The Everest Base Camp Trek is a 12-day guided trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp (5,364m), priced from $1,039 to $1,379 per person. The trek passes through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche, following the Khumbu Glacier moraine toward Base Camp. It also includes a sunrise hike to Kala Patthar (5,644m). It is a non-technical trek — no ropes or ice axes — but the combination of distance and altitude makes gradual acclimatisation essential.
Days start early and end by mid-afternoon, teahouse to teahouse. Ama Dablam and the Nuptse-Lhotse wall fill more of the sky the higher the trail climbs. Yak trains still carry gear along the upper sections, and every ridgeline is strung with prayer flags. It’s a long walk more than a hard climb — the terrain is straightforward; the altitude is what tests you.
Acclimatisation isn’t optional here: two full nights each in Namche and Dingboche, never compressed. Read our acclimatisation guide or compare routes in our EBC vs Gokyo Lakes guide. First big trek? Start with our beginner’s guide.
We’re a Kathmandu-based local trekking company, not a call centre. Every guide is licensed, and we handle flights, permits, and teahouse bookings ourselves. Check our cost breakdown or message us on WhatsApp with your travel month.
| Trip Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Trip Name | Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal |
| Duration | 11 Nights / 12 Days |
| Maximum Altitude | 5,644m — Kala Patthar |
| Major Highlights | Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Kala Patthar (5,644m), Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Khumbu Glacier |
| Trek Difficulty | Moderate to Challenging — High Altitude Trek |
| Trek Start / End Point | Lukla |
| Best Season | Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) |
| Low Season | Winter — fewer trekkers, colder temperatures, exceptional clarity |
| Not Recommended | Monsoon Season (June–August) |
| Accommodation | Teahouse Lodges |
| Meals Included | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
| Trek Style | Guided High-Altitude Trekking |
| Region | Everest (Khumbu), Nepal |
Lukla → Phakding → Namche Bazaar → Tengboche → Debuche → Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorakshep → Everest Base Camp (5,364m) → Kala Patthar (5,644m) → Pheriche → Namche Bazaar → Lukla
The Everest Base Camp Trek takes you beyond the usual mountain viewpoint and into the heart of the Khumbu. The last three days before Base Camp run through a working mountain landscape — yak trains hauling supplies to expedition camps, Sherpa villages that still function as they have for generations, and the Khumbu Glacier itself grinding along beside the trail.
You’ll pass through Sagarmatha National Park, established in 1976 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and stop at Tengboche Monastery — the most atmospheric monastery in the Khumbu, set on a ridge with Ama Dablam rising on one side and Everest on the other. Namche Bazaar gives you two acclimatisation nights in a town that still runs a Saturday market the old way, plus expedition outfitters and bakeries that feel oddly out of place at 3,440 metres, in a good way.
Choosing between EBC and the quieter Gokyo Lakes route? EBC puts you at the foot of the mountain itself and on the Khumbu Glacier moraine; Gokyo trades that for turquoise lakes and a wider Everest panorama from Gokyo Ri. Want to go higher than Base Camp itself? Read our comparison of Lobuche Peak vs Island Peak — both trekking peaks build directly on the EBC route’s acclimatisation, so adding one on doesn’t mean starting over.
We won’t sugarcoat the physical side. The highest overnight is Gorakshep at 5,160 metres, the full route runs about 130 kilometres, and you’re walking 5 to 7 hours a day for much of it. Six to eight weeks of real uphill fitness work before you fly out is the minimum, not a suggestion. The trekkers who struggle least on this route usually aren’t the fittest people in the group — they’re the ones who trained specifically for hills and stairs, and who stick to the guide’s pace instead of racing ahead. Our full beginner’s preparation guide covers exactly what an 8-week plan should look like.
Peak Season (Spring: March–May | Autumn: September–November): Lukla flights operate from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap during these busiest months, not Kathmandu. Expect an early-morning 4–5-hour overland drive from Kathmandu to Ramechhap before the short flight to Lukla.
Off-Peak Season (Winter: December–February | Monsoon: June–August): Lukla flights generally operate directly between Kathmandu and Lukla in these months, subject to airline schedules and weather.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) runs this seasonal arrangement to reduce congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport during peak season. It applies to every airline flying scheduled Lukla routes, including Tara Air, Summit Air, and Sita Air. We include the Ramechhap transfer in every package for this reason.
Prefer to skip a flight leg entirely? A helicopter upgrade is available on request. A shared seat currently runs roughly $650–700 per person one way. Heli pricing moves with fuel costs and passenger numbers, so treat this as a current rate, not a locked-in figure. We can also arrange a return pickup from Gorakshep, Dingboche, or Namche instead of walking back to Lukla. See our full FAQ on Lukla flight alternatives for the breakdown.
