Group ascent of Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp
In summary
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Sports
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Duration17 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationEverest / Kala Patthar
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions5136.43 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
This is perhaps the most famous trek in the world, it leads to the Sagarmatha base camp, Mount Everest, the roof of the planet at 8848 m altitude.
We fly to the Everest region and land in Lukla , the gateway to the massif. After skirting the beautiful Dudh Khosi Valley, we ascend to Namche Bazaar , a major trading town in the area. Under the watchful gaze of Ama Dablam , we travel up the Khumbu Valley, the heart of Sherpa country, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Villages, monasteries, and Buddhist monuments dot our route as we gradually enter the realm of high altitude. At the foot of the immense west face of Nuptse , we pass Lobuche and Gorak Shep before reaching the Khumbu Glacier and Everest Base Camp, facing Icefall , the famous cascade of seracs. Back in Gorak Shep , we begin our early morning ascent of Kala Patthar , the "Black Hill." A climb without technical difficulty, but demanding due to the altitude. At 5600m , an exceptional panorama of the world's highest mountains unfolds before us… A magnificent spectacle and an unforgettable memory!
The highlights
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Kala Pattar, the most beautiful viewpoint on Everest
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The ascent to Everest Base Camp
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A 17-day trip for a gentler acclimatization
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
This trip is suitable for travelers in good health who have previous mountain trekking experience . Physical preparation is necessary in the weeks leading up to the trip (endurance activities are recommended).
Altitude is the main challenge on this trek: we reach a maximum of 5,600 meters at the summit of Kala Pattar, and 5,100 meters at Gorak Shep, the highest accommodation on this route. Temperatures on stages above 5,000 meters can become frigid, especially at night (lodges are poorly heated or not heated at all). On this trip, we spend several days in high mountain terrain : the cold, wind, aridity, and lack of oxygen make physical exertion more difficult.
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 19 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 669 m
- Average daily descent: 688 m
Management
French
English
This trip is led by a French-speaking Nepalese trekking guide.
A local team will assist you during the trek. Here is its composition (which varies depending on the size of the group and the logistics required):
- Sirdar : he is in charge of logistics, and of the team of porters and sherpas.
- Porters : During the trek, your belongings will be carried by porters. Porterage is a long-standing tradition in Nepal, necessitated by the rugged terrain. We ensure that our porters work in the best possible conditions. On our trips, we provide one porter for every two travelers. The load is limited to 30 kg per porter on our lodge-based trips. Therefore, we kindly ask you to limit your belongings to 12 kg per person (belongings carried by the porter).
- Assistant guides : In addition to the French-speaking guide, non-French-speaking assistant guides are present. They are responsible for actively assisting clients, including leading or bringing up the rear, to allow all participants to walk at their own pace.
Program
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Flight to Kathmandu
- Transportation Plane - 12h - 8446km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
International flight with a stopover in Kathmandu.Day 1 -
Arrival in Kathmandu
- Transportation Car - 01h - 10km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport and welcome by the local team at the airport exit. You will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu city center. Depending on your arrival time, you will have free time to rest or make final preparations before the trek. At the end of the day, there will be a general briefing about the trip and a welcome dinner with the guide and all the other participants.
Depending on each participant's arrival time, the "welcome dinner" may be transformed into a "farewell dinner" on the last day.
Day 2 -
Kathmandu - Lukla (2860 m) - Phakding (2610 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Domestic flight Kathmandu – Lukla* (45 min) or transfer to Ramechhap by road (4-5 hours) then flight to Lukla (20 min).
*This flight, which skirts the Himalayas with magnificent views of its peaks, is only operated in good weather conditions. Therefore, depending on the weather or due to congestion at Kathmandu airport (it shares the same runway for international and domestic flights), the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) may decide to operate all flights to Lukla from Kathmandu airport, or from Ramechhap airport (in which case, departure from Kathmandu between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., with breakfast served en route).
In Lukla, the Sherpas are waiting for us with the equipment. The trek begins with a short descent into the Dudh Kosi valley. From the village of Chaunrikarka, the trail heads north through Sherpa villages where wheat, potatoes, corn, and vegetables are grown. We cross the Dudh Kosi on a wooden suspension bridge.
Day 3 -
Phakding - Namche Bazar (3440 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 1350 m
- Negative elevation 540 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The day begins with a walk along the Dudh Kosi River. The path climbs gently. We cross the river several times, pass through the village of Jorsale, and then begin a steep ascent towards Namche Bazaar. Half an hour later, we can see Everest. We arrive in Namche early enough to explore this famous Sherpa village and its inhabitants. This former trading post has become a veritable town thanks to tourism revenue, particularly from Everest expeditions.Day 4 -
Namche Bazaar: Acclimatization Day
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 550 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Acclimatization day. To help your body adapt to the lower oxygen levels, we'll embark on a leisurely half-day hike in the hills above Namche Bazaar. We'll visit the village of Khumjung (3780 m), with its alpine meadows and first glimpses of the Upper Khumbu mountains: Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and even Everest! We'll then visit the village's charming monastery, famous for displaying a "yeti scalp." Return to Namche and the rest of the day is free.
