
About the Experience
From the moment your plane touches the tarmac into Lukla, the natural jitters begin. Your heart is supposed to thump wildly in the Himalayas!
Magical, transformative days lie ahead as you experience a carefully curated itinerary of dreams.
Yes, the air will be thin. The ascents will be demanding and taxing–and overwhelmingly rewarding. The glow of sunrise on the storied face of Everest is one that will be tattooed all over your heart for a lifetime.
Experience the buzz of Kathmandu, the serenity of tiny Nepalese mountain villages and the fever pitch of the candy-coloured Namche Bazaar. Visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the famed Monkey Temple where the animated holy rhesus macaque monkeys tumble about under the vibrant prayer flags.
This trip will test your mettle on suspension bridges that are designed to turn your knees into wobbly Jell-O. Test your quivering quads on big elevation gains where the blue sheep graze nonchalantly. Take five and swallow the 360 Himalayan views from the tea houses while swapping travel stories with your Wild Women pack and fellow trekkers.
Mornings will be a treasured time of reflection– filled with prayers reverberating from nearby monasteries. The panoramas are on a continuous reel: The Matterhorn. Mother’s Necklace. It’s Into Thin Air–in 3D! This is the top of the world and a dream that’s unattainable to many because of the grit, grind and stamina it requires.
If you’re looking for a hard core physical adventure with spiritual renewal braided in, trekking to Everest Base Camp should be on your radar.
Please note: this is no walk in the park! You must commit to a serious and dedicated training program prior to this trip. Our Adventure Experts can help you with suggested plans and resources to ensure that you are in optimal condition and prepared for this adventure.

About the Experience
From the moment your plane touches the tarmac into Lukla, the natural jitters begin. Your heart is supposed to thump wildly in the Himalayas!
Magical, transformative days lie ahead as you experience a carefully curated itinerary of dreams.
Yes, the air will be thin. The ascents will be demanding and taxing–and overwhelmingly rewarding. The glow of sunrise on the storied face of Everest is one that will be tattooed all over your heart for a lifetime.
Experience the buzz of Kathmandu, the serenity of tiny Nepalese mountain villages and the fever pitch of the candy-coloured Namche Bazaar. Visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the famed Monkey Temple where the animated holy rhesus macaque monkeys tumble about under the vibrant prayer flags.
This trip will test your mettle on suspension bridges that are designed to turn your knees into wobbly Jell-O. Test your quivering quads on big elevation gains where the blue sheep graze nonchalantly. Take five and swallow the 360 Himalayan views from the tea houses while swapping travel stories with your Wild Women pack and fellow trekkers.
Mornings will be a treasured time of reflection– filled with prayers reverberating from nearby monasteries. The panoramas are on a continuous reel: The Matterhorn. Mother’s Necklace. It’s Into Thin Air–in 3D! This is the top of the world and a dream that’s unattainable to many because of the grit, grind and stamina it requires.
If you’re looking for a hard core physical adventure with spiritual renewal braided in, trekking to Everest Base Camp should be on your radar.
Please note: this is no walk in the park! You must commit to a serious and dedicated training program prior to this trip. Our Adventure Experts can help you with suggested plans and resources to ensure that you are in optimal condition and prepared for this adventure.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Your dream is unfolding! When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, you will feel the rush of altitude immediately (it sits at 1,337m/4,386ft elevation). You are being hugged by the Himalayas towering around you! Norbu, our local driver, will pick you up at the airport (your airport transfer is included) upon arrival and whisk you directly to the Address Kathmandu Hotel, your first basecamp! Please plan to arrive in Kathmandu before the 4PM rendezvous.
Relax, nap, stretch, pinch yourself, freshen up! At 4pm, you will meet your fellow steely Wild Women trek and city tour guides in the hotel lobby for trip orientation before heading out together for dinner. Please be aware that food is a spiritual and incredibly precious commodity in Nepal, especially up high in the mountainous area. Access to fresh produce is extremely difficult and cherished. Culturally, it’s highly respectful to only order what you can eat and to avoid wasting any food. Our local guides can share more information about how we can ensure a culturally sensitive and rewarding experience while in Nepal.
Meals Included: Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: The Address Kathmandu Hotel
DAY TWO: SIGHTSEEING IN KATHMANDU VALLEY
Today, we’ll explore enchanting Kathmandu. Our city tour guide will share colourful stories, bites of history and Nepalese culture as we walk the city and visit iconic sites such as the Buddhist beacon–Boudhanath Stupa. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world!
The Swayambhunath Temple (more commonly known as the “Monkey Temple” by travellers) will be our next stop. Swayambhunath is dramatically located on a hilltop–365 steep steps lead the way. The ornate temples and vibrant prayer flags and animated monkeys who call the Swayambhunath home make for an unforgettable encounter.
