Trek to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar with a dedicated day beneath Ama Dablam, the stop most itineraries skip.
Stand at 5,545m above Everest Base Camp with the southwest face of Everest directly ahead
A dedicated half day beneath Ama Dablam at 4,570m, the stop the standard 14-day route skips
Licensed guides from the Khumbu region, not contractors. No outsourcing at any point.
Fully serviced teahouse route all the way to Gorakshep, no tents or camping required
This is the standard EBC route plus one day that most people wish they had taken. The extra day goes to Ama Dablam Base Camp at 4,570m, a half-day side trip from Pangboche that puts you directly beneath a mountain most trekkers only ever see from a distance. Everything else follows the classic Khumbu trail: Lukla, Namche, two acclimatisation days, Dingboche, Lobuche, EBC at 5,364m, and Kala Patthar at 5,545m before the descent.
This is a Level 4 Hard trek. Four nights above 4,400m, 6 to 8 hour days above 5,000m, and a 4:00 AM start for Kala Patthar. You need prior multi-day trekking experience and genuine preparation. If you want EBC without the Ama Dablam extension, the 14-day EBC Trek is the right route. If you want to add a peak climb on top, look at EBC with Island Peak.
MountainKick runs this route with Sherpa guides from the Khumbu region. No middlemen, no contractors brought in from outside.
A MountainKick representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. That evening we run a pre-trip briefing covering the full 15-day route, gear check, permits, and Lukla flight logistics.
Early morning flight to Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the most dramatic airstrips in the world. The trail drops gently alongside the Dudh Koshi River through pine forest to Phakding. An easy first day by design. During peak season (Mar–May, Oct–Nov) flights depart from Ramechhap, requiring a 2:30 AM hotel departure.
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River, crossing suspension bridges before entering Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. The final two hours are a steep sustained climb into Namche. On a clear day you get your first view of Everest above the ridge before reaching town.
Rest day built for altitude adjustment. We hike to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880m with clear sight lines to Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, then return to Namche to sleep lower. Time to explore the Saturday market or the Sherpa Culture Museum.
The trail climbs out of Namche through forest, drops to the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga, then ascends through rhododendron forest to Tengboche. Ama Dablam dominates the skyline on the approach. Tengboche Monastery sits on a ridge with a full panorama of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Descend from Tengboche through rhododendron forest to Pangboche, home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu. After lunch, the trail climbs through rocky terrain and glacial moraines to Ama Dablam Base Camp at 4,570m. You may find expedition teams here preparing for the technical climb. The close-up view of the mountain from this angle is what separates this itinerary from the standard EBC route.
The trail follows the Imja Valley with views of Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Vegetation thins out as you climb above the tree line into open pasture. Dingboche sits on the bank of the Imja River, surrounded by the stone walls that terrace the fields through and beyond the village.
Second acclimatisation day. We hike to Nangkartshang Peak above Dingboche for panoramic views of Makalu, Lhotse, Cholatse, Tawache, and Ama Dablam, then return to sleep low. This is the last full rest day before the high-altitude push to Lobuche and EBC.
The trail climbs gradually to Thukla at 4,620m, then steeply up the Thukla Pass to the Everest Memorial site at 4,830m, where stone cairns mark climbers lost on Everest and surrounding peaks. From here the route crosses glacial moraine to Lobuche at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier.
The trail follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Gorakshep, a settlement on a frozen lakebed at 5,164m. After lunch, continue to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, the starting point of every Everest summit attempt. Return to Gorakshep before dark.
4:00 AM start for Kala Patthar at 5,545m, the highest point on this trek and the best elevated view of Everest’s southwest face. Time the summit for sunrise if conditions allow. Return to Gorakshep for breakfast then descend via Lobuche to Pheriche, dropping over 1,100m through the afternoon.
A long descent day through Pangboche and Tengboche back to Namche. The air gets noticeably richer as you drop in altitude. By the time you reach Namche you will feel the difference in your breathing, your appetite, and your energy levels.
Final day on the trail. Descend steeply from Namche through Monjo, past the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, and through Phakding back to Lukla. The trail is familiar and moves fast. Arrive in the late afternoon with time to sort gear and get an early night before the morning flight.
Morning flight back to Kathmandu. Weather-dependent, MountainKick handles any rebooking at no extra cost. Evening farewell dinner included in the package.
