Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length and Elevation

The Everest Base Camp Trek is undoubtedly the most popular trek in Nepal. Not only that, but it is also one of the most well-known trekking destinations in the world.

The journey to Everest Base Camp starts with an adventurous flight to Lukla airport that will surely give you an adrenaline rush. From there, you will follow the footsteps of some of the brave men, such as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and numerous other trekkers who have climbed Everest.

Along the route, you will come across the beautiful Sagarmatha National Park and gradually reach the Everest Base Camp.

Allow us to elaborate on the Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, Length, and Elevation.

Distance of Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp trek distance is a 130 km round trip starting from Lukla – the gateway to Everest.

However, the outward 65 km to Everest Base Camp takes much longer as you need to consider making it slow to properly acclimatize. It is almost impossible to trek to Base Camp continuously without adjusting your body to the increasing altitude. If you do the Everest Base Camp trek without acclimatization, you will be putting yourself at a higher risk of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

If you have previous experience in multi-day trekking, 130 kilometers might not seem like a long distance. Yet, you should be aware that the average walking speed during this trek is more than 3km per hour, and the altitude is not less than 3000 meters.

So, those who have the stamina and physical fitness to walk around 5 to 7 hours in the mountain terrain can cover this long distance to get to the Everest Base Camp.

To cover the Everest Base Camp trek distance, you can hire a porter who will carry your large bags, and you can just walk the entire length of EBC with a small backpack. Hiring a porter will allow you to focus on getting yourself safely to EBC and back down the trail, and at the same time, you are helping the local economy by creating a job.

You will be walking for eleven days with an average of 15km a day on a standard 16-day trek to EBC. The remaining days will be for rest, acclimatization, the return flight to Lukla, and a stay in Kathmandu.

Although 15km per day might not seem long, the steep and rocky terrain, gradual ascent, and high altitude will slow you down. This could be more difficult if you are planning to trek to Everest Base Camp during the winter months when the snow and ice cover the trails.

But it is still safe to say that the distance is very attainable for people of all age groups if you prepare yourself for successful trek to Everest Base Camp .

You can complete the Everest Base Camp trek in 12 or more days. This depends on one’s physical strength and time preference, but to make it safely, we do not recommend doing it in less than 12 days unless you book the Everest Base Camp trek with helicopter return. If you book this helicopter return trip, then only you can do it safely as proper acclimatization is made before ascending towards the Mt Everest Base Camp.

So let us know if you want to shorten or extend your days. We can arrange the itinerary depending on your time and budget.

Whatever distance you cover each day, you will have many options for food and accommodations along the route. Although you will become tired after each day-trek, your tiredness will fade away in the cozy beds and warm soups of the tea houses en route.

Length of Everest Base Camp Trek

The standard length of the Everest Base Camp trek is about 13 days. However, there are variations in the route such as the Jiri to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo lakes trek, which take longer and increase the length of the Everest Base camp trek accordingly.

It takes 8 days of trekking to reach the Mt Everest Base Camp and just 3 days to return to Lukla. Another day out of the 12 days is for the return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. The ascent takes longer because climbing up is more difficult compared to going down. It takes longer to go up because there are two days for acclimatization as well.

To get a clear idea of the Everest Base Camp Trek Distance, let us break down the EBC trek on a day-to-day basis.

• Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (capital of Nepal), you will spend overnight at hotel in Thamel area.

• Day 02: Drive to airport, fly to Lukla, then trek to Phakding – 8 km (3.5 hours)

• Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar – 11 km (7 hours)

• Day 04: Acclimatization day hikes. Gain altitude by doing some side trip but spend overnight at Namche. We hike up to the Everest View Hotel AKA Syangboche and may visit Khumjung Village as well.

• Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Monastery – 10 km (6 hours)

• Day 06: Hike from Tengboche to Dingboche – 14.5 km (6 hours)

• Day 07: Acclimatization day in Dingboche. Explore the area, go to higher elevation and return to Dingboche.

• Day 08: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche – 11 km (7 hours)

• Day 09: Hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp, then return back to Gorak Shep – 13 km (8 hours)

• Day 10: Trek from Gorak Shep up to Kalapatthar and then to Pheriche – 18 km (7 hours)

• Day 11: Trek from Pheriche back to Namche Bazaar – 22 km (8 hours)

• Day 12: Hike from Namche Bazaar to Lukla – 19 km (8 hours)

• Day 13: Fly out from Lukla, then drive to Kathmandu.

• Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu

Elevation of Everest Base Camp Trek

Everest Base Camp Trek is a high-altitude trek in Nepal, where you need to be extremely cautious about gaining altitude every day.

The trek begins from the lowest point of 2800m, which is Lukla. he highest point you’ll reach is Kala Patthar, a viewing point at 5554m, from where you’ll witness some of the most spectacular views of Everest and the nearby peaks.

However, you won’t spend too much time at that altitude, as the trek then descends back down to Pheriche and eventually to Lukla Airport.

Here’s the itinerary and elevation of the places along the way:

Due to the variation in altitude, you are highly prone to altitude sickness if you do not acclimatize properly along the route. Therefore, to reduce the adverse effects of altitude, you must take gradual ascents, drink plenty of water, and take proper rest along the trail.

In case of severe problems, you can get medical assistance or helicopter evacuation if you have purchased travel insurance for this trek. Whatever your problem is, always speak to your guide.

To Sum Up:

There are various ways to reach Everest Base Camp, and the distance, length, and elevation vary depending on the route you choose and the time you have allocated. The elevation of the Everest region is definitely high, so going slow and steady is the best way to proceed. Acclimatization is key, and you should not skip the acclimatization days. These days are not rest days, so don’t treat them as such. On these days, you hike to a higher elevation hill and return to where you started your day.

It is always a good idea to do proper research before taking the trek, so you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. We hope the facts and figures above helped you with your questions and doubts. If you still want more information on the Everest Base Camp trek, please feel free to contact us. It is our pleasure to guide and help you embark on your own adventurous trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp.