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Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length and Elevation

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trek in the Nepal region and one of the most iconic and well-known treks in the world.

After a nerve-racking flight into Lukla airport that is sure to get you pumped up, you will retrace the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and the countless other brave men and women who have summited Everest after them.

The route takes you through the beautiful Sagarmatha National Park and eventually ends up at Everest Base Camp, where you will feel the buzz and excitement of potential summiteers of the world’s tallest mountain (the main climbing season kicks off in April and culminates in the 3rd or 4th week of May).

Popular questions asked about the Everest Base Camp Trek always seems to follow the similar pattern of ‘how hard?’, ‘how long?’ and ‘how high?’.

This article will cover the raw data behind the trek to answer all those burning question about distance, length and elevation.

To get a better understanding of how challenging the trek is, read our in-depth article on the difficulty of the Everest Base Camp Trek .

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The classic Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla to EBC and back is 130km long – 65km each way – which may sound like a lot of trekking!

Fear not, because the typical round trip to Everest Base Camp takes around 12 days, the actual distance you will be covering each day will be about 15km – a much more reasonable and achievable number.

Furthermore, the average walking pace is about 5km/hour, so 15km per day does not sound too bad anymore.

Obviously, you will not be trekking at that pace because of the rocky terrain, gradual ascent and high altitude gains that have to be made.

The point being made is that the distance is very attainable for all people of all ages, shapes and sizes!

If you book through a tour operator , you will likely have the luxury of having your large bags carried for you by porters or by yak / mules. This should further take the strain off your body and allow you to focus on getting yourself safely up and back down the trail.

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The typical length, in terms of time, of the Everest Base Camp trek is around 12 days. There are variations of standard route, like Jiri to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek , which take longer.

The outward route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is significantly longer, in terms of time, than the return route to allow for proper acclimatization and to minimize the risks of Acute Mountain Sickness and related illnesses.

It should take around 9 days of trekking to reach base camp and just 3 days to return to Lukla.

To get a better idea of the distances and day-by-day break down of the typical Everest Base Camp Trek we have posted a sample itinerary below:

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, then walk to Phakding – 9 km (4 hours)
Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namchee Bazaar – 12 km (6 hours)
Day 4: Acclimatization day. No walking except maybe a quick hike up to the Everest View Hotel.
Day 5: Trek from Namchee Bazaar to Tengboche – 10 km (6 hours)
Day 6: Hike from Tengboche to Dingboche – 12 km (6 hours)
Day 7: Acclimatization day in Dingboche. Explore the area.
Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche – 12 km (7 hours)
Day 9: Hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep to EBC and back to Gorak Shep – 15 km (8 hours)
Day 10: Hike from Gorak Shep up Kala Pathar and then to Pheriche – 13 km (7 hours)
Day 11: Trek from Pheriche back to Namchee Bazaar – 14 km (8 hours)
Day 12: Hike from Namchee Bazaar to the airstrip at Lukla – 15 km (8 hours)
Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu
Day 14: Leave Kathmandu

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The most challenging element of the trek is probably elevation . Even at the start of the trek at Lukla airport you will be at an altitude of over 2,600m. As most people’s bodies are not used to these altitudes, the trek involves acclimatization days and the ascent to Everest Base Camp will occur at a much slower pace than the descent to allow for acclimatization and to ensure safety.

Typical elevation gains will be in the range of 400-800m each day. Days when the gain is large and the altitude is significantly high will usually be followed by an acclimatization day that doubles up as time for some sightseeing and exploration of the surrounding areas.

Here is an Everest Base Camp trek elevation and altitude profile for the standard trek.

https://www.mountainiq.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/everest-base-camp-trek-altitude-map1.jpg

The highest point on most Everest Base Camp Treks tends to be the Kala Patthar viewing point where you will be blessed with some of the best views of Everest and the nearby peaks. Kala Patthar stands at just over 5500m, but not too much time is spent at that altitude as the trek then descends back down to Pheriche and eventually back to Lukla Airport.

Hopefully these facts and figures have convinced you set out on your own trek to Everest Base Camp – if so, happy trekking!

Tags: Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, How long is the Everest Base Camp Trek? Length of the Everest Base Camp trek, Everest Base Camp trek altitude, Everest Base Camp Trek elevation

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to EBC Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Everest Base Camp. I have trekked all over Nepal, but the Everest region remains my favourite. I hope you find all the answers you are looking for on this site. If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

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How To Do The Everest Base Camp Trek In Nepal

The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is one of the world’s best bucket list hikes. In less than 2 weeks, you can trek to the foot of Mt Everest and other snowy peaks in the Himalayan mountains.

The good news is that it’s not a super difficult hike, and you don’t need a big budget to do it. The EBC trek is worth it for the fun and accomplishment alone, but you also get views of the Himalayas that are out of this world.

This travel guide will explain how you can do the Mt Everest Base Camp hike independently (with or without a tour guide), along with a recommended packing list and everything else you need to know before you go!

Best Everest Base Camp Tours

First of all, if you’d rather skip the hassle of planning your own EBC Trek, Klook has Everest Base Camp Tours starting as low as $900 USD for a full 12-day trek.

You may be able to find something cheaper than this once you land in Kathmandu, but booking online with a vetted tour company has some big advantages, and the reviews on their website are very positive.

We’ve used Klook for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Everest Base Camp Tours

Mount Everest and other snowy peaks on the EBC Trek in Nepal

When To Do The EBC Trek

The Mt Everest region has 4 different trekking seasons:

March – May: High season. Best weather, with stable temperatures and bright sunny days, but the trails can get crowded. During these months you may share the EBC trail with pro climbers on the way to go summit Everest.
June – August: Monsoon season. There’s a lot more rain during these months, and the trails are mostly empty.
September – October: Clear days and busy trails. This is one of the most popular trekking seasons.
November – February: Coldest season, but the weather is stable and dry. The trails are mostly clear.

I trekked in early February, and even though it was nice having the trail mostly to myself, the cold in the evenings and mornings was straight up misery.

My home state of Missouri can get very cold in the winter, but the cold has just never been my thing. If I could go back and change it, I would definitely do my Everest Base Camp hike later in the season.

Prayer wheels near Lukla on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Weather

Temperatures on the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek can range from 5 °C (40 °F) to 20 °C (70 °F) depending on month, and as low as -30 °C (-22 °F) at night during the winter months.

If you trek during the warmer months (Mar-May and Sep-Oct), the cold is not a big problem and shouldn’t be hard to cope with. Winter is a different story. Your snot will freeze in your nose at Gorak Shep.

Sunshine is key for winter trekking in Nepal, and thankfully you should have lots of sun in most months outside of the monsoon season. On my February hike, I often found myself shedding all my layers while trekking because I was heating up in the sun.

If you do your Everest Base Camp hike during the winter, the biggest issue is staying warm in the evenings and at night. For this, you’ll definitely want a top quality down jacket and sleeping bag.

Ama Dablam mountain and stupa on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

All About Everest Base Camp Trekking

My everest base camp itinerary.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Benkar .
Day 2: Benkar to Namche Bazaar .
Day 3: Namche Acclimatization Day .
Day 4: Namche to Deboche .
Day 5: Deboche to Pangboche .
Day 6: Pangboche to Dingboche .
Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatization Day .
Day 8: Dingboche to Thukla .
Day 9: Thukla to Gorak Shep .
Day 10: Everest Base Camp .
Day 11: Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep to Pheriche .
Day 12: Pheriche to Namche .
Day 13: Namche to Lukla .

Porter with a huge pack on the EBC trek in Nepal

If you ever need motivation to keep going on the Everest Base Camp hike, just look at how much the porters are carrying!

Hikers near Pumori Peak and Kala Patthar on the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal

Mount Pumori as seen from the Kala Patthar viewpoint, just a short distance from Mt Everest Base Camp.

Ama Dablam and another mountain range on the EBC trek in Nepal

Ama Dablam, one of my favorite mountains on the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek.

EBC Trek Packing List / Gear

This isn’t a complete list of everything to bring on a Mt Everest Base Camp Trek, and you may have to change things up a little depending on what month you go, but these are just some of the basics.

You can find most of this gear in Kathmandu, but in my opinion you’ll get higher quality and a wider selection if you order online.

Beanie: I only wore this at night, but it definitely helped keep my ears warm.
Down Jacket: Bring the biggest, warmest DJ possible. This is your most important piece of gear. You can use it as an extra cover at night.
Fleece Sweater: This is the only jacket you’ll need to wear while trekking most days, especially if it’s sunny.
Shirts: Something comfy with quick dry material.
Trekking Pants: Something lightweight and breathable.
Thermal Underwear: May not be needed if you trek in the warmer months.
Gloves: I only wore these at night, but they definitely helped keep my hands warm.
Socks: Merino wool is best for staying warm and stopping moisture.
Headlight: Smart to have at least a small one, just in case.
Tumbler: 1 liter water bottle to refill daily on the trek.
Sunblock: It’s easy to sunburn at high altitudes. A small bottle is plenty.
Sunglasses: Good for snow. May not be necessary unless you plan to hike a mountain pass like Cho La.
Hat: I wore old faithful throughout the hike.
Watch: An altimeter watch would be fun to play with here.
Camera: Duh. You can’t do the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek without taking lots of pictures.
Power Bank: Bring a big power bank and you might only need to recharge it once on the whole trek.

Stupa and mountain near Dingboche on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

For a 13 day trek, I paid about $21 USD per day for food, drinks, and room. Porter/guide was an extra $25 per day, although it’s not a requirement. Flights to Lukla were $330 return, but again not a requirement if you hike in.

You can read the sections below for more info on the daily trekking costs and what you get for your money. It’s not a very expensive trek, all things considered!

Keep in mind, these numbers are from 2020. They’ll go up a little over time. Exchange rates may also vary, so check the latest rates .

Stupa and mountains near Namche Bazaar on the EBC Trek in Nepal

The flight to Lukla from Kathmandu is $165 USD each way. You can shop for flights to Lukla at Skyscanner.

If your budget is tight or you have extra time, you can skip this flight by hiking from Jiri to Lukla rather than flying. It only adds a couple days to the itinerary.

Planes at the Lukla airport on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Guide / Porter / Solo

You can do the EBC trek with a guide, porter, OR independently (solo).

A guide will show you the way to Mt Everest Base Camp and help with lodging, navigation, advice, taking pictures for you, etc. A porter-guide will do these same things and also carry a 20 kg (45 lb) pack for you.

A porter or guide is NOT a requirement to do this hike, especially if you go in the warmer months when you may not need as much gear. In 2023, they were supposedly introducing a guide requirement for EBC, but so far that has not been enforced at all, thankfully.

With that said, there are some good advantages to hiring a guide, and it’s pretty cheap by Western standards. A porter is only $15 or $20 USD per day, and a porter-guide is $25 per day. A popular arrangement is to hire one porter for two hikers, splitting the cost and still making things easier for both of you.

In the end, this all depends on your budget and hiking preferences.

Hiker at the Tengboche monastery on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Hiking Fees

If you’re hiking EBC independently, you’ll need to be aware of two fees you have to pay near the start of the trek.

There’s a local government tax that they’ve now started collecting in Lukla. This one is currently 2,000 Rupees ($17 USD).

There’s also an Everest park fee/ticket you have to pay at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance just beyond the small village of Monjo, Nepal. This one is currently 3,500 Rupees ($30 USD).

No TIMS card is needed anymore for independent hikers. That fee has been retired for the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek.

Prayer flags with the Ama Dablam mountain on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Accommodation & Amenities

Throughout the Everest Base Camp hike, you’ll stay and sleep at small guesthouses along the way, called teahouses.

This is where you get your meals and drinks for the trek, along with the occasional amenities like showers, charging, or WiFi. The teahouses start out decent, but quickly get more shabby as you go further up the trail.

You have to pay for everything you use, of course, and the prices get quite high as you go, because everything has to be hauled up on the backs of the poor porters.

Mountains and pine trees near Lukla on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Guesthouses

The teahouses on the EBC trek are cold and dingy, with drop toilets and cracks in the walls. Don’t expect luxury.

Most rooms are free as long as you buy your meals there (the meals are how they make their money). If you stay at a lodge and don’t eat there, you’ll be expected to pay for the room.

In some cases, I was charged 500 Rupees for a room on top of my meal costs. I’m not sure why some teahouses do this and others don’t, but I never paid more than 500 Rupees for a room, and most were free with the meals.

Sleeping bag inside a teahouse on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Food & Drink

I’m happy to report that the food and drinks on the Everest Base Camp hike are top notch, especially after you’ve worked up an appetite trekking.

You have western food choices, or the standard local staples like veggie fried rice, steamed momos (dumplings), and mushroom soup. Everything was hot and fresh. Meal prices for these ranged from 250 to 750 Rupees depending on altitude. Not too bad.

For drinks I tried hot chocolate, lemon/apple/mint tea, and occasionally bottled water for my tumbler. These ranged from 100 to 400 Rupees. If you want to avoid plastic bottles, there’s usually boiled water available and this is safe to drink too.

Getting enough water on the trek is never a problem. Just fill up a 1 liter tumbler in the morning, and this will last you until evening, especially since you’re likely to pass more tea houses along the trail as you’re hiking throughout the day.

Mountains near Lukla on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Showers are only available at a few lodges, depending on the season and how high up you are, and they cost 600 to 1200 Rupees. In the winter, water higher up will be frozen most of the time.

I never had a shower on my February EBC trek, and that seems to be the norm (although I got one or two opportunities in Namche). Yes, it’s gross. I could smell myself by trek’s end, and it wasn’t pretty.

But aside from the fact that I hate to fork out money for something as basic as a shower, I also never really got close to other people for very long on the trek, so I didn’t feel too guilty about it.

Most days were cold enough that the thought of stripping down for a shower was not really appealing, either. Your best bet is baby wipes and deodorant.

Namche Bazaar houses and mountains on the EBC Trek in Nepal

WiFi / Cell Service

WiFi costs anywhere from $5 to $10 USD per day if you buy it from the teahouses.

Alternatively, you can buy a 10 GB/30 Day Everest Link WiFi card in Namche Bazaar and use this for the entire EBC trek. During my Mount Everest Base Camp Trek the WiFi was down across the whole region, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to use either of these options.

I bought an Ncell local SIM card in the Kathmandu airport and had 3G service for half the days of the Everest Base Camp hike. Coverage is still improving in the area, so if you need to stay connected I’d definitely bring a local SIM.

Electricity

All of the teahouses on the way to Mt Everest Base Camp sell outlet charging for electronics, and the prices range from $2 to $10 USD for a full charge, depending on how far up the trail you are.

The key is to bring a big power bank and then use this to charge all of your other electronics (phone, camera, etc). I did this and only paid once to recharge my power bank on the whole trek.

Nepali prayer flags on the EBC Trek in Nepal

How Much Cash To Bring

Everything you buy during the Everest Base Camp hike (meals, WiFi, charging, etc) will have to be paid for with cash. Credit cards won’t work. There are no ATMs outside of Lukla and Namche Bazaar (Days 1-4), and even the ATMs there are not reliable.

What this means is that you’ll have to withdraw enough cash (Nepalese Rupees) at an ATM in Kathmandu to cover your entire trek. The ATM fees will bite you, and I hate to carry large amounts of cash, but it’s not really avoidable here.

All up, I spent about $20 USD (2,400 Rupees) per day on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, and never spent more than $25 USD in a single day. With that said, I didn’t splurge on WiFi, showers, charging, or alcohol. The only things I bought were the bare necessities: room, food, and drinks.

If you hire a porter/guide, you don’t need to factor that into your daily cash carry. That’s paid before the trek starts. But do reserve a little cash for a decent tip.

Mountains and valley on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

I’m not going to lie, this is a difficult trek. And if you do it in the winter like I did, it’s even harder. With that said, if you are in decent shape, determined, and obey the guidelines for altitude sickness prevention (more on that below), then you’ll have no problem reaching base camp.

There is a lot of elevation gain and loss on this hike. At times near Lukla, the constant ups and downs will make you feel like you’re hiking a roller coaster, but the trail is never too steep or dangerous. After Namche, it’s mostly a slow uphill plod.

This trek has been completed by old seasoned hikers in their 70s, and young kids in their pre-teens. It’s also been flunked by healthy 20-30 somethings who try to push through it quickly without enough acclimatization to altitude.

Patience and discipline are key for trekking to Everest Base Camp. Slow and steady wins the race here.

Prayer flags with white Nepal mountains in the distance at the EBC trek

Trekking Distance

The one way trekking distance from Lukla to Mt Everest Base Camp is about 65 kilometers (40 miles).

That means the total roundtrip distance of an EBC Trek is about 130 kilometers, even if you don’t do any of the detours.

Don’t let that scare you off. It’s a lot of hiking, but every step is worth it.

Stupa face and mountain near Dingboche on the EBC Trek in Nepal

Altitude Sickness

By far your biggest danger on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek is altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

No one is immune to this, and it doesn’t matter how fit you are. If you gain altitude too fast, you can get sick and in some cases even die. Plenty of people have died from AMS on the EBC Trek.

The problem is that overzealous hikers push the envelope on this hike all the time, and a lot of them end up needing a very expensive helicopter evacuation to lower ground.

The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to go slow . At altitudes above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), don’t increase your sleeping elevation by more than 300-500 meters (1,000-1,500 feet) per night.

Every 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) you should also spend a second night at the same elevation. If you get a bad headache, dizziness, or nausea, descend to a lower altitude until you feel better. As long as you follow these general guidelines, you shouldn’t have any issues.

You can take Diamox (acetazolamide) on the trek for extra AMS prevention. This medication can be found in Kathmandu or Namche. I bought mine in Namche and it seemed to help my headache and slight foggy feeling. I didn’t have any side effects aside from the usual tingling toes/fingers.

Porter walking on a steep mountain bridge on the EBC trek in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Altitude

The Mount Everest Base Camp altitude is 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). At this elevation, there is 50% of the oxygen at sea level.

However, most treks also go to Kala Patthar, a viewpoint even higher than base camp where you can get the best views of Mount Everest.

The elevation at Kala Patthar is 5,644 meters (18,519 feet). From there, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible panorama of Mount Everest and other icy peaks like Pumori, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

Happy travels!

Sunrise near Mt Everest as seen from Kala Patthar on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal

If you’d rather skip the hassle of planning your own EBC Trek, Klook has Everest Base Camp Tours starting as low as $900 USD for a full 12-day trek.

More Nepal Travel Tips

Hopefully you were helped by this guide for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Let me know in the comments below if I can help answer any questions.

Don’t forget to check out my complete Nepal Travel Guide with tips, info, photos & more!

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

EVEREST BASE CAMP

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THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

In this guide we cover everything you need to know about the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. This includes suggested itineraries and practical information about accommodation, costs, what to pack, independent vs. guided treks, transport, and more. We also offer a route map with GPX download for use on the trek. And along with this written guide, we also share ‘silent hiking’ films that work well as a visual guide to the trail.

A chance for an adventurous and exciting journey, the Everest Base Camp Trek serves up spectacular scenery and gets you close to the world’s highest mountains, and as one of Nepal’s best known treks, it attracts people of all ages and experience levels. The trek ascends to high altitude (5000 m +) and is challenging, but it is achievable with a sensible itinerary that includes proper acclimatisation. Read on to discover more and start planning your own EBC trek.

Use the drop down menu below to jump to each section of this guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK OVERVIEW

EBC TREK FILMS

EVEREST BASE CAMP MAP & GPX DOWNLOAD

ELEVATION PROFILE & 3D ROUTE MAP

EVEREST BASE CAMP ITINERARIES

THE CLASSIC EBC TREK
EBC TREK VIA KHUMJUNG & PHORTSE
EBC VIA KONGMA LA (5514 m)
EBC AND GOKYO LAKES TREK
BUFFER DAYS

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK SUMMARY

LULKA TO NAMCHE BAZAAR
NAMCHE ACCLIMATISATION DAY

NAMCHE BAZAAR TO DINGBOCHE

ALT. ROUTE VIA KHUMJUNG & PHORTSE

DINGBOCHE ACCLIMATISATION DAY

Dingboche to everest base camp.

ALT. ROUTE VIA KONGMA LA

EVEREST BASE CAMP TO LUKLA

ALT. ROUTE VIA CHO LA & GOKYO LAKES

BEST TREKKING SEASONS

HOW TO GET TO LUKLA

HOW TO GET TO LUKLA WITHOUT FLYING

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK PERMITS & FEES

TREKKING INDEPENDENTLY

TREKKING WITH A GUIDE (& PORTER)

RECOMMENDED TREKKING AGENCY

ACCOMMODATION ON THE EBC TREK

FOOD ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

SAFE DRINKING WATER

WIFI, PHONE SIGNAL & CHARGING

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK COST & BUDGET

MONEY & ATMs ON THE EBC TREK

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE EBC TREK

ALTITUDE AWARENESS & AMS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

GETTING TO NEPAL

NEPAL TOURIST VISAS

Nepal visa on arrival process.

WHERE TO STAY IN KATHMANDU

BUDGET KATHMANDU ACCOMMODATION

Mid-range kathmandu accommodation, high-end kathmandu accommodation.

MAPS, GUIDEBOOKS & APPS

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – if you purchase a product or service via these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . This helps offset the cost of running this blog and keeps us travelling so that we can continue to produce great content for you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We greatly appreciate your support!*

DISTANCE | 120 -143 km depending on route taken (incl. acclimatisation/day hikes)
DURATION | 12 – 15 days depending on route (incl. flying to/from Lukla)
START/END | Lukla
PERMITS REQUIRED | Khumbu Trek Card 2000 NPR; Sagarmatha National Park Fee 3000 NPR (SAARC nationals 1500 NPR / Nepali nationals 100 NPR)
TREKKING SEASON | Best Seasons: April to Mid-May , October to Mid-November ; Shoulder Seasons: March, Late May, September, Mid-November to December ; Avoid: June to August, January to February
TREK DIFFICULTY | Moderate (challenging if including Kongma La or Gokyo Lakes)
ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS | +/- approx 7600 metres (Classic EBC Trek incl. acclimatisation/day hikes)
MAX ALTITUDE | 5611 m (Kala Patthar)
GUIDE MANDATORY? | Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality has stated that it is NOT mandatory to trek with a guide in the Khumbu region
ACCOMMODATION | Teahouses/Guesthouses in villages along the trail
TREK COST | $35 – $144 USD per person, per day (budget independent trekker to fully inclusive package)
RECOMMENDED TREKKING AGENCY | Himalayan Masters , Quote HOGG5 for 5% discount

DISTANCE 120 -143 km depending on route taken (incl. acclimatisation/day hikes)

DURATION 12 – 15 days depending on route taken (incl. flying to/from Lukla)

START/END Lukla

PERMITS REQUIRED Khumbu Trek Card 2000 NPR Sagarmatha National Park Fee 3000 NPR (SAARC nationals 1500 NPR, Nepali nationals 100 NPR)

TREKKING SEASON Best Season April to Mid-May October to Mid-November Shoulder Seasons March, Late May, September Mid-November to December Months To Avoid June, July, August January and February

TREK DIFFICULTY Moderate (challenging if including Kongma La or Gokyo Lakes)

ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS +/- approx 7600 metres (Classic EBC Trek incl. acclimatisation/day hikes)

MAX ALTITUDE 5611 m (Kala Patthar)

GUIDE MANDATORY? Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality has stated that it is NOT mandatory to trek with a guide in the Khumbu region

ACCOMMODATION Teahouses/Guesthouses in villages along the trail

TREK COST $35 – $145 USD per person, per day (budget independent trekker to fully inclusive package)

OUR RECOMMENDED TREKKING AGENCY Himalayan Masters , Quote HOGG5 for 5% discount

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING FILMS

Get a sense of the Everest Base Camp trekking route in our ‘silent hiking’ style ambient films.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK MAP & GPX DOWNLOAD

MAP & GPX DOWNLOAD

We have created a detailed Everest Base Camp trekking map to accompany this guide. It shows the Classic Everest Base Camp trekking route along with the alternative routes outlined in this guide, going via Khumjung and Phorste, Kongma La, and Cho La and Gokyo Lakes. The main side/acclimatisation hike options are included too, and the overland route between Salleri and Lukla is also marked.

Detailed stats and an elevation profile are included for each route section. Guesthouse settlements and tea shops are also marked, as well as key sights and practical info such as checkpoints, hospitals, and transport hubs. Guesthouses as per our own trek itinerary are marked, including info about prices and services, phone numbers (where possible), and a copy of the menu. Photos are included with almost every pin.

You can use the digital map online, or download it for offline use with a mapping app such as Organic Maps, Maps.me or Gaia GPS. This is very helpful for navigation assistance on the trail. It allows you to quickly pinpoint key places and services along the way and calculate distances and elevation differences between destinations.

Note that while we’ve tried to be as accurate as possible when recording and mapping the route, changes on the ground are inevitable (especially on routes crossing glaciers) and this map should not be solely relied upon for navigation.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ELEVATION PROFILE

ELEVATION PROFILE

The image below shows the elevation profile of the Classic Everest Base Camp trek, starting and ending in Lukla. The route shown here includes the various acclimatisation and side hikes as outlined in the suggested itinerary below. Elevation is displayed in metres and distance in kilometres.

3D ROUTE MAP

Watch our 3D relief map video to visualise the landscape and get a sense of the Everest Base Camp trek.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

ITINERARY OPTIONS

There is more than one trekking route to Everest Base Camp . In this section we outline the Classic EBC trek itinerary, but also include three alternative itineraries which enable you to vary your route on the way to and from Base Camp and see much more of the Khumbu region.

We have created an overview table for each of the Everest Base Camp trek itinerary options. These include trekking distances and approximate trekking times for each day (excluding lunch stops, breaks, etc), as well as stats on elevation gain/loss and sleeping altitude. For each itinerary the assumption is that you will fly into Lukla on the morning of Day 1 and start trekking. You will need to add 3 – 5 days if you plan to travel overland from Kathmandu to Lukla or vice versa.

It is also possible to combine the following itineraries to create your own alternative EBC trek. For example, you could trek via Khumjung, Phortse and Kongma La on the way to EBC, or you could include both Kongma La and Gokyo Lakes. A few minor possible alternatives along the way are noted below each itinerary, such as alternate overnight stops.

If viewing the itinerary tables on a mobile device or tablet, scroll to the right to see the full table or flip your screen to landscape mode

CLASSIC EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

A classic Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is 11 nights/12 days, following the exact same route on the way to and from EBC. If you have limited time, this is the shortest itinerary you can follow while sticking to safe altitude ascent rates.

DAY 1 ALT. INFO*

*Alternatively, continue to Monjo (2830 m) where fewer people stay overnight (a further 5.1 km, approx 2 hours trekking time) . Doing this means the trail will be less busy for both your Phakding to Monjo section, and the Monjo to Namche section the following morning.

DAY 4 ALT. INFO**

**Alternatively, continue to Pangboche (3950 m) where fewer people stay overnight (a further 4.2 km, approx 1.5 hours trekking time). Pangboche is a lovely village with fantastic views of Ama Dablam, and there are many guesthouses. Tengboche, on the other hand, only has two guesthouses and it can be difficult to get a room here in peak season. Continuing to Pangboche also means the trail will be less busy for both your Tengboche to Pangboche section, and the Pangboche to Dingboche section the following morning.

DAYS 8 & 9 ALT. INFO***

***On days 8 and 9 the classic itinerary that most people follow is to visit EBC after lunch at Gorak Shep, then hike up Kala Patthar in the dark for sunrise the next morning (when it is bitterly cold). If you swap these two around as per the above suggested itinerary, you are guaranteed to have a less busy experience at both EBC and on the trail up Kala Patthar. As the skies are usually clearer in the morning you are also likely to have better views at EBC, however it is possible that the views from Kala Patthar will be obscured by afternoon clouds. If you’re lucky and have clear afternoon skies, then you will be treated to a fiery sunset glow on Everest and the surrounding mountains. If you hike up Kala Patthar in the morning, your mountain views will be brief as the sun rises directly behind Everest and you’ll soon be looking directly into the sun.

ALTERNATIVE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY VIA KHUMJUNG AND PHORTSE

Our first alternative Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is 12 nights/13 days. This itinerary follows a different route between Namche Bazaar and Pangboche on the way to EBC, by trekking via Khumjung and Phortse. The overall difficulty of this route remains moderate, and the additional day allows you to explore more of the region and gives more time for acclimatisation. It’s also a great option for avoiding crowds during the peak trekking seasons, as far fewer people trek this alternative route.

DAYS 9 & 10 ALT. INFO**

**On days 8 and 9 the classic itinerary that most people follow is to visit EBC after lunch at Gorak Shep, then hike up Kala Patthar in the dark for sunrise the next morning (when it is bitterly cold). If you swap these two around as per the above suggested itinerary, you are guaranteed to have a less busy experience at both EBC and on the trail up Kala Patthar. As the skies are usually clearer in the morning you are also likely to have better views at EBC, however it is possible that the views from Kala Patthar will be obscured by afternoon clouds. If you’re lucky and have clear afternoon skies, then you will be treated to a fiery sunset glow on Everest and the surrounding mountains. If you hike up Kala Patthar in the morning, your mountain views will be brief as the sun rises directly behind Everest and you’ll soon be looking directly into the sun.

EVEREST BASE CAMP VIA KONGMA LA TREK ITINERARY

Our second alternative Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is 13 nights/14 days. This changes the route taken between Dingboche and Lobuche on the way to EBC by crossing a high pass called Kongma La (5514 m). This section is more challenging than the rest of the route, but it offers incredible scenery and the chance to explore much quieter sections of trail than you’ll experience on the classic EBC route.

DAY 8 ALT. INFO**

***There are two viewpoints on the Chukhung Ri acclimatisation hike, the lower one (5380 m) which most people visit and the higher one (5516 m) which involves a tough and steep climb towards the end.

DAYS 10 & 11 ALT. INFO****

****On days 8 and 9 the classic itinerary that most people follow is to visit EBC after lunch at Gorak Shep, then hike up Kala Patthar in the dark for sunrise the next morning (when it is bitterly cold). If you swap these two around as per the above suggested itinerary, you are guaranteed to have a less busy experience at both EBC and on the trail up Kala Patthar. As the skies are usually clearer in the morning you are also likely to have better views at EBC, however it is possible that the views from Kala Patthar will be obscured by afternoon clouds. If you’re lucky and have clear afternoon skies, then you will be treated to a fiery sunset glow on Everest and the surrounding mountains. If you hike up Kala Patthar in the morning, your mountain views will be brief as the sun rises directly behind Everest and you’ll soon be looking directly into the sun.

EVEREST BASE CAMP AND GOKYO LAKES TREK ITINERARY

Our third alternative Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is 14 nights/15 days. This varies the route taken between Lobuche and Namche Bazaar on the way back from EBC, by crossing a high pass called Cho La (5368 m) and descending via the spectacular Gokyo Lakes. Again, this route is more challenging than the classic or first alternative EBC itineraries we suggest, due to the extra distance and overall elevation gain. However, it is a highly rewarding trek which includes some of the most spectacular locations in the Khumbu region. The sections of trail that you must repeat on the way to and from EBC are kept to an absolute minimum on this itinerary.

IMPORTANCE OF BUFFER DAYS

Building in buffer days to your Everest Base Camp itinerary is highly recommended, especially if you plan on flying to/from Lukla. Flights are regularly cancelled due to poor weather conditions, sometimes for a number of days. If everything runs smoothly, it takes half a day or less to get to/from Lukla at the start/end of your trek. However, if flights are not operating, it can take up to 3 days to travel overland from Kathmandu to Lukla, using a mixture of buses and jeeps, and by trekking too. Therefore, it’s wise to have at least 3 or 4 days between the end of your planned trek itinerary and any international flight. This would allow you time to get from Lukla to Kathmandu overland if necessary.

Of course, a delay could also happen at the start of your trek while trying to get to Lukla, and this might leave you struggling to catch up with your original itinerary. Having a couple of buffer days built in will mean you don’t have to drastically alter your itinerary, avoiding the need to walk extra long distances to save a day or skipping places because you don’t have time.

Buffer days also allow you to alter your itinerary on the go more easily. For example, if you get sick and need to spend an extra night somewhere, or the weather is bad and you want to wait it out before continuing your trek, then you have the extra days on hand.

It’s worth knowing that should everything go to plan and you don’t need to use any buffer days during your trek, it’s straightforward for a trekking agency to change the date of your flight, bringing it forward a few days for example. However, this is not so easy if you have booked your flight online, independently.

OUR RECOMMENDED TREKKING AGENCY

We partnered with Himalayan Masters for our Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda, EBC and Everest Three Passes treks, and found them to be professional and committed to a high level of service

To enquire about booking your own trek, get in touch via email at [email protected] and mention the code HOGG5 to get a 5% discount off the cost of your trip

ROUTE SUMMARY

LUKLA TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

The first two days of the Everest Base Camp trek are repeated in reverse on the final day of the trek. With only one route connecting Lukla and Namche Bazaar, unfortunately there’s no avoiding this.

This section of the trek passes through numerous villages and teahouse settlements, the last of which is Jorsale, shortly beyond the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. There are five suspension bridges to cross, including the 125 metre high Hillary Bridge, and numerous smaller fixed metal bridges. The Khumbu Trek Card Registration desk (where you get your Khumbu Trek Card and pay your Sagarmatha NP entrance fee) is shortly beyond Lukla, and there are further checkpoints at Toc Toc, Monjo, and just before Namche Bazaar.

The route follows a mixture of wide stone paths, riverside paths, and forest trail, with plenty of up and down along the way. There is one notable ascent, a 700 metre climb immediately after crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge, on the last stretch before Namche. This section is a pleasant couple of days and a good introduction to the trek, with greenery and the chance to see colourful rhododendrons and blossoms in spring, plenty of scenic river views, and a definite buzz thanks to all the people coming and going and the numerous villages dotting the trail.

With only one route up and down to Namche, traffic jams are common along this section, with trekkers, porters, and pack mules, yaks and their handlers all sharing the same trail. Bottlenecks are particularly common at suspension bridges and on the steep climb up to Namche. Be sure to wait on the side of the trail without a drop-off when letting pack animals pass, and don’t start crossing a bridge if you can see them coming in the opposite direction – let them cross first. Finally, stick to the left side when walking by any mani stones, mani walls and prayer wheels, as it’s both common practice and culturally appropriate.

For more detail about this section of the route, see Days 1 and 2 of our Everest Three Passes Route Guide .

A view of the Hillary Suspension bridge from the riverside trail 125 metres below, on the Monjo to Namche Bazaar section of the Everest Three Passes trek

The Hillary Suspension Bridge as seen from the valley floor, with the old bridge still in place below

NAMCHE BAZAAR ACCLIMATISATION DAY

It’s important to acclimatise properly throughout your Everest Base Camp trek. This allows your body time to get used to the ever-increasing altitude as you ascend to 5000 metres and above. Building in rest days, staying well hydrated, and going on acclimatisation hikes (where you climb higher during the day but sleep lower at night) are all good ways of helping your body acclimatise.

Unless you are already acclimatised (for example you have been at altitudes of 4000 metres and higher within the previous week), spending a second night at Namche Bazaar is highly recommended and this is standard on virtually all Everest Base Camp trek itineraries. You should do this even if it seems like you feel physically fine.

The most common destination for an acclimatisation hike from Namche Bazaar is the Hotel Everest View (3880 m) , where you can get lunch or a drink and enjoy fantastic views from the terrace. It takes around 3 hours to hike up to the hotel and back down again. A must-visit on the way is Sagarmatha Next , a learning / experience / visitor centre and gallery championing waste management solutions for the Khumbu region.