Here, we’ll overlook big slices of Kathmandu valley with panoramic views of the city as well. The Buddhist pilgrimage site has stood as a hallmark of unswerving faith and harmony for centuries. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this historic point and for Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudha. The hundreds of monkeys that congregate here are considered holy to Tibetan Buddhists and Hindus. According to tall tales, Manjushree, the bodhisattva of wisdom, was in the process of raising the temple hill when the lice in his hair transformed into these monkeys. Swayambhunath means “self-arisen” and is derived from that legend.
In the city centre, we will visit Patan Durbar Square which is a designated UNESCO Heritage Site. It was previously the royal palace and the opulence of the nobility is obvious in the elaborate courtyards, pagoda temples and traditional Newari architecture. After absorbing a big gulp of history we will have lunch in Patan, the famed city of artisans. Repoussé and the lost wax process continue here and the talent can be witnessed in the stunning local sculptures that are found amongst the Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples.
After lunch we will drive to Mulkot and check into our accommodations. The Mulkot Mirror Wall is an unexpected sight along the twisting highway. Here, a retaining wall is covered with thousands of mirrors of all sizes–they are oblation (offering) to the almighty goddess Seti Devi Mata in hopes that she will protect travellers from accidents.
This evening, there will be no monkeying around! We’ll go for an evening walk around Mulkot and pack for the trek ahead by organizing our belongings between a daypack and trek duffle bag. Any additional, unnecessary luggage can be left safely at our hotel. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Mulkot Hotel
DAY THREE: INTO THE HIMALAYAS
We’ll have an early start (4AM!) in order to grab the first flight to Lukla (6AM) out of Ramechhap Airport.
*Please note that flights into Lukla are subject to many factors and if the airlines are not operating flights by 1 AM, each member must be ready to pay up to an additional $650 US (using credit card is ok) for a helicopter flight to maintain the scheduled itinerary.
Upon arrival, a porter will be on standby to collect and organize our luggage (to transport to Hotel Khumbu Resort) while we have breakfast.
We officially begin our Everest trek with three hours of downhill walking to our lodge in the town of Phakding where we’ll dream of Chomolungma (the Tibetan name for Everest) which means “Mother Goddess of the World.”
We will be sharing the trails with many mules and Dzo (a cross between a yak and a cow), charged-up trekkers and locals alike as the landscape unrolls. This is day one of thirteen incredible days spent trekking!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Lodge in Phakding
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Lukla (elevation: 2,880m/ 9,449ft) to Phakding (elevation: 2,610m/8563ft)
- Trek Distance: 9km/5.6 miles
- Elevation Loss: About 270m/885ft
- Elevation Gain: About 190m/623ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
DAY FOUR: PHAKDING TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
Today’s section is the one we hear the most about. The long, consistently steep inclines as well as a number of very high suspension bridges are prominently featured in movies and documentaries. We’ll be crossing those very bridges and it’s 100% expected that you have sweaty palms and rattled nerves!
In the morning, we will begin trekking alongside the Dudh Koshi river, with gradual ups and downs until Jorsalle. Here, we’ll enter Sagarmatha National Park, a protected area of the Himalayas that is home to elusive species like the snow leopard, musk deer and red panda.
After lunch, our trek will continue along the Dudh Koshi, one of the highest rivers in terms of elevation.Once we reach the iconic Hillary suspension bridge (125m/410ft) to climb up to Namche Bazaar.
Today’s mantra is “steady, steady” or “bsatari, bsatari”, if you want to self-talk in a new language! It’s important that we climb at our own rhythm and pace as this quad-quivering grueling climb takes about 3 challenging hours to conquer. The path to Namche is very well traveled so we’ll be part of a continual foot traffic parade of locals, other tourists, yaks and porters. Once we arrive in Namche Bazaar, all nerves and flushed cheeks, we’ll relish in the huge accomplishment of the climb!
We’ll do nothing but relax this evening and gather for a refuelling (gruelling = a refuelling reward) group dinner. Tonight is totally free range–you can wander the Namche Bazaar, lean into some yoga or meditation or journal about the monumental accomplishments of the day.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: SherpaLand Hotel
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Phakding (elevation: 2,610m/ 8,563ft)/ to Namche Bazaar (elevation: 3,535m/ 11,595ft)
- Trek Distance: About 9km/5.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: About 925m/ 3,032ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
DAY FIVE: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY IN NAMCHE BAZAAR
A typical acclimatization day consists of a short hike around the valley to adjust to the increasingly thin air, then returning to a lower elevation (Kyangjuma) to sleep.
Today’s hike is an exploration hike up towards Sherpa’s historic settlement which is known as Khumjung village. On this hike, you will be able to reach up to 3,875m (12,713ft) at Shyangboche La before we descend to 3,790m (12,434ft) at Khumjung village. In the village, we will embrace the serenity of the monastery. We will enjoy lunch in the village before descending down to Kyangjuma (3,600m/11,811ft). After we arrive, we can indulge in free time and absorb the views of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kangtega, and Taboche. If Mother Nature plays nice, on a clear day, we’ll be privy to a dazzling sunset show over these mighty peaks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Amadablam Guest House in Kyangjuma
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Namche Bazaar (elev. 3,410m/ 11,595ft) to Shyangbouche Hill (elev. 3,900m/12,795ft)
- Trek Distance: 5km (3 miles) return–nothing like yesterday’s hamstring tenderizer!