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Hotel checkout at 12:00 PM. Luggage storage available if your flight departs later.
In Kathmandu you stay at a 3-star hotel in Thamel on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast included. Single supplement available on request. Upgrades to 4 or 5-star properties can be arranged.
On the trek you stay in teahouses every night. Rooms are simple — a bed, blankets, and a window. Shared bathrooms at most stops. Hot showers are available at an extra charge of $3–5 at Lukla, Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche. Above Lobuche facilities are basic but fully operational during trekking season. Gorakshep teahouses are the most basic on the route — cold nights, thin walls, and limited hot water. In peak season (October–November and March–May) book ahead through your guide, rooms in Namche and Dingboche fill fast.
Breakfast included in Kathmandu and on the return night farewell dinner. All trek meals are on your own account, ordered from teahouse menus.
Dal bhat is the best option at every stop — filling, reliable, and free refills. Pasta, noodles, soups, and eggs are available everywhere. Prices rise and portions shrink above Namche. Avoid meat above Namche. Budget $30–45 per day above Lobuche.
| Breakfast | $6–10 |
| Lunch | $10–14 |
| Dinner | $10–14 |
| Hot shower | $3–5 |
| WiFi (where available) | $2–5 per day |
| Hot drinks | $2–4 each |
| Bottled water | $2–3 above Namche |
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This is a Level 4 Hard trek on our scale. Daily walking runs 6 to 8 hours above 4,000m, with four nights above 4,400m. The two hardest days are Day 10 (Lobuche to EBC and back to Gorakshep) and Day 11 (4:00 AM Kala Patthar summit followed by a long descent to Pheriche). Prior multi-day trekking experience is strongly recommended. See our full difficulty guide for what Level 4 means in practice.
On Day 6, after reaching Pangboche, the route adds an afternoon trip to Ama Dablam Base Camp at 4,570m. The trail climbs through rocky terrain and glacial moraines with Ama Dablam directly above you. Ama Dablam (6,812m) is widely considered the most beautiful mountain in the Khumbu. The standard 14-day EBC route passes through Pangboche but does not include this side trip. This is the main reason to choose this itinerary over the standard EBC Trek.
One extra day and one extra destination. The EBC route itself is identical: Lukla, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, EBC, Kala Patthar. The difference is Day 6, which adds the dedicated afternoon at Ama Dablam Base Camp that the 14-day itinerary cannot fit. If you want EBC only without the extension, the 14-day EBC Trek is the right booking.
You should be comfortable hiking 6 to 8 hours a day carrying a 5kg daypack. An 8 to 10 week preparation plan makes a real difference: cardio 3 to 4 times a week, leg and core strength work twice a week, and at least 3 to 4 practice hikes of 5 or more hours with a loaded pack. Kala Patthar and the EBC approach day are the hardest back-to-back days on the route. Arrive fit.
Two acclimatisation days are built in: one in Namche (Day 4) and one in Dingboche (Day 8). Four nights are spent above 4,400m. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily, avoid alcohol above 3,000m, and tell your guide immediately if you develop a persistent headache, nausea, or loss of appetite. Descending 300 to 500m usually brings fast relief. Talk to your doctor about Diamox before you leave home. Read our altitude sickness guide for a full breakdown.
Round-trip Lukla flights are included. During peak seasons (March to May and October to November) flights operate from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, a 5 to 6 hour drive from Kathmandu requiring a 2:30 AM hotel departure. MountainKick arranges all transport and handles weather rebooking at no extra cost. Build at least 2 buffer days around your international departure. More detail in our Ramechhap flight guide.
Two: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and a TIMS card. MountainKick arranges both as part of the package. Bring your passport and two passport-sized photos. Since April 2023, all foreign trekkers in designated trekking regions including the Khumbu are required by law to trek with a licensed guide. Solo independent trekking is no longer permitted.
Budget $30 to $45 per day for three trail meals. Hot showers cost $3 to $5, WiFi $2 to $5 per day where available. The last reliable ATM is in Namche Bazaar. Carry enough rupees from Kathmandu to cover the full trek. Card payments are not accepted at teahouses. Total personal spending for 13 trekking days runs approximately $400 to $550 depending on habits.
