The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most famous treks globally, and rightfully so. This trek will take you to Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), the highest mountain in the world, and see its majesty up close.
You will witness the extraordinary flora and fauna of the Everest region and the extraordinary people inhabiting the region.
Surrounded by diversified Buddhist and fabulous Buddhist monuments adds a high-quality flavor during trekking.
Also, you will see towering icefalls and glaciers drifting ever downwards.
This trek passes through Sagarmatha National Park, which gives the experience of rare and indigenous wildlife.
The sunrise from Kalapathar can be the once in a lifetime experience for anyone.
On average, this trek takes about 14 days.
The trek is relatively difficult because of its location in higher elevations with rocky trails and steep slopes. However, this journey is adventurous and thrilling, offering many opportunities in an isolated area.
Anyone interested in taking this epic journey needs to be safe. Be sure to have an Everest Base Camp Trek Route Map, so you don’t get lost.
They are very convenient and have transformed the trekking industry. So, it would help if you carried an Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map.
Summary
The trip officially starts once you arrive in Kathmandu. You can spend the day resting, exploring, or completing last-minute preparations.
The next day, fly to Lukla and trek downhill to the banks of the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding.
On the third day, you will head to Namche Bazaar, traveling uphill through lush forests along the Dudh Koshi river, crossing many suspension bridges. On the fourth day, you rest to acclimatize in Namche Bazaar.
The fifth day marks your ascent to the spiritual center of the Khumbu region, Tengboche, through Phunki Tenga. The next day, you reach Dingboche, ascending all the way.
On the seventh day, you will rest and acclimatize in Dingboche. The day after tomorrow, you will fulfill your dream of reaching the Everest Base Camp, traveling along rocky moraines the entire day.
On the tenth day, you will climb up to Kalapatthar to catch the glorious 360-degree view of the Himalayas and the closest views of Mount Everest.
The eleventh day is when you return to Namche Bazaar (3,446 meters), descending along steep trails and following the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map.
You will descend along the same paths you climbed not so long ago and reach Lukla the next day. On the thirteenth day, you will board a flight back to Kathmandu.
Key Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek
Majestic views of the Himalayas, including an up-close view of Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters) from the base camp.
- Chance to visit Gorakshep, the highest human settlement in the world, at an altitude of 5,164 meters.
- Short and thrilling flight to Lukla, one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
- A chance to witness the lifestyle of the Sherpas, known worldwide as ‘the snow tigers’ for their exceptional mountaineering skills.
- Observe the diverse biosphere and rare and endangered species like the red panda, musk deer, and Himalayan pheasant in their habitat through the Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Close-up views of the Khumbu glacier, the world’s highest glacier, and the Khumbu icefall.
- Visiting various ancient and beautiful monasteries, including Tengboche Monastery, where the Mani Rimdu Festival, a festival celebrated only in the Khumbu region, takes place.
Everest Base Camp Trek Route Map Details
Arrival in Kathmandu (1450 meters)
You can take any flight to Nepal. Upon arrival, get to your hotel and rest up for the great adventures ahead.
You can also take a walk through the streets of Kathmandu if you are feeling restless.
You can also complete some last-minute shopping or prepare for your trip.
We recommend packing the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map for safety reasons.
Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2860 meters) and trek to Phakding (2610 meters), 3-4 hours
Today, you start the day with an early breakfast. After this, you take a short and thrilling flight to Lukla, accompanied by the lovely views of the Himalayas.
The flight duration is about 30 minutes.
Lukla airport is built on the edge of a cliff, and the runway abruptly drops.
After landing at Lukla (2,860 meters), the trek begins. Your destination is Phakding (2,610 meters), located at the banks of the Dudh Koshi river.
The trail is downhill and gentle and lined with chortens, mani walls, and prayer wheels that give your trek a spiritual vibe.
When you reach Phakding overnight, you walk 8 km and ascend 1,210 meters.
Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3446 meters), 6-7 hours
Today, you will head to Namche Bazar (3,446 meters), for which you have to travel a distance of 10-12 km and ascend an elevation of 836 meters.
