Everest Region
Everest Base Camp Trek Guide
Nepal's most iconic high-altitude trek, linking Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Everest Base Camp, and Kala Patthar with careful acclimatization.
Region
Everest Region
Duration
12-16 days
Difficulty
Hard
Best season
Mar-May and Oct-Nov
Max altitude
5,545 m at Kala Patthar
Route overview
How the Everest Base Camp route usually flows.
The standard route begins with a weather-sensitive Lukla flight, then follows the Dudh Koshi valley toward Namche Bazaar.
Acclimatization days around Namche and Dingboche are essential, not optional sightseeing fillers.
Most itineraries visit Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep and climb Kala Patthar for the strongest Everest view.
Day-by-day itinerary
A practical starting itinerary.
Treat this as a planning frame, then adjust for weather, fitness, guide advice, and available lodges.
Day 1
2,610 m
Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Flight and lower Khumbu walk
Enter the Everest route with a short first walking day.
Day 2
3,440 m
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Dudh Koshi bridges and climb
A demanding climb into the main Sherpa hub.
Day 3
3,440 m
Acclimatization in Namche
Short hike and rest
Use the day for adaptation, views, and checking your body.
Day 4
3,860 m
Namche to Tengboche or Deboche
Ridge, river, monastery area
Reach the spiritual heart of the route beneath high peaks.
Day 5
4,410 m
Tengboche to Dingboche
Pangboche and Imja valley
Move into thinner air and colder nights.
Day 6
4,410 m
Acclimatization in Dingboche
Nangkartshang side hike
A key buffer before the high route.
Day 7
4,940 m
Dingboche to Lobuche
Memorial area and glacier valley
Altitude becomes the main challenge.
Day 8
5,364 m
Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp
Glacial terrain
Visit base camp if weather, energy, and symptoms allow.
Day 9
5,545 m
Kala Patthar and descend
Viewpoint and return trail
Start early for views, then descend to safer sleeping altitude.
Days 10-12
2,860 m
Return toward Lukla
Pheriche, Namche, Phakding, Lukla
Descend patiently and keep one flight buffer day.
Permit Information
Sagarmatha National Park permit
Required for the park area and checked along the route.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit
Local permit for the Khumbu area; rules and counters can change seasonally.
Cost Expectation
Budget guided style: USD 45-75 per day
Simple lodges, meals, guide support, and local trail costs.
Comfort guided style: USD 90-160 per day
Better logistics, porter support, arranged lodges, and private transfers where possible.
Flight and buffer costs: USD 250-500+
Lukla or Ramechhap flight logistics, weather delays, and extra nights can change the total.
Difficulty And Fitness
EBC needs strong multi-day hiking fitness and mental patience at altitude. The hardest part is often recovery, sleep, cold, and slow movement above 4,000 m.
Best Time To Go
October-November brings stable visibility and crowds. March-May is warmer with expedition-season energy. Winter is colder and quieter; monsoon is rarely ideal for the classic route.
Transport Access
Most trekkers fly from Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla depending on season and airport operations. Always keep buffer days for weather delays.
Travel utility checklist
Everest Base Camp trekking essentials
Use this as the reusable trek checklist for permits, transport, cost ranges, altitude, emergency planning, and official references.
Last verified: 2026-07-09
Permit Information
Sagarmatha National Park permit
Required for the park area and checked along the route.
Confirm current requirements with official sources or a licensed trekking agency before departure.
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit
Local permit for the Khumbu area; rules and counters can change seasonally.
Confirm current requirements with official sources or a licensed trekking agency before departure.
Transport Options
Access
Most trekkers fly from Kathmandu or Ramechhap to Lukla depending on season and airport operations. Always keep buffer days for weather delays.
Estimated Costs
Budget guided style
USD 45-75 per day
Simple lodges, meals, guide support, and local trail costs.
Comfort guided style
USD 90-160 per day
Better logistics, porter support, arranged lodges, and private transfers where possible.
Flight and buffer costs
USD 250-500+
Lukla or Ramechhap flight logistics, weather delays, and extra nights can change the total.
Emergency, Hospital And Altitude
Max altitude
5,545 m at Kala Patthar
Fitness
EBC needs strong multi-day hiking fitness and mental patience at altitude. The hardest part is often recovery, sleep, cold, and slow movement above 4,000 m.
Hospital information
Identify the nearest health post, HRA aid post, or evacuation plan before starting high-altitude sections
ATM, Internet And SIM
Cash planning
Carry enough cash after leaving the gateway town; ATM reliability is not guaranteed on trail
Internet and SIM
Expect mobile data and lodge Wi-Fi to vary by valley, altitude, weather, and power availability
Weather And Seasonal Notes
Best season
Mar-May and Oct-Nov
Best time detail
October-November brings stable visibility and crowds. March-May is warmer with expedition-season energy. Winter is colder and quieter; monsoon is rarely ideal for the classic route.
Packing Tips
Core trek packing
Warm layers, rain shell, broken-in boots, sun protection, water treatment, headlamp, power bank, and offline permit copies
Safety notes
Acclimatization days are essential; do not compress the route to save time. Travel insurance should cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation. Lukla flights are weather-sensitive; do not schedule international departures too tightly. Cold, dehydration, and poor sleep can amplify altitude risk.
Nearby Places
Everest Region
Main regional guide for Khumbu route planning.
Lukla
Flight gateway and start or end point for most EBC itineraries.
Namche
Sherpa hub and important acclimatization stop.
Tengboche
Monastery village and major stop after Namche.
Kala Patthar
High viewpoint often paired with the Everest Base Camp day.
Travel warnings and verification notes
- Permit, guide, and route rules can change; confirm before paying for a fixed plan.
- Altitude illness can become serious. Do not ascend if symptoms worsen.
Official government and tourism references
Discover Nepal Hub explains the planning context and links out to official sources. It does not replace government or permit services.
Safety notes
Build safety into the plan before the trail starts.
Acclimatization days are essential; do not compress the route to save time.
Travel insurance should cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation.
Lukla flights are weather-sensitive; do not schedule international departures too tightly.
Cold, dehydration, and poor sleep can amplify altitude risk.
Related places
Destination pages connected to this trek.
Place guide
Everest Region
Main regional guide for Khumbu route planning.
Place guide
Lukla
Flight gateway and start or end point for most EBC itineraries.
Place guide
Namche
Sherpa hub and important acclimatization stop.
Place guide
Tengboche
Monastery village and major stop after Namche.
Place guide
Kala Patthar
High viewpoint often paired with the Everest Base Camp day.
Route planner
Connect Everest Base Camp with the rest of your Nepal route.
Use the planner to compare arrival bases, recovery days, and nearby destination pages before fixing your schedule.