Everest Base Camp

April-May AND October

Next accompanied departure: April 2025

The roof of the world… 🙏🙏

The trek to Everest Base Camp is one of the most iconic adventures for mountain and hiking enthusiasts. Located in the Khumbu region of Nepal, this mythical route attracts thousands of travelers every year, eager to get closer to the roof of the world, Everest, culminating at 8,848 meters above sea level. Although physically demanding, this trek is within the reach of passionate, well-prepared trekkers, and promises an immersive experience of Sherpa culture and breathtaking Himalayan scenery.

The trek generally begins in Lukla, after a short flight from Kathmandu or Manthali.
From the very first steps, trekkers are immersed in an awe-inspiring backdrop of snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and rhododendron forests. Along the way, picturesque villages such as Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Everest, offer a unique insight into the daily lives of the Sherpas, the legendary mountain guides.

The trek to Everest Base Camp is also a spiritual journey. The many Buddhist monasteries along the way are a reminder of the sacred dimension of these mountains. Among them, the Tengboche monastery, perched at an altitude of 3,867 metres, is a place of meditation and recollection for hikers before continuing their ascent.

Reaching base camp, at an altitude of 5,364 metres, is a personal achievement for every trekker.
The view of Everest and the surrounding peaks, such as Lhotse and Nuptse, is both awe-inspiring and moving. This trek is a unique adventure, a physical and mental challenge, but above all an opportunity to reconnect with nature and oneself in one of the most spectacular places on the planet.

** A few videos

See a short video (2m30s) from the Khumbu valley below;
Traditional Nepalese music: Resham Firiri is a very popular song in Nepal. See below.

Our guides

Accompagnateur

Jean Ricard

In 2001, Jean Ricard reached Everest Base Camp for the first time. On his return from the trek, he was already planning his next adventure. With more than 20 high-mountain expeditions under his belt, he's sure to accompany you on your challenge.

Acompagnateur

Claude Wauthier

Passionate about high-mountain trekking, Claude has reached Everest Base Camp three times. His in-depth experience of trekking and acclimatization at altitude, combined with his expertise in group management and logistics, make him a trusted guide.

Partenaire

Pasang Sherpa

Pasang Sherpa guide nos groupes depuis 2011.

Suggested itinerary

This itinerary is designed to allow maximum acclimatization for all participants. The rest days, which include hikes at higher altitudes, maximize acclimatization. The “Climb high, sleep low” technique promotes better acclimatization.

En route to Kathmandu

Days 1, 2 and 3: Flights to Kathmandu, welcome in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

Day 4: Day of sightseeing in Kathmandu.

Heading for the mountains, Namche Bazar and acclimatization

Day 5: Direction Lukla. After arrival and breakfast, trek to Phakding or Monjo, first night in a lodge at 2800m. And the flight to Lukla?

Day 6: Trek to Namche Bazar (3440m). You’ll feel the altitude. Above 3000m, most people feel the effects of oxygen deprivation.

Day 7: Acclimatize at Namche or choose to trek to Thame or the Everest View Hotel. A monastery or breathtaking views of the Himalayas?

Trek to Periche and acclimatization

Day 8: Trek to Deboche (3750m) and visit the Tengboche monastery (3867m), the most important in the region. We may be able to attend afternoon prayers and, with a bit of luck, catch a glimpse of a sunset over Everest and Lhotse.

Day 9: Trek to Periche (4370m) and our 5-star lodge. A high-altitude medical clinic is available for those who wish to consult.

Day 10: Day of rest and acclimatization in Periche. Possibility of a short hike to Dingboche. We will also have the opportunity to attend a presentation on AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

Direction Everest Base Camp

Day 11: A memorable day of trekking to Lobuche (4910m), visiting the monuments to the memory of deceased climbers. Among them, Ottawan and University of Ottawa professor Sean Egan, who died in 2005.

Day 12: We follow the Khumbu glacier to Gorak Shep (5140m). After a 3-hour walk, we rest and climb Kala Pattar (5600m) at the end of the day for a breathtaking view of Everest, Lhotse (8516m) and Nuptse (7864m), the Khumbu Icefall (site of the 2014 accident that killed 16 sherpas) and base camp.

