Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular and fulfilling trekking destinations in Nepal. In fact, every year thousands of trekkers visit Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar to witness stunning views of the mighty Everest (8848m) along with other snow-capped mountains with wonderful scenery. Moreover, Everest Base Camp Trek allows you to stand on the base of the highest peak in the world without having prior trekking experience.
Everest Base Camp trek experience can give you one of the most incredible times of your life. Your trek begins by taking a short flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Thereafter, you will trek from Lukla and reach Namche Bazaar, one of the biggest residential areas of the legendary Sherpas.
Generally, you will observe the daily life, tradition, and culture of Sherpas. Reaching Tengboche, you will visit the oldest and beautiful monastery of this region. From Tengboche, you will head to Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and ultimately reach Everest Base Camp to have an astonishing panorama of the high mountains of the Khumbu region.
In particular. the trail is full of ascends and descends along with beautiful rhododendron and pine forests, rivers, hills, stunning views snow-capped mountains, and glaciers. Besides, you will also climb to Kala Patthar (5545m), which presents you with a stunning sunrise view over the peaks of Mt. Everest (8848m), Khumbutse (6636m), Lhotse (8414m), Nuptse (7861m), Pumori (7161m), Lingtren (6749m) and so on.
You will normally visit the Everest base camp in the afternoon on the same day of your arrival in Gorek Shep. Also, you stop for lunch at Gorak Shep before finally making your way to Everest base camp. After enjoying the views in Everest Base Camp you return to Gorak Shep for the overnight stay. As you can find no lodge or camp to stay in Everest Base Camp. Likewise, the next day we leave the early morning session to climb Kala Pathar for a breath-taking view of Mount Everest. After enjoying the views from Kala Pathar you return to Gorak Shep and repeat your steps to Lukla. Furthermore, you will trek back to Lukla with a heart full of unforgettable memories that will live with you for a lifetime.
EBC Trek Altitude Chart
Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek
Walkthrough dense forests of various flora and fauna
Reach the base of Mount Everest
Marvelous view of mighty Everest
Stunning view of several magnificent peaks
Beautiful sunrise view from Kala Patthar
Explore culturally and traditionally rich villages
Thrilling flight to Lukla
Exciting journey on the paths of the Himalayas
Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp trek has one of the most exciting and thrilling trails of Nepal. Traveling in these routes are filled with wonderful greenery, marvelous peaks, and endangered wildlife.
There are four seasons you can choose to travel from Spring, Monsoon, Autumn, and Winter. Among these, Spring and Autumn are the best time to visit Everest Base Camp Trek.
During these seasons, the weather and temperature are also favorable. The days are sunny and sweaty while nights are windy and cool. During these times, the skies are also clear giving the stunning view of peaks and landscapes.
As for Winter and Monsoon, these seasons are also favorable for trekking. But there might be various weather complications that might delay or cancel your trek.
Other than that, these seasons give a wonderful experience in the Himalayas. Snowy paths, snow-capped mountains, new species of flora are some of the attractions during these times.
You will meet with one of our representatives at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) who will take you to your hotel. Later, you will meet your trekking guide who will brief you about the trek and help you make the necessary preparation. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Your trek begins after a short 40 minutes flight over the hills and mountains from Kathmandu to Lukla. Lukla is a small town with few hotels, lodges, and general stores. Shortly after reaching Lukla, you will begin your trek to Phakding. You will climb up on the left bank of DudhKoshi River and descend to join the Everest route to reach Phakding. You will have a close-up view of KusumKanguru (6367m) from Phakding. Overnight in Phakding.
Today you will begin your trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is a large Sherpa town and also the main trading area of Khumbu region. You will cross the river on a high suspension bridge and reach Monjo village (2835m). You will enter Sagarmatha National Park in Monjo and cross the suspension bridge over the DudhKoshi River to enter Jorsalle. From here, you will ascend on the steep path and reach Namche Bazaar. On a clear day, you will get to see the first view of Mt. Everest (8848m).
