everest base camp trek australia

• Classic EBC Trek
• EBC + Gokyo Trek
• Jiri to EBC
• 3 Passes Trek to EBC
• Island Peak and EBC
• Acclimatisation
• Packing List
• Get a Trek Quote

Start planning your Everest base camp trek

We help adventure-seekers plan and book their dream trek to EBC

Welcome to EBC Trek Guide

Reaching Everest Base Camp has become the goal of thousands of avid trekkers the world over. There is a sense of grandeur that comes with trekking through an area considered a Mecca for climbing and mountain enthusiasts.

This website is the most comprehensive online guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek. On it you will find all the information you need to trek safely and successfully in the region.

On this page we provide a general overview to the Everest Base Camp Trek, along with many links to further reading on topics like: Altitude Sickness, Packing Lists, Route Variations and many FAQs!

Plan your EBC Trek

Get a quote from our recommended local EBC trek operator

Everest Base Camp Trek FAQ

What makes the everest base camp hike special.

The iconic Everest Base Camp Trek leads you through the Khumbu Valley, allowing you to experience the immense beauty of the surrounding  Sagarmatha National Park  while simultaneously providing breath-taking vistas of 4 of the 6 highest peaks in the world – My. Everest (8.848m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 meters), Mt. Makalu (8,470 meters) and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters).

The classic trek retraces the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and the countless other early pioneers of Mount Everest as you trek from Lukla to the Base Camp.

As a  teahouse trek  you will stay in some of the highest villages in the world as you explore the local culture and traditions of the native Sherpas by learning about their spiritual connection with the mountains.

On the trek you will have the chance to ascend  Kala Patthar , reaching an altitude of 5,500m and witness awe-inspiring views of Mount Everest.

You will also have the chance to explore the various Buddhist monasteries dotted along the trail and learn about a culture steeped in history and tradition, inextricably linked to the very mountains on which you have unforgettable views.

Below we have provided a brief overview of the classic route itinerary, with regional and trekking maps. We have also answered some of the most frequently asked questions on the logistics of the trek, permits, tour guides, weather, insurance, cost, difficulty and what to pack.

Where is the Everest base camp trek located?

All treks in the Everest region are located within the orange rectangle on the map below. The block represents the Everest or Khumbu region of Nepal and shows its location in relation to Kathmandu, where flights to and from Nepal arrive and depart.

The starting point of the Everest Base Camp Trek,  Lukla , is also visible on the map. Other variations of the trek which don’t involve flying to Lukla generally start at Jiri – you can read more about this route variation  here .

What is the best Everest region map?

There are many great trekking maps for the Everest Region. Some take in the Gokyo region, whereas others cover Jiri and further Southern and Western aspects of the region.

We recommend Nepa Maps .

What is the best Everest guidebook?

We recommended taking a detailed guidebook with you on the trek. 

The Lonely Planet Trekking in Nepal Himalaya guidebook is updated regularly and is a well-known, trusted resource used by many trekkers worldwide.

The guide is very detailed and contains information for many treks, meaning you can use it more than once!

How high is Everest base camp?

Everest base camp is 5,364 metres (17,598 ft) high. The graph below shows the altitude profile for the classic Everest Base Camp trek. The order of the names on the horizontal axis shows the typical progression of the hike with the major stops on the way. The graph makes it easier to see the gradual ascent and more rapid descent of the trek.

The highest point on the EBC hike is Kala Patthar at 5,554 meters.

What is the day-to-day itinerary on the Mt Everest base camp hike?

The classic Everest Base Camp Trek starts in Lukla and leads you through the Khumbu Valley to the Everest Base Camp situated on the south-side of Mount Everest.

Most trekker’s adventures, however, begin in Kathmandu where the international airport for Nepal is located. From there it is a short, yet  unforgettable flight into Lukla  from where you will start the actual trekking (try get a seat on the left hand side of the plane for best first views of the Himalaya).

The entire journey including the trek typically lasts between 14 and 16 days, with 12 days on the trail. Of these 12 days, 2/3 will be spent acclimatising to the high altitude, so 9-10 days of actual trekking can be expected.

For those who don’t want to start their trek by flying into Lukla Airport, the  Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek  variation provides a unique alternative. This trek starts with a bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri from where the trekking starts. Because Jiri is considerably further away than Lukla, this variation will add around 5 days onto the trek.

Here is a standard itinerary for a 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek experience.

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu 

If you have organised a trip with a tour operator they will usually provide airport transfers, otherwise there are loads of taxis available at the airport. Top tip: make sure to agree a price before getting in the taxi. Meters are sometimes used, but rare. We recommend staying in Thamel (which is about 15 minute drive from Kathmandu airport). There are many hotels in Thamel, Kathmandu, with varying degrees of hospitality.

Vibrant streets of Thamel, Kathmandu

Day 2: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla. Trek to Phadking

Weather permitting you will fly from Kathmandu International Airport to Lukla in the morning. Flights to Lukla are prone to delay due to weather. We recommend building as much flexibility into your itinerary to cater for delays (i.e. having a day or two spare after the trek).

If trekking with a tour operator they will have arranged your flight, otherwise you can purchase tickets at the airport for around US$250-$300 return. If you are taking a guide the cost of his flight with be charged at a local rate of about $100 return.

Expect a nerve-racking flight into the famous Lukla Airport that provides great views of the region and of Everest – try to get a seat on the left side of the plane. Once landed, you will start the trek to the village of Phadking – on the way you will pass incredible boulders, carved with Buddhist prayers.

Day 3: Trek from Phadking to Namche Bazaar

This day will be spent trekking from Phadking through Mojo, ending up in Namche Bazaar. Some people cut this day short by stopping in Mojo (if you do the Mount Kailash Teahouse is great, and offers hot showers!).

You will enter the Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) on this day. You will have plenty of time spent in Namche Bazaar – a small Sherpa market town, with countless sightseeing opportunities including the potential to catch your first glimpse of Everest.

Sign with rules about entering Sagamartha National Park

Day 4: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar

At close to 3,500m, Namche Bazaar acts as an important acclimatization stop while doubling up as an opportunity to explore the village and surrounding areas. If it happens to be a Saturday, be sure to check out the market. Most tour guides will take you on a short acclimatization trek to the Everest View Hotel.

If it’s a clear day you should be able to snap some awesome pics of Ama Dablam in the foreground, and Mount Everest in the background. The hotel also provides WiFi at a cost so if you’re looking to call back home or just to connect, bring your device with you. For more information on internet on the trek, check out our detailed article .

Namche Bazaar

Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

The day is spent trekking from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche, the home of the Tengboche Monastery – the largest in the region.

Some variations will take you through the ancient Tibet-Nepal trading route over the Nanpa La pass to Thami.

Day 6: Trek from Tengboche to Periche

The next stop on the trek is Pheriche – the home of the Himalaya Rescue Association . The route takes you through Phangboche, which offers amazing views of Ama Dablam towering above you.

Day 7: Acclimitization Day. Potentially Trek from Pheriche to Dingboche

Pheriche is usually used as a stop for the second acclimatization day. There are various activities to do in the area. Tshola Tsho Lake is a popular destination for trekkers stopping in Pheriche.

Your tour guide might even take you to the nearby village of Dingboche where you will be able to see great views of Lhotse and Island Peak to the east. Dingboche is used as the start to the  variation trek to Island Peak .

Day 8: Trek from Pheriche to Lobuche  

This day is long and is spent climbing over 600m from Pheriche to Lobuche. On the way, you will pass the well-known Khumbu Glacier as well as various memorials to those Sherpas and climbers who have died on Everest.

You will be able to see Scott Fischer’s memorial here. You will also see Lobuche East (make sure to use the zoom on your camera or if you have binoculars to try see any climbers on the peak)

Scott Fischer's memorial

Day 9: Hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, the highest permanently inhabited village in the world. Here, you will rest for a while and have something to eat before climbing further to the Everest Base Camp.

The trekker stop point is just before the actual base camp.

Most tour groups are not allowed to enter or stay in Everest Base Camp so take the chance to experience the buzz and excitement of the climbing groups is often limited.

After getting your iconic picture taken at EBC you will descend back to Gorak Shep where you will stay for the night.

Day 10: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar, then onto Dingboche

Another day of steep trekking allows you to reach Kala Patthar – the highest point on the trek at just over 5,500m. Its location and height result in the best views of Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse in the area. Just hope that the weather is kind to you on this day as it is one of the highlights of the whole trek.

That same day you will descend over 1,000m down to Dingboche where you will spend the night.

View from Kala Patthar with EBC, the Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse and Mount Everest in the background

Day 11: Hike back to Namche Bazaar from Dingboche

Descend back to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche. Keep your camera on you as you pass through the rhododendron covered slopes – making for a great photo.

Day 12: Hike from Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Return all the way back to Lukla with a long day of hiking. Your last night on the mountain will be spent celebrating in Lukla.

Day 13 and 14: Fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu

Catch the return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu in the morning. Onward travel back home our to your next destination!

More Everest Base Camp hike FAQs

How much does it cost to trek to everest base camp.

You can trek to Mt Everest base camp for as little as $700 if you go solo without a guide. Guided tours that often include return flights to Kathmandu cost around $1000-1300 per person depending on the operator. For a detailed breakdown of costs, see our article on the cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek .

Can you trek to Everest Base Camp independently or without a guide / support?

Yes, but it is only advised for trekkers that have experience of high altitude multi-day trekking, and are comfortable carry 15-20kg a day.

Trekking independently is the cheapest option because you forgo any of the amenities and expertise that is typically offered with a guided trek. You will have to arrange your own domestic flights to and from Lukla airport, and arrange accommodation for each stop in the trek.

If you are comfortable organising the logistics of the trek, then this might be an option for you.

Should I join a guided EBC trek / group?

If this is one of your first high altitude trekking experiences then we recommend using a tour operator and joining a guided group. The typical package will include domestic flights, transport to and from the airport, accommodation for every overnight stop, all permits and passes, porters to carry your luggage and of course the expertise of a guide who will provide you with an insight into the region.

Local tour operators are abundant and often cheaper than western operators, but their level of service will be reflected in their price. Hygiene and ethical standards of some of these operators is also questionable. Prices range from £600 ($750) to £1200 ($1500). To book with one of my vetted local operators, check out our booking platform, Skyhook .

Western tour operators will provide a much more consistent service. Without cutting prices, they offer affordable yet comfortable accommodation and will employ the best guides in the region who will be able to converse in English. Prices range from £1200 ($1500) to £2500 ($3200).

When is the best time to hike to Everest Base Camp?

Contrary to what you might think, the best time to go on the Everest Base Camp trek is not during the height of summer. The spring months of February through May is widely considered the peak season or best time to hike to Everest base camp. This is also the time when the region is at its busiest.

Weather during these months is stable and dry – perfect for trekking and for sightseeing. The lower mountains and foothills are most colourful during this time as well, so you can expect verdant fields and hillsides covered in rhododendrons.

September and October is another popular trekking period on the other side of summer that tends to be a little less busy. Another way to avoid the hustle and bustle of peak season is to try some of the trek variations such as the Gokyo Lakes hike .

Trekking in the winter months (November-January) is still possible, but be prepared for temperatures below freezing. Peak summer is known as monsoon season, characterised by short, sharp downpours. The trails are very wet and trekking during these months is not advised.

Read our detailed article on the  best time to trek to Everest Base Camp .

How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Contrary to popular belief, Everest Base Camp trek is not very difficult. It requires no prior trekking experience or mountaineering skills of any sort. We have seen people from all walks of life, shapes and sizes completing the trek.

The round-trip length of the trek is 130km, which is spread over just short of two weeks of trekking. Expect to cover around 15km over 5/6 hours of trekking each day – a very achievable number. The hardest part of the trek is the altitude and the effect that it can have on your body.

All good tour operators will factor in acclimatisation days into their itinerary and will aim for a gradual pace of ascent that will ensure your body slowly gets used to the altitude.

We recommend undertaking a gym training programme and practice hikes 6-8 weeks prior to embarking on the trek. Read up more on the  difficulty of the EBC trek  and  how to train for the EBC trek .

Do I need a visa or permit for the EBC Trek?

Yes. If you are a national of a country other than India, you will need to purchase a visa. The 15-day multi entry visa starts at $25 and the 30-day visa goes for $40. The usual guided trek lasts around 15 days, but there is always the possibility of travel delay so we recommending opting for the 30-day visa for a slightly higher price.

You will need a Trekkers Information Management System card (TIMS) as well as a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit. Tour operators will include both in their price and will obtain them for you beforehand. If you plan to trek independently, however, you will need $20 for the TIMS card and roughly $40 for the Sagarmatha entry permit.

Make sure you bring at least four passport sized photos in case they are needed for permits.

Will I get altitude sickness on the trek to Mt Everest base camp?

Most people who follow the standard route itinerary, take a gradual ascent with acclimatisation days built in and monitor their symptoms will not suffer from any sort of altitude sickness.

That being said, altitude sickness is not correlated to age or fitness and can affect some people worse than others.

Because it is a potential risk, you must read up about  acclimatisation and altitude sickness  so that you understand the symptoms and how to prevent them.

What should I pack for the Mt Everest trek?

Condensing a packing list into one short answer is impossible, so we have compiled a very  detailed and comprehensive EBC Packing List guide  to help you plan and pack for the trek.

It is possible to buy most gear in Kathmandu, but we recommend bringing all the important stuff with you from home. Read our guide for recommendations on what to bring, which brands are trusted as well as items you won’t need during the trek.

What insurance do I need for EBC?

You will need to take out insurance that will cover you for hiking up to altitudes of 6,000m.

Typical travel insurance will not cover this so we have compiled an article that will help you find the right insurance policy that adequately covers delays, accidents and altitude related illness.

World Nomads provide insurance for treks to Everest Base Camp.

Read our detailed guide on  travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp Trek .

EBC Trek Route Variations

There are a number of route variations for the trek to Everest Base Camp. Below we briefly discuss the three most popular options.

Gokyo Lakes Trek

One of the more popular variations of the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Gokyo Lakes Trek , also starts at Lukla and follows the classic base camp trek to Namche Bazaar where it forks north-west.

The trek proceeds through the towns of Dole and Machermo before reaching the stunning Gokyo Lakes. From there you can ascend to the peak of Gokyo Ri in the north, before crossing the Ngozumba glacier and Cho La Pass and re-joining the classic trek at Lobuche.

The detour adds 2/3 days onto the trek but provides the wonderful opportunity to summit a peak while also avoiding some of the busier parts of the trek.

Jiri To Everest Base Camp

This variation of the classic trek offers an alternative to flying into Lukla from Kathmandu to start the trek. The  Jiri variation  starts with an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri, where the trek begins.

The variation adds an extra 5/6 days onto the trip as you trek through the Solukhumbu region and make your way past Lukla, where the trek then follows the same route as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek.

It involves a scenic, yet long, bus ride as well as a lot more exposure to the Tibetan and Sherpa cultures. Expect to trek through more forests and streams as you start at the relatively low altitude of 1,800m and work your way up to Lukla and beyond.

Three Passes Trek

The  Three Passes Trek  is a tougher variation than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek because it involves crossing three very high passes as well as summiting some walking peaks which are not included on the classic trek.

The variation starts by following the classic trek from Lukla to Namche Bazaar before veering west towards Thame and the remote Nangpa Valley. The first of the three passes encountered is the Renjo La, where you will be afforded magnificent views of Everest before descending to the idyllic Gokyo lakes.

The next pass, Cho La, involves walking up a fairly steep and icy trail before reaching a small glacier at the top. From here, you descend and re-join the main base camp trek where you summit Kala Patthar – the iconic viewpoint. You continue onto base camp itself before descending to Lobuche.

You then head east over the third pass of Kongma La and continue onwards to summit the third peak of Chukking Ri. Once again you will have amazing views of the surrounding peaks that you would not get to see on the classic trek. The circuit is completed by returning to Lukla through the main Everest trail.

Island Peak Climb via EBC

Island Peak  is not so much a variation as it is an expedition in it’s own right. Summiting Island Peak is significantly harder than the trekking any of the routes mentioned above, but it does usually involve a visit to Everest Base Camp to acclimatise before the summit attempt. The climb to the peak is not considered technical although it still requires basic knowledge of jumaring, abseiling,  using crampons and ice axes. Standing at just under 6,200m, altitude is a real factor.

Most climbers of Island Peak use the traditional base camp trek as a means of acclimatising before heading to the Island Peak Base Camp via Dingboche on the main trail, or by traversing the Chongma La pass. Summiting from the base camp typically takes two days and the whole variation will add around 4 days onto the classic EBC trek.

Recent EBC Blog Posts

Coronavirus pandemic: can i still hike to everest base camp (covid 19 update), mount everest deaths rise due to overcrowding, everest base camp trek packing list – exactly what you need to bring, dj paul oakenfold plays gig at everest base camp, food on the everest base camp trek, teahouses on the everest base camp trek.

References:  EBC Trek Guide is maintained by a group of passionate Nepal guides and independent trekkers, many of whom live in Kathmandu and are experts on the trekking trails to Everest and throughout the region. Much of the site is based off personal experiences which are then cross-referenced with secondary sources like trail and travel guides (i.e. Trailblazer,  Lonely Planet ), and third party websites. If you find any inaccuracies on the site please contact us.

Tags: Everest Base Camp Trek, Trekking to Everest Base Camp, EBC Trek

Get my recommendations on the Best EBC trek operators

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!

Quick Navigation

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• +61 3 9598 8581

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Classic everest base camp.

16 Days 3100 ex Kathmandu

Accommodation

3 Nights Hotel Stay 12 Nights Tea House

Transportation

Mostly on foot Transfers and flights included 1 Porter 1 Trekker Policy

Included Meals

15 Breakfasts 14 Lunches 12 Dinners All Open Menu Your Choice

Category 3 High Heart Rate Holiday

Sagarmatha Next

Our Nepali guides, seasoned custodians of these high realms, counsel patience, a slow tread. “Bistari, bistari”! Here, in the thin air where breath comes dear, the body labors under the simplest of exertions. This truth reveals itself with stark clarity as we navigate the undulating moraine, a legacy of the Khumbu Glacier, on our approach to Everest Base Camp.

The time is post-meridian, the sun arcs high, and our path takes us ever closer to our expedition’s zenith. Below, the Khumbu Glacier, a frozen river in slow, inexorable motion, cascades from the Everest massif, carving its way down the valley to Dingboche, moving at the languid pace of one meter each day. Now and again, the glacier’s voice – a groan, a grind – punctuates the silence as colossal seracs, ice sentinels thirty meters tall, jostle and shove in their glacial procession.

Above, the Himalayas, a pantheon of earth’s mightiest peaks, loom. Their grandeur defies words, their scale humbles. These sentinels of rock and ice overshadow all other mountain brethren by leagues. To grasp their magnitude, consider this: Everest Base Camp itself, a mere starting point in the shadow of Everest, perches over 1200 meters higher than Western Europe’s loftiest peak, Mont Blanc. And yet, from this camp, Everest’s summit soars another 3300 meters skyward.

Amidst this grandeur, one is torn – where to rest one’s gaze? The summit of Everest, the bustling base camp, a monolithic serac, a distant avalanche; all vie for attention. It is at this moment, amidst these myriad wonders, that an epiphany dawns – you have arrived. You stand at Everest Base Camp, threshold to the ‘third pole’, the genesis of countless legendary ventures. Here, the goal that spurred relentless training and preparation merges seamlessly into the rich mosaic of experiences that have marked your ascent to this point.

As we advance, the trail brings its own enchantments. Yaks amble past stupa clusters, their prayer flags fluttering like vibrant whispers against the sky. The storied peaks of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Pumori stand sentinel. Our ascent to Everest Base Camp is a meditation in motion – past yeti legends, spinning prayer wheels, and chanting monks; past the scent of incense and the welcoming warmth of tea houses. Each step is accompanied by a hot plate of dal bhat, each moment woven into the vibrant tapestry of our EBC Base Camp odyssey.

In 1923, George Mallory, the dashing alpinist and writer, was asked by a New York Times reporter why he wanted to climb Everest. He famously replied, “Because it’s there.” The rest of his response is less commonly cited, but more instructive.

“Everest is the highest mountain in the world. its existence is a challenge. The answer is instinctive, a part, I suppose, of man’s desire to conquer the universe.”

Known as “Valley inside the Clouds”, Khumjung is a three-hour walk from Namche. This village is home to a yak farm, the monastery with the famous yeti scalp, and Sir Edmund Hillary’s school.

On paper, hiking to Everest Base Camp seems pretty straightforward. The actual distance covered and altitude gained is certainly not that much. And that’s the point. At these high altitudes (meaning 3500 meters and above), we have to take it slow. The body needs time to acclimatise and as such, we need to keep the distance and more importantly, the altitude gained to a minimum. 

On our trip, we have included 2 acclimatisation days, 1 in Namche Bazaar and the other in Dingboche. These are vital days to allow your body to produce the required red blood cells to transport the diminished oxygen around your body. They are also a great opportunity to slow down, have a break, do a short acclimatisation hike, grab a coffee and cake and maybe pop into a local monastery.

So a typical day’s hike goes something like this. Breakfast is normally around 8 am and we start hiking at around 9 am. The trail itself has a gentle incline most of the way, so we take our time meandering the trail, taking in the sublime views of the valley and the towering giants and their accompanying glaciers. Lunch is at around 12 noon in a local tea house. After lunch, we may trek for another 2 hours before getting into a village and settling in for the afternoon. That’s it.

Of course, we could do the Everest Base Camp trek faster. But if you have come all this way to stand at the base of the highest peak on the planet, why jeopardise that experience for the sake of 48 hours. Besides, you will be walking one of the most beautiful trails on the planet, why rush it? Take it in and feel blessed you are where you are, on your way to Everest Base Camp.

The Journey

Your group leader will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax, meet your teammates and take a stroll through Kathmandu’s bustling streets. We’ll enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner together and watch a cultural performance before getting much needed rest. (D)

Visit some of Kathmandu’s most noteworthy sights, including the white dome of Boudhanath and UNESCO’s Pasupatinath. You will learn about Nepal’s religious diversity while seeing ancient religious practices firsthand. At night, we’ll discuss the itinerary for our trek and what to expect in the days leading to Everest Base Camp.

The short, steep Lukla airport is one for the books. After landing, we’ll make our way through farming communities and Sherpa villages before seeing our first views of the Dudh Koshi River. Since today’s walk will be an easy one, you can comfortably take in the landscape and valley views. Over dinner at our Phakding teahouse, your guide will prepare you for tomorrow’s journey.

Namche is what postcards are made of! To get there, we’ll cross suspension bridges passing over rushing rivers and framing snow-capped peaks. Your trekking team will be sure to wake you with ample time to enjoy the day. We’ll pass several mountain villages before we enjoy a hot lunch in Jorsale. Our bellies will be full as we continue to adjust to the altitude of Sagarmatha National Park to witness our first views of Mount Everest.

Wake early to see golden mountain peaks and sip tea before we stroll to a local Tibetan-Buddhist center. Today our focus is rest and acclimatizing in preparation for climbing at higher altitude. We may even do a hike up to one of the nearby ridges, which will afford us amazing views of the mountains and improve our acclimatisation.

In the morning we will first head to the “Valley inside the Clouds”, Khumjung. This village is home to a yak farm, the monastery with the famous yeti scalp, and Sir Edmund Hillary’s school. From here, our itinerary diverges from most. We’ll skip the overcrowded traditional trails to explore the lower section of the Gokyo valley. It will take us about six hours to walk the ridge of Mong-La, and we may encounter musk deer along our way. The terraced village of Phortse will reward our efforts and keep us warm for the night.

Words can’t do justice to today’s trek. Be sure your camera is ready! Mountains will surround us and, if we’re lucky, a musk deer will cross our path to Pangbuche and Somare. We’ll have lunch in the shadows of Amadablam, and peaks that were previously hidden will slowly reveal themselves as we trek further into the Himalayas.

After breakfast, our group will go for a morning excursion to help us acclimatize further and take in the stunning 360-degree mountain views. Our destination is a hilltop where we will see a bird’s eye view of Imja valley and the village of Dingboche below. The world’s fifth highest mountain, Makalu, will also frame our photos.

Gradually we will make the ascent above the tree line and reach a wide meadow. Cholatse, Lobuche and Pumari mountains contrast this new landscape. “Sherpa’s Graveyard,” the area in which memorials have been built to honor those lives lost in this region is a sobering moment. We will rest at this landmark before continuing onto Louche, a settlement built at the foot of Lobuche Mountain.

It will take us three hours to reach Gorak Shep from Lobuche. It’s a rocky, snowy terrain, and we’ll stop for lunch before setting out for Everest Base Camp. At Base Camp, we see the icy-blue Khumbu Ice Fall and prayer flags and tents from current and past excursions. This is a moment you’ll remember for life.

Though the sunrise trek to Kalapathar is a difficult one, the sunrise view is worth it. This is the highest we will reach on our trek together. At the top, dreamy Himalayan peaks will turn purple and gold in the morning sun. We’ll celebrate before beginning our descent to Pheriche.

Taking a different route, we’ll visit the Tyangbuche Monastery. You’re welcome to light a butter lamp and visit the monastery grounds. Upon returning to Namche, you may crave a piece of apple pie at one of the local bakeries or take advantage of cheaper wi-fi prices to reconnect with friends at home.

We retrace our steps through the rhododendron forests to the banks of the Dudh Koshi. Phakding will be a friendly memory as we complete our journey. Tonight we complete our adventure together eating, drinking, and dancing at a local tea house.

In case of bad weather, we’ve scheduled an extra day in our itinerary as flights can be postponed. After reaching Kathmandu, you have earned your rest! Take a hot shower and spend the day as you please. Our leaders have recommendations for you based on your interests: gift shopping, local restaurants or late-night happenings.

