Everest Base Camp Trekking Without Lukla Flight | 18 Days

‘an adventure with the exciting overland journey and walk from Solu to Khumbu’

Everest Base Camp Trekking with Explorer Adventure leads to quite different ways from normal trekking routes. Most treks start from Lukla, after taking a sweeping flight from Kathmandu or Ramechap airport.

Trekkers will experience that there is also a great way to reach Everest Base Camp by taking an alternative route. Where a few groups of trekkers seldom venture, walking from the mid-hills of Salleri, the headquarters town of Solu-Khumbu district.

An exciting way to begin the wonderful Everest Base Camp Trekking, reaching Salleri to start the adventure. After an interesting long drive from Kathmandu, an opportunity for trekkers to experience more Nepalese rural farm activities.

Starting from the lovely town of Salleri, where trekkers can observe different hill tribes of mixed religions and cultures. The lower part of Everest at Solu is a blend of both Hindu and Buddhism religions.

In the higher areas, coming across more Sherpa interwoven with strong Buddhism heritage customs. The walk continues after taking exciting dives, on bumpy high dirt tracks reaching Paiya within cooler areas of Khumbu.

From Paiya village head towards Everest base camp, walking past several villages to Phakding. Where the route from Lukla and lower Solu joins, as you can feel the difference. From the quiet areas of Solu and then on the main trails, coming across many trekkers with upgraded lodges.

Slowly the walk enters the Sagarmatha National Park, (Sagarmatha for Everest in Nepal, and the Sherpa calls Chomolungma). The trail follows to cross a few bridges and then on the high winding uphill to the famous Namche Bazaar.

A great and perfect place to spend extra days for a short scenic hike to support acclimatization before heading higher. After a wonderful and pleasant rest at Namche Bazaar on the road to Everest base camp. The walk leads to higher terrain to a beautiful spot at Tengboche and the majestic monastery amidst lovely forest surroundings. Overlooking the grand panorama of Everest with an array of snow peaks that circles the scenic Tengboche monastery.

The adventure continues leaving the tree lines for barren mountain wilderness towards Dingboche, situated in picturesque Imjatse valley.

After Dingboche towards our main destination reaching Everest base camp, after walking through Lobuche and Gorakshep small settlements.

At Everest base camp enjoy the dramatic stupendous close views within arctic zone landscapes of ice and glaciers. Standing amidst towering giant peaks of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Mt. Everest and beneath massif Khumbu Ice-Fall.

After enjoying a great exciting experience at Everest base camp, the next adventure leads to a steep climb on top of Kalapathar's rocky hill.

The highest point of the trek faces superb views of Mt. Everest at a mere distance with a series of peaks.

The adventure slowly comes to an end after visiting all the main highlights with spectacular scenery of dramatic mountain landscapes.

The return walk leads to scenic Pheriche valley and towards Namche Bazaar, then on the long downhill back to Tham Danda. Where an exciting drive brings you to Salleri town for another interesting overland journey to Kathmandu.

Reaching Kathmandu our adventure concludes, after a wonderful and overwhelming experience on Everest Base Camp Trekking.

Trip Highlights

Enjoy the adventure in a classic way with exciting overland drive to start the trek
Explore both sides of Everest region visiting lower Solu and high scenic Khumbu.
Walk through Sherpa villages of Solu, Khumbu enriched with impressive cultures.
From green hills to arid and barren mountain wilderness to Everest base camp.
Stand beneath world highest Mt. Everest and close to massif Khumbu Ice-Fall”.

