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Sharing 4 wheel drive
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Hotel and Lodge
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5,550mt/18208ft
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Kathmandu
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March to May & September to November
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Ultra - Luxury
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Full Board Meals on a trek
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English, Spanish, French, Chinese
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2-15
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12
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65
Overview
The Himalayas in Nepal are known to be less explored and people travel mostly by air as ground transportation is not possible. Due to high-altitude mountains and hills, most of the parts in the Himalayas are inaccessible. So, flight options have always been popular in the Himalayas to reach the starting point of the trekking journey. Mostly, in this Everest region, most of the trekkers choose the flight option that directly drops them at the Lukla airport. But besides this option, we want to let you know that the Everest base camp trek can also be done without the Lukla flight.
Without flight means that we can do this trip by going through the road. We indicate this alternative option as a safe way (If Lukla’s flight gets canceled) to reach the Everest base camp. As you should know, the regular flight to Lukla airport gets delayed due to unpredictable weather conditions. It may get delayed up to a few hours or even for days. Also, during the flight many passengers get nervous and some even get panic attacks due to the turbulence and the view of the mountains. So those who don’t want to feel anxious during the flight can choose this drive option to the Everest Base Camp route.
By choosing this route, you’ll have the chance to see different landscapes, cultures, and ways of life along the way. This journey gives you beautiful views of the area while also helping you save money by avoiding the flight cost. It’s a great chance to explore parts of the region that are less well-known but still amazing. This option is also perfect for those thinking about treks like the Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. This route offers a special adventure for anyone who wants to experience Nepal’s natural beauty in a new way.
Highlights
- Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
Itinerary
Hello and Namaste! Greetings from Nepal. Today you will put your steps at the country's cultural epicenter and major capital gateway. As soon as you have finished the entering process and left the terminal, you will see a representative of our company waiting for you with a board displaying your name and the name of our company. Once you have met, he will greet you and direct you to our company's private vehicle. As per our plan, we will next take you to one of the fabulous hotels in town after getting into the car. Once you're settled in at the hotel, you'll give your jet-lagged body some time to chill out.
After getting a good dose of rest, we'll head towards our office. Here, we will begin our pre-trek briefing in the office and discuss each phase of the trip. You are free to ask the presenter any questions you wish about the Everest base camp trek without Lukla flight during this brief meeting. He will fully explain whatever you ask him in detail. You will begin to prepare for the journey by making your clothing list and packing your bags as soon as the trek briefing is over. You should do all of the preparations on the first day as your city trip is scheduled for the following day. After almost all of the arrangements for your trip have been completed, we will take you back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Today, we are going on a wonderful sightseeing trip around the Kathmandu Valley. After having an early morning breakfast at the hotel and enjoying chit-chat with the fellows, you will get ready for the trip. Today we will travel to several historical and cultural landmarks that have been named UNESCO world heritage sites. The world heritage sites are - Boudhha Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These landmarks will make it clear how much this country possesses both cultural and religious values. After spending the full day sightseeing until evening, we will check to see if any additional preparations are required for our Everest base camp trek without the Lukla flight. After arranging everything for tomorrow's trek you can relax at the hotel or go for a nearby walk with a guide in the remaining time. Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Today we will start our Everest base camp journey with a drive heading towards Salleri, which is the district headquarters of the Solukhumbu. We will pass through numerous hilly landscapes with lovely pine and rhododendron forests, breathtaking mountain views, and river sides as we make our way onto the Salleri. Upon reaching Salleri, we will again continue the off-road drive from Andheri Khola via Khari Khola and finally to Bupsa where we make a stop for overnight. Here, we will relax and break the tiresome travel of the day.
Today marks the starting day of our Everest base camp trek without the Lukla flight. Right on this starting day, we will make a steep climb towards Khari La pass (2880m). The path goes through Rhododendron and oak forest which is inhabited by the monkeys. After climbing this ridge we will have spectacular views of Numbu, Cho-Oyu, Gyangchung Kang, Khumbila, and Thamserku. After relishing the panoramic view, we will slowly descend towards Chaubar village, and pass on to the route that will ultimately take you to Paiya. From Paiya, you will climb up and down for an hour and reach a small tributary Surkhe, which lies next to the Dudh Koshi River. You will spend the night in this beautiful village located at the bottom of the Lukla.
