The Everest Base Camp trek is the walk most people picture when they think of Nepal. For twelve to fourteen days you follow the Dudh Koshi river and then the Khumbu Glacier through Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries and yak pastures, until you stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) beneath the Khumbu Icefall. The next morning, if the sky is clear, you climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) and watch the sun light up the summit of the highest mountain on Earth.
We have been guiding this trail for years, and we still meet trekkers who arrive with the wrong idea: that it is a technical climb, or a stroll anyone can do in trainers. It is neither. It is a long, high-altitude walk on good trails that almost any fit, well-prepared person can complete, provided they respect the altitude. This guide covers everything we tell our own trekkers before they book, from cost and permits to the honest truth about how hard it feels at 5,000 metres.
Quick answer: the Everest Base Camp trek takes 12–14 days from Lukla (about 130 km return), reaches 5,545 m at Kala Patthar, and costs roughly US$1,300–2,500 with a licensed guide, porter, permits, flights and teahouse lodges. The best months are October–November and April–May. No climbing experience is needed, but good fitness and a gradual ascent are essential.
Everest Base Camp trek at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12–14 days from Kathmandu; 11–12 days walking |
| Distance | About 130 km return from Lukla |
| Start and finish | Lukla (2,840 m), by flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m / 17,598 ft |
| Highest point | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m / 18,192 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging (altitude is the main challenge) |
| Accommodation | Teahouse lodges throughout |
| Permits | Sagarmatha National Park permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee |
| Best time | Mid-September to November; March to May |
| Typical cost | US$1,300–2,500 per person, guided |
Why the Everest Base Camp trek is worth it
Plenty of treks in Nepal have bigger views or fewer people. What makes Everest Base Camp special is the combination. On a single walk you get:
- Four of the world's six highest mountains: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, plus the most photographed peak in Nepal, Ama Dablam.
- Sherpa culture in a living form: villages such as Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and Pangboche, prayer wheels, mani stones and the great monastery at Tengboche.
- Mountaineering history everywhere, from the Hillary school in Khumjung to the memorial cairns at Thukla for climbers who never came home.
- A sense of achievement. Standing at 5,364 m after two weeks of walking is a genuine accomplishment, and most people remember it for the rest of their lives.
It is also, importantly, a very well-supported trek. Lodges are close together, food is good, rescue is available and the trail is clear. That is why it suits first-time Himalayan trekkers as well as experienced hikers.
A typical 14-day Everest Base Camp itinerary
The itinerary below is the one we recommend for most people. It follows the widely accepted rule of not raising your sleeping altitude by more than 300–500 m a day above 3,000 m, with two rest days for acclimatisation.
| Day | Route | Sleeping altitude | Walking time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1,400 m | — |
| 2 | Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding | 2,610 m | 3–4 hrs |
| 3 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 6–7 hrs |
| 4 | Acclimatisation day in Namche | 3,440 m | 3–4 hrs hike |
| 5 | Trek to Tengboche | 3,860 m | 5–6 hrs |
| 6 | Trek to Dingboche | 4,410 m | 5–6 hrs |
| 7 | Acclimatisation day in Dingboche | 4,410 m | 4–5 hrs hike |
| 8 | Trek to Lobuche | 4,940 m | 5–6 hrs |
| 9 | Trek to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp | 5,164 m | 7–8 hrs |
| 10 | Kala Patthar at sunrise, descend to Pheriche | 4,240 m | 7–8 hrs |
| 11 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 6–7 hrs |
| 12 | Trek to Lukla | 2,840 m | 6–7 hrs |
| 13 | Fly to Kathmandu | 1,400 m | — |
| 14 | Departure (or spare day for flight delays) | — | — |
You can see our full day-by-day version, with lodges and meals, on the Everest Base Camp Trek page. If you are short of time, the EBC trek with helicopter return saves three days by flying back from Gorak Shep, without cutting the acclimatisation days on the way up.
The days that matter most
Day 3 to Namche surprises many people. After crossing the high Hillary Suspension Bridge, the trail climbs about 600 m in one long, dusty ascent. Go slowly, drink water and do not race. Day 9 is the big one: you walk from Lobuche to Gorak Shep over rough moraine, have lunch, and then continue to base camp and back. It is a long day at over 5,000 m, and it is when we see most trekkers feel the altitude. Day 10 starts before dawn with the steep climb up Kala Patthar. It is cold, you are breathless, and it is worth every step.
