Have you ever thought about doing something extraordinary? Do you dream about exploring the unknown? If you have ever been in any of these situations, then you are in for a treat. Nothing is more mysterious than the majestic Himalayas. Trekking in the Himalayas might sound overwhelming, but it is possible. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Nepal to embark on a journey to the Himalayas, and all of them say the same thing: it is an experience of a lifetime.
How to Use This Everest Base Camp Guide?
This all-in-one guide includes all the information that you will need for your Everest Base Camp trek. It is a 14-day itinerary that includes a detailed itinerary along with the costs and expenditure, trekking routes, list of required items and gears, best accommodation and places to eat, useful tips, and other lots of FAQs. This guide is highly flexible and adjustable and caters to both solo and group trekkers. You will not need to refer to any other guides. So, save your time and follow this guide to fulfill your dream of visiting Everest Base Camp.
Why visit Everest Base Camp (Everest Base Camp)?
Frankly speaking, there is no other place like Everest Base Camp in the world. It is the most famous trekking destination in Nepal. Though there are a number of mountains in Nepal, none of them can match the grandeur of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. If you are only a beginner in the field of mountaineering and desire to see Everest in person but feel intimidated and overwhelmed, then Everest Base Camp trek is perfect for you.
You do not have to climb Mount Everest to observe the breathtaking view of the Himalayas; you get to do it from Everest Base Camp. It is a perfect place to start for aspiring trekkers. The journey to Everest Base Camp is full of adventures; you will trek along the beautiful hills and through the coniferous forests. There are magical things waiting to be unraveled, and you can be the one to do. That is the reason why Everest Base Camp is always on the bucket list of people looking for an adventure.
Trip Highlights
- View Mount Everest and other peaks like Lhotse and Nuptse up close from the base camp which sits at 5,364 meters above the sea level, one of the highest points in the world.
- Visit Tengboche Monastery and experience the rich culture of ancient Buddhism. It is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region.
- Observe the magnificent Khumbu glacier from the base camp; it is the highest glacier in the world and lies on the way to the summit of Mount Everest.
- Take a walk around Namche Bazaar, a one of a kind vibrant town in the foothills of the Himalayas where you can familiarize yourself with Sherpa’s culture and traditions.
- Learn about the rare and exotic wildlife and vegetation of the Himalayan region by visiting Sagarmatha National Park.
How Difficult is Everest Base Camp Trek?
You do not have to be extremely fit and experienced in trekking to join the Everest Base Camp trek. If you are in decent shape and do not have any respiratory complications, you should be able to complete the trek without much difficulty. The Everest Base Camp trail is pretty easy, but the only hindrance is the altitude. Altitude sickness is very common, and it can happen to anyone regardless of fitness and health. You can take care of altitude sickness by taking medications, so there is no need to worry about the trek. With proper planning and preparation, you can fully enjoy the Everest Base Camp trek.
When to Embark on Everest Base Camp Trek?
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is spring or autumn, the reason being the absence of rainfall. You would not want to be drenched in rainwater while trekking, would you? That’s why you should trek between April to May or October to November. During this period, you can fully concentrate on your trek without worrying about rainfall or storms. This is high time for trekkers, so if you are traveling solo, you can just follow the trail that everyone else is following. There is no need to worry about getting lost in the mountains.
14-day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
You will begin your journey from Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. I recommend you take your time and explore the city, while you are in Nepal. It is an ancient city with amazing food culture and a rich history of art and architecture. So, take a walk around the city, before you start your trekking adventure. At the end of the Everest Base Camp trek, you will be back in Kathmandu.
Accommodation
During the Everest Base Camp trek, you will spend your night in many different places. Most of these places are run by local people who do not have any other means of making money. You can contribute to their well-being by using their services. In Lukla and Namche Bazaar, you will find decent accommodation at affordable prices. You can spend your night in any of the tea houses in Namche Bazaar. These places will give you a homely feeling.
However, as the altitude increases, your accommodations get more basic. This does not mean you get bad accommodations but the rooms are small with twin sharing beds. You will find bathrooms attached to your rooms in tea houses but in higher altitudes, the bathrooms may be squat bathrooms so prepare yourself mentally for all kinds of situations. The rooms will be clean and comfortable regardless of the size.
