Everest Base Camp Trek Map

If you're planning the trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC), understanding the terrain, routes, and elevation makes the whole trip easier to plan. The maps below show the main trails and landmarks of the Khumbu Valley inside Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, and the sections after them explain the route, the overnight stops and the altitude at each one.

• Start and finishLukla, 2,860 m
• DistanceAbout 62 km each way, 122 km total
• Everest Base Camp5,364 m (17,598 ft)
• Highest pointKala Patthar, 5,545 m
• Highest nightGorak Shep, 5,170 m
• Rest daysNamche Bazaar and Dingboche
• Days on the trail11 to 12 of a 14-day trip
• Protected areaSagarmatha National Park, UNESCO since 1979

Reading the Everest Base Camp Map

1. The Classic Everest Base Camp Route

The most popular trekking route is the solid dark-blue line on the map. This route starts from Lukla (2,860 meters), the gateway to the Khumbu region, and leads trekkers all the way to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters. The route covers several key villages, all of which are marked with orange dots, showing important stops for acclimatization, rest, and cultural exploration.

• Starting Point: Lukla (2,860 meters)
• Key Villages:
  • Phakding (2,610 meters)
  • Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters) – a crucial acclimatization stop and the largest town in the region.
  • Tengboche (3,867 meters) – famous for its monastery and stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
  • Dingboche (4,410 meters) – another vital acclimatization spot before heading to higher altitudes.
  • Lobuche (4,940 meters) – the last village before the final trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp.
  • Gorak Shep (5,170 meters) – the last settlement before reaching the Everest Base Camp.

The trek follows a gradual ascent to allow trekkers to acclimatize, and the numbered orange circles show where each night is spent, so you can see where the two rest days fall.

2. High Peaks and Scenic Highlights

The Everest Base Camp trek offers spectacular views of some of the highest and most famous peaks in the world, many of which are marked on the map with blue triangles. Some of the notable peaks visible from the trek are:

• Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) (8,848.86 meters) – the world’s highest mountain, towering over the region.
• Lhotse (8,516 meters) – the fourth-highest peak in the world, located just south of Everest.
• Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) – considered one of the most beautiful mountains, its sharp spire fills the view for much of the trek.
• Thamserku (6,623 meters) – a big ice peak visible early in the trek from Namche Bazaar.

The trek also passes several glaciers, including the Khumbu Glacier, whose rubble-covered moraine trekkers follow to Gorak Shep and the Base Camp.

3. Alternative Route: Gokyo Lakes and Cho La Pass

For trekkers looking for an alternative or extended adventure, the map also highlights the Gokyo Lakes Route. This route leaves the main EBC trail at Sanasa, above Namche, and climbs over Mong La to Phortse Tenga, taking you towards the Gokyo Lakes and across the Cho La Pass (5,420 meters), eventually reconnecting with the main route at Lobuche.

• Gokyo Lakes (4,790 meters) – a chain of turquoise high-altitude lakes offering a peaceful, less-trodden experience compared to the crowded EBC route.
• Gokyo Ri (5,357 meters) – a peak offering panoramic views of Mount Everest and the surrounding giants, often considered one of the best viewpoints in the region.
• Cho La Pass (5,420 meters) – a steep, glaciated pass connecting the Gokyo and EBC routes. It needs no ropes, but microspikes help after fresh snow.

This route is more difficult due to the crossing of Cho La Pass, but it offers unparalleled scenery, including lakes, glaciers, and some of the best views of Mount Everest.

4. The Three Passes Trek

For the most adventurous trekkers, the map also outlines the Three Passes Trek, which includes three challenging high-altitude passes:

• Kongma La Pass (5,535 meters) – connects Chukhung to Lobuche, one of the highest passes on this trek.
• Cho La Pass (5,420 meters) – links the Gokyo Valley to Lobuche.
• Renjo La Pass (5,360 meters) – leads from Gokyo to Thame, offering incredible views of Everest, Lhotse, and other towering peaks.

This trek takes trekkers through some of the most remote and less-traveled areas of the Khumbu Valley, offering a more isolated and challenging experience. It combines the highlights of the Everest Base Camp trek with the Gokyo Lakes and more strenuous high passes.

5. Key Acclimatization Points

Altitude is a significant challenge on the Everest Base Camp trek, and the map marks several key acclimatization stops. The numbered stops on the map show where most itineraries rest and acclimatize:

• Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters) – Trekkers often spend an extra day here to adjust to the altitude before continuing to higher elevations.
• Dingboche (4,410 meters) – Another popular acclimatization stop, providing a chance to rest and prepare for the push to Lobuche and Gorak Shep.

Acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness, and trekkers are encouraged to take their time and follow the map’s recommended stops to ensure a safe journey.

6. Passes and Glaciers

The map highlights several key passes and glaciers along the route. The most notable is the Khumbu Glacier, which trekkers walk beside on the way to Gorak Shep and cross only at the Base Camp itself. This glacier is one of the largest in the region and makes a stark contrast to the surrounding rocky terrain.

Other notable glaciers include the Ngozumpa Glacier, seen on the Gokyo Lakes trek, the longest glacier in Nepal, and the Imja Glacier near Island Peak.

7. Reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar

The final goal for most trekkers is reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters), which is clearly marked on the map. This is the starting point for climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest. However, trekkers seeking the best views of Everest often make an additional ascent to Kala Patthar (5,545 meters), a viewpoint marked just above Gorak Shep on the map. From here, you get an unrivalled view of Everest and the surrounding peaks, especially during sunrise.

