Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you’ll complete your immigration procedures and meet our representatives. They’ll welcome you with a garland or a khada and take you for a drive to your hotel.

As you get to the hotel, you’ll fill out the check-in form, freshen up, and take a rest. In the evening, we’ll meet and debrief you on the upcoming adventure schedule and other related information. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel in Kathmandu.

On the second day, after breakfast, you will begin your day. The destination for the day is Jiri, located at an elevation of 1,900 meters (approximately 6,233 feet) within the Dolakha District. Our representatives will pick you up and drive you to the bus park to take a drive to Jiri.

The drive offers scenic beauty and the opportunity to explore numerous landscapes. The route begins at the Araniko Highway, showcasing the transition from a farming landscape to a river valley. As your journey will be on a local bus, the drive takes 8-9 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions, covering a distance of 173 km. After getting to Jiri, you’ll check into your lodge, have your lunch, and sleep peacefully.

On the third day of the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary, the expedition continues from Jiri to Deurali after breakfast at your lodge in Jiri. Your real trekking adventure begins as you leave motor roads behind and start hiking toward Deurali. The trail begins with a steady uphill climb to a ridge before descending to the riverside village of Shivalaya.

From Shivalaya, the path becomes steeper as you ascend through lush forests and traditional hillside villages. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of terraced fields and green valleys. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Deurali, where you’ll rest and enjoy a warm meal at a local teahouse for the night.

On the fourth day of the trek, you will trek from Deurali to Sete. The day starts with a warm cup of tea and a delicious breakfast at Deurali. After breakfast, you’ll start to descend through lush forest and terraced farmland, passing Mali and Bhandar. After crossing the settlements, the route continues downhill to a stream, followed by a slow uphill climb through oak and rhododendron forests leading into Sete.

The trekking section from Deurali to Sete is all about cultural interactions and stunning landscapes. You’ll pass many walls, fluttering prayer flags, and scattered chortens. Similarly, the birdsong, and on clear days, glimpses of distant snowy peaks, will accompany you on the trekking section. It takes 5-6 hours to get to Sete from Deurali. Your overnight stay and dinner for the day will be at Deurali.

The fifth day begins with a hearty meal at Sete village’s teahouse, where you’ve stayed the night. The day takes you to Junbesi and the route is longer than the previous day’s. The route is a gradual climb up until the Lamjura La Pass (3,530 m), the highest point of the day. From the top of the pass, you’ll see a beautiful landscape of Jiri and Namche Bazaar towns.

From Lamjura La, it’s a steep and slippery descent through moss-covered forest sections and alpine vegetation, leading you to Taktor. From Taktor, the trail winds past cultural landmarks like the Thaktop Gompa (on your right) and the Hillary School (on your left), offering a unique glimpse into the Sherpa way of life. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Junbesie. You’ll spend the night here, enjoying dinner and rest at a local teahouse.

On the 6th day of the trek, you will take a well-deserved rest with a designated relaxation day in Junbesi. This pause in the journey allows you to recharge and acclimate to the altitude, and also provides the opportunity to explore Junbesi’s cultural and natural sights. At an elevation of 2,700 meters, the location serves as an ideal point for acclimatization.

Idingma is a popular day hike option on the Junbesi rest day. North of the Idingma village lies the settlement of Phungmuche, offering another day-hiking option on this trip. Whether you choose to take a day hike to nearby landmarks, interact with the people, or enjoy the serene surroundings, the rest day in Junbesi offers a chance for both physical and mental rest. Additionally, the day is an essential part of the Jiri to EBC Trek itinerary, which is vital for preserving strength and ensuring an extra enjoyable trek.

On the 7th day of the trek, you’ll resume the trek from Junbesi to Nunthala after having breakfast. The trek starts with a descent into the Junbesi River, following the trail to Khumbu at the trail junction. Afterward, the pathway gently climbs through pine and rhododendron forest. After about 1.5–2 hours, you reach a high ridge near Salung. From there, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Everest (8,848m), along with Thamserku and Mera Peak.

The trail now descends to Ringmo, a small village known for apple orchards and local cider. Then the trail climbs again to Taksindu La Pass (3,071m), leading you to Nunthala. You can expect to spend approximately 5-6 hours in this segment of the trek. However, the actual time range may vary depending on factors such as route conditions, individual walking pace, and weather. Your overnight stay and dinner for the day are at the teahouse of Nunthala.

The seventh day of the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek journey takes you from Nunthala to Bupsa. After breakfast at Nunthala, you’ll start your trek with a descent through a Dudh Koshi river bridge. The initial phase of the trek traverses through Jubling village, a Rai village, to the viewpoint of Khumbila. After reaching the suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi, you begin a long and gradual ascent toward Khari Khola. The location is ideal for resting and having lunch.

After lunch at Khari Khola, the trek continues through stone steps, passing through dense forest and a ridge section, to reach Bupsa. You’ll stay overnight and have dinner at a teahouse in Bupsa.