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
As you have already learned about the breakdown cost of individual expenses during your Everest Base Camp Trek, you are well informed about the types of costs incurred. However, if you are trekking with a local trekking company, you will have a better opportunity at saving yourselves some cash along with having a stress free journey.
Traveling with a local trekking company like Radiant Treks, your 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek cost will range from USD 1250 based on the Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary. This cost includes all of the transportation, food and accommodation and other costs during your trek. The detailed inclusions and exclusions are listed below for your convenience.
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Max Altitude: 2860 m
Flight duration: 40 minutes
Trek distance: 6.2 km
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
Your journey to the Everest Base Camp starts from the capital city, Kathmandu. With a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, you will enter the Everest Region. The 40 minutes Kathmandu-Lukla flight is a rollercoaster of amazement and mesmerizing beauty. The view from the flight is incomparable to any other flight in the country. Reaching Lukla you will need the local area entry permit so get your documents ready.
With the mesmerizing views of the mountains of the Everest region along with the beautiful landscapes and the valley itself will leave you awe-inspired and eager to continue the trek. You will reach Lukla after this eye-pleasing scenic flight after around 40 minutes. The trekking part of the Everest Base Camp Trek starts now.
From Lukla, you will be taking a trek to Phakding. It is a small settlement through the trail following the Dudh Koshi River. The trail from Lukla to Phakding takes around 4-5 hours. With great views of the mountains along with the glaciers and waterfalls. Following the river bed of Dudh Koshi River, you will finally reach Phakding. You shall spend the night in the small settlement of Phakding in a tea house.
Maximum Altitude: 3445 m
Trek distance: 9.4 km
Trek duration: 6-7 hours
Today, our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary takes us for a long walk to Namche Bazaar, one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Everest Region. Leaving Phakding with a stomach full breakfast, we will head north.
Walking uphill from Phakding with great landscapes and exotic flora and fauna, you will walk alongside the Dudh Koshi riverside. On the way to Namche, you will have to cross many suspension bridges and come across many beautiful waterfalls.
After a short walk, you will reach a small village of Monjo which is also known as the gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. You will require the Sagarmatha National Park permit to go any further. The permit can be obtained at Monjo at the entrance with all the required documents.
After acquiring the Sagarmatha National Park Permit, you will cross one of the longest suspension bridges known as the Hillary suspension bridge and finally reach Namche Bazaar. You will stay overnight in a lodge or tea house in Namche Bazaar.
Maximum Altitude: 3445 m
Trek distance: 1-2 km
Trek duration: 3-4 hours
Day 3 of the 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary is very important for all trekkers. Today is acclimatization day which means you will not advance in your trek. Acclimatization means to let your body get acquainted with the changing altitude and adapt to the altitude. This may sound unnecessary but it is a very important part of the trek.
Namche Bazaar is popular for not only its diverse cultural marketplace but also as an important acclimatization point. This does not necessarily mean that you will have to sit at the lodge doing absolutely nothing. Acclimatization day is also an exploration day as you can’t come all the way to Namche and do nothing.
The marketplace is not the only thing Namche has to offer you. You can explore the museum in Namche with great cultural importance. Apart from the destinations, you can also try on the cultural dress of the locals and take pictures. This has become a major attraction in Namche.
If you are out of things to do in Namche Bazaar, why not take a short hike to a nearby viewpoint. Within an hour's walk lies the famous historical airport of Syangboche. Syangboche airstrip, despite not being open for commercial operation, is crowded with tourists. It provides great views of the Himalayas.
With all these great adventurous and memorable activities, we will return to Namche and rest for more adventures tomorrow.
Maximum Altitude: 3975 m
Trek distance: 9.2 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
With enough rest and food in our body, we shall leave Namche moving forward to our destination. From Namche, we shall advance to our next stop, Tengboche.
The trail along with the destination is rich in religion and culture. You will meet many Buddhist monasteries along the way including stupas, Chortens, and Gompas.
On the way to Tengboche, you will cross the Mong La Pass at the altitude of 3975 meters. The pass provides you with the best views of Mt. Ama Dablam and Lhotse as we descend to the Dudh Koshi.
You will reach Tengboche village after a 5-6 hours walk from Namche with an uphill climb from Dudh Koshi. The village is warped in the religious vibes of the monastery with prayer flags rustling in the winds. The Dawa Choling Gompa is one of the famous attractions of this village.