Itinerary

1 Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu received by our staff and transfer to hotels.On reaching Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport where you will be warmly received by our guide and staff and then transfer you to your respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city.
First check into your hotel rooms on getting refreshed from the flight and with Jet-Lag, then join with other members of Everest Base Camp trekking for group briefing. Our guides provide information regarding hotels, trekking, local lodge and drives on country rough dirt road. Includes details on do’s and don’ts with welcome group dinner in a Nepalese restaurants.
2 Day 2: Morning sightseeing tour, afternoon trek preparations.Enjoy a free day with options for sightseeing tour around Kathmandu at places
of great cultural and historical interest. Afternoon preparation for two weeks
long trekking to Everest base camp from Salleri
3 Day 3: Drive to Salleri town 1,800 m with overnights - 07 hours journeys.Early morning departure from the hotel for exciting long overland journey to mid-
East Nepal beyond Kathmandu valley. To start the trek from the Solu areas of
Salleri, as drive heads ups and down past rural farm villages and towns reaching
Salleri. The headquarters town of Solu-Khumbu district an interesting place for
Overnight halt, after a long rough drive on country road.
The Salleri town populated with mixed tribes of people mostly Sherpa, Tamang,
Magar and Rai. Includes Hindu Brahmins and Chettries a blend of both Hindu and
Buddhism religions and cultures
4 Day 4: Drive to Tham Danda 2,560 m, trek to Paiya 2,870 m- total 06 hours.Another early morning start taking a few hour drive to Tham Danda, the starting point of our trek. The drive leads on gradual winding dirt road reaching close to  Ringmo village. As drive follows uphill near Takshindo facing views of Khumbu hills and peaks, a long descent to a large village of Nantahala.
Stopping for refreshing break, and continue drive crossing a bridge over Dudh Koshi River. The ride heads on winding up to Jubing and reaching Khari-Khola, and then over a bridge above Khari-Khola (Stream). As drive leads on winding steep to Bupsa and Tham Danda a small hill village. After the tough ride, getting refreshed start few hours walk on winding path into cool shade of forest to Paiya for overnight stop. A moderate size village with spread-out houses serving as lodge and tea-houses for travelers.
5 Day 5: Trek to Phakding 2,657 m - 05 hrs.From Paiya the air gets much cooler on entering the high Khumbu region, having breakfast, after a pleasant overnight. Morning walks on gentle path facing views of Lukla towards North, then a long downhill to Surkhe village located beneath Lukla town and its airstrip. Walk follows ups and then on winding trail past nice  farm villages of Sherpa adorned with Buddhism strong culture as you walk around rows of Mani (prayer) monuments and spinning wheels.
Slowly our pleasant first day walks completes reaching at Phakding a moderate
size village with many good lodges for overnight stop by the bank of glacial Dudh
Koshi River.
6 Day 6: Trek to Namche Bazaar 3,440 m-06 hrs. Today walk leads to famous Namche Bazaar where altitude gains as walk progress, morning walk starts following the river and crossing several times to reach at Monjo village near Sagarmatha National Park entrance, from here walking on river valley and gorge covered within nice woodland of tall rhododendron-pines and fir trees.
After crossing a high last bridge with few hours climb to Namche Bazaar with stunning views of Everest-Lhotse and Kongde peaks.
Namche Bazaar at 4,440 m high an ideal place for rest day to acclimatize, the main town / village of Khumbu where colorful and exciting Saturday market takes place once a week. 
7 Day 7: Rest day at Namche for acclimatization with short hike and excursion.Rest day for acclimatization before heading higher terrain, morning after breakfast with options for hike to Everest View Hotel or walk on top of Namche, where you can catch super landscapes scenery with Mt. Everest, Lhotse,  Ama Dablam and series of high peaks, here enjoy visiting National Park Museum provides you with much information of Khumbu region, Sherpa history-culture-flora and fauna including detail on mountaineering.
8 Day 8: Trek to Phortse 2,880 m -05 hrs.From Namche Bazaar having a pleasant rest day, adventure continues heading towards higher destinations. A quite different to other treks, as our route diverts from the main trail with steep climb to Mong Hill. Rewards grand panorama of towering snow peaks with Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tharmasarku, Kantega and Kongde-Ri. From the top of Mong Danda hill, a short descent to Phortse Tenga, located close to Dudh Koshi River. Amidst dense cool forest of pines and rhododendron as well on route to Gokyo lake. A possible lunch stop, from here walk diverts crossing a bridge with short climb to a sleepy quiet village Phortse.
