EBC Classic Route

EBC – The Classic Route Overview

As one of the most famous treks in the world, Everest Base Camp promises an unforgettable adventure for travellers from every corner of the globe! Bursting with rich Sherpa culture, this trek not only offers spectacular views but also a vibrant cultural experience. For many, EBC is the thrilling first step into high-altitude trekking, sparking a passion that leads to incredible achievements in the mountains. It’s truly a life-changing journey that will inspire and transform everyone who takes it!

It’s truly a life-changing experience that leaves a lasting impact on all who embark on this journey.

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival Day in Kathmandu

Upon arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport a representative from Dare to Dream adventures will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel in Thamel, an area of Kathmandu famous for all it’s trekking shops and a wide variety of restaurants and bars.

Upon checking in to your hotel you will then have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore Kathmandu.

A welcome meeting will be scheduled for the group for early evening to go over the details of the trip, meet the team and give you an opportunity to ask any questions,

You will then have the rest of the evening to relax, have dinner or buy any last minute essentials for the trek before the excitement begins the next morning.

Please note – if you have booked additional days in Kathmandu then the welcome meeting will be on the official first day of the trek and you will be informed about the time when collected at the airport.

 

Day 2 – Flight to Lukla (2850m) then trek to Benkar (2630m) – 5 – 6 hour trek

We will try where possible to fly from Kathmandu but in the height of the season where Kathmandu isn’t available you will be transported to Ramechapp Airport, around a 4 – 5 hour drive from Kathmandu.

You will board the plane to Lukla and enjoy a 20 – 30 minute thrilling flight with some of the most incredible views you will ever see. For many this is the first opportunity to catch a glimpse of Everest and the magnificent Himalayas. The landing into Lukla is also an experience.

Upon arriving in Lukla a Dare to Dream representative will collect you and will take you for a breakfast stop to meet the rest of the team.

After breakfast we will then start our trek to Benkar. The first part of the trek is downhill and follows the Dudh Koshi River. It offers spectacular views of the lower Khumbu region. You will pass through a number of Sherpa villages and get an opportunity to see the farming practices. Throughout the trek you will get to see many important aspects of the Buddhist religion including mani stones – Tibetan enscripted prayer stones – brightly coloured prayer flags, stupas and prayer wheels.

You also experience your first suspension bridges today. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in the area.

 

Day 3 – Trek Benkar – Namche Bazarre (3440m) – 4 – 5 hours

After a short walk of around 1hr you will reach Monjo at which point you will pass into Sagarmantha national park.

You will descend to and walk alongside the Dudh Koshi river through winding paths and pine forests.

You will see some beautiful cascading waterfalls today.

Not before long the sight of the Hilary Suspension bridge will greet you. This is a famous photo opportunity. You may even be lucky to catch a bungee jumper.

The bridge marks the start of the Top Dada (Namche Hill). The climb will take around 2 hours. Around half way up you will get your first opportunity to see Mt Everest and Lhotse – cameras at the ready.

Onwards and upwards you will reach the hustling Sherpa town of Namche Bizarre – the gateway to the Himalayas.

You will have some free time to explore and visit the many shops, bakeries and restaurants that Namche has to offer.

 

Day 4 – Namche Acclimatisation Day 

To help with the acclimatisation process we will work on the trek high sleep low principle.

After breakfast we will start off with a hike up to Syangboche – up to a max altitude of around 3900m – where we will see the government yak farm, the telecom tower and Graveyard monument. You will get views down to Khumjung Village below and across to Phortse, Tengboche and Pangboche.

From here the mountain views are spectacular. Some of the mountains you will see include Khumbi Yu Lha (5761m), Tabuche (6367m), Nuptse (7861m), Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8414m), Peak 38 (7519m), Ama Dablam (6856m) and Thanserku (6608m) to name a few. Your guide will point these out to you.

On the descent there is the opportunity to visit The Nest – a museum about the waste management in Everest Region. Here you get a chance to climb Everest to the South Col via VR – it feels so real and a worthwhile experience.

In the afternoon we will take you to visit the Sherpa cultural museum – a real life Sherpa house and also to another museum to learn about the history of the summits of Everest. Here there is also another viewpoint with views to Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam.

 

Day 5 – Namche – Tengboche (3867m) – 5 – 6 hours

After leaving Namche we start the trek for today on fairly easy going terrain – Nepali flat – some ups and downs.

We pass the cut off for Gokyo in Sonassa.

A lot of today’s walk is spent through the pine forests. Today offers a great chance to try and spot some wildlife: colourful pheasants – the national bird of Nepal; musk deer – a very rare species and if you are very lucky you may catch a glimpse of a red panda.

Depending on the time of the year the Rhododendron bushes may be in full bloom.

After descending to the river side village of Phungi Tanga we will stop for lunch.

We will then commence the demanding climb up Tengboche Hill.

Upon reaching the top you will see Tengboche Monastry.

We may stay here or continue on for another 30 minutes to Deboche where we will stay for the evening.

Day 6 – Tengboche / Deboche – Dingboche (4410m) 4 – 5hours

The route continues through the Rhododendron and birch forests and slowly the scenery starts to change. After around 2 hours we will stop for a visit at Upper Pangboche monastery to see the Yeti skull and hand (optional).

We will then make our way to Somare for lunch.

The terrain changes again, you will see the last tree line and it becomes much more rocky.

For the final 30 minutes the trek becomes much steeper but soon you are rewarded with the views of the stupas surrounding Dingboche.