You travel uphill along the Dudh Koshi river, crossing many suspension bridges through green hills filled with pine, Rhododendron, and bamboo.
Following the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map, we reach Monjo village (2,835 meters). Here, you will enter the Sagarmatha National Park.
Your entry permits and other necessary documents will be checked.
From here, you will trek for some time along similar trails. After crossing several suspension bridges, including the Hillary twin bridges, you will finally reach Namche Bazaar (3,446 meters).
Acclimatization in Namche (3440 meters)
The fourth day of this trek is a day of rest and acclimatization.
So, you can explore the various attractions of Namche Bazaar.
You can visit the many cafes and restaurants in the town that serve traditional Sherpa cuisine and Western cuisine.
The Sherpa Museum has many exhibits on the mountaineering ways of the Sherpa people. Photos from the historic first ascent of Everest and many souvenirs from climbs since are some of the exhibits you can look forward to.
Namche Bazaar also has a museum of local medicinal plants and Tibetan herbal medicine. There is also a healing spa and the Namche Library, where you relax. You can also hike to the neighboring Khumjung village (3,790 meters) to experience the Sherpa lifestyle.
Then you can hike to Hotel Everest View (3,880 meters), one of the highest hotels in the world, for a commanding view of Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters) and the Himalayas, including the peaks of Lhotse (8,516 meters), Nuptse (7,864 meters), Kwangde (6,011 meters) Thamserku (6,623 meters) and Khumbila (5,717 meters).
Whatever you do, try some homemade yak cheese and butter. These special treats will surprise you and make a great snack on the go!
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3860 meters), 5 -6 hours
Today, you head to Tengboche (3,860 meters) early in the morning.
The trek begins uphill along the top of a narrow hill that passes through several stupas. As you continue to climb, the lush forest of Rhododendron turns into alpine meadows.
After a while, the trail becomes gentler as the next leg of the journey takes you through a simple mountain way.
After walking the winding paths for a few hours, following the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map, you descend to a mountain stream named Imja Khola. Crossing this stream on a suspension bridge, you reach Phunki Tenga.
You will ascend the steep trail for about two hours until you reach Tengboche (3,860 meters), the spiritual hub of the Khumbu region.
The Tengboche monastery is the largest in the Khumbu region and is a relaxing place to visit after a day’s hike.
It is built entirely of masonry and is full of beautiful murals and statues. The main attraction is the large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Mani Rimdu Festival, an important festival of the Sherpa people, is celebrated here.Today you walked 10-11 km and climbed 414 meters.
Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4360 meters), 5 -6 hours
Today, you head to Dingboche (4,360 meters).
The trek starts on a gentle uphill trail passing through rhododendron forests until reaching Pangboche village (3,985 meters).
The route can be confusing, so please refer to the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map to ensure you are getting the right directions.
After crossing Imja Khola, it’s a steep uphill to reach Dingboche.
Dingboche is also known as Summer Valley. This is the true face of the countryside of Nepal in a Himalayan setting.
You walked 11-12 km and climbed 500 meters on this day.
Acclimatization in Dingboche (4360 meters)
Today you will stay in Dingboche (4,360 meters) to acclimatize and rest.
This free day will serve you well to avoid altitude sickness and explore the area more closely. If you are not too tired, you can hike to Nangkartshang Peak, about 700 meters above Dingboche, or towards Chhukung Ri (5,550 meters) for spectacular views of the Himalayas, including the peaks of Makalu (8,485 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Tawache (6,495 meters), Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) and many others.
Nagarjun Hill is also a popular viewpoint. Located at an altitude of 5,100 meters, it offers stunning views of some great peaks of the Himalayan range, including Lobuche East (6,119 meters), Lobuche West (6,145 meters), Thamserku (6,623 meters), Tawache (6,495 meters), Kantega (6,782 meters), and many others.
Check your itinerary on the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map to ensure you are following the right route.
After enjoying sightseeing and relaxation in this beautiful village, you will spend the night in one of the many lodges.
Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4910 meters), 5-6 hours
Today, your destination is Lobuche (4,910 meters).
From this point on, the terrain slowly turns harsh and rocky, and the trail passes through between the huge boulders amidst a barren landscape.
