Everest Base Camp Trek: Get the Details

The Mount Everest Base Camp trek (EBC) is a dream destination for many people, as it leads directly to the base of the highest mountain in the world. Hikers cross the Sagarmatha National Park and get an in-depth look into the local culture and traditions. Starting in forested areas, the trek climbs higher and higher and finally crosses glaciers and rubble. In springtime, people in the basecamp are getting ready to climb Mount Everest. On the way, visitors can see some of the highest mountains in the world, ancient monasteries, and stunning nature.

We’re sure nothing beats standing atop Mount Everest’s peak with aching limbs, a beating heart, and an exhausted mind (the inner battle unravelling as you climb must be insane).
However, there are only so many people that are able to complete this intensive, physically demanding adventure, which is where the Everest Base Camp Trek comes into play.

While still physically demanding, a more extensive range of explorers can complete this popular route that climbs through the stark, whimsical Himalayan beauty replete with Sherpa culture, monasteries, Khumbu Glacier, and so much more. Want to know more? Read on for all the details on the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Table of contents

General Information for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Route Overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
Best ways to prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek Accommodations
Food and Drink along the Everest Base Camp Trek
Health on the Everest Base Camp Trek
Guided tours along the Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek Sample Itinerary
Trekking in Nepal Articles

General Information for the Everest Base Camp Trek

Before you decide whether you want to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek or not, have a quick glimpse at some of the more nitty gritty details. But beware: you’ll see how accessible it is and probably add it to your bucket list!

Start and End of the Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp Trek begins and ends in Lukla. You’ll have to fly to and from Kathmandu to reach the starting point of the Everest Base Camp Trek, so factor this in mind when plotting your budget. The rickety, adrenaline-inducing landing will elevate your heart rate, so if you’re not a fan of flying, there’s also the option to take a jeep from Kathmandu to Salleri and then take a two-day trek to Lukla. Unfortunately, it’s also common for the airline to cancel flights between Lukla and Kathmandu, leaving frustrated and annoyed hikers in both places.

Getting to the Everest Base Camp Trek

To get to Nepal, you have to fly into the only international airport in Kathmandu. From there, you take a domestic early morning flight to Lukla, where you will start the hike. We strongly recommend spending a couple of days in Kathmandu before you leave for your trek to acclimatize and get over jet lag. Kathmandu has many interesting cultural sites to offer that can be visited.

If you don’t want to fly into Lukla, you can also take a bus to Jiri and walk from there. This would add an additional five to six days to the trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance and Days

The Everest Base Camp Trek keeps you on the trail for 74.6mi, but don’t let this number scare you! You’ll make up a decent amount of ground each day, so if you’re thinking: I’m going to be on this trail forever—you won’t. It will be challenging, but it often takes a minimum of 12 days to complete. Not bad for getting to the foot of the highest mountain in the world and back, right?

Everest Base Camp Trek Elevation

Not only will you gain elevation each day, but Lukla already sits at 8530ft above sea level! Therefore, it can take a bit to acclimatize as you climb further into the Himalayas. For example, along the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, you’ll gain 1312ft–2625ft of elevation each day. Time to acclimatize will usually precede days with a higher elevation gain—trekkers typically spend day four adjusting to the elevation in Namche Bazaar, followed by day seven in Dingboche.

When to Trek to Everest Base Camp

Like most treks in Nepal, the best time to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek is on the cusp of monsoon season: from March to May and September to November. The land isn’t drenched in rain from December to February, but the air turns brisk, sometimes dropping to a shivering -30C when night falls.

Route Overview of the Everest Base Camp Trek

Starting in Lukla, the trek gains a total of 8268ft in elevation. The trail is well marked and maintained, even though trekkers have to share it with long lines of mules and yaks that ferry goods up the mountain. The first day, the path leads through forested areas and along a river for a while. The first steep climb is the ascent towards Namche Bazaar on the second day. The old trading center also presents itself as the perfect stop for the first rest day to help acclimatization.

After exploring the area, hikers continue towards Tengboche with its famous monastery, before continuing on to Dingboche. In Dingboche, you should take another day of rest to acclimatize and climb the hill that overlooks the village. From here you can also get amazing views of the Ama Dablam and the Chola Pass.

After Dingboche is where things get serious! After a long day with a very hard climb, you will reach Lobuche. Upon reaching the pass, you will walk by many memorials for people that died on the attempt to climb Mount Everest – a solemn reminder of the dangers of this mountain. From Lobuche, you make the final push towards Gorak Shep. Depending on the time you arrive there, you can either continue towards base camp in the afternoon or climb the Kala Patthar with an elevation of 18045ft. From here, you have the perfect view of Mount Everest. When you stand in the base camp itself, the mountain actually hides behind the Lhotse face. When the weather allows it, the sunset from Kala Patthar is stunning.

