based on The 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most well-known treks, leading to the base of Mt. Everest, the world's tallest mountain. The trek to the foot of Everest is more than simply a trip; it's an expedition that feeds your soul with heavenly joy after witnessing the outstanding scenery and rich cultural legacy of Nepal's Himalayan region. And, believe it or not, the majestic view of Everest from Kala Patthar, which is at such a high height of 5545 m, is a magical experience you can obtain without spending weeks slogging up to the summit.
This beautifully crafted route of 12 days trek to Everest Base Camp brings you to one of the Himalayas' lesser-known gems with a heady mix of natural beauty, fascinating culture, a personal sense of accomplishment, and true Nepalese hospitality from the Solukhumbu region's residents. The Everest Region is the most popular trekking location in Nepal because of the stunning vistas and friendly locals (the Sherpas). You can also witness musk deer, leopards, jackals, and mountain tahr, among other creatures. On our guided EBC trekking trip, we will also observe rare bird species like the pheasant and long-tailed birds.
The base camp is the launching point for all climbers attempting to reach Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak. The Everest region is the most well-known trekking destination, with a rich history of pride, glory, and sorrow. The "friendly legendary Sherpas" are well known for their climbing skills & have escorted some of the most well-known expeditions to the summit of Everest. The trek to base camp has become a brand in itself, and many people around the world consider it a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Join us on our 12 days adventures to the base camp of Everest, or contact us to customize an EBC trek to meet your specific needs. Enjoy this thrilling adventure with the assurance that our trained, experienced guides and porters will be there to accompany you at every stage.
How does this short 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek feel like?
For thousands of tourists visiting Nepal each year, trekking to the base camp is a dream. It's a journey that takes you through the Khumbu region's exotic flora and fauna, scenic valleys, enticing snow-capped mountains, beautiful glacial lakes, massive glaciers, and a variety of climatic zones and vegetation.
You'll traverse through the Khumbu region's secluded valleys and historical villages, which feel like heaven. When you get to the base camp, you'll be surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making it feel like you've arrived in the Himalayan paradise. Apart from this, you visit the Tengboche Monastery, which represents Tibetan Buddhism and is the biggest monastery that exists in the Khumbu Region, carrying the age-old religious and cultural practices that differentiate the Everest region from other Himalayan regions of Nepal.
In short, this short EBC trek of 12 days feels like an amalgam of natural, cultural, and spiritual experiences, that remain in your memories for a lifetime!
What to expect about the region's unique culture and traditions during the 12 days Everest Base Camp Trekking Journey?
Spending the night in various villages in the Everest Region, where you can learn about the Sherpa culture and traditions from the locals, is a great opportunity to scratch the surface of the region's rich culture. People here are kind and helpful, so don't hesitate to approach them. They'd love to participate in the discussion and might share centuries-old legends. The whole expedition allows you to enjoy trekking in the Everest region while also learning about Buddhist temples and the Sherpa people of Nepal.
The Mani Rimbu celebration, the Sherpa people's biggest festival, takes place in monasteries during October and November when the Everest region is at its most pleasant and picturesque. Tourists visiting the Everest region this season will have the opportunity to take part in the Sherpa's wonderful festival. Namche Bazaar provides you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience around that time.
The ancient monastery in Tengboche would be a spectacular sight to see on the 12 days route to the legendary base camp. This old monastery, which is also a very important religious holy place in Khumbu, offers breathtaking views of Mt. Amadablam and the surrounding Himalayas. Guru Rinpoche will bless all pilgrims and visitors who enter this sacred site. The ancient monastery of Tengboche is living proof of the age-old cultural and religious history of Khumbu.
Lama Gulu erected the Tengboche monastery in 1916, but it was damaged in the 1934 earthquake. The monastery was later restored in the same year. However, the monastery was destroyed again by fire in 1989 and had to be rebuilt. Regardless of these tragedies, the Tengboche monastery is the Khumbu region's oldest and largest and a monument of pride for the local Buddhist Sherpas of the Everest region.
