The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular trekking route in Nepal and one of the most iconic adventures in the world. After a thrilling, nerve-racking flight into Lukla—sure to get your adrenaline pumping—you begin a journey that retraces the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, and the many brave climbers who followed in their wake.
The trail winds through the breathtaking landscapes of Sagarmatha National Park, passing Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, suspension bridges, and dramatic Himalayan scenery before finally reaching Everest Base Camp. Here, you can feel the buzz and excitement of climbers preparing to take on the world’s highest mountain. The main climbing season begins in April and usually peaks in the third or fourth week of May, when the region is alive with expedition energy.
Most people planning this trek ask the same questions: How hard is it? How long does it take? How high do you go? This article breaks down the key facts about distance, duration, and elevation to help you understand what to expect from this unforgettable journey.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance
The classic Everest Base Camp trek from Lukla to EBC and back covers approximately 130 km in total—about 65 km each way. At first, that might sound like a huge distance, but there’s no need to worry. The typical round trip takes around 12 days of trekking, which means you’ll walk roughly 15 km per day—a much more manageable and achievable distance.
On average, a normal walking pace is about 5 km per hour, so 15 km in a day doesn’t sound too intimidating. Of course, you won’t be walking at that speed the entire time due to rocky terrain, gradual ascents, and the effects of high altitude. Still, the key point is that the overall distance is very attainable for people of different ages, fitness levels, and body types.
If you book through a tour operator, you’ll also likely enjoy the comfort of having your main luggage carried by porters or yaks/mules. This significantly reduces physical strain and allows you to focus on enjoying the journey and safely making your way up to Base Camp—and back down again.
How Long Is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
The typical Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek takes around 12 days of trekking, although the total trip is usually longer when you include arrival and departure days in Kathmandu. There are also longer variations of the classic route—such as the Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek or the Gokyo Lakes trek—which require additional time.
The journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp takes significantly longer than the return leg. This is intentional, as the itinerary is designed to allow for proper acclimatization and to reduce the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and other altitude-related illnesses. In most itineraries, it takes about 9 days of trekking to reach Base Camp and only 3 days to return to Lukla.
Here is a sample itinerary for the classic Everest Base Camp Trek:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and trek preparation.
Day 3: Fly to Lukla (2,820 m) and trek to Phakding (2,641 m) – 4 hours.
Day 4: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) – 6 hours.
Day 5: Rest day at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion.
Day 6: Trek to Thyangboche Monastery (3,900 m) – 5 hours.
Day 7: Trek to Dingboche (4,400 m) – 5 hours.
Day 8: Trek to Lobuche (4,900 m) – 5 hours.
Day 9: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) and return to Gorakshep (5,180 m) – 6 hours.
Day 10: Hike to Kala Patthar (5,545 m), then trek to Pangboche (4,000 m) – 6 hours.
Day 11: Trek to Namche Bazaar – 6 hours.
Day 12: Trek to Lukla – 6 hours.
Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu, rest at the hotel, free day and farewell dinner.
Day 14: Final departure.
This schedule balances trekking distance with essential acclimatization days, making the journey safer, more comfortable, and far more enjoyable while maximizing your chances of successfully reaching Everest Base Camp.
Elevation on the Everest Base Camp Trek
The most challenging aspect of the Everest Base Camp Trek is undoubtedly the elevation. Even at the very start of the journey, when you land at Lukla Airport, you are already at an altitude of over 2,600 meters. Since most people are not used to trekking at such heights, the itinerary is carefully designed with acclimatization days, and the ascent is done much more slowly than the descent to ensure safety and proper adaptation to the altitude.
On most days, typical elevation gains range between 400 and 800 meters. When a day involves a larger altitude gain or reaches a particularly high elevation, it is usually followed by an acclimatization day. These rest days not only help your body adjust but also give you time for light hikes, sightseeing, and exploring the beautiful surroundings.
For most trekkers, the highest point of the journey is Kala Patthar, the famous viewpoint offering some of the best close-up views of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks. Kala Patthar stands at just over 5,500 meters, but you won’t stay at that altitude for long. After enjoying the views, the trail descends toward Pheriche and continues back down to Lukla.
Here is an Everest Base Camp trek elevation and altitude profile for the trek-
The Everest Base Camp Trek is more than just a hike—it’s a journey through legendary landscapes, rich mountain culture, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. If you’re dreaming of adventure, challenge, and unforgettable memories, this trek delivers it all.
“Every Step. A Lifetime Memory. Happy Trails.”
