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Base Camp Adventure

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Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the major attractions of Nepal. Visiting the highest peak of the world at an altitude of 8848 meters so up close is on everyone’s bucket list. But only a few adventurous brave people can commit to embark on the adventure.

Embarking on any journey requires detailed information about the place. For any journey, the main requirement is always a map. Getting lost in a strange place is a nightmare. To avoid such a nightmare from becoming reality, you should always carry a map with you.

With the Everest Base Camp Trek map , the chances of you getting lost are reduced. The age of technology does make it seem like maps are pretty useless. But with the trekking being in a remote area, a physical Everest Base Camp Trek map would seem like the most useful and important item.

With a challenging adventure as the Everest Base Camp Trek , you can never be too careful. You will always need an Everest Base Camp Trek map with you in case of any uncertainties. Also, wherever you go, it’s a smart move to do a little research about where you will be reaching or what you will be doing there.

With the map of Everest Base Camp Trek, you will not only be able to find the routes easily, but you will also know where you are at the moment and what the main attraction of the place is. For example, with a map, you will know that a certain monastery or religious landmark is nearing and prepare yourself accordingly.

Trek Route Summary

Standard everest base camp route.

The 15 days Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular route taken by trekkers. The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. From Lukla, you will trek most of the day with around 5-6 hours of trekking every day. Passing through Namche bazaar on Day 4th for acclimatization , you will travel through religious monuments like Tengboche. Another acclimatization point at Dingboche is used during the trip.

You will reach the base camp on the ninth day of the trek. Taking the same way back, retracing your steps, you will return to Kathmandu on a flight from Lukla. This will mark the end of your Everest Base camp trek. This route is marked In blue in the map provided above.

Helicopter return (optional)

Another route for Everest Base Camp Trek is returning by helicopter. This allows you to have a clear view of the mountains from a higher altitude. The Everest Base Camp Trek with helicopter return includes all the same routes and stops as the base camp trek of 15 days. You will catch a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and travel through Namche bazaar to the Everest Base Camp. The only difference is that you will be returning from Kala Patthar to Kathmandu by helicopter . Here you will enjoy the superb view of the mountains, the valleys, and the trails.

Three pass trek (optional)

The path in grey in the Everest Base Camp Trek map is the one that takes us through the three passes to reach our final destination i.e, the Everest Base Camp. This route takes us for a challenging adventure through the Valley of death. The three pass route takes us to the Gokyo village and Gokyo Ri to witness the glorious mountains standing tall in their full beauty.

This route takes you to a mystical journey through the three passes: Kongma-la Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass . This place provides the best view of the Everest Base Camp. The three pass trek provides the trekkers with a solidarity trek on the way back. This trek route takes a total of 18 days , unlike the classical trekking route.

Related Articles

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Everest Three Pass Trek

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Details as per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map

As per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map, the route for the classic Everest Base Camp trek follows the following routes making the stops below:

Kathmandu to Phakding

Lukla – Phakding Distance: 6.2 km | Max altitude: 2,610 m | Estimated Trek hours: 4 – 5 hrs

The main route shown as per the Everest Base Camp Trek Map is the classical Everest Base Camp Trek route. The trek starts from a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and ends the day at Phakding.

Phakding to Namche: Rest one day for acclimatizing

Distance: 7.4 km | Max altitude: 3440 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-7 hours

From Phakding, this route leads us to Namche Bazaar through Manjoo. This stop is an acclimatization point where you will rest for the day to help better adapt to the altitude.

Namche to Tengboche

Distance: 5.9 km | Max altitude: 3867 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

The next stop on this route is Tengboche. This is a Buddhist monastery worshipped by the sherpas. The map clearly shows how to reach the monastery from Namche Bazaar.

Tengboche to Dingboche – rest one day for acclimatizing

Distance: 9.1 km| Max altitude: 4260 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

From the monastery in Tengboche, the route leads you to Dingboche. This is a small village on the way. You will rest at this spot for the day acclimatizing and head to the next stop the next day.

Dingboche to Lobuche

Distance: 6.6 km | Max altitude: 4930 m | Estimated Trek hours: 5-6 hours

Lobuche is the next stop from Dingboche. There are two routes to reaching Lobuche. On the map, we can clearly see the routes we can take.

Lobuche to Everest Base Camp – Gorakshep

Distance: 12.1 km to Everest Base camp 1.7 km to Gorakshep: | Max altitude: 5364 m| Estimated Trek hours: 3-4 hours

From Lobuche, we can reach Everest Base Camp. At an altitude of 5364 meters, we will reach Everest Base Camp and enjoy the view of the breathtaking mountains. After the achievement of a lifetime, you will descend to Gorakshep.

Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Periche

Distance: 1.2 km to Kalapatthar 10 km to Pheriche | Max altitude: 5545 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-7 hours

The way back is now all descents. Only today, you will hike up to Kalapatthar in the morning. The view of the mountains in the early sunrise is to die for. This is one of the main attractions of the entire trek. Then you can descend to Pheriche.

Pheriche to Namche Bazaar

Distance: 14.2 km| Max altitude: 4243 m | Estimated Trek hours: 7-8 hours

The return route is the same as the one you took to get up to the base camp. You will follow the same route you took from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Distance: 13.5 km | Max altitude: 3440 m | Estimated Trek hours: 6-8 hours

From Namche, you will return to Lukla through Manjoo and Phakding through the same trails as before. The only difference is that the way will no long be uphill.

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

Distance: 138 km | Max altitude: 2886 m| Estimated hours: 40 minutes

Your journey finally ends with the almost-cinematic view of the mountains and the valley. All this from your comfortable flight from Lukla to Kathmandu.

This trek takes only 15 days to take the daring journey and come back.

Alternative Route Map from Base Camp

This route is similar to the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The way up is the same. However, the way back has a lot in store for you. After reaching Diboche from Namche Bazaar, you will reach the first pass of the three- Kongma-la pass . This provides spectacular views of the Khumbu glaciers.

You will reach Everest Base Camp from the pass soon. On the way back you will trek to Gokyo lakes via Cho La Pass . Here, you will see awestruck views of the religious Dudh Koshi river and the valleys around it. the pass lets you see the majestic view of the highest peaks like Cho-Oyu, Chola, Lhotse, etc.

Unlike the classic Everest Base Camp Trek route, this route is remote and of a higher difficulty level so be careful on the descent. On the way back from Gokyo to Namche, you will pass through the last pass i.e, Renjo La Pass at an altitude of 5360 meters.

The rest of the trek is the same as before. You will follow the trail back from Namche to Lukla and fly to Kathmandu. This trek takes you 18 days to reach the base camp and return back to your flight.

Return by Helicopter

Apart from the strenuous treks to and back from the base camp, there is an alternative route for your convenience. If you aren’t really good with descents or don’t want to walk back the same route, the same way you came up, you can always opt to choose the return by helicopter choice. There are many reasons to choose Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour .

This route takes you through the classic Everest Base Camp trek route letting you experience all the trekking adventure while giving you the opportunity to end the trek with a unique Helicopter return to Kathmandu. This reduces your travel time and provides you a great opportunity to enjoy the view of the mountains from a helicopter without straining yourself more.

This route allows you to reach the base camp and enjoy the majestic view from Kalapattar. The helicopter return route picks you up from Kalapatthar and takes you t o Kathmandu straight through the mind blowing view of the mountains, valleys, and the glaciers and rivers.

The difficulty of the routes

15 days classic everest base camp trek.

The venturesome trek to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular and daring treks in Nepal. The trekkers do face some difficulties to overcome this daring journey.

The uncertainty of the Lukla flight is one of the major difficulties faced by trekkers here. The Lukla flight is one of the main attractions of the flight with the tempting view of the valley and the mountains. But his flight is heavily affected by the weather. Unexpected changes in weather have known to cause many cancellations so make sure to check the weather carefully.

Being at an altitude of 5364 meters , you will have to hike up a lot. Altitude sickness is probable in the high mountains. So take your time to acclimatize in the stops as per the maps guidance and enjoy the trek without any problems.

Three Pass Trek Difficulty

Among the three routes mentioned above and shown in the map, the Three Passes Trek Route is the most challenging one. There are many things to consider before embarking on this journey. This route is often chosen by people to avoid human traffic on the way. The difficulty of this trek is higher than the classic route due to the sudden uphill on the way to EBC.

You can take this route to go to the base camp which will help you in reaching the base camp fast instead of taking this route on the way back. The alternative route is filled with glorious views but the trail is kind of steep and the altitude suddenly increases.

The difficulty almost everyone faces in this route to go to Everest Base Camp is the difficulty to acclimatize in the Gokyo valley . The route seems to take only a few hours of walking so the trekkers usually rush in without proper acclimatization leading to altitude sickness.

Als, you should be careful to choose the best season to travel through this road.

Seasons are important for both ascending and descending the route. If you travel during the rainy season, there are many chances of landslides or you sliding down the slippery roads. So keep in mind to check the season and the climate before booking your trip.

Helicopter Return

The trek to Everest Base camp with helicopter return is a deal stealer as the package provides you with so many different routes and a spectacular view of the mountains and the valleys. The only difficulty that can arise on this magnificent trip is the unpredictable weather changes .

Helicopter rides are fun and exquisite, especially in the mountain range. But they aren’t advisable in bad weather conditions. The safety is in question in bad weather. So before you decide to plan a helicopter ride home from Everest Base Camp, please keep in mind that weather affects your ride a lot.

Best Time to go to Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is a challenging trek that takes you through uphills and rocky roads. The best time to go to Everest Base Camp in the spring season during the months of February to May. The routes to reach the base camp are dry during these months.

The winter season through December to February can also be a good time but the temperature is obviously low.

The rainy season, however, is not a good time. You should avoid embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek during the rainy season. Especially during the Gokyo route, the roads are very steep and unsafe in the rainy seasons. So best keep yourself out of the route during the rainy season to avoid any mishaps.

Before setting on an adventurous trek to Everest Base Camp, you should research the best time to go trekking to get the most out of your journey.

Why Do You Need Everest Base Camp Trek Map?

Stay on track.

Traveling through the steep snowy roads of Everest Base Camp trek, it’s easy to lose your way. Awestruck with the beauty of the place, you can get distracted from the route sometimes. These are the time maps come in handy. In the remote villages, charging your phones may be difficult. Also, wifi at such an altitude is rare. At such a time, carrying a map will be very handy.

Discover New Routes

With the Everest Base Camp Trek map, you can find out new routes to reach your destination. Discussing with your guide or your group, you can decide to take new routes to your destination. The map contains all the possible routes you can take to reach your destination and different attractions and stops on that particular stop. With the map, your Everest Base Camp Trek can be a surprising adventure with different attractions with you in control.

A Basic Necessity For A Solo Trek

Many adventurous trekkers embark on a solo trek for Everest Base Camp Trek. These trekkers are passionate about reaching the destination with their own efforts. If you are one of these passionate adventurous daredevils, you should get yourself an Everest Base Camp Trek map and initiate the adventure.

Other essentials for the Trek

Apart from the map of the Everest Base Camp Trek to guide you through the different routes of the Trek, there are other essentials for the trek like:

• Trekking boots and hiking poles
• Warm clothes like down jacket and fleece trousers
• Personal medical kit
• Portable chargers
• Toiletries and water bottles

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Maps for Everest Base Camp Trek

• Published on May 28, 2021 • Last updated December 2, 2022

Everest Region

A good map is essential to get the most out of your trek to Everest Base Camp. It can help you plan your trek, pace yourself, find interesting points of interest, and even identify mountains. Here is a quick rundown of maps, both paper-based and digital, suitable for the Everest Region:

Maps of Everest Region by Himalayan Map House

Himalayan Map House is synonymous with tourist maps in Nepal. They have a large number of titles and are very competitively priced. Once in Kathmandu, you will see their maps in every book shop in Thamel. They have 14 different titles for the Everest Region: from the famous Everest Base Camp Trek to the unheard-of Monastery Circuit Trail. Hell, they even have a Chinese language version of the map.

And their reputation is well deserved. They are pretty accurate, easy to store, and straightforward to read. Priced anywhere between USD 4-7, maps by Himalayan Map House do not break your heart if drenched by rain.

However, things we do not like about their maps are that they are not laminated and are prone to tearing at the folds. Also, if exposed to the elements, they are good as most paper products are. 

The best place to get the physical map for your trek is from Himalayan Map House. You can visit the shop or order through their website . Their contact number and physical locations are listed below:

Contact: 977-1-4244965, 977-1-4231220

• The Map Shop, Jyatha Road, Thamel
• Himalayan Book House, Kathmandu Guest House Chowk, Thamel
• Nepal Himalayan Book Sellers, Chhetrapati, Thamel

National Geographic Maps for Everest Region

You can also get the waterproof and tear-resistant map of the Everest Region from the illustrious National Geographic folks for a few dollars more. In addition to the prestige these maps come with, they also have a Nepal map on the backside. Now that can be pretty useful.

For the Everest Region, they have two titles: one for the Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes side and another for the whole of Khumbu Region.

Getting these maps can be difficult if you are in Nepal. As such, we recommend buying them online in your home country. However, before deciding which one to buy, check out the coverage of each map given on their website below.

National Geographic Map of Everest Base Camp Trek- 1:50,000 – USD 14.95- Link National Geographic Map of Khumbu Region- 1:125,000 – USD 14.95 – Link

Maps of Everest by Great Himalayan Trail

Great Himalayan Trail provides high-quality maps both in digital and physical form. They provide high-resolution digital files in PDF featuring all major trekking trails and places of interest. They provide maps of major areas of Nepal (Everest Region, Dolpo, and Mugu, Mustang, Annapurna, etc.). And they are waterproof and tear-resistant, as all maps should be.

You can order the maps from the Great Himalayan Trail website for USD 10 apiece. They are also available in some book shops in Thamel, like Vajra Books .

Google Maps

When we talk about digital maps, Google Maps is the most used and popular among all the maps. If you are thinking of using it for your Everest Base Camp trek , it is well and good as long as you will not solely depend on it.

For starters, unlike paper maps, digital maps are interactive, and you can get information like time to destination and distance on the fly. You can also switch between satellite view, terrain view, and the default view to better make sense of the world around you. But the best thing about digital maps in general and Google Maps, in particular, is that they provide detailed additional information. Think photos of the area you are interested in, landmarks, traffic, attractions, hotels, ATMs, mountains, and everything else. And all of it is up to date and only gets more accurate the more people using it.

On the flip side, however, Google Maps needs a smartphone, and smartphones need electricity. In many settlements above Namche, electricity can be a premium commodity, and it is best not to depend on it. Also, the offline function of Google Maps is limited, and so is the internet in the Everest Region. Not a good combination. But the thing that we hate the most about Google Maps is that the information has many gaps and is occasionally downright inaccurate in some cases. For example, the trail between Dzongla and Thagnak is missing, and if you try to navigate from Namche to Gokyo, Google Maps will take you past Phortse through the eastern bank of the Dudh Koshi River. Unfortunately, while there is a trail there, you will be hard-pressed to find a place to rest the night on that trail.

Long story short, Google Maps, while good, is pretty limited in its usability as a standalone map for the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, do check out the really cool Street View project Google undertook in Khumbu a few years ago.

Another digital map that you can use for your Everest Region Trek is ‘Maps.me’. It is a mobile app for Android and iOS that provides offline maps using OpenStreetMap data. And we absolutely adore this app.

If it were not for the extreme weather and unpredictability of electric supply along the EBC route, we would even go so far as to recommend the app as the standalone map for the EBC trek!

Some of the points we love about the app are:

• You can download it for free for both Android and iOS devices, And nothing beats free.
• It works offline. You download the map one, and you are done!
• The data is based on the excellent OpenStreetMap initiative and is accurate and up to date, especially regarding hiking trails and outdoor routes.
• It has an excellent navigation feature that shows you the altitude profile, provides you transportation options, and of course, gives you turn-by-turn navigation.
• The POI list is vast and is better than anything else available. Hotels, hospitals, monasteries, shops, and bakeries, Maps.me knows them all.

Survey Maps of Everest Region

Topographic maps for Nepal are highly detailed and accurate maps and are published by the Department of Survey. It takes years of effort to compile these maps and are usually the gold standard and the primary data source for commercial maps. But that accuracy can be a double-edged sword as not everyone needs it. Also, while very accurate topographically, these maps are not the most up-to-date regarding points of interest.

You can either buy these topo sheets at a few select online / offline outlets or get the digital copies from the Department of Survey , Nepal, or the MCAAD website.

Google Earth

Google Earth is porn for travelers. While the desktop and web-based versions are great to get a feel of the terrain before you go, the mobile app can be a valuable tool to have on the trail. To help you get the most out of Google Earth, we have compiled a list of places along with their descriptions and route information for popular treks. You can download it here.

Not a Map, but better than a map

One of the main functions of the map is to find the peaks. Well, thanks to technology, now we have everything at our fingertips. There is an app called Peak Finder that will help you to identify Peaks during your treks. You can get this app on both Android and iOS devices for USD 4.99.

While we understand this isn’t the place for an app like this, we just love this app so much that we couldn’t help.

Everest Base Camp Trek Map by HoneyGuide

We have pooled our expertise and content on the Everest Region to create a map/guidebook for the Everest Base Camp Trek. It is however a work in progress and currently works best only with Google Maps. Let us know what you think of it, and please provide us feedback on how we can make it better. Key features are:

• Places are clickable and provide you with details about the place and link to that place’s page in HoneyGuide website. We even have a dedicated pages to even small hamlets like Deboche . No place in Everest is too small for HoneyGuide.
• The trails are clickable and provide you detailed trail descriptions.

If you are looking for a simple map here is one:

• everest base camp map
• everest base camp trek map
• maps of everest base camp trek

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Table of Contents

Understanding the everest base camp trek map.

Embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek is a dream for many adventure seekers. This iconic trek offers breathtaking landscapes, cultural encounters, and the chance to stand at the foot of the world's highest peak. It is essential to have a thorough awareness of the route, landmarks, and elevations to guarantee a safe and pleasurable voyage. We will go into great detail in this blog post on the Everest Base Camp Trek Map and the Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude Map, giving you helpful tips to help you get about on this incredible journey.

Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Embarking on the legendary Everest Base Camp Trek is an adventure of a lifetime. To navigate through the rugged terrain and ensure a safe and memorable journey, trekkers rely on the Everest Base Camp Trek Map—a comprehensive visual guide that provides essential information about the route, topography, trails, and markers along the way. Let's explore the features of this invaluable map.

