Day 1
Lukla to Phakding
3 hrs / 8 km / sleep 2,610 m
Fly into Lukla and trek down along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. A gentle start to acclimatize.
Everest
Everest Base Camp Trek
The iconic trek to the foot of the world's highest peak. Follow the Dudh Koshi river through Sherpa villages, monasteries, and glacial moraines to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m.
Challenging12 days5,545 mMar - May, Sep - Nov
Photo: Shivaexcursion16 / Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Everest Base Camp (5,364m)
- Sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545m)
- Namche Bazaar - Sherpa capital
- Tengboche Monastery
The iconic trek to the foot of the world's highest peak. Follow the Dudh Koshi river through Sherpa villages, monasteries, and glacial moraines to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 12 planned days, 130 km of walking, and 6,340 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,545m), Namche Bazaar - Sherpa capital, Tengboche Monastery.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
6 hrs / 11 km / sleep 3,440 m
Follow the river through Sherpa villages, cross the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge, then climb steeply to Namche Bazaar.
Day 3
Namche Bazaar acclimatization
4 hrs / 6 km / sleep 3,440 m
Acclimatization day. Hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Return to sleep at Namche.
Day 4
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 3,860 m
Trek through rhododendron forests with stunning views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and Nuptse. Visit the famous Tengboche Monastery.
Day 5
Tengboche to Dingboche
5 hrs / 11 km / sleep 4,410 m
Descend to Deboche, cross the Imja Khola, then climb to Dingboche. The landscape opens up above the treeline.
Day 6
Dingboche acclimatization
4 hrs / 5 km / sleep 4,410 m
Second acclimatization day. Hike up Nagarjun Hill (5,100m) for views of Makalu, Lhotse, and the Chukhung Valley. Return to Dingboche to sleep.
Day 7
Dingboche to Lobuche
5 hrs / 9 km / sleep 4,940 m
Trek past the Dughla (Thukla) Pass and the climbers' memorial chortens, then follow the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche.
Day 8
Lobuche to Gorak Shep
7 hrs / 13 km / sleep 5,180 m
Trek to Gorak Shep, leave bags, then continue to Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Experience the Khumbu Icefall up close. Return to Gorak Shep to sleep.
Day 9
Gorak Shep to Pheriche
7 hrs / 15 km / sleep 4,240 m
Pre-dawn hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m) for the best sunrise views of Everest. Then descend significantly to Pheriche.
Day 10
Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
6 hrs / 20 km / sleep 3,440 m
Long descent retracing the route through Tengboche back to Namche Bazaar. The lower altitude brings welcome thick air.
Day 11
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
6 hrs / 19 km / sleep 2,860 m
Final trekking day. Descend through forests and cross suspension bridges back to Lukla for a farewell celebration.
Day 12
Lukla to Kathmandu
0 hrs / 0 km / sleep 1,338 m
Fly from Lukla back to Kathmandu. Weather delays are common - keep a buffer day.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
2,860 m
Start
5,180 m
Highest sleep
5,545 m
Max altitude
12
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
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GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Altitude
- 5,545 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Everest Base Camp Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Everest Base Camp Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Everest Base Camp Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Everest Base Camp Trek runs 12 days and covers 130 km of walking. That includes 2 acclimatization days where you sleep at the same village instead of climbing higher. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Everest Base Camp Trek go?
The Everest Base Camp Trek tops out at 5,545 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 5,180 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Everest Base Camp Trek normally requires: Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov is the usual window for the Everest Base Camp Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The Everest Base Camp Trek is rated challenging, with 6,340 m of total ascent over 130 km. Walking days are roughly 3-7 hours. Above 4,000 m the limiting factor is usually altitude rather than fitness, so pace and rest days matter more than training volume.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Yes. The Everest Base Camp Trek reaches 5,545 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days (2 on this itinerary), and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Is there a GPX file for the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Yes - the Everest Base Camp Trek GPX and KML tracks are free to download from this page and open in TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Garmin Connect, Organic Maps or Google Earth. The track is a planning reference built from route data, not a surveyed trail: verify junctions on the ground and follow local signage and guides over the line on your screen.
Where does the Everest Base Camp Trek start and finish?
The Everest Base Camp Trek starts and finishes at Lukla, in the Everest region.
Read next
Guides for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Long-form articles covering acclimatization, permits, packing and navigation for this route.
9 min read / 2026
Diamox (Acetazolamide) for Nepal Trekking: Dosage, Side Effects, and Acclimatization Rules
A mountain-tested medical and safety guide to Diamox for Himalayan treks: recommended prophylactic dosage, side effects, sulfonamide precautions, and when to turn around.
9 min read / 2026
Everest Base Camp Safety Guide: Altitude & Acclimatization
A practical EBC safety guide for altitude, pacing, cold mornings, GPX use, and decision points between Lukla and Base Camp.
10 min read / 2026
Everest Base Camp Trek Cost in 2026: A Line-by-Line Budget Breakdown
What a 12-day Everest Base Camp trek actually costs per person in 2026: Lukla flights, permits, teahouse food and lodging, guide and porter fees, and the hidden costs that climb with altitude.
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Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
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