Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek: 14 Days

Private airport transfer to the Yak & Yeti Hotel or Hyatt Regency, followed by a pre-departure gear check with kit loan service for any missing items, and a welcome dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant in Thamel.

The flight to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla (2,860 m), a 527 m sloped runway with a one-directional approach, takes roughly 25-30 minutes when operating from Kathmandu, or around 20 minutes plus a 4-hour pre-dawn drive when operating from Manthali/Ramechhap in peak season. From Lukla, the trail descends gently through Chaurikharka and along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding (2,610 m), passing prayer wheels and the trek's first mani walls.

From Phakding (2,610 m) the trail climbs through Sagarmatha National Park's Monjo checkpoint to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), with two nights booked at the Mountain Lodge, one of the best-appointed properties in the village.

Acclimatisation day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) following the golden "climb high, sleep low" rule. The morning hike climbs to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) at Syangboche, offering the first distant view of Everest's summit pyramid alongside Ama Dablam and Thamserku, before descending through Khumjung village, home to the Khumjung monastery and its Sherpa culture museum. Return to Namche for the second acclimatisation night.

The climb to Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m) ends at the Himalayan Lodge, positioned for uninterrupted afternoon views of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from the room.

Descend through Deboche and climb past Pangboche monastery to Dingboche (4,410 m), overnighting at the Peaceful Lodge with the dedicated personal porter and private guide continuing at a pace set for the trekker alone.

Second mandatory acclimatisation day, this time at Dingboche (4,410 m). The recommended hike climbs Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above the village for panoramic views of Makalu, Ama Dablam, and the Dingboche valley, reinforcing the 300-500 m per day net elevation gain rule before pushing higher toward Lobuche.

From Dingboche (4,410 m) to Lobuche (4,940 m) past the Chupki Lhara memorial cairns; from this point on, the support team carries an emergency oxygen cylinder as an added safety margin for the remainder of the trek.

From Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the trail crosses 3.5 km of rocky glacial moraine with the Khumbu Glacier on the right and the icefall rising directly above. At Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), Nuptse's west ridge and Lhotse's south face close in on three sides. Everest's summit is not visible from Base Camp; that view belongs to Kala Patthar, 280 m higher. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.

★ Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)

Rise at 04:30. The 1.5 km, 480 m climb to Kala Patthar (5,644 m) takes 90-120 minutes on loose rock. At sunrise, Everest's south face aligns with Nuptse and Changtse across the eastern horizon, the clearest view of Everest's summit from any trekking point on the route. Descent covers 1,400 m in net elevation to Pheriche, the longest single-day descent on the trek.

★ Kala Patthar (5,644 m)

A long descending day from Pheriche (4,240 m) back through Tengboche and Kyangjuma to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), retracing the acclimatisation route in reverse. Improved oxygen availability below 4,000 m makes this a noticeably easier walking day despite the 20 km distance.

The final trekking day retraces the route from Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) down through Jorsale and Monjo, exiting Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs back up to Lukla (2,860 m) for the last night on the trail before the return flight to Kathmandu.

Return flight to Kathmandu (1,400 m), booked and managed directly by the Swotah team, followed by a farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant in Thamel to close out the trip.

International departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or onward travel in Nepal.