DAYS | 16
TREK ROUTE | Everest Base Camp (11 days)
CHARITY | Any
REG FEE | £490
DIFFICULTY | Extreme
DATE | Various 2024
THE TREK
Walk in the shadow of the world's highest mountain as you trek to the iconic Everest Base Camp, beginning your adventure in vibrant and charming Kathmandu before setting off into the heart of the Nepal Himalaya. Traverse spectacular gorges, hike across suspension bridges and past majestic peaks and take in the magical landscapes that surround you on this epic route, which should be on the bucket list of every adventurer.
This is a multi-day trek to significant altitude (5,645m above sea level), led by experienced guides, and, although acclimatisation is slow and gradual, you will feel the effects of altitude. Tough, but truly rewarding, this challenge will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Our trips are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and more, so all you need to do is focus on the challenge ahead!
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
You will meet your group at the accommodation in Kathmandu. Check in will be available from early afternoon, please ensure to be there in advance of 5pm, where you will be given a detailed plan for the days ahead and have the opportunity to ask any questions. Multi-share hotel accommodation. Dinner included.
DAY 2 - TREK DAY 1
Kathmandu to Phakding. Elevation: 2,610m. After breakfast, you will make an early start for the flight to Lukla. This is the gateway to the Khumbu region and is nestled in the lower slopes of the Himalaya at an altitude of 2,840m. This is an exciting flight and should give you a glimpse of Everest in the distance. In the afternoon, you will begin your trek and descend towards Phakding. **Please note the ability to fly to Lukla is dependent on local weather conditions**. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY +
DAY 3 - TREK DAY 2
Phakding - Namche Bazaar. Elevation: 3,340m. After an early morning start, you will begin your trek from Phakding to Namche, crossing suspension bridges and climbing steeply through pine forests. Namche Bazaar is a prosperous trading town and the capital of the Khumbu region. Just across the valley to the east stands the majestic peaks of Thamserku and Kangtega, the first sign that you are entering “Big Peak Country”. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 4 - TREK DAY 3
Namche Elevation: 3,440m. Today is an acclimatisation day. You will
spend some time in Namche Bazaar before ascending to the Everest View Hotel at 3,900m. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 5 - TREK DAY 4
Namche Bazaar - Thyangboche. Elevation: 3,860m. From Namche Bazaar, the well-worn Everest trail contours around the side of the valley, high above the Dudh Kosi. As you follow the path, you will
get your first proper view of the great peaks of the Khumbu: Everest, Lhotse Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by several villages and numerous tea shops, you will cross the Dudh Kosi River and make a steep climb to Thyangboche. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 6 - TREK DAY 5
Thyangboche to Dingboche. Elevation: 4,410m. Shaded by
rhododendron trees, the trail crosses an airy suspension bridge just beyond Ama Dablam. Contouring the valley side, you will cross the river again and turn up the Imja Valley to reach the picturesque farming village of Dingboche. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 7 - TREK DAY 6
Dingboche. Elevation: 4,410m. Today you will have an acclimatisation day in Dingboche before your ascent to the upper section of the Khumbu Valley. Whilst in Dingboche, you will have the opportunity
to walk to a viewpoint to help the acclimatisation process. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 8 - TREK DAY 7
Dingboche - Lobuche. Elevation: 4,940m. You will retrace your steps back to Pheriche before continuing along the trail towards Dugla. Ahead of you will be the peak of Lobuche East and, to your left, the formidable north face of Taweche, the scene of many Himalayan ascents during the 1980s and 1990s. After approximately 3 hours you will reach the small collection of lodges in Dugla (4,620m).
From here, you will climb steeply besides the glacier, the track eventually leading to a small cluster of teahouses in Lobuche. You will have a rest during the afternoon in order to allow you to continuing acclimatising. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 9 - TREK DAY 8
Lobuche - Gorak Shep. Elevation: 5,164m. Three hours beyond Lobuche is Gorak Shep, base camp for the first successful summit in 1953.
