The Everest Base Camp trek covers 130 kilometres round-trip from Lukla to 5,364 m altitude and takes 12–14 days for most trekkers. As of 2026, required permits cost a combined USD 60–80 per person: a Sagarmatha National Park permit (NPR 3,000), a TIMS card (USD 20) and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality entry fee (NPR 2,000). Solo trekking is no longer permitted — all foreign hikers must hire a licensed guide.
Everest Base Camp Route: Stage-by-Stage Overview
The classic EBC route starts with a 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,860 m) — one of the world's most dramatic airstrips at 527 m long with a 12° uphill incline. From Lukla, the trail follows the Khumbu valley north-east through the Sherpa trading town of Namche Bazaar, the monasteries at Tengboche and Dingboche, before reaching Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Most operators now recommend a 14-day itinerary rather than the faster 12-day version because the two extra acclimatisation days at Namche and Dingboche significantly reduce altitude sickness incidence.
| Days | Stage | Distance | End Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Lukla → Namche Bazaar | 26 km | 3,440 m |
| 3 | Acclimatisation — Namche Bazaar | — | 3,440 m |
| 4–5 | Namche → Tengboche → Dingboche | 30 km | 4,410 m |
| 6 | Acclimatisation — Dingboche | — | 4,410 m |
| 7–8 | Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorak Shep | 18 km | 5,164 m |
| 9 | Gorak Shep → EBC → Kala Patthar (5,644 m) | 12 km | 5,164 m (sleep) |
| 10–14 | Return to Lukla | 65 km | 2,860 m |
Altitude and Acclimatisation: What You Must Know
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) affects an estimated 75% of trekkers who ascend faster than recommended on the EBC route, according to the Wilderness Medical Society. The "climb high, sleep low" principle is non-negotiable above 3,500 m: gain altitude during the day, return to a lower sleeping elevation each night. On the planned acclimatisation day in Namche, a day hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) and back is the standard protocol.
Symptoms of AMS include headache, nausea and fatigue disproportionate to exertion. Descend immediately if you experience confusion, loss of coordination or persistent vomiting — these indicate High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which is life-threatening and requires urgent descent of at least 500 m. Diamox (acetazolamide, 125–250 mg twice daily) is a commonly used preventive medication — consult a doctor before departure.
Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp
October–November and March–May are the two optimal windows. The post-monsoon autumn window (October–November) brings the clearest skies, most stable weather and daytime temperatures at Gorak Shep around -5°C, dropping to -15°C at night. The pre-monsoon spring window (March–May) offers comparable conditions plus the unique spectacle of Himalayan expedition teams preparing summit bids on Everest itself. Avoid the monsoon (June–September): cloud cover obscures views for days at a time and leeches are prevalent below 3,000 m.
What to Pack for Everest Base Camp
Most EBC trekkers use a hired porter or yak to carry a 10–15 kg duffel between tea houses, keeping a 20–25 L daypack on trail. Your sleep system is the single most critical gear decision — tea house blankets at altitude are often damp and inadequate below -5°C. The Katabatic Gear Sawatch 15°F Quilt (510 g, rated to -9°C) compresses to fist size and eliminates dependence on tea house bedding across the entire route. A comparable alternative is the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20°F (440–620 g depending on fill weight).
Trekking poles save your knees on the 3,000 m descent back from Base Camp over 65 km. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ (438 g per pair) collapses small enough to strap to a daypack through Namche Bazaar where poles are unnecessary. A reliable headlamp is essential for early morning starts before Kala Patthar — the Nitecore NU25 UL (53 g) charges via USB-C and delivers 400 lumens, sufficient for pre-dawn scrambling above 5,000 m.
Before booking, read our 10-week altitude training guide and the Annapurna Circuit guide — Nepal's other classic multi-week trek — to compare the two routes.
Budget: What the EBC Trek Costs in 2026
A fully guided EBC trek costs USD 1,200–2,500 depending on group size and agency quality. Tea house accommodation is the most variable cost, ranging from NPR 300 (budget) to NPR 2,500 per person per night at higher elevations. Budget USD 2,500–4,000 total for a 14-day guided trek inclusive of Kathmandu–Lukla flights, permits, food, tea houses and a licensed guide. Independent trekking with a guide only (no full agency) costs USD 1,400–2,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be fit to trek to Everest Base Camp?
Moderate fitness is sufficient for most healthy adults. You should be comfortable hiking 6–8 hours per day across multiple consecutive days before departing. The main challenge is altitude exposure, not technical terrain — the trail is well-maintained and non-technical. Sustained aerobic training (hiking, cycling or running) for 8–12 weeks beforehand significantly reduces altitude sickness risk.
How cold is it at Everest Base Camp at night?
Temperatures at EBC (5,364 m) drop to -10°C to -20°C overnight, even in the peak months of October and April. At Gorak Shep (5,164 m), tea house dormitories hover around -5°C inside. Bring a sleeping bag or quilt rated to at least -10°C and a warm insulation layer for evenings in the tea houses.
Can you get altitude sickness on the EBC trek?
Yes. AMS affects the majority of trekkers above 3,500 m. Symptoms include headache, nausea and fatigue. Follow a gradual acclimatisation schedule, stay well hydrated and descend immediately if symptoms worsen overnight. Never ascend if you still feel symptoms from the previous day's gain.
Is a guide compulsory for the EBC trek in 2026?
Yes. Nepal's government banned solo trekking in the Khumbu region. All foreign trekkers must hire a licensed guide, arranged through a registered Kathmandu or Lukla trekking agency. The rule applies to the full EBC route within Sagarmatha National Park.
What is the best month to trek to Everest Base Camp?
October and November offer the clearest skies and most stable weather. April and May are equally popular with the added spectacle of Himalayan expedition teams at Base Camp. Avoid June through September when monsoon cloud obscures views and rain makes lower-elevation sections muddy and leech-infested.