A morning view of Namche Bazaar on the Everest Base Camp and Three Passes treks, the buildings bright in the morning sun and snow capped peaks rising behind

Morning view over Namche Bazaar from the northeast

Morning view of Namche Bazaar from the northeast

For a longer hike and the chance to see more of the local area, doing a loop via Khumjung is a great option. Khumjung is the largest Sherpa village in the region, with an impressive monastery and a school founded by Edmund Hillary in 1960. The original classroom is now the Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor Centre , another great place to visit and learn about the Khumbu region. The loop hike (including Hotel Everest View) is around 7.5 km, and you should allow up to 5 hours for the hike. It’s also possible to include a visit to Khunde village, home to another monastery. This would extend the loop route to around 9.1 km and you should allow up to 6 hours.

If you plan to overnight at Khumjung on day 4 of your trek, following the ‘Alternative Everest Base Camp Itinerary’ outlined above, you might want to opt for a shorter Namche acclimatisation hike. Hiking 100 metres up to the helipad on the western side of the village is a good choice. There is an excellent view over Namche from here, where you can see it curving around the sloping hillside in amphitheatre-like fashion.

Various Namche acclimatisation hiking routes are marked on our EBC Trek map .

CLASSIC ROUTE VIA TENGBOCHE

This two-day section of the Everest Base Camp trek offers fantastic mountain scenery and a beautiful trekking trail, passing through forest and open hillside. There is one notable big climb between Phunki Thanga and Tengboche but otherwise the trail is mostly straightforward, with just a few short steep sections, and plenty of flat, undulating, or gentle climbs. There are a handful of small villages along the route, two suspension bridges, a checkpoint at Phunki Thanga, and an impressive monastery at Tengboche which is well worth visiting (daily 7am – 8am, 9am – 11am, and 1pm – 5:30pm, monks chanting at 3pm). After Pangboche you are more or less above the treeline, surrounded by imposing mountains and expansive views.

For more detail about this section of the route, see Days 4 and 5 of our Everest Three Passes Route Guide .

Trekkers pass by guesthouses in the village of Shomare on the Everest Base Camp Trek, with the twin peaks of Ama Dablam rising behind and marking the hazy morning skyline

Trekkers pass through Shomare on the way to Dingboche, with the twin peaks of Ama Dablam rising behind

Trekkers pass through the village of Shomare on the way to Dingboche, with the twin peaks of Ama Dablam rising behind

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA KHUMJUNG AND PHORTSE

This three-day route section follows an alternative trail between Namche and Pangboche before joining the classic Everest Base Camp trail for the final stretch to Dingboche. Opting for this itinerary allows you to vary your route on the way to and from EBC and take advantage of much quieter trails. Plus, the extra day allows for a slower ascent pace, which is a good option for anyone who knows they are slow to acclimatise or prefers to follow a more cautious itinerary.

This route climbs initially to Khumjung, the largest Sherpa village in the region, then stays above the ‘Classic EBC’ route to Pangboche, offering fantastic views throughout. There is a small guesthouse settlement at Mong La (3970 m) which is the highest point on the way to Phortse, a scenic village with a number of guesthouses, local homes, and the Khumbu Climbing Centre .

There is plenty of up and down on this section of the trek, with some notable climbs to Khumjung, Mong La, and both before and after Phortse. However, this route is not considerably more challenging than the ‘Classic EBC’ route, especially as it is split over three days instead of two.

Spending two nights at Dingboche, a sizeable village situated at 4300 m, is advisable in order to ensure you ascend to very high altitude at a safe rate. Going on an acclimatisation hike is also an important part of acclimatising to such altitudes, and Nangkartshang Peak (5039 m) is a great option. This hill rises to the north of Dingboche and there are fantastic views throughout the climb, especially of Ama Dablam. There is an obvious path all the way to the rocky top, which is festooned with prayer flags and spacious enough for plenty of people. The 766 metre climb should take around 2.5 – 3 hours, with the descent about half that. It’s advisable to start early (around 7:30am) for the best chance of clear views and calm conditions.

People rest and take in the views from the prayer flags (5039 m) on Nangkartshang, a day hike from Dingboche that is important for acclimatisation on the Everest Three Passes and Everest Base Camp treks

After a 760 metre climb, people rest and enjoy the views at the prayer flags on Nangkartshang

For a longer and less busy acclimatisation hike, a great option is the side hike up the valley to the east of Dingboche to Chukhung Village and Chukhung Ri, a viewpoint situated at 5380 m. The views from Chukhung Ri are fantastic, looking back down the valley and across to an impressive ice wall, and you’ll be surrounded by numerous majestic snowy peaks including Lhotse, Nuptse, Island Peak and Ama Dablam. Allow up to 8 hours for this return hike.

A trekker and guide stop to appreciate the views after the initial climb up from Chukhung on this Everest Three Passes acclimatisation hike

Plenty of outstanding views to appreciate while hiking up to Chukhung Ri

Plenty of outstanding views to stop and appreciate while hiking up to Chukhung Ri

Whichever acclimatisation hike you decide to do, ensure you have plenty of water, snacks, and warm layers with you.

For more detail about these hikes, see Day 6 (Nangkartshang) and Day 8 (Chukhung Ri) of our Three Passes Route Guide.

CLASSIC ROUTE

If you’re following the Classic EBC route you’ll trek from Dingboche to Base Camp over 2 – 2.5 days, spending a night at Lobuche and then at Gorak Shep. From Gorak Shep you’ll do a return hike to EBC. Most people also include a side hike to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek at 5611 m, where you can get a view of Mt Everest (which isn’t actually visible from Base Camp.)

The route heads up the valley to the northwest of Dingboche, climbs to Thok La pass, then heads northeast, running parallel to the Khumbu Glacier all the way to Base Camp. It’s a gradual ascent for most of the way, but at these altitudes (4300 m – 5300 m) even a gentle climb can take your breath away. The climb to Thok La on the way to Lobuche, the short but steep climb on the way to Gorak Shep, and the undulating rocky glacier section immediately before Gorak Shep are among the most challenging sections.

The views are wonderful throughout and the final sight of Everest Base Camp, encircled by soaring peaks, is a memorable one. This is especially true if you’re trekking during the peak climbing season, when a sea of tents sprawls across the glacier at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall – seen from the trail, these tiny yellow dots emphasise the enormity of the surroundings even more.

Everest base Camp on a sunny April morning during the spring climbing season; a multitude of yellow tents sit atop the rock-covered glacier, with many peaks and the Khumbu Icefall rising behind, and the summit of Mount Everest just visible in the background

First sight of Everest Base Camp from the trail

Two trekkers and a guide posing for the obligatory photo on the 'Everest Base Camp Rock' on a sunny blue skies morning

Posing for the obligatory photo on the ‘EBC Rock’

Seen from the Kala Patthar trail about 30 minutes before sunset , the clouds part to reveal the summit of Mount Everest (8849 m)

Lobuche is a small settlement of guesthouses on the edge of the Khumbu Glacier, a very busy spot where everyone going to and from EBC stops for food and/or spends the night. Gorak Shep is even smaller, busier, and more basic with just four guesthouses and no good water supply.

For more detail about this section of the route, see Days 10 and 11 of our Everest Three Passes Route Guide .

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA KONGMA LA

This alternative route to Everest Base Camp is a three day trek between Dingboche and Lobuche, via Chukhung, Chukhung Ri and Kongma La. At Lobuche you rejoin the classic route for the final section to Gorak Shep, Kala Patthar and EBC. This is part of the Everest Three Passes trek and is a challenging but very rewarding addition to the EBC trek. With far fewer people trekking this route compared to the Classic EBC route, you can expect the trail to be much quieter.

The route follows a gently ascending trail up the scenic valley to the northeast of Dingboche before reaching the small guesthouse settlement of Chukhung. It’s advisable to spend two nights here, using the extra day for an acclimatisation hike to the spectacular viewpoint of Chukhung Ri (5380 m) before crossing Kongma La the following day. The scenery around the village is very dramatic, as are the views seen throughout the hike to Chukhung Ri, with Ama Dablam rising to the south, Island Peak to the east, and Lhotse and Nuptse to the north, along with countless other peaks and the dramatic ice wall of the Chukhung Glacier.

The trek to Kongma La (5514 m) involves a long ascent but other than a couple of short steep sections, it’s mostly a steady climb, and the landscape is striking. From the pass you have incredible 360 degree views and you can see all the way down to Lobuche, a small cluster of buildings on the far side of the rocky Khumbu Glacier. The descent is somewhat steep and slippery at first due to loose dirt, shale, and small rocks, but becomes less steep as you work your way down to the eastern side of the glacier. The final section, crossing the glacier itself, involves plenty of up and down as you work your way across jumbled rocks and around small glacial lakes; on the other side, a final downhill stretch leads to Lobuche.

For more detail about this section of the route, see Days 7 – 9 of our Everest Three Passes Route Guide .

A hiker and guide cross a flat, rocky section before Kongma La on the Everest Three Passes trek, with the snowy ridgeline to the east visible behind

On the final approach to Kongma La

The Classic Everest Base Camp trekking route follows the same trail on the return to Namche Bazaar, covering the distance in three days with overnights at Pheriche, Namche, and Lukla. As you drop in altitude more oxygen flows through your blood and the physical strain on your body reduces. This combined with the fact that you no longer need to think about acclimatisation enables you to cover a much greater daily distance than on previous days. The return section of the trek is not all downhill however, and three 17 – 19 km days in a row can be very tiring!

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA CHO LA AND GOKYO LAKES

An alternative route connects Lobuche and Namche Bazaar via Cho La and Gokyo Lakes. This turns your trek into a loop hike commonly known as the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek. Following this route over six days, you’ll cross Cho La (5368 m), a high pass to the west of Lobuche, descend from the pass and traverse the rocky Ngozumpa Glacier to reach Gokyo and a string of brilliant blue lakes, then follow the Gokyo Valley back to Namche where you’ll join the trail to Lukla. The route takes in some of the best scenery in the Khumbu region and is a fantastic alternative to the Classic EBC trek, although definitely more challenging with the addition of the high pass.

This route diverges from the classic trail a little south of Lobuche, working its way around a hillside to the northwest to reach the small guesthouse settlement of Dzonglha. The ascent to Cho La on the next morning is initially gradual, after which there are a couple of steep sections and the crossing of an icy glacier (microspikes recommended) just before the pass. The descent starts off steeply (aided by a fixed metal rope) before becoming more gradual as it works its way down the valley to the guesthouses at Dragnag (Thangnak). On the following morning* you have to cross the Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal, with a rocky, undulating trail passing small glacial lakes to reach Gokyo on the other side. The descent onto and climb off the glacier is quite steep.

*If you are looking to save a day it is possible to continue to Gokyo after crossing Cho La, without spending the night at Dragnag (Thangnak). It will very much depend on your energy levels and the weather conditions on the day.

Trekkers cross the glacier towards Cho La, the middle of the three passes on the Everest Three Passes trek

Trekkers crossing the icy glacier towards Cho La (5368 m), the rocky dip ahead

Gokyo, a medium-sized teahouse village, sits on the western side of the glacier, on the shores of Dudh Pokhari, or Gokyo 3rd Lake. The setting is beautiful. You can visit the 4th Lake on a side hike to the north, and climb the steep trail to Gokyo Ri early the next morning for some of the most impressive views in the region. The return to Namche Bazaar is via the Gokyo valley, following the Dudh Koshi river. A good option is to break your journey at the small village of Dole, then continue beyond Namche to overnight at Monjo before the final stretch back to Lukla.

An early morning view of beautiful blue Gokyo Lake and the guesthouses of the village, a place worth staying an extra night on the Everest Three Passes trek

Early morning at Gokyo

Beyond Dole the trail descends towards Phortse Tenga, then climbs to Mong La, on the same route as outlined in the ‘Alternative Route via Khumjung and Phortse’ section. From Mong La it’s possible to descend all the way to Sanasa and take the same trail back to Namche that you followed on the way to Tengboche, or stay higher and follow a trail to the large Sherpa village of Khumjung before descending to Namche. The route between Namche and Lukla is the same as at the start of the trek.

For more detail about the Everest Base Camp to Gokyo section of the route, see Days 11 – 15 of our Everest Three Passes Route Guide .

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Everest base camp trekking season.

TREKKING SEASON

Like many treks in Nepal , the peak seasons for trekking the Everest Base Camp route are April to mid-May and October to mid-November . These months typically offer the best chance of both clear skies and warmer temperatures, although weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable in Nepal and across the world, so you should still be prepared for snow and colder temperatures during these periods.

The spring trekking season coincides with the Everest climbing season , so the Khumbu region is very busy with helicopters and yaks transporting supplies to Everest Base Camp. If trekking at this time, you will have the chance to see base camp fully set up with all the tents, and there is a great buzz about the place. Outside of the climbing season, there are no tents or any other infrastructure at EBC.

Trekkers cross the moraine-covered glacier accompanied by towering mountain views enroute to Gorak Shep on the Everest Three Passes and Everest Base Camp treks

Trekkers crossing the moraine-covered glacier between Lobuche and Gorak Shep on a clear skies spring morning

Trekkers crossing the moraine-covered glacier before Gorak Shep on a clear spring morning

In autumn, expect less wind and higher temperatures than in spring, while in late March and April, blooming rhododendrons and other spring flowers are a beautiful sight at some lower elevations.

The shoulder seasons are March, May, September and mid-November to December. During these times it can be much quieter on the trail. There is typically cold weather in March and December. In March there is a high chance of lingering or fresh snow. December typically has sunny weather and clear skies throughout the day. In late May and early September there is a higher chance of early or lingering monsoon rains and cloudy skies.

The summer months of June, July, and August coincide with the monsoon season . Trekking during this period means lots of walking in rain, muddy trails, leeches, and poor visibility with clouds obscuring the surrounding mountains. Many guesthouses close during this period, and it is not a good time to trek. Flights to and from Lukla are likely to be cancelled regularly and for days at a time.

The winter months of January and February are considered too cold by most to trek and many guesthouses are closed.

PLAN A TREK IN THE LANGTANG VALLEY

Langtang Valley Trek Guide post link image featuring trekkers enjoying mountain views and a well earned rest atop Kyanjin Ri (4586 m)

PLAN YOUR LANGTANG VALLEY TREK WITH OUR COMPLETE GUIDE

Langtang Valley Trek Guide post link Image featuring a trekker and guide enjoying a warming cup of masala tea in front of snowy mountains

DETAILED TRAIL NOTES AND OTHER INFO FOR THE LANGTANG TREK

Lukla is the gateway for all treks in the Khumbu region, including Everest Base Camp, Everest Three Passes , and Gokyo Lakes. Nestled in the mountains at 2855 m, the closest dirt-road access is approximately 1 day’s walk away, with a tarmac road 3+ days’ walk away. The majority of people arrive in Lukla by air, landing at the small runway or helicopter pad at Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA). If you prefer not to fly, it’s possible to get to Lukla overland in 3+ days, by taking a bus/jeep then trekking on foot.

FLYING TO LUKLA

Flights to Lukla operate year-round from either Kathmandu or Ramechhap/Manthali (approx 4 hours’ drive from Kathmandu), although cancellations and delays are common as flights can only run in favourable weather conditions. The flight time is 30 minutes from Kathmandu, and 15 minutes from Ramechhap/Manthali. The Lukla runway is just 527 metres long and is sloped at an 11.7% gradient, making taking off and landing challenging for pilots and a little daunting for passengers.

Flights are operated by Tara (Yeti) Air , Summit Air , and Sita Air , with each company using small 15 seater twin propeller planes . Flights usually only operate in the morning, when the skies are clearer and there is less wind. There is a weight limit of 10 kg checked baggage + 5 kg hand baggage . The cabin is not pressurised and it’s very noisy. There are no assigned seats. For the best mountain views, try to sit on the left while flying to Lukla and the right on the return flight.

During peak trekking and climbing seasons , Lukla flights operate to and from Ramechhap/Manthali in order to ease congestion at Kathmandu Airport. The dates change annually, but this is roughly April 1st – May 20th and September 20th – November 20th . See below for how to get from Kathmandu to Ramechhap/Manthali.

The runway at the Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, sloped at an 11.7% gradient and just 527 metres long

The runway at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, on an 11.7% gradient and just 527 metres long

Flight tickets cost $180 one way from Kathmandu and $152 one way from Ramechhap/Manthali . You can book online directly with the airline, or via an agency in Kathmandu. If you are booking an inclusive trekking package, for example with our recommended local trekking agency Himalayan Masters , your flight will be organised for you. Booking the earliest possible flight time is best as clouds tend to move in and the wind picks up through the morning, with later flights more likely to be cancelled. Note that agencies sometimes have access to earlier flights than are available to book online.

It is free of charge to change your flight date (in advance by calling the airline or in person at the airport) and it’s a good idea to reconfirm the day before you fly to avoid being bumped onto a later flight. Again, if you have booked through a trekking agency, they can take care of any flight changes and reconfirmations for you. This makes the whole process much more straightforward than if you have booked independently (especially if you’re trying to make changes while trekking with limited phone service or internet connection).

Be aware that it can be a bit chaotic at the airport and being bumped onto a different flight time and/or standing around confused about what’s happening is pretty normal. The situation is certainly easier to manage if you are with a guide, who will be used to the process, speaks the local language, and will take care of everything for you.

FLYING TO PHAPLU/SALLERI

Sometimes when flights can’t depart for Lukla, there is an option to fly to Phaplu (2 km north of Salleri) instead. From Phaplu it’s possible to trek to Lukla in about 3 days, or you can take a jeep as far as Thamdada (subject to road conditions) and trek the remaining distance to Lukla in 1 day.

See stages 2 and 3 in the ‘how to get to Lukla without flying’ section below for more details.

HOW TO GET FROM KATHMANDU TO RAMECHHAP AIRPORT (MANTHALI)

You can get from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport (RHP) (also known as Manthali) by public bus, shuttle bus, or private car. The journey takes around 4 hours.

Public buses depart between approx 0600 – 1100 from Ratna Park (also known as Old Bus Park) near Thamel, costing approx 600 NPR ($4.50 USD). The journey takes around 4 – 5 hours. You will need to spend one night at a guesthouse in Manthali before flying to Lukla the following morning. There are guesthouses within walking distance of Ramechhap Airport. You can just show up and buy a bus ticket on the day. Buses arrive at the Manthali Bus Park .

Shuttle buses depart from the Thamel area of Kathmandu at 0130 and 0200, allowing you to fly to Lukla the same morning. They also depart at 1100, if you prefer to travel during the day and spend one night in Manthali before flying to Lukla. The journey takes about 4 hours. You must make a reservation in advance. You can do this via a local agency, ask staff at your accommodation to help, or book online via Viator or Get Your Guide . Tickets cost up to $30 USD.

A private car costs approx 14000 NPR ($100 USD), which can be shared by up to 4 passengers. The road condition does not require a jeep/4×4 vehicle. The journey takes about 4 hours, with door-to-door service. You can book a private car via a local agency or ask staff at your accommodation to help organise it.

For the return journey from Ramechhap/Manthali to Kathmandu you must pre-arrange your shuttle transfer or private car transfer. If travelling back to Kathmandu by public bus, you should be able to get one from the Manthali Bus Park after arriving on the flight from Lukla.

HELICOPTER TO LUKLA

It is also possible to fly from Kathmandu to Lukla by helicopter. Helicopters can often fly in weather conditions that would ground twin propellor planes, they are generally considered safer, and they operate out of Kathmandu Airport year-round (unlike planes which only depart from Ramechhap/Manthali during peak season). Flying by helicopter is considerably more expensive though, costing around $500 USD one way per person (assuming there are enough people to fill five seats). You can book via a local travel or trekking agency, or book online in advance via Viator .

Snow capped mountains seen through the window of a helicopter enroute to Lukla with passengers starting the Everest Three Passes trek

Morning mountain views on the helicopter ride to Lukla

Morning mountain views on the helicopter ride

It’s possible to get to Lukla without flying by using a combination of bus and/or jeep and trekking. This takes 3 – 5 days. Eventually there will be a road built all the way to Lukla, but for now the closest you can possibly get by jeep on a dirt road is Thamdada (1 day walk to Lukla), and by bus or jeep on a sealed road is Salleri/Phaplu (3 – 4 days’ walk to Lukla). Buses and jeeps stop for food and toilet breaks along the way. As the road between Salleri/Phaplu and Thamdada is unsealed, its condition can vary greatly depending on how much rain there has been. Sometimes it’s not possible to drive all the way to Thamdada, and you may only be able to reach Bupsa, Kharikhola, or Adderi.

Although it may be possible to get all the way from Kathmandu to Thamdada in one day, we do not recommend this as it means travelling on a dirt road with challenging hairpin bends and steep sections in the dark. Instead, it’s advisable to spend one night in Salleri where there are lots of guesthouses and travel to Thamdada the following day. At Thamdada, there is a guesthouse (Kare Hotel) at the jeep stop and two more approximately 25 minutes’ walk from the jeep stop. Additionally, there are many more guesthouses at Paiyu, which is around 2 hours’ walk away. It’s also possible to stop shortly before Thamdada to stay at a guesthouse in Kare (approx 1 hours’ walk to Thamdada).

The trekking route from Salleri to Lukla goes via Ringmu, Nunthala, Kharikhola, Bupsa, Kari La (Thamdada), Paiyu and Surke. Common overnight stops are at Nunthala, Bupsa, and Surke, after which you join the classic Lukla (or Cheplung) to Namche Bazaar route. There is a lot of elevation gain and loss on the Salleri to Lukla trekking route, so expect plenty of tiring up and down. The driving route from Salleri to Thamdada goes via Adderi and joins the trekking route shortly before Kharikhola.

KATHMANDU TO LUKLA OVERLAND STAGES

Step 1 // drive kathmandu to salleri/phaplu.

9 – 12 hours travel time (mostly sealed road); Phaplu is about 2 km north of Salleri

B us is approx 1700 NPR ($13 USD); departs from Chabahil Chowk (approx 0430) or from Koteshwor Chowk (approx 0500); no advance booking required

Shared Jeep is approx 2600 NPR ($20 USD) per person; d eparts from Chabahil Chowk and Koteshwor Chowk ( approx 0500); b est to reserve seat in advance (ask local travel agency or accommodation staff)

Private Jeep is approx $280 (can be shared between up to 7 people); d oor-to-door service, depart any time in morning; b ook via a local travel/trekking agency

STEP 2 // DRIVE SALLERI/PHAPLU TO THAMDADA (or Bupsa, Kharikhola, Adderi or elsewhere depending on road condition)

6 – 7 hours travel time (unsealed road)

Shared Jeep is approx 2600 NPR ($20 USD) per person; d eparts approx 0600; b est to reserve seat in advance; (ask your accommodation owner to book when you arrive in Salleri)

Private Jeep is approx $235 (can be shared between up to 7 people); d oor-to-door service, depart any time in the morning; b ook in advance in Kathmandu via a local travel/trekking agency

STEP 3 // TREK THAMDADA TO LUKLA OR CHEPLUNG

You can bypass Lukla itself and join the trail to Namche at Cheplung instead (you can get your Khumbu Trek Card from the checkpoint at Toc Toc as you will not pass the checkpoint at Lukla). There is a lot of up and down on this section. It is possible to cover the distance over two days if you prefer, staying at a guesthouse along the way (for example at Chheubas or Surke). The route and villages/guesthouses along the way are marked on our map .

To Lukla: 13.3 km | approx 7 hours trekking time | +1870 m / – 1744 m

To Cheplung: 13.9 km | approx 7 hours trekking time | +1785 m / – 1825 m

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK PERMIT AND FEES

PERMIT AND FEES

You need two permits for the Everest Base Camp trek. Both are issued locally in the Khumbu region so you don’t need to organise permits in advance in Kathmandu. You will need your passport and the fee in cash in Nepalese rupees.

Keep your permits in a safe place as you will need to show them at various checkpoints during the trek.

KHUMBU TREK CARD

Issued at checkpoint (Lukla or Toc Toc)

C an register in advance online (not mandatory)

SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK FEE

(1500 NPR SAARC nationals/ 100 NPR Nepali nationals)

Pay at checkpoint in Lukla or NP entrance beyond Monjo

TREKKING EVEREST BASE CAMP INDEPENDENTLY

The Nepal Tourism Board announced on March 9th 2023 that as of April 1st 2023, all international trekkers in Nepal are required to hire a licenced trekking guide and obtain the TIMS card through an authorised trekking agency registered with the government of Nepal.

However, the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality has confirmed that it is NOT mandatory to trek with a guide in the Khumbu region. This means that you do not need to have a guide for the Everest Base Camp trek , or indeed for any other trek in the region such as the Gokyo Lakes or Three Passes treks. We have included copies of the official press release from April 2nd 2023 and an info card from September 2023 stating that a guide is not mandatory in the Khumbu region. You can check the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality Facebook page for any further updates.

Khumbu Press Release April 2023 with information for those planning to trek in the Everest region

PROS AND CONS OF INDEPENDENT TREKKING IN NEPAL

While having a guide in the Khumbu region is not mandatory, this does not mean that trekking to EBC independently is the right decision for you, especially if you are an inexperienced high altitude trekker. If you are thinking about doing the Everest Base camp trek without a guide, here are a few thoughts on the pros and cons of independent trekking in Nepal.

This is the cheapest way to trek to Everest Base Camp. You won’t have to pay for anything extra beyond your daily food and accommodation costs, permit fee, and transport to/from the trailhead.

You have complete freedom and flexibility. You can choose how long to trek for each day, what route to take and where to stay. If you like somewhere, you can choose to stay an extra day without having to consult anyone else or consider their needs.

It is easier to enjoy a bit of ‘alone time’ on the trail. If you are trekking with a guide or group it can be harder or more awkward to branch out and enjoy walking alone with your thoughts.

You’ll likely have more interaction with locals. If you are trekking with a guide it is common practice for them to deal with everything at your guesthouse and act as a go-between. It’s normal for your guide to take your order, bring out your food, and settle up the bill on your behalf, which means you may have little interaction with the owner or staff yourself. But, you’ll be doing all that by yourself if you trek independently.

With freedom and flexibility comes more responsibility and the need to do more research, preparation and daily planning. You will need to spend time organising things both on and off the trail. You will need to sort out all the logistics like your permit, transport, and accommodation by yourself, and be confident in your route planning and navigation.

You are more vulnerable in an emergency situation or if you get sick. This is especially true if you are trekking solo. You should prepare as best you can with a comprehensive medical kit, emergency contact numbers at the ready, and ideally an emergency communication device like the Garmin inReach .

In peak trekking season you may find it harder to get a room. Many guesthouses prefer bigger groups with organised companies and will give preference to them over independent solo trekkers or those in small groups. Guides with existing local contacts often call ahead to book rooms, something which isn’t as easy for independent trekkers with no personal contacts. Tengboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep all have limited accommodation options and it’s not uncommon for guesthouses here to be full during the peak seasons.

You miss out on all the insights a knowledgeable, English speaking guide can offer. Your understanding of the region, and Nepal in general, is likely to be much broader after spending two weeks in the company of a Nepali guide rather than going it alone.

This is the cheapest way to trek the Everest Base Camp. You won’t have to pay for anything extra beyond your daily food and accommodation costs, permit fee, and transport to/from the trailhead.

It is easier to enjoy a bit of ‘alone time’ on the trail. If you are trekking with a guide or group it can be harder or more awkward to branch out and enjoy walking alone with your thoughts.

TREKKING EVEREST BASE CAMP WITH A GUIDE (AND PORTER)

TREKKING WITH A GUIDE (AND PORTER)

Although not mandatory, many people choose to do the Everest Base Camp trek with a guide, and often with a porter too. If you are an inexperienced high altitude trekker we would absolutely recommend hiring a guide for this trek, but even if you are experienced, trekking with a guide is a great option. Not only can a guide be invaluable when it comes to your safety, a guide can also enrich your experience on the trail, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the history, culture, and geography of the land. Hiring a porter to carry your bag will put less strain on your body, making your trek much easier and perhaps allowing you to better enjoy the surroundings. Hiring a guide and/or porter also provides jobs and supports the trekking tourism economy.

One guide can accompany a maximum of five trekkers. A porter shouldn’t be asked to carry more than 25 kg, ideally no more than 20 kg. If you pack appropriately, one porter can carry two trekkers’ bags. Ensure that your guide and porter have appropriate clothing and equipment for the trail, including warm clothing for high altitudes (a down jacket, hat, gloves), boots, sunglasses, and waterproofs.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TREKKING WITH A GUIDE

If you are doing the Everest Base Camp trek with a guide you may meet them in either Kathmandu or Lukla. If you meet in Kathmandu, you will travel to the trailhead together and return to Kathmandu together at the end. Professional guides in Nepal are both licenced and insured, and will speak English (sometimes other languages too).

During your trek a guide will walk with you on the trail, suggest the best spots to stop for lunch, and take you to their recommended overnight accommodation. At busy times, they may call ahead and pre-book a room for you. They will act as your go-between at each guesthouse, arranging your room, taking your food orders, and settling the bill. It’s normal for a guide to run through the following day’s itinerary each evening, giving you an overview of the trail, trekking time, and any other relevant information.

A trekker and guide chatting and smiling as they walk along sunny forest trail on the Everest Base Camp Trek

A guide can help with many practical things, provide insight into local culture, and be a good companion on the trail

Your guide will always be around at your guesthouse, but they won’t stick by you constantly. You will have plenty of freedom to hang out in your room or the dining room, read your book, chat with other guests, play cards, etc. Guides sleep and eat in the same guesthouse as you, always in a separate room. A guide’s meals and accommodation are usually provided free of charge by guesthouses in exchange for their trekking clients’ custom. If a guesthouse is busy, your guide may share a room with other guides or be obliged to sleep in the dining room.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TREKKING WITH A PORTER

If you’re doing the Everest Base Camp trek with a porter, you will usually meet them locally at the start of your trek. It is not common for porters to travel with you from Kathmandu due to the expense of getting to/from the Khumbu region. Trekking agencies usually have a pool of porters that they work with regularly and can arrange a porter as part of any trekking package. As porters usually do not speak English, your guide will communicate and organise the day-to-day logistics with your porter during the trek.

Porters often go at their own pace so you won’t always trek with them. It’s common to pack your bag and have it ready for them before breakfast, and for your bag to already be in your room when you arrive at your guesthouse for the evening.

A porter carrying a heavy bag aided by a supporting head strap crosses a suspension bridge on the Everest Base Camp Trek

A porter putting in the hard work on the Everest Base Camp Trek

CONDITIONS FOR PORTERS IN THE KHUMBU REGION

Conditions for trekking porters across Nepal are far from ideal, however they are particularly poor in the Khumbu region. Unlike in other trekking regions, guesthouse owners in the Khumbu do not permit porters to sleep or eat in their guesthouses alongside trekkers and guides (with the exception of a rare few based on our own experience). Instead, porters sleep and eat at designated Nepali hotels or porter shelters in each village or teahouse settlement in the Khumbu region. Also, unlike in other regions, porters in the Khumbu must pay for their meals, with a large proportion of their daily wage being spent on food.

The conditions in which porters sleep, often in one dormitory-style room with up to 100 or more porters, are much more basic than those experienced by trekkers and guides in guesthouses. Sometimes porter accommodation is full, and porters must walk to a different village to find available accommodation, returning to meet their trekking clients in the morning. This is especially common at Lobuche and Gorak Shep, where limited accommodation means that porters often have to walk for hours, back to Thukla or Pheriche to spend the night before returning early the next morning.

You can read more in the informative paper ‘ Uphill Struggle: Impediments and Facilitators to Porter Health in the Khumbu Region ’ by Nate Barott (2018).

Porters stop for a break in the courtyard of a lunch establishment at Lawi Schyasa, between Namche Bazaar and Tengboche on the Everest Base Camp Trek

Porters stop for a break at Lawi Schyasa, between Namche Bazaar and Tengboche on the Everest Base Camp trail

HOW TO ORGANISE AN EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING GUIDE (AND PORTER)

The easiest way to arrange a trekking guide is via a trekking agency . You can book an inclusive Everest Base Camp trekking package which covers your transport, entrance fees, guide (and porter), accommodation costs, and three meals a day. Alternatively, you can pay for a guide (and porter) only, and then pay-as-you-go for your accommodation, food, transport, and entrance fees (although this involves more day-to-day hassle than opting for an inclusive package).

Choosing a trekking agency is often the trickiest part as there are thousands of registered agencies in Nepal and the quality of service can vary greatly between them. Many trekkers will choose a guide or agency based on a trusted recommendation from a friend or fellow trekker, and this is a good approach. An alternative option is to visit a number of trekking agencies in person when you arrive in Thamel (Kathmandu) to get a feel for a company that you like, or to contact agencies online in advance.

Having trekked with three different agencies and three different guides on three visits to Nepal, our best experience has been with Himalayan Masters . We partnered with them for our Langtang , Gosainkunda Helambu , and Everest Base Camp and Three Passes treks, and found them to be very professional, committed to a high level of service, and competitively priced.

We really appreciate the fact that Sandip, the agency owner, is super flexible when it comes to itinerary amendments that don’t just follow the norm. He’s also a problem solver and what we’d call a real ‘go-getter’, a trait that’s highly valuable to his clients, whether he’s retrieving a swallowed bank card from a Thamel ATM in record time, or fixing logistical issues when things go wrong last minute at 2am (both real life examples experienced by us or fellow Himalayan Masters clients we met on the trail!).

We’d also highly recommend our Himalayan Masters guide, Govinda Rai, who we spent over a month trekking with in Nepal. He is very professional, taking care of everything you would expect from a guide, but also tailoring his suggestions and advice specifically to his clients, resulting in a more enjoyable trekking experience overall. We quickly came to trust his choices for lunch stops and accommodation as we felt they were always among the best options available. His knowledge of the trail was excellent, and his advice on trekking times for each day (based on our own pace) was spot-on, making it easier for us to plan our itinerary and make on-the-go changes as we saw fit. And on a personal level, we found Govinda to be easy-going, friendly, and an all-round great person to spend time with.

Govinda Rai, a trekking guide for Himalayan Masters, laughing and smiling in front of colourful prayer flags at the top of Kyanjin Ri (4856 m) on the Langtang Valley trek

Govinda, o ur Himalayan Masters guide

Govinda, our Himalayan Masters guide

We also met a number of other Himalayan Masters guides while out on the trail, including Dipak who we chatted with lots, as our Langtang Valley trek itinerary coincided for three nights at the same guesthouses. From our interactions with Dipak, and positive feedback shared over dining room chats with his two trekking clients, we’re confident that Himalayan Masters are working with great guides across the board.

In addition to our guide, Govinda, we’d also highly recommend our porter, Prakas Tamang, organised last minute for us by Himalayan Masters. He knows the trail inside out, portering on the Everest Base Camp route, along with various others in the Khumbu region, multiple times a season. We felt he went above and beyond his role as a trekking porter, especially when breaking trail for us in snowy conditions while crossing Ngozumpa Glacier and Renjo La.

To discuss planning your Everest Base Camp trek you can get in touch with Himalayan Masters at [email protected] and you’ll get a 5% discount off your trip cost by using our code HOGG5 .

HOW ABOUT TACKLING THE MANASLU CIRCUIT?

DAY BY DAY ACCOUNT

ACCOMMODATION ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

Accommodation.

Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp trek is in the form of guesthouses, also known as teahouses or lodges. These can be found regularly along the trail in local villages (such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche) or in guesthouse-only settlements (such as Lobuche and Gorak Shep). In general, the standard of accommodation is decent on the EBC trek, but it becomes more basic at higher altitude, with accommodation at Gorak Shep (5160 m) the most basic (and the toilets the most unpleasant) of the whole trek.

Snow capped Pumori occupies the background while blue roofed guesthouses occupy the foreground in the dry rocky landscape at Gorak Shep, the highest settlement trekkers stay at on the Everest Base Camp Trek

The accommodation at Gorak Shep (5160 m) is the most basic on the Everest Base Camp Trek, but the mountain views are spectacular

Guesthouses provide both accommodation and meals, and you are expected to eat dinner and breakfast at the guesthouse you sleep at. Lunch is usually at a different guesthouse along the trail, unless you arrive early at your destination for the day.