Say goodbye or “Pheri Betaula” to new friends and get ready to edit many photos on your departure flight. Your leader will be there to wish you well on your journey home.

• Arrival and Departure transfers on both domestic and international flights.
• 3 nights accommodation at Harati Manor Hotel twin share
• OPEN and CHOICE of Full board meals while on expedition.
• One Trekker: One Porter Policy
• Accommodation at clean and comfortable tea houses or lodges.
• Welcome dinner with the cultural program as listed in the itinerary.
• Half day guided city tour with world heritage entrance permit as listed in the itinerary.
• All Domestic flights and airport tax.
• Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable.
• Free use of quality trekking gear – sleeping bag, fleece liner, down jacket, rain poncho.
• Professional local trek leader with Wilderness First Aid.
• Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) / Gamow Bag (A life-saving device in case of Acute Mountain Sickness) along with a comprehensive First Aid Kit.
• Assistant trekking guides and other support staff for Everest base camp trek.
• Trekking map.
• Personal Sherpa Porters to carry all personal gear.
• Insurance of all staff including Porters.
• Warm clothing and required trekking gear for Porters like Gortex jacket /trousers, trekking shoes, woolen hat, woolen gloves, woolen shocks, sunglasses etc.
• Complimentary souvenir Tshirt.
• TIMS Trekking permit
• International flights
• Tips and beverages

Journey Extensions

Check out our Journey Extensions for those that want to stay a little longer or try something different along the way.

In the heart of Thamel, is the Nepali Ghar Hotel. The Nepali Ghar punctuates the new trend of modern hotels and breezes an ode to Nepalese traditional styles. These traditions afford a warm and homely environment for all adventurers. The hotels Delux rooms are luxurious and open with excellent facilities. The hotel has a restaurant that serves great food as well as a fitness centre.

If you would like to stay at the Nepali Ghar Hotel as part of your package of 2 nights before and 1 night after an expedition the extra price will be $600 (for all 3 nights).

For twin rooms where you share the room, the price is $350 per person twin share.

In the heart of Thamel, is the Nepali Ghar Hotel. The Nepali Ghar punctuates the new trend of modern hotels and breezes an ode to Nepalese traditional styles. These traditions afford a warm and homely environment for all adventurers. The hotel’s Delux rooms are luxurious and open with excellent facilities. The hotel has a restaurant that serves great food as well as a fitness centre.

If you would like to stay at the Nepali Ghar Hotel as part of your package of 2 nights before and 1 night after an expedition the extra price will be $350 per person twin share (for all 3 nights).

For single rooms for these nights the extra price is $600.

If you would like to have your own room in Kathmandu we can organise this. The Single Supplement for all Everest Trips is $300 per person. Single rooms are not available outside of Kathmandu.

“Hi No Roads, just a quick thank you for the amazing experience I’ve just had in Nepal on the Everest Base Camp trek. Everything was spot on, from the quality of the Kathmandu hotel, the trekking equipment provided to the top quality meals along the way in the tea houses.  But most importantly, I was very impressed with the expertise of the local guides (when you have a Sherpa who has successfully climbed Mt Everest twice, you know you’re in good hands), their care of the group and advice about high altitude, what to expect and little hints on how best to acclimatise assisted in getting our whole group to EBC in one piece.” 

Hadyn, Australia

Trek responsibly with trained porters and guides

Our team are committed to making sure your journey is a safe and memorable one. Each guest is paired with one porter (we have a 1 Porter 1 Trekker policy ) to ensure a comfortable trek, and all of our guides receive medical and mountaineering training to make sure your experience is pleasant. We provide safety equipment and bring necessary medical supplies on each trip.

Enjoy local and cultural experiences with our knowledgeable team

With side excursions to monasteries and farming villages, we take our guests on trails less travelled by other climbing companies. Along the way, our footsteps will cross the shadows of Ama Dablam as our bodies adjust to higher elevations and more rugged terrain. Returning home, we’ll travel down a different route that allows us to encounter ancient Tibetan rituals at the Buddhist Thyanboche monastery.

Prepare for an adventure of a lifetime

Before we begin our trek, our team will review our itinerary to Lukla and answer your questions about what to expect in the days leading to Everest Base Camp. The Dudh Koshi River has carved a natural trail for us to follow as we hike towards the picture-perfect village of Namche Bazaar. We’ll spend several nights adjusting to the altitude before making our way into the hidden valleys of Khunde and Khumjung. We’ll stop in Gorak Shep to prepare for our final ascent to see the ice-blue Khumbu glacier. Your stamina will be tested as we wake before sunrise to climb Kalapathar, a peak resting at 5545 meters above sea level. Here, the first rays of the morning will paint mountaintops copper and gold, and we’ll bask in the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas. This is truly a moment you’ll never forget.

We get asked a lot of questions about the Everest Base Camp trek. The following are certainly the most common however if you have another question please let us know or the answer may be found in our Trip Notes section.

How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?

Although climbing to the summit of Everest is legendary, you will be surprised that hiking to Base Camp is not that difficult after all. The enemy on this trek is altitude. As such we need to take it slowly so our bodies acclimatise. There are no really difficult sections on the trail with the possible exception just before Namche Bazaar and heading into Phortse. We have 2 acclimatisation days on this trek where we spend the day hiking to a higher altitude, before heading back down for our bodies to recover. If you are a reasonably active person who puts in a bit more training for this trek, you should have no problems.

Do I have to carry my own gear?

You do not have to carry you own gear all the way to Everest Base Camp. Our 1 Porter 1 Trekker policy allows us to carry all your gear for you during the day. Your bag will be at the tea house ready for you to freshen up at the end of the day. All you need to carry is a day pack which will have some wet weather gear in it such as the supplied poncho, possibly warmer clothes, water and sunscreen and some money. Usually the pack will weigh around 5kgs.

What are the Tea Houses like on the Everest Base Camp trek?

Your accommodation along the way will be the iconic Nepali Tea Houses. These Tea Houses are one of the highlights of the trip. We have handpicked what we think are the best Tea Houses along the trail to Everest. Warm and inviting, each Tea House consists of a communal hall with tables and chairs scattered around the perimeter and central to the room is the heater, which as the sun falls below the horizon becomes a focal point. 

The Tea House serves up delicious food from Western staples such as fried potatoes to Nepali dal bhat. We have an open menu policy, so you can pick anything from the menu.

Bedrooms fan out from the main communal room either at the same level or upstairs. Bedrooms are usually basic and bathrooms are shared. 

Each Tea House has its own history and are incredible places to stay, to fill our bellies, warm our hands and to meet other hikers from all over the world. Put simply, we love Tea Houses.

This trip is for those who have always wanted to follow in the footsteps of the great adventurers and who want to walk among the highest mountains on the planet. It is for those that are open to new cultures, who want to meet people from all over the world and who are willing to push themselves to reach Everest Base Camp. This trip is for those who have the fire of adventure still burning inside their bellies.

Pradip Nepal Ops Manager

These trips might also interest you...

Everest base camp via gokyo lakes, everest three passes three peaks, huayhuash trail peru.

• Terms and Conditions
• Trip Grading
• Going Green
• Charities We Support
• Mates for Life
• Meet Your Team
• Upcoming Events
• What Drives Us
• Balance Payment
• Your Guest Portal
• Agent Portal
• Agent Registration
• Privacy Policy

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

© Copyright No Roads Expeditions 2012 - 2021

Website Design & Development by ByteWrite

21 Things To Know Before You Do Mount Everest Base Camp Trek

Are you interested in learning more about the Mount Everest Base Camp trek? If you’re interested in completing one of the most iconic treks in the world, here is everything you need to know before you do Mount Everest Base Camp trek.

I spent a long time researching the Mount Everest Base Camp trek and whilst I was on it, I made loads of notes to compile into this post.

Table of Contents

1. How to get to Everest Base Camp

Firstly, as it stands, there are a few different ways to get to Everest Base Camp:

• The easiest way is to book with a Nepalese trekking company who will sort out absolutely everything for you.
• Do the trek with either just a guide or porter or both which you can sort out when you arrive into Nepal.

9 Reasons To Book Everest Base Camp Trek With Visit Himalaya Treks

2. best time of the year to do everest base camp trek.

There are two seasons a year to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp which are April – May and October – November . There’s supposedly better weather in the latter season although the climbers are only at Base Camp during April and May.

We went at the end April – May 2018 and seeing all of the yellow tents at Base Camp was just incredible and we even met Ant Middleton, famous for TV show SAS:Who Dares Wins where he told us all about what base camp was like and how he was making a documentary for Channel 4. A few weeks after we met him, he did indeed climb to the very top of Everest.

3. Best Trekking Company In Nepal

There are around 2,000 trekking companies in Nepal to choose from. It’s like a minefield but the Nepalese trekking company I chose is the incredible called Visit Himalaya Treks to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.

I chose a smaller company rather than a large one for ethical reasons. Read more about my experience with Visit Himalaya Treks below.

4. Everest Base Camp Trek Vs Annapurna Trek?

It’s a popular question but most people consider whether to do the Annapurna Trek or Everest Base Camp Trek. The Annapurna Trek is cheaper at around USD$800 compared to the starting price of USD$1395 for Everest Base Camp Trek (with a trekking company).

The main thing I learnt from our guide is there are fewer people on the Annapurna trek now because in the last seven years, there’s now a main road you’ll have to walk along for around 3-7 days of the trek (depending on where you start the trek). There’s a lot of dust in Nepal so if you’re going to do Annapurna Trek, be prepared for when the cars are driving past. You’ll certainly need a buff to help prevent getting sick.

For me, I specifically wanted to do the EBC trek because, well, it’s EVEREST!! Who wouldn’t want to see the highest mountain in the world? I was prepared for there to be a lot of people also doing this trek too.

5. How Long Is The Everest Base Camp Trek?

Everest Base Camp Trek is approximately 130KM return which starts from Lukla and takes 12 days to walk.

Whilst we were on the trek, we saw some Westerners training for the Everest Marathon which starts from Namche Bazar and finishes at Everest Base Camp. Our trekking company’s owner’s uncle currently holds the record for the fastest time running from Kathmandu to Lukla in just 3 days. Mental!!

6. How much fitness is required for Everest Base Camp trek?

The key to trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp is to walk very slowly. Because we were travelling at the time, we hadn’t actually trained for the trek.

We had spent about four months sat on beaches and we were actually pretty exhausted when we started the trek because we had three days to get our stuff together before the trek started in Kathmandu.

I also suffer from SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) which is where my stomach bloats and causes severe pain in my lower back and stomach. When it gets bad, I struggle to walk, so I was worried it would flare up during the trek. THANKFULLY it didn’t and I couldn’t believe I actually completed it!

However, we had just come from a 10 day Buddhist and Meditation course in Northern India . Might sound strange to you, but to me, I found that having a clear head made it much easier. Whenever I have come out of meditation retreats, I found sport much easier to deal with due to having longer breaths.

Tips For Tushita Meditation Centre Introduction To Buddhism Course

We have also trekked around the world in the past and in altitude such as trekking to Machu Picchu , we’ve trekked up to 5,000 metres in Ladakh, India, we had been to the Bolivian Salt Flats again at 5,000 metres so we thought we’d be alright.

The key for me was to take each day at a time. I have a Garmin 235 watch which tracks KMs so I could mentally prepare for each day. I also looked at the trek in stages. We had an acclimatisation day on day 3 and day 6, meaning I could rest, and then we got to Base Camp on day 9 before returning to Kathmandu on day 13.

If you have the time, definitely do some training for this hike as it’s no walk in the park. I’d suggest walking up hills when you can as a very minimum.

We were without a doubt the slowest people on the trek. The oldies were passing by us in no time but we didn’t care 🙂

7. What To Take To Everest Base Camp Trek

If you’re unsure about what to bring with you on the trek, make sure you read my Everest Base Camp Packing List . It includes everything I took, what I wish I took and what I didn’t need in the end.

Best Everest Base Camp Packing List For Women

8. what kind of people will you see on everest base camp trek.

I was prepared to see a lot of people on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek. In fact, we were told last season saw around 400 people each day coming and returning along the path. That’s a lot but like I said before, it looks as though the government will be cracking down on people turning up when they want.

There were all types of people on this trek; from old people (we’re talking in their 70s!) to backpackers, fitness guys, everyone!

You’ll see the same people each day whilst on the trek and we ended up making some friends along the way. Everyone had an amazing story on why they were there. One group of American guys came to Nepal in 2015 and flew in on the day of the Earthquake to do the trek. Before the knew it, they were helping out in Kathmandu before being evacuated to Thailand. Three years later, they’ve come back to complete their dream.

There are some people with their egos out though who like to compare timings each day and will happily race to each hotel rather than actually enjoy the views and the environment. We also saw a group of Russians who liked to pump out their Eurovision music by speakers as they walked along, but things like this can be easily avoided.

9. Is There A Lot Of Rubbish On The Everest Base Camp Trek?

Seeing as we had just spent 10 weeks in India , we were worried the iconic Nepal trek might have been ruined but I can tell you there’s no rubbish whatsoever on the path and more so there’s recycling bins along the entire trek. I couldn’t believe it!

As for the conga line, it did get busy in parts and some did play loud music but that could be easily avoided.

10. Everest Base Camp Trek Accommodation

I was actually surprised how good the Everest Base Camp Trek accommodation was at the beginning. We stayed in hotels with our own bathroom which were clean.

As the trek progressed the accommodation became more basic. Think of buildings made with cardboard-esque thin walls and very cold too. There’s only heating in the form of a fire in the hotel restaurants which are lit after 5pm each day.

Remember, it’s pretty difficult to get materials the higher up you go so don’t expect the hotels to be amazing. We often saw porters somehow carrying wood on their shoulders up the mountains.

11. What type of food can you get on the trek and do I need to bring my own with me?

I wouldn’t recommend eating meat because you’re more likely to get sick. You don’t need to bring your own food with you because just remember about the weight, although if I could, I probably would have brought along a few clif bars for energy purposes. 

12. Can You Get Wifi On Everest Base Camp Trek?

We then paid Rs.500 (USD$5 each) for wifi in Dingboche for Day 5-6, and then waited until we had internet coverage for a few days back on Day 10.

If you don’t want to buy a Nepali SIM then you can get free wifi at one of the bars in Namche Bazar and at the hotels as well.

13. Water On Everest Base Camp Trek

This is a big topic for discussion for most people. We did a lot of research on Everest Base Camp water and in the end we bought Life Straw bottles . Stupidly, I didn’t use mine until when we were at the highest part of the trek at Gorekshep which is over 5,000 metres. Life Straw take a while before the water comes freely so whilst there wasn’t much air up there, it was too much of a mission to drink from the bottle.

Throughout the trek we just bought water along the way from various shops. You only need to carry 1 litre in your day pack because you can buy it all along the path. Water does get pricey; in Kathmandu 1 litre bottle costs Rs.25 (USD25c) and starts at Rs.80 (USD80c) in Lukla. By the time you reach Gorekshep, one bottle costs Rs.400 (USD$4).

Most people were buying boiled water and putting chlorine tablets in to purify it. We met some doctors who said sometimes it’s just best to drink tea, because you’ll know the water has definitely been boiled and the bottled water can sometimes just been filled up from the tap.

We had absolutely no problems with the bottled water whatsoever. Because I suffer from SIBO (read more here), I stuck to buying bottled water.

14. Will I get sick from the altitude and do I need insurance?

As soon as we started the trek, we noticed most people had a cough. The infamous Khumbu cough is easy to catch because of the high altitude and dryness of the air along with the dusty ground. The only thing you can do is wear a buff from the very beginning of the trek and don’t take it off until you finish it.

I luckily didn’t get ill, probably because I did the following:

• I had been taking a strong probiotic for the last four months prior to the trek and on the trek as well.
• I made sure I didn’t put my hands anywhere near my mouth the whole time, even when eating burgers I used a knife and fork.
• We met a load of doctors on the trek and we were told to be very careful with the bathrooms. Instead of using your hands to open the doors, use everything else but, like your elbows etc, then make sure you use hand san straight afterwards.

But, what if you get really ill?

Steve did get ill towards the end. The weather conditions can be extreme and on the way back, we battled the snow, wind and rain in freezing conditions. His coughing got worse and worse and before we knew it, on our final day of trekking from Namche Bazar back to Lukla, he was so ill, that the only way we could get him back to Lukla was to pay for our own helicopter. This is because there are no roads and no cars or motorbikes anywhere along the trek. The only other way to get him back was to hire a horse which he would have had to sit on for 10 hours.

The helicopter cost us USD$700 for a 10 minute flight which is insane but we had no other option and hopefully his insurance will pay out for it. Luckily he was actually OK in the end and had no serious problems with his health.

If you need to get a helicopter, ask for a rescue one to ensure your insurance will pay out. If none available, make sure you ask the helicopter to take you to Lukla hospital rather than the Lukla helipad. You don’t want to be trekking 20 minutes uphill to the hospital like we had to.

This is quite rare though as our guide had been in the industry for 12 years and hadn’t ever had to get a helicopter before because someone was ill.

15. Will I get to meet people climbing to the top of Everest?

I was actually unsure as to whether we were actually going to see Base Camp let alone be able to go into it.

There’s a separate spot for the Everest Base Camp trekkers as a finishing line but it is indeed in Everest Base Camp.

We were really lucky because there was a film crew waiting to get a helicopter back to Namche Bazar when we arrived. We thought they could have been with UK TV presenter, Ben Fogle as we knew he was currently attempting the climb. It was indeed SAS: Who dares wins host Ant Middleton and his team who were climbing up to the top of Everest for a Channel 4 documentary. I of coursed quizzed him and it was really amazing to meet someone actually doing it.

This was a one off but we were really happy to meet some who was attempting to climb to the top. As to whether you’ll meet anyone doing it, I think it’s probably all about luck.

16. What Is The Flight To Lukla Really Like?

They say the flight to Lukla is one of the main highlights of the trek!

To actually start the Everest Base Camp trek, you need to take a 30 minute flight from Kathmandu to the town of Lukla in a very small plane from the International Nepal Airport.

I’ve been in a small plane like it before when I went to The Amazon in Bolivia but somehow this plane was different. As the plane took off from Kathmandu, we instantly saw views of the countryside set amongst the mountains, it really was amazing. Before we knew it, we were landing and what a landing it is!

The airport at Lukla is just 500 metres long and when I timed it on the return flight, it took just 16 seconds to fly off the runway. It’s definitely a must see experience. We loved it!

But, you don’t necessarily have to do this flight, you can trek from Kathmandu but allow an extra two or three days onto your trek.

17. Best Kathmandu Accommodation

One thing to make sure of is have a good few days in Kathmandu before the trek starts as you might need to get over jet lag.

It might be a culture shock too if you haven’t been to a country like Nepal before. You’ll also need to set aside days after the trek finishes because flights get cancelled every single day back from Lukla to Kathmandu.

We stayed at Bed & Breakfast Thamel which we found on Airbnb. I must say, this is the best airbnb I’ve ever stayed in. It was so good and the location is amazing, I’d stay back there in a heartbeat.

Steve’s been to Kathmandu four times and said this is the best place he has stayed in.

Before you book, make sure you click on my link to get $76off your first airbnb here . It’s a proper bargain, right in the centre of the tourist area of Thamel and is like a quiet oasis in the busyness of Nepal.

The beds are huge and so comfortable, there’s an awesome free breakfast everyday, free washing machine and a fantastic rooftop to hang your washing out and to do some yoga in the morning.

It’s my favourite place I’ve stayed in during my four months of travel. If I came back to Nepal, I’d stay here in a heartbeat!

A few things to see in Kathmandu include Durban Square, Bouda Stupa and Kopan Monastery.

We also ate at The Roadhouse a lot which has fantastic Western food and the falafel stand (there were always loads of Israelis there so you know it’s going to be good!).

Make sure you wear a dust mask too as the dust can get intense there.

18. Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

Our trekking package cost $1350 for the 13 day hike. We didn’t want the sight seeing or Kathmandu accommodation on top because Steve had already been to Nepal before. Otherwise it’s $1750 for 17 days which includes the extra 2 days each side of the trek for Kathmandu.

19. How much money do I need to take with me on the Everest Base Camp Trek?

One bill came to US$80 when we stayed in Dingboche two nights just to charge our batteries and phones up, some wifi, water and snickers. It can get pricey along the way.  In the end we had about USD$100 left each at the end.

20. How Much Should You Tip On Everest Base Camp Trek?

Tipping is a tricky one. We asked how much to tip and in the end we gave our porter Rs8,000 (USD$80) along with Steve’s brand new day pack, some of our clothes, my torch, our life straw bottles and more for him to either sell on or give to his family. Because we are travelling, we didn’t need most of what we took with us on this trek.

For our guide, we gave him a lot more because he was with us all day & night and really went out of his way for us. I also gave him some of my expensive tops I bought in Australia for his wife too. I did this because he wasn’t just a guide, he became our friend.

It’s totally up to you with how much you tip, but we always said if we came across one person on our travels that we wanted to help, then we would. That person was our guide so we gave him a bit more money than we originally planned to.

21. And finally…is the Everest Base Camp Trek worth doing?

We weren’t prepared for how hard it was going to be. For me up until Day 5, it was pretty easy, it was just as we started to hit higher altitudes (above 4,000 metres) that it started to get hard. Once I took some Diamox, it became easier.

The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek itself is amazing, with a decent path to follow. Getting to Base Camp itself was incredible and we were really lucky to meet someone actually climbing to the summit which is insane.

The view from the top of Kala Patthar was also insane and I’m still buzzing now that I actually made it to the top. It certainly was a trek of a lifetime for me and I have memories I’ll never forget.

The Everest Base Camp trek should be on your bucket list and something every single person should do in their lives!

Read More Everest Base Camp Trek Posts

We’ve written all about our experience on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Check out some of the posts below!

We Interviewed SAS Australia’s Ant Middleton At Everest Base Camp

Ultimate Everest Base Camp Trek Blog & Itinerary

SAVE FOR LATER AND PIN BELOW

If you found this post helpful, please share it on your social media pages 🙂

Get your FREE Sydney E-Guide

I consent to the terms and conditions

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.

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 .

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.

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 .

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 January 2013 and updated June 2023

Explore related stories

Mar 14, 2023 • 4 min read

To reduce accidents and promote jobs, Nepalese authorities recently announced a ban on solo trekking in national parks and conservation areas.

Jul 13, 2022 • 8 min read

Jan 31, 2022 • 6 min read

Jan 9, 2022 • 8 min read

Sep 14, 2021 • 11 min read

Jan 28, 2021 • 5 min read

Jan 12, 2021 • 7 min read

Dec 10, 2020 • 6 min read

Jan 7, 2020 • 6 min read

Oct 10, 2019 • 9 min read

Everest Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Guide

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2023

Categories NEPAL , HIKING

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

• 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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Kathmandu Airport Guide

Top Destinations in Nepal

One Week in Nepal

Tipping Guide

Getting Around

Top Things to Do in Nepal

Complete Guide to Kathmandu

Top Things to Do in Kathmandu

Top Things to Do in Pokhara

Sacred Sites

Amazing Festivals

Top National Parks

Must-Try Food

Annapurna Circuit

Manaslu Circuit

Himalaya Trail

Facts About Mt. Everest

Trek to Everest Base Camp

Everything You Need to Know About Trekking to Everest Base Camp

Jason Maehl / Getty Images

Everest Camp II

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park is the adventure of a lifetime. Although actually climbing Mount Everest is out of reach for many of us, anyone with enough grit and good enough fitness can reach EBC and the Khumbu Icefall, the starting point for climbing Mount Everest. (You’ll need an $11,000 permit and some serious equipment to go any higher from there!)

The Himalayan scenery here is unrivaled on earth. Snowy sentinels will witness your struggle toward the top of the world , while stupas, prayer flags, and Sanskrit tablets will remind you of the spiritual significance of the area. Sadly, the numerous memorials to hikers who perished along the trail underscore the seriousness of your undertaking.

You’ll battle freezing cold, thin air, weather changes, and your own body as you ascend. Once at Everest Base Camp, you won’t even get to see the famous mountain itself unless you take a day to climb Kala Patthar (18,519 feet), an adjacent prominence that affords views of the “Holy Mother” when weather permits.

Read on for our complete guide to the Everest Base Camp trek, with information on what to pack, when to go, EBC tours, and more. Note that we’ll only cover getting to South Base Camp in Nepal, not North Base Camp in Tibet .

What to Expect

Trekking to Everest Base Camp involves hiking between lodges (or “teahouses”) found in villages along the trail. Some days may only consist of four hours or so of uphill trekking, depending on how much elevation is gained that day. Sometimes, you’ll have the option of pushing on to another village higher up—but no matter what, you will never gain more than 1,312 feet (500 meters) in a day.

Once above the tree line, the common rooms in your lodges will invariably be heated by yak dung-burning stoves. Weary hikers will hang around these stoves, warming themselves and socializing before retiring early to their unheated rooms. The shared toilets are sometimes located in snowy outhouses.

The village of Namche Bazaar (11,290 feet) is considered the last fully “civilized” stop on the trek to Everest Base Camp. Here, trekkers can enjoy treats from a German bakery while watching screened documentaries. You’ll find last-minute gear and souvenirs for sale along with the last ATM on the trail. You can even indulge at the “highest Irish pub in the world” on your way down after a successful trek!

When's the Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp?

The best time for trekking to Everest Base Camp is in either spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). If you want to see the camp in full form with climbers, support teams, and film crews, you’ll need to time your trip with spring climbing season, usually late April or early May. This is also the busiest time to be in Nepal .

For less traffic on the trails, consider making your trek to Everest Base Camp in September or October. Unfortunately, this means hiking in cooler weather with even less daylight than usual.

Avoid making the trek during monsoon season in summer. Humidity reduces beautiful views at lower elevations, and snowfall closes trails at higher elevation.

Adisorn Fineday Chutikunakorn / Getty Images

Should I Book a Tour or Go Independently?

There are three options for completing a trek to Everest Base Camp:

• Book a group tour and have all arrangements made for you.
• Make the trek to Everest Base Camp independently .
• Arrive in Nepal, then hire a guide and/or porter yourself.

No matter which option you choose, try to spend an additional day at Namche Bazaar. The extra time at 11,290 feet reduces some of the effects of elevation later; you’ll enjoy a better overall trekking experience and suffer less. The extra day isn’t “wasted”—many day hikes around Namche Bazaar provide beautiful views while giving your body time to adjust. Your chances of successfully reaching Base Camp vastly improve if you spend more time at Namche Bazaar.

Everest Base Camp Tours

Although the most expensive option by far, having everything organized before you arrive provides peace of mind. You’ll be taken care of all along the way, with access to better safety measures such as supplemental oxygen. Bigger companies use yaks to take your gear ahead; you’ll find it waiting for you in your teahouse room at the end of each hiking day.

You can book an Everest Base Camp tour online from home, or if time permits, do so after arriving in Kathmandu . Booking on the ground through a Nepalese agency saves money and better helps the local economy. You’ll find trekking agencies on every corner in Thamel, but unfortunately, not all are reliable. Choose a reputable agency that’s a member of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal . You can see in the member directory how long an agency has been in operation, and hopefully, make a better informed decision.

Independent Trekking

First, independently trekking to Everest Base Camp doesn’t necessarily mean solo trekking. Trekking alone in the Himalayas is dangerous no matter your experience level. A simple slip or unexpected weather change could keep you from reaching the next teahouse before temperatures plummet at night.

Independent trekkers can save a lot of money by foregoing organized tours and simply teaming up with other trekkers they meet along the way. (Everyone you meet in the lodges is going in one of two directions: up or down!) The well-marked trail to Everest Base Camp is busy during peak trekking seasons, giving you the best chance of meeting new friends who match your speed and fitness level.

Going independently does carry some risk, of course. You’ll be responsible for your own well-being and making important decisions. On the other hand, you’ll be able to set your own pace and make adjustments based on how well your body acclimatizes. A majority of hiker deaths on the trail each year occur when people in group excursions are suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) but don’t speak up. They fear slowing everyone down, or don’t want to forfeit reaching Everest Base Camp.

If guiding yourself, pick up a good trail map in Kathmandu. Don’t rely solely on electronic devices for making survival decisions! You’ll also need to store your luggage at a trustworthy guesthouse or hotel in Kathmandu. Locking duffel bags and padlocks can be purchased in local shops; some owners will buy them back once you return from your trek.

Hiking Guides and Porters

Rest assured: Your pack is going to feel heavier at 15,000 feet than it does at home! Even as an independent trekker, hiring a local guide and/or porter are options. Hiring directly ensures money goes to the Sherpas instead of a Western tour agency that managed to rank well online. Expect to pay between $15 to $20 a day for a porter or $25 to $30 a day for a guide.

You’ll need to negotiate terms and contingencies before hitting the trail. Paying up to half of the porter’s fee up front is common, and you will also be expected to tip guides and porters after the trip. Finalize details and other expenses to avoid a potential disagreement. The agreed daily rate should include their meals, drinks, and accommodation so you aren’t asked for money later.

Guides will approach you on the street in Thamel, however, you should hire only a credible and licensed guide through either a trekking company or your accommodation. You may still be able to hire a porter later on the trail by speaking to the staff at your lodge.

How Much Does It Cost to Trek to Everest Base Camp?

The cost of trekking to Everest Base Camp depends entirely upon your needed level of comfort. One indelible rule holds on the trail: Prices rise as elevation rises. That 50-cent candy bar from Kathmandu is worth $7 at 17,000 feet!

Extremely basic accommodation in teahouses can be found for as low as $5 per night. You’ll be expected to have your meals where you stay. A hearty Nepalese meal of dal bhat can be enjoyed for $6 or less, but expect to pay much more for Western food. A can of Coke can cost up to $5; remember, it’s heavy and had to be carried up by a porter.

Other luxuries add to the cost of life on the trail. A (somewhat) warm shower can cost $5. Charging electronic devices and accessing the internet, if available, cost several dollars an hour, and the solar charging systems are often slow and provide only a weak charge. Depending on your food and drink indulgences, plan to spend $20 to $30 a day living on the trail. This excludes any fees you pay to porters and guides.

If not already covered, your greatest expense will be the short flight to and from Lukla. The 30-minute flight can cost around $180 each way.

Do You Need a Permit for Everest Base Camp?

You’ll need at least two permits for trekking to Everest Base Camp. Your tour organizer will probably provide these, but you’ll need to arrange them yourself if trekking independently.

• Sagarmatha National Park Permit: Get this at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (approximately $25).
• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit: You will get this permit from a checkpoint in Lukla; it isn’t available in Kathmandu (approximately $17).
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area Permit: You only need this permit from the Tourism Board if doing the longer trek to Everest Base Camp from Jiri instead of flying to Lukla (approximately $17).

The permit system changed in 2018. Disregard any information you read elsewhere about needing a TIMS card for the trek to Everest Base Camp.

Greg Rodgers

What to Pack

Kathmandu, particularly in Thamel, has more than enough outfitting shops for gearing up. Unfortunately, those same shops are stacked with counterfeit gear that probably won’t survive the hardships of the trek. Sifting through the piles of used gear in dark shops requires patience. Prices are inflated, so put your game face on and start haggling !

If you booked a guided tour, find out what your tour company plans to provide (e.g., hiking poles, down jackets, etc) before shopping. Consider bringing mission-critical items from home so that equipment failure doesn’t affect your experience. For instance, you’ll need quality sunglasses to prevent eye injury. Sunglasses for sale locally may have “UV Protection” stickers on them but don’t offer much actual protection.

• Good hiking boots. You should invest in high-quality, waterproof hiking boots and break them in properly before you leave home; painful blisters can ruin an otherwise-excellent trek.
• Lightweight sleeping bag. Rooms along the trek are unheated. Lodges provide weighty blankets for the freezing nights, but you'll appreciate having a layer between you and the unwashed bedding. Even a lightweight silk “sleep sheet” will do the trick.
• Alternate footwear. After removing your muddy hiking boots, a pair of lightweight shoes or sandals comes in handy for wearing around lodges and shared bathrooms.
• Water purification: As elevation increases, so does the cost of bottled water and need to reduce plastic waste. You’ll be drinking more than ever to counter dehydration in the dry air. Although there are many options, the two-bottle, chlorine dioxide system from Aquamira is a reliable solution.
• Trail snacks: Candy bars and nuts provide a much-needed boost to energy and morale while on the trail or in the lodge.
• USB power bank: Keeping batteries charged in the extreme cold is a challenge. If you plan to use a phone for photos or communication, you’ll want to bring along a rugged power bank.
• Diamox tablets: Diamox (acetazolamide) is medication for countering the dangerous effects of AMS. Guides should have some on hand, but independent trekkers will want to buy Diamox to carry. Beware of fake tablets for sale in Kathmandu. Purchase only from legitimate pharmacies—not from shops—and discuss how to use them.

If you won’t be taking your poles and other gear home after the trek, consider giving it directly to the Sherpas you meet in Lukla.

John Elk III / Getty Images

How to Get There

Fly into Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and plan to spend a few days resting and preparing for the trek. Unless you’ll be starting the trek in Jiri—which requires a seven-hour bus ride and an additional five to seven days of trekking—you’ll need to book a flight to Lukla.

Taking the small prop plane from Kathmandu to Lukla (LUA) is one of the scariest and most scenic aviation experiences many travelers will have. Although not the highest airport in the world , weather and visibility changes have caused enough crashes at Tenzig-Hillary Airport in Lukla to earn it the title of “most dangerous airport in the world.”

The trek to Everest Base Camp begins in Lukla and finishes at the infamous Khumbu Icefall!

How Dangerous Is Everest Base Camp?

Although frostbite and rock slides are hazards along the trail, the biggest danger—by far—comes from the high elevation. Once symptoms of AMS begin (severe headache and nausea), you need to descend as soon as possible. Ideally, you’ll ascend slowly enough to minimize altitude sickness in the first place.

The CDC recommends never gaining more than 500 meters in one day and taking a rest day for every 1,000 meters gained. Whenever possible, you should descend to sleep at a lower elevation than the highest point reached during the day. Track and do the elevation math as though your life depends on it.

The high elevation and thinner air introduces additional risks. For one, your body will increase its production of red blood cells, causing excessive urination; be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Many trekkers will also experience the dry, hacking "Khumbu cough" from panting heavily in the thin air and breathing in the dust of the region. You can cover your face with a bandanna or balaclava for some protection. The cough usually goes away after time. Ultraviolet rays, too, are more damaging in the thinner air, so protect your skin, lips, and eyes by applying high SPF sunscreen and lip balm, wearing long sleeves, and donning sunglasses.

Finally, yak trains always get the right of way! Never share a bridge crossing with one, and always pass them on the “inside” of the trail. Startled yaks are unpredictable and sometimes knock trekkers off the trail.

Additional Tips

• Take your stocking up on snacks seriously. Pack candy bars, even if you wouldn’t ordinarily indulge at home. You’ll experience strong cravings at higher elevation. Hikers are willing to spend $7 or more for Snickers bars near Everest Base Camp!
• The weather in the Himalayas changes quickly and unpredictably. Flights to and from Lukla frequently become delayed by a day or two, maybe longer if a winter storm system sets in. Add some buffer days to your Kathmandu itinerary just in case this happens.
• Before retiring to bed, ask your teahouse staff to pour boiling water into your bottles and use them as bed warmers. Fair warning: They’ll probably be frozen next to you in the morning!
• Sleep with your phone and any batteries in the bed with you. Your body heat will protect battery life a little.
• Weight limitations imposed by airlines that fly to Lukla are strictly enforced. If an airline says 33 pounds (15 kilograms), that includes all baggage , stowed or carried. Don’t risk having to forfeit gear in Kathmandu Airport because you’re a pound or two over the allowance. You can stuff some items into your pockets, within reason.

How to Go Teahouse Trekking in Nepal

The Best 12 Hikes in Nepal

Solo Trekking in Nepal's Everest National Park

How to Choose and Prepare for a Hiking Trip

Independent Trekking in Nepal

The World's Highest Places and Attractions That You Can Visit

Five Amazing Hiking Routes Among the High Mountains of the Himalayas

The Most Beautiful National Parks in Nepal

A Guide to Tipping in Nepal

The Complete Guide to Climbing Morocco's Mount Toubkal

Nepal's Great Himalaya Trail: The Complete Guide

How to Trek Nepal's Manaslu Circuit

The Different Types of Adventure Travel

The Top 15 Destinations in Nepal

Where Is Mount Everest?

• Performance
• Strava Updates
• English (US)
• Español de América
• Português do Brasil

Get Started

Everest Base Camp - 28.0023° N, 86.8529° E

The World's Greatest Hike: The Everest Base Camp Trek

, by Charlie Boscoe

The trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is the best hike on Earth and undoubtedly the most famous. There are quieter hikes out there and treks that could claim to be more adventurous, but no trip can rival the EBC route for scenery. Everest itself (which, ironically, is hidden for much of the trip) is the star attraction, but the views of Ama Dablam (often referred to as "The most beautiful mountain in the world"), Lhotse, Nuptse, and Kangtega would all be worth the trip on their own. The Khumbu region is home to the highest and most spectacular peaks on Earth, and the EBC trek leads you right into the heart of them. 

The best times to make the trip are spring and autumn because winter is cold and snowy, and the summer is the monsoon. Spring is generally considered to be a little warmer, but the weather can be less stable than in the cold and dry autumn. Both options are popular, and going in spring does have the advantage that you'll arrive at Everest Base Camp in the middle of climbing season and will be able to watch teams as they attempt to summit the world's highest mountain.

RELATED: The 25 Best Long Distance Hikes in the World

Before even reaching the mountains, the EBC trek provides some rich cultural interest because it starts in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu. This ancient city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world and one of the most interesting. Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Monkey Temple are all fascinating, but the real joy of Kathmandu can be found in just strolling around and taking in the sights, sounds and smells. It is remarkable how Kathmandu can, in some places, feel like an assault on the senses, only to transform into a serene oasis when you turn a corner into a quieter street. Having a couple of days to explore Kathmandu is highly recommended and only adds to the overall EBC experience.

When it comes time to journey into the mountains, a flight into Lukla, the world's most dangerous airport, awaits. The flight is short, and the runway at Lukla is VERY short! At just 527 metres in length, only specially trained pilots are licensed to land on the runway, and when you experience arriving there for yourself, you'll understand why. The views from the flight are lovely, but there is an inescapable feeling of relief when you touch down safely and can begin to enjoy the mountains without the fear of the impending landing!

DID YOU READ? How to Acclimatise at Altitude: 5 Tips

From Lukla, there follows a couple of peaceful days strolling along a valley bottom alongside the Dhudh Khosi river. There are often high mountain views, but much of the interest in these early days lies in the forests and villages you hike through. Towards the end of day two, the trail crosses the high and somewhat intimidating Hillary Bridge and then begins climbing up to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital, where you really feel as if you've entered the high Himalayas. On the way up to Namche is a viewpoint from where you can get your first glimpse of Everest, and once in that famous mountain village, the jaw-dropping views just keep coming. Taking a rest day in Namche to aid with acclimatization is a good idea, and it also allows you to visit the famous Everest View Hotel, which provides exactly what you imagine it will! The entire process of acclimatizing is a crucial element of the EBC trek, and we've got an article dedicated to the topic here .

Above Namche, you enter high mountain terrain, and the dense forests that line the Khumbu's lower valleys slowly give way to scrubby bushes and rocks. There are some famous landmarks on the trail, including Tangboche Monastery and the medical clinic at Pheriche (where a daily talk on altitude sickness is delivered, and well worth attending), but the main attractions are above, not around you. The snow-covered giants towering all around defy description, but they will meet and exceed your expectations ahead of the trek. The weather in the Khumbu is generally better in the mornings, so getting up early to watch the sun creep onto those famous peaks is an effort well worth making. You may get lucky and also enjoy some sunsets, but the clouds tend to build in mid-afternoon, so a pre-dawn start is usually the best guarantee of good views. It goes dark around 6 pm in trekking season, so even if you get up at 6 am, you still have plenty of time for a good night's sleep!

The scenery around you becomes increasingly desolate as you climb higher towards EBC itself. The air gets dryer, the flora reduces, and those prominent peaks just keep getting closer - the upper reaches of the Khumbu is a tough place, and the difficulty of reaching EBC becomes increasingly apparent. For those who make it, the satisfaction of reaching such a legendary landmark is fabulous, and the strange familiarity of scenery that you've studied on maps and photographs is jarring. Many people find the experience of reaching EBC emotional, but climbing the small, rocky peak of Kala Patthar at dawn is perhaps even more dramatic. Everest is actually hidden from view at EBC, but from Kala Patthar, you get a perfect look at the mountain's southwest face and summit ridge. Some would argue that Everest is one of the less attractive mountains in the Khumbu, but there's no doubt that it has an aura and an attraction all of its own. It might look like another huge peak amongst many others, but something about it draws you in. Give in to the temptation to sit and stare at it from Kala Patthar as the sun slowly illuminates it and the darkness fades away.

Having visited EBC and climbed Kala Patthar, all that's left is to descend into thicker and warmer air all the way back to Lukla. After being cold, short of breath, and likely nursing a mild headache for a week, the feeling of the discomfort easing is wonderful. Enjoy every step before toasting your success in one of Kathmandu's many fine eateries.

So, if your appetite has been whetted, here's the famous route!

Related Tags

More stories.

Multi-Sport

Strava Routes and Heatmap: Find New Places to Go

From Marrakech to the Mountains: Trekking Adventures in Morocco's Backcountry

Mountain Biking

Passage of a Historic Congressional Bill Unblocks Completion of Utah's Bonneville Shoreline Trail

• Telephone +61 7 5660 6488
• Email [email protected]
• Address G21b, The Pier, Pier Point Road, Cairns QLD 4870 Australia

Your flights to Lukla from Kathmandu may be diverted to Ramechhap Airport. Here’s Why!

Home / Blogs / Everest Base Camp Trek Information (EBC Trek Guide)

Everest Base Camp Trek Information (EBC Trek Guide)

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Take On Nepal - Take on Nepal , Trekking , Trekking in Nepal , Visitor Experiences , Visitor Information

Everything you need to know about trek to Everest Base Camp!

Nepal, the land of the Himalayas and home to the world’s highest mountain, Everest , calls hundreds of thousands of trekkers every year. Every trekker, be it a novice or seasoned trekker, has dreamed of trekking to the base camp of Everest at least once in a lifetime. It’s on the bucket list of adventurers and trekkers alike. And if not on yours, you’re seriously missing something! Well, you can start with this blog and know everything about the trek to Everest Base Camp . This blog will not only excite you for the adventure to EBC but also prepare you for it.

Why trek to Everest Base Camp?

Why you would trek to Everest Base Camp is definitely the best question to ask yourself before actually planning for it. The best perk of the trek is its unparalleled opportunity to marvel at the world’s tallest peak up close. It’s a mesmerizing odyssey through the heart of the Himalayas, showcasing not just the grandeur of Mount Everest but also the rich Sherpa culture and breathtaking beauty of the Khumbu region. The trail to EBC lets you traverse through varying landscapes ranging from lush forests to Sherpa village and high-altitude glaciers. Beyond all these, the trek is a challenge, each step embodying determination, self-discovery, and resilience.

How to trek to Everest Base Camp?

The extraordinary journey to Everest Base Camp starts with a t hrilling flight to Lukla and progresses through diverse landscapes, rugged terrains, and Sherpa villages adorned with colorful prayer flags. The trail to EBC encompasses lush rhododendron forests, suspension bridges, deep gorges, scenic monastery, and serene valleys. The trek to EBC is physically demanding and equally rewarding.

Trekkers navigate through varying altitudes, requiring a gradual ascent to acclimatize and prevent altitude sickness. Proper gear, proper plan, and proper preparation are crucial. It’s equally important to stay hydrated, maintain a steady pace, and listen to your own body to ensure a safe and more comfortable journey. Trekkers can hire a professional guide and porter to navigate the trail, carry equipment, and assist in logistics and for cultural interaction and communication.

What is not so great about Everest base camp trek?

While the trek is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, there are certain aspects that some trekkers might find not-so-good. Like the altitude sickness risk. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue can affect trekkers as they ascend. For some trekkers, this trek is physically demanding. The journey involves long, arduous walks over rough terrain with steep ascents and descents.

The unpredictable weather condition is something that is another not-so-good thing about the EBC trek . Trekkers might encounter sudden weather changes that pose challenges and discomfort. During the peak season, the trail becomes so crowded that it strips away the solitude and tranquility of the trekkers. These all are the less favorable features of the EBC trek.

How long does it take to hike the Everest Base Camp trek?

It usually takes 14 days to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek , and covers approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles). However, the duration can vary depending on your chosen route, itinerary, side trips, and trekking pace. Please note that Laboche Peak plus EBC trek takes 18 days, and the trek via 3 pass can take up to 22 days.

The trek via Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass can take up to 18 days.

Reaching Everest Base Camp takes approximately 8 to 10 days from Kathmandu, with descent spanning 2 to 4 days. The adventure starts with an enthralling flight to Lukla, and the trek begins, traversing various scenic spots and picturesque villages like Namche, Tengboche, and Dingboche, gradually ascending to the base camp.

How hard/challenging is the Everest Base Camp trek?

The Everest Base Camp trek is a  moderate graded trek  with formidable yet profoundly rewarding challenge. Ascending to over 5,000 meters above sea level is definitely a challenging task. For those trekking for the first time, altitude sickness becomes a genuine concern. Its difficulty lies in steep ascents and descents, unpredictable weather conditions and high altitudes. The trek demands a moderate to high level of physical endurance and sheer determination to trek for a couple of days through rugged terrains while tacking high altitudes. The trek is ideal for experienced trekkers, but novice trekkers can do the trek as well.

When is best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the two  prime seasons  to trek to Everest Base Camp. These periods offer clear skies, balmy weather and excellent visibility of the majestic mountains. Trekkers can admire breathtaking views of iconic peaks, including Everest, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse.

While autumn offers cooler temperatures and cleaner air following the monsoon, making it a popular destination for hiking, spring brings flowering flowers and a somewhat milder climate. Both seasons present ideal conditions, allowing trekkers to experience breathtaking landscapes and remarkable mountain views while navigating the trails to Everest Base Camp.

What can I do to avoid altitude sickness?

If you want to reach the base camp of Everest, you must avoid altitude sickness. Despite its simple name, ‘altitude sickness’ can pose significant dangers. Acquainting oneself with the signs and perils of altitude sickness serves as the guardian of an adventurer’s journey. Prioritizing a gradual ascent is essential, allowing the body time to acclimate to higher altitudes. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial.

Adequate rest and pacing oneself during the trek are vital, avoiding overexertion and allowing the body to adjust. Recognizing the symptoms early, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness, and taking immediate action, which might include descending to lower altitudes, is crucial for a safe and enjoyable trek. For details on altitude sickness, check  this blog .

What are the tea houses like on the Everest Base Camp trek?

Teahouses are the most popular and best form of accommodation in the Everest region. Tea House trek, as it is aptly named, involves trekking for a couple of hours ( 5 to 7 hours) in a day and staying overnight at a tea house along the route. A typical tea house provides all the basic amenities needed for a trekker for a comfortable stay.

These accommodations usually consist of simple rooms with twin beds, basic bedding, and shared bathroom facilities. Dining areas in the tea houses serve a variety of meals, including both local and international dishes. Electricity is often available for charging devices, but it might come with an additional cost. Please note that bathrooms in most of the teahouses are usually communal. We have a  comprehensive blog on accommodation along the EBC route .

What is the best food to eat on the Everest base camp trek? What is food like?

Hands down, Dal Bhat is the best choice for the EBC trek in Nepal. That said, there is a wide array of food options, and the local cuisine primarily centers around rice, noodles, and potatoes, reflecting the staple crops of the region. Dal Bhat is a popular choice among trekkers, consisting of rice and lentil soup, accompanied by various vegetable and potato curries. Noodles and pasta dishes are common, typically served with local vegetables and sauces. Local Sherpa communities often consume hearty vegetarian fare, emphasizing lentils, grains, and vegetables. It’s advisable to refrain from consuming meat while trekking to Everest Base Camp . Again, we have this amazing blog on  meal along the route to EBC trek . Have a look!

Can I get phone coverage or WIFI on the Everest base camp trek?

Yes. During the Everest Base Camp Trek , especially in the lower elevations and some villages along the trail, you might find intermittent phone coverage and limited access to Wi-Fi. However, as you ascend higher into the mountains, especially beyond Namche Bazaar, network availability becomes scarce. You will have to pay for Wi-Fi service and it’s usually around 5$ per hour. The good news is that you can buy unlimited Wi-Fi coverage in certain villages like Lukla . And some hotels (With a “free Wi-Fi” sign) offer free Wi-Fi services to trekkers. Telecommunication companies like NCell have offered 3G connectivity on the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, reliable connection and service is never guaranteed.

What should I bring to Everest Base Camp?

Packing for the Everest Base Camp trek is definitely the exciting part. But, you should not over-pack or miss something that can invite discomfort and challenges while trekking. That is why you should pack the best you can. While there is an  ultimate packing list for Everest Base Camp trek , it can vary from person to person and time of the year. You can start with clothing. If you’re heading during the autumn and spring season,  this blog  should help you. And if it’s winter, you better carry an extra layer of clothes. Don’t forget sturdy, broken-in hiking boots and extra socks for comfort.

Additionally, a first aid kit, including altitude sickness medication, water purification tablets, and sunscreen, is indispensable. Packing toiletries like biodegradable soap, wet wipes, and a quick-dry towel is convenient, and a lightweight, compact travel towel can be a space-saver. Bring a portable charger for your electronic devices but be mindful of limited charging opportunities. And yes, please bring back the trash with you when descending to Lukla and Kathmandu.

Do I need a porter or guide? Can I trek solo to EBC?

Yes, you need a licensed guide for the trek to EBC. The rule mandating the necessity of a guide for the Everest Base Camp trek is ostensibly in existence, but its implementation appears to be non-existent. As of April 1, 2023, the Nepalese government has implemented revised regulations, requiring all travelers to Everest Base Camp to be accompanied by a professional guide, making independent trekking to the EBC no longer permissible.

In recent weeks, many trekkers exclaim that they have witnessed numerous trekkers navigating the EBC trek route without a guide. It’s always good to go with a guide and porter for the obvious reason that you will have someone to assist and guide you, and not to mention you will help the local community directly. It is advisable to consult with travel experts and fellow travelers regarding the solo trek to EBC.

How much does the Everest base camp trek cost?

The cost of the Everest Base Camp trek can vary significantly based on multiple factors, including the route taken, duration of the trek, services chosen, and the trekking agency. On average, the 14-day EBC trek can cost anywhere between $ 2,500 and $ 4,000. This estimated cost covers accommodation, food, permits, and guide/porter, excluding personal and miscellaneous expenses. For a luxury itinerary, it would cost more. Our all-inclusive EBC trek cost starts from $2,750 AUD per person .

Do I need permit to trek to Everest Base Camp?

Yes, you need permits to trek to Everest Base Camp . A new permit system- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit- has been implemented recently and you no longer require TIMS card. The cost of this permit is RS 2000 (approximately 23 AUD) per person. Please note that this permit can only be collected from Lukla, not Kathmandu. The other permit you need is Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which costs RS. 3000 (approximately 35 AUD) per person. You can collect it either from Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board or at the Park Entrance Gate at Monjo. The cost of these permits is different for foreigners from SAARC countries, Indian citizens and Westerners.

