Everest Base Camp

The hike

The trek to Everest Base Camp starts and ends at Lukla, the airstrip known as the gateway to Everest. From there the trail follows the Dudh Koshi valley past Phakding and Monjo into Sagarmatha National Park, then climbs steeply to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa market town where most trekkers pause for a few days to acclimatise. Beyond Namche the views open up to Thamserku, Kangtega and Ama Dablam, with Lhotse and Everest dominating the skyline ahead.

The route continues to the famous monastery at Tengboche, then up through Pangboche to Dingboche or Pheriche, Lobuche on the edge of the Khumbu Glacier, and finally Gorak Shep, the last settlement on the trail. From here you walk over the glacier to Base Camp and climb Kala Patthar, the viewpoint above Gorak Shep where generations of trekkers have stood face to face with Everest. Take it slowly: the altitude, not the distance, is the real challenge.

Plan your trip

Permits & fees

Sagarmatha National Park entry permit: NPR 3,000 per foreigner per entry (NPR 1,500 SAARC nationals, NPR 100 Nepalis, under-10s free), sold at the Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or at the park entry point and checked at Jorsale. Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality also charges foreign visitors a local tourism fee. Nepal Tourism Board lists the Everest Base Camp Trek among routes requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card (rule effective 31 March 2023).

Getting there

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport), the usual start. With more time you can walk in from Jiri through the Solu hills, which adds roughly 10 days but helps acclimatisation.

Good to know

• Spend a couple of nights in Namche Bazaar and take day walks to Syangboche, Khumjung or Khunde to acclimatise before going higher.
• Build in a second acclimatisation day at Dingboche; the side trip to Chhukung is a good way to spend it.
• The final stretch over the Khumbu Glacier to Base Camp can take up to five hours on slippery, shifting ground, so start early and watch your footing.

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