Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

This is your first walking day of the trek, and it will start with a steep descent from Bhandar at 2,200 m / 7,218 ft. You pass by terraced fields, tiny villages and forested lanes on your way down to the river valley of Likhu Khola.

The trail then becomes different after a suspension bridge, as it starts on a long uphill slope. The climb is gradual and even difficult, yet the environment is calm and green. You walk through the small village of Kinja at 1,630 m / 5,348 ft, where you can have a short rest and have a tea.

The path then goes on ascending through oak forests and rhododendron forests. There are just a few teahouses on the way, which provide brief rest and good smiles.

Towards the end of the afternoon, you come to the quiet village of Sete, 2,575 m / 8,448 ft., which is surrounded by forest. You then check into a basic lodge and have a good dinner.  It is a calm evening, and it is time to relax, enjoy your legs and be ready to climb further tomorrow.

It is a comparatively challenging day of the trek, yet incredibly fulfilling. You leave Sete 2,575 m / 8,448 ft, and you are now on a gradual uphill ascent through thick pine and rhododendron. The path progressively acquires elevation and leads up to the Lamjura La Pass, the highest point so far, with an altitude of 3,530 m / 11,581 ft.

You travel through such little villages as Dagchu and Goyem, where people seem to be much farther away in time than the world of the present day. Towards the pass, the trees grow thinner, and the air is evidently cooler. It is a pride to make it to Lamjura La Pass 3,530 m / 11,581 ft. There are prayer flags in the wind, and there might be some snow patches on the ground.

The trail then, after a brief pause, turns down into a new valley. The descending walk is not so difficult and follows fir and juniper woods. Afternoon, you reach Junbesi, a beautiful Sherpa village at 2,670 m / 8,760 ft. and famous because of its monastery and stone houses. Junbesi is said to be one of the most beautiful villages on this road.

The day starts with a small climb on a scenic ridge after breakfast in Junbesi at 2,670 m / 8,760 ft. On a bright day, you can see the distant view of Mount Everest, a tiny white peak, far off in the distance. This thrilling event renders the trek more special.

The path then leads to the pine forests, down to the Ringmo River. Here, the road ascends constantly up to the Taksindu La Pass, which is at 3,070 m / 10,072 ft. Close to the pass lies the beautiful Taksindu Monastery and colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. This location is the gateway to the Solu-Khumbu area. You take a brief rest; you may have a cup of tea and then begin a long descent.

The trail meanders into green hills, small villages and terraced farmlands. It may be tough on the knees as you go down, but the scenery will keep you motivated. In the late afternoon, you find yourself in Nunthala, or Manidingma, 2,320 m / 7,612 ft. Relax in a teahouse, have dinner and sleep.

The day begins at 2,320 m / 7,612 ft with a sharp drop from Nunthala. You take a stroll down the terraced lands and forests to the Dudh Koski River, and arrive at the big suspension bridge at approximately 1,500 m / 4,921 ft. The glacial water that carries the high Himalayas’ water causes the river to have a milky colour. On passing the bridge, you are technically inside the Khumbu.

The track then ascends consistently up the other side of the valley. This part is warm and humid due to the low elevation, and, therefore, the slow pace is the most suitable.

At midday, you arrive at Kharikhola, 2,040 m / 6,693 ft, a Sherpa village, monastery and huge stupa. This is a good place for lunch. Once you have eaten, you get back to climbing and then take a slow path along forested slopes.

You reach your destination of Bupsa at 2,360 m / 7,743 ft. by the end of the afternoon. The trees are all around this tiny town, and the atmosphere is very quiet. You spend the night in a small teahouse, and have dinner and listen to the sounds of the forest.

The trail then goes up from Bupsa, at 2,360 m / 7,743 ft, and then completely through dense forest. The climb is gradual and follows a number of switchbacks to the Kharte (Kari) La Pass. It is a satisfactory attainment to get to the pass of 3,145 m / 10,318 ft. The peak is indicated by prayer flags, and on a clear day, you can see far off mountains like the Gyachung Kang at 7,952 m / 26,089 ft or Khumbila, the sacred mountain of the Sherpa people.

Then, a brief rest follows before a very long downhill ride on a ridge with forest cover. You can pass by caravans of mules or yaks with supplies to the higher villages. You cross the village of Paiya and go further down the slope; the vegetation grows thicker and greener.

At noon, you are at Surke, at 2,290 m / 7,513 ft, a village by the gushing stream of Thado Koshi. Surke is located slightly below Lukla, and it is very vibrant compared to the previous villages. Spend evenings in a teahouse and have dinner, and you are now in the full blast of the Everest region.

This morning, you leave Surke and take a brief trail up to the main Everest Base Camp trail. At Chheplung, you see a lot of trekkers who have just landed in Lukla and are beginning their walk. Here, the path is broader and more frequented. You follow the Dudh Koshi River up north, along mani stone walls, prayer flags and little Sherpa villages.

The road has a slight inclination that goes up and down, and thus it is better to have a less strenuous day in terms of walking as compared to the previous days. You pass over suspension bridges and go through Ghat, characterised by colourful prayer stones and a serene environment. The murmur of the river makes you hear it all the way.

You arrive, by early afternoon, at Phakding, 2,610 m / 8,563 ft, a riverside village that is popular with tourists. This trekking day is short, and you get time to rest and enjoy the environment. The rest of the night is significant because the following day, the hard climb to Namche Bazaar is coming.

The day is big and exciting now that you are hiking from Phakding with an elevation of 2,610 m/8, 563 ft to the renowned Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. The path runs along the Dudh Koshi River and through pine forests with numerous long suspension bridges hung with prayer flags. You go through villages like Monjo, where you get into Sagarmatha National Park, at an altitude of 2,835 m / 9,301 ft and present your permits.

The landscape is heightened, and there is an overview of such mountains as Thamserku at 6,623 m / 21,729 ft soaring over the valley. A true test starts after one passes the Great Hillary Bridge. Here, it is significant to walk slowly and steadily. You might have the first clear sight of the mountain Everest that rises behind the Nuptse ridge partway up. This is a memorable moment that provides new momentum to the last ascendancy.

After some time, you will reach the Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m / 11,286 ft. This is a vibrant mountain town with shops, bakeries and rooms. You can also make your entrance with a warm drink and have a well-deserved rest.

It is a significant day to make your body adapt to the altitude at Namche Bazaar, which is 3,440 m / 11,286 ft. Although it is termed as a rest day, you nevertheless walk towards a higher place and sleep lower.

Breakfast is followed by gradually increasing uphill walk towards Syangboche. The path is good and requires approximately 1-1.5 hours. You arrive at the well-known Everest View Hotel at 3,880 m / 12,730 ft, one of the best vantage points in the area. When the sky is clear, you may have tea and stare at Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.

After a rest, you may proceed to Khumjung Village 3,780 m / 12, 402 ft. Here you can pay a visit to the Hillary School and a little monastery where they display a yeti scalp. You continue later to walk down to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m / 11, 286 ft.

The rest of the day is free. You may visit the market, have a look at the Sherpa Culture Museum or just have a rest in a bakery and have a cup of coffee and cookies.

After having breakfast in Namche Bazaar 3,440 m / 11,286 ft, you start the trek again on a beautiful path. It is largely an easy route, on a hillside with broad panoramas of Everest and Ama Dablam. You are going through a pine forest and cross little viewpoints, on which prayer flags are blown away by the wind.

In approximately two hours, the trail falls to the Dudh Koshi River at Phungi Thenga, 3,250 m /10,663 ft. This is where one can have lunch and rest before the great climb. Having passed a suspension bridge, you begin an uphill walk in rhododendron and pine trees. The ascent lasts approximately two hours, the pace is slow, and water is taken abundantly. You are also likely to see musk deer or the colourful Danphe bird (lucky).

After clearing the forest, you arrive at Tengboche, which is 3,870 m / 12,697 ft. This village is renowned with the Tengboche Monastery. Provided you have time, you can visit during evening prayers and have a taste of the silent chanting.

You have just woken up in Tengboche at 3,870 m / 12,697 ft to the fresh mountain air and beautiful views. The trail continues down through rhododendron and juniper forest to Debuche after breakfast. You then cross a cold stream, and then comes a suspension bridge across the Imja Khola River.

Here, the trail slowly ascends. At 3,985 m / 13,074 ft, an ancient monastery and a typical Sherpa village, you arrive at Pangboche. Ama Dablam is very near to this location, and most trekkers take pictures. The further on, the fewer the trees, the more an open rocky landscape. The trail is milder, though with the elevation being higher, it is slower to breathe.

You reach Dingboche, 4,410 m / 14,469 ft., in the afternoon. This village is located in a large valley between stone walls and potato fields. Island Peak and the great south face of Lhotse are visible in the background. Upon arrival at your lodge, have hot tea and sleep. Evenings are chilly here, and you can sit around the stove with other trekkers and tell tales.

You go further into the Khumbu valley today. On leaving Dingboche, 4,410 m / 14,469 ft, you ascend slowly up that ridge. Within a short time, the scenery turns rocky and dry as there are fewer plants, and the wind turns colder.

In another couple of hours, you arrive at Thukla (Dughla) 4,620 m / 15,157 ft. Lots of trekkers come to have a tea or an early lunch. There follows the steepest, a climb to the top of the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, the hardest part since Thukla. The path is winding up the hill, and a step is heavier in the thin air.

At the top, about 4,830 m/15,846 ft., is the Everest Memorial area. Here we have the stone memorials constructed in the memory of climbers and Sherpas who died on Everest. It is a silent location which frequently makes one think.

