Everest Base Camp

Exploring the Everest Base Camp: A Classic Route Journey

Embark on the Ultimate Journey to the Foot of the Tallest Mountain on Earth

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Trek Dificulty           Trek Duration                     Highest Altitude                 Suitable for

Difficult                    12 Days                            18,200 ft                             18 to 55 years

Embark on the Ultimate Journey to the Foot of the Tallest Mountain on Earth

The classic route to Everest Base Camp is not just another trail on a map; it holds a legendary status among trekkers, evoking feelings of awe and achievement.

This journey towards the foot of the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, is a highly desired goal for most trekkers. It offers more than just a picturesque hike through the Himalayas; it's a life-changing adventure that will push your physical and mental boundaries beyond what you thought possible. The overwhelming sense of achievement when you reach Everest Base Camp, standing in awe of the mountain's grandeur, is unparalleled.

However, this renowned trail is challenging. It's a rigorous trek that will test your determination and necessitate thorough preparation. The route ascends over 18,000 feet, leading you from the lively town of Lukla nestled in the valleys to the base of Mount Everest.

The terrain you will encounter on this expedition is both diverse and demanding. Lush green forests transition into barren, rocky valleys carved by glaciers. You will cross suspension bridges, navigate through loose earth sections, and even pass along the formidable Khumbu Glacier, all while contending with the effects of high altitude. Some parts of this trek are notoriously difficult, requiring a high level of fitness, agility, and unwavering resolve.

Yet for those who are well-prepared, the rewards are beyond measure.

Everest Base Camp (Classic Route) - Comprehensive Trek Details

Our aim has always been to ensure that trekkers are well-prepared before embarking on a high-altitude trek. Having the right knowledge can make the difference between a safe and risky trek, as well as between a fulfilling and superficial experience.

Here, you can discover detailed insights into the Everest Base Camp trek. This section provides comprehensive information for each day of the trek, what to anticipate, and the necessary preparations. The content is a result of years of experience and is highly valued by trekkers.

Quick Itinerary

Get your trek plan

Day 0

Reach Kathmandu. Fly to Lukla

Meet the Trexpert team at Lukla, near Hotel Comfort Inn by 4 PM. It is better to take a flight to Lukla on the previous day. This gives you a day's advantage. Even if your flight gets delayed, you have a buffer day for reaching Lukla on Day 0 this way.

Day 1

Trek from Lukla to Phakding.

Trek Distance: 9 km | Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Loss: 9,300 ft to 8,600 ft

Easy. Gradual descent throughout. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

Day 2

Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.

Trek Distance: 10 km | Duration: 7 hours | Altitude Gain: 8,600 ft to 11,290 ft

Moderate. Initial level walk for 30 minutes followed by an undulating trail for a few hours. Steep climb to Namche hereafter. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

Day 3

Acclimatization day at Namche Bazaar

Today, you’ll do an acclimatisation climb to Everest View Hotel and come back down to Namche Bazaar for lunch.

Day 4

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche.

Trek Distance: 9.2 kms | Duration: 4 hours | Altitude Gain: 11,290 ft to 12,687 ft (+ 1397 ft)

Day 5

Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche.

Trek Distance: 10.8 kms | Duration: 3.5 hours | Altitude Gain: 12,687 ft to 14,469 ft (+ 1782 ft)

Day 6

Acclimatization day at Dingboche.

Day 7

Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche.

Trek Distance: 11.1 kms | Duration: 7 hours | Altitude Gain: 14,469 ft to 16,200 ft (+ 1731 ft)

Day 8

Trek from Labouche to Gorakshep (Excursion to EBC)

Trek Distance: 8 kms | Duration:3 hours |Altitude Gain: 16,200 ft to 16,900 ft (+ 700 ft)

Moderate. Short, steep ascent followed by 1.5-2 hours of boulder walk. Ends with a gradually ascending trail. Carry sufficient water. You’ll find teahouses on the way to Gorakshep.

Day 9

Climb Kala Pathar. Trek from Gorakshep to Pheriche

Duration: 3 hours | Altitude Gain and Loss: 16,900 ft to 14,070 ft via 18,200 ft

Difficult. Gradual descent all the way to Pheriche. Carry sufficient water; you can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

Day 10

Trek from Pheriche to Tengboche.

Duration: 4-5 hours | Altitude Loss: 14,070 ft to 12,665 ft

Moderate. 3 km gradual ascent to Tengboche. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

Day 11

Trek from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar.

Duration: 4 hours | Altitude Loss: 12,665 ft to 11,290 ft

Moderate. Continuous descent followed by a final, short stretch of steep ascent. You can refill your water bottles at tea houses on the way.

Day 12

Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla.

Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude Loss: 11,290 ft to 9,300 ft

Moderate. Continuous descent to Phakding for a few hours followed by gradual ascent to Lukla. You will find tea houses on the way to refill your water bottles.

Stay the night at Hotel Comfort Inn. Take the early morning flight out of Lukla. It will take you about 45 minutes to reach Kathmandu.

How does each day look

Day 0: Reach Kathmandu. Fly to Lukla

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is a tourist hub. It is the gateway to Nepal Himalayas and stands at the elevation of 4,600 ft. While the city endured a lot of damage during the 2015 earthquake, it remains a fascinating place to explore.

Take the first flight out of Kathmandu to Lukla, where your trek begins. You will meet your trek mates near Hotel Comfort Inn at Lukla at 4 PM.

Weather plays a crucial role in flights taking off to Lukla. Hence, try and reach Lukla the same day to avoid delays in the trek.

Take a flight on this day to Lukla, as it gives you a day's advantage if your flight to Lukla gets cancelled due to unpredictable weather.

What happens if you miss your flight to Lukla

Weather plays a very big role in the running of this trek. Flights to Lukla are a fair-weather friend. A cloud covering a mountain ridge can shut down the entire airport!

It might so happen that only some of the scheduled flights take off from Kathmandu on 1st April and your flight doesn’t. Hence, we recommend that you fly to Lukla a day early, on 31st March itself.

In case you do miss your flight on 1st April and reach Lukla on 2nd April (Day 2) instead, here is what you will need to do –

1. Start trekking towards Namche Bazaar as soon as you land.

2. Stay overnight at a tea house between Phakding and Namche Bazaar. We will arrange this in advance and communicate the details to you in case the need arises.

3. Join the rest of the team at Namche Bazaar on Day 3. This is an acclimatisation day and trekkers will be staying there overnight.

Note: On your return, you may face a similar situation. You have ended the trek at Lukla and found the airport shut. Keep a day in Kathmandu as a buffer for your return international flight.

How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The Everest Base Camp (classic route) trek is considered to be a challenging journey.

Starting from Lukla at an elevation of 9,300 ft, the trek reaches a height of 18,200 ft over a period of 13 days.

Although certain sections of the route are of moderate difficulty, the terrain becomes increasingly challenging as you approach Everest Base Camp. The daily routine typically involves extended walks and steep ascents and descents lasting between 3 to 7 hours.

These factors contribute to the trek's level of difficulty, making it suitable for experienced trekkers.

A minimum of 8 weeks of rigorous preparation is required for this trek. Initial preparation should involve brisk walks followed by jogging to enhance cardiovascular fitness. The goal is to comfortably cover a distance of 10 km in under 60 minutes before embarking on the trek.