Rooms are basic, but comfortable. They usually have two single beds, although some places will have rooms sleeping three, or just one. Beds always have a sheet-covered mattress, a pillow with a pillowcase, and a blanket. We have seen plenty of bedding hanging out to dry which would suggest sheets, pillowcases, and blankets do get washed, however there is no guarantee that they will be freshly laundered for each guest. Personally, we always trek with our own sleeping bag and silk liner, using the blanket over our sleeping bag for extra warmth at higher altitudes.

There is always a light in the room, powered by mains electricity or solar. Often there is a small table, some hooks on the wall, and a bin, and there is almost always a window with curtains. Some guesthouses will have charging sockets in the room, but this is not always the case. There is no heating in guesthouse rooms, only ever in the main dining room.

DINING ROOM

Every guesthouse has a dining room where you can eat your meals, drink tea, and hang out. There are usually tables and benches around the perimeter of the room, with plenty of plastic chairs for huddling around the central stove. Expect to see a display cabinet of snacks and sundries for sale (eg. chocolate bars, biscuits, Pringles, toilet paper, soft drinks), and often a Buddhist prayer altar, too. The dining room is the only room with a stove. This is usually lit in the late afternoon or early evening as the sun goes down and it starts to get cold, making it nice and cosy.

The dining room of Mountain Paradise Lodge in Dragnag/Thangnak on the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek

The dining room of Mountain Paradise Lodge in Dragnag/Thangnak, a small teahouse settlement on the Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek

TOILETS AND SHOWERS

There are usually rooms with attached bathrooms (ensuite) available as far as Dingboche. After Dingboche, rooms with shared (common) bathrooms are generally all that is available. If you have an attached bathroom this will usually have a toilet, sink (not always), and shower. Shared bathroom facilities normally consist of separate toilets and shower rooms, with a sink outside, although sometimes there is no dedicated sink and you’ll need to wash your hands/brush your teeth at an outdoor tap.

Toilets may be sit-down or squat style. Toilet paper is never provided , so you’ll need to pack your own and buy more as you go. Do not flush toilet paper down the toilet, always put it in the bin next to the toilet (this may be an old tin can, a cardboard box, a plastic container, or such like.) Sit-down toilets will likely have an automatic flush, although at higher altitudes in cold weather, the pipes can freeze and you may need to flush the toilet using a bucket of water. Squat toilets never have an automatic flush; you always need to flush using the scoop and bucket of water provided.

A gas shower is usually available although sometimes the water is solar heated. If neither are available, guesthouses can provide a bucket of hot water which you can use to wash. You can expect to pay up to 800 NPR for any kind of hot water shower at guesthouses between Namche Bazaar and Lobuche. There are no shower facilities at Gorak Shep.

COME JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM

FOOD AND DRINK

Every guesthouse serves meals and you are expected to eat dinner and breakfast at the guesthouse you are sleeping at, otherwise the cost of the room will be much higher. There are also a few bakeries, coffee shops, and tea shops along the route where you can pop in for treats.

Every guesthouse has a menu, and the options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are similar at each. Prices increase the higher you go as food and fuel needs to be transported further via porters or pack animals, resulting in additional costs. Meat is on the menu at most guesthouses (usually buffalo, yak, or chicken), but it’s advisable to stick to vegetarian food; meat is not usually fresh or kept refrigerated and the chance of getting an upset stomach is much greater if you eat it.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK MENU

Click into the slider to see a typical example of a menu on the Everest Base Camp trek. This menu is from Dingboche, where prices are more expensive than at lower altitudes but fairly representative of prices above 4000 m.

We have included photos of the menu from every guesthouse that we stayed at on the Everest Base Camp trek in our accompanying map .

Everest Three Passes and Base Camp treks; food and drink menu from the Mountain Heritage Inn in Dingboche

Breakfast dishes include porridge, muesli, eggs, Tibetan bread (a kind of fried dough), chapati (flat, unleavened bread), and pancakes . Honey, jam, peanut butter, apples, chocolate sauce, and yak cheese are common accompaniments on offer.

Breakfast options are generally priced between 300 – 1200 NPR (approx $2 – $9 USD), depending on location and item.

LUNCH AND DINNER

Dal Bhat is a ubiquitous Nepali meal , eaten twice a day by many locals. It consists of plain rice, a lentil soup, veggie curry, papad (poppadom), and some sort of pickle. Depending on the veggies available, you may also get saag (spinach) or something similar. Everything is served on a big plate, and you can get free refills of each item (apart from the papad!).

A serving of classic Nepali dish dal bhat on a brass plate, sitting on a peach coloured wooden table

There are always free refills of rice, dal and curry with Dal Bhat , giving rise to the familiar catchphrase ‘Dal Bhat power 24 hour’

Dal Bhat, the national dish of Nepal, on a copper dish set on a blue wooden table

With Dal Bhat , t here are always free refills of at least the rice, dal and curry, giving rise to the familiar catchphrase, ‘Dal Bhat power 24 hour’

Other options include various soups (some fresh, some from a packet), basic pasta dishes (usually fried), fried rice, fried noodles, boiled or fried potatoes, and momos (steamed or fried dumplings). Ingredients more or less revolve around eggs, cheese, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onion, garlic, and tinned tuna.

Lunch and dinner options are generally priced between 350 – 1200 NPR (approx $2.5 – $9 USD), depending on location and item.

Various hot drinks include black/green/milk/masala/mint/ginger lemon honey tea, instant coffee, and hot chocolate . You can order a single cup or a small/medium/large thermos (called ‘pots’). Cups or pots of hot water are also available.

Soft drinks like Coke, Fanta, and Sprite are available to buy at each guesthouse shop, along with bottled water (although we recommend purifying tap water to drink instead of buying bottled water). You can also buy beer (bottles/cans) and small bottles of Khukuri rum , however it’s best to avoid alcohol at higher altitudes as this dehydrates you and makes acclimatisation more difficult.

Hot drinks are on average about 80 – 350 NPR per cup ($0.60 – $2.60 USD), or up to 800 – 3000 NPR per large pot ($6 – $22 USD). Soft drinks are about 300 – 600 NPR ($2.30 – $4.50 USD), bottled water is about 100 – 500 NPR ($0.75 – $3.80 USD), and beer is about 800 – 1200 NPR ($6 – $9 USD).

SNACKS AND DESSERTS

You can buy chocolate bars, biscuits, and Pringles at most guesthouse shops. Other snacks like popcorn, papad, prawn crackers, yak cheese, or french fries are often available on the menu, and you can usually get desserts like apple, Snickers, or Mars spring rolls/fritters/pies/momos.

The snacks, drinks and sundries on sale at the Ganesh View Hotel in Rimche on the Langtang Valley trek

A typical example of what’s on sale in guesthouses

A fairly typical example of what’s on sale

Prices for Snickers/Mars start from 300 NPR ($2.30 USD), packets of biscuits start from 100 NPR ($.75 USD), and Pringles start from 600 NPR ($4.5 USD). Desserts range from 350 – 900 NPR ($2.70 – $6.80 USD).

BAKERIES AND COFFEE SHOPS

You’ll find bakeries and coffee shops (some with even proper coffee machines!) in various villages along the Everest Base Camp trekking route. These include Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche. Common bakery treats include brownies, cinnamon buns, and apple pie. A few bakeries in Dingboche also show mountain-related films every afternoon.

Coffee costs around 300 – 400 NPR ($2.20 – $3 USD); bakery treats are usually around 400 – 600 NPR ($3 – $4.5 USD).

FANCY THE BIGGEST TREKKING CHALLENGE IN THE KHUMBU REGION?

Link image for the Everest Three Passes trek guide featuring a hiker and guide crossing a flat, rocky section before Kongma La

PLAN YOUR TREK WITH OUR GUIDE

Link image for the Everest Three Passes route guide featuring trekkers crossing the glacier towards Cho La, the middle of the three passes on the Everest Three Passes trek

TRAIL NOTES AND OTHER INFO

SAFE DRINKING WATER ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

Bottled water is available to buy along the trail, however a much better option (environmentally and economically!) is to treat tap water and drink this instead. Come prepared with a refillable water bottle and/or water bladder , and a method of treating the water to make it safe for drinking.

The cheapest option is to use water purification tablets . You drop these into the water, wait about 30 minutes, then your water is safe to drink (although it can have a strange taste due to the active chemical in the tablets, ie. iodine or chlorine). You can buy these easily in supermarkets and outdoor shops in Kathmandu.

Our preferred method of water sterilisation is to use a Steripen Ultra in conjunction with a filter . The filter screws onto the top of our Nalgene water bottle and ensures any weird floaty bits or particulates are filtered out. Then we stick the Steripen into 1 litre of water for 90 seconds and the UV light sterilises the water, making it safe to drink immediately and with no change to the taste. The Steripen Ultra model is rechargeable via USB, so we can charge it using our solar panel, power bank, or an electrical socket. We always carry water purification tablets as an emergency backup, although we’ve never had to use them during 6+ years of using the Steripen.

Other common sterilisation methods include a Lifestraw , Grayl , Water-To Go , or a squeeze filter system .

As pipes can freeze overnight at higher altitudes, be sure to fill water for the following day before going to bed . There is usually a tap where you can fill your water bottle, but if not your guesthouse owner/staff can fill it for you from their water storage container.

The only place on the Everest Base Camp trek where it is not possible/advisable to drink the local water is at Gorak Shep . There is no good water supply here. The local guesthouses have to fill water from a questionable spring and store it in containers for use in the kitchen. Given the scarcity of water and the effort involved to carry it to the guesthouse, staff will not fill your bottle for you. The only option is to buy bottled water (500 NPR) or do as we did and carry enough water with you from Lobuche. Given the poor water supply and likely less than ideal hygiene standards at high altitude Gorak Shep (5160 m), it is not uncommon for people to get sick here. We would advise caution with what you order, perhaps avoiding hot drinks (which may not have been properly boiled).

WIFI, PHONE SIGNAL, AND CHARGING ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

WIFI, PHONE SIGNAL, AND CHARGING

Nepal Telecom SIM cards work best on the Everest Base Camp trek. With NTC you’ll have a phone signal and usually a data connection for most of the trek between Lukla and Pangboche . You’re unlikely to get much of a signal beyond here.

WiFi is available at most guesthouses and bakeries along the trail. Between Lukla and Pangboche the usual WiFi cost for unlimited use at a guesthouse is around 300 NPR ($2.30 USD), although sometimes it’s free. Beyond Pangboche you can connect to the internet via Airlink . To do so you buy a card with an individual access code and this costs 600 – 700 NPR for 24 hours. Poor weather conditions can affect WiFi connectivity so there are no guarantees it will be working 24/7.

Most guesthouses run off solar power, and free in-room charging isn’t usually available. Instead you pay per device , charging in the dining room. Prices increase the higher you go, with one phone battery full charge costing between 200 – 800 NPR ($1.50 – $6 USD), and a power bank full charge costing between 1000 – 2000 NPR ($7.60 – $15 USD). Some guesthouses do offer free in-room charging (and a hot shower) if you are paying for a more expensive room with an attached bathroom. Depending on how many devices/batteries you need to charge, paying for the more expensive room can sometimes work out better value overall. Some coffee shops (notably in Dingboche) offer free phone charging with the purchase of food or drink.

Cafe 4410, a sizeable coffee shop/cafe on the main thoroughfare in Dingboche, a village where most trekkers spend two nights on the Everest Three Passes and Everest Base Camp treks

One of the cafes in Dingboche offering free phone/battery charging for customers

It’s definitely a good idea to pack a power bank (or two, depending on your usage), enabling you to charge your phone and batteries on-the-go. A portable solar panel allows you to charge your devices for free in sunny conditions, and may be worth buying if you’ll continue to use it on future trips.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK COST AND BUDGET

COSTS AND BUDGET

The cost of your Everest Base Camp trek will very much depend on how you choose to trek (independently or with a guide), how many people you share the costs with, how much you eat and drink, and how often you want to have a hot shower, connect to the internet, or charge your devices.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK BUDGET SUMMARY

An inclusive Everest Base Camp trekking package with a local agency such as Himalayan Masters (quote HOGG5 for a 5% discount! ) usually works out at around $125 per day . This normally covers your accommodation during the trek in a mixture of rooms with attached and shared bathrooms, three meals and three hot drinks per trekking day, a guide and porter, internal flights, all airport transfers, all permits, and a couple of nights accommodation in Kathmandu. You will need to pay for any extras during your trek such as hot showers, charging devices, WiFi, and snacks – budget about $20 per day to cover all of this. You should also budget for a tip for your guide and porter.

An independent trekker with a mid-range budget (travelling without a guide or porter) could expect to pay around $50 – $55 per day on the EBC trek. This would cover flights to and from Lukla, your permits, accommodation in a mixture of rooms with attached and shared bathrooms, three meals and three hot drinks plus one treat a day (such as a Coke, Snickers, or real coffee), connecting to WiFi, charging a power bank, and having a hot shower every other day, and charging a phone or camera battery every day.

The minimum that we estimate a budget independent trekker could spend on the Everest Base Camp trek is about $35 per day . This would mean trekking without a guide or porter, opting to travel overland by public transport (minimum 16 days required Kathmandu to Kathmandu), sharing a twin room and using shared bathroom facilities every night, eating three simple meals a day with no snacks or treats, and not paying for any WiFi, hot showers, or device charging.

DETAILED EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK BUDGET

Below is a complete breakdown of the average costs for an Everest Base Camp trek. This should allow you to plan your budget according to your own style of trekking. We have calculated these costs based on the actual prices charged at each guesthouse we stayed at, averaged out over an 11 night/12 day itinerary as outlined in our Classic Everest Base Camp Itinerary table above .

TRANSPORT COSTS

Flight: Kathmandu < > Lukla; $180 (one way)

Flight: Ramechhap < > Lukla; $152 (one way)

Helicopter: Kathmandu < > Lukla; $500 (one way)

Kathmandu to Ramechhap

Local Bus: Kathmandu < > Ramechhap; 600 NPR ($4.50) (one way)

Shuttle Bus: Kathmandu < > Ramechhap; $30 (one way)

Private Car: Kathmandu < > Ramechhap; 14000 NPR ($100) (one way) (cost can be shared among 4 people)

Kathmandu to Salleri

Local Bus: Kathmandu < > Salleri; 1700 NPR ($13) (one way)

Shared Jeep: Kathmandu < > Salleri; 2600 NPR ($20) (one way)

Private Jeep: Kathmandu < > Salleri; $250 (one way) (cost can be shared among 7 people)

Salleri to Thamdada

Shared Jeep: Salleri < > Thamdada; 2600 NPR ($20) (one way)

Private Jeep: Salleri < > Thamdada; $235 (one way) (cost can be shared among 7 people)

PERMITS/ENTRANCE FEES

2000 NPR ($15) Khumbu Trek Card

3000 NPR ($23) Sagarmatha National Park Fee (1500 NPR SAARC nationals / 100 NPR Nepali nationals)

Twin Room with attached bathroom: 1000 – 1500 NPR ($7.50 – $11) per night (cost can be shared between 2 people)

Twin Room with shared bathroom: 500 – 1000 NPR ($3.80 – $7.50) per night (cost can be shared between 2 people)

11 nights twin room with shared bathroom average cost 750 NPR ($5.70) per night (cost can be shared between 2 people)

11 nights twin room with attached bathroom where possible average cost 1200 NPR ($9) per night (cost can be shared between 2 people)

3 x meals with hot drinks, average 3150 NPR ($24 USD) per person, per day

Costs based on 1 x chapati with omelette (breakfast) + 2 x dal bhat (lunch and dinner) + 3 x masala tea per day

It will cost extra if you want to have soft drinks, snacks, desserts, etc.

For a detailed look at food prices, check out the menus for each guesthouse we stayed at in our Everest Base Camp map

Average 500 NPR ($3.80) per day (if using wifi every day)

PHONE/CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING COSTS

Average 400 NPR ($3) per day (if charging one phone or camera battery every day)

POWER BANK CHARGING COSTS

Average 550 NPR ($4) per day (if charging one power bank every day)

HOT SHOWER COSTS

Average 550 NPR ($4) per day (if taking a hot shower every day)

TREKKING GUIDE

$20 – $30 USD per day (cost can be shared with up to 5 people)

$18 – $25 USD per day (max weight carried 25 kg, cost can be shared between 2-3 people)

GUIDE AND PORTER TIPS

Guides and porters rely on tips to supplement their daily wage and it is expected that you tip at the end of your trek

Recommended minimum amount is:

500 NPR ($4 USD) per person, per day for guides

400 NPR ($3 USD) per person, per day for porters

For larger groups, tip 10% of total tour cost to be split between all trekking staff

Average 500 NPR ($3.80) per day (if using wifi every day)

PHONE/CAMERA BATTERY CHARGING

Power bank charging, money and atms on the everest base camp trek.

MONEY AND ATMs

You will pay for everything in cash on your Everest Base Camp trek. It is best to bring all the cash you need from Kathmandu , in Nepalese rupees . There are ATMs in Lukla and Namche Bazaar, but we advise you to think of these as emergency ATMs only and not to rely upon them. It’s a good idea to have a mixture of large and small bills, as guesthouses, shops, and bakeries don’t always have change.

ATMs in Nepal have maximum withdrawal limits (usually 35,000 NPR) and your bank card is also likely to have a max daily withdrawal limit . Be sure to plan ahead and start withdrawing cash a few days in advance. If this is not possible, for example you plan to depart for Lukla soon after arriving in Nepal, you will need to have enough foreign currency (USD is best) to exchange for Nepalese rupees.

If you are trekking independently you will need to carry quite a lot of cash. You will need less cash if you choose an inclusive trekking package as your guide will pay for accommodation and food during the trek, but you will still need enough to cover daily expenses such as hot showers, snacks, and device charging. You should also ensure you have enough cash to tip your guide and porter at the end of the trek, as one or both may not be returning with you to Kathmandu.

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY ON THIS CLASSIC NEPAL TREK

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

WHAT TO PACK

Everything you need for your Everest Base Camp trek is covered in our dedicated packing guide, What To Pack For Trekking in Nepal , so be sure to check this out for a complete rundown. You can also download our Nepal Packing List , a useful online or printable checklist for your trek.

In a nutshell, you will need layers suitable for trekking in warm and cold conditions and dry clothes for the evening, gear which you will use on the trail and at your guesthouse, any relevant electronics , hygiene and first aid items, and a few essentials such as cash , emergency contact details , your travel insurance documents, and your passport . We would highly recommend carrying microspikes (crampons) for crossing the icy glacier at Cho La, and in case you encounter any other snow or ice during the trek.

If you arrive in Nepal without the appropriate gear for trekking, you can buy and/or rent everything you need in Kathmandu (either fake or genuine items). Some trekking agencies provide gear free of charge to clients. Himalayan Masters , for example, provide sleeping bags, down jackets, trekking poles, water bottles, purification tablets, caps, T-Shirts, and a duffel bag if you’re trekking with a porter.

There are also lots of trekking shops in both Lukla and Namche Bazaar , with others dotted along the trail in various smaller villages. You can buy genuine gear from the likes of Icebreaker, Osprey, and Black Diamond at Sherpa Adventure Gear stores in Namche. There is also a branch of The North Face in Namche. Most other shops sell counterfeit/cheap gear.

You can leave any excess luggage at your hotel in Kathmandu and pick it up when you return from your trek.

Post link image for 'What to Pack for Trekking in Nepal', featuring trekkers, guides and porters crossing a suspension bridge on the Everest Base Camp route

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR TREK

Display image of a downloadable checklist of what to pack for trekking in Nepal

Download our handy Nepal packing list to print or fill in digitally using a PDF reader

ALTITUDE AWARENESS AND AMS

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) , also commonly referred to as Altitude Sickness, can affect people at heights of around 2500 m and above . It can affect anyone regardless of age, physical fitness, or other factors. The higher you go the less oxygen there is, and it takes time for your body to adjust. Symptoms of AMS, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue or loss of appetite, can occur when your body is not properly acclimatised to being at a particular altitude.

The highest sleeping altitude on the Everest Base Camp trek is at Gorak Shep (5160 m). The highest point you are likely to trek to is Kala Patthar (5611 m) . These altitudes are considered ‘ very high altitude ’ in trekking terms.

AMS can develop into the life-threatening conditions of HACE or HAPE, therefore symptoms of AMS should never be ignored. Read up on the causes, symptoms, and treatments for AMS prior to your trek – it could save your life or that of a fellow trekker! We have found the altitude.org website helpful, along with the PDF booklet about Travel at High Altitude (available in a number of languages) produced by Medex . A number of other medical websites, such as the NHS , are also good resources.

In a nutshell, the best way to avoid developing AMS (or the life-threatening conditions of HACE or HAPE) is to follow medically advised best-practices . This includes ascending slowly, sleeping no more than 300 – 500 metres higher than the previous night, taking a rest day for every 1000 metres ascended above 2500 m, staying well hydrated by drinking lots of water, and going on acclimatisation hikes where you can climb high but return to sleep at a lower altitude.

Ascending at the correct rate and doing acclimatisation hikes like this one (Nangkartshang) will help your body adjust to high altitude properly

Ascending slowly and doing acclimatisation day hikes like this one (Nangkartshang) will help your body adjust to high altitude properly

If you develop AMS symptoms, do not ascend any higher. Rest, drink water, eat something, take paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with the pain, and assess whether your condition is worsening or improving. If it is worsening, you should descend to a lower altitude immediately. If it is improving or staying the same, rest at the same altitude for a night and allow your body more time to acclimatise before ascending.

Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a tablet that can be taken as a preventative to AMS, or as a treatment to help reduce the symptoms. It helps to speed up the acclimatisation process by causing you to breathe deeper and faster, resulting in higher oxygen concentrations in the body. It usually comes in tablets of 250 mg and the dosage is 125 mg twice a day. You can speak to a medical professional prior to your trip about taking Acetazolamide (Diamox). It is available to purchase over the counter at pharmacies in Kathmandu and trekking guides will often carry it in their first aid kit. Common side effects of taking Acetazolamide (Diamox) are tingling fingers, lips, and/or feet.

Note that many guides and locals will advise you to eat garlic soup as a remedy to AMS, but there is no medical evidence to support this notion.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR TREKKING IN NEPAL

You will have the chance to trek up to 5611 m on the Everest Base Camp trek. Trekking to this altitude is NOT automatically covered by most travel insurance providers , but you should be able to pay extra for an add-on ‘activity pack’ or such like which will cover you for trekking at such heights. When choosing your travel insurance policy, it’s also wise to ensure you have Search and Rescue cover and Medical Evacuation cover included.

Always check the inclusions and exclusions of your policy carefully. Some travel insurance providers have specific exclusions or conditions when it comes to trekking in Nepal. For example, the excess for helicopter evacuation may be considerably higher for Nepal than elsewhere. This is due in part to a scam in recent years whereby trekkers who become ill are pressured or encouraged to fly out of the mountains by helicopter for medical attention, with unscrupulous guides, helicopter companies, doctors, and even some trekkers themselves, profiting from the scam.

You should also make a note of the correct procedure for medical emergencies and the insurance company emergency contact number. Add this information to your phone, and keep a written copy with you while trekking.

Whether you are currently in your home country or are already travelling, two travel insurance policy providers that can cover you for trekking in Nepal are World Nomads (for residents of 140+ countries) and True Traveller (for UK and EEA residents only). We have purchased travel insurance policies from both of these companies on numerous occasions and have found their policies to be comprehensive, and their online claims and extension processes straightforward.

If you still need to organise your travel insurance, we’d suggest getting a quote from each to see which suits you best.

Click the links below to get a quote

Click the links to get a quote.

It’s possible to travel overland from India to Nepal, crossing the border at Sunauli. The route and details are described in this post on Seat 61 .

The easiest way to get to Nepal is by flying and this is how the vast majority of people arrive. A number of different airlines operate flights to Nepal’s only international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. There are very few long distance direct flights to Nepal, so you can expect to transfer somewhere in Asia or the Middle East, depending on your direction of travel.

It’s best to book your flights at the earliest possible opportunity . During busy times, such as the peak trekking seasons in spring and autumn, flights are often fully booked.

CHECK FLIGHT OPTIONS HERE

Arriving at kathmandu airport.

There is a money exchange booth next to the visa payment counter , prior to passing through immigration. There is an ATM next to the visa payment counter too, however it is unreliable. More ATMs are available after passing through immigration, but it’s best to have some cash with you just in case.

You can arrange a SIM from NCell or Nepal Telecom at arrivals , and SIM cards are also available from many small shops in Thamel.

AIRPORT TAXI

A taxi from the airport to Thamel costs approximately 800 – 1000 NPR ($6 – $7.50 USD) and takes between 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic and the time of day. There are prepaid taxi counters at arrivals, or you can negotiate a fare with a taxi driver outside (there are no metered taxis). You need to pay cash .

PLAN YOUR TREK TO UPPER MUSTANG

Upper Mustang trekking guide blog post link image featuring two trekkers walking across an arid plateau with mountains in the distance

Tourist visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at all land border crossings that are open to foreign travellers .

While tourist visas on arrival are available for many foreign passport holders, citizens of some countries are required to get a visa prior to arrival, while those from SAARC countries can get their visa free of charge.

See the Nepal Immigration website for more details.

NEPAL VISA ON ARRIVAL

There are three Nepal tourist visas available and three things you must have to get one on arrival:

15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD

WHAT YOU NEED

A passport valid for at least six months
At least one blank page in your passport
The visa fee in cash (US Dollars is best)

The Nepal tourist visa on arrival process is as follows:

Go to the machines to the right as you enter the arrivals hall. You’ll need your passport details and hotel address . After filling in the required details on the screen, take a photo of the confirmation page on your phone (the printer doesn’t work).
Next, you need to pay for your visa at the desk on the left as you enter the arrivals hall. You can show the confirmation on your phone. They want a cash payment for the visa. A sign indicates that a number of currencies are acceptable, including EUR, GBP, CAD, USD, AUD, JPY, KRW, AED, SGD, THB, MYR, CHF, DKK, QAD, SAR, CNY, HKD, KWD, and BHD. Note that they will NOT accept Bank of Scotland GBP notes, only Bank of England notes. You cannot pay in NPR. The sign says they accept card payments, but they will refuse and advise you that you must pay cash. If you insist hard enough, then they’ll send you to the desk on the far left to pay at a card machine with a $1 surcharge. The machine can be temperamental and the payment may fail to go through a few times. Also, it’s treated as a cash advance from your credit card, not a transaction, so you’ll probably be charged a cash withdrawal fee by your credit card company. After paying for your visa you’ll get a receipt .
Take the receipt of visa payment, your passport , and boarding pass for your flight into Kathmandu to the immigration desk and get stamped through.

RECOMMENDED KATHMANDU ACCOMMODATION

Thamel is the main tourist hub in Kathmandu , with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and services aimed at trekkers. Here are some recommendations for accommodation before and after your Everest Base Camp trek, with something to suit all budgets.

Flock Hostel | Dorm and Private rooms, modern design, close to Thamel, rooftop bar and terrace, restaurant

Zostel Kathmandu | Dorm and Private rooms, terrace, bar, restaurant, close to Thamel

Flying Yak | Dorm and Private rooms, modern design, central Thamel, bar, terrace

Yakety Yak | Dorm and Private rooms, sleek modern design, rooftop terrace, bar, restaurant, central Thamel

Bag Packer’s Lodge | Budget private rooms with shared or private bathroom, rooftop terrace, restaurant, central Thamel location

9ine Thamel | Sleek minimalist design, central Thamel, excellent restaurant

Nomad Hotel | Tasteful modern design, short walk from Thamel, restaurant and terrace

Oasis Kathmandu Hotel | Good location in Thamel, restaurant, generically ‘nice’ decor

Kathmandu Aagantuk Hotel | Good location in Thamel, restaurant, generically ‘nice’ decor, some rooms with balconies

Hotel Roadhouse | Stylish Modern design with heritage feel, central Thamel, popular restaurant on ground floor

Dalai-La | Central Thamel, courtyard restaurant, artistic Nepali design

Hotel Thamel House | Classic heritage style with lots of brick and wood, leafy courtyard restaurant, central Thamel

Kathmandu Marriott Hotel | Sleek and minimal design, walking distance to Thamel, Nimsdai store on-site

Aloft Kathmandu | Modern design, Thamel location

Baber Mahal Vilas – The Heritage Hotel | Heritage boutique hotel invoking a range of historic styles

The Dwarika’s Hotel | 5* luxury heritage style hotel, half-way between airport and Thamel

SEE MORE KATHMANDU ACCOMMODATION HERE

Everest base camp trek maps, guidebooks and apps.

MAPS, GUIDEBOOKS AND APPS

You can easily pick up trekking maps of the Khumbu region in Thamel, Kathmandu, with many shops selling them. Check that your map covers the full Everest Base Camp route, plus the section to the south as far as Salleri if you’re planning to travel overland to Lukla (or plans change at the last minute and you need to trek instead of fly!).

Good guidebooks for the Everest Base Camp trek specifically, and the Khumbu region and Nepal in general, include A Trekking Guide to Everest: Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, Thame Valley, Three High Passes, Classic Everest, Arun Valley by Sian Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons (available in paperback or kindle), Cicerone’s Trekking Everest: Base Camp, Kala Patar and Other Trekking Routes in Nepal and Tibet , Lonely Planet’s Nepal Guide , the Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya guide, and The Rough Guide to Nepal .

We would also suggest having a mapping app on your phone that can be used offline . Our favourite is Organic Maps ( iOS / Android ) (very similar to Maps.me, but with less ads) which is easy to use and has a straightforward interface. You can download maps for the area beforehand and use it offline with the GPS on your phone. Our Everest Base Camp Trekking E-Map includes a KML file with the various routes and all relevant places pinned, which can be imported to Organic Maps or Maps.Me for easy navigation and planning.

We also use the Gaia GPS app ( iOS / Android ) when we want more detailed topographical info, ensuring that we’ve downloaded the relevant map region online in advance. Again, our Everest Base Camp Trekking E-Map includes a GPX file download of the routes and key places, which can be imported directly into your app.

THANKS FOR READING!

If you’ve found this guide helpful, please consider leaving us a small tip. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps cover the costs of running this blog.

Kim and Del Hogg

If you’ve found this guide helpful, please consider leaving us a small tip.

Your support is greatly appreciated and helps cover the costs of running this blog.

That’s it for our guide to the Everest Base Camp trek. We hope you found it useful. If you’ve any thoughts or experiences to share, or any questions about this trek, drop them in the comments below.

ORGANISE YOUR TRIP

Still not sorted your travel insurance it’s not too late get a quote now, liked this guide pin it for later, 3 leave a reply.

Wow, there is nobody ever who even talks about the Sherpa Porters in the region. Exactly, the porters have difficulty in getting the right accommodation and good food. I really love the way it has been explained in this guide. They should be paid more and they should have as good facilities as the guides. They are superhumans.

Thanks Naresh, we were happy to highlight this issue. Ultimately, porters do a valuable job and we believe that both they and trekking guides should be well treated and provided for.

This guide is truly the most comprehensive and accurate I have come across in over 30 years! Still I would like to make a few comments: – about guides and trek packages: some guides want to have total control and not just act as helpers and fixers. Getting a trek package which does not include food and lodgings helps in this regard, as you as the paying client are responsible to pick the lodge to the stay at and also can eat anything from the menu, or nothing in some cases, without the guide having anything to say about it. … Read more »

Everest Base Camp Trek: The Essential Guide

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Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Guide

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

Categories NEPAL , HIKING

Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Guide

Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world and trekking to the base camp is no easy feat either. It’s a journey through some of the most spectacular mountain views but also through a number of beautiful villages along the way. The Everest Base Camp Trek takes anywhere from 9 to 15 days depending on your route and itinerary but also how well you acclimatize.

In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about the logistics of the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek but I will also share with you my experience on each day of the trek. A short journal entry with a vlog from my experiences from each day will give you an idea of what to expect and you can see how the journey went for me. After sharing my experience, I will then include all of the information you need to know in this complete guide about trekking to Everest Base Camp.

BEST TREKKING COMPANY IN NEPAL

Interested in trekking in Nepal or doing the Everest Base Camp Trek? I recommend booking your trek with Himalayan Masters , which is the company I use for all of my treks in Nepal. Use my code JACKSON5 when you book to receive a 5% DISCOUNT .

Table of Contents

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK DETAILS

Distance : 120 km round-trip from Lukla to Base Camp and back to Lukla (You will fly to Lukla from Kathmandu)
Days required : 12 -14 days
Total Incline : (Undulation) – 6015 m
Total Decline :(Undulation) – 5821 m
The highest point on the trek : 5640 m/18 500 ft, this is actually at Kala Patthar, which you will hike to in the morning after reaching Everest Base Camp. This is where you get the best views of Mount Everest.
Difficulty : It’s hard for an average hiker but the altitude is definitely more difficult to manage than the distance with several rest days and acclimatization days.
Permits : Your tour operator will take care of these but in case you do the trek independently it’s good to know that you will pay a Local Government fee and Sagarmatha National Park permit, which totaled together cost about $40-$50
Cost per day : This will depend on your tour price and whether you do the trek with a group, a porter, a guide, or independently. Somewhere between USD $40 (without flights) $60 per person per day with all meals, transport, and guides included.
Guide : It isn’t required but highly recommended. You can do the Everest Base Camp Trek in a few different ways such as by yourself with no guide, with an experienced guide or in a group with a guide.
Accommodation : Guest Houses, also known as Tea Houses along the way where you will sleep in a comfortable bed and have access to showers (extra charge) and restaurant facilities. Very comfortable accommodation and great after a long day of hiking.

TRY THE 3 BEST TREKS IN NEPAL

Manaslu Circuit : My personal favorite 2-week trek through Tibetan villages and stunning scenery. Less crowded and more authentic.

Annapurna Circuit : The most beautiful & scenic 2-week trek in Nepal although can be crowded at times.

Everest Base Camp Trek : The most iconic 2-week route reaching the famous (EBC) Everest Base Camp at 5,300m.

BOOKING A GUIDE FOR THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

The Everest Base Camp Trek doesn’t require a guide but it’s great to have a guide managing the logistics such as directions, tea-houses, distances, medical issues, and the overall organization. I’d say 90% of trekkers go with a guide. I highly recommend booking with Himalayan Masters which is one of the top trekking companies when it comes to the Everest Base Camp Trek. I’ve trekked many different routes in Nepal with them and I’m a big fan of their attention to detail.

The trek costs around $1500 USD with Himalayan Masters as of 2022 and includes all transfers, accommodation, meals, drinks, permits, and even the hotel stay before and after the trek at a high-quality hotel. I honestly had a great time on this trek and I can wholeheartedly recommend Himalayan Masters.

You can use my discount code ‘ JACKSON5 ‘ for 5% off the total price of your trek with Himalayan Masters which is a pretty handy saving.

Email: [email protected]

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN KATHMANDU

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Ultimate Luxury: The Dwarika’s Hotel – Luxury, Spa-service, Pool
Best Value : Aloft Kathmandu Thamel – Swimming Pool, Gym & Great Restuarant
Budget Choice: Hotel Jampa is easily the top cheap hotel in Kathmandu

MY EXPERIENCE ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

I’d like to share with you my experience and photos from my two weeks of trekking to Everest Base Camp. I hope you enjoy recounting the journey as much as I did.

Day One, Two & Three: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phak Ding to Namche

Day one began with an incredible flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Unfortunately for me, I had come down with food poisoning the night before the trek so it was a rough start for me but I decided to battle on. The flight gives you incredible views of the Himalayas before you touch down at Lukla Airport, one of the most famous and scariest airports in the world. The landing strip is on a downwards slope and gives passengers a heart-in-mouth moment on take-off and landing.