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Altitude: 2,610m | Flight: 35 min | Trek: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Phakding
The flight into Lukla is short, with a steep runway set into the mountainside and peaks close on both sides. From Lukla, the trail drops through pine forest and small Sherpa villages along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. We keep today’s walk short on purpose. Your body has just gained a lot of height on the flight, and an easy afternoon helps it adjust.
Altitude: 3,440m | Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +830m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
This is the first real climb. The trail crosses the Dudh Koshi on several suspension bridges, including the high Hillary Bridge, and enters Sagarmatha National Park at Jorsale. It finishes with a long, steep climb to Namche. On a clear day, you get a first glimpse of Everest through a gap in the ridge below town. Namche is a horseshoe of teahouses, bakeries and gear shops on the hillside, and you spend two nights here.
Altitude: 3,440m overnight / 3,880m hike | Hike: 3–4 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
In the morning, we hike up to the Everest View Hotel ridge, then come back down to sleep in Namche. On a clear day, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku are all in view. This rest day is not padding. Climbing higher and sleeping lower is how your body adjusts before the next stage. In the afternoon, visit the national park visitor centre and do a gear check with your guide. On Saturdays, the weekly market is worth a look.
Altitude: 3,820m | Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +380m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Debuche
The trail climbs out of Namche through rhododendron and juniper forest to Tengboche, home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu. Ama Dablam rises on one side and Everest on the other. Try to arrive before noon, before the afternoon cloud builds. From Tengboche, the trail drops through forest to Debuche for the night.
Altitude: 4,410m | Trek: 5–6 hrs | Ascent: +590m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dingboche
Past Pangboche, the trees thin out and the land turns alpine. Dingboche sits in a wide valley, with Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Island Peak on the skyline. It is a big gain in sleeping height today, so walk slowly. Eat a full dinner, drink three to four litres of water and rest well, because tomorrow’s hike matters.
Altitude: 5,000m hike / 4,410m overnight | Hike: 4–5 hrs | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Dingboche
We climb Nagarjun Hill to around 5,000m, your first time at that height on the trek. On a clear day, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Makalu, Baruntse and Chamlang line the horizon. Then you come back down to sleep at 4,410m. Touching 5,000m and sleeping lower is one of the most useful things you can do to acclimatise before Lobuche.
Altitude: 4,940m | Trek: 4–5 hrs | Ascent: +530m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lobuche
The trail climbs to Thukla and past the memorial cairns, stone monuments to climbers and Sherpas who died on the peaks nearby. Beyond Thukla, the path follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche. You will feel the thinner air here. Headaches and a poor appetite are common, so tell your guide how you feel, keep drinking water and go to bed early.
Altitude: 5,164m overnight / 5,364m at Base Camp | Total: 6–7 hrs | Ascent: +224m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Gorak Shep
The trail follows the glacier moraine to Gorak Shep, the highest and coldest night of the trek. We leave the daypacks there and walk about two hours to Everest Base Camp. It is not a viewpoint but a working expedition camp, right below the Khumbu Icefall. In the spring climbing season, you may see the tents of Everest expeditions. Then we walk back to Gorak Shep for the night.
Altitude: 5,644m high point / 4,371m overnight | Total: 6–7 hrs | Descent: −793m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Pheriche
The alarm goes off around 4:30am. You climb Kala Patthar in the dark and cold, and the sun rises on Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Pumori. At 5,644m, this is the highest point of the trek, with a clearer view of Everest than from Base Camp. Afterwards, you descend all the way to Pheriche. Most trekkers feel their breathing and energy improve as they lose height.
Altitude: 3,440m | Trek: 6–7 hrs | Descent: −931m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Namche Bazaar
You walk back down past Tengboche and through the rhododendron forest to Namche. Breathing gets much easier below 4,000m, and energy comes back quickly. After the high days, Namche’s hot showers, bakeries and reliable power feel very welcome. Charge your devices, eat well, and use the evening to tip your guide and porter in cash.
Altitude: 2,860m | Trek: 5–6 hrs | Descent: −580m | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Stay: Teahouse, Lukla
The last walking day crosses the Hillary Bridge again and follows the lower Dudh Koshi valley back to Lukla. After ten days on the trail, the walk feels much easier. Confirm your morning flight time with your guide, check your bag is within the flight weight limit, and have an early night.
Altitude: 1,400m | Flight: 35 min | Meals: Breakfast
A short morning flight takes you back to Kathmandu, or to Ramechhap in peak season, followed by the drive to Kathmandu. That completes the trek.
Important: Keep two to three spare days in Kathmandu after this flight. Lukla flights depend on the weather, and delays are common. Never book an international flight for the same day or the day after your return from Lukla.
Each guide below covers one part of the trip in detail, so you can go straight to the question you have.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a 12-day guided trek from Lukla to the foot of Mount Everest, at 5,364m. The route passes Namche Bazaar, Tengboche and Dingboche, and includes a sunrise climb of Kala Patthar (5,644m). It is non-technical, with teahouse stays every night. Our package costs $1,039 to $1,379 per person, including Lukla flights and permits.
