Everest Base Camp Budget Trek - 12 Days

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning according to your flight schedule. We will reach the airport about one and a half hours before the flight. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes around 25 minutes and lands at Tenzing Hillary Airport, one of the most remarkable airports in the world.

Today, we have a short and pleasant walk through Choplung village, along the Dudh Koshi River, with beautiful views of Kusum Kanguru mountain. We pass Ghat village with its painted mani stones, prayer flags, and the Ghat Monastery before reaching Phakding village. In the afternoon, we can take a short side trip to the Dudh Koshi River or visit the Phakding Gompa. The flight can be scheduled from Manthali too, in the main season time, there is high volume of visitors so the flight departure destination is changed.

The trail meanders through pine forest, crossing suspension bridges and several Sherpa villages to Jorsale: entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and permit checkpoint. Thamserku (6,618m/21,714m) glistens above the village. Continue to the confluence of the Bhote and Dudh Khosi Rivers then climb steadily via the high Tenzing- Hilary suspension bridge with inspiring glimpses of Everest and the Nuptse – Lhotse ridge. A final three hour forest ascent leads to the administrative town of Namche Bazaar.

Today, our guide will take you to the Army Camp area in Namche Bazaar. Here, you can visit the park museum and the Sherpa Museum, and enjoy excellent views of Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, and of course, Mt. Everest. If you prefer to walk a bit more, you can also hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m / 12,729ft). From here, you can enjoy a short tea break while taking in the magnificent Himalayan panorama. Namche Bazaar was once an important trading point between Tibet and Nepal. Even today, you can see the famous Saturday Market, where local high Himalayan people bring clothes, food, and electronic items to sell. Local villagers from the surrounding areas also come to buy, sell, and exchange goods in this busy market. For acclimatization, we hike to a higher elevation and return to sleep at a lower elevation. This helps our bodies adjust to the altitude as we continue trekking closer to the tree line the next day. Stay overnight in Namche Bazaar.

From Namche Bazaar, the trail starts with a gentle climb and then follows a beautiful contour along the hillside. As you walk, you will enjoy wide views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as spotted deer, Himalayan tahrs, and colourful birds, including the male Danphe pheasant, Nepal’s national bird.

After walking for some time, you will reach Sanasa, where the trail divides into two routes: one towards Gokyo and one towards Everest Base Camp. Here, take the right-hand trail that leads toward Phortse. The trail then descends slowly to the Dudh Khosi River, where you will pass water-driven prayer wheels before crossing the bridge near Phunki Thenga. This area is peaceful and surrounded by forest.

From Phunki Thenga, the path climbs steadily through a mix of conifer and rhododendron forests. After a few hours of uphill trekking, you will reach the traditional Sherpa village of Phortse, known for its record-holding climbers and beautiful farming terraces. The village also offers stunning views of Mt. Cho Oyu (8,188m) and other snow-capped peaks.

After breakfast, we begin our trek on the quieter, less crowded trail from Phortse village to Pangboche village. Phortse is a traditional Sherpa village known for producing many world-class climbers who have summited Everest multiple times. The route from Phortse to Pangboche is considered one of the most beautiful balcony trails in the Khumbu region, offering close views of Thamserku, Kangtega, and the stunning Ama Dablam throughout the hike.

Pangboche is another historic Sherpa village famous for its long climbing legacy. Many legendary Everest summiteers and high-altitude guides come from this village. Pangboche is also home to one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, located in Upper Pangboche, which you may visit during the trek.  From Pangboche, we continue on an alternative and scenic route that avoids the busier standard trail to Dingboche. After walking for about 3 more hours, we arrive in Dingboche, a beautiful village surrounded by fields of stone-walled terraces and magnificent Himalayan views.

Today, you are at an altitude of 4410m. It's a bit challenging as it's hard to sleep at night, and you may not have a good appetite. Be mentally strong and feel positive. We suggest you drink 3 to 5 liters every day. Doing a bit of hiking in the afternoon or evening is good to support acclimatizing.

It's the second acclimatization day guide takes you on a hike to Nagarjun Hill (5100m.), where you can see Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Island peak, Cholatse peak, Taboche peak. Though it's hard, it's exciting each day because of the excitement you are very close to the destination, Everest Base Camp.

The trail gradually climbs to a ridge with beautiful views of Taboche and Cholatse. From here, you continue through wide yak pastures and cross a small wooden bridge before reaching Duglha (4,620m/15,158ft). This section from Dingboche to Duglha takes about 2–3 hours and offers some of the best views of Taboche Peak. The walk can feel a bit challenging, so staying mentally calm and drinking plenty of water is important. 

