Best Everest Routes for Trekking with Family

Are there any best routes for trekking to Everest with a family? Well, there are many! From luxury to challenging, there are several Everest routes to suit all levels of adventurers.

While the Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular trekking routes to Everest, it isn’t the only one. Many trekkers prefer to explore the regions around the Gokyo Lakes, Kalapathar, and the numerous scenic villages of the Everest region. Some true adventurers even climb to towering peaks around, like Lobuche, Island, and Mera.

There have been record-breaking ascents made by families on Everest, such as that of the youngest climber, Jordan Romero. But not all families can achieve this feat! Travelling with family means you seek safety and security at the same time. Thus, trekkers prefer sticking to low altitudes with a lower chance of altitude sickness and want the best amenities.

Let’s explore the blog to learn more about the various Everest routes suitable for trekking with families.

Different Routes for Trekking to Everest

Everest Heli Trek Route

The Everest Heli trek is one of the bet Everest routes for trekking with your family. It combines both, the raw experience of trek and luxury of returning on a heli when your muscles are too tired to trek down on return. The trek is is a 9-day adventure that starts with a scenic flight to Tenzing Hillary Airport of Lukla.

As you ascend upwards from the airport, you will witness the beauty of small scenic villages while resting out. The trek culminates in Everest base camp from where you can enjoy majestic mountain views and the savage Khumbu glacier. Next day, the view become even more clearer while descend on a heli.

Here’ s what you Everest heli trek itinerary looks like this:

Arrival in Kathmandu

Flight to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

Phakding to Namche Trek

Acclimatization in Namche

Trek to Tengboche

Tengboche to Dingboche trek

Trek to Lobuche

Early trek to Gorakshep and continue to Everest Base Camp

Kalapathar Hike and Back to Lukla then Kathmandu on a Heli

Departure

Fitness for family

As mentioned above, the heli-trek route of Everest is the most fit one for trekking with family. While the ascend gives you the authentic trek feel, the descend gives you a relaxation. Still it might be challenging to older people or toddlers but for the rest, its no big deal to trek one way with good guidance and right preparation.

Standard Everest Base Camp Route

The standard Everest base camp trek is a 15 day adventure that start with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Since the domestic airport in Kathmandu remains busy in peak season, you might have to take a drive to Ramechhap. The alternative Manthali airport in Ramechhap handles most of the flight to Lukla in this time.

After reaching Lukla, this trekking trail encompasses scenic villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Khumjung etc. to reach the base camp. You will also have an option to trek to Kalapathar as the whole view of Everest is kind of  obstructed from the base camp. Climbing a higher elevation does provide a clearer view rather than being at the bottom of the peak.

The route culminates at the base camp and returns back to Gorakshep and down to Pheriche then continuing to Namche Bazaar. From here, the route takes down to Lukla and flight back to Kathmandu.

Here’s what the standard EBC trek itinerary looks like:

Day 0: Landing in Kathmandu

Day 1: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding

Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar

Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche

Day 4: Trek to Tengboche

Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche

Day 6: Acclimatization in Dingboche

Day 7: Trek to Lobuche

Day 8: Trek to Everest Base Camp via Gorakshep and Return

Day 9: Gorakshep to Kala Patthar and down to Pheriche

Day 10: Trek to Namche Bazaar

Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu

Day 13: Free Day in Kathmandu

Departure Day

Fitness for Family Trek

Since you need to trek at least 6 to 7 hours each day, the EBC trail is quite a challenging one to do with family. However, if you are planning the trek with teens or adults who are physically active and do exercise or strength training on a regular basis, it is an ideal one.

Traditional Everest Base Camp Route

Unlike the regular EBC, the traditional route doesn’t include the flight to Lukla. Instead, you will have a road journey to Jiri village, the starting point of the trek and then continue the journey on foot. It was the route that Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary took to succeed the first ever summit to the peak of Everest.

This route is comparatively longer than the traditional route as you will have to trek at least 5 to 6 days before reaching to Namche Bazaar. From Jiri, you will trek past traditional villages like Sete, Junbesi, and Nunthala. After reaching Namche, you will follow the standard route itinerary.

Fitness for Family

Since it is a longer route that takes up elevation gradually, it is more fit for trekking with family. Even though it takes more days, it helps you adapt better to the extreme cold temperature and thinning oxygen level in the air. It is definitely the best family friendly option as it has many scenic halts with ample rest days.

EBC with Gokyo Route

If you and your family is looking for more adventurous experience while trekking to Everest region, then you must aim for the EBC trek with Gokyo. It is a 17 days long adventure that starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla then continues on foot until you return back to Lukla. This trek offers exceptional panoramic views of mountains of the Khumbu region along with views of the serene Gokyo lake and valley.

There are two different routes for exploring the Gokyo region. Either you can just take a short router route for reaching Gokyo lake directly from Namche Bazaar and return the same way. However, if you are looking for a longer excursion that also involves Everest Base Camp then you must opt for the Gokyo via EBC and Cho la pass.