Moderate to challenging. There is no technical climbing, rope work or glacier crossing, only trekking on well-used trails. The hard part is the altitude: most of the route is above 3,400m, with one night above 5,000m at Gorak Shep. Six to eight weeks of uphill training before you fly makes a real difference. Full breakdown: Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty guide →
Yes. Return Lukla flights are included, plus the road transfer to Ramechhap when flights leave from there in peak season.
Two: the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit. Both are included in our package price. Your guide carries the permits and shows them at each checkpoint. You only need to bring your passport. Full details: Everest Base Camp Trek permits guide →
Our package costs $1,039 per person for groups of 8–12, up to $1,379 for a solo trekker. It covers Lukla flights, the Ramechhap transfer, permits, teahouses, meals and a licensed guide. With visa, insurance, gear, tips and trail extras, most trekkers spend $1,469 to $2,449 before international flights. Full breakdown: Everest Base Camp Trek cost guide →
October usually has the most settled weather and clearest views, once the monsoon has passed. April is the best spring month, with rhododendrons flowering on the lower trail. We don’t recommend June to August, when the monsoon brings cloud and slippery trails. Month-by-month detail: Best time for the Everest Base Camp Trek →
Kala Patthar, at 5,644m, which you climb before sunrise on Day 9. The highest night is Gorak Shep at 5,164m on Day 8, so bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C. Base Camp itself is at 5,364m. After Kala Patthar, Day 9 drops to Pheriche at 4,371m. Full altitude profile: Everest Base Camp elevation guide →
Not legally. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has not adopted Nepal’s April 2023 rule requiring guides. Trekking to Base Camp without one is allowed. Annapurna and Manaslu are different, because a guide is required there. We include a licensed English-speaking guide on every EBC trek, for altitude safety, permits and teahouse bookings.
The three most important items are broken-in trekking boots, a sleeping bag rated to -15°C and a down jacket. You can rent the sleeping bag and down jacket in Thamel, Kathmandu. Buy your boots at home and wear them in for several weeks first. No technical climbing gear is needed. Full checklist: Everest Base Camp packing list →
Keep to the acclimatisation plan, with two nights each at Namche and Dingboche. From Namche onwards, drink three to four litres of water a day and walk at a pace where you can still talk. Tell your guide about any headache as soon as it starts. If symptoms get worse, the answer is to go down. Full guide: Altitude sickness on the EBC Trek →
Yes. By the time you reach the peaks, the EBC route has already acclimatised you. Lobuche East (6,119m) starts near Lobuche, and Island Peak (6,189m) is reached through the Chhukung Valley from Dingboche. Ask us for a combined itinerary and how many days each adds. Our Lobuche Peak vs Island Peak guide compares the two.
Yes, we need proof of insurance before we confirm your booking. It must cover trekking to Kala Patthar at 5,644m and helicopter evacuation from the Khumbu. A policy capped at 5,000m or 5,500m will not cover you there, so most trekkers choose a 6,000m limit. Confirm the limit with your insurer in writing before you buy.
Yes, if you prepare properly. There are no technical sections, teahouses all along the way, and two rest days built in for acclimatisation. Fitness matters more than trekking experience, so train for six to eight weeks with long uphill walks. Full guide: Everest Base Camp Trek for beginners →
A helicopter. A shared seat currently costs roughly $650–700 per person one way, though the price moves with fuel costs and passenger numbers. For the return, we can arrange a pickup from Gorak Shep, Dingboche or Namche. In an emergency, a helicopter can fly a sick trekker straight to a Kathmandu hospital. Insurance only pays if your policy includes helicopter evacuation.
Yes. Every Everest Base Camp Trek booking includes a free return transfer between Tribhuvan International Airport and your Kathmandu hotel. We pick you up when you arrive and drop you off on your departure day. This applies whenever you book.
The drive follows the B.P. Highway from Kathmandu through Bhaktapur, Sanga and Dhulikhel, then on to Manthali in Ramechhap. It takes about four to five hours. The road has many bends, so we use experienced drivers, especially for the night-time transfer.
In the busy spring and autumn seasons, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal moves scheduled Lukla flights to Manthali Airport in Ramechhap. This reduces congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It applies to every airline flying to Lukla.
Yes. You can drive to Manthali the afternoon before your flight and stay the night there. That replaces the early-hours transfer from Kathmandu. Most trekkers choose the night transfer, because it gives them a full day in Kathmandu first.
Lukla flights depend on the weather. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, we rebook you on the next available flight. If seats are available, we can also arrange a helicopter at extra cost. This is why we ask you to keep two to three spare days in Kathmandu after the trek.
