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Everest Base Camp & Kala Patar
The world famous journey, staying in tea houses and lodges on the trek
Climbing Skill
Fitness & Stamina
View from the high point of Kala Patar with Everest dominating the panorama
Course overview

If it is your first time visting the Himalayas, this is the most famous, and most popular trek in Nepal. The trek includes the famous viewpoint of Kala Patar at 5545m, from where you see the famous Khumbu Glacier and the surrounding 8000m peaks, including Ama Dablam and Lhotse, with the towering summit of Everest.
We run this trip at the time of year when there are the best conditions and calmest weather for the best views. It is key to avoid the rainy season of April to September. During these months there is often too much snow on the upper mountain. Our scheduled dates and private expeditions are all operated outside the rainy seasons.
This trip will appeal to those looking to experience the amazing scenery of Nepal with breathtaking views every day of the trek. As the trip is non technical it requires no mountaineering, climbing or trekking experience.
As we run expeditions to high altitude peaks, such as Aconcagua, Mont Blanc and Mount Elbrus, we are very aware of the importance of acclimatisation, and so this itinerary has been carefully designed to prepare you as much as possible. The trek includes two days of acclimatisation and sightseeing to make it less intense.
Dates not suit?: For groups of just two or more, we will run bespoke trips on any dates outside the rainy monsoon season for exactly the same price as the standard courses.
Dates: These are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice.

Expedition groups and experience

Our formula is to restrict the group sizes, so that there are a maximum of 12 clients on each trip. The small group sizes enable us to run specialist ascents, where the group can bond well, and each expedition member has great access to all the Icicle staff, local guides and porters. This is more intimate and more inclusive than the mass group commercial style expeditions run by some operators, where the needs and speed of each individual cannot be catered for. Although you require no previous mountaineering experience for this expedition, you are advised to be a competant UK hill walker who is familiar with up to six hour walking days. As you will note from the itinerary, this expedition is quite intensive in order to ensure your acclimatisation. Upon booking you will be sent a full detailed expedition dossier with suggested training and preparation and equipment lists.
Breakfast in the Mweka camp Trek meals, food, and guides
A key factor in the success of any expedition is its how well rested and fed the team is. We have ensured that the tea houses and lodges are all of a suitable quality, and that all the meals on the trek are provided, so each day from Lukla to Lukla, you are fed breakfast, lunch and dinner. We find that clients are always amazed by how good and plentiful the food is, and there is a good mixture of food from local to international, to cater for different tastes. We recommend you carry only a 20 litre bag at most, the size of a typical day sack for hillwalking in the UK. We ensure that all the guides and any porters are suitable fed and clothed. On the nights in Kathmandu, the evening meals are not included, but you can eat at the hotel / nearby cheaply, and there's a wide choice of food.