After landing, we had a quick coffee and look around Lukla before making the short and relatively flat trek through the villages and forest to reach Phak Ding. Day one is a short trek but you have made your way up pretty high even just by landing at Lukla Airport so it is not a bad idea to take the first day easy, given that your biggest battle on this trek will be the altitude, not the distance or speed.

Day Two for me was actually a day of recovery in Phak Ding where I spent the entire day sick in the guesthouse. There is usually one day scheduled on your itinerary for sickness or rest day so I had used mine early!

Day three was a tough day as I was still recovering but we made the climb up to Namche, which is a winding climb through the forest and out above the tree line. Namche Bazaar is located at an altitude of 3450m inside the Sagarmatha national park, a UNESCO world heritage site and it is actually known as the last frontier for trekkers and climbers before the trek to Everest Base Camp starts to get serious.

Day Four & Five: Namche to Tengboche to Dingboche

Day four is a big day of climbing. Namche Bazaar is 3,440 meters and Tengboche is 3,860 meters but the constant undulation on the trail means you will climb almost 900 meters of incline throughout the day.

The day begins by following the valley wall as you get some great views of the Everest mountain range out in front. The path then heads down into the valley floor as you lose a lot of elevation. However, you will then cross over the river and gain all the elevation back as you approach Tengboche where you will stay for the night.

Expect to have views of the mighty mountain Ama Dablam as well as Lhotse, Nupste, and even the peak of Mount Everest. Interestingly this will be one of the best views you have of Mount Everest until you reach Kala Patthar in a few days’ time.

On day five of the Everest Base Camp trek, you say goodbye to the village of Tengboche and head towards Dingboche. It is a stunninng day as you voyage through the valley as the glacier river flows down below while snow-capped peaks loom in the distance. Along the trek, you will stop for tea in the village of Pangboche with lots of views of Ama Dablam mountain .

The elevation gain on day five is 700 meters and the entire journey will take about 5-6 hours at a moderate pace. Dingboche is 4,400 meters above sea level so it’s common to start to have a couple of symptoms of altitude sickness at this stage of the trek.

When you leave Tengboche, you begin a descent into the beautiful forest and can enjoy the shade as you pass through the village of Deboche. After you pass through Deboche, the trail gains some elevation and you will cross a suspension bridge, which guides you to the left side of the valley. Ama Dablam is still in view as you navigate the steep sections of the incline.

Day Six & Seven: Chuukhung Ri Acclimitization and Dingboche to Lobuche

Day six was an acclimatization day up to Chukhung Ri viewpoint, which was actually one of my favorite days. Because we would stay a second night in Dingboche, we left our bags in the tea house and did the climb up and down Chukhung Ri to help our bodies adjust to the altitude. The idea is to hike high and sleep low, which helps the body adapt.

Chukhung Ri is actually at 5500 meters, which is more than 1000 meters above Dingboche. This is a steep climb and you don’t need to go all the way to the summit. However, with spectacular views, isolation from other hikers, and a good chance to help your body adapt to the altitude, it’s a great day excursion with incredible scenery.

On day seven of the Everest Base Camp trek, we hiked from Dingboche to Lobuche, which is actually the second-highest village on the entire trail. Today is also the first time we will see the Khumba Glacier, which is one of the highlights of the trip.

The total elevation change for day seven is 500 meters in altitude but you will climb 600m in total for the day taking into account a few downhill sections on the trail. It’s a shorter day taking just four hours to reach Lobuche from Dingboche.

Day Eight: Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp

On day eight of the Everest Base Camp trek, it is finally time to reach Everest Base Camp. From Lobuche your first trek to Gorak Shep, which is the highest village you sleep at throughout the trek.

Gorak Shep is a small village, and it’s the closest to Everest Base Camp is also the closest village to Everest Base Camp. Basically, you will trek to Gorak Shep, have an early lunch, and drop off your bag before doing the round-trip trek to explore Everest Base Camp. Then you will return to Gorak Shep where you will stay the night before heading to the nearby Kala Patthar in the morning.

The journey from Lobuche to Gorak Shep is along a rocky path, which slowly gains elevation as you walk next to the Khumbu Glacier. From Gorak Shep to Base camp, you will reach an altitude of 5,364m, which won’t be the highest on the trek as you will go higher the next morning at Kala Patthar.

When you leave Gorak Shep you walk next to the Khumbu Glacier with the Everest Mountain Range looming behind. The glacier is covered in dust and rocks due to the sediments, which have been falling from the surrounding peaks over the last years.

The trail continues alongside the glacier until you reach Everest Base Camp. It’s interesting because you actually can’t see Mount Everest from the base camp, which surprised me but the surrounding peaks are still very impressive and dramatic. Depending on if you come during the climbing season or off-season will alter how the base camp looks. I visited in the low season so there were no tents set up and it was pretty barren.

The trail continues past some Sherpa prayer flags as the rocky terrain leads you towards the famous Everest Base Camp rock, which is covered in hundreds of prayer flags. We’ve made it!

Day Nine: Kala Patthar

The highlight of the Everest Base Camp trek was the climb up to Kalapathar (also spelled out as Kala Patthar). It’s a 5,540-meter peak, which looms over the small village of Gorak Shep where you have just spent the night. It’s worth the freezing wake-up call in the morning as it is one of the best spots in Sagarmatha National Park to take in the views of Mount Everest.

It’s only a 3-kilometer round-trip trek from Gorak Shep with 300 meters of incline but at such high altitude, it can be quite difficult. I suggest starting 1.5-2 hours before sunrise so you are at the summit when the morning glow begins. After enjoying the sunrise with epic views of the cloud-filled valley and Mount Everest, we began the trek back down to Lukla.

It would take us another two days to reach Lukla, which is less than normal but going down is much easier.

Day Ten & Eleven: Heading back down

Heading back down is now at the pace of your choosing. We were keen to get back to Kathmandu so we took just two days to head back down the mountain. With altitude sickness no longer an issue, you can really make some good time.

If you are ahead of schedule you can keep going to the next village as there are no pre-made bookings. Heading down is a great feeling as you have accomplished reaching the base camp and you can now just breathe in the mountain air and enjoy the descent.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

In this section of the blog post, I will share with you the logistics and everything you need to know about trekking to Everest Base Camp.

HOW TO TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP

You have a few different options depending on your experience and requirements:

Book a package through an agency to join a tour group
Do the trek independently (not with an agency) but still hire a guide and/or porter
Do the Everest Base Camp Trek entirely independently

If you are alone and don’t want to do the trek independently then it is a great idea to join a group. There are lots of free time and chill moments at the teahouses to play cards and chat with your group.

Doing it entirely independently means you are in charge of all the logistics and it can be quite stressful if you aren’t experienced at managing all flights, maps, costs, negotiations, food, language barriers, first-aid and more.

BOOKING AN EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK IN ADVANCE

These are the most popular routes and are organized by the top tour companies who have a global reputation.

I highly recommend booking with Himalayan Masters which is one of the top trekking companies when it comes to the Everest Base Camp Trek. I’ve trekked many different routes in Nepal with them and I’m a big fan of their attention to detail.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOUR AND A GUIDE

Trekking to Everest Base Camp can be done without a guide although I suggest hiring one. Here are 3 reasons why:

Directions : The route isn’t incredibly hard to follow but there are many twists and turns I would have missed had I not had a guide. The route is available on many maps and map applications but it isn’t a clear trail throughout and some previous experience following a trail in a foreign country would be necessary.
A guide is relatively cheap to hire : Included in your trekking package will be a qualified guide. However, in your package is also meals, accommodation, flights, etc. The guide him or herself will only cost $10-15 per day.
When things go wrong : My guide helped me through food poisoning, altitude sickness and was as much a nurse as a guide. I rarely get sick at normal heights but altitude sickness is uncontrollable. I am pretty fit and it still smashed me hard. You can go it alone and be fine but it’s comforting to have a guide there when you come into trouble, especially with altitude sickness. My guide had seen it all before so his calm made me feel better about feeling sick for four days straight.

If you think you will get a guide like the majority of people on the Everest Base Camp, you have a lot of options and things to consider. Pictured below is my guide, Lapsang, who was a legend and someone who became a good friend. When I left Nepal he waited at the bus stop for two hours with me and gave me a Nepali scarf as a gift.

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I suggest going with a small group of friends. We saw a few big groups and it looked like a Contiki tour compared to the experience I had with just myself and my guide. Only get a porter if you really need it. You should be able to carry your bag for 4-5 hours of trekking each day.

My guide, Lapsang Tamang, had done the trek multiple times as a porter and now many times a guide. He said he has lost count but somewhere over 20 times, he has been hiking the Everest Base Camp Trek. The best thing to do is to contact my guide and arrange to meet him first in Kathmandu so you can chat and decide if you want to go ahead. You will be together for 12 days after all!

You can directly contact my guide Lapsang by emailing him here: [email protected]

Lapsang is an awesome guy and I had too many chai tea hangouts with him before and after the trip. Lapsang and I became friends during the trip and afterward, we went bungee jumping, cooked Dal Bhat at his apartment, and visited Swayambunath Temple.

EVEREST BASE CAMP PACKING LIST

I had no winter clothes or even trekking shoes before getting to Kathmandu and bought it all for under $200 brand new (Likely fake North Face). But just as a guide you can get all the gear new for under $200. Bargaining/second hand etc. may help you get it a bit cheaper but this was one time I didn’t want to be so tight with money then freeze my ass off later on top of a mountain.

Keep in mind you won’t be doing any washing. Clothes that dry quickly and are lightweight are key. I showered once… Here is a list of what I took:

2 pairs of pants that rip off into shorts ($15 each in Kathmandu) (Super Safari style but actually handy in this situation.)
2 long sleeve quick-dry material shirts ($10 each in Kathmandu)
5 Pairs of Thermal North Face socks ($2-3 per pair in Kathmandu)
1 Fleece pants and sweater. ($25 for top and bottom in Kathmandu)
1 Thermal Lycra long sleeve and pants ($20 in Kathmandu)
5-6 pairs of quick-dry underwear
1 huge waterproof down jacket (Rented for $1 a day in Kathmandu)
Beanie ($1 in Kathmandu)
Neck Buff ($2 in Kathmandu)
Gloves ($5 in Kathmandu)
Water Purification pills and 1L bottle
Camera gear and electronics (Not necessary but up to you. Obviously I carried a lot)

All of this should fit into a backpack no bigger than 50L and be less than 15kg. I used my 60L backpacking bag because I didn’t want to buy a new bag for a two-week trek. It worked out fine and weighed about 13kg including all of my lenses, chargers, and power banks.

What are my favorite pieces of trekking gear?

There are six pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go trekking. These are five items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my trekking essentials.

Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket : This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots : For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
Black Diamond Head Torch : I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
Darn Tough Socks : These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.
Osprey Atmos AG 65L Backpack : I’ve never had a more comfortable 65L pack than this one. I got it in the Navy Blue and have trekked with it through many a mountain.
Bl ack Diamond Trekking Poles : They might feel weird at first, but on a long trek with incline and decline you’ll begin to love these.
Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle : I’ve used this for three years. It filters your water with one press and you can drink directly from it. Never buy a plastic water bottle again!

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK COST

I paid $900 USD for my package all the way back in 2016 but you can expect to pay anywhere from $1400 to $2500 these days.

What’s included in the package for trekking to Everest Base Camp:

Taxi from Thamel to Kathmandu Airport
Flights from Kathmandu Airport to Lukla Airport
Flights from Lukla Airport to Kathmandu Airport (Regular price $320 round trip)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the guesthouses you are staying at. I could pick anything on the menu, which had western options or Nepali options. You can eat pancakes, pizza, and burgers or you can go for the 24-hr Nepali Power Dal Bhat. I could also choose any hot drink with each meal.
Your guide throughout the trip.

What’s not included:

Water. You can buy bottled water like me if you are playing it safe. It is $1 per bottle at a lower elevation and $3 per bottle at the highest elevation. Or lots of people use purification tablets and they seemed to be fine.
Electricity

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: WIFI/ELECTRICITY AVAILABILITY.

Wifi: Costs anywhere from $3 to $10 to use wifi at the guesthouses. Buy a Ncell Sim before you go. Ncell works at 50% of the guesthouses. Electricity: You will have to pay anywhere from $2 at low elevation to $8 at high elevation to charge your power banks, cameras, and phones. The key is to get a fat power bank. Pay to charge that then charge everything from your power bank. My power bank lets me charge my phone and four camera batteries before it would be done.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK: BEST TIME OF YEAR

This is an interesting question. Do you want snow, reliable weather or to get away from crazy crowds?

February to May – Peak season, clear bright days, very busy trails, lots of people attempting Everest ascent June to August – Monsoon season, no crowds and empty guesthouses September to October – Most stable and clear weather, trails are quite busy November to January – Coldest period, can reach -25, some routes closed

I trekked in the first week of June and was lucky to escape the rain. I didn’t get wet once. Normally it rained in the afternoon or at night if at all but we trekked in the morning and usually only heard the rain as we slept. The trails were open and some days we didn’t even see anyone.

My guide showed me a photo of Namche on a busy morning and I couldn’t believe it. The path looked like the start of a marathon. After seeing that I was so glad to have gone in the off-season.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK TEMPERATURE

During June when I trekked it was sunny in the days and I actually wore shorts every day. However as I mentioned above about when the best time to be trekking to Everest Base Camp is, it can get very cold at high elevations during November to January (-20 to-30)

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK DIFFICULTY

Trekking to Everest Base Camp takes some serious effort. But do you need to be in great shape to complete the journey? The simple answer is NO.

You can go at a slow pace, your own pace, and still make it to Everest Base Camp. In fact, going slow will help you to acclimatize better. I am all about speed but this is not a race. Some days we only trekked for just over three hours but we gained 500m in altitude so we rested for a day and then went again in the morning.

Having said all of that you should be able to walk 10-15 km in a day. Be able to walk up intense inclines for at least an hour. Be able to carry a bag while doing all of this unless you plan to hire a porter.

It’s hard to measure if you are ready. It isn’t like a marathon or anything else you have ever done most probably. I didn’t train at all and was fine. I’m in pretty good shape and played sport my whole life. There were people on the trail who were overweight and going incredibly slow but they were right there with us at base camp to celebrate the achievement.

EVEREST BASE CAMP ALTITUDE

The base camp is 17,600 ft or 5,380m. However, you will probably also trek to Kala Patthar, which looks over the base camp. Kala Patthara is 5,644m high.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK DISTANCE

The distance from Lukla the first town to Everest Base Camp is 38.58 miles or 62 kilometers. Most people take 8-9 days trekking to Everest Base Camp and 3-4 days trekking back to Lukla. It took 8 days to trek to Base camp and two days to trek out.

EVEREST BASE CAMP ITINERARY

Your itinerary will vary depending on your speed and your guide. However, most people follow a somewhat similar trail and timeline. This was my timeline. Note that I spent one extra day in Phak Ding due to sickness. Most people spend that extra day in Namche.

Day 1. Kathmandu flight to Lukla Lukla to Phak Ding (3-4 hrs)
Day 2. Phak Ding rest day (sickness)
Day 3. Phak Ding to Namche (5 hrs)
Day 4. Namche to Tenboche (4 hrs)
Day 5. Tenboche to Dinboche (3 hrs)
Day 6. Dinboche to Chukhung Ri (2.5 hrs) Chukhung Ri back to Dinboche (1.5 hrs) (Acclimatization day)
Day 7. Dinboche to Lobuche (3 hrs)
Day 8. Lobuche to Gorak Shep (2 hrs) Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp (1.5 hrs) Everest Base Camp to Gorak Shep (1.5 hrs)
Day 9. Gorak Shep to Kala Patthara (2 hrs) Kala Patthara to Gorak Shep (1 hr) Gorak Shep to Tenboche (7hrs)
Day 10. Tenboche to Lukla (8 hrs)

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek and you have a great adventure.

HAVE YOU READ MY OTHER NEPAL BLOGS?

I’ve been lucky enough to have many awesome adventures in Nepal, which you can check out below where I’ve listed some of my favorite blog poss from Nepal.

The Most Iconic route: Everest Base Camp Trek
The Most Scenic Route: Annapurna Circuit Trek
My Favorite Trek in Nepal: Manaslu Circuit Trek
An Easy Nepal Trek: Langtang Valley Trek
A great beginner peak: Island Peak Climb (6,165m)
My Favorite Climb in Nepal: Climbing Ama Dablam (6,812m)
My first 8000er: Climbing Manaslu (8,163m)
My toughest climb in Nepal: Climbing Makalu (8,463m)
Where to stay: 16 Best Places to Stay in Kathmandu

a group of people sitting on top of a snow covered mountain

Tuesday 31st of October 2023

Sunday 17th of September 2023

So much informative articles which helps people to trek Everest Base Camp Trek

Inge Winkler

Saturday 3rd of June 2023

Hello, thank you for posting all the great infos, this will be very helpful for us. Could you please update me if the requirement of a Professional Guide is in place now or is there a way around it. Thank you so much in advance. Happy Trails, Inge

Sunday 18th of June 2023

I believe you need a guide now to trek anything above 3000m

Monday 21st of November 2022

Thanks for sharing such an adventurous trip experience with us. I read your blog. It feels like I was personally enjoying this trip.

Friday 12th of August 2022

Hi Jackson,

This was a helpful and informative guide. Kudos!

I had a small suggestion: You could have a small sections box right in the beginning and link each sub-section directly to the relevant content below, for ease of navigation!

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Everest Base Camp Trek Distance

The Everest Base Camp Trek distance is a 130 km round trip beginning from Lukla.

However, the outward 65 kilometers to Everest Base Camp takes far longer as you need to factor in acclimatization. If you were to rush to base camp, you would almost certainly fall ill from altitude sickness .

This article is a guide on what to expect and how to best navigate the awe-inspiring distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Depending on how much previous trekking experience you have, 130 km may or may not sound like a long distance. What you should bear in mind here is that the average walking speed of a human is 5 km per hour.

Therefore, 130 km is not particularly far when you think of it in those terms. The walking is also made easier by the fact that your larger bags will be carried by your porters (assuming you are not trekking solo).

See our article on the difficulty of the Everest Base Camp trek .

Trek Itinerary

On a standard 14-day return trek to EBC, you will be walking for 9 days with an average of 15 km a day.

The other days will either be spent acclimatizing or in Kathmandu . Although 15 km a day is not a long distance, the steep and rocky terrain can slow you down. This is especially true in winter when the trail will often be covered in snow and ice.

At no point is the path paved and the naturally hilly landscape means that your average walking speed will suffer a little.

Below, we have provided a day-by-day distance itinerary for the classic EBC trek.

Day 1 (9 km - 4.5 hours)

On the first day, you will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. From there, you will then walk to Phakding.

Day 2 (12 km - 6 hours)

On the second day, you will trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.

Day 3 (Acclimitisation)

The third day of your EBC trek is purely for acclimitisation. You won't do any walking except maybe a quick hike up to the Everest View Hotel .

Day 4 (12 km - 10 hours)

On the fourth day, you'll continue your trek from Namche Bazaar all the way to Tengboche.

Namche Bazaar, Khumbu District

Day 5 (12 km - 6 hours)

On the fifth day, you'll do a long hike from Tengboche to Dingboche.

Day 6 (Acclimitisation)

On the sixth day, you'll do some exploring of Dingboche.

Day 7 (12 km - 6 hours)

On the seventh day, you'll leave Dingboche and hike to Lobuche.

Day 8 (8km - 3-4 hours)

On the eighth day of your EBC trek, you'll hike from Lobuche to Gorakshep .

Day 9 (22 km - 7 hours)

On the ninth day, you'll cover a lot of distance by first hiking from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp. Afterwards, you'll start trekking back to Dingboche.

Day 10 (24 km - 8-10 hours)

On the tenth day of hiking, you'll trek from Dingboche back to Namchee Bazaar.

Day 11 (21 km - 7-9 hours)

On the eleventh day, you'll hike from Namchee Bazaar all the way back to the airstrip at Lukla, offically completing your EBC trek.

Day 12 (Departure)

On the twelfth day, you'll give your legs a well-deserved break and fly back to Kathmandu.

If you have any further questions about the distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek, please leave a note below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Thank you and happy trekking!

Tags: Everest Base Camp trek distance, How long is the Everest Base Camp trek

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See more information on Nepal . Or check out these other Everest articles:

Climbing Mount Everest Tips
Best time to do Everest Base Camp Trek
Guide to EBC Trek Training
EBC Packing List
Cost of Trekking Mount Everest
Everest Base Camp Trekking Insurance
Food and Drinks on Everest Base Camp Trek

About the author

Andrew Roux

Andrew is one of the senior writers at Mountain IQ. A native of South Africa, Andrew has hiked and climbed all over the world. His favourite destination is Nepal and his most memorable hike was to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices.

Ace the Himalaya

Trekking in Nepal, Peak Climbing, Mt Biking and Tours in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet

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Everest Base Camp Trek Distance

Ever wondered about the distances that shape the Everest Base Camp trek? Our blog unravels the mystery, offering a step-by-step breakdown of the path to Everest's doorstep.

The Everest Base Camp trek is a remarkable adventure that offers a rare opportunity to explore the heart of the Himalayas.

Likely due to its monumental reputation, a commonly posed inquiry among enthusiasts bidding to make it to EBC revolves around the distance and duration of the trek.

As trekkers traverse the same paths once treaded by predecessors on their journey to the summit , they run across elaborate landscapes and ingrained cultural sentiments that defy expectations.

How long is the trek to Everest Base Camp?

Covering approximately 130 kilometers or 80 miles from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp and back, the EBC trek experiences a substantial altitude gain along the 14-day trek, its elevations emphasized both as a challenge and thrill.

Commencing with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla , which sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead, the trail unfolds with stops at captivating destinations such as Namche Bazaar, Phakding, Tengboche, Gorakshep, Dingboche and many more.

Throughout these destinations trekkers are treated to a visual feast of beautiful mountains, diverse vegetation and landscapes that shift with each step.

Beyond the physical adventure and natural beauty, the EBC trek is also a cultural pilgrimage. The rich tapestry of Sherpa heritage, their unique traditions and the Himalayan way of life encourages a deeper connection between the locals and the trekkers.

The Everest Base Camp trekking is an experience etched in the memory of those fortunate enough to have walked the magnificent trail.

Among various highlights, the pinnacle of the trek unfolds at the arrival at EBC, surrounded by towering peaks and the awe-inspiring Khumbu icefall, it is a moment of triumph and profound serenity.

Overview of the daily distances on the Everest base camp trek

Below is a tabulated outline of the distances between various locations along the Everest Base Camp trail, alongside the corresponding duration required to reach each destination:

Day 2: Lukla to Phakding (3 to 4 hours, 8.2 Km)

The trek officially begins after a scenic flight that lands at Lukla (2,840m) from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.

Trekkers begin with a gentle descent to Chheplung from Lukla accompanied by the Dudhkoshi river to their left. Along the way, the captivating sight of Mount Kusum Kanguru (6,367m) unfolds at Thado Koshigaon, further leading to Ghat.

Unlike the initial portion of the trail, the concluding stretch from Ghat presents a gentle ascent, culminating at an altitude of 2,610m at Phakding.

Covering 8.2 kilometers, the trek from Lukla to Phakding is an approximately three-hour expedition through various suspension bridges and picturesque sherpa villages.

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (6 to 7 hours, 12 Km)

On the 3rd day of the trek, through a slightly undulating trail, trekkers eventually get from Phakding to Monjo.

The path continues along the Dudhkoshi river and sets through a series of suspension bridges, and charming little villages to get to Bengkar where the majestic Thamserku (6,608m) looms into view.

From Bengkar, the trail descends bringing trekkers to Jorsale while the trail identically fluctuates until the Hillary Bridge, named after Sir Edmund Hillary himself, also the last suspension bridge of the day.

The 12-kilometer trek concludes after a steady 2.5-hour ascension to reach the bustling Sherpa town Namche Bazaar .

Day 4: Namche Bazaar acclimatization (4 to 5 hours, 5.4 Km)

The acclimatization trek begins with an ascension to Everest Viewpoint followed by the picturesque village of Syangboche, renowned among trekkers for its captivating views.

Further, trekkers navigate a dominantly flat trail to get to Hotel Everest View (3,880m).

Boasting awe-inspiring vistas of peaks like Mount Everest (8,849m) , Lhotse (8,516m) , Nuptse (7,861m), and Ama Dablam (6,812m), Hotel Everest View is another popular viewpoint in the Khumbu region.

Ending with a descent from Hotel Everest View back to Namche Bazaar, the journey accumulates to roughly 4 hours and covers 5.4 kilometers.

Day 5: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (5 to 6 hours, 10.5 Km)

The journey from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche commences with a trek to Kenjoma along its well-made, leveled yet undulating path.

Trekking trail between Namche Bazaar and Dingboche

Following a gentle descent from Kenjoma trekkers reach Phunke Tenga where the breathtaking sights of majestic mountains like Kangtega (6,782m) and Thamserku (6,608m) unfold before them.

It is upon arrival at Tengboche that trekkers are rewarded with an even more intimate perspective of the surrounding mountains, enhancing the surreal beauty of the landscape.

Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche (6 to 7 hours 11.5 Km)

On the 6th day of the trek, the journey from Tengboche (3,860m) to Dingboche (4,410m) spans 11.5 kilometers and takes approximately six hours to complete.

The trail beginning from Tengboche to Deboche is a gentle descent leading to Pangboche where trekkers are required to navigate a few suspension bridges.

Pangboche a typical farm village, is renowned for cultivation in the area. Here, trekkers can also spot various massive mountains up-close.

Following a mild ascent while crossing the tree line, the final stretch where trees are still visible, trekkers reach Somare.

The final walk from Somare to Dingboche rewards trekkers with a closer view of mountains like Ama Dablam (6,812m), Nuptse (7,861m) and Lhotse (8,516m).

Further at Dingboche, you can also see mountains like Peak 38 (7,590m), Island Peak, Mount Chiumo (6,890m), and Ama Lapcha.

Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatization (5 to 6 hours, 5.1 Km)

Dingboche serves a pivotal role as an acclimatization point following Namche Bazaar. The trek begins with a demanding uphill ascent to reach the summit of Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) .

From the peak, trekkers can catch a panoramic view of mountains like Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), Cho Oyu (8,188m), Ama Dablam (6,812m), Peak 38 (7,590m), Makalu (8,481m), Kusum Kanguru (6,367), and Baruntse (7,163m) gracefully surrounding the peak.

The acclimatization journey concludes as trekkers make their way back to Dingboche after having covered a total distance of 5.1 kilometers.

Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuche (5 to 6 hours, 8 Km)

On the 8th day, trekkers set out for Lobuche (4,910m), embarking on a roughly 5-hour long journey covering approximately 8 kilometers.

The path from Dingboche to Thukla involves a gentle ascent, offering trekkers glimpses of several mountains including the flanks of Cho La, Taboche (6,495m), and Cholatse (6,440m).

Ascending through the Khumbu Khola valley, the trail gradually leads to Thukla and continues upward until Thukla Pass.

Beyond the Thukla pass, the terrain transforms into a more rugged and barren landscape as trekkers approach Lobuche.

Sunset hues over Nuptse as seen from Lobuche

Lobuche further welcomes trekkers with captivating views of various mountains like Nuptse (7,861m) Changri (6,027m), Pumori (7,161m), and Lho La (6,006m).

Day 9: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp and back to Gorakshep (8 to 9 hours, 11.7 Km)

On the 9 th day trekkers journey towards Gorakshep (5,190m), beginning with a smooth ascent the concluding section of the trek is fluctuating and rocky.

The trek from Gorakshep to the Everest Base Camp is also a similarly undulating terrain, with frequent ascents and descents.

Upon reaching Everest base Camp, trekkers are rewarded with intimate views of the majestic Himalayan peaks.

Day 10: Hike to Kala Pathhar and descent to Pheriche (8 to 9 hours, 15.2 Km)

The ascent to Kala Pathhar (5,555m) from Gorakshep is an entirely uphill trek through steep, challenging terrain.

Upon reaching Kala Pathhar trekkers are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of prominent mountains like Pumori, Lingtren (6,749m), Lho La, Mount Everest (8,849m), Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,861m), Ama Dablam, Kangtega (6,782m), Thamserku, Taboche, and Changri.

Descending back to Pheriche, trekkers retrace their steps through the same route used at the time of ascension, passing through Lobuche and Thukla Pass.

It is after Thukla Pass that trekkers diverge towards Periche, concluding their trek for the day.

Day 11: Periche to Namche Bazaar (7 to 8 hours, 19.5 Km)

The descent from Periche to Namche Bazaar constitutes the longest trek of the journey, encompassing a total distance of roughly 19.5 kilometers to be covered in approximately seven hours.

Trekkers retrace their steps through familiar landmarks with a beginning descent from Somare and gradually progress through Pangboche, Deboche, and Tengboche.

Namche Bazaar with mount Kongde Ri in the background

Only experiencing a significant descent at Phunke Tenga, trekkers ascend to Kenjoma and finally reach Namche Bazaar following a flat steady terrain.

Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (8 to 9 hours, 20 Km)

Namche Bazaar to Lukla marks the official conclusion of the Everest Base Camp trek.

Offering trekkers another opportunity to revisit familiar paths, this trek too retraces the trail taken at ascension.

Beginning from the descent to the Hillary Bridge, trekkers follow a fluctuating but steady trail through Jorsale, Monjo, Phakding and Chheplung.

Upon reaching Chheplung trekkers make a gentle ascent for a few meters to arrive at Lukla, the very destination where the trek concludes.

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Trekking in Nepal

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Everest Panorama Trek – 9 Days
EBC Trek with Helicopter Return – 12 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek – 14 Days
Gokyo Lake Trek – 13 Days
Gokyo and Renjo La Pass Trek – 14 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek without Lukla Flight – 17 Days
Gokyo to Everest Base Camp Trek – 17 Days
Everest Base Camp with Island Peak – 19 Days
Everest Three Passes Trek – 20 Days
Everest High Passes and Island Peak – 23 Days
Classical Everest Base Camp Trek – 21 Days
Langtang Valley Trek – 10 Days
Langtang Valley Ganja La Pass Trek – 14 Days
Langtang Helambu Trek – 17 Days
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek – 9 Days
Mardi Himal Trek – 10 Days
Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 13 Days
Himalayan Highlights – 13 Days
Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit – 18 Days
Annapurna Circuit Trek – 19 Days
Tilicho Lake Trek With Thorong La Pass – 19 Days
Khopra Danda Trek – 11 Days
Shivapuri-Chisapani Trek – 4 Days
Upper Mustang Trek (Drive & Trek) – 16 Days
Tsum Valley Trek – 16 Days
Manaslu Circuit Trek – 15 Days
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek – 21 Days
Upper Dolpo Trek – 25 Days
Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek – 29 Days
Yala Peak Climbing – 13 Days
Island Peak Climbing – 15 Days
Mera Peak Climbing – 19 Days
Everest Base Camp and Lobuche East – 18 Days
Tent Peak Climbing with Annapurna Base Camp – 18 Days
Pisang Peak and Thorung La Pass – 21 Days
Ama Dablam Expedition – 29 Days
Kathmandu Cultural Heritage Tour – 3 Days
Kathmandu Heritage – 3 Days
Inheritances of Kathmandu – 4 Days
Glimpses of Kathmandu & Nagarkot – 5 Days
Kathmandu and Pokhara Unveiled – 5 Days
Explore Kathmandu – 6 Days
Glimpse of Nepal – 8 Days
Nepal Heritage Tour – 10 Days
Nepal Adventure Tour – 11 Days
Nepal Multi Sports Adventure – 11 Days
Nepal Vista – 10 Days
Nepal Highlights – 14 Days
Experience Nepal – 15 Days
One Day Biking Trip – Kathmandu – 1 Day
Annapurna Circuit Biking – 14 Days
Upper Mustang Biking – 16 Days
Kathmandu Valley Rim Biking – 8 Days
Annapurna in Luxury – 9 Days
VVIP Everest Base Camp Trek – 10 Days
Everest View Luxury Trek – 11 Days
Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek – 14 Days
Everest Base Camp Deluxe Trek – 16 Days
Mt Everest Base Camp to Gokyo Trek – 19 Days
Kathmandu Luxury Tour – 3 Days
Kathmandu and Pokhara Luxury Tour – 5 Days
Nepal Multi Sport Luxury Adventure – 11 Days
Best of Nepal – 14 Days
Trishuli River Rafting – 1 Day
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour – 1 Day
Everest Base Camp Heli Tour with Gokyo Extension – 1 Day
Langtang Heli Sightseeing – 1 Day
Pokhara and Annapurna Heli Sightseeing – 1 Day
Paragliding in Nepal (Pokhara) – 1 Day
Scenic Mountain Flight (Everest Flight) – 1 Day
Ultra Light Flight – 1 Day
Jamacho Day Hike-One day hiking trip – 1 Day
Kathmandu Uncovered with Nagarkot – 1 Day
Day Tour to UNESCO Heritage Sites – 1 Day
Nepal and Tibet – 15 Days
Nepal and Bhutan – 15 Days
India, Nepal and Bhutan – 19 Days
Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan – 20 Days
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Trekking in Bhutan

Festival tours, motorcycling.

Druk Path Trek – 8 Days
Chomalhari Trek – 12 Days
Laya Ghasa Trek – 18 Days
Bhutan Vistas Tour – 5 Days
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Bhutan Multi Sports Tour – 11 Days
Paro Tshechu Festival – 8 Days
Punakha Tsechu – 9 Days
Trongsa Lhuntse Tshechu – 9 Days
Bumthang Tangbi – 11 Days
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Tamshingphala Choepa – 12 Days
Mongar and Trashigang – 16 Days
Bhutan Biking – 8 Days
Bhutan Motorcycle Tour – 12 Days

Trekking in Tibet

Tibet Advance Everest Base Camp – 21 Days
Cho Oyu Expedition – 45 Days
Shishapangma Expedition – 47 Days
Everest Expedition via North Side – 63 Days
Kathmandu and Lhasa Tour – 7 Days
Tibet Heritage Tour – 8 Days
Overland Tour to Everest Base Camp – 10 Days
Mount Kailash Mansarovar Lake Tour – 15 Days
Everest Base Camp Biking Tour – 21 Days

Everest Base Camp Trek – Ultimate Guide For 2024

Written By: The Planet D

Adventure Travel , Nepal

Updated On: January 5, 2024

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is different than other treks around the world. Nowhere else on earth will you experience trekking as you do in Nepal and nowhere quite compares to the majesty of the Himalayas. Villages dot the landscape filled with restaurants, markets, bazaars, and tea houses (mini-hotels) where you can stop for lunch, buy supplies, and have a piece of apple pie while surrounded by the highest mountains in the world.

Every hundred meters or so there is a hotel, restaurant, or cluster of buildings making up a small village. The villages are stunning reminding us of something out of the Swiss Alps on steroids. Well-built lodges and brick homes line the trail with the magnificent setting of the Himalayas draped in the back.

about dave and deb at everest base camp trek

Table of Contents

Trekking to Everest Base Camp

What is it like trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal? The EBC Trek is life-changing, it’s exhilarating, and it is challenging. We share everything you need to know from planning your trek to Everest to packing for your trip. This guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek breaks down each day. So sit back and take a journey with us through Nepal’s legendary Sagarmatha National Park.

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

On the map, the Everest Base Camp trekking route distances look fairly easy to hike from village to village through the Khumbu Valley. Eight days may seem like it would be more than enough time to cover a mere 63 km (39 miles) one way, (128 km return) but with several sustained days in a row above 4000 meters (13,000 feet), the walk is slow and steady.