How can I trek sustainably and environmentally friendly?

Now, this is something so important to consider while doing the EBC trek. To trek sustainably and embrace an environmentally friendly approach during the Everest Base Camp trek , several mindful practices can be adopted. First and foremost, a “Leave No Trace” ethos should be upheld; you must bring back the trash. Our guide will always emphasize it. This includes properly disposing of waste, carrying out all non-biodegradable items, and respecting local customs and environments.

Avoid buying single-use plastic and opt for reusable water bottles. You can choose to stay at teahouses that prioritize eco-friendly practices, such as using solar power or minimizing water and energy consumption. Embracing local culture respectfully and supporting local economies by purchasing locally made goods also contributes to sustainable tourism. You can do all these at your personal level and encourage fellow travelers to practice sustainable tourism.

How do I get to Lukla? Where can I start trek to Everest Base Camp?

Most trekkers choose the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla as it is the most popular option for EBC trek . But, few consider a classic walk from Jiri, and Phaplu, and even fewer opt for 1-hour heli ride. The walk is suitable for those who have enough days, usually 18- 21 days. The flight to Lukla takes around 30-40 minutes, offering spectacular views of the Himalayas, including the mighty Everest. The EBC trek officially begins from the town of Lukla, the main gateway to the Everest region. It serves as the starting point for most trekkers heading to the Everest Base Camp.

Do I need to tip guide and porter on the Everest Base Camp trek?

It’s not mandatory to tip, but it is customary or commonly practiced culture in Nepal. It’s a way to show appreciation and gratitude for their outstanding service. Generally, you are expected to tip 10-15% of the total trek cost for guides and about 5-10% for porters. For example, if you paid $2,000 for your trekking experience, $200 would be a kind and respectful amount to pay to your team. You can always discuss tipping directly with the trekking agency or service provider. Remember that while gifts or items might be well-intended, handing over cash would be the best. Should you be confused, check this blog on  how much money should I tip to guide and porter .

Is it safe to trek to Everest base camp trek?

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is  generally safe , but it’s essential to be well-prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. The good news is that there are rarely any death news or records on the Everest Base Camp trek. If you are physically fit and mentally prepared, you can do this trek. Altitude sickness is a significant consideration due to the high elevations. To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial to acclimatize properly, stay well-hydrated, and ascend gradually. It’s equally important to be prepared for the unpredictable weather condition in the Himalayas. To further assure safety, use safe-and-standard trekking procedures such as staying on marked trails, booking reputable lodging, and carrying the necessary equipment.

How to prepare for Everest Base Camp trek?

Firstly, you must be  physically fit and ready  for the adventure to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. Engage in a progressive training routine for at least 2 months before the trek. Your training should incorporate cardiovascular exercises like running and strength training to prepare muscles for the trek through rugged terrains. You must be mentally prepared for challenging days, varying weather conditions, and high altitudes. Acclimatization is another crucial aspect of preparation. During the trek, follow a gradual ascent approach, stay hydrated, and maintain a steady pace. The best rule is to listen to your body and act accordingly. And remember to pack the right gear and clothes.

How to find good trekking company?

There are a huge number of companies offering treks in Nepal, and finding the right people can be daunting. You can always look for a trekking company with proven track records and positive reviews. You can also seek recommendations from friends, fellow travelers and travel communities. At Take on Nepal , we believe that taking a strong ethical approach to all that we do will result in a positive outcome for our clients. Because we take genuine care and interest in all of our team members, this results in a happy team that provides an authentic and meaningful experience for all of our trekkers. Our company stands out as a premier choice, backed by a flawless record of five-star reviews and strong recommendations, reflecting our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

What should not take to EBC trek?

While there are many blogs on “ What to pack for the Everest Base Camp trek” , you may find it hard to find blogs on what not to carry. Like mentioned earlier, you should never over-pack or under-pack. So, what should you not take to EBC trek? Starting with unnecessary electronics, it is advisable not to carry extra electronic devices for weight consideration. It’s around 14 14-day trek, so don’t hesitate to leave an extra layer of clothes at home. If you are comfortable with 3 pairs of clothes, why carry the 4th one? You should also consider omitting heavy or excessive toiletries and makeup items. If you have a light and a slightly heavier sleeping bag, consider taking a light one, as teahouses usually provide bedding.

Where is the Everest base Camp (EBC)?

Nestled in the heart of the Khumbu region of northeast Nepal, the popular Everest Base Camp stands at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Precisely, it rests at an approximate latitude of 27.9881° N and longitude of 86.9250° E. To reach there, trekkers fly to Lukla from Kathmandu and trek upward to villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Gorakshep, before eventually reaching the base camp.

History of Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp’s (EBC) history is entwined with the amazing tale of human exploration and the unwavering quest to ascend Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The first recognized exploration of the Everest region can be attributed to the British exploration team led by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine in the early 1920s. Over the decades, thousands of trekkers from around the world put their feet on the Everest Base Camp as an achievement. And today, every year, more than 35000 trekkers embark on a journey to Everest Base Camp . When Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay successfully ascended Mount Everest in 1953, it was one of the biggest turning points in history.

Here’s a brief history of Everest Base Camp:

• 1920s: Early expeditions led by adventurers like Andrew Irvine and George Mallory, who attempted to summit Mount Everest.
• 1953: On May 29, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made history by becoming the first people to successfully climb Mount Everest.
• 1950s- 1960s: Subsequent climbing expeditions established a number of base camps in the area, which were used for acclimatization and summit preparation.
• 1970–1980: Increase in the influx of international trekkers visiting the Everest Base Camp area .
• 1990s: Everest Base Camp gained popularity as a trekking destination as a result of the expansion of adventure tourism and trekking, drawing more visitors to the region.
• 2000s- Present: Everest Base Camp is one of the most well-known trekking destinations in the world, drawing thousands of trekkers each year.

What type/tribe of people reside in the EBC area? Who are the Sherpa people?

The Sherpa people are an indigenous ethnic group who primarily reside in the Everest region of Nepal , particularly in Solukhumbu. That said, you can also find other ethnic groups like Rai, Tamang and Gurung, among others. Sherpa people are known for their mountain-dwelling lifestyle and their remarkable skills in mountaineering. They have their own language, traditions, and rituals and are of Tibetan descent.

The Sherpas, who were accustomed to the demanding high-altitude climate of the Himalayas, have traditionally worked in agriculture, trading, and herding. One of the most notable aspects of the Sherpas is their historical involvement in assisting mountaineering expeditions, acting as guides, porters, and climbers. For their mountaineering prowess, resilience and expertise, they are an integral part of the mountaineering community.

Recents Posts

THE BEST DOWN JACKET FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

We have had clients who would often ask us these questions: What is the best down jacket for the Everest Base Camp trek? Do I need a high-quality down jacket for the EBC trek?  And our answers to their questions always come in two words: it depends. And at times, no, … read more

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Everything you need to know about your trek to Annapurna Base Camp When to go: The two most popular trekking seasons in Nepal are before and after the monsoon season in Nepal. The monsoonal months of Nepal are June, July and August. It will rain during your trek during these … read more

Lukla Flights Fly From Ramechhap

Lukla Flights Fly From Ramechhap – What You Need To Know? With a high number of travelers heading to the Everest region every year, especially during peak season, news often circulates among travelers and trekking agencies: airport congestion (and bad weather) disrupts flights to Lukla from Kathmandu. In recent years, … read more

Sleeping at Everest Base Camp

Thinking of sleeping at Everest Base Camp? Here’s everything you should know Above 17500 feet. At Everest Base Camp. Amidst the towering peaks. These three are the main attractions of sleeping at the Everest Base Camp Trek. Yes, you heard it right. You can sleep at the base camp of … read more

Can I travel to Nepal with drone? Here’s a complete guide for you.

DRONE LAW IN NEPAL Picture this: you are trekking to the Everest Base Camp, and suddenly, your eye catches the incredible sight of the Himalayas, including Everest. Your instinct urges you to catch an aerial glimpse of the mountains that loom over you. That’s when your drone comes into play. … read more

Connect With Us

If you opt in above we use this information send related content, discounts and other special offers.

Regd. No: 175840/074/075, Tourism License No: 2432

Promoted and run by:

Local experts and sherpas of nepal.

• Trek to Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek for People from Australia

• Trip Overview

Everest Base Camp Trek is a world-famous hiking trip. Everest Base Camp Trekking is also very popular among hiking lovers from Australia. Everest Base Camp Trek is a dream trip for every Australian Hiker. Everest Base Camp in short also called EBC Trek. This hiking trip takes you to the base camp of Mount Everest and offers you a great opportunity to explore Mount Everest, the tallest peak on the earth, its nearby glaciers, and the other Himalayan peaks. Truly, Everest Base Camp Trek is a lifetime journey that is full of romantic moments.

Everest Base Camp Trek starts from Lukla and ends also in Lukla. From Lukla, hiking starts towards Namche Bazaar through the Sherpa villages of Chheplung, Ghat, Phakding, Benkar, Manjo, and Jorrsalle. On the way, you will cross several suspension bridges. After Namche Bazaar, you continue trekking to Tengboche. In Tengboche, you visit the famous Buddhist monastery famous as Tengboche Monastery. Then, you walk ahead passing the places called Dibuche, Somare, Orsho, Dingboche (the world’s highest farmland), Thukla Pass (4,830m), Lobuche Pass (5,110m), and Gorekshep to reach Everest Base Camp. After the visit to Everest Base Camp, you also climb to Kalapathar. Kalapathar is the best viewpoint near Everest Base Camp for the best panoramic views of Mount Everest. Afterward, you trek back to Lukla following the same previous route. From Lukla, you fly back to Kathmandu where your overall trip ends.

Hiking Distance of Everest Base Camp Trek

The hiking/trekking distance from Lukla (hiking starting place) to Everest Base Camp and back from Everest Base Camp to Lukla is around 130 Kilometers/ 81 miles. You will complete this distance in 11 days. Every day you walk an average of 12 Kilometers/ 7 miles. In your normal pace of walking, you will do it with a sometimes gradual ascent on the rocky terrain and sometimes with a descent.

Height of Everest Base Camp Trek/ Elevation of EBC Trek

You will start Everest Base Camp Trek from the elevation of 2804 meters/ 9199 feet at Lukla. Every day you will receive elevation in the range of 400 meters to 800 meters. As most people’s bodies are not used to these elevations, the trek includes acclimatization days at the places named Namche Bazaar and Dingboche to ensure your safety. The highest altitude of the entire EBC trekking is Kala Patthar, near Everest Base Camp. Its height is 5555 meters/18225 feet. Kala Patthar is the best viewpoint for Mount Everest and its surrounding magnificent peaks.

In Summary, the major highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek are as below:

. Trek through one of the top ten trekking routes in the world . Reach the base camp of the world’s highest mountain ‘Mount Everest’ . Hike Kala Patthar peak (5,555m) & enjoy a 360degree view of the mountains . Visit Tangboche Monastery; the largest monastery in the Khumbu region. . Get face-to-face with the mighty Himalayas and giant Khumbu Icefall. . See beautiful Sherpa villages and century-old monasteries

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Enjoy EBC Trek with our Experienced English Speaking Guide. No Feel of rush, walk at your own normal pace. Ultimately you will complete your mission and obtain a great lifetime achievement. 

Everest Base Camp Cost for Australian People 

Excellent Himalaya Trek and Expedition has categorized the Everest Base Camp Trek cost into two packages:

Note : We also accept payment in Australian dollars.

The Services inclusive in the above Packages:

The Services exclusive in both Packages:

1. Nepal visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days/ USD 50 for 30 days period). You can get a Nepal visa on your arrival time at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. 2. Airfare for your international flight. 3. Your travel insurance which includes evacuation. 4. Alcoholic beverages, hot and cold drinks, bottled water, boiled water, and dessert. 5. All kinds of personal expenses like phone calls, internet use, laundry, hot shower during trekking, battery charge, excess baggage charge in flight, etc. 6. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu “except farewell dinner in Kathmandu”. 7. In case of emergency, the cost of helicopter rescue/ evacuation. 8. Tips for Trekking Staff. 9. Any expenses arising due to unforeseen situations like personal sickness, natural calamities, political strikes, flight cancellation, etc. 10. Cost of any extra services you use which are not mentioned in the package price.

I. Porter will be provided only in Gold Price. As usual, a porter is provided based on 1 porter for 2 trekkers. 1 porter carries the baggage of two trekkers with a maximum total weight limit of 25 kg. II. The above Everest Base Camp Trek cost is on a per-person basis for a minimum group size of two persons. III. If you are single and want to do Solo Trek. We also organize the Everest Base Camp Trek for solo trekkers. For the solo trekker, we have a separate Everest Base Camp Trek Package price. Please contact us for the Everest Base Camp Trek cost for Solo Trekking.

Please contact us by email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at +977 9851203181 for any further information about Everest Base Camp Trek, or if any questions. Once we receive your message, we get back to you within 24 hours.

Everest Base Camp Trek without taking a flight to Lukla is also possible. If you want Everest Base Camp Trek without flights, please click this hyperlink: Everest Base Camp Trek without flight .

About Operator of Everest Base Camp Trek

Excellent Himalaya Trek is a leading trekking operator in Nepal run by local tourism experts and Sherpas. We are the direct operator of Everest Base Camp Trek, not a middle travel company. We have been organizing Everest Base Camp Trek for many tourists from Australia every year. The above cost of Everest Base Camp Trek is quoted especially for Australian hiking and outdoor lovers. For further information and any questions please feel free to contact us. You may contact us by email: [email protected] or by mobile phone, WhatsApp, and Viber: at +977 9851203181. We will always be in your support.

Ask our experts (Inquiry)

Select Trip Special Puja at Pashupatinath, Abhishek, Cost and Time Annapurna Base Camp Trek with visit to Hot Water Spring Rafting in Pokhara Bisket Jatra in Thimi Motor Bike Tour in Nepal Kathmandu to Manaslu Trek Canyoning in Pokhara Manang Tilicho Lake Trek Kathmandu to Langtang Trek Trek to Kala Patthar Nagarkot Tour from Kathmandu Thorong la Pass Trek: Affordable Cost with Best Services Lukla to Tengboche Trek: Tengboche Monastery Trek Ghandruk Poon Hill Trek Namche Bazaar Trek (Short Everest Trek) Sikles Kapuche Lake Trek Lwang Village Homestay Tour Panchase Trek 2 Days Astam Village Trek Tour Chitwan Sauraha Tour Package Mardi Himal Trek for Nepali and Indian People Australian Camp Trek Nepal Poon Hill Trek Package Besisahar to Jomsom Trek Pokhara to Jomsom Trek Khopra Danda Trek: Cheap Cost with Perfect Itinerary Mohare Danda Trek: Community Lodge Trek in Nepal Pikey Peak Trek: Affordable Cost and Package Pikey Peak Trek Nepal: Itinerary and Price 7 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Tamang Heritage Langtang Trek Cost: Cheap Package Price Langtang Tour Package: Hiking Trip Everest Base Camp Trek Booking 12 Days Short Everest Base Camp Trek Kushma Bungee Jump and Swing in Nepal Kathmandu to Ghandruk Tour Package Poon Hill Trek Route, Distance, Itinerary Annapurna Base Camp Trek Distance Tilicho Lake Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary with Length Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lake Trek Combine Tilicho Lake Annapurna Circuit Trek Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal Companies Poon Hill Trek Cost Mount Everest for Beginners Annapurna Circuit Trek inclusive Tilicho Lake Everest High Passes Trek Cost Mt Everest Base Camp Trek with Hiking Distance Everest Base Camp Trek Kathmandu Manaslu Tea House Trek Annapurna Circuit Trek Package Manaslu Nar Phu Valley Trek Tsum Valley Manaslu Trek Three Passes Trek Distance Gokyo Lake Trek Distance Mera Peak Climbing Itinerary and Cost Guide Cost for Everest Base Camp Trek Mardi Himal Trek Distance Langtang Trek Distance in Km and Miles How Long Annapurna Circuit Trek Distance in Km and miles Difference between Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp Trek Annapurna Base Camp Mardi Himal Trek Mardi Himal vs Annapurna Base Camp Trek Best Company for Mera Peak Climbing Upper Mustang Jeep Tour Package Upper Mustang Trek Package Best Company for Upper Mustang Trek Best Tour Company for Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek How Long? Nepal Trek to Everest Base Camp 4 Nights 5 Days Hiking Around Kathmandu 3 Nights 4 Days Hiking Around Kathmandu 2 Night 3 Day Hiking Near Kathmandu 1 Night 2 Day Hiking Around Kathmandu Hiking in Kathmandu Paragliding Kathmandu from Chandragiri: Price & Booking Contact Mardi Himal Trek Nepal One Week Nepal Honeymoon Tour Package Kathmandu Pokhara Honeymoon Tour Kathmandu Honeymoon Tour Package Nepal Honeymoon Tour Packages from India Nepal Tour Package for Couple Solo Poon Hill Trek Solo Three Passes Trek with Everest Base Camp Solo Mardi Himal Trek 7 Days Mardi Himal Trek Kalinchowk Package Langtang Trek with Local Company of Nepal Langtang Trek Nepal Island Peak Climbing: Cheap Cost and Best Package Everest Base Camp Trek: Hiking to Mt. Everest Everest Base Camp Trekking in Nepal Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal Solo Annapurna Base Camp Trek Nepal Mahayana Buddhist Tour in Nepal Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek: Less Crowded Trekking Route in Everest Trekking Agency to issue Upper Mustang Permit, Guide, Porter Hire Price Shortest Mardi Himal Trek Trekking Agency to issue Manaslu Trek Permit, Guide, Porter, Jeep Hire Poon Hill Trek for Malaysia, Singapore People Mardi Himal Trek with Recommended Agency of Nepal Manaslu Trek with Best Local Company of Nepal Everest Three Passes Trek with Best Recommended Company Everest Base Camp Trek with Local Company Recommended Company for Island Peak Summit Climb Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Recommended Company of Nepal Annapurna Circuit Trek with Recommended Trekking Company of Nepal Best Everest Base Camp Trek Company Mount Everest Tour by Plane Quickest Trek to Everest Base Camp Best Nepal Trek Packages for Christmas and New Year Vacation Best Nepal Tour for Christmas and New Year Vacation Everest Base Camp Trek UK for British Poon Hill Trek by Jeep Drive Tour Everest Base Camp Trek in December Gokyo Lake Renjo La Pass Trek Mardi Himal Trek: Best Cost and Perfect Itinerary Trekking Guide and Porter Hire Cost in Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek from Brazil Everest Base Camp Trek from Philippines Everest Base Camp Trek from Indonesia Greenline Bus Kathmandu Pokhara Everest Mountain Flight for Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan & Others Everest Mountain Flight for Chinese, Thai, Malaysian & Others Three Passes Trek with Everest Base Camp Everest Mountain Flight for Indian Citizen Langtang Trek for Beginners, Seniors and Family Langtang Solo Trek Package Trek to Langtang Langtang Trek Cost- Best Package and Perfect Itinerary Annapurna Circuit Trek for Beginners Annapurna Base Camp Trek for Beginners Everest Base Camp Trek for Seniors Muktinath Tour Package Sarangkot Hiking Everest Base Camp Trek from Singapore Everest Base Camp Trek for People from Australia Everest Base Camp Trek for Beginners: Best Itinerary with Price Recommended Operator of Everest Base Camp Trek Manaslu Circuit Trek: Best Cost and Package Manaslu Trek with Cost Annapurna Base Camp Trek Cost: ABC Trek Package Annapurna Circuit Trek: Affordable Cost and Package Bungee Jump in Pokhara at Affordable Price: 101 meters Height Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost for Single Trekker for 2020/ 2021 Best Price of Annapurna Circuit Trek Annapurna Circuit Trek for Malaysia and Singapore Hikers Everest Base Camp Trek Cost for Single Solo Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek at Hong Kong Dollar HKD Daily Hiking Distance of Everest Base Camp Trek in Kilometers and Miles Everest Base Camp Trek from Malaysia Annapurna Base Camp Trek from Malaysia Annapurna Base Camp Trek for Indian People Everest Base Camp Trek without flight to Lukla (By Road) 7 Days Poon Hill Trek 12 Days Annapurna Circuit Trek Short Annapurna Base Camp Trek Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Ghandruk Everest Base Camp Trek: Affordable Cost and Package Short Everest Base Camp Trek Hot Air Balloon in Pokhara Everest Base Camp Trek Manaslu Expedition: 8163 m/26781 ft Everest Expedition: 8848 m/29029 ft Amadablam Expedition: 6812 m/22349 ft Helambu Trek Tamang Heritage Trek Phaplu Everest Base Camp Trek Gokyo Renjo La Pass Trek Everest Base Camp Gokyo Lake Trek Cost: Perfect Itinerary, Best Package Amadablam Base Camp Trek Naya Kanga Peak Climbing: 5844 m/19168 ft Hinuchuli Peak Climbing: 6441 m/21126 ft Saribung Peak Climbing: 6346 m/20815 ft Dhampus Peak Climbing: 6012 m/19724 ft Tent Peak Climbing: 5663 m/18563 ft Singu Chuli Peak Climbing: 6501 m/21323 ft Mardi Himal Peak Climbing: 5587 m/18330 ft Paldor Peak Climbing: 5896 m/19343 ft Yala Peak Climbing: 5732 m/ 18790 ft Chulu West Peak Climbing: 6419 m/ 21059 ft Chulu East Peak Climbing: 6564 m/ 21005 ft Lobuche Peak Climbing: 6119 m/ 19581 ft Makalu Base Camp Trek Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek Khopra Danda Trek Pashupatinath Tour Pashupatinath Janakpur Tour Muktinath Overland Tour Muktinath Tour Maratika Tour: Halesi Tour Lumbini Tour Kathmandu Temple Tour 3 Days Nepal Tour: Classic Nepal 4 Days Nepal Tour: Glance of Nepal 5 Days Nepal Tour: Romantic Nepal 5 Days Nepal Travel: Kathmandu World Heritage Tour 6 Days Nepal Tour: Wonderful Nepal 6 Days Nepal Travel: Nepal Jungle Safari Tour 7 Days Nepal Tour: Incredible Nepal 1 Week of Nepal Tour 7 Days Nepal Trip: Discover Nepal Best Selling Nepal Tour: Affordable Package Price Langtang Helicopter Tour 9 Days Nepal Tour: Nepal Vacation Package 10 Days Nepal Tour: Fascinating Nepal 11 Days Nepal Tour: Exploring Nepal 12 Days Nepal Tour: Colorful Nepal Island Peak Climbing: 6189 m/ 20305 ft Mera Peak Climbing: 6461 m/ 211907 ft Pisang Peak Climbing: 6091 m/19980 ft Rara Lake Helicopter Tour Muktinath Damodar Kund Heli Tour Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour Nepal Honeymoon Tour Mardi Himal Trek Druk Path Trek: 10 days Trekking in Bhutan Gangtey Trek: 9 Days Trekking in Bhutan Bhutan Travel 8 days : Paro Thimphu Trongsa Tour Bhutan Travel 7 days : Paro Thimphu Gangtey Tour Kalinchowk Tour Bhutan Travel 6 days : Paro Thimphu Punakha Tour II Bhutan Travel 5 days : Paro Thimphu Punakha Tour I Bhutan Travel 4 days : Paro Thimphu Tour Bhutan Travel 3 days : Paro Tour Everest Base Camp Tour by drive: Nepal Tibet EBC Tour Nepal Tibet Travel: Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour II Nepal Tibet Tour: Kathmandu Lhasa Overland Tour I Guge Kingdom Tour Kailash Heli Yatra: Kailash Helicopter Tour Kailash Yatra : Kailash Overland Tour Kailash Tour with Lhasa Everest Base Camp Mount Kailash Tour with Lhasa Tibet Tour 9 days : Lhasa Everest Base Camp Travel Tibet Tour 8 days : Lhasa Everest Base Camp Tour Tibet Tour 7 days : Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Tour Tibet Travel 6 days : Lhasa Tsedang Tour Tibet Tour 6 days : Lhasa Namtso Lake Tour Hindu Pilgrimage Tour Nepal Buddha Temple Tour Nepal Muktinath Helicopter Tour Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour Nepal Adventure Tour 9 days Nepal Adventure Tour 6 Days Tibet Tour 5 days : Lhasa Yamdrok Lake Tour Upper Mustang Trek Nepal Family Tour Everest Family Trek Nepal Family Trek Rara Lake Trek Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek Upper Dolpo Trek Lower Dolpo Trek Tsum Valley Trek Langtang Gosaikunda Lake Trek: Cheap Cost with Perfect Itinerary Everest View Trek Three Passes Trek Everest Cost- 3 Passes Trek Package Gokyo Lake Trek Cost: Affordable Gokyo Lake Trek Package Classic Everest Trek The Last Resort Bungee: Bhotekoshi Bungy Jump Paragliding in Pokhara: Updated Price with Best Services Manaslu Trek Zipline in Pokhara: Classic and Superman Zipline Bhote Koshi Rafting Ultralight Flight in Pokhara: Best Price with Exciting Flight Everest Mountain Flight Everest Helicopter Tour Trishuli Rafting: Affordable Best Price Chitwan Jungle Safari Tibet Tour 4 days: Lhasa Tour Nar Phu Trek Ghandruk Trek Tilicho Lake Trek with Annapurna Circuit Poon Hill Trek Annapurna Circuit Trek Annapurna Base Camp Trek Langtang Valley Trek

Share this trip on

Have you any questions, if this trip doesn't suit you, make your trip happen, why travel with us.

• Run by local experts, guide & Sherpa.
• Focus on your needs.
• Good value for money.
• Real cared services.
• Government recognized company.
• Best reasonable rate.

Quick Navigation

• Trip Reviews

Steps of Contact and Booking with us

Mosaic Adventure

Unleash the trekking bug in you…. experience the Himalayan touch……

7 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

The 7 days Everest Base Camp trek is a short and scenic visit to the famous trekking destination, Everest Base Camp.

