Everest Base Camp Trek - 18 Days

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  • Duration 18 Days
  • Trip Grade Moderate
  • Country Nepal

Do you want to do the Everest Base Camp trek, but the famous EBC itineraries, such as 12 days and 14 days, do not fit you? No need to worry; we are glad to introduce a new 18 days Everest Base Camp trek itinerary that is well-paced and significantly lowers the risk of altitude sickness.

Everest Base Camp trek is undoubtedly the most famous trekking destination in the world. Thousands of travelers from around the world do this trek every year. Whatever your reason might be behind embarking on this epic adventure, our team will be your reliable travel partner. We will take care of permits, transportation, and all other logistics, allowing you to immerse yourself in the journey and enjoy it fully.

The Everest Base Camp terrain is not difficult to navigate. However, its high altitude makes the journey a bit challenging. So, it is essential that you take your time to adjust to the elevation and the environment before ascending over 4,000 meters. Our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary includes two consecutive acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar.

Similarly, instead of hiking to Tengboche village, you will follow a less crowded route to Phortse village and continue to Lobuche via Pheriche. This is not the commonly followed route. However, it offers tranquil trails and ample acclimatization time before you go above the treeline. Moreover, the daily walking hours also range between 4 to 5, which is excellent.

If you are not in a rush and can spend 18 days traveling to Nepal, then we highly recommend our Everest Base Camp trek 18 days package. This package has a high success and satisfaction rate. You will get ample time to enjoy nature, mountain vistas, and the company of the locals. Every day starts at a slow pace, allowing you to unwind and rejuvenate as you trek.

A perfect itinerary to trek to the lap of the tallest mountain in the world. Check out our Everest Base Camp trek map below!

Highlights

  • A perfect itinerary to successfully trek to Everest Base Camp, avoiding altitude sickness
  • Embark on a journey full of adventure, nature, and rich cultural experience
  • Follow a different, less crowded route and enjoy tranquil trails
  • The trail goes through rhododendron forests and verdant hillsides, crossing numerous hanging bridges over rivers and gorges
  • Enjoy two acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and go on exciting side hikes to Thame and Khumjung villages
  • Get to see and experience the simple mountain lifestyle of the locals
  • Meet with Sherpas and other mountain communities
  • Visit ancient monasteries
  • A very well-paced itinerary that allows you to enjoy the journey to the fullest
  • Trek to the lap of Mount Everest, Everest Base Camp, and hike to Kala Patthar

What can you expect during the Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal?

Imagine being surrounded by lush forests, verdant hills, and towering mountains. The bustle of city life suddenly changes to the silence of nature. The sounds of vehicle horns change to the chirping of birds, polluted air to fresh mountain air, and fast-paced day-to-day into slow days where you live in every moment. This is what the Everest Base Camp trek precisely looks like.

Before you start the trekking, a short 35-minute flight will take you to Lukla. Flying in a tiny airplane to a small airport located at a high altitude (2,860 meters) gives a perfect start to your Everest Base Camp adventure. Once in Lukla, meet the porters, gear up, and start walking. The Everest Base Camp trek is adventurous, but it is also a culturally enriching and self-learning voyage.

From Lukla, you will reach the Everest Base Camp in eight days of walking. During these eight days, you will push your limits, test your endurance, and connect with nature. Every day brings a new set of challenges that you will confidently face. And every day, you will get stronger internally and externally.

We believe the journey to the base camp of Mount Everest holds more purpose than the destination itself!

Why trek to the lap of the tallest mountain in the world?

The trekking route is home to Sherpas and other mountain communities. It's hard to believe that people in this era live in mountain villages, right? But they do, and they are the ones who make this journey financially possible and somewhat comfortable by providing accommodation, food, and other services to the trekkers. You will be introduced to the simple Himalayan lifestyle.

The Everest Base Camp trek route ascends and descends through lush foothills and rhododendron and magnolia forests. You will cross numerous hanging bridges over the Dudh Koshi River and gorges. Once you walk above Pheriche, the treeline gradually fades away, and you will find yourself surrounded by barren hills, glaciers, moraines, and tall mountains.