Day 5 -
Namche - Phortse (3810m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Negative elevation 1050 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We ascend above Namche Bazaar via a gently sloping mountainside path to the Mong Pass, with views of Ama Dablan and Kantega, two of Nepal's most spectacular peaks. We then descend to Phortse Tenga at 3600m on the banks of the Milky Way River (Dudu Khosi) and climb slightly back up to the village of Phortse (3810m). This day allows us to further acclimatize to the altitude.Day 6 -
Phortse - Pangboche (3985 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 230 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Beyond Phortse, the altitude truly begins to make itself felt: we are at the gateway to the Upper Khumbu! The track follows the northern slope of the Imja Khola valley before arriving at Pangboche, a Sherpa village dominated by the sublime Ama Dablam. A visit to its 17th-century monastery, the oldest in the region, offers a majestic view of the surrounding mountains.Day 7 -
Pangboche - Dingboche (4410 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 525 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A day of hiking in the Imja Khola valley, heading towards Dingboche. Facing us, the distinctive peak of Ama Dablam dominates the horizon. We follow the river upstream, passing the villages of Syomare and Orsho, before reaching the confluence of the Imja and the stream flowing from the Khumbu glacier. The afternoon is free to explore the area around Dingboche, the largest village in the region.Day 8 -
Dingboche - Lobuche (4930 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 14 km
- Positive elevation gain 930 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We gently ascend the left bank of the Khumbu Valley towards Lobuche Peak. We pass a series of magnificent peaks over 6,000 meters (Tabuche, Cholatse, Arakam Tse) overlooking the hamlet of Pheriche, which we pass on the descent. We cross to the other side of the valley once we reach the foot of the Thokla Pass (4,830 m), before beginning a steep climb through the moraines of the Khumbu Glacier. After the pass, the trail easily reaches Lobuche, at 4,930 meters.Day 9 -
Lobuche - Everest Base Camp (5300 m) - Gorakshep (5164 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 265 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We've now crossed the 5,000-meter mark ! We're following the moraine along a relatively easy path, although slow walking is now the only option given the high altitude. Beyond Gorak Shep, the trail continues up to 5,300 meters, where the legendary Everest Base Camp is located! After soaking up the unique atmosphere of this place, we retrace our steps back to Gorak Shep, where we'll spend the night.
The round trip to Everest Base Camp is optional. For those who wish, it is possible to end the day at Gorak Shep.
Day 10 -
Gorakshep - Kala Pattar (5643 m) - Pheriche (4240 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 26 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 1375 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The biggest day of hiking of the trip ! We woke up early to climb Kala Pattar, the "hill" overlooking Gorak Shep. The trail is steep but not difficult, although the altitude forces us to walk very slowly... A definite effort that is well worth it when we reach the summit: before our eyes, one of the most famous mountain panoramas in the world, with the most beautiful view imaginable of the summit of Sagarmatha, the queen of all mountains! After this memorable moment, it's time to descend to more manageable altitudes: we go back down to Gorak Shep, Lobuche, then we take the valley floor trail that leads to Pheriche, at 4240 meters altitude.
Day 11 -
Pheriche - Tengboche - Namche Bazar (3440 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 28 km
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A long day's walk: we descend the vast Imja Khola valley with Ama Dablam as a backdrop. After passing Pangboche, we cross the river and ascend the pass to Tengboche, famous for its Buddhist monastery, the most important in the region. We then descend into the Dudh Koshi valley and follow the path up the right bank to Namche Bazaar.Day 12 -
Namche Bazaar - Lukla (2860 m)
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 23 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We descend the Dudh Khosi valley via the same route. We pass through Phakding again, then climb back up to Lukla, the end of the trek.Day 13 -
Flight from Lukla to Ramechhap and drive to Kathmandu
- Transportation Plane - 05h - 135km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Flight to Ramechhap airport, then drive to Kathmandu.
The Lukla-Ramechhap flight is subject to weather conditions. It may be delayed or cancelled. To mitigate this possibility, we have scheduled a day of rest (free time) in Kathmandu the following day.
Day 14 -
Kathmandu
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A free day in the Nepalese capital. From the hotel, you can explore the Thamel district, the old city, and Durbar Square, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical monuments, on foot. The historical sites of the Kathmandu Valley are also accessible by taxi. A guided tour of the main sites in the Kathmandu Valley is optional.
This day can be used as a safety day in case the Lukla - Ramechhap flight is cancelled the day before.
Day 15 -
Kathmandu - Return flight
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 8446km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Check-out time is 12:00 PM. Free time for last-minute sightseeing or souvenir shopping. Depending on our flight schedule, you will be transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your return international flight.
Day 16 -
Arrival in France
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrived in Paris during the day.Day 17
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary, for your safety and that of the group.