• Route and Trails: The Everest Base Camp Trek Map outlines the entire trekking route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, ensuring that trekkers stay on the designated trail. It marks the key villages, rest stops, and acclimatization points, allowing trekkers to plan their itinerary and estimate distances between each location. The map acts as a reliable companion, guiding trekkers through the picturesque landscapes and challenging terrains of the Khumbu region.
• Topography: One of the most important features of the Everest Base Camp Trek Map is its depiction of the topography of the region. It gives hikers a vivid picture of the terrain they would experience by showcasing the tall Himalayan peaks, glaciers, valleys, and rivers. The map helps trekkers anticipate changes in elevation, prepare for steep ascents or descents, and navigate through various types of terrain, from dense forests to rocky moraines.
• Altitude Markers: An essential component of the Everest Base Camp Trek Map is the inclusion of altitude markers. These markers indicate the elevation at various points along the route, allowing trekkers to track their progress and manage altitude-related challenges. By referring to the map, trekkers can plan their ascent gradually, ensuring proper acclimatization and reducing the risk of altitude sickness. The altitude markers provide crucial information for maintaining a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
• Landmarks and Points of Interest: The Everest Base Camp Trek Map highlights significant landmarks and points of interest along the route. These may include villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, Lobuche, and, of course, the ultimate destination—Everest Base Camp itself. By referencing the map, trekkers can identify these landmarks and plan their rest stops, explore cultural sites, and marvel at breathtaking vistas along the way. The map adds depth and context to the trek, enhancing the overall experience.
• Safety Information: The Everest Base Camp Trek Map also provides valuable safety information to ensure a secure trekking experience. It may include important details such as emergency contact numbers, nearby medical facilities, and potential hazards to be aware of. By consulting the map, trekkers can make informed decisions, avoid risky areas, and prioritize their well-being throughout the journey.

Exploring the 14-Days Everest Base Camp Trek Route

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a legendary adventure that takes you through awe-inspiring landscapes and cultural treasures. Starting from the mountain airstrip at Lukla, the route winds its way through the Khumbu region, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Let's delve into a general overview of the route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, highlighting key locations and landmarks along the way.

• Lukla (2,860m): Lukla serves as the starting point of the Everest Base Camp Trek and is renowned for its unique features. The small town is nestled among mountains and offers a thrilling mountain airstrip experience. Trekkers are welcomed by a stunning view of the Himalayas as they land at one of the toughest airports in the world. Lukla also provides a glimpse into the Sherpa culture, with traditional houses and friendly locals setting the stage for an incredible adventure.
• Namche Bazaar (3,440m): Namche Bazaar is a bustling Sherpa town and plays a significant role as an acclimatization stop during the Everest Base Camp Trek. This vibrant hub is known as the gateway to the Everest region. It offers a variety of amenities, including cozy lodges, shops, bakeries, and a vibrant market. Trekkers can immerse themselves in the rich Sherpa culture, explore the Sherpa Museum, and enjoy stunning panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from various vantage points.
• Hotel Everest View (3,880m): The magnificent Hotel Everest View blends seamlessly with its spectacular surroundings and is positioned on a ridge with a panoramic view of the Everest range. Every lodging has a view of Mt. Everest, allowing visitors to indulgently take in this alluring setting. The Hotel Everest View at a height of 3880 meters was established in 1971 and is the highest hotel in the world in 2004 as per Guinness Book of World Records data. The resort has grown to become a unique travel destination, making appearances in several guidebooks and garnering media interest. In addition to soaking in the gorgeous surroundings, which are made up of rhododendron forests, bushes, and evergreen fir trees, it is the ideal site to begin visiting the adjacent communities.
• Tengboche (3,860m): Tengboche is a must-visit location on the Everest Base Camp Trek, primarily because of its iconic Tengboche Monastery. This ancient Buddhist monastery holds great cultural significance in the region and is the largest monastery in the Everest area. Situated amidst breathtaking scenery, the monastery offers a tranquil and spiritual atmosphere. Trekkers often have the opportunity to witness morning prayers and ceremonies, accompanied by panoramic views of Everest, Nuptse, and Kwangde.
• Dingboche (4,410m): Dingboche is a picturesque village nestled in a valley and surrounded by towering peaks. It is a crucial location for acclimatization during the Everest Base Camp Trek. The stunning landscapes of Dingboche captivate trekkers with their barren yet awe-inspiring beauty. Trekkers can enjoy panoramic views of Ama Dablam and Island Peak and take short hikes to neighboring viewpoints. This allows the body to adjust to the increasing altitude gradually, reducing the risk of altitude-related illnesses.
• Lobuche (4,940m): Lobuche is a significant location on the Everest Base Camp Trek, known for its challenging terrain and proximity to Everest. It acts as a resting point for trekkers before the final ascent to Everest Base Camp. The rocky moraine and the Khumbu Glacier create a dramatic and awe-inspiring setting. From Lobuche, trekkers can catch glimpses of Everest and witness the somber memorials dedicated to climbers who lost their lives on the mountain.
• Everest Base Camp (5,364m): The ultimate destination of the Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp itself, is an awe-inspiring location. It provides hikers with a dreamlike experience and a sense of success because it is situated at the base of the world's tallest peak. Surrounded by massive glaciers, including the Khumbu Icefall, trekkers can witness firsthand the raw power and beauty of the Everest region. Standing at Everest Base Camp, with Everest towering above, is an unforgettable moment for every adventurer.
• Kala Patthar (5,545m): While not an official stop on the Everest Base Camp Trek route, Kala Patthar is a popular vantage point for panoramic views of Everest. Many trekkers choose to make the additional ascent to Kala Patthar to witness the sunrise and capture breathtaking photographs of the Everest summit. From this viewpoint, the immense scale of the Himalayas becomes even more apparent, leaving trekkers in awe of the majestic peaks and the surrounding landscape.

These essential locations along the 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek offer trekkers a diverse range of experiences, from cultural immersion to breathtaking natural beauty. Each location holds its own significance and contributes to the overall adventure and sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching Everest Base Camp.

Navigating the Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude Map

Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude Chart Map

The Everest Altitude Chart Map is a powerful tool that provides a clear visualization of altitude gain and key acclimatization stops along the Everest Base Camp Trek. It serves as an essential resource for trekkers, helping them understand the elevation profile of the trek and plan their ascent accordingly. Let's explore the purpose and benefits of the Everest Altitude Chart Map in detail.

• Understanding Altitude Gain: The Everest Altitude Chart Map displays a visual representation of the altitude gain throughout the trek. It showcases the gradual ascent from the starting point in Lukla to the ultimate destination at Everest Base Camp. By studying the altitude chart, trekkers can get a sense of the steepness and intensity of each section of the trek. This allows them to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead and plan their pace accordingly.
• Identifying Key Acclimatization Stops: One of the crucial aspects of a successful Everest Base Camp Trek is acclimatization. The Everest Altitude Chart Map highlights key acclimatization stops along the route, such as Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche. These designated rest days provide trekkers with an opportunity to adjust to the increasing altitude and allow their bodies to adapt gradually. By referring to the altitude chart, trekkers can identify these crucial acclimatization points and plan their itinerary accordingly, ensuring they allocate sufficient time for rest and acclimatization.
• Planning the Trek: The Everest Altitude Chart Map enables trekkers to plan their trek effectively by understanding the elevation changes and the distribution of acclimatization stops. It allows them to visualize the overall ascent and strategically determine their pace and rest days. This planning aspect is crucial for a safe and enjoyable trek, as it helps trekkers maintain a gradual ascent, minimize the risk of altitude-related illnesses, and optimize their chances of successfully reaching Everest Base Camp.
• Assessing Fitness and Readiness: The altitude chart also serves as a tool for trekkers to assess their fitness and readiness for the Everest Base Camp Trek. By studying the elevation gain and the altitude of various stops along the route, trekkers can evaluate their physical preparedness and make informed decisions regarding their trek. It provides valuable insights into the challenges they may face, allowing them to adequately train and prepare themselves for the journey ahead.

Understanding Altitude and Acclimatization

Altitude plays a significant role in the Everest Base Camp Trek, as trekkers ascend to higher elevations and venture into the realm of the world's tallest mountains. Comprehending the effects of altitude on the body and the importance of acclimatization is crucial to this amazing adventure. Let's explore the significance of altitude and the challenges of acclimatization, emphasizing the need for a gradual ascent.

• Altitude and its Effects: As trekkers ascend higher into the Everest region, the air becomes thinner, and the oxygen levels decrease. This decrease in oxygen flow might direct to altitude-related problems including altitude sickness, which can possess headaches, nausea, dizziness, and exhaustion. It is important to identify and discourse these symptoms immediately to prevent more dangerous illnesses like high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE).
• The Role of Acclimatization: The process through which the body adjusts to lower oxygen levels at higher elevations is known as acclimatization. The body adjusts gradually to the low-oxygen environment in order to perform at its best. Acclimatization causes physiological modifications such as enhanced red blood cell synthesis and better oxygen use. To facilitate acclimatization, trekkers must allow their bodies enough time to adjust to the changing altitude by taking rest days and ascending gradually.
• Challenges and the Need for Gradual Ascent: One of the primary challenges of the Everest Base Camp Trek is managing the risk of altitude-related illnesses while continuing the ascent. A key strategy to mitigate these risks is a gradual ascent, allowing the body sufficient time to acclimatize to each new altitude. Rushing the trek or ascending too quickly increases the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness.

A gradual ascent typically involves spending extra nights at specific acclimatization points, such as Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche. These rest days provide an opportunity for the body to adjust to the altitude before proceeding to higher elevations. Trekkers can use this time to explore the surroundings, take short hikes, and let their bodies adapt to the reduced oxygen levels.

An Everest Base Camp Trek Altitude Map can serve as a valuable tool for understanding the elevation changes and planning the trek accordingly. It indicates the altitudes at different points along the route, allowing trekkers to track their ascent and plan for acclimatization stops.

By following a well-designed itinerary and paying attention to their bodies' signals, trekkers can enhance their chances of successful acclimatization and a safe, enjoyable journey to Everest Base Camp. Remember, the key is to listen to your body, maintain a gradual ascent, and prioritize acclimatization to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of the Everest region while minimizing the risks associated with high altitude.

With the detailed insights provided by the Everest Base Camp Trek Map and the Everest Altitude Chart Map, you are well-equipped to embark on this remarkable journey. Plan your route, understand the altitudes, and make the most of the essential locations along the 14-day trek. Remember, safety and acclimatization should always be prioritized. So, gather your gear, lace up your boots, and get ready to experience the majesty of the Everest Base Camp Trek while confidently navigating the route with your trusted maps.

With the help of the above-mentioned Everest Base Camp Trek Map and the Everest Altitude Chart Map, you can participate in the following packages offered by Green Valley Nepal Treks.

• Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days
• 12 Days Everest Base Camp Trek  
• Budget Everest Base Camp Trek - 12 Days
• Everest Trek Cost for Indians
• Trekking Map
• Trekking Guide
• Best Trek in Nepal
• Altitude Sickness

Arjun Pandey was born in Gorkha, in the midwestern part of Nepal, the famous region of the Manaslu Trek. Arjun also has a wide experience and knowledge of conducting trek programs in the Himalayan regions, such as Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Mustang, Manalsu, Kanchenjunga, and Dhaulagiri, among others. He also has experience with peak climbing programs on Himalayan peaks such as Island, Mera, Lobuche, and Chulu, as well as other Himalayan peaks below 7,000 meters. Arjun's specialty also covers trek and tour programs in Tibet and Bhutan. 

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Everest Base Camp Trek: The #1 Ultimate Guide You Need

The best everest base camp trek you should take, choose the best season for everest base camp trek, do you need a guide for everest base camp trek, a detailed and informative everest base camp trek map.

A great way to get your head around the Everest Base Camp trek is to take a look at an Everest Base Camp trek map. Our detailed and informative maps will provide you with a visual description of the Everest Base Camp trek.

The Everest Base Camp trek map is a great visual presentation of the long and challenging Everest Base Camp trek that covers a distance of 106 kilometers. It’s a great way to get your head around the multi-day trek and see what mountains lie on either side of the trail you’ll be undertaking over several days. 

In addition to the map above, you will find two other maps below – a 3D view and an aerial view of the trek itself.

The trail is an out and back approach from Lukla to Everest Base Camp returning to Lukla. In addition to the maps, you will find an altitude profile chart as well. 

3D View Map

Aerial View Map

Altitude Profile

The altitude profile chart details the elevation start, max elevation reached as well as elevation gain during the Everest Base Camp trek. It also shows the elevation gained over the distance covered so you get an idea of where the big overall elevation climbs will be.  

• High Altitude

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Home » Everest Guide » Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Everest Base Camp Trek Map

The trekking route to Everest Base Camp is one of the longest courses in Nepal. There are other trekking routes which are longer than this one. But this is the most famous trekking in Nepal. This Everest Base Camp Trek map is a standard map to follow if you are trekking there. Every year thousands of adventure seekers follow this particular map to trek towards the base camp.

This route is highly followed. So, this route tends to be crowded during the trekking seasons. Following this map, one can spend two weeks of their life in absolute heaven. Everest region offers the best views of mountains and terrains. This area is full of astounding places and vibrant culture.

The traditional Sherpa and Tibetan culture is something everyone must experience. These people are loving and friendly. Everest region is the ideal place for photographers . The temperature can get extremely low during winters. Make sure you pack best sleeping bags.

There are tens of alternative ways for you to reach the base camp. However, this map offers you the best possible route from Lukla to Everest base camp. There are reasonable accommodations around these areas. And the trails are ideal for walking when compared to other routes.

The thrilling morning flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is something to remember. Your trekking starts once you arrive at Lukla. If you look at the map carefully, there are two different routes. One route is indexed by orange color and the other by black . The green indications are for those places where you will rest for the night. You will start trekking from Lukla to Monjo and stay at a hotel for the night.

The next day you will be reaching Namche Bajar . Do not forget to take a hot shower while you are in Namche. You might not get any ahead of your journey.

Have you noticed the numbering on the map? 1 indicates the first day, and 14 shows the fourteenth day.

You will have a rest day in Namche. This is going to be the day for your acclimatization. Leaving Namche behind, you will rest at Tengboche and Dingboche for the next nights. From Dingboche, you will head towards Lobuche . Again we will follow the route in red indexing.

You will reach Everest Base Camp the following day. Then Pheriche will be your next destination. You will hike to Kala Patthar from Gorakshep in the morning and arrive Pheriche the same day. It can be a long walk.

Pheriche to Khumjung village is going to be your longest hike. You will have a good rest at Khumjung village. You will get back to Monjo the next day, and to Lukla in day 13. Your journey will end once you get back to Kathmandu, and to your hotel.

Let’s go through Everest Base Camp trek map in more details.

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Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and Trek to Monjo

Trek duration: 5 to 6 hours

Trekking distance: 10 Km

Difficulty: moderate

Just like every other visit to Nepal, your journey starts at Kathmandu. After a well-spent day in Kathmandu, you will catch an early morning flight to Lukla. Lukla holds one of the most (if not the most) dangerous airports in the world . The flight is thrilling, and you can see beautiful terrains from above. The incredible mountains are standing tall at a distance. They look beautiful and majestic.

Lukla is a small town which is the gateway to the Khumbu region . Your actual trek begins at Lukla. Follow the Everest Base Camp trek map and start trekking towards Monjo. You will not gain much altitude today. After crossing a few suspension bridges, you will reach Monjo. Monjo is a small village, and you will find proper accommodations there.

Trek from Monjo to Namche Bajar (3445m)

Trek duration: 3 to 4 hours

Trekking distance: 4 Km

Difficulty: easy to moderate

Trekking from Monjo to Namche Bajar starts uphill. You will be walking on a smooth trail and through some woods. You will see beautiful terrains and rivers. Namche Bajar is very close to Monjo.

Upon reaching Namche, you will rest at a hotel. Namche is a beautiful town with much to offer. There are many eateries for you to hang out, and the locals will welcome you with a smile.

Overnight at a hotel.

Trek from Namche to Tengboche (3860m)

Trek duration: 5 hours

Trekking distance: 9.5 Km

Difficulty: easy

After a pleasant rest day at Namche , you will be heading towards Tengboche next. You will gradually walk northeast along a mountainside. You will find villages along your journey, and the locals will greet you. Photographs can be taken by taking their permission.

After a few hours of walking, and a few breaks, you will come across a dense pine forest. You need to walk for about 2.5 hours straight through the dense pine forest. Upon arriving Tengboche, you will rest at a hotel.

There is an ancient monastery at Tengboche where Tenzing Norgay Sherpa used to serve as a monk.

Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4410)

Trekking distance: 11 Km

Your next destination is Dingboche. You can see your path highlighted in orange color in the map of Everest Base Camp trek. This is a short trek, and you will be walking through smooth uphill. Dingboche has a different landscape. There are no trees, and shrubs take upon the land. There are huge mountains around. The desert-like terrain is outstanding.

You will stay overnight at Dingboche.

Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4940m)

Difficulty: above average

As you can see on the EBC map, there is another route to reach Lobuche from Dingboche. But we will take the route in orange color.

The journey today is going to be harder than before. You will have to climb for about 2 hours until you reach Dukla . You will be climbing straight uphill from here on and arrive at a place that will give you chills. Here you can see the shrines of Scott Fischer and Rob Hall . You can read the story of their fall in the “Into Thin Air” book.

It will take you about 45 minutes to reach upon a junction. The west trail leads to Dzongla . You will be taking the eastern path, and after 30 minutes or so, you will arrive in Lobuche.

Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5160m) to Everest Base Camp (5380m) and Back to Gorakshep

Trek duration: 7 hours

Trekking distance: 15 Km

You will start your hike with a smooth and easy walk. After that, the path begins uphill. You will reach Gorakshep after a climb of about 2 hours or so. The trail to EBC from Gorakshep has many ups and downs. You need to hike on a rough gravel top track.

Upon reaching the base camp, you will be awed by what the place has in hold for you. The 360-degree view of the mountains and snow-capped terrains cannot be described in mere letters. Everest is as mighty as in stories.

Take enough photographs and walk back to Gorakshep. Take a good rest here and do not forget to look at the sky.

Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5643m) and down to Pheriche (4371m)

Trek duration: 8 hours

Trekking distance: 13 Km

Difficulty: hard

As you can see on the Everest Base Camp trek map, Kala Patthar lies towards the west of Everest Base Camp. You need to take the Northwest direction from Gorakshep towards Kala Patthar. This will be the highest altitude you will reach in this trek. Also, this will be the toughest climb yet.

Get up real early in the morning and head off to Kala Patthar. The hike is challenging, but it is a worthy walk. It will take you around 2 hours of a tough climb through the rocky mountain until you reach Kala Patthar. The view from there is astounding. Everest seems even more beautiful from up here than from the base camp.

You just cannot get enough of this place, and one can be here for hours. But this is not the end of our journey. In about 45 minutes, you will be back at Gorakshep. Without wasting any more time, head off towards Lobuche.

You will leave Lobuche behind, and head more south until you reach a junction. The trail leading to Pheriche is different than the path from Dingboche to Lobuche. We can use the same route as we used before, but it is better if we follow a different way. This route is not longer than the usual.

You can see a different trail towards Cho La pass on the map. That route leads you to Gokyo through one of the toughest passes in this region.

We can arrange this trekking route as well . This route is longer and takes you to different parts of the Everest region.

You will stay overnight at Pheriche.

Trek from Pheriche to Khumjung village

Trek duration: 9 hours

Trekking distance: 23 Km

After Pheriche, you will head towards Khumjung village. This is the same village many of you hiked on your rest day at Namche Bajar. You will meet the same route from Tengboche to Dingboche in no time. The landscapes are still beautiful. After crossing Tengboche, you will need to walk through the same Pine forest as before.

This is probably the longest walk throughout this journey of yours. You will get to see beautiful landscapes and valleys. There are many rivers and bridges. Different florals and fauna have made this area their home.

The junction on the Everest Base Camp trek map is around Sanasa. After crossing Sanasa, you will head west towards Khumjung village. Khumjung village is beautiful. You can get an excellent view of the mountains and valleys from this village.

You will rest overnight at Khumjung.

Trek from Khumjung village to Monjo

Trekking distance: 11.5 Km

After a lovely breakfast at Khumjung village, your journey for the day starts. You will start by walking uphill towards Namche. The trail is not complicated. There are different landscapes and valleys along the way. You will reach the top of a hill after a few hours of hiking. See the beautiful Namche from the top and incredible mountains at a distance.

You will now descend towards Namche and further towards Monjo. You will get some rest and lunch at Namche. After a pleasant time at Namche, you need to head towards Monjo.

You will see waterfalls and streams along the way. There are a few suspension bridges and monasteries in your way. You will rest for the night at Monjo.

Trek from Monjo to Lukla

Trek duration: 4 hours

This is the last day of your trek. And tomorrow you will be out of Everest region. After having a lovely breakfast at Monjo, you will now head towards Lukla. The route is the same one you followed before. You will reach Phakding after some time. Rest at Phakding and walk for a few hours before reaching Lukla.

Rest here for the night, and get some rest. You will need to catch an early flight to Kathmandu tomorrow.

Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu

The thrilling flight from Lukla to Kathmandu is back. The take-off is just as exciting as the landing was. You will reach Kathmandu after 35 minutes of lovely flight.

Everest region is a conservative area. There are hundreds of floras and faunas. Make sure you do not engage in any acts that might harm them. Make sure you keep your environment clean. Do not make this beautiful place a dumping site. Make sure you follow the Nepal government and local rules.

Everest Three Pass Trek Map

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek: Nepal EBC Trekking Guide

The Mount Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is one of the world’s best bucket list hikes. In less than 2 weeks, you can trek to the foot of Mt Everest and other snowy peaks in the Himalayan mountains.

The good news is that it’s not a super difficult hike, and you don’t need a big budget to do it. The EBC trek is worth it for the fun and accomplishment alone, but you also get views of the Himalayas that are out of this world.

This travel guide will explain how you can do the Mt Everest Base Camp hike independently (with or without a tour guide), along with a recommended packing list and everything else you need to know before you go!

Best Everest Base Camp Tours

First of all, if you’d rather skip the hassle of planning your own EBC Trek, Klook has Everest Base Camp Tours starting as low as $900 USD for a full 12-day trek.

You may be able to find something cheaper than this once you land in Kathmandu, but booking online with a vetted tour company has some big advantages, and the reviews on their website are very positive.

We’ve used Klook for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Everest Base Camp Tours

When To Do The EBC Trek

The Mt Everest region has 4 different trekking seasons:

• March – May: High season. Best weather, with stable temperatures and bright sunny days, but the trails can get crowded. During these months you may share the EBC trail with pro climbers on the way to go summit Everest.
• June – August: Monsoon season. There’s a lot more rain during these months, and the trails are mostly empty.
• September – October: Clear days and busy trails. This is one of the most popular trekking seasons.
• November – February: Coldest season, but the weather is stable and dry. The trails are mostly clear.

I trekked in early February, and even though it was nice having the trail mostly to myself, the cold in the evenings and mornings was straight up misery.

My home state of Missouri can get very cold in the winter, but the cold has just never been my thing. If I could go back and change it, I would definitely do my Everest Base Camp hike later in the season.

Everest Base Camp Weather

Temperatures on the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek can range from 5 °C (40 °F) to 20 °C (70 °F) depending on month, and as low as -30 °C (-22 °F) at night during the winter months.

If you trek during the warmer months (Mar-May and Sep-Oct), the cold is not a big problem and shouldn’t be hard to cope with. Winter is a different story. Your snot will freeze in your nose at Gorak Shep.

Sunshine is key for winter trekking in Nepal, and thankfully you should have lots of sun in most months outside of the monsoon season. On my February hike, I often found myself shedding all my layers while trekking because I was heating up in the sun.

If you do your Everest Base Camp hike during the winter, the biggest issue is staying warm in the evenings and at night. For this, you’ll definitely want a top quality down jacket and sleeping bag.

All About Everest Base Camp Trekking

My everest base camp itinerary.

• Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Benkar .
• Day 2: Benkar to Namche Bazaar .
• Day 3: Namche Acclimatization Day .
• Day 4: Namche to Deboche .
• Day 5: Deboche to Pangboche .
• Day 6: Pangboche to Dingboche .
• Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatization Day .
• Day 8: Dingboche to Thukla .
• Day 9: Thukla to Gorak Shep .
• Day 10: Everest Base Camp .
• Day 11: Kala Patthar to Gorak Shep to Pheriche .
• Day 12: Pheriche to Namche .
• Day 13: Namche to Lukla .

If you ever need motivation to keep going on the Everest Base Camp hike, just look at how much the porters are carrying!

Mount Pumori as seen from the Kala Patthar viewpoint, just a short distance from Mt Everest Base Camp.

Ama Dablam, one of my favorite mountains on the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek.

EBC Trek Packing List / Gear

This isn’t a complete list of everything to bring on a Mt Everest Base Camp Trek, and you may have to change things up a little depending on what month you go, but these are just some of the basics.

You can find most of this gear in Kathmandu, but in my opinion you’ll get higher quality and a wider selection if you order online.

• Beanie: I only wore this at night, but it definitely helped keep my ears warm.
• Down Jacket: Bring the biggest, warmest DJ possible. This is your most important piece of gear. You can use it as an extra cover at night.
• Fleece Sweater: This is the only jacket you’ll need to wear while trekking most days, especially if it’s sunny.
• Shirts: Something comfy with quick dry material.
• Trekking Pants: Something lightweight and breathable.
• Thermal Underwear: May not be needed if you trek in the warmer months.
• Gloves: I only wore these at night, but they definitely helped keep my hands warm.
• Socks: Merino wool is best for staying warm and stopping moisture.
• Headlight: Smart to have at least a small one, just in case.
• Tumbler: 1 liter water bottle to refill daily on the trek.
• Sunblock: It’s easy to sunburn at high altitudes. A small bottle is plenty.
• Sunglasses: Good for snow. May not be necessary unless you plan to hike a mountain pass like Cho La.
• Hat: I wore old faithful throughout the hike.
• Watch: An altimeter watch would be fun to play with here.
• Camera: Duh. You can’t do the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek without taking lots of pictures.
• Power Bank: Bring a big power bank and you might only need to recharge it once on the whole trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost

For a 13 day trek, I paid about $21 USD per day for food, drinks, and room. Porter/guide was an extra $25 per day, although it’s not a requirement. Flights to Lukla were $330 return, but again not a requirement if you hike in.

You can read the sections below for more info on the daily trekking costs and what you get for your money. It’s not a very expensive trek, all things considered!

Keep in mind, these numbers are from 2020. They’ll go up a little over time. Exchange rates may also vary, so check the latest rates .

The flight to Lukla from Kathmandu is $165 USD each way. You can shop for flights to Lukla at Skyscanner.

If your budget is tight or you have extra time, you can skip this flight by hiking from Jiri to Lukla rather than flying. It only adds a couple days to the itinerary.

Guide / Porter / Solo

You can do the EBC trek with a guide, porter, OR independently (solo).

A guide will show you the way to Mt Everest Base Camp and help with lodging, navigation, advice, taking pictures for you, etc. A porter-guide will do these same things and also carry a 20 kg (45 lb) pack for you.

A porter or guide is NOT a requirement to do this hike, especially if you go in the warmer months when you may not need as much gear. In 2023, they were supposedly introducing a guide requirement for EBC, but so far that has not been enforced at all, thankfully.

With that said, there are some good advantages to hiring a guide, and it’s pretty cheap by Western standards. A porter is only $15 or $20 USD per day, and a porter-guide is $25 per day. A popular arrangement is to hire one porter for two hikers, splitting the cost and still making things easier for both of you.

In the end, this all depends on your budget and hiking preferences.

Hiking Fees

If you’re hiking EBC independently, you’ll need to be aware of two fees you have to pay near the start of the trek.

There’s a local government tax that they’ve now started collecting in Lukla. This one is currently 2,000 Rupees ($17 USD).

There’s also an Everest park fee/ticket you have to pay at the Sagarmatha National Park entrance just beyond the small village of Monjo, Nepal. This one is currently 3,500 Rupees ($30 USD).

No TIMS card is needed anymore for independent hikers. That fee has been retired for the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek.

Accommodation & Amenities

Throughout the Everest Base Camp hike, you’ll stay and sleep at small guesthouses along the way, called teahouses.

This is where you get your meals and drinks for the trek, along with the occasional amenities like showers, charging, or WiFi. The teahouses start out decent, but quickly get more shabby as you go further up the trail.

You have to pay for everything you use, of course, and the prices get quite high as you go, because everything has to be hauled up on the backs of the poor porters.

Guesthouses

The teahouses on the EBC trek are cold and dingy, with drop toilets and cracks in the walls. Don’t expect luxury.

Most rooms are free as long as you buy your meals there (the meals are how they make their money). If you stay at a lodge and don’t eat there, you’ll be expected to pay for the room.

In some cases, I was charged 500 Rupees for a room on top of my meal costs. I’m not sure why some teahouses do this and others don’t, but I never paid more than 500 Rupees for a room, and most were free with the meals.

Food & Drink

I’m happy to report that the food and drinks on the Everest Base Camp hike are top notch, especially after you’ve worked up an appetite trekking.

You have western food choices, or the standard local staples like veggie fried rice, steamed momos (dumplings), and mushroom soup. Everything was hot and fresh. Meal prices for these ranged from 250 to 750 Rupees depending on altitude. Not too bad.

For drinks I tried hot chocolate, lemon/apple/mint tea, and occasionally bottled water for my tumbler. These ranged from 100 to 400 Rupees. If you want to avoid plastic bottles, there’s usually boiled water available and this is safe to drink too.

Getting enough water on the trek is never a problem. Just fill up a 1 liter tumbler in the morning, and this will last you until evening, especially since you’re likely to pass more tea houses along the trail as you’re hiking throughout the day.

Showers are only available at a few lodges, depending on the season and how high up you are, and they cost 600 to 1200 Rupees. In the winter, water higher up will be frozen most of the time.

I never had a shower on my February EBC trek, and that seems to be the norm (although I got one or two opportunities in Namche). Yes, it’s gross. I could smell myself by trek’s end, and it wasn’t pretty.

But aside from the fact that I hate to fork out money for something as basic as a shower, I also never really got close to other people for very long on the trek, so I didn’t feel too guilty about it.

Most days were cold enough that the thought of stripping down for a shower was not really appealing, either. Your best bet is baby wipes and deodorant.

WiFi / Cell Service

WiFi costs anywhere from $5 to $10 USD per day if you buy it from the teahouses.

Alternatively, you can buy a 10 GB/30 Day Everest Link WiFi card in Namche Bazaar and use this for the entire EBC trek. During my Mount Everest Base Camp Trek the WiFi was down across the whole region, so unfortunately I wasn’t able to use either of these options.

I bought an Ncell local SIM card in the Kathmandu airport and had 3G service for half the days of the Everest Base Camp hike. Coverage is still improving in the area, so if you need to stay connected I’d definitely bring a local SIM.

Electricity

All of the teahouses on the way to Mt Everest Base Camp sell outlet charging for electronics, and the prices range from $2 to $10 USD for a full charge, depending on how far up the trail you are.

The key is to bring a big power bank and then use this to charge all of your other electronics (phone, camera, etc). I did this and only paid once to recharge my power bank on the whole trek.

How Much Cash To Bring

Everything you buy during the Everest Base Camp hike (meals, WiFi, charging, etc) will have to be paid for with cash. Credit cards won’t work. There are no ATMs outside of Lukla and Namche Bazaar (Days 1-4), and even the ATMs there are not reliable.

What this means is that you’ll have to withdraw enough cash (Nepalese Rupees) at an ATM in Kathmandu to cover your entire trek. The ATM fees will bite you, and I hate to carry large amounts of cash, but it’s not really avoidable here.

All up, I spent about $20 USD (2,400 Rupees) per day on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, and never spent more than $25 USD in a single day. With that said, I didn’t splurge on WiFi, showers, charging, or alcohol. The only things I bought were the bare necessities: room, food, and drinks.

If you hire a porter/guide, you don’t need to factor that into your daily cash carry. That’s paid before the trek starts. But do reserve a little cash for a decent tip.

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

I’m not going to lie, this is a difficult trek. And if you do it in the winter like I did, it’s even harder. With that said, if you are in decent shape, determined, and obey the guidelines for altitude sickness prevention (more on that below), then you’ll have no problem reaching base camp.

There is a lot of elevation gain and loss on this hike. At times near Lukla, the constant ups and downs will make you feel like you’re hiking a roller coaster, but the trail is never too steep or dangerous. After Namche, it’s mostly a slow uphill plod.

This trek has been completed by old seasoned hikers in their 70s, and young kids in their pre-teens. It’s also been flunked by healthy 20-30 somethings who try to push through it quickly without enough acclimatization to altitude.

Patience and discipline are key for trekking to Everest Base Camp. Slow and steady wins the race here.

Trekking Distance

The one way trekking distance from Lukla to Mt Everest Base Camp is about 65 kilometers (40 miles).

That means the total roundtrip distance of an EBC Trek is about 130 kilometers, even if you don’t do any of the detours.

Don’t let that scare you off. It’s a lot of hiking, but every step is worth it.

Altitude Sickness

By far your biggest danger on the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek is altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

No one is immune to this, and it doesn’t matter how fit you are. If you gain altitude too fast, you can get sick and in some cases even die. Plenty of people have died from AMS on the EBC Trek.

The problem is that overzealous hikers push the envelope on this hike all the time, and a lot of them end up needing a very expensive helicopter evacuation to lower ground.

The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to go slow . At altitudes above 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), don’t increase your sleeping elevation by more than 300-500 meters (1,000-1,500 feet) per night.

Every 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) you should also spend a second night at the same elevation. If you get a bad headache, dizziness, or nausea, descend to a lower altitude until you feel better. As long as you follow these general guidelines, you shouldn’t have any issues.

You can take Diamox (acetazolamide) on the trek for extra AMS prevention. This medication can be found in Kathmandu or Namche. I bought mine in Namche and it seemed to help my headache and slight foggy feeling. I didn’t have any side effects aside from the usual tingling toes/fingers.

Everest Base Camp Altitude

The Mount Everest Base Camp altitude is 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). At this elevation, there is 50% of the oxygen at sea level.

However, most treks also go to Kala Patthar, a viewpoint even higher than base camp where you can get the best views of Mount Everest.

The elevation at Kala Patthar is 5,644 meters (18,519 feet). From there, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible panorama of Mount Everest and other icy peaks like Pumori, Lhotse, and Nuptse.

Happy travels!

If you’d rather skip the hassle of planning your own EBC Trek, Klook has Everest Base Camp Tours starting as low as $900 USD for a full 12-day trek.

You may be able to find something cheaper than this once you land in Kathmandu, but booking online with a vetted tour company has some big advantages, and the reviews on their website are very positive for this Mt Everest Base Camp tour.

More Nepal Travel Tips

Hopefully you were helped by this guide for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Let me know in the comments below if I can help answer any questions.

Don’t forget to check out my complete Nepal Travel Guide with tips, info, photos & more!

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So much useful detailed information.

Thanks for the straight forward information. Beautiful photos

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Realworld Adventures

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Independent Everest BC Trek Maps & Facts 2023

Back to Everest BC Trek in 8 Days

Everest BC Trek Maps & Facts page provides facts about the new trekking rules, an 8 day itinerary, costs, how to get a porter/guide, accommodation, recommended agencies, maps and GPS tracks.

April 2023 Independent Trekker Rules Change

How to get around the Nepal Tourism Board’s new law that mandates all foreign solo trekkers hire a guide while trekking in Nepal’s mountainous regions. This law will come into effect from 1st April 2023.

There are a lot of locals that are porter/assistant guides in Nepal. Unfortunately they generally only find work through Agencies in Kathmandu at very minimal wages. I have always tried to hire my guides/porters directly at the trail head so that I can pay them a fare wage. However, this can be hit and miss or time consuming.

If you are going to the Everest Region I suggest you give Pemba Nuru Sherpa a call +977 984 286 8763 (WhatsApp) and he can setup a local porter/guide for you from Lukla. He is a local Guesthouse owner and not an Agency. See “If You Just Need A Porter” after the Itnerary.