How difficult is the Everest Base Camp trek?
We grade the trek as moderate to challenging. The trail itself is not technical: there are no ropes, no ladders and no climbing. The difficulty comes from three things.
1. Altitude
At Everest Base Camp there is roughly half the oxygen available at sea level. Everyone feels it. You will be breathless on small climbs, sleep may be restless, and your appetite may drop. This is normal. What is not normal, and must be taken seriously, is acute mountain sickness (AMS): a headache that does not go away with water and rest, nausea, dizziness or extreme fatigue. We cover this in detail in our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks.
2. Duration
Walking five to seven hours a day is fine for one day. Doing it for eleven days in a row, sleeping in cold rooms at altitude, is tiring in a way that builds. Fitness helps a great deal, but so does mental stamina and a positive attitude.
3. Cold
Above Dingboche, lodges are unheated apart from the dining room stove, and night-time temperatures in October and November drop to −10°C or lower at Gorak Shep. A good sleeping bag and warm layers make the difference between a miserable night and a comfortable one.
Who can do it?
We have guided teenagers and trekkers in their seventies to base camp. What they had in common was not superhuman fitness but good preparation and patience. If you can walk for six hours on hilly ground with a light pack, and do it again the next day, you can do this trek. If you have heart or lung conditions, talk to your doctor first.
How to train for the Everest Base Camp trek
Start training two to three months before your trip. The aim is endurance, not speed.
- Long walks: build up to 5–6 hour hikes on hilly terrain at weekends, ideally with a daypack of 5–7 kg.
- Stairs and hills: stair climbing, step-ups or a stair machine train the exact muscles you use on steep ascents and descents.
- Cardio: running, cycling or swimming three times a week improves your heart and lung capacity.
- Back-to-back days: at least twice before you go, walk on two consecutive days to learn how your body recovers.
- Break in your boots: blisters end more treks than altitude does. Walk at least 50 km in your boots before you fly.
No amount of training at sea level prepares you completely for altitude, but fitter trekkers recover faster and enjoy the trail more.
Everest Base Camp trek cost in 2026
Costs vary widely depending on the level of service, but the table below gives realistic figures for a guided trek, which is now the norm since Nepal introduced mandatory guides for foreign trekkers in most areas in 2023.
| Item | Approximate cost (US$) |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu – Lukla return flight | 400–450 |
| Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000) | about 23 |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee | about 15–23 |
| Licensed guide (12 days) | 360–480 |
| Porter (shared by 2 trekkers) | 150–200 per person |
| Teahouse rooms | 5–30 per night |
| Meals on the trek | 25–45 per day |
| Extras: hot showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks | 5–15 per day |
| Tips for guide and porter | 10–15% of the trip cost |
A fully guided package that includes flights, permits, guide, porter, lodges and three meals a day typically costs US$1,300–1,800 for a standard trek and US$3,000 or more for a luxury version with the best lodges. You will also need travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation to 6,000 m, your Nepal visa and international flights.
Why food gets more expensive as you climb
Everything above Lukla, from rice to gas cylinders, is carried up by porters or yaks. A plate of dal bhat that costs US$5 in Phakding may cost US$12 in Gorak Shep. It is not a rip-off; it reflects the real cost of getting food to 5,000 m. Dal bhat also comes with free refills, which makes it the best-value meal on the trail.
Permits for the Everest Base Camp trek
You need two permits, both of which your trekking company should arrange:
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, issued at Monjo or in Kathmandu.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entrance fee, collected at Lukla or Monjo.
If you trek in from Jiri or Phaplu instead of flying to Lukla, you will also need a Gaurishankar Conservation Area permit. For the full picture of trekking permits in every region, see our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Lukla flights: what you need to know
The flight to Lukla is one of the highlights of the trip, and one of its biggest sources of stress. The 35-minute flight lands on a short, sloping runway built into the mountainside at Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
- Ramechhap departures: in peak seasons (roughly October–November and March–May), most Lukla flights depart from Manthali airport in Ramechhap, a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, to reduce congestion. Expect a very early start.
- Weather delays: flights only operate in clear visibility. Delays of a day or more are common, especially in spring afternoons and during the monsoon. Always keep at least one spare day at the end of your trip.
- Baggage limit: about 15 kg in total, including hand luggage. Leave the rest at your hotel.
- Helicopter backup: when flights are cancelled for days, shared helicopters become an option at extra cost.