After passing through Gorak Shep, you will continue trekking to the current base camp where all summit attempts of Mount Everest now depart. There you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and will spend some time exploring the camp before returning to Gorak Shep for the night. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 10 - TREK DAY 9
Gorak Shep - Pheriche. Elevation: 4,371m. Today you will ascend the Kala Pattar, reaching the highest point of your trek at 5,545m. This climb will take approximately 3 hours and will be tough. However, your efforts will be rewarded by views of Everest and the
Khumbu Icefall as well as Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori. You will then retrace your steps down the Khumbu Valley passing back through Dugla and continuing along the flat valley until you reach your overnight stay in Pheriche. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 11 - TREK DAY 10
Pheriche - Namche Bazaar. Elevation: 3,440m You will follow the main Everest trail down the scenic valley, passing through Pangboche and climbing the monastery at Thyangboche. A steep descent of 500m leads through the bird filled rhododendron bushes and fir tree to the Dudh Kosi River. Crossing via a suspension bridge you will climb up the opposite side of the valley to reach the path leading back to
Namche Bazaar. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 12 - TREK DAY 11
Namche Bazaar - Lukla. Elevation: 2,860m Today is your last day of trekking and you will be able to enjoy being back at a low altitude. You will descend from Namche Bazaar, the trail flattening out as you
will cross the river twice more before making your way back to Lukla. Teahouse accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 13 - RETURN TO KATHMANDU
You will depart Lukla Airport early in the morning for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be met by Choose a Challenge representatives and transferred back to your accommodation. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore Kathmandu, visit some of the local temples or grab some last minute souvenirs. In the evening, you and your team will travel into the town for a traditional dinner to celebrate your amazing achievement! Multi-share hotel accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 14 - FREE DAY
Today is a free day to spend exploring Kathmandu. Please note this is also an insurance day in the case of delayed flights internally between Lukla and Kathmandu. Multi-share hotel accommodation.
DAY 15/EXTENSION DAY 2 - DEPENDING ON YOUR TRAVEL OPTION
Depending on your travel option: You are free to continue on your own itinerary after breakfast. If you’ll be joining us on one of our extension trips, you will depart on your extended itinerary today! Breakfast included.
“Our trek to EBC had everything; from the exhilaration of the flight from Kathmandu into the Khumbu valley to the peaceful spirituality of the buddhist monastery we visited high above Namche. Our Nepali guides on the trek were awesome and Choose a Challenge UK staff were on-hand before we departed and on arrival in Kathmandu to answer all my questions!”
TRIP COSTS & INCLUSIONS
We provide several funding options for our trekking challenges, to provide you with the maximum possible flexibility.
First, decide whether to pay for your challenge outright (Self Fund option) or fundraise for your challenge. If you’re fundraising, you can choose our Minimum Sponsorship option with a full fundraising target, or opt to Flexi Fund: pay some of your trip costs yourself, and cover the rest with a reduced fundraising target.
The separate funding options are detailed in full below:
SELF FUND
Registration fee:
£490
Balance payment:
£1,130
Fundraise:
No fundraising required
Read more...
The full cost of this challenge is £1,620. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking and the final balance of £1,130 which is due 10 weeks before departure.
Whilst registering for the challenge, you will still be asked to select a charity. This charity will receive a notification of your registration and may support you with any fundraising you may wish to do alongside your challenge - however, there is no obligation to fundraise and there is no minimum sponsorship amount due.
Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP
Registration fee:
£490
Fundraise:
£2,260
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and you'll then need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £2,260 for your nominated charity, which usually needs to be raised in full by 8 weeks prior to your departure.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
FLEXI FUND
Registration fee:
£490
Flexi payment:
£195 or £395
Fundraise:
£1,870 (£195 flexi) or £1,470 (£395 flexi)
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and then you will make a further contribution of either £195 or £395 to your trip costs, due 10 weeks before departure. You will also have a minimum fundraising target.
The benefit of the Flexi Fund option is that it gives you the best of both of the other funding options: your contribution toward your trip costs will decrease the minimum fundraising amount you need to raise. The more you contribute with your Flexi Fund payment, the greater the discount on your fundraising target:
- If you opt for the £195 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £1,870.
- If you opt for the £395 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £1,470.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Your full itinerary, in the Challenge Information Pack below, gives details of the specific inclusions for your trip.
Please note that international flights are not included in our public challenges in order to allow you maximum flexibility on when to arrive, how long to extend your trip, which airline you fly with, where you depart from or which class you fly (lucky you if not in economy with us!).
Take a look below to see at a glance the inclusions and exclusions for this challenge.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Ground transfers
Accommodation as specified
All meals on the trek and other meals as specified
All National Park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Safe drinking water during the trek
Communal camping equipment
Porter service on the trek
Equipment hire facilities
Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
what’s not included
International flights to Kathmandu
Tips and gratuities
Visas
Travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Any necessary vaccinations or medications
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional excursions
Personal camping equipment and clothing
Other items of a personal nature
WHICH CHARITIES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?