- Elevation Gain: About 160m (525ft)
DAY SIX: KYANGJUMA TO TENGBOCHE
The early bird gets the worm and a startling sunrise view over the Amadablam and surrounding jagged peaks. We’ll enjoy a super scenic breakfast and drink in the view of these peaks over steaming cups of tea. After breakfast, we’ll embark on a gentle descent down to Phungi Thenga. Here, we’ll take a short tea break to revive before we trek to Tengboche where we’ll stop for lunch (we’ll also be spending the night in Tengboche). We’ll rest and digest for a bit before visiting the local monastery.
In the evening, we’ll take a short acclimatization hike. Depending on the day, we will have the opportunity to observe a prayer ceremony in the evening or, possibly in the morning.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Tashidelek in Tengboche
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Kyangjuma(elev. 3,600m/ 11,811ft) to Tengboche (elev.3850m/12,628ft)
- Trek Distance: 6km/ 3.72 miles
- Elevation Gain: 285m/ 935 ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 4 walking hours
DAY SEVEN: TENGBOCHE TO DINGBOCHE
We will be gently stirred this morning by the reverberating prayer music from the monastery as the marmalade sun rises on Langur Himal, Mt Everest and the surrounding peaks. After breakfast, our trail will take us downhill and continue very gradually up and down hills before crossing the river. We’ll gradually head uphill towards Pangboche and follow the gradient upwards towards the Imja Valley where the mighty Island peak will pull us ahead. We’ll arrive an hour later in Dingboche.
Our views will become more expansive with vast valleys and winding streams ribboning far below us. Spectacular surprise views seem to sit in wait around each corner. There will be some wide open flat areas that will offer relief for weary hikers with the incentive of magnificent, magnetic landscapes ahead.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Good Luck in Dingboche
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Tengboche (elevation: 3,850m/ 12,628ft) to Dingboche (4,350m/ 14,268ft)
- Trek Distance: 14.5 km/9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 500m/1,640ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 6 hours (give or take a few selfies)
DAY EIGHT: ACCLIMATIZATION IN DINGBOCHE
Our focus will be another vital day of acclimatization. We will embark on a 3 hour hike to a lookout above Dingboche where we will aim to reach a height of 4,900m (16,076ft) gaining 500m (1,640ft).
The drop in oxygen content in the air will be palpable now with our breathing becoming slightly more difficult on the uphill sections of the trail. There’s a reason why Jon Krakauer called his book Into Thin Air! Luckily, there are no balloons to blow-up for a birthday party.
From our summit, we’ll be able to observe Makalu, the fifth highest mountain, as well as the stretched out ranges of Langur Himal (which is connected between Mt. Nuptse and Mt. Lhotse). Enjoy the life-affirming 360-degree mountain views! We’ll return to Dingboche and have the rest of the day to play. Relax, doodle, drink endless cups of tea and definitely have a sweet fix at the local bakery.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Good Luck in Dingboche
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Dingboche (elevation: 4,350m/14,268ft) to the lookout (4,900m/16,076ft)
- Trek Distance: 3km/1.86 miles
- Elevation: 500m/ 1,640ft of ascent and descent
- Estimated Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
DAY NINE: DINGBOCHE TO LOBUCHE
After breakfast, we will enjoy a casual hike above Pheriche up to Thugla. The trail snakes back towards the Khumbu valley and continues on a long and slow trek across an elevated route with enormous views. This stretch usually takes about 2 hours.
After lunch in Thugla, we’ll have a steep climb up the moraine over Thukla Pass to the Everest Climber memorial (300m/984ft gain).Thugla to Lobuche involves a steady 3 hours of trekking beside glass-clear flowing streams in glacier-scraped valleys. We’ll then climb into the open plains above the ice flows sandwiched between the massive mountain ranges.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Lobuche Hotel (or similar)
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Dingboche (4,350m/ 14,268ft) to Lobuche (4,950m/ 16,210ft)
- Trek Distance: 12km/7.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600m/1,942ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Calories Burned: Bazillions
DAY TEN: LOBUCHE TO BASE CAMP TO GORAKSHEP
It will be an early bird start to our hike today because we are going ALL THE WAY to Everest Base Camp! Insert goosebumps here! Today’s trek is transformative and will be deeply stitched into your heart. We’ll be crossing a lot of loose rock and glacial moraine so we can’t get too distracted! The up and down trail into Gorak Shep will take approximately 3 hours.
We will have lunch at Gorak Shep, a small settlement that sits on the edge of a unique frozen lakebed that’s covered with sand. Nourished, we’ll continue an additional 3 hours to reach the famed Everest Base Camp. Don’t worry, we will be sure to spend some time enjoying the fever pitch and adrenaline of the camp. It’s not every day that you get to be in the belly of the world’s highest mountain! The Base Camp area is basically a big glacier and dusty clutter of tumbled rocks. But, wow! This is the kind of dust we’re going to miss!
