The Everest Base Camp Trek is a 13-day Nepal trek from Kathmandu to the South Base Camp of Mount Everest at 5,364m on the Khumbu Glacier. The Vertical Tribe runs it Kathmandu-to-Kathmandu: a pre-dawn drive to Ramechhap and a Lukla flight on Day 2, seven trail days through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Deboche, Dingboche and Lobuche to Gorak Shep and base camp, a sunrise climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) on Day 10 — the trek's true high point and the closest non-climber view of Everest's summit — and a return via Pheriche, Namche, and Lukla.
Highlights
- You walk to the foot of the world's highest mountain. South Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier was the launchpad for the 1953 first ascent by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay; climbers on the South Col route still leave from the same camp.
- Kala Patthar (5,545m) is the trek's real climax. A short, steep climb above Gorak Shep that delivers the closest unobstructed view of Everest's summit you can get without a climbing permit. Sunrise on Everest's south-west face from Kala Patthar is the trek's most-photographed view.
- The Khumbu corridor is a culture trek as much as a mountain trek. Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries, prayer wheels and mani walls line the trail from Lukla to Gorak Shep — Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Pheriche — through the UNESCO-listed Sagarmatha National Park.
Everest Base Camp at a glance
- What is the Everest Base Camp trek?
- A 13-day Nepal trek from Kathmandu, via a Lukla flight from Ramechhap, through the Khumbu valley to the South Base Camp of Mount Everest at 5,364m on the Khumbu Glacier.
- How hard is it?
- Moderate-to-difficult. No technical climbing — high-altitude trail walking. The trek tops out at Kala Patthar (5,545m / ~18,200 ft).
- How long does it take?
- 13 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu, including a Lukla fly-in via Ramechhap, two acclimatisation days (Namche and Dingboche), and a return flight via Ramechhap on the last day.
- How much does it cost?
- ₹98,500 per trekker — covers Kathmandu hotel on first and last nights, tea-house stays on the trail, Ramechhap-Lukla return flights, all permits and national park charges, three vegetarian meals a day on trek, certified trek leaders, and 10 kg backpack offloading.
- When does TVT run it?
- Spring 2026 batch: 12 – 24 April. April–May and October–November are the standard EBC windows; this batch lands at the height of the spring climbing season on Everest.
How difficult is Everest Base Camp, really?
Graded Mod-Diff in the TVT brochure — moderate-to-difficult. It is 110+ km approx of trail walking, with a highest altitude of 18,200 ft approx.
- Weather
- Average temperature 12°C / -10°C.
- Altitude
- The highest point you sleep at is Gorak Shep, 5,180m, on Day 9. Everest Base Camp at 5,364m and Kala Patthar at 5,545m are day-trip touch points — you never sleep at either. There are two acclimatisation days: Namche Bazaar at 3,440m on Day 4, and Dingboche at 4,410m on Day 7, which includes a hike to a 4,650m view point.
Overview
Everest Base Camp is a there-and-back trek up the Khumbu valley. The trek begins with a pre-dawn drive from Kathmandu to Manthali airport in Ramechhap and a mountain flight to Lukla. From Lukla you walk down to Phakding and then climb the Dudh Koshi gorge to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) — the Sherpa capital and the trek's first acclimatisation halt. The trail continues through Deboche to Dingboche (4,410m), the second acclimatisation halt, and then up onto the Khumbu Glacier moraine via Lobuche (4,950m) to Gorak Shep (5,180m). On Day 9 you walk out to Everest Base Camp itself (5,364m) and return to Gorak Shep for the night. Day 10 begins pre-dawn with the climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for sunrise on Everest, then a long descent to Pheriche (4,200m). Days 11–12 retrace the trail to Namche and Lukla; Day 13 flies you back to Ramechhap and drives you to Kathmandu.
Who climbs with us
EBC draws three groups: Indian working professionals fitting it into annual leave, repeat trekkers stepping up from Indian Himalayan trails, and trained first-timers wanting their first 5,000m+ trek. Tea-house lodging and the 13-day window stay the same across batches.