You will have to trek a while to reach the Gompa from the village but it is worth every minute.
The monastery provides the best panoramic view of the mountains like Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Everest, Lhotse, etc.
After the majestic view of the mountains and the landscape along with the monastery visit, you will return to the Tengboche village and spend the night in a local teahouse.
Maximum Altitude: 4360 m
Trek distance: 9 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
The route further from Tengboche is filled with alpine forests with many small villages on the way. As we leave Tengboche and head towards Dingboche, you can enjoy the exotic flora and fauna on the way. Mainly the Rhododendron forests make your trails much more vibrant and exciting.
With great views of the mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Taboche and Nuptse on the way, you will reach Pangboche after crossing the Imja Khola. As you reach Pangboche, you can visit the Pangboche Monastery which is a popular cultural attraction of the hike.
Soon, we will reach the Dingboche village which takes a total of 5-6 hours of trekking. The picturesque village with its unique landscape and lack of trees is an exciting sight to see. Also, you can see many animals grazing in these fields along with farming fields of Potato, Barley, and Buckwheat.
With great views of the mountains surrounding you, you will enjoy your dinner and spend the night in Dingboche.
Maximum Altitude: 4360 m
Trek distance: 5 km
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
We have reached our second acclimatization point of the 18 days Everest Base Camp Trek. reaching above 4000 meters is a great achievement in our trek. Also an important acclimatization point.
As you reach above 4000 meters, there is a high chance of you getting altitude sickness so it is very important for you to take proper precautions. With acclimatization, you can explore the Dingboche village a little more to get to know their lifestyle and culture.
Apart from exploring the village and its people, you can also take a short hike to neighbor attractions like the Chukkung village or the Nagarjuna hill. Both destinations are very popular for sightseeing. They provide you with the best views of the neighboring mountains and the villages along with the farms and pastures. These views are breathtaking from the hilltop and the village.
The short hike takes around 3-4 hours and is not very tiring. It helps to keep your body accustomed to the high altitude. You will return to Dingboche at the end of the day and spend the rest of the day doing your daily chores like laundry or get enough rest.
Maximum Altitude: 4950 m
Trek distance: 11 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
Day 7 of the Everest Base Camp Trek takes you to Lobuche. The trek to Lobuche from Dingboche starts off as a wider and brighter route but later gets narrower. The trek takes you through the beautiful routes with astonishing views of the mountains reaching the ultimate altitude of 4950 meters.
Walking past the first successful campsite of the Everest expedition, we will head towards the narrower path. Through the path, we can see the glorious Pumori peak and descend to a small stream.
Crossing the stream we make our ascent to Duglha, a small village. The trails through Duglha are covered in prayer flags leading us to Lobuche. On our way to Lobuche from Duglha, we will cross the Khumbu glacier terminal moraine.
This is a difficult steep moraine but the view of the snowy peaks from the moraine is breathtaking. Finally reaching Lobuche after the highs and lows, you can now enjoy the beautiful view of the Lobuche peak itself with other neighboring mountains as well.
Maximum Altitude: 5164 m
Trek distance: 4 km
Trek Duration: 3-4 hours
Today is the last stop before reaching our ultimate destination, Everest Base Camp. today, we will walk a short distance of only 4 kilometers from Lobuche to Gorakshep.
The trail from Lobuche to Gorakshep is filled with ups and downs and the trail gets rough and steep. However, this rough trail gives you the perfect view of the Khumbu Glaciers. Slow your pace for this walk to avoid altitude sickness.
Walking on the rocky trails for about 3-4 hours, you will finally reach Gorakshep. You can enjoy your dinner and rest for the night in a teahouse in the village. Save your energy for the main event tomorrow.
Maximum Altitude: 5643 m
Trek distance: 4 km
Trek Duration: 4-5 hours
The big day has finally arrived. With the sunrise, we shall trek a few hours on a steep rocky trail and get to Kalapathar (5643m). It is one of the most popular destinations in the Everest Base Camp trek. The view point bestows the mesmerizing views of the glorious Mount Everest along with its neighboring mountains.
The hike to Kalapathar will take around an hour or a half. The view is worth the climb. From Kalapathar, we will make our descent to the Everest Base Camp. The most awaited moment of our 18 days Everest Base Camp trek itinerary has finally arrived. This will serve as a memory of great accomplishment in all our lives. With a few clicks and memories and admiration moments, we shall return to Gorak Shep for the night.
