Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

(Drive: 179km | 8–10 hrs | Elevation Gain: +605m / 1,985ft)

The adventure begins with an early start for the long but scenic drive that takes you out of the Kathmandu Valley and deep into the middle hills. The road winds through terraced fields and along river valleys, occasionally rough and prone to landslides after rain. You’ll see people in the terraced fields and get a fascinating glimpse into rural Nepali life, a world away from the quick flight to Lukla.

(Trek: 9km | 4–5 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +300m / -485m | 984ft / 1,591ft)

The first day of walking feels like stepping back in time. Leaving the road behind, the trail climbs gently through forests where you’ll be greeted with shy smiles from villagers working their fields. Today is a day of gentle undulations, allowing you to find your rhythm. You will arrive in the small bazaar town of Shivalaya with plenty of time to rest by the river, the sound of the water a constant companion for the evening.

(Trek: 12km | 6–7 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +935m / -515m | 3,068ft / 1,690ft)

The trek begins in earnest today with a steady climb to the Deurali Pass (2,705m). From the prayer flags at the top, you get a sense of the scale of the hills you will be crossing. From the pass, a long, knee-testing descent through forested slopes leads to the Sherpa village of Bhandar, a charming place with its carved mani walls and a distinct cultural feel, your first proper introduction to the Sherpa world.

(Trek: 13km | 6–7 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +995m / -615m | 3,264ft / 2,018ft)

Today involves a significant descent to the Likhu Khola at 1,580m, where the air is warm and the trail can be hot under the midday sun. After crossing the river, a long and sustained climb begins, leading up through terraced fields of millet and maize to the village of Sete. It’s a tough day that rewards you with a sense of hard-won progress as the lights of the village begin to flicker through the dusk.

(Trek: 14km | 7–8 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +955m / -830m | 3,133ft / 2,723ft)

This is a beautiful day as you cross the Lamjura La (3,530m), the highest pass between Jiri and Namche. The trail ascends through a magnificent, old-growth forest of rhododendron, oak, and magnolia, where the air is cool and damp. The pass itself can be cold and windy, but the long descent into the hidden valley of Junbesi is a delight, arriving in a beautiful Sherpa village that feels like a world of its own.

A well-earned day to rest in one of the most charming villages of the Solu region. Junbesi offers a chance to explore the local monastery, where you might hear the deep chanting of monks, or take a walk up to the Thubten Choling Monastery, a large Tibetan Buddhist center. Or, you can simply enjoy a relaxing day, sip tea on the terrace, and let your lungs adjust to the thinner air.

(Trek: 15km | 6–7 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +371m / -851m | 1,217ft / 2,792ft)

The morning mist lifts to reveal the trail climbing from Junbesi to a ridge that, on a clear day, offers the first clear, distant view of the Everest massif. From here, you descend to Ringmo, then climb again to cross the Trakshindo La (3,071m). A steep descent through forest follows, leading to the Rai village of Nunthala, where the culture and architecture feel distinct from the Sherpa lands you have left behind.

(Trek: 12km | 6–7 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +830m / -690m | 2,723ft / 2,264ft)

From Nunthala, the trail makes a long descent to the Dudh Kosi (Milk River), the same powerful, glacial river you will follow for much of the trek. After crossing the river, a notoriously hot and steep climb leads up through Rai villages to the small hamlet of Bupsa. The day is a reminder of the physical demands of the middle hills, but the reward is a cold drink and a well-earned rest.

(Trek: 12km | 5–6 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +420m / -490m | 1,378ft / 1,608ft)

The trail continues its undulating path, crossing the Khari La pass before descending towards Puiyan. The landscape is a mix of forest and terraced fields, and the villages feel remote and traditional. There is a sense of anticipation in the air as you know that tomorrow you will join the main Everest trail.

(Trek: 10km | 4–5 hrs | Elevation Gain/Loss: +510m / -190m | 1,673ft / 623ft)

A relatively short day’s walk brings you to the main trekking route just below Lukla. You will immediately notice the change: the sound of the Dudh Kosi grows louder, the lodges become brighter, and the menus longer. The Khumbu pulse begins as you continue on to Phakding.

