Explore Everest
The classic route into the Khumbu — Lukla to Base Camp and back, with a side trip up Kala Patthar for the view Base Camp itself doesn't give you.
Fact-checked 25 August 2026
From Lukla the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river up through Phakding and Namche Bazaar, climbs through Tengboche and Dingboche to Lobuche, and finishes at Everest Base Camp (5,364m) beneath the Khumbu Icefall. Most groups climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) the following morning for the clearest view of Everest's summit on the whole trek — Base Camp itself sits too close under the mountain to see the peak.
It's a long walk, not a climb: no ropes, no technical sections. What makes it hard is the altitude and the number of days spent above 4,000m, not the terrain underfoot.
Fourteen days is the standard length for a reason — it builds in two proper acclimatization days (Namche and Dingboche) rather than rushing straight up. Shorter itineraries exist, but they trade away exactly the days that keep altitude sickness manageable. Expect five to seven hours of walking on a typical day, more on the Base Camp and Kala Patthar days.
Plan the trek
The standard journey is a non-technical, high-altitude teahouse trek. The walking is demanding because of repeated days above 4,000 metres, not because ropes or climbing skills are required.
Day by day
This planning model protects the acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche and leaves time for a disrupted Lukla flight. Exact walking times, overnight villages, and flight routing must be confirmed for each departure.
| Day | Route | Sleep | Altitude | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly to Lukla; walk to Phakding | Phakding | 2,610 m | A deliberately short first walking day. |
| 2 | Phakding to Namche Bazaar | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | The first major sleeping-altitude gain. |
| 3 | Acclimatization day in Namche | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | Day hike higher; return to sleep in Namche. |
| 4 | Namche Bazaar to Tengboche | Tengboche | 3,860 m | Forest trail and monastery area. |
| 5 | Tengboche to Dingboche | Dingboche | 4,410 m | The route moves above 4,000 m. |
| 6 | Acclimatization day in Dingboche | Dingboche | 4,410 m | A second acclimatization day before Lobuche. |
| 7 | Dingboche to Lobuche | Lobuche | 4,940 m | Slower pace is essential at this elevation. |
| 8 | Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp | Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | Visit Base Camp at about 5,364 m, then return to Gorak Shep. |
| 9 | Kala Patthar; descend toward Pheriche | Pheriche area | 4,240 m | Early viewpoint hike, conditions permitting. |
| 10 | Pheriche area to Namche Bazaar | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | A long descent through the Khumbu. |
| 11 | Namche Bazaar to Lukla | Lukla | 2,840 m | Final trail day. |
| 12–14 | Return flight and weather buffer | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | Keep buffer time before an international flight. |
Altitudes vary slightly by map, GPS source, and the location of a lodge. Treat these as route-planning values, not survey measurements.
Permits and rules
Nepal Tourism Board's revised TIMS guidance lists Everest Base Camp and the main Everest-region routes among treks requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. The Board also lists the Sagarmatha National Park entry fee for foreign visitors at NPR 3,000 per entry, with different rates for Nepali and SAARC visitors.
Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality separately operates a Trek Card. Its current public service page lists NPR 3,000 for visitors from countries outside SAARC and China, and NPR 2,000 for SAARC and Chinese visitors. Rules and fees can change; ask for the dated permit breakdown attached to your final quote.
Altitude safety
Fitness does not prevent altitude illness. The CDC Yellow Book recommends limiting sleeping-altitude gain above 3,000 metres to no more than 500 metres per night and adding an acclimatization night for each additional 1,000 metres gained. It also notes that standard Everest Base Camp schedules can still push individual limits.
Do not ascend to sleep higher while experiencing symptoms of altitude illness. If symptoms worsen at the same elevation, descend. Anyone with a heart, lung, sleep, pregnancy, or other relevant medical concern should seek advice from a clinician familiar with high-altitude travel before booking. This page is planning information, not medical advice.
Read the altitude safety guide →Flights, cost, and inclusions
Tenzing-Hillary Airport is the air gateway to the Everest region. Operations are weather-sensitive, and departure airport arrangements can change by season. Keep buffer days and confirm the operating airport and baggage allowance shortly before travel.
CAAN airport profileThe site currently publishes a starting price of USD 1,450 per person for its Classic EBC package. Your signed quote should state group size, domestic flights, permits, porter allocation, meals, lodging, taxes, and exclusions.
See the current pricing pageBuy a policy whose wording covers trekking to the maximum planned altitude and emergency evacuation. Confirm exclusions directly with the insurer; an operator cannot guarantee that a claim will be accepted.
Review the trekking safety approachContinue planning
Quick answers
A responsible plan usually allows 12 trail and flight days plus extra weather contingency. Shorter schedules remove useful acclimatization or buffer time.
A first-time high-altitude trekker can prepare for EBC, but “beginner” should not mean untrained. Build walking endurance, use a paced itinerary, and understand altitude symptoms before departure.
The summit view is restricted by surrounding terrain at Base Camp. Kala Patthar is the usual high viewpoint for the Everest panorama, conditions and personal acclimatization permitting.
Routine bottled oxygen is not a substitute for acclimatization on a standard trek. Suspected severe altitude illness requires urgent professional response and descent; treatment decisions belong to qualified medical personnel.
Options depend on weather, airline operations, available seats, and the rest of your schedule. A good plan keeps buffer days and explains rebooking, extra accommodation, road transfer, and helicopter costs before departure.
Cost and inclusions
| Group size | Price per person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1–3 trekkers | $1,450 |
| 4 or more trekkers | $1,305 (10% group discount) |
The Nepal route visits Everest’s southern base camp, rather than the northern camp in Tibet. The published 14-day plan makes the Base Camp destination the focus. Check the day-by-day sleeping stops, acclimatization days and time available after your return flight before matching it to your international travel.
Compare EBC with Gokyo if lakes and viewpoints matter more to you than reaching Base Camp. If your total time is short, look at Everest View instead of removing rest days from the EBC plan.
How many days can you spend in Nepal, including time outside the trek? Send your approximate month and party size. The team will review fit and availability before preparing a quote.
Geographic references checked 6 September 2026. These explain the region; they do not certify this operator or confirm departure availability.
Tell us your dates and fitness level — we'll reply with a route recommendation within two business days.