Everest Base Camp Trek Length – How long is the EBC Trek?

Every traveler and trekker dreams of visiting the ‘Land of the Himalayas’ once in their lifetime to observe the world’s highest peak and other stunning vistas. This journey is equally thrilling and adventurous, with a perfect blend of natural beauty. The Everest base camp trek is 130km long and starts from Lukla.

Lying in eastern Nepal, this trekking trail is in the Solukhumbu district within the World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park. Even today, it is a dream come true for adventure seekers as they get to experience diverse landscapes and authentic cultures in a single journey.

Here, one can enjoy the serene beauty of the Everest Base Camp in multiple time- and budget-friendly ways. This thrilling experience will take you to an altitude of 5,364 meters in the presence of the mighty snow-capped peaks.

Everest base camp trek length details

Trekking Region: Everest Region, Nepal
Trekking Duration: 15 days
Starting and Ending Point: Salleri
Everest base camp trek length: 130 kilometers
Nature of trek: Lodges or teahouses
Maximum altitude: 5,555 meters at Kala Patthar
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Best Seasons: Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November)

History of EBC Trek

To start with a fun fact about the EBC trek, Sir George from the British named “Everest” while surveying the region.

In the Nepali language, it is called Sagarmatha, in which “Sagar” means sky and “Matha” means head. As the highest peak in the world, it is also known as the ‘Peak of Heaven. ‘ Likewise, it has a Tibetan name, Chomolungma, which means “Mother Goddess of the World.”

The Everest Base Camp started gaining popularity in 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled the peak. Since it created history, several travelers and trekkers have been looking forward to this challenging journey.

After the successful attempt to conquer Everest, Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay realized that carrying the essentials all the way would not be possible; hence, they created the Everest Base Camp.

There was no airport for transportation back in the day, so the duo decided to build one. However, no residents were ready to give up their land for the construction. Later, Hillary gave US$2,650 to local people for construction, and the airport runway was paved only in 2001.

Itinerary and Route Of Everest Base Camp Trek

The 15-day trek to the Everest Base Camp starts and ends in Salleri, taking you through diverse terrain and landscapes. Traveling to Salleri is the alternative route instead of a flight to Lukla.

Well, it is a 10—to 11-hour jeep ride through the countryside. Salleri is the administrative headquarters of Solukhumbu district, where diverse ethnic groups inhabit.

From Salleri, the drive will take you to Tham Dada, which takes around 4 to 5 hours. Starting then, you will trek to Paiya and then move on to Phakding. During this route, you will walk across the Dudh Koshi River and other small settlements such as Musey and Charikharka.

From here on, you will start to trek towards Namche Bazaar, which also gives rise to more steep and rocky trails. Well, Namche Bazaar is one of the most famous settlements that is enriched with Tibetan culture.

Snow-capped mountains and rich, authentic culture will surround you during your stay here. Furthermore, you will explore the World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park, and many other museums, monasteries, and temples.

Following it, the trek takes you to Tengboche in around 5 to 6 hours, where you can explore the world-famous monastery, the Tengboche Monastery. It is the region’s sacred place and the largest monastery there.

From Tengboche, you will travel to Dingboche, and the hike will get harder there. The routes get rockier, and you will come across several big and small waterfalls. As the travel continues, you will reach Lobuche, a village near the Khumbu glacier.

You will enter Gorakh Shep three hours from Lobuche, the final destination before the base camp. Soom from there, the trail takes you to the Base Camp, and from thereon, you can also ascend Kala Patthar, a viewpoint of the Himalayan region. Lastly, you can explore Periche village before descending.

Highlights Of The Trek

● Explore and experience the culture of ethnic groups in villages such as Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Periche.
● 360 panoramic views of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848 meters).
● Get mesmerizing views of the Himalayan ranges, such as Mt. Lhotse (8,516 meters), Cho Oyu (8,201 meters), and Mt. Makalu (8,463 meters).
● Visit and explore the world heritage site, Sagarmatha National Park.
● Visit the largest monastery in the region, the Tengboche Monastery, at an elevation of 3,867 meters.
● Pass through the world’s highest glacier, the Khumbu glacier.
● Ascend Kala Patthar (at 5,555 meters) for the panoramic mountain views.
● Get a chance to see multiple high-altitude flora and fauna.
● Visit the Hillary Museum at Namche Bazaar.
● Experience the warm hospitality of the locals.