Reaching the Base Camp at an altitude of 5364 meters is not a small thing. Achieving this feat is admirable and what is even more fascinating is the view of the mountains and the glaciers. We shall spend the night at Gorak Shep and prepare for our safe and exciting return.
Maximum Altitude: 5164 m
Trek distance: 9.8 km
Trek Duration: 6-7 hours
Today, we shall start our descent from Everest Base Camp. Our destination has been met but that doesn’t end the journey. The trek still continues as we make our descent back to Lukla.
With the distance to be covered being almost 10 km, the trek will take around 6-7 hours. The trek is not as easy as it seems but it is very exciting and thrilling. Making a downhill trek is always adventurous but safety is the first priority so walk slowly.
The trail is not as steep but it is rocky so mind your step and take it easy. The air pressure will slowly start to decrease and you can feel a lot easier than before. After a 7 hour long descend, we will finally reach Pheriche and end the day at a lodge or teahouse in Pheriche.
Maximum Altitude: 4371 m
Trek distance: 14.3 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
On our way back, we will retrace our steps back to Namche Bazaar, where we stopped for acclimatization on our way up. This destination is a perfect spot for us to spend the night and further our journey the next day.
At Namche Bazaar, you can easily find many tea houses and lodges to stay in. The trail may be long but the downhill trek makes it seem quick and easy. Unlike the other trails, it is a busy trail with trekkers walking around. Also, the trail has a lot of diverse flora and fauna to offer you along with the captivating landscapes.
As we arrive in Namche, we can see the Sherpas in the marketplace busy with their work. The town is always pretty crowded and busy. We will spend the night here.
Maximum Altitude: 3440 m
Trek distance: 13.5 km
Trek Duration: 9-10 hours
Today marks the very last day of our actual trekking activity although you still have a day or two left of the trip. Our trek from Namche to Lukla will be the last trek in the area for Everest Base Camp trek. The Everest Base Camp Trek route takes you back to where you started from, Lukla from Namche Bazaar.
This is one of the longest treks you have had in the whole trek. Walking for around 9-10 hours today, you will return to Lukla from Namche Bazaar. The trail takes you through a steep climb followed by a steep downhill. The trek downhill on a steep trail is scarier so take your time and mind your footing.
The way back to Lukla is amazing because of the beautiful views of the mountains. The trail takes you through Monjo, Phakding, and finally reaching Lukla. It is a long way back but the surroundings make it worth every step.
Finally reaching Lukla, you can see the beautiful sacred Dudh Koshi River along with the suspension bridges you passed to reach there. The lively environment in Lukla will lift your spirits from the tiresome walk in a few minutes. We shall rest here for the night.
Maximum Altitude: 2860 m
Flight distance: 138 km
Flight Duration: 30 minutes
An early morning flight from Lukla to Kathmandu will help you relieve all your stress and fatigue from your trek. The trek where you walked around 5-6 hours a day on average will only leave good blissful memories as you get on the flight to Kathmandu from Lukla.
The scenic flight from Lukla will let you enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains, the landscapes, the streams, and the valleys from the comfort of your seat.
The scenic flight will cure you of your fatigue or any other stress. Also, the flight will get you to Kathmandu in a matter of 40 minutes. You will enjoy your breakfast in Kathmandu and spend the day resting or exploring the city.
Maximum Altitude: 4930 m
Trek distance: 10.6 km
Trek Duration: 5-6 hours
The last day of the Everest Base Camp Trek is Kathmandu tour which is highly suggested by us but it is completely up to you. However, what's the point of visiting Nepal if you don't explore the Kathmandu Valley at all right?
Let's make the most of the trip and have some exploration tours within the Kathmandu Valley as well.
The valley has so many things to offer you starting with the great historical and cultural monuments along with the cultural food of many cultures. The blend of culture in Kathmandu Valley is the main attraction of this city. The world-renowned heritage sites are a bonus. The living goddess, the historical architecture, the art, the people, everything here has its own unique attraction so make sure to explore the city to get your fill of the city.
After a short Kathmandu tour, we shall end the trek with a special cultural farewell dinner along with the trek completion certificate and end this memorable trek with a blast.
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