Jiri to Everest base camp Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Everest RegionModerate

Jiri to Everest basecamp Trek

Walk the original 1953 route from Jiri to Everest Base Camp, the same trail used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. 160 kilometers through the Solu region before joining the standard route at Namche. Kala Patthar, base camp, 22 days. From USD 1,975.

View Itinerary
22
DaysTotal trek duration
5545m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–Jun
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$1,975
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

The Jiri to Namche section is the soul of this trek. For seven days you walk through the Solu region that most trekkers fly over. Terraced rice paddies climb the hillsides, rhododendron forests cover the ridges, and small monasteries sit at the passes. The villages (Shivalaya, Bhandar, Sete, Junbesi, Nunthala) see a handful of trekkers per week instead of hundreds per day. This is Nepal as it was before Lukla airport opened in 1964.

Lamjura La (3,530m) is the highest point before Namche and often covered in rhododendron bloom in April and May. The descent from Lamjura to the Dudh Koshi valley brings you to Khari La and eventually to the EBC trail junction, where the character of the trek shifts from rural Solu to alpine Khumbu.

From Namche the route is identical to the standard EBC trek: Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, base camp (5,364m), and Kala Patthar (5,545m). But your body is better prepared. The week of walking from 1,905m to 3,440m gives natural acclimatization that cannot be replicated by flying to Lukla. Many repeat EBC trekkers choose the Jiri route the second time specifically for this reason.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek is the original route to Everest, the same 160-kilometer trail that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay walked in 1953 before Lukla airport existed. The trek starts from Jiri (1,905m), a roadhead town 187 kilometers east of Kathmandu, and crosses the Solu region through farming villages, ridge passes, and river valleys before joining the standard EBC trail at Namche Bazaar. From Namche, the route is identical to the classic 15-day trek.

The first seven days from Jiri to Namche cross a series of ridges between 2,000m and 3,530m (Lamjura La). The terrain is rolling: you climb 1,000 meters up a ridge, descend into a river valley, then climb the next ridge. The villages are genuine Solu farming communities with terraced hillsides, monastery schools, and very few trekkers. Junbesi is the largest town, with a Sherpa monastery and a Saturday market.

The gradual altitude gain from Jiri to Namche is the main advantage of this route. By the time you reach Namche at 3,440m on day 8, you have been walking for a week at moderate altitude. This natural acclimatization makes the push above 4,000m toward base camp safer and more comfortable than flying directly to Lukla at 2,840m. Many experienced trekkers choose the Jiri route specifically to avoid the altitude jump.

Permits: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000) and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit (NPR 3,000), both included. No TIMS required. The bus from Kathmandu to Jiri takes 7 to 8 hours on a paved road.

If 22 days is more than your schedule allows, the Everest Base Camp Trek starts from Lukla and reaches base camp in 15 days. For a shorter route with upgraded lodges and helicopter return, the Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek covers the Lukla to Gorak Shep trail in 13 days. For the easiest option in the Khumbu, the Everest View Trek reaches 3,880m in 9 days.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,300m4,311m3,323m2,334m1,345mKathmanduBhandarSeteJunbensiNunthalaKharikholaPuiyanPhakdingNamcheTengboche MonasteryDingbocheLobucheEBCPericheNamcheLuklaKathmandu5,300m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

22 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day03

Drive Kathmandu to Jiri

Jiri

Drive from Kathmandu to Jiri (187 km) by bus, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

8h trekGuesthouse
Day04

Trek to Bhandar

Bhandar

Trek from Jiri to Bhandar (2,200 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,200m6h trekGuesthouse
Day05

Trek to Sete

Sete

Trek to Sete (2,645 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,645m6h trekGuesthouse445m
Day06

Trek to Junbesi

Junbesi

Trek to Junbesi (2,675 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,675m6h trekGuesthouse30m
Day07

Trek to Nunthala

Nunthala

Trek to Nunthala (2,440 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,440m5h trekGuesthouse235m
Day08

Trek to Kharikhola

Kharikhola

Trek to Kharikhola (2,020 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,020m5h trekGuesthouse420m
Day09

Trek to Puiyan

Puiyan

Trek to Puiyan (2,700 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,700m6h trekGuesthouse680m
Day10

Trek to Phakding

Phakding

Trek to Phakding (2,646 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,646m5h trekGuesthouse54m
Day11

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,441 m), approximately 5.5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,441m6h trekGuesthouse795m
Day12

Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,441mGuesthouse
Day13

Trek to Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche

Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,860m5h trekGuesthouse419m
Day14

Trek to Dingboche

Dingboche

Trek to Dingboche (4,350 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,350m6h trekGuesthouse490m
Day15

Trek to Lobuche

Lobuche

Trek to Lobuche (4,920 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,920m5h trekGuesthouse570m
Day16

Trek to Everest Base Camp & Gorak Shep

Gorak Shep

Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m) and return to Gorak Shep, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

5,180m8h trekGuesthouse260m
Day17

Kala Patthar & Trek to Pheriche

Pheriche

Early-morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555 m), then trek down to Pheriche (4,200 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

4,200m7h trekGuesthouse980m
Day18

Trek to Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar

Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,480 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

3,480m6h trekGuesthouse720m
Day19

Trek to Lukla

Lukla

Trek to Lukla (2,795 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at guesthouse.

2,795m6h trekGuesthouse685m
Day20

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel1,450m
Day21

Leisure Day in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Leisure day in Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day22

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 1,975
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

11

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Kathmandu (4 nights), breakfast included.

Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) and teahouse accommodation during the trek.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, the required number of porters (1 porter for every 2 trekkers), and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Sagarmatha National Park Permit, TIMS card, and all other necessary permits.

Flight fare from Lukla to Kathmandu, including airport departure taxes at Kathmandu and Lukla.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu to Jiri.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge and VAT.

Not Included

8

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, laundry, and hot showers.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver.

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

Dear guest, should you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, we are pleased to offer the following rates: US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room, both inclusive of breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

The original Everest route. You walk the same trail that Hillary and Tenzing used in 1953. No other EBC itinerary carries this historical weight.

Thrill

Natural acclimatization from 7 days of walking between 1,905m and 3,440m before reaching Namche. No altitude jump, no reliance on the Lukla flight.

Connection

The Solu region from Jiri to Namche is authentic rural Nepal: terraced farms, monastery schools, weekly markets, and almost no other trekkers.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You want the most authentic EBC experience. The Jiri route gives you seven extra days through rural Nepal that the Lukla crowd never sees.

You prefer gradual acclimatization over flying to altitude. The week of ridge walking from Jiri to Namche eliminates the Lukla altitude jump.

You can walk 5 to 7 hours a day for 19 trekking days across rolling terrain with daily ridge crossings of 800 to 1,200 meters.

You have 22 days available. This is the longest standard EBC variant and cannot be shortened without losing the Jiri section.

You are comfortable with basic teahouses in the Solu section, which are simpler than those on the main Khumbu trail.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

26 items

Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)

Daypack

Down Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare )

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

windproof pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Personal towel

Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.

Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially on women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer then please pack something to wear over the top of them.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
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Trail Stories

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