Any Question? Email Us
info@nepalhimalayastrekking.comTalk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
Any Question? Email Us
info@nepalhimalayastrekking.comTalk To An Expert ( Prakash Lamsal )
The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek is a 14-day round trip from Kathmandu. Twelve of those days are on the trail, walking from Lukla to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and up Kala Patthar (5,545 m), sleeping in Sherpa-run teahouses. You don't need climbing experience. You do need to be able to walk 5 to 7 hours a day, several days in a row, and to take altitude seriously.
We are Nepal Himalayas Trekking, a Kathmandu company led by Prakash Lamsal, who began guiding in 2012 as a porter-guide in Dhading. This page explains what each day is really like, what the trek costs in total (not just the package price), and where things can go wrong, so you can decide with your eyes open.
| EBC Trek | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 days (12 on the trail) |
| Route | Kathmandu, Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep, Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, then back the same way |
| Highest points | Everest Base Camp 5,364 m · Kala Patthar 5,545 m |
| Distance | Roughly 110 to 130 km round trip from Lukla |
| Walking | 3 to 8 hours a day, typically 5 to 7 |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous. Altitude is the challenge, not technical skill |
| Rest days | Two (Namche Bazaar and Dingboche) |
| Sleeping | 11 nights in twin-share teahouses, 2 nights in a Kathmandu hotel |
| Best seasons | March to May and September to November |
| Group size | From 1 person (private) to 13+ |
| Price | From USD 1,690 for one traveler; USD 1,490 per person for groups of 13+ |
1. You won't see Everest's summit from Base Camp. Surrounding ridges block it. The clear view is from Kala Patthar, which is why it gets its own sunrise morning on Day 10.
2. The weather runs your schedule. Flights to and from Lukla are delayed or cancelled when cloud or wind closes the runway. In spring and autumn, many flights leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead of Kathmandu, which means a 4 to 5 hour drive that starts around 1 or 2 a.m. Plan at least two free days after Day 13 before your international flight. No buffer day is included in the package, so a delay means extra nights you pay for yourself.
3. Being fit does not protect you from altitude sickness. Marathon runners get it; some unfit trekkers don't. What protects you is a slow schedule, rest days, plenty of fluids, and telling your guide honestly how you feel.
A good fit if you:
Think twice, and talk to your doctor, if you:
Cheaper quotes exist. Before you compare prices, check whether they include the following. Ours does.
Also ask any operator what happens if a flight is cancelled, and whether guides and porters are paid whether or not you reach Base Camp.
Sleeping altitude, night by night
| Night | Place | Sleeping altitude | Change from previous night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | (arrival) |
| 2 | Phakding | 2,610 m | +1,210 m (by flight) |
| 3 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | +830 m |
| 4 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | 0 (rest day) |
| 5 | Tengboche | 3,860 m | +420 m |
| 6 | Dingboche | 4,410 m | +550 m |
| 7 | Dingboche | 4,410 m | 0 (rest day) |
| 8 | Lobuche | 4,940 m | +530 m |
| 9 | Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | +224 m |
| 10 | Pheriche | 4,240 m | −924 m |
| 11 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | −800 m |
| 12 | Lukla | 2,860 m | −580 m |
| 13 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | (flight) |
The usual guideline is to raise your sleeping altitude by about 300 to 500 m a night above 3,000 m, with a rest night every few days. Namche (+830 m) exceeds it on every standard EBC schedule, which is why a rest day follows it. Dingboche (+550 m) and Lobuche (+530 m) are slightly over, so those days are walked slowly, with a rest day at Dingboche and a short hike high before sleeping low.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 (private) | USD 1,690 |
| 2 to 4 | USD 1,610 |
| 5 to 7 | USD 1,550 |
| 8 to 12 | USD 1,510 |
| 13+ | USD 1,490 |
Other versions of this trek: Budget · 12 days · Helicopter return · Luxury · With Gokyo Lakes · Three Passes
Everything costs more the higher you go, because it is carried up by porters and yaks.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hot shower | USD 3 to 10 |
| Device charging | USD 2 to 8 |
| Wi-Fi | USD 3 to 10 per lodge |
| Boiled or filtered water | USD 1 to 5 per liter |
| Bottled water | USD 2 to 6 |
| Laundry | USD 5 to 15 |
Most trekkers carry USD 350 to 450 in Nepali rupees for extras. There are ATMs in Lukla and Namche, but they run out of cash and lose connection often, and there are none above Namche. Cards are unreliable. Bring rupees from Kathmandu, in small notes. Tips for your guide and porters are paid in cash at the end of the trek; ask us for a guideline when you book.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Stable weather, rhododendrons in bloom, expedition tents at Base Camp. Busy. |
| September to November | Clearest skies and the most popular season. Cold nights, especially in November. |
| December to February | Very cold, possible snow, quiet trails. Some lodges close. |
| June to August | Monsoon: rain, cloud, and the most flight disruption. |
Trekking in the Everest region needs a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a local Khumbu permit, plus registration where required. We arrange all of them and they are included in your package. Keep them with you, because they are checked at several points on the trail. Fees and rules change from time to time, so we confirm the current requirements with you when you book.
