Everest Base Camp Trek – 21Day School Expedition

Our representative will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, and transfer you to our hotel in Thamel—the vibrant tourist district of the city.

Upon arrival, you’ll have free time to rest, freshen up, and enjoy a meal. In the evening, we’ll gather for team introductions and a trip orientation session. Our guides will provide a thorough overview of the itinerary and open the floor for general questions.

We’ll then head out together for a welcome dinner at one of our favorite local Nepali restaurants.

This morning, we’ll enjoy our first Nepali breakfast at the hotel in Thamel.

We begin the day with a visit to the famous Swayambhunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple), perched atop a hill with panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley.

Next, we head to Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and a center of Tibetan Buddhist culture. We’ll stop here for lunch at a nice local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple, located along the Bagmati River.

After returning to the hotel, you’ll have free time to wander the streets of Thamel, pick up any last-minute trekking supplies, or simply rest.

Note: Lunch and dinner are on your own today, so feel free to explore the local food scene at your leisure.

Time to get to work! We’ll make a 1.5-hour drive in our private vehicle from Kathmandu to the village of Kakani, where our service project is based. Upon arrival, we’ll settle into our “luxury, safari-style” tents and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll walk to the project school, meet the local community,

tour the school, and learn about the project. Basic training and tools will be provided, and you may begin working for a few hours alongside local skilled laborers.

We’ll return to camp around 4:00 PM.

All protective gear will be provided, but please bring your own work gloves and sturdy work clothes for the service project.

Over these three days, we’ll be engaged in the school building project, working approximately 7–8 hours each day. Training, tools, and support will continue to be provided.

Each day begins with a 45-minute walk from your campsite to the school and back in the evening. All meals are included during this period.

After lunch, our project comes to an end. The school community will host a farewell program to thank and celebrate the team’s efforts. We’ll exchange gratitude and warm farewells before departing.

We then drive back to Kathmandu.

In the evening, you’ll have time for final preparations for the trek ahead—buy any last-minute gear, organize your backpack, and enjoy dinner on your own at your favorite spot in Thamel.

This morning we will have early breakfast then travel to the Airport for an in-country flight (35 minutes) to the village of Lukla (2,860m). Upon arrival in Lukla, we will be immersed in the Sherpa cultures of the Khumbu Valley. At the airport, we will meet our porters for the expedition and arrange our personal and group gear accordingly. This begins our journey to Everest Base Camp as we begin walking from Lukla to the village of Phakding (2,610m). Today’s walk is mostly downhill and will take roughly 3-4 hours. Upon arrival in Phakding, we will check into our tea house and have some down time to take in the area before being served our nutritious Nepali dinner.

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey to the famous Namche Bazaar (11,286ft/3,440m)! From Phakding, we will cross and re-cross the river on high suspension bridges. Beyond the village of Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park which was set-up in order to protect and preserve this fragile mountain environment. If the weather is clear, we will have our first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in the Khumbu valley and has a traditional market. Historically, Hindu traders from the lowlands would meet Tibetan yak caravans that had crossed the glaciated Nangpa La at this market. Once we arrive in Namche, we will check into our rooms and have some free time. At a designated time, we will meet at the guest house for dinner and deliver the plan for the next day.

Today, we’ll sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. We’ll be staying in Namche Bazaar to help our bodies acclimatize to the altitude and rest before we continue ascending higher into the mountains.

Namche is beautifully tucked between two ridges amidst the majestic peaks of the Khumbu region. The village is vibrant with guesthouses, tea shops, bakeries, and souvenir stalls.

After breakfast, we’ll have the option to either:

Visit the Khunde Hospital, established by Sir Edmund Hillary,

or Take a scenic walk to the ridge above Namche for panoramic views of Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest.

We’ll return to our guesthouse for lunch, followed by a free afternoon. It’s a perfect day to sip chiya (Nepali tea), read, write postcards, or simply relax by the fire chatting with locals and fellow trekkers.

Later in the evening, we’ll gather for dinner and a briefing about the next day’s trek.

This morning, we’ll wake up early in Namche, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and begin our gradual ascent along the trail that follows above the waters of the Dudh Koshi (“Milk River”).

As we walk, we’ll follow a scenic ridge offering incredible views of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse on the way to our destination.

Tonight, we’ll stay in the village of Tengboche (12,664 ft / 3,860 m), home to the famous Tengboche Monastery. Inside the monastery, we’ll see intricate wall hangings, a 20-foot Buddha statue, musical instruments, and the robes of the resident Lamas.

Depending on our arrival time, we may also get the opportunity to observe a local prayer ceremony.

We’ll have dinner and spend the night in a local teahouse in Tengboche.

This morning, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast served with chiya (Nepali tea). Afterward, we’ll depart from Tengboche and begin our trek along what locals call “Nepali flat” terrain—a mix of gentle ups and downs. We’ll pass through the villages of Debuche and Pangboche. If time allows, we may visit Lama Geshe in Pangboche for a traditional prayer ceremony and expedition blessing—a meaningful cultural moment for many trekkers.