Everest BC Trek Itinerary

Day 1 : March 7, 2023 Kathmandu flight to Lukla Lukla to Monjo (7.5 hrs) Altitudes (1400 – 2840 – 2835) Everest Pilgrim Lodge

Day 2 : March 8, 2023 Monjo to Namche Bazaar (1.5 hrs) Lunch break (1 hr) Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (6 hrs) Altitudes (2835 – 3440 – 3860) Trekkers Lodge

Day 3 : March 9, 2023 Tengboche to Dingboche (4.5 hrs) Altitudes (3860 – 4410) Bright Star Lodge

Day 4 : March 10, 2023 Dingboche to Lobuche (4 hrs) Lobuche to Pyramid (1 hr) Pyramid to Gorak Shep (3 hrs) Altitudes (4410 – 4910 – 4970 – 5140) Yeti Lodge

Day 5 : March 11, 2023 Gorak Shep to EBC (3 hrs) Return to Gorak Shep (1.5 hrs) Gorak Shep to Lobuche (2 hrs) Altitudes (5140 – 5364 – 5140 – 4910 Sherpa Lodge

Day 6 : March 12, 2023 Lobuche to Tengboche via Pheriche (7 hrs) Altitudes (4910 – 4240 – 3860) Trekkers Lodge

Day 7 : March 13, 2023 Tengboche to Lukla (10 hrs) Altitudes (3860 – 2840) Sherpa Kitchen Lodge

Day 8 : March 14, 2023 Lukla Flight back to Kathmandu Altitudes (2840 – 1400)

If you Just Need A Porter Or Bed in Lukla

Pemba Nuru Sherpa (Sherpa Kitchen Lodge & Restaurant in Lukla) [email protected] +977 984 286 8763 (WhatsApp)

He can arrange a local porter/guide. Expect to pay around 2000 NRS a day. Generally the local porter/guide can carry his own gear and reasonable amounts of gear from one-two trekkers. Be smart and never carry more than 10-15 kg. All guesthouses in Kathmandu have unlimited and free baggage storage, so leave it behind if it is not absolutely necessary.

A Porter/Guide Beyond Everest

While trekking I also met Sauman, who is both a Porter and an Assist Guide. He charges around 2500 NRS per day and can be reached directly at +977 984 281 9770 (WhatsApp).

If you Need An Agency

(see Nepal Trekking App for details)

Himalaya Hub – Puru RImal +977 984 923 4135 Nepal Mountain Adventures – Bimal Giri +977 984 429 0054 Nepal Environmental Treks – Mahesh +977 984 184 3931 Makalu Adenture – Mohan Lamsal +977 985 103 7083

Kathmandu Transport Ticket Agent

There are many ticket agents in Thamel as well as trekking agencies that can provide transportation tickets, however the trekking agencies will really try to push you into a package so my advice is to look for travel agents, not trekking agents, if you only want a jeep, bus or airline ticket/advice.

Need a Bed in Kathmandu (price low to high)

Hotel Yog (& Hostel) WanderThirst Hostels Thamel Echo Resort Hotel Excelsior Kathmandu Guesthouse

Total Cost Range of this Activity is: $$$

Cost Details*:

2023 prices, * 7 days trekking expenses and 8th morning flight from lukla to ktm, ** 3000 nrs jeep alternative ktm-sallari with +3 days walk to lukla., airfare to nepal.

I have started visiting Nepal again because of the cheap and direct tickets available from FlyDubai . With direct flights from Dubai to Kathmandu and all the other connection options to Dubai, it has become much easier to visit Nepal (and cheaper) than in the old days of transiting through Delhi.

2023 Everest Trek Permits

These permits can be purchased at the Lukla and park checkpoints. No TIMs card or photos are required. Just Nepali rupees and your passport.

Everest BC Trek Map & Route

Download just the Everest Base Camp trek GPS EBC.gpx track file.

Download the 16 Trek GPS gpx track files from the GPS Tracks page.

Download the free mobile Trekking Nepal App for more route and trek options.

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• by Caroline
• Last Updated: 2023-03-25

As a world-recognized trekking paradise, Nepal is home to 8 of 14 world's 8000-meter snow mountains. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers, Nepal has developed a number of national parks and numerous treks. Whether you have previous trekking experience or not, this magnificent country of snow-capped mountains has a trek suitable for you.

Among them, the Everest Base Camp Trek(EBC trek for short) in Sagarmatha National Park is the most classic one in the world. In fact, Nepal’s EBC trek refers to not only one route but several routes in the region according to different durations, ranging from 10 days to 3 weeks. Here are three classic Everest Base Camp trek routes as well as maps:

Route 1: Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trekking Map

• Trek Level: Medium - suitable for the trekkers who have less time and are only interested in EBC
• Distance: 59 km
• Duration: 10 days
• Best Time: September to December & March to May

The biggest difficulty of this route is the long duration and high altitude, with big ascends of some individual sections and complicated road conditions.

Trekking Route

• D1 Kathmandu – Lukla (2840 m) – Phakding (2610 m)
• D2 Phakding (2610 m) – Monjo (2840 m) - Namche Bazar (3440 m)
• D3 Namche Bazar (3440 m) - Tengpoche(3860 m)
• D4 Tengpoche (3860 m) - Pangboche(3930 m) – Dinboche (4410 m)
• D5 Dingboche (4410 m) – Lobuche (4910 m)
• D6 Lobuche (4910 m) - Gorap Shep (5140 m) - Kala Patthar (5600 m) - Gorap Shep (5140 m)
• D7 Gorak Shep (5140 m) – EBC (5364 m) – Lobuche (4910 m)
• D8 Lobuche (4910 m) – Pangboche (3930 m)
• D9 Pangboche (3930 m) - Namche Bazar (3440 m)
• D10 Namche Bazar(3440 m) – Phakding (2610 m) – Lukla (2840 m)

Route 2: Everest Base Camp Trekking Map via Gokyo

• Trek Level: Difficult - trekking enthusiasts with certain physical strength
• Distance: 140 km
• Duration: 15 days
• Best time: September to December

This is not a retrace route. On the trail, you can see alpine valleys, villages, and dozens of snow-capped mountains every day. Among them, there're 3 mountains above 8000 meters - Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu.

Although the distance is far, you will have a break to acclimatize the high elevation in Namche Bazar(3440m) and Dingboche(4410m). The daily trekking time is about 3-6 hours, and the elevation of the accommodation area rises within 500 meters every day to fully adapt to the plateau. As long as there are experienced leaders, tourists without much trekking experience can choose this route with confidence. For trekking enthusiasts who often climb mountains, it can usually be done in about 15 days.

• D7 Gorak Shep (5140m) – EBC (5364 m) - Gorak Shep (5140 m)
• D8 Gorak Shep (5140 m) – Lobuche (4910) – Dzonghla (4830)
• D9 Dzonghla (4830 m) - Chola Pass (5330)- Dragnag (4700)
• D10 Dragnag (4700 m) – Gokyo (4790 m) - Gokyo Ri (5360 m) – Gokyo (4790 m)
• D11 Gokyo (4790 m) - Thonak Thso (4870 m, 4 th lake) - Ngozumba Thso (4990 m, 5 th lake) - Gyazumba Thso (5116 m, 6 th lake) – Gokyo (4790 m )
• D12 Gokyo (4790 m) - Phortse Tenga (3680 m)
• D13 Phortse Tenga (3680 m) – Namche (3440 m)
• D14 Namche (3440 m) – Lukla (2840 m)
• D15 Lukla (2840 m) – Kathmandu

Route 3: EBC Three Passes Loop Trekking Map

• Trek Level: very difficult - suitable for hikers with high demand for photography and good physical strength
• Distance: 188 km
• Duration: 17days ~ 18 Days

The three main observation decks have different perspectives. On this route, trekkers have a close view of Lhotse at the Chukung Ri Observation Deck in Chukung, Mount Everest at the Kala Pathar Observation Deck in Gorakshep, and Cho Oyu at the Gokyo-Ri Observation Deck in Gokyo. In the first and second glacial lakes of Kongma La Pass, trekkers also see the reflections of Lhotse(8516 m), Nuptse(7861 m), Makalu(8485 m), Baruntse(7129 m), Ama Dablam(6812 m), etc.

In order to reduce the number of repeated routes for tourists and save trekking time, this Everest trekking route needs to cross the three major passes of Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, thus forming an EBC super large loop. The trekking time is about 18 days.

From the beginning of this journey, the snow-capped mountains will surround you. Walking among the snow-capped mountains, you may feel the greatness and smallness of nature and man. For those of you who love the Himalayas and snow mountains, you will obtain full of happiness.

Compared with the small loop, this route is more difficult, especially when crossing the Kongma La Pass, with the highest elevation among the three passes. After climbing over the pass and rapid descending, trekkers need to cross the Khumbu Glacier, with no supplies along the way. So people who do not have enough trekking experience are prone to altitude sickness or physical exhaustion. Please be careful to register!

• D1 Kathmandu(1300m)-Lukla(2840m)-Phakding(2610m)–Monjo(2835m)
• D2 Monjo(2835m)-Namche(3440m)
• D3 Namche(3440m)-Tengboche(3860m)-Pangboche(3930m)
• D4 Pangboche(3930m)-Ama Dablam Base Camp(4600m)- Dingboche(4410m)
• D5 Dingboche(4410m) - Chhukung(4730m)
• D6 Chhukung(4730m)-Chhukung Ri(5546m)- Chhukung(4730m)
• D7 Chhukung(4730m) -Kongma La Pass(5535m) -Chhukung(4730m) -Lobuche(4910m)
• D8 Lobuche(4910m)- Gorak Shep(5140m)- Kala Patthar(5545m)- Gorak Shep(5140m)
• D9 Gorak Shep(5140m)- Everest BaseCamp(5364m) -Gorak Shep(5140m)
• D10 Gorak Shep(5140m)-- Kala Patthar(5545m)- Gorak Shep(5140m)
• D11 Gorak Shep(5140m)- Lobuche(4910m)-Dzonglha(4830m)
• D12 Dzonglha(4830m)-Cho La Pass(5420m)-Gokyo(4790m)
• D13 Gokyo(4790 m) - Thonak Thso(4th Lake 4870 m) - NgozumbaThso(5th Lake, 4990 m) - Gyazumba Thso(6th Lake, 5116 m)- Gokyo(4790 m)
• D14 Gokyo(4790m)-Gokyo Ri(5360m)-Gokyo(4790m)
• D15 Gokyo(4790m)-Renjo La Pass(5345m)-Lumde(4380m)-Thame(3800m)
• D16 Thame(3800m)-Namche(3440m)-Lukla(2840m)
• D17 Lukla(2840m)-Kathmandu(1300m)

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Typically Asked Questions from Our Clients

Asked by Bija***

Does this Everest Base Camp Trek is of Nepal Side or Tibet Side and how much does it cost for the trip

Dear Bija****,

Thank you for sending us an inquiry!

All the three routes of Everest Base Camp Trek are in Nepal.

We have a 10-day trek, a 15-day trek, and a 17-day trek, which route do you prefer? 

Before I quote you, could you please kindly let me know the following info?

1. What's your nationality?

2. When are you going to have Tibet tour? Different season, different cost.

3. How many people in your group?

Please let me know without hesitation if you have any further questions or doubts.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Asked by Ssur***

i would like to come by my bike from chhattisgarh raipur to the nearrest point to namche bazar

Dear Ssur****,

There is no road access from Chhattisgarh Raipur to the nearest point to Namche Bazar. You can trek (4-5 days or fly 35 mins ) to Lukla and trek to Namche Bazar. We can arrange the trek tour for you.

Asked by Moha***

me and my two grown up daughters are interested to do the trek to mount everest base camp in March 2024. Is that the right time to do so ? If not what earliest date to that do you suggest?

Dear Moh****,

Usually, Tibet will close during February and March due to the Tibetan new year. The earliest time to visit Tibet is from April 1, but to ensure you get your Tibet travel permit, I suggest you come after 10 April.

To visit Everest Base Camp, from the middle of April to the middle of May is the best time, since the adventure team also choose this period to climb Mt.Everest, due to the good weather and much better transparency. Here's 8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Group Tour for you. Please let me know your idea.

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Great Tibet Tour is a local tour company based in Lhasa, Tibet. It was founded in 2005 and recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the best reputed local Tibet travel agencies.

With the great responsibility, professional know-how and passion for innovation, Great Tibet Tour endeavors to provide you with enjoyable, thoughtful service, and authentic culture discovery.

Route Map of Everest Base Camp

• Aug 9, 2023

Table of Contents

Everest Base Camp 5,380m is an iconic trek through the beautiful Khumbu valley of Nepal. The trek is an adventurous expedition will through the immense beauty of the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park. In addition, you will have simultaneous views of the highest peaks in the world. So, the idea of an  Everest base camp trek  map is vital for you to explore the beautiful vistas throughout the trek. Whether you are doing any type of tour like an Everest Scenic flight or Everest base camp Helicopter tour , The route map gives you an idea of where you are heading or landing.

The trek traces the classic route overlooking the magnificent views of Mt. Everest 8,848m, Mt. Lhotse 8,516m, Mt. Makalu 8,470m, and Cho Oyu 8,201m to the Base Camp. Along the trail, you will accommodate yourself at the teahouse trek of the highest villages in the world. So, it is an aspiring exploration of the culture and traditions of the native Sherpas. You will have the opportunity to learn about their spiritual connection with the mountains.

The Everest Camp is an incredible journey as it takes you to an astounding height of 5,500 Kala Patthar. Kala Patthar is world-famous for its awe-inspiring views of Mount Everest. Your exciting Everest Base Camp Trek is a combination of rich culture and natural elements in the heart of the Khumbu region. The splendid walk along with the Buddhist monasteries and mani walls will offer you an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Trekking Route

The Everest trek starts from Lukla to the north towards Namche Bazaar. The trail ahead begins to fork its way to the northeast and leads you to Pheriche/Dingboche. It is a moderate 4-6 hours of hike every day.

The route is rocky and rugged as you make your way from Lobuche 4,940m to Gorak Shep 5,164m. In addition, you will have to maintain a stable hike on your ascent to Kala Patthar 5,500m. The hike gets strenuous as the changing attitude affects your body and you will start feeling its effect.

So, we highly recommend going through the Everest trek map to gather information about the altitude gains ahead. So, you can prepare yourself accordingly prior to the tremendous ascend to the higher elevation.

The trek covers a total distance of 130 km. Thus, it is important for you to maintain physical fitness to face obstacles on the routes. The difficulties you conquer on the trail are what make the trek more adventurous.

Lukla is the starting point for your incredible journey to Everest. The beautiful village settlement of Lukla has an elevation of 2800 meters. So, it is normal for you to experience early signs of  Altitude sickness  at the start of the trek.

From here on, you will begin your journey to the magnificence of the foothill of the World’s highest Mountain. During the course of the trek, you will stop at various places for an overnight stay. The splendid trekking experience in the serene Everest region eventually ends in 2 weeks’ time.

For most of the part of the trek, you will hike to places over 3000 meters. So, you will spend your time acclimatizing as well. However, other trekking options exist in the Everest region like the 3-pass trek, EBC, and Gokyo Lake. So, the altitude gained, the duration, and the length of the trek will depend upon the trekking packages.

Like any other alternative route, the traditional trek offers you an adventurous hike in the Everest region. The splendid trek takes you through mountain passes and high-elevation terrains of the Everest region. If you're looking for more comfortable accommodation, acclimatization plans, and a better opportunity to explore the Khumbu region, perhaps the Ultimate Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek plan is for you.

Here, we have listed the altitude you will gain at various notable places during the course of your trek.

Places along with the beginning of the trek

You will come across an abundance of Tea houses along the trail as you commence your trek from Lukla. The trail will gradually ascend upwards to the Dudh Kosi Valley up to the famous Namche Bazaar 3,438m.

Further ahead, you will pass Phakding 2,610m and Monjo 2,835m and hike toward the entrance of the Sagarmatha National Park at the Jorsale checkpoint.

You will overlook the fantastic view of the Thamserku 6,623m, Kangtega 6,782m, and Ama Dablam 6,812m mountains, along the trail from Mono 2,835m to Tengboche 3,860m.

Eventually, the trail gets steeper through Pangboche at 3,985m  until you arrive at Pheriche at 4,371m or Dingboche at 4,410m. From here on, you will hike 6 hours to the beautiful lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier at Lobuche 4,940m.

It is the final leg of the trek as you commence the trek through the last settlement at last Gorak Shep 5,164m and over the glacier to EBC.

Places while returning from the trek

After you complete the summit at the Base Camp, you will witness the magnificent view of the Khumbu Icefall. Then, you will begin your descent to Gorak Shep for an overnight stay. The next day you will make a steep ascent to the highest point of your trek, Kala Patthar 5,500m.

Kala Patthar is the best viewpoint in the entire Khumbu region. The viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the  Himalayan giants like Khumbutse 6,640m, Changtse 7,543m, Lhotse 8,516m, Nuptse 7,861m, and of course Mt. Everest 8,848m.

After the amazing experience of the Himalayan massif, you will head towards Pheriche for an overnight stay. From here on, the hike is a gentle downhill hike through small villages. You will retrace your journey from the beginning of the trek and relive those cherished moments again. Or if you are tired of walking down after reaching base camp and Kala Pattar you can Choose our 7 Days Everest base camp Trek which will take you to Kathmandu by Helicopter.

Your pleasant hike will end at the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, the capital city of Khumbu Valley. Upon your arrival. You will relax in the lodges, cafes, and restaurants to aid the relief from the exhaustion of the trek, At Namche, you will celebrate the accomplishment of the EBC trek.

Why is a map a must-have on this Trek?

The Everest map is an important aspect of the trek to be carried around throughout the expedition. The piece of paper carries important information regarding the factors affecting your trekking experience.

So, it will allow you to determine and weigh in factors like altitude, length, and landscape of the region. Here are some of the reasons why:

As a solo traveler, the guidance of the map comes in handy as most of the trekkers stray away from the paths on the trek.  The map will also allow you to be aware of the restricted areas along the

Base Camp trek. Having math with you enhances your insight on the trail and ensures your safety.

Putting things into perspective

A trekking map will give you insight into the distance and the destination you are heading to. A map is perfect for this information as you can forget the important details of the trek.  

A trekking map is a handy tool as it allows you to make a short detour away from the trekking trails. It will help you to visit and explore the surrounding places of the destination and locations.

Estimating Travel Times

The Everest trek offers you adequate information about the distance you must cover per day. So, you will have the details to schedule the trek as per your preference. Moreover, you will have a good estimation of your arrival at your destination for the day.

CEO and Managing Director at Sublime Trails Trekking, Ram has been leading adventure-hungry souls into the mountains of Nepal for over 15 years.