This trek takes you to the Khumbu valley, which showcases the real life and Himalayan culture of Sherpas and Tibetan Buddhists.

During the trek, you will see natural world heritage sites like Sagarmatha National Park, and you will explore the world-famous adventure spot on earth, Everest Base Camp.

This unique EBC tour starts in Kathmandu with an adventurous flight to Lukla the following day.

The flight is worth viewing for the picturesque sight of the chain of Himalayas in the Everest region and other Himalayan ranges such as Mt. Makalu, Mt.Nuptse, Mt. Cho Oyu, Mt. Gaurishankar, and Mt. Langtang.

Overall, the 7 days Everest Base Camp trek is sure to nourish your soul and provide you with a lifetime experience of a helicopter flight over the Himalayas on the way back.

If time is not a concern for you, you can opt for the long and relaxing trek.

A 14-day Everest Base Camp trek includes more acclimatization and extra time in the incredible Everest region.

Table of Contents

How can we complete the Everest Base Camp Trek in 7 days?

Highlights of 7 days everest base camp trek:, day 01: fly from kathmandu (or ramechap during peak season) to lukla and trek to phakding., day 02: trek from phakding to namche bazaar, day 03: trek from namche bazaar to tyangboche, day 04: trek from tyangboche to dingboche, day 05: trek from dingboche to lobuche, day 06: trek to everest base camp and return trek to gorakshep, day 07: early morning hike to kala patthar and helicopter flight to kathmandu, cost of 7 days everest base camp trek, important tips & resources for your everest base camp adventure, 01- do i need to be an athlete to trek to the everest base camp, 02- what sort of accommodation can i expect during the trek, 03- when is the best month for this trip, 04- are there any means of communication while on the 7 days everest base camp trek, 05- can i use credit cards during the trek, 06- what if i get sick in the mountains, 07- where do i get water during the trek, 08- can i add an extra day to my trekking trip, 09- what is the weight limit for the lukla flight, 10- is the 7-day everest base camp trek suitable for beginners, 11- what is the best time to undertake the 7-day everest base camp trek the best time for trekking is from late march to early june and late september to early november; during these seasons, you have stable weather conditions, and you can fully enjoy clear mountain views., 12- how challenging is the trek in terms of altitude, 13- what should you pack for the trek it would be best if you had sturdy trekking boots, warm layers, a quality backpack, and a reliable sleeping bag. additionally, trekking poles, water purification systems, and high-altitude medications are also recommended., 14- is it necessary to hire a guide and porter for the trek.

7 Days Everest Base Camp trek is made possible through the use of helicopters.

During this trek, we take a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

From Lukla to Everest Base Camp, we hike through villages like Phakding, Namche, Tyangboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep.

Once you reach Gorakshep, you embark on a side trip to Everest Base Camp. The next day, after a sunrise trip to Kalapatthar, you will take a helicopter ride all the way from Gorakshep back to Kathmandu.

This way, you will be walking the trail and visiting the same places as all other trekkers.

However, on the return journey, unlike standard trekkers, you will be taking a helicopter ride, overlooking the same trail in which you have invested so much energy, effort, enthusiasm and six adventurous and incredible days.

For those who have limited time but don’t mind spending some extra money to check EBC off their bucket list, this trek is a must!

Join this 7-day adventure to gain a Himalayan experience, reach EBC and return in style.

• Mesmerizing views of the world’s highest mountain, including Everest, from a helicopter
• Visit Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Khumbu region
• Witness and enjoy the world’s highest national park, Sagarmatha National Park
• Explore the biggest and oldest Buddhist Tyangboche Monastery
• Mind-blowing views of the Himalayan range from the famous viewpoint at Kala Patthar
• Khumbu glacier and Khumbu icefall
• Visit the Edmund Hillary school in the mountain village of Khumjung

Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.

• Full Name *
• Address Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Trip Title *
• Number of Days
• Group Size *
• Travel Date Day Month Year
• Contact Number *
• Your Email *
• Describe Your Trip *

Detailed 7 Days Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary:

Elevation : 2840 meters (Lukla) and 2610 meters (Phakding)

Duration: 4 hours drive to Ramechap (if you book your trip during peak season), 30 minutes flight to Lukla then about 3.5 hours trek to Phadking.

Early in the morning, you will take a scenic flight to Lukla, the gateway to Everest.

The flight to Lukla is thrilling with scenic views of the surrounding landscapes.

Upon arrival, you will meet with the porters and other crew members who will help you pack your gear and stuff. After this, you will start your trek to Phakding.

Overnight stay at a tea house in Phakding.

Elevation : 3440 meters (Namche Bazaar)

Trekking duration: 6 hours

From Phakding we trek to Namche Bazar.

During the trek, you will pass through places like Monjo, and get a view of various mountains such as AmaDablam, Lhotse, Pumori, and many other giant peaks.

Namche Bazaar is the capital of the Sherpa and Tibetan people, and you will enjoy and see various restaurants and cafes that provide wifi.

Overnight stay at a tea house in Namche Bazaar.

Elevation : 3870 meters

Trekking hours : 4 to 6 hours

After breakfast today, you will climb uphill to reach Tyangboche.

During this trek, you will pass through a rhododendron forest, pine trees, and a cascading river.

You will also enjoy scenic views of Mt. Everest and magnificent peaks like Mt. Amadablam, Pumori, Nuptse, Lhotse, and many more.

Tyangboche is one of the most famous destinations for trekkers and Buddhist pilgrims in the Everest region.

Here, you can witness the oldest monastery in Nepal, the Tyangboche Monastery.

Additionally, during the trek, you will get to explore the history, culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Sherpa people.

You will stay overnight at a tea house in Tyangboche.

Elevation : 4350 meters

Trekking hours : 5 to 6 hours

Today, you will trek from Tyangboche to Dingboche, which is long and quite challenging.

However, prior physical fitness training will be of great help during such treks.

As you ascend to higher elevations, the landscape changes from forests to more barren terrain.

The trails are also more rugged and not well maintained.

As you proceed further, you will cross the Imja Khola, and from now on, the towering Amadablam becomes a constant companion on your trek.

After about two hours from Tyangboche, you will arrive at a small village called Pangboche.

After that, you will pass through a couple of small towns. The trail to Dingboche descends before gradually climbing towards your destination for the day, Dingboche.

You will stay overnight at a tea house in Dingboche.

Elevation: 4920 meters

Today’s trek from Dingboche to Lobuche has mesmerizing views of nature.

The distance from Dingboche to Lobuche is 10.7 km, and this point of the trek marks your journey to the Everest Base Camp even closer.

From the Lobuche village, you can see the Khumbu glacier.

On the way, you will find snow-capped mountains around you.

Thukla falls on the trek to Lobuche and is a climber memorial park stop.

Here, you can find memorials of people who never came back from summiting Mt. Everest.

The place has many prayer flags for many brave mountaineers. Once you reach Lobuche, you can stay at a tea house.

Elevation : 5364 meters (Everest Base Camp), 5170 meters (Gorakshep)

Trekking hours : 6 to 8 hours

Today is the day you will reach your goal and final destination, the Everest Base Camp.

After early morning breakfast at Lobuche, you will proceed with your trek to the Everest Base Camp.

During the trek, you will pass through Gorakshep.

There are no lodges at the Everest Base Camp, which is why trekkers have to trek to EBC and return back to Gorakshep.

Elevation: 5545 meters

Trek Duration: 45 minutes

Flight duration: 1 hour 15 min

Early in the morning, we will hike to Kala Patthar to catch the best views of Everest.

This is a popular vantage point to view Mt. Everest during sunrise and sunset.

After enjoying the victory of this trek and cherishing the moment in the lap of the Himalayas, you will return to Gorakshep and then board a helicopter to fly back to Kathmandu.

Upon arrival, you can choose to stroll around Kathmandu or get ready for your onward destination.

As per your flight schedule, our representative will drop you off at the airport where you will share your final goodbyes until next time.

With this, you come to an end of your 7 days Everest Base Camp trek.

To complete the EBC trek in 7 days, you should have a slightly deeper pocket compared to other standard treks.

The cost of the 7 Days Everest Base Camp trek can vary depending on the season and helicopter availability.

It ranges from USD 2300 to USD 3200.

If you are trekking during the peak season and manage to find a shared helicopter ride back from Gorakshep, the cost will be around USD 2300.

However, if you are trekking during the off-season, the chances of finding a helicopter are lower.

In this case, you would need to rent a helicopter on your own.

The cost of renting a private helicopter can be approximately USD 4000 and above.

Costs mentioned above are based on a minimum of 2 people traveling together, sharing expenses such as guides, porters, teahouses and helicopter rides.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for a trek:

• Remember to choose comfortable, well-fitted boots that are waterproof to handle different terrains and weather conditions. 
• Set up your clothes that are suitable for both cold mornings and warmer afternoons. 
• You have to choose a bag with adjustable straps that fits well and has enough space for your essentials. 
• You can bring adjustable trekking poles for varying terrains.
• You need to buy a warm sleeping bag with a suitable temperature rating.
• Plan your trek with a detailed itinerary to know what to expect each day. 
• You can also consider hiring a local guide for insights into the region’s culture and geography. A tour guide can enhance your experience.
• Get permits before starting the trek: Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.
• Residency in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche can reduce altitude-related risks.
• Always carry a first aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, and personal medications for minor injuries or discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

The Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return  is suitable for average people who are physically active.

However, it is advisable to undergo physical fitness training such as running, swimming, and hiking before embarking on this journey.

During this quick 7-day Everest Base Camp trek, it is common to experience some discomfort before being fully acclimatized.

Two rules you need to remember to prevent and beat AMS (Altitude mountain sickness) are: you need to drink lots of water and walk slowly.

If you are not reasonably fit and do not have previous experience of high altitude trekking, then this trip is not recommended for you.

The 7-day Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary doesn’t include an acclimatization day, and therefore, you may be at higher risk of getting altitude sickness .

You will stay in standard rooms at a three-star hotel in Kathmandu. Along the trekking routes, you will sleep in teahouses.

The tea house will have all the basic facilities, such as a bed, pillow, and a blanket.

It is wise to carry a sleeping bag for that extra warmth on cold nights at higher altitudes.

Teahouses are basic accommodation on the trail that provides shelter for trekkers.

They are better than tented camping but nothing fancy.

There are two main seasons to do this trek.

The months from March to May during spring and from late September to early December during autumn are the best time for Everest Base Camp .

Although spring and autumn are the best seasons to trek to the Everest Base Camp, you can do it throughout the year with proper preparation.

There are telephones in some villages along the trekking routes from which you can make international calls.

All the guides will have a local mobile phone. Hence, you can make a call from the guide’s mobile and pay him directly for the international call too.

Also, a 3G connection on the Everest Base Camp is available.

So, we suggest you buy a local sim card, i.e., Ncell , where you can get a 3G internet data package and connect with your family members.

The answer ought to be “no.” In most parts of Kathmandu, you can use your credit cards.

But during the trek, all you need is cash.

Please change the currency to local Nepali Rupees when you are in Kathmandu and carry enough cash before you get to the mountains.

Our guides are available 24 hours to assist you during the trek.

They are well-trained to assess you and have good experience to provide suggestions as per your conditions.

The guides are very much aware that the higher the altitude, the lower the oxygen level, and they will treat you accordingly.

If the condition is severe, there is also the facility of emergency helicopter evacuation.

Prepare yourself with proper travel insurance before going on this trek.

Bottled water is easily available at the lodges and teahouses.

A bottle costs from USD 1.5 at lower elevations to USD 5 at higher elevations.

If you choose to drink water from the rivers or springs, please carry purification tablets to purify the water before drinking straight away.

Also, it is best to carry a bottle and refill it at teahouses.

This will also cost you less and help keep the environment better by reducing the use of plastics.

Yes, the number of trekking days is flexible and we can arrange the days according to your time and preference.

For better comfort and safety, it is highly recommended to trek by adding more days to acclimatize, at least one each day for acclimatization in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.

For the Lukla flight, the weight limit is 15 kg, which is equal to 33 pounds.

This includes both your duffel bag (check-in bag) and daypack (carry-on bag).

Yes, the trek is considered suitable for trekkers with a moderate level of fitness and some hiking experience. All you need to do is adequate preparation and adjustment that help you to have a successful journey.

Although the Everest base camp trek 7-day itinerary includes acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, which minimizes the risk of altitude-related issues, adequate preparation and a gradual ascent will contribute to a safer experience.

Well, you can enjoy trekking independently. When you are hiring a local guide and porter can enhance the experience. But with a guide you can have valuable insights into the region, and porters lighten the load. That allows you to enjoy the journey more comfortably.

The 7 days Everest Base Camp trek with a Helicopter return is a special trekking tour in the Everest region. This  Everest Base Camp Trek is more than just a physical journey; it’s an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on your soul.

You can reflect on your Everest achievements and make more memories. Then, you can tell inspiring stories to your next generation of adventurers.

It is great for those who are on a tight schedule but don’t mind to spend little extra on Heli ride.

Because it includes a helicopter ride back, to cut total duration, it is a bit on the pricier side than the standard Everest Base Camp Trek.

This trek gives you both the trekking experience and a bird’s-eye view of the Himalayan mountains.

For further questions and queries, please feel free to contact us .

It is our pleasure to plan the 7 days Everest Base Camp Trek for you and make sure it is a successful one.

This is the best way to complete the EBC Trek – climb up and then enjoy a relaxing helicopter return, which offers a fantastic aerial view.

Madhav started working as a porter in 2001 and then moved on to work as a trekking guide. After working in the trekking and tourism industry for eight years, he co-founded Mosaic Adventure in 2009.

Madhav has trekked to most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Indigenous Peoples Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and all of the day hikes around Kathmandu.

He has also extensively traveled to other countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Turkey, and India. Madhav is the one who answers most of your questions about trekking and tours and helps to plan your trip by giving a personal touch.

You may also be interested in...

Everest Gokyo Ri Trek Difficulty

Hire a Guide for Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Gokyo ri Trek Cost

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Tips & Tricks
• Tales from the Trails

The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Trekking Everest Base Camp

CAMPING TIPS & TRICKS , Hiking / Camping / Tour Companies , TRAVEL | 0 comments

At 8,848 meters, 29,029 feet above sea level, Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, towering over the surrounding peaks in the Himalayas mountain range on the border between Nepal and Tibet.

Even if you’re not a diehard mountaineer, you can still explore this beautiful region of Nepal with a trek to Everest base camp (EBC).

Not only will you get lifelong bragging rights for completing the trek to base camp, but it’s also a beautiful trek in its own right. Amazing vista can be seen passing through the Sagarmatha National Park and the awe-inspiring Himalayas .

Although the trek takes about two weeks, it’s surprisingly accessible and has been completed by many first-time trekkers.

Everest Base Camp: A Brief Overview

Since the first successful summit in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the imposing peak has attracted decades of adrenaline-seekers wishing to add their name to the list of successful summiteers. A good portion of these climbers never returned .

Despite the intimidating statistics, the sister trek through the picturesque Khumbu Valley to the base camp used by professional mountaineers is an attainable goal for many people.

Located at an altitude of 5,361 meters, 17,590 feet above sea level, you don’t need fancy equipment or mountaineering skills to reach EBC. Certainly, it takes just a positive attitude and a reasonable level of fitness.

There’s a sense of camaraderie and a tangible buzz in the air as the adrenaline of the would-be Everest summiteers infects everybody around them.

The scenery at these altitudes is breathtaking and varied, ranging from rhododendrons and pine fields to rivers; suspension bridges strung with prayer flags; glaciers, lakes, valleys, high mountain passes, and finally, the spectacular Himalayan mountain peaks!

The Sagarmatha National Park is home to rare animal species such as snow leopards and red pandas – though it’s very unlikely you’ll encounter them. You’ll frequently have to step aside (to the uphill side!) as you encounter yaks on the trail.

Whether you choose to follow the traditional EBC route or one of the alternative trails, it’s guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget.

In contrast to most multi-day treks where you’d be camping in a tent, trekkers to base camp stay in cozy tea houses. You can find several available in a range of budgets, which function as both hotels and restaurants.

The trek is dotted with Buddhist monasteries and tiny villages almost all the way up. The relaxed pace of the trek allows plenty of time for you to explore the villages and get to know the local Sherpa culture.

Mt. Everest is increasingly covered in garbage left behind by the hordes of people who have set out to conquer its lofty heights. When you go, please respect the environment and do your best to minimize waste.

The most popular time of year to do the Everest base camp trek is between February and May – the pre-monsoon season.

During these spring months, the weather is typically warm and dry and the mountains will be ablaze with colorful rhododendrons.

This is also peak season and while you’re unlikely to have the trails to yourself, you’ll enjoy a buzzing atmosphere at the tea houses on the way. This is also when most Everest climbers make their summit attempts.

The summer months bring the monsoon rains, resulting in slippery trails and a heightened risk of landslides. If that doesn’t deter you, the leeches and foggy weather might! It’s not recommended to attempt the trek in the summer.

It can also be difficult to fly into Lukla during the monsoon. Indeed, this is a good time to pick the Jiri trek over the classic EBC trek.

If you want fewer crowds, try going in September or October, the post-monsoon months, when you have the highest chance of clear skies, although temperatures are slightly colder.

You can even do the trek in the winter but be prepared for sub-zero temperatures most days and lots of snow.

Whenever you go, make sure you pack for unpredictable weather in case a snowstorm takes you by surprise.

Trekkers interested in the local culture might want to plan their trip dates around traditional holidays with celebrations in Kathmandu, such as Holi (February/March) or Indra Jatra (September).

Another thing to consider when planning your trip is flight prices, which can vary considerably. Check flights before booking as this might have a huge impact on when you want to go.

Lastly, be aware that it might be harder to find tour operators who provide treks in off-season months. Also, some of the paths might be closed.

Conversely, if you want a stab at actually sleeping in Everest Base Camp, then late spring is your best option. It will be rare to find tour operators who might be able to wrangle this.

Everest Base Camp Packing list

If this is your first multi-day trek, don’t forget to budget for all the equipment you’ll have to take with you.

You can choose between renting or buying your gear. Hikers who plan on doing more multi-day treks might want to invest in their own equipment.

If you’re doing a two-week trek, it makes more sense to rent your sleeping bag and down jacket. For trekkers who plan on trekking for a whole month, it makes more financial sense to buy.

The neighborhood of Thamel in Kathmandu offers plenty of options for buying and renting. However, the products on offer may be of questionable quality.

Further on, Namche Bazaar is a last-resort option if you find you’ve forgotten to pack any essentials. If you keep your receipts, then talk it over with the shop when buying. Some shops will buy your gear back from you, at the end of your trek, for a reduced price.

Almost everything available for sale along the trek has been carried up the mountain, either by yaks or people. This means things get more expensive the higher you go.

Packing strategically. This means bringing the items you can’t live without while avoiding overloading your backpack. Whether you hire a porter or decide to go solo, somebody will be lugging your things up the mountain. Indeed,think twice before including unnecessary items like an extra book or five spare shirts!

Aim to pack around 10kg if you’re carrying everything yourself, and 20-25kg if you’re getting help from a porter. Don’t forget that your water adds extra weight. Try packing your bag with full water bottles, to get a more accurate idea of how much you can bring.

This list is aimed at trekkers who will be sleeping in tea houses every night. Be aware that if you don’t book early enough, the tea houses may be sold out in high season.

If you think you might end up having to camp, Then you’ll need more supplies not covered on this list. Such as a winter insulated tent , sleeping pad , etc.

What to Wear

The clothes you pack will depend on which season you’re visiting in. Make sure you have enough clothing to keep warm, especially in the evenings.

Layers are crucial, as temperatures and weather conditions will change drastically between day and night and as you ascend and descend in altitude.

Tea houses often only heat the common areas, and then only in the evenings, so bring warm clothes for lounging around at night.

The higher you get, the less likely you are to have power in your tea house, or only for a few hours as they’re run off solar power .

Base layers: Your base layer should be comfortable and moisture-wicking. Stay away from cotton; go for merino wool or synthetics .

Pack a long-sleeved shirt (avoid short sleeves as you’re more likely to get sunburnt) and long underwear, if only for the cold evenings.

Fleece mid-layer: You’ll probably be putting this on and taking it off with every mountain pass. Indeed, try to find one that will fit easily into your day pack.

Outer layer: Get a down jacket with a good warmth-to-weight ratio, as you’ll be carrying it much of the time.

Waterproof windbreaker and pants.

Hiking pants: Well-insulated trekking pants , or trekking pants that can turn into shorts. 

Waterproof hiking boots. We can’t stress enough how important it is to break your hiking boots in properly before your trek.

Don’t forget to bring a pair of comfortable sneakers or sandals for the evenings and for bathroom runs.

Socks: Woollen hiking socks are worth the investment – bring a few pairs that can handle very cold temperatures for the higher altitudes, and look for flat seams and padded spots to reduce blisters.

Sock liners and Vaseline are two other good ways to prevent blisters . You should also bring a pair of warm socks for base camp.

Gaiters: These will be especially useful during the rainier months.

Gloves : Pack a thin pair of “inner” gloves and a very warm pair of outer gloves. There will be at least one or two days where your fingers will freeze otherwise – for example, the day you summit Kala Patthar.

Scarf/balaclava/buff: The trail to EBC gets infamously dusty, provoking the “ Khumbu cough ” that plagues many hikers. A buff or something similar will keep you warm as well as provide you with a layer to breathe through to minimize the amount of dust in your lungs.

Beanie and sun hat , preferably with neck cover, to protect against the sun .

Underwear and sports bras: You’ll probably be reusing these, so get good-quality, non-cotton ones.

Accessories

Drinking water: Most tour operators provide purified water. Avoid bottled water, as this is expensive on top of being an environmental disaster.

We recommend bringing two big reusable water bottles (or a water bladder for drinking on the go). Tablets take a while to work and it’s nice to have one water bottle ready to drink while the other one is getting purified.

You can also fill a bottle with hot water and sleep with it in your sleeping bag if you’re cold during the night. If you’re purifying your own water, bring water purification tablets , LifeStraw , or a Steri-pen. But remember, these need charging, and charging on the trail costs money.

You may wish to add flavor enhancers to your water. Unfortunately, at Gorak Shep the water is very mineralized so you’ll need to buy bottled water.

Showering: Whether or not you shower is up to you. Expect to pay around $5 for a hot shower. Some people rely on wet or backpacking body wipes , especially since wet hair is no fun in negative temperatures!

Sunglasses: The combination of snow and altitude is brutal on your eyes, so invest in good polarized sunglasses with wraparound arms.

Sleeping bag : The teahouses will provide blankets and pillows but you’ll want your own sleeping bag and pillowcase.

Find a mummy sleeping bag rated to -20° C – or colder, depending on the season. Consider bringing a silk liner , especially if you’re renting your sleeping bag.

Toiletries: Sunscreen , SPF chapstick (this is better than lip balm as there’s no need to smear it on with your grubby fingers), quick-drying towel, tissue, baby wipes, period supplies, compressed toilet paper tablets or biodegradable toilet paper (remove cardboard and keep in ziptop bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.

Always bring toilet paper with you. Most bathrooms are squat toilets and are located only in villages.

Tip : wet wipes are more expensive than toilet paper on the trail, so if you have to choose, stock up on wet wipes and buy toilet paper when you run out.

Shewee: Ladies, you’ll be glad not to have to pull your pants down in the freezing high-altitude weather. If you need to pee, then I recommend using a portable pee device, like PeeBuddy Reusable Female Urination Device . You stand and use the portable pee funnel, so you don’t need to squat.

If you get your period on the trail and you’re not comfortable with using the DivaCup, another good option is to keep used pads/tampons in a ziptop bag and dispose of them in the next garbage can.

Personal first-aid kit: Bring diarrhea meds, altitude meds, antibiotics, ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin, bandaids, blister plasters, tape/trekker’s wool, Vaseline, cough drops (to beat the Khumbu cough), cold medicine, rehydration salts.

Tour operators should provide the rest. Don’t forget to get your travel vaccines before you go.

TSA approved padlock for your luggage.

Backpack: What you pack your gear in will depend on whether you’re using porters. Most porters prefer you to pack your things in a soft-sided duffel bag. Check with the tour operator in case they provide these for you.

If you have a porter, then you’ll only need a daypack for yourself. If you’re not hiring a porter, then bring a collapsible daypack anyway in addition to your backpack. This is so you can leave your big backpack in the tea house during the one-day acclimatization hikes.

Try to get a backpack with straps for hiking poles and zippers to open it from the sides. Not to mention, you won’t have to dig everything out of your bag whenever you want to access something.

Dry bag or plastic cover for your backpack and daypack to prevent water ingress.

Hiking poles : These are a must! All the treks listed here will take you uphill, downhill, uphill and downhill again. Hiking poles will save your knees, and they’ll come in handy on slippery trails during the wet season.

Headlamp or flashlight : You’ll be glad to have this in the evenings after the power goes out, and during early-morning or late-night hikes. Remember to bring extra batteries.

Trekking map: If you’re going independently, a good trekking guidebook is essential – Lonely Planet is highly recommended.

Ziptop bags: These always come in handy for protecting electronics, etc.

Camera or GoPro with memory card and extra batteries.

Money: There are ATMs at select points such as Lukla and Namche Bazaar. But these have low daily withdrawal limits and high commission fees. What’s more, they have been known to take money out of your account without actually dispensing it to you.

Since currency exchange rates on the trail are sky-high, it’s best to bring a stash of local rupees with you. You’ll need rupees to pay for meals, showers, tips, etc.

Wi-Fi: A good option for staying connected is to buy a local sim card. It will give you data to about 4000m altitudes, and sometimes in EBC itself.

