International:

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International:

North America:

EVEREST BASE CAMP

About

The Trek

18 Days

48 Years Life Changing Adventures

At 17,598-ft/5,634-m, Everest Base Camp is higher than three of the world’s Seven Summits. The trek is a true adventure, with every step taking you deeper into the mystical Himalayas. Tusker Trail’s decades of experience at high altitude trekking ensure you are in safe hands on this journey of a lifetime.

Led by expert guides, including our Sherpa guide Mingma who provides a unique insight into Nepal, and our high altitude safety guide from Tanzania, Kombe, you will be fully supported every step of the way. And when it comes to nourishment, our team of Nepali chefs and Sherpa team will provide you with delicious meals that combine western and Nepali styles.

Dramatic

Landscapes

The moment you arrive in Kathmandu, the excitement begins. Then, as you start your trek through the most dramatic landscapes on earth, you encounter a one-of-a-kind culture in one of the highest environments on earth. It’s transformative.

During your 18-day adventure, you journey through a world unlike anything else on the planet. Beginning in Kathmandu, up to the ancient Namche Bazaar and across to the hilltop Buddhist temple at Tengboche, with the monks chanting their solemn prayers, your journey through a fabled foreign land puts you in a state of awe and wonder.

Kathmandu
Few cities in the world share a history like that of Kathmandu. Born in legend 10,000 years ago, Kathmandu dates back to an ancient settlement in 167 BC. You immerse yourself in a wealth of culture in this colorful city of temples and religious sites.
Namche Bazaar
From Namche’s crescent shaped slopes, you marvel at the stunning views of Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and Lhotse from the top of the hillside town. Traditionally a trading post of about 60 dwellings, Namche is your last official village on your way up.
Everest Base Camp

As you approach Base Camp, you behold the most iconic peak in the world towering above you. Along the southeast ridge you can see the Hillary Step and the ominous Khumbu icefall. Gazing in awe, you soak in the majesty of the tallest mountain on earth.

Everest Base Camp Is Adventure

Historically, the trek to Everest Base Camp was made by Everest climbers and a group of their friends for support. This is where they would base themselves to acclimatize before attempting the summit. Nowadays, the trek has become a highly sought-after pilgrimage to the foot of the great mountain and is trekked by thousands of people each year.

Each day on your trek is magical, combining to create an experience that lives with you for the rest of your life. You encounter spectacular views and fascinating Sherpa village life, and it will change your life forever. The world’s highest peaks are mind-blowing, towering above you as you wind your way through the Khumbu valley to the base of the world’s most famous peak.

The Himalayas • Nepal

  • Hike in the footsteps of history to the most famous mountain on earth.
  • Explore ancient villages and colorful markets.
  • Cross paths with Everest climbers, descending from the massive peak.
  • Face an incredible life-challenge.
  • Immerse yourself in the ancient Sherpa Buddhist culture.
  • Visit ancient temples and monasteries.

The Challenge

Tusker’s core values can be found at the heart of the Everest Base Camp trek – the adventure and the challenge. The awe of discovery and the thrill of journeying in a new land keeps you amped on this journey of a lifetime. The challenge of hiking to the highest places on earth, across hanging bridges, down steep valleys, and over majestic mountain ridges fires up your spirit in a primal way. Exploring this natural wilderness, while immersing yourself in an ancient mountain culture, is enough to overflow your bucket with exhilarating adventure. Your own voyage of discovery is here.

The Natural Beauty

Mount Everest has captivated people from around the world for decades. During your adventure-packed journey of a lifetime you hike among the world’s greatest peaks as you witness blankets of clouds covering the distant glaciers. Treading lightly on the hanging bridges, your trek will take you to a mystical Buddhist monastery perched on a lone hilltop. With each step you envelop yourself in an ancient culture that’s been in sync with nature for centuries.

A Life-Changing Experience

You too can fire up your passion and feast on the excitement of a new quest – a whole new challenge. Tusker’s trek to Everest Base Camp will transform you in ways you can only imagine and will empower you to accomplish things you never dreamed possible.

Your

Bucket List

Trekking to the foot of Everest in Nepal is the ultimate adventure. By creating your bucket list, you thrust yourself on a path of self-awareness, compelling you to discard your fears and go all-in. Of all the treks that Tusker runs, this concept couldn’t apply more than on our EBC trek. You detach yourself from your worries and fears, firing up your passion for life, and new encounters. You embark on a journey – on the inside, as well the outside, making a complete transformation.

Eclectic Lodges

You experience a myriad of lodges and hotels, all with great views that expand your mind, body and soul. Acclimatizing to the altitude and engaging the Sherpa culture are highlights of your trek, and your lodging plays an important part in your experience.