It is important not to push too fast to avoid altitude sickness which is a very real possibility. When trekking to Everest base camp, expect to hike anywhere from 7 – 17 km (4.5 – 10 miles) per day with the entire trek taking 12 – 14 days.

Hiring a Guide for the EBC Trek – Mandatory

In April 1, 2023, Nepal has banned solo trekking. Foreigners must hire a guide for treks in high-altitude trekking regions of national parks. According to the Kathmandu Post in March “ solo or independent trekkers have to mandatorily hire a guide or a porter before setting off to Nepal’s mountains.” However, after an updated article in the Kathmandu Post, it seems that the Everest Region is an exception. Before booking, we would check with local companies and authorities as rules are constantly changing.

Book Locally

Many people book ahead of time with a tour company located outside of Nepal such as Intrepid Travel or GAdventures, but we hired locally and it saved a lot of money.

Plus, you know your money is going directly to the local economy and you have a more intimate experience by trekking with a local guide. We spent a couple of days in Kathmandu looking for a guide to Everest and found Simrik Real Nepa l owned by Kathmandu resident Dipendra Simkhada.

Dipendra planned the entire trip for us, and all we had to do was wait for him to pick us up at our guesthouse in Kathmandu to take us to the airport to board our Tara Air flight to Lukla Airport. Book your Trek to Everest Base Camp with Simrik Real Nepal – A Locally owned and operated tour company, Simrik is located in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu – The Hub of Nepal Treks

everest base camp trek flight from kathmandu

We spent a few days in Kathmandu picking up supplies and doing some sightseeing before trekking to Everest. We suggest not spending too long here as it can be very polluted in Kathmandu and by the time we were ready to trek, I was already quite congested.

Our recommendation is when you arrive in Kathmandu, only spend two to three days to get yourself organized and instead do your sightseeing at the end of your trek. Read more: Top Places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 1: Fly from Lukla Trek to Pakhding

Flights to Lukla no longer leave from Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu Airport) in Kathmandu due to congestion. Flights are now out of Ramechap airport which is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Kathmandu. You can book private helicopters from Tribhuvan International Airport.

The flight from Ramechap airport is much shorter than the flight from Tribhuvan International Airport. Flights to Lukla are only 12 minutes so more flights can get through when the weather is clear making flights less likely to be canceled or delayed for too long.

The flight to Lukla is a scary flight and is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. We flew from Kathmandu but flights now are much shorter from Ramechap. I think I would like it better as we sat at the front of the plane and saw the pilot’s instruments constantly flash “ obstacle ahead. ” It looked as if we were about to crash into a mountain at any time. Read all about our flight to Lukla and watch the video here

Watch Us Fly to Lukla Airport

everest base camp trek flight to lukla airport

The Lukla airstrip at Lukla Airpot is a short landing strip at only 525 meters (1,729 feet long.) Built on the side of a mountain it is also a very steep grade that is needed to slow the planes down quickly. Needless to say, we held our breath during the landing.

We survived that flight, but it was the flight back to Kathmandu I was nervous about. Taking off on that short of a runway was a hair-raising experience. One false move and we’d drop thousands of feet into the valley below. Lukla Airport is actually called Tenzing Hillary Airport named after the first two men to summit Mount Everest.

Hiking from Lukla to Pakding

Everest Base Camp Trek Hiking to Pakding

The trek begins officially in Lukla. Lukla is a busy town with plenty of accommodation, shops, and eateries. If you forgot anything for your EBC trek, you can pick up supplies in a pinch. But we suggest purchasing all your gear in Kathmandu. It is much cheaper.

From Lukla, we immediately started our Everest Base Camp hike. After a quick snack and a cup of tea in Lukla, we set off on an easy three-hour trek along trekking trails that were easy to follow weaving through villages, crossing rivers, and stumbling over stony paths.

Entering Sagarmatha National Park

Everest Base Camp Trek Sagarmatha National Park

A permit is needed to hike to Everest Base Camp as it is located in Sagarmatha National Park. We checked in with the national park headquarters and Dipendra took care of everything. He had all our paperwork in order so all we had to do was start walking through the beautiful Khumbu Valley to make our way to Everest base camp.

Sagarmatha National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1976. At 1148 square km (443 square miles) in area, it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited.

We felt giddy stepping through the welcome gates located just outside of Lukla. This was it, we were following in the footsteps of the great adventurers of our time. It was awe-inspiring to hike through the Khumbu region surrounded by the Himalayas.

As we hiked out of Lukla, Dipendra pointed out the surrounding jagged white peaks named Kwangde, Mumbu, and Kishumkongara. At 6000+ meters, (19,000+ feet) these are the “little guys” of the world’s highest mountain range. It wouldn’t be long until we were among the famous 8000-meter (26,000 feet) peaks.

Our first day was filled with a relaxing walk while learning about the Khumbu region. It was quite early in the day, so we had plenty of time to take our time to learn about the customs of climbing and learn the names of the mountains found in this beautiful region of Nepal.

For the rest of the day, we followed the Dudh Koshi River Valley at a steady but leisurely pace to the village of Pakding. Temperatures were warm and the first day of trekking was comfortable. Lukla to Pakding actually has an elevation loss, so it is a good introduction to hiking through the region as we had a lot of downhill trekking.

After about 5 hours, we came to our first night on the trek where we spent the night in a comfortable teahouse in the village of Phakding.

Our First Night on the EBC Trek

The accommodation in Pakding was a quaint little hotel/teahouse that looked like a cottage. The wood-burning stove smelled delicious as it warmed the restaurant while they prepared our meals.

Our porter “Sher” carried all our supplies including the sleeping bags that we borrowed from our trekking company. We each rented a sleeping bag that was included in the price of our EBC trek. The beds were comfortable and Dave and I had private rooms. Some tours use dorm rooms but we had private rooms. Toilets were shared, but everything was clean and comfortable. The rooms were clean and we slept like rocks snuggled up in our thick down sleeping bags.

Heated Lodges – Teahouses on the EBC Trek

During the EBC Trek, you don’t stay in tents. You stay in charming teahouses with cozy beds, wood-burning stoves, and fully stocked restaurants that serve dinner.

The teahouses are a welcoming sight after a long day of trekking helping to make the trek to Everest one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. If you are planning to trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, read on for all the information you’ll need to help you prepare.

The main lodges of each teahouse we stayed in during the first half of our EBC trek were cozy and warm. At the lower elevations, woodstoves burned wood in the dining room and common areas and our rooms were a comfortable temperature with heating as we were wrapped up in our sleeping bags. We ate hearty meals of pasta and meat and enjoyed a relaxing night soaking in the amazing day we just had on the mountain.

From Lukla – Elevation 2869 meters (9,350 feet)
To Pakding – Elevation 2610 meters ( 8563 Feet)
Length – 7.7 km (4.78 miles)
Elevation loss – 79 meters (259 feet)
Duration – 3 Hours

Day 2 – Pakding to Namche Bazaar

On day two, we checked in at another gate of the Mt. Everest park headquarters to show our documentation. We had to show our passports and give them extra passport photos to go into the log. (So make sure you have extra passport photos with you) Once we signed in, we were officially in the Khumbu region and officially on our way trekking to Everest Base Camp.

We covered a lot of terrain on day two making it the longest day of the Everest Base Camp trek. The trail up the mountains was steep and challenging but it was a memorable day.

Day two of the EBC trek was a hike of almost 10km (6.2 miles) with an elevation gain of 800 meters (2624 feet). But throughout the hike, there was a lot of elevation loss mixed in so it felt like a lot more.

We would lose elevation as we descended into the valley only to have to climb back up again to a higher elevation. Today was a lot of fun though because we crossed several suspension bridges over Dudh Kosi River Valley.

Suspension Bridges on the way to Everest

everest base camp trek suspension bridges

If you have a fear of heights, crossing suspension bridges may not be your favorite moment, but the suspension bridges while trekking to Everest Base Camp are well constructed, made of steel, and in excellent condition.

I was nervous about the suspension bridges. The Lonely Planet Guide said, “ Grit your teeth and climb onto a drooping suspension bridge floating at a dizzying height .” That sentence freaked me out.

Everest Base Camp Trek Day 2 Suspension Bridges

I had built the suspension bridges of the EBC trek in my head as something monstrous. But by the time we reached the first bridge, I wondered what all the fuss was about. Once I crossed my first bridge, my confidence was up and I was ready for anything the Everest trek was ready to throw at me.

Donkey Trains

Today we also started to see a lot of donkeys, cows, and goats taking supplies to the villages. Traffic can get very heavy on the Everest Base Camp hike. When animal trains go by, make sure to get out of their way and stay to the side.

They are loaded down with heavy gear and they have a mission to keep on walking until they are done. They can easily nudge you right off the side of a cliff as no matter what is in their way, they just keep walking.

The trail is a highway, but instead of transport trucks or trains carrying cargo, people and farm animals carry everything from lumber and building supplies to food and kitchen appliances.

Safety Tips on the Everest Base Camp Trek for yaks and donkeys

Important Tip: When a yak, donkey, or cow train passes you during the EBC trek, be sure to stand on the mountainside of the trail so they can’t push you over the edge !
It is better to be squished into a mountainside than to go tumbling over the edge!

Final Stretch to Namche Bazaar

Right after crossing the last bridge, the hardest part of day two of trekking to Everest base camp started The last push of the day consisted of 2-hours straight uphill to Namche Bazar.

We were drenched with sweat but the air was cool. Whenever we stopped for a break, we would get a chill so we just kept on chugging away.

Large tour groups passed us quickly, only to be caught a few minutes later as they rested. We realize that we were the tortoise and they were the hare! Slow and steady is the way to climb at high altitudes and in the end, we made it to Namche Bazaar with plenty of time to spare in the day.

Arrival to Namche Bazaar

We checked into the security post and cringed when we found out that our lodge was an uphill walk for another 20 minutes. Rest had to wait a bit longer.

When we arrived at our accommodation, we were thrilled to see our porter Sher’s smiling face. He had already checked us in and put our bag in our room. We immediately went for a nap and then did a little walking around town in the evening to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat before turning in for an early night.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants at Namche Bazaar, this town is bustling and we spent two nights of our EBC Trek here which was awesome.

Pakding – Elevation 2610 meters ( 8563 Feet) Namche Bazaar – 3440 meters (11,286 feet) Elevation Gain – 830 meters (2723 feet) Distance – 10km (6.2 Miles) Duration – 6 hours

Day 3 – Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar

We had two glorious days at Namche Bazaar. Dipendra chose great accommodation for us throughout our EBC trek and we had a good rest in this splendid teahouse where we enjoyed delicious pasta, meats, and of course dhal baht. We spent the morning enjoying coffee and doing a bit of shopping.

What to do in Namche Bazaar

Everest Base Camp Trek Day 3 Shopping Namche Bazar

We explored Namche Bazaar and checked out its many shops. The streets are packed with shopping stalls and markets. We searched for gear that we missed getting in Kathmandu and got some great deals. We were surprised the prices weren’t inflated at Namche Bazaar.

We bought some down booties to keep our feet warm at night, a couple of sherpa hats, and a warmer set of gloves. The Everest Bakery was a highlight with delicious apple pie, fresh coffee, and WiFi. We had two pieces each!

Everest Base Camp Trek Namche Bazar Gifts

But we took it very easy, making sure to stay hydrated and to eat enough food to stave off altitude sickness. Namche Bazaar is located at a high altitude of 3440 meters (11,286 feet). We already saw a woman suffering from altitude sickness. She was having her blood pressure taken and heart rate monitored and when she got up, she was staggering as she leaned on her guide.

Her Everest base camp trek had already come to an abrupt end. It reminded us to relax because the days ahead were going to be tough. So we went back to our teahouse to relax and prepare for the rest of our journey

The Acclimatization Hike for EBC Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek Acclimatization Hike Day 3

Most high-altitude treks have at least one acclimation day . The Everest Base Camp trek is no exception. An acclimatization day consists of hiking to a higher altitude and then coming back down to sleep at a lower elevation. It gives your body a chance to adjust to the altitude but you don’t stay for long.

As you will be constantly gaining altitude on the Everest Trek, it is good to have at least one day to climb higher and sleep lower to help prevent altitude sickness.

Our acclimation hike took us to the Everest View Hotel. With an elevation gain of only 400 meters, it wasn’t too much higher than our hotel in Namche Bazaar, but it is enough to help acclimate to the high altitudes. Everest View Hotel offers amazing views of Mount Everest (hence the name). Plus it holds the Guinness book of world records as the highest hotel in the world.

It is not an easy day off though. Just walking through town takes your breath away. As we made our way up the steps, I wondered if I should have just stayed in bed and skipped the viewpoint to relax. When we started the climb I was breathing heavily just walking up a few flights of steps. We hadn’t even left Namche Bazaar and I was pooped!

Once we got on the trail, things became easier. The steep grade gave way to a sloping trail and I started to feel better. After one and a half hours of climbing, we reached what has to be the world’s highest airstrip at 3700 meters (12,139 feet). We arrive just in time to see a small plane take off.

First Views of Mt. Everest

It was here that we got to see our first breathtaking views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding mountains. We hiked a bit farther and there it was, standing quietly behind the other highest peaks of the earth.

Lhotse, Changri, Ama Dablam, and Nuptse surround the mighty Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. At 8414m (27,604 feet), 6027m (19,773 feet), and 7861m (25,790 feet) they are the little sisters of this sacred mountain. Mount Everest stands at 8848 meters (27,716 feet).

The deep Khumbu valley views were magnificent. The river wove far below, carving through the panorama of the white mountain tops. We walked a narrow trail snaking along the side of a steep mountain and suddenly realize “this trek has become real.” We were high in the Himalayas and one false move could mean catastrophe falling into the abyss below.

The sky was a deep blue and the white summits reached toward the billowing clouds. The view was so awe-inspiring it brought me to tears. Everything was so crisp and clear. During the EBC trek, you feel as if you could reach out and touch heaven.

The clouds rolled in quickly so it was time to go. The weather conditions change quickly on the Everest base camp hike, so it is good to have the experience of a guide leading us through all terrain and conditions. We went back to Namche Bazaar to relax and gain strength for the rest of the trek.

Namche Bazaar – Elevation – 3440 meters. (11246 feet) Everest View Hotel – 3880 meters (12,730 ft.) Elevation – Bounce of 440 meters (1443 feet) Duration – 3 hours return Elevation Gain – 0 km

Day 4 – Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

everest base camp trek namche bazaar to tenboche

We awoke earlier than usual on Day 4. Two large group treks (Intrepid Travel and G Adventures) had checked into our lodge and we didn’t want to have to compete for service or breakfast. We also didn’t want to have to wait in line for the bathroom.

Lodges become more and more sparse as you go higher on the Everest Base Camp Trek and fewer toilets are shared between more people. Up until now, we hadn’t encountered crowds of people. It had been pretty quiet on the mountain and we liked it that way.

Luckily, we were a day ahead of the other tours. They had to stay in Namche Bazaar for another day to acclimate to the high altitudes, So we moved on to enjoy our EBC Trek free from crowds of people – for now.

Tenzing Norgay Memorial Stupa

During day 4 of the EBC trek, we hiked along trails clinging to the side of the mountain. The narrow trekking trails along this route were a little scary. They wound along the edge of the cliff with nothing but a sheer drop to the abyss into the Khumbu Valley. But we kept our wits about us putting one foot ahead of the other until we reached the Sherpa Monument.

Tenzing Norgay Sherpa monument was erected by the Norgay family. It is a stupa honoring Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and all the Sherpas that risked their lives to help climbers reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

All treks pass this monument and it is an important stop on the journey to pay respect to the famous Sherpa of the Everest region. In case you don’t know, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa was the first man to summit Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary.

What is a Sherpa?

Sherpas are the unsung heroes of Mt. Everest. They do all of the hard work and technical work on the mountain. They carry the heavy loads, set the ladders and ropes to cross the Hillary Step and Khumbu Icefield for mountain climbers, and they take care of setting up camp while climbers and trekkers catch their breath and try to survive life on the world’s highest peak.

Difference Between a Sherpa and a Porter

everest base camp trek Sherpas with load

Sherpas and porters are very different from one another. We learned that a Sherpa is actually the name of an ethnic group from Tibet. The original mountaineers hired Sherpas as their guides in the Himalayas and the world has now adopted the name for porters in the Everest region. If you aren’t born into the Sherpa ethnic group, you cannot be called a Sherpa. Porters are porters and Sherpas are Sherpas.

We were told that some porters, especially commercial porters carry up to 60kg (150 pounds) of supplies and gear to businesses located along the EBC trek. That is a lot of weight and we were very surprised. When climbing Mount Kilimanjaro , porters had a mandatory weight limit of 35kg. (77 pounds).

Dipendra told us that they get paid per kilo so some people push it too far. The Nepalese are a strong bunch but this is a lot to carry at such a high altitude no matter what shape you are in.

We kept our pack as light as possible at around 22kg (48 pounds) for Sher and we even felt bad about that! We have heard there is a 30kg (66lb) limit for Everest, but judging by what we saw other porters carrying on the Everest Base Camp hike, people were pushing it well beyond that.

We saw men carrying stacks of plywood with heavy white sacks loaded on top. We saw men carrying propane tanks, doors, and huge packs. What could people possibly need on the EBC Trek that they packed their packs so full? Read more: Packing List for Everest Base Camp Trek

Approaching Tengboche

Everest Base Camp Trek Day 4 Approaching Tegboche

The final push of our EBC Trek day 4 was to Tengboche Monastery. It was a tough yet steady 2-hour steep climb. We are now gaining altitude climbing above the tree line. We put our heads down and huffed and puffed our way up. We didn’t stop for any photos or videos and were surprised to cut the climb down to just one and a half hours.

We reached the prayer wheels of Tengboche Monastery just in time for light snow to start falling. We made it into our camp at Tengboche by 1:30 pm and had the entire afternoon to ourselves at 3900 meters (12795 feet). This is an excellent place on the Everest Base Camp hike to have some extra time to relax as there are a few special things to see and do.

Tengboche Monastery

We warmed our feet with our new down booties that we bought at Namche Bazaar and changed into some dryer clothes before heading off to see the monks chant at Tengboche Monastery. Our guide Dipendra told us that this is the most important monastery in the region. All climbers summiting the mountains stop at this monastery to be blessed by the monks.

We were allowed to watch the ceremony and to take in the warmth and blessings from the monks. It is a sacred place and all climbers and trekkers stop here before continuing up the mountains.

Everest Base Camp Trek footprints of Lama Pagna Dorje

The footprints of Lama Pagna Dorje from the 16th century are embedded in solid stone in front of the monastery. A place where he mediated and raced through the Himalayas riding the wind with his mind.

Apparently, he sat on this stone for so long, his feet left their mark. He spent years traveling the world through the power of his mind and we believe the story. Especially after our yoga experience in Goa India. He predicted that a monastery would be built here and surprise surprise…here it is.

The View from Tengboche Monastery

The view is magnificent from Tengboche Monastery. The valley is wide and opens up to massive rolling hills giving way to the highest peaks on earth. Plus it has a clear view of Mt. Everest and the surrounding mountains.

We were told that Sir Edmund Hillary came back to survey the peak of Mount Everest from this spot because the view is so clear of the mountain and we can understand why.

Accommodation – Basic Tea Houses at Higher Altitude

Everest Base Camp Trek Accommodations high altitude

At this high elevation of the EBC trek, accommodation became very basic and rustic. We felt like true adventurers as we sat by the fire warming our feet and bonding with our fellow trekkers over our shared experience by candlelight.

There were 10 of us staying in this teahouse. All are sharing electricity to charge our camera batteries. Meals were now vegetarian and wood stoves were heated by yak dung. At this high altitude, meat cannot be transported fast enough to stay fresh and regular wood is scarce, so yak dung it is.

When we went to bed, our room was freezing. Rooms are not heated at higher elevations. We had our own room, but I sometimes wonder if sleeping in a dorm would have helped with more body heat. The temperature easily dipped down to -10 Celcius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and our plywood walls didn’t offer a lot of comforts.

We tossed and turned all night long trying to keep our noses warm in our sleeping bags wearing our down jackets, thick socks, and thermal mid-layers.

It was so cold the scoop bucket for the shared squat toilet froze over forming a patch of ice to form on the floor. It was a slippery trip to the outhouse. Sadly, we always have to pee a lot during the night when sleeping at high altitudes so we visited that toilet a lot.

Hot Tip: Pay for hots showers at lower elevations You won’t regret it! We realized that we should have paid the 250 Rupees for the hot showers offered at the accommodation in Namche Bazaar. Now that the weather was so cold there was no way we could face a bucket bath in a freezing shed. Dave and I set a new record in these mountains of Nepal, 9 days without a shower!

Namche Bazaar – Elevation – 3440 meters. (11246 feet) above sea level Tengboche – 3860 meters (12664 feet) Elevation Gain – 420 meters (1378 feet) Distance – 9.3 km (5.77 miles) Duration – 3 hours (without stopping) 5 hours for photos, lunch and rest.

Day 5 – Tengboche to Dingboche

Everest Base Camp Trek Leaving Tengboche

Day 5 of the EBC Trek was freezing! We had an early wake-up call and morning came too quickly on the Tengboche leg of the EBC Trek. But, we awoke to a winter wonderland of fresh snow at the Tengboche Monastery and clear views of Lhotse peak.

The snow from the night before made for more incredible views on the hiking trails. As we started out from the lodge, the sky was crisp and clear, showing Mount Everest in all its glory. It was stunning, and in between gasping for air, we admired the view.

Today we walked to higher altitudes and saw our first trains of wooly yaks. Yaks cannot survive at low altitudes because it is too warm for them, so you don’t see yaks on the Everest Base Camp hike until at least 3000 meters. (9800 feet) They are beautiful.

Yaks on the Trek to Everest Base Camp

Woolly yak trains were more frequent and by day five of the EBC Trek, we had our system perfected to give them the right of way without letting them nudge us off the mountain.

As we said earlier, it is important to give yaks space. They will run you right off the mountain if you are in their way. Be sure to stand on the mountainside as they pass so you don’t get knocked over the edge. The yaks of the Everest Base Camp trek, have only one thing on their mind. To get to their destination.

On this day, signs of expeditions going up to summit Everest started to go by as large groups of yaks carried giant loads of climbing gear. It is exciting to think that we were walking the same route as so many great mountain climbers, like Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.

The Trek from Tengboche is breathtaking

I conquered what little fear of heights I had left this day. Some of the narrow paths on the route dropped sharply into the deep valley below. Soon we found ourselves walking along the ledge not thinking at all about the dangers below. We hiked for a couple of hours before stopping for tea at a restaurant in Pangboche.

There are shops, teahouses, and restaurants along the route so we could buy lunch along the way and one of the more popular stops is in the village of Pangboche. After a tea stop in Pangboche, we met a sweet lady that walked with us all the way to the village of Dingboche. Her name was Yangshou and she waited for us as we struggled up hills and crossed the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River.

Her cute laugh and quiet prayers helped to pass the time. She stopped to talk to everyone on the trail while we plugged along. She’d fall far behind when she chatted with friends, only to quickly catch us and then scoot by us with ease. She must have enjoyed our company because we really slowed her down. “ Yangzhou, we will always remember your smiling face!

Everest Base Camp Trek Pengboche to Dingboche

We spent the night in the village of Dingboche and wished that we had another night here. It is from here that you will see beautiful views of Island Peak and Lhotse, but it is also a good spot for another acclimatization day.

Tengboche – 3860 meters (12664 feet) above sea level Dingboche – Elevation – 4410 meters. (14468 feet) Elevation Gain – 550 meters (1804 feet) Distance – 10.8 km (6.71 miles) Duration – 3 hours (without stopping) 5 hours for photos, lunch, and rest.

Day 6 – Second Acclimatization Day at Dingboche

everest base camp trek acclimatization day Dingboche

This is a day that most people spend acclimating to the high altitude. We did not do this day, but you should! So we are including it in the guide because it is a very important day when trekking to Everest Base Camp. If we were smarter, we would have spent 2 nights in the village of Dingboche where we would spend a day hiking up to Nagurjun Hill.

This is the best place for climbers looking to summit Everest, Ama Dablam (6812m), Lobuche peak (6,119 m), or Island Peak to do their acclimatization day. Dingboche is a small village in the Khumbu region with only a few guest houses, so it is a good time to relax, replenish and rejuvenate for the next push.

If we had brought our Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas (which we forgot in Kathmandu and kicked ourselves about it every day) we would have realized that we should have taken an extra day to acclimate in Dingboche.

everest base camp trek acclimatization walk

Dipendra was flexible so he would have easily added another day onto our trek, we just didn’t know any better to ask about it. Lucky for us, we felt strong, but other groups were complaining of headaches and dizziness.

In the end, we wish we spent the extra day here. Some people even spend two days here climbing to the surrounding peaks. We did suffer after reaching base camp and I believe that is because we didn’t spend time acclimatizing here.

Had we stayed, we would have done some light hikes to gain altitude and then come back down to rest at a lower elevation. Many people who are set to climb Island Peak or Kala Patthar stay here for a few days to get some practice climbs in.

Dingboche – Elevation – 4410 meters. (14468 feet) above sea level Nangkartshang Peak – Altitude – 5050 meters (16568 feet) Climb – 640 meters (2099 feet) Distance – 10.8 km (6.71 miles) Duration – 4 hours Elevation Gain – 0

Day 7 – Dingboche to Lobuche

Everest Base Camp Trek Dingboche to Lobuche

We walked with fellow trekkers we met at our guesthouse Martin and Richard from Slovakia during the morning hours. They carried their own packs and after watching them struggle, we were happy we hired a porter. (note: As of April 2023, you can no longer trek independently in Nepal) They were really starting to feel the altitude and we eventually left them behind.

We enjoyed our day taking photos of the stunning clear views of the Everest region. It may be a little colder trekking in Nepal at this time of year (Early March), but the skies are clear and blue. When we came across a small cluster of houses, we felt like we had entered the Kingdom of Middle Earth. Little Hobbit houses lined a valley with giant peaks looming overhead.

We had a front-row seat to some of the most breathtaking views on earth. An entire panorama of the mountains standing proudly overhead, reaching up to the deepest blue sky that I have ever witnessed. The scene took our breath away. The mountains looked more imposing with each corner we turned and we could not believe that we were fulfilling our dream of hiking to Everest.

Everest Base Camp Trek Views from Dingboche

We had to knock on the door to see if Bilbo Baggins happened to be in. Sadly, he wasn’t home. I ended up singing Leonard Nimoy’s Ballad of Bilbo Baggin s for the rest of the day. A bad idea since I only know a few words.

Weather Conditions

The wind picked up and we put on our outer layers for the first time. We were thankful to have them as we staggered through the high gusts. Weather varies greatly in the Everest Region and before you know it you can have inclement weather so be prepared with your layers. The sun can be shining one minute and then wind and clouds roll in the next.

After lunch, we faced quite the scramble up a steep hill littered with boulders. It looked like a tough climb, but we moved with ease and quickly made it to the top. Where we found our strength, I do not know.

Sherpa Monuments

At the top of the hill is a very moving sight. Several monuments and stupas are erected, honoring Sherpas and climbers that have lost their lives on Everest. The most notable of these is Babu Chiri Sherpa .

Babu Chiri Sherpa was the former world record holder of the fastest ascent of Everest, the most number of ascents up the mountain, and the quickest back-to-back summits of 2 in less than 2 weeks. He tragically lost his life on his 11th attempt when he fell into a crevasse.

It was a moving experience and a strong reminder to not take things lightly on Everest, even if you are only trekking to Everest Base Camp. It is still a serious trek.

Dingboche – Elevation – 4410 meters. (14468 feet) above sea level Lobuche – Altitude – 4940 meters (16207 feet) Elevation Gain – 530 meters (1738 feet) Distance – 17.6 km (10.9 miles) Duration – 4 to 5 hours

Day 8 – Morning – Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Everest Base Camp Trek Lobuche to Gorek Shep

Day 8 on the Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to 5000 meters (16404 feet). How did we feel at 5000 meters? Terrible. Before entering Nepal, I had been suffering for a few weeks in India. The pollution of Kathmandu didn’t help and my congestion was worse when I started the climb. I thought it would clear up in the fresh air, but it intensified with each increase in altitude.

Every morning my cough got worse and my nose was stuffed up to the point of being unbearable. Today, I felt the effects of the congestion and couldn’t catch my breath. It didn’t help that we had gone into such a high altitude. The air is thin and cold.

Dave suffered his first symptoms of altitude sickness when reaching 5000 meters as well. He had a slight case of diarrhea and wasn’t happy about having to wait for the toilet in the teahouses. I think many people were suffering from the same symptoms.

Our was a slow climb to Gorak Shep. We stopped regularly to catch our breath and today we took more breaks than usual. Luckily it was only a couple of hundred meters in elevation gain so we made it to our guest house in Gorek Shep by 12:30.

Lobuche – Altitude – 4940 meters (16207 feet) above sea level Gorak Shep – 5164 meters (16942 feet) above sea level Elevation Gain – 224 meters (734 feet) Distance – 4.3 (2.6 miles) Duration – 4 Hours

Day 8 – Afternoon: Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp

everest base camp trek this way to everest sign

We took a break at Gorek Shep before making out way to Everest Base Camp. We sat in the sun marveling at the fact that we made it this far. After eating a hearty lunch of vegetarian Sherpa stew (Dal Bhat) on the terrace, (yes, we ate outside in the warm sun above 5100 meters) we set out for Everest Base Camp. The sun was shining brightly and it was quite pleasant outside so we were very excited.

We were lucky and had clear skies. Up until today, the clouds had rolled in by early afternoon every day. Today the sun shone and the skies were blue until sunset. So, it was our perfect morning to make the push.

The trek to Base Camp from Gorak Shep is an easy one. It’s two hours of walking with only a small elevation gain, and we made it with ease. That break for lunch really helped our spirits.

Reaching Everest Base Camp

People can summit Mount Everest from Tibet, but the main Everest Base Camp expedition route is in Nepal, and it is busy when the season is in full swing. Even those climbing to the peak of Mt Everest hike the route we took along the Everest Base Camp trek.

We arrived just a week or two before the season, so it was still quiet on the mountain. In fact, we were the only people at Base Camp that afternoon. We saw another group coming down on our way up, but once there we had it all to ourselves. It was thrilling.

To reach Everest base camp, you will hike out from nearby Gorak Shep and then hike back the same day to spend the night in the village. You do not spend the night at base camp.

Khumbu Glacier

The Khumbu Glacier is the first thing to come into view, and it is unbelievable to think that we are actually standing there. The Khumbu Glacier is the largest glacier in all of Nepal and is famous for the Khumbu Icefall. This treacherous sheet of ice is the most dangerous obstacle that climbers face when summiting Everest.

We witnessed an avalanche that reminded us just how precarious the climb to Mount Everest is. It is an intimidating sight and I cannot imagine having the courage to cross that field of ice. Climbers walk across ladders that shift and move as the ice is alive and constantly settling. It has taken many lives, and we were happy to look at it from afar.

With an elevation of 7600 meters at its source, the Khumbu Glacier is the highest glacier in the world and the Khumbu Icefall is one of the most dangerous portions of the climb to the summit of the world’s highest peak. We were happy to look at it from afar.

Everest Base Camp Trek Khumbu Icefall view

Everest Base Camp’s elevation is 5,364m (17,598 feet) so you will feel the high altitude. But, if you have taken your time you should feel pretty good. We had been at this elevation now for a while and stayed hydrated, so we could enjoy the experience.

We stood at a rock covered with prayer flags announcing that yes, we had made it to Mount Everest Base Camp at 5364 meters. We stayed for almost an hour taking videos, celebrating, and snapping photos. If you can bear it, don’t rush the experience, take it in and enjoy every minute. This will be the only time you’ll see it.

Trekking to Everest may be more exciting later in the season when Everest expeditions are there, but we really liked having base camp to ourselves. There wasn’t a soul on the mountain except for the three of us. We stayed for almost an hour taking videos, celebrating, snapping photos, and marveling at the massive Khumbu Glacier. Can it really be true that we are here? It felt like a dream.

We finished our climb about two weeks before the high season began and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We stood at a rock covered with prayer flags announcing that yes, we had made it to Everest Base Camp.

When it’s high season, base camp is filled with expeditions and tents spanning the valley. We only saw one expedition so far. They may have been here to climb Island Peak as base camp is also a place to acclimate for that peak.

We started to make our way back to Gorak Shep from Everest Base Camp at about 3:30 pm. Even though it was an easy trek back, there are narrow paths atop high ledges and it just so happens that while we were walking back, an ice bridge broke off after I stepped on it leaving Dave with a sticky situation of having to take one giant leap over a gorge. We made it back to Gorak Shep safely but it was a reminder just how dangerous the Himalayas can be.

Back to Gorak Shep

By the time we made it back to Gorak Shep, the excitement of reaching Everest base camp had worn off. We had reached our final destination Base Camp, but there was still a lot more trekking to go.

We were happy to have seen it, but we were exhausted. We felt the same when we climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. The thrill of reaching your destination is over and there is nothing more to look forward to, but there are still so many days to go.

That night I had serious sinus congestion and felt like I was suffocating in my freezing bed. It was quite scary to already be short of breath because of the altitude and then be completely congested. I really was terrified. Our guide Dipendra brought me hot tea all night and I slathered myself in Vicks Vaporub but nothing helped me to breathe easier.

Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude Sickness

I was afraid as we had the Gokyo Lake trek ahead through the Cho La Pass. We were also planning to trek up to Kala Pattar for the best views of Everest in the morning. I hope I could make it but I was also dreading the day ahead. I barely slept a wink but I finally drifted into a not-so-peaceful slumber.

Gorak Shep – 5164 meters (16942 feet) above sea level Everest Base Camp Elevation – 5,364m (17,598 feet) above sea level Elevation Gain – 200 meters (656 feet) Distance – 3.5 km one way (2.1 miles) Duration – Three Hours Round Trip

Alternative Gokyo Lake Via Cho La Pass

The next morning after a terrible night, we gave up our plans of climbing Kala Patthar and then on to the Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass trek. Even though I wasn’t feeling dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded anymore, the sinus congestion was really getting to me. At altitude a cold can turn serious quickly, you just can’t take a chance when altitude is involved.

But, if we were going to trek on, this would be the next stop. It is supposed to be beautiful and if you are feeling up to it, we highly recommend it. This makes the trek much more interesting as you get to take a different way back to Lukla.

Cho La Pass: Altitude 5420 meters (17,782 feet) Gokyo Ri: 5357 Meters (17,575 feet) Gokyo Lakes: 4,700–5,000 m (15,400–16,400 ft)

Day 9 – The Descent and Kala Patthar

Kala Patthar is a hill above Gorak Shep that offers the best views of Everest and is a must-stop on anyone’s Everest Base Camp trekking route. We had planned to climb to the summit of Kala Patthar, but my congestion was so bad, that we decided it was safer to get to a lower elevation quickly.

Kala Patthar is a quick two-hour trek to add to your descent back to Lukla. It is a good option if you are feeling up for it as it gives a great view of Mt. Everest. Make sure to start early morning before dawn as there is still a long day of trekking after summiting Kala Pattar. Plan on another five or six hours to your next overnight stop at Pheriche.

Kala Patthar to Pheriche – Afternoon

By the time you reach your accommodation at Periche, you should be feeling a lot better. Dave and I find that we are fine in the 4000-meter ranges of altitude and experience very few symptoms of altitude sickness. It is at 5000 meters and above that, we start to feel our symptoms. Periche is a much more manageable 4371 meters.

