Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek- 21 Days

Today, you will dive into the field of cultural and spiritual heritage in Kathmandu. Your guided sightseeing excursion will include some of the most famous landmarks of this city, and you will begin the trip with the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest temples in Hindu religion, located in Nepal. Afterwards, head to Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in the Buddhist world, topped by prayer flags dancing in the breeze, which is surrounded by various monasteries. Here, the mood is calm offering a glimpse into Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, you then proceed to visit Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple sitting on a ridge overlooking Kathmandu valley.

Bid farewell to the busy Kathmandu city and start a beautiful journey to Bhandar, a small mountain village, which is your stepping-stone to the Everest region. The trip takes you through rolling valleys, terraced agriculture, and small villages where time passes slowly and quietly. The higher you go, the cooler the air becomes and the fresher the air. On the way, you may see local farmers working on their fields, colorful prayer flags on the wind, and the biodiversity of the mid-hills region with its forests and birds.

You will have a smoothly flowing change of city noise to mountain silence, and be ready to face the days of trekking. The scenery varies drastically with altitude as you move up, exhibiting the various topography of the Himalayas, including river valleys and thick jungles. The path may be long and the way twisting, yet in each turn the landscape is astonishing and the excitement builds.

Bhandar itself is a quiet village situated on a hillside, offering an atmosphere of peace and stone houses nestled among terraced fields. It is located at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters and is the ideal place to rest and absorb the local Sherpa culture before embarking on your trek on foot the following day. The village will take you into the beat of the mountain life and will set the mood of your adventure in the Himalayas.

Today is the first day of your trekking adventure as you say goodbye to Bhandar and begin your climb on foot to Sete village. The path is a gradual uphill through a mixed forest of pine, rhododendron, and oak, giving shade and fresh mountain air. You will cross tiny streams and pass by isolated farmhouses, which are frequently warmly greeted by local villagers who are preserving centuries-old traditions. It is a trail that goes through deep valleys with beautiful scenery of high mountains on the horizon. In between, the sound of birds and the ringing of prayer bells adds to the feeling of serenity and closeness to nature.

The vegetation also starts to vary as you hike up, and you might find wildflowers blanketing the forest floor in spring. The path is clear and the trail is moderate, with a good introduction to the physical requirements in the Himalayas. Sete is a beautiful mountain village located at approximately 2,200 meters in altitude, featuring welcoming teahouses and a peaceful environment. The village is enclosed by pine forests, and it overlooks the lower valleys. It's a lovely resting place to share stories with other trekkers and enjoy a hot cup of tea.

Sete will give you a first real experience of Himalayan trekking life: simple lodges, fresh mountain air, and being in close contact with nature. The next day, you will trek to the village of Junbesi, a larger village that boasts an old monastery and a rich Sherpa culture.

You leave behind the tranquil environment of Sete, and you move deeper into the Everest region. The modern route follows the winding paths through the thick forest and terraced fields, slowly gaining elevation and rewarding you with the views of picturesque villages and farmhouses. The scenery is rich in biodiversity, with rhododendrons blooming in the spring, and animals such as colorful birds and butterflies making your trip lively. The landscape is getting rockier and the scenery more spectacular as the high mountains, such as Kusum Kanguru and other Himalayan mountains, are now more visible.

Junbesi is a culturally rich village located at an approximate altitude of 2,700 meters and is renowned for its ancient Buddhist monastery, which serves as the spiritual center of the Sherpa people. The village has been preserved in its traditional flavor with stone houses, prayer flags, and mani walls along the trails. This is an excellent spot to experience Sherpa hospitality and learn about local customs. The peaceful atmosphere of the monastery inspires contemplation and admiration for the spiritual heritage that characterizes this area. The calm atmosphere and stunning mountain views in Junbesi make the area a perfect blend of nature and culture.

The route begins with a pleasant climb through the pine forests and quiet countryside. Once you have bid farewell to the beautiful village of Junbesi, you will be walking along a curving path that will give you some views of Everest in case the weather is clear. The ascent to the Lamjura La Pass (3,530 m) is gradual, and it passes through rhododendron forests and moss-covered forests. On the way, you might encounter local yak herders or monks on their way to monasteries in the depths of the hills.

