LGBTQ+ Everest Base Camp Trek: 14 Days

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m) and a group welcome dinner — a relaxed chance to meet your fellow trekkers and guide before the trail. The briefing covers permits, packing, the acclimatisation schedule, and room-sharing preferences. Optional evening in Thamel, which has Kathmandu's small but visible LGBTQ-friendly scene.

The 25-30 minute flight to Lukla (2,860 m), or a short flight from Manthali/Ramechhap after a pre-dawn drive in peak season, then a gentle downhill first day along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding (2,610 m), passing prayer wheels and the trek's first mani walls.

Along the river across several suspension bridges, including the high Hillary Suspension Bridge near Jorsale, into Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, then the steep switchback climb to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the Khumbu's trading hub and the first acclimatisation stop.

A "climb high, sleep low" day: up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for the first sight of Everest's summit pyramid, then down through Khumjung and its Sherpa culture museum before returning to Namche for a second night.

From Namche the path contours high above the valley through Kyangjuma and Sanasa, drops to the river, then climbs steadily through rhododendron to Tengboche (3,860 m) and the Khumbu's largest monastery. It is a favourite afternoon on the trek, the whole group arriving together to the same wide view of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam rising over the courtyard.

Down through Deboche's forest, across the Imja Khola, and up past Pangboche into the drier, high-altitude landscape around Dingboche (4,410 m), a farming village walled with stone enclosures for barley and buckwheat.

The second acclimatisation day, with a hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above the village for panoramic views of Makalu and Ama Dablam, reinforcing the climb-high-sleep-low rule before the push towards Lobuche.

The climb to Dughla (4,620 m) and the quiet ridge of Chupki Lhara, where stone cairns and prayer flags remember climbers lost on Everest, sets a reflective tone before the moraine-side walk to Lobuche (4,940 m) for the last night below Base Camp.

To Gorak Shep (5,164 m), then out across the glacial moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), where the Khumbu Icefall rises between Nuptse and the West Shoulder. Reaching the prayer-flag-covered boulders together is the emotional centre of the trip. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

★ Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

A pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar (5,644 m) for the trek's clearest view of Everest's summit at first light, then a long descent into the thicker air of Pheriche (4,240 m).

★ Kala Patthar (5,644 m)

A long descending day back through Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), retracing the acclimatisation route in reverse, with markedly easier walking below 4,000 m.

The final trekking day down through Monjo and Phakding, out of the national park, then the last climb to Lukla (2,860 m) for a celebratory group dinner on the trail.

Morning flight back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), then a free afternoon in Thamel and a group farewell dinner. Add a Kathmandu Pride window here in August to round off the trip. A buffer day is wise in case of Lukla weather delays.

International departure from Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.