The hike back to Gorak Shep will take another 2 hours but the distraction of what we’ve experienced at the camp will swallow up that time in one big smile. After a solid day of 7 or 8 hours of hiking, it’s time to celebrate (or sleep) and recharge.
This is an extremely challenging day for most people due to the unrelenting elevation gain, altitude and unstable, rough terrain of the Khumbu Glacier moraine.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Yeti Home in Gorak Shep
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Lobuche (4,950m/ 16,210ft) to Gorakshep (5,160 m/16,925ft) to Base Camp (elev. 5,364 m/ 17,598 ft) and back down to Gorakshep (5,160 m/ 16,925ft)
- Trek Distance: 10km/6.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 414m/1,358ft
- Elevation Loss: 204m/670ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Swear words and prayers: approximately a dozen
DAY ELEVEN: KALAPATHAR TO PHERICHE
This morning you can choose to ambitiously trek up to Kalapathar or enjoy a lazy and deserved sleep-in. No judgment! For those who wish to hike Kalapathar (5,643m/18,513 ft) we will wake up shockingly early (3am) but the reward is unmatched. We will have front row seats to sunrise over Everest.
This is a difficult 3 hour uphill hike of 1.2km (0.7 mile) with an elevation gain and descent of 485m (1,591ft). It’s a tough slog but well worth the sweat and challenge for the uninterrupted once-in-a-lifetime views of Everest in the early morn. Upon return to Gorak Shep, we’ll join the sleepyheads for breakfast.
Today we will make our way steadily downhill past the Everest Climbers’ Memorial and to Thugla for lunch. The last part of our day will be spent following timeworn local tracks that run parallel to Chola glacier-fed streams along the valley floor. Views of Ama Dablam will tempt us in the distance as we muscle our way to our lodge in Pheriche.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Everest Trekkers in Pherich
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Gorakshep (elevation: 5,160m/16,925ft) to Pheriche (4,371m/ 14,336 ft)
- Trek Distance: 13 km/8 miles
- Elevation Loss: 789 m/2,588 ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Heart Rate: Enough to explode a Fitbit
DAY TWELVE: PHERICHE TO PANGBOCHE
The hike to Pangboche will take us steadily downhill for the most part. The last part of the day we snake along the valley floor following local tracks that run parallel to streams formed by the melting ice of the mountains. We’ll have a half day to rest after EBC but if we are feeling energetic and eager to explore more, there is an alternative 4-hour (roundtrip) hike towards Amadablam Base Camp that we can knock off after lunch. It is a magnificent hike to see some different parts of the Everest Region.
If lady luck is on our side, we might be able to spot the stocky blue sheep distractedly grazing on the slope of Pangboche trail. Native to the high Himalayas, their coat colour can appear slate blue. Really, it’s not the elevation getting to us!
Because of the void of trees and vegetation, the views are uninterrupted. We’ll also have clear views to spot the startling rainbow plumage of the Danphe pheasant (also referred to as the Himalayan monal)–Nepal’s national bird.
Upon arrival in Pangboche, we can check into our rooms, sing in the hot showers and totally mellow out for the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Sonam in Pangboche
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Pheriche (elevation: 4,371m/ 14,336 ft) to Pangboche (elevation: 3,985m/ 13,074ft)
- Trek Distance: 11km/7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 440m/ 1,444ft
- Elevation Loss: 386m/ 1,266ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Danphe pheasant sightings: ___
DAY THIRTEEN: PANGBOCHE TO MONG LA
We will awake in Pangboche to steaming cups of tea and knock-out views of Tamcherku, Kongde, Ama Dablam, Kantega and countless smaller peaks. After breakfast, we will walk the high trail to Phortse, the Khumbu’s ‘Sherpa village’ where we will see locals industriously working in the tidy potato fields.
Fun fact: 9 out of every 10 households in Phortse has a family member who has climbed Everest (most of them have multiple times). After lunch, we will drop down to the river (not in the river) and slice through Phortse Thunga as we approach the 400 m (1,312 ft) climb to Mong La. We’ll walk slowly and savour these last, precious views of the grand Himalaya!
At Mong La, if the weather cooperates, we will have a heartbreaking view of the Himalayan ranges and “Mother’s Necklace” (Ama Dablam). Ama Dablam is one of the beautiful mountains in Everest region with a shocking altitude of 6,812 m (22,349 ft). For westerners, it’s known best as the “Matterhorn” (and for those of a certain age, as the carnival ride guaranteed to spin your stomach contents).
The long ridges on each side of Ama Dablam appear like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child. The hanging glacier has a likeness to the dablam, the traditional double-pendant worn by Sherpa women that protects pictures of the gods.