Why is Kala Patthar a must-see landmark on 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trekking?
At the base of the Khumbu Glacier, the Everest Base Camp is surrounded by some of the world's most iconic Himalayas. Breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains and glaciers can be seen from the camp. Reaching Everest's base camp is definitely a significant accomplishment in itself! Each year, thousands of trekkers visit the base camp for this view, but a little more stretch to Kala Patthar completely changes your trip!
Witnessing the other side of Mount Everest from Kala Patthar is the most crucial event in the entire 12 days journey. The Kala Patthar viewpoint is a popular landmark in the Khumbu region. Kala Patthar, located above the base camp, boasts 360-degree views of Everest and the surrounding mountains. As the summit of Everest is not visible from Base Camp due to its structure, most trekkers would choose to hike Kala Patthar to gaze at the magnificent beast!
From Kala Patthar's vantage point, the towering peaks of Nuptse, Changtse, and Lhotse can also be seen. Many tourists ascend Kala Patthar first thing in the morning to catch the sunrise, but the sun rises behind Everest and Lhotse, making for a poor picture, but still beautiful. Hiking to Kala Patthar is best done as the sun sets in the late afternoon. If the weather cooperates, you'll be able to see Everest and Lhotse bathed in golden light. A trip to Kala Patthar, at 5545 m, is a must during this 12-day EBC trek package just for the views!
What does the 12 days itinerary of Everest Base Camp Package look like?
The trek to the base camp starts and ends in Kathmandu. It goes beyond the horizons into a natural paradise of unparalleled beauty that would stir your emotions for your whole life.
The trek begins with a short flight to Lukla. Lukla is the gateway to the Everest region. You then start the trek to Everest Base Camp, following the Dudhkoshi River valley to Namche. You have a day's rest in Namche for acclimatization. Then, the trek takes you to Tengboche, where you'll get to witness the Tengboche Monastery in all its glory! The trek then takes you to Dingboche, then to Lobuche, and finally to Everest Base Camp. You climb the Kalapattar viewpoint to see the best view of Everest and many other mountains in the region. You then trek back to Namche and then to Lukla to take a return flight to Kathmandu to end the trek.
Is the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary customizable?
The 12 days trek itinerary to the base camp offered by Outfitter Nepal is customizable and can be tailored to meet your particular needs. We can build a customized plan for you if you want to adjust the Base Camp itinerary to include fewer or more days. We can even arrange for a foot trek to the base camp, followed by a helicopter flight back to Kathmandu. A sightseeing excursion can also be arranged before or after your trekking activity.
Our standard base camp package lasts 12 days, but it can be customized to suit your needs! Please note that by adding more travel days, the length of the days in the itinerary package must be extended! If you want to visit other tourist destinations such as Pokhara or Chitwan or stay in Kathmandu for a few days for sightseeing, the regular package must be extended from 12 days to any number of days you want.
Note: Since the standard package to the base camp is of 12 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, it is generally considered to be quite a limited time. Thus, we recommend you come to Kathmandu at least 1 to 2 days early so that we can process the permits needed for the Everest Region. It takes at least a day to get all the necessary permits ready. We thank you for your cooperation.
12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for a group of 10 people starts at US$ 1075 per person. This is the cost of an Outfitter Nepal standard package. If there are more than 10 people in your group, we can adjust the package budget accordingly. If you're a solo trekker or a small group of travelers, the cost of the trek to the base camp ranges from US$ 1175 to US$ 1295, depending on the number of trekkers. Please keep in mind that if you want to modify the hotel or food services included in the overall standard pricing package, the trek cost will change.
Even during trekking in the Everest region, we can upgrade your accommodation options for you to a deluxe hotel room and tourist-level accommodation with attached toilets for the luxury plans. In the Everest Region, premium accommodations can cost as much as US$ 150 per night.
Hence, the cost of a trekking package in the Everest region can vary depending on whether you want to personalize your accommodations or modify the itinerary. To learn more about the services offered with the regular trip Cost for the 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek, please read the cost "including" and "excluding" sections.