Who does the Everest Base Camp Trek appeal to, and why?
This trek is ideal for those new to trekking as it is non-technical and follows good paths and yak tracks. In good conditions it can be considered easy, but all trekking requires a basic good level of fitness so that you can enjoy the views of the amazing scenery. The trek is designed to build your acclimatisation slowly over the two weeks, but as the majority of the trek is at an altitude of over 3000m everyone will find it demanding. The average length of each day of trekking is between four and six hours, with extra breaks and lunches. Two days of rest and sightseeing are built into the trip, at the famous trading post of Namiche Bazaar and the ancient farming region of Dingboche / Pheriche, where you do acclimatisation walks from the village and return there in the evening. This gives time for rest and recuperation, and also gives time to experience the scenery and cultures that you pass through.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day
1
Fly to Kathmandu International Airport, where typically the flight arrives around 18:00. Transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu, evening meal, trek briefing after dinner, and equipment queries. Night in hotel.
Day
2
Drive to Kathmandu airport and catch flight to Lukla airport (flight takes approx 40 mins). This is an exciting flight in a small plane to reach the high airfield with its colourful prayer flags. In the afternoon you trek from Lukla to the village of Phakding where you stay for the night. Night in Phakding village, 2610m.
Day
3
Trek through the forests to enter the narrow gorge of the start of the Khumbu National Park. After some exhiliarating crossings of some high suspension bridges you reach the prosperous trading post of Namiche Bazaar. From here you gain the first views of Everest. Night in Namche Bazaar, 3400m.
Day
4
Today is a day for acclimatisation and rest at the ancient trading post of Namche Bazaar. This has some of the oldest tea shops and lodges in the region with beautiful blue roofs. An afternoon acclimatisation trek up the Imja valley to a ridge with stunning views of Ama Dablam. Night in Namche Bazaar, 3400m.
Day
5
An early start from Namche Bazaar to gain the ridge crest and trek to the impressive monastery at Thyangboche. Here there is time for a tour around the monastery and visitors centre. Surrounded by snow capped peaks, it is an amazing viewpoint for photos. Night in Thyangboche, 3860m.
Day
6
From Thyangboche there is an easy five hour trek through the fragrant rhodedendrons and past the village of Payboche which has the oldest monastery in the region. The area is an ancient farming region and you should see local farmers and yaks grazing. Night in Dingboche 4410m / Pheriche 4252m.
Day
7
Today is another day to rest and acclimatise as you are now at an altitude of more than 4000m. The day is spent in the stunning pastoral scenery of Dingboche / Pheriche. There is an acclimatisation trek in the afternoon to gain around 300m with fantastic mountain views. Night in same village as last night.
Day
8
Trekking through the rural countryside from Dingboche / Pheriche surrounded by the high mountain peaks. You also pass the poignant memorial to the local sherpas that have died on ascents of Everest. Here the view is dominated by the huge snowy face of Lhotse. Night in Loboche, 4910m.
Day
9
From Loboche the trek continues up the valley to the steep gravel morraines that have been deposited by the glaciers retreating. Above the gravel mounds you reach an island of grasses that is called Gorek Shep. Here, at over 5000m are the highest tea houses in the region. Night in Gorak Shep,5140m.
Day
10
Today is the big day to reach Everest Base Camp! Starting early for the best weather and clearest air, you climb the scree and moraine to reach the great viewpoint of Everest and walk on the surface of the famous Khumbu ice fall. Time to absorb the atmosphere & take photos. Night in Gorak Shep, 5140m.
Day
11
An early start today to trek the two hour steep climb to reach Kala Patar. From here you have, what is considered to be, one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas. The peak gives a 360 degree view of the stunning snow capped mountains with Everest and the Khumbu valley. Night Pheriche / Pangboche.
Day
12
After a slightly later start from the village, a short climb before continuing on a good contour track towards the bridge at Phortse. From Phortse you start the descent back down the scenic valley, crossing the river, and climbing to Mon La before reaching Namche Bazaar. Night in Namche Bazaar.
Day
13
Passing through the local villages of the Monjo region, the trek takes us to the traditional Sherpa village of Chaumrikharka, where there is time for lunch and photos. The final part of the trek is a short steep climb to reach Lukla. There is a traditional Nepalese dinner and the night is spent in the Lukla lodge.
Day
14
Today after breakfast in the lodge in Lukla, there is a transfer to the airport to catch the internal flight back to Kathmandu. The afternoon can be spent either relaxing in the hotel in Kathmandu, or exporing the great shopping bargains that Kathmandu is famous for. In the evening you go out for a group celebratory meal.
Day
15
Morning off for you to explore Kathmandui, before the airport transfer. The flight usually leaves in the mid afternoon, arriving back in the UK late on Monday evening/ early Tuesday morning.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow the itineraries, but as mountain activities are always weather and conditions dependant, we are sometimes forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, a suitable different route will be attempted, and you will be informed at the first suitable opportunity. Please use this outline course itinerary as a guide to the style of trip, with good conditions, as it will not necessarily be an exact blueprint for the exact schedule that you will follow.
Course Prices
Everest Base Camp Trek
13 days guiding, 15 days in total £1699
Flights to Kathmandu
Icicle holds ATOL T7228
We can supply flights to Kathmandu
POA
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) Nepalese trekking guides (English speaking) for daily leading and guiding, 2) Pre-expedition Info Booklet, 3) Equipment discount voucher for our UK shop, 4) All tea house and lodge accommodation in Nepal on a full board basis (Lukla to Lukla), 5) Road transport in Nepal to / from Lukla airport to start / end the trek and airport transfers to / from Kathmandu airport and Kathmandu hotel, 6) All costs for expedition leaders, local guides and porters, 7) Internal flights Kathmandu / Lukla / Kathmandu airport, 8) 2 nights hotel in Kathmandu (B&B basis), 9) All meals during the trek (Lukla to Lukla), 10) Sargamartha national park fees.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Kathmandu International airport, 2) Bar and restaurant bills, 3) Evening meals on the first and last night in Kathmandu (budget on £10 per night), 4) UK and foreign airport taxes, optional trips, souvenirs, 5) Local porter / guide tips (approx £40pp), 6) Nepalese departure tax, 7) Your personal laundry, telephone calls, and any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 8) Tea house hot shower battery charges where applicable, 9) Extras before course: personal activities insurance, and excess baggage charges.
Notes: This trip requires a minimum number of 4 people. If there are less than minimum numbers, the course can go ahead if you request it, but the price will rise. In this situation, should you choose not to continue your booking, you can opt for a full refund or a transfer onto another course or date.
Icicle expedition kit bag for FREE
All those booking on this trip are entitled to a free Icicle expedition kit bag. This tough c.65 litre capacity kit bag is designed for full expedition usage and is made out of durable fabric, and features carry straps. It normally retails at £50. Postage within the UK is included in the prices. If you live overseas, it's not a problem at all. We'll let you know the price for postage. Want a second bag? Order another, click here.
Upgrade options
Flights UK to Kathmandu
From £600 (inc. airport taxes)
Icicle is fully bonded with ATOL, and so we are able to offer flights to Kathmandu International Airport. This is served by, and flights from the UK are from Heathrow. See our ATOL licence, details.
Nepalese Departure Tax
Payable on entry/exit c.£15
We do not force clients to have these obligatory taxes iincluded in the prices, as they are paid locally in US Dollars, and some clients may benefit from the exchange rates by opting to pay these directly at the airport.
Current course availability