With satiated spirits and entwined in Mother’s Necklace, we’ll gather for dinner and then drift to sleep with a full memory card in our heads!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Hilltop guesthouse in Mong La
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Phortse (elevation: 3,810m/12,500ft) to Mong La (elevation: 3,970m/13,021ft)
- Trek Distance: 3km/1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 400m/ 1,312ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
DAY FOURTEEN: MONG LA TO MONJO
We’ll have breakfast and 360-degree views of all the peaks we’ve seen for the last 10 days. We’ll add to your fluid camera reel (it’s impossible not to!) as we descend. Today is your last day to swallow up every bit of the Himalayas that surround us. When we reach Namche Bazaar we’ll stop for lunch and reminisce about how far we’ve come!
Recharged with protein and carbs, we’ll have a steep walk down Namche hill and the Hillary suspension bridge. We’ll pass resilient yows struggling uphill with supplies and smiling trekkers heading in the opposite direction with their hearts and dreams on their Gore-tex sleeves.
We were that same smiley group, full of anticipation and nerves just a week ago! It’s important to maintain our pace and be mindful of the slippery gravel path as we follow the now-familiar “Milky White” or Dudh Koshi river.
We’ll arrive in Monjo for a celebratory dinner and another rock solid sleep.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Monjo Guest House in Monjo
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Mong La (elevation: 3,970m/13,021ft) to Monjo (elevation: 2,800m/ 9,186ft)
- Trek Distance: 11 km/6.8 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1,170 m/ 3,838 ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
DAY FIFTEEN: MONJO TO LUKLA
We continue on today, rejuvenated after a healing sleep at this low altitude. We’ll pass through tiny mountain villages, crossing the final suspension bridges that lead us back to Lukla.
We’ll check into our Lukla lodge rooms for a quick reboot. Depending on our arrival time, there might be free time to explore the local shops or slug back a well-deserved Sherpa Himalayan Red or signature Everest beer. Seems mandatory, right?
In the evening, we all have dinner together and you can thank everyone who has supported your trek to Everest Base Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Hotel Buddha Lodge in Lukla
The skinny:
- Trek Route: Monjo (elevation: 2,800m/ 9,186ft) to Lukla (elevation: 2,880m/ 9,186ft)
- Trek Distance: 12km/7.4 miles
- Elevation Loss: About 190m/623ft
- Elevation Gain: About 270m/885ft
- Estimated Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Celebratory Everest beers drank: ___
DAY SIXTEEN: LUKLA TO KATHMANDU
We’ll plan to be ready for takeoff at the Lukla airport by 6am. Our group is scheduled for the first morning flight back to the buzz of Kathmandu, however, Lukla is notorious for flight delays. If our flights are delayed or canceled due to high winds and the notorious mountain weather, we will have the day to explore Lukla or relax at the hotel, so it’s really win-win!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Lodge in Lukla or The Address Hotel
The skinny:
- Flight Time: 35 minutes approx.
- Elevation: none!
- Revelations? A lot, probably.
DAY SEVENTEEN: LEISURE DAY IN KATHMANDU
This is a built-in flex day in case of inclement weather in Lukla and also the perfect opportunity to relax and take in Pashupatinath now that we have conquered the basecamp!
We’ll visit the Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred temple and cremation site where the last rites of Hindu are performed. It’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ceremonial cremations are powerful to witness. Our guide will take us across the river where we can quietly observe them from the vantage point on the hill.
Breakfast will be included today as well as our (sigh) farewell dinner.
- Soundtrack: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: The Address Hotel
Other Notes: Lunch on your own
DAY EIGHTEEN: DEPARTURE
We’ll gather for our last breakfast together (included) and reminisce about how far we’ve come. Please book your flights for after 12pm today. Note: the airport shuttle to (KTM) for departing flights is included.
Sigh.
As you reach cruising altitude, let the valleys and peaks below remind you of all that you accomplished with your crew of fearless Wild Women. You trekked to Everest Base Camp! You are a legend. Some people move mountains. Some people make mountains out of molehills. You climbed one!
Where next?
*Please note: trip interruption insurance is required in case of flight and/or helicopter delays from Lukla to Kathmandu. We cannot guarantee the day or time of our return flight to Lukla. Trip interruption must cover the cost of rescheduling your flights should you miss your originally planned departure from Kathmandu.
Reminder:You must have access to $650 US for the helicopter in/out of Lukla in case of airline delays/cancellations so the group can maintain the scheduled itinerary. Credit card or cash recommended.
Meals Included: Breakfast
EVACUATION PROCEDURE
In the unlikely event that a group member must descend the mountain due to altitude sickness, illness or injury, trek staff will accompany them down the trail to lower elevation and support their return to Kathmandu. Provisions are available for a pony/horse ride (non-severe cases) or a helicopter ride (only for severe cases) to decrease the altitude level. We will be able to designate the trekking guides and porters for the mid-travel departures.
Guides will be in constant contact with the office in Kathmandu and in case of emergency, quick response is possible. The arrangement of the emergency evacuation by any means is the responsibility of Peak Endeavour Nepal Trekking’s guides and porters.
Once the group member is down off the trail, they will be accompanied to the hospital and later returned to the Hotel Address. Extra nights off the trail are at the group members’ expense, as are meals, bottled water, and any other items or excursions during this time as well as any additional fees associated with evacuation such as helicopter rescue.