Everest Base Camp Trek Map (Google Map Route)

Useful Links:
Natgeo Everest Map Online

Everest Base Camp Google Street View

OpenStreetMap of the Khumbu (free, with the trails drawn in)

Standard 14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek Map

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek takes 12 to 18 days depending on rest days and side trips. The 14-day itinerary shown on the map below is the most common choice: two days in Kathmandu, eleven on the trail with rest days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, and a final day flying out.

The 14-day Everest Base Camp trek follows a well-marked path that begins in Lukla and takes you through the heart of the Khumbu region. The map is divided into key sections, starting with your arrival in Kathmandu and progressing through scenic villages, high passes, and stunning mountain landscapes, all the way to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters / 17,598 ft) and Kala Patthar (5,545 meters / 18,192 ft).

On this map the main trekking route is the solid dark line, which is the standard trail trekkers follow, and the curved line from Kathmandu is the flight to and from Lukla. Dashed lines are side routes.

Key Stops and Elevation Points on the Map

The map provides a clear visual of the entire trek, with key stops highlighted along the way. Here’s a breakdown of the major locations and elevation gains that you’ll encounter on the Everest Base Camp trek:

Day 1-3: Kathmandu to Lukla and Phakding

• Kathmandu (1,400 meters): Your journey begins here. From the capital city, you’ll take a scenic flight to Lukla.
• Lukla (2,860 meters): The trek officially begins in Lukla, as shown on the map, where trekkers take their first steps toward Everest Base Camp.
• Phakding (2,610 meters): A short trek from Lukla leads to Phakding, your first overnight stop.

Day 4-5: Namche Bazaar and Acclimatization

• Namche Bazaar (3,440 meters): Highlighted on the map, Namche is the bustling hub of the Khumbu region. Trekkers spend an extra day here to acclimatize, with options for short hikes to nearby viewpoints and villages like Khumjung.

Day 6: Tengboche

• Tengboche (3,867 meters): This day’s journey takes you through pine and rhododendron forests to the spiritual heart of the trek, Tengboche Monastery, marked on the map. The views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Lhotse from here are magnificent.

Day 7-8: Dingboche and Acclimatization

• Dingboche (4,410 meters): As you follow the blue trail on the map, you’ll arrive at Dingboche, a village surrounded by beautiful mountain views. Another acclimatization day is spent here, with a popular side hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m), also called Nagarjun Hill and marked as Nagkar Tshang on the map.

Day 9: Lobuche

• Lobuche (4,940 meters): The trek continues through alpine meadows and glacial moraines, taking you to Lobuche, where you’ll begin to feel the effects of the high altitude.

Day 10: Everest Base Camp

• Gorakshep (5,170 meters): The map highlights Gorakshep, the last village before reaching Everest Base Camp. This is where trekkers leave their gear before continuing to Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters), shown on the map near the edge of the Khumbu Glacier.

Day 11: Kala Patthar

• Kala Patthar (5,545 meters): The highest point on the trek, Kala Patthar offers some of the best views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. The map shows this as a major viewpoint. After the sunrise climb you walk down to Pheriche for the night.

Day 12-14: Descent via Namche Bazaar and Lukla

• The route back retraces your steps past Tengboche to Namche Bazaar on Day 12 and down to Lukla on Day 13. Day 14 is the flight back, landing at Manthali in Ramechhap during spring and autumn and at Kathmandu the rest of the year.

Elevation Points and Altitude Insights

The Everest Base Camp trek involves gradual altitude gain, with major rest days for acclimatization, especially in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Here's a breakdown of the key elevations:

• Lukla: 2,860 meters – Starting point with one of the world's most famous short runways.
• Phakding: 2,610 meters – A short day to ease into the trek.
• Namche Bazaar: 3,440 meters – A vital acclimatization stop.
• Tengboche: 3,867 meters – Famous for the Tengboche Monastery and great views of Ama Dablam.
• Dingboche: 4,410 meters – Another acclimatization stop surrounded by towering peaks.
• Lobuche: 4,940 meters – The last stop before the final push to base camp.
• Gorakshep: 5,170 meters – The highest village and the staging point for the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar summit.
• Everest Base Camp: 5,364 meters – The ultimate destination for trekkers.
• Kala Patthar: 5,545 meters – A popular viewpoint offering some of the best views of Mount Everest.

Overnight altitude, day by day

The bars below show where you sleep each night on the 14-day route, scaled against Kala Patthar (5,545 m). The two flat steps at Namche and Dingboche are the rest days. You climb above them on a day hike and come back down to sleep, which is how most people get to Gorak Shep without trouble.

Notice the jump between Day 9 and Day 10. Lobuche to Gorak Shep only adds 230 m of sleeping height, but the base camp walk the same afternoon takes you close to 5,400 m.

Offline Maps and Finding Your Way on the Trail

Phone signal fades above Namche Bazaar, so download your maps in Kathmandu. OsmAnd and Organic Maps (the open-source successor to Maps.me) both work offline and show the Everest Base Camp trail in detail, because they use OpenStreetMap data that trekkers keep updating. Gaia GPS is the pick if you want contour lines. Save the Khumbu region before you leave the hotel Wi-Fi. It's a few hundred megabytes.

On the ground the main trail is hard to lose. It's a stone-paved or well-worn path from Lukla to Lobuche, signposted at the junctions near Namche, Tengboche and Pheriche, with lodges every hour or two. The two places people go wrong are the fork above Pangboche, where the Dingboche and Pheriche paths split, and the moraine between Gorak Shep and base camp, where cairns replace the path. Snow makes both harder. A paper map is still worth carrying for the side valleys, and the guide on a Swotah trek carries one.

Everest Base Camp Map FAQs

Trek the Route on This Map