The Budget Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days offers an exhilarating journey through the heart of the Himalayas, presenting an unparalleled opportunity to witness the majesty of Mount Everest up close. Designed for adventurous souls seeking an immersive experience without breaking the bank, this trek combines stunning natural beauty with cultural encounters along the legendary trail to Everest Base Camp.
Over the course of 12 days, participants embark on a challenging yet rewarding trek that begins in the vibrant city of Kathmandu, Nepal. From there, the adventure takes them through picturesque Sherpa villages, dense rhododendron forests, and rugged mountain terrain, all while soaking in breathtaking panoramic views of the world's highest peaks.
The itinerary is carefully crafted to optimize both the trekking experience and budget considerations. Accommodations along the trail consist of cozy teahouses or basic lodges, providing a comfortable resting place after a day of hiking. Meals typically include hearty Nepali and Tibetan dishes, offering a taste of the local culinary traditions.
| Day 01: | Fly Lukla (2,840 m/ 9,372 ft) and Phakding (2,610 m/ 8,613 ft) | Flight: 30 minutes | Trek: 3/4 hrs. |
| Day 02: | Namche (3440 m/ 11,283 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs. |
| Day 03: | Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) – (First day for acclimatization) |
| Day 04: | Tengboche (3,867 m/ 12,684 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs |
| Day 05: | Dingboche (4,358m / 14, 295 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs |
| Day 06: | Dingboche (4,358 m) – (second day for acclimatization) |
| Day 07: | Lobuche (4,928 m/ 16,164 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs |
| Day 08: | Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/ 17,575 ft) and return to Gokarshep ( 5,160 m/ 16,929 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs |
| Day 09: | Morning Kalapathar (5,550 m/ 18,204 ft) and Pheriche (4358m/ 14,295 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs |
| Day 10: | Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/ 11,283 ft) | Trek: 4/5 hrs. |
| Day 11: | Lukla (2,840 m/ 9,372 ft) Trek: 6/7 hrs |
| Day 12: | Fly to Kathmandu | Flight: 30 minutes |
Day 01: Fly Lukla (2,840 m/ 9,372 ft) and Phakding (2,610 m/ 8,613 ft) | Flight: 30 minutes | Trek: 3/4 hrs.
The first-day early morning after breakfast, we will be transferred to Kathmandu Domestic Airport to catch our flight towards Lukla. It holds nearly 30 to 35 minutes of time over the white Himalayas to reach Lukla Airport (gateway of trekking). On Lukla, you will be introduced to other trekking members and after a few minutes of packing and arrangements, we develop our short trek towards Phakding. However, the first-day short trek assists proper acclimatization for you and steeping on Phakding, the first night of trekking will be at one of the guest houses in Phakding.
Day 02: Trek to Namche (3440 m/ 11,283 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs.
This second day of trekking towards Everest base camp takes us through pleasing pine forests along the bank of Dudh Koshi River passing the first suspension bridge and many small villages to Monju (gateway of Sagarmatha National Park). Eventually, after a short time, we reach the check post and after short formalities, we entrance forward to Sagarmatha National Park. Our trial further offers lovely forests, old monuments, and many short and long suspension bridges across Dudh Koshi River, and after walking some certain time, we reach Namche Bazaar (gateway of Everest base camp trekking).
Day 03: Acclimatization Day
This is the first day of acclimatization considered as a rest day but we need to stay active and moving instead of being idle. This day, we move a hike to Thame or explore throughout Namche Bazaar which offers the first sight of Mount Everest with encircled snowcapped mountains and the largest Sherpa settlement. Actually, Namche bazaar is the center of the Khumbu region which holds many internet cafes, restaurants, and other amenities for relaxing and many monuments, museums, and parks for visiting on endure time.
Day 04: Trek from Namche to Tengboche (3,867 m/ 12,684 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs
Forth day after having a delightful breakfast, we develop our trek through a zigzag trail crossing the valley above Dudh Koshi River which provides the opportunity to sight wild musk deer, multi-colored pheasants, the herd of Himalayan Thar, and much other flora and fauna. Walking some more hours passing through many views of the giant Himalayas, beautiful settlements, terraced fields, and pleasing rhododendron and pine forests, we are probably offered by the most beautiful spot of the Everest region, Tengboche. There we explore the Tengboche monastery (Khumbu region's largest monastery) which is really improbable and have a night there at the lodge.
