Everest Base Camp-Most Popular Trekking in Nepal

The Everest Base Camp trek is a popular trekking route in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is located on the south side of Mount Everest and sits at an elevation of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Every year, approximately 40,000 people embark on this trek.

The trek to Everest Base Camp is a bucket list item for adventure travelers. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park, as well as stunning vistas of some of the highest peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Makalu with many other high snow-capped mountains.

There are two main seasons to trek to Everest Base Camp. The fall months of October and November are a popular time to trek, as the skies are clear and the scenery is magnificent. Another favorable season is in the spring, between April and May. During these seasons, trekkers can enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayas while navigating through the Khumbu Valley.

When planning a trek to Everest Base Camp, it is important to consider permits and accommodations. Obtaining the necessary permits and staying in teahouses along the way are essential aspects of the trek. It is advisable to plan and prepare adequately to ensure a successful and enjoyable journey.

The trekking to the Everest Base Camp is a 12-day journey from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, which begins with a scenic adventurous flight to Lukla. The flights used to operate from Kathmandu Airport, but due to the air traffic, it operates from Ramechhap (Manthali) during the high trekking seasons. However, you can fly from Kathmandu on the last flight and in the off-season.

Right after landing at Lukla Airport, you start walking toward Phakding on the same day. It takes around 3 hours and the trail descends mostly. You cross typical Sherpa Towns with seeing attractive landscapes, valleys, charming mountains, religious monuments and more on the way.

After spending the first night in Phakding, the second-day journey is to Namche Bazaar, where you take an extra rest day for altitude practice. You hike to Hotel Everest View on the acclimatization day from Namche Bazaar, which takes around 3-4 hours.

After 2 nights stay in Namche Bazaar, you trek further to Tengboche and Dingboche. You will have the second rest day in Dingboche and hike to Nangkartshang Hill. Then, you trek to Lobuche and Gorak Shep before hiking to the Everest Base Camp. You spend a night in Gorakshep and hike to Kala Patthar in the morning before returning to Lukla. It takes 3 long trekking days from Gorakshep to Lukla through Pheriche, Pangboche, Tengboche, Namche, and Phakding before taking a flight back to Kathmandu or Ramechhap.

You can also complete this trek in 9 days if you do not have enough time to complete the classic trekking itinerary. For the 9 days trek, you follow the regular itinerary up to the Base Camp and Kala Patthar and then fly out to Kathmandu from Gorak Shep directly on a helicopter, which is the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Return trek.

Outline Itinerary of the Everest Base Camp Trek

• Day 01: Fly to Lukla (2840m/9317.585 feet) and trek to Phakding (2610m/8562.992 feet) 3 hrs
• Day 02: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11286.09 feet) 6-7 hrs
• Day 03: Rest in Namche and hike to Hotel Everest View (3880m/12729.66 feet) for 3-4 hrs
• Day 04: Trek to Tengboche (3860m/12664.04 feet) 5 hrs
• Day 05: Trek to Dingboche (4410m/14468.5 feet) 5 hrs
• Day 06: Rest in Dingboche and hike to Nangkartshang Hill (5110m/16765.09 feet) for 3-4 hrs
• Day 07: Trek to Lobuche (4910m/16108.92 feet) 5-6 hrs
• Day 08: Trek to Gorakshep (5180m/16994.75 feet) for 3 hrs and hike to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17598.43 feet) for 2-3 hrs one way
• Day 09: Hike to Kala Patthar (5550m/18208.66 feet) 2 hrs and trek to Pheriche (4210m/13812.34 feet) 5 hrs
• Day 10: Trek back to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11286.09 feet) 7 hrs
• Day 11: Trek to Lukla (2840m/9317.585 feet) 7 hrs
• Day 12: Fly out from Lukla

Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights

Of course, there must be some interesting things where you plan to travel. The Everest Base Camp trip has lots of natural highlights to see which make your trip a lifetime memorable. Check below, what you see during your trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

• Adventurous scenic flight to Lukla and landing experience on a short slope runway
• Walking through a natural UNESCO world heritage site Sagarmatha National Park
• Traditional Sherpa Villages with attractive Sherpa architect
• Seeing the lifestyle and daily activities of Sherpa people
• Magnificent mountain views from vantage viewpoints and along the way
• Beautiful valleys, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, green vegetation and more natural attractions
• Cultural and religious monuments

Other Amazing Trekking Routes in the Everest Himalayas

Besides the Everest Base Camp, there are numerous trekking routes in the Everest Himalayas. You can choose any of these according to your time, fitness, and interest. If you have around 3 weeks for an adventure trek in the Everest Region, you can go for the Everest Three High Passes trek. This is the most Adventurous and covers all attractions, that you can see in the Everest Himalayas. You must cross three high passes Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La during this trek, so you need to be well-acclimatized and a regular hiker for this trip.

‘Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek via Cho La pass is another adventure, but it is easier compared to the high passes. You visit the base camp, Kala Patthar, Gokyo Lakes, and Gokyo Ri on this trip and also cross the biggest glacier (Ngozumpa) right before reaching Gokyo. If you have 2-3 more days with the base camp itinerary, I suggest this one because it is of course a beautiful trip in the Khumbu Region.

The Base Camp route has hundreds of trekkers every day during the high trekking season. If you are looking for a quiet trail, where you can see magnificent nature and tall mountains, Gokyo Lakes trek is one of the best options for you. Walking through the Gokyo Valley with fewer crowed, you reach Gokyo third lake and Gokyo Ri seeing magnificent mountain views, glacial rivers, glaciers, and pristine lakes.

If there is a lack time to complete any trek in the Everest Region, or can not dare to trek in the high altitudes with cold temperatures, but are interested to see this famous Himalayas without any strong physical activity, you have one option which is a luxurious way. The Everest Base Camp Helicopter tour from Kathmandu takes you to the foot of the world’s highest mountain within a couple of hours. The helicopter lands at several vantage viewpoints, from where you can witness the charming beauties of the Everest Himalayas.