The Everest Base Camp trek is a roughly 130 km round trip from Lukla that reaches a maximum altitude of 5,364 m at Base Camp (5,545 m at Kala Patthar) and usually takes 12 to 14 days. The route follows the Dudh Koshi and Khumbu valleys through a chain of Sherpa villages, with two acclimatisation days built in along the way.
Looking at a map before you go helps you understand the shape of the trek: where the big climbs are, where the altitude really starts to bite and how far you walk each day. It also makes it easier to compare the classic route with longer variations through Gokyo or over the high passes.
This guide walks you through the Everest Base Camp route stage by stage, with distances, altitudes, walking times and an elevation profile summary, so you can picture the whole journey before you book.
In this guide
- Everest Base Camp Route Overview
- Key Waypoints and Altitudes
- Stage-by-Stage Route Table
- Everest Base Camp Elevation Profile
- Flight Legs and Road Access
- Classic Route vs Gokyo and High Passes Options
- Reading the Map: Acclimatisation and Altitude
- Permits Along the Route
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Start Planning Your Route
Everest Base Camp Route Overview
The classic route begins with a 30 to 40 minute flight into Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,860 m). From there, the trail drops gently to Phakding (2,610 m) beside the Dudh Koshi river, then climbs steeply to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the main trading town of the Khumbu.
Beyond Namche, the route traverses high above the river to Tengboche (3,860 m), home to the region’s most famous monastery. It then continues through Pangboche to Dingboche (4,410 m), where the valley opens up beneath Ama Dablam and Lhotse. The final stretch follows the Khumbu Glacier through Lobuche (4,940 m) to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), the last settlement before Base Camp.
From Gorak Shep, it is a return walk of around 7 km across the moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m), a rocky viewpoint above Gorak Shep, for the best close-up view of Everest’s summit, which cannot be seen from Base Camp itself.
Key Waypoints and Altitudes
These are the main villages and landmarks on the classic route, in order from Lukla. Altitudes are commonly quoted figures and can vary by a few metres between sources.
| Waypoint | Altitude | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Lukla | 2,860 m | Start and end point, Tenzing-Hillary Airport |
| Phakding | 2,610 m | First overnight stop beside the Dudh Koshi |
| Monjo | 2,835 m | Sagarmatha National Park entrance |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m | Main Sherpa town, first acclimatisation stop |
| Tengboche | 3,860 m | Tengboche Monastery |
| Pangboche | 3,985 m | Oldest monastery in the Khumbu |
| Dingboche | 4,410 m | Second acclimatisation stop |
| Thukla (Dughla) | 4,620 m | Lunch stop below the memorial ridge |
| Lobuche | 4,940 m | Last overnight before Gorak Shep |
| Gorak Shep | 5,164 m | Highest teahouses on the route |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m | Base of the Khumbu Icefall |
| Kala Patthar | 5,545 m | Highest point of the trek and best Everest viewpoint |
Stage-by-Stage Route Table
The table below follows a standard 12-day itinerary from Lukla and back. Distances are approximate walking distances on the trail, not straight-line distances, and times include normal rest stops but not long lunch breaks.
| Day | From – To | Distance | Elevation change | Walking time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu or Ramechhap – Lukla – Phakding | 8 km | -250 m | 3 to 4 hrs | Phakding (2,610 m) |
| 2 | Phakding – Namche Bazaar | 10 to 11 km | +830 m | 5 to 6 hrs | Namche (3,440 m) |
| 3 | Acclimatisation day (Everest View Hotel or Khumjung) | 4 to 6 km | +440 m and back | 3 to 4 hrs | Namche (3,440 m) |
| 4 | Namche – Tengboche | 10 km | +420 m (after a drop to 3,250 m) | 5 to 6 hrs | Tengboche (3,860 m) |
| 5 | Tengboche – Dingboche | 11 to 12 km | +550 m | 5 to 6 hrs | Dingboche (4,410 m) |
| 6 | Acclimatisation day (Nangkartshang viewpoint) | 4 to 5 km | +600 m and back | 3 to 4 hrs | Dingboche (4,410 m) |
| 7 | Dingboche – Lobuche | 11 to 12 km | +530 m | 5 to 6 hrs | Lobuche (4,940 m) |
| 8 | Lobuche – Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp – Gorak Shep | 12 to 15 km | +424 m | 6 to 8 hrs | Gorak Shep (5,164 m) |
| 9 | Gorak Shep – Kala Patthar – Pheriche | 13 to 16 km | +381 m, then -1,305 m | 7 to 8 hrs | Pheriche (4,240 m) |
| 10 | Pheriche – Namche Bazaar | 14 to 16 km | -800 m | 6 to 7 hrs | Namche (3,440 m) |
| 11 | Namche – Lukla | 18 to 19 km | -580 m | 6 to 8 hrs | Lukla (2,860 m) |
| 12 | Fly Lukla – Kathmandu or Ramechhap | – | – | 30 to 40 min flight | Kathmandu |
Adding up the walking stages gives roughly 62 to 65 km from Lukla to Base Camp and a similar distance back, or about 130 km in total. Many trekkers prefer a 14-day itinerary with extra buffer days, which does not change the distance but gives more time to acclimatise and absorb weather delays.