Course Dates
Everest Base Camp
  • No Dates Available
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Price: £1699 Book online

Alternative courses
Kilimanjaro & Mount Meru
Winter Mount Toubkal
Aconcagua expedition

Client feedback


The views were breathtaking and the group was friendly. A fantastic holiday and one that I will recommend as a must to everyone I know. Thank you so much!!

Sarah T , Everest Base Camp


Well organised with a great local team. The food was amazing, and a big thanks to everyone involved

Terry F , Everest Base Camp

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Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
Why choose our trips?
See our trip blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo to the right.
Icicle Blog
Itinerary flexibility to allow you to take full advantage of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your enjoyment.
Our prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect you from $USD fluctuations, so you can budget accurately.
There is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the weather, conditions, and your experience.
Effects of climate change
The weather patterns in the Himalayas are changing, and the icefields are shrinking. It is not necessary to use an ice axe or crampons on the mountain or during this trek. The typical weather at present is clear mornings, then an afternoon cloud build up (often with short shower), then the clouds break in the evening and over night. This pattern explains why on the day to summit the high point of Kala Patar you and your guides will set off at first light in the early morning to take advantage of the clear skies so that you get the best views at the top.
View from the high point of Kala Patar with Everest dominating the panorama
Chitwan Jungle Safari
Many people choose to extend their stay for an extra three days to experience safari. Close to Kathmandu is the Chitwan National Park which is a world famous reserve and one of the last places to see the Asian one-horned Rhino. The action packed three days include a visit to the village of Tharu, an elephant back safari ride, travel in a dug out canoe, and a visit to the elephant breeding centre. Transport to and from Kathmandu is included. We offer this three day extension from £350. At night you stay in comfortable local lodges. Contact us for further details.
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor.


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