Stupas, chortens, prayer wheels, and prayer flags are scattered throughout the trail. You will explore some of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region, which are Thame Monastery, Khumjung Monastery, Pangboche Monastery, and Tengboche Monastery. All these monasteries present you with the beliefs and traditions of the locals, making the journey much more meaningful.

One thing we love about Everest Base Camp trekking is how it unfolds the mountain panoramas. You will see stunning mountain views daily and will be taken away from its beauty every day. For locals, mountains are their gods, their protectors. You can feel a huge sense of belonging when surrounded by them. It will be overwhelming in the first few days, but once you open your heart, you will feel the warmth of these giant snow-capped mountains.

Some of the mountains you see during the trek are Mt. Everest (8,849 m), Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m), Mt. Purmoi (7,161 m), Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 m), Imja Tse (6,160 m), Thamserku (6,608 m), Baruntse (7,162 m), etc. Likewise, the landscapes also change throughout the trek. You will traverse different climatic zones, hence the scenery also changes, ranging from sub-tropical to alpine zones.

Is this trip right for you?

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is in no way easy. However, it is also not very demanding and impossible to achieve. If you have the correct information about the trail, decent physical and mental fitness, good health, and proper preparation, you can do the EBC trek in Nepal. Regardless of your age, you can join the Everest Base Camp trek 2024/2025 departures with us.

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most commercialized routes in the Himalayas of Nepal. This means you will get budget-friendly to luxury experiences. Our Everest Base Camp trek 18 days package has basic accommodation. If money is not an issue for you and you would appreciate fine accommodations and services, upgrade the package to a luxury trek.

Similarly, you can also combine helicopter flights to/from Lukla. We provide helicopter flight service at a very reasonable price. You do not have to charter the whole aircraft. Instead, you can pay per head and enjoy a shared flight. You can check our other Everest Base Camp trek packages here.

Trek to the lap of the highest mountain in the world with a local Nepali company

We, Himalayan Trekking, are a local Nepali travel company with many years of expertise in the Himalayas. We provide full support during trekking and climbing. Our professional and experienced team offers high standards of services. You will get the best itineraries with us. We do not have any hidden costs or policy. You get what you see.

We have the best Everest Base Camp trek guides and porters. They are friendly, reliable, and can speak in English. You can travel freely and safely with us in Nepal. Our Everest Base Camp trek cost is also unbeatable for the service and value we provide. From the get-go, you can tell why we are different in the market.

In short, if you are looking for a hassle-free trip to the Everest Base Camp, trek with us.

Itinerary
Trip Plan
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You can meet our team upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport. They will transfer you to the hotel, where you can check in and rest. Later, you will meet your mountain guide and prepare for the trek. Do any last-minute shopping. You can purchase everything for your EBC trek in Thamel.

  • Meals: Welcome dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel

You will fly to Lukla airport and then trek to Phakding for the night. The flight offers a fantastic view of the Langtang range, Numbur Himal, Gaurishankar, and Everest ranges.

Upon landing at Lukla, you will walk downhill with your guide and porter. The trail passes through villages like Chheplung, Thado Koshi, and Ghat. It crosses several suspension bridges and passes through rhododendron forests.

*Lukla flight: Lukla flights are operated from Ramechhap Airport in March, April, May, September, October, and November. Likewise, Lukla flights are available from Kathmandu Airport from June to August and December to February. If you are trekking from Ramechhap Airport, you will leave your hotel in Kathmandu at 1:00 AM and drive to the airport. It takes 4-5 hours to drive between Kathmandu and Ramechhap Airport.

  • Max Altitude: 2,846 m/9,337 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 35 minutes flight & 3 hours trek
  • Distance: 6.2 km/3.8 miles

On this day, you will walk to the famous Namche Bazaar. It is the biggest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu region and a tourist hub. The trail from Phakding goes along the Dudh Koshi River.

You will trek via lush forests and cross many suspension bridges. Trek via villages like Toktok, Mojo, and Joralse. The permits are registered in Monjo. From here, the trail steeply ascends to Namche Bazaar.

Mountain views: Kusum Kangaroo, Kongde Ri, Thamserku, and Tabuche.