Journey to the Trek’s Starting Point

You can take a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Salleri to start your Everest Base Camp trek. It is a 10 to 11-hour ride journey and is perfect if you do not want to take a flight or if your flight has been postponed or delayed.

Not only that, this drive is budget-friendly and gives you time to experience the views up close. The ride would only take you to Jiri back in the day, but it has expanded now. During this journey of 266.9 km, a jeep can accommodate up to 7 or 8 people.

However, you can always take a flight if you want a shorter and easier way to get to the starting point. As for the flight, you can hop on and take Manthali to Lukla flight. The Nepal government has rerouted the flight from Manthali (Ramechhap) to Lukla since March 15th, 2023.

This flight only takes 15 to 20 minutes and is the shortest and easiest way to reach Lukla. So, currently, to go to Lukla, you will need to go to Manthali, Ramechhap first, either through a 20-minute flight or through a 4 to 5-hour bus ride.

The reason behind rerouting the Lukla flight from Kathmandu to Ramechhap is heavy air traffic. During the peak season, many travelers travel from Kathmandu to Lukla, which causes traffic congestion at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.

Everest Base Camp Trekking Route

The landscape in the Everest region is quite diverse. The lower area is filled with lush green valleys and dense forests. However, the higher you climb, the steeper and rockier the paths.

Similarly, the lower region is covered with pine forests, while the upper area is filled with rhododendron, fir, juniper, and silver forests.
Elevation
Before embarking on this journey, it is crucial to understand its terrain and the altitude that you will be scaling. Calculating the elevation gives you an overall sense of the trail and helps you prepare for it.

The first point of the trek, Lukla, sits at an altitude of 2,850 meters. Due to the uneven terrain, you will descend about 315 meters from Lukla but quickly overcome the altitude again. When you reach Namche Bazaar, the elevation is at 3,440 meters.

Similarly, you will be standing at different altitude levels with each hiking point, as in Tengboche (at 3,860 meters), Dingboche (at 4,410 meters), Lobuche (at 4,940 meters), Gorakhshep (at 5,164 meters), and the base camp (at 5,364 meters). Lastly, you can ascend to Kala Patthar (5,555 meters) for the breathtaking views.

Difficulty Level

The EBC trek has varied landscapes, steep ups and downs, rocky trails, and thin air throughout the region. The trail gets quite challenging as you must walk several hours daily.

Well, it is not only due to the long, tiring journey along the varied path but also due to the elevation you will be trekking in. For several days, you will be scaling rocky trails and hiking above an altitude of 3,500 meters, directly affecting your physical and mental health.

Total Cost of Everest Base Camp

The cost of trekking to Everest Base Camp varies from your planned itinerary. It is affected by the duration of the trek, the mode of transport, and all the services and amenities you apply for.

With us, the EBC trek packages are of several kinds. The helicopter packages are the most expensive, starting from USD 2550 per person. Likewise, a short 7-day trek cost starts from USD 1999 per person, while a longer 14-day package starts from USD 1650 per person. Well, this package price varies as per the group size.

Accommodation

On the trail to the Everest Base Camp, you will get multiple housing options that suit all the budgets. You can also rent a tent, although it is not popular among travelers. The accommodation facilities include teahouses, lodges, and even luxury hotels.

Today, the teahouse is still a popular form of accommodation managed by the villagers. It often provides a room and has a common living area. Likewise, the lodge offers basic room facilities; sometimes, they are shared.

If you want a luxurious stay, quite a few on the trail provide premium facilities with expansive rooms, attached bathrooms, and private space.

