The Everest Base Camp trek is a 12 to 16 day round trip in Nepal's Khumbu region, walking about 122 km from Lukla (2,860 m) to base camp (5,364 m) and the Kala Patthar viewpoint (5,545 m). Go in March to May or late September to November, allow two acclimatisation days, and budget for two local permits (NPR 6,000 in total), a return Lukla flight and teahouse costs. It is a hard trek with no technical climbing.
- Length12 to 16 days, ours is 14
- DistanceAbout 122 km, Lukla to Lukla
- Highest pointsBase camp 5,364 m, Kala Patthar 5,545 m
- Best monthsMar to May, late Sep to Nov
- PermitsKhumbu fee and Sagarmatha NP, NPR 6,000
- GuideOptional, rule not enforced in the Khumbu
- Swotah trip14 days, from USD 1,620
Everest base camp falls under one of the most popular treks in Nepal. Gateway to the highest mountain in the world, Everest base camp trek is the most sought-after trekking destination in the world. The trail gives close views of Mount Everest and of neighbouring peaks such as Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Makalu.
The trek is very diverse, with landscapes that run from pine and rhododendron forest to glacier moraine below the highest massifs on Earth. Passing through Sherpa villages, the trek's difficulty depends upon the number of days and the route. It usually takes 2 weeks to complete the journey; thus, anyone physically fit can complete the trek to Everest base camp.
Altitude is often a problem on this trek. The trail route elevates up to 5,364m, and the risks of altitude sickness are very high if the length of the trek is inadequate without ample time for acclimatization.
This guide covers how to plan the trek yourself: when to go, how long to take, permits, the Lukla flight, difficulty, training, costs and gear. Each section links to a detailed article if you want to go deeper.
Plan Your Everest Base Camp Trek in 7 Steps
- Pick your season. Spring and autumn give the clearest skies and most reliable flights. See the best time for the EBC trek.
- Choose how many days. 14 days from Kathmandu is the standard, with rest days at Namche and Dingboche. The EBC trek map shows every stop.
- Decide on a guide. Guides are optional in the Everest region, unlike most of Nepal. Read solo trekking to EBC in 2026.
- Sort your permits. The Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu municipality trek card, with no TIMS card.
- Book the Lukla flight. In peak season it leaves from Manthali in Ramechhap, 4 to 5 hours' drive from Kathmandu.
- Buy insurance. It must cover trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter evacuation. See insurance for the EBC trek.
- Train for 8 to 12 weeks. Long walks with a daypack, stairs and hills. Our 12-week EBC training plan sets it out week by week.
Everest Base Camp Trek Map
Weather
Everest Base Camp is in the mountainous part of Nepal. The trail climbs from 2,860 m at Lukla to 5,545 m at Kala Patthar, so the weather changes a lot from one end to the other. The higher the elevation, the more unpredictable the weather gets. Thus, it's wise to start preparing according to elevation.
Best Time To Travel To EBC
Everest has four seasons- summer, spring, autumn, and winter.
Summer
June, July, and August mark the start of summer in EBC. The trek's highest point's lowest temperature in the summer is almost exactly zero degrees. This temperature is nice, given that you will be in the Base Camp of the world's tallest peak.
The EBC trek is less well-liked in the summer than it is in the autumn or spring since the rainy season in Nepal falls during the summer. However, if you want to plan your trip with monsoon in mind, make sure you have the right equipment. A summer trek in EBC might then be a pleasant experience.
Winter
December, January, and February are the months when winter occurs in EBC. During this season, it is common to experience a minimum amount of rainfall in the Everest region. Clear winter skies give some of the sharpest mountain photos of the year. However, due to heavy snowfall, some trekking routes are closed during this season.
Some places on the trek drop to a minimum of -20 degrees in the winter. Therefore, winter treks in the Everest region are less popular. But for people who wish to trek during the offseason in altitude, this is a great option.
Autumn
Autumn in Everest Base Camp occurs in September, October, and November. The Autumn journey to EBC is well-liked because of the temperate weather and very minimal probability of rain. The weather is comfortable at this time. Midday temperatures are comfortable for hiking, though nights above Dingboche still fall below freezing.
Spring
Right after the end of the winter in EBC, the spring season begins. This season falls in the month of March, April, and May. Sagarmatha National Park is full of rhododendron blooms and green forest below Tengboche, and the mountains, glaciers and villages look their most colourful, making it the perfect season for photography in EBC.
