Everest Base Camp Trek (via Jeep) - 15 Days

Trip Highlights

• Overland jeep drive from Kathmandu to Salleri and Surke, a budget-friendly alternative to flights.

• Trek from Surke to Lukla, crossing forests, bridges, and Sherpa villages.

• Explore Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa capital of the Khumbu.

• Visit Tengboche Monastery with Everest and Ama Dablam as a backdrop.

• Acclimatize with side hikes in Namche and Dingboche for safe altitude adjustment.

• Reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m) alongside the Khumbu Glacier.

• Sunrise hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the best Everest views.

• Experience Sherpa culture and Himalayan hospitality in traditional tea houses.

Everest Base Camp Trek Overview

The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most famous treks in the world. Standing at the base of the highest mountain on Earth is not only about reaching a destination but also about the landscapes, culture, and experiences.

This itinerary follows the same classic Everest trail, but begins with an overland journey instead of a flight. Rather than flying directly to Lukla, the trek starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Salleri, followed by a jeep ride to Surke. From Surke, you join the main Everest route and continue on foot toward Lukla. This approach allows a gentler start to the trek and significantly reduces overall trip costs.

Once on the Everest trail, the experience is the same as the standard flight based route. You walk through Sherpa villages, cross suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River, and reach Namche Bazaar, the cultural center of the Khumbu. The trail continues past Tengboche Monastery and through Dingboche and Lobuche, with planned acclimatization days to keep the pace safe and comfortable.

The route leads you alongside the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. Standing here, surrounded by ice and towering peaks, is a powerful moment that every trekker remembers. An early morning hike to Kala Patthar the following day offers wide views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam in the first light of the day.

The return journey follows the same scenic trail back through Pheriche, Namche, and Lukla, before retracing the jeep route through Surke and Salleri to Kathmandu. Throughout the trek, you stay in simple tea houses, meet local people, and experience daily life in the Khumbu region.

For trekkers who want the full Everest Base Camp experience without the high cost of flights, this jeep based itinerary offers the same destination, the same trail, and the same memories, with a more budget friendly approach and a steady, well paced journey.