Mandatory. Your policy must specifically cover high-altitude trekking to at least 5,600m and emergency helicopter evacuation. Standard travel insurance often excludes altitudes above 4,000m. Helicopter rescue services confirm insurance before dispatch. Check the altitude coverage ceiling before leaving home. Insurance cannot be purchased in Nepal.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to December). October and November give the most stable weather, clearest skies, and best pre-dawn conditions for the Kala Patthar sunrise. March and April are warmer with rhododendrons in bloom below Namche, and Everest expedition teams are active on the mountain. Avoid monsoon (June to August).
Yes. For EBC combined with a guided summit of Island Peak (6,189m) see EBC with Island Peak (20 days). For the complete Khumbu circuit crossing all three high passes see the Everest Three Passes Trek (20 days). For Gokyo Lakes combined with EBC via the Cho La Pass see EBC via Gokyo Valley (17 days).
| Trip Starts | Trip Ends | Status | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JUNE 2026 | ||||
| 13 Jun 2026 15 days | 27 Jun 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 20 Jun 2026 15 days | 4 Jul 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 27 Jun 2026 15 days | 11 Jul 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| SEPTEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 4 Sep 2026 15 days | 18 Sep 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 11 Sep 2026 15 days | 25 Sep 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 18 Sep 2026 15 days | 2 Oct 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 25 Sep 2026 15 days | 9 Oct 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| OCTOBER 2026 | ||||
| 2 Oct 2026 15 days | 16 Oct 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 9 Oct 2026 15 days | 23 Oct 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 16 Oct 2026 15 days | 30 Oct 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 23 Oct 2026 15 days | 6 Nov 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 30 Oct 2026 15 days | 13 Nov 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| NOVEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 6 Nov 2026 15 days | 20 Nov 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 13 Nov 2026 15 days | 27 Nov 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 20 Nov 2026 15 days | 4 Dec 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 27 Nov 2026 15 days | 11 Dec 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| DECEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 4 Dec 2026 15 days | 18 Dec 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 11 Dec 2026 15 days | 25 Dec 2026 | available | $1,200 | |
| 18 Dec 2026 15 days | 1 Jan 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 25 Dec 2026 15 days | 8 Jan 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| MARCH 2027 | ||||
| 2 Mar 2027 15 days | 16 Mar 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 9 Mar 2027 15 days | 23 Mar 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 16 Mar 2027 15 days | 30 Mar 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 23 Mar 2027 15 days | 6 Apr 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 30 Mar 2027 15 days | 13 Apr 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| APRIL 2027 | ||||
| 6 Apr 2027 15 days | 20 Apr 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 13 Apr 2027 15 days | 27 Apr 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 20 Apr 2027 15 days | 4 May 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 27 Apr 2027 15 days | 11 May 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| MAY 2027 | ||||
| 4 May 2027 15 days | 18 May 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 11 May 2027 15 days | 25 May 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 18 May 2027 15 days | 1 Jun 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 25 May 2027 15 days | 8 Jun 2027 | available | $1,200 | |
| 30+ days before departure | Deposit forfeited, balance refunded in full |
| 15–29 days before departure | 50% of total trip cost charged |
| Under 15 days | No refund |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.
| Travellers | Price Per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1510 |
| 2-3 | $1200 |
| 4-9 | $1060 |
Ready to go? Request your preferred dates or message Kumar directly on WhatsApp — he'll confirm availability within a few hours.