From there, we’ll continue our ascent to the traditional Sherpa village of Dingboche (14,496 ft / 4,410 m). Along the way, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Lhotse, Imja Tse (Island Peak), and Ama Dablam.

Upon arrival in Dingboche, we’ll check into our rooms and take some time to relax before dinner. After the meal, our guides will share the next day’s plan and trekking tips.

This morning we will sleep in and have a leisurely morning for acclimatization purposes. After hot drinks and breakfast, we’ll take an acclimatization hike up a hill behind Dingboche. The old heuristic is “climb high, sleep low”, and gaining 1,100 ft. elevation today is the goal. We will be back in Dingboche for lunch and the afternoon is free before being served dinner.

After a large breakfast in Dingboche, we’ll take to the trail. The trail to EBC continues along the lateral moraine (glacier made ridge) of the Khumbu Glacier and passes by memorials for climbers who have died on nearby mountains. We will continue to ascend higher into the mountains until we arrive at the small outpost called Lobuche (16,109ft/4,910m), named for the peak which stands to the south. Once in Lobuche, we will eat and have hot drinks. Tonight we have some time to relax, acclimatize and rest before dinner.

This morning we will wake up at Lobuche, eat breakfast and depart for the village of Gorak Shep (5,160m). We will walk for roughly 2 hours with the most beautiful views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Nuptse, and Mt. Pumori. Once we arrive in Gorak Shep, we will check into our rooms and have a light lunch. After lunch we will begin walking slowly to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Upon arrival at base camp, we will celebrate with group photos and celebratory treats! Additionally, there will most likely be Mountaineering teams attempting to climb Mt. Everest staying at EBC we can mingle with. From base camp there are incredible views of the highest mountains in the world as well as the Khumbu Icefall. Once our team is ready, we will begin to descend back to Gorak Shep where we will rest, drink, and have a hefty dinner. After dinner our guides will provide the plan for the following day’s challenging hike.

Today will be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding days of the trek (*optional morning hike). We will wake up early, at around 5am, grab a hot drink and head out into the mountains to attempt to climb Mt. Kala Patthar.

This a small peak (by Himalayan standards) at (5,545m) which offers the best view you will get of Mt. Everest in Nepal without climbing it! You can also get magnificent views of other giants, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Chagatse, and Mt. Lhotse. This portion of the trek is optional, but we highly encourage participation. After the ascension, we will head back to Gorak Shep, where we will eat breakfast and pack before a gradual descent to the village of Thangshep, where we will eat lunch.

After lunch, we will continue down to the village of Pherice (4,240m), where we will check into our rooms and have free time until dinner is served. We will be ready for a well deserved, good night’s sleep!

After breakfast, we’ll begin our descent out of the mountains. We will follow the river and climb back up to the Sherpa village of Tengboche (3,860 m.). We will have great views of the giant Himalayan range consisting of such mountains as Kwangde, Tawache, Ama Dablam, Kantega, and Thamserku! Afterward, we’ll descend to the Dudh Koshi River and make our way through the trails of Phungi Thenga village, leading us to Kyangjuma village. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner.

Our today’s hike starts with gradually flat and bit uphill to Namche Bazaar, where we’ll enjoy lunch and have time to browse for souvenirs from the Khumbu region. From there, we’ll continue our descent to the small Sherpa village of Monjo 2,838 m., where we’ll spend the night. After dinner, our guides will outline the plan for the following day.

This morning, after enjoying breakfast, we begin our final day of trekking. We’ll follow the Dudh Koshi (Milk River) down through Phakding and Chhuthawa, then make a final ascent to the village of Lukla (2,860 m). As this is our last day on the trail, take time to be present and soak in the experience, every step is part of the story.

Once in Lukla, we’ll check into our hotel, enjoy a well-earned dinner, and let the celebrations begin!

This evening is our final night with our local guides and porters, a perfect opportunity to express gratitude, say farewell, and offer any tips you wish to share.

After breakfast, we say farewell to Lukla and head to Lukla Tenzing and Hillary airport for sweeping short flight to Kathmandu facing scenic views of mountains, green scenery of hills and farm fields with nice villages and towns as flight lands at Kathmandu airport and then transfer to you hotel, with free afternoon to relax of great memorable adventure on Everest Base Camp Trekking. You will have the afternoon and evening free to explore the city or rest. Lunch and dinner today in Kathmandu will be on your own.

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a half-day optional guided tour to a UNESCO World Heritage site called Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It is an ancient royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur city, an hour driving

distance from Thamel. This square contains various temples, palaces and courtyards all of which were built in traditional Nepalese architecture. Or rest and relaxation on your own with your own lunch.

Tonight will be our last night together in Nepal. We will make it a good one with a final farewell dinner together with our Nepal ground team.

Today is the final day of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Our shuttle driver will arrive to your hotel 3 hours before your flight departure and deliver you to Tribhuvan International Airport. Thanks for choosing Wildland!