 

Day 7 – Dingboche Acclimatisation Day (4800m)

Today we will climb Nagarsang Peak up to 4800m. On the way you can see many beautiful mountains including a close up of Ama Dablam. Island Peak (6189m) is also very clear. You can see three 8000m peaks from here Makalu (8485m), Cho Oyu (8201m) and Lhotse (8516m). You can also see the second most popular climbing peak in the Everest Region Lobuche East (6119m).

You will have a free afternoon to explore Dingboche and visit some of the excellent bakeries in the town. Dingboche is unique as all the fields are walled to protect crops from animals and weather.

 

Day 8 – Dingboche – Lobuche (4900m) 6 – 7 hours

Upon leaving Dingboche you will leave the beautiful view down the Khumbu Valley behind. You will begin walking up the Khumbu Khola Valley heading towards Thukla where we will stop for lunch. Looking back down you will get a beautiful view to Ama Dablam and to the village of Periche below.

To your left the mountains of Tabuche and Cholatse sit prominently. You can see Dongla Lake at the bottom of Cholatse.

After lunch there is a steep climb towards the Everest Memorial, an opportunity to pay your respects to the fallen climbers of Everest. You then begin to walk beside the Everest Glacier passing the Great Himalayan Trail route before arriving in Lobuche Village.

 

Day 9 – Lobuche to Gorak Shep () then onto Everest Base Camp (5364m)

The Nuptse Wall faces you as you leave your teahouse in Lobuche. After around 1hr you will start to walk on the Everest Glacier towards Gorak Shep. The paths are rocky and narrow with loose rock so care must be taken.

Upon arrival in Gorak Shep lunch will be served.

The time has come to finally make your way to Everest Base Camp. It is a 2 – 2.5hr walk to EBC. The terrain is undulating with loose rock and some areas which do have some easily avoidable exposure.

Upon arrival its time to celebrate and enjoy the moment. You have done it! You have made it to EBC. Enough time will be spent at EBC for you to get all your photos and when everyone is ready we will return to Gorak Shep – you will be tired but satisfied. Congratulations you have made it to EBC!

 

Day 10 –  Kalapattar (5645m) – Gorak Shep – Periche

Today you have an opportunity to get up early (approx. 4am) and climb several hours up Kalapatthar. We aim to get up to the top for sunrise to watch the sun come up on some of the world’s biggest mountains. Certainly, an experience you will NEVER forget.

Breakfast will then be served and we will begin to retrace our steps back down to Lobuche and then continue on to Periche where we will spend the night.

 

Day 11 – Periche to Namche 

Today is quite a long walk but as you are constantly dropping down in altitude you will really notice the difference in your energy levels. Apart from the initial section leaving Periche most of today is spent retracing your steps back to Namche Bazarre.

You will have some free time to once again visit the local shops and bars / restaurants. Maybe even grab a beer.

 

Day 12 – Namche to Lukla

Another long walk today returns us to our starting point in the village of Lukla. Most of today is spent going downhill – with a bit of Nepali flat for good measure – but the day ends with a long but manageable climb back up to Lukla.

Tonight, you will say farewell to the mountain team. We will have a farewell dinner with them in the teahouse and tips are handed out.

 

Day 13 – Early morning flight and return to Kathmandu

We will have an early start this morning once more. You will have breakfast before your guides take you back to where it all began at Lukla airport. A last farewell as you board the plane to your guides.

On the flight you will get your last mountain views. Many find this a very emotional journey as the reality of what you have achieved hits.

Upon arrival back in Kathmandu you will an opportunity to have some free time and enjoy a luxurious shower in our stylish hotel in Kathmandu before getting collected to head to our carefully selected and delicious farewell dinner restaurant.

Day 14 – End of itinerary 

For those not booking extra nights in Kathmandu your itinerary ends today.

We will collect you from your hotel and take you back to Tribhuvan International Airport ready for your onwards journey.

For those booking extra nights we will follow the same information above on your required dates.

 

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Difficulty Explained

EBC has received the D2D rating of Moderate.

The route is fully pathed and on good terrain for the most part. There are no areas of true exposure that cannot be avoided by keeping to the inside of the path.

EBC will be easier for trekkers who have a good degree of fitness.

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Entry Requirements

For many EBC – the Classic route is an entry into high altitude trekking. We prefer trekkers to have experience of back to back days of trekking but there are no pre requisites for this trek.

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What’s Included

✓ Two nights’ luxury hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (twin sharing, breakfast included).
✓ All airport transfers in Nepal.
✓ Internal flights to Lukla (may depart from Ramechapp during peak season).
✓ All trek accommodation (teahouse)
✓ Breakfast, lunch, dinner on trek + one hot drink per meal.
✓ Filtered water (where available).
✓ Required trek/climbing permits.
✓ Experienced English – speaking guides (registered, insured).
✓ Porter (1 porter per 2 clients, expenses/insurance covered).
✓ Medical supplies + assigned first-aid personnel.
✓ Daily oximeter checks (twice/day).
✓ Emergency evacuation coordination (costs covered by your insurance).
✓ Government taxes and fees.

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Not Included

✗ Meals in Kathmandu (outside breakfast)
✗ Mandatory travel insurance (must cover high-altitude rescue).
✗ International flights.
✗ Nepal entry visa.
✗ Extra drinks/snacks, WiFi, hot showers, battery charging.
✗ Personal expenses.
✗ Tips for staff (expected).
✗ Excess baggage (>10kg on Lukla flight).
✗ Additional nights/expenses due to delays (e.g., weather).
✗ Hotel upgrades or optional helicopter descents.

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Notes

• No refunds for early returns to Kathmandu. Extra costs (e.g., hotel extensions) are your responsibility.
• Itinerary subject to change for safety reasons (weather, mountain conditions).

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Pricing

• 1 Person: $2,000
• 2+ People: $1,800 per person