OAG Overseas – Everest Base Camp

16 DAYS | 5-20 April 2025

ONLY 18 SPOTS AVAILABLE

(Ability rating: 1 – easy, 2 – moderate, 3 – challenging)

THE TOUR

Since 2023, Outdoor Adventure Girls has been offering bespoke travel tours for their 50,000 members. The international trips will focus on outdoor adventure, pushing guests out of their comfort zone and creating incredible connections with other women in the most sought-after bucket list destinations on Earth.

Our tours are bespoke to us, and we have worked with Intrepid to ensure our trip is unique, with our itineraries offering slightly different inclusions to tours you can book as the general public, and we always offer a higher standard of accommodation on all of our trips (unless this is a part of the experience e.g. Inca Trail in Peru).

For this OAG Overseas tour, we are heading to the amazing country of Nepal to make our way to the iconic Everest Base Camp. Known as one of the most iconic hikes in the world, Everest Base Camp has been on our list of trips we have wanted to offer for a long time.

In addition to immense rugged mountains, on this trip you witness everything from still alpine lakes and glacial plains to frothy rivers and valleys covered in pink blossoms, depending on the season. A trek like this is the bonding experience of a lifetime and the genuine comradery formed between members of your small group will stay with you forever.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Sagarmatha Next. All of this and more is why we are so excited to take you here in 2025.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

✓ 15 x nights accommodation for the duration of the trip
✓ 1 x welcome dinner (as meals will generally be grab and go)
✓ Intrepid local guide and OAG host
✓ Welcome and introduction with your OAG host
✓ Internal fights to and from Lukla to begin and end your trek
✓ Guided group trek to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phakding
✓ Acclimatisation hike to Namche Bazaar and Dingboche
✓ Guided 12-day Everest Base Camp trek with trained mountain guides and porters
✓ Visit to the incredible Tengboche Monastery
✓ Experience the iconic Kala Patther Sunrise Trek
✓ Private sound healing session with local in Kathmandu
✓ Welcome gift bag from OAG
✓ WhatsApp group to connect with other guests

Important: Please note the above route may not be exactly the same route we will follow, but we wanted to give a visual picture of our journey.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Destination:                 Kathmandu
Meals Included:          N/A

Namaste! Welcome to Kathmandu, the colourful capital of Nepal where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples.

If you arrive with time to spare, maybe check out the storied stupas and pagodas of Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or take a walk around the local Durbar Square. If you’ve got limited time in the city, consider an immersive Urban Adventure like Cook in Kathmandu, a Nepali cooking class with the Seven Women social enterprise which has been working to empower marginalized women.

Airport transfer

  • Included on a private group basis
  • Welcome dinner

Accommodation: Marshyangdi Hotel or similar

Day 2

Destination:                 Phakding (2610 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

The day starts very early today as you have a long road trip before you start the trek. Please note that in peak travel times domestic flights to/from Kathmandu arrives and departs from Ramechhap (also known as Manthali) Airport. The airport is located 130 km (a 4 to 5 hours’ drive) from Kathmandu, making it a very early start. From Ramechhap airport, board your aircraft to Lukla, the starting point of your trek.

Sitting at 8848 m, Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world, is one of the greatest trekking destinations. Locally known as Sagarmatha, the mountain has long been revered as the home of the gods. First conquered by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, Everest has traditionally been the ultimate goal for mountaineers.

On this trip you will take on the challenge of reaching the mountaineer’s base camp and gain an insight into the world famous Sherpa culture. You will cross glaciers and broad plains, traverse valleys and climb high passes to reach the picturesque Everest Base Camp. Our accommodation comprises small, basic teahouses along the track. These basic but cosy remote houses are operated by the mountain Nepalese to cater for trekkers and also offer simple yet filling and delicious meals to sustain our efforts. This is a challenging trip and involves difficult trekking at high altitudes but the whole experience is simply awe-inspiring!

After a short safety talk and an introduction to your porter, gear up and commence your trek. Today is a fairly gentle introduction, following the milk-white Dudh Kosi River approximately three-hours to Phakding (2610 m).

Included

  • Drive to Ramechhap (approximately 5 hours)
  • Flight to Lukla (20 minutes)
  • Guided trek to Phakding (approximately 3 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Special Information: Please note that in peak travel times domestic flights to/from Kathmandu may arrive/depart from Ramechhap (also known as Manthali) Airport. The airport is located 130 km (a 4 to 5 hours’ drive) from Kathmandu, making it a very early start.