Everest Base Camp Elevation Profile
The elevation profile of the trek looks like a staircase with two big landings. After a short descent to Phakding, the first major climb is the steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, including the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge high above the river. That day gains more than 800 metres, most of it in the final few hours.
Above Namche, the trail climbs gradually but steadily. The day to Tengboche includes a steep drop to the river at Phunki Tenga (around 3,250 m), followed by a long climb to the monastery. From Tengboche onwards, each day gains 400 to 600 metres, and the air becomes noticeably thinner above Dingboche.
The final section, from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Base Camp, is where altitude affects almost everyone. The trail over the Khumbu Glacier’s lateral moraine is rocky and undulating, and the climb to Kala Patthar the next morning is short but steep. The descent that follows is rapid, dropping more than 1,300 metres in a single day to Pheriche or Dingboche.
Flight Legs and Road Access
Most trekkers reach Lukla by air. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is 30 to 40 minutes, but during peak spring and autumn seasons, most flights depart from Manthali Airport in Ramechhap, around four to five hours by road from Kathmandu. Lukla’s short, sloping runway is famous, and flights only operate in good visibility.
There is no road to Lukla. The nearest roads end in the lower Solukhumbu, around Salleri, Phaplu and further up the valley towards Kharikhola. Trekkers who want to avoid flying can take a jeep to these roadheads and walk up to join the main trail below Lukla, or walk the historic trail from Jiri.
Our guide to alternative ways to trek to Everest Base Camp covers these road and trail options, along with helicopter returns, in detail.
Classic Route vs Gokyo and High Passes Options
The classic route is the most direct way to Base Camp, but it is not the only one. Many trekkers add the Gokyo Lakes and the Cho La pass, or go further and complete the full Three High Passes circuit. These routes are longer and more demanding but offer quieter trails and some of the best views in the region.
| Route | Total days | Approx. distance | Highest point | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic EBC route | 12 to 14 | 130 km | Kala Patthar 5,545 m | Moderate to challenging |
| Gokyo Lakes and Cho La to EBC | 15 to 18 | 150 to 170 km | Kala Patthar 5,545 m, Cho La 5,420 m, Gokyo Ri 5,357 m | Challenging |
| Three High Passes circuit | 18 to 21 | 160 to 180 km | Kongma La 5,535 m and Kala Patthar 5,545 m | Strenuous |
If you are interested in these longer routes, read our in-depth guide to the Three High Passes on the Everest Base Camp trek, including Cho La, Kongma La and Renjo La.
Reading the Map: Acclimatisation and Altitude
The map also helps explain why the trek takes 12 days rather than 6. Standard advice for high-altitude trekking is that, above 3,000 metres, you should not increase your sleeping altitude by more than about 300 to 500 metres per day, and should take a rest day every 1,000 metres or so.
That is why the itinerary includes acclimatisation days at Namche (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m). On these days you still walk, climbing to a viewpoint such as the Everest View Hotel above Namche or Nangkartshang above Dingboche, then return to sleep lower. This “climb high, sleep low” approach helps your body adjust and greatly reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
When you look at the stage table above, notice that the biggest single-day sleeping altitude gains come on the days to Namche and Dingboche. Taking these slowly and staying hydrated makes the higher days more manageable.
Permits Along the Route
Two main permits are needed for the classic Everest Base Camp route. The first is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry fee, collected at Lukla (or on the trail if you enter from the south). The second is the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, checked at the park gate in Monjo.
For foreign trekkers, the municipality fee is NPR 2,000 per person and the national park fee is NPR 3,000 plus VAT. Fees and rules can change, so always check current requirements before you travel, especially if you are approaching from Jiri, which may require an additional conservation area permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kilometres is the Everest Base Camp trek?
The classic Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla is about 130 km round trip. That is roughly 62 to 65 km from Lukla to Base Camp and a similar distance back, spread over 12 to 14 days including acclimatisation days.
What is the highest point on the Everest Base Camp trek?
The highest point on the standard trek is Kala Patthar at 5,545 m, a viewpoint above Gorak Shep. Everest Base Camp itself sits at 5,364 m, and Gorak Shep, the highest overnight stop, is at 5,164 m.
How far is Lukla from Everest Base Camp?
Lukla is about 62 to 65 km from Everest Base Camp on foot. Most itineraries take eight days to walk from Lukla to Base Camp, including two acclimatisation days, and three to four days to return.
Do I need permits for the Everest Base Camp trek?
Yes. Foreign trekkers need the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry permit (NPR 2,000) and the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000 plus VAT). Rules change periodically, so confirm current requirements before your trek.
Start Planning Your Route
With the route mapped out, the next step is choosing when to go and where to stay. Read our guide to the best season for the Everest Base Camp trek, learn what to expect from Everest teahouses at each stop, and explore the Everest Base Camp trek. Zeal Nepal Trek can also send you a detailed route map and itinerary for your dates.