You’re free to choose to fundraise for whichever charity you like, as long as they are registered in the UK or Ireland.
When you register, you’ll see a list of charities to choose from - this list includes our Partner Charities and also other causes and charities registered across the UK and Ireland who have already agreed to support fundraisers taking part our in challenges.
If you’d like to fundraise for a charity which is not already a partner of ours, just let us know and we’ll link up with them!
know before you go:
How difficult is this challenge?
We have four difficulty levels for our treks, which take into account factors like altitude, terrain, weather conditions and more. The rating for this trip is as below:
Extreme - you will find yourself in remote environments with limited facilities as you take on a tough challenge with the added test of altitude.
Training is essential for our extreme challenges as you will face extremely difficult terrains, long trekking days and often adverse weather conditions.
These challenges are made for those looking for the ultimate adventure.
What is the accommodation like?
Whilst in Kathmandu you will stay in a comfortable hotel.
During the challenge, you will stay in shared rooms in teahouses on the trail. The teahouses are basic yet comfortable. Food will be served communally at the teahouses by the cooks each night.
There are occasional opportunities to use Western-style toilet facilities (sometimes at cost), and on the trek there is infrequent access to running water.
Do I need mountaineering skills?
Nope! One of the huge benefits of the Everest Base Camp challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to reach the summit.
This non-technical climb will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber.
What will the group size be?
Group sizes may vary, but will almost always include somewhere between 10 - 30 participants.
CHITWAN SAFARI
EXTENSION TRIP
ADDITIONAL DAYS | 4
REG FEE | £125
ACCOMMODATION | Hotel
ACTIVITIES | Jungle Safari, Nature Walk, Canoe Ride
BALANCE | £445
CHITWAN SAFARI
An iconic extension trip that includes it all. Once you’ve conquered your Everest Base Camp trek, you can extend your stay in Nepal to relax and see some more of this beautiful country.
Embark on a fantastic adventure as you enjoy jungle and bird walks, taking a canoe ride whilst spotting Nepal’s wonderful wildlife down-river and going deep in the jungle, home to sloths, deer, rhinos and tigers, on a half-day jeep safari. Then, relax and unwind with the sunset over the Rapti river in one of Chitwan’s many bars and restaurants.
Explore the full itinerary and inclusions below, take a look at our Kilimanjaro Challenge Info Pack for further details or get in touch to add our trip extension to your challenge!
VIEW FULL EXTENSION ITINERARY
DAY 1 - TRANSFER TO CHITWAN
Today you’ll transfer to Chitwan National Park, which is famous for being one of the best wildlife viewing national parks in Asia. Upon arrival you’ll have lunch, followed by a visit to a local Tharu community, and you’ll have the chance to learn about the history of the National Park. In the evening, you’ll head into the village to watch one of the local community’s popular live performances. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 2 - CANOE RIDE & SAFARI
Today, you’ll embark on an early-morning canoe ride down-river, and you’ll have the opportunity to spot some of Nepal’s stunning wildlife - including many exotic birds, and marsh mugger crocodiles. Hopping off your canoe, you’ll walk through the jungle, looping back around toward your starting point, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot rhinos, sloth bears, deer, wild boar, and sometimes even tigers! After lunch, you’ll embark on a 5-hour Jeep safari, deep into the jungle for even more chances to spot these incredible animals. Finally, you can return back to the hotel for dinner and enjoy some relaxation time and drinks with the sunset at one of Chitwan’s many riverside bars. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 3 - BIRD WALK & TRANSFER
There’s an optional bird walk before breakfast today, and after breakfast you’ll transfer back to Kathmandu. You will have a free afternoon and evening in Kathmandu to explore its many shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars. You could even take an afternoon trip to one of Kathmandu’s wonderful temples or museums! Breakfast included.
DAY 4 - RETURN TO UK
Today you’ll have another free morning to pick up any last-minute souvenirs, before transferring back to Kathmandu International Airport for your return flight to the UK. Breakfast included.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation as specified
Ground transfers
Meals as specified in the itinerary
All safari park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Activities as specified
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Tips and gratuities
Supplementary travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional activities or excursions
Items of a personal nature
2024 dates
LENGTH: 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS
STATUS: GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
LENGTH: 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS
STATUS: GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