Day 13: Today is the last stage before reaching Everest Base Camp. A 3-hour walk along the Khumbu glacier to base camp. We arrive in time for the lunch prepared for us by our hosts. In the afternoon, we settle into our tents and enjoy a guided tour of the camp.

Back to Dzongla and Cho La, towards Gokyo

Day 14: In the morning, we take time to explore the surroundings of this multinational village in the shadow of Everest. A visit to the foot of the icefall is a must. And who knows, maybe we’ll meet some of our fellow citizens who’ve come to try their luck. We then greet our climbing friends and wish them every success. We return to Gorak Shep for a short break and then continue on our way to Lobuche (4910m), where we spend the night.

Day 15: Lobuche to Dzongla (4830m): We take the same route, but in reverse.
We turn right to head for Dzongla. We’ll have a chance to rest in the afternoon, view the surrounding peaks and wash up.

Day 16: Crossing the Cho Pass (Cho La) at 5420m: This will be one of the most demanding days of the trek. From Dzongla, we climb to the glacier that covers the CHO (Cho La) pass at an altitude of 5420m. After a long descent, we reach the village of Thagnak (4,700m) for the night and a well-deserved rest.

Day 17: From Thagnak (4700m), we cross the Ngozumpa glacier, the longest in the Himalayas and fed by Cho Oyu, the 6th largest mountain on the planet. On the other side of the glacier, and following the ascent (and descent) of the moraine, we reach the village of Gokyo (4750m) with its turquoise lake surrounded by peaks over 5000m high. In the afternoon, we can explore the surrounding area or relax at the lodge.

The Gokyo Valley and its Turquoise Lakes

Day 18: We set off early at night to watch the sunrise behind Everest. The climb is well worth the effort, as the view of Everest, Lhotse and several other peaks 8000m and higher is impressive. Our Sherpa guides say their little prayers and we head back to Gokyo for breakfast, then on to Dole for more oxygen (4038 m).

Day 19: Today we visit a typical Sherpa village, Phortse (3810m). This village is not on the normal route and is therefore still authentic. It’s also the village of several Sherpa mountain guides, including Danuru Sherpa (11-time Everest climber), who will be our guide as we visit his native village.

Day 20: Back to Namche Bazar (3440m) at the Khumbu Lodge for good food and a few beers. Here, our bodies can replenish themselves with oxygen molecules, much more present than at higher altitudes.

Day 21: From Namche Bazar to Lukla, quite a long day, but more and more oxygen and the return home approaches.

Back to Kathmandu

Day 22: Flight to Kathmandu (1300m), end of day free. We stay at the Yak & Yeti, a typically Nepalese hotel with a peaceful, well-appointed backyard, including a swimming pool.

Day 23: Full day of sightseeing in Kathmandu: City tour including the site of Pashupati (the god Shiva) and Bhaktapur, a former royal city now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, departure dinner with live entertainment in a typical Nepalese restaurant.

Day 24: Transfer to international airport and flights to Canada and Ottawa

Day 25: Arrival in Canada.

Price list: Contact us

* Optional in spring: A night in a tent at Everest base camp at 5400m, visiting the various facilities and some of the expeditions.

Inclusions

Pre-departure assistance: training, equipment and altitude
All trekking meals and breakfasts in KTM
Double-occupancy accommodation in KTM (4*) and on treks (lodges/tea houses)
Internal return flights to Lukla
Trekking permits and fees
Sherpas and porters
Oxygen throughout the trek
All airport transfers

Exclusions

International flights (≈$2,500)
Nepal entry visa (US$50)
Airport taxes
Travel/evacuation insurance
Tips and personal expenses (drinks and meals in KTM)

We’ve been organizing and accompanying expeditions to Everest Base Camp since 2011. Obviously, we weren’t able to make it during the pandemic, but we’ve resumed our expeditions since 2022.

See some of our previous expeditions below: