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8th Nov 2025 - 23rd Nov 2025
16 days/Nepal /Challenging to Extreme
This is a tough 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, including an optional (but highly recommended) summit of Kala Pattar. This trek allows you to walk in the footsteps of some of the world’s most respected mountaineers and offers you an insight into the culture of the Sherpa people all while being surrounded by a breath-taking landscape of massive snow-capped peaks.
You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.
A challenging to extreme trip for someone of a good general level of fitness. Each day you can expect to walk for up to 8 hours per day on various types of terrain at high altitude. If you wish to climb Kala Pattar the trek day will be closer to 14 hours. The activity level is high so don’t expect it to be easy. You will need to train in preparation for this.
Nepal’s Everest Base Camp is not just a popular trekking route for tourists; it is the starting point for mountaineers who intend to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The Nepal Base Camp is located at 5364m and mountaineers base themselves here for weeks to acclimatise on the mountain, return to rest and prepare themselves for their ascent. The scenery along the trail is beautiful with views of huge Himalayan peaks dominating the landscape. Staying in teahouses along the trail offers a unique insight into the lives of the local people.
You must be 18+ to join this trek. It may be possible for you to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old if accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit.
An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys trekking and being out of their comfort zone, is interested in different cultures and is willing to train for the challenge.
You will be accompanied throughout the trek by English-speaking local Sherpa guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking in the region and may have even summited Everest itself. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey, sharing their experience and wisdom with you. You will also be supported by a team of assistant guides and a Different Travel UK tour manager. Your luggage is carried by a team of local porters.
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The terrain will vary throughout the 12 days but in general you will trek up and down hills constantly throughout the day as the terrain is relentlessly undulating. Some days you may have a full day trekking uphill, followed by the next day trekking downhill all day. It is essential that your training includes plenty of hillwalking and trekking up gradients over consecutive days in order to condition your muscles to this type of exertion. Underfoot the conditions will be dry, rocky and very dusty. There are numerous river crossings which utilise very high suspension bridges.
The maximum altitude on the trek is up to 5554m (summit of Kala Pattar), or 5364m at Everest Base Camp. There is a likelihood of altitude related symptoms. Your local guides are experienced in spotting signs of altitude sickness but it is important that you do your own research so you can be aware of how your body is adjusting.
Common mild symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, disturbed sleep and fatigue. These generally subside after a few days, once your body acclimatises to the altitude.
The trek includes two important acclimatisation days. These days involve exposure to higher altitudes before descending back to your teahouse for the night. This exposure offers your body a chance to adjust to the altitude in a controlled way, before you ascend to higher altitudes over the coming trek days. Acclimatisation days are also a great opportunity to do some local exploring and learn more about the history and culture in the Himalayas. Please note that acclimatisation days are not rest days although you may have the opportunity to spend the afternoons at leisure.
All your meals are included, as specified on the itinerary. During the trek the food is plentiful and delicious although the teahouses tend to offer similar menus so be prepared for a menu which is repeated. There will also be plenty of snacks and drinks available to purchase at each teahouse (prices vary) or at local cafés and bakeries (particularly in Namche). In tourist areas of Kathmandu you will find a wide range of restaurants catering for international and high-quality Nepalese food.
You will stay at a hotel in Kathmandu with en-suite facilities before and after the trek and tea houses (locally owned lodges) with shared bathroom facilities during the trek. The tea houses are comfortable but simple.
If you would like to discuss this trip further, please contact us on info@different-travel.com.
London to Kathmandu
Depart London for Kathmandu on an indirect overnight flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu the next morning you will be transferred to a hotel where the rest of the day is free before a trek briefing and welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Kathmandu to Lukla (2843m) to Monjo (2835m)
Depart the hotel early this morning for the domestic airport, from where you will take a scenic 40-minute flight landing on a steep mountain runway which sets the scene for our forthcoming trek. Upon arrival in Lukla we will meet our assistant guides and porters before starting the trek up the Dudh Kosi Valley on a well-marked trail towards Phakding where we cross and re-cross the river on a series of high suspension bridges before we arrive into the small village of Monjo where we stay overnight.