The group member can then choose:
- To remain in Kathmandu and await the group’s return.
- Depart anytime.
In either case, the Wild Women Expeditions guide and office staff and the local partner/guide must be notified of their decision.
A TYPICAL DAY: What to expect (and not expect!)
Mornings will be early–but night owls are welcome! Before breakfast, you will be required to pack your gear into your trek duffel which
will then be taken by the porters and not be available to you until you reach your next accommodation that afternoon/evening.
After a wholesome breakfast (though you may not have your usual appetite due to the altitude) we are usually on the trail between 7.30 –8am, depending upon the duration, challenge and nature of the day’s walk. We will walk for around 3–4 hours and then generally break for lunch for about one hour. Some of our staff will walk ahead and select a suitable and usually scenic place to stop. The afternoon walk is usually a little shorter and we try to reach our next accommodation by around 3.30 – 4.30 pm. Once we arrive, a nourishing and rejuvenating afternoon
tea will be prepared. From the time your tea is steeped until dinner is served, there is free time to rest, journal, doodle, massage your feet or explore the surrounding area.
Dinner is typically served between 6–7 pm. Trekking evenings afford some of the best memories of your trek–whether it’s simply swapping stories, playing cards, chatting with the crew or joining in some impromptu singing and dancing with the locals. Much of the enjoyment of an expedition is in the journey–you’ll see!
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!
- Arrive before the rendezvous on DAY 1, into Kathmandu via Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
- Wild Women Expeditions recommends you arrive at least one day before your trip officially begins.
- You will be met by our local partner at KTM outside the arrival gate (look for Wild Women Expeditions on a sign across the road!). Your airport transfer is included regardless of when you arrive!
- Our driver will bring you to the Address Kathmandu Hotel or your other pre-trip accommodations.
- Submit your flight info (Airline carrier, flight number, date, time) on your Travel Details Form (to be sent via email)
Group Rendezvous Point:
- Date: Day 1
- Time: 4:00PM
- Location: Lobby of the The Address Kathmandu Hotel (Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal)
- Please book directly on their website or through a reputable online booking service.
Reference you’re with Wild Women Expeditions so we can work to keep you in the same room on Day 1 and 2 of the trip.
- Book flights for after 12 PM on the last day of the trip (Day 18).
- You will be transferred to the airport in conjunction with your departing flight regardless of your departure day.
Drop-Off Point:
- Date: Any day in conjunction with your flight
- Time: Any day in conjunction with your flight
- Location: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu
You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:
Megan and Zale | ****Now Boarding Travel Specialist
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.
- Visa
Visas (15-day, 30-day and 90-day) are available on arrival at the international airport in Kathmandu. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and you will need a whole free page for your visa.
To obtain a visa upon arrival by air in Nepal you must:
- Fill in an application form. Visa application forms are available on a table in the arrivals hall, though some airlines provide this form on the flight. You may also download a visa application form from the website of the Nepali embassy in your home country.
Please use this address:
The Address Kathmandu Hotel
Street: Chaksabari Marg
District: Thamel
City: Kathmandu
- Provide a passport photograph. If you don’t have official-sized passport photos of yourself (purchased at home), you’ll need to first fight for one of the electronic kiosks on the left. Scan your passport, complete the visa form, and allow the machine to take a photo. If you already have your own passport photos, you can skip the kiosk step.
- Pay the fee (approx. $40 USD for 30 days) at the little desk in the corner before lining up in the Immigration queues.
- Pocket the coloured receipt and take the other to the next counter where you’ll give overall paperwork, photos, and receipts to an immigrating official and hopefully be issued your visa on arrival.
- Exit to the left toward the baggage claim area. Have your boarding pass with luggage code ready to show the officer as you depart the baggage claim area.
Traveler’s Tips
- Keep a pen and your passport handy to complete paperwork. The forms may be given out during landing when you can’t get to the pen in your carry-on bag.
- Don’t lose or toss your boarding pass with luggage code — you’ll need it in the airport to claim your bags.
- Passport photos come in very handy in Nepal — bring several recent ones with you. You’ll need passport photos when getting a SIM card for your phone and for your Entry Visa.
- Don’t jump into the first long queue that you see after deplaning. Look for the tiny signboards above desks far to the front, and ask others in the queue for which part of the process they are waiting for.
- Don’t expect orderly or polite queuing, especially if waits are long. You’ll probably need to shuffle your feet and even stick out elbows to block attempts to cut the line in front of you. Please visit Nepal’s Department of Immigration website for full details.
Above info is from Lonely Planet and TripSavvy.com.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
Expect to tip on the last night in Lukla because this is when the porters leave the group. You should plan to tip in Nepalese Rupees. It is recommended to avoid openly tipping porters and guides separately from the tipping ceremony.