Best time to trek to Everest Base Camp
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Mid-Sep – Nov | Clear skies, stable weather, cold nights; busiest season |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | Very cold, fewer trekkers, often clear; some lodges close |
| Spring | Mar – May | Warmer, rhododendrons in bloom, expedition season at base camp |
| Monsoon | Jun – mid-Sep | Cloud, rain lower down, flight delays; quiet trails |
October and November give the most reliable views. April and May are warmer and you may see the colourful tents of Everest expeditions at base camp. December is an underrated month: cold, but often crystal clear and quiet. For a month-by-month breakdown across Nepal, read our guide to the best time to trek in Nepal.
Teahouses, food and daily life on the trail
Teahouses on the Everest trail range from simple family lodges to comfortable hotels with en-suite rooms in Namche and Lukla. A typical room has two single beds with a mattress, pillow and blanket, and a shared toilet down the corridor. Higher up, rooms become simpler and colder, and bathrooms are shared.
A typical day starts with tea at 6:30, breakfast at 7:00 and walking by 8:00. You stop for lunch around midday and arrive at the next lodge by mid-afternoon, leaving time to rest, read, play cards or take a short acclimatisation walk. Dinner is around 6:30, and most trekkers are in bed by 8:30. It is a simple rhythm, and many people find it deeply relaxing.
Menus are surprisingly varied: porridge, pancakes, eggs, noodle soups, fried rice, pasta, pizza and, of course, dal bhat. We recommend eating vegetarian above Namche, because meat is carried up unrefrigerated from lower valleys.
For more on how lodges work, what they cost and how to book them, see our guide to teahouse trekking in Nepal.
Altitude sickness on the EBC trek
Most people who fail to reach base camp turn back because of altitude, not fitness. The good news is that serious altitude sickness is largely preventable.
- Take the acclimatisation days in Namche and Dingboche, and use them to hike high and sleep low.
- Walk slowly. If you cannot hold a conversation while walking, you are going too fast.
- Drink 3–4 litres of water a day and avoid alcohol above Namche.
- Tell your guide about symptoms early. Headaches that do not improve with rest, vomiting, confusion or breathlessness at rest mean you must stop climbing and, if they worsen, descend.
- Talk to your doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox) before you travel.
Our guides carry pulse oximeters and check trekkers every evening. If someone needs to descend, they go down with a member of staff, and the rest of the group continues.
Packing list essentials
Pack light: your porter carries up to about 10–12 kg per trekker, and the Lukla flight limit is 15 kg. The essentials are:
- A four-season sleeping bag rated to about −15°C (can be rented in Kathmandu).
- A warm down jacket, fleece and thermal base layers.
- A waterproof and windproof shell jacket and trousers.
- Broken-in, waterproof trekking boots and camp shoes.
- Warm hat, sun hat, buff, liner gloves and insulated gloves.
- Sunglasses with UV protection and high-factor sunscreen: the sun at altitude is fierce.
- Trekking poles, head torch, water bottles and purification tablets.
- A power bank, because charging costs extra and is sometimes unavailable.
Our detailed Nepal trekking packing list covers everything item by item, including what to rent rather than buy.
Guides, porters and the mandatory guide rule
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in most of Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must be accompanied by a licensed guide. In the Khumbu, the local municipality has at times applied its own rules, but in practice nearly all trekkers now walk with a guide. We think this is a good thing. A good guide does much more than show you the way: they choose the right lodges, watch for altitude sickness, handle problems with flights and bookings, and explain the culture you are walking through.
Porters carry your main bag so you can walk with a light daypack. Hiring a porter is one of the most direct ways to support local families. Please make sure your trekking company provides porters with insurance and proper clothing, and keeps loads to reasonable weights.
Alternatives and add-ons
- Gokyo Lakes: a quieter valley with turquoise lakes and the view from Gokyo Ri, which many people think beats Kala Patthar. Our Gokyo Lakes Trek page has the day-by-day plan.
- Three Passes: the ultimate Khumbu circuit for experienced trekkers, crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La. See the Everest Three Passes Trek.
- Island Peak or Lobuche East: add a 6,000 m summit to your trek. See Island Peak Climbing.
- Everest View Trek: a 7-day taste of the Khumbu to Namche and Tengboche for those short on time. See the Everest View Trek.
- Helicopter tour: fly to Kala Patthar in a morning if you cannot trek. See the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour.