Then the trail is leveled and you travel along the Khumbu Glacier. Pumori is visible in the distance. Late in the afternoon, you reach Lobuche 4,940 m / 16,207 ft. You check into the lodge, have your dinner and go to bed.

It will be an extraordinary day because you have finally reach the Everest Base Camp today. You take the rocky path of the Khumbu Glacier after first having an early breakfast in Lobuche at 4,940 m / 16,207 ft. The trail has little high and low by broken moraine, and the elevation is so great that the walk is slow.

It takes approximately three hours to reach Gorak Shep at 5,170 m/ 16,962 ft, the final destination, which has lodges, lies in a cold and sandy valley bottom. You have lunch early and rest a little.

Then you leave your bag and keep on towards Everest Base Camp. The path is rugged, and it might be exhausting, yet the adventure keeps you going. You reach the Base Camp of Everest, 5,364 m / 17,598 ft., after 1.5-2 hours. You are next to the Khumbu Icefall and are proud of where you have got to. During climbing season, coloured tents can be found; otherwise, it is indicated by prayer flags and cairns of stone.

Take pictures, have fun and then take a walk back to Gorak Shep at 5,170 m / 16,962 ft to have dinner and sleep.

You rise early in the morning and start preparing to hike Kala Patthar. Using a headlamp and warm clothes, you begin climbing on a steep and rocky path. It is very thin air, and you move slowly and rest in between.

In approximately 1.5-2 hours, you arrive at Kala Patthar 5,545 m / 18,192 ft, which is the highest point of your trek. As the sun comes out, the mountains are gold and Mount Everest appears to be too close to believe. Nuptse, Pumori and the long Khumbu Glacier are also seen below.

You have your breakfast at Gorak Shep 5,170m/ 16,962ft after capturing photos and savouring the scenery. Then you strap and start down the valley. The trail passes over Lobuche at 4,940 m / 16,207 ft and Thukla at 4,620 m / 15,157 ft.

As you become lower in altitude, breathing becomes easier. In the afternoon, you get into Pheriche at 4,280 m / 14,042 ft, and can sit back in a warm lodge, and rejoice that you finally reached the Everest Base Camp successfully.

It is a long walking day today, but it is good, as the air grows thicker as you go down. On leaving Pheriche at 4,280 m / 14,042 ft, you make your way back up the valley of the Imja Khola. You overcome Pangboche at 3,985 m / 13,074ft and move to Debuche and the woods below.

The landscape appears elsewhere on the descent, and you might find greenery coming back. Eventually, you arrive at Tengboche 3,870 m / 12,697 ft. It is at Tengboche that you go down steeply to Phungi Thenga at 3,250 m / 10,663 ft and cross the river once more.

Then the path ascends slowly upwards to Namche Bazaar. Although it is a general downwards sloping path, the last uphill may be exhausting after several hours of walking. Then you end up in Namche Bazaar, 3,440 m / 11,286 ft., in the late afternoon, and you can relish the bakeries, stores, and a comfortable bed. An apple pie or a hot chocolate is a reward after spending days in the remote mountains.

You are on your last day of the trek, and the feelings are mixed: glad, fatigued, and self-satisfied. The steep descent to the Dudh Koski River starts after you have breakfast in Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m / 11,286 ft. The rough steps may be painful to the knees, so trekking poles come in handy.

You are in Jorsalle, and then you pass Monjo at 2,835 m / 9,301 ft, leaving Sagarmatha National Park and registering out. The path goes along the milky river, over suspension bridges and through the well-known villages. You pass through Phakding 2,610 m / 8,563 ft and proceed to Chheplung 2,660 m / 8,727 ft.

It is a more crowded trail here, and there are plenty of trekkers heading in all directions. And, the last uphill climb is to Lukla at 2,840 m / 9,318 ft. It is a big accomplishment, as at this point, your trek ends. Say goodbye to your team by having a final dinner in the evening, recount the experience you had walking around, and celebrate the experience.

It is a short travel day today after days in the mountains. You wake up early in Lukla at an altitude of 2840m, 9318 ft and walk to the tiny airport. The airstrip of Lukla is known to be short, and it is surrounded by hills, hence the flight itself is exciting.

Once you are boarded, you fly in a small plane and take off over vast valleys and green ridges. The flight is normally 30 minutes, but the scenery may remain in your mind forever. You can see the Himalayan mountains in the distance one last time, through the window, fading out.

The scenery then shifts to hills, and then Kathmandu valley, which is bustling. After landing in Kathmandu, you change to your hotel. Air and temperature variation is also evident, and it is weird to be in a car and a crowd again.

And at last, you have a hot shower, a clean dress, and leisure. You can go out later, have a good meal in the city and rejoice at your successful trek. Although the adventure is complete, the experience of the Everest Base Camp and high points will remain with you for years to come.