  • Max Altitude: 3,440 m/11,290 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Distance: 7.4 km/4.6 miles

You will spend a rest day in Namche Bazaar to avoid altitude sickness. After breakfast, hike to Thame, a beautiful village. You will follow a less crowded route to Thame village. Visit Thame monastery and explore the village. Return to Namche Bazaar to spend the night.

Mountain views: Thamserku, Kongde Ri, Khumbila, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 3,850 m/12,631 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Distance: 6.8 km/4.2 miles

This is another acclimatization day. Today, you will hike to the Hotel Everest View and Khumjung village. The Hotel Everest View is one of the highest hotels in the world.

From the hotel, trekkers get to see views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, and Mt. Nuptse. Likewise, in Khumjung village, you will explore an old monastery and the Tenzing Hillary School. After the hike, return to Namche to spend the night.

  • Max Altitude: 3,962 m/13,000 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 4-5 hours

You will trek from Namche Bazaar to Phortse village. It is not the mainstream EBC trail, so you will enjoy a less crowded route and stunning mountain views. The trail first goes to Kyangjuma and ascends to Phortse Thanga.

Mountain views: Ama Dablam, Kangtega, and Thamserku.

  • Max Altitude: 3,840 m/12,598 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Distance: 5.7 km/3.5 miles

From Phortse village, you will follow an uphill route to Shomare. From here, the trail continues to Pheriche. On the way, you will visit the Pangboche monastery. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu region. The trail goes through rhododendron forests.

Mountain views: Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kantega.

  • Max Altitude: 4,371 m/14,340 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Distance: 13 km/8 miles

The trail ascends to Thukla pass via Thukla settlement. On the way, you will pass by a glacier field. Further, you will come across memorial chortens of the late climbers and Sherpas. Keep ascending to reach Lobuche village. The landscape is barren, and the mountains are much more prominent.

Mountain views: Thamserku, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 4,940 m/16,210 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Distance: 7.9 km/4.9 miles

On this day, you will trek to Everest Base Camp. The trail first ascends along the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Gorak Shep. The terrain is steep and rocky, so you must be careful. You will spend the night at Gorak Shep. Leave all the heavy luggage here and hike to EBC. Explore the base camp and witness the Khumbu Icefall. After that, return to Gorak Shep.

Mountain views: Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Lingtren, Chamlang, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 5,364 m/17,598 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 8 hours
  • Distance: 15 km/9.32 miles

Wake up before the sunrises and hike to Kala Patthar. This viewpoint offers a jaw-dropping panorama of Mount Everest and many other mountains. After the hike, you will descend from Gorak Shep to Lobuche village, following the same trail. From Lobcuhe, the trail goes past Thukla Pass and continues to Dingboche.

Mountain views: Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Lingtren, Changtse, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 5,545 m/18,129 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 6-7 hours
  • Distance: 17 km/10.5 miles

The trail from Dingboche descends to Pangboche village. You will trek via dense rhododendron forests and ascend to Deboche village, crossing a suspension bridge. From here, you will ascend to Tengboche village. In Tengboche, visit the biggest monastery in the Khumbu region and enjoy the stunning view of Ama Dablam and Everest.

Mountain views: Everest, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kantega, etc.

  • Max Altitude: 3,860 m/12,660 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 4-5 hours
  • Distance: 11.5 km/7.1 miles

The trail descends to Phungi Thanga. From here, ascend to Namche Bazaar. Leaving Namche Bazaar, you will follow a steep downhill route through dense forests to Monjo.

  • Max Altitude: 2,835 m/9,301 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 5-6 hours
  • Distance: 16 km/9.9 miles

Follow the same trail back to Lukla. First, walk to Phakding village. From here, ascend along the Dudh Koshi river bank, crossing this river numerous times on the trail. The trail goes through lush rhododendron and magnolia forests.

  • Max Altitude: 2,846 m/9,337 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge
  • Duration: 5 hours
  • Distance: 9.5 km/5.9 miles

You will fly back to Kathmandu early in the morning. The flight will be scenic like last time. Upon landing, the guide will drop you off at the hotel. If you land at Ramechhap Airport, it will take 4 to 5 hours to ride. The remaining day is free in Kathmandu.