Having made a satisfying climb to the pass, the path drops steeply down to the town of Ringmo, an excellent place to take a tea break. This trail goes downhill, passing through some of the traditional Sherpa villages, such as Taksindu, where the famous monastery rests peacefully on the hillside. Prayer flags and chortens are scattered along this stretch of the trail, providing spiritual appeal to your journey. As you go down you will also find more stone-paved paths and agricultural terraces.

Nunthala (2,200 m) is a valley in between rolling hills and deep valleys. The village is a tranquil place to rest and has simple tea houses and friendly Sherpa hospitality. Nunthala is a cultural amalgamation of Sherpa and Rai, situated in an area surrounded by dense forests and farmland. It is a crucial rest point on the way to high Himalayas and a place where you can experience the slow pace of life in the mountain village.

You start the day by climbing down steeply to the Dudh Koshi River at Nunthala, where you will cross a long suspension bridge amidst the sound of rushing waters and the calls of forest birds. This is a downhill section that requires caution on the feet, as the path may be slippery, particularly after rain. After crossing the river you will have a long, gentle ascent through wooded hills and wild farms, rising gradually all day.

The path to Bupsa Danda passes through small villages where life continues as usual, undisturbed by the tourism activities of other higher-altitude routes. The path winds through terraced millet and barley fields, and the stone houses and grinning children greet you as you go by. Prepare to have long periods of peaceful walking, where all you can hear is the sound of your footsteps and the sounds of nature. A visit to Jubing village is an opportunity to meet local Rai people and see their traditional houses.

Bupsa Danda (2,360 m) is a ridge-top village offering a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys. The name Danda originated from its hilltop location, and as the name suggests, this is a peaceful, windswept place where you can rest before continuing your journey further into the Everest region.

Leaving Bupsa Danda, the path heads uphill then winds through dense forests of oak and rhododendron. The current trip can be described as the one with wild beauty and remote feel. The path becomes narrow in parts, and there are steep drops and wooden bridges over small streams. Himalayan wildlife, such as langurs and different birds, is also not rare, as you can observe them flitting in the thick canopy above.

You will pass through Kharte and climb to the Khari La Pass (2,880 m), a high point offering a panoramic view of Gyachung Kang and Khumbila, the holy mountain of the Sherpas. The hike is largely through the forest, but every now and then it opens up to offer amazing views. The air is also cooler and fresher as you move on. You might meet porters and traders bringing goods to the upper Khumbu region which is more populated

Puiyan (2,793 m) is a peaceful village on the fringe of the forest. It is a non-touristic village that is not overly fancy, and it offers a genuine flavor of rural Himalayan life. It is a quiet resting place due to its secluded beauty and proximity to the high mountains. Instead of hearing the hustle, you will hear the wind and prayer flags fluttering, which indicate that you are getting near the center of the Khumbu region.

Leaving Puiyan, the trail winds in and out through pine woods and small clearings. The trek begins with a small climb to Chutok La Pass (2,945 m) and a long descent to Surke, a village located just below Lukla. The trail is sometimes steep and rocky, and it passes through mani walls and Buddhist shrines that remind you of the great spiritual significance of these mountains.

Surke gives us a glimpse of the backside of Lukla, a town that most trekkers would only view at the airport. Here you start climbing again on zigzagging forest paths to Chaurikharka and then Phakding. The scenery is also changed, more trekkers, more lodges, and well-maintained trails. You are now officially joined with the main Everest Base Camp trekking route.

Phakding (2,610 m) is a busy yet quiet village situated on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River, serving as a major stopover point for trekkers en route to Namche Bazaar. Phakding has a lot of teahouses, bakeries, and riverside lodges, which makes the stay more comfortable. The river sounds, the flapping prayer flags and the distant choppers are the prelude to what is to come in the fabled Khumbu region.

The trek to Namche Bazaar is a satisfying and challenging climb. The trail begins with a fairly level section, but then you will cross a series of suspension bridges, the most famous of which is the Hillary Bridge, suspended over the Dudh Koshi gorge. The path slowly climbs through pine forests, passing by smaller settlements of Sherpa people, such as Monjo and Jorsalle. It is also the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park where permits are verified.

The route is more challenging, starting at Jorsalle, and it features a continuous, steep climb that puts your endurance to the test. The last two hours of uphill walking are the most difficult, yet the most beautiful as you get a view of Everest, Lhotse and Kusum Kanguru on a clear day. Each step is an altitude gain, and you are entering the Sherpa world.

Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) is a busy mountain town cut into the side of a crescent-shaped hill. Being the unofficial capital of Khumbu region, it has modern amenities such as bakeries, shops, cafes, and gear stores, all at high altitude. The scenery is magnificent, and Kongde Ri and Thamserku are looming in the background. This is an ideal location to relax, acclimatize and absorb the Himalayan energy.

Today is the most important day as your body needs to adapt to the new altitude after several days of gradual increase. Instead of resting completely, the day is characterized by an acclimatization hike to promote an effective adaptation. Most trekkers make an ascent to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) after breakfast, where the view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and other Khumbu giants is panoramic. The climb is steep, although short, and the view is worth it.

During the climb, you will pass through the small airstrip village of Syangboche and may visit the Khumjung Monastery, where a supposed Yeti scalp is reportedly kept. Here is also the Hillary School founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. These cultural attractions offer insight into how Sherpa life is a blend of tradition, education, and tourism. On the road, you might meet yak trains, traders, and other trekkers all basking in the same unreal environment.

In the afternoon, you are free to explore in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). Go to the Sherpa Culture Museum, walk around the market stalls with Tibetan handicrafts, or take a rest in a bakery with a view of snow-capped mountains. The peculiar structure of the town, houses being piled up on a steep hillside, provides spectacular views all around. Namche is the last major center before venturing further into the mountains.

The trail today begins with a relatively easy route, following the mountainside with a breathtaking view of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku for almost the entire way. The trail then becomes flat after a short ascent out of Namche, and leads you through pine forests and by mani stones, inscribed with Buddhist prayers. You will go through Kyangjuma and Sanasa, tiny villages with tea houses and yak pastures. This section of the trek is beautiful and full of Himalayan wildlife; keep an eye out for musk deer and Himalayan tahr.

After crossing the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga (3,250 m) a steep climb through rhododendron and fir forest. This ascent to Tengboche is the most physically challenging part of the day, but it is very shady and interspersed with the sounds of prayer wheels and birds. The first view of Tengboche Monastery in the backdrop of Ama Dablam is not forgettable as you ascend.

One of the most spiritually important places on the Everest trail is Tengboche (3,860 m). It is a spooky place to stay, with the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. The place is calm, situated in the forest with the mountains forming part of the panorama. Be sure not to miss the evening prayer ceremony, where chanting monks and incense will create a mystical experience amidst the towering peaks.

Having come out of the spirituality of Tengboche, the path winds down through dense rhododendron forests down to Debuche. The sound of the Imja Khola River reaches you long before you encounter its suspension bridge, which rocks beneath your feet as you make your way across. The trail slowly ascends once more, featuring a combination of trees such as birch, pine, and juniper. Stone chortens and prayer walls, loaded with mani stones, are found in your tracks as you move further and further into the Khumbu.

After getting through Pangboche, which is the highest permanent settlement of the Sherpas, you will notice the spectacular transformation in the landscape. The forest thins, and one gets alpine scrub and bare rock. The mountains of Ama Dablam take center stage in the skyline as the small herds of yaks feed on the little grasses. The elevation is quite evident, and you can walk more slowly to save energy.

The windswept village of Dingboche (4,410 m) sits in a wide, mouth-shaped valley that overlooks some impressive mountains, including Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Stone-walled fields help to shelter crops against the rough mountain winds. Dingboche has everything, despite its remote location; there are tea houses, bakeries, and even internet access. It is a common acclimatization point because it is like you have entered into the high alpine world.

As one ascends, an additional acclimatization day is crucial before moving to higher altitudes. The process of getting used is the most convenient when it is active and an easy one to hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m), which takes 3-4 hours, round trip. It is a hard and rugged elevation, but the scenery is worth it all once you reach the top—a breathtaking 360-degree overview of Makalu, Lhotse, and Island Peak. This climb improves your lung capacity and trains your body for the thin air ahead.

You will also feel how, in this day hike, every breath will work with a purpose as you attain elevation. Landscapes are rocky, and snow may be present depending on the season. There are a few plants that can survive at such altitude, which reveals to the scenery its bleak beauty. It is a great trek that will give you a real feel of the high Himalayas, but you should not expect to walk too far too early.

At Dingboche (4,410 m), the remainder of the day is there to relax, drink water, and refuel. It is more peaceful than Namche, with fewer trekkers, and wide-open areas. The perspectives of Ama Dablam are particularly stunning towards the end of daylight. There will also be an opportunity to visit a local stupa or drink tea with other trekkers, sharing stories as snowflakes move past the window.

