Everest Base Camp Trek Distance: Total Length, Daily Distance and Elevation

How far is the Everest Base Camp?

The Nepal Everest Base Camp Trek is situated approximately 160 – 200 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu within the territory of the (Khumbu Everest region. The trek starts from Lukla, which can only be reached by a domestic flight from Kathmandu. Every day you usually walk 6-10 kilometers (4-6 miles) each day but this does include time spent on acclimatization and rest days while on the following points of the trail, at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, which are meant to help your body adapt. You don’t ascend rapidly because the air there becomes thinner as you keep climbing up. Your body takes a day to get used to the lower oxygen, hence the rest days, which avoid the altitude sickness and can potentially leave you severely ill. 

How Long Is The Trek To Everest Base Camp?

The classic trek starting from Lukla, where you can do the Everest Base Camp Trek and back, is about 130 km (81 miles) round trip. You will trek from 7-15 kilometers (4-9 miles) per day, which depends on what part of the trek you are following and the plan. It also depends on whether you are opting for only a classic trek to EBC, or combining any other packages, as many hikers tend to merge this trailhead with Gokyo Lake, and the Three Passes Trek, or you can say even the thrilling  Island Peak Climbing.

Nonetheless, the standard duration of the Everest Base Camp Trekking is usually 12 to 14 days, with extra days for your body to adjust to the high altitudes, to prevent altitude sickness. The trip from Lukla up to Base Camp takes longer, normally 8-9 days, because you have to climb slowly as you go higher. Coming back down is much quicker and also only a couple of days, 3-4. You will walk for 5 – 7 hours most days of the week, as you need to keep a steady pace to adapt to thin air and rocky terrains. Additionally, you will want to stop and take pictures of the gorgeous mountains!

The longest distance of 130 kilometers (81 miles) makes this trek to EBC quite a challenge. That is 7-15 kilometers or 4-9 miles a day, and that does not sound like much, but it feels much harder at high altitude. The trekkers are also faced with a 12-14 day time commitment, which is also a challenge for many of them. You have to walk 5-7 hours a day for most of two weeks. This tests your body endurance and mental strength! The particularly difficult aspect of time and distance is that you can’t rush. If you attempt to move too quickly or skip acclimatization days to save time, you will become affected by altitude sickness. 

Everest Base Camp Trek Distance And Length Explained

Everest Base Camp Trekking route is approximately 130 km (80 miles) long. You start from Lukla to walk all the way up to the base of Mount Everest to come back to Lukla. Day after day, you walk 7 – 15 kilometers (4 – 9 miles), depending on the trail's condition, as some are steeper, and some are flatter. The whole trek takes most people 12 – 14 days to complete. Typically, in 8-9 days, you will get to Everest Base Camp, and 3-4 days will be spent returning on your way down. You walk for something between 5-7 hours a day, while some days may be longer.

The trek takes off with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and starts en route from one of the popular villages, Phakding, to Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep till Everest Base Camp. Want to extend the trek? Variations similar to the Gokyo Lakes Trek or the Three Passes Trek can extend the journey to about 160 kilometers (100 miles) return time as well.

Daily Distance on EBC Trek: A Complete Outline and Guide

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1380 meters)

Your arrival day here in Nepal!

Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft), then Trek to Phakding (2,660 m / 8,727 ft) – 3–4 hours, 8 km

The start of your adventure is an exciting 30-35 minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.  When you actually land at Lukla at 2,860m, you begin to realize the mountain air is slightly thinner than in the Kathmandu region. The good news? This walk today covers 8km mostly flat or has little downhill which will make it ideal for your first day on the trail. You will slowly drop down to Phakding 2,660m where you will get a gentle starting point for trekking at altitude. 

Day 03: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m / 11,286 ft) – 5–6 hours, 12 km

Today you have your first true challenge! You get to walk from Phakding to the world famous mountain town called Namche Bazaar with a rise of 800 meters above the sea level. The 12km ride is usually 5-6 hours ride with some fine crossings of the Dudh Koshi River with breathtaking suspension bridges which swing high above the roaring waters. The final hike up to Namche is quite a steep so go a bit slowly there and remember that from 3,440m up you’ll start to feel the thinness of the air down here. Your reward? At the crowded mountain stop of Namche Bazaar!

Day 04: Acclimatization/Excursion Day – Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880 m / 12,730 ft) – 2–3 hours, 4 km (round trip)

Day four is a rest day in Namche Bazaar where you will hike in nearby areas. You walk for a short while to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 meters, 12,730 feet). It takes about 2-3 hours to walk and covers 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). From here, you are going to see Mount Everest for the first time! This little walk prepares your body for the thin air.

Day 05: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,885 m / 12,746 ft) – 5–6 hours, 9.5 km

This day you will climb from Namche to the spiritual core of the Khumbu region. The 9.5km trail to Tengboche is approximately 5/6 hours and is quite challenging at several parts. You are now well into high altitude at 3,885 m so pace yourself and pace yourself and do not forget the hydration. Tengboche is the center of one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the area, stand dramatically against towering peaks. This spot is special for many trekkers as the carbon colored monastery against the giant mountains make an indelible scene.

