Everest Base Camp Trek: What to Expect

Trekking to Everest Base Camp through the Khumbu Valley “is one of the most historic, culturally-rich treks in the world” explains Alpenglow guide Brian Warren. Mount Everest has long captured imaginations, but when traveling in the Khumbu Valley, it becomes apparent that it’s not only Everest that makes this place so special but the greater picture of the Himalayan mountain range, including the history, people who live there, and the climbers who visit.

When trekking in the Khumbu with Alpenglow Expeditions, you become part of the mountain enthusiast community that migrates to this region in order to pursue their dreams. There are no roads and no vehicles. You trek for about three hours a day from village to village, and you often spend no more than three hours walking so that you have plenty of time to acclimatize in each village.

During the trek, you are surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Himalaya and you will explore numerous suspension bridges, tumultuous rivers, and small towns and monasteries along the way to Everest Base Camp, including Ama Dablam Base Camp. Check out our itinerary to get a day-by-day detailed description of the trip.

Along the way, you stay in tea houses and experience Alpenglow’s Sherpa family homes for a complete, local immersion into Nepali culture. “It’s very social” described Alpenglow ambassador and climber Emily Harrington.

After exploring the major cultural attractions of Kathmandu, you fly to Lukla and begin the trek to Namche Bazaar, where we visit the Sherpa Museum of Culture and Himalayan Climbing History. Khumjung is the next stop where we stay with Phurba Tashi and his family in their comfortable lodge. We also visit the Hillary School and Khunde Hospital, which are both projects of Sir Edmund Hillary and are significant centers of Sherpa life.

From Khumjung, we head to Phortse, which sees almost no Western visitors and is an incredible mountain town perched on the walls of a massive river valley. We continue to Pangboche to visit the oldest monastery and temple in the region and we explore the monastery’s paintings and statues.

As you travel and trek beside the Sherpa, guides, and climbers who are continuing on to the region’s summits, you will get a perspective unlike any other, creating an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. Visit our Everest Base Camp expedition webpage to find out more about the trip.