After a cold night in Gorak Shep, the next morning you can either try to catch the sunrise on Kala Patthar or go to the base camp – depending on what you did the previous day. After reaching base camp it’s downhill again. Going down the trail is much faster than up, but you should still watch your step as the terrain can be quite demanding.

Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights

It’s 100 percent surreal to stand at the foot of the highest mountain in the world, but that’s not the only notable highlight along the Everest Base Camp Trek. Some cultural and natural marvels worth nothing include:

• Catch a glimpse of Sherpa culture
• Discover monasteries and a school in Khumjung village
• Drop your jaw at enchanting views of the Khumbu Glacier
• Spend some time in Namche Bazar; a vibrant, warm town layered on a terraced slope

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

The Everest Base Camp Trek is ranked as moderate to challenging, primarily due to the elevation gains. Suppose you plan for this trek to be your first backcountry meander ever. In that case, we suggest going on some local excursions at home first or trying another one in Nepal. Two worth considering are the Annapurna Base Camp Trek or even the Langtang Trek, which can help you better acclimatize before tackling the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, most trekkers can try out the Everest Base Camp Trek; just be prepared for challenging days.

Best ways to prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek

One of the best ways to prepare for trekking in Nepal and the Everest Base Camp Trek is to research what you need to pack. And no, we aren’t talking about the standard merino wool socks, hiking boots, good-quality backpack, moisture-wicking clothes, warmer layers, but the things you might not think about. Some must-pack items are:

• Diamox to help prevent altitude sickness (AMS), which may cause some side effects, such as tingling in extremities or an increased need to urinate (it’s a diuretic).
• A steripen, water tablets, or LifeStraw water bottle to sterilize and filter water—a LifeStraw water bottle benefits both the environment as it eliminates your need for plastic bottles and allows you to utilize the water along the trail.
• Sleeping bag or liner for the teahouses as they might not clean the sheets every night
• A lightweight towel just in case the accommodation en route does not provide them

Your passport will also need to have at least six months of validity after your Nepal trip. So do yourself a favour, pause this article, and check your passport now! Thankfully, you can obtain a visa on arrival (be sure to brush up on this information before you go, just in case things change).

When you arrive in Nepal, you can head to the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu to get your permits. The government requires trekkers to obtain a TIMS permit before trekking, but rumour has it that you don’t need one. Although, it’s probably a good idea to confirm this when retrieving your permits for the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural area, Sagarmatha National Park and Gaurishankar Conservation area. Some may also need a permit for the Gaurishankar Conservation area if hiking from Jiri to Everest Base Camp. You’ll need passport photos to apply for the permits. Most hikes require at least four, so we suggest coming with that or more.

You’ll also need to get travel insurance! When speaking to your provider, make sure that it covers high-altitude adventures. And don’t even think about not getting it.

Food and Drink along the Everest Base Camp Trek

Let’s talk about the menu!

First things first: Expect to pay around 25 USD for three meals. Okay, onto the fun part: the food.

Enjoy quintessential, filling breakfasts along your trek, such as pancakes, oatmeal, omelettes, toast, french toast, and chapati. Lunch and dinner typically follow a similar menu: rice with curry, burgers and fries (it might be best to avoid meat along the trek; it might taste different than what you’re used to, but give it a go, of course), the bottomless dahl, pizza, spring rolls, Sherpa stew, and more.

You can also buy apples, chocolate bars, and pastries for snacks. It can be a long day of trekking between breakfast and lunch, so snacks are always a good call.

For drinks, you can always order Masala tea along the way. However, coffee can get expensive, so you might want to carry some. And like we mentioned above, it’s essential to bring a big water bottle, and especially helpful to bring one with a filter, so you can refill as you go. Or you will have to buy water along the way, which can get pricier the higher you climb.

Health on the Everest Base Camp Trek

To be able to enjoy the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, health is of critical importance. While on the trek there are three main things trekkers have to look out for – altitude sickness, stomach bugs, and the cold.

At 17598ft above sea level, Mount Everest Base Camp is a very high destination, and altitude sickness is a serious concern. If you experience any symptoms related to altitude sickness, such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, no appetite, trouble sleeping, or just feeling plain sick (to name a few symptoms), please pause, rest, and take a day to adjust. Pushing through altitude sickness can result in a fatality, so listen to your body. Even if you feel great, you should not skip the acclimatization days on the way up to base camp, and when in doubt, always go down.