike the rest of the trail, there is no fixed trekking trail to follow here so we will not recommend attempting this without an experienced guide. The journey takes over the Khumbu glaciers finally ending at the base of the Khumbu icefall. You can see you are at base camp when you are looking at the Khumbu icefall. This icefall is regarded as one of the dangerous stages of the South Col trail to Everest Summit.

Depending on what time of year it is, you may see the tents of supporter crew for climbers attempting to the summit of Everest. The month of April and May is the busiest time at the base camp of Everest.

The day will start very early morning to catch the moments of sunrise and Shangrila of the highest peak of the world from Kala Patthar. This hike will take you the to top of Kalapatthar elevated at 5550m above sea level. Kala Patthar appears as a big brown and black bump below the impressive south face of Mt Pumori. Many Trekkers in the Everest region will attempt to summit Kala Patthar since it provides the most accessible point to view Mt. Everest, from Base Camp to Peak. Due to the structure of Mt. Everest, the peak cannot be seen from base camp.

We will back to our tea house once again, pack up the bags, enjoy breakfast in the Base Camp of Mt. Everest of the first summer, and start trekking down towards Pheriche or Pangboche Mostly on the same trekking trail and complete the itinerary of day 7 of Short Everest Base Camp Trek.

As for the itinerary of day 8 of the Short Everest Base Camp Trek, we will reach to the Namche Bazar to spend one more night. Trekking Trial from Pheriche to Somare will be new for you and after that, we will follow the same trail. We will cross the same village of Somare, Pangboche, Debuche, Tengboche, Pungi Thagna, and Kanjuma and finally reach Namche by the end of the evening.

Depending on arrival time you can celebrate the success of the Short Everest Base Camp Trek ( Short EBC Trek ) with booze and champagne or any local drinks with a Trekking Trail Nepal guide and porters. If not you can wait one more day to celebrate till Lukla.

Last day of hiking of Short Everest Base Camp Trekking itinerary. This might be the longest day to your body since you walk with full energy on day 8 of the Short EBC Trek, But your body will follow the motivation to reach back to Lukla as soon as possible, to get a Hot Shower in your room, Organic coffee shop in the Himalayas and to connect with your parents and friends to share the adventure of Short EBC Trek with the high-speed internet connection.

Today’s trekking trail is the same trail that we followed as itineraries of Day 2 and Day 1 of Short Everest Base Camp Trek in return. In the evening you can celebrate the success of the 10-day Short Everest Base Camp Trek with guides and porters. This might be your last time to see your porter until your next visit, so it is the best time to thank him over coffee or drinks with gratitude or gifts.

While you're trekking guide will guide you to your Hotel in Kathmandu till Day 10 as a Short EBC Trek Itinerary.