Everest Base Camp : Sacred Trails of Sherpa Spirit and Himalayan majesty
Overview of Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the iconic treks in the world. Lying above 5000m altitude, it has been a temporary shelter to the climbers since the ascent of the Mt. Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. With the combination and raw nature and dynamic culture. The warm welcome of the Sherpa community and the naked snow white mountains are a great combination that you can find here. Usually, the trek to the EBC can take from 14 days to 18 days.
Reaching Everest Base Camp is more than just an achievement; it’s a transformative experience. The combination of towering peaks, pristine landscapes, and the sense of standing at the threshold of the world’s highest mountain makes the Everest Base Camp trek an adventure you will never forget.Â
Here is a table describing the names of the village that you will be visiting in different days with their altitude and daily walking hours. The numbers may vary according to the time and exact place the data was taken.Â
- Location: Solukhumbu Region, Nepal
- Starting Point: Lukla (flight from Kathmandu)/ Phaplu/Salleri/ziri
- Ending Point: Lukla (round-trip)
- Duration: 12–18 days (typical itinerary)
- Distance: ~130 km round trip
- Highest Point: Kala Patthar (5,545 m)
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Best Season: Pre-monsoon (March–May) & Post-monsoon (late September–November)
Highlights on EBC
- Tengboche Monastery – Famous Buddhist monastery with Himalayan backdrop
- Ama Dablam Viewpoint – Stunning views of one of the world’s most photographed peaks.
- Everest Base Camp – Iconic destination for mountaineers and trekkers.
- Kala Patthar Sunrise – Panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse.
- Sagarmatha National Park – Rich in flora, fauna, and Sherpa culture.
Itinery 13-18 days
Day 1: Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding (2,610 m)
- Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (~35 min)
- Trek to Phakding (3–4 hours)
- Trek to Phakding (3–4 hours)
- First night in tea houses
Day 2: Phakding → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)
- 5–6 hours trek
- Cross Dudh Koshi River, follow trails through pine forests
- Cross Dudh Koshi River, follow trails through pine forests
- Enter Sagarmatha National Park
- Enter Sagarmatha National Park
- Overnight in Namche Bazaar
Day 3: Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar (
- Short hike to Tengboche Monastery (3,867 m)
- Explore Namche Bazaar markets
- Explore Namche Bazaar markets
- Optional: hike to Everest View Hotel for panoramas
Day 4: Namche Bazaar → Tengboche (3,870 m)
- 5–6 hours trek
- Visit Tengboche Monastery
- Visit Tengboche Monastery
- Amazing views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse
- Amazing views of Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse
- Overnight at Tengboche
Day 5: Tengboche → Dingboche (4,410 m)
- 5–6 hours trek
- Gradual ascent through forests and moraine landscapes
- Gradual ascent through forests and moraine landscapes
- Stunning views of Lhotse and Island Peak
Day 6: Acclimatization in Dingboche ( usually 2 night or more for acclimatization according to the need of the situation)Â
- Short hike to Nangkar Tshang or Chhukung Valley
- Helps prevent altitude sickness
- Helps prevent altitude sickness
- Explore local culture
Day 7: Dingboche → Lobuche (4,910 m)
- 5–6 hours trek
- Hike past memorials for climbers
- Hike past memorials for climbers
- Rocky trail with panoramic views
Day 8: Lobuche → Gorak Shep (5,170 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) → Gorak Shep
- 7–8 hours trek
- Hike to Everest Base Camp, take photos
- Hike to Everest Base Camp, take photos
- Return to Gorak Shep for overnight
Day 9: Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar (5,545 m) → Pheriche (4,371 m)
- Early morning hike to Kala Patthar for sunrise over Everest
- Trek down to Pheriche
- Trek down to Pheriche
- Long but rewarding day
Day 10: Pheriche → Namche Bazaar
- 6–7 hours trek
- Descend through Pangboche and Tengboche
- Descend through Pangboche and Tengboche
- Overnight at Namche
Day 11: Namche Bazaar → Lukla
- 6–7 hours trek
- Retrace steps through Phakding
- Retrace steps through Phakding
- Overnight in Lukla
Day 12: Lukla → Kathmandu
- Flight back to Kathmandu
- Trek ends
Optional Extra Days: For rest, exploring villages, or buffer for flight delay
Difficulty and Preparation
- Moderate to strenuous: requires good fitness, stamina, and trekking experience
- Moderate to strenuous: requires good fitness, stamina, and trekking experience
- Long daily treks (5–8 hours) at high altitudes
- Long daily treks (5–8 hours) at high altitudes
- Altitude sickness is common: acclimatization days are crucial
- Altitude sickness is common: acclimatization days are crucial
- Training: cardio, hiking with weight, stair climbing, and endurance exercises
Table for each day itinery
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| Day | Village | Trek Hours (Approx.) | Distance (Approx.) | Altitude |
| Day 1 | Kathmandu | N/A | N/A | 1,400 m (4,593 ft) |
| Day 2 | Lukla to Phakding | 3−4 hours | 8 km (5 miles) | 2,610 m (8,563 ft) |
| Day 3 | Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 5−6 hours | 11 km (6.8 miles) | 3,440 m (11,286 ft) |
| Day 4 | Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar | 3−4 hours | 3−4 km (1.8−2.5 miles) | 3,440 m (11,286 ft) |
| Day 5 | Namche Bazaar to Tengboche | 5−6 hours | 10 km (6.2 miles) | 3,870 m (12,697 ft) |
| Day 6 | Tengboche to Dingboche | 5−6 hours | 11 km (6.8 miles) | 4,410 m (14,469 ft) |
| Day 7 | Acclimatization Day at Dingboche | 3−4 hours | 3−4 km (1.8−2.5 miles) | 4,410 m (14,469 ft) |
| Day 8 | Dingboche to Lobuche | 5−6 hours | 9 km (5.6 miles) | 4,940 m (16,207 ft) |
| Day 9 | Lobuche to Gorak Shep and EBC | 6−7 hours | 11.5 km (7.1 miles) | 5,164 m (16,942 ft) |
| Day 10 | Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and Pheriche | 7−8 hours | 17 km (10.5 miles) | 5,550 m (18,208 ft) |
| Day 11 | Pheriche to Namche Bazaar | 6−7 hours | 19.5 km (12.1 miles) | 3,440 m (11,286 ft) |
| Day 12 | Namche Bazaar to Lukla | 6−7 hours | 19.5 km (12.1 miles) | 2,860 m (9,383 ft) |
| Day 13 | Lukla to Kathmandu | N/A | N/A | 1,400 m (4,593 ft) |