Here’s what your itinerary of Gokyo trek via EBC looks like:

Day 0: Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 1: Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding

Day 2: Reach Namche Bazaar

Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche

Day 4: Trek to Dole

Day 5: Dole to Machhermo

Day 6: Reach Gokyo

Day 7: Acclimatization in Gokyo (Short route ends here and follows same route on way back)

Day 8: Trek to Thagnak

Day 9: Trek to Dzongla with a pause in Cho la pass

Day 10: Reach Lobuche

Day 11: Reach Gorakshep and Trek to EBC

Day 12: Hike to Kala Patthar and trek to Pheriche

Day 13: Back to Namche Bazaar

Day 14: Trek to Lukla

Day 15: Fly Back to Kathmandu

Departure Day

Fitness for Family

The shorter Gokyo trek is fair to trek with family members of all group as it has a shorter trail and completes early. However, for the longer trail only the adults and late teens who are active in fitness or have trekked often can only complete.

EBC with Peak Climbing Route

Peak climbing often comes as an extended trip of the Everest Base Camp trek. It is more suitable for families who want to train for summiting higher peaks of the world. Moreover, it is a good trek for training your muscles if you are soon planning an ascent.

Many adventurers add trekking peaks like the Lobuche east, Island peak, Pikey peak to their Everest Base Camp trek.

Check our Island peak climbing with EBC itinerary to get an idea of this trek.

Fitness for Family

Honestly, Everest base camp trek with peak climbing isn’t a good adventure if your family has members of all age group. Peak climbing requires you to have good technical skills and a very good endurance. One has to train early at least 2 to 3 months ahead to make this trek a success.

Everest Heli Tour Route

Even though it isn’t a trek route, Everest Heli trek is the lost luxurious way to experience the beauty of Everest. In fact, it is most suitable way to travel to Everest with family. Even young children and elderly can join in for this heli tour. Starting with the Langtang ranges and Lirung Himal, the heli-ride to Lukla will be full of breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks from the closest distance.

As you reach Lukla, Syangboche or Kalapathar, the breathtaking views of the panoramic mountains welcome you. You will also have a brief moment to breathe in the air of Everest’s atmosphere. The breakfast with a view of Everest is one of the major highlights of this tour, which is worth being in your core memory for a lifetime.

There is also another alternative route for exploring Everest on a helicopter tour. Instead of Syangboche, you can also choose an alternative Everest Heli-sightseeing tour with a breakfast view from Kongde.

Here’s what a typical itinerary of Everest Heli-tour looks like:

Drive to Kathmandu Airport

A Heli-ride to Lukla

Fuel Break in Lukla

Fly to Everest Base Camp(currently, its prohibited to stop at Kalapathar)

Explore the base Camp

Fly to Syangboche (Everest View Hotel)

Breakfast with a View

Heli-ride to Lukla

Fuel up and fly to Kathmandu

Basic of Everest Trekking

Everest trekking isn’t complete unless you know some basics of the region. From correct trek maps to favorable trek season all matters a lot, even more when you are enjoying this journey with your family.

Everest Routes Map

Since there are multiple ways to explore the Everest region, there is no fixed route. You can select the trail that suits you desire and requirements. Here’s what a typical Everest route map looks like:

Distance of Everest Routes Trek

The exact distance of the trek varies depending on Everest routes for different kind of packages. Everest region is 160 kilometers (100 miles) away from Kathmandu in nautical miles. The flight to Lukla us about 135 kilometers whereas the drive from Kathmandu to Jiri via road is 140 kilometers approx.

Whereas the trekking distance from Lukla airport is Everest Base Camp is about 65 kilometers and adding on the trek to Gokyo makes it around 150 kilometers.

Best Weather for Everest Treks

It is possible to trek on Everest routes throughout the year, offering different experiences at each time. However, the cold, freezing winters or the heavy rains of the monsoon season might not be for beginners. There is nice snow during winter, but it also comes with a risk of altitude sickness. Yet, proficient summiteers also choose this time to avoid the crowds of peak season.

Fall and Spring are the best seasons to trek to this region. Since the climate is suitable, the trails are dry, and the skies are clear during these two seasons, it is also the best season for climbing to the Himalayan regions of Nepal. Typically, from September to November and April to May, most visitors ascend through various trekking routes in the Everest region.

Permits Required for Everest Routes

You would require two mandatory permits for entering the Everest region. One is the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the other is Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. However, if you are thinking of taking the route via Jiri then you will require an additional permit, the Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit.

Apart from this, you will also require a separate permit for climbing a peak in the Everest route. Check on with your guide or refer to the official website of Nepal tourism board for National park permits.

Know Your Limit and Choose

Trekking through the treacherous Everest routes and that also with a family can be quite challenging. From luxurious heli excursion to cultural treks, there are different routes for exploring Everest with family.

As long as you know the limits of your family members, any trek will be an exciting journey. Know their caliber and physical fitness to choose the package that suits them all.

Keep exploring with your family!