You can also check Everest Link for Wi-Fi data packages. The connection is supposedly available in most teahouses along the way, but it can be slow and unreliable so don’t depend on it too much.

Top Tip : Beware of phone updates. These will eat through your Wi-Fi and data limits before you realize what just happened!

Entertainment: EBC treks usually only schedule a few hours of hiking a day, to allow you time to acclimatize. Bring books, a Kindle , cards or other games for the many hours of downtime. Certainly, bring a journal so you can remember this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Solar charger : Many teahouses offer power points where you can charge your devices for a nominal fee. Also, don’t forget to bring an adapter. It’s a good idea to bring your own solar-powered charger and extra batteries to minimize costs.

Tip : Keep batteries, base layers , and anything else you don’t want freezing in your sleeping bag with you overnight. Keep your phone in flight mode to save power.

Important documents: Bring printouts of your travel insurance information. And make sure one of your travel buddies knows what to do and whom to contact in case of an emergency.

Bring your passport, visas, money, etc. – I always keep these documents in a zip-top bag.

Trekking solo? Bring a safety whistle , compass , pocket knife , & duct tape, especially on the less-crowded trails

High-calorie snacks: These will make a huge difference to your experience. Snacks are exceedingly expensive on the trail, and they provide welcome calories on tough trekking days.

You’ll have to decide how many you want to bring and which ones you want to buy along the trail.

Cloth bags : Many trekkers use these to separate dirty laundry and organize different outfits.

Earplugs: You’ll be glad for these when the tea houses are alive with the sound of Khumbu coughs.

A Note on Trekking Insurance

Be very careful when purchasing travel insurance, because regular policies usually stop covering you once you ascend higher than 3,000m/9,840ft.

At these altitudes, you have a higher chance of getting Acute Mountain Sickness. Also, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll have to be airlifted out to a hospital for injuries . To clarify, injuries like a pulled muscle or twisted ankle at sea level can be more serious at higher altitudes.

Because of these higher costs and risks , insurance companies will charge you a premium for high-altitude trekking insurance.

Luckily, there’s no shortage of insurance companies that offer travel insurance specifically tailored to Everest Base Camp trekkers.

When purchasing a policy, make sure you’re covered for trekking up to altitudes of 6,000m/19,685ft. In addition, ensure it has search and rescue costs, preferably by helicopter.

Don’t forget to check if you’re covered for different travel-related illnesses (and make sure you get your vaccinations before going!).

It’s also nice to have compensation for delayed or canceled flights and repatriation in case of death (hopefully you won’t be needing this one).

Check the clause about lost, stolen or damaged luggage to see if it will cover most of the cost of your hiking gear.

If you’re traveling in winter or shoulder season, then check for trip cancelation insurance. This is to ensure you’re covered if your trek is canceled due to weather.

You’ll likely have other considerations depending on your personal situation. Don’t just take our advice for it – remember to do your research, ask questions and read the fine print of your travel insurance policy before you purchase.

I always keep my travel insurance information handy while on the trek. Additionally, I pass it along to someone else in my group. This is so they know whom to contact in case of an emergency.

Some travel insurance providers require you to confirm with them before ordering a helicopter. Check out this option on getting trekking travel insurance for more information.

How to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Most tour operators organize a relaxed trekking schedule and follow the mantra “climb high, sleep low”. In essence, this is to avoid the risk of altitude sickness.

Take it slow – once you finish hiking for the day you’ll have a lot of dead hours in the teahouse. For this reason there’s really no point in racing there.

It’s important to respect the acclimatization days. The acclimatization hikes are designed to help you adjust to tomorrow’s altitude.

Try to drink 3-4 liters of water a day, as dehydration will make the altitude sickness way worse. It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t drink caffeine or alcohol or smoke during your trek.

If you can, then cut out these vices about a week before you start hiking. So that you won’t suffer from withdrawal headaches.

Many people swear by Diamox as a preventative drug against AMS. It’s your choice whether to take this or not. I personally found the tingling fingers and toes to be very off-putting, but it probably helped me acclimatize.

Altitude sickness is unpredictable and doesn’t discriminate based on fitness or age. Listen to your body and descend immediately if you think you have signs of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Check out our article on altitude sickness for a more detailed overview.

Choosing a Tour Operator

Every year there are rumors that the Nepali government will make it compulsory to go with a guide.. But so far, it’s still possible to undertake the trek to EBC on your own.

Unless you’re going in high season, you’ll can drop in at tea houses and get a bed without a reservation.

Independent trekkers can choose whether to hike all by themselves. While others choose between ring a porter, a guide, or a guide and a porter. A guide will speak some English and can help with booking accommodation. However, a porter probably won’t speak English and will only carry your bag.

You can also hire one person who acts as a guide and a porter. Another upside to hiring a guide is that you’ll be providing someone with a job. And in turn, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the Nepali culture.

Alternately, you can opt to join a guided trek with a tour operator. While this is pricier, it’s a good choice for people who have never done such a long, high-altitude trek before.

Tour operators typically arrange flights, airport transfers, accommodation, visas and permits, porters and guides. Western tour operators will usually charge more, but provide a more trustworthy service. You can expect to pay about twice as much for a Western tour operator.

Check to see if your tour operator is registered with the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN). TAAN regulates trekking agencies in Nepal to ensure fair treatment of employees, respect for local communities and preservation of the environment.

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project mission is to improve the working conditions of porters. They advocate for fair treatment and wages, lend free mountaineering clothing, and encourage them to work for only ethical companies. Through providing education and training opportunities, guides and porters have received classes on porters rights, Leave No Trace and are certified in First Aid.

Please make every effort to ensure the porters and guides are dressed properly, stay within the weight limit including their own luggage. Also, ensure they have adequate sleeping arrangements and insurance and are paid a fair wage.

It’s better to go with companies that employ their porters and guides full-time instead of freelance because there’s a better chance the company is providing them with benefits, sick days and health insurance.

Tipping is always a tricky subject and suggested rates will depend on whom you ask. Aim for around 15 percent of salary (if you’re traveling in a group, this number refers to the total pooled tip) per porter and/or guide, and adjust accordingly.

The classic Everest Base Camp trek winds through the Khumbu valley; once reaching Everest Base Camp, you’ll retrace your steps back down to Lukla for the return flight to Kathmandu.

If you’re interested in escaping the crowds or doing circular routes that don’t involve retracing your steps, there’s a variety of alternate routes to choose from.

You can also opt to tack small detours onto your classic EBC trek. This is especially doable if you’re traveling independently or in a small group.

You shouldn’t have any trouble booking your trek, even on the classic EBC trek.

Classic Everest Base Camp trek

The classic Everest Base Camp trek takes about 14 days, including time in Kathmandu before and after.

From Kathmandu, you’ll fly into Lukla Airport (2,860m/9,383ft) with its famously short runway – try to sit on the left side of the plane so you can catch your first views of Mt. Everest.

It’s a good idea to leave yourself a few buffer days, as Lukla flights are often delayed due to weather. Flights should be included in your tour price; otherwise they’re about USD 300, plus USD 100 for your guide’s ticket.

From the airport, you’ll trek to Phakding for the night.

The next day you’ll set out from Phakding and follow the Dudh Koshi River, crossing suspension bridges and pine forests until you reach the Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11,286ft), in the Sagarmatha National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Namche Bazaar is the region’s principal trading point, so use this opportunity to stock up on supplies you might have forgotten. If you’re there on Saturday, then don’t miss the market. From here you can also catch a peak of Everest.

You’ll take a day to acclimatize in Namche Bazaar – you can make the most of the Wi-Fi, stock up on any supplies you forgot, check out the Sherpa museum or just tool around the village.

The day after you’ll follow the former Tibet-Nepal trading route via Thame to Tengboche. These villages are known for legendary views, where you can visit one of the region’s biggest monasteries .

Next you’ll hike through Phangboche to Pheriche while admiring the views of Ama Dablam. You might be interested to know that Pheriche is where the Himalayan Rescue Association makes its base – but hopefully you won’t need to use this information! 

Most people stay in Pheriche for a day to acclimatize and visit local attractions like the Imja Lake or Dingboche village, which boasts views of Lhotse and Island Peak.

Now that you’re rested, you’ll be ready to tackle the trek to Lobuche, which features a 600m/1,969ft elevation gain. You’ll skirt the perilous Khumbu Glacier and witness the many memorials to sherpas and climbers who perished in their attempt to climb Everest.

From Lobuche you’ll set out towards Gorak Shep, which is the world’s highest permanently inhabited village.

Finally, it’s time to push on through the moraine towards Everest Base Camp! Since actual summiteers of Everest have priority, don’t expect to spend too long there or even be allowed inside the base camp itself.

But don’t worry, the adrenaline-filled atmosphere extends all the way down to the trekker stop point! From here you’ll go back down to Gorak Shep for the night.

You can’t actually see the peak of Mt. Everest from Everest Base Camp, so the next day you’ll make a steep ascent up to the summit of Kala Patthar (5545m/ 18,192ft) to catch amazing views of Everest, Nuptse (7,861m/25,791ft) and Lhotse (8,516m/27,940ft).

Most groups try to do this at sunset on the same day as they reach EBC, or at sunrise the next morning, when Mt. Everest sometimes turns pink in the early-morning light.

Forging on ahead, you’ll descend to Dingboche or Pheriche, and from there past Tengboche and back to Namche Bazaar the next day. Keep an eye out for the massive fields of wild rhododendrons if you’re visiting in the spring!

Your last day of trekking will take you back to Lukla, where you’ll spend the night before catching the flight to Kathmandu.

• Pros : Comparatively gentle altitude profile, can be done independently
• Cons : Have to retrace steps on the way down, can be crowded
• Length : ~130km (12-14 days)
• Highest point : Kala Patthar (5545m/ 18,192ft)

Gokyo Lakes Trek 

The Gokyo Lakes Trek is popular for its beautiful glacial lakes , nestled in the quiet Gokyo valley.

Like the classic Everest Base Camp trek, the Gokyo Lakes trek starts at Lukla, breaking off towards the northwest at the Namche Bazaar.

This trek is considered slightly more challenging than the classic EBC trek, with steeper ascents and more time spent at high altitudes.

It takes 2-3 days longer, detouring around some of the most crowded sections of the classic base camp trek but still finishing at Everest Base Camp.

You’ll see glacial lakes and summit Gokyo Ri (5,357m/17,575ft) where you’ll earn views of Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,906ft).

Fly into Kathmandu, spend a few days acclimatizing and then take another flight to Lukla. The next day, you’ll trek down through the Dudh Koshi Valley to Phakding past several Buddhist sites.

Hiking through pine forests and along the Dudh Koshi River, you’ll cross several suspension bridges including the Hillary Suspension Bridge. After entering the Sagarmatha National Park, you’ll continue hiking until the Namche Bazaar.

You’ll then separate from the classic EBC trek and head northwest towards Dole along the Dudh Koshi valley. You’ll get some of the first views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam today.

The next day brings a steep climb towards Machhermo, which is populated with yaks in the summer.

Allow yourself a day to acclimatize and enjoy views of Ngozumpa Glacier (the biggest glacier in the Himalayas). Once you’ve enjoyed the glacier, trek to the Gokyo lakes and you’ll eventually reach Gokyo village. If you are tired by now, you’re in luck because this is where you’ll bed down for the night.

This is another popular time to take an acclimatization rest day and explore the surrounding lakes, or summit Gokyo Ri, which stands almost 5,500m/18,045ft above sea level.

Stop to take in the stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu, then continue back down to the Ngozumpa glacier and on into Dragnag.

The next day is a tough one. You’ll traverse Cho La, one of the “Three Passes” (5,420m/17,782ft), cross a glacier and then spend the night in Zonglha. 

Joining up with the classic EBC trek, you’ll stop for a moment of reflection at the memorials to sherpas and climbers who perished in their attempts to climb Everest, and then continue on to Lobuche for the night.

From Lobuche, you’ll skirt the Khumbu glacier, hiking up past Gorak Shep and finally you’ll reach Everest Base Camp! Enjoy it while it lasts, because the priority at EBC is the Everest summiteers, especially in the spring months.

You’ll hike back down to Gorak Shep alongside views of the Khumbu icefall . Part of the highest glacier on Earth, the icefall’s deadly crevasses, unstable seracs and unpredictable avalanches have taken dozens of lives.

The next day you’ll hike up Kala Patthar, with more views of Everest and the neighboring mountain peaks, and then down to Dingboche along the classic EBC route.

It’s time to return to Namche Bazaar. The day after you’ll hike back to Lukla through the Dudh Koshi valley, and then fly into Kathmandu.

Because the trek is longer, expect to pay more than you would for the classic EBC trek. Trekkers are advised not to attempt this trek independently, due to the increased difficulty and the fact that there are fewer people on the routes.

Like the classic EBC trek, the best time to go is during spring or fall. Because the trek isn’t as popular, you shouldn’t have to worry about crowds for most of the way, so feel free to go during peak season.

• Pros : Fewer crowds, more challenging, more sights, get to summit a peak, see the world’s highest freshwater lake system, prettier landscapes than classic trek, circular route so no need to retrace steps
• Cons : More expensive than classic EBC trek
• Length : ~220km/136 miles (16-17 days, including a few days in Kathmandu before and after)
• Highest point : Kala Patthar (5545m/18,192ft)

Jiri to Everest Base Camp 

This old-school route mirrors the route taken by the first Everest summiteers in the 1950’s, starting with an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri instead of flying into Lukla.

From Jiri, you’ll pass through the towns of Sete, Junbesi and Numtala in the Solu Khumbu region.

After reaching Lukla, you’ll join up with the classic EBC trek, passing through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Pheriche and Gorak Shep.

In total, the Jiri route takes about 5-6 days longer than the classic route.

Jiri route trekkers will have the chance to spend a lot more time with the locals. You’ll also spend more time at low altitudes – the route starts at just 1,800m/5,905ft above sea level – meaning landscapes will forests and streams with actual running water.

Much of the trek is off the beaten path, with fewer crowds than the EBC classic trek.

Tool around Kathmandu for a day and then take an 8-hour (190km/118 mile) bus ride, following the Sun Koshi River to Jiri and then Shivalaya.

The next day, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over the river and then explore several tea houses. Go through the Deorali Pass, taking a moment to check out the prayer flags and decorated walls, and then head down to Bhandar for the night.

From Bhandar, you’ll walk through fields and forests before embarking on a steep descent t

owards the village of Kenja. Uphill again, you’ll traverse the Lamjura Pass and arrive at the town of Sete.

The next day, you’ll return to the Lamjura Pass and pass through magnificent fields of pine trees, magnolia and rhododendrons. Without a doubt, you’ll appreciate the stunning mountain views. Next,hike down the other side and you’ll arrive at the town of Junbesi.

Back into the forest, you’ll see Mt. Everest for the first time. You’ll then cross the Ringmo Khola suspension bridge and arrive at the village of Ringmo with its gorgeous Tibetan architecture. Another forest and you’ll be at Nunthala.

In the morning, you’ll head out towards the Dudh Koshi River, crossing another impressive suspension bridge on your way to Bupsa.

The next few days will take you to higher altitudes as you pass through forests with monkeys and several small villages.

Arriving in Lukla, you’ll join up with the classic EBC trek. After reaching Everest Base Camp, you’ll summit Kala Patthar for the obligatory views of Mt. Everest at dawn and then return through Gorak Shep, Namche Bazaar and finally Lukla, for your flight back to Kathmandu.

Like the classic Everest trek, the Jiri route is best undertaken in spring or fall. Caution: some parts of the Jiri trek may be closed in the winter, so we don’t recommend going during this season.

The Jiri route is only slightly more difficult than the classic Everest Base Camp route, due to its longer duration.

The average day of hiking comprises 5-6 hours, covering about 15km/9 miles. On the bright side, due to the more gradual ascent compared with the classic trek, you’re less likely to get altitude sickness.

• Pros : More authentic, less touristy, chance to see Solo Khumbu landscapes (terraced farmland, forests, Dudh Koshi river, sherpas), gradual acclimatization
• Cons : 8-hour bus ride (but scenic!)
• Length : ~250km/155 miles (22 days, of which 18 days of trekking)
• Highest point : Kala Patthar (5,545m/ 18,192ft)

Three Passes Trek 

As you might infer from the name, the Three Passes trek takes you across three high mountain passes (all higher than 5,000m/16,400ft). Thus, making it more difficult than the classic EBC trek.

After reaching Namche Bazaar, the Three Passes trek splits off from the classic trek. This takes you towards Thame and the Nangpa Valley. The trek takes around 19 days in total, of which 14-15 will be spent trekking. Getting a guide is highly recommended.

After flying into Lukla from Kathmandu, you’ll work your way down to Phakding.

The next day will take you across several suspension bridges on the way to Namche Bazaar. You’ll be there for a day of acclimatizing. After which you’ll split off from the classic EBC route and head to Thame.

Crossing the Bhote Koshi river, you’ll reach Lumde and catch your first good views of the mountain peaks. The next day, you’ll tackle the first pass.

The Renjo La (5,360m/17,585ft) lies near the Dudh Koshi valley and will reward you with views of Everest. Then you’ll pass the Gokyo lakes and the village of Gokyo, where you’ll summit Gokyo Ri and catch sight of Cho Oyu.

After spending some time acclimatizing in Gokyo, you’ll walk across the Ngozumpa Glacier. This is Nepal’s largest glacier, and you’ll then spend the night in Dragnag.

The next day is notorious. You’ll traverse the next pass, Cho La (5,420m/17,782 ft), which has a glacier and prayer flags at the top. On the other side of the pass lies Zonglha.

Joining back up with the base camp trek, you’ll visit Lobuche and Gorak Shep and take in views of the Khumbu Glacier, Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.

You’ll explore Everest Base Camp and summit Kala Patthar before retracing your steps back through Gorak Shep and Lobuche.

The trek keeps on going, past the Kongma La pass (5,535m/18,159ft), down into the Chukkung valley and up to the summit of Chukking Ri (5,550m/18,209ft) with more mountain views.

You’ll trek through Dingboche, with its views over the Khumbu Valley. Eventually, you hike down through the rhododendron fields and the village of Khumjung, ending back at the Namche Bazaar.

From here you’ll cross the Dudh Koshi, following the classic EBC route back down to Lukla.

This trek can also be done backwards; it’s up to you whether you want to head clockwise or counter-clockwise after the Namche Bazaar.

Many people recommend doing the trek counter-clockwise to avoid crossing the difficult Renjo La Pass right off the bat.

You’re best off doing this trek with a tour operator, as it’s quite off the beaten path.

• Pros : See a little bit of everything, uncrowded trails, challenging elevation profile
• Cons : Riskier terrain than classic EBC trail, long stretches with no facilities
• Length : ~21 days (150km/90 miles)
• Highest point : Chukking Ri (5,550m/18,209ft)

Island Peak (Imja Tse)

Experienced trekkers who wish to try their hand at mountaineering might be interested in summiting Island Peak (6,189 m/20,305 ft).

To master the glaciers and icy headwall during the ascent of these peaks, you’ll need to use crampons, an ice ax and potentially a ladder and ropes to cross the crevasses, depending on the weather.

Tour operators claim you can learn these skills on the fly, but it’s better to have some prior mountaineering experience before you tackle these routes, which are significantly more challenging.

That being said, Island Peak is a relatively “easy” climb as far as climbs go, so it’s a good option if you’re looking to expand your repertoire. 

Since a detailed itinerary of Island Peak is outside the scope of this article, be aware that the general packing list doesn’t include the specialized mountaineering equipment you need for this trek.

Likewise, ascending Island Peak takes you above 6,000m and will probably not be covered by standard travel insurance providers, so check with your local mountaineering association for options.

Practical Information

What will I eat? How much will the trip cost? These are the questions most frequently asked.

As a general rule, the tea house lodgings themselves are very, very cheap with the condition that you eat dinner and breakfast in the same lodge.

This is where your costs will really add up – food is very expensive – so check with your tour operator when booking to see if meals are included.

Food on the trek is repetitive but nourishing. The meals are carb-heavy – think pasta dishes, dahl baht or “sherpa stew” with veggies and noodles.

What other trek offers the convenience of stopping in at a tea house or bakery for a hot lunch or freshly baked pastry? Just be prepared for stretches where you won’t see a tea house for several hours.

Hot drinks are readily available, and a popular treat is a deep-fried Mars bar. Don’t leave without trying one!

Most people recommend going vegetarian during the trek. Sagarmatha National Park has a no-kill policy so all meat has to be carried up by porters or yaks and is never very fresh, so there’s a real risk of getting sick.

Much of the garbage that’s disposed of in the villages ends up getting burned on-site, which really makes you consider the impact of your waste.

Before wantonly throwing plastic into the garbage cans, try to reduce what you use and pack out as much as you can.

The budget for your trip will vary widely depending on whether you’re trekking independently or going with a tour operator.

If you are booking with a tour operator, the flight price and permit prices should be included – usually you’ll have to pay for your guide’s flight as well.

Tour prices run from about USD 1000 to 3000 depending whether you go local or get a Western tour operator.

Budget around USD 400 for the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport, including your guide’s ticket. If you go independently, consider getting help from a local agency for buying your flight tickets.

Flights have a way of being overbooked and you’re more likely to get on the plane if a local agent is vouching for you. On this note, factor in a few buffer days for your flight from Lukla back to Kathmandu, in case of weather or overbooking delays. 

Nationals of all countries except India will need a visa to enter Nepal, which costs USD 25 for 15 days, USD 40 for 30 days and USD 100 for 90 days.

You’re best off getting the 30-day visa even if your trek is only scheduled to take two weeks, as weather and other factors might extend the trip unexpectedly. For the most part, you can get your visa when you land in Nepal.

It used to be mandatory to purchase a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card, but the laws on this are constantly changing and there is a new local tax being charged, so check before you go unless your tour operator is arranging paperwork for you.

You will need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, which you can get ahead of time or at Monjo, when entering the park.

The price of the permits will normally be included in the trip price if going with a tour operator. Bring several passport photos for the permits.

All Set: Are You Ready?

The name “Everest” may sound intimidating, but this is actually one of the more approachable multi-day treks out there.

If you have a reasonable fitness level and are comfortable walking uphill for several hours a day carrying a heavy backpack, then you should be able to complete the trek. The key is to go slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

You don’t need special mountaineering know-how or an incredible level of fitness. The hike to EBC is a relaxed one, as hikes go.

The pace is slow, to allow you the time to acclimatize, so you’ll have plenty of free hours to peruse the village cafés, tuck into a slice of apple pie and snuggle up with a good book or make friends over a game of cards back at the teahouse.

That being said, of course it’s a good idea to prepare for the trek by hitting the gym in the months prior to your departure, and plenty of practice hikes starting two months before you go.

Don’t forget to practice hiking with a heavy backpack on! Check out this article for more tips on preparing for an uphill hike .

In total, the trek is around 130km/81 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 2,685m/8,809ft between Lukla (2,860 m) and Kala Patthar (5,545 m).

It’s usually done in just under two weeks, including rest days for acclimatization. The outward leg will take longer and you can expect to trek 5-6 hours per trekking day, covering an average of 15km/9 miles.

The hike from EBC back to Lukla will go much faster since you’ll already be acclimatized.

Plenty of people with no prior trekking experience manage to complete the EBC trek and you can too! Like any non-technical trek at altitude , the key is a proper pace, a decent level of fitness and most of all, a good attitude!

Have you been trekking in Nepal? Let us know about it in the comments section below!

Disclaimer : This post is for information only and is not intended to replace the advice of an experienced guide. Always do your research and check with local weather stations, etc. before attempting to undertake treks in the wild. Distances are approximate and routes may vary depending on your tour operator.

Photos via Depositphotos.

Recommended Reading: 21 Best Camping Games for Adults For a Memorable Trip

• Insider’s Guide to Hiking Machu Picchu
• Inspirational Mountains: Exciting Summits for Ordinary Hikers
• Climbing Kilimanjaro: Everything you Need to Know
• Four Pass Loop (This Hiking Trail Should Be at the Top of Your List)

Arc’teryx Alpha SL 23 Backpack Review: What to Know Before You Buy

Stay charged on the trail: best portable battery packs for hiking, 21 best camping games for adults for a memorable trip, 13 best budget winter sleeping bags under $175, review: rtic 45 hard cooler: top-tier quality for a low price, best mess kits for backpacking and camping, wilderness survival kit: the 19 must-have items, camping sleeping tips: a good night’s rest in a tent, hiking gear for women – 7 essential items every woman needs on a hike, how to build a campfire safely and quickly, beginner’s guide to tarp camping, do you need a camping car heater how to stay warm on long trips, backpacking safety women’s self defense kit.

Last update on 2024-04-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

Conquer the Everest Base Camp Trek in 12 Days – A Journey of Legends!

Nepal, the name is unfamiliar among many people of the world, but the name Everest is popular among the trekking enthusiasts. Mount Everest rests on the northern mountainous part of Nepal in the Everest region. And Everest Base Camp trek takes you to the lap of this highest peak in the world.

In general, you can do the Everest Base Camp trek in 14 days which includes 2 acclimatization days as well. However, as per your convenience, you can plan your own itinerary as well. You can plan how long you wish to spend on this trekking trail in the Everest region.

Whichever itinerary you follow all you get is to explore the diverse culture, nature, geography of the Everest region. The typical Sherpa people , their Tibet-influenced culture and traditions, their Buddhist practices will keep you accompanied in the trek.

You also get to delve into the several monasteries, and chortens and walk past the Mani walls and Prayer flags to reach your dream destination- the Everest Base Camp.

This high-altitude trek to EBC is doable all year round, but, Autumn and Spring are the peak season for the trek. You will collect the finest trekking memories during this time.

But since the mountain weather is unpredictable you must come prepared for any physical and mental problems. With enough preparation and proper packing this trek is doable and will be your lifetime memory as well.

