Trip Summary
Journey to the heart of the Himalayas on this remarkable helicopter-assisted trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. Beginning in Kathmandu, explore the historic valley before venturing into Nepal’s dramatic mountain landscapes. A chartered helicopter flight transports you directly to the trailhead, allowing you to spend more time trekking through high-altitude villages and along storied routes long traveled by Sherpa communities and mountaineers. With carefully planned acclimatization days and expert guiding throughout, the journey unfolds at a thoughtful pace as you traverse river valleys, suspension bridges, and sweeping alpine terrain framed by some of the world’s highest peaks. The trek culminates at Everest Base Camp, where you’ll experience the profound sense of achievement that comes with reaching this legendary destination. Return to Kathmandu by helicopter for a final evening to reflect on the cultural connections, natural beauty, and shared experience of this extraordinary journey.
Watch our Everest Base Camp webinar here!
Event Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu, Nepal
• Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel
• Optional walking tour of historic Durbar Square
• Welcome reception with local music and dance
• Group welcome dinner
Day 2: Kathmandu
• Orientation and safety briefing for the trek
• Guided cultural tour of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO sites
• Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and the Bagmati River
• Gear check and trek preparation
• Faculty leader talk
Day 3: Kathmandu – Phakding – Monjo
• Helicopter charter from Kathmandu to Phakding
• Begin trekking along a classic Everest route
• Walk through Sherpa villages and river valleys
• Arrive in Monjo for overnight
Day 4: Monjo – Namche Bazaar
• Enter Sagarmatha National Park
• Trek through lush landscapes and traditional villages
• Arrive in Namche Bazaar, the Khumbu Valley’s main Sherpa hub
Day 5: Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
• Acclimatization hikes around Namche
• Visit the Namche Monastery for a special blessing
• Explore the Sherpa Cultural Museum and Tenzing Norgay site
• Faculty leader talk
Day 6: Namche Bazaar – Deboche
• Trek through forested trails and scenic viewpoints
• Visit the renowned Tengboche Monastery
• Continue on to the small village of Deboche
Day 7: Deboche – Pheriche
• Ascend into higher alpine terrain
• Arrive in Pheriche, home to the Himalayan Rescue Association
• Evening at leisure
Day 8: Pheriche (Acclimatization Day)
• Short acclimatization hike
• Attend a high-altitude medical lecture at the Himalayan Rescue Association
• Faculty leader talk
Day 9: Pheriche – Lobuche
• Trek deeper into the Khumbu Valley
• Visit memorials honoring climbers lost on Everest
• Arrive in Lobuche, one of the final settlements before Base Camp
Day 10: Lobuche – Gorak Shep
• Trek to Gorak Shep, the last outpost before Base Camp
• Afternoon hike to the International Climate Change marker
• Optional ascent of Kala Patthar for panoramic views
Day 11: Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Lobuche
• Trek across the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp
• Time at Base Camp to reflect on the achievement
• Descend to Gorak Shep for lunch
• Continue down to Lobuche for overnight
Day 12: Lobuche – Pheriche
• Descend through the Khumbu Valley
• Return to Pheriche with a sense of accomplishment
Day 13: Pheriche – Kathmandu (via helicopter)
• Helicopter charter to Lukla and onward to Kathmandu
• Reunite with luggage and enjoy free time in the city
• Faculty leader talk
• Farewell celebration dinner with live Nepali music
Day 14: Kathmandu (Departure Day)
• Visit Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Transfer to the airport for international departures
Meet Your Faculty Expert
Sienna Craig
Sienna Radha Craig is Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA). Raised in Santa Barbara, California, she received her BA in Religious Studies from Brown University (1995) and her PhD in cultural anthropology from Cornell University (2006). Craig’s research and work in medical and cultural anthropology has received support from the National Science Foundation, the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, and the Social Science Research Council, among other sources.
Craig has authored several books, including The Ends of Kinship: Connecting Himalayan Lives Between Nepal and New York (University of Washington Press, 2020), Mustang in Black and White, with photographer Kevin Bubriski (Vajra Publications, 2018), Healing Elements: Efficacy and the Social Ecologies of Tibetan Medicine (University of California Press, 2012) and Horses Like Lightning: A Story of Passage through the Himalayas (Wisdom Publications, 2008). She is also the co-editor of Medicine Between Science and Religion: Explorations on Tibetan Grounds (Berghahn Books, 2010) and many other publications. Craig served as co-editor of HIMALAYA, Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, from 2012-2017 and is an Executive Council member of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Asian Medicine (IASTAM).
Craig enjoys writing across genres and has published poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, and children’s literature. This includes her children’s book, Clear Sky, Red Earth: A Himalayan Story, featuring artist Tenzin Norbu’s paintings, now in its third edition (Mera Publications, 2018) in English and published in Tibetan (TALI, 2011).