Today's route follows a track that passes through sherpa farming communities that are enriched by vibrant Buddhist culture. Our trail heads up to Chaurikharka, Chepplung, Nurning, and finally to Phakding. Moving on to the path you will encounter the main trail of the Everest base camp at Chheplung. Walking through this trail will allow you to see the prayer wheels and chortens which mark an entry point of the Khumbu region. Also, you will encounter many trekkers coming from the Lukla flight. After traveling for two hours from this point, you will cross suspension bridges and through forests before arriving at the Phakding settlement, which is located on the river bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Phakding is a village made up of lodges with the best quality ambiance and service. Enjoying their delightful service, we will stay overnight here.
After breakfast, we will start the journey to Namche Bazaar following the river bank. We will pass a few settlements and enter Sagarmatha National Park in Manjo nearly after 3 hours of trekking. Here, we will check in our permits and then eventually descend to Dudh Koshi River and enter Jorsale after crossing the bridge. We will have lunch at Jorsale since there are no lunch houses between the trails to Namche.
After eating lunch here, we will cross the famous Hillary Bridge to continue traveling toward Namche. From here, it would take us about 2 to 3 hours to reach Namche. We will cross through different forests and also catch the first glimpses of Everest from the edge of the hill. After trekking for some while you will reach Namche Bazaar. Here, you can relax and catch the sunset view from the top of the town. Overnight at the lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Today is the first acclimatization day of our Everest base camp trek without the Lukla flight. We will stay at Namche Bazaar to prevent the symptoms of High altitude sickness. That doesn't mean we have to stop here at the lodge for the whole day. To familiarize yourself with the region, you will take a tour around the area. You have several choices for what you can accomplish on this acclimatization day. There are many alternatives, but we should spend the whole day exploring Shyangboche, Khunde, and Khumjung so that we can fully appreciate the day. While passing via the Syangboche, we will walk to the Hotel Everest View, the highest hotel in the world.
Here, we will take in the stunning vista of Mount Everest from here before heading down to Khumjung village. In this village, we can go to the Khumjung Monastery and see the Yeti scalp (though this is not scientifically proven). Following that, we'll travel to Khunde village to see the Sir Edmund Hillary-built school. After touring these two historic sherpa communities, you'll head back to Namche Bazaar for the night.
As soon as you get to Namche, you will enjoy yourself at the nearby restaurants and coffee shops while you still have some time. Aside from these outings, relaxing for the entire day is quite OK. You can relax if you're exhausted from the trek from yesterday. Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.
Today right after breakfast, you will walk along the side of the Dudh Koshi River. From this point on, as we continue to ascend, we will pass through villages and pine forests, giving you an in-depth look at the Himalayan lifestyle. Trekking for a while, we need to descend down to Phunki Tenga and cross the Imja Khola. Moments after crossing the bridge climb uphill to approach Tengboche. From this top hill, you will get to enjoy the beautiful views of rhododendron forests and the best views of Mount Everest along with the other peaks such as- Lhotse, Amadablam, Tawache, Kangtega, Thamserku, and Nuptse.
Passing this spot, you will soon reach Tengboche as you take in the sights along the way. As soon as you arrive in Tengboche, check into the hotel and get ready to explore as the tour guide leads you to Tengboche Monastery. You will undoubtedly find it intriguing to learn more about it from the guide since it represents one of the region's most notable cultural legacies. After viewing this reverent location and taking in the surrounding mountain scenery, you'll head back to your accommodation for an overnight stay.
Today your trekking journey will start by following the trails full of conifers and Rhododendron forests. the trail drops down to Debuche from the forest where you also might encounter some wild species like musk deer and Danphe. After some while, we will eventually cross the Imja River and keep going until we get to Pangboche. We will travel through breathtaking alpine landscapes from the river to the town of Pangboche. From here after you approach Dingboche you will again have to ascend higher. After a considerable ascent, we will ultimately reach the picturesque potato-field-filled village of Dingboche.
Here you will get to see the crops getting bordered by the stone walls. As you stroll through Dingboche's trails, you will also pass by prayer flags, wheels, and yak herding groups. After eventually reaching Dingboche, you will be rewarded with up-close views of the Island Peak, Lhotse, and Peak 38. As now you reach in higher elevation, don't forget to check your oxygen level with an oximeter and tell how you are feeling. Overnight at the lodge in Dingboche.