The trail emerging from Dingboche gradually ascends along the valley edge. The landscape is bleak and barren, unlike the forests of the previous hikes: there are vertical mountains covered in ice above a rocky and dry plain. The Imja Valley then widens, leading back to Island Peak and the River that runs between the glaciers down the valley. The modern-day trail is both a mental and physical challenge, not because of its steepness, but because of the altitude.

You will pass Dughla (Thukla), then have lunch, and then the most challenging part of the day will be the Nippy ascent to the Thukla Pass (4,830 m). This is a dark but memorial park to climbers who have lost their lives at Everest and among them are renowned climbers such as Scott Fischer. It is a very strong location where trekkers experience both the beauty and the danger of the Himalayas. the wind here is ill-humoured, And the prayer flags flutter in sorrow.

Lobuche (4,910 m) is a tiny rocky settlement at the mouth of sky-scraping mountains. Accommodation is simple and sufficient and everybody is awaiting the final push to Everest Base Camp. There is very thin air, the stars are too bright to be possible, and the silence of the mountains is almost total. Lobuche has a surreal and out-of-this-world feel due to its proximity to the Khumbu Glacier.

Today marks the most emotionally rewarding part of your journey as you approach Everest Base Camp. After leaving Lobuche early in the morning, the trail ascends gradually but steadily up the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. You will pass through a treeless, frozen planet, with jagged mountain tops such as Pumori, Lingtren, and the famous summit of Everest, protruding from the Nuptse ridge. Here the ground is irregular, rocky and strewn with glacier rubbish, and each step a sober judgment in the diminishing atmosphere.

Several hours later, you arrive in Gorak Shep (5,164 m), which is the last inhabited place on the way to Base Camp. This is where you will check your bags, take a light lunch, and prepare for the final portion of the journey to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). It is a challenging combination of loose stones and icy holes, featuring epic scenes of the Khumbu Icefall—a lethal yet beautiful waterfall of crevasses and seracs. You don't get to see the summit of Everest even from Base Camp, but there is an electric atmosphere. In the period in which people climb, you can see the colorful tents installed on the monochromatic background of ice and rock.

To finish off your day, you will return to Gorak Shep after a considerate amount of time at Base Camp, where you can take pictures, enjoy the silence, and perhaps even touch the glacier. The lodges in Gorak Shep are basic and cold, but offer fresh meals and close-to-exhausted-but-smiling faces. After a day of climbing you will be resting at more than 5,100 meters, with the realisation that you have been feet away at the base of the tallest mountain in the world.

It begins at an early hour, before sunrise, to climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the highest point of the trek. It is one of the toughest parts, as the steepness and switchbacks present the most challenging aspect of the climb, and the high altitude and freezing cold are enough to deter even the bravest trekkers. Step by step the horizon starts to glimmer. At the summit, you are greeted with the most dramatic and clear perspective of Mount Everest, shimmering gold in the first rays of the sun, and Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam seem like angels in the sky.

The Himalayan 360-degree panorama of Kala Patthar cannot be described: an undomesticated, wild glory that the simple sight of it breaks any heart. This is the location where the majority of photos of Everest would be taken, and this will probably be the emotional peak of the trek for many. Then you descend gradually back to Gorak Shep after enjoying some of its views and clicking last photos. There's a nice breakfast ahead, and then we can begin the long downhill.

Here the trail slopes steeply downward, and slowly merges with the warmer air, which is thick and fills the mountainous regions. You do a circuit back through Lobuche and Dughla, on the way to Pheriche (4,240 m). This part is very much easier on the lungs, but you still have to be cautious when walking on rocky surfaces. The snow soon thins and little clumps of greenery start to show, as you descend in altitude. As you move, you will be grateful that the additional weight provides pure energy because of gravity, as well as the recollection of how you got this far.

Pheriche is a quiet village with stone buildings situated in an open valley swept by the wind. It also features a medical post operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which aids trekkers and climbers in need. Now, in this lower position, the air is dense and soothing, and a sound night's sleep restores you.

