By Sandeep Hardas — Sep 13, 2023

The EBC Adventure

Kala Patthar as seen from EBC dwarfed by Mt Everest

EBC abbreviated for Everest Base Camp is at an elevation of 5,364m or 17,598 ft.

Let's just say - it's high up there. The highest trek I have done took me to Mt Fuji (3776m / 12388 ft), so this is 1.5x Mt Fuji. Oh dear!

Besides meeting people, immersing in the culture, etc. the attempt to go up Kala Patthar (black rock) which sits higher than EBC (5550 m / 18209 ft) then coming down to spend one night at Base Camp is my bucket list item

Dedication of efforts: to those who fight/fought battles with Cancer, Tumors, Auto-immune diseases, deal with the loss of a loved one (a child), anyone in pain and to honor their families who show courage and selfness empathy. Send me an email

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Shout outs to: My family for supporting my madness. My dear friend Jason Pratt who is joining me on this adventure. Just Yoga, my yoga studio where I teach and practice. Countless friends sending me best wishes. My colleagues at Koddi. Ian Taylor Trekking, our tour organizer

Itinerary: click for details

Day 1: Meet-n-Greet in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: Elevation 1400m / 4593ft. Evening team meeting, pack up, ready to head out for a short flight to Lukla and Day 1 of trek. PS: Lukla is ranked the most dangerous airport in the world. Not my bucket list item..but gets a "check" nonetheless. Let's Go !

Day 2: Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding (2850m / 9350 ft)

Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Elevation (2840m / 9317ft) Meet mountain staff, trek to Monjo-->Phakding (2600m/8530ft)

Highlights: First view of the Dudh Kosi River, suspension bridges Distance to hike: 9 miles / 14km. Approx hike time: 5 hours

Day 3: Destination Namche Bazaar (3440m/ 11286 ft)

Prosperous trading town. Capital of Khumbu region

Highlights: Enter Sagarmaata National Park, cross the confluence of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi rivers via high suspension bridge

Distance to hike: 5 miles/ 8kms. Approx hike time: 4-5 hours

Day 4: Stay at Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization day. Try get some rest

Highlights: Morning hike to Sherpa Museum (3600m/11811 ft), stunning views of Mt Everest, leisure day in Namche (Massage, Haircut...hmmm)

Approx hike time: 30-45 mins

Day 5: Stay at Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization day #2

Highlights: Early am hike to Shangboche Hill (3900m/12800 ft), beautiful vistas views of Everest region, spend time up there, come back around lunch.

Approx hike time: 4 hours

Day 6: Destination Tengbouche (3900m / 12800 ft)

Highlights: Views of Khumbu region: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam. Home of the famous Tengbouche Monastery (afternoon visit)

Distance to hike: 8 miles / 13 km. Approx hike time: 5-6 hours

Day 7: Destination Dingbouche (4350m / 14271 ft)

Highlights: Farming village. Views ofAma Dablam "Mother's Charm Box), visit local monastery, hike up Imja Valley.

Distance to hike: 8 miles / 13 km. Approx hike time: 5-6 hours

Day 8: Dingbouche acclimitization day. Ascend to 4900m / 16000 ft

Highlights: stunning views of three 8000m+ peaks: Makalu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse

Approx hike time: 4 hours

Day 9: Destination: Lobuche (4940m / 16207 ft)

Highlights: pass through village Thukla, Everest memorial, hike parallel to Khumbu glacier

Distance to hike: 8 miles / 13 kms. Approx hike time: 5-6 hours

Day 10: Gorak Shep (5180m/17126 ft) & Kala Patthar (5645m/18520ft)

Highlights: cross glacial moraine on rocky terrain, lot of up/down. Gorak Shep was site of 1953 expedition of Sherpa Tenzing & Edmund Hilary. Sunset view of Mt Everest from Kala Patthar, return to Gorak Shep for night halt

Approx hike time: 5-6 hours

Day 11: EBC (5364m/17600 ft). Another big day for the memory books !

Highlights: Easy start to the day, hike to Everest Base Camp. Night stay in tent at Base Camp

Approx hike time: 2 hours

Day 12: The Return Begins. Destination: Pheriche (4200m/ 13780 ft)

Highlights: Breakfast at Gorak Shep, Lunch in Thukla. Night at Pheriche

Distance to hike: 12 miles / 20 kms. Approx hike time: 7-8 hours

Day 13: Destination: Namche Bazaar (3440 m/ 11286 ft). Long day

Highlights: through Pangbouche, Tengbouche, lunch by the river, There will be a shower in Namche Bazaar !

Distance to hike: 14 miles / 22 kms. Approx hike time: 8 hours

Day 14: Destination: Lukla (2850 m/ 9350 ft). Long Day, Last trekking day !

Highlights: Retrace steps to Phakding, descend into Lukla. Night in Lukla

Distance to hike: 13 miles / 21 kms. Approx hike time: 8 hours

Day 15: Destination: Kathmandu (1400 m/ 4500 ft). Fly, not walk

Highlights: Back to Kathmandu by early morning. Explore city. Prepare for trip back home