Today is the last acclimatization day of our Everest base camp trek without the Lukla flight. After breakfast at your lodging today, you have the option to take a hike to Chukkhung Valley or Nangkar Tsang Gompa. We think the Chukkhung Valley is the perfect place for acclimatization today. If you have the time, you could ascend Chukkung-Ri from the valley for a stunning vista of Mounts Amadablam, Baruntse, and Makalu. Nangkar Tsang Gompa is a fantastic choice as an alternative to Chukhung Valley. This area offers panoramic views of magnificent peaks such as Lobuche, Cholatse, Taboche, Thamserku, and Ama Dablam After finishing any of these two treks, you will return to Dingboche. Overnight at the lodge in Dingboche.
Today is a short trekking journey that particularly passes through high altitudes. We will shortly start our journey by ascending through the ridge and past the Dusa village. Along the path, you will see the spectacular scenes of Taboche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam, and Kangtega. You will descend to the glacier stream and then ascend once again to Dughla after taking in the sights. You will ascend to the Khumbu glacier's terminal moraine from here once more. After a while, you will eventually arrive at the ridge's summit, where the mountaineers' and sherpas' memorials are situated. Once more, you may have a stunning view of Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Changtse, Nuptse, and Lhotse from this location.
As you continue, you will rise via the trail intersection leading to Lobuche. This climb runs across a loose moraine and is in some way challenging. When you get over it, you will reach Lobuche and eventually check into the lodge. Afterward, you can spend your time climbing to the ridge on the east side for the stunning views of the Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse, and Lhotse. Overnight at the lodge in Lobuche.
We will go off on the longest walk of the journey today. Today, by arriving at the Everest base camp, we will have our primary highlight of the journey completed. Our final day begins with a less strenuous hike from Lobuche to Gorakshep. The settlement of Gorakshep is located in the foothills of Kalapatthar at an incredible elevation of 5364 meters. At Gorakshep, there aren't many teahouses and many of them only operate during trekking seasons. Here, you will enter the tea house as soon as you arrive in Gorakshep Village and leave your luggage. Here at the Gorakshep, you will be greeted and encircled by the beautiful views of Mounts Changtse, Lingtren, Khubutse, and Pumori.
We'll eat steadily while enjoying the view, get ready, and then continue on to the Everest base camp. Going from Gorakshep to the base camp will just take us a couple of hours. Here, during the busiest trekking seasons, like the spring and fall, you could encounter Yak and porters who are bringing supplies to the climbers setting out on the Mount Everest Expedition. We will move in the direction of the Everest base camp by using the path that passes through the Khumbu glacier. This glacier looks somewhat like the moon and is 12 kilometers long. Meanwhile, you will have a great time proceeding around the ice carvings and tiny water pools.
You start to notice sparkling flags at the base of the Khumbu icefall as you get closer to the Everest Base Camp. Every single trekker will feel accomplished and fascinated after reaching Everest base camp. Hence, we will make the most of our time in base camp by taking some photos, soaking in the scenery, and celebrating our accomplishments to preserve this unique moment in memory. After having fun up there, we will leave the Everest base camp and head down to Gorakshep in an hour. Overnight at a lodge in Gorakshep.
Today will also be one of your extraordinary days since you'll be going to a significantly greater altitude with a much clearer view than yesterday. Especially, you will get to see the summit today as you couldn't see it yesterday. We will start our hike in the Early morning at about 4 am. Since it takes about 2 hours to reach Kalaptthar from Gorakshep we have to leave it early. The main motive to leave this early in the morning is to see the sun glowing from the Everest mountain range.
After you eventually get to Kalapatthar's highest point, you have a breathtaking view of Gorak Shep, the Khumbu Glacier, the Khumbu Icefall, and Everest Base Camp. From here, you can see Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, and Mount Everest in the greatest shape possible. Here, we'll take our time to capture each jaw-dropping vista of this amazing scenery on camera. After spending plenty of time, we may take in the sun-kissed Mount Everest for a bit before descending to Gorak Shep for breakfast.
You will say your final goodbyes to this ultimate destination before descending and eating breakfast in Gorakshep. After having breakfast you will retrace your steps back to Dughla through Lobuche. As you descend from Dughla, you will cross the glacier stream and merge with the lower trail that goes to Pheriche. When you arrive in Pheriche, you will check into your lodge and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight at a lodge in Pheriche.
Today, even though the route is still rather straightforward, there are some ascents. Although the longer distance, there is no chance of becoming bored as your eyes will still be able to see the mountains in all of their glory. Forwarding along the path, you will likely make many stops to take one last look at these stunning mountains. You will encounter several lush and mountainous landscapes today. As you go to the Namche Bazaar, you will pass through picturesque settlements including Orsho, Somare Pangboche, and Tengboche.
Here at Tengboche, you will stop for lunch, which will let you see the mountain scenery and explore the monastery for one last time. Enjoying the view we will slowly descend and reach Namche Bazaar. After you arrive in Namche Bazaar, you may unwind at the lodge and reflect on the moments you spent at Everest base camp. Besides that, you might also enjoy the neighborhood bistros and coffee shops. Overnight at a lodge in Namche Bazaar.
From Namche Bazaar we will descend a long way down crossing the bridges, and finally reaching Manjo village. Here you will exit the Sagarmatha National Park entrance and stop at Phakding for Lunch. After enjoying the greenery and the mountain landscapes, you will now make your way toward Surke. As you will be approaching the drive route you will hardly find any people after crossing Phakding. We will pass through Chepplung where the trail of Lukla and Salleri separates easily. Walking down to Ghai Kharka we will head towards Muse Village and finally to Surkhe for an overnight stay.
From Surke we will approach the north side of the valley. We will rise through a valley of oak and rhododendron forests by following the directions. As we continue to enjoy the forest scenery, we will descend a steep hill to the Bupsa settlement. Continuing on from Bupsa we will follow the trail to the Khari River and Eventually reach KhariKhola village. After leaving the KhariKhola, we will eventually cross the slope and arrive at the settlement of Jubhing where we will spend the night.
Today you will have to get up early as you have a long driving journey from Kharikhola to Kathmandu. You will catch a four-wheeler jeep as the road is very rough from KhariKhola to Salleri. It will normally take you 4 to 5 hours to reach Salleri from Kharkhola, Jubling, and Andheri. And then upon reaching Salleri, we will drive through the paved road that will directly take us to Kathmandu which would take us 8 to 9 hours. When you arrive in Kathmandu in the evening, you will be taken right away to the hotel where you were previously staying. It seems like you wouldn't be willing to do anything as you will be very tired of the long journey. However, you can relax at the lodge and have a nice chit-chat with your fellows before finally having a hearty dinner. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Without a Lukla flight, your trek across the Himalayas and to the Everest base camp finishes with us today. It took so long to get there. Nevertheless, we have no doubt that the views of the gleaming mountains have made the trip worthwhile for you. When your flight time approaches, one of our kind staff members will drive you to Tribhuvan International Airport giving you a hospitable farewell and sending you our best wishes. Even when we say goodbye, we will remember to get in touch with you regularly via a variety of means and always think back on all of the good times we have had. Happy trekking : )
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Arrival and departure transfer service from the airport
- 3 nights accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast (at 3-Star Standard Hotel) on a twin-sharing basis
- Kathmandu to Bupsa and return by 4-wheel drive (Sharing basis)
- 3 meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) every day during the trek
- All accommodation ( Upgraded lodges with 6 nights attached bathroom and hot shower) during the trek (twin sharing basis)
- Seasonal fruits, every day after dinner, during the trek
- 3 cups of tea/coffee every day during the trek (served in cups only)
- Purified drinking water during the trek
- All required trekking permits and Khumbu Gaunpalika Tax
- Government-licensed, English-speaking, experienced, and knowledgeable guide and his entire expenses
- Porters (one porter for every 2 members) and his entire expenses
- Full insurance of guide and porter
- All required local and government taxes
- Down jacket and sleeping bag rented items (if required)
- Duffle bag and trekking route map
- First-Aid Kit (Basic) along with Oximeter
- Farewell dinner after the trek
The Cost Excludes
- Nepal arrival visa
- Meals in the city, except breakfast and farewell dinner
- WiFi, and battery charging services, extra drinks
- Personal expenses, such as mineral water, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, extra meals, snacks, etc.
- Your travel insurance covers helicopter evacuation over 5000m, trip cancellation, trip interruption
- Tipping to the staff
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.