Accommodation
In Kathmandu, you will stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel (local standards) located near the city center. You will have an air-conditioned twin or double room with a private bathroom and hot water. The following accommodations are generally reserved for this trip (subject to availability):
- Hotel Tibet: an internationally standard hotel located in a quiet enclave in the embassy district, near Thamel, the city's tourist center. The interior is richly decorated with Buddhist paintings and sculptures, creating a relaxing Tibetan atmosphere. The rooms are comfortable and clean, with a bathroom and balcony. A restaurant offers quality local and international dishes, with the option of dining on a flower-filled outdoor terrace.
- Hotel Manaslu: located 50 meters from the Tibet Hotel, it offers the same comfort and service features.
During the trek, you will be accommodated in lodges : Nepalese houses converted to house trekkers. Most often, you'll find twin rooms (two single beds per room) with 5-6 cm thick mattresses and pillows. In some high-altitude lodges, rooms are sometimes replaced by dormitories with 3 to 6 beds . The rooms are not heated : bring a sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures, and potentially even freezing temperatures above 5,000 meters (-15°C)! Bathrooms are shared, and hot showers, when available, cost extra (around €2 per person).
Access
Flights from Paris are included in the price of the stay (departures from other cities are possible, subject to a supplement).
The information provided is for guidance purposes only; depending on availability at the time of your registration, the airlines may differ from the information mentioned above.
Go to the starting point
✈️ For Nepal, our partner uses scheduled flights departing from Paris (operating year-round at fixed times). You will primarily fly with Gulf carriers, such as Emirates or Qatar Airways. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may also offer you other airlines.
There are no direct flights to Nepal, and all airlines make a stopover. Outbound flights are overnight, so you arrive at your destination the following day. Return flights may be day or night, depending on the departure date.
Price details
The price includes
- Return flights Paris / Kathmandu
- The domestic flights scheduled
- Supervision by a local French-speaking guide throughout the stay
- The services of a local team during the trek
- Land transfers according to the program
- Accommodation in double or twin rooms in hotels in Kathmandu and in Nepalese lodges during the trek
- Full board, except for meals indicated as "not included" in the day-by-day itinerary
- Trekking permits
- Safety equipment during the trek: first aid kit, hyperbaric chamber, and satellite phone
The price does not include
- Visa fees
- Meals "not included" in the day-by-day
- Hot showers (expect to pay €2 to €8 per hot shower)
- Airport transfer if arrival or departure is at a different time than the group
- The supplement for a departure from the provinces
- Drinks and mineral water during the stay
- Tips
Options
- Excursion to the Kathmandu Valley : CHF123.50 / unit
- Additional night in Kathmandu in a single room with breakfast : CHF91.48 / unit
- Additional night in Kathmandu in a double room with breakfast : CHF54.89 / unit
- Single room supplement for hotel-only nights during your stay : CHF141.79 / unit
- Hotel/Airport transfer in Kathmandu: price per transfer for 1 to 2 people, one way : CHF18.30 / unit
- Hotel/Airport transfer in Kathmandu, price per transfer for 3 to 5 people, one way : CHF22.87 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (
For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- A hyperbaric chamber accompanies all tours involving one or more nights spent above 4000 m
- A satellite phone (in case of emergency)
- A first aid kit
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag (comfort temperature -5/-10°C)
- Lightweight crampons are recommended at the beginning of the spring season (March-April).
- Gaiters (optional, potentially useful in spring)
- Telescopic hiking poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Water bottle or hydration pack (ideally 2 liters)
- Water filter or tablets for water treatment
- Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products)
- Quick-drying towel
- Biodegradable cleaning wipes
- Sunglasses with a high protection rating
- High protection sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer
- Handkerchiefs
- Toilet paper
- Books, card games... to keep busy at the end of the day
Rental of certain equipment is available on site (sleeping bag, down jacket, crampons, etc.). Expect to pay approximately €35 per item for a 2-week trip and €50 for 3 weeks (payable on site). If you wish to rent one or more items of equipment before your departure, please let us know so our local team can ensure everything is available upon your arrival. Feel free to contact us for more information.
For those who wish to use their trip to Nepal to help local communities, you can bring clothing, hiking equipment, or school supplies with you. Our local team will take care of delivering everything to a local NGO.
Clothing to bring
Appropriate mountain trekking gear is essential for this trip. Temperatures can vary from +30°C at the base to -20°C at the summit...
- Cap or hat
- Cap
- Neck warmer or scarf
- T-shirt or shirt made of synthetic material (quick-drying)
- Thermal underwear (t-shirt and tights) for the night
- Warm fleece jacket
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket
- Warm down jacket for breaks or evenings
- Comfortable walking pants
- Waterproof and sturdy walking shoes with a grippy sole
- Lightweight shoes for evenings and travel days
- Sandals (useful after days of walking)
- Walking socks
- A pair of lightweight gloves and a warm pair
They traveled with us