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14 Days Everest Base Camp Trek

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Everest Base Camp Trek, or EBC, is the most popular hike in Nepal and amongst avid trekkers. I just finished my EBC trek this second week of April 2023, and I can’t recommend this hike enough.

As a non-serious trekker, I was mindblown by the physical challenge and incredible feeling I experienced throughout the trip – it’s something a person should try to conquer at least once in their life.

It took me a year to prepare for this trip, and I learned much throughout the process. I was able to find out what was accurate and not while on the trail of the Khumbu Region.

This article about 14 days of Everest Base Camp Trek will help decide if this trip is for you, plan your hike, and help you visualise what to expect on the trail. This guide will also assist you in deciding whether it’s possible to trek on your own or if you must book a tour.

On the other hand, we have 3 itineraries for 2 weeks in Nepal if you don’t want to do any trekking or hiking during your trip.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE EVEREST BASE CAMP HIKE

Before you book your flight, tour, or anything, you should know a few things and keep them in mind. This will help you find out when to go, how much to budget, visa and permits to prepare, what to pack, and trekking etiquette.

Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty

I understand this is one of the number one questions for people wishing to hike to the Everest Base Camp. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, it can be hard to say the difficulty level of this trek. After all, it’s the highest base camp in the world.

The simple answer is that it’s challenging to trek the Everest Base Camp. I would rate it 7/10 on a difficult leve l. But there are a lot of things to take into consideration.

First, I’m not a highly experienced trekker . I’ve done lots of day hikes but only a handful of treks, which are no more than 3 days.

Second, the terrain itself was pretty alright . Lots of up and down, rocky terrain, muddy (and slippery when it’s wet/got snowed on), and hills.

Third, the most challenging is the thin air and elevation sickness . It doesn’t matter if you’re super fit or have good cardio. Each body could react differently on high elevation when not used to it. People who live in high elevations, such as Colorado (US), Cusco (Peru), Bogota (Colombia), and La Paz (Bolivia), have some advantages.

Fourth, are you carrying your own packs ? Carrying all your bags will definitely affect your performance. Having a porter will help you a lot, plus having a guide means they will arrange accommodation and food on your behalf. This means once you arrive at each town, you can simply get cleaned up, eat, relax, and try to recover.

The bottom line is if you’re an experienced trekker, you’ll probably find this trip at around 5/10 difficulty level. For people not as experienced, somewhere around 7 or 9 out 10 , especially for those who are trekking right out of their couch.

To give some perspective , before this trek, I exercise 6x a week. This includes a 2km run, strength/weight, and jumping cardio. When I started training, I added a 10K hike a week, lap swimming, stair climbing, and 10K steps a day.

Now that my trek is over, I would still say that the Everest Base Camp trek difficulty was 7/10 for me . If you get a private guide and porter, they can create a slower itinerary to give you some time to recover. For example, an extra day in Namche or an extra day in Dingboche – could help a lot (minus the possibility of elevation sickness)

Before arriving in Nepal or booking/planning your trek

Below is the information that will make your trip a little hassle-free, and make sure you don’t come to Nepal during the off-season when the trails are closed.

When is the best time to go to Everest Base Camp

There are two great and popular times to trek the Everest Base Camp. If you want to see and meet summiteers, go during the summit season between April and May. This is a popular time to do the trek because it’s not too cold, little chance of rain, and the sky is 90% clear. But, it gets so busy (especially by May) that the teahouses are often full, and the trail is very busy.

The other fantastic season for trekking the Everest Base Camp is between September to December. You will surely not have any rainfall, and the sky will be much clearer. Although it can be a lot colder and although it’s not summit season, the teahouses can still be quite busy.

You can’t hike the Everest Base Camp trail from June to August during typhoon season. Not only will heavy rains make your trip awful, but the National Park will be closed, the trails are not open, and there will be no teahouses to stay at in the Khumbu region.

Are 2 weeks enough for Everest Base Camp Trek

Yes. 14 days for the Everest hike is tight but possible. If you only have this much time for this trip, don’t plan to see other places in Nepal except Kathmandu. You will have just enough time to go to shops to rent trekking equipment and bring it back at the end of your trip before you have to catch a flight home.

I personally had 30 days in Nepal, which allowed me to know I could extend my trip if something happened while on the trail. Luckily, I finished unscathed and could head to Pokhara and check it out.

What is the average cost for 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek

2 weeks after my EBC trek, I sat down and did the math. Since I booked a tour that covered my food, accommodation, guide, porter, and permits. I spent about $50 on the trail for water, hot drinks, and some snacks.

I spent USD 1,500, excluding flights from home and back. This amount includes travel and medical insurance for the entire trek, including the required helicopter evacuation above 5,000 m.

Visa and trekking permits

I paid for a 30-day visa on arrival, which was $50 . I applied online before my flight landed. This means I didn’t have to waste my time in the queue at the visa machine. This is highly recommended if your flight lands during the day because the queue to the machine, payment, and stamp could take an hour, or more.

The visa requires you to provide your personal details, flight details, and the address of your first hotel in Nepal. If you sign up for the visa in advance, you don’t need to print it, keep a digital copy with you, and you’ll show it to the immigration officer. Make sure to bring a passport-sized photo and cash (USD, GBP, EURO). There’s an ATM there if you need it.

There are multiple “permit stops” where you must show your trekking permit. This is because the licenses for locals are different for foreigners. Also, various permits depend on your end destination.

I received 2 permits, one from Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and the other for Sagmantha National Park. The total cost was 5,000 NPR or around $38. These fees were included since I was on tour and didn’t have to stand in line. My tour guide handled everything for me.

The first “permit post” is right as you leave Lukla. Then, there’s another major post as you enter Sagmantha National Park (from Phakding to Lukla). Another small one when you’re about to enter Namche and another one between Namche and Tengboche.

Travel, medical, and evacuation insurance

For trekking to EBC, securing insurance for evacuation with a helicopter is a must. You must have this since whether you’re on tour, going independently, or contracting a guide. Not because it’s required but because if you do need to be evacuated, it will cost you a minimum of $5,000 for the service.

There’s also a rumour that it might be required in the near future. From what I saw during my trek, loads of people were evacuated by helicopter, horse, or donkey. The evacuation is required if you hurt yourself physically or suffer from high altitude sickness.

Getting this insurance will cost you somewhere between $100 to $500, depending on the company you sign up with. It’s totally worth it than risking paying $5,000 or paying $200 a day for the horse service.

My only issue about getting the insurance is that because it’s for “extreme sports”, many of the insurance companies only secure based on nationality. For example, an insurance company based and registered in the UK will only insure the Brits. The same goes for Australia, US, and Europe.

Insurance companies from my own home country (Philippines) don’t even know what “high altitude rescue” means or have nothing in place for that. After scouring through websites, sending dozens of emails, and waiting for weeks, I found IMGLobal , which has no nationality restrictions.

I paid $115 for a 15-day coverage. Make sure to choose “ iTravelInsured Travel LX “, which is specifically for extreme sports or activity and has no altitude limit.

When getting evacuation insurance, most of those don’t come with medical insurance. This means your insurance is only covering the helicopter cost itself. You’ll most likely be dropped off at a hospital in Kathmandu. The medical cost in Nepal is reasonable for a foreign person, but I still recommend you simply get medical insurance as well.

What to pack for the EBC hike

You want to think of layers than packing heavy or thick jackets. One guy in our group has 2 fleece jackets and a medium-thickness puffy. I had one, but my down jacket (puffy), one thick and heavy. A girl in our group only packs two sets of clothes. She was wearing the same thing the entire time and the other set for “sleeping in”.

Plenty of people on the trail went with merino wool. But I couldn’t do it. Not for the first layer as it gets me so itchy, especially when I start sweating. I recommend a synthetic for the first layer (that touches your skin), then merino wool for the other layers.

You can check my packing list for 14-day Everest Base Camp hike to give you an idea. I also listed my friend’s (men’s) packing list. You can also get this free printable packing list specifically for this trek.

Yes, please!

Do you need a hiking pole for EBC

I would say yes. It gets steep and slippery when it gets muddy and snowy, and when it’s time to go back down. Having hiking poles helps with your knees, ankles, and also quads. But it takes practice, so it’s best to try it at home so you have time to get comfortable.

While on the trek

Now that you know when to go, what to pack, and about trekking permits, it’s time to learn about what to expect while on the trail. This includes food and drinks, internet/wifi access, how to pay for goods and services, and, most importantly, walking etiquette.

Going slow or fast

It doesn’t matter how fit or good of a hiker you are – you must GO SLOW as you ascend. This is because no one can predict how your body will react to the elevation, especially if you live in a sea-level area.

During my trek, I saw physically fit people struggling. I saw people who were covering 2 villages in one day abandoning their trek due to AMS (altitude mountain sickness). I’m assuming you already know that this is a 2-week trek.

No one will judge you for being slow. You’ll notice that other people are being slow themselves. Along the trek, you’ll find people from different groups coming together as they find the pace that works for them – join them.

There’s no reason to go too fast; you’ll only hurt your chance of finishing the trek. You might have some advantages if you come from a high-elevation place such as Cusco or Colorado. You’ll most likely feel any AMS symptoms until you’re past Namche Bazaar.

Take your time, take some incredible photos, and admire the views. If you still have good energy after Gorakshep, you can sprint down to Lukla.

AMS and Diamox

DISCLAIMER : I am not a doctor or a person practising medicine in any shape, way, or form. I’m only sharing what I experienced during my trek. Please consult your doctor for any questions you may have regarding altitude sickness medicine and altitude mountain sickness .

AMS is more than short of breath. It’s also when you’re tired only an hour into the day’s trek. But what’s more concerning is the headache. This is when your brain is swelling due to a lack of oxygen.

This is why going slow and taking as much air into your body is more important than covering distance. Once you get a headache crawling at the back of your head, you might have to call it quits and ask for a helicopter rescue.

Before you take Diamox or any other altitude sickness pill, you should speak to your doctor. I didn’t take any during my trek, even though I had a headache for nearly a week. For the first 2 days, paracetamol with codomol was able to ease the pain away.

But eventually, the pain was coming off stronger, and I had to take paracetamol a few times a day. The pain never reached the back of my head, though, so I didn’t feel like I needed to take Diamox.

A guy in our group took it the day he arrived in Kathmandu, as his doctor prescribed him. The side effects were similar to the actual symptoms. So, for almost 5 days into the trek, he was feeling sick, had diarrhoea, headache, and lost his appetite. He stopped taking it and eventually felt a bit better.

On the other hand, the girl in our group also started with Diamox from Kathmandu and never had any side effects or even major symptoms of AMS apart from fatigue and shortness of breath.

I can’t tell you what will work for you, so please talk to your doctor.

What to eat and drink

Regarding food, all teahouses serve meals with a pretty good menu. You’ll find a breakfast section, lunch/dinner or warm meals. Both locals and international dishes are available such as pizza and pasta. But don’t expect the taste to be anything Michellin star-worthy. The food is decent and keeps your fuel up.

Although meat is available up to Namche Bazaar, it’s still not recommended. Namche is 2-3 days away from a proper town. This means the meat has to travel for that long (without freezing the meat). In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk. Getting food poisoning is the last thing you want to do on such a long trek.

For protein sources, you can get eggs in teahouses. Or pack protein bars, protein powder, and nuts with you. I also recommend packing some jerkies.

When it comes to drinks, bottled water, carbonated drinks, and even beer are available. There are “convenient stores”, in each town (except Tengboche and Gorakshep) that sell candy bars such as Mars, Bounty, and Kitkat, beer, bottled water, rain jacket, and other hiking items.

Bottled water costs somewhere between 100 NPR to 500 NPR ($1 to $5) as you climb up. Most people refill their water bottles or bladder water in the teahouse before leaving. Then you can drop Aquatabs on it and wait for 30 minutes to cure. Once you’re in Gorakshep, drinking tap water is not recommended, and you must buy bottled water instead.

Internet access

I was amazed that there was mobile reception up to Tengboche Monastery. I bought a local sim card and purchased 28-day data. It worked pretty well for Phakding, Namche, and Tengboche. But the signal was either non-existent or super patchy from Dingboche, Pangboche, Pheriche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep.

In those towns, you can purchase a 24-hour card from the teahouse. The internet providers that exist up there are AirLink and EverestLink. Basically, you bought the card and put the code from that card as a login pass. Only one device per card. Meaning you and your friend cannot share the same code. If you try to use it for another device, it will say something like, “This code has been validated/used”.

While you are in Kathmandu or before you start your hike, look for a shop that sells Ncell and get one with a data package. From the airport, 40GB of data valid for 28 days was 1,400 NPR ($14). We bought that for my friend. I got mine in town around Thamel and paid for 28GB for 28 days for 800 NPR ($8).

We actually stayed in Nepal for 30 days. When the data expired or ran out, I returned to where I got my sim from and asked the guy to help get an extra 3 GB for 150 NPR ($1.5). When buying a sim card, you must bring your passport and a passport photo .

Walking etiquette

During the walk, there are a few things you need to keep in mind so everybody can use the trail and you don’t get hurt, and nobody gets hurt.

In Nepal, they walk and drive on the left. So, naturally, people walk on the left. You’ll see this big black rock with carved Tibetan script on them. You must walk clockwise (on the left) and go around it . The locals believe it means good luck but also show respect for the mountains or nature. Whether you believe it or not, respect the local’s culture and tradition and follow the rules.

The Everest Base Camp trail is full of international people. This means that it’s okay if you want to walk on the right side (as long as you walk on the left for the rock), especially if the wall is on the right and you’re on a cliff.

If you’re going slow or don’t plan to sprint, walk on the side and not in the middle of the trail so the other people coming can come swiftly and safely. If you want to pass other people, wait until the terrain becomes wider so you can take over safely, and you don’t push other people.

Porters walk fast, it’s important to give way to them . And due to the way they carry the packs, they can’t look further than a step ahead of them (they often look at their feet). To avoid tripping a porter or them bumping onto you, stay on the side and don’t block the middle.

If you hear the porters coming, step aside. If you see the porter coming and there’s a tight space, step up on the rocks to give way and tell the people in front of you, “porters coming”, so they can step aside too.

If you’re the one who wants to pass other people, say “excuse me” or ask politely. Everyone is tired and wants to get to each destination.

Loads of animals are on the trail; they are more impatient, faster, and much stronger than a porter or other human. For this reason, you always give way to the animals passing through. The animal you see are horses, cows, mules, donkeys, and the famous yaks, native to the Himalayas.

They are easy to spot (or hear), though. All the animals wear bells , so you will actually hear them coming at least 100 metres away. Animals always have a shepherd or herder with them to help keep them in line and ensure they won’t cause trouble or accidents.

These animals transport food and goods to the mountains from the main towns and back. When they are passing the trail, not only must you step aside, but you must keep the side by the wall . This is because you’ll never know how the animal will react. You don’t want them accidentally hurting or pushing you off the cliff.

And finally, don’t forget to show some kindness to the locals and other trekkers. A nod, small hello, good morning, or a namaste greeting goes a long way and shows good manners. And always say thank you .

Toilets and water refill

Along the trail are plenty of little towns where you could ask if you can use their bathroom. Usually, it’s free, some have donation boxes, but you must ask first. At the same houses, you could ask if you can refill your bottle or buy bottled water from them.

There were only a few times the people in our group had to walk out of the trail and hide in the bushes if they needed to relieve themselves. The people in our group were also happy to share water, medicine, and even chocolates.

Payment mode

In some towns, such as Namche, you can pay with a card if they have internet access. But in general, cash payment is the norm. Namche Bazaar is the last place on the trail where an ATM machine is available. If you run out of local cash and your card is not working, you might be able to change your currency (USD, GBP, EURO) at the reception area of the teahouse.

Porter and guide tipping

I calculated my tipping as 10% of the cost of the tour. This is per staff. The minimum recommended is $10 a day. I know two people in our group did a $15 a day. To clarify that, we have 3 staff on our tour, 1 guide and 3 porters.

If the tour is 14 days and you’re doing $10 daily, that’s $140 for each staff member. This doesn’t mean that the tour company is not paying the porters or guides. Tipping is expected and recommended because the minimum wage in Nepal is less than $100 per month.

If you’re hiring a porter directly, you must pay $20 a day plus cover their meals. Bring extra aqua tabs to share with your porter and guide.

The guide usually makes more money than the porters since they have more responsibility. Even though we had 3 porters and only 1 porter was carrying my pack, I tipped all the porters because they helped me carry my day pack when I struggled during the acclimatisation days.

I didn’t mind shelling out extra money because I’d seen with my own eyes how physically demanding the job of a porter is. I wouldn’t have made it without injury and extra energy if not for the porters.

Other basic travel tips

Although you can’t book the teahouses online, some of these travel sites can be very helpful when planning your trip to Nepal. Especially for accommodation in Kathmandu, bus and flights between cities, and travel insurance, which is a must if you’re doing the trek.

EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR OR GO INDEPENDENTLY?

Shortly after opening the international border post-COVID19, Nepal Tourism Board has decided to require all foreign trekkers who are going higher than 4,000m to hike with a licensed guide. This means that a hiking guide must accompany everyone who wants to trek Everest Base Camp.

The reasoning given by the board was to ensure the trekker’s safety due to climbing numbers of people getting lost on the trail, getting injured, getting sick (trying to climb the elevation too fast), and worse, fatality.

Note that you don’t need to book a tour to get a guide. There are still independent guides you can hire to do your trek.

Personally, I went with a tour company. Originally, we planned to go by ourselves and get an independent porter. But then the rumour of the policy change was coming in, and there was much confusion about when it would be implemented or if a tour company would be required. To make things easier, we decided to simply go with a tour company so we don’t arrive there and be asked to turn around or book a last-minute tour.

During our hike, we met loads of people hiking on their own. Some finished their trek, and others had to abandon. The same goes for those with guides or on tour, and some had to quit the hike, while others were lucky enough to finish. We were one of those lucky ones.

My main point between booking a tour and going alone or having a contracted tour and porter are:

Pros and cons of being on a tour

Pros and cons of going without a guide, pros and cons of independent guide/porter, pinned map of top things to see in everest base camp hike.

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

14 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY

There are dozens of itineraries for Everest Base Camo Trek out there. But one thing I couldn’t find was a clear idea of what to expect from a day-to-day hike. I’m not much of a video person since I can read faster than watching videos. So, browsing through Youtube was not very appealing to me.