Kala Pattar: 5643 metres Pheriche: 4371 Meters Altitude Loss : 1272

Days 10 to 11 – The Descent from Everest Base Camp

It took us two days more to trek back from Everest Base Camp to our final destination on the EBC Trek. I started feeling better on the second day as the dryness of the Everest base camp disappeared. My sinuses cleared and soon I was breathing easily. I started to feel guilty about turning around, but in hindsight, I know it was the right choice. You never want to take a chance with altitude sickness.

Even though we were heading down, there is still a lot of altitude gain as the EBC trek doesn’t continuously go downhill. I was feeling really fatigued and we still had a tough couple of days ahead of us. But knowing there was light at the end of the tunnel made everything easier.

It takes a lot of mental stamina to climb back down as the euphoria of reaching the Everest base camp has worn off, but we made the most of it, by chatting with other trekkers and getting to know our guides better.

During our decent we could actually take our time to smell the roses or should I say enjoy the trekking trail that ran through the stunning rhododendron forest.

Rhododendrons are beautiful flowering plants that bloom in different shades of pink, red, white, and purple. The rhododendron forest is particularly prominent in the areas of Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche which we really didn’t notice until we made our way down the mountains.

We followed the route we came up with, but it was much faster and we stayed in different villages. The beauty of booking organized trips with a local guide is that our guide Dipendra knew the routes like the back of his hand, so he could change accommodations easily to suit our speed.

Day 12 – Lukla

We were back in Lukla early on day 12 of our EBC Trek and had an evening booked in a guest house here to catch the first flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu in the morning. As much as we loved our trip to Everest, we were excited to be moving on to explore more of Nepal.

The accommodation was pleasant with a lovely restaurant, hot shower, and warm and cozy beds. It was a great way to end the trip.

Day 13 – Return To Kathmandu Flight from Lukla Airport

It is very important to give yourself an extra cushion when booking your return flight not only home from Kathmandu but from Lukla. We stayed overnight in Lukla on the final night of our trek and booked a flight to Kathmandu for first thing the next morning.

It is not uncommon for flights to be canceled or delayed flying out of Lukla Airport. Weather conditions change quickly. So give a bit of a cushion when booking your flight home from Nepal after you’ve finished your trek to Everest Base Camp. Many a traveler has missed their connecting flights home from Kathmandu because of delays in Lukla. It is safer to plan to spend a night or two in Kathmandu after your trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Day 11 Waiting for Flight

We were delayed an entire day. Even though we were booked on the first flight from Lukla, the weather made us wait until near sunset. We were the first (and only) flight out that day, so everyone else who was waiting for their flights all day was stuck another night.

It was a bumpy flight back to Kathmandu and we almost wished that we didn’t make it on the flight. The turbulence was so bad, I was sure we were going to drop out of the sky.

Everyone on the flight was silent as we were tossed about dropping huge amounts of elevation at a time. But we landed and we have never been so happy to arrive in Kathmandu. We kissed the ground, thankful to have trekked to Everest Base Camp, but vowed to never do it again.

Accommodation – Tea Houses on Everest Base Camp

The main lodges of each teahouse we stayed in during the first half of our trip were cozy and warm. At the lower elevations, woodstoves burned wood in the dining room and common areas and our rooms were a comfortable temperature as we were wrapped up in our sleeping bags.

But as we ventured higher, the stoves were less abundant and instead of wood, they burned yak dung. You heard me, Yak Dung. Wood can’t burn in thin air, so they use yak dung to heat the teahouses at high elevations. Rooms are not heated so when we went to our rooms, we had to wear hats, thick socks, puffy coats, and long johns.

There were charging stations at the accommodation for electronics and we paid by the hour for electricity.

We highly recommend taking a portable USB charger to charge your own electronics.
We also used a solar USB charger that recharged during the day as we hiked.

Meals on Everest Base Camp

Because we booked an all-inclusive Everest Base Camp trek with Simrik Real Nepal tour company, all meals and snacks were included with our accommodation. Each evening, hearty meals were served that included pasta, rice, or Dal Bhat. Dal Bhat is the staple food of Nepal consisting of lentils, vegetables, steamed rice, and curry.

For the first few days, meat was served at meals, but as you climb higher, meals turned to vegetarian as it is more difficult to get the meat up the mountains.

Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels – EBC Trek Etiquette

We saw many prayer wheels, prayer flags, and prayer rocks (mani stones) all along the trail to Everest. Everest is a sacred mountain and these monuments help give luck to the climbers on the mountain. There are customs to be followed when approaching prayer rocks or prayer wheels.

How to properly trek around prayer Wheels and Prayer Rocks

When approaching a prayer rock, it is important to walk to the left of the prayer rocks (mani stones) in a clockwise direction. The stone on the right means you are on the “right hand of God.”
When using prayer wheels, you walk along and spin them to ask for blessings for the climb ahead.
Sherpas and locals spin prayer wheels saying the mantra “ Om Mani Padme Hum” giving blessings to the climb ahead.
The prayer flags have prayers and mantras written on them which are believed to carry messages of positivity and to spread goodwill and compassion they are carried by the wind.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness is a very real possibility on the EBC Trek. On average 3-5 people die each year doing the trek to Everest base camp. Make sure to keep an eye out for signs of Acute Mountain Sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness is life-threatening and early symptoms include nausea, headache, and vomiting. It can lead to death. The Best way to alleviate symptoms is to go down to a lower elevation.

If you start to feel dizzy, have a pounding headache, or if you start to vomit go down to a lower altitude as quickly as possible. Take your time climbing, stay hydrated, and listen to your body.

Drink plenty of fluids, try to eat, and rest regularly. It is better to walk slowly and steadily rather than rushing at high altitudes. And when you get to your accommodations each day, relax as much as possible.

It can be dangerous trekking to Everest Base Camp from falling off the mountain to succumbing to altitude sickness. Some people have simply disappeared. Hiring a guide is a good option (and now the only option) for safety and it is very important to look for signals of altitude-related sickness.

But the Everest basecamp trek isn’t nearly as dangerous as climbing to the summit of Mt Everest. In 2019, 11 people died while trying to summit Mount Everest.

The village of Lukla is located at a high elevation so you will feel the effects of the thin air as soon as you land. The elevation of Lukla, Nepal is 2869 meters (9,350 feet). We were short of breath and already feeling fatigued upon landing. So instead of immediately starting our trek, we had a hot breakfast at one of the many restaurants in Lukla.

Travel Insurance for Everest Trek

We always travel with travel insurance on our travels, but hiking to Everest Base Camp will not be covered by regular insurance providers. It is highly recommended to get supplemental comprehensive travel insurance that offers trip cancellation insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.

Medjet is a good option for medical evacuation insurance and is a good addition to your regular travel insurance. There is a very real possibility of altitude sickness and we knew of two people that needed helicopter rescues during our trek.

World Nomads offers specific Everest Base Camp Insurance. You can check them out to get a quote. I would suggest a combination of World Nomads travel insurance and Medjet medical evacuation insurance. Regardless of what travel insurance you choose, be sure to call them directly to ask for specific advice about trekking to Everest Base Camp.

For a trip like Everest Base Camp, you will want to make sure to have trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance as well as lost luggage. This is a trip of a lifetime, so make sure you have a backup plan.

Can you Trek Independently to Everest Base Camp?

As of April 1, 2023, Nepal has banned solo trekking. Foreigners must hire a guide for treks in high-altitude trekking regions of national parks. According to the Kathmandu Post in March, “ solo or independent trekkers have to mandatorily hire a guide or a porter before setting off to Nepal’s mountains.” However, after an updated article in the Kathmandu Post, it seems that the Everest Region is an exception. Before booking, we would check with local companies and authorities as rules are constantly changing.

Regardless, we loved hiring a local guide to make oure experience richer, to support the local economy and to feel safer hi

Our all-inclusive Everest Base Camp Trek through the Simrik Real Nepal included return flights from Lukla, food, lodging, guiding, and all permits and paperwork.
We didn’t have to search for accommodation at the end of each day of trekking
We had English-speaking guides and a porter.
We had our own room, but you can also share rooms on the EBC Trek
We never worried about the cost of meals. They were all prepaid.
And our guide (Dipendra) and porter were part of the package for the trip.

Costs for Everest Base Camp Trek

Prices can vary greatly for trekking to Everest Base Camp. You can contact Simrik Real Nepal for up to date prices.

Booking with an international agency can cost from $1800 – $5000 USD
Booking with a local agency and be anywhere from $1400 – $2500

W hen is the Best time to Trek to Base Camp?

Best Time to do the Everest Base Camp trek

The high season for treks is April to May and October to November. We climbed in early March and felt that it was the perfect time of the year. The weather was beautiful, the skies were clear and the official climbing season hadn’t picked up yet. So we had a lot of the mountain to ourselves. We had heard stories of how busy the trail is, but at this time of year, it was quite deserted.

But a week and a half after our trek started as we made our way back to Lukla, it was already busier. We saw a lot of parties climbing up and the trail was getting congested. I can only imagine how packed the trails are during the high season.

What to Pack For Your Everest Base Camp Trek

What to pack for the Everest Base Camp Trek

Layering is extremely important when trekking to Everest Base Camp. This is a quick guide for clothing but we wrote a complete packing guide for base camp here .

Make sure to have a day pack to carry the important items and layers that you will need for your day of trekking for the entire trek. Your porter will carry everything else.

2 quick drying long sleeved base layer shirts
2 trekking shirts short sleeve
2 Thermal Base Layer – 2 leggings/2shirts
2 liner socks
3 pairs of woolen blend trekking socks
2 pairs of trekking pants with zip-off bottoms
2 fleece sweaters – one lightweight, one heavier
Outer windproof jacket and pants
2 water bottles to fill regularly
Steripen or Lifestraw – this is great for purifying water
Portable USB Charger
Basic First Aid Kit – A first aid kit is important to have but your guide, they will have one as well.
Warm sleeping bag. If you don’t have a sleeping bag rated to below zero, we recommend renting one from your guding company.

Treats and Medication

Tang – I was glad we packed Tang for our water. It made it taste better, keeping us well-hydrated. We didn’t really want to drink just water, but the Tang (which we bought in Kathmandu) was actually delicious. Gatorade or another electrolyte-replenishing drink is a great idea.
Diamox – (You can buy this in Kathmandu without a prescription) I highly recommend using Diamox tablets for altitude sickness as well. We met so many people suffering from headaches, dizziness, and fatigue and they weren’t taking anything. We’ve always used Diamox when climbing to altitude and it has worked beautifully for us.
Chocolate – When we were feeling ill, we were happy to have chocolate to eat. It was the only thing that we could eat at times.

How to Get Fresh Water on An Everest Trek

How to get water on the Everest Base Camp Trek

We recommend two refillable water bottles per person that can be refilled along the way. You can fill up anywhere for free along the Everest Base Camp route, but make sure you have a SteriPen or some other form of water purification with you. We love the SteriPen for purifying water, see our review here.

You can also use the LifeStraw or water purification tablets , but once we discovered the SteriPen , we never went back. See our complete Packing a Travel First Aid Kit here

Do You Need Climbing Experience for Everest Base Camp Trek?

Do you need climbing experience for the EBC Trek

There is no need for any technical climbing experience to make it to Everest Base Camp. If you are relatively fit, it is very doable. But it is a full two weeks at a sustained altitude of over 4000 meters.

We didn’t train for our Everest Base Camp Trek but we had been to altitude before and had spent a lot of time backpacking leading up to the months prior. It’s good to know how your body reacts to altitude. We suggested doing a couple of treks above 3000 meters (9000 feet) to see how your body reacts.

Hot Tips for Trekking to EBC

Keep your camera batteries close to your body when not in use. The cold and altitude really eat up battery life, so you will want to keep them warm for as long as you can.
Bring USD, ATM Fees are high and you are limited to the amounts you can take out of the ATM, so have ISD to exchange instead.
Pack handi wipes and Gold Bond Powder – it’s a lifesaver when you can’t get hot showers.
See our Full list of Everest Base Camp Tips here.

How to Get to Everest Base Camp

There are daily flights to Kathmandu International Airport from international hubs around the world.

Where to Book Your Everest Base Camp Trek

We booked our trek in Kathmandu with Local Guide Dipendra of Simrik Real Nepal. If you are looking for a local guide he is an excellent choice with nearly 20 years of experience in the mighty Himalayas.

Prices for the Everest base camp trek cost can vary depending on where you book. Group tours booked in North America will charge more. Ranging from $1500 – $5000 USD

You can save a lot of money by booking a local guide as you will cut out the middleman prices. Having a local guide let us know our money was going directly to the Nepal economy. Check with Simrik Real Nepal for current prices.

How Much to Tip Guides and Porters for an EBC Trek

Guides and porters in Nepal do not make a lot of money and rely on tipping. When we take tours of any kind, we (ourselves) tip 15% – 20% but that is a part of our culture in North America, we are quite large tippers and realize that others are not comfortable with that. We’ve done a lot of research and gone by what our tour companies have suggested on other tips, what we feel is a fair tip and what the average is across the internet.

For tipping in Nepal we have broken down the cost for a guide and porter.

Guide – Tipping – 10% – 15% of the total cost of the trip. We find this the easiest to figure out. If you paid $2000 for your trek, the lead guide should receive $200 – $300

Guide per day – Some suggest $10 – $15 per day per person for guides – For a 14 day trek that means you would tip your guide $140 – $210.

Porters per day – $5 – $10 per day per person for porters. – $70 – $140 for your porter.

We like to start at 15% of the total cost of our trips to give to the guides and then pay the porters a daily fee of $10.

If you can afford to trek to Everest Base Camp, you should be able to tip your guides and porters who have worked so hard accordingly.

Daily Life in the Everest Region of Nepal

While trekking to Everest we passed through many picturesque villages. The people are friendly and life goes on as it would in any community in Nepal. People do well in the Khumbu Region and they respect the tours passing through because the tourists are what keep them going.

There is electricity from the water that they harness from the Imja Khola River and Dudh Kosi River; two rivers that run through the trek. They also have solar power for electricity as well. There are schools, fresh running water, televisions, a health clinic, and bars.

That is not to say that life is all roses. It is a remote region of Nepal and it is difficult to get any supplies in. Food and equipment need to be carried into villages on foot. Porters carry heavy loads on their backs and women and children also do the heavy lifting. Everything needs to be carted in by hand or by animals. Check out our tips for climbing to Base Camp

How Long Does it Take to Trek to Everest Base Camp?

The Everest base camp trek takes 12 – 14 days to climb including two acclimatization days. Treks can be done in 11 days and it is not uncommon for trips to take 15 days to allow for more acclimatization.

How Difficult is it to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Trekking to Everest Base Camp requires good fitness. You spend several days at a sustained altitude of more than 4000 meters (16,404 feet). Altitude sickness is a genuine possibility, it is important to take your time, stay hydrated, and listen to your body.

Can you trek to Everest Base Camp on your own?

As of April 1, 2023 the government states that all high altititude treks require a guide, but then after some backlash, they made an exception for the Everest region. However, we highly recommend hiring guides and porters . You can trek the region yourself carrying your own packs and gear, but you have a much better chance of making to base camp (and enjoying the experience) if you hire guides.

How Long is the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The trek is 63km (39 miles) each way . 126 km (78 miles) round trip from Lukla. Expect to hike anywhere between 7 to 17 km per day.

And that is a day-by-day breakdown of our experience on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. If you plan ahead and understand what to expect on the EBC Trek, you will be sure to have an amazing journey.

It’s an experience we’ll never forget and highly recommend it to everyone. The Himalayan Mountains are the most beautiful and spiritual place on earth and this trip will change your life.

Read More about travel to Nepal and things to do in Kathmandu before your trek

Flight to Lukla
Packing list for Everest Base Camp
Remarkable Everest Base Camp Trek in Photos
30 Tips for Trekking to Everest Base Camp
Nepal Travel Guide
Top 6 Places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal
Where to Eat in Kathmandu – Eight Great Spots to Indulge After Your Trek
The Ultimate Travel Songs Playlist to Inspire Wanderlust

Dal Bhat photograph courtesy of Wikimedia – I don’t know why we never took a photo of our Dal Bhat. We ate it nearly every day while trekking to Everest Base Camp. You’ll either learn to love it or despise it.

Inca Trail – Machu Picchu Hiking Tips – How To Hike the Inca Trail
Complete Guide to Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – How Hard is It?
Top 13 Best Treks in Nepal to Help you Choose The Right Trek for you
Trolltunga Hike – Trekking to Norway’s Most Famous Landmark
The Complete Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO .

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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53 thoughts on “Everest Base Camp Trek – Ultimate Guide For 2024”

Beautiful article! You have shared a thrilling journey with us till the end. It will definitely be useful for us trekkers. Thanks for the great pictures, videos, and useful tips!

This is a fantastic and unique post! After reading it, I learned a lot about Basecamp that I didn’t know before. Excellent article! That is true adventure, and conquering Mount Everest is without a doubt the goal of all hikers around the world. Keep up the excellent work. Thank you for providing this information.

Wow, the content has got all the details about the trek. Thank you so much for sharing your Journey experience of Everest Base Camp Nepal.

Hi There, Great Article! That’s the real adventure and especially climbing Mount Everest is the dream for all hikers across the globe without any doubt. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, the content has got all the details about the trek. Thank You so much for writing such an efficient article on Everest Base Camp Trek.

That’s the real adventure and especially climbing Mount Everest is the dream for all hikers across the globe without any doubt.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce such an awesome post with amazing pictures. Loved reading all your posts, really good insights here into Everest Base Camp ! Looking forward to read more.

Nice article on trekking best of luck for your new journeys

Dear Dave and Deb Namaste It is really beautiful article regards of Everest base camp trek in Nepal. Your article provides a lot details of the EBC trek. I’m sure your blog helping lot to organize other trekkers.

Excellent article. Everest Base camp is in my bucket list but I haven’t attempted because I’m prone to sickness quickly. Reading this article has triggered the interest even more. Thank you so much for explaining in detail about EBC trek. I hope One day I too can share my experience 🙂

Hey, I love trekking, I went last month with my friends in Nepal after reading your blog the memory are refreshed Thank you for sharing

Namaste, Dave and Dave, Thank you so much for sharing your Journey experience of Everest Base Camp Nepal. And also glad to read that why not support the local economy by hiring a guide and porter… I salute to your positive view. Visit Nepal anytime.

It is very interesting to read this Everest base camp trekking. I love trekking and i am excited very to do this base camp trekking once. Thanks for sharing.

This popped up in my inbox I love the way you break down your travel itinerary this way. I’m one of those people that love to know every detail of a place before travelling there myself. Another place to add to the list, thanks to you guys! Beautiful photographs.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce a terrific blog of your trek to EBC. I really appreciate being able to experience what it is going to be like before I actually arrive.

Everest is the highest mountain. It is at the Zenith. Most of the people just a dream of it.Very useful information. Thanks for sharing with us.

Excellent article !! Thanks for sharing such a great informative post it really helpful and amazing so keep it up and all the best………….

this was just amazing… keep sharing

The post was very informative. If you love adventure and treks you should definitely visit Nepal, it’s gonna be a life time experience. This post will really help people who are planning their next trek to Everest base camp. If you are planning your next trek to Nepal, North Nepal Trek can help you to make your trek much easier and will give you unique experience.

All of your photos are just awesome. Information is perfect.

Such an awesome post with amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

This is really a very good blog post and thanks for sharing it with the community

It’s an informative post and I was thinking how you backpack for the weather? There are many things that somewhere can’t be cope at altitude like a sickness. I remember I scare when I attempt sky diving in Dubai. It’s was a wonderful experience but I have a fear of altitude places.

I have read about it but never tried. I am glad that at least i am reading such an informative article that clearly shows experience of treking over there. It might so much exciting and filled with happiness because seeing something like that would always be more of fun and achieving some of our own. Would love to try it once for sure!

Hi guys. Nice blog. Very informative. I just wonder, how did you prepare for the weather? How did you acclimatise so that you can cope with thr danger of altitude sickness? It is the ine thing that scares me to try to trek on high altitude places. To climb Kilimanjaro and to reach the EBC are in my bucket list. I’m hesitant because of my fear that I might die from cold temperature and altitude sickness.

Dress in layers, and drink plenty of water. You will want to bring DIamox with you and take it. You can get it in Kathmandu, or go to a travel clinic before leaving home. You won’t die from cold temperatures at Base Camp if you have a proper guide, and dress properly. The real dangers are if you are summitting Everest, that’s when you can get into problems, but Base Camp is very doable for anyone that is physically fit. If you don’t have the gear, you can buy winter coats, boots etc in Kathmandu. But we do recommend breaking in your boots beforehand, so you should buy those before you leave home and wear them a lot. Get warm, waterproof breathable boots with wool socks and bring several pairs. We have a guide to winter base layers to avoid the deep freeze here: https://theplanetd.com/layering-tips-for-cold-weather-travel/

Loved reading all your posts, some really good insights here into EBC! You mention putting your hair in braids, why is that? Is it because of the sweat? Is it windy so it gets knotted up? Just curious as I am doing this trek in a week and am open to all tips ?

Yes, hair can get really matted due to wind, dryness and lack of showering. The Braids kept it from matting up like dread locks. Have a great time!

Long hair can get very matted almost like dread locks. It’s becuase there aren’t a lot of chances to shower after Namche Baazar, the wind, sweat and dryness from altitude really takes its toll on both hair and skin and the braids, keep the hair from matting and breaking off.

Great read! Just curious. what time of year did you go to avoid the masses of tourists?

Thanks for sharing articles and videos it will be helpful to all people those wants to go Mount Everest.

This is just amazing and knowing each and every experience that we will have while travelling is another aspect that made me read this article fully. I am in Dubai now on a trip and would surely try to visit this place i could. I should consider the right time and other things roo. I must thank you for this wonderful piece.

Such a great journey you have shared from start to finish and your presentation is also impressive. I would love to follow these things when I will go for a camp tour.

Regards, Ronit

Your Video is superb, I feel your treking experience in this article. worth to read it.

Wow what an wonderful place is this. Want to trek this place in my life.

Great article, thanks, surprised at the early time of year you did the trek, but sounded ideal – any other good write-ups or links discussing the pros and cons of going in the spring vs fall? …weather, landscape, crowded w/ other trekkers, festivals, etc Thanks!

I am looking forward for this kind of base camp.

What an excellent post!! Thank you so much for an informative article and personal feel. This is very helpful and inspiring for my upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp.

There is so great view in pictures.it’s useful and helpful for the trekkers .i like these types of views .and tourist are also love these types of views.

Anyways amazing photos and love the videos! really gives you a feeling how it is there and must be just thrilling. Looking forward to read more about your travels.

Nice Articles and sharing a good details of Everest base camp and amazing photos. I will try to go this year Nepal and go to Everest Base Camp.

Great post. I am doing the Everest Base Camp trek in October. I completed the Annapurna Circuit in 2012 and loved it. Nepal is a such a lovely place and the people are amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Wow congratulations on your trip and everything looks really cool. I would love to do the same! Did you train a lot before you went there? Did you prepare physically? I don’t know how fit I have to be to be able to take on such a travel. Anyways amazing photos and love the videos! really gives you a feeling how it is there and must be just thrilling. Looking forward to read more about your travels.

Hi Marus, we didnt’ train a lot before. We were traveling a lot though. Before heading to Nepal we spent 4 months traveling Sri Lanka and India. We did a yoga retreat and a lot of hiking and walking, but we didn’t do any proper training. We were in relatively good shape. It’s mostly just a long uphill hike. The difficulty is being at altitude for a sustained amount of time. It affects everyone differently. Some people can be in tip top shape, but not do well at altitude and vice versa. So, it’s best to take it slow and steady, drink plenty of fluids and pay attention to how you are feeling.

All your photos are simple awesome and your posts are speaking a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this article.

Thanks for your beautiful video. I fell a little up lifted seeing this. I believe one of the prayer flags is for a lady I knew. Inspiring. I wish I would have done adventurous things like this when I was young. Young people don’t put off adventure.

I’m glad I read this. This is something I have always wanted to do but have been a little nervous to think about doing it when the climbing season is in full swing. The time of year you went and the company you chose make a lot of sense! Thanks for sharing.

The views are amazing!! I love adventure, but I would definitely need to build up my stamina to do the Everest Base Camp trek. It looks like it was an awesome experience for you!

Wow, what a beautiful experience. Your photos are amazing!

-Siggi The Voyaging Viking

Amazing! Can’t wait to check this off my list!

Thanks for writing this.

Thank you for sharing these helpful tips. Your post has given me some great ideas. Thanks again for the valuable information!

How to trek to Everest Base Camp

Jun 20, 2023 • 10 min read

From permits to teahouses, here's everything you need to know about trekking to Everest Base Camp © Mint Images / Getty Images

Top of many people's travel bucket lists, the trek to Everest Base Camp is often the first thing people think about when they start dreaming of a trip to Nepal .

The walk takes trekkers past Sherpa villages and Tibetan-style monasteries, right up into the heart of the high Himalaya, into a breathtaking world (literally) of iconic glaciers, lakes and the tallest peaks on earth. It's probably the world's most famous trek.

But what is it actually like to trek to Base Camp? Is it something within your capabilities or budget? What should you bring? And, most importantly, can you get a proper coffee en route?

I just returned from trekking to Everest Base Camp for Lonely Planet's Nepal guide . Here’s what I think you need to know.

A couple with trekking poles and backpacks follow a trail through the mountains

What's so great about the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek anyway?

Firstly, the mountain scenery surrounding the world's highest peak is truly spectacular. The sublime views of Ama Dablam, Pumori, Nuptse and Thamserku peaks are unbeatable and constantly change as you progress along the walk. The Sherpa villages and monasteries are fascinating places to visit and the lodges (called teahouses) are the best in the world.

The knowledge that you are walking in the expedition footsteps of Hillary, Tenzing, Messner and others is a thrill. Anyone who has read Into Thin Air will be moved by the memorial stupas of Rob Hall, Scott Fischer and others who have lost their lives on the mountain. And then there's the fact that you will have reached the base of the world's highest peak; whether you call it Chomolongma (Tibetan), Sagarmatha (Nepali) or Everest, it’s a rush all the same.

And what’s not so great about the Everest Base Camp trek?

Well, if you force us to play devil's advocate… EBC is one of the busiest trails in Nepal. In the high season months of October and November you'll be walking with thousands of other trekkers, competing with them to get a bed, a lunch order or an airplane seat. There will be lines at checkpoints and even at moments on the trail itself. In bad weather you might be stranded at Lukla airport with hundreds of other trekkers, all trying to get on the first flight out. It's not quite the Zen-like wilderness experience you may have been imagining.

Bear in mind also that even after a solid week of walking, your view of Everest will be partial at best (for infinitely more dramatic Everest views visit the northern Everest Base Camp in Tibet ). If you trek outside of May's expedition weather window you won’t actually find much to see at Base Camp beyond a boulder hastily spray-painted with "Everest Base Camp".

If this has put you off, don’t worry; there are dozens of other fantastic treks in Nepal .

Crowds gather outside traditional teahouses (lodgings) on the trail to Everest Base Camp with colorful flags fluttering in the breeze

How long does it take to trek to Everest Base Camp?

The walk from the airport at Lukla to Everest Base Camp and back takes a minimum of 15 days. Several of the days are surprisingly short, but this is because you have to figure in time to acclimatize to the high altitudes.

If you can, it's definitely worth adding on a couple of extra days to this basic itinerary. Some of the most dramatic (and least visited) views are from detours off the main trail. I always add two days to visit Thame, two days to visit Chhukung and, if possible, three or four days to visit the lakes of the Gokyo Valley – probably the most beautiful scenery in the Everest region.

Be sure to also budget an extra day or two as a transport buffer. Weather-related flight delays in and out of Lukla are not uncommon (I had to wait six days for a flight to Lukla on my recent trip) so you need some buffer time if heading back for an international flight home.

How challenging is the trek to EBC?

In terms of physical effort, the EBC trek itself is not especially tough. There are only a couple of steep climbs, lasting about an hour each, and most days involve less than four hours of walking.

The thing that makes the EBC trek tough is the altitude. Base Camp is at 5600m (18,373ft) and you will need to spend one or two nights above 5000m (16,404ft). Above 4000m (13,123ft) you are going to feel increasingly lethargic and out of breath as the amount of oxygen in the air decreases. Combine this with the cold, the discomfort of being at altitude and the compounded tiredness from walking for two weeks straight, and you can see why the whole trek experience is definitely a physical challenge.

While you don't need to be an athlete to walk to EBC it is still a good idea to start a fitness regime in the weeks leading up to your trek. You'll enjoy the walk so much more if you are in decent shape.

When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?

October and November bring the best weather and the clearest skies but these are also the most popular months. The second most popular season is April to early May, when spring blooms and expedition traffic bring extra interest to the trail. To avoid the crowds but still enjoy clear views, pack an extra thermal layer and come in December or March.

A female trekker stands on a high point looking down towards a mountain settlement

What can I do to avoid altitude sickness?

The majority of people who fail to reach Base Camp do so because they failed to acclimatize properly to the altitude. It's essential not to gain altitude too quickly by following the recommended overnight stops and limiting your daily altitude gain to a maximum of 400m (1312ft) when above 3000m (9843ft).

Be sure to add in acclimatization days at both Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, during which it's a good idea to hike to higher altitudes during the day, returning to sleep lower at night.

What are the teahouses like?

At lower altitudes the Everest lodges are the most comfortable in Nepal. Private rooms are the norm, many of which have private bathrooms. Showers are available at most places, though the hot water supply can be patchy. All have cozy dining rooms with tables arranged around a central dung-fueled stove. There are even a few luxury lodges along the trail.

In budget lodges, or when you get above Dingboche, things get simpler, with rooms offering little more than a collection of plywood walls, a solar light and a foam mattress. Toilets are a mixture of seats and squatters; sometimes outdoors, always freezing. A blanket is normally supplied but be sure to bring a four-season sleeping bag rated to well below 0°C (32°F).

What's the food like?

Menus in teahouses range from pasta and pizza to spring rolls, fried potatoes and soups, though the most popular meal is a daal bhaat , a set Nepali meal of rice, lentil soup and fried vegetables, normally served with a papad and pickle, and with a refill included. It's the most filling and environmentally sustainable meal you can order.

In villages such as Namche Bazaar and Dingboche you will also find bakery-cafes serving espresso and slices of delicious apple pie, plus shops selling everything from Snickers bars to bottles of beer. This is one trek where you might actually gain weight!

Can I get wi-fi or phone coverage?

Most lodges offer wi-fi, either free of charge or for a few dollars per day (at higher elevations). Above Namche Bazaar you will likely have to buy a scratch card, giving you unlimited data for twelve hours (AirCell) or a specific amount of data over a month (Everestlink). Depending on your network provider you'll likely get data and a phone signal at lower elevations, and possibly even at Everest Base Camp, but not at other high altitudes. So yes, in theory, you can Skype all your friends from Base Camp!

What should I bring?

Warm clothes are a must, and you should pack thermal underwear, a down jacket and fleece hat. Comfortable hiking boots and good, padded socks are also essential. Sun block, a sun hat with a brim and good sunglasses are important against the strong high-altitude light.

Morale-boosting snacks like chocolate and salami are always helpful, as is a book and smartphone with mapping software like Maps.me. Bring water purification of some sort. If you forget something, don’t worry, you can buy almost anything you might want in Namche Bazaar these days (from ice axes to cans of Pringles), though at prices higher than in Kathmandu .

A person, carrying a large loaded basket on their back, heads up a mountain trail with huge snow-covered peaks in the distance

Do I need a porter and guide?

In terms of finding your way you don't need a guide if you are an experienced walker, as the route is clearly marked and well-trod. A guide can be useful for smoothing your way at teahouses, making sure you get your food on time and helping you pay your bill. It's important not to trek alone, so solo trekkers should find a companion or take a guide or porter.

A porter will carry a bag of around 15kg, freeing you up to pack a few extra chocolate bars and enjoy the walk with little more than a day pack. Not having the strain of carrying a full pack is worth its weight in gold for anyone over the age of 50. Trust me.

How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost?

For a room in a lodge and three meals a day, figure on US$20–25 per person per day, a bit more if you want a room with a private bathroom and the occasional slice of apple pie. Add on another US$5 every time you want a shower. Figure on an additional US$20 per day for a porter, and US$25–30 for a guide, and budget 10–15% of that fee for an end-of-trip tip.

You'll pay a bit more to have a Kathmandu-based trekking company arrange your entire trek, and a lot more for the convenience and backup of an international trekking tour.

Do I need any permits?

You will need to buy an Everest region permit (US$20) at Lukla, as well as a Sagarmatha National Park entry ticket (US$30) at Monjo. Currently that's all you need.

How can I trek more sustainably?

With 60,000 trekkers and guides headed to the Everest region, it’s important to minimize your impact on the region. Firstly, don't buy bottled water on the trek, as the bottles are nonrecyclable and are a huge problem throughout the region. Bring a system of water purification, like a Lifestraw or Sawyer filter, a Steripen or chemical purification.

Secondly, carry all your trash out (especially batteries), and sign up for the Carry Me Back program, whereby you carry a 1kg bag of trash from Namche Bazaar to Lukla, for it to be recycled in Kathmandu.

Finally, be polite to the Sherpas and porters you meet en route, as well as your fellow trekkers. Walk clockwise around stupas and be respectful at monasteries and shrines.

How do I get to Lukla to start the trek?

Flights run multiple times daily between Kathmandu and Lukla, taking around 30 minutes. During high season however you may have to drive five hours from Kathmandu to Ramechhap airport to catch your Lukla flight there.

It's also possible to fly or drive to Phaplu and walk two days to Lukla from there, or walk from Shivalaya to Lukla in seven days as an excellent pre-trek warm-up.

This article was first published Jan 14, 2013 and updated Jun 20, 2023.

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The Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: How to Get from Lukla to Everest Base Camp

Are you planning a trip to Everest Base Camp? Sitting at 5 380 m, the EBC trek in Nepal is one of the most iconic hikes in the world and tops any adventurer’s bucket list!

But walking over 130 km from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is tough! Mentally, physically and emotionally. Every day of your expedition will push you to your limits.

The reality is that no matter how intense your preparation is, it’s not your fitness levels or even your age that will determine whether you reach Everest Base Camp. It’s about how your body adjusts to a higher altitude.

Some people struggle, others don’t. This is why the acclimatization schedule in your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is so crucial.

After successfully reaching base camp, I put together this comprehensive guide which includes step-by-step details of the best Everest Base Camp route to take, including the trekking time, the highlights, the best tea houses, how to deal with altitude sickness and so much more!

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When to plan your Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary

April to May (Spring) and October to November (Autumn) are the most popular hiking months in Nepal offering perfect conditions for your Everest Base Camp trek.

But these months also attract scores of travelers looking to take on the Himalaya mountain ranges and so the trail does get busy.

Everest Base Camp Trek Route

If you follow my Everest Base Camp trek itinerary, you’ll need 12 days to start and return to Lukla. You will reach Everest Base Camp on day 9 which is enough time for your body to adjust to the higher altitude.

Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding

Day 2: phakding to namche bazaar, day 3: namche bazaar (acclimatization day), day 4: namche bazaar to khumjung, day 5: khumjung to phortse, day 6: phortse to dingboche, day 7: dingboche (acclimatization day), day 8: dingboche to lobuche, day 9: lobuche to gorak shep to everest base camp to gorak shep, day 10: gorak shep to kala patthar to pheriche, day 11: pheriche to namche bazaar, day 12: namche bazaar to lukla.

I did not take altitude sickness medication such as Diamox but I walked slowly, extremely slowly – probably the slowest anyone’s ever walked to EBC. This Everest Base Camp trek itinerary offers the best acclimatizing schedule to allow your body to naturally adjust to a higher altitude.

The start of your Everest Base Camp itinerary: Kathmandu

Your first few days in Nepal will be in the capital city, Kathmandu. Sitting at 1 400m above sea level, it’s recommended to spend at least 2 days here.