The trail is followed again, at a comfortable pace, down towards Namche Bazaar after a good night's sleep. On the way out of Pheriche, the route meets the trek towards Everest at Pangboche, where one can see lamas on their way to Buddhist stupas and Buddhist prayer flags along this route. Additionally, yak herdsmen can be seen on the way. And with your head swinging as you walk the white peaks gradually drop behind, but still you feel them in every puff of mountain breeze. The downhill side provides time to enjoy in a different way than climbing, with the previous stress of urgency replaced by contemplation.

You go to Debuche and then you pause at Tengboche Monastery. You could catch a last glimpse of the monks praying or the sun's rays shining through the juniper trees. As you continue downhill, the path winds through a rhododendron forest and then emerges by the river at Phunki Tenga, followed by a final leg test up the hill to work your tired limbs. After some time, the route becomes flat as you approach Sanasa, and the views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku become more familiar.

We return to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) as our home. The active town of a hillside appears to be even friendlier than the barren high Himalayas appeared. You will be greeted by fresh food, a hot shower, and perhaps a pastry or a coffee at a local cafe. It is here that most trekkers meet and many share stories, compare photographs, and even purchase souvenirs. Namche, as a village, has the kind of energy that provides a link between the silence of the mountains and the world below.

Your last full day of trekking will feel a little sad; you know it, it is time to leave the top of the mountains. The descent to Lukla follows the same route as the ascent, but in reverse, with most of the route being downhill. You will descend abruptly to Monjo and proceed to the checkpoint where you were originally issued your permits, then continue downstream through a line of villages, including Benkar, Phakding, and Chheplung, along the Dudh Koshi River. This path is long and familiar, yet somehow different to me this time: suffused with thanksgiving and achievement.

The woods thicken, the birds sing and you get heavier as one descends. The last couple of up-hill roads remind you that even descending is not easy. It will remind you of both hardship and success, the people you met along the way, and how much ground you have covered, not only in terms of distance, but also in terms of experience.

The relief and nostalgia arrive in Lukla (2,860 m). It is a very busy small town situated on a hillside and is located near the renowned Tenzing-Hillary Airport. It is here that trekkers will meet for the last time, recollecting their adventures over hot beverages and warm food. It is the last blast before one can return to the modern world, and it is a place where one receives a lot of gratitude, laughter, and stories being told late into the night.

You wake up early in the morning to schedule your flight back to Kathmandu by plane from Lukla (weather conditions permitting). With its short duration and adrenaline-packed ride, a flight is a nice final touch to your Himalayan trip, providing one last glorified panorama of the mountains that have taken up the last three weeks of your life. You will see the snow-capped mountains give way to clouds and valleys of Kathmandu, welcoming you.

The arrival back in Kathmandu is a truly different universe experience: the hustle and bustle, the traffic, the colour, and the heat. Once transferred to your hotel, you will have a free day to rest, take a shower, think. A typical Nepalese meal usually marks many trekkers, with some heading out to Thamel, a popular district among backpackers in Kathmandu.

This is a day to relax, whether you buy some souvenirs, have a massage, or simply rest. You have just been through one of the hardest and most wonderful trips of the world. Kathmandu, the place with temples and energy, is like an old friend who is getting you home after such a long time.

Several weeks after walking through some of the best mountain scenery in the globe, today will be the last day of your Himalayan adventure. You will wake up in comfort of your hotel in Kathmandu, probably with mixed feelings. The exhaustion of the trail may still be there in your body, but the memories will be full and vibrant: the panorama of the mountains, the smell of yak bells, colorful prayer flags in the wind and the companions that you will have found on the road.

The morning could be a couple of calm hours to spend to enjoy the feel of Kathmandu one final time before you have to fly back home. You can also opt to explore Thamel, enjoy coffee, purchase handcrafted souvenirs, or engage in people-watching as the city passes by. Other trekkers may spend their mornings making a last visit to a temple, such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or the Boudhanath Stupa, to thank and consider the spiritual richness of the trip.

In a short time, it is time to move in Tribhuvan International Airport. The airport highway runs through temples, shrines, stores, and traffic - you can only be reminded of how far the Everest region is from modern life. You will check in on your international flight at the airport, but now your backpack is not loaded with only gear, but with tales, strength, and a sense of accomplishment. No matter what you choose, to go home or what other place you need to visit, this hike will leave an imprint of the whole lifetime.

Kathmandu, which was your entry point to adventure, now turns to be your farewell point. You are not going to leave Nepal with mere photos in your hand, but you will take the Himalayas within you. Farewell, and safe journeys, and make the mountains call you again.