  • Max Altitude: 1,400 m/4,593 ft
  • Meals: Breakfast only
  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Duration: 35 minutes flight

You have a full day free in Kathmandu. Rest and explore tourist sites. Visit the spa. Explore local markets and buy souvenirs. Enjoy your time in the city and see the daily life of the locals. In the late evening, visit pubs, bars, and clubs to enjoy the nightlife of Kathmandu.

  • Meals: Breakfast only
  • Accommodation: Hotel

Get ready on time to leave your hotel. Our staff will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport according to the flight schedule.

  • Meals: Breakfast only
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Add-ons and Options
  • Single room while trekking: If you want a single room during trekking, add this upgrade to your package.
  • Luxury Lodge: You can upgrade your accommodation to a luxury lodge that comes with a private washroom, WiFi, hot shower, charging, etc.
  • Helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla: If you want to skip the commercial Lukla flight, add a comfortable helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.
  • Helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu: If you want to skip the commercial Lukla flight, add a comfortable helicopter flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. Give a grand ending to your venture in the Himalayas.
  • Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu: Explore the historical sites in Kathmandu with an experienced tour guide and get to learn deeply about Nepali history and culture.

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You will strictly follow the Everest Base Camp trek itinerary on this page. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, the itinerary could change. If you are not happy with our proposed itinerary, contact us to customize it according to your requirements.

Essential Info

Everest Base Camp trek difficulty

The Everest Base Camp trek is difficult due to the high altitude. The terrain is not advanced, but you must mentally push yourself to walk 5 to 6 hours a day while overcoming the high altitude, which can get challenging. So, make sure you are fit mentally and physically for the trek.

  • Trek distance: The Everest Base Camp trek distance is approximately 120 kilometers. You will trek 9 to 11 km daily, and the distance will be longer during the descent.
  • Daily walking hours: The daily walking hours following our 18-day Everest Base Camp trek itinerary are, on average, 5. Expect to walk 4 to 6 hours a day.
  • Tourist infrastructure: The tourist infrastructure along the Everest Base Camp trail is fantastic. You will find great food options and services, including luxurious lodges, helicopter flights, WiFi, etc.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness occurs because of low oxygen levels and thin air pressure. If you are not used to high altitudes, these two factors will lead you to altitude sickness. However, our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary is designed to allow travelers to avoid altitude sickness. This is a very well-paced itinerary.

  • Symptoms: The symptoms of altitude sickness are breathing difficulty, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and nausea.
  • Preventive measures: Drink lots of water, do not rush, enjoy the journey, eat balanced food, get plenty of rest, and avoid alcohol or smoking.

Travel insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek

Travel insurance is mandatory for the Everest Base Camp trek. It should cover medical bills and helicopter evacuation. You cannot buy travel insurance in Nepal, so buy in your country. Make sure the travel insurance covers rescue from the Himalayas.

Everest Base Camp trek permits

For the EBC trek, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance permit and the Sagarmatha National Park Entry permit are required. These permits cost Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000, respectively, per person. Our 3 passes trek package includes both permit fees.

The best time to do the Everest Base Camp trekking

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is best during the spring and autumn seasons. Winter and summer/monsoon have added weather hurdles, making trekking difficult.

  • Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the top trekking seasons in the Everest region. You will enjoy the mild climate and stable weather. The Lukla flights stay on schedule in spring. The trail is packed with trekkers, and the environment is quite jolly. You will see rhododendrons blooming all over the lower part of the trail.
  • Summer/monsoon (June to August): The trail gets empty by June. Lukla flights are mostly delayed or canceled because of poor weather. The trail is slippery and muddy.
  • Autumn (September to November): Autumn is the second best time of the year to trek to Everest Base Camp. The stable weather and mild climate bring perfect trekking conditions. Your trek may be considered one of the biggest Nepali festivals in autumn, which enhances the overall experience. The mountain views are surreal.
  • Winter (December to February): Winter is off time for the Everest Base Camp trek because of unfavorable weather. However, winter trekking is possible and encouraged. You get low accommodation costs, the trails are empty, and the views are jaw-dropping. Lukla flights are not on time, so it is better to have 1-2 contingency days in your itinerary.