This allows your body to get used to the higher elevation, especially if you’re coming from sea level.

Kathmandu is a dynamic city with a rich culture and tradition, and you can easily spend a few extra days exploring if you have the time. Most tour operators include a day excursion to the nearby sights and temples within the city.

Make sure you stay in Thamel. It’s the hiking hub of Kathmandu with lots of eager trekkers choosing to base themselves here.

You can buy all your Everest Base Camp hiking gear in Thamel so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten something behind. Or if, like me , you arrived in Nepal with no hiking gear – only a pair of hiking boots! Thamel has got you covered.

Altitude: Kathmandu (1 400m) – Lukla (2 860m) – Phakding (2 610m).

Trekking time: 3-4 hours | 7,4 km.

Difficulty: Easy with only a few uphill sections.

Highlight: Flight into Lukla.

Overview: The first day of your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary will start bright and early with a flight out of Kathmandu to the infamous Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla. From there, you’ll hit the ground running and hike just over 3 hours to Phakding, your stop for the night.

Tea house: Royal Sherpa Resort.

The day has finally arrived – The first day of your Everest Base Camp itinerary!

The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is only 36 minutes but it relies heavily on the weather. Even if there’s slight cloud cover, the flights are delayed or worse, canceled. Lukla Airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the world after all.

My flight with Summit Air was due to leave at 9 am, but we only left after 3 pm due to the weather conditions. The planes are tiny, and you’re allowed no more than 15kg of luggage – in total!

The flight itself was thrilling but not as frightening as I anticipated. Although I did freak out every few minutes when there was a slight bump.

Lukla to Phakding

Once you’ve arrived in Lukla, grab a quick bite to eat before starting the afternoon trek to Phakding.

This section from Lukla to Phakding is an easy one and it’s the perfect introduction to the Himilaya mountain range. It’s an incredibly scenic trail that hugs the mountain and runs alongside a stream.

You’ll pass through several villages and will set your sights on the first yaks and mules of your Everest Base Camp trek.

Before you know it, you’ll have reached Phakding where you’ll spend the night in your first tea house. Don’t get too used to these comfortable conditions though. The further up you go from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, the more basic the amenities become!

Tip: There are ATM’s in Lukla (and Namche) but draw cash in Kathmandu as a back-up.

Tip: There’s cell reception (NCell) in Phakding and most tea houses offer free power to charge up your phone or camera here.

Tip: Try to eat well during the first few days as you’ll start losing your appetite from day 3 of your Everest Base Camp itinerary. Remember: “Dal Bhat Power – 24 Hour”

Altitude: Phakding (2 610m) – Namche Bazaar (3 440m).

Trekking time: 7-9 hours | 10,4 km.

Difficulty: Easy for the first section, steep and difficult for the second half.

Highlight: The views from the suspension bridges.

Overview: Day 2 is when the real hiking starts! You’ll begin with a slow hike before climbing a steep section leading to Namche Bazaar, one of the most iconic stops on your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary.

Tea house: AD Friendship Lodge.

Day 2 is one of the most picturesque days of your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary. But you have a long day of hiking ahead of you so try to leave Phakding by 08:00 am.

The first part is an easy trek alongside pine forests and the excitement will begin to set in as you pass fellow trekkers making their way back down from Everest Base Camp to Lukla.

The glacial rivers are an impressive sight and you’ll cross several suspension bridges throughout the course of the day. These offer gorgeous views but they’re also terrifyingly high! Take in these beautiful surroundings as the landscape changes dramatically over the week.

After lunch, there is a sharp gain in elevation and the easy path suddenly becomes steeper. Take it slow to allow your body to adjust to this higher altitude.

En route to Namche Bazaar, you’ll also get your first glimpse of Mount Everest (If the weather conditions are on your side). You’ll also need to sign in at a checkpoint.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a picturesque village with a lively atmosphere. It’s the main trading center of the Khumbu region and a sherpa village. From Namche Bazaar it starts to get chilly but luckily there are plenty of tea houses with fireplaces to warm you up.

Tip: After you’ve arrived in Namche, pop into Hermann Helmers for their chocolate carrot cake. It’s life-changing!

Tip: Take a warm shower in Namche ($5) as it’s the cheapest you’ll find for the next 10 days!

Tip: Avoid eating meat after Namche Bazaar. Just think of it being carried up the mountain, during the heat of the day with no refrigeration. Don’t do it!

Day 3 of your EBC trek itinerary is your acclimatization day, a supposedly “rest day” to allow your body to slowly adjust to the high altitude. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get to sit inside and relax all day. Today, you’ll do an acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel.

Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3 440m) – Everest View Hotel (3 880m) – Namche Bazaar (3 440m).

Trekking Time: 3 hours | 2.5 km.

Difficulty: The path itself isn’t too difficult, but with the elevation gain, you’ll begin losing your breath quickly.

Highlight: Watching Everest documentaries at Liquid Bar in Namche Bazaar (3 pm or 7:30 pm).

Overview: A short hiking day to Everest View Hotel and back, followed by free time to explore Namche Bazaar.

Even if you’re not feeling up to it, it’s important to get out and hike to a higher point, before coming back down to sleep at a lower altitude.

Today is also your second chance to get a glimpse of Mount Everest if you didn’t the day before. The trek is a tough one, and if you have not yet felt any symptoms of the higher altitude, you’ll soon begin to experience them.

Tip: There are many pubs and bars which show Everest documentaries. Make sure you watch one during your time in Namche Bazaar (But don’t drink alcohol on your way up – save that for when you return).

Route: Namche Bazaar (3 440m) – Khumjung (3 780m).

Trekking time: 4 hours | 4 km.

Difficulty: Moderately easy as it’s a short trekking day but from today the cold sets in.

Highlights: Playing card games in front of the fire, wrapped up in my sleeping bag because it was so cold.

Overview: You’ll go off the standard trekking route from Namche to Khumjung.

Tea House: Hill Top Lodge.

This is where most Everest Base Camp trek itineraries differ. From Namche Bazaar, there are two routes you can take both of which link up again in Dingboche on day 6 of your trek.

The first option (and most popular) is from Namche to Tengboche, before reaching Dingboche .

The second option (and my chosen route) is from Namche to Khumjung and Phortse which are on the other side of the river.

I chose the Khumjung route as it’s the less popular option. As a result, the hike isn’t as crowded, yet it offers the same sweeping views of the valleys below. But don’t worry, you’ll still get to experience the Tengboche route on your way back down from Everest Base Camp to Lukla.

Today was the first day that I layered up as it did get quite cold. You’ll pass a small local hospital as well as the famous Sir Edmund Hilary School before arriving in the small village of Khumjung.

When you get to Khumjung you’ll notice the change in the landscape. It’s far more arid and drier, with very few green luscious trees.

Tip: Ensure you have a pack of playing cards and a book with you. They’ll come in handy on short trekking days like today.

Day 5 Khumjung to Phortse Everest Base Camp route

Route: Khumjung (3 780m) – Phortse (3 900m).

Trekking time: 6 hours | 7 km.

Difficulty: Although there isn’t much altitude gain today, there are still many sections where you walk downhill, before climbing back uphill so this constant up/down is strenuous.

Highlights: Today was the first day I began to feel the effects of the high altitude and I lost my appetite.

Overview: The trail from Khumjung to Phortse is incredibly scenic and you’ll walk alongside all the Himalaya giants.

Tea house: Phortse Resort.

Day 5 of your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary will start with a 2-hour climb to Mongla (3 975m). You’ll then go back down to 3 800m which is the elevation of your next stop, Phortse.

You’re still on the “quieter” route so enjoy this path as it gets busier from tomorrow when you head to Dingboche.

Today is the day I started to feel the effects of altitude sickness and by the time I reached our lunch stop, I had lost my appetite and a terrible headache was setting in. I wrote this detailed guide to how hard Everest Base Camp is and it includes these moments where i felt horrible!

There is also a considerable drop in temperature – It was 4 degrees celsius when we started walking today. The pipes in Phortse were frozen and the guides start to give you hot water in the evening which will be your drinking water from here on out.

Tip: When you’re given hot water in your drinking bottles, put one inside your sleeping bag to act as a hot water bottle.

Tip: I took a headache tablet at lunchtime and after a good night’s rest, I was feeling much better. If you’re not feeling well, don’t be afraid to take a pain killer but make sure you communicate with your guide so that he knows to keep an eye on you.

Altitude: Phortse (3 800m) – Dingboche (4 360m).

Trekking time: 8 hours | 9 km.

Difficulty: Today is a long, tiring day and breathing is difficult. The first few hours are tough, followed by an easier trek as you get closer to Dingboche.

Highlights: Arriving in Dingboche – today was a hectic day and I was so happy when it was over!

Overview: You’ll trek the entire day with a constant gradual incline until you arrive in Dingboche, where our EBC itinerary will meet up with the others who are coming from Tengboche.

Tea house: Sonam Friendship Lodge.

Today is a long trekking day!

When I woke up on day 6, I was feeling fit and strong (unlike the afternoon before) . I was extremely aware of how sick I had felt yesterday and despite feeling better, I took precautionary measures and walked extra slow with many breaks.

The first 5 hours involve constant uphill climbs, followed by downhill treks, before going uphill again! You’ll eventually pass the tree line, and the entire landscape becomes bare and rocky and resembles a desert.

Today you’ll be surrounded by all the Himilayan giants: Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Cholatse, with unspoiled views of Mount Everest.

Throughout the day you’ll hear the sounds of helicopters making emergency rescues as trekkers begin struggling with the higher altitude and need to be taken back down to Namche Bazaar from Everest Base Camp. It’s quite scary to see how frequently people require this emergency assistance!

Luckily, the final stretch to Dingboche after lunch isn’t as tough as the section before.

Tip: There’s no cell reception as you get closer to Dingboche so enjoy the next few days going off the grid.

Tip: On day 6 of our Everest Base Camp itinerary, a few trekkers started taking altitude sickness medication as a precautionary measure. I didn’t take Diamox but my guide had in case I needed it. As always, be cautious of the altitude.

Tip: You’ll lose your appetite, but order boiled potatoes to get some food into your stomach.

Today is the last of your acclimatization days so you’ll spend a second night in Dingboche. Again, it’s important to do an acclimatization hike from Dingboche .

Altitude: Dingboche (4 360m) – viewpoint (4 900m) – Dingboche (4 360m).

Hike time: 3 – 5 hours | 3 km.

Difficulty: Short, but steep climb so take it slow and steady.

Overview: Today is a short acclimatization hike to a viewpoint and back.

Highlight: Views of the Chukhung Valley and Island Peak.

I woke up on day 7 of my EBC trek and I was feeling terrible. The Khumbu cough had really set in, I was freezing cold, my nose was constantly running and I was beginning to lose my voice.

When you reach Dingboche, the luxuries of warm water, comfortable beds, and flushing toilets are long gone, and this is when the mental challenge begins. But listen to your body and be honest with your guides about how you’re feeling.

During my time in Dingboche, a porter from a different tour group (who had hiked to EBC many times before) had gotten sick and had to be airlifted back to Lukla. This was a harsh reality of the effects of high altitude climbing and how it can happen to anyone, no matter your experience, fitness level, or age.

Dingboche Acclimatization Hike

Today you’ll go on an acclimatization hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Chukhung Valley. Going to this higher altitude, and then returning to Dingboche will make you feel so much better (as it did for me). So, gear up, pack your day bag, and head outside for a few hours.

The acclimatization hike from Dingboche to the viewpoint is pretty steep and rocky, but you’ll be hiking at a much slower pace than the previous days. All around you, you’re surrounded by towering mountains and peaks, and it’s a sight you won’t easily forget!

Once at the viewpoint, you’ll have the best views of Ama Dablam and Island Peak, as well as the symbolic prayer flags.

I added Island Peak to my Everest Base Camp itinerary (and I HIGHLY recommend you do the same). It’s 4 extra days of trekking after you’ve reached Everest Base Camp, and it was one of the best and most thrilling experiences of my life!

Tip: After returning from your acclimatization hike pop into Cafe Himalaya Bakery to watch their daily Everest movie.

Altitude: Dingboche (4 360m) – Lobuche (4 930m).

Trekking time: 7 hours | 10.7km.

Difficulty: Hard! The section from the bottom of the icefall to the Everest memorial is brutal. It’s steep, and it’s far.

Highlight: The climb to the Everest memorial. It’s painfully steep and I struggled!

Overview: As you leave Dingboche, the first part of your trek is relatively easy. Until you reach Dukla! This is where the trail becomes steep. From there it’s an excruciating 2-hour climb before the path becomes flat again. You’ll walk alongside the Khumbu Glacier, the longest glacier in Nepal.

Tea house: Sherpa Lodge.

I kept a day-to-day journal of my Everest Base Camp trek itinerary, and in it, day 8 is highlighted (in capital letters with several exclamation marks) “ The hardest day EVER! ”

And thinking back to this day, it really was!

The first 3 hours include a gradual incline before crossing to Dukla which will be your lunch stop for the day. Enjoy the break, because you are going to be hating life for the next 2 hours – it’s a killer of a climb. Breathing at an altitude of over 4 500m doesn’t make it any easier!

You’ll pass many trekkers who are making their way back from Everest Base Camp. I was shocked to see the condition most of them were in. Many people were even getting carried down by mules! They looked like they had really taken strain – coughing, no voice, chapped lips, and no energy.

I was hoping and praying that wouldn’t be me in a few days (but unfortunately, it was – except I didn’t need to be carried down!)

Everest Memorial

At the top, you’ll reach the Everest Memorial for climbers who’ve lost their lives in their attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. There is a somber mood, and I get goosebumps thinking about all those climbers and their families.

From the memorial, it’s about a 1-hour trek alongside the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. This last section is far easier than the previous one. Again, take it slowly!

Tip: At this stage, everyone is feeling the effects of the altitude and the cold. You’re not alone! Just keep pushing through, it’s nearly over! (says me who wanted to turn back countless times) .

Altitude: Lobuche (4 930m) – Gorak Shep (5 160m) – Everest Base Camp (5 360m) – Gorak Shep (5 160m)

Time: 10 hours | 12 km.

Difficulty: Moderate with a steep climb towards Gorak Shep and an easy trail to Everest Base Camp. The difficulty lies in hiking time and the high altitude.

Overview: Today is the day you reach Everest Base Camp! You’ll arrive in Gorak Shep, drop off your bags and have lunch before departing north along the Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp.

Highlight: It should be reaching Everest Base Camp, right?

Tea house: Buddha Lodge

Whilst the previous day’s hike from Dingboche to Lobuche was certainly the toughest and most physical section, getting to Gorak Shep, and then on to EBC and Kala Pattar were the most emotionally and mentally challenging sections of my entire Everest Base Camp trek itinerary.

Your day will start with a moderate hike leading to Gorak Shep from Lobuche. After about an hour into your hike, the path becomes steep with numerous boulders to pass. Whilst it isn’t a strenuous climb, the altitude will affect you and you’ll be walking very slowly.

Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp

You’ll reach Gorak Shep at lunchtime where you’ll drop off your bags and prepare for the afternoon hike to EBC.

You don’t actually stay at Everest Base Camp. Gorak Shep is your base with the closest tea house to EBC.

After lunch, you’ll trek to Everest Base Camp. The path is made of rocky sections and loose stones. You’ll be exhausted at this point. But the adrenalin rush will keep you going. The excitement to finally reach Everest Base Camp will get you to the end.

Arriving at base camp is surreal. You can see the Khumbu Icefall in the distance, one of the most notorious sections leading up to the Everest summit.

It’s an eerie feeling reaching Everest Base Camp but absolutely gorgeous standing at the foot of the highest mountain in the world.

You’ll then make your way back to Gorak Shep which is where you’ll spend the night.

The reality

The most vivid memory I have of my entire Everest Base Camp trek is sitting in the tea house in Gorak Shep after returning from Base Camp.

The communal area of more than 60 people was quiet. You could only hear the sounds of loud coughing. There were no celebrations by those who had made it to Everest Base Camp and the atmosphere was not jovial.

Everyone was feeling sick and looking worse for wear. People were being helivaced from Gorak Shep to Lukla, others were on oxygen. You could see trekkers struggling to take a bite of their food.

I was so emotional because I was just so incredibly exhausted. You could sense that everyone was at their breaking point and had been pushed to their limits. Including me.

Tip: Don’t rush! Remember that you’re breathing in air with 50% oxygen. Many trekkers get excited as they’re so close to Everest Base Camp, but you still need to be careful. From what I saw, several people got sick and had to be put on oxygen AFTER they’d successfully reached EBC, perhaps this is because they’d taken it too fast.

Altitude: Gorak Shep (5 160m) – Kala Patar (5 643m) – Pheriche (4 370m).

Trekking time: 7 hours | 13 km.

Difficulty: This day is difficult, only because of Kala Patthar! The rest is easy as you’ll be going down the mountain to a lower altitude.

Highlight: Everything about the trek up to Kala Patthar. The 5 am wake-up call, the ice-cold temperatures, the steep trail, the incredible view!

Overview: The day starts with an early morning trek to Kala Patthar for the best views of Mount Everest. After returning to Gorak Shep, you’ll head back down to Pheriche.

Gorak Shep to Periche on your EBC itinerary

You can’t actually see Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp or Gorak Shep as Lhotse sits in front of it and blocks the view.

This is why people trek to Kala Patthar, which is a nearby viewpoint next to Gorak Shep.

Be prepared for a long and tiring day! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any tougher, day 10 of your Everest Base Camp trek will really push you to your limits.

Sitting at 5 643m, Kala Patthar is a small, rocky peak with a rewarding view of Mount Everest, Changtse, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

Your morning starts with a 5 am wake-up call as you prepare to hike to Kala Patthar. Some trekkers choose to skip this part of the itinerary because they’re too sick and just do not have the energy to make it to the top.

The main goal is Everest Base Camp, right? You’ve made it!

You don’t have to climb Kala Patthar. Listen to your body and if you’re not feeling well, don’t do it! I was incredibly slow, fatigued, and sluggish and only got about ¾ of the way to the top before our guide advised that we turn back.

If we didn’t, we’d fall behind on the day’s schedule.

After climbing Kalla Patthar, we arrived back at our tea house at Gorak Shep at about 9 am, had a quick breakfast then began our long trek past Lobuche and on to Pheriche.

My day hadn’t got off to a good start and I was feeling very weak hiking Kala Patthar, but as soon as we began our downhill climb, I regained my strength and felt like a different person!

Tip: If you’re feeling sick at Gorak Shep, make sure you monitor this but the moment you go to a lower altitude, you will feel stronger.

Tip: If you’re continuing to Island Peak, you can check out my Island Peak guide. To sum it up, from Gorak Shep, you’ll go to Dingboche ( and not Pheriche as this route goes) . After spending the night in Dingboche, you’ll go in a different direction to Chukhung and Island Peak Base Camp.

Last day of my Everest Base Camp itinerary in Nepal

Altitude: Pheriche (4 280m) to Namche Bazaar (3 440m).

Trekking time: 14km | 8 hours.

Difficulty: Easy but a long day of hiking.

This day (and the next) are particularly long and you’ll want to get off the mountain ASAP!

You’ll be running down from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar as it’s so much easier to breathe as the elevation decreases. You’ll also be craving a hot shower, clean clothes, a proper meal, and a warm bed.

Soon, you’ll hit the tree line once again, cross over suspension bridges, and pass scores of mules.

After every corner, you’ll think you’ve reached Namche Bazaar, but it’s further than you expect, and the trail seems to go on forever. On your way down you still have sections where you climb up and down (yes, more climbing), but there’s no altitude gain so who’s complaining!

You’ll pass Tengboche, which is home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu region and the village where most trekkers stop on their way up the mountain (But we chose a different route on this Everest Base Camp trek itinerary).

Altitude: Namche Bazaar (3 440m) – Lukla (2 860m).

Trekking time: 18 km | 8 hours.

Difficulty: Same as yesterday! A long day of hiking.

You’ve made it to the last day of your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary! Today you’ll retrace your steps from Day 1 and 2 (except this time you’ll cover the same distance in 1 day, and not 2!)

You’ll also see other trekkers ascending to EBC looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. If only they knew what was in store for them over the next few days! You’ll smile at them, and offer words of encouragement, but deep inside, you’ll just thanking your lucky stars that it’s them going up, and not you!

Enjoy your last lunch on the mountains in the village of Phakding before taking on the last section to Lukla. Spend the night in Lukla where you’ll celebrate with a delicious meal and a few cold beers!

Last day of your Everest Base Camp itinerary: Lukla to Kathmandu

On the last day, you’ll be ready to say goodbye to the mountains! Once again your flight isn’t guaranteed to leave on schedule so one last bit of patience is required.

After I landed in Kathmandu, I went straight to my hotel, had the best hot shower EVER, ordered takeaways, hopped into bed, and didn’t leave my room for 24 hours! Those 24 hours of doing nothing were absolutely incredible!

Pictures speak a thousand words! After going through my EBC trek itinerary, check out my photo diary with includes all the highlights of my trek to Everest Base Camp.

Is Everest Base Camp trek worth it

Absolutely – But it’s not easy! From the terrifying flight into Lukla to the long trekking days, freezing cold tea houses, weeks with no showers, dealing with altitude sickness, and all the aches and pains that come along with it – It’s brutal.

But the experience is incredible and you’ll gain memories that will last a lifetime!

Should you plan your Everest Base Camp Itinerary with a tour or not

Everest Base Camp trek itinerary for 12 days

This one’s debatable!

In 2014 I summited the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro . For this trek, you have to book a tour through an organized trekking company. I thought the same would apply to Everest Base Camp and wrongly assumed that attempting to conquer EBC independently was only for broke backpackers or highly experienced hikers.

I was wrong! You can definitely navigate the Everest region without a guide and many people do so.

However, I don’t regret booking through a trekking company, Mountain Monarch . Here’s why.

Why I booked my EBC trek with a tour group

Everest Base Camp and Island Peak Lunch Stop

Firstly, I added Island Peak to my Everest Base Camp itinerary. For this extra section of the trek, a guide is required. Whilst Everest Base Camp requires no technical climbing, Island Peak does and it’s intense.

If you’re up for the challenge, I highly recommend you add Island Peak to your Everest Base Camp tour. You can read about my climb to Island Peak here!

Secondly, I had previous experience with high altitude climbing and if it wasn’t for my skilled guide, I wouldn’t have made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. As with Kili, getting to Everest Base Camp is tough and reality is that it can be fatal. You need to pace yourself. Many people are put on oxygen and need assistance and those who trek independently don’t have immediate access to these emergency services.

And lastly, the fellow trekkers that I met on my Everest Base Camp tour were the best teammates anyone could ask for. I loved the support, the humor, the motivation, and having a small group of people who were there for me through thick and thin. As you get to the end of your Everest Base Camp trek, you’re going to need all the support you can get.

Final thoughts on how to plan a trek to Everest Base Camp

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is tough. Looking back, there are so many moments where I was thinking “ Why the F$%# did I sign up for this ” and “ With this money, I could’ve spent an extra 3 months backpacking instead of putting myself through this torture “.

But, challenging myself, my mind, my body – and crushing my goal and STILL going on to summit Island Peak – man, you cannot beat that feeling!

Are you planning a trip to Everest Base Camp? Looking for more information on how to get from Lukla to Everest Base Camp? Drop me a question in the comments section below!

Psst… Looking for epic adventures to add to your bucket list? Check out my other posts!

Complete Guide To Island Peak Climbing in Nepal
The Perfect Everest Base Camp Packing List
10 Things You Need To Know For Your Kilimanjaro Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty: 11 Key Things You Need To Know
Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing: My Highlights and Photo Diary

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary - Torn Tackies Travel Blog

Hi, I'm Carryn. I’m an adventure travel blogger trying to figure out my way through life by traveling and exploring. Join me as I share my travel guides and tips for life abroad. Find out more about me here .

Backpacking Indonesia: 26 Things I Wish I Knew

Everest base camp trek difficulty: 12 key things you need to know, 24 thoughts on “the ultimate everest base camp trek itinerary: how to get from lukla to everest base camp”.

Wow! Sounds like such an adventure. I loved reading your in depth post about your Everest base camp itinerary. It sounds like there is so much that goes into preparing but definitely sounds like you had the adventure of a lifetime.

Thanks Ann. It sure was an adventure I’ll never forget!

Ok, this post was epic – so much information I have to save it. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Laura! Glad you found it helpful.

this is absolutely breathtaking! i honestly don’t know if I would ever be prepared to do this myself, but your day by day break down was really helpful!

Thanks Claire! Looking back at the photos I’m still in shock that I managed to get to Everest Base Camp!

Amazing. What a trek and journey for your mind, body and soul!

It was indeed!

This is epic! Im going in April and I’m so excited. Ive done Annapurna base Camp and loved it so I’m sure ill love this too!

Hi Emma, Good luck for your trek! I’d love to hear how EBC compares to Annapurna.

So interesting to read about your experience! I’m going to Nepal soon to do the Annapurna base camp and mardi Himal. They have a lower altitude but I’m still a bit nervous because of the altitude sickness 🙆🏼‍♀️

Hi Nina, I’m sure you’ll love it. Just take your time and don’t be afraid to walk super slow (like I did)!

WoW! This sounds like one amazing trip and one I’m sure that you will never forget! Really inspiring

Thanks Lori. EBC tops my bucket list so now I’m looking for the next adventure to conquer!

Wow! This sounded so intense! What an experience to say that you’ve done it.

It was tough, but everyone goes through a different experience. I thought about turning back so many times, but I’m so glad I stayed strong and kept going!

Wow! What an incredible experience, I don’t know if I’m ready for it but you definitely gave me some things to think about, thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Meghan!

Amazing!!! Wonderful recap! EBC isn’t easy! That was my first dance with altitude! Need to get back to do Island Peak!!!

Hey Bridget, Island Peak is incredible and I’m so glad I added it to my Everest Base Camp itinerary. Congrats on making it to base camp!

BADASS! I love that you mentioned a longer itinerary to acclimatize (is that the right word? lol) naturally and a way to get off the beaten path for this popular trek! I hope to make the Everest Base Camp Trek in the coming years and this is definitely a guide I will come back to help plan (: AND CONGRATS on killing it on this hike! So epic!

Hay Aaren, thanks for the kind message! I’m so stoked that I made it to base camp. And you can to! If you ever decided to trek to EBC, let me know!

Congrats on choosing the High Scenic Trail via Mong La and Phortse instead of the crowded Tengpoche route 95% of trekkers use. The best kept secret in Khumbu is finally leaking out!

About helicopter traffic: Google [helicopter rescue scam Nepal] and be educated. Multimillion dollar business now, thousands of EBC trips destroyed every year with this insurance fraud.

Hi Petrus, Agree – the less crowded route is far better!

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Trekking and Hiking

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance Length and Elevation Guide

a journey to the highest base camp on earth......

Updated on Jul 2, 2023

Notice: Nepal bans solo trekking for foreigners, coming into effect from 1st April 2023

There is no doubt about the popularity of Everest Base Camp Trek ( 15-Day ) which has always been rated among the top ten destinations for trekkers around the globe. Now, the question is why travelers prefer to hike all the way to Everest despite its difficulty. A very simple answer will be due to its diversity of nature and culture.

The entire region of Everest also known as the Khumbu Region is one of the UNESCO heritage situated at the highest altitude. This region also is the highest settlement area of the world mainly inhabited by the Sherpas.

Without entering further into the unrelated topic which I have included in my other blogs. Let’s talk about the distance for the Everest Base Camp Trek ( 9-Day )

Trekking all the way to Everest Base Camp ( 16-Day ) is a strenuous climb uphill but is accessible to accomplish the target if some minor requirements are fulfilled (this is mainly recommended for those trekkers who are first at such an altitude and are layman related to Himalayan treks).

Now dragging myself towards my intention of this blog. To speak there are two different trails to follow all the way to Everest Base Camp. Among them, one is the oldest route which was followed by the first expedition team of Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 and is also the longest route to Everest Base Camp ( 12-Day )

Let’s talk about both the Everest Base Camp Trekking ( 13-Day ) trekking route separately and how it goes, along with all the detailed information:

Trek to Everest Base Camp via Lukla
Trek to Everest Base Camp via Jiri

Now let’s deal separately with the distance, altitude, and route of both trails taking us to the same point of Everest Base Camp.

Trek to Everest Base Camp Via Lukla

Trekking to Everest Base Camp through Lukla is the shortest way to the highest base camp on earth. Here you can enjoy a short scenic flight from Kathmandu airport to Lukla airport which is just around a 30-minute flight and can hike all the way to Phakding on the very same day.

This will reduce your 7 days via Jiri which is just a one-way hike uphill. On the other hand, you can spend two extra nights for acclimatization while ascending the Everest Base Camp. This makes the trek shorter, easier, less time-consuming, and also budget and affordable.

Further, descending downhill you can take a short flight back to Kathmandu Airport through Lukla Airport . This two-way hike to EBC is just 130 km (80 miles), which is to be completed in 9 days with 2 additional days for acclimatizations. Thus, making the entire trip an 11 days hike from Lukla to Lukla.

But an extra day is required to take a flight back to Kathmandu airport early in the morning. Let’s see how the Itinerary for the Everest Trek Via Lukla goes:

The above-mentioned flight distance is the aerial distance between the overnight camp but the overall distance for the Everest Base Camp trek including the short hike during the acclimatization day will be 130 km which is the distance to be trekked during the trip ascending uphill and descending all the way downhill, keeping the measuring point as Lukla airport.

Trek to Everest Base Camp Via Jiri

This trail to Everest Base Camp is one of the first but longest trails to Everest. The popularity of the Jiri trail was highlighted in 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first summited to the top.

This dual accomplishment led the world to recognize Mt. Everest as the highest mountain and can be submitted, also brought a glimpse of the possibility for others to keep a record.

As I have already mentioned Everest Base Camp trek from Jiri is the longest route but is shorter than the first climbers used to hike all to the summit point. This is so because now trekkers can drive all the way to Jiri from Kathmandu which was not possible some decades ago.

Although it is shorter than used to be but still it is longer than the other short trail to Everest. If you are planning to trek from Jiri to Everest Base Camp and descend to Kathmandu without a flight option, then the entire trip from Jiri to Kathmandu will be of 22-25 days depending upon the route you follow.

For many trekkers, it might be difficult to arrange a long holiday for the Everest Trek ( 10-Day ) but few do to date follow the Hillary trail to Everest. Now, let’s see how the Itinerary for the Everest Trek Via Jiri goes:

Still, you are desperate to trek Everest Base Camp Via Jiri which is the oldest route as well but worried about arranging a long vacation. Relax I will help you with how to make this route shorter. This Everest Base Camp Trek Via Jiri can be customized into a 20-day trek from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. For this, we need to thank Lukla Airport. Let’s see how this Itinerary goes:

Which is the best and easy way to hike Everest Base Camp Trek

Although there are two different ways to hike all the way to Everest Base Camp (through Jiri and Lukla) the most popular date trail is no doubt the Lukla trail. Hiking all the way to Everest Base Camp is a challenging task due to its altitude and time consuming but the beauty of the trial is mesmerizing.

Despite its difficulty, the Everest Base Camp trail is gaining popularity all around the world. This is also because now you can customize the trail to just a 12-day hike from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp and all the way back to Kathmandu.

Everest Base Camp trek can be shortened when you take a domestic flight to Lukla Airport from Kathmandu. This minimizes the 135km distance in just 30-minute and when we do the same while descending it minimizes our 135km more in just the same 30 minutes, which means in just an hour we will be able to cover 270km.

Upon landing at the Lukla airport, our real adventure to Everest begins all the way through the low alpine into the high Himalayas taking us to the highest altitude of 5545 meters at Kalapatthar and 5364 meters at the base camp of Mt. Everest.

Hiking through Lukla will reduce your required number of days for the trek along with the cost. This route is popular and also affordable for any trekkers, making one accomplish their dream of being at the base of the highest mountain on earth.

On the other hand, if you follow the old route to Everest Base Camp which is through Jiri or Salleri. This will take not less than 22-25 days to complete the trial, avoiding the flight (both ways). As the number of days increases the cost of the trip also does and driving all the way to Jiri or Salleri is also not an easy drive, it takes around 10-11 hours to reach the starting point of the trek off-road.

Now, to share my experience without any doubt I will recommend Everest Base Camp Trek Via Lukla which is affordable, and less time-consuming with scenic flights of the Himalayas.

For more information WhatsApp: +977-9841161593 or Email: [email protected]

Kumar Lamsal

Kumar is one of the Co-founders and Managing directors of Discover Altitude holding 18 years of experience in the tourism sector of Nepal. He has trekked to almost all the popular regions of Nepal and is an authorized trekking and tour guide.

Started his career as a porter to support his study, now holds MPhil and LLB degree, and is doing his Ph.D. in religious studies. He loves traveling to the Himalayas and has deep knowledge about religion, culture, and history.

Kumar is also involved in the teaching sector as a part-timer to deliver his research related to the cultural and religious diversity of Nepal and is the one who mostly answers your queries giving them his personal touch through his decade-long experience.

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Everest Base Camp Trek — a Top Tibet Trekking Trip

The Everest Base Camp Trek in Tibet is one of the most coveted trekking routes in the world. For those adventurers who dream of standing on the roof of the world and gazing at the world's highest peak, this route is well thought out, very doable, and satisfying in many ways!

Starting from the small town of Old Tingri at altitude 4,390 meters (14,400 feet), the 70-kilometer (43-mile) trek is moderately difficult, and is completed by thousands of trekkers every year. This amazing hike spans valleys and forests, mountain passes, and vast green plains.

Quick Facts about the Everest Base Camp Trek

Min. duration: 11 days (with Lhasa acclimatization and return travel)
Max. altitude: 5,200m (17,000 ft)
Difficulty: moderate (mostly flat roads)
Best times: around May or October
Start/finish: Old Tingri/ Rongbuk Base Camp
Food for the 4-day trek: carry what you need
Accommodation for the trek: camping (we can provide equipment)

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How Difficult is the Trek ?

Everest Base Camp Trekking Itinerary

Is an everest base camp trek worth it, is everest base camp trekking safe.

Best Times to Go

Accommodation

How Much for an EBC Trekking Tour

Travel Documents

Packing list, how difficult is the trek to everest base camp.

It is moderately difficult, which means it can be completed by most people of an average fitness level.

There is 70 km of trekking with altitudes ranging from 4,000m to 5,350m . The daily trekking distance is from 12 to 22km taking 5–8 hours. The trek does not require mountaineering skills and we have had many customers of different age ranges and physical conditions who have completed it.

Those with cardiovascular problems or other serious medical conditions should consult a doctor before considering the trek. We also recommend that you walk for a few hours per day at home, starting about 6–8 weeks before you leave so that your body will be used to this continuous exercise. Try to keep healthy and not to catch a cold before entering Tibet.

If you'd like to hike elsewhere in China as well, or it would probably be best if you chose a different hike, have a look at our China hiking tours for some options.

Generally speaking, you are suggested to spend 11 days in Tibet in order to include a trekking trip to Everest Base Camp. You would usually start from Lhasa with at least 2 days there to acclimate to the altitude. There you can visit the Potala Palace and the ancient monasteries , then drive to Gyantse via Lake Yamdrok , then to Shigatse .

You would have a night's stay in Shigatse after the 7-hour drive. The next day, a drive of around 5 hours crossing the Karola Glacier pass would bring you to the town of Old Tingri ( Dingri ). From there you'd begin the trek to Everest Base Camp .