Altitude
The classic Everest Base Camp trek starts from Lukla, which is at an altitude of 2,860 meters. From Lukla, various overnight stops will be made, and the trek will eventually be completed in around two weeks.
Mostly, the altitude of the places in the EBC trek is more than 3000 meters. More interestingly, there are various trekking options in the Everest region. So, trekking there might take more or less than 2 weeks, depending on the route.
The table lists the main stops on the classic route and the Gokyo side trip.
| Place | Altitude |
|---|---|
| Lukla | 2,860 m |
| Phakding | 2,610 m |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| Khumjung | 3,790 m |
| Tengboche | 3,867 m |
| Dingboche | 4,410 m |
| Lobuche | 4,940 m |
| Gorak Shep | 5,170 m |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m |
| Kala Patthar | 5,545 m |
| Gokyo (side route) | 4,790 m |
For oxygen levels and what each height feels like, see Everest Base Camp elevation.
Permits Required
While trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal you'll need the following permits:
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: NPR 3,000 (about USD 20) per person, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality trek card: NPR 3,000 (about USD 20) per person, NPR 2,000 for SAARC and Chinese nationals
The Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit can be purchased in Kathmandu at the Tourist Information Center or Monjo while on the trek.
The Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit is available from a counter at Lukla or Monjo.
Don’t forget to get a receipt. The Everest region does not use the TIMS card, and fees are paid in Nepali rupees.
Level of Difficulty
Every trekker's major concern about Everest Base Camp is whether the trek is doable. The difficulty of the EBC trek is determined by several factors, such as altitude, trekking hours, and the season.
Longer Everest trekking routes in Nepal can take up to a month to complete, while shorter trekking routes can be completed in a week. Trekking in the mountains for a month is quite strenuous. But, to lessen your worries, Everest Base Camp trek is only two weeks long. This makes it moderately difficult in terms of the number of trekking days.
While on the EBC trek, regular trekking is of around 5-6 hours a day. Breakfast will be served in a teahouse/ lodge in the morning and you set out for trekking and trek for around 3 hours before lunch. After lunch and taking some rest, the trek continues for around 3 hours before reaching the overnight stop.
Altitude is another factor contributing to the difficulty of the trek. There are various ways in which you can prepare for altitude sickness. Remember to go slowly in your treks and spend adequate time to acclimatize to the altitude.
Taking all of that together, EBC is a hard trek with no technical climbing. The trail itself is a footpath. The altitude is what makes it hard.
Train Your Body For The Everest Trek
You do not have to be a hardcore athlete to be able to trek to EBC. But you have to be fit enough to enjoy the long walks and wake up without a sore body. Some of the ways you can train your body are:
- Start exercising 8 to 12 weeks before the trek.
- Do Cardio exercises like running, walking, swimming or cycling.
- Carry a backpack while doing cardio exercises.
- Strengthen your muscles by doing squats, pull-ups, deadlifts, etc.
- Avoid over-exercising. The aim is to increase physical stamina and lung capacity.
The EBC training plan turns this into a week-by-week schedule.
Food and Accommodation
Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp trek is quite varied, with a mix of traditional tea houses, more modern guesthouses, and commercial hotels. The general scenario is that the higher up you go, the lower the standard of accommodation. There is still one golden rule, though. All the accommodations require that you eat all your meals there if you stay there, too.
Teahouses are generally owned by local families, but things have been getting more commercial recently. They own anything between 3 and 15 rooms. The rooms are basic, with thin plywood walls. Some have private bathrooms, while nearly all have shared bathrooms. Some will have squat toilets, while others are Western. They have a large communal dining area. Costs for a teahouse room are around $5-10, rising with altitude.
Charging: If you have a private room with a bathroom, you'll probably be able to charge your electronics for no extra charge. However, for shared bathrooms, your room will only have a light switch and nothing more. You have to charge your electronics in a common room. The cost of charging a battery ranges from $3-6.
For what to order, see 10 Sherpa foods to try on the trek.
Essential Gears
You will need several types of equipment for the trek. The list below is generous, and you may include or avoid items according to your needs.
The trekking gear you must have:
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
- Down vest and/or jacket (optional)
- Fleece or wool trousers/pants
- Trekking/Hiking boots with spare laces
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Footwear for around camp, for example, running shoes and/or sandals
- Gaiters (optional)
You will also need the following during the trek.
- Thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Windcheater jacket (optional)
- Waterproof shell jacket
- Thermal gloves
- Underwear
- Shorts
- Cotton trousers/pants
- Thermal bottoms
- Sun hat or scarf or Hat
- T-shirts
- Socks
- UV protected sunglasses
- Sleeping bag rated to at least -15°C (Swotah lends one rated to -20°C on its treks)
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Small padlock to lock trek bag
- Plastic bags
- Daypack (35-40 litres/2500-3000 cubic inches)
- Water bottles
- Small wash towel
- Footwear
- Waterproof shell trousers/pants (preferably breathable fabric)
- Toiletries
- Basic first aid kit
Everest Base Camp Cost
There are various kinds of expenses while trekking in Everest Base Camp. The cost of EBC trek includes the cost of flights, accommodation, food, gear, travel permits, insurance, a guide, and other miscellaneous costs.
A one-way flight to Lukla costs about USD 180 to 220. If you wish to reach EBC through Jiri, then you won’t have to take a flight, which will reduce the cost of the flight. The price of a flight from Lukla to Kathmandu is also similar.
The price of accommodation in the EBC trek depends on the comfort and facilities provided. There are tea houses along the trekking trails, which are quite cheap. On the other hand, right next to tea houses, there are luxurious hotels. So, if you book the Everest Base Camp luxury trekking package, your cost will be higher.
In addition, you should expect to pay higher charges for accommodation as you go to higher altitudes.
Guides are optional in the Everest region, but most trekkers hire one, and porters make the trek far easier. Expect to pay USD 20 to 40 a day each. Additional miscellaneous expenses may occur while charging your electronic gadgets and tipping porters/ guides/ waiters.
Know before you fly: during the peak trekking seasons (roughly March 15 to May 15 and late September to the end of November), Lukla flights operate from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, a 4-to-5-hour drive southeast of Kathmandu with hotel pickups around 1 to 2 am, not from Kathmandu itself. Outside those windows they fly from Kathmandu's domestic terminal as normal. Build the transfer into your itinerary, or ask about helicopter options; our airport guide has the details. For every fee on the route, see the trekking permits guide, and for full budgeting, how much the EBC trek costs.
How the Route Breaks Down
Every Everest Base Camp itinerary follows the same five stages. What changes between a short and a long trip is how many nights you spend in each.
- Kathmandu to Phakding. Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) and walk 3 to 4 hours downhill to Phakding (2,610 m).
- Up to Namche Bazaar. One hard day climbing to 3,440 m, then a rest day with a hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m).
- Tengboche and Dingboche. Two days to Dingboche (4,410 m) via Tengboche Monastery, then a second rest day with a hike up Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m).
- Lobuche, Gorak Shep and base camp. Two days to Gorak Shep (5,170 m), walking on to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) in the afternoon, and Kala Patthar (5,545 m) at sunrise the next morning.
- The descent. Three days down through Pheriche and Namche to Lukla, then the flight out.
How Many Days Does the Everest Base Camp Trek Take?
| Trip length | What it includes | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days | Walk up, helicopter back from Gorak Shep | Short on time, happy to pay for the flight |
| 12 days | Lukla to Lukla with two rest days, no Kathmandu buffer | Fit trekkers with flexible flights home |
| 14 days | Two days in Kathmandu, 11 on the trail, one flying out | Most first-timers |
| 18 days | Adds the Gokyo Lakes and the Cho La pass | Trekkers who want quieter trails and more views |
Shorter trips cut acclimatisation, which is where most people get into trouble. If you can, keep both rest days and one spare day in Kathmandu for Lukla flight delays. To see a full day-by-day schedule with dates and prices, look at Swotah's 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek FAQs
How many days do you need for Everest Base Camp?
Fourteen days from Kathmandu is the standard, with 11 or 12 of them on the trail. Twelve days is possible without a Kathmandu buffer, and the helicopter-return version takes 10.
How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?
Hard but not technical. You walk 5 to 7 hours most days and sleep above 4,000 m for a week. Anyone who trains for two or three months and respects the rest days has a good chance of reaching base camp.
How much does it cost to trek to Everest Base Camp?
Independent trekkers spend roughly USD 1,100 to 1,400 in total, including return Lukla flights and permits. Guided packages from Nepal agencies run about USD 1,200 to 1,800 including flights, permits, guide, porter and meals. Our EBC cost breakdown lists every item.
Do you need a guide for Everest Base Camp?
No. The Everest region is exempt from Nepal's 2023 guide rule, so you can trek alone with the two local permits. Most first-timers still take a guide for the altitude decisions.
When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?
March to May and late September to November. October has the clearest skies, while April and May bring rhododendrons and climbing expeditions at base camp.