• Full Name *
• Country * Select Country Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darrussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay US Minor Outlying Islands Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Country
• Number of Travellers *
• Phone Number
• Travel Date Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Year 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920
• Send us your Message *

Table of Contents

Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek

• Walk into the base of the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest (8848 meters) at 5346 meters from sea level.
• Step into the most popular vantage point Kala Patthar (5555 meters) to catch the finest glimpse of Everest.
• Walk through the diverse flora and fauna of Sagarmatha National Park
• Collect blessings from the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region, Tengboche monastery.
• Walk past the stunning icefalls, Khumbu glacier, and icicles on the way to the base camp.
• Take an adventurous stroll around the glacial lakes and Gokyo Ri in the Gokyo valley
• Connect with the local Sherpa people of the Khumbu region.
• Do some shopping in the popular business hub of Khumbu region, Namche Bazar
• Take an electrifying flight from Kathmandu – Lukla. Lukla airport is among the world’s dangerous airport.
• Do some interaction with those mountaineers preparing for the Everest, or Island Peak, or Mera Peak, or Lobuche Peak.

Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary

You can go on standard Everest Base Camp trek in 14 days . But the itinerary is customizable. You can either extra days to your trek or you can cut-off trek days.

You can plan your own itinerary as per your convenience. You can also complete the trek in 11 days or extend it to even 19 days as well. The number of days you will be spending on the trek depends on your trek preference and convenience.

Despite the number of trekking days, you must get the necessary permits for EBC trek once you are here in Kathmandu. While in the city, you need to obtain the necessary permits for the trek.

If you are a solo trekker you need to arrange the permits by yourself. But if you are trekking through a travel company, they will arrange all the permits and complete the legal formalities for you.

Here’s a standard 14 days detailed itinerary for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Day 01- Kathmandu – Lukla – Phakding

Altitude: 2804 meters, Phakding

Flight duration: 45 minutes

Trek duration: 4-5 hours

After morning breakfast, you will leave the airport to catch a 45 minutes flight to Lukla. The flight is among the electrifying flights in the world. You will get to enjoy the first view of the mountains and amazing views of the Everest region.

This scenic flight lands at Lukla from where your actual trek starts. You climb downhill to Phakding for about 4-5 hours for an overnight stay.

Day 02- Phakding – Namche Bazaar

Altitude: 3441 meters, Namche Bazar

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

The next morning you will enjoy a warm meal at Phakding and leave for Namche Bazaar . On walking across the bank of Dudh Koshi river and crossing several suspension bridges you will reach Namche in around 6-7 hours.

On this day you will enter Sagarmatha National Park where you need to verify your permits to enter the region. On walking past the lush forests of rhododendrons you will finally reach this popular town of the Everest region.

There are enough hotels and lodges for your overnight stay.

Day 03- Rest Day at Namche Bazaar

Since altitude is the major concern during this trek, you will be spending a rest day at Namche Bazaar.

If the weather is clear you will catch the first views of Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks from Namche Bazaar. On this acclimatization day, you will be taking short strolls around the nearby villages like Khunde and Khumjung.

You will get a chance of a closer encounter with the Sherpa people of the region and their lifestyles. Plus, you can also visit a school constructed by Sir Edmund Hillary and get to know about its present conditions.

In the evening you can walk around the market of Namche Bazaar and do some shopping.

Day 04- Namche Bazar – Tengboche

Altitude: 3860 meters

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Breakfast the next day and you will start your trek of the day. Bidding farewell to the Namche Bazaar you will start ascending towards Tengboche.

On this day, you will walk to the Tengboche monastery- the oldest monastery of the region. Plus, if you trek during the expedition season, you will encounter many mountaineers. They come to take blessings in the monastery for their successful climb to the summit.

Also, on clear days the monastery offers the panoramic views of the chain of Himalayas in the Everest region. There are enough tea houses on the monastery premises for your overnight stay.

Day 05- Tengboche – Dingboche

Altitude: 4400 meters, Dingboche

Collecting the blessings at the monastery you will leave for the next destination after breakfast on the next day. You will start to ascend to altitudes above 4000 meters so you must walk slowly and take proper rest.

You cross several rocky trails and boulders to catch a view of a small village on the lap of Ama Dablam – Dingboche village. The small village on the lap of mountains and on the neighborhood of rivulets and streams has limited teahouses for your overnight stay.

So, it is a good idea to pre-book rooms. Overnight stay at Dingboche.

Day 06- Acclimatization day

Altitude: 4710 meters, Nagarjuna Hill

Hike duration: 4-5 hours

This is the second day of rest during your 14 days Everest Base Camp trek. On this day you will spend time exploring the village, hike to the nearby hillocks like Nagarjuna Hill.

This scenic hike will offer you the closest views of the Everest, Nuptse , Lhotse , Ama Dablam, and other peaks.

Or, you can hike to Chukung Ri to catch the best view of Island Peak and the mountaineers busy in climbing Island Peak. You will spend the night in the same teahouse at Dingboche.

Day 07- Dingboche – Lobuche

Altitude: 4900 meters, Lobuche

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Spending 2 nights in a tea house at Dingboche you will leave for Lobuche. En route, you walk past the Khumbu glacier and icefall.

This is among the challenging part of the trek, you must be very careful to proceed forward.

En route, you walk past the memorial of the dead mountaineers where you can rest for a moment to pray for the departed soul.

Catching the finest views of Lobuche Peak on your side you walk towards the Lobuche village for an overnight stay.

Day 08- Lobuche – Gorak Shep- Everest Base Camp

Altitude: 5160 meters, EBC

Trek Duration: 7-8 hours

Early morning breakfast and you will leave Lobuche village to trek to Gorak Shep. Gorak Shep is the final point of the trek before you reach the Everest Base Camp.

First, you walk past the rock, adventurous terrains of the Lobuche village to reach Gorak Shep. After reaching the tea house, you will take a short rest and then hike to the base camp.

On reaching the Base Camp you will have amazing feelings. You will spend some amazing moments on the lap of Himalayas . You can click as many pictures as you like.

After enjoying the bliss of this closeness to the mountains you will return back to Gorak Shep for an overnight stay.

Day 09- Gorak Shep- Kala Patthar- Pheriche

Altitude: 5555 meters, Kala Patthar

The next morning you will leave the tea house quite early in the morning and walk for 45 minutes to reach Kala Patthar . There, you can catch the best views of Mount Everest along with its neighboring peaks.

This is the vantage point for the best views of Mt Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and other chains of Himalayas. And, it is the final destination for your trek.

After spending some time in the vicinity of the mountains you will walk back to Gorak Shep and enjoy your lunch. Then you will descend to Pheriche village for the overnight stay.

Day 10- Pheriche – Namche Bazaar

Altitude: 3860 meters, Pheriche

On this day you will get to open your eyes with the skyrocketing peaks in front of you. After breakfast, you will descend back to the Namche Bazaar where you will be spending the night. Once in Namche, you can do some souvenirs shopping if you wish to.

Day 11- Namche Bazar- Lukla

Altitude: 3440 meters, Namche Bazar

The next morning you descend past the lush forests of rhododendrons and magnolias. You will do final checking at the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park. And start trekking to Lukla, the final destination of the day.

On walking, you descend through different monasteries, temples, chortens and meet locals. Once you reach Lukla, you can book the Kathmandu flight for the next day.

Day 12- Lukla – Kathmandu

Altitude: 2,860 meters, Lukla

This is the final time you will review the chain of Himalayas in the Everest region. You will catch the morning flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla.

Once in Kathmandu, you can either take rest or spend your time strolling in the alleys of Thamel or Basantapur.

Note: The bad weather and wind may cause flight delays. So, you must prepare yourself for such unexpected situations as well.

Altitude Details of Everest Base Camp Trek

Trek to the Everest Base Camp is among the high-altitude treks in the world. On this trek, you will start from the low altitude and gradually ascend to the base of the highest peak in the world.

You will start the trip from Kathmandu at the elevation of 1300 meters, land at Lukla Airport at an altitude of 2860 meters. From there you slowly descend to Phakding at an altitude of 2652 meters.

Following the trail, you will ascend to the height of 3440 at Namche then 3867 at Tengboche. From there you leave for 4350 meters at Dingboche followed by 4940 meters at Lobuche.

Then to Gorak Shep, 5164 to Everest Base Camp, 5380 meters to Kala Patthar, 5555 meters. And descend back to Lukla following the trails of Pheriche 4371 meters.

Best time for Everest Base Camp trek

Autumn (September – November ) and Spring (March-May) is the peak season for Everest Base Camp Trek. Or, say it is the best time for traveling and any other treks in Nepal .

This is the finest time to explore the nook and cranny of the Everest region. Because the weather and temperature are most favorable during this time of the year.

Besides the altitudes, you will have lesser difficulty in the trek during this time of the year. You do not have to worry either of the rain, or snow, or blizzards, or leeches on the trails. You can walk free without any worries.

The crisp surrounding, sharp views, less humidity, blue skies, and the bearable temperature make Autumn and Spring the best time for this trek.

But, with the proper preparation and appropriate packing, you can opt for this trek in summer as well as winter. You must be extra careful during this time.

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

This is a moderate trek on the exotic terrains of the Everest region. On this Everest region trek, you walk past several boulders and cross the stone stairs. You walk past the ice falls, cross many rivers and suspension bridges.

In the process, you climb several uphills as well as downhills. But you do not need to fear the difficulty as this trek does not demand a steep, vertical, and challenging climb.

But altitude sickness is the ultimate threat factor during the trek. The trek starts from the altitude as low as 1300, Kathmandu to Lukla at 2860 meters. And then you ascend up to the height of 5555 meters.

So, the altitude is a real challenge in this trek. So, you must not compromise on the acclimatization days you will be spending on the route.

Also, to keep yourself moving, healthy and happy you must walk slowly, take proper rest, and drink enough water. A minor muscle cramp may be threatening up in the mountains. So, be careful while walking. Have faith in yourself, pack properly this trek is completely doable.

Everest Base Camp Weather and Temperature

Ebc weather and temperature in autumn.

Autumn is the best time of the year. It has the most favorable weather and temperature for travel activities as well as other activities. During this time the days are much hotter nor they are colder. So, you will enjoy the pleasantness everywhere.

During the season the average daily temperature in the Everest region ranges from the lowest 15 degrees to maximum 20 degree Celsius. Where nights are more chilling with a drop of the temperature to -10 degrees.

The weather is the most stable than other seasons. The less humid atmosphere and the monsoon-washed surrounding are the clearest and crisp during this season. You will get the clearest views of the mountains and the landscape under the serene blue sky.

Also, there is less chance of rain and the weather changes during this time of the year. Such an amazing time you will have in the Everest region.

EBC Weather and Temperature in Spring

Spring is the time of wildflowers and the soothing melodies in the forests of the Sagarmatha National Park. This is the other best time to trek in the Everest region before the arrival of monsoon in Nepal.

The time is among the hotter months of the year. But the daytime temperature remains from lowest 17 degrees to the highest 25 degrees in the Everest region. While the nights and the mornings are chilling with the temperature to -15 degrees.

This is the time when the forests bloom in rhododendron and magnolia everywhere. You get to see different flora and fauna transforming into a new life after the end of winter months in the region.

There is the least chance of rain and snow. Plus, the lowest precipitation in the season offers the sharpest views of the chain off Himalayas. Alongside with the lush vegetations, and the exotic mountainside settlements.

Also, the weather remains stable during this time so, you do not have to fear much.

EBC Weather and Temperature in Summer/ Monsoon

Summer is the season when the waterfalls and the cascading rivers come into life. With the rainfall, the trail is washed away and you get to walk in the lush vegetation.

The days are quite hot and bearable during this time in the Everest region. The average daytime temperature is 18- 25 degrees whereas nights and mornings are around -15 degrees.

You have the high chance of getting the clearest views of the mountains and the landscapes after rainfall. However, this is among the humid month so there are high chances that the fog covers the crisp views of the mountains.

Plus, you may go through leech bites and slippery trails if you trek during this time. So, you must plan your trek carefully if you are choosing summer treks.

EBC Weather and Temperature in Winter

Winter is the month of snow and the whole surrounding turns into winter wonderlands. If you love snow then you can choose Everest Base Camp Trek in winter. However, it is much colder in the region during this time.

The daytime temperature will be around 4 degrees whereas in the night the temperature may drop around -15 degrees. That means you may feel much cold in nights and mornings. So, it is a good idea to carry along a sleeping bag to warm yourself.

Plus, there is a high chance of storms, blizzards, and dense fog obstructing the surrounding and the weather. So, if you plan to trek during winter you must go prepared for such unpredictable weather conditions.

Note: The weather in mountains can often go unpredictable despite the best season you are trekking. So, before you opt for this trek you must prepare yourself physically as well as mentally for anything that may occur along the way.

Plus, it is a good idea to have some spare days if in case your flight gets delayed or canceled due to bad weather.

Altitude Sickness during EBC Trek

Everest Base Camp trek takes you to the foot of the highest peak in the world Mount Everest. On this trek, you will ascend to the greatest height of 5555 meters at Kala Patthar. Whereas you start the trek for the altitude as low as 1300 meters in Kathmandu. So, there is a high chance of suffering from altitude while on the trek.

As you ascend higher you may feel difficulty in breathing, feel nausea, sleeplessness, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If you notice such symptoms you must immediately stop ascending and take rest.

You should consult your guides about your problem and seek immediate treatments. In such a case, you must descend and take rest until you feel healthy and fit to ascend further. In severe cases, you can take Diamox to prevent the problem from getting worse.

To prevent the risks of altitude sickness you must spend enough acclimatization days during the trek. Plus, you must be careful while ascending to higher altitudes in a single day.

And you must check your food and drinks as well. You must keep yourself hydrated and avoid the consumption of alcohol while in higher altitudes.

Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek

Permits are a mandatory thing you must have to enter or trek in any trekking regions of Nepal. There are various checkpoints in the different parts of the trekking route. There you need to verify your permits before entering the region. So, Permits are the must-have before you start your trek.

During Everest Base Camp trek, you will walk in the Everest region and enter the Sagarmatha National Park. So, you need two different permits for this trek. It includes:

Local Area Entry Permit: USD 10

Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: USD 20

To receive the permit, you have to submit a photocopy of your valid passport and a passport size photo at Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu. Or, you can even get them at the entry point of Sagarmatha National Park, Monjo.

Also, you may wish to escape the Lukla flight and start the trek from Jiri after 7 hours drive from Kathmandu. For this, you need to get an additional permit to enter Gauri Shankar Conservation Area. You can buy it at Kathmandu or buy it at Shivalaya, Jiri.

Gauri Shankar Conservation Area Permit: USD 20 per person.

Hiring Guides and Porters

Hiring guides and porter for the trek is not compulsory. But there are different perks of walking with them.

They take care of you, guide you through the trails, notify you about the changing weather and temperature of the places you will be trekking on the day.

Porters help reduce the weight of your backpacks. So, you can walk free and enjoy everything on the trek. And they will make it easier for you to communicate with the locals and know about them.

And they are your savior if in case you face some problems on the trails or you notice the symptoms of altitude sickness. In general, you can hire a guide for USD 20- 25 per day whereas a porter costs around USD 15-20 per day.

Most importantly they help you pre-book the room and arrange your food of choice without any obstacles. They will be every time on your help during the whole trip.

To book them you can either hire them through the travel companies or hire local guides to trek with you.

Travel Insurance for EBC trek

Travel Insurance is a must for every type of treks and travels. It ensures your safety as well as the safety of your belongings. You can travel everywhere once you ensure yourself with a reliable travel insurance policy.

Everest Base Camp trek is among the high-altitude treks in the world. It is an adventurous trek in the Everest region but dangerous at the same time. There are many difficulties and risk factors during the trek to Everest Base Camp.

In such high altitude, dangerous, and adventurous treks travel insurance is a must. Sometimes you may get some health problems for which you may need medical evacuations. In such case of emergencies, your travel insurance comes handy.

So, before you come trekking in the Everest region, get a reliable insurance policy that covers up to the height of 6000 meters and offers immediate helicopter evacuations in case of emergencies.

You cannot get the insurance policy in Nepal, so before you come insure yourself with the most convenient policies. Many trekking companies do not accept if you do not have travel insurance. So, do not forget to ensure and bring policy papers while coming to Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

The Everest Base Camp trek cost depends on various factors . It varies on whether you are traveling with a trekking company or going on solo treks.

The total cost of the EBC trek depends on the cost of permits, the cost of food/drinks and accommodations during the trek. Plus, it depends on the cost of hiring guides and porters, the routes you choose, the season of your treks, and so on.

On average the EBC trek costs around USD 1100- 1300 per person depending on these various factors.

Also, you need to pay for hot water, to charge your electronic gadgets. Or, you may like to tip your guides and porter or you may want to donate some money on the local school, temples, or monasteries. These various factors determine the cost of your trekking.

However, trekking in Nepal is quite cheap than in other treks in the world. So, you do not need to worry much about the budget you will be spending on the trek.

To reduce this cost, you can do solo treks, or you can choose to trek in off-seasons.

People and Culture during EBC trek

Everest region is the land of Sherpa. As you enter the region you will encounter different dispersed settlements of the Sherpa people. You will get to walk past the typical houses, farms and the pastures of the denizens of the mountainsides.

On knowing these people better, you will know about the great influence of Tibetan culture and Buddhism in their lives. Their food, clothing habits reflect the mountainside lifestyle.

Plus, to know more about their culture and religions you can pay a visit to their place of devotion and faith. There are many monasteries and gompas with chortens and the hanging prayer flags. It will give deeper insight into the ethnic culture of these Sherpas.

If you manage to trek to this region in October- November you can become a part of the biggest celebration of the region. The region shines in the colors of Mani Rimdu festival in the Tengboche monastery .

During your acclimatization days, you can visit villages like Khumjung, Khunde and spend time in the local school built by Sir Edmund Hillary and the local health posts. Plus, you can do some shopping in the local market of the Everest region- Namche Bazaar.

Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek

• Since altitude is the major issue in this trek, do not rush. Take proper acclimatization. Do not jump into high altitudes in a single day. Walk slowly, ascend gradually.
• Drink plenty of water and food rich in carbohydrate. You need to be fit and have good stamina to walk further. You can also drink as much garlic soup as you can. It keeps your blood thick and eases respiration.
• If you are trekking in peak season, do not forget to pre-book the room and food. You may have to compromise in the dining room if you fail to pre-book the room.
• Carry along the water purification tablets ao purifiers. Instead of buying expensive water bottles you can use the local water by making it drinkable.
• Mountain weather is quite unpredictable. It changes in every hour. A sunny morning may bring dark clouds with thunderstorms in the evening. So, before you leave it is good to pack wisely. You should go prepared for any weather changes.
• Mountains in the evening may show some unusual weather conditions. So, it is good to start early in the morning and reach your destination for the day before it gets dark.
• Whichever season you are trekking it is always a good idea to carry along the 4-season sleeping bag. And a waterproof backpack.
• If you are a solo trekker do not forget to carry along a trekking map and get necessary permits before you start the trek.

EBC Trek after 2015 Earthquake

The Gorkha earthquake of April 2015 affected the Everest Base Camp Trek route. Due to the avalanche in the mountains, many trekkers lost their lives.

Many tea houses were completely devastated. The trails blocked with the massive boulders and rocks. The route became unsafe for trekking because of various factors.

However, the place and the route are already restored . The tea houses are newly constructed following the earthquake resistant techniques. The boulders and rocks are cleared from the route. There are lesser risks of an avalanche.

The locals of the region in coordination with the government and trekking associations have already made the place and route much safer for trekking.

Plus, the number of teahouses has also increased in the region. So, you do not have to worry to trek in the Everest Base Camp. TAAN has declared and re-opened the place for trekking.

So, the Everest region is completely safe to trek despite the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

EBC Helicopter Trek

If you are willing to do the trek but do not have enough to join the 14 days trek to Everest Base Camp then do not worry. You can opt for the Everest Base Camp Helicopter trek . On this tour, you will walk from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp/ Kala Patthar. And, on returning back you take a helicopter flight directly from Base Camp to Kathmandu.

Or, you have another option for Everest Base Camp Heli Tour where you get to explore the diverse topography and lifestyles of the Everest region in around 4 hours. On this tour, you fly in a helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla then to Everest Base Camp. On returning you will enjoy a warm meal at the Everest View Hotel and then fly back to Kathmandu.

This tour is the best option for you if you are either short on time. Or you are unable to trek in the rugged terrains of the Everest region but still want to be at the base of the world’s highest peak.

Side Trips to EBC

Besides following the classic Lukla route to the Everest Base Camp you can also use some side route. And enjoy the extra views and adventures in the trek along with your trek to the base camp.

You have two different alternate routes to reach the Base Camp.

Gokyo Valley Lake trek

On this trek, you walk towards Gokyo valley from Lukla village. This is among the less crowded and peaceful trails in the Everest region.

On this route, you get to explore five different glacial lakes of the Gokyo valley. Also, you will hike to Gokyo Ri, to catch the finest views of the Everest but, for a different perspective than from Kala Patthar.

Exploring the exotic, and off the beaten trails of the Gokyo valley , you will then trek to the Everest Base Camp.

Jiri Everest Base Camp Trek

This is a classic route to reach the base of the giant peak of the world, the Everest. The route follows a drive from Kathmandu to Jiri and then trekking throughout the trail. If you choose this route you will follow the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa .

This is the best alternative for those who wish to escape the Lukla flight . This route takes you through different villages of Brahmins, Chhetris and other ethnicities before you reach Lukla village. From Lukla, you follow the ideal route to Everest Base Camp.

Everest Base Camp trek 14 days promises you the closest and best views of Mt. Everest along with its neighboring peaks. On this trek, you get to encounter the typical Sherpa people of the region, explore their distinct lifestyles.

You get to walk past several scattered Himalayan settlements, monasteries, and chortens. Also, cross numerous suspension bridges across the Dudh Koshi river.

With a trek of 14 days, you get to receive that amazing feeling of resting on the lap of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. A dream destination for many, isn’t it?

Related Articles

Everest Base Camp Elevation And Altitude Gain

Why To Climb Mount Everest in the Fall?

4 Scenic Trekking Routes to Reach the Pristine Gokyo Lakes

First-Ever Avalanche Death On Everest

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Hiking in Australia
• Everest Base Camp Trek
• Ultimate Guide to the Everest Base Camp Trek

• Trekking in Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek: The #1 Ultimate Guide You Need

The best everest base camp trek you should take, choose the best season for everest base camp trek, do you need a guide for everest base camp trek, a detailed and informative everest base camp trek map.

A great way to get your head around the Everest Base Camp trek is to take a look at an Everest Base Camp trek map. Our detailed and informative maps will provide you with a visual description of the Everest Base Camp trek.

The Everest Base Camp trek map is a great visual presentation of the long and challenging Everest Base Camp trek that covers a distance of 106 kilometers. It’s a great way to get your head around the multi-day trek and see what mountains lie on either side of the trail you’ll be undertaking over several days. 

In addition to the map above, you will find two other maps below – a 3D view and an aerial view of the trek itself.

The trail is an out and back approach from Lukla to Everest Base Camp returning to Lukla. In addition to the maps, you will find an altitude profile chart as well. 

3D View Map

Aerial View Map

Altitude Profile

The altitude profile chart details the elevation start, max elevation reached as well as elevation gain during the Everest Base Camp trek. It also shows the elevation gained over the distance covered so you get an idea of where the big overall elevation climbs will be.  

• High Altitude

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Most Popular

How to avoid high everest base camp trek costs, choose the best gloves for everest base camp trek, the ultimate best down jacket for everest base camp trek, recent comments, editor picks, popular posts, popular categories.

• Everest Base Camp Trek 19
• Climbing Mount Kinabalu 2
• Hiking in Malaysia 0
• Guide Books 0
• Trekking in India 0
• Hiking in Queensland 0
• Hiking in Australia 0

Hike.Trek.Climb inspires people to get outdoors and explore the world. We provide detailed guides and inspirational articles to help you discover and tackle hiking trails, trekking routes and mountains all over the world.

Contact us: [email protected]

Epic Everest Base Camp Trek

15 days | tick the mighty everest off your bucket list with a trek to base camp.

This 15-day trip is unlike any other as you journey through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp. Walk among giants and tick off a once in a lifetime experience making new friends and unforgettable memories along the way. Surrounded by (literally) breathtaking scenery, you’ll step foot in hilltop monasteries, eat your weight in dahl baht and momos, sip tea in Namche Bazaar and feel the huge sense of accomplishment when you reach the colourful flags of camp. Take on the challenge that many have taken before you and walk in the footsteps of champions. Plus, you’ll be choosing a company with a strong commitment to the rights and fair treatment of porters and trekking guides, meaning you can hike with a clear conscience, knowing you’re doing the trek of a lifetime the ethical way. ALTERNATE ITINERARY: In case of weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in included flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary. Please see day 1 of the itinerary for more details.