Today you will take a rest to get acclimatized with high altitude. You will hike up to Khunde Hospital (built by Sir Edmund Hillary), or take an hour-long walk to the Everest View Hotel (3962m). From here, you will see stunning views of Mt. Everest (8848m), Lhotse (8414m), Thamserku (6608m), Nuptse (7861m), KusumKanguru (6367m), and AmaDablam (6856m). Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
After having a warm delicious breakfast, you will begin your trek to Tengboche. You will walk on the side of the valley, high above DudhKoshi River, and after crossing a few beautiful villages and several tea shops, you will descend on the steep path. After that, you will cross the bridge over DudhKoshi River at PhunkeTenga (3250m) and reach Tengboche, where you will see the most famous and the oldest monastery of the Khumbu region. The trail will present you with gorgeous views of Mt. Everest (8848m), AmaDablam (6856m), Lhotse (8414m), and so on. Overnight in Tengboche.
Today, you will gradually begin to descend to Dingboche (4410m), and crossing ImjaKhola, you will climb up to Pangboche village. This village is opposite to AmaDablam (6856m) and presents you stunning views of snow-capped mountains behind beautiful pine trees, Mani walls, and gompas. From here, you will ascend through dense forests of juniper bushes, and after two and half an hour walk, you reach Dingboche. Overnight in Dingboche.
Today, you will take a day for acclimatization and explore the surrounding areas. You can steeply climb to Nakartsang Gompa for an exceptional view of Mt. Everest (8848m), Makalu (8481m), Baruntse (7129m), Lhotse (8414m), AmaDablam (6856m), and Island Peak (6189m). You can also choose to go on a small side trip to Chhukhung to have some delicious food. Overnight in Dingboche.
With the panoramic view of mountains, you will begin your trek to Lobuche via Dughla. You will climb up on the zigzag path through rocky glacial moraines. You will find several stone Chortens at the top, built in the memories of Sherpas who died while climbing the mighty Everest (8848m). From here, you will gradually climb along the glacier to reach Lobuche. Overnight in Lobuche.
You will begin your trek and reach Gorakshep where you will take rest, and if feeling okay, you will climb to Everest Base Camp (5364m), which will take about four and half hours to reach and get back to Gorakshep. The trail is covered with glaciers and rocks. You will also see beautiful small frozen lakes around the Everest Base Camp. At the base camp, a wide vista of the Khumbu Himalayas makes up an enticing landscape. You will later hike down to Gorakshep for the overnight stay.
Today you will wake up early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise from Kala Patthar (5545m). After a tough climb to Kala Patthar, you will get a stunning view of Mt. Everest (8848m), Khumbutse (6636m), Lhotse (8414m), Nuptse (7861m), Pumori (7161m), Lingtren (6749m), and many other peaks. After having a good time at Kala Patthar, you will return to Pheriche for the overnight stay.
Today, you will begin your trek through the hillside covered by juniper trees, and in spring, you will find beautiful pink and red rhododendrons all around you. You will have lunch in Tengboche and then continue to Namche Bazaar. We want to take a long last look (and picture) of Lhotse (8414m) and the tip of Everest (8848m) from here. On reaching your lodge, you can take a nice hot shower and have the very relaxed sleep in your room in Namche Bazaar. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Today, you will slowly and carefully descend on the steep path and rocky terrain. After that, you will cross a suspension bridge over the DudhKoshi River, and you will find climate getting warmer. Regardless of walking back on the same route, you will get completely different views. You will get into open plains and beautiful pine forests with snow-capped mountains at a far distance. Crossing small Sherpa villages, you will reach Lukla for the overnight stay.
Today you will take an early morning flight back to Kathmandu. The short flight will give you the outstanding view of snow-capped mountains. After reaching Kathmandu, you can rest and further explore nearby areas. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Actually it is a contingency day as Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight gets delayed by a few hours or may even be canceled for one, two, or more days due to unfavorable weather conditions. Such conditions may arise even in the best seasons. Hence, in such cases, we must be prepared for the wait either at Kathmandu or Lukla airports, as this can happen either at the start or end of the trek or even both!