The air is significantly thinner at these elevations, so walk carefully at your own pace to reduce the chances of altitude sickness. Before embarking on a route, refer to the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map.
After a short climb between the wide valley and the towering peaks, you will reach Dughla (4,595 meters).
Here you can see many memorial chortens for the climbers who lost their lives trying to conquer Mount Everest.
After some uphill trekking, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Khumbu glacier. After a short walk, you will finally reach Lobuche (4,910 meters).
You covered a distance of 11-12 km and climbed 550m by the end of the day.
Trek from Lobuche to Gorakshep (5,160 meters) and EBC (5,360 meters), 6-7 hours)
Today is the day you have been waiting for. Today, we head towards the Everest Base Camp (5,360 meters).
In the morning, you hit the trail, which follows the rough moraine hills formed by the Khumbu glacier. Traveling along the world’s highest glacier, you will witness its glory.
Situated at an altitude of 4,900m and a length of 12 km, its pristine ice formations will mesmerize you. After climbing up and down the short moraine hills, we reach Gorakshep (5,160 meters).
After walking for some time, you finally reach the base camp. It’s more like a village than a camp, and you are free to explore.
Bask in the glow of your achievement, and take many snapshots to capture this glorious moment.
You can see the towering Khumbu icefall and marvel at its majesty.
When satisfied, you head down to Gorakshep.
You climbed 450 meters and covered 14-15 kilometers on this memorable day.
Trek from Gorakshep to Kalapatthar (5545 meters) and Pheriche (4371 meters), 4-5 hours
Today, you trek to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Himalayas from Kalapatthar (5,545 meters).
It is the day you see an up-close and the closest view of Mount Everest on this trip. Today is also the day to reach the highest point of this trip.
You can climb up to Kalapatthar for two hours before dawn to catch the sunrise hitting the Himalayas, or travel later on for a photogenic scene.
Here, you will get a 360-degree view of the Himalayas, including the summit of Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters), Nuptse (7,864 meters), Khumbu Tse (6,036 meters), Tawache (6,495 meters), Ama Dablam (6,812 meters), Cholatse (6,440 meters), and many others.
After enjoying the mesmerizing views from Kalapatthar, you head down the rocky moraine hills to Gorakshep.
Then, after a short break, you head down to Lobuche.
Next, you descend further down the beautiful valley and watch the barren landscape turn into grasslands. After traveling for some time along a gentle trail, you reach Pheriche (4,371 meters).
On this day, you will walk 13-14 kilometers.
Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,446 meters), 6-7 hours
Today, we descend along a gentle trail, taking in the views of (6,812 meters) and other peaks while passing through various streams and green hills.
As you descend, you will reach the intersection of Dughla (4,595 meters). There, looking back at the memorial chortens, you descend still. Follow the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map to Khumjung Village (3,790 meters).
After descending for some time, you finally reach Namche Bazaar (3,446 meters). Be sure to buy some souvenirs to remember this trip and your loved ones’.
You will go down 925 meters and walk 14-15 kilometers on this day.
Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2860 meters), 5-6 hours
On this day, you will descend the steep trail you climbed a while ago, but this time with the memories of your outstanding achievements.
The towering hills filled with lush forests of magnolia, cedar, and bamboo provide a cacophony of Mother Nature’s sounds to entertain you on your way back home.
You travel through the villages of Monjo (2,835 meters) and Banker (2,800 meters) until you reach Phakding (2,610 meters). If you are confused about your route, check out the Everest Base Camp Trek Full Route Map.
From here, you will ascend a gentle trail until you reach Lukla (2,860 meters).
Today you climbed 586 meters and walked 18-19 kilometers.
Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Today, you bid farewell to the silent Himalayas as you board your flight to Kathmandu from Lukla.
Look back at the Himalayas and recollect your trekking memories while enjoying the stunning views.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, take the time to explore the city. In the evening, take a walk around Thamel to buy some souvenirs.
Final Departure
Today is the official end of this trek.
Arrive at the airport at least three hours before your desired flight.
Hopefully, you will return to Nepal for new adventures. Until then, the memories of the EBC trek will be with you.