Food And Drinks

As the Everest Base Camp journey takes you to one of the highest elevations, you must maintain your body energy with a nutritionally balanced diet. You will get multiple food options alongside the traditional Nepali dish Daal, Bhaat ra Tarkari (lentils, rice, and curry).

Some menu options are momos, tsampa (roasted barley flour), noodles, Sherpa stew, and many others. In addition to traditional cuisines, you will also get a few international tastes with pizza, pasta, pancakes, omelets, etc.

In the meantime, you should also bring some snacks to boost your energy. Hence, some protein bars, nuts, dry fruits, granola bars, etc.

You will buy bottles of drinks in several spots during the journey. You will also get free drinking water, but you should only drink it if you have a filter. To filter the water, you can use purification pills, special water bladders with filters, etc.

You will also get tea, herbal drinks, ginger, lemon water, or coffee that the locals readily make. Well, yes, you can also get multiple alcoholic beverages, but it is not suggested to drink during the journey.

Above all, remember that food and drinks are much cheaper in the Kathmandu Valley. The higher you climb, the more expensive the items get, as there are no proper transportation facilities, and porters must carry themselves.

Other Facilities

You will have an attached bathroom if you stay in a luxury hotel. However, most other accommodation options have a bathroom or toilet outside the room and are commonly used by everyone.

Here, the toilet services in the higher regions are typical Asian style, and you will need to squat down. Similarly, the water used to clean the toilet after use is often in a bucket. Not to mention, cleanliness varies widely from place to place.

Similarly, when you reach base camp, the toilet service is a bottomless pit with a hole. Additionally, most housing plans do not provide toiletries. Hence, it would help to carry wet wipes and towels to clean your body and face. Also, it is wise to have a soap bar for washing hands.

Moving on, you must pay extra money for other facilities during the trek. The hot showers will cost around $1 to $3, depending on the altitude. They often provide hot water in a bucket.

Furthermore, even wifi and charging phones will cost you extra. Well, for communication, you can also buy a prepaid SIM card. However, you will only get the communication service until Tingboche, and there is no phone connection above that altitude.

Currency Exchange

When packing your essentials for the Everest Base Camp trek, carrying enough cash and exchanging it beforehand is advisable. On today’s date, 1 USD equals 130 Nepali Rupees.

You can exchange your currency through local banks or a legitimate currency exchange corner in Kathmandu Valley. There are multiple such currency exchange corners in Thamel.

You can also withdraw money from ATMs near the valleys. If you have a foreign card, the withdrawal limit is Rs 35,000, and Rs 500 is taken as a processing fee. Another thing to note is that you should exchange money or bring cash as much as possible, as there is no such facility on the trekking route.
Best Seasons With Weather For Everest Base Camp Trek
Scaling the Everest Base Camp and its difficulty level dramatically depends on the weather. It indeed plays a vital role in making or breaking the trek.

The best seasons to scale the EBC trail are Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November). It rewards you with clear views. However, traveling during the monsoon or winter can make the trip difficult and is not recommended.

Spring (March, April, and May)

It is the peak season for trekking as it has a clear blue sky and mild temperatures. The days are sunny and warm, with lush greenery and blooming flowers along the trail. The average temperature during this season is around 15°C during the day and around one °C at night.

There is occasional snowfall, but it often does not last long. During your visit this season, you will pass through rhododendron forests, wildflowers, lush landscapes, and more. As you cross Sagarmatha National Park, you will also witness several species of wildlife.

Monsoon or Summer (June, July, and August)

This season gets wet due to the heavy rainfall, making the trail hard to access. It is also the primary cause of many natural accidents, such as landslides. If you are also not a big fan of insects, this season is not for you, as leeches are everywhere in the lower region.

The average temperature is around 22°C during the day and four °C at night. During the season, constant rain and a cloudy sky make the trip unfavorable. Additionally, you will face flight disruptions. Hence, if you plan for the journey this season, you should keep several days of the buffer period.

Autumn (September, October, and November)

Like the Spring season, Autumn is another peak time as it offers mild temperatures, blue skies, and fresh breeze. The average temperature during the season is 17°C during the daytime and -8°C at night.