Accommodation & food during the trek

During the Everest Base Camp trek, trekkers spend nights in lodges. These are basic accommodations with shared rooms and washrooms. Luxury lodges are also available, but they are on the expensive side. The meals along the EBC trek route are excellent.

Food like pizza, burgers, pasta, steak, mashed potatoes, etc, are available in villages at lower elevations. Dal bhat, fried rice, rice with curry, chapati, porridge, thukpa, momo, pancakes, egg, etc. are found throughout the trail. There is also a good variety of bakery items, teas, coffee, and other non-alcoholic/alcoholic beverages.

  • Rooms: Rooms are small and twin-shared. If you are uncomfortable sharing a room with another trekker and prefer a single room, please let us know when booking. Additional money is required for single rooms.
  • Washroom: Shared washrooms are common in the basic lodges. Western-style clean toilets are available throughout the trail, but they are mostly in newly built lodges. You may have to use squat toilets in some places.
  • Services in the lodge: Services like hot showers, WiFi, and charging cost extra money. Kindly budget some cash for your daily personal expenses like this during trekking.
  • Drinking water: Trekkers can buy boiled drinking water from the lodges for USD 1 to 2. This water is safe to clean. For more safety, you can use water purification tablets.
  • Snacks: Carry nuts, bars, and your favorite snacks. You can buy it in Kathmandu. Do note that everything is expensive in the mountains.

Everest Base Camp trek packing

  • Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag and sleeping bag liner
  • Puffy down jacket
  • Daypack (35-45 liters recommended) with rain cover
  • Sun hat or cap and beanie
  • Scarf/neck gaiter/buff (highly recommended)
  • Headlamp/torch, sunglasses, trekking poles
  • The base layer - underwear, t-shirts, long sleeves, shorts, pants
  • Waterproof/windproof jacket/pant
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Trekking pants
  • Gloves
  • Socks
  • Trekking boots and casual shoes
  • Dry towel
  • Toiletries and first-aid (sunscreen, lip balm, ointment, general medicine, diamox, cough syrup, band-aid and crack bandage, mosquito repellent cream, toilet paper, wet tissue, toothpaste/toothbrush, moisturizer, comb, small mirror, deodorant)
  • Pillowcase, Map (optional)
  • Ziplock bags
  • Passport, passport-sized photos, cash, documents, permits
  • Reusable water bottles and water purification tablets or UV water purifiers
  • Snacks, nuts, energy bars
FAQs

Yes, travelers from many countries can obtain a Nepal travel visa upon landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport or any land border. Please check the visa status for your country. The visa is not included in our Everest Base Camp trek cost, so you have to pay it yourself. The visa fee is mentioned below:

  • 15 days: USD 30
  • 30 days: USD 50
  • 90 days: USD 125

Our representatives will pick you up from the airport on your arrival day and drop you off on your departure day. We use private vehicles for airport pick-up and drop-off.

You should budget USD 15 to USD 25 per person for daily personal expenses. For example, you will need money to buy charging slots, hot showers, and WiFi in the lodges, which are not covered by our package cost. Likewise, you need money for tips, shopping, and food/drinks in Kathmandu.

No, there is no restriction on joining the Everest Base Camp trek. Travelers of all ages can join us on the EBC trek. One of the most important documents needed is travel insurance with helicopter evacuation coverage.

Yes, we provide sleeping bags and down jackets on rent. It costs USD 2 to USD 3 per day to reach.

The Everest Base Camp trek is not tough in terms of terrain. If you have decent fitness, walking will not be challenging, especially following our Everest Base Camp trek itinerary. However, rising elevation may tire you and make the journey a bit demanding.

No, it is not mandatory to get a guide for the Everest Base Camp trekking. It depends on your needs. If you are okay with arranging all the logistics yourself, you can do this trek without a guide.

Beginner trekkers are encouraged to do the Everest Base Camp trek. If you are physically active daily, you can join the trek immediately. However, if you are not an active person, then exercise for a few weeks before joining the trek.

No, you do not have to learn the Nepali language for the EBC trek. However, knowing some basic phrases like hello, how are you, thank you, etc., will help you a lot when interacting with locals.

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