ALTERNATE ITINERARY: In case of weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in included flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary. Please see day 1 of the itinerary for more details.

Day 3

Destination:                 Namche (3440 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Trek around 7 hours to Namche Bazaar, where you’ll spend a couple of days acclimatizing to the altitude. Here, you’ll also get your first look at Everest itself – yeah, no big deal!

From Phakding, cross the river and head up the valley, following in the footsteps of the porters loaded with supplies for Namche Bazaar. The trail, lined with blue pine forest, follows the river valley and is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendron flowers are bright in bloom. Cross the Dudh Kosi River at Benkar and look way up above 6000 metres/19,700 feet to see the peaks of snow-capped Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku. Press on to Monjo, a good place to break for lunch.

From here the walk starts to get a little tougher, with a steep ascent to Namche Bazaar. Enter into the national park, cross the river through the village of Jorsale, and then continue upstream. Cross another spectacular suspension bridge and begin the ascent to Namche Bazaar.

Get your camera out as now there will be your first glimpse of the peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche. Namche will be your last chance to check your equipment and hire any additional gear for the high altitudes from Dingboche onwards. Namche Bazaar is also the last chance for a hot shower, to enjoy the local nightlife or take to the pool hall and video parlors.

Included

  • Guided trek to Namche (approximately 6 – 7 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 4

Destination:                 Namche (3440 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Stay at Namche Bazaar for another night so you can properly acclimatize to the altitude. One of the best ways to do this is to take strenuous walk up to a high altitude then come back down to sleep.

Remember, it doesn’t matter how fit you are, anyone can be affected by altitude, so have a chat to your doctor before you leave to talk about the symptoms and what to expect. So, there’s an optional walk above the Bhote Khola River Valley towards Thami (3810 m).

Taking a walk to see both the sunrise and sunset views from the national park headquarters above the village is also a great option. This stunning vista includes a super panorama of the Khumbu peaks and great views of Everest. The national park headquarters are home to interesting displays about Sherpa lifestyle and culture, and the local flora and fauna. Rugs, clothing, salt and dried meat all do a roaring trade in the village centre, so haggle for any extra supplies you might need.

Included

  • Acclimatization at Namche

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 5

Destination:                 Phortse Gaun (3810 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Today we trek for about 6 – 7 hours to cover the 9 km from Namche Bazaar to Phortse. This route offers amazing insight into the life and culture of the Sherpas, and that night we stay in a village that is home to a number of Sherpas who have reached Everest’s summit. Looking out from Phortse, the views of Amadablam are great.

Included

  • Guided trek to Phortse Gaun (approximately 7 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 6

Destination:                 Dingboche (4410 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Climb above the tree line and trek approximately seven hours covering the distance of 12 kms to Dingboche. Here you’ll find a beautiful patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. These walls protect crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. The scenery is once again spectacular and although Everest will be hidden behind the Lhotse-Nuptse Ridge, the huge peaks that tower above the eastern end of the valley are more than worthy.

If the weather’s right, then there will be gorgeous sunsets illuminating the peaks – Ama Dablam, the south face of Lhotse to the north, and also Island Peak in the centre of the valley.

Included

  • Guided trek to Dingboche (approximately 7 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 7

Destination:                 Dingboche (4410 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Today is another acclimatization day, and you’ll stay in Dingboche for another night. There are a few different trails that you can hike, with day hikes to Ama Dablam base camp, Nagarjun Hill or Chukkhung. Ama Dablam is a peak that dominates the route towards Everest Base Camp, and it’s an opportunity to get off the main trail and explore a quieter area in the Khumbu below one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

Nagarjun Hill (5100 metres/16,730 feet) offers amazing views of Makalu, Island Peak and Ama Dablam. The Chukkhung (4750 metres/15,580 feet) walk might be a short one, but it’s the views of surrounding peaks and snowy terrain that’ll have you short of breath.

Included

  • Acclimatization at Dingboche

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 8

Destination:                 Lobuche (4910 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

From Dingboche, ascend the small ridge behind the village above the Pheriche valley. From the stupa at the top, Taweche and Cholatse (6440m) make for a pretty striking scene; they seem to lean forwards from across the valley in the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak (6119m) and the snowfields of the Cho La are the kings of the skyline.

The walking will now be fairly flat on wide-open fields but remember that there’s no rush – take your time and ensure you’re well hydrated. Late in the morning you will cross the Khumbu Khola at Dughla and take a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier flowing off Everest. In the afternoon, there will be a solid and quite steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines.

