Your journey begins with a short flight to Lukla, the first stop in your journey to base camp. Say goodbye to the mundane and prepare for the journey of lifetime.
Form the plane you will see the lofty peaks of the mountains of the Himalaya rising above a sea of clouds. A sight to behold with the promise of the journey to come. Beneath the clouds is an endless expanse of winding mountains cascading into the horizon. Large swathes of remote Nepalese farmland are established on the mountainsides which are otherwise covered with forests.
On arriving at Lukla, you are welcomed into a local establishment for refreshments and orientation before your trek begins. An assortment of monastery’s and prayer wheels, large and small, guides you towards your next destination, Phakding, at 2610 meters (8560 ft). The trek will be 3 to 4 hour walk where you will find a glimpse of the mountains of the Himalaya, your home for the next 11 days. Once you reach Phakding, you will set down for the night and celebrate the first night of your adventure, an apt prelude of what’s to come.
After breakfast at Phakding, you will journey again into the mountains. Your next stop, Namchebazzar. The walk will take you 6 to 7 hours, with rest stops, hot meals, and well deserved respite along the way. You will be trekking through the mountainside among the lush green forest and beset on all sides by the awe inspiring vista of the Himalayan Mountain. Beside you always, as your companion, is the river which runs in the deep ravine in between the mountains, roaring in the summer months, with a pristine white coat of ice during the winter months.
Your path will be relatively easy, and you will meet fellow travelers along the way whose faces you are likely to meet in the days to come. Every now and then you will cross paths with a herd of mule or Zoppa / dzoppa / dzopkye, an important livestock for the local Sherpa people of the Himalaya. As you wind through the mountain, your scenery will change around you. Every time you look into the never ending folds of the mountain range, your destination will become closer, until, at last, you will see the mountain town of Namchebazzar.
With population of fewer than 2,500, Namchebazzar is a small commercial hub and the largest of its kind in the region. Even at 3400 meters (11285ft.), your creature comforts can be catered for, form hair salons to a variety of dinner options. If you have not purchased all your preparations for the Journey, Namchebazzar is the best place to stock up. There is much to explore if you’re so willing, or simply relax and enjoy the sights.
On day 5 is for acclimatization to the altitude. The day can be spent exploring Namchebazzar, catching up with some light reading, or making friends with your fellow travelers. If the altitude is not a problem for you, you will have the option of climbing to hotel Everest view point which is world highest hotel and Khumjung valley to get proper glimpse of the Mount Everest summit. There also you will find monument to the pioneer Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, as well as a cultural museum dedicated to the native Sherpa people of the Himalaya. A good night’s rest will prepare you for the next day’s journey to Tengboche monastery.
My partner and I met KV Rai (owner and operator of Mountain Planner) in April of 2017 when he guided us on a 7 day trek in the Langtang Valley of the Himalayas. KV did everything to ensure that our trek was memorable. He was professional, knowledgeable, fun, and full of energy. My partner and I are highly athletic and he ensured that our pace and activities were consistent with our abilities and interests. KV also went out of his way to make our experience authentic, allowing us to interact with the villagers and owners of the teahouses in ways that we did not see others doing. We had an opportunity to cook with a family and share a meal and spent time with the villagers when other trekkers stayed with their groups. These were precious moments that left lasting impressions. Further, KV’s knowledge of geography, culture, politics, etc. made our trip a tremendous learning experience. We absolutely adored KV and trek. By the end of the trip, we had developed such a strong bond with KV and were so enamored with the Nepal he had shown us that we were determined to return the following year to do the Everest Base Camp trek.
We stayed in touch with KV via Facebook messenger and email throughout the next break we had from our work as international teachers and began to plan our next trip to Nepal. As we got closer to the trip we said that we would not go with another guide other than KV. We made this a reality, returning to do the Everest Base Camp trek in December of 2017.
Our trip completing the Everest Base Camp trek was spectacular. On this trip, KV was managing two additional clients. The first trek we were his only clients. Despite this, and the fact that the clients were not equip in many ways for such an undertaking, KV did a miraculous job of balancing all of our needs and varying physical capabilities. Again, he was professional, thoughtful, and knowledge. We watched him navigate some difficult choices to accommodate the limitations of his other clients, and balance giving us the time and attention as if we were family. Everest Base Camp was the single most amazing trekking experience I have ever had and may have in my life. An essential part of that was KV and the relationship that we had developed. KV ensures that you are informed, safe, comfortable (or as comfortable as you can be at 17,000 ft in December), and happy. His energy is infectious; his smile is joyous; his attention to detail fantastic.
The Everest Base Camp trek was a year and a half ago. I communicate with KV at least once a month. I am as close to him as many family members. He even offered to host our wedding at his family home. I cannot speak more highly of him and his business. If you want an authentic, memorable, once in a lifetime experience, trek with KV and Mountain Planner.
I highly recommend Mountain Planner. Kevin is a wonderful human.
It was so much fun to spend the week exploring Nepal with him. He did a great job customizing our vacation to fit our needs. We got to experience trekking in the mountains near Pokhara and the Annapurna range; explore the jungle in Chitwan National Park; explore the sights of Kathmandu; and see Mt Everest from a Himalayan mountain flight. Kevin arranged all of this and made great recommendations on all of it.
Thanks to my friend Ray, enjoy the Until now, better experience in trekking, we spent 2 unforgettable weeks in the EBC plus Gokyo, He knows all the places he manages permits and always accompanies with good humor, I will go back to this wonderful country and I will do the trekking of the annapurna as not with my great friend, 5 stars could not be enough.
Gracias a mi amigo Ray , disfrute del Hasta ahora, mejor experiencia en trekking , pasamos 2 semanas inolvidables en el EBC mas Gokyo , El conoce todos los lugares gestiona permisos billetes y siempre acompaña con buen humor , volvere a este maravilloso pais y hare el trekking del annapurna como no con mi gran amigo , 5 stars no pudo ser mejor .
In April 2019 I had the possibility to visit for a first time Nepal , and I would like recommend Mountain Planner. Kevin prepared a wonderful trip to me , kevin did and excellent job organizing my short vacation fitting it into my special request .Indeed exploring sight of kathmandu , exploring the Mt Everest having a wonderful mountain flight ,
between others important places , I know that in 6 days I can’t do too much, but it was a great experience to me and I will be back for others new experiences
Kevin arranged all of this short adventure, and Sandip Rai was my private tourist guide during this awesome short trip.thanks a lot to Both of you guys.
Highly recommended to Mountain Planner. Very professional and attentive. Beautiful landscapes, Everest base camp and Gokyo lakes. An incredible experience. I’ll repeat with other trek!
Again in Nepal, On October 06 – 16 / 10 / 2018 to Annapurna Base Camp Trek with same guide Mr. Kevin through the very responsible trekking company ”Mountain Planner Treks & Expedition”. Mountain Planner help me to enjoy the travel with funny moments.
It’s really great hike. I would like to recommend ”Mountain Planner” who looking forward trek to Nepal for vacation with very responsible trekking guide and trekking company. Thank you very much Mountain Planner for great support and effort to complete successful trip to Annapurna Base Camp Trek.