The trek is not technical, but the days are long, the ground is uneven, and the air is thin. Start 8 to 12 weeks out with hill walks carrying a loaded daypack, stair or incline work, and leg and core strength. Break your boots in well before you fly. See our Everest Base Camp training plan.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can start above 2,500 m. The first signs are headache, nausea, dizziness, poor sleep and unusual tiredness. If you have them, tell your guide immediately. Mild cases mean resting or stopping the ascent. Do not keep climbing with symptoms.
Two forms are emergencies: fluid in the lungs (severe breathlessness at rest, a wet cough, blue lips) and fluid in the brain (severe headache, confusion, loss of balance). Both require immediate descent and medical help, and often helicopter evacuation. That is why your insurance must cover it.
If you're considering acetazolamide (Diamox), talk to your doctor before you travel.
Broken-in waterproof boots · a down jacket · a −15 °C sleeping bag · a waterproof shell and warm layers · gloves and a warm hat · trekking poles · a headlamp · a 1 L+ water bottle with purification tablets or a filter · sunglasses and SPF 50 · a power bank · blister plasters and your own medication.
Down jackets, sleeping bags and poles can be rented in Thamel. Full list: Everest Base Camp packing list.
You need a policy that covers trekking to at least 5,500 m, emergency helicopter evacuation, medical treatment in Nepal, and trip delay. A helicopter rescue can cost several thousand dollars, and operators usually want proof of cover before flying. Check the altitude limit in your policy wording.
| Notice before departure | Charge |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | 15% |
| 60 to 89 days | 20% |
| 30 to 59 days | 30% |
| 20 to 29 days | 30% |
| Less than 20 days | 40% |
| On or after departure | No refund |
If a group departure can't run, we offer postponement at no extra cost. Full terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.
See current dates and available seats in the booking panel. If none suit you, we can arrange a private departure on your dates.
How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek, and can a beginner do it? It is moderate to strenuous. There is no technical climbing, so a fit first-timer can do it with 8 to 12 weeks of training. The real difficulty is altitude, long days and cold nights.
How many days do I need? Fourteen days (12 on the trail) is our standard. Shorter versions with a helicopter return take 10 to 12 days but give your body less time to adjust.
How much does it cost in total? From USD 1,490 to 1,690 per person for the package, depending on group size, plus roughly USD 350 to 450 in cash for extras, and your international flights, visa and insurance.
Do I need a guide and a porter? Rules on independent trekking have changed more than once, so check the current requirements before you go. Our packages always include a licensed guide and a porter for every two trekkers. A guide handles navigation, pacing, altitude checks and emergencies. A porter carries your main bag, which makes a big difference above 4,000 m.
Can I see Everest from Base Camp? Not the summit. Ridges block it. Kala Patthar has the clear view.
Can I sleep at Base Camp? Trekkers don't. You sleep in Gorak Shep and walk to Base Camp for the day. Only expedition climbers camp there.
What if my Lukla flight is cancelled? You wait, usually a few hours, sometimes a day. Weather decides. We rebook you, and a helicopter is possible if you choose to pay for it. This is why we recommend two free days after the trek.
What insurance do I need? Cover for trekking to 5,500 m, helicopter evacuation and trip delay. Standard policies often exclude both.
Is Base Camp in the "death zone"? No. The death zone starts above about 8,000 m. Base Camp is at 5,364 m.
Can I charge my phone and use Wi-Fi? Yes, in most teahouses, for a fee that rises with altitude. Bring a power bank. Wi-Fi is slow and unreliable above Namche.
Do I need my own sleeping bag? Bring one rated to −15 °C, or rent one in Thamel. Rooms are not heated.
What's the best month? March to May and September to November are the most reliable. Autumn has the clearest views; spring has flowers and expedition tents.
Send us your dates, group size, and any questions. We reply with availability and a written quote.