Day 06: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,220 m / 13,845 ft) – 5–6 hours, 11 km

The sixth day, drives one to Tengboche to Dingboche village. You walk for approximately 5-6 hours, covering about 11 kilometres. The trail traverses the Imja River and goes uphill gradually to Dingboche. The trees tend to become smaller as you ascend. Today, you can have wonderful views of mountains such as Ama Dablam.

Day 07: Acclimatization/Excursion Day – Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,100 m / 16,732 ft) – 5 hours, 4–5 km (round trip)

And yet another important acclimatization day but this time a true adventure this time. You will hike all the way there to Nangkartshang Peak, which is an amazing 5,100m high unlike any mountain in the continental United States. Even though it’s just 4-5km round trip, the steep climb is not a walk in the park and it will take 5 hours total and really puts your altitude adaptation to the test. From above, the splendid view of high mountains can be exposed to your eyes. Then you get back down to Dingboche and sleep.

Day 08: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,970 m / 16,306 ft) – 5–6 hours, 8–9 km

Today, your destination after a somewhat truly lunar landscape is a rocky one to Lobuche perched at 4,970m high. The 8-9km trek usually takes about 5-6 hours, but the altitude will make you feel it is more tiresome. On this journey, you will pass the touching memorials at Thukla Pass to honour climbers who perished on Everest. When you get to Lobuche you will definitely be feeling the effects of the thin air.

Day 09: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,180 m / 16,995 ft) – 3 hours, 4.5 km, then Hike to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m / 17,598 ft) – 7 hours (round trip), 7.5 km

The big day has arrived! First, after trekking 4.5km at about 3 hours in a dramatic glacial valley you will ascend towards Gorak Shep (5,180m). A short break and maybe some lighter food and you push on to the final goal, Everest Base Camp! At 5,364m (over 17,500 ft), the altitude here is severe. you will have a shortage of oxygen less than half of that found at sea level. This 7. 5km round trip to Base Camp and back will take approximately 7 hours. 

Day 10: Early Morning Hike to Kala Patthar (5,545 m / 18,192 ft), then Trek to Pangboche (4,220 m / 13,845 ft) – 7–8 hours, 14–15 km

Wake before dawn for one of the trek’s highlights! You will climb the famous viewpoint of Kala Patthar and become the highest altitude of your journey at 5,545m, that’s over 18,000 feet! Even though it is only a 3km round trip, the stiff climb up thin air and the gradual climb up thin air takes 2-3 hours. Going down, you will undertake the long journey to Pangboche down in 14-15 km in 7 -8 hours. The good news? The most will be downhill and as you descend you will feel stronger to 4,220m more oxygen rich Pangboche.

Day 11: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m / 11,286 ft) – 6–7 hours, 13 km

Keep descending today while you make a journey from Pangboche to the Namche Bazaar. The 13 km trek will take approximately 6-7 hours and retraces some of the old ground, including passing through Tengboche again. And you will really feel how it is easier and easier to breathe as you get down to 3,440m.

Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft) – 6–7 hours, 18–20 km

Your final day of trekking brings you full circle back to Lukla at 2,860m. You cover 18-20 kilometers for 6-7 hours. The path re-enters the Dudh Koshi River once again and crosses the same bridges you saw on day one. You come back to Lukla, and you complete the full circle of the trek from where you started.

Day 13: Fly back to Kathmandu (1,380 m / 4,593 ft), 30–35 minutes

Then on the final day, you are back on the same 30 – 35 minute flight from Lukla to Kathmandu. This little plane trip brings you back from the mountains to the city. The flight is about 140 kilometers and marks the end of your Everest Base Camp adventure.

Daily Distance Hiking And Time Duration

During the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek, every day you will walk different distances. On most days, you walk anywhere between 7 and 15 km (4 –9 miles).  The days can only become as short as 7 kilometers when the path climbs steeply uphill. The longer the days might be 15 kilometers, when the path lies flatter. Daily, you will be walking for 5-7 hours per day. Hiking begins in the morning, you begin early and it is sometime between 7 and 8 AM after breakfast. You take little breaks on the way to drink water, eat snacks, and stretch your legs.

Early days have approximately moderate distances of 7–12 km (4–7.5 miles) and walk for 4–6 hours, which helps to get acclimatized smoothly. Many mid to late hikes a day are 12-15 km (7.5-9 miles) long and take 6-8 hours as the inclines are steeper and altitudes are higher.When on acclimatization days, you do short walks so that your body gets used to thin air.  On those days, you could walk uphill for a couple of hours and return downhill to sleep. 

Distance of Everest Base Camp Trek: Company Classic and Alternative Route

Would you like to explore more regions in the Everest Region? There are different routes to follow when trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and they have different numbers of kilometers to cover, and the time taken.