Overnight in a simple and basic lodge, with time to explore this quant farm village facing views of snow-clad peaks.
9 Day 9: Trek to Dingboche 4,320 m past Pangboche 3,900 m-06 hrs.Morning catching super views of high peaks, adventure leads up and down above Imjatse River with views of Tengboche Monastery as our route descends to Upper Pangboche village, with an old monastery lined by juniper trees.
From here having lunch stop walk down to the main trail at lower main Pangboche. This is the last permanent village on route to Everest base camp.
From here walk leads on barren and arid country where tree lines drops for small bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron (azalea).
Walk leads uphill into a river gorge and then finally opens up into a wide glacial valley on reaching Dingboche with many good lodges enclosed by an array of towering peaks with grand views of Imjatse Himal the famous trekking Island peaks in the east direction.
10 Day 10: At Dingboche rest day for short hike to support acclimatization.Morning catching super views of high peaks, adventure leads up and down above Imjatse River with views of Tengboche Monastery as our route descends to Upper Pangboche village, with an old monastery lined by juniper trees.
From here having lunch stop walk down to the main trail at lower main Pangboche. This is the last permanent village on route to Everest base camp.
From here walk leads on barren and arid country where tree lines drops for small bushes of juniper and dwarf rhododendron (azalea).
Walk leads uphill into a river gorge and then finally opens up into a wide glacial valley on reaching Dingboche with many good lodges enclosed by an array of towering peaks with grand views of Imjatse Himal the famous trekking Island peaks in the east direction.
11 Day 11: Trek to Lobuche 4,930 m - 05 hrs.From Dingboche walk climbs to a ridge marked with prayer flags and Stupas, then walking on nice gradual uphill facing marvelous scenery to reach at a small place in Thugla where Khumbu glaciers melts into a torrential river.
A perfect place for rest and lunch stop, where afternoon walks leads to a steep climb at Thugla hill a place with memorials of unfortunate climbers who died on climbs around mountains of Khumbu and Everest. Walk continues for another few hours on nice gradual up to Lobuche for overnight stop, a place with several nice lodges with views of Nuptse and Lobuche peaks.
12 Day 12: Trek to Everest base camp 5,364 m past Gorakshep 5,180 m - 06 hrs.Today a great walk towards our main highlight and final destinations to reach Everest Base Camp, as morning walk leads on open wide valley with slow climb to reach above Khumbu glaciers, walking past moraine dunes reaching at Gorakshep, a place with few lodges on the junction of Everest base camp and Kalapathar route.
Gorakshep was a base camp of Everest expeditions in early 1950’s to late 1970’s before the route was made further away to present base camp.
From Gorakshep few hours walk over moraine and glacier to reach our ultimate destination at base camp with sweeping views of giant peaks of Nuptse-Lo la, Nuptse with notorious huge Khumbu Ice Falls and glaciers.
In high mountaineering season this place will be active with climbers and crews with many camps set on top of moraine and glaciers.
After a grand time then head back to Gorakshep for highest overnight stop of the adventure with fantastic memories of the day walks to Everest base camp.
13 Day 13: Morning hike to Kalapathar 5,545 m and to Pheriche 4,230 m- 06 hrs.Morning climb to Kalapathar above 5,545 m, the highest point of the trek offering incredible panorama of mountains with Everest at stone throw distance.
With amazing time on top head back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue trek downhill past Lobuche and Thugla, where walk leads to windy Pheriche valley with many good lodges with time for lunch and overnight at Pheriche.
The lodges and inns provides excellent rooms with scenic views, afternoon can be very windy.
14 Day 14: Trek to Namche Bazaar -06 hrs. From Pheriche with glorious morning views, a short descent to a river then climb to a ridge. The walk heads down to Pangboche village, as morning walk continue downhill to cross a bridge over Imjatse River and then an hour climb to Tengboche Monastery within green vegetation and tree lines, with time here to relax and enjoy the scenic views. Time permitting visit the monastery interior of great cultural and religious interest. After a pleasant stop at Tengboche downhill to Phunki Tenga. As climb for short hour to reach a small place at Kyanjin, facing views of Everest and adjoining peaks, a nice walk leads you at Namche for overnight halt.
15 Day 15: Trek to Surkhe 2,295 m - 06 hrs.A long day walk to Surkhe from Namche Bazaar, start early morning having hearty
breakfast. Morning begins with long descent to Dudh Koshi River valley and walk
past Jorsalle, National Park and Monjo to Phakding. From Phakding on gradual
winding path to Choplung where trail of Lukla and Salleri route separates.

