Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek – 20 days

Trip Information

What to Expect?

Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri is one of the unconventional paths to the Everest Base camp. Therefore it is less crowded than the other conventional routes to the base camp. We will begin our trek from the beautiful village of Jiri and Bhandar which gives us a glimpse of the true rural setting of Nepal.

We will pass numerous Sherpa settlements of the Khumbu region and explore many beautiful impressive Buddhist monasteries. Before reaching Namche Bazaar, we will have the privilege of crossing Lamjura La Pass. After arriving at Namche, we will have a day of rest and we will visit the renowned Everest View Hotel where we will have the most luxurious breakfast in the world.

As we pass through Tengboche, we will explore the Tengboche monastery and participate in daily rituals. We will witness the most impressive landscape surrounded by Ama Dablam and many more panoramic mountains.

As we arrive at the Everest Base Camp, we will have astounding views of Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, and many more. From Kala Patthar, we will be one of the fortunate onlookers to witness the mystical sunrise over Chola Tse, Changri, Pumori, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Mount Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam.

With a short yet exciting flight from Lukla, we will reach Kathmandu. The next day, we will explore the important landmarks of the city including Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and shop around Thamel.

Best Time

The best time for Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri is from September to November when the weather is mild with the pleasant autumn air. The scenery of the Khumbu region in this season is amazingly beautiful. Another favorable time for this trek is from March to May in spring when the rhododendron forests and the surrounding vistas are in their full glory.

It is also possible to trek in early December but it is best to avoid this trek in winter from late December to February and in the rainy season from June to August due to unfavorable weather conditions, obstructed views, and trail.

Elevation and trekking distance

The legendary Everest Base Camp stands erected at an altitude of 5364 m above sea level. From Kathmandu, the base camp of the highest mountain lies at a distance of around 200 to 300 km. To cover this distance on foot from Kathmandu, at least 14 days is required.

Since we will be walking in the footsteps of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay, we will begin our trek from Jiri. This small village is 186.3 km away from the capital which can be covered in a 6 to 7 hours drive by jeep or bus.

From Jiri, we will trek to the village of Namche. It lies 52 km away from Jiri and we need six days to cover this distance on foot. Therefore, this option of trekking from Jiri adds six extra days to the typical 14-day trek to the Everest Base Camp.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

Our 20-day Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri includes 15 days of actual hiking days. Most of days, we will walk for 6 to 8 hours a day on average. However, the walking distance and duration are based on your pace, terrain, and our overnight village altitude.

You will hike only for 3 to 4 hours when you will be acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. When resting at Namche, you will trek to Everest View Hotel for 3 to 4 hours. And at Dingboche, you will hike to Nagarjun Danda for 4 to 5 hours.

On the 14th day, you will walk for a maximum of 8 to 9 hours when you trek from Lobuche to Gorakhsep to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorakshep.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri is considered a moderately challenging trek for its length and altitude. The highest altitude you will reach in this trek is when you climb the peak of Kala Patthar standing at 5545 m above sea level. While the Everest Base camp is at 5364 m which makes this trek generally easier in terms of altitude. In addition, we have included two acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche so your body gets plenty of time to adjust to the higher elevation climate.

You also don’t need special technical skills and the use of special equipment to cross the high passes, climb Kala Patthar, or trek to the base camp.

Can a beginner trek to Everest Base Camp?

The Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri is appropriate for all types of trekkers regardless of their age, experience, and gender. The trek is pretty easy and calm so anyone with good physical fitness who can overcome the long hours of hike each day of the trek can undertake this trek.

Trekking or hiking experience is not required for this trek. We will begin our journey from 1300 m and reach an altitude of nearly 5500 m at Kala Patthar. Therefore, this altitude difference can pose some risk of altitude sickness. So preparing your body before joining this trip with adequate physical training can help you accomplish this trek easily.

Preparation and training

We advise every trekker booking this trip to undergo some physical exercise and training sessions at least a month before the date of the trip. Adequate and proper training and exercise can increase your endurance and strengthen your cardio and leg muscles. These measures will help you hike for long hours and cope with the mild symptoms of altitude sickness.

We suggest you practice long walks, cycling, running, and climbing stairs up and down repeatedly. Also, if possible carry out some altitude training sessions by hiking in high altitude mountains of your home country. Deep breathing exercises and meditation will also come in handy when spending nights in high-altitude villages.

Alternate Routes

Are you short on time and have only two weeks to spend in Nepal? Do you still want to come face to face with Mount Everest? Then you can skip your trek from Jiri and take a direct domestic flight to Lukla. This will allow you to complete the Everest Base Camp trek within two weeks.

If you are not keen to take a flight to Lukla, you can also trek to Everest Base Camp by driving to Salleri from Kathmandu. Then you will hike through the villages of Nunthala, and Jubing and join the route to Phakding. Or, you can fly from Kathmandu to Phaplu and continue to Salleri and hike to Everest Base Camp.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness also known as Acute Mountain Sickness is a problem that can occur when trekking in the Himalayas. The symptoms of this sickness occur when rapidly climbing to an altitude of approximately 3,000m or higher.

Early symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue. You can prevent these symptoms from occurring by hiking gradually and using the acclimatization days properly. Also, adequate intake of fluids and water and avoiding smoking and alcohol can also important precautionary measures against altitude sickness.

We guarantee that all of our guides have been trained with reliable information. They will take care of you and take necessary actions when needed.

Transportation, Food and Drinks

We will provide all private airport pickup and drop-off services from the international airport of Kathmandu. You will drive to Bhandar from Kathmandu on the local bus. At an additional cost, we can also arrange for a private transfer to Bhandar. Our tour also includes Lula-Kathmandu airfare with a guide.

Regarding meals, you can enjoy a welcome or farewell dinner when you arrive in Kathmandu. When you stay in the capital, we will provide complimentary breakfast every morning. Since there are numerous options for lunch and dinner in the city, we have excluded these services when you stay in the city.

During the trek, you can order meals on the mountain as long as they are on the menu of the lodge or guesthouse where you are staying. Generally, Nepalese dishes are centered around rice, bread, noodles, curry, lentils, and boiled dumplings. All meals are included during the trek, with breakfast and dinner provided at your guesthouse and lunch on the way to your next destination.

The cost of bars and beverage bills, hot and cold drinks, tea, coffee mineral water, hot shower, telephone bills, and laundry are excluded from our services.

Gadgets charging and Internet

The lodges or guesthouses of several villages along the Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri are well equipped with the services needed for a comfortable one-night stay. You can easily charge your electrical devices such as mobile, camera, laptop, etc at an additional cost of USD 2 to USD 4.

You will also have an internet connection during most of the trek to Everest Base Camp. Almost all lodges have WIFI connections for their guests at the price of USD 2 to USD 4 per hour. You can also purchase NTC or NCELL SIM in Kathmandu, Lukla, or Namche Bazaar. You can have an internet connection and communication in almost all villages except for the high-altitude remote zone and the base camp.

Permits

Since we are trekking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, along with a Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit, we also need Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit. As we will be walking through another restricted area of the Gaurishankar Conservation Area.

We will take care of obtaining these permits in your interest. Please provide us with your recent passport-sized photo and passport copy.