(Trek: 11km | 5–6 hrs | Elevation Gain: +830m / 2,723ft)

Today you make the famous climb to Namche Bazaar. After entering Sagarmatha National Park, the trail drops to cross the Hillary Bridge before beginning the sustained ascent. Already well-acclimatized from the walk-in, you will likely find this climb more manageable than those who have just flown into Lukla.

(Hike: 3–4 hrs | Highest Point: 3,880m / 12,730ft)

A day to further solidify your acclimatization. A hike up to the Everest View Hotel offers a stunning panorama of the high peaks. The afternoon is free to explore Namche’s unique market, its surprisingly good bakeries, or simply sit with a pot of tea and watch the world go by.

(Trek: 10km | 5–6 hrs | Elevation Gain: +420m / 1,378ft)

The trail contours high above the valley with stupendous views before making a steep drop to the river. After lunch, a tough, two-hour climb through forest brings you to Tengboche Monastery, a spiritual haven with an unforgettable mountain backdrop.

(Trek: 9km | 5–6 hrs | Elevation Gain: +550m / 1,804ft)

Today you move above the treeline into a landscape of low scrub and stone-walled fields. Ama Dablam towers over you as you walk to Dingboche. Each breath now feels deliberate, slower and sharper, as the valley narrows towards the high peaks.

(Hike: 4–5 hrs | Highest Point: 5,083m / 16,676ft)

Another vital day for adapting safely before pushing higher. The recommended activity is a rewarding hike up the ridge behind Dingboche towards Nangkartshang Peak. The views of Makalu, Lhotse, and the surrounding peaks are magnificent.

(Trek: 7km | 5–6 hrs | Elevation Gain: +530m / 1,739ft)

The trail climbs to the Thuklha Pass, a somber ridge with memorials for climbers. From here, you walk alongside the Khumbu Glacier’s moraine to the small, high-altitude settlement of Lobuche, where the nights are properly cold.

(Trek: 13km | 7–8 hrs | Highest Point: 5,364m / 17,598ft)

The day you have been working towards. A 3-hour walk along the moraine leads to Gorak Shep (5,164m). After lunch, we make the round trip to Everest Base Camp. Standing at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, you feel the pulse of the mountain, a place where ambition meets the raw silence of ice.

(Trek: 16km | 7–8 hrs | Highest Point: 5,545m / 18,192ft | Elevation Loss: -1,174m / 3,852ft)

An early start for the ascent of Kala Patthar. This small peak offers the most iconic sunrise view of Mount Everest. After the thin light of dawn on Kala Patthar, breakfast feels earned, then the long, easy drop to thicker air begins, ending in Pheriche (4,371m / 14,340ft).

(Trek: 19km | 7–8 hrs | Elevation Loss: -931m / 3,054ft)

A long but satisfying day of descent. With gravity now firmly on your side, the walk feels like a victory lap. You retrace your steps through Pangboche and Tengboche, ending back in the vibrant hub of Namche for a well-deserved rest.

(Trek: 19km | 6–7 hrs | Elevation Loss: -590m / 1,936ft)

The final day on the trail. You descend the Namche Hill and follow the familiar path along the Dudh Kosi back to Lukla. That final night in Lukla is filled with toasts, handshakes, and the quiet pride that only walkers know.

(Flight: 15–30 minutes | Drive: 132km, 4–5 hours)

We catch an early morning flight from Lukla, watching the mountains recede through the airplane window. Upon arrival in Kathmandu (or Ramechhap, depending on the season), you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to rest, reflect, and enjoy a well-earned hot shower.

This day is a necessary buffer for potential flight delays from Lukla. Delays are a common occurrence, and this day is a sensible precaution. If you arrive back on schedule, the day is free for independent sightseeing or shopping. We will host a farewell dinner.

Our journey together comes to an end. We will transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. Though the journey in Nepal ends today, the spirit of the Himalaya travels with you. We hope these mountains will call you back again for new adventures.