Best trails in Sagarmatha National Park

Fantastic route. Insane views and scenery. An experience everyone should do at least once in their life. We did it without a guide and porter and can definitely recommend doing it that way as you have so much freedom. We went to Ama Dablam base camp and Khumjung and took Kala Patthar at sunset instead of sunrise. You don't do those 3 things on a normal guided tour. However, it is EXTREMELY hard, and there is no real safety net when you are alone, e.g. against altitude sickness and you can get a little nervous if you can get a teahouse when all the guided tours have prebooked them. We were there just before high season and there were still lots of people but we always got a place to sleep. The vast majority have guided tours with porters. The flight is also a great experience and I can definitely recommend it. You can buy both accesses in Lukla. You only need the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Trek Card and you can easily get the access without a guide. Some advice. Walk slowly uphill, take breaks, breathe, drink lots of water, if necessary take altitude sickness pills and on rest days walk up and walk down again. It helps against altitude sickness. The air gets drier and colder the further up you go and it gets harder and harder to breathe. Leave early in the morning. We wanted to be completely ready to go at around 07:30 and it worked out very well. Withdraw lots of money. You can only withdraw in Lukla and Namche Baazar. We probably spent around 6-7000 rupees per day. Sometimes more if we wanted to be comfortable. It gets more expensive the further you go up. 100,000 rupees might be a good number. Maybe a little more and then change the rest into Danish later or live a little well. The air is very dry and there's lots of sand, so bring a hat or something to cover your mouth and nose. Stand to the side when yak oxen and mules approach. Watch one run amok at some point. It gets really cold at night and also during the day further up. It got down to -25 degrees around the summit at night and the teahouses are not well insulated, so bring lots of layers and a sleeping bag is also a good idea. The local dish Dal Bhat is a free refill. So you get a lot for your money and it gives you lots of energy. All the Sherpas eat it. "Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour"

Day 1: Kathmandu to Phakding (2,610m) The journey begins with a rough and bumpy drive from Kathmandu to Manthali, a necessary route since there are no direct flights to Lukla from Kathmandu during peak season. Once in Lukla, the hike to Phakding is a gentle descent with occasional uphill sections, making for a relaxed introduction to the trek. Day 2: Phakding to Namche (3,440m) Be prepared for a consistently uphill trail, with the toughest section coming after the iconic high suspension bridge near Jorsale. Expect occasional traffic jams on the bridges as mules and yaks make their way across. Day 3: Acclimatisation in Namche (3,880m) Start with an easy hike to the first Everest Viewpoint, where you can take in stunning views. Make a stop at the Sherpa Culture Museum to deepen your understanding of the local heritage. For a more challenging trek, head to the second viewpoint near Syangboche Airport — it’s a steep climb, but the views are worth it on a clear day. Don’t miss Sagarmatha Next, where you can watch an inspiring video on recycling initiatives to keep the trails clean. Day 4: Namche to Tengboche (3,860m) The trail is relatively flat and downhill until the Ever Green restaurant, where clear weather offers breathtaking views of Everest. From there, it’s a steady, steep climb to Tengboche. If time permits, consider visiting the iconic Tengboche Monastery (entry fee: NPR 300). Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m) Enjoy an easy walk up to the small bridge after Churo, but the trail becomes steeper as you approach Dingboche. Take your time to maintain a steady pace. For a well-deserved treat, visit Cafe 4410 and Dingboche Inn Cafe, where you can recharge your devices for free with a purchase. The coffee and cakes are a highlight! Day 6: Acclimatisation in Dingboche (4,608m) Take a steady hike to the viewpoint partway up the Nangkartshang Summit. It’s a moderately steep climb, but entirely doable — just remember to pace yourself at this altitude. Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910m) The trail is a mix of ups and downs until you reach Thukla. Afterward, it steepens towards the Memorials for Alpinists and Mountaineers before flattening out toward Lobuche. Day 8: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,164m) The trek to Gorak Shep is manageable, but the journey to Everest Base Camp adds some challenge with its rolling terrain. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with surreal views that make the effort worthwhile. In the evening, consider a climb to Kala Patthar at 5,555m for a stunning sunset view of Everest and the mountain range. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can push a bit higher to the viewpoint at 5,640m. Day 9: Gorak Shep to Tengboche (3,860m) The path is mostly downhill or flat until just before Deboche, where a short climb awaits. Strong winds around Pheriche are common, so be prepared. Day 10: Tengboche to Namche (3,440m) Begin with a downhill section to the bridge near Phunki Thanga, followed by a climb to Kyangjuma. From there, the trail is mostly flat to Namche, offering fantastic mountain views if the weather permits. Day 11: Namche to Lukla (2,840m) Start with a descent from Namche to the high bridge, followed by a series of ups and downs to Phakding and then a final climb to Lukla. Consider carrying 1kg of plastic waste from Namche to Lukla as a contribution to SPCC’s clean-up efforts. Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu (1,400m): End your adventure with a scenic 30-minute flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Additional Notes: As you gain altitude, accommodations become increasingly basic. Our guide managed to book private rooms with attached toilets and showers up until Namche. It was shared bathrooms after that point, and we had to pay to charge our devices and WiFi.