Below is an account of what you should expect during a trek to Everest Base Camp for 2 weeks. I try to be on point as much as possible. You’ll find the elevation numbers, gains, and calculations. You’ll also get some ideas about what the terrain looks like and which days will be the most challenging as well.

There’s also information on how long trekking days are regarding distance and hours.

Day 1: Kathmandu

You can spend a day gathering everything you need, such as renting or buying a sleeping bag, down jacket, gloves, hat, and fleece pants. I rented the sleeping bag and down jacket for $1 (100 NPR) daily. That totalled $28 for both. I then bought a traditional Tibetan wool hat lined with fleece for $6 (600 NPR).

I also bought winter gloves for $8 (800). Finally, I stopped at the pharmacy to buy aqua tabs suitable for 1 litre since the only one I found back home was 20 litres. The pharmacist offered me if I wanted paracetamol with codeine, and I was surprised that it was available over the counter.

Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding

During busy summit season, the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is diverted to Manthali (Ramachep), which requires 5-6 hours on a van from Kathmandu. You might get lucky enough, and your tour company can still get you a flight from Kathmandu, but it’s rare.

Once you arrive in Lukla, you can buy some water or refill your water before you start your trek. It’s an 8 km trail with a 219 m loss. Lukla is 2,804 m and Phakding is 2,610 m. That will take you around 3-4 hours. Before leaving Phakding, you’ll also get your permit (you won’t miss it), and the queue and waiting can be long.

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

The hike was 10 km, taking around 5 hours and 30 minutes. We took a lunch break before we reached the famous Hillary Bridge. From the viewpoint of the bridge, it’s a long 4 km uphill which combines steps and rocks.

This is also the trail where you’ll see a glimpse of Mount Everest Peak if you’re lucky enough. The viewpoint is around 2 km from Hillary Bridge, and you won’t miss it because there’s a toilet at that rest stop.

When you leave Phakding, there’s a checkpoint for your permit. Then there’s another busier checkpoint when you enter Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, where you need to get another permit, and the soldiers will check them thoroughly. The wait was around 30 minutes. Another checkpoint is around less than a km before you enter Namche Bazaar.

Day 4: Namche Acclimatization Day

Day 4 is an acclimatisation day. It’s a climb from Namche Bazaar to Everest Hotel Viewpoint. It’s a 440 m climb with endless steps. It took us around two hours for a roundtrip, including a stop at Tenzing Norgay Memorial, which has an amazing Everest Mountain view. Namche Bazaar is 3,440 m, and the Everest Hotel Viewpoint is 3,880 m.

Namche Bazaar has many stores if you need other items or want to buy snacks. You can also visit the highest Irish Pub, and there are a few ATM machines here if you need more cash.

Day 5: Namche to Tengbonche Monastery

This hike is brutal. It’s the trail many would remember where the real challenge starts. We also woke up Namche covered in snow. The trail leaving the Bazaar town was slippery due to snow and mud.

Namche is at 3,441 m, Tengboche is at 3,860, and the distance is 9 km. It’s only a 419 m gain. But about a bit over halfway, you’ll go down the hill for about 700 m to Tashinga. You’ll take a lunch break. But from there, after crossing the Bridge King, you’ll start uphill for around 2 km and end up right at the top of the hill where Tengboche Monastery is located.

So, in reality, you gain 2 km and 400 m gain. It took us around 6 hours. If you go at a 1.5 km per hour speed, you’ll make it before sunset, considering that you left around 8 AM. There are no shops in Tengboche, but teahouses are selling candies, water bottles, and even beer.

Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche

This is the day when you can really start to feel the thin air. Tying up your shoes or simply climbing a set of stairs will get you out of breath. The mobile reception also has stopped working at Tengboche, but you can buy data access at your teahouse.

Tengboche sits at 3,860 m, and Dingboche is at 4,350 m. The hike on its own was actually lovely. There are flat and wide terrains, but you’ll notice there are now fewer trees and more rocks. The trek took around 6 hours, and we covered 11 km. The elevation gain is 490 m.

We took a break at Shomare for lunch, while some groups stopped at Pangboche. Visit the monastery and attend a traditional Buddhist prayer. It lasts for 3 hours, but people can come and go quietly anytime if they’re curious to see, learn, and experience it.

Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatisation Day

You are now halfway through the trip, but not the trail of 14 days Everest Base Camp trek. This is the part where people no longer want to stay in their rooms because it’s freezing cold. Everyone hangs around the dining room because it’s warm and comfortable.

The acclimatisation day was another exhausting one. We climbed Nangkartshang Peak, which is 5,083 m. From Dingboche (4,350 m), that’s a 733 m gain. You are entering the 5,000 m range now, and every step becomes a challenge, and your body feels heavy.

It took us around 3 hours for a 3 km roundtrip. This time, there are no steps but plenty of slippery slopes. The trek also becomes technical because the terrain becomes narrow, and it gets even steeper and rockier past 4,500 m.

Many people would only climb up to 4,900 m because that’s the same elevation as Lobuche. But if you have the energy, go for the peak. At this point, you’ll also start feeling really cold and sleeping with your winter jacket, fleece pants, and even multiple layers of wool socks.

Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuche

This is a hard day. Leaving Dingboche is through a hill, but it flattens until you reach the bottom of Thukla Pass. It is a pass that leads to the top of the hill where the famous memorial sites are located.

This doesn’t mean the dead bodies are there. It’s just where people pile up rocks to make a beautiful memorial; add the name of the people who died in the Everest region from trekking.

Before you climb the pass, you can take a break at this little oasis, where you can also refill your water and use the toilet. The pass is steep, rocky, and has lots of steps, so take your time.

Dingboche is at 4,350 m and Lobuche is at 4,910 m. It took us around 7 hours to cover 18 km with a 560 m gain.

Day 9: Lobuche to Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp

This is easily the longest hike on this 14 days Everest Base Camp trek. Not only you’re going to a new village, but this is also the day you’re reaching the base camp.

The distance between Lobuche to Gorakshep was around 3 km, which took us 2 hours because of thin air, exhausted muscle, and also because there’s another steep hill. The melted ice churned the soil into the mud, making it a slippery and dangerous trail.

The trail between Lobuche to Gorakshep starts on nearly flat ground with a slight inclination. The terrain is vast and rocky. The paths are scattered, so you don’t have to be behind someone. After the steep hill, you’ll pretty much trek through rocks along a hillside.

Once you get to Gorakshep, you can have a lunch break, use the toilet, and have a chance to make your day pack even lighter. Then from Gorakshep to the base camp was another 3 km. This is another path through the hillside with rocks on the ground. This took another 2.5 hours.

THE BASE CAMP : People first line up for the famous “Rock” that says “Everest Base Camp 5,365m”. If you have the energy and the time, you can walk around, and the expedition tents are around 200m to 300m from the rock.

Soak up the view from here, where you’ll see glacier caverns, the moving Khumbu Icefall, and of course, the great Mount Everest.

Once you’re done, it’s time to hike back the 3 km to Gorakshep, which is another 2.5 hours. Ideally, this day will take around 8-9 hours, depending on how much time you plan to spend at the base camp. The elevation gain is 455 m. Lobuch is 4,910 m, Gorakshep at 5,180 m, and the Base Camp is at 5,365 m.

Congratulations! You have reached Everest Base Camp, 5,365 m(17,600 feet), where the oxygen level is around 63%.

Day 10: Gorakshep to Kala Phattar to Periche or Pangboche

Before you start your trek down, you will be hiking to Kala Phattar, which is 5,555 m, higher than the Base Camp. Don’t feel bad if you decide to skip it; many do. As it’s better to keep your energy on a long 3-day trek.

If you decide to do the trek, you must start at 4 AM, so you’ll be back in Gorakshep around 6 AM to have breakfast, pack your stuff, and start the main trek. You should also remember to bring your headlamp for Kala Phattar and keep your pace steady since it’s rocky and dark.

It’s time to make your way back to civilisation, and that starts by saying Goodbye to Gorakshep and reaching either Periche or Pangboche. This depends on your tour guide or tour company. Periche is one of the last drop-off points for helicopters to bring supplies or pick up people for rescue.

This is also where you’ll see lots of Naks (the female Yaks). It’s a village in a valley where you can view the Ama Dablam. You’ll pass Thukla pass again; in case you didn’t have the chance to see the memorial, you can do it today.

Pheriche is 4,200 m. If you do the Kala Phattar hike, that’s a 375 m gain. Gorakshep to Pheriche is around 15 km and will take 7-8 hours. Add 2 hours or more if you’re doing Kala Phattar and even more if you’re going to Pangboche.

Day 11: Pheriche or Pangboche to Namche Bazaar

Today is a 20 km trek from Pheriche to Namche. At this point, you’ll see how easier it is to breathe, and you’ll find trees and other life forms gain. The trek will take around 7-8 hours. You’re most likely to stop at Tashinga, the bottom of the hill, after you pass Tengboche Monastery to have lunch.

If you arrive no later than 4 PM in Namche, you can even enjoy a hot shower at your guesthouse. Now that you’re descending down, it’s safe to drink alcohol. Visit the Irish Pub, Yeti Bar, or Liquid Bar for some Sherpa craft beers, play pool, and enjoy music to celebrate your feat.

Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla

Your last trek day is another 20 km hike. Surprisingly, it should take less time than the previous day. However, you must keep in mind that from Phakding to Lukla is an uphill trail with lots of steps and people.

The lunch break will be in Phakding. This is also the day that you’ll cross the Hillary Bridge one last time. But during the entire trek, you’ll cross about 5 suspension bridges.

When I got to Lukla, I wasn’t so tired. But I could feel that my big toes had gone numb. It’s been 6 weeks since I finished the trek to the day I’m writing this. The sensation on my left big toe is now 100% back, while the right is still only 90% back.

There’s also an Irish Pub in Lukla, and there are cafes and cosy coffee shops you can check out. It’s also your last chance to buy a souvenir from the Khumbu Region if you want to do some shopping. Your bags are much lighter now, so you don’t have to worry about the weight limit for the flight.

I also recommend you invite your porter/s for a nice dinner. You can personally thank them for their hard work and help during the trek. Buy them a nice dinner, have some drinks, and don’t forget to hand in the tip.

Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu

Depending on whether you’re flying with a regular plane or helicopter from Lukla, you’re flight will leave sometime in the morning. You will reach Kathmandu in under an hour if you’re with a helicopter.

For those with regular planes, you will land in Manthali (Ramachep) and from there, your tour company will drive you to Kathmandu, which will take around 6 hours. There’s a lunch break around halfway through.

If you didn’t fly from Manthali to Lukla, you should know that this can be a bumpy road due to construction. So, take some motion pills for a comfortable ride.

Day 14: Kathmandu

If you arrive in Kathmandu before 6 PM, try to return your rented items the same day so you don’t have to waste the next day doing that. If you plan to go to places in Nepal, you can use this day to arrange buses, flights, and tours.

My tour company took our group on a farewell dinner where we enjoyed watching traditional Nepali dances. We had the best Dal Bhat, drank Nepali drinks, and ate tasty desserts. On our last day, we also received a certificate for finishing the Everest Base Camp trek from the tour company, which was so sweet.

MUST-TRY NEPALESE DISHES, DRINKS, AND SNACKS

During your 14 days Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll see that the food menu in teahouses is massive. There are local dishes and also Western. But I recommend you try at least a few Nepali or Himalayan food. Also, local meals are more affordable if your tour doesn’t include food.

Here’s a list of fantastic dishes to try on your trek:

• Dal Bhat – is a traditional Nepali food. There’s also a running joke of “dal bhat power”, because this is the dish that porters consume during the entire trek.
• Sherpa stew – noodle soup and lots of vegetables
• Tibetan bread – fried bread with burnt sugar on top

SUMMARY OF 14 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

This trek is challenging whether you’re a pro hiker or a beginner. You’ll find something that will challenge you. This means that this is an amazing trip for pretty much everyone. The views alone along the trail are worth every penny and every step.

The beautiful Himalayas are nothing like anywhere in the world. If you have the time, money, and dedication – go for it! Just remember to go slow and enjoy the views.

This trek will forever be one of the hardest things I’ll ever do as a traveller. I grew up in a city that is not walkable at all. When I started backpacking, I hated it when we had to walk during a tour or explore a city; it was never my thing.

Eventually, day hikes grew on me, and I’m the first person to recommend a walking tour to anyone. Even with a turn of events when it comes to walking, I never imagined that I’ll ever sign up for a 14-day trek this hard. I questioned myself during the hike why I was doing it. I could have gone to Thailand and drank Pina Colada all day.

But then I’d look up from my feet, and the views are just incredible. It’s like staring at a picture, but at the same time, you can hear it breathe, dance, and speak to you directly in words that no one else could understand.

I hope that my experience of 14 days Everest Base Camp trek has been helpful for you in deciding if this trek is for you and visualising what to expect.

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Everest Base Camp and Three Passes trek route

The Everest Base Camp and Three Passes trek winds through many beautiful and diverse sections of Sagarmatha National Park. Importantly, it takes you to the world's most famous base camp, but also up and over three incredible mountain passes.

EBC and Three Passes itinerary

As is the case with many multiday treks, the Everest Base Camp and Three Passes trek allows some flexibility in how you approach it. For instance, you can:

• walk the middle section in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction
• choose between different villages for your overnight stays
• decide how many acclimatisation and rest days you take

In this post we describe the EBC and Three Passes trek route itinerary that we use at Follow Alice. It's a trail of 124 km (77 miles), not counting the optional roundtrip hikes on the three acclimatisation and rest days.

Map of the EBC and Three Passes trek

Map of the EBC and Three Passes trek route

From the map above you can see that we walk the route in an anticlockwise direction. This is the ideal choice as it gives you enough acclimatisation time. Also, you climb the passes in the mornings with the sun on your back, which is nicely warming.

We also include three rest and acclimatisation days, which are really important for your health.

So let's tuck into all the juicy details of the trip ...

Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu

• Arrival: Tribhuvan International Airport
• Overnight: Thamel, Kathmandu
• Drive: Airport to Thamel (30 min)
• Accommodation: Arushi Boutique Hotel (or similar)

Kathmandu is chockfull of stupas and other religious monuments

Today we fetch you from Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you for about twenty minutes to the hotel in Thamel, a busy and vibey district of Kathmandu.

If you're not too tired from your trip, we encourage you to spend some time exploring Kathmandu. Even just walking the streets of Thamel – observing the architecture, mixing with the locals and trying some of the local cuisine – is a grand experience. The narrow lanes in the core of Thamel are only for pedestrians and are great for leisurely explores.

If you've forgotten anything for your trek, or want to hire something, Thamel has a wide range of trekking gear shops, so you're sorted on that front. You can also buy a cheap SIM card for your time in Nepal.

If you feel like the Nepali equivalent of a bus-top tour, we recommend hopping on a rickshaw for a fun way to see the sights of Thamel. Or if you'd like to visit somewhere a little less busy, $2 gets you entrance into the Edwardian-style Garden of Dreams . Wander around and admire the pavilions, pergolas, sculptures, fountains and lily pads, verandahs and birdhouses, or just chill with a book and a drink on the grass. If you've forgotten to bring along some reading material, Thamel actually has quite a few bookstores that stock English literature.

Tonight we enjoy dinner together as a group and chat about what to expect in the upcoming days.

Kathmandu is a busy and humming city, night and day

Day 2 – Drive to Manthali

• Drive: Kathmandu to Manthali (5 hr)
• Overnight: Manthali
• Accommodation: TBD

A lovely view of the district of Ramechhap as snapped by S. Pradhan

This morning we drive southeast in our private vehicle to reach the pretty district of Ramechhap so that we can catch a flight from Manthali Airport tomorrow to Lukla, the start of the EBC trek.

We can't unfortunately fly straight to Lukla from Kathmandu, as Tribhuvan International Airport is currently undergoing major construction that doesn't allow for domestic flights to take off and land there. This is why we've had to add another two days to this itinerary, to allow time to reach Manthali Airport in Ramechhap.

Day 3 – Trek to Phakding

• Flight: Ramechhap to Lukla (15 min)
• Starting point: Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft)
• Overnight: Phakding (2,610 m / 8,562 ft)
• Accommodation: Teahouse
• Distance trekked: 8.2 km / 5.1 mi
• Hours trekking: 3 hours

We fly from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport, shown above

This morning we take a short and exhilarating flight east from Raemchhap in a small aircraft to the mountainside town of Lukla. The flight is a moment in itself, offering incredible views of the mountains. And landing at Tenzing-Hillary Airport is not something you sleep through – this short runway perched on the side of a mountain demands just the right weather conditions and a skilled pilot!

Flight done and dusted, we then hand over our duffel bags for transport via yaks, put on our daypacks, and get walking. 😀 We head northwest out of Lukla on the start of the famous EBC trail! Whoop whoop! The route today isn't that tough or long, and we follow a nicely worn footpath through Sherpa countryside.

This section of the trek is incredibly pretty. We soon enter the lush and forested Dhudh Kosi river valley and wind our way up the valley, with the river staying on our left. En route we pass by picturesque Sherpa settlements, like Surke (shown below).

The village of Surke near the river Dudh Kosi

What some might not realise is that the Everest Base Camp trek route is not a hikers-only path. Rather, the route followed by trekkers is the long-established 'highway' used everyday by locals. There's no road or larger route connecting the various towns and villages of the Sherpas – the EBC trek route is the main thoroughfare. So expect to share the path with tourists and Sherpas alike, as well as yaks, horses and mules.

The prettily situated village of Phakding

We spend our first night on the trail in the pretty riverside village of Phakding. Phakding is actually at a lower elevation to Lukla, so your body won't be challenged by an altitude increase just yet.

Day 4 – Trek to Namche Bazaar

• Starting point: Phakding (2,610 m / 8,562 ft)
• Overnight: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m / 11,286 ft)
• Distance trekked: 9.4 km / 5.6 mi
• Hours trekking: 6-7 hours
• Highlight: Cross the Hillary Suspension Bridge

Today is a day of multiple suspension bridge crossings

Today's trek continues up the Dhudh Kosi Valley. During today's hike we enter Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We pass the lovely Toktok Waterfall near the park's entrance, and it's a great location for a little rest stop.

What's especially fun and noteworthy today are all the bridges we must use as we crisscross the river! The suspension bridges are draped in multicoloured prayer flags and are often high above the river. We share them with yaks and mules. The Edmund Hillary Suspension Bridge is the biggest showstopper: it sits 125 m (410 ft) above the river and is 140 m (459 ft) long – quite the daunting prospect if you struggle with heights!