Meals: Boxed breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 5-6 hours / 12.5km
Monjo to Namche (3440m)
From Monjo we take a steep hike to Namche where, if the weather is clear, we catch our first glimpse of Mt Everest. Just beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park, a protected area which aims to preserve the fragile mountain environment for future generations of trekkers and mountaineers. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu and has a busy market, numerous shops, cafes and most famously, freshly baked apple pies.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 3-4 hours / 5km
Namche (acclimatisation day)
This morning you will go on an important acclimatisation trek. There are a number of options for acclimatisation in the area, such as trekking towards the Everest View hotel (3880m) where with views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Thamserku and more; or perhaps visit the interesting Sherpa museum and Syangboche airport (3780m) where you November catch a glimpse of Everest. After lunch the rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the bustling town of Namche (and perhaps try a slice of famous apple pie).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 2-3 hours / 3km
Namche to Deboche (3820m)
From Namche, the trail contours on to the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi river where we enjoy our first really good views of the great peaks of the Khumbu. Passing several villages and numerous tea shops we descend steeply into the forest towards the village of Phunki Tenga situated next to the river, where we stop for lunch. After lunch we take a steep climb out of the forest to Tengboche which is famous for its monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. We then descend to a village nearby, Deboche, where we stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 6-7 hours / 12km
Deboche to Dingboche (4410m)
This morning we continue to descend through the forest until we cross the river and start our steady ascent up towards the village of Dingboche, stopping at a village for lunch. The trail this afternoon opens up into what feels like a vast plain after following a narrow trail earlier in the day. You will notice the temperature dropping as you approach Dingboche, which is the highest altitude village on the trek so far.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 4-5 hours / 9.5km
Dingboche (acclimatisation day)
Today is another important day for acclimatization. You will ascend to around 4600m from where you will have panoramic views of the nearby peaks and the rural farmland in the valley below. Look out for Ama Dablam, Amphu Gyabjen, Cholatse and Tabuche which surround vast glaciers and turquoise lakes. This afternoon you can explore the village and perhaps visit one of the bakeries or cafes for refreshment.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 2-3 hours / 3km
Dingboche to Lobuche (4910m)
We retrace our steps from yesterday’s acclimatisation up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tabuche but turn right and take a steep ascent towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. We stop to have lunch at Thukla (4620m), a small village surrounded by vast peaks before continuing on the trail towards the memorial, home to tributes to all those who have died in Nepal’s Himalaya. After some time to reflect, we continue following the Khumbu glacier up towards the cluster of houses at Lobuche where we stay for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 5-6 hours / 9km
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp (5364m) to Gorak Shep (5140m)
Today we make our final journey to our goal, Everest Base Camp. Starting our trek just after dawn we continue to follow the ice pinnacles and crevasses of the Khumbu Glacier as it winds its way through the valley. After around 4 hours trekking we stop for an early lunch at Gorak Shep before making the final push to reach Base Camp, arriving a few hours later. After celebrations, group photographs and time to appreciate the stunning surroundings at Base Camp we return to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 8-9 hours / 11.5km
Gorak Shep to Kala Pattar (5554m) to Pheriche (4240m)
The trek to the top of Kala Pattar is optional but it offers superb sunrise views of Everest (which you can’t see from Base Camp) and other vast peaks. If you wish to do this trek a 3am start is required to make it to the top for sunrise. For those trekking Kala Pattar, you will return to Gorak Shep in time to meet the rest of the team for breakfast before starting the descent to Pheriche, a small town you will have seen from across the valley in Dingboche when we stayed there on days 7 and 8.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 5-6 hours / 12km (+ extra 3km for Kala Pattar)
Pheriche to Kyangjuma (3550m)
Today’s trek is mostly downhill as we retrace our steps and descend to Kyangjuma, a village just outside of Namche. There are lots of places of interest along the way including a trekker’s health post, water driven prayer wheels and rhododendron forests.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 8 hours / 14.5km
Kyangjuma to Monjo (2840m)
Today we continue on the trail to Namche and Monjo. We can take a small detour this morning to visit Khumjung (3780m) and Khunde (3840m), where you can visit the Edmund Hillary School and hospital, both still in use today, or the Monastery. We descend into Namche for lunch before making our way back to Monjo for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 4-5 hours / 8km
Monjo to Lukla (2843m)
Today marks our final day of trekking as we follow the Dudh Kosi back to Lukla. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure and you may wish to visit one of the many bars, cafes and restaurants, or simply relax and reflect on your incredible achievement. Tonight you will enjoy a celebratory meal together and have a thank you and tip ceremony for the local guides and porters.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: approx. 7-8 hours / 12.5km
Lukla to Kathmandu
This morning we will depart Lukla on an early flight back to Kathmandu. We will arrive at the hotel just before lunch and you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. This evening we will enjoy a farewell meal in Kathmandu. Overnight at a Kathmandu hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Kathmandu to London
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. You may arrive on Monday 24 November depending on flight schedules.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary has been prepared in advance so while we do not anticipate changes, this itinerary may be subject to alteration due to flight schedules, hotel availability and other factors outside our control. During the trip itself the itinerary will depend on the group ability, weather and the daily circumstances. Any changes in the itinerary will be made in the interest of group safety and enjoyment. In-country, your guide and tour manager will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group
Registration fee: £495
and then either…
Self-funded: £2,500
or
Sponsorship: £5,000
or
Flexi: £2,500 trip costs and £2,500 sponsorship for a charity of your choice
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each tour that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