On the crest of the ridge, you’ll pass a line of memorial cairns (stacks of stones), built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last fifty or so years. From here the view is downright spectacular once again, with Pumori (7145m), Lingtren (6697m), Khumbutse (6623m), and across the border in Tibet, Changtse (7550m), surrounding you. Then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuche, arriving early afternoon.

Included

  • Guided trek to Lobuche (approximately 6 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 9

Destination:                 Gorak Shep (5140 m) – Everest Base Camp (5364 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

This is it people, the BIG day of Everest Base Camp. First, you’ll trek to Gorak Shep (where you’ll start the round trip to Base Camp).

From Lobuche, follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual ascent enabling you to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitude. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you will make a series of small ascents and descents over a rocky trail lined with cairns that eventually leads to the surprising glacial sands of Gorak Shep (5160 metres/16,930 feet) – reached after about three hours of walking.

Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately, and then head off towards Everest Base Camp. The trek to the base camp can be achieved in around three hours, and if trekking in the popular climbing period of March to May, you will almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here.

From Everest Base Camp you will not get views of Mount Everest, but you are able to see glorious glaciers, lakes, caves, and the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm. It’s regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain. Then you’ll return from Base Camp to Gorak Shep,

Included

  • Guided trek to Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep (approximately 8 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 10

Destination:                 Pheriche (4240 m) or Orsho (4100 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Wake early for the trek to Kala Patthar, where you’ll experience sensational sunrise views from this amazing vantage point. Don’t be surprised if you get a little tear in your eye when you soak up the views of Everest. Embrace that emotion and spend as long as you like here to savour this extra special moment.

To get there from the lodge the ascent is quite steep, so start very slowly and try to ascend at a steady rhythmic pace. Kala Patar is the rocky hilltop below Pumori. It’s a tough walk because of the altitude, but the view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. It will probably take a good hour and a half to reach the summit from Gorak Shep, although lower viewpoints can provide views that are almost as good. Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest – they’re all here.

About three kilometres away and some 200 metres below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Then it’s all downhill from here – the descent to Gorak Shep is easy, then you’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and head down the valley below Cholatse to Pheriche. Cross the Khumbu Khola River and ascend a short steep trail to the top of a small ridge for great views of Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega. Descend to the small settlement at Pheriche for the night or walk further to Orsho.

Included

  • Guided trek to Pheriche or Orsho (approximately 8 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 11

Destination:                 Tengboche (3860 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Descend through the small settlements at Orsho and Shomare before passing through Lower Pangboche. Here you’ll reach the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, then ascend back to Tengboche to visit the monastery.

According to legend, Lama Sange Dorjee, who came from Tibet’s Rongphu Monastery, founded Tengboche Monastery in the 17th century. Tengboche was destroyed by an earthquake in 1933, rebuilt and again badly damaged by a fire in 1989. Construction of the present monastery was completed in 1992. Spend a bit of time visiting the monastery and the Sherpa Heritage Foundation museum.

Included

  • Guided trek to Tengboche (approximately 4 – 5 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 12

Destination:                 Monjo (2860 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

Descend steeply through beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir. Cross the Dudh Kosi River and ascend to Trashinga.

From here the trail contours high above the valley through Shanasa and on to Namche Bazaar, before descending steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. You’ll follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo, where you’ll stop for the night.

Included

  • Guided trek to Monjo (approximately 7 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 13

Destination:                 Lukla (2840 m)
Meals Included:          N/A

You’ve done it, your last day of trekking! Set off on the last, steady 5 hours of the trek. Descend steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River.

You’ll follow the trail through Jorsale and back to Monjo. Walk via Benkar through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru, through Phakding, then it’s only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla, where you’ll say goodbye to your Sherpa crew.

Get together with the rest of your group and pool your tips if you haven’t already. Celebrate with a hot shower, a sleep, or with a few drinks with your group. You earned it!

Included

  • Guided trek to Lukla (approximately 5 – 6 hours)

Accommodation: Local Tea House

Day 14

Destination:                 Lukla – Kathmandu
Meals Included:          N/A

Weather permitting, you’ll take a short early morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap. From there, you will board the vehicle to Kathmandu. Return to the hotel and have free time during the afternoon for further sightseeing or shopping. Shop in some of Kathmandu’s many markets for clothing, embroidery, carpets or ceramics. If shopping is not your thing, take a trip to the adjacent city of Patan, with its abundance of temples and monasteries.