We cross the Edmund Hillary Bridge en route to Namche Bazaar

Pro tip: Don't enter a suspension bridge if there are yaks or mules busy crossing it, as they could well knock you over.

After this bridge it's a steep and taxing climb up to Namche Bazaar, which sits on a high outcrop at the confluence of the Dhudh Khosi and its tributary the Bhote Khosi. Today is when the change in altitude can really be felt (we climb nearly a vertical kilometre!), and so taking a rest tomorrow is paramount.

Namche has so much to offer the curious trekker, though most are tired from the trek and leave the exploration for tomorrow. A great treat after arriving is afternoon tea at one of the cafés. For many, the German Bakery is a great choice as it offers a comforting taste of home in the form of cappuccinos and dark chocolate cake.

Namche Bazaar is a regional hub and the largest Sherpa town

Day 5 – Acclimatisation and Hotel Everest View hike

• Highlight: Hike to Hotel Everest View for tea
• Hotel Everest View elevation: 3,880 m / 2,730 ft
• Hike distance: 5.4 km / 3.4 mi
• Hiking time: 3 hours

Namche Bazaar is a town of steeply terraced buildings, so most of the buildings offer great views!

It's important to give your body time to adjust to the higher altitude, so today we stay put in Namche. That said, there's lots you can choose to do, like visit the Sherpa Museum or local monastery, or do a beautiful day hike to Everest View Hotel for a drink and snack.

There are plenty of shops in Namche Bazaar for stocking up on snacks and any other trekking whatnots you might need. There are a couple of ATMs in town, but they don't accept all cards and we wouldn't rely on them in case they're not working. The better option is bringing enough rupees with you, or exchanging dollars or euros at the local bank in Namche.

Some like to do a day roundtrip hike to Hotel Everest View , the famous hotel that opened in 1971. From here you can have drinks or a bite to eat while enjoying panoramic views that do, of course, include Mt Everest!

Hotel Everest View was built in the 60s and is one of the world's highest hotels

Day 6 – Trek to Tengboche

• Starting point: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m / 11,286 ft)
• Overnight: Tengboche (3,870 m / 12,696 ft)
• Distance trekked: 9.6 km / 6 mi
• Hours trekking: 5-6 hours
• Highlight: Visit Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery is the largest in the Khumbu region

Today we head in a northeasterly direction up the Pheriche Valley to reach the village of Tengboche. We walk a pretty smooth and flat contour path for a long way. Eventually the trail descends to the valley floor. And then, to reach Tengboche (or Thyanboche), which sits on a hill at the confluence of the Dudh Kosi and the Imja Khola, there's a big climb.

The views on today's hike of Lhotse, Everest and Ama Dablam are unforgettable!

Given its high position on a hill, Tengboche offers visitors a view of some amazing peaks, which include Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku. When viewed from Tengboche, Ama Dablam looks like a mother with outstretched arms. The mountain's name literally means 'mother's necklace'. It's a favourite among many who trek in the region for its striking shape and beauty. It also can be seen on many days of the EBC trek, almost like a mother keeping an eye on things!

Local Sherpas use the EBC trek route as their primary means for getting around the region

Tengboche Monastery – also known as Dawa Choling Gompa – is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It's the largest in the whole Khumbu region, and is most definitely worth a visit! It contains a 20-foot Buddha sculpture, as well as detailed wall hangings, clothes and musical instruments. Visitors can also observe a prayer ceremony.

Here you can see Ama Dablam behind Tengboche in a 1974 photo by clemensmarabu

Day 7 – Trek to Dingboche

• Starting point: Tengboche (3,870 m / 12,696 ft)
• Overnight: Dingboche (4,360 m / 14,304 ft)
• Distance trekked: 10.5 km / 6.5 mi
• Hours trekking: 6 hours
• Highlight: The view from Nangkartshang Peak

View of the beautiful Ama Dablam from Nangkartshang Peak above Dingboche

We climb up the Imja Khola valley, walking through woods and enjoying increasingly spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks towering around us. Ama Dablam and Island Peak in particular are breathtaking.

Three kilometres out of Tengboche, we pass by Pangboche (3,985 m), the highest year-round settlement in the valley. This green-roofed village is the base camp for trekkers climbing nearby Ama Dablam. Its monastery is the oldest in the region, and famed for its supposed yeti scalp.

Glaciers, moraines, the village of Pangboche and the Imja Khola river

A little way before Dingboche there's a fork in the road: those following the classic EBC trek keep left and head towards the village of Pheriche. We keep right, however, and soon cross a bridge, after which we tackle a steep climb up to Dingboche.

Welcome to Dingboche!

If you're a strong trekker who has made good time in reaching Dingboche, then we recommend taking on the additional climb to Nangkartshang Peak (which is a bit of misnomer, as it's more a sub-peak of a higher ridge). From here you have an incredible and rewarding vantage point of the surrounding mountains; you can see various beauties like Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu and Taboche.

Dingboche with Island Peak in the centre distance

Day 8 – Trek to Chhukung

• Starting point: Dingboche (4,360 m / 14,304 ft)
• Overnight: Chhukung (4,730m / 14,334ft)
• Distance trekked: 5 km / 3.1 mi
• Hours trekking: 2-3 hours
• Highlight: Hiking the beautiful and quiet Imja Khola valley

Looking back on the trek route from Dingboche to Chhukung

Today we have an easier trek on our hands, walking a relatively gentle incline up the Imja Khola valley floor to the village of Chhukung (or Chukhung). This is a much quieter part of Sagarmatha National Park, and so the trail won't be as busy as it was until around Tengboche. We pass by stone-walled fields and eventually enter into moraine territory just before reaching Chhukung.

Chhukung developed as a teahouse (lodge) village to service those on their way to trek over Kongma La as well as climb Island Peak.

A view of Chhukung in winter with Ama Dablam looming above all

Day 9 – Acclimatisation and hike

• Starting point: Chhukung (4,730 m / 14,334 ft)
• Overnight: Chhukung (4,730 m / 14,334 ft)
• Highlight: Climb Chhukung Ri or visit Island Peak Base Camp

A night-time sky and Ama Dablam as seen from Chhukung

We stay put today and spend another night in Chhukung to help our bodies acclimatise to the ever-increasing altitude.

There are some options on the table: relax at the lodge with a good book and good companions, or head on out and do a day hike. Then, if we choose the hike, we can either climb Chhukung Ri or visit Island Peak Base Camp.

Chhukung Ri (5,550 m / 18,208 ft) is a taxing roundtrip of about four hours. It's great for helping the body to acclimatise, but you want to weigh that benefit against the possible need for a day of complete rest. Trekking fatigue is real. If you do choose to do the hike, the view from the top is simply incredible, letting you see Island Peak, Ama Dablam, Makalu and Nuptse, among other peaks.

The breathtaking view from Chhukung Ri

Island Peak is a whopping mountain at 6,160 m (20,210 ft). It earned its name in 1953 from an expedition team (which included Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary) because they thought it looks like an island in a sea of ice when seen from Dingboche. In 1983 it was renamed Imja Tse, but many still refer to it as Island Peak. A great day hike of around eight hours is visiting Island Peak Base Camp (5,100 m / 16,732 ft) on the southern slope of the mountain. We pass Imja Tse lake en route.

Another amazing view from Chhukung Ri

Day 10 – Summit Kongma La

• Overnight: Lobuche (4,940 m / 16,210 ft)
• Kongma La elevation: 5,535m/18,154ft
• Distance trekked: 10.6 km / 6.6 mi
• Hours trekking: 9-10 hours
• Highlight: Views from the top, and crossing Khumbu Glacier

A November view while descending Kongma La

Today we tackle our first pass! Kongma La is a challenging mountain pass that's actually higher in elevation than Everest Base Camp. It's also the easternmost and highest of the three passes that make up the EBC and Three Passes trek.

With all that in mind, today is a very good day for concentration, crampons and trekking poles, as much of the route is rocky and uneven. But there are also some beautifully smooth sections of trail on the ascent.

Crampons are sometimes needed to help you navigate the passes

When you reach the top, you're rewarded with breathtaking views to the east and west. These make the climb worth every bit of effort! The descent is trickier than the ascent, as it's much steeper. So it's just about taking it slowly and at your own pace. There's no rush.

Celebrating having conquered Kongma La!

Near the bottom of the pass we cross over Khumbu Glacier, which of course is the same glacier that famously flanks Everest! It's also the largest glacier in Nepal. Having crossed Khumbu Glacier, we head to Lobuche for the night. And by doing so, link back up with the classic EBC trail.

Excitingly, we cross Khumbu Glacier during our descent from Kongma La.

Tonight we stay at the village of Lobuche

Day 11 – Visit Everest Base Camp!

• Starting point: Lobuche (4,940 m / 16,210 ft)
• Overnight: Gorakshep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft)
• Everest Base Camp elevation: 5,364 m / 17,598 ft
• Distance trekked: 10.8 km / 6.7 mi
• Hours trekking: ~ 4 hours
• Highlight: It's finally EBC time!

Everest Base Camp – in the quiet season, the prayer flags mark the spot!

Today is the BIG DAY! We head northeast after breakfast along a well-worn path to reach Everest Base Camp. Bring. It. On.

The climb season for Everest is spring (April to early June), so this is the time to plan your EBC and Three Passes trek if you really want to see the base camp in action. At other times of the year, the camp is deserted. Prayer flags and a large, spray-painted rock (that you can climb atop for a photo) indicate you've reached the internationally renowned spot.

A helicopter is a tiny speck against the enormity of Lhotse

Depending on the time of year, EBC will be pretty deserted, or a bustling hive of activity!

You can't actually see the peak of Everest from base camp. But you're standing amidst some incredible mountains, and you're also up close and personal with Khumbu Glacier, the world's highest glacier!

Having visited EBC, we travel the short distance back to the settlement of Gorakshep, where we spend the night. Gorakshep was actually the original EBC – it was used by Swiss mountain climbers in 1952 in their attempt to summit Everest.

An aerial view of Gorakshep

Day 12 – Climb Kala Patthar

• Starting point: Gorakshep (5,164 m / 16,942 ft)
• Overnight: Dzongla (4,830 m / 15,850 ft)
• Kala Patthar elevation: 5,645 m / 18,519 ft
• Distance trekked: 10.4 km / 6.2 mi
• Hours trekking: 8-10 hr
• Highlight: Epic view of Everest from Kala Patthar

The view from Kala Patthar in the direction of Lobuche

We head first to Kala Patthar, a tough climb with a massive reward: an unobstructed view of Mt Everest!

Kala Patthar means 'black rock' in Nepali, and you'll find it looks similar to a black sand dune.

Kala Patthar is on everyone's itinerary as it offers a fantastic 'full frontal' of Everest. So after breakfast today, we head north to tackle Kala Patthar. While it's not a massive climb, it's tiring, given the altitude, and so fresh morning legs are helpful here.

Having taken in the view of Everest and its mates like Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu from Kala Patthar, we head back south along the classic Everest Base Camp trek route. We pass through Lobuche, and then later on, when the trail nears the head of the Imja Khola river, we veer west away from the main route and head towards the village of Dzongla (or Dzonglha).

'Touching' the tippy top of Mt Everest while standing on Kala Patthar!

The path we walk to Dzongla is well-defined and offers simply incredible views of the surrounding mountains – it's the stuff of day dreams. We can see peaks like Arakam Tse, Cholatse and Taboche, and also pass the lake Chola Tsho. There's a fair bit of up and down along the route, and a final ascent to the blue- and green-roofed buildings of Dzongla.

Day 13 – Summit Cho La

• Starting point: Dzongla (4,830 m / 15,850 ft)
• Overnight: Gokyo (4,750 m / 15,584 ft)
• Cho La elevation: 5,420 m / 17,782 ft
• Distance trekked: 12.5 km / 7.5 mi
• Highlight: View from Cho La of mountain, glaciers and lakes

These hikers tackling the glacier on Cho La look like mere ants

It's time now to tackle our second pass! This is a relatively difficult pass, as we cross Cho La Glacier on the ascent. The top of the pass rewards us with magnificent views to both the east and west. The descent is once again steeper than the ascent.

After conquering the pass, we trek through the small village of Thangnak (4,680 m / 15,350 ft) near its base. This is a remote and gorgeous section of Sagarmatha National Park that many don't get to see.

We then strike out for our night-time destination of Gokyo, a small village with an outsized boast:

• It sits in the shadow of Cho Oyu (8,150 m / 26,739 ft), the world's sixth highest mountain.
• Directly above the village is Ngozumpa Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas at 36 km (22 mi).
• It's also on the shore of one of the Gokyo Lakes, the world's highest fresh water lake system.

The village of Gokyo can be seen here below Ngozumpa Glacier and on the shore of Gokyo Cho

The Gokyo Lakes are sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. In fact, every August around 500 Hindus make a pilgrimage there to bathe in their waters. The most well-known lake is the one alongside the village of Gokyo, and is called Gokyo Cho (or Dudh Pokhari).

To reach Gokyo, we cross Ngozumpa Glacier, so you'll get to see this renowned glacier all up close and personal.

Day 14 – Acclimatisation and Gokyo Ri hike

• Starting point: Gokyo (4,800 m / 15,580 ft)
• Overnight: Gokyo (4,800 m / 15,580 ft)
• Gokyo Ri elevation: 5,357 m / 17,575 ft
• Hike distance: 4 km / 2.4 mi
• Hiking time: 3-4 hours
• Highlight: 360° view from Gokyo Ri

View of Gokyo, Ngozumpa Glacier, Gokyo Cho and more from the top of Gokyo Ri

Today is a special day as we're going to hike to the top of Gokyo Ri (Peak) for some sublime views! For the hike, we follow a roughly linear path to the peak and back.

Standing on Gokyo Ri, we can gaze down to the north on the largest of the Gokyo Lakes, called Gokyo IV (or Tonak Pokhari). To the southwest we can see Renjo La, which we cross tomorrow. And further afield to the north and east we have a seemingly endless line of famous peaks, including four that rise above the 8,000 m mark: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu!

Prayer flags atop Gokyo Ri

Day 15 – Summit Renjo La

• Overnight: Marulung (4,210 m / 13,810 ft)
• Renjo La elevation: 5,360 m / 17,560 ft 
• Distance trekked: 9.5 km / 5.6 mi
• Hours trekking: 8-9 hours
• Highlight: View of Everest and other peaks from Renjo La

Looking back down towards Gokyo village

Today we tackle the third and final of the passes on our trek route! Renjo La (5,360 m) is not as high as the other two passes, and you might even see some locals with their yaks using the path. It's a very quiet pass in terms of trekkers.

To start, we leave Gokyo behind as we head west by walking along the northern shore of the lake. As we begin our climb up the pass, the view back to Gokyo and Ngozumpa Glacier is gorgeous, and just gets better the higher we climb. The terrain up Renjo La is rocky and uneven, making it another good day for trekking poles.

View of Everest from Renjo La

Needless to say, the views to both the east and the west upon summiting Renjo La are incredibly rewarding!

Descending the western side of the pass is a much steeper affair than its ascent. We head to Marulung for the night. This is one of relatively few settlements in this neck of the woods, as we're now trekking through a more sparsely populated section of Sagarmatha.

Day 16 – Trek to Namche Bazaar

• Starting point: Marulung (4,210 m / 13,810 ft)
• Hours trekking: 7-8 hours
• Highlight: Passing through Thame

We spend much of today walking alongside the Bhote Kosi

Today we trek alongside the Bhote Kosi. The valley starts out very steep and then widens further on. It's a quiet valley that's not as affected by tourism as some of the others in the region.

We pass through the pretty village of Thame, which was once home to the famous Sherpa mountaineers Tenzing Norgay and Apa Sherpa. Thame Monastery above the village is a must-see if there's time.

The village of Thame

We head back to Namche Bazaar, approaching it from the other direction to which we left it. The scenery is beautiful, as we walk a contour path along the northern bank of the Bhote Khosi, a tributary of the Dudh Khosi. Those who are lucky enough to be in Namche on a Saturday, can pay a visit to its market.

Day 17 – Trek to Lukla

• Overnight: Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft)
• Distance trekked: 17.6 km / 10.7 mi

Namche Bazaar feels almost like a metropolis after the past few days' adventure

On the outward journey we travelled from Lukla to Namche Bazaar over two days, stopping over in Phakding for a night. On the return route, we cover the same distance in one day, our lungs drinking in all that oxygen-rich air!

It's time to descend in altitude

Day 18 – Transfer to Kathmandu

• Flight: Lukla to Manthali Aiport (15 min)
• Drive: Ramechhap to Kathmandu (5 hr)
• Overnight: Thamel district, Kathmandu

This morning we fly to Manthali Airport. You can expect beautiful scenery en route! It's just possible on the odd occasion that we can get a flight straight to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. But given the major construction going on at that airport at present, it's highly unlikely.

Women sitting in the shade of a shrine in Kathmandu

From Manthali in Ramechhap we drive to Kathmandu in our private vehicle, returning to the vibrant Thamel district.

Day 19 – Depart Kathmandu

Today is adieu and, hopefully, see you soon! We'll drive you to the airport, so no worries about logistics there.

That said, depending on your flight time, you could have a large chunk of the day to explore some more of Kathmandu – yay!

The streets of Thamel are a world away from the quiet and solitude of Sagarmatha!

One idea if you have time today before your flight is to go on the heritage walk from Thamel that takes you to places tourists don't always see, like old streets, temples and markets. You can also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is a UNESCO site for its historic temples, palaces and palace courtyards.

You might also like to pay a visit to Swayambhunath (also referred to as Monkey Temple), just west of the city on a hilltop. This ancient religious complex is an extremely important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. It contains a large stupa, several shrines and temples, a monastery, and a museum. The name swayambhunath means 'sublime trees', and yes, there are a variety of lovely trees all over the complex to enjoy.

Three of the statues at the religious hilltop complex Swayambhunath

Something else you might like to consider is taking a cooking class at Nepal Cooking School . How awesome to go home and know how to reproduce a taste of the yummy Nepali food you've no doubt grown to love this past fortnight!

And that's the itinerary, folks!

If you loved reading about the Everest Base Camp and Three Passes trek but are a little uncertain about your own fitness to tackle it right now, why not take a look at the Annapurna Circuit ? It's a similarly spectacular multiday trek in Nepal, but just not quite as long and arduous. It could even be the perfect 'tester' for the EBC trek.