After lunch in Duglha, the trail becomes steeper as you ascend the rocky terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier toward the top of the Thokla/Duglha Pass. The climb takes about an hour, and once you reach the summit, all the effort feels worth it. The pass offers incredible 360-degree Himalayan views, including Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and the massive Nuptse–Lhotse wall hiding Mount Everest behind it. At the top of the pass, you will also find the memorial stupas dedicated to Scott Fischer, Rob Hall, the legendary Babu Chiri Sherpa, and many other climbers and Sherpas who lost their lives on Everest. From here, a gentle valley trail continues for about an hour to reach Lobuche.

A long but rewarding day awaits you. After an early breakfast, begin your trek from Gorak Shep following a windblown, rocky path along the barren Khumbu moraine. This route leads to Everest Base Camp (5,364m), walking through glacial moraines for several hours. You will stop briefly at Gorak Shep for snacks and energy food before continuing the final stretch toward Base Camp.

Reaching Everest Base Camp, you’ll stand on the famous Khumbu Glacier, just opposite the dramatic and dangerous Khumbu Icefall the first major challenge for Everest climbers. From here, you can enjoy incredible views of the Mahalangur Himalayan range along the Tibetan border. The main peaks visible from the trail include Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, and Nuptse.

In the spring season, many expedition groups set up their tent camps at Everest Base Camp. If you’re lucky, you might meet friends, neighbors, or even someone from your hometown preparing to climb Mt. Everest. It’s a great opportunity to chat, share coffee, and wish them good luck on their summit attempt. After enjoying the breathtaking scenery and taking memorable photos, trek back to Gorak Shep for the night. The total round trip takes around 7–8 hours.

Early in the morning, we begin a 2–3 hour climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m/18,192ft), the highest point of your journey and one of the most unforgettable viewpoints in the Himalayas. From the top, you witness a spectacular sunrise over the entire mountain range. The first light touches the peak of Mount Everest (8,848m/29,028ft), followed by its majestic neighbors: Pumori (7,145m/23,443ft), Lingtren (6,697m/21,973ft), Khumbutse (6,623m/21,730ft), Changtse (7,550m/24,772ft), Lhotse (8,516m/27,941ft), Nuptse (7,861m/25,792ft), Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,907ft) to the west, and Ama Dablam shining beautifully to the south. Countless other peaks fill the horizon in every direction, creating a breathtaking panoramic view.

Despite the cold morning air, reaching Kala Patthar makes you forget all the tiredness—the sunrise over Everest is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. After enjoying the views, we walk back to Gorak Shep for breakfast. Then we retrace our steps toward Lobuche, descend to the snout of the Khumbu Glacier, and continue down the moraine towards the village of Pheriche. The lower elevation offers a warmer and more comfortable night. Overnight stay at a lodge in Pheriche.

After breakfast, we descend to Debouche and then ascend through a beautiful rhododendron forest to Tengboche. The trail then takes a long descent back to Phunki Thenga, followed by a climb to Sanasa, where the trail forks toward Gokyo. From there, the walk along the broader trail to Namche Bazaar is gentle and easy.

Descending feels much easier than climbing—it’s like a piece of cake! Today’s route takes us along a different trail via Tengboche as we make our way to EBC through Phortse village. Along the way, there may be opportunities for quick photographs, a coffee break, or lunch. The day is relatively long, so we keep a steady pace to reach Namche Bazaar in time for an overnight stay at a lodge.

After breakfast, we descend from Namche to Lukla, passing through gentle altitudes and charming farming villages like Jorsale and Cheplung. Enjoy the serene landscapes and the warm hospitality of the local communities as you make your way to our final destination, Lukla, where we stay overnight in a comfortable lodge.

It’s the last day of our Himalayan trek. While you may feel a tinge of sadness leaving the stunning mountains and friendly Nepali people, there’s also excitement to return homeno more dal bhat, Khumbu cough, or mountain cold! This evening, share a final dinner with your guide, a true mountain man who has been your companion and friend throughout the 11-day journey. You arrived as a tourist, but you leave as a friend.

After an early breakfast, your Trekking Plus mountain guide will drop you at Lukla Airport, assisting with all boarding pass and flight formalities. This is your final farewell to the guide after the trek. You will then take the return flight to Kathmandu, where our office team will meet you at the domestic airport and transfer you to your hotel or hostel. In the evening, join us for a farewell dinner at a fine restaurant with the Trekking Plus management team. The rest of the day is free to relax.