Yes, the Everest Base Camp trek is suitable for beginners. But you need to be physically fit and mentally prepared for the trek. The routes have been graded as moderate to difficult level trek suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. You need to do some physical training about 2-3 weeks before the trek.
Yes, you will find electricity in every tea house you stay in. However, they use solar panels to produce electricity. So during cloudy days, the reserve might not be enough to charge batteries and mobile phones. Thus, it is recommended to bring along an extra battery and carry power banks.
The walks are not much longer but it can be tiring for beginners. You will be walking for about 5 to 6 hours covering 12 to 15 km per day. The total distance of this entire trip is about 40 miles.
Yes, laundry facilities are available on this trek. You can consult with the staff of the hotel you will be staying in. Washing will be done by hand as machines aren’t available in high places. Or you can do your own laundry.
No, it is possible by any means. Usually, people have the misconception that reaching the base of the world’s highest mountain is quite impossible. But every year several trekkers have walked the trails and made many fun memories. Do not worry about these rumors because with proper preparation the trek is quite easy.
The difficulty of the routes mostly depends upon each individual. If this is your first trek the routes can be harsh and challenging. But if you have trekked before, the routes can be quite easy. So, the difficult experience can be different for each trekker. Also, you don’t need any technical support in this trek making it less difficult.
Yes, you can find bottled water in every shop and tea house starting from Lukla. But this water can cost much more than in lower regions. So, it is better to carry your personal bottle while trekking in the Himalayas.
You have no prior exposure to the high altitudes during a helicopter tour. So, spending more time in the base camp can cause altitude sickness. Thus, the helicopter mostly lands for about 15 minutes.
Altitude sickness is common while trekking at high altitude. So, you do not need to panic. But carelessness can be fatal for health. So it is better to remember the symptoms and inform someone immediately.
We are advised to consider the following equipment as these are essentials while packing for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Adjustments to the list can be managed according to the requirements, interests, duration of trip, and season of trip. We can find variety of these gears to rent or buy in Kathmandu. Majority of the gears which are in sale in Kathmandu are locally manufactured and some are imported from china and they are much cheaper. And there are some famous branded gear shops in Kathmandu, Thamel.
– Lightweight and comfortable hiking boots: fit them with hiking socks and wear them wherever possible before you go to trekking.
– Sandals/ Flip flop
– Hiking socks – at least 4 pairs of cotton socks and 2 pair of wool socks
– Lightweight long sleeve hiking shirts
– Windproof/Waterproof pants and jacket
– Plastic rain poncho
– Light weather protection and warmer weather
– Hat for sun and wind
– Windproof gloves
– Warmer clothes
– Long underwear
– Thermals (socks, t-shirts, sweater)
– Wool hat/beanie (for winter)
– Shorts
– Hiking trousers
– Best down jacket
– Sunglasses with good UV protection
– Sunscreen
– Lightweight bag to carry your personal needs during the day
– Insect repellent
– Camera with extra battery
– Flashlight
– Backpack
– Aluminum water bottle
– Head lamp
– Trekking/Hiking Poles
Your trip begins and ends in Kathmandu. You catch an early flight to Lukla from where you start your Everest Base Camp Trek journey. Viewing wonderful scenarios of peaks and greenery you arrive at Lukla.
Then from there, you trek towards Phakding where you stay for the night. The next day, you head towards Namche Bazaar, a beautiful Sherpa town. Your first acclimatization is held in this town.
After a relaxing day, you again begin your EBC trek by heading towards Tengboche. This small village is popular for its ancient Monastery, the largest gompa of the Khumbu region.
Waking up early, you explore the monastery and head towards Dingboche, where your second acclimatization is held. The next day you trek towards Lobuche from there.
From Lobuche, you head towards the highlight of this trip Everest Base Camp. The excitement of reaching the base of Mount Everest will overwhelm you. Viewing the marvelous peak and spending some time there, you trek towards Gorakshep.
Then the following day, you hike to Kala Patthar to view the beautiful sunrise and magnificent peaks. After enjoying the view, you trek down to Pheriche and stay the night.