The route, point by point
| Point | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 1,350m | First and last night |
| Phakding | 2,610m | First night on the trail after the Lukla flight |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440m | Sherpa capital; acclimatisation halt |
| Deboche | 3,730m | Below Tengboche monastery |
| Dingboche | 4,410m | Second acclimatisation halt; 4,650m view-point hike |
| Lobuche | 4,950m | Last village before Gorak Shep |
| Gorak Shep | 5,180m | Final tea-house stop on the trek |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364m | South Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier |
| Kala Patthar | 5,545m | Trek high point; sunrise viewpoint of Everest's summit |
| Pheriche | 4,200m | Descent night after Kala Patthar |
Itinerary
13 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
- Day 1: sleeps at 1,350m .
- Day 2: sleeps at 2,610m , climbing to 2,860m.
- Day 3: sleeps at 3,440m .
- Day 4: sleeps at 3,440m .
- Day 5: sleeps at 3,730m , climbing to 3,860m.
- Day 6: sleeps at 4,410m .
- Day 7: sleeps at 4,410m , climbing to 4,650m.
- Day 8: sleeps at 4,950m .
- Day 9: sleeps at 5,180m , climbing to 5,364m.
- Day 10: sleeps at 4,200m , climbing to 5,545m.
- Day 11: sleeps at 3,440m , climbing to 4,200m.
- Day 12: sleeps at 2,860m , climbing to 3,440m.
- Day 13: sleeps at 1,350m , climbing to 2,860m.
-
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
Acclimatise 1,350mFly into Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Welcome briefing in the evening; final gear check and an early night before the pre-dawn drive to Ramechhap.
-
Day 2 Drive to Ramechhap, fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
Approach 2,610m2 am drive to Manthali airport in Ramechhap. Mountain flight to Lukla (2,860m), then a gentle descent along the Dudh Koshi to Phakding (2,610m).
-
Day 3 Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Approach 3,440mCross and re-cross the Dudh Koshi on suspension bridges, enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, then a steep climb to Namche Bazaar — the Sherpa capital, perched above the river junction.
-
Day 4 Acclimatisation at Namche
Acclimatise 3,440mAcclimatisation walk above Namche — climb high, sleep low. Visit the Sagarmatha National Park visitor centre or the Everest View Hotel for the first long view of Everest. Rest in Namche for the second night.
-
Day 5 Namche to Deboche
Approach 3,730mTraverse the contour above the Imja Khola, drop to the river, then climb to Tengboche monastery before continuing a short distance down to Deboche for the night.
-
Day 6 Deboche to Dingboche
Approach 4,410mCross the Imja Khola, pass through Pangboche and climb steadily into the Imja valley to Dingboche.
-
Day 7 Acclimatisation at Dingboche — view-point hike
Acclimatise 4,650mview point
Acclimatisation hike up to the panoramic view point at 4,650m above Dingboche — Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam fill the skyline. Return to Dingboche for the night.
-
Day 8 Dingboche to Lobuche
Approach 4,950mClimb to Thukla Pass and the climbers' memorial chortens, then onto the Khumbu Glacier moraine. A long, slow contour brings you to Lobuche under the west face of Lobuche peak.
-
Day 9 Lobuche to Gorak Shep, continue to Everest Base Camp
Climb 5,180msleep · 5,364m EBC
Walk along the Khumbu Glacier lateral moraine to Gorak Shep (5,180m). Drop bags and continue out to Everest Base Camp at 5,364m — Khumbu icefall in front of you, prayer flags everywhere — then back to Gorak Shep for the night.
-
Day 10 Sunrise on Kala Patthar, descend to Pheriche
Descend 5,545mhigh point · 4,200m sleep
Pre-dawn climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) — the trek's highest point and the closest non-climber view of Everest's summit. Sunrise on the south-west face, then a long descent past Lobuche and Thukla down to Pheriche (4,200m).
-
Day 11 Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Descend 3,440mLong descending day — back through Pangboche, down to the river, up to Tengboche, and the long contour around to Namche.
-
Day 12 Namche to Lukla
Descend 2,860mSteep descent out of Namche back to the Dudh Koshi, then the long but mostly gentle walk along the river to Lukla. Final group dinner on the trail.