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof hiking boots, high-ankle | 1 pair | Must be well broken in. New boots cause blisters on day 2. |
| Hiking socks, merino wool | 4 to 5 pairs | Avoid cotton. Merino regulates temperature and resists odour. |
| Camp sandals or flip flops | 1 pair | For teahouses after long days. Your feet will thank you. |
| Lightweight gaiters | 1 pair | Keeps dust, rocks and light snow out of boots. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal tops, synthetic or merino | 2 | Wear one, keep one dry. Never cotton. |
| Thermal bottoms | 2 | Sleep in one set, trek in the other. |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | Main mid-layer for daytime trekking. |
| Down jacket, 700 fill or higher | 1 | Essential above Dingboche. Worn every evening at high camps. Rentable in Kathmandu. |
| Waterproof jacket, Gore-Tex or similar | 1 | Must have a hood. Used daily above Namche. |
| Waterproof pants | 1 | Doubles as wind protection above Lobuche. |
| Trekking pants, quick-dry | 1 pair | Quick-dry only. No jeans, ever. |
| Sun hat, wide-brimmed | 1 | UV is intense between Namche and Tengboche. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Warm beanie | 1 | For early morning starts and cold evenings. |
| Liner gloves, touchscreen compatible | 1 pair | For phone use on trail without removing gloves. |
| Insulated gloves, windproof | 1 pair | Liner gloves alone are not enough above Dingboche. |
| Neck gaiter or buff | 2 | Protects against wind, dust, cold and the Khumbu Cough. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daypack, 25 to 35L | 1 | Rain cover essential. This stays with you all day. |
| Sleeping bag, rated to minus 10 to minus 15 degrees | 1 | Teahouses provide blankets but a proper bag is still needed above Dingboche. Rentable in Kathmandu. |
| Sleeping bag liner | 1 | Adds warmth and keeps rental bags cleaner. |
| Trekking poles, collapsible | 1 pair | Saves your knees on the steep Namche and Thukla descents. |
| Headlamp and extra batteries | 1 | Essential for the 4am Kala Patthar climb. Cold drains batteries fast. |
| Polarized sunglasses, Cat 3 to 4 | 1 | Prevents snow blindness. Not optional at high altitude. |
| Water purification tablets or UV purifier | 1 | Saves money and reduces plastic waste on trail. |
| Dry bags | 2 | One for electronics, one for documents inside your duffel. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Personal first aid kit | 1 | Your guide carries a kit and oximeter. A personal kit is still recommended. Include blister treatment and second skin. |
| Water bottle, 1L wide-mouth | 1 | Handles boiling water. Doubles as a bed warmer at night above Lobuche. |
| Power bank, 10,000 to 20,000mAh | 1 | Cold kills phone batteries above 4,000m. Keep it in your sleeping bag overnight. |
| Electrolyte powder sachets | 10 to 15 | Hydration at altitude is harder than it sounds. Mix into your water daily. |
| High protein snacks | As needed | Trail mix, protein bars. Teahouse food is mostly carb-heavy. |
| Sunscreen SPF 50 | 1 | Reapply every 2 hours above Namche. UV intensity is extreme. |
| Lip balm with SPF | 1 | Lips crack fast at altitude without protection. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quick-dry towel, microfiber | 1 | Teahouses do not provide towels. |
| Pillowcase | 1 | Teahouse pillows are shared. A personal pillowcase is more hygienic. |
| Hand sanitizer | 2 small | Water can freeze overnight at higher camps. |
| Biodegradable wet wipes | 1 to 2 packs | Showers above Namche are rare and cold. |
| Toilet paper | 2 to 3 rolls | Teahouses can run out. Carry your own. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport, valid 6 months minimum | 1 | Keep a photocopy separate from the original. |
| Passport photos | 2 extras | For permits at checkpoints. |
| Travel insurance document | 1 | Must cover helicopter evacuation to 6,000m. Print a hard copy. |
| Cash, Nepali rupees | As needed | Budget $30 to $45 per day for food plus buffer for showers, WiFi and charging. |
| Trek permit copies | 1 set | We handle the permits. Carry your copies on trail. |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Microspikes | Non-negotiable for icy trails near Gorakshep |
| Expedition mittens, down | Insulated gloves are not enough at minus 25 degrees |
| Balaclava | Full face protection for sub-zero wind chills |
| Insulated pants, fleece-lined | Windproof layer for high camps |
| Extra thermal top | A third base layer for the coldest nights |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Rain cover for backpack | Your daypack will get soaked without one |
| Waterproof gaiters, heavy | Upgrade from lightweight pair for mud and water |
| Leech socks | For lower elevations only, Lukla to Namche |
| Dry bags, 2 to 3 | For electronics, documents, and dry clothes |
| Extra quick-dry layers | Nothing dries overnight during monsoon |
Sleeping bags and down jackets can be rented through us in Kathmandu. Trekking poles are best purchased in Thamel. We connect you with trusted shops at the pre-trip briefing. A duffel bag is provided to every trekker as part of the package.
Kumar and the team have guided this route for over a decade. Ask anything — gear, fitness, altitude, private groups — before you commit.
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