Here’s an example:
- Lead Guide: $300 USD for the whole trip from the group (Example – $300/8 women is $38 per person)
- Assistant Guide 1: $280 USD for the whole trip from the group (Example – $258/8 women is $35 per person)
- Assistant Guide 2: $200 USD for the whole trip from the group (Example – $200/8 women is $25 per person)
- Porter: $150 USD per porter for the whole trip (Example – 8 women need 4 porters, so that’s $600 total / 8 = $75 from each woman.)
- Kathmandu Tour Guide: $40 for the day from the group (Example – 8 women each pay $5 USD)
- TOTAL TIP per group member (based on a group of 8 women) to contribute: $164 USD but the equivalent in Nepalese Rupees.
Please note: Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum two women per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner. Standard rooms are shared (2 women per room) with two small cots that have mattress, pillows, and sheets. Blankets are also available upon request but might not live up to your expectation of cleanliness. Be sure to bring a sleeping bag liner and pillowcase.
If you are interested in a private room while in Kathmandu (Day 1, 2 and possibly, Day 16,17), please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com and we will email you a quote if a room is available (for hotel nights only).
- Electricity / Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage
Electricity is usually available in the main dining area and you can charge batteries at an hourly rate of $1-2 USD, about 150-300 RS. You might be able to get away with free battery charging if your room happens to have a plug.
Wifi is sometimes available, up until about 4000m but past that, no more internet. You will usually pay for 300 MB or something nominal, so do not expect to be uploading photos or anything!
There is very little cell coverage in the Everest region above Namche Bazaar.
- Bathrooms
Some tea houses boast western-style flush toilets but many still have squat toilets. Most of the time, you’ll be squatting over a porcelain hole and rinsing it down with water afterwards. Toilets are frequently located in a separate building or at the end of the hall. Toilet paper always goes into the wastebasket.
Many tea houses have showers available and some do have hot water showers. Cold showers are free; hot showers (if available) will cost 100-300 RS, around $4 USD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7KBbjtan9Q
- Potable Water
The tap water and river water in Nepal is unsafe to drink and visitors have a choice between bottled water, purification tablets, or boiling water.
Bottled water is available at the front desk at the Address Hotel Kathmandu but you can easily treat the tap water each day while in Kathmandu.
It is important you have two 1 Litre water bottles that do not leak (Nalgene works well).
During the trek your guides will provide unlimited amounts of water using 2 methods:
- Water sourced from lodge kitchens (mountain streams), filtered by your guides and then poured directly into your 2 x 1L bottles. The filtered water is safe to drink but if you prefer, you can use a Steripen or chemical treatment tablets to further treat it. Boiled water will be available in the evenings.
- Bottled water is available everywhere but creates a tremendous amount of waste. If bottled water is purchased, it must be transferred into your 2 x 1L bottles and the plastic left at the restaurant/tea house so they can direct it to the proper disposal.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection
Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge
- Camping in Sub-Zero Temperatures
What is the coldest it is expected to be at Everest Base Camp?
Temperatures vary considerably with altitude and time of day. Daytime temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. Nighttime temperatures at Base Camp can be well below freezing (0°C to -20°C), and will feel colder (-20 to -30°C) if there are strong winds.
- Sleeping Bags
Packing List Optional Items:
- Sleeping bag liner for additional warmth (adds 5-7°C)
- Sleeping bag: rated for sub-zero or down to 0°F/-20°C (*the provided sleeping bag is rated to -20C/-4F and weighs 1.5kg but you are welcome to bring your own if it is rated warm enough).
- The Address Kathmandu Hotel – Best accommodation in Thamel, Kathmandu
- Hotel Taj in Mulkot
- Guest House in Phakding
- SherpaLand in Namche Bazaar
- Amadablam Guest Housein Kyangjuma
- Hotel Tashidelek in Tengboche
- Hotel Good Luck in Dingboche – Hotel Good luck is situated in Solukhumbhu district.
- Hotel in Lobuche (TBC)
- Hotel Yeti Home in Gorekshep
- Hotel Everest Trekkers in Pheriche
- Hotel Sonam in Pangboche – Located at Pangboche at the altitude of 3985m just beside the division of the Amadablam trekking route
- Hotel Hilltop in Mongla
- Monjo Guest House in Monjo
- Hotel Buddha Lodge in Lukla
- Guesthouses / Tea Houses
While on the trek, we stay in standard guesthouses and tea houses. Given that you’re trekking through the wilderness in a third world country, accommodation at Nepalese tea houses is very basic. There is usually no electricity until after dark and no heat in the bedrooms. This style of accommodation is like a small hotel with a homestay feel. Most have a restaurant area where you can meet other trekkers and enjoy a little warmth from the stove while you eat or enjoy tea in the evening. Essential items are sometimes for sale at tea houses, e.g. toilet paper, sunscreen, lotion, toothpaste, beer, bottled water.
Nepal’s population of around 30 million people practice a blend of Hindu, Buddhist and traditional animist religion. While Nepal is a predominantly rural society, with 90% of the population living outside metropolitan areas, Kathmandu is rapidly urbanizing with a population of around 1.4 million. With over 100 different ethnic groups and languages, and an unparalleled concentration of World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal offers a fascinating cultural tapestry like few places on earth.