Day 05: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,358m / 14, 295 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs
As usual, we start our trek after having breakfast from Tengboche. Crossing Imja Khola and lush rhododendron forest we climb up to the valley’s highest year-round settlement of Pangboche and passing several fascinating mini walls and small villages, we short sight Pangboche monastery. You can also get a close view of Mount Ama Dablam from there and in the afternoon collecting different and new experiences, we continue our walk to Pheriche from where our route takes Imja valley and after the last climb offer Dingboche.
Day 06: Acclimatization Day
Today the sixth day is also separated for acclimatization but we won’t stay idle. This day we head towards the north, behind the village to collect a breathtaking view of many visible short and tall mountains (Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Lhotse especially). You are also offered to notice Imja Khola valley, fields, and pastures of Dingboche or you can explore throughout the valley for the whole day. We won’t step forward on the sixth day so this night we will be staying at Dingboche.
Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,928 m/ 16,164 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs
On the seventh day after having breakfast, we trigger our trek upward to Dungla through Khumbu Khola valley, and during our trek, we appreciate memorial stupas, Chola Lake, Majestic view of Mt. Pumori (7,138 m), wooden bridge, and roaring stream too. Finally stepping on Dungla, we head towards the mortal Khumbu Glacier of Mount Everest, and many great giant peaks like Khumbutse, Lingtren, Pumori, and Mahalangur Himal are spotted from Khumbu Glacier and after splitting stunning Khumbu Glacier we gently move upward and reach Lobuche for the night.
Day 08:Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/ 17,575 ft) and return to Gokarshep ( 5,160 m/ 16,929 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs
As usual, after having selected breakfast, we leave Lobuche and continue our walk towards Gokarshep to have lunch and again start to climb up focusing on Everest base camp. After a certain walk, we pass the pyramid sign and now you can spot the real giant north face of Mount Everest and many other tall mountains too. Near from small ascend you are offered a really stunting 360° view with tall snowy mountains around. Developing trek continuously through rocky and glacial trail viewing amazing views, you step to Everest base camp (aimed destination). After sightseeing and captures, we return to Gokarshep to stay.
Day 09: Morning Kalapathar (5,550 m/ 18,204 ft) and Pheriche (4358m/ 14,295 ft) | Trek: 5/6 hrs
This ninth day is the day to step on the highest elevation point of the trekking towards Kalapathar. We develop our trek forward to the viewpoint of Kalapathar in the early morning and after some hours of walk before the sunshine, we catch the sight of Kalapathar (Black rock) and other more tall mountains around and we notice that view of Kala Patthar grows as golden with the first light of the day spots there and gradually return back as same as before. After having a genius look we walk be back to Pheriche to stay overnight there.
Day 10: Trek Back to Namche Bazaar
On the tenth day after having a hot breakfast, we catch the same route that we had developed before towards Pangboche village and return crossing Imja Khola, pleasing forests, numerous bridges, and many settlements to reach Tengboche. Extending our walk continuously, passing praying stones and mini walls we step Namche Bazaar in the late afternoon, and on this tenth night, we will spend our night enjoying Sherpa cultural dances and dishes at Namche bazaar.
Day 11: Trek Back to Lukla
On the eleventh day we shoot out trek early morning from Namche along crossing through Dudh Koshi River, suspension bridges, and settlements, we reach Monjo. As past, after considering some formalities at the check post of National Park we head towards Phakding. This is the last day of our walk and almost, most of the tracks are open plains with rhododendron and pine forests and ancient monuments on the way. In the evening after you step on Lukla your time will be spent on entertainment and memory sharing with crew members.
Day 12: Fly Back to Kathmandu
Last day of our trekking, we catch our scheduled flight from Lukla over snow-capped mountains to Kathmandu. Normally flights are in the morning time but you can have plenty of time for your breakfast. The guide takes care of your Airport management along with your bags and luggage will be carried by local porters to the airport. After you will return back to Kathmandu private vehicles will be awaiting you to pick and shift to your hotel.