Classic Trekking to Everest Base Camp

The standard trek to Everest Base Camp starts from the flight to Lukla, and the total trek requires 12 to 13 days. Every day, you will travel approximately 7 – 15 km and ascend from Lukla (2860 m) up to Everest Base Camp (5364 m). People mostly use this route since it is the fastest way to see Mount Everest up close.

Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lake

This EBC with Gokyo Lake Trek route is longer ( 14-16 days ) in comparison with the classic trek, and its length is 160 kilometers ( 99 miles ). The trail ends up at the magnificent Gokyo Lakes, lovely bright blue lakes some 4790 meters (15715 feet) up in the mountains. Then you cross the Cho La Pass, which is 5,420 metres, to get to the Everest base camp. This route is a bit challenging, but it will enable you to view some of the greatest mountains, and fewer people take this path.

Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo Trek

The Everest Base Camp Cho La Pass Gokyo is a loop where you can view both the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base Camp. This trek will take between 17-19 days and 180 kilometers. First, stop by Everest Base Camp, cross the high over Cho La Pass to Gokyo Lakes. Or you can do it the other way around. This is among the most beautiful treks in Nepal as in one journey you will witness two impressive regions. 

Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek

If you want the flying option, you can start trekking in Jiri. The Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek is the oldest trail to Everest. This is how people used to get to Everest before Lukla airport was established  First, you trek through green hills and small villages for 6-7 days before meeting up with the classic Everest Base Camp trail at Namche Bazaar. This trek takes around 20-22 days but covers approximately 240 km. 

Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek

There is a Luxury Everest Base Camp trek option if you would like extra comfort during trekking. This alternate trek is on the same route as the classic trek but you stay in the best lodges and hotels. Hot showers and heated rooms are found even in some places. This differs only in the duration of the trek (12-13 days) and in the distance (130 km) to be travelled, the same as in the classic trek. But you get better food, more comfortable beds, sometimes even helicopter rides for sections of the journey. This option pays off in more money but makes the hard trek a little easier.

Daily Hiking Distance on EBC Trek with Three Passes Trek

During the trek to Everest Base Camp with the Three Passes Trek, you will cover about 160-170 km in 19 days. On every day of the hike, you cover days of 6-8 hours, walking up to 8-15 kilometres. The trip begins with a flight to Lukla, just as in the classic trek. But then from Namche Bazaar you turn off to a different route to Thame and Lungden. From here, you cross the first pass (Renjo La) and arrive at the Gokyo Lakes. Then you cross the second pass (Cho La) to enter the trail of Everest Base Camp. After taking Everest Base Camp, you then cross the third pass (Kongma La) to make a big circle. Want a true adventure? There is also the Everest High Passes Trek, Anticlockwise Route for a thrilling trekking adventure that covers a similar distance. 

Chart Explaining the EBC Trek Distance and Elevation

Essential Tips To Cover Daily Mileage And Distance

•  Start your walk on shorter hiking days of 4-6 miles. This way, your body gradually adjusts to the walking and the altitude. Your body will appreciate you once you get to more challenging treks.
•  In the mountains, he who walks slowly and steadily wins. Instead of making giant steps, ensure that you take little, slow steps. This saves energy and it makes breathing easier in high-altitude areas. 
•  Try to use only approximately 70% of the energy every day. This gives you energy to recover for the next day to go for a walk. 
• Use trekking poles to relieve your weight off your knees and help you balance on rocky paths more effectively. They make helping you walk further with less pain easier, especially going downhill.
• At least consume 3-4 liters (approximately 12-16 cups) of water every day. Your muscles will tire faster when you are not drinking enough water and you may get headaches. This makes the distance of the day itself feel much more difficult.
• Carbohydrates such as rice, pasta and potatoes help you gain energy for walking. Try to have a nice breakfast and take with you snacks such as nuts, chocolate bars and energy bars to eat along the way of the day.
•  Even if your muscles don’t get cold, it helps you recover even in 2-3 minute breaks within an hour. Losing your backpack, drinking a glass of water, and munching a snack can help you stay going for the whole day.
• Try to be at the pace of your steps when you breathe. This takes your body into getting the oxygen required and makes it easier to walk uphill. When the air becomes less dense at higher heights, good breathing becomes even more important.
•  Divide every day’s distance in mind into small sections. Do not think, “I have to walk 10 miles today;” think, “I will walk to the next village, across the bridge, and into the tea house”. 

Conclusion

The distance of the Everest Base Camp  Trek varies according to the route you take and extending it with other treks in the region. In total, it’s 130-240 km (81-149 miles) either on a longer or shorter Everest Base Camp Itinerary. You have a lot of options to choose from that suit your needs, timeframe, and budget. No matter which route you take, this trek offers you a fantastic adventure to the foothills of the world’s highest mountain. Ready to go? Destination Himalaya Treks and Expedition has varied Everest Base Camp Trek Packages and can be easily customized. Contact Us for more information.