This is the 3rd part of my epic 19-day trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Gokyo Lake, perched on the Himalayan mountains in Nepal.

Leaving Namche Bazaar feels like departing from the comforts of civilization and venturing deeper into the high elevation landscapes of the Himalayas. Trekking from 3,000 meters elevation and crossing over 4,000 m, you’ll notice a change to a more desert-like scenery. The wild landscape is captivating.

Highlights

Scroll down to see photos from my trip, a trail map, itinerary & more travel tips.

See also: Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary.

View prices online: Everest trek packages, Where to stay in Kathmandu

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Trek path: Sanasa (3,594 meters) > Tashinga (3492 meters) > Phungi Thenga Suspension Bridge (3,318 meters) > Tengboche (3,860 meters).

View of Buddhist prayer flags and Mount Everest on the trail from Namche Bazaar to Kyangjuma (3,550 m).

A prayer wheel and teahouse lodges in Kyangjuma village

Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery (or Thyangboche Monastery).

Built in 1916, at an elevation of 3,867 meters, the monastery is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region of Nepal.

View of Mt Ama Dablam from Tengboche Monastery.

Tengboche Village

Scenic view from Tengboche village (3,860 m). Seen from right to left: Mt. Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Mount Everest, Nuptse.

Tengboche to Panboche

Trek path: Tengboche (3,860 meters) > Deboche Nunnery (3,734 meters) > Millingo (3,765 meters) > Suspension bridge with Ama Dablam view (3,793 meters) > Panboche (3,985 meters).

Mossy mild autumn vibes on the trail from Deboche to Panboche

Starstruck 🤩 Mt. Ama Dablam insight. View on a hanging bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, on the trail from Deboche to Panboche (3,800 m).

You bought tickets to see Everest…but enchanting Ama Dablam is going to steal the show. With its iconic silhouette, Ama Dablam is one of the most recognizable mountains you’ll see on the trail to Everest Base Camp. With a height of 6,812 meters, Mount Ama Dablam is not as high as Mount Everest but it’s a real show stopper. I can’t take my eyes off this beauty.

Ama Dablam means “Mother’s necklace”. The long ridges on each side like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child.

Panboche to Dingboche

Trek path: Panboche (3,985 meters) > Shomare (4,069 meters) > Worshyo (4,040 meters) > Dingboche (4,410 meters).

Captivating alpine tundra landscape

Lhotse (8,516 m) towers over the village of Shomare (4,069 meters) in the Nepal Himalaya.

Dingboche Acclimatization Day

Ama Dablam view from Dingboche village.

Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, Dingboche was one of the most beautiful villages along the EBC trail. At 4,410 meters elevation, it’s a great place to spend a day to acclimatize, so you don’t run the risk of going up too quickly.

Teahouses are built in the middle of terraced fields protected by stone walls.

Enjoying the view from the stupa (shrine) overlooking Dingboche village (4,400 m).

Desolate alpine tundra landscapes with a view of snow-capped mountains on the trail near Dingboche.

A clear view of the milky way and the night sky from Dingboche.

EBC Trek Map

Array

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1lCu8Llzvb2g2eV_FXU-rbr7HoD322z3I&usp=sharing”>

EBC Trek Itinerary

See full itinerary & highlights: EBC-Gokyo Circuit Trek (19 days)

Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Distance hiked: 9.6 km.

Starting elevation: 3,440 meters.

Ending elevation: 3,860 meters.

Elevation change: 420 meters (997 meters up, 539 meters down).

Hike duration: 7 hours (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops).

Time
0930 Start trek from Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters)
1130 High Mountain Bakery Cafe near Sanasa (3,603 meters)
1215 Sanasa (3,594 meters)
1245 Tashinga (3492 meters)
1315 Phungi Thenga Suspension Bridge (3,318 meters). Steep uphill trail to Tengboche.
1420 OTW to Tengboche (3,442 meters)
1520 OTW to Tengboche (3,641 meters)
1602 OTW to Tengboche (3,747 meters)
1630 Tengboche (3,860 meters)

Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche

Distance hiked: 11 km

Starting elevation: 3,860 meters

Ending elevation: 4,410 meters

Elevation change: 550 meters (796 meters up, 304 meters down)

Hike duration: 7 hours and 30 minutes (incl. lunch/rest breaks & photo stops)

Time
1000 Start trek from Tengboche (3,860 meters)
1030 Deboche Nunnery (3,734 meters)
1050 Millingo (3,765 meters)
1110 Suspension bridge with Ama Dablam view (3,793 meters)
1240 Panboche (3,985 meters)
1545 Shomare (4,069 meters)
1600 Worshyo (4,040 meters)
1630 OTW to Dingboche (4,161 meters)
1630 River Crossing OTW to Dingboche (4,171 meters)
1730 Dingboche (4,410 meters)
Sleep: Ama Dablam Lodge. Recommended! Very friendly innkeepers.

Day 6: Dingboche Acclimatization Day

I spent most of the day on short hikes, taking photos around the pathways near the village center of Dingboche.

If you want to maximize your itinerary, I highly suggest that you go on the intense day hike to Chukhung Ri (5550 m) or the easier trail to Nangkartshang Peak/Dingboche View Point (5050m).

I wasn’t able to do those day trips above because I was too physically exhausted at this point. I opted for a very chill acclimatization day instead. I regret not training at home, before going on the trip.

The day after, I experienced a headache as I made my way close to Lobuche. The headache went away the next day, but to be safe, I spent an extra day there as well to rest and acclimatize.

It’s important to respect the altitude. Listen to your body and do not rush the ascent.

There’s not much to see in the area of Lobuche, unfortunately (compared to Dingboche or Gorak Shep, the last village). If I were to do the itinerary, I would have spent two acclimatization days in Dingboche. I would do both Chukhung Ri and Nangkartshang Peak/Dingboche View Point.

Another good, time-saving option would be to do a full day trip to Chukhung Ri. Early morning the next day, you can visit Nangkartshang Peak/Dingboche View Point for sunrise. Then, spend the night in Dughla (4,620 meters), located halfway to Lobuche (4,940 m). Dughla is just 200 meters higher than Dingboche.

EBC-Gokyo trek series

Itinerary & Highlights: EBC-Gokyo Circuit Trek (19 days)

Day 1 to 2: Lukla Airport to Namche Bazaar

Day 3: Namche Bazaar & Mt Everest View

Day 4 to 6: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche & Dingboche

Day 7 to 9: Dingboche to Everest Base Camp via Lobuche & Gorak Shep

Day 10 to 12: Chola Pass & Gokyo

Day 13 to 19: Gokyo Lakes & the circuit trail back to Lukla

Before you go

See also: Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary.

View prices online: Everest trek packages, Where to stay in Kathmandu