-
Day 13 Fly Lukla to Ramechhap, drive to Kathmandu
Descend 1,350mEarly-morning flight from Lukla to Ramechhap, then the drive back to Kathmandu. Trip ends on arrival in Kathmandu.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation — stay first and last night in Kathmandu
- On trek — stay in tea houses on twin-sharing basis
- Flights — Ramechhap to Lukla & Lukla to Ramechhap
- Transportation — airport pickup & drop, Kathmandu to Ramechhap & back
- Permits — all trekking permits and national park charges
- Trekking & safety equipment
- Certified trek leaders, expert trek team
- Three meals (vegetarian) on trek + evening tea/coffee
- Offloading backpack (10 kg max)
Not included
- Customary tips to guide and porters (they expect a good tip)
- Phone and other battery charging costs, filtered drinking water
- Rescue — insurance and helicopter rescue expenses
- Personal expenses of any kind, and anything apart from the inclusions
How it compares to other peaks
| Peak | Altitude | Grade | Best for | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp Trek (this) | 5,545m (Kala Patthar) | Mod-Diff | Foot of the world's highest mountain | The benchmark high-altitude trek — the foot of Everest, the Khumbu corridor, and the closest non-climber view of the summit. |
| Annapurna Base Camp Trek | 4,130m | Moderate | Lower-altitude Nepal trek | Pick this if you want a Nepal trek at a lower altitude with a shorter time commitment. |
| Markha Valley Trek | 5,260m (Kongmaru La) | Moderate | Indian-Himalayan tea-house trek | Pick this for an Indian-Himalayan tea-house trek in the same difficulty range. |
Dates & availability
No slots available right now. Get in touch and we'll let you know when Apr – May (spring) · Oct – Nov (autumn) dates open.
No public slots are available for this trek yet. Reach out and we'll share the next departure as soon as it's confirmed, or set up a private group on dates that suit you.
or email us →Need different dates? Private departures are possible through Apr – May (spring) · Oct – Nov (autumn) with a minimum of 4 trekkers — message us on WhatsApp.
Your leaders
Subodh Bhadauriya ITRA
Lead Trek Leader · Mountain Athlete · 8+ years
Permits, rules and cancellation
Permits
- All trekking permits and national park charges — handled by TVT, included in the trek cost
- The trek requires a Sagarmatha National Park entry permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Foreign-national pricing differs — please reach out at least 60 days before departure if you are a foreign passport holder
Cancellation
- More than 60 days before the start date — 75% refund
- 60 to 30 days before the start date — 50% refund
- Less than 30 days before the start date — no refund
Rules on the mountain
- No alcohol or smoking during the trek
- Don't litter; do not disturb the flora and fauna
- No loudspeakers
- Leave No Trace
Frequently asked
Will I actually summit Mount Everest?
No — this is a trek to base camp, not a climb. The high point of the trek is Kala Patthar (5,545m), a viewpoint above Gorak Shep. The Everest summit (8,848.86m) requires a separate, permitted climbing expedition.
What's the highest altitude I'll reach?
Around 5,545m / 18,200 ft (Approx) at Kala Patthar on Day 10. Everest Base Camp itself is 5,364m, reached on Day 9.
What temperature should I expect on the trek?
Average temperatures range from 12°C (day) to -10°C (night). Days are pleasant in sun below 4,000m; nights at Lobuche and Gorak Shep are well below freezing.
What gear do I need to bring?
Personal: trekking boots (broken in), down jacket, base + mid-layers, gloves, headlamp, glacier sunglasses, daypack. Trekking & safety equipment is provided. Full personal-gear checklist shared after enquiry.
Are foreign nationals welcome on this batch?
Permit pricing differs for foreign passport holders. Please write to us at least 60 days before departure so we can file the paperwork.
Is altitude sickness a concern?
Yes. The itinerary builds in two full acclimatisation days (Namche on Day 4, Dingboche on Day 7) and a graded ascent profile. Hydrate, climb high/sleep low, and tell the trek leader the moment something feels off.
What happens if Lukla weather delays the flight?
Lukla weather windows are tight, and delays of 1–2 days are routine. Build a buffer day at the end of the trip before any onward flights from Kathmandu — not the day after Day 13.