Included

  • Flight from Lukla to Ramechhap (20 minutes)
  • Kathmandu to Ramechhap drive (approximately 5 hours

Accommodation: Marshyangdi Hotel or similar

Special Information: Please note that in peak travel times domestic flights to/from Kathmandu may arrive/depart from Ramechhap (also known as Manthali) Airport.

Day 15

Destination:                 Kathmandu
Meals Included:          N/A

The day is at leisure because your legs deserve a rest after that incredible trekking feat!

Included

Private sound healing session with local in Kathmandu

Accommodation: Marshyangdi Hotel or similar

Day 16

Destination:                 Kathmandu – Departure
Meals Included:          N/A

There are no activities planned for the final day. You would be dropped to the airport as per your flight time for the final departure.

Airport transfer // Included on a private group basis

FOOD

We do not include meals while trekking, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. We know from experience that the altitude and physical exercise can mean trekker’s appetites differ quite widely.

The menus in the tea houses are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Vegetarians are well-catered for in Nepal. How much you need to spend per day will vary, but it could be anything up to US$50 per day for meals, snacks and drinks. Prices tend to get higher the higher you go on trek in response to the difficulty of getting supplies to the tea houses.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara there are plenty of restaurants and cafes for all tastes and budgets. For a glimpse at what traditional Nepali cuisine entails, check out our guide here.

ACCOMMODATION

Our accommodation will be an array of hotels carefully curated for this trip. We have carefully chosen the accommodation to maximise your experience on this bucket list trip.

*You will be sharing a room with another guest, in a room with twin beds, with an ensuite. Rooms will be allocated randomly, unless specified otherwise.

PRICE

£1,499 per person including all as stated above and must be booked via Intrepid Travel.

To secure your place on this tour, the deposit is £200 per person. The remaining balance can be paid in full or can be paid in installments – you can speak to Intrepid about a payment plan.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

✓ 15 x nights accommodation for the duration of the trip
✓ 1 x dinner (as meals will generally be grab and go)
✓ Intrepid local guide and OAG host
✓ Welcome and introduction with your OAG host
✓ Internal fights to and from Lukla to begin and end your trek
✓ Guided group trek to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phakding
✓ Acclimatisation hike to Namche Bazaar and Dingboche
✓ Guided 12-day Everest Base Camp trek with trained mountain guides and porters
✓ Visit to the incredible Tengboche Monastery
✓ Experience the iconic Kala Patther Sunrise Trek
✓ Private sound healing session with local in Kathmandu
✓ Welcome gift bag from OAG
✓ WhatsApp group to connect with other guests

*There will be one included transfer per trip for arrival and one for departure. Attendees will be recommended a flight, but if you book alternative flights, transfers will not be provided and will be at the cost of the guest.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

✕ Flights to and from the trip (please speak to Intrepid about flights)
✕ Travel insurance for the trip
✕ Any additional meals or drinks not stated above
✕ Any additional activities not stated above

INSURANCE

It is the attendee’s responsibility to have the appropriate travel insurance for this trip. It is compulsory for all guests to have travel insurance. Please let us know you have appropriate travel insurance before the trip.

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included as we wanted to give you the option of where to fly when and where you want. As a guide, there are flights to Nepal from London from around £800-£1,000.

If you would like help booking flights, Intrepid Travel is on hand to help you throughout the booking process and can book flights for you if required. There will be one transfer per trip for arrival and one for departure. Attendees will be recommended a flight, but if you book alternative flights, transfers will not be provided and will be at the cost of the guest.

BOOKING

To book your spot, get in touch with Intrepid Travel and use the reference ‘OAG Everest’.

To secure your place on this tour, the deposit is £200 per person. To book please email [email protected]m or contact the Intrepid Team on 0808 274 5111.

Do you want to pay in installments? Once you’ve reserved your space you can arrange this with Intrepid – no extra fees.

You can read the terms and conditions via the trip itinerary PDF.

ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL

I have teamed up with Intrepid Travel to help host our OAG Overseas trips. They are experts in group travel with over 30 years of experience, and most importantly they are a B Corp, meaning responsible travel has always been at the core of what they do. Travelling with Intrepid means not just better trips for you, it’s better for local communities, better for wildlife, and better for the planet. Read more about their Foundation here.

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About Me

Sophie is a travel writer, based in the UK, always thinking about her next adventure. Sophie set up Outdoor Adventure Girls in 2020 with the aim to provide safe spaces for women to connect, get outdoors and push themselves out of their comfort zone.