Everest Base Camp Trek
The world’s most famous trek through Sherpa country to the foot of Everest.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Max altitude
- 5,545 m
- Distance
- 130 km
- Best season
- October–November, March–May
- Starts
- Lukla
- Ends
- Lukla
Overview
From the airstrip at Lukla the trail climbs through Sherpa villages, pine and rhododendron forest and the high yak pastures of the Khumbu to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m. The viewpoint of Kala Patthar the following morning gives the close-up of Everest that base camp itself cannot.
It is a lodge trek, not a climb, but it is long and high. The standard fourteen-day itinerary includes two acclimatisation days, at Namche and Dingboche, and should not be shortened.
- Namche Bazaar
- Tengboche Monastery
- Ama Dablam views
- Everest Base Camp
- Sunrise from Kala Patthar
Plan this trek
Day-by-day itinerary
Sleeping altitude goes from 2,610 m on day 1 to a high of 5,164 m on day 8, ending at 2,860 m on day 11. Days 3 and 6 sleep at the same altitude as the night before (acclimatisation).
- 1
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, trek to Phakding
A short first day descending gently along the Dudh Kosi.
Sleep at 2,610 m
- 2
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, then the long climb to Namche with a first glimpse of Everest.
Sleep at 3,440 m
- 3
Acclimatisation day in Namche
Day hike to the Everest View Hotel or Khumjung; sleep back in Namche.
Sleep at 3,440 m
- 4
Namche to Tengboche
Contour high above the river, drop to Phunki Tenga and climb to the monastery.
Sleep at 3,860 m
- 5
Tengboche to Dingboche
Through Pangboche and into the Imja valley beneath Ama Dablam.
Sleep at 4,410 m
- 6
Acclimatisation day in Dingboche
Hike towards Nangkartshang peak for views of Makalu and Lhotse.
Sleep at 4,410 m
- 7
Dingboche to Lobuche
Past the Thukla memorials to the Khumbu glacier moraine.
Sleep at 4,940 m
- 8
Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp
Reach Gorak Shep by midday, continue to base camp and return.
Sleep at 5,164 m
- 9
Kala Patthar, descend to Pheriche
Pre-dawn climb to 5,545 m for sunrise on Everest, then a long descent.
Sleep at 4,371 m
- 10
Pheriche to Namche
Retrace through Tengboche.
Sleep at 3,440 m
- 11
Namche to Lukla
Final long day to the airstrip.
Sleep at 2,860 m
- 12
Fly to Kathmandu
Morning flight, weather permitting.
- 13
Buffer day
Reserved for Lukla flight delays.
- 14
Buffer day
Reserved for Lukla flight delays.
Permits
Permit rules and fees change. We link the official source for each and show when it was last checked.
Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (mid-2026), bought in Kathmandu or at Monjo.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
Local entry fee paid in Lukla or Monjo; the municipality adjusts it periodically, so confirm the current amount.
Safety and altitude
Altitude sickness is the main risk on any trek above 2,500 m. Ascend slowly, sleep no more than 300–500 m higher each night above 3,000 m, drink plenty, and descend immediately if symptoms worsen. Headache, nausea and loss of appetite are early warnings; confusion or breathlessness at rest are emergencies.
Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to your maximum altitude and helicopter evacuation. Weather can close trails and airports for days; keep buffer days and cash.
Packing list
Essentials are marked; the rest is optional.
- Broken-in trekking boots (essential)
- Four-season sleeping bag (lodge blankets are limited) (essential)
- Down jacket (essential)
- Waterproof shell (essential)
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen (essential)
- Water purification tablets or filter (essential)
- Head torch (essential)
- Basic first-aid kit incl. blister care (essential)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Power bank (optional)
Frequently asked questions
From travellers
Travellers who trekked Everest Base Camp Trek
First-hand accounts from people who walked it recently. Read one, then plan a trip like it.
Travel storyDemo storyTraveller story · Hannah Weber · 6 May 2026
Two weeks to Everest Base Camp, one slow step at a time
Flying into Lukla, two rest days to acclimatise and a pre-dawn climb of Kala Patthar: what 14 days on the Everest Base Camp trail felt like for a first-time trekker travelling solo.
- Visited
- April 2026
- Places
- Everest Region
More treks
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Solukhumbu (Khumbu)
Gokyo Lakes Trek
Turquoise glacial lakes and the finest Everest panorama in the Khumbu from Gokyo Ri.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Max altitude
- 5,357 m