From there, you head towards Namche Bazaar, stay the night then trek back to Lukla. You catch your flight back to Kathmandu from here. Your return ends the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Route Difficulty
When trekking to Everest Base Camp, trekkers usually wonder how difficult are its routes? Well, the route difficulty of the trek depends upon each individual.
The routes are suitable for both beginner and experienced trekkers. But the trails can be harsher for the new ones. As there are several ups, downs, twists, and turns.
You will also be walking for about 5 to 6 hours each day which can be tiring for newcomers. However, with proper preparation and planning, you can complete the trek with ease so, do not panic.
Various Difficulty Faced During the Trek
Other than route difficulties, you can face various other difficulties when trekking to Everest Base Camp. We have mentioned a few of the difficulty faced in Everest Base Camp Trek below:
Altitude Sickness
One of the common problems faced while traveling in high elevation is altitude sickness. This is mostly caused due to lack of oxygen in high places. The air gets thinner as you climb high in elevation.
Some common symptoms are nausea, headache, vomiting, breathing difficulty, sleeping difficulty, etc. if you notice any of the symptoms inform your guide or trek down to lower altitudes immediately.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation can be hard when traveling during peak seasons. As during this time the rooms are packed with travelers from around the world. Also, the price of rooms are high during these times.
So, do not travel in the hopes of finding room on the spot during peak time.
Weather and Temperature
Weather and temperature always play a major role in deciding how your trip turns out to be. The climatic conditions are unpredictable in the higher regions. So always be prepared beforehand for your trek.
It can be sunny one moment and windy in the next minute. The weather tends to change as you climb higher. It gets cold and windy in high places. However, the lower regions are warm and less windy.
No Atm Machine
There are no ATM machines available after Namche Bazaar in this trek. Also, sometimes the atm machine in Namche doesn’t work properly. So, always change your cash or take it before the trek begins.
Alternative Routes to Reach Everest Base Camp
Usually, people follow the standard Everest Base Camp route to complete their trek. But there are various alternative routes to reach the Base Camp. Mentioned below are some of the alternative routes:
Jiri to Everest Base Camp
Traveling through Jiri leads you through the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek route. This is the route that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa walked in. Taking this route, you will be following their footprints.
Before people used to begin their trek from Jiri as there were no flights available till Lukla. However, as the flights are available nowadays, most people begin their journey from Lukla. So, the trails of classic routes are quite isolated making it perfect for peace lovers.
Your trip will cost less as you will be driving to Jiri from Kathmandu and trek to Lukla from there. On this trail, you will be passing through several small settlements of Newar, Brahmins, Chhetri, etc.
This alternative route has days that are longer than the standard route. You will be trekking through rough routes, dense forests of flora, and fauna viewing beautiful scenarios.
On this trek, you get to see various snow-capped peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, and many more. If you are lucky you might even spot various endangered animals such as Tar, Himalayan Black Bear, red panda, etc.
This fun-filled trek lasts about 20 days if you choose the classic Everest trek. For the next few weeks get ready to be lost in the beauty of nature while exploring the regions.
Tumlingtar to Everest Base Camp
Another way to begin your trek is from Tumlingtar. Choosing this path lets you explore two regions i.e. Makalu and Everest. This trek is full of exciting adventures and beautiful views of scenarios.
To begin your journey, you will be flying to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu. Then following the isolated trails through various hills and terrains join the traditional Everest base camp trek route.
On this trek, you will be seeing many magnificent peaks such as Ama Dablam, Makalu, Everest, etc. Also, passing through two national parks i.e Sagarmatha and Makalu-Barun National Park.
While passing these national parks, you might spot various endangered animals. Like red panda, golden jackal, Indian leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, wild boar, etc. Also, you will be needing entry permits to walk through these parks.
People from various ethnicities have made their home in these trails. Walking through Sherpa and Rai villages you descend to villages of Chettri and Brahmin. This journey gives you an opportunity to know more about the lifestyle of these people. And experience their warm hospitality provided by them.