What you actually see at Everest Base Camp
It is worth setting expectations. Everest Base Camp is not a viewpoint for Everest itself: from the base camp area, the summit is hidden behind the shoulder of Nuptse. What you do see is the chaotic, blue-white tumble of the Khumbu Icefall, the glacier that climbers must cross on their way to the summit, and a wide, rocky moraine strewn with prayer flags and a large boulder painted with the words "Everest Base Camp". In spring, from about April to late May, the glacier is covered with the yellow and orange tents of expedition teams, and you may hear the crack of ice and the distant rumble of avalanches. In autumn it is quiet and empty, a strange, beautiful place of rock, ice and silence.
The famous view of Everest comes from Kala Patthar, the dark hill above Gorak Shep. From its summit the whole south-west face of Everest rises above the Khumbu Glacier, with Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse and Pumori around you. Most people climb it at sunrise, when Everest turns gold; some prefer sunset, when the light falls directly on the face and the wind usually drops. Both are cold, so wear everything you have.
Money, charging and staying connected
Bring enough Nepali rupees in cash for the whole trek. There are ATMs in Lukla and Namche Bazaar, but they often run out of cash or reject foreign cards, and nothing above Namche accepts cards. We suggest budgeting US$15–25 per day for extras, such as hot showers, battery charging, Wi-Fi, snacks, bottled drinks and souvenirs, if your meals are included.
Electricity comes from small hydropower plants and solar panels. Charging a phone costs anything from a few hundred rupees in Namche to over a thousand in Gorak Shep, and batteries drain fast in the cold. Keep your phone and power bank in your sleeping bag at night. For internet, most lodges sell Everest Link Wi-Fi cards, which work across the region, and Nepali mobile data (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) works in many villages below Lobuche.
Common mistakes we see on the Everest trail
- Booking a tight schedule. An itinerary with no spare day leaves you anxious in Lukla if flights are cancelled, and some trekkers miss their international flight. One spare day is the minimum; two is better in spring.
- Walking too fast on the first days. Racing to Namche on day three feels good until the headache arrives in Dingboche. The pace should feel almost too easy.
- Skipping the acclimatisation hikes. The rest days are not days off; walking to a higher point and returning to sleep lower is what helps your body adapt.
- Drinking too little water. The dry, cold air makes you lose water with every breath. Aim for a full bottle every two hours of walking.
- Overpacking. Heavy bags slow your porter and cost you excess baggage fees on the Lukla flight. Pack for layers, not for every possibility.
- Ignoring small symptoms. A mild headache is common; a headache with nausea, loss of appetite and exhaustion is not. Tell your guide early, when the problem is still easy to solve.
Before and after the trek: Kathmandu
Most itineraries include at least one full day in Kathmandu before you fly to Lukla. Use it well: check your gear, rent anything missing in Thamel (sleeping bags and down jackets are easy to find), buy snacks and a local SIM card, and get over your jet lag. If you have time, visit Boudhanath Stupa, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, where many Sherpa families have ties. It is a fitting start to a journey into the Khumbu. After the trek, a massage, a hot shower and a good dinner in Kathmandu feel like luxury, and a day of sightseeing in Bhaktapur or Patan makes a relaxing end to your trip. Our Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour covers the main UNESCO sites in comfort.
Responsible trekking in the Khumbu
The Everest region receives tens of thousands of trekkers each year, and its environment is fragile. A few simple choices make a real difference:
- Refill, do not buy plastic. Use purification tablets, a filter or the Sagarmatha Next refill stations.
- Carry out batteries and non-biodegradable waste.
- Walk clockwise around mani walls and stupas, and ask before photographing people.
- Give way to yaks on the mountain side of the trail, never the drop side.
- Tip fairly. Guides and porters depend on tips as part of their income.
Our honest advice from the trail
After many seasons in the Khumbu, the same lessons come up again and again. Do not rush. The trekkers who enjoy Everest most are the ones who take the acclimatisation days seriously, walk slowly and spend their afternoons drinking tea and talking to the lodge owners rather than chasing extra altitude. Book at least one spare day for Lukla. Bring more warm clothing than you think you need. And put the camera down sometimes: the moment you first see Everest from above Namche, framed by prayer flags, is one to experience with your own eyes.
If you would like help planning your trek, our team in Kathmandu is happy to answer questions and suggest the right itinerary for your time and fitness. Get in touch, or explore all our Everest region treks.