Today is an important day as your route connects the classic Jiri trail with the main Everest Base Camp trail from Lukla. After a warm breakfast at your teahouse in Bupsa, the trek begins by crossing a bridge near Kharte, followed by a steady climb to Kari La Pass. From the top, you’ll descend through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests until you reach Paiya, where you’ll stop for lunch and a short rest.

After Paiya, the trail continues through a mix of oak, bamboo, birch, and pine forests and takes you up to Chutok La Pass. After crossing the pass and a small stream on a bridge, you’ll soon join the main trail that leads to Lukla Airport. From there, it’s a short hike to Cheplung, your final stop for the day. You’ll have dinner and spend the night at a cozy teahouse here.

From the tenth day, you’ll start trekking through the main trail of EBC. After breakfast at Cheplung, you’ll start your trek towards Monjo. The Everest Base Camp trail first passes through Ghat. From there, the walkway slowly climbs to Phakding, a common overnight stop for trekkers flying into Lukla. Continuing northward from Phakding, the route winds through Toktok, Benkar, and Chumoa.

The final part of the trek includes crossing a long suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi. Similarly, you’ll enter the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, where you must verify your permit to continue trekking on the next day. Your day’s overnight and dinner are at the tea house of Monjo.

On the 11th day of the trek, the journey proceeds from Monjo to Namche Bazaar. Finishing your morning meal at Monjo while feeling the peacefulness of the area, you’ll pack your backpack and begin your day’s trek. The journey involves crossing the famous Hillary Bridge (suspension bridge), suspended high above the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers.

From the Hillary Bridge, it is a 2-3 hour ascent via zig-zagging stone steps and pine forest sections. As you get closer to your day’s destination, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam come into view. Walking for approximately 7-8 km, you’ll get to 7-8 km. You’ll stay overnight and have dinner at Nmache Bazaar’s accommodation point.

The twelfth day is your acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar. The day is important because it lets you adapt to changing temperatures. However, you won’t stay idle on this day; instead, you’ll go for a higher-elevation day hike. Trekkers generally prefer Everest View Hotel (3,880 meters) and Khumjung village (3,790 meters) for their day hike on the acclimatization day.

The Everest View Hotel is located 2-3 hours from Namche Bazaar and is recognized as the world’s highest-elevation hotel. The hotel offers a 360-degree view of Mt Everest and the surrounding peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and other iconic peaks. Additionally, the village of Khumjung is renowned for its ancient monastery, Khumjung School, and Syangboche Airport. Moreover, you can end your day with a visit to the Sherpa Culture Museum located in the Namche Bazaar. Your night stay and lunch point for the day are the same as yesterday’s.

With the fresh energy of Namche Bazaar’s acclimatization, you’ll begin your day’s destination right after your breakfast. As you are heading to a higher elevation, expect to get a more scenic view of the Everest trail, nature’s beauty, and mountain peaks. The trek begins along a winding mountain path, accompanied by the majestic peaks of Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Everest.

A long downhill trek through pine and rhododendron forest across the Imja River leads to Phunki Tenga. There, you’ll have your lunch while enjoying the surrounding beauty. After filling your tummy with a hearty lunch, you’ll continue your trek towards Tengboche. It is about a 2-hour challenging uphill switchback climb through the forest from Phunki Tenga to Tengboche. However, the overall trek from Namche Bazaar to Phunki Tenga takes 5-6 hours. Your day’s overnight stay and dinner will be at the Tengboche tea house.

Early in the morning, you can visit the largest monastery in the Khumbu Valley, Tengboche Monastery, and immerse yourself in a spiritual experience. After visiting the monastery and receiving the blessing from the monks, you’ll return to your accommodation point to have breakfast. After the morning meal, you’ll make your way towards Dingboche village. The trek begins with a gradual descent to Debuche through rhododendron and birch forests.

After Debuche, you’ll cross the Imja Khola via a suspension bridge, then ascend slowly to Pangboche, home to a historic monastery. You’ll take a rest and have lunch at the village, and then continue your walk. Passing through the settlement of Shomare, you’ll reach Dingboche from Pangboche. You’ll stay a night and have dinner at the tea house of Dingboche.

At an elevation of 4,410 meters (14,470 feet), Dingboche serves as a crucial acclimatization point and the third and last acclimatization stop on the journey to Everest Base Camp via Jiri. Like other acclimatization days, you’ll go for a short hike on the day and follow the rule of “climb high, sleep low”. On this day, you’ll go for a hike to Nangkartshang viewpoint, lying at an impressive height of 5,083 meters (16,676 feet). Chhukung Valley (4,730m) is also an option for a day hike on the day.

While the Nangkartshang viewpoint takes 3 to 4 hours on a round trip, the Chukkung valley hike takes 4-5 hours. Both viewpoints offer mesmerizing views of the mountains. Still, trekkers choose the Nangkartshang viewpoint over the Chukkung valley due to its easier climb. Additionally, the rest day in Dingboche encourages trekkers to unwind and appreciate the serene environment, fostering a sense of well-being before continuing the exhilarating adventure through the Everest Region. You’ll descend to Dingboche for the night’s stay and dinner.