Email: info@nepalhimalayastrekking.com WhatsApp / Viber: +977 9841044334
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening, you meet your guide for the pre-trek briefing: route, altitude rules, permits and a gear check. Anything you're missing (down jacket, sleeping bag, poles) can be rented in Thamel. Go to bed early, since the Lukla flight leaves at dawn. Meals: none. Overnight: Kathmandu hotel.
The flight takes about 35 minutes. In spring and autumn, it may leave from Ramechhap instead (a 4- to 5-hour drive from Kathmandu, then a 20-minute flight). From Lukla, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river past mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags. It is mostly gentle and slightly downhill, and short on purpose: you have just gained 1,200 m by plane. About 8 km, 3 to 4 hours. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: teahouse, Phakding.
The first hard day. You cross several suspension bridges, enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, where permits are checked, and cross the high Hillary Suspension Bridge. Then comes a steep climb of two to three hours. On a clear day you may get a first glimpse of Everest on the way up. Namche is the Sherpa capital, with bakeries, gear shops and a small museum. About 10 km, 5 to 6 hours, +830 m. Overnight: teahouse, Namche.
A rest day with a short, slow walk: up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for a first proper view of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, then on to Khumjung village and back. Climb high, sleep low. Drink three to four liters of water. Spend the afternoon at the Sherpa museum or the national park visitor centre. 3 to 4 hours. Overnight: Namche.
A mostly level trail above the valley gives you views of Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Then a long descent to the river at Phunki Thenga for lunch, followed by about 600 m of climbing through forest to Tengboche, the largest monastery in the Khumbu, with Ama Dablam standing behind it. Ask your guide about the afternoon prayers. About 10 km, 5 to 6 hours. Overnight: Tengboche.
Down through rhododendron forest to Deboche, across the Imja Khola, and up through Pangboche. Above Pangboche the trees thin out and you enter open, high country. Dingboche sits in a wide valley of stone-walled potato fields with Island Peak at the far end. About 11 km, 5 to 6 hours, +550 m. Overnight: Dingboche.
The hard acclimatization day. The usual option is the Nangkartshang ridge (about 5,083 m, higher than tomorrow's overnight); if you're not feeling strong, a shorter walk toward Chhukung (about 4,730 m) does the job. Either way, you return to sleep at 4,410 m. Views take in Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Island Peak. 4 to 5 hours. Overnight: Dingboche.
A short day in distance, but you're now above 4,500 m and everything feels slower. The trail climbs to Thukla (Dughla) for lunch, then steeply up to the Chukpi Lhara memorial, where stone chortens honor climbers and Sherpas who died on Everest. From there it follows the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche. Rooms are basic and cold, and appetite drops, so eat anyway. About 8 km, 5 to 6 hours, +530 m. Overnight: Lobuche.
Walk to Gorak Shep (about 3 hours), have lunch, then walk the rocky moraine to Base Camp (3 to 4 hours round trip). You'll see the Khumbu Icefall above the camp. In April and May, expedition tents fill the site; outside the climbing season, it is quiet and empty. You sleep back in Gorak Shep, the highest night of the trek. Poor sleep is normal here. About 7 to 8 hours in total. Overnight: Gorak Shep.
Why Base Camp first? You arrive at Gorak Shep with the whole afternoon, and Kala Patthar at sunrise the next morning, when the sky is usually clearest, is the highlight. Your guide may swap the order for weather or how the group feels.
A pre-dawn climb of 2 to 3 hours in the cold. The reward is Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Pumori glowing at sunrise, the clearest view of the summit on the whole trek. Back to Gorak Shep for breakfast, then a long descent through Lobuche and Thukla to Pheriche. The air thickens and your appetite and sleep improve as you drop. One of the longest days: roughly 8 to 9 hours in total. Overnight: Pheriche.
A long descent through Pangboche and Tengboche, across the river and up to Namche. Coming back into Namche feels like a small city after the high country. Bakery, hot shower, a real meal. About 19 km, 6 to 8 hours. Overnight: Namche.
The last walking day: down to the Dudh Koshi, back over the Hillary Bridge, through Monjo and Phakding, then a steady climb into Lukla. Dinner with your guide and porters. About 18 km, 6 to 7 hours. Overnight: Lukla.
An early flight (about 35 minutes), weather permitting, then a hot shower at your hotel and a free afternoon. Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Kathmandu hotel.
Airport transfer for your international flight. Keep at least two free days after Day 13 in case Lukla flights are delayed.
Optional extra day: Kathmandu heritage tour (Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath). Ask us to add it before or after the trek.