Best Features of 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
- Thrilling yet scenic mountain flight to and from Lukla
- Visit Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery
- Unforgettable views of high mountains and Khumbu Ice Fall
- View of Everest and many mountains from the Kalapattar
- Spotting rare animals, including Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, and Himalayan Tahr
- Experiencing the Sherpa community's vibrant culture and traditions
- A spiritual journey with a hike passing prayer flags, mani walls, and prayer wheels
Major Attractions of 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trekking
Lukla, the most thrilling airport
Flying to Lukla is exciting, and staying on that short flight takes a lot of courage. The flight experience will be breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating, though. This flight is one of the primary highlights of our 12-day Everest Base Camp itinerary. What is it about this flight that makes it so thrilling? It is, in fact, the runway of Lukla Airport. At a height of 2,845 m (9,334 feet), Lukla Airport is one of the world's highest airports and also has one of the world's shortest runways of 525 meters (1,729 feet) long.
Imagine arriving in a small airplane to the high gradient of the runway, which dangles down the side of a mountain. Isn't it stimulating? This route is served by Dornier planes, which are small twin-propeller planes with a maximum capacity of 14 passengers. The non-pressurized cabins of these little planes add to the realism of the experience. Cloudy weather and varying air pressure in the high mountains make for a bumpy trip! Don't forget to take in views of Everest, Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other peaks from above the clouds.
Sagarmatha National Park, in all its wilderness
Trekking in the Everest region exposes travelers to a wide range of climatic zones and plants. You stroll through Sagarmatha National Park, which is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. This park is also a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The trek includes numerous ascents and descents, as well as traversing various streams and dense woodlands. During the trek, we can gaze at the magnificent Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga, and Gyachyung Kang, all protected under the national park.
Sagarmatha National Park has long been serving as a refuge for endangered animals and birds. The Red Panda and Snow Leopard are two rare animals found in the national park. The birdlife of Sagarmatha National Park has long been a lure for visitors. Visitors enjoy bird watching while taking in the landscape's magnificence. With our 12-day trek package, you could well explore the solitude of Sagarmatha National Park.
Namche Bazar, the cultural melting pot
Namche Bazaar is a significant stop on the Everest trekking route. It's an excellent place to see Nepal's Himalayan terrain and mountains. The first view of Everest can be seen along the paths to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar, at 3,500 meters above sea level, is the beginning point for treks to Everest and other Himalayan peaks. It's a bustling market town supplying everything from trekking and climbing equipment to Tibetan antiques.
Breathtakingly beautiful Himalayan panorama
You'll be blessed with the breathtaking views of Mount Everest (8,848 meters), Mount Cho Oyu (8,201 meters), Mount Nuptse (7,861 meters), Mount Ama Dablam (6,812 meters), Mount Thamserku (6,623 meters), Mount Kongde (6,187 meters), Mount Pumori (7,161 meters), and several other peaks throughout the trekking. One of the best feelings in the world is to gaze at the nice and clear Himalayas right in front of you. Consider yourself lucky to be able to turn this dream into reality.
Thukla Pass and some minutes of silence
The journey requires climbing the 4800m Thukla pass. This is the sole route that goes to Lobuche, where trekkers spend the night before descending to the base camp. At the pass's top, there are over 100 memorials to climbers who perished while attempting to ascend Mt Everest. This spot serves as a stark reminder of how brutal the mountains can be. The solitude and strong winds at the top of the pass can be unsettling at times, especially with all the memorials nearby.
Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days Departure Dates for 2023, 2024
For your Everest base camp excursion in 2023, we have confirmed our departure dates. Trek to the 12 Days Everest base camp with Outfitter Nepal on any of the departure dates! If any of the departure dates conflict with your plans, please contact us, and we will make every effort to find a departure date that works for you.
We have departure dates available for Group, Solo, and Private Trekkers in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Check the departure dates below! Similarly, if you're a female traveler looking for a departure date in any of the trekking categories, whether in a group or on your own in a private trekking group, feel free to reach out to us. We will do the best we can to accommodate you comfortably.