Here is our suggested Tibet tour itinerary with Everest Base Camp trekking in brief:

Day 1: Arrive in Lhasa

Day 2: Stay in Lhasa

Day 3: Stay in Lhasa

Day 4: Drive from Lhasa to Gyantse to Shigatse (3,950m altitude, 7 hours)

Day 5: Drive from Shigatse to Old Tingri (4,300m altitude, 5 hours)

Day 6: Trek from Old Tingri to Lungthang (4,510m altitude, 12km, 5hours)

Day 7: Trek from Lungthang to Lamna La (5,150m altitude, 21km, 8hours)

Day 8: Trek from Lamna La to Zommug (4,790m altitude, 20km, 7hours)

Day 9: Trek from Zommug to Rongbuk Monastery , and continue another 8km to EBC (5,150m altitude, 15km, 5hours)

Day 10: Drive from Rongbuk to Shigatse via Sakya (4,200m altitude, 8 hours)

Day 11: Drive from Shigatse to Lhasa (5 hours)

See detail itinerary and price of our 11-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp Trek

If you're keen to trek to Everest, and you don't have the time or inclination to do the whole trek, you can also experience a short trek from Rongbuk to Mount Everest Base Camp, then back to Rongbuk. This trek is only 8 km and 2 hours or so is enough. This shorter trek tour can be done in 1 day .

Yes, we are confident it is. The trek from Tigris is challenging and interesting, full of small Tibetan villages and difficult-to-come-by Tibetan scenery along the way. You'll have a chance to understand and experience the original nomadic Tibetan way of life on the roof of the world.

The main highlights of this trek are Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Base Camp . Located at an altitude of 4,980 meters (16,338 ft), Rongbuk Monastery is renowned as the highest Buddhist temple in the world. The 120 -year-old temple is the holy focal point of Sherpas who live in the mountains around Mount Everest .

Of course, in any trip to Tibet, there is nothing more sublime than Mount Everest itself. Everest Base Camp is the closest place to the actual mountain that ordinary people can reach.

It has the best view of the hugest mountain in the world. However, there is no guarantee that you will see the summit because the weather decides hat the view is going to be like on any given day.

If you'd be interested in going to EBC without the trekking, have a look at our 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour .

There are many stories about deaths and frozen bodies left on Mount Everest . However, those cautionary accounts describe mountaineers who climbed(or attempted) the peak of Mount Everest and fell afoul of accidents or the extreme conditions near the top.

When we talk about Everest Base Camp , we mean the area near Rongbuk Monastery that ordinary travelers are allowed to visit. It's about 3,000 meters (9,842 ft) lower and quite safe by comparison.

EBC is about 20km( 13miles) from Mount Everest's summit as the crow flies. For climbers, winding mountain paths mean the trekking distance is much further. From EBC, travelers can view the summit of Mount Everest in fine weather.

As this trek is mainly on well-worn paths, it is really safe. The biggest danger is altitude sickness , but before you begin the trek you should have time to consider how your body is acclimating and whether to proceed.

Inclement weather could lead to hypothermia, particularly in winter or the rainy season, so we do not recommend trekking at these times. Getting lost will not be a problem if you have a guide.

11-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp Trek
8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour
4 Days Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour

Best Times to Go EBC Trekking

Based on their having more sunlight per day (it is cloudier in the summer rainy season) and relatively warmer weather, May and October are the best months for trekking and good opportunities for magnificent views of Mount Everest . The clouds will usually have cleared, but there may be snow and the temperature can drop quite low. These are good months for photography.

April and September are the second best months to go on this trek. In April, ice is still melting, and roads open again after the harsh winter. Clear views of the mountains are common. In September, the clouds clear after the monsoon passes. Everest summit views are less common, but roads and trails are free of snow and definitely passable.

Sometimes it rains from June to August . The trekking trails are free of snow and absolutely open to tourists, with the mildest temperatures. However, the mountains have a big possibility of being obscured by clouds and you may not see the clear view you want.

From November to February , the mountains and trekking routes are probably inaccessible, and many roads are blocked by snow. Travelers can still drive to Rongbuk Monastery and Everest Camp though. Winter is actually a good time to visit Tibet as the price is very favorable and the weather is often dry and clear.

Tibet closes every March . When Tibet is closed, we strongly suggest you pay a visit to Shangri-La in Yunnan. Shangri-La is unique for its Tibetan culture and alpine landscapes including sacred snow-capped mountains and spectacular gorges. Consider our amazing 4-Day Shangri-La Exploration Tour .

See more about visiting palaces and monasteries in Lhasa on our 4-Day Lhasa Highlights Comfort Tour .

Near Everest Base Camp, you can stay at Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse. It has double rooms or dormitory-style rooms. Clean thick duvets, pillows, and bed sheets are provided, and electric blankets are available in some rooms. There is no heating and there are no en suite toilets .

See more on Staying at Everest Base Camp or Rongbuk Monastery .

You will be camping for three nights during the trek, and you will need a good arctic-rated sleeping bag to stay warm in the cold environment.

For the convenience of our clients, we offer equipment as required: sleeping bags, trekking poles, hot water flasks, backpacks, and more to facilitate a comfortable and relaxed trek. A toilet tent will also be prepared.

We have prepared more information about The Best Hotels in Tibet with Free Oxygen to help you acclimate.

How Much Money for the EBC Trekking Tour

Based on the above sample itinerary, the price ranges from US$2,200 to US$4,000 [2021] per person for hotels from 3-star to 5-star. The price is based on a private group of 2–5 people.

Our price includes private guides and drivers, accommodation, camping gear and cooking equipment for trekking, entrance fees, all travel permits, and tax. Other expenses are up to you, such as tips for guides and drivers, souvenirs, alcohol, internal flights, and flights to Tibet, as well as travel insurance. A single room supplement is needed for single travelers.

We will provide you with a comfortable local vehicle with a four-wheel drive or a 7-seat mini-van (based on availability). Another private car will be arranged for camping gear and cookers.

During the tour, you will be accompanied by your personal driver and your professional English-speaking tour guide. They will give you any necessary help such as setting up a tent or cooking.

Our tour designs are very flexible . You can also make minor changes with your guide at the last minute and make stops at places of interest that are not in your original itinerary or spend more time at places than what has been scheduled.

All foreign citizens (non-Chinese passport holders) need a Tibet Entry Permit to enter Tibet. To visit the Mountain Everest area, an additional Alien's Travel Permit and a Military Permit are needed.

These Permits cannot be obtained independently. Permits can only be issued to travelers with an arranged tour with a China travel agency . China Highlights can obtain all of these permits for you.

Apart from the normal Tibet packing, there are some things you need to add to your bags for a trek.

Warm Clothes

Everest base camp is always very cold , even in summer, so you must keep yourself warm and have enough rest (as much as possible) to avoid altitude sickness and illness caused by cold weather. You need to take warm clothes with you all year round, so be sure to have warm jackets, sweaters, gloves, and hats.

Trekking Gear

Sunglasses, sunhat, good hiking boots , and hiking poles are highly recommended, and you can find them in many shops in Lhasa. We can provide all the camping gear including sleeping bags and hiking poles. Your local tour guide will help you with setting the tent up.

Personal Items

The trekking trail is in a remote area and therefore amenities are always scarce. So, you have to take your own things with you so that you. For example, you might want to take sunscreen with high SPF, necessary toiletries, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.

Bring any medication your doctor has prescribed for you. Traveling at high altitudes, you are also suggested to take altitude sickness medications.

You are suggested to carry chocolate, dried fruit, and other carbohydrate-rich trail foods with you. Remember to drink at least 3–4 liters of water per day to prevent dehydration.

To know more about Tibet Travel Tips

Touring China with Us

We understand that planning a trekking tour to Everest Base Camp is not easy, as it needs special permits and the procedure is more complex. Being an expert in the industry, we create unique experiences — designed to your needs and budget, using our expert knowledge .

If you are interested in a tour to Mt. Everest, check out our popular tours below for inspiration:

4-Day Lhasa Highlights Tour — Visit the most spectacular sites in Lhasa.
8-Day Lhasa and Everest Base Camp Tour — Welcome to the roof of the world — Mt. Everest.

Not interested in the above tour? Inquire about our Mount Everest small group tours , or you can tailor-make your own unique tour by telling us your interests and requirements. We will help you design a perfect trip.

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Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the major attractions of Nepal. Visiting the highest peak of the world at an altitude of 8848 meters so up close is on everyone’s bucket list. But only a few adventurous brave people can commit to embark on the adventure.

Embarking on any journey requires detailed information about the place. For any journey, the main requirement is always a map. Getting lost in a strange place is a nightmare. To avoid such a nightmare from becoming reality, you should always carry a map with you.

With the Everest Base Camp Trek map , the chances of you getting lost are reduced. The age of technology does make it seem like maps are pretty useless. But with the trekking being in a remote area, a physical Everest Base Camp Trek map would seem like the most useful and important item.

With a challenging adventure as the Everest Base Camp Trek , you can never be too careful. You will always need an Everest Base Camp Trek map with you in case of any uncertainties. Also, wherever you go, it’s a smart move to do a little research about where you will be reaching or what you will be doing there.

With the map of Everest Base Camp Trek, you will not only be able to find the routes easily, but you will also know where you are at the moment and what the main attraction of the place is. For example, with a map, you will know that a certain monastery or religious landmark is nearing and prepare yourself accordingly.

Trek Route Summary

Standard everest base camp route.

The 15 days Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular route taken by trekkers. The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, you will trek most of the day with around 5-6 hours of trekking every day. Passing through Namche bazaar on Day 4th for acclimatization , you will travel through religious monuments like Tengboche. Another acclimatization point at Dingboche is used during the trip.

You will reach the base camp on the ninth day of the trek. Taking the same way back, retracing your steps, you will return to Kathmandu on a flight from Lukla. This will mark the end of your Everest Base camp trek. This route is marked In blue in the map provided above.

Helicopter return (optional)

Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Cost with Landing

Another route for Everest Base Camp Trek is returning by helicopter. This allows you to have a clear view of the mountains from a higher altitude. The Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return includes all the same routes and stops as the base camp trek of 15 days. You will catch a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and travel through Namche bazaar to the Everest Base Camp. The only difference is that you will be returning from Kala Patthar to Kathmandu by helicopter . Here you will enjoy the superb view of the mountains, the valleys, and the trails.

Three pass trek (optional)

The path in grey in the Everest Base Camp Trek map is the one that takes us through the three passes to reach our final destination i.e, the Everest Base Camp. This route takes us for a challenging adventure through the Valley of death. The three pass route takes us to the Gokyo village and Gokyo Ri to witness the glorious mountains standing tall in their full beauty.

This route takes you to a mystical journey through the three passes: Kongma-la Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass . This place provides the best view of the Everest Base Camp. The three pass trek provides the trekkers with a solidarity trek on the way back. This trek route takes a total of 18 days , unlike the classical trekking route.

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Details as per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map

As per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map, the route for the classic Everest Base Camp trek follows the following routes making the stops below:

Kathmandu to Phakding

Lukla – Phakding Distance: 6.2 km | Max altitude: 2,610 m | Estimated Trek hours: 4 – 5 hrs

The main route shown as per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map is the classical Everest Base Camp Trek route. The trek starts from a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and ends the day at Phakding.

Phakding to Namche: Rest one day for acclimatizing

Distance: 7.4 km | Max altitude: 3440 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-7 hours

From Phakding, this route leads us to Namche Bazaar through Manjoo. This stop is an acclimatization point where you will rest for the day to help better adapt to the altitude.

Namche to Tengboche

Distance: 5.9 km | Max altitude: 3867 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

The next stop on this route is Tengboche. This is a Buddhist monastery worshipped by the sherpas. The map clearly shows how to reach the monastery from Namche Bazaar.

Tengboche to Dingboche – rest one day for acclimatizing

Distance: 9.1 km| Max altitude: 4260 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

From the monastery in Tengboche, the route leads you to Dingboche. This is a small village on the way. You will rest at this spot for the day acclimatizing and head to the next stop the next day.

Dingboche to Lobuche

Distance: 6.6 km | Max altitude: 4930 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

Lobuche is the next stop from Dingboche. There are two routes to reaching Lobuche. On the map, we can clearly see the routes we can take.

Lobuche to Everest Base Camp – Gorakshep

Distance: 12.1 km to Everest Base camp 1.7 km to Gorakshep: | Max altitude: 5364 m| Estimated Trek hours: 3-4 hours

From Lobuche, we can reach Everest Base Camp. At an altitude of 5364 meters, we will reach Everest Base Camp and enjoy the view of the breathtaking mountains. After the achievement of a lifetime, you will descend to Gorakshep.

Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Periche

Distance: 1.2 km to Kalapatthar 10 km to Pheriche | Max altitude: 5545 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-7 hours

The way back is now all descents. Only today, you will hike up to Kalapatthar in the morning. The view of the mountains in the early sunrise is to die for. This is one of the main attractions of the entire trek. Then you can descend to Pheriche.

Pheriche to Namche Bazaar

Distance: 14.2 km| Max altitude: 4243 m | Estimated Trek hours: 7-8 hours

The return route is the same as the one you took to get up to the base camp. You will follow the same route you took from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Distance: 13.5 km | Max altitude: 3440 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-8 hours

From Namche, you will return to Lukla through Manjoo and Phakding through the same trails as before. The only difference is that the way will no long be uphill.

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Distance: 138 km | Max altitude: 2886 m| Estimated hours: 40 minutes

Your journey finally ends with the almost-cinematic view of the mountains and the valley. All this from your comfortable flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

This trek takes only 15 days to take the daring journey and come back.

Alternative Route Map from Base Camp

This route is similar to the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The way up is the same. However, the way back has a lot in store for you. After reaching Diboche from Namche Bazaar, you will reach the first pass of the three- Kongma-la pass . This provides spectacular views of the Khumbu glaciers.

You will reach Everest Base Camp from the pass soon. On the way back you will trek to Gokyo lakes via Cho La Pass . Here, you will see awestruck views of the religious Dudh Koshi river and the valleys around it. the pass lets you see the majestic view of the highest peaks like Cho-Oyu, Chola, Lhotse, etc.

Unlike the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route, this route is remote and of a higher difficulty level so be careful on the descent. On the way back from Gokyo to Namche, you will pass through the last pass i.e, Renjo La Pass at an altitude of 5360 meters.

The rest of the trek is the same as before. You will follow the trail back from Namche to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu. This trek takes you 18 days to reach the base camp and return back to your flight.

Return by Helicopter

Apart from the strenuous treks to and back from the base camp, there is an alternative route for your convenience. If you aren’t really good with descents or don’t want to walk back the same route, the same way you came up, you can always opt to choose the return by helicopter choice. There are many reasons to choose Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour .

This route takes you through the classic Everest Base Camp trek route letting you experience all the trekking adventure while giving you the opportunity to end the trek with a unique Helicopter return to Kathmandu. This reduces your travel time and provides you a great opportunity to enjoy the view of the mountains from a helicopter without straining yourself more.

This route allows you to reach the base camp and enjoy the majestic view from Kalapattar. The helicopter return route picks you up from Kalapatthar and takes you t o Kathmandu straight through the mind blowing view of the mountains, valleys, and the glaciers and rivers.

The difficulty of the routes

15 days classic everest base camp trek.

The venturesome trek to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular and daring treks in Nepal. The trekkers do face some difficulties to overcome this daring journey.

The uncertainty of the Lukla flight is one of the major difficulties faced by trekkers here. The Lukla flight is one of the main attractions of the flight with the tempting view of the valley and the mountains. But his flight is heavily affected by the weather. Unexpected changes in weather have known to cause many cancellations so make sure to check the weather carefully.

Being at an altitude of 5364 meters , you will have to hike up a lot. Altitude sickness is probable in the high mountains. So take your time to acclimatize in the stops as per the maps guidance and enjoy the trek without any problems.

Three Pass Trek Difficulty

Among the three routes mentioned above and shown in the map, the Three Passes Trek Route is the most challenging one. There are many things to consider before embarking on this journey. This route is often chosen by people to avoid human traffic on the way. The difficulty of this trek is higher than the classic route due to the sudden uphill on the way to EBC.

You can take this route to go to the base camp which will help you in reaching the base camp fast instead of taking this route on the way back. The alternative route is filled with glorious views but the trail is kind of steep and the altitude suddenly increases.

The difficulty almost everyone faces in this route to go to Everest Base Camp is the difficulty to acclimatize in the Gokyo valley . The route seems to take only a few hours of walking so the trekkers usually rush in without proper acclimatization leading to altitude sickness.

Als, you should be careful to choose the best season to travel through this road.

Seasons are important for both ascending and descending the route. If you travel during the rainy season, there are many chances of landslides or you sliding down the slippery roads. So keep in mind to check the season and the climate before booking your trip.

Helicopter Return

The trek to Everest Base camp with helicopter return is a deal stealer as the package provides you with so many different routes and a spectacular view of the mountains and the valleys. The only difficulty that can arise on this magnificent trip is the unpredictable weather changes .

Helicopter rides are fun and exquisite, especially in the mountain range. But they aren’t advisable in bad weather conditions. The safety is in question in bad weather. So before you decide to plan a helicopter ride home from Everest Base Camp, please keep in mind that weather affects your ride a lot.

Best Time to go to Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is a challenging trek that takes you through uphills and rocky roads. The best time to go to Everest Base Camp in the spring season during the months of February to May. The routes to reach the base camp are dry during these months.

The winter season through December to February can also be a good time but the temperature is obviously low.

The rainy season, however, is not a good time. You should avoid embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek during the rainy season. Especially during the Gokyo route, the roads are very steep and unsafe in the rainy seasons. So best keep yourself out of the route during the rainy season to avoid any mishaps.

Before setting on an adventurous trek to Everest Base Camp, you should research the best time to go trekking to get the most out of your journey.

Why Do You Need Everest Base Camp Trek Map?

Stay on track.

Traveling through the steep snowy roads of Everest Base Camp trek, it’s easy to lose your way. Awestruck with the beauty of the place, you can get distracted from the route sometimes. These are the time maps come in handy. In the remote villages, charging your phones may be difficult. Also, wifi at such an altitude is rare. At such a time, carrying a map will be very handy.

Discover New Routes

With the Everest Base Camp Trek map, you can find out new routes to reach your destination. Discussing with your guide or your group, you can decide to take new routes to your destination. The map contains all the possible routes you can take to reach your destination and different attractions and stops on that particular stop. With the map, your Everest Base Camp Trek can be a surprising adventure with different attractions with you in control.

A Basic Necessity For A Solo Trek

Many adventurous trekkers embark on a solo trek for Everest Base Camp Trek. These trekkers are passionate about reaching the destination with their own efforts. If you are one of these passionate adventurous daredevils, you should get yourself an Everest Base Camp Trek map and initiate the adventure.

Other essentials for the Trek

Apart from the map of the Everest Base Camp Trek to guide you through the different routes of the Trek, there are other essentials for the trek like:

Trekking boots and hiking poles
Warm clothes like down jacket and fleece trousers
Personal medical kit
Portable chargers
Toiletries and water bottles

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Six-year-old Dubai pupil sets sights high after Everest trek

Ivan krasiukov reached base camp of the world's tallest mountain during an unforgettable eid family holiday.

From left to right: Alla Krasiukov, Ivan Krasiukov, grade one pupil at Bloom World Academy, and Dmitrii Krasiukov at Mount Everest base camp.

A six-year-old Dubai schoolboy is embracing the high life – after trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest in Nepal on his first attempt.

Ivan Krasiukov, a Russian pupil at Bloom World Academy, scaled an altitude of 5,364m in only seven days to make for an Eid family getaway that will be tough to top.

The daring youngster was accompanied by his parents, Dmitrii and Alla Krasiukov, and a sherpa for the remarkable feat, which saw him complete energy-sapping walks and climbs in freezing temperatures.

Ivan reached base camp on April 10 and spent another three days journeying back.

“I felt a little bit sad and a little bit happy when I reached the base camp,” said Ivan.

“I was happy to reach the destination but sad the journey had come to an end and we would have to take a flight back to Dubai.

“I liked seeing the Khumbu glacier. It was very beautiful.”

Scaling new heights

Ivan Krasiukov with sherpa Krishna on his Everest adventure. Source: Dmitrii Krasiukov

Ivan had been one only one other trek before taking on Mount Everest and said the cold winds posed a challenge.

“My hand was freezing because of the wind,” said Ivan.

The pupil said he enjoyed seeing animals such as yaks, oxen, donkeys and horses during his epic journey.

He also enjoyed eating pasta, which was available at the lodges along the way.

His father, Dmitrii Krasiukov, decided to go for the trek to the Everest base camp, but Ivan relished the opportunity to take part.

Sense of adventure

The only way is up for the young mountaineer, who vowed that he hasn't reached the peak of his ambitions just yet.

He is ready to go to the Everest Base Camp again and in the future hopes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Elbrus in Russia.

Ivan already maintains an active lifestyle, having a keen interest in athletics, acrobatics, parkour, swimming, and dancing and has about 12 training sessions per week, said his family.

In athletics, Ivan runs various distances, which helped him to build the necessary endurance for the journey.

During the trek, Ivan used special trekking poles, but he did not use them during the last three days of the trip.

Proud parents

Mr Krasiukov said the family faced plenty of adversity on the gruelling climb.

“The most difficult day was the first day, and then Ivan got used to it. After that, it was easier.

“Of course, the day when we climbed to the base camp was challenging.

“On the way, there was a sandstorm and huge rocks that had to be climbed.

“Another difficult day was when we climbed from 4,000 to 4,900 metres for an acclimatisation day in Dingboche, and Ivan's hands froze because a strong and cold wind rose after lunch.”

At that moment, his father gave Ivan his gloves.

“It was a useful experience because after that, we bought warm mittens made of yak wool to avoid a similar situation when climbing to the Everest Base Camp,” said Mr Krasiukov.

“He's quite strong and he has endurance, which is very important in the mountains.”

Mr Krasiukov said he had prepared himself for the trek by running 5km every day, while his wife prepared by doing horse-riding.

“When Ivan was on the trek, he travelled alongside people from different countries such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, India, the UK, Spain, the US, Russia, Kazakhstan, and others,” he said.

“They all knew that Ivan was on the trek and that he was six years old, walking there without any assistance or support. This is not easy even for most adults.

“In Dingboche at an altitude of 4000 meters, he felt slightly nauseous, but it quickly passed.”

Bloom World Academy head teacher John Bell said: “At Bloom World Academy, we couldn't be prouder of Ivan's remarkable achievement at such a young age.

“His dedication to training, coupled with his adventurous spirit, is truly inspiring. Ivan's rigorous regimen, including athletics, acrobatics, parkour, swimming and dancing, prepared him well for the journey.

“Throughout the trek, he utilised special trekking poles, a testament to his determination and resilience. We commend Ivan for his exceptional accomplishment and look forward to supporting his future adventures.”

Dubai South set to boom as Al Maktoum International Airport plan transforms city

Cumbrians tackle Mount Everest base camp ascent for St Mary's Hospice

A group of Cumbrians have been facing Mount Everest to raise money for a local hospice.

The fundraisers arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, on Tuesday, April 16 and have been getting closer to the top of the world ever since.

The walkers are being guided by Matt Le Voi from LMG Treks and Expeditions, taking them under his wing and guiding them through the beautiful forests, Sherpa villages, glacial moraines, and foothills to reach Everest Base Camp.

It has been an emotional journey for those out walking and for their friends and family back home who are cheering them on every step of the way.

Matt said: “The trek to the base camp is rightly popular thanks to its amazing views, immersion into the local culture, and of course because of the physical challenge it offers.

“The team have trekked every day, whilst pitting their bodies against ever-increasing altitude and other challenges such a trek poses."

The team has already raised a 'tremendous' amount of money which will be going to St Mary's Hospice based in Ulverston .

Matt added: "For some, this has been the toughest thing they've ever undertaken, but the level of satisfaction amongst the team for having visited the world-famous base camp at the foot of the tallest mountain in the world is through the roof.

“The team has one further day to trek before they can return to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, and shortly after, back home to share their amazing stories with their loved ones.”

The hospice only gets about one fifth of its funding from the Government, meaning events such as this are vital to keep the organisation running.

Events and challenges manager Mel Dixon said: “I find it hard to put into words just how incredibly proud I am of each and every person who decided to join the Everest Base Camp trek - they’ve raised a phenomenal amount of money that will help us keep going.

“I’ve kept in close contact with the group while they’re out there and hearing the stories they have shared and what it means to them is enough to make anyone tear up.”

Places are available for Everest Base Camp 2025 and you can find out more information here or by emailing Mel at [email protected].

The St Mary's team at Everest Base Camp (Image: St Mary's Hospice)

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110 Baker St. Moscow, ID 83843
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A Classical & Christ-Centered Education

Blue Knights Basketball Camp

What: Logos Elementary Basketball

Who: Boys in 4 th – 6 th grade

When: Permission Form is due Tuesday, February 24.

Practice starts Thursday, February 26 and will run through mid April.

Games and practices take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch.

Details: The focus of the program is to provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of basketball with instruction and practice in dribbling, passing, shooting, defense, and general conditioning. Tryouts will take place during the first two weeks of practice. Each player is required to bring his own basketball. There is no cost, and no one is guaranteed a spot on a team. We are looking for young men who work hard, pay attention, and set the same sort of example in the classroom.

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IMAGES

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK COMPLETE GUIDE
Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake
Everything You Need To Know About Everest Base Camp Trek
MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING (Kathmandu)
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COMMENTS

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length and Elevation
Distance. The classic Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla to EBC and back is 130km long - 65km each way - which may sound like a lot of trekking! Fear not, because the typical round trip to Everest Base Camp takes around 12 days, the actual distance you will be covering each day will be about 15km - a much more reasonable and achievable number.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Doing the Mount Everest Base Camp trek, hiking on the Khumbu glacier through small villages over many suspension bridges looking at Mt. Everest and the Khumbu Valley is a fantastic round trip. ... Everest Base Camp Trek Overview. Distance - 120 km/75 mi; Days required - 12 days; Total ascent - 6015 m/19 734 ft; Total descent - 5821 m/19 ...
How To Do The Everest Base Camp Trek In Nepal
Trekking Distance. The one way trekking distance from Lukla to Mt Everest Base Camp is about 65 kilometers (40 miles). That means the total roundtrip distance of an EBC Trek is about 130 kilometers, even if you don't do any of the detours. Don't let that scare you off. It's a lot of hiking, but every step is worth it.
Everest Base Camp Trek (Nepal): The Essential Guide
Plan your Everest Base Camp trek with our in-depth guide. Includes a trek overview, itinerary suggestions, practical tips, maps, and more. ... EVEREST BASE CAMP (Return Hike) 6.3 km 2.5 hours: 255 m: 255 m: DAY 10 (Part 2) GORAK SHEP → PHERICHE: 11.6 km 4.5 hours: 110 m: 1022 m: ... of Mount Everest (8849 m)
Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Guide
EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK DETAILS. Distance: 120 km round-trip from Lukla to Base Camp and back to Lukla (You will fly to Lukla from Kathmandu); Days required: 12 -14 days; Total Incline: (Undulation) - 6015 m; Total Decline:(Undulation) - 5821 m; The highest point on the trek: 5640 m/18 500 ft, this is actually at Kala Patthar, which you will hike to in the morning after reaching Everest ...
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance (Route Overview)
Updated: April 25, 2023. The Everest Base Camp Trek distance is a 130 km round trip beginning from Lukla. However, the outward 65 kilometers to Everest Base Camp takes far longer as you need to factor in acclimatization. If you were to rush to base camp, you would almost certainly fall ill from altitude sickness.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance
Below is a tabulated outline of the distances between various locations along the Everest Base Camp trail, alongside the corresponding duration required to reach each destination: Day. Location. Distance (km) Duration (hours) 2. Lukla - Phakding. 8.2 km. 3 to 4 hrs.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The trek is 63km (39 miles) each way. 126 km (78 miles) round trip from Lukla. Expect to hike anywhere between 7 to 17 km per day. And that is a day-by-day breakdown of our experience on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. If you plan ahead and understand what to expect on the EBC Trek, you will be sure to have an amazing journey. ...
How to trek to Everest Base Camp
The thing that makes the EBC trek tough is the altitude. Base Camp is at 5600m (18,373ft) and you will need to spend one or two nights above 5000m (16,404ft). Above 4000m (13,123ft) you are going to feel increasingly lethargic and out of breath as the amount of oxygen in the air decreases. Combine this with the cold, the discomfort of being at ...
The ULTIMATE Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary [2024]
Altitude: Kathmandu (1 400m) - Lukla (2 860m) - Phakding (2 610m). Trekking time: 3-4 hours | 7,4 km. Difficulty: Easy with only a few uphill sections. Highlight: Flight into Lukla. Overview: The first day of your Everest Base Camp trek itinerary will start bright and early with a flight out of Kathmandu to the infamous Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length and Elevation
Everest Base Camp is a high elevation trek with multiple altitudes. This is the most crucial part of your trek. The lowest point from where you start trekking will be Lukla at 2800 meters and the highest point from where you can get a clear view of Mount Everest peak, is Kala Patthar elevated at a staggering 5645 meters.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance Length and Elevation Guide
Updated on Jul 2, 2023; Notice: Nepal bans solo trekking for foreigners, coming into effect from 1st April 2023. There is no doubt about the popularity of Everest Base Camp Trek (15-Day) which has always been rated among the top ten destinations for trekkers around the globe.Now, the question is why travelers prefer to hike all the way to Everest despite its difficulty.
Everest Base Camp Trek: Things to Know before Going
Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp needs 4 days. The price is from US$2,200. It is 70 km of trekking with altitudes from 4,000 to 5,350 m and is for those of average fitness. China Tours. ... The Everest Base Camp Trek in Tibet is one of the most coveted trekking routes in the world. For those adventurers who dream of standing on the roof of the ...
Everest Base Camp Trek Map
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp - Gorakshep. Distance: 12.1 km to Everest Base camp 1.7 km to Gorakshep: | Max altitude: 5364 m| Estimated Trek hours: 3-4 hours. From Lobuche, we can reach Everest Base Camp. At an altitude of 5364 meters, we will reach Everest Base Camp and enjoy the view of the breathtaking mountains.
Everest Base Camp Trek
Join me as I trek to the Everest Base Camp 00:00 Intro00:13 Lukla to Monjo04:26 Monjo to Namche Bazar, Everest View Hotel, Sherpa Museum10:00 Namche Bazar to...
Everest base camps
South Base Camp in Nepal. The Everest Base Camp trek on the south side, at an elevation of 5,364 m (17,598 ft), is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and about 40,000 people per year make the trek there from Lukla Airport (2,846 m or 9,337 ft). Trekkers usually fly from Kathmandu to Lukla to save time and energy before beginning the trek to the base camp.
100 years after disappearing on Everest, climber's letters home ...
In this photograph taken on May 1, 2021 mountaineers trek along the Khumbu glacier near Everest base camp in the Mount Everest region of Solukhumbu district, some 140 km northeast of Nepal's ...
Royal Navy: Portsmouth engineers conquer Himalayas mountain peaks ...
Brave Royal Navy engineers have climbed some of the toughest mountain peaks in the Himalayas as they trek to Mount Everest. A 14-strong team from Portsmouth's 1710 Naval Air Squadron spent 15 days ...
Dubai schoolboy, 6, sets sights high after Mount Everest trek
A six-year-old Dubai schoolboy is embracing the high life - after trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest in Nepal on his first attempt.. Ivan Krasiukov, a Russian pupil at Bloom World Academy, scaled an altitude of 5,364m in only seven days to make for an Eid family getaway that will be tough to top.
Cumbrians tackle Mount Everest base camp ascent for St Mary's Hospice
A group of Cumbrians have been facing Mount Everest to raise money for a local hospice. The fundraisers arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, on Tuesday, April 16 and have been getting closer to ...
Blue Knights Basketball Camp
Blue Knights Basketball Camp. What: Logos Elementary Basketball. Who: Boys in 4 th - 6 th grade. When: Permission Form is due Tuesday, February 24. Practice starts Thursday, February 26 and will run through mid April. Games and practices take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch. Details: The focus of the program is to provide a solid ...
Un Doudou Sauvage
38 likes, 0 comments - un_doudou_sauvage on April 28, 2024: "Everest Base Camp Trek Jiri ️ Lukla trail Jiri - Bandar 20.24 km | 1526m D+ ⛰️ | 6h40 ⏱️ Et nous voilà en...". Un Doudou Sauvage | Everest Base Camp Trek Jiri ️ Lukla trail 📍Jiri - Bandar📍 20.24 km 🏃 | 1526m D+ ⛰️ | 6h40 ⏱️ Et nous voilà en... | Instagram
Sokolniki Camping for Tents and Motorhomes in Moscow
Sokolniki camping is right inside Sokolniki park, which is one of the biggest parks in Moscow not so far from the city center (about 20-30 minutes with a car / taxi and about 50 mins with public transport). They offer spots for motorhomes for €10 (including 1 person, every additional person is €7) and spots to pitch a tent for €5 per tent ...
(New player) what is the bst place to build base around moscow?
Posted by u/ZMAJ_SARIC - 5 votes and 7 comments
Moscow at night
Cold climate trek gear for Everest Base Camp and MT Kilimanjaro explained; Altitude Acclimatisation Rules; Safety While Traveling In Nepal; Gear Tips. First Aid Kits & what they should contain; How to load your backpack for trekking the Kokoda trail, Mt Kilimanjaro and more; sorting and packing your gear for trekking; Waterproofing Your ...

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length and Elevation

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EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

EVEREST BASE CAMP

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK OVERVIEW

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK SUMMARY

NAMCHE BAZAAR TO DINGBOCHE

DINGBOCHE ACCLIMATISATION DAY

EVEREST BASE CAMP TO LUKLA

HOW TO GET TO LUKLA WITHOUT FLYING

FOOD ON THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

NEPAL TOURIST VISAS

BUDGET KATHMANDU ACCOMMODATION

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING FILMS

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK MAP & GPX DOWNLOAD

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ELEVATION PROFILE

3D ROUTE MAP

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

CLASSIC EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

ALTERNATIVE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY VIA KHUMJUNG AND PHORTSE

EVEREST BASE CAMP VIA KONGMA LA TREK ITINERARY

EVEREST BASE CAMP AND GOKYO LAKES TREK ITINERARY

IMPORTANCE OF BUFFER DAYS

OUR RECOMMENDED TREKKING AGENCY

LUKLA TO NAMCHE BAZAAR

NAMCHE BAZAAR ACCLIMATISATION DAY

CLASSIC ROUTE VIA TENGBOCHE

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA KHUMJUNG AND PHORTSE

CLASSIC ROUTE

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA KONGMA LA

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA CHO LA AND GOKYO LAKES

SEE MORE FROM NEPAL

Everest Base Camp Trek: The Essential Guide

Everest Three Passes Trekking Route Guide

Everest Three Passes Trek: The Essential Guide

Gosainkunda Helambu Trekking Route Guide

Gosainkunda Trek: The Essential Guide

Langtang Valley Trekking Route Guide

Langtang Valley Trek: The Essential Guide

What To Pack For Trekking In Nepal

Upper Mustang Trek: The Essential Guide

Upper Mustang Trek Itinerary: A Day By Day Account

Annapurna Circuit Trek: The Essential Guide

Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary: A Day By Day Account

Manaslu Circuit Trek: The Essential Guide

Manaslu Circuit Trek Itinerary: A Day By Day Account

PLAN A TREK IN THE LANGTANG VALLEY

FLYING TO LUKLA

FLYING TO PHAPLU/SALLERI

HOW TO GET FROM KATHMANDU TO RAMECHHAP AIRPORT (MANTHALI)

HELICOPTER TO LUKLA

KATHMANDU TO LUKLA OVERLAND STAGES

STEP 2 // DRIVE SALLERI/PHAPLU TO THAMDADA (or Bupsa, Kharikhola, Adderi or elsewhere depending on road condition)

STEP 3 // TREK THAMDADA TO LUKLA OR CHEPLUNG

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK PERMIT AND FEES

KHUMBU TREK CARD

SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK FEE