This service is fairly dependable, however in case the flights are cancelled due to mountain weather conditions, we will work to get you on the next available flight. Should the bad weather persist, your guides will make the call to charter a helicopter for either or both ways. The helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500 m, while the Twin Otter can fly if the visibility is 5000m as per the Civil Aviation Rules.
The cost of the helicopter is payable directly to your guides (have cash) in the event that this service is utilized. US cash or credit cards are accepted. You will be given a receipt upon payment so that you may claim the amount from your travel insurance. The minimum cost will be $350 USD and a maximum $650 USD depending on the number of group members. The baggage weight allowed for is 10 kg check-in baggage + 5 kg hand carry per passenger. These limits are strictly adhered to so please pack carefully.
We recommend using your credit card for the helicopter flights, and carrying cash for tipping the trekking and tour crews. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be able to withdraw Nepalese currency from an ATM for shopping or if you want to buy something on the mountain. Please make sure to double check with your bank that your credit card will work in Nepal.
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following XE Currency Converter for daily exchange rates.
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
- Budgeting
$1,000 USD cash should easily cover any extra expenses (helicopters, toilet paper etc.) and tips. It will be best for you to change the amount for tips plus about $200 USD (from the $1,000 USD) into Rupees for on trail purchases such as chocolate bars, drinks, toilet paper, bottled water (if preferred) and souvenirs.
A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.
Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense.
Getting Fit
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Although no mountaineering experience is required, a good level of physical fitness and competence in outdoor personal maintenance is necessary. You must be prepared to undergo a hiking training regimen to ensure you are able to hike at altitude for twelve to fourteen days straight. This trek is accessible to the beginner hiker ONLY IF you are willing to put the time in to make sure you are fit and ready to learn the skills of outdoor personal care. You must be comfortable walking uphill for 6 – 8 hours a day. This is a strenuous and challenging climb so the better prepared you are, the more you should enjoy it.
Trekking to EBC requires cardiovascular endurance (via aerobic training), strength endurance (through strength conditioning), and hiking-specific training (via hiking with a pack). It is highly recommended you begin conditioning at least 12 – 16 weeks before this trip (4 – 6 days per week for 8 weeks).
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Cardio Training
Suggested conditioning activities include running, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or stepmill training, trail running, working on an elliptical machine, walking up and down hills, or participating in step aerobic classes. While biking, rowing and swimming are cardiovascular options for the off-season or earliest stages of your training, be sure as you get closer to your expedition that you include predominantly spinal-loading cardiovascular exercise such as any of the activities mentioned above.
Be sure to include at least three to four sessions of 30 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity per week, and build to four to six aerobic sessions of sustained effort for at least 45 – 60 minutes each. Be sure to include a 5-10 minute gentle warm-up before working at your target heart rate for the day (for most workouts, choose a level of exertion that allows you to connect a few words together in a phrase, but leaves you feeling comfortably tired at the end of the workout), and cool down with 5-10 minutes of appropriate stretching of the muscles you use most in your activity, including lower back, calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps. Training with free weights, bands, a backpack, bodyweight exercises, or gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the core (lower back and abdominals), upper back, and legs. Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help you with such tasks as carrying a pack and using trekking poles effectively. The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending trekking routes, and strength endurance is required in all areas of the legs and hips.
- Strength Training
Training primarily with free weights will give you the functional, trekking-specific strength that will help you most in the mountains. Free weight-training requires that you balance the weights as you would your own body, weighted with a pack, in three-dimensional space. When starting any strength conditioning program, complete two full-body strength workouts a week for 30-45 minutes each, focusing on compound exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups, dips, pull-ups, rows, deadlifts, bench presses, push-ups, and overhead presses. In the beginning phase of strength conditioning, your focus will be building a foundation for harder workouts; to that end, keep the weight light enough to concentrate on good form and complete 2 sets of each exercise for 12-15 repetitions. As you continue to train, you will shift focus to building strength, strength endurance, and mental and physical stamina; each phase varies the weight used, repetitions completed, a number of sets, and rest intervals. Most important in strength training is to be sure you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.
Balance work is also essential for this trek. While you are traversing the rocky trail, there will be countless occasions where the strong balance will be your saving grace. Yoga and pilates can really help you improve your balance.
- Hiking-specific Training
Nothing replaces the training for hiking than hiking itself. Plan on using hiking poles on the trail – two is preferable, but one is better than none. In particular, you’ll really want these for the descent especially if you have achy knees, hips or ankles. There is some technique to hiking on rocky and uneven terrain. There are motor muscles that are used to heave yourself up a steep hill that isn’t really used with other activities. Also, learning how to manage your footsteps, timing your poles and pace while going over the rocky trail is a skill that is developed with practice. Aim to hike steep outdoor trails, gradually increasing your pack weight with each outing until you are at your target trekking pack weight.
- Additional resources: