Everest Base Camp Trek by Drive from Salleri

Our staff members will greet you upon your arrival in Kathmandu. They will drive you to your hotel. You can rest and relax for the day or explore the vibrant streets of Kathmandu on your own. In the evening, a representative from our agency will provide you with a briefing on the trek.

You will start your journey early in the morning and drive towards Salleri. It is a long and scenic drive that takes you through beautiful villages, lush forests, and winding mountain roads. You will drive on a well-paved Araniko highway as you leave the capital city. Then, you will drive on the winding BP Highway that is also well-paved. However, it starts to get rocky and gravelly off-road, from Ghurmi.

The road also becomes narrower as you drive past scenic rural villages and terrace farms. From Okhaldhunga, the road becomes rougher and off-road. Get ready for a dusty and bumpy ride as you get closer to Salleri. By the time you reach the village, it will be late in the evening. You will stay here overnight.

After breakfast, you will drive to Tham Danda. Depending on the road condition, it takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Tham Danda. The road is steep, muddy, and off-road. Along the way, you will pass through Salleri bazaar, remote villages, and scenic landscapes of the Khumbu region. You can also see snow-capped mountain peaks at a distance as you drive towards Tham Danda. From here, your trekking journey begins.

You will start with a gradual descent through a dense forest of rhododendron and pine. Although less frequented, the trail is well-marked. The trek on this day isn’t particularly difficult. There are only mild uphill and downhill trekking sections. En route, you will cross a few suspension bridges and trek along ridgelines. It is also a short trek to Paiya, a small village situated on a hilltop. You will stay here for the night.

After breakfast, you will leave Paiya and join the classic EBC trail. You will leave Paiya and start your gradual uphill climb. The trail takes you through a dense subtropical forest of rhododendron. As you progress, the trail becomes steeper. It takes you to Kari La Pass before descending to Surkhe village. Surkhe is situated directly below the airstrip of Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla.

You will gradually start climbing uphill to Chaurikharka. En route, you will come across several monasteries and prayer wheels. Then, you will come across the village of Chheplung, from where the trail meets the classic Everest Base Camp route. The trail gradually descends and follows Dudh Koshi River towards Phakding. You will follow the winding path through pine forests. Along the way, you will come across suspension bridges, river valleys, prayer flags, chortens, and mani stones. You will stay overnight at Phakding.

You will leave Phakding after breakfast. The trail begins with a gentle uphill climb towards the north. It follows the Dudh Koshi River, and you must cross a long suspension bridge. You will hike through pine forest and pass by small settlements like Toktok, Bengkar, Chhamuwa, and more. After trekking for a while, you will reach the village of Monjo. You will enter the Sagarmatha National Park from here onwards.

The trail descends from Monjo village, and you will once again cross a suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. It takes you to the village of Jorsalle, from where you will start hiking through a forest trail. Moving forward, you will cross two suspension bridges, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. Colorful prayer flags adorn the bridges, and the trail becomes steeper from here onwards. It is the most challenging part of today’s journey. As you get closer to Namche Bazaar, you will get your first view of Mount Everest. You will continue climbing towards the village and stay at Namche Bazaar.

Today, you will take your first acclimatization at Namche Bazaar. It is essential to stay active to help your body adapt to the changing altitude and environment. So, you can take short excursions or explore around the village. You can take a short hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880 meters), one of the highest hotels in the world. The trail goes steeply uphill and takes you through forests of conifers. The hotel offers one of the best views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and other surrounding peaks. It is a luxury hotel, so you can savor a cup of coffee or enjoy lunch while taking in the breathtaking views.

Another option is to hike to Khumjung Village (3,790 meters). It is a traditional Sherpa village that is home to the Khumjung Monastery. The ancient monastery is a significant spiritual hub for Tibetan Buddhists in the Khumbu region. It also houses a mysterious Yeti scalp in a small glass case. Similarly, you can also visit the Hillary School, established by Sir Edmund Hillary. The village also offers gorgeous mountain views. After the excursion, you will head back to Namche. You can explore around the village and its vibrant alleyways.

After the vital rest day in Namche, you will continue your trek. The trek starts with a gentle uphill climb along the ridge. You will hike through subtropical forests while enjoying spectacular views of snow-capped mountains. Along the way, you will pass small settlements like Kyangjuma and Sanasa. From Sanasa, you will begin descending through forests of rhododendron and pine. Then, you will cross a suspension bridge to reach Phungi Tenga.

The Everest Base Camp by drive goes through a path from Phungi Tenga that begins to ascend, becoming steeper. You will trek on forest trails and stone staircases, which is quite challenging. En route, you will pass by numerous prayer flags, mani walls, prayer wheels, and chortens. As you approach Tengboche village, the trail becomes even and opens up. You will stay overnight at the village, so you will have time to explore Tengboche Monastery in the evening. You can also enjoy striking views of Mt. Everest and Ama Dablam from the monastery.

You will enjoy a hearty breakfast at Tengboche and resume your journey. You will begin with a short descent along a forest trail that leads to Debuche. Then, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Imja River. The trail from here starts to ascend uphill gradually. As you move forward, you will notice that the subtropical landscape changes into open terrain. It takes you to one of the notable Sherpa villages, Pangboche. It is home to one of the oldest monasteries of the region, the Pangboche.

From here, you will continue your journey. The trail takes you to a flatter section. En route, you will come across barren and windswept valleys. The gorgeous mountain views will accompany you throughout the trek. Similarly, you will come across small villages like Shomare and Orsho. After crossing a wooden bridge over a glacial stream, you will ascend to Dingboche. It is another essential stop for your journey.

You will take another acclimatization stop at Dingboche today. The beautiful Sherpa village is one of the last permanent settlements before the Base Camp. You can see beautiful stone-built houses, mani walls, and stone-walled fields. Similarly, the village offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. From Dingboche, you will take a side trip to Chhukung Valley (4,730 meters) for acclimatization.

The path takes you east of the village. It takes you past stone-walled farms and huts of yak herders. The beautiful Chhukung Valley offers stunning views of mountain vistas, including Lhotse, Nuptse, Amphu Lapcha, Baruntse, and other nearby peaks. Another option for a side excursion is Chhukung Ri (5,546 meters). If you are feeling adventurous, you can take a challenging hike to this high-altitude vantage point. The trails are steep and demanding, but they offer unparalleled views of Mt Everest. After the excursion, you will return to Dingboche.

From Dingboche, the trail begins to ascend again, becoming steeper. The terrain is also more rocky and rugged. You will cross suspension bridges over glacial streams. Similarly, you will pass by small settlements along the way. You will traverse through the Khumbu Khola Valley, barren landscapes, and open fields. After trekking for some time, you will come across a memorial site called Khumbu or Everest Memorial.

There are many stone moulds, crosses, and plaques at the site that are tributes to mountaineers who lost their lives on Everest. The site is a haunting reminder of the dangers of Everest expeditions. You will pass the memorial site and continue your trek to Lobuche. As you trek ahead, you will come across a path that connects with Gokyo Lakes and Cho-La Pass. You will spend the night at Lobuche. You can relax while enjoying the grand view of Mount Pumori at the end of the day.

An exciting adventure awaits you today as you will finally ascend to Everest Base Camp. The trek begins early, and you will first follow the rocky trail to Gorakshep. You will trek along the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Likewise, the trail ascends to a higher elevation. It takes around three hours to reach Gorakshep. You will rest for a while and leave your luggage here. Now, you will finally start your climb towards the Everest Base Camp.

You will hike on loose rocks and rugged terrain as you gain elevation. Similarly, you will hike alongside the Khumbu Glacier and its moraine. Upon reaching the Everest Base Camp, breathtaking views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other towering mountains unfold before you. You can also see colorful tents of the expedition teams during the climbing season. You will have some time to explore the area and take photos. Then, you will descend to Gorakshep for an overnight stay.

You will wake up before dawn and hike to the iconic Kalapathar viewpoint. It is a steep but short climb. You will enjoy one of the most mesmerizing sunrises from here, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and other surrounding vistas, you can also enjoy a gorgeous view of the Khumbu Icefall. The golden sunrise over the Himalayas is truly an unforgettable view.

After witnessing the sunrise, you will return to Gorakshep. From here, you will begin your descent to Lobuche. You will descend downhill alongside the Khumbu Glacier and Imja Kola Valley, then trek down to Pheriche.

From Pheriche, the trail continues to descend through a familiar route. You will once again pass by the villages of Dingboche, Pangboche, and Tengboche. Similarly, the trail again descends through forests of conifers and rhododendrons as you trek to Namche. You will once again cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. Upon reaching Namche, you can rest your tired feet or explore around.

Today is your final trekking day. From Namche, you will mostly trek back downhill along the Dudh Koshi River Valley. You will retrace your steps back to Lukla, passing by familiar villages and forest trails. It again goes through forests of rhododendrons and pines. Similarly, you will again cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. You will rest overnight at Lukla.

You will catch a morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, which takes around 30 minutes. During the flight, marvel at the aerial views of the Himalayas one last time before landing in Kathmandu. You also have the alternative to take a flight from Lukla to Manthali Airport, Ramechhap. In such cases, you will first take a 25-minute flight from Lukla to Ramechhap. Then, you will drive to Kathmandu.

Once in Kathmandu, you can relax, explore the city, and reflect on your incredible Everest Base Camp adventure. If you wish to join other adventures, you can consult with us.