Trip overview

• Tick off a colossal bucket list opportunity and take on the bonding experience of a lifetime. This trip gives you the chance to do Everest with like-minded travellers your own age.
• It’s not (just) about the mountains on this Everest Base Camp trip – you’ll hike past everything from alpine lakes and glacial plains to frothy rivers and valleys covered in pink blossoms.
• Hike with an experienced and passionate English-speaking local leader as well as a team of guides and porters who will introduce you to incredible Sherpa culture and history along the way.
• Travel with a company that partners with local mountaineering and porter welfare programs, so you can trek easier knowing that while your porters are taking care of you, someone is looking out for them.
• Soak up loads of free time to mingle with the locals and find the perfect keepsake. Use the time in between treks to play games with your new friends, explore Namche Bazaar and toast to an unforgettable adventure.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Sagarmatha Next. Donations help them remove waste responsibly and turn rubbish into art in the Everest region.
• Not sure if this is for you? Read our comprehensive guide on trekking in the Everest region here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/theme/walking/everest-base-camp-trek
• Hiking the Himalayas is no walk in the park – this trip includes 12 days of trekking for up to eight hours per day, reaching altitudes of over 5500 m. Depending on the time of year, the weather can be unpredictable, meaning flight delays and cancellations are also common. Ask anyone who has done it and they will say the rewards are worth it, but you must be in excellent health to participate. Think you’re up for it? Find our step-by-step training guide here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/trekking-training-guide-tips/
• The teahouse accommodation on the trek is very simple, with only basic facilities. Access to electricity points for charging devices will cost extra. Wi-Fi is available at some locations, but connections may be poor.
• The scenery and conditions vary between seasons. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to trek in and consult this packing guide: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/packing-guide-for-trekking-in-nepal/ .
• This trip includes one or more overnight stays over 3500 m (11,500 ft) where there’s a genuine risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). If left untreated, AMS can be life-threatening. While the vast majority will only feel discomfort, it is not uncommon for a small number of people to need extra care, which your leaders and local staff will provide. All our trips that spend time at high altitudes follow our standard altitude safety measures. A number of medical conditions and medications can also reduce your body's ability to acclimatise and thus will affect your performance at altitude and make you more susceptible to AMS. If you’re worried about any pre-existing condition, you must seek medical advice before booking. You may also wish to discuss medication such as Diamox that may help aid acclimatisation. Read more about AMS here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/altitude-sickness

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins in Kathmandu – the colourful capital where ornately carved balconies mingle with beautiful shrines and temples. You have a welcome meeting at 2pm today but if you arrive with time to spare, maybe check out the storied stupas and pagodas of Swayambhunath (aka the Monkey Temple) or take a walk around the local Durbar Square. If you like, maybe take an immersive Urban Adventure like the Spiritual Nepal Experience – learning about Buddhism in Boudhanath, meeting holy Hindu sadhus in Pashupatinath and more (just head to http://www.urbanadventures.com ). After the meeting, maybe head out with your group to one of the great bars in the city and toast to the start of an epic adventure. ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY DUE TO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS: Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly, which can result in the need for changes to be made to our intended itineraries. Flights throughout Nepal – particularly in high mountain areas – are often delayed or cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Flights between Kathmandu/Ramechhap and Lukla are particularly prone to these delays which has the potential to vary the itinerary of our tour departures. Our contingency plans in case of bad weather preventing the fixed wing aircraft flight from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla are as follows:

Day 2 – We will attempt to board our booked fixed-wing plane as per the itinerary. If this flight is cancelled, we will return to our hotel in Kathmandu/Ramechhap for an additional night.

Day 3 – We will again attempt to board our booked fixed-wing plane. If this flight is cancelled we will endeavour to charter a helicopter to transport the group, provided helicopters are available and weather does not prevent them from flying to Lukla. There may be delays for helicopter flights due to limited availability of safety audited helicopter operators.

Travellers will need to use their emergency fund to cover the cost of the chartered helicopter. The exact cost will depend on how many travellers are in your group and could be up to US 500 per person. It is common practice for the helicopter company to charge varying prices, so you may pay different amounts to others on the flight. If we reach Lukla on day 3 by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter we will then follow the same itinerary to Everest Base Camp but descend over one less day in order to take our return flight from Lukla on day 14.

Day 4 – If both fixed-wing planes and helicopters are unable to reach Lukla on the morning of day 3, then on day 4 we will drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle. While we will not be able to reach Base Camp itself on the altered itinerary to Langtang - Gosainkunda Trek, our travellers have still found it a highly enjoyable trek with superb views of snow caped mountains and visit the beautiful lake - Gosainkunda. This lake is sacred for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

We also advise allowing a few extra days in Kathmandu at the end of your trip should your return flights from Lukla be delayed due to weather conditions.

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Kathmandu - Spiritual Nepal Experience Urban Adventure - USD68
• Kathmandu - Rickshaw Night Explorer Urban Adventure - USD55

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Flights going to and from Lukla may be operated out of Ramechhap Airport in an effort to alleviate congestion at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. In such cases, any departures affected will need to wake up quite early on Day 2 to drive the 130 km (approximately 5 hours) from Kathmandu to Ramechhap Airport. A private vehicle transfer will be provided at no additional cost. Your local leader will give you the most up-to-date information regarding flight delays.

Early this morning, you’ll jump on a plane from Kathmandu to Lukla. You’ll be flying parallel to the giants of the Himalayas, so if you can, grab a seat on the left and stick your face up against the window for some amazing views of the mountains bordering Nepal and China. When you arrive, meet your porters and explore the village of Lukla. After a safety talk, gear up and begin your trek to Phakding – you’ll descend towards the milky white waters of the Dudh Kosi River, where you’ll join the main trail to Namche Bazaar. The walk is easy and after passing through the small village of Ghat, it’s only a short walk to Phakding. Enjoy some time to relax this evening and maybe dig into some traditional dal bhat (rice or lentil stew) or momos (dumplings) to fuel up before tomorrow's trek.

• Trekking Lodge/Tea House (1 night)
• Everest Base Camp – Porterage of One Bag (10kg/22lbs max)
• Everest Base Camp – 12D/11N Trek

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your trekking time today will be approximately 3.5 hours (8.5 km).

During peak travel times, domestic flights from Kathmandu may depart from Ramechhap Airport today. The airport is 130 km (approximately 4 to 5 hours) from Kathmandu.

Today, trek to the picturesque Namche Bazaar, where you’ll spend a couple of days acclimatising to the altitude. From Phakding, cross the river and head up the valley, following in the footsteps of the porters. The trail, lined with blue pine forest, follows the river valley and is especially spectacular in spring when the rhododendron flowers are in bloom. Cross the Dudh Kosi River and look up to see the peaks of snow-capped Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku. Press on to Monjo and take a break for lunch. From here, the walk starts to get a little tough, with a steep ascent as you enter the national park, cross the river and then continue upstream. Get your camera out as you get the first glimpse of the peaks of Everest (no big deal), Lhotse, Nuptse and Taweche. Arrive in Namche and maybe head straight for Namche Bakery, where you’ll find the best sweet treats on the mountain (maybe stock up for the trek and people-watch with a coffee). Tonight, you’ll stay in the oldest family-run teahouse in the region. Take the opportunity to enjoy your last hot shower before your Everest adventure, enjoy the nightlife or grab a hot drink and listen to the history of the teahouse from your hosts.

Your trekking time today will be approximately 7 hours (11 km).

One of the best ways to acclimatise today is to walk up to a high-altitude point, and then come back down to sleep. Remember, it doesn't matter how fit you are, anyone can be affected by the altitude! Maybe take an optional hike, visiting Sagarmatha Next along the way, who support local communities to create and implement a sustainable waste handling system in the region. The national park headquarters is also an interesting visit, with displays about the Sherpa lifestyle and culture as well as the local flora and fauna. Rugs, clothing, salt and dried meat all make a roaring trade in the village centre, so maybe haggle for any extra supplies you might need (dried goat meat anyone?) and spend a restful night at your teahouse.

• Namche Bazaar - Acclimatisation Hike

Today will be a short walking day, headed for Khumjung – the largest village in the region. Stop by the National Park Museum and take a walk along the route marked by well-laid stone steps to the Everest View Hotel (at one time this was said to be the highest hotel in the world). Visit a hospital built by Sir Edmund Hilary, then continue the ascent alongside panoramas of towering Himalayan snow peaks. Through a maze of narrow lanes, you’ll reach the oldest monastery in the Everest region. For a small donation, the resident monk will proudly show a Yeti skull that’s kept securely locked inside the monastery. Tonight, you’ll stay in a lodge in Khumjung and dream of snow monsters.

• Namche Bazaar - National Park Museum

Your trekking time today will be approximately 2 hours (3.5 km).

Hit the Everest trail again today and keep your eyes peeled for the Danphe pheasant and Himalayan tahr. Push on to super-chill Thyangboche – as far as monasteries go, this one takes the cake! Feel an encompassing sense of calm while you sit at 3860 m (12,664 ft) in Nepal's spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism and look out at Mt Everest. This is the perfect spot to meditate if the urge arises. Maybe stop off for a hard-earned coffee and cake from the Khumjung bakery and then rejoin the trail to Everest, enjoying views of Kantega and Ama Dablam along the way.

• Thyangboche - Thyangboche Monastery

Your trekking time today will be approximately 5 hours (6.5 km).

Today, Everest will look so close you could almost touch it. On your trek this morning, you’ll rise above the tree line and gradually climb to the village of Pangboche, indulging in lunch where the peak of Ama Dablam dominates the skyline. Follow the trail, passing the tea houses at Orsho, before crossing the Imja Khola and old glacial moraines to a lodge in Dingboche. Here, you’ll find a patchwork of small fields enclosed by stone walls. These walls protect crops of barley and potatoes from the cold winds. If the weather’s right, there will be a crazy gorgeous sunset illuminating the peaks – Ama Dablam, the south face of Lhotse to the north, and Island Peak in the centre of the valley. 

Your trekking time today will be approximately 6 hours (10 km).

Today is another acclimatisation day. There are a couple of different trails that you can hike today –  Nagarjun Hill and The Chukkhung (this walk might be a short one, but it’s the views of surrounding peaks and snowy terrain that’ll have you short of breath). Tonight, you’ll stay in Dingboche again. If you’re craving a cute café to hole up in, look no further than Cafe 4410 – they even screen daily sherpa documentaries here.

• Dingboche - Acclimatisation Hike

This morning, you’ll ascend the small ridge above Pheriche Valley. From the stupa at the top, Taweche and Cholatse make for a pretty striking scene – they seem to lean forward from across the valley in the west. To the north, Lobuje Peak and the snowfields of the Cho La are the kings of the skyline. The walk will now be fairly flat on wide-open fields but take your time and ensure you’re well-hydrated. Later, you’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and eat a light lunch at the foot of the huge terminal moraines of the Khumbu Glacier. There will be a steep climb on a rocky trail to the top of the moraines. On the crest of the ridge, you’ll pass a line of memorial cairns (stacks of stones) built in memory of the Sherpas and climbers who have died on various Everest expeditions over the last fifty years. From here, the view is spectacular yet again – with Pumori at 7145 m, Lingtren at 6697 m and Khumbutse at 6623 m high. See across the border in Tibet then follow the valley stream to the lodge at Lobuche, where you’ll rest and recharge for the big one tomorrow.

Your trekking time today will be approximately 6 hours (7 km).

Wake up to the excitement and buzz of Everest – this is the day! First, you’ll trek to Gorak Shep (where you’ll start the round trip to Base Camp). Follow the broad valley that runs parallel to Khumbu Glacier, with a gradual ascent to build the slow, steady rhythm required when walking at high altitudes. When you reach the moraines of Changri Nup Glacier, you’ll make your way over a rocky trail lined with cairns that leads to the glacial sands of Gorak Shep. Now’s the time to grab a quick bite, gear up appropriately and head off towards Everest Base Camp. If the season’s right, you’ll almost certainly encounter yaks and porters supplying food and equipment to expeditions here. Arrive in Everest Base Camp – you made it! Tick that off the bucket list. You won’t get views of Mt Everest from here, but you can see glorious glaciers, lakes, caves and the notorious Everest Ice Fall that flows from the Western Cwm (regarded as technically the hardest and most dangerous section of the mountain). When you’ve had your fill of epic views (and taken an Instagram or five), you’ll return to Gorak Shep for the night.

Your trekking time today will be approximately 8.5 hours (11 km).

Your teahouse in Gorak Shep sits at 5180 m (16,995 ft). Due to its remote location and high elevation, all materials must be carried up to this altitude (or back down) by foot or by yak as there are no roads. While the views of Everest and the surrounding Himalayas are spectacular, the amenities are understandably basic.

Wake up super early this morning for the trek to Kala Patthar where you’ll experience sensational sunrise views from a once-in-a-lifetime vantage point. Don’t be surprised if you get a little tear in your eye when you soak up the views of Everest. Embrace the emotion and spend as long as you like here to savour the moment. It’s a bit of a tough walk because of the altitude, but the view from the top will surpass your wildest imagination. Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, Taweche, Kantega and Everest – they’re all here. About 3 km away and some 200 m below, the area of the Everest Base Camp can be seen in a bowl at the bottom of the Khumbu Ice Fall. It’s all downhill from here – the descent to Gorak Shep is easy and then you’ll cross the Khumbu Khola and head down the valley to Pheriche, where you’ll spend the night. 

• Gorak Shep - Kala Patthar Sunrise Trek

Your trekking time today will be approximately 3 hours for the round trip to Kala Patthar (4 kms) and approximately 5.5 hours to Pheriche (13 kms).

This morning, you’ll cross the suspension bridge over the Imja Khola River, where there’ll be great views of the Imja Valley, Ama Dablam and Kantega. Re-trace your steps to Thyangboche, then descend steeply through a beautiful forest of juniper, rhododendron and fir. Cross the Dudh Kosi River and ascend to Trashinga. From here, the trail contours high above the valley on to Namche Bazaar, where you’ll return for the night.

Your trekking time today will be approximately 7.5 hours (19 km).

You’ve done it! Today is your last day of trekking and you’ll first descend steeply down to the large suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. Then you’ll follow the trail back to Monjo. Walk through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with great views of Kusum Kangaru, through Phakding, then it’s only a short walk in the valley before making the final climb up to the airstrip at Lukla. This is where you’ll say goodbye to your Sherpa crew. Get together with the rest of your group and pool your tips, if you haven't already. Celebrate with a much needed and well-deserved hot shower, a good, long sleep, or a few drinks with your group. You earned it – you conquered Everest!

Your trekking time today will be approximately 7 hours (18 km).

Take the short flight from Lukla to Kathmandu this morning. When you arrive, return to your accommodation and then enjoy some free time in the afternoon for further sightseeing or shopping. Before dinner, your leader will take you on a walking tour to the colourful Asan Bazaar. Then, it’s time to celebrate with a tongba (hot millet beer) and a plate of ziva (pastry fingers filled with cheese) while you relax your weary (but incredibly toned) legs. You don't need to carb-load anymore, but surely another plate of dal bhat couldn't hurt?

If there is bad weather or low cloud conditions, your flight back to Kathmandu may not run, giving you an extra day in Lukla to relax or do a day walk. In this case, you’ll return to Kathmandu by late morning on Day 15 and the trip will end with an arrival transfer back to your hotel.

During peak travel times domestic flights to Kathmandu may depart from Ramechhap Airport. The airport is 130 km (approximately 4 to 5 hours) from Kathmandu.

With no further activities planned, your trip ends this morning. There's plenty more to see in Kathmandu for those who wish to stay, just speak to your booking agent. If you do, you might like to check out an Urban Adventures tour, like the Rickshaw Night Explorer: http://www.urbanadventures.com/en/kathmandu/kathmandu-rickshaw-night-explorer

Private vehicle, Plane

Hotel/Guesthouse (2 nights), Tea House/Trekking Lodge (12 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. This trip starts in Kathmandu with an important welcome meeting in the afternoon on Day 1. This allows you extra time to purchase/hire required gear in Kathmandu. 2. Due to the demands of travelling at high altitudes (up to 5545 metres/18192 feet). A Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip. 3. A sleeping bag is required for this trip. Please bring your own or hire one in Kathmandu. 4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement will only be included on Days 1,14 (Hotel) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 5. Please bring TWO passport sized photos to your joining meeting for your trekking permits. 6. In case of weather conditions leading to cancellations or delays in flights, this trip will operate on an alternate itinerary. Please see day 1 of the itinerary for more details. 7. You must bring an emergency fund of USD 500 in cash with you on this trip, which you may need to use in case of delayed or cancelled flights, as itinerary changes will be at the travellers expense. 8. If you need assistance booking optional activities pre or post trip, please contact our local operator on +977 980 112 3645. 9. Please be aware that in the event of an emergency evacuation, Intrepid does not have control over which helicopter service may be used. Some helicopters are not in regular use with Intrepid and have not passed our internal safety auditing.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Filter by rating

Australian Base Camp Trek: Nepal’s best hidden gem

Australian Base Camp is definitely one of Nepal’s best-kept secrets. This hike can be completed in one day and brings you through the Annapurna foothills to an incredible viewpoint of the Himalayas. It’s an incredibly accessible hike, as it doesn’t require a TIMS card or ACAP permit . While it’s easily a half-day to day hike, I actually recommend spending the night at Australian Base Camp to experience the sunrise over the mountains. Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian Base Camp trek!

How to get to the trailhead

From Pokhara, head out to the Baglung Bus Park . I’d grab a taxi to Baglung Bus Park, as it’s farther out from Lakeside and takes around an hour to walk to.

Important thing to note—this isn’t the tourist bus station, which you might have arrived at if you took a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

From the Baglung Bus Park, hop into a bus going towards Phedi . The bus park is often busy and lively, with buses taking off and people shouting the destinations from the busses. Personally, I find the easiest way to find the right bus is just walking around, listening to the shouts for your destination, and asking a few people. I’ve always found people to be incredibly helpful and friendly when searching for the right bus. The bus costs a few hundred rupees (less if you’re local).

Within 20 minutes of being on the bus, you’ll start to see faint outline of the Annapurnas. As cheesy as it sounds, when I saw the mountains, I nearly cried. They’re incredibly stunning and I’ve always felt so at home in Nepal’s mountains.

You’ll arrive in Phedi, a small roadside town, in about an hour. I found the trailhead and was not surprised to see stairs. Lots of stairs.

You may like: The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Nepal

The Australian Base Camp Trek

There are QUITE a few stairs to start your trek out on and honestly, when doing this, I felt SO out of shape. The hike starts out pretty steeply and I had to stop every couple hundred to catch my breath. I wondered how on Earth I was able to complete all of the trekking I have previously done, but I slowly made it up, and the views are always worth it.

Towards the end of the initial staircase, you’ll come across an agricultural area. As I walked by countless farm houses, I was met with so many people greeting me with warm namaste ‘s. Because this trek isn’t that popular compared to the other Annapurna hikes in the area, you get a peek into real life in the Annapurna foothills.

Continue to walk up more stairs and hills, and just outside of a town called Dhampus, you’ll get your first view of the mountains. I stopped for breakfast with a view, then continued on my way. I recommend stopping for a tea wherever you find a good view, as this hike is really short!

This hike is a really lovely way to start a day. I left Pokhara at 6:30 am, and by 11:30, I had already settled into my teahouse in Australian Base camp. I chose the teahouse at the top of the hill. I contemplated leaving the same day, but decided to spend the night so I could see the sunrise the next morning.

The mountains were clear until around noon, but as the afternoon fog rolled in, visibility got worse. I spent the rest of the day writing, doing yoga, and enjoying the view and being in the Himalayas.

Like trekking in Nepal? You may want to check out my posts on

• Everest Three Passes Trek ,
• Everest Base Camp Trek ,
• Annapurna Base Camp Trek , and
• Poon Hill Trek .

Sunrise at Australian Base Camp

The next morning, I woke up to a beautiful sunrise lighting up the mountains. I HIGHLY recommend spending the night. The sunrise is magical- one of the best ones I’ve seen! There was an incredible mix of reds, oranges, and pinks melting into the cool blue hues of the Himalayas.

Once you’ve had your fill and have packed up, start walking towards Kande. It takes roughly 30 minutes to get there from Australian Base Camp. In Kande, you’ll catch your bus back to Pokhara. The buses don’t really have a set schedule, so ask around and you’ll find out when the next bus leaves for town.

It took about 2 and a half hours to get from Australian Camp to Pokhara, including the time I spent waiting for the bus.

The entire trek can definitely be done in a day; it’s a quick one! But as I’ve said before, I would spend the night for the sunrise!

It’s also one of the more affordable treks in the Himalayas because its such a short one. The entire two days cost me about 2000 rupees, about USD $18. It’s definitely more expensive than living in Pokhara for two days, but for a quick escape to the mountains? Not bad. Also, you can cut costs by NOT stopping for breakfast nor spending the night.

If you’re in Pokhara and feeling a desire to see the mountains, Australia Base Camp is the way to go. It’s the perfect weekend getaway.

Back in Pokhara from Australian Base Camp

Once you’re back in Pokhara, there’s so much to do! I love getting a hearty meal after a trek, and Pokhara’s lakeside has some amazing places to eat. Here are the best restaurants in Pokhara – one of my favourite dishes in the world can be found here.

Looking for things to do? Here’s what to do in Pokhara, Nepal .

You may also want to check out my Pokhara itineraries .

Like this post? Pin it!

Related posts

Everything You Need to Know About Backpacking the Grass Lake Trail in Desolation Wilderness

Glacier Point To Panorama Point Trail Guide: Everything You Need To Know About This Day Hike

Hiking the Castle Dome Trail in Castle Crags State Park: Ultimate Trail Guide

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

12 comments

Beautiful Pictures!!

Haha it’s the place, not me! Thank you!

This speaks enormous amounts to me, thank you for sharing! amazing photographs too, keep up the good work

I wrote a blog post about PDA which takes a comical stance. Check it out and let me know what you think ?

https://wordpress.com/stats/day/tootinghustle.wordpress.com

Reblogged this on Journal Edge and commented: Article Source: unexpectedoccurrence.com

Thank you! Can’t wait to check it out! xx

My Pleasure 🙂

I went through ur article Just awesome Pl change the font colour coz while commenting from mobile it’s not visible what I am writing coz it’s yellow

Thank you! I’ll look into making it easier to comment, thanks!

Firstly i love the pictures and secondly the view is phenomenal. I love love the pictures and the path itself looks challenging yet enjoyable. Would love to visit someday. Cheers to many more sunrises 🙂

Thank you so much! I hope you get the chance to visit! xx

Thank for sharing a wonderful experience.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My Portfolio
• Stock Market
• Biden Economy
• Stocks: Most Actives
• Stocks: Gainers
• Stocks: Losers
• Trending Tickers
• World Indices
• US Treasury Bonds
• Top Mutual Funds
• Highest Open Interest
• Highest Implied Volatility
• Stock Comparison
• Advanced Charts
• Currency Converter
• Investment Ideas
• Research Reports
• Basic Materials
• Communication Services
• Consumer Cyclical
• Consumer Defensive
• Financial Services
• Industrials
• Real Estate
• Mutual Funds
• Credit Cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash-back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Personal Loans
• Student Loans
• Car Insurance
• Options 101
• Good Buy or Goodbye
• Options Pit
• Yahoo Finance Invest
• EV Deep Dive
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Yahoo Finance

Himalayan masters celebrate successful season guiding teams to everest base camp.

Himalayan Masters celebrate successful season guiding teams to Everest Base Camp.

Bhaktapur,Nepal, April 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Himalayan Masters

The Himalayan region has witnessed yet another triumphant season as seasoned guides and mountaineers commemorate their successful endeavors leading teams to the illustrious Everest Base Camp. Among the array of expeditions, both traditional treks and modern helicopter tours have left an indelible mark on the landscape and the spirits of adventurers. The allure of the Everest Base Camp trek remains as potent as ever, drawing enthusiasts from across the globe to traverse its rugged terrain and immerse themselves in its breathtaking vistas. Guided by expert Sherpas and seasoned mountaineers, teams navigated the challenging trails with determination and resilience, forging unforgettable memories along the way. Each step taken was a testament to the human spirit's unwavering quest for adventure and exploration.

Himalayan Masters, renowned for their expertise in Everest Helicopter tour through the majestic landscapes of the Himalayas, are celebrating a successful season of guiding teams to the Everest Base Camp. As the climbing season for the Everest Base Camp trek reaches its peak, Himalayan Masters have once again demonstrated their unparalleled skill and dedication in leading adventurers through this iconic journey.

March, April, and May mark the prime season for climbing Everest and undertaking the Everest Base Camp trek. During this period, nearly 15,000 tourists have embarked on the EBC trek, seeking to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas. Another significant trekking season occurs in October, November, and September, attracting a multitude of trekkers eager to experience the breathtaking vistas of the Everest region.

This season, Himalayan Masters have achieved remarkable success, guiding over 15 teams to the Everest Base Camp, ensuring their safe passage through the rugged terrain and challenging conditions. With their extensive knowledge of the region and years of experience, Himalayan Masters have proven instrumental in facilitating a memorable and fulfilling trekking experience for adventurers from around the globe.

The Everest Base Camp trek is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that offers unparalleled opportunities for adventure and exploration. Trekkers embark on a challenging yet rewarding expedition, traversing through picturesque villages, dense forests, and rugged mountain trails, all while soaking in the breathtaking panoramas of the world's highest peaks.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the Everest Base Camp helicopter tour provides a unique opportunity to witness the majesty of Everest and its surrounding peaks from a bird's-eye view. This exhilarating journey offers unparalleled views of the Himalayan landscape, including towering peaks, cascading glaciers, and serene valleys, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

As Himalayan Masters continue to lead trekkers on their journey to the Everest Base Camp , they remain committed to providing exceptional guidance and support, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of every adventurer. With their unwavering dedication and expertise, Himalayan Masters empower trekkers to conquer their goals and forge unforgettable memories amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas.

As the sun sets on another remarkable season in the Himalayas, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the guides, Sherpas, and mountaineers who have made it all possible. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts have transformed dreams into reality, inspiring countless individuals to embrace the spirit of adventure and embark on their own journey to Everest Base Camp.

In the coming seasons, Himalayan Masters look forward to welcoming an even larger number of adventurers, guiding them through the epic landscapes of the Everest region and sharing in the joy of exploration and discovery. Whether embarking on the iconic Everest Base Camp trek or opting for the exhilarating Everest Base Camp helicopter tour, trekkers can trust Himalayan Masters to provide a transformative and unforgettable Himalayan experience.

Media info,

Contact Person Name: Shobita Neupane

Company:Himalayan Masters

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +977 9861178947

Website: https://himalayan-masters.com

Adress: Bhaktapur,Nepal

• HYDROVISION
• Career Center