Follow the original Hillary route on foot from Jiri to EBC, the way the first Everest climbers approached the mountain
efore the Lukla airstrip existed, every Everest expedition began on foot from Jiri. Hillary and Tenzing walked this route in 1953. It is the most historically significant trekking path in Nepal and still one of the finest. The route starts from Jiri in the hills east of Kathmandu and takes 8 to 9 days through terraced farmland, mixed forest, Buddhist monasteries and ethnic Rai and Sherpa villages before joining the main EBC trail at Solu Khumbu. The lower sections are almost entirely free of other trekkers. From Namche the classic EBC trail continues to base camp and Kala Patthar. The full 20-day journey is significantly richer in landscape variety and cultural depth than the standard Lukla-start package, and it avoids the costly and weather-dependent Lukla flights entirely.
Drive east of Kathmandu on the Nepal-Tibet highway to Jiri, the Switzerland of Nepal, a scenic hill town surrounded by terraced valleys. 6 to 7 hours.
The first walking day leaves Jiri market and climbs a ridge past farms and forest before descending to the river settlement of Shivalaya. 5 to 6 hours.
Inclusions and exclusions for this package are tailored on request. Submit an enquiry to receive the full breakdown.
There are no special travel requirements on file for this package. Our consultants will share visa, health and document guidance when you enquire.
Stand beneath the world's highest mountain at 5,364m
Walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary at 4,130m, surrounded by giants
Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, three ancient cities and four thousand years of living civilisation within a fifteen-kilometre valley.