All that said, if you are feeling up to the challenge of the EBC and Three Passes trek, we'd love to chat and see if we can help you to make it happen! Just click on the contact button and drop us a line. 😀

Classic EBC Trek

• EBC + Gokyo Trek
• Jiri to EBC
• 3 Passes Trek to EBC
• Island Peak and EBC
• Acclimatisation
• Packing List

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Gokyo lakes trek to everest base camp (expert guide)  .

The Gokyo Lakes Trek to Everest Base Camp is a variation of the  traditional trek to Base Camp  that offers additional sights and the wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of the highest freshwater lake system in the world. This is all in addition to visiting the Everest Base Camp and high-point of  Kala Patthar  – two of the highlights of the standard base camp trek.

The route parts with the classic Everest Base Camp Trek at Namche Bazaar and heads west up the Dudh Koshi valley towards Gokyo Lakes and the trekking peak of Gokyo Ri. Expect quiet trails that allow you to focus on the sheer natural beauty of your surrounds – a much more varied and verdant landscape than on the classic trek.

Because of the route’s circular nature, you will not have to retrace your footsteps on the return leg of the trip as you would have done on the standard base camp trek. After spending some time relaxing at the turquoise glacial lakes you will summit Gokyo Ri only to be blown away by some of the most stunning views of Everest (8,848m), Lhotse (8,516m) and Cho Oyu (8,201m).

From there you will ascend one of the iconic ‘Three Passes’ in the region – Cho La pass – over which you will re-join with the main trek up to Gorak Shep. You will have the opportunity to visit the trekker’s photo point at Everest Base Camp before setting out on the trek up Kala Patthar the next day – another iconic viewpoint in the region.

This article covers the Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek by providing a detailed, day-to-day itinerary, map and by answering various questions on when to go, what to pack and how much it will cost.

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Gokyo Lakes Trek

Regional map.

The trek takes place in the Everest or Khumbu region of Nepal as shown by the orange block on the map below. After flying into the capital, Kathmandu, you will take a  short flight into Lukla where the classic Everest Base Camp Trek as well as the Gokyo Lakes Trek begins.

For an alternative to flying into Lukla airport, consider the  Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek – a variation which starts with a bus ride before trekking most of the way in a fashion similar to the early pioneers of the region.

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Trekking Map

This map provides a schematic representation of the trek to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Lakes. After flying into Lukla, the trek starts along with the classic trek heading north through Phadking. At Namche Bazaar, the route forks left and passes through the small town of Dole and Machhermo before reaching the Gokyo Lakes in the north-west.

After the summit of Gokyo Ri is completed, the route heads east over the Cho La pass towards Tengboche and Pheriche, where it joins up with the main Everest route. From here you follow the Khumbu Glacier up to Gorak Shep and eventually Everest Base Camp. After climbing up Kala Patthar, the route descends through Dingboche on the classic trail before reaching Namche Bazaar and finally Lukla.

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Recommended Guidebooks

Taking a guide on the Gokyo Lakes Trek is a great way of ensuring you make the most of your time spent in the Khumbu region. The Gokyo Lakes variation is also much quieter than the classic trek, so an easy-to-read map can come in handy when navigating through the valley.

The Lonely Planet Trekking in Nepal Himalaya guide is updated regularly and is a well-known, trusted resource used by many trekkers worldwide. The guide is very detailed and contains information for many treks, meaning you can use it more than once!

For an excellent trekking map we recommend:  Nepa Maps 1:50,000 Gokyo and Everest Region Map .

Detailed Itinerary

As with the popular classic trek, the Gokyo Lakes Trek also starts in Lukla after a short, yet memorable flight from Kathmandu. The outward leg of the trek takes you north-west through the Dudh Koshi valley before looping around after Gokyo and returning along the classic route.

The entire trips lasts around 17 days, of which 2/3 days will be spent in Kathmandu pre and post the trek. This is a few days longer than the traditional Everest trek – accommodating the countless extra sights you will come across as you make your way to the base camp.

Day 1: Kathmandu, baby!

Arrive in the capital city of Kathmandu. If you have booked your trip with a tour operator they will usually provide airport transfers and will have arranged your hotel. If you are travelling independently there are loads of taxis at Kathmandu airport (just make sure you agree a price before you get in the taxi) and we recommend staying in the Thamel district.

Vibrant streets of Thamel, Kathmandu

Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. Trek to Phadking

A short morning flight will take you to Lukla Airport. The flight is quite an experience itself so be sure to bring your camera with! After touching down in Lukla, the trek begins with a short descent to Phadking, passing various Buddhist sights along the way. Find our more about the  flight to Lukla here .

Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

A full day’s trekking will take you into the start of the Sagarmatha National Park . A steep finish to the day will bring you to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), the central trading outpost of the region. Explore the village and stock up on some much-needed snacks for the next few days. Be sure to check out the weekly market if you happen to be there on a Saturday! Please note: many people split day 3 into two parts, stopping for the night in Phakding before continuing onto Namche on day 4.

Day 4: Acclimatisation Day

Spend the day acclimatizing in Namche Bazaar by exploring the area steeped in tradition. A short hike to the Everest View Hotel will give you a chance to catch your first glimpse of the famous mountain, as well as the imposing Ama Dablam.

Day 5: Trek to Dole

The trek now separates from the main Everest route and heads north-west up the Dudh Koshi valley towards Dole. You should be able to snap some amazing pics of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam as you cross one of the early ridges.

Day 6: Trek to Machhermo

A fairly steep day of trekking will take you up 500m in altitude towards Machhermo. Keep your eyes peeled to see some of the yaks during the summer months. Once again, you will be treated with some of the best views of Cho Oyu and the surrounding peaks as you trek. Try to keep your head up to take in some of the beauty!

Day 7: Acclimatisation Day

Your second acclimatization day will be spent at Machhermo. Use the time to seek out the views of the Ngozumpa Glacier – the largest glacier in the Himalayas.

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Day 8: Trek to Gokyo

After a good day’s rest, make your way to the first of the lakes – you won’t be able to miss them with their striking turquoise water standing in stark contrast to the landscape of the region. After the third lake, you will reach the village of Gokyo where you will be staying for the night.

Day 9: Gokyo Ri and then hike to Dragnag

An early start to the day is needed for the summit of Gokyo Ri. At just below 5,500m, the summit offers wonderful views of Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather! Descend later that morning and then cross the Ngozumpa glacier before heading to Dragnag for the night.

Day 10: Over the Cho La Pass and onto Dzongla

Be prepared for a long day as you traverse one of the ‘Three Passes’ – Cho La. Take your time as you tackle the rocky trail over the pass, reaching 5,420 at its highest point. From here you will cross the glacier on the other side of the Cho La and descend to Dzongla.

Day 11: Rejoin the classic trail and hike to Lobuche

Rejoin with the main Everest route as you pass through Pheriche and Tengboche, where you will find the largest monastery in the area. The trek from Pheriche to Lobuche passes many memorials to Sherpas and climbers who have died climbing Everest. You will spend the night in Lobuche.

Day 12: Lobuche to Gorak Shep (hike to EBC and back to Gorak Shep)

The day is spent hugging the Khumbu Glacier as you make your way up to Gorak Shep and eventually Everest Base Camp. Tour groups are not typically allowed to stay in base camp for long, so take the opportunity to get a feeling of the buzz and excitement of potential summiteers of Everest (if you visit during the climbing season – April / May). Descend back to Gorak Shep for the night, passing great views of the infamous Khumbu icefall.

Day 13: Ascend Kala Patthar and then hike to Dingboche

Ascend the trekking peak of Kala Patthar for more breath-taking views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. Descend that afternoon to Dingboche, following the classic route.

View from Kala Patthar with EBC, the Khumbu Glacier, Nuptse and Mount Everest in the background

Day 14: Return to Namche

Descend back to Namche Bazaar via Tengboche. Keep your camera on you as you pass through the rhododendron covered slopes – making for a great photo.

Day 15: Hike to Lukla

Finish the trek with the descent to Lukla, through the Dudh Koshi valley. Catch up on some much-needed rest and possibly a few drinks to celebrate what is sure to have been a memorable trip!

Day 16: Fly back to Kathmandu

Fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning.

Altitude Profile

This chart shows the altitude profile of the typical Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek, starting in Lukla and reaching the high-points of Gokyo Ri, Cho La Pass and Kala Patthar.

A significantly greater part of the trek is spent above 4,000m when compared to the traditional Everest Base Camp Trek. The ascent profile is also steeper than the traditional trek – contributing to the increased difficulty of this variation.

Gokyo Lakes Trek FAQ

How much does the gokyo lakes trek cost.

The Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp Trek tour package tends to cost £400-£500 more than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek – mainly because the trek is longer, therefore requiring more accommodation, food and guides.

Trekking independently is not recommended for this variation because the routes are much less busy and the trek in general is more challenging. A tour operator will organise all accommodation, food, permits and communal equipment as well as provide well-trained guides. Packages will cost in the region of £1,200 to £2,500.

Read our detailed article on the breakdown of  costs for the classic Everest Base Camp Trek here .

When is the best time to trek the Gokyo Lakes route?

As with most treks in the region, it is best to avoid the peak of summer when the monsoon season is at its zenith by trekking in the shoulder months either side of it. During these months, the weather tends to be stable and dry – making for good trekking and sightseeing conditions.

The pre-monsoon months of February to May are a popular time when the mountain is at its greenest. September to October are considered the best months to trek on the other side of summer.

Trekking during peak season should not be much of an issue on the Gokyo Lakes to Everest Base Camp trek as the route avoids the crowds of people tackling the classic trek.

Find out more information on  weather and the best time to trek in the Everest region .

How difficult is the trek?

If the classic Everest trek is considered an easy trek, then the Gokyo Lakes variation may be considered moderate. While no previous trekking experience is required, the trek does involve 5-7 hours of trekking per day on hilly/rocky terrain at high altitudes. Much of the trek is spent above 4,000m and altitudes of over 5,500m are reached when traversing passes and trekking peaks.

We do recommend training a few weeks to months beforehand so that you will be comfortable walking similar distances on the trek. Here is our  EBC trek training guide .

Will I get altitude sickness?

The itinerary of the trek is designed to provide enough time for the body to acclimatize to the high altitudes. If you follow the guide and don’t rush the ascents, you should be fine. Most high-points on the trek are peaks or passes which will be descended shortly after reaching the top – following the principle of ‘climb high, sleep low’.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of fitness or age, so it is still vital to read up on the symptoms and different variations of the condition. Our detailed article on  acclimatization and altitude sickness is sufficient reading preparation for the trek.

What gear should I pack for the Gokyo Lakes Trek?

The packing list for a trip of this length is quite extensive, so we have compiled an article that details what you should bring and which brands offer the best value for money.

Read the  Everest Base Camp packing list for our recommendations based on past experience of trekking in Everest.

What insurance do I need?

The short answer is yes. Trekking in Nepal at high altitudes comes along with various risks that are not covered by typical travel insurance. We recommend taking out insurance that covers trekking to altitudes up to 6,000m as well as medical evacuation from the mountain.

We have a  detailed article to help to find the best policy that will suit your needs. Alternatively, use the quote calculator below from our recommended partner, World Nomads. They offer insurance that covers guided hikes up to 6000m and include a premium for Helicopter Evacuation in Nepal.

Route Variations

The most popular trek in the region, the classic Everest Base Camp Trek starts after a flight into Lukla. From there the hike begins with gradual ascents each day through various villages and small towns as you head north through the Khumbu Valley.

The trek takes you through the villages of Phadking, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Pheriche and Gorak Shep before reaching the Everest Base Camp. You then retrace your footsteps as you head back down the valley, using the same route.

The trek is very popular during peak trekking season with over 30,000 people completing it annually. It typically lasts 14 days and covers 130km of trekking that involves covering an average of 15km per day over 5/6 hours.

Three Passes Trek

The Three Passes Trek is a tougher variation than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek because it involves crossing three very high passes as well as summiting some walking peaks which are not included on the classic trek.

The variation starts by following the classic trek from Lukla to Namche Bazar before veering west towards Thame and the remote Nangpa Valley. The first of the three passes encountered is the Renjo La, where you will be afforded magnificent views of Everest before descending to the idyllic Gokyo lakes.

The next pass, Cho La, involves walking up a fairly steep and icy trail before reaching a small glacier at the top. From here, you descend and re-join the main base camp trek where you summit Kala Patthar – the iconic viewpoint. You continue onto base camp itself before descending to Lobuche.

You then head east over the third pass of Kongma La and continue onwards to summit the third peak of Chukking Ri. Once again you will have amazing views of the surrounding peaks that you would not get to see on the classic trek. The circuit is completed by returning to Lukla through the main Everest trail.

Jiri to Everest Base Camp

This variation of the classic trek offers an alternative to flying into to Lukla from Kathmandu to start the trek. The Jiri variation starts with an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri, where the trek begins.

The variation adds an extra 5/6 days onto the trip as you trek through the Solu-Khumbu region and make your way past Lukla, where the trek then follows the same route as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek.

It involves a scenic, yet very long, bus ride as well as a lot more exposure to the Tibetan and Sherpa cultures. Expect to trek through more forests and streams as you start at the relatively low altitude of 1,800m and work your way up to Lukla and beyond.

Island Peak Climb

The variation trek that involves summiting Island Peak is significantly harder than the classic Everest Base Camp Trek. The climb to the peak is somewhat technical although and requires basic knowledge of using crampons and ice axes. Standing at just under 6,200m, however, altitude can be the real challenge.

Most climbers of Island Peak use the traditional base camp trek as a means of acclimatising before heading to the Island Peak Base Camp via Dingboche on the main trail, or by traversing the Chongma La pass. Summiting from the base camp typically takes two days and the whole variation will add around 4 days onto the classic trek.

Tags: Gokyo Lakes Trek, Trek to Gokyo Lakes, Gokyo Lakes Trek to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes Trek Map

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to EBC Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Everest Base Camp. I have trekked all over Nepal, but the Everest region remains my favourite. I hope you find all the answers you are looking for on this site. If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

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mark you are pictured with a guide, he was my guide to Gokyo Ri in 2016, but Ive lost his contact details can you remember his name please. I lives with is family in a tea shop about half way between Lukla and Phadping

Hi Ray, his name is Pimba. All the best!

Hi Mark, lots of good info on your site. Thank you. I am 53 and planning to do the Gokyo Valley Trek returning down the Eastern side of the valley in November with my 17 year old son. We have done hikes of up to 7 days in NZ but never at altitude. I have starting a training program but a little concerned about the difficulty of this trek. We will take it slow and have lots of rest days however and get to Gokyo in 7 or 8 days before returning. Any other tips ?

Hi Emma, you both sound fit and more experienced than the average trekker in Nepal. As long as you take a slow ascend to Gokyo you should be absolutely fine and have a blast. My only tip would be to take yak tracks for the Cho La pass. It can get quite snowy in November so additional grip is never a bad thing.

Hello Mark,

We are planning to do Jiri to Ebc with the Gokyo Ri and Cho la pass. We would like to start from Jiri around the last week of february. Do you think the Gokyo ri and Cho la pass will be open and safe when we will be there? Also, we want to buy or rent a third layer in Katmandu. Do you have any shop you would recommand?

Thank you very much for all the informations and the advice,

Hi Cedrik, Gokyo Ri and Cho La should be open around this time – as long as there isn’t a late massive snowfall in late Feb / early March. In terms of gear, there are loads of gear shops in the Thamel district of Kathmandu – just make sure you avoid bad ripoffs – these will fail on the trek.

Hey Mark, Great web site! My son and I are considering the Gokyo Lakes route. We went up Kilimanjaro last year and the only altitude effect I experienced was loss of appetite. Although the quality of food was not the issue, I’d like to take food quality out as a factor I have to worry about. Hence I’m leaning toward trekking companies that cook their own food and provide boiled water. Am I being too squeamish?

Hi Jim, most trek operators use teahouses, where food is prepared by the teahouse proprietors for trekkers. teahouses on all Everest trails are pretty good nowadays. Most offer a wide and varied menus. Trek companies arrange your stays at each teahouse and will provide purified water. To find our more about teahouses see here: https://ebctrekguide.com/teahouses-on-the-everest-base-camp-trek . Cheers!

HI There. I was thinking of taking the Gokyo Lakes trek from Lukla to Dhole and Gokyo and then take the extra step ChoLa Lobuche and Everett Base Camp. When you say hug the Khumbu Glacier – is this a dangerous hike or if we are fit and have hiked before, is this something that is doable or do we need to be experts in hiking glaciers. Also how many extra days should I be thinking of if we decide to do the extra route? Thanks!

Hi Donna, the hike is not particularly dangerous, apart from altitude sickness risks, but there are areas where more caution should be taken. For example, crossing the Ngozumba glacier and the Cho La Pass comes with more risk than other areas of the hike. I would recommend taking 3-4 days more to do the Gokyo Lakes trek (i.e. 17-18 days in total).

Whether is it advisable to do first EBC and then Go Kyo Ri i.e. anti-clockwise instead of conventional Go Kyo Ri first and then EBC later?

Hi Hermant, I prefer the anti-clockwise approach as their is more time to acclimatise, but many people follow a clockwise route too. My advise would be to do an anti-clockwise route though.

We are both retired .age 71( male) n we intend to trek in sept 2022 when Cov 19 is expected to be over to the Gokyo lakes to EBC then back to Lukla.WE are regular Hills n Mtns hikers 2-3 times per week since 2018 n we r good walkers n fairly fit.Which route do U suggest is a better n easier route:1) Namche Bz to Dole,Machhermo,Gokyo Lakes,Gokyo Ri,Chola pass,Dzongla,Lobuche,Gorakshep-EBC then Kala Patthar to Pheriche,Tengboche n back to Namche Bazar or 2) Nche Bz -Tengboche,Lobuche-EBC then Kala Patthar -Dzongla,Chola Pass,Gokyo Ri & Lakes,Machhermo,Dole backtoNamch Bzr. What is the difference in terms of Days N cost? our Group :2 persons aged 72 & 2 persons below 50 years ( regular hills hikers & fairly fit)T.Q

Hi, I have only done the clockwise route from Namche to Dole etc. Personally, I think this is a better route as you get lots of acclimatisation in before getting to EBC (i.e. hiking Gokyo Ri and Cho La). There is no difference in terms of days and cost. Hope this helps!

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