Walk down to Ghai Kharka and Muse village to Surkhe for last overnight around
Khumbu region. 
16 Day 16: Trek to Tham Danda and drive to Salleri. Total 6 hours. Start early as possible from Surkhe village, morning leads to steep climb for an
hour or more. Reaching a high ridge with views of Lukla above, walk leads on
undulating gentle path to Paiya and then descent to Tham Danda for lunch and
then drive back to Salleri on the same wingding rough country dirt road.

On reaching Salleri check into a nice lodge for final overnight halt around Solu-
Khumbu and Mid-East region of Nepal.
17 Day 17: Drive back to Kathmandu of 7 hours journey.Our last day of the adventure, an early morning start for exciting overland journey
following on the same route to Kathmandu. After an interesting scenic drive
reaching back at Kathmandu, and then check into respective hotels reaching just
before dinner time.
18 Day 18: Depart for international flight home ward.Last day in Nepal after a wonderful experience on Salleri to Everest Base Camp trekking with great service of Explorer Adventure, and as per your international flight. Transfer to Kathmandu international airport for homeward bound or to your respective destinations.

Cost Includes:

Airport pick up and drop by private vehicle
Three nights standard Hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing basis with B.B
Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley as per the itinerary
Drive from Kathmandu to Kathamndu
Government license holder guide
Helpful porter with proper equipments (1 porter for 2 people)
Salary, food, accommodation and insurance for guide and porters
Tea house/lodge accommodation during the trek on twin sharing basis
Hire Sleeping Bag and Down Jacket for the trek
Duffel bag for packing your things for the trek
Local Entrance fee for entering to the khumbu valley
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
Government taxes and official expenses
Welcome Dinner

Cost Excludes:

All food pay your self during the trek
Nepal entry visa personal travel and medical insurances.
Expenses of personal nature and as well gratitude (tips).
Emergency evacuation by any means of transport including Helicopter and personal medical kit.

Our itineraries of any trips are based on our leading experience in the Himalayas. But, we also organize the trips according to your special requests or your personally given itinerary. Please, feel free to contact us for your questions and queries.

INSURANCE POLICY:

Traveling to Himalayan countries specially on treks and other adventure with Nepal-Bhutan and Tibet, where clients should purchase travel and medical insurance covering immediate evacuation by any means of transportations, like helicopter or fastest way vehicle to reach nearest city and town hospitals.

Insurance Policy should cover all medical expenses incurred during your holidays in Himalayan countries, including travel insurance where sometimes Himalayan weather even in best times can be unpredictable, where trekking routes can be re-routed of cancelled in this case local company will not entertain you with refund, however provides you with letter so that one can claim from your respective insurance companies.

Insurance policy for Medical and Travel:

Should cover medical insurance for illness and emergency evacuation by Helicopter or other means of transportations including other expenses on treatment at respective countries hospitals, as for travel insurance against bad unfavorable weather conditions, delay or cancellation of domestic flights on mountainous area where flight involves on the start of trek and at the end.

Travel and Medical Insurance also needs to cover when clients break the journey in the middle of the trip, due to sickness-personal domestic problem etc………

Guide and Porters:

On treks or climb where you will be accompanied by our expert guide who knows the area on route of the trek chosen, we have professional and veteran guides to led the trek where you can feel comfortable, as our guide are knowledgeable offers you various information of the country from history-geography, culture to flora and fauna.

All guides have gone through basic medical training that includes high altitude symptoms or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can help you with simple medical First Aid and for severe condition will support taking you to safe area or to nearest hospitals by any means of quick transportation.

Our guides are well versed in Eco-Trekking and Responsible Tourism as well and are committed in keeping the environment on trekking route in pristine form as it was.

Porters are picked can be regular porter of the company of hired in Kathmandu-Pokhara or in Lukla on start of the trekking, with always a strong and cheerful porters to carry your heavier luggage, baggage of 15 to 25 kg maximum weights to carry by each porters, we do not allow underage porters of below 16 years of age or above 50 years.

Porters and guide are well looked after by the company with good wages, medical insurance, travel allowance including meals on treks and climb company also provides warm gear in winter as well for high and cold altitude trips.

We are also member of PACT (Porters Act commitment).

Altitude Sickness or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness):
Information of AMS and Precaution Measures:

High Altitude or Acute Mountain Sickness for short as AMS a symptom faced and can catch any people on high altitude adventure walks.

Due to high pressure and low oxygen level as certain height where some people feel uneasiness with shortness of breathiness, light headache, nausea, dizziness, lack of good sleep and with less appetite.

To avoid these whole symptoms where we always designed itinerary days accordingly with enough space, flexible days for acclimatization at high elevation, taking short walks up and sleeping and resting at low places.

The other good way to avoid AMS taking slow and steady pace on walks, stopping frequently to catch your breath and adding lot of fluid or safe drinking water at least 2-3 liters a day to support against AMS.

On high altitude take enough rest and with short slow hike above high hills to catch views as well to support acclimatization and sleeping and resting at low altitude will certainly helps you in avoiding AMS.

The company provides as precaution measures against AMS with comprehensive medical kit, oxygen and Gamma Bags / Pressure Bags in some high altitude adventure treks, where some people as per their own doctor advice use Diamox also known as Acetazolamide to prevent and reduce symptoms of AMS can lower headache when in high altitude walks and climb

Useful in situations when you cannot make high ascent, the best ways to prevent altitude sickness doing it slowly, stopping for overnights at certain altitude to adjust to the new height, and taking it easy for first one or two 2 days.

This Diamox also used for other medications to treat certain type of eye problem (open-angle glaucoma).

Acetazolamide a "water pill" (diuretic), it decrease amount of fluids that can build up in eyes, also helps to decrease buildup of body fluids (edema) caused by congestive heart failure or certain medications. Acetazolamide can work less well over time, so it is usually used only for a short period of time.

Using this pill should get advice from your doctor before trip departure to high Himalaya.

In our list we always mention general medication to bring from home as well from your doctor advice also, your doctor might recommend you some basic medication list like medicine against diarrhea, headache, fever, cold-flu as well constipation including first aid for cuts-wounds and burns as well.