Everest Basecamp Trek - Express Edition

Welcome to Nepal and the experience of a lifetime.

You will be met at the airport by a True Summit Adventures team member and taken to our team hotel, the Aloft in Thamel, one of the best hotels in Kathmandu.

Aloft is located in the most vibrant part of Kathmandu, close to historic attractions, temples, restaurants, and the outdoor shops, should you need to make any last minute purchases.

Popular with the climbing community, it's possible to see famous alpinists at the breakfast counter, on the terrace, in the pool, or hitting the gym.

In the evening, we will meet for a welcome dinner where you will meet our Nepali partners, the guides and of course, the other trekkers who will be making this bucket list adventure with you.

Today we explore Kathmandu, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth. Founded in the second century AD, it's home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya (Monkey Temple), Bouddha Stupa, and Pashupatinath Hindu temple.

We take these all in on our tour, before stopping for lunch at the Roadhouse restaurant overlooking the Boudda Stupa.

Later, we visit the climbing shops in Thamel for any last minute purchases ahead of the expedition.

After an early breakfast we transfer to the airport and take the one hour helicopter flight to the world famous Lukla airport, gateway to the Khumbu Valley.

The views are awe-inspiring as we approach and expect a sense of calm to wash over you as you step off the plane and into this magical place, seeing the beautiful Himalayas for the first time.

After lunch in Lukla and lots of ginger and lemon tea, we make the gentle hike to Phakding.

Your main bag (up to 15kg) will be carried by our team of super-human porters, whose strength is unparalleled at this altitude.

We operate on a full board basis for the duration of the trek, and encourage you to eat and drink lots for a successful expedition!

Today the trek starts to gain altitude and we cross the famous bridges suspended high above the valley. Not for the feint hearted, but exhilarating none the less!

Our destination is the mythical Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar, nestled high in the Himalayan foothills. 

Approaching the town, which can only be reached on foot or by helicopter, you will likely feel a sense of wonder at this truly unique mountain community.

Here you can stroll through the market, visit the barber shop, enjoy a cappuccino and slice of marble cake at the world famous Sherpa Barista Cafe, or even drink a pint of Guinness at the world's highest Irish pub.

Namche is home to many outfitters, so if you are not 100% happy with your trekking shoes there's still a chance to buy a new pair.

Today we take a pause in the expedition to allow ourselves to acclimatise to the increasing altitude. But it's not all sitting around drinking tea!

We will hike for two hours to the famous Everest View Hotel at 3,888m for an epic lunch accompanied by incredible views of Mount Everest and its surrounding peaks, Lhotse, Nuptse and the mighty Ama Dablam.

After lunch we take the short walk to the small but charming village of Khumjung where we can visit the monastery, chat with the locals, buy souvenirs and drink more tea, before heading back to Namche.

Today has two distinct sections. Prior to lunch, the path winds its way gently up the valley until we cross the Dudh Khosi river at 3,250m. 

After lunch we start to ascend rapidly towards our destination, Tengboche, a holy place in Sherpa culture, famed for its Buddhist monastery. 

We have now hit some serious altitude and get more views of the Himalayan giants, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori and Ama Dablam.

At this time of year, the hill slopes around Tengboche are covered with flowering rhododendrons. If we are lucky, we may see Himalayan tahr in the surrounding woodland.

Visits to the monastery and bakery are a must, before we descend to Rivendell, one of the best tea houses in the Everest region where rooms come complete with heated bathrooms. Expect amazing Sherpa hospitality, lots more ginger and lemon tea and maybe even a glass of red wine by the fire.

Today we head above the tree line, leaving the greener parts of the Khumbu Valley behind as we head for Dingboche. Huge mountains tower around us and the scenery is breathtaking. Everest begins to loom even larger in the distance.

In Dingboche we will see kilometres of stone walls, built from the stones that once covered the entire Valley of Imja, which were removed for cultivation and where potatoes now grow.

More amazing Sherpa hospitality awaits us at Hotel Bright Star, the best tea house in Dingboche, although accommodation does now start to become more spartan due to the altitude.

Today we will stay for a second night in Dingboche, but continue our all-important acclimatisation with a three hour trek to 5100m.

We then return to Dingboche for lunch and a free afternoon of relaxation.

Games are essential on these slower days. Our game of choice is Perudo or "Liar's Dice". The 6 player game is fast paced and easy to learn - we always bring a set.

Our destination for today is the village of Lobuche, at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier and one of the last Sherpa settlements before Everest Basecamp.

Lobuche is a staging point for 8000m expeditions of Everest and Lhotse and the 7000m expeditions of Nuptse and Pumori. As such, it's a busy and bustling place famous for its bakery, where fresh pastries and good coffee await you.

Our pace will be slow and steady, given our altitude already tops that of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.

Today is the day we have been looking forward to as we trek to the base of the highest mountain on Earth and marvel at its sheer enormity, stature and wildness. 

Truly, this is a beautiful place, but a historic one also; the scene of so much triumph as well as tragedy in the hundred or so years since mankind began its obsession with reaching this most prized of summits.

We pause for the all important photos at the famous rock marking the entrance to the basecamp, before we make the two hour trek back to Gorakshep for dinner and to rest after a moving day in the mountains.

We hope you are feeling full of joy this morning, having been to Everest Basecamp and been inspired by seeing first hand the tallest mountain in the world and the launchpad for reaching its mighty summit.

Today after breakfast, we make our way down to Pheriche where helicopters will be hand to take us back to Kathmadu where we return to Aloft for hot showers, celebratory drinks and dinner or perhaps even a much deserved  massage.

All good things must come to an end.

Today we say our goodbyes and wish you a safe on-wards journey, but we hope this experience will live on long in the memory. That you will have felt a deep and profound feeling during your time in this most beautiful of places, the Khumbu Valley, Nepal.

Drivers will be on hand to take you to the airport.

For those whose thirst for adventure has not quite been quenched we recommend you stay on in Nepal and head to Bardia National Park and the amazing Tiger Tops where you can attempt to see a tiger in the wild.