You arrive in Kathmandu, a city famous for its cultural wonders, where you begin your trek in an oasis, the Shangri-La Hotel, before your flight to Lukla. After landing in Lukla, you travel through the Khumbu Valley, staying at family owned lodges every night. They are all very basic, but extremely comfortable spots for a good rest after a tough day trekking. As you gain altitude, you surround yourself in the warmth of the Nepali people.

The Evolution of Tusker’s EBC Trek

In 2008, a friend who had climbed the Seven Summits approached Amy and Eddie Frank. He asked them to join him as the medical guiding team on his charity trek for the Make-a-Wish Foundation to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. They led 27 trekkers through remote Sherpa villages on a trek among the magnificent Himalayan mountains. This kicked off what was to become one of Tusker’s most exciting and challenging treks.

The foundation of Tusker’s trek to Everest Base Camp dates back to 1977, when Eddie Frank, on his search for adventure, led an expedition across Africa in British ex-army Land Rovers. Since then, he has made 33 crossings of the Sahara Desert and climbed Kilimanjaro 54 times. On one of those climbs, he met guide extraordinaire Amy Frank. They formed the perfect guiding team and have since led many wild expeditions for countless travelers to the far corners of the globe.

The Himalayan Mountains

The Himalayas is the most well-known mountain range in the world, extending across part of India, passing through China, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan. The range includes the tallest peaks on earth, such as Makalu (27,838-ft/8,485-m), K2 (28,251-ft/8,611-m) and the big brother Mt. Everest (29,029-ft/8,848-m).

The Himalayas are also the source of many of the world’s great rivers, such as the Ganges in India, the Indus in Pakistan, and the Brahmaputra in Tibet, India & Bangladesh. While it is relatively young compared to most ranges – only 50 million years – its mountains are the tallest and most dramatic. The Himalayan climate ranges from tropical at the base, to perennial year-round, and snow, ice and glaciers at the higher elevations.

Flora and Fauna

The flora of the Himalayas is highly dependent on elevation and precipitation – tropical, subtropical, temperate, and alpine. Plants stop growing above the altitude of 18,864-ft/5,750-m, as this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas. On your EBC trek you’ll enjoy the spectacular alpine forest landscape which gradually changes as you gain elevation to small shrubs, lichens, and mosses. The mountain range is also home to many mammal species, such as the Himalayan black bear, musk deer, snow leopards and martens.

Our Historic Route

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay completed the first confirmed summit on May 29, 1953. They were part of the ninth British expedition to climb Mount Everest. The first documented attempt to summit Everest was in 1921. A British expedition led by George Mallory trekked over 400 miles across the Tibetan plateau to the base of Everest. A fierce storm forced them to abandon their climb, but before they turned around, they discovered what appeared to be a possible route up to the peak. When asked by a journalist why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, he famously replied, “Because it’s there.” These days about 900 climbers reach the summit every year.

Getting Around

Flight to Lukla >

Flight to Lukla

LUKLA means “place with many goats and sheep,” but mostly you’ll see excited trekkers going to or returning from Everest Base Camp. The flightto Lukla, which lies at 8,702-ft/2,652-m, is about 30 to 45 minutes through the Himalayan mountains and gives you an aerial view of some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery.

On Your Own Two Feet >

On Your Own Two Feet

After arriving in Lukla, you get around on your own two feet – all the way to base camp and back. And it’s unbelievable. Taking your time hiking, you soak up the spectacle of the Himalayas and ancient Sherpa villages on the way.

Summer / Monsoon Season

June, July and August is the monsoon season. Very few people trek at this time. There is no flora blooming, and the rain can cause hazardous trekking conditions.

Fall – Tusker’s Trekking Season

September, October, and November are the peak months for EBC trekking, and this is when we run one of our departures. The monsoon is over, and the sky is usually crystal clear. This is a great time of the year and sees the most trekkers. The daytime temperature is comfortable, however the nights are a bit colder, but you’ll be ensconced in a warm sleeping bag.

Winter

In December, January and February there are very high winds. The nights are cold and days shorter. While trekking to EBC is still possible, we don’t trek at this time due to the cold temperatures.

Spring – Tusker’s Trekking Season

March, April and May close out the long winter and the entire Everest region comes alive once again. We trek during the spring, as this is when you get to rub shoulders with climbers who are just coming down from the summit of Everest. The excitement is palpable. The sky is clear with a rich blue color and the flora and fauna awaken along the trails as new life stirs.

Photo Gallery

What to Expect

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