Everest Base Camp trek: route, seasons and preparation

The route

The trek starts with a short mountain flight to Lukla, at about 2,860 m. From there the trail follows the Dudh Koshi river across suspension bridges to Phakding and climbs to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), the trading town of the Khumbu. It continues past Tengboche Monastery (3,860 m) to Dingboche (4,410 m), Lobuche (4,940 m) and Gorak Shep (5,180 m), the last settlement before Base Camp.

Base Camp itself sits beside the Khumbu Icefall. Everest is mostly hidden from there, so most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar before dawn for the classic view of Everest, Nuptse and the glacier. The way back down follows the same valleys and takes three or four days.

Acclimatization days

A good itinerary includes at least two acclimatization days, usually in Namche Bazaar and in Dingboche. They are not rest days: you hike higher in the morning and come back down to sleep, which helps the body adapt. On our programme, the Dingboche day includes a hike to Nangkartshang Peak at about 5,083 m.

Above 3,000 m the general rule is to raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to add a rest day every three to four days. Itineraries that skip these days to save time are the main reason people get altitude sickness on this trek. Our altitude sickness guide covers the symptoms and what to do.

When to go

Spring, from March to May, brings warmer days and rhododendrons in bloom lower down. Autumn, from late September to November, usually has the clearest skies after the monsoon. Both are busy. From June to early September the monsoon brings cloud, rain and frequent flight delays to Lukla. December to February is very cold at night but often clear and quiet.

Teahouses and daily life

You sleep in teahouses, family-run lodges with simple twin rooms and a warm dining room heated by a stove. Lower villages often have private bathrooms; higher up, rooms are basic and bathrooms shared. Meals include dal bhat (rice with lentils and vegetables), noodles, soups and eggs. A typical day is five to seven hours of walking with a lunch stop, arriving in the early afternoon.

Flights and permits

Flights to Lukla depend on the weather and are often delayed, so an itinerary needs a buffer day before your international flight home. In busy seasons, many flights leave from Manthali (Ramechhap), several hours by road from Kathmandu, instead of Kathmandu itself.

Trekkers need a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a local permit from the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. Rules for trekkers in Nepal have changed several times in recent years, so check the current requirements before you travel. On our trip, permits, domestic flights and a licensed English-speaking guide are included.

Training

The challenge is many days in a row of walking at altitude, not any single hard day. Train for two or three months: long walks with a loaded daypack on hills every week, stairs, and steady cardio. In the last weeks, sleep well and avoid getting run down: arriving tired or ill makes acclimatization harder. The trail guide and the equipment guide cover training and gear.

Questions people ask about Everest Base Camp