Why Choose the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Who wouldn’t wish to leave their footprints at the foothills of the world’s tallest mountain? Yes, the journey of the Everest Base Camp Trek is not only about a walking holiday, but it is also about enhancing the emotions of being at the top of the world.
It is indeed beyond a walking holiday. In the home of the Sherpa People, amidst the plethora of mountains which are listed in the top ten tallest mountains of the world, it can surely help you feed your ego of being in the superlative places on Mother Earth.
If you are searching for a trip where you get the chance to be close to the Himalayan environment and find solitude close to nature, then choose the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
Trekking Distance, Duration & Difficulty Level
The total trekking distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal is about 65 km for the one-way trip. This means the overall trekking distance is about 130 km from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp.
Please note that the duration of the trekking depends upon the preferences of the travelers. For example, if a traveler wishes to return back to Lukla or Kathmandu by helicopter flight from Everest Base Camp or Gorakshep, then the trekking distance may decrease significantly. However, the cost of the helicopter return trip is higher than the regular Everest Base Camp trekking trip.
Talking about the difficulty level of the Everest Base Camp trekking in Nepal, the level is between easy and moderate. The biggest hindrance in this journey is the demand for altitude. Usually, high-altitude places require you to be in the best physical shape and have proper cardiovascular abilities.
Make sure that you do various exercises like running, walking, swimming, and cycling at least a month prior to the trek. It helps immensely to build up the physical stamina level.
Everest Base Camp Journey: Elevation & Acclimatization
The biggest hindrance to the smooth trekking operations is the risk of altitude sickness. Therefore, the regular itinerary has two acclimatization activities to prepare trekkers’ bodies for situations above 3500 m altitude and 4400 m altitude.
The Everest View Hotel Hike and Nagarshan Hill Hike are the acclimatization activities that you must not miss for better trekking experiences and safety. Make sure that you are eating well and following the instructions of your trekking guide throughout the journey.
Required Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek
Trekkers need to obtain two permits to do the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. The first one is the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit, which costs NRs. 3000 per person. Similarly, the second permit is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which costs NRs. 3000 for foreigners and NRs. 1500 for SAARC nationals. The provision of the TIMS permit is no longer in use.
Physical Fitness & Trek Preparation
Fitness level, stamina, and cardiovascular abilities must be in good condition before the trek. Make sure that you are well prepared physically for this demanding trekking trip to the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. Cycling, swimming, walking, and running are the best exercises that you can do to improve these abilities. Also, maintain a uniform pace and stay hydrated while on the trek.
Customization & Private Trek Options
The journey is an epitome of all the adventures in the world, as it is in the abode of the world’s tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. Therefore, you should always book the trek after lots of planning and consideration.
As a reliable trekking company, we have an option for trekkers to customize the trekking itinerary according to their preferences. Group joining trek packages and private trek packages are available for your comfort. Consult with our travel planners and book the trekking package of your comfort at the most reasonable rate.
Why Trek to Everest Base Camp With Us?
Our team of local Sherpa porters, highly experienced trekking guides, and support crew members ensures impeccable hospitality and quality services throughout the journey. In addition, the company has a huge support system in the city office, which is very helpful in making sure that problems are promptly addressed to ensure a hassle-free journey on the Everest Base Camp Trek. Similarly, the company has flexible costing of the packages, which allows trekkers to customize their trip according to their preferences.
Based in Kathmandu, Holy Kailash Tours has spent 15 years organizing treks to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley, Manaslu, Upper Mustang, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, with thousands of treks completed and guided by guides registered with Nepal's trekking agency association. That background shows up in how the trip is planned, not just how it's sold.
Written by Ram Sharan Adhikari, Lead Trek Coordinator at Holy Kailash Tours, who has led over 1000 treks to Everest Base Camp for 15 years. Reviewed for accuracy against the current Nepal Tourism Board permit rates.
Book the Everest Base Camp Trek today, and relish the wilderness adventure experiences in the heart of Sherpa villages and the home of the Himalayas.
Elevation chart: Everest Base Camp
Elevation Profile Chart (Day by Day)
The main difference compared to the EBC trek is the greater net daily elevation gain and loss as the route goes through the Khumbu Valley, with more frequent and larger ups and downs.
|
Day
|
Route
|
Sleep Altitude (ft)
|
Sleep Altitude (m)
|
Approx. Gain (ft)
|
|
1
|
Fly to Lukla, Trek to Phakding
|
8,563 ft
|
2,610 m
|
-250 m (descent)
|
|
2
|
Phakding → Namche Bazaar
|
11,286 ft
|
3,440 m
|
+830 m
|
|
3
|
Acclimatization Day (Namche)
|
11,286 ft
|
3,440 m
|
Hike high, sleep low
|
|
4
|
Namche → Tengboche
|
12,664 ft
|
3,860 m
|
+420 m
|
|
5
|
Tengboche → Dingboche
|
14,469 ft
|
4410 m
|
+550m
|
|
6
|
Acclimatization Day (Dingboche)
|
14,469 ft
|
4410 m
|
Hike to ~16,700 ft
|
|
7
|
Dingboche → Lobuche
|
16,207 ft
|
4940 m
|
+530 m
|
|
8
|
Lobuche → Gorak Shep → EBC
|
16,942 ft (sleep)
|
5,164 m (sleep)
|
+440 m (to EBC)
|
|
9
|
Gorak Shep → Kala Patthar → Pheriche
|
14,340 ft
|
4,371 m
|
Highest: +480m to Kala Patthar
|
|
10
|
Pheriche → Namche Bazaar
|
11,286 ft
|
3,440 m
|
-1,000 m (descent)
|
|
11
|
Namche → Lukla
|
9,383 ft
|
2,860 m
|
-580 m (descent)
|
|
12
|
Fly back to Kathmandu.
|
4,593 ft
|
1,400 m
|
-
|
Critical Acclimatization Zones
|
Altitude Zone
|
Day
|
Risk Level
|
Action Required
|
|
Above 12,000 ft
|
Days 2-4
|
Moderate
|
Start your acclimatization. Drink 3-4 liters of water daily. No alcohol.
|
|
Above 14,000 ft
|
Days 5-6 (Dingboche)
|
High
|
This is a critical acclimatization point. Do the side hike to Nagarjun Hill (~5,100 m) to "climb high, sleep low."
|
|
Above 16,000 ft
|
Days 7-9 (Lobuche/Gorak Shep)
|
Severe
|
This is where AMS is most likely. Do not sleep at a higher altitude than the previous night by more than 500m. The "climb high, sleep low" rule is essential.
|
Related Everest Packages
EBC Gokyo Cho La Pass Trek 16 Days
Everest Three High Passes Trek: 18 Days
Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek 14 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek With Helicopter Return 11 Days
Gokyo Lake Trek 13 Days
Everest View Trek 5 Days
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour 1 Day
Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days
Highlights of the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal
Here is the list of the highlights of the Everest Base Camp trekking in Nepal.
- Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport: the world's most extreme airport
- Sherpa Villages and Monasteries
- Diverse Vegetation: Temperate Deciduous to Tundra, including Alpine Forests
- Landscape Diversity: valleys, gorges, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, and moraines
- Everest Base Camp (5364 m) and Kalapathar (5545 m) Sunrise/Sunset experiences
- Nepal’s most commercial trekking route
- Superlative things to experience: Everest View Hotel & Sagarmatha National Park
- Over a dozen mountain vistas