On Day 16, your journey brings you one step closer to Everest Base Camp. After breakfast in Dingboche, the trek starts with a gentle uphill walk through a wide, open valley. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Taboche, Cholatse, and Lobuche East. After a couple of hours, you’ll reach the Thukla Pass. Thukla Pass is home to the famous Everest memorial site, where a tribute with stone chortens is built in memory of climbers who lost their lives in the Himalayas.

From the memorial, the trail enters a rocky section of glacial moraine. You will walk along the lateral edge of the Khumbu Glacier. Eventually, you’ll arrive in Lobuche, a small, high-altitude settlement surrounded by dramatic mountain views. You’ll spend the night at a teahouse in Lobuche, resting and preparing for the final push toward Everest Base Camp.

The seventeenth is a journey from Lobuche to Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp that involves a gradual ascent. The day takes you through rugged terrain and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan landscape. The trek starts with a steady ascent over rough terrain along the Khumbu Glacier’s lateral moraine from Lobuche towards Gorakshep.

You’ll pass glacial lakes and stone paths with views of Pumori, Nuptse, and Mount Everest. Upon reaching Gorakshep, you’ll have breakfast, leave your bags, and head towards Everest Base Camp. The trek to EBC from Gorakshep follows rocky, glacial paths that wind through boulders and ice. You’ll walk beside the Khumbu Glacier, with a distant view of towering icefalls.

After 2-2.5 hours, you’ll get to Everest Base Camp from Gorakshep. Views of mountains like Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori will welcome you upon reaching EBC. However, the view of Mount Everest itself is not visible from the base camp due to the obstruction of other peaks. After feeling a sense of accomplishment and capturing the moments, you’ll descend to Gorakshep for a properly deserved overnight stay, surrounded by the sheer magnificence of the Everest Region.

It’s another big day. Early morning, at around 4 a.m., with a headlight and packed snacks, you’ll head for Kalapatthar. It’s a steep climb from Gorak Shep through high-altitude and rocky paths, where breathing is harder, requiring a slow pace. It takes 1.5-2 hours to reach Kalapatthar, located at an elevation of 5,555 meters, from Gorakshep. The 360-degree views of the mountain range from the viewpoint are spectacular.

The views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Pumori, and the Khumbu Glacier are awe-inspiring from the top of the viewpoint. Similarly, the golden hue of the rising sun over the snow-capped peaks makes the overall scenery jaw-dropping. After enjoying your Kala Patthar summit, you’ll head back to Gorakshep.

At Gorakshep, you’ll have breakfast and start descending towards Pheriche. The path follows the same route back through Lobuche and Dingboche. However, it is a descent journey, requiring a careful walk to avoid hurting your knees. You’ll stay overnight and have dinner at the tea house of Pheriche on the day.

With a sense of victory of completing your Everest Base Camp, reaching its summit, and Kalapatthar, you’ll wake up. After freshening up, you’ll have breakfast and continue your descent towards Namche Bazaar for the day. The journey starts retracing your steps through the ancient village of Pangboche. As you descend, you’ll lose altitude, making it easier to breathe. Similarly, you’ll see a change in the landscape from rocky and barren terrain to rhododendron and pine forests.

Along the way, you’ll cross several suspension bridges over Dudh Koshi River with a view of waterfalls and deep gorges. As you get to Namche Bazaar, you’ll feel like returning to civilization with locals all over the town and shops, including a bakery, gear, and lodges. You’ll stay overnight and have dinner at Namche Bazaar’s lodge.

After breakfast at Namche Bazaar, you’ll pack your backpack and continue your descent journey. The trek begins with a steep downhill descent via stone steps, passing by the Hillary Suspension Bridge. After a while of trekking, you’ll pass by the village of Jorsalle and exit from the Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. Continuing the trek, you’ll descend along the Dudh Koshi River, crossing suspension bridges, and reach Phakding. There, you’ll take a rest and have lunch.

It is another three-hour trek from Phakding to Lukla, with most of the descent sections. The nighttime in Lukla marks the culmination of the trek, allowing you to unwind, relish your achievements, and share stories of your memorable expedition. The overnight stay in Lukla serves as a snug resting point before departing from this mountainous region.

The day came when you had to say goodbye to the Everest region, knowing that your trek to Everest Base Camp through Jiri had come to an end. You’ll have an early morning flight from Lukla Airport to Ramechhap. If you are travelling in the off-season, there is a chance that you can fly directly to Kathmandu. However, if you are in the peak season, you must fly to Ramechhap Airport, which is a 20-minute flight. As you fly from Lukla, you’ll get the view of the Everest region for one last time, offering you all the flashbacks you had on the journey.

After landing at Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, you’ll take a rest for a while and continue your drive towards Kathmandu. The drive takes you through narrow, hilly roads with mixed paved/gravel surfaces via Khurkot, Nepalthok, Dhulikhel, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu. Your day’s accommodation point is at Kathmandu’s Hotel.