The days are warm, but the mornings and evenings are pretty chilly. However, as it is the festive season, your travels during this season will be pleasant.

Winter (December, January, and February)

It is the coldest time of the year with freezing temperatures. On average, the daytime temperature is around -5°C while the nighttime temperature is around -15°C. Though the wind is not so harsh in the lower region, the higher region can suffer from storms, which may create a risk of avalanches.

Also, some trekkers embark on the journey as the trail is almost empty, so we do not recommend travel during the season. The journey is possible for experts with the right gear and essentials.
Crowd In The Everest Base Camp Trek
Thousands of travelers and trekkers embark on the Everest Base Camp trek each year. Hence, during the peak season of Spring and Autumn, the trails get heavily crowded.

Despite the huge crowd, your trekking journey can be fruitful as you will meet multiple fellow travelers. If you love meeting new people, this is the perfect time for you!

However, if this continuous flow of travelers overwhelms you, there are some options to avoid the crowd.
● You can always embark on the EBC journey during the off-season. If you are looking for an off-season, August or February might be a better month.
● Choose other travel plans such as Everest View Trek or Everest Helicopter Trek. If these packages will cut your journey short, you can choose to have an Everest base Camp trek with the helicopter return.
● If you do not have the ultimate goal of stepping into the Everest Base Camp, you can choose other trekking trails inside the Khumbu region.
● Upgrade your accommodation plan if you do not wish to bump into other travelers.

Packing List For EBC Trek

The items and essentials you carry for the trek depend on the time of year you embark on this journey. While trekking gear is expensive, you should not compromise on its quality, as it determines your safety.

As a fun fact, you can rent the gear in Kathmandu or Namche Bazaar. While packing clothes, layering is the crucial factor.
Clothes For The Trek
● Waterproof jackets
● Waterproof trousers
● Lightweight down jacket
● Thermals
● Warm mid-layer
● Waterproof warm gloves
● Trekking t-shirts
● Hiking socks
● Biker shorts (for summer)
● Sun hat
● Undergarments
● Waterproof hiking boots
● Lightweight trainers
● Anti-slippery shoes
● Woolen scarf (for winter)
● Rain cover
Gears And Techs For The Trek
● Sleeping bag
● Torchlight and extra batteries
● Power bank
● Sunglasses
● Waterproof backpack
● Trekking poles
● Mobile chargers and adapters
● Water bottles
Toiletries And First Aid For The Trek
● Toilet paper
● Towels
● Wet wipes
● Soap bar
● Sunscreen
● Lipguard
● Sanitizer
● Personal medicine
● Painkillers
● Vaseline
● Blister plasters
● Diamox (for altitude sickness)

Permits For The Trek

As the Everest Base Camp takes you through the UNESCO Heritage Site, you will require two permits: a Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit and a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.

Well, you will get the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit as you arrive in Monjo at the Sagarmatha National Park Counter. However, you will get the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit in Kathmandu from the Nepal Tourism Board Office.

Regarding the permit costs, a foreign national must pay NRs 3,000 per person. While a SAARC national pays NRs 1,500, a Nepali pays NRs 100, and there is free entry for children under ten. In addition to it, there is a 13% VAT levied.

Travel Insurance

Buying travel insurance before embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek is wise. No matter how conscious you are, unforeseen circumstances may arise, and hence, having your travel ensured will cover all the expenses for your safety and emergency diagnosis.

Acute Motion Sickness (AMS)

It does not matter how physically fit you are or how many times you have reached a high altitude; Acute Motion Sickness (AMS) can happen to anyone. Altitude sickness is an uneasy condition caused by a decreased oxygen level at high altitudes.

Some of the symptoms of AMS are shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. If you ignore these symptoms and continue ascending, your condition will get worse with time, which later can be life-threatening. Therefore, you must react quickly.