Crossing several rivers, forests and walking past ancient monasteries you stay nights in the culturally rich villages. You will be visiting several popular villages like Namche Bazaar, Arun Valley, Tengboche, etc.
Three passes and EBC Trek
If you are looking for ways to stay longer in the Everest region. Then the Three Passes and Everest Base Camp Trek is the one for you. This trek is full of beautiful wonders of nature.
On this trek, you will be reaching the three high passes of the Everest region while following the traditional route. Renjo La, Cho La, and Kongma La are the names of these passes. These passes lie above 5000 m altitude making the trek more thrilling for trekkers.
Following the trail lets you circuit around the whole Everest region. This trail is quite popular among trekkers. But still, the routes are not much crowded compared to other trails. Thus, making this route the best for trekkers who love walking in silence.
You will be viewing several magnificent peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Island Peak, and many more. Also, while traveling through the Sagarmatha national park you might see various endangered animals.
Walking through forests of rhododendron while enjoying the scenarios is quite a trip. The trails are quite challenging but with proper preparation and planning you can complete it with ease.
When traveling to 5000 m elevation altitude sickness is common, so be well prepared for it. But the views of the beautiful peaks will mesmerize you from the top.
Gokyo Lakes and EBC Trek
This trek is one of the best alternative routes. These routes are quite popular making it crowded throughout the year. Most trekkers choose to travel through these routes to reach the base camp.
This trek is the combination of two popular treks of the Everest region i.e. Gokyo Lake and Everest Base Camp. You get to visit two famous destinations in one trek.
Each day takes you on an interesting journey in the Himalayas. You will be viewing various peaks such as Nuptse, Pumori, Makalu, Everest, and Cho Oyu. And pass through dense forests of juniper, fir, pines, oaks, and rhododendron.
You will be first visiting the Hidden Gokyo Valley and the Gokyo Lakes. Then crossing one of the high passes (Cho La Pass) head towards Base Camp then Kala Patthar.
Reaching Kala Patthar you get to see the beautiful view of sunrise from there. This viewpoint is popular for its excellent view of mountains and landscapes as well.
This trek lasts more than 2 weeks in the Everest region. But these weeks will be the most memorable ones for you. Staying in traditional villages, experiencing warm hospitality, and many more.
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour
You are short on time but have a desire to visit the Everest region. Then choosing the Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour is the best alternative option for you.
Nowadays, the Everest Helicopter tour has gained popularity among travelers. Most travelers due to limited time don’t have time to trek till EBC. So, this option was made available for most travelers like them.
Usually, the trekking takes about 7 to 11 days in this region. But with the helicopter option, you can reach the base camp and return within a few hours. It lasts about 2 to 3 hours at most.
On this flight, you get to see the scenic view of peaks, landscapes, valleys, and lush green forest from above. The peaks are mesmerizingly beautiful from out the window.
You will catch your flight from the Tribhuvan airport and head towards Lukla. It lands for about 15 to 25 minutes for fueling. Then from there, they fly you to the Kalapatthar.
Landing time is about 10 to 15 minutes due to altitude problems. After a wonderful time, you fly to Everest View Hotel for a delicious breakfast. Then head back to Kathmandu from there.
Useful Tips
Carry water bottle
The Himalayas are still underdeveloped so you won’t find shops in every nook. Thus for time like that carrying your personal bottle will come in handy. You can find bottled water but they will be quite expensive in these trails. So, always carry a bottle and fill them before beginning the trek.
Carry Extra Cash
The estimated budget might not be enough during treks. So, it is better to carry extra cash than be sorry later. As you climb higher the price of goods and services also rises. So, the budget can sometimes go over.
Physical Exercises
Being mentally and physically fit is the first priority of the trek. So, for that, you need to do some physical exercises such as running, swimming, long walks, etc. These exercises can be done along with your daily schedule so you do not need to hit the gym or hire a trainer.
Everest Base Camp Trek Map
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Everest Region
5545M at Kalapathar
Hotel & Guest House
Moderate to Strenous
01 - 08 People
Full board package on trek
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