Overview
The Everest Base Camp Trek is the single most iconic trekking route in Nepal, and for many, the trip of a lifetime. The trail climbs through the Khumbu region’s forests, suspension bridges, and Sherpa villages to stand at the foot of the world’s highest mountain, at 5,364 metres, with a side trip to Kala Patthar for what many consider the finest close-up view of Everest anywhere on the route.
The trek begins with the classic mountain flight to Lukla, then follows the Dudh Koshi valley through Phakding to Namche Bazaar, the bustling Sherpa trading hub where the first acclimatization day takes place.
From there the trail climbs through Tengboche, home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu, and on to Dingboche for a second acclimatization stop, before continuing through Lobuche to Gorak Shep.
From Gorak Shep, trekkers walk out across the Khumbu Glacier’s rocky moraine to Everest Base Camp itself, and climb before dawn to Kala Patthar for a sunrise view of Everest, Nuptse, and the surrounding giants.
What sets this trek apart isn’t difficulty but access — it’s the shortest, most direct way into the heart of the Khumbu without needing technical pass-crossing experience.
Two built-in acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche give the body time to adjust before the final approach to Everest Base Camp.
Most trekkers complete the round trip from Lukla in twelve to fourteen days, making it a realistic option for anyone with reasonable fitness and two to three weeks free
Permits for this trek are issued under Nepal’s Department of Immigration Trekking Permit system, alongside the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit.
If you want the higher, harder version of this route with all three Khumbu passes included, check out our Everest Three Passes Trek. For a quieter alternative that skips base camp for turquoise lakes instead, check out our Gokyo Lakes Trek.
Highlights
- Stand at Everest Base Camp (5,364m), at the foot of the world's highest mountain
- Climb to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the finest close-up sunrise view of Everest on the route
- Fly into Lukla, one of the most thrilling short mountain flights in the world
- Explore Namche Bazaar, the bustling trading hub and cultural heart of the Sherpa people
- Visit Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most important monastery in the Khumbu region
- Walk through Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Experience genuine Sherpa hospitality in teahouses along the entire rout