If the AMS has affected you hugely, you will need to be hospitalized. However, if you recognize the symptoms, you can easily avoid them by doing the following.
● Stop in your tracks and take a rest. Stopping ascending will give you time to breathe.
● If you feel uncomfortable, take Diamox. It is a medication that will ease your symptoms. Also, do not forget to drink plenty of water!
● Even after these, you should slowly descend with a partner if you still feel uneasy.

Other Disruptions

While altitude sickness may arise in anyone at any time, you might face several other disturbances during the journey. The EBC trek requires you to walk 5-6 hours daily through the rocky paths; hence, there is always a risk of getting hurt.

Alongside the joint probability of fatigue and sickness, twisting your ankle and muscle strains are common. Moving on, you may get stuck in the trail for days due to flight cancellation and lack of means of transportation.

Hence, having travel insurance covers all these calamities. While applying for this insurance, you must ensure it covers at least 6000 meters and has a helicopter rescue option in emergencies. You can apply for travel insurance through local firms.

Training For Everest Base Camp Trek

Besides the essential packing list, keeping yourself in physical and mental shape is also necessary. It helps you prepare for the hurdles you may face during the journey.

You must train your body to increase stamina and adapt to the new surroundings. To start the journey, you can begin hiking around your house to build familiarity. Choosing rocky trails with several ups and downs will add more value to the training.

Furthermore, involving yourself in cardio workouts such as running, biking, swimming, and jumping ropes will help your body function even in low oxygen levels. Similarly, upper body training is essential as you carry much weight during the journey. You can do bench presses, push-ups, and clean hands for this.

As mentioned earlier, it is also essential to prepare mentally. You can do so by doing yoga exercises and meditating.

Travel Responsibly!

As a traveler, you should respect and minimize your impact on nature. It is much better if you leave only your footprints. Furthermore, it would help if you understood that your journey not only thrills you but is also one of the locals’ primary income sources.

Carry a Reusable Bottle

If you are trekking to the Himalayas, keeping yourself hydrated is essential! For this, you do not have to keep buying bottled water. Hence, it would help if you carried a reusable bottle. You must also take a lightweight purification device or a pill.
Do Not Litter
Unfortunately, there is no proper waste management system during the trial. Hence, if you have wrappers and used plastics, you should carry them in a bag and dispose of them properly instead of littering them everywhere.

Stick To The Trail

Instead of creating shortcut paths, you must stick to the original tracks. A single step can destroy the local flora, which might take years to regenerate.

Use A Proper Toilet

Every teahouse along the way has a toilet, so instead of doing your “business” in the wild, you can ask to use the toilet. Well, human waste affects both the sanitation and biodiversity of the region.
Treat Your Teammates Fairly

“Only do to others what you would like others to do to you.” This should be your motto during your trekking journey, and you should treat everyone on the team fairly. Your guide and porter are the backbone of the trek and will be the first ones to cheer you up during the trek.

Stories of travelers asking their porters to carry overweight luggage often surface. However, they are also humans, even when they seem to have extraordinary strength.

Tipping Culture

While there is no compulsory tipping culture in Nepal, your guide or porter might expect it from you. Since trekking is their primary source of income, you should tip them generously.
Respect The Culture And People

Nepal is enriched by culture and traditions; every community has its beliefs and cultures. Therefore, as a visiting guest, you should not do anything that creates uneasiness among the locals or disrespects them.

It is much better to try adapting to the people and following their lifestyle during your visit. Some ways to comply with local favors include asking for permission before photographing the locals or the religious sites there.

Similarly, you should permanently remove your shoes before entering any houses, temples, or monasteries. Lastly, it would help if you remembered that Nepal is a preservative country and PDA (Public Display of Affection) is forbidden.

Especially in the upper remote regions, the locals are pretty sensitive to PDA and skin-showing. Hence, always cover your legs and shoulders and dress appropriately.

In A Nutshell

The EBC trek is a dream trek, providing a natural thrill, serene beauty, and warm Sherpa hospitality. Getting to the base of the majestic peak gives you a lavish feeling of accomplishment and pride.