Everest Base Camp Trek Distance: Total Length & Elevation Gain

How far is the Everest Base Camp?

Everest Base Camp Trek is an approximate distance of 130km (80 miles) round trip to Base Camp from Lukla. It measures about 65 kilometers (40 miles) each way through the shining venues of the area of Nepal most popular as Everest. The trekking distance is 2,860 meters at Lukla Airport that extends to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters. Trekking to Everest Base Camp usually takes 12-16 days via the customary trail of Sagarmatha National Park in the Khumbu region, wherein you walk for about 8-15 kilometers every day.

Being high-altitude and rocky grounds, the trekking trails to Everest Base Camp demand acclimatization at Namche Bazaar and, later, at Dingboche. The trek distance along with acclimatization, will fight off altitude sickness that would otherwise be threatening in this physically demanding adventure among Nepal trekking trails.

How does the Starting Point affect the distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The trekking distance covered could largely vary for the EBC Trek depending on which point you choose to begin it from. Some go straight from Lukla to Everest base camp, while others prefer to start from Jiri to have a longer trek, who choose more of the classic trailhead, and avoid the Lukla Flight as well. On the other hand, there goes a helicopter ride, a tour to EBC and Kala Patthar, which is short in time, and get the best aerial view over Everest, starting from Kathmandu, to Everest Base Camp. Below are the explanations of how the Everest Base Camp Trek distance varies according to the starting point.

Distance from Lukla to Everest Base Camp

The distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek starting from Lukla covers approximately 65 kilometers (40 miles). The traditional route before the Lukla Airport  was constructed 1,905 meters; it takes 18-21 days to complete this physically demanding trek. This shorter pathway is primarily liked by the trekkers due to its convenience and shorter length, with a trek featured by the Lukla Airport at an altitude of 2,850 meters. The trek to Everest Base Camp usually takes 12-16 days, and one treks across the rocky environment of the Sagarmatha National Park. Two vital acclimatization days are at Namche Bazaar and the Dingboche region, which are part of the trekking distance. The trekking distances per day range between 3 to 22 kilometers per day, and so, daily trekking is the most preferred trekking route where trekkers have an experience, especially new and old trekkers.

Distance From Jiri to Everest Base Camp

The total distance from Jiri to the Everest Base Camp Trekis generally 180 kilometers (112 miles) one way, which starts at Jiri with a height of 1,905 meters after taking a jeep drive and is concluded within 18-21 days, and stands out to be a physically demanding expedition. The Everest Base Camp via Jiri will only extend the overall trek by slightly more than 115 kilometers. This trek can hardly span 19 to 21 days because it requires additional time compared to the rest of the treks, and the trail passes through villages, forests, and valleys, which offer an excellent acclimatization option and an opportunity to avoid human traffic.

Distance Covered with Helicopter Tour to Everest Base Camp

Helicopter tour to Everest Base Camp  covers the same 130-kilometer route distance; however, it gets completed within a day, with a 5 to 6-hour heli ride directly to EBC and Kala Patthar, avoiding the long walking trail. The distance coverage with the standard itinerary remains the same; however, the helicopter ride avoids the walking distance and is completed within a day.

Some luxury helicopter tours do land at Base Camp, while others provide a birds-eye view of Mt Everest without landing. The well-known helicopter tours commonly fly into Lukla and then trek, or shorter treks get combined with helicopter returns. Such joins take the challengers out of high altitude, which otherwise causes altitude sickness, thereby allowing those who cannot adjust or find the physical demands of the trek up to Everest Base Camp too much, to access the Everest region.

How Long is the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Everest Base Camp Trek is an approximate distance of 130km (80 miles) round trip to Base Camp from Lukla. It measures about 65 kilometers (40 miles) each way through the shining venues of the area of Nepal, most popular as Everest. The trekking distance is 2,860 meters from Lukla Airport, which extends to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters. Trekking to Everest Base Camp usually takes 12-16 days via the customary trail of Sagarmatha National Park in the Khumbu region, wherein you walk for about 8-15 kilometers every day.

Whereas the Rapid Everest Base Camp Trek (short trek), of only 10 days, which is recently blooming, covers the same distance approximately. 130 kilometers, however, the daily distance varies, as you must complete this trip in a fast covering, 2 to 5 kilometers, more distance, and more elevation gain from 300 to 400 meters.

Being high-altitude and rocky grounds, the trekking trails to Everest Base Camp demand acclimatization at Namche Bazaar and, later, at Dingboche. The trek distance, combined with acclimatization, will help ward off altitude sickness that would otherwise be a threat in this physically demanding adventure among Nepal's trekking trails.

Nonetheless, the standard duration to the Everest Base Camp 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. 

How many kilometers or miles does the Everest Base Camp trek cover one way and round-trip?

From Lukla, the trek to Everest Base Camp is 144 kilometers one way or nearly 288 km when going back and forth. That is why every single minute stands the test of willpower during such long distances. When you are moving on toward Everest Base Camp, you will visit some of the renowned villages in the Khumbu region. While walking, you get the altitude gains along with the walks on rocky paths, and you have the suspension bridges that make you feel like you are on a swinging bridge at each of your strides. This trek normally takes anywhere between 13 to 18 days, depending on how many rest days you put in for acclimatizing. If you set aside each day the magnificent views of the Everest region and Sagarmatha National Park, you will have given yourself along with beautiful memories to cherish.

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. 

Major Acclimatization Points along the trekking route

Acclimatization days are very important in an EBC Trek. These special rest days will allow the body to acclimate to the thin air and the altitude. You are most likely to get altitude sickness and even fail to reach the Everest Base Camp unless you acclimatize correctly. The usual route specifically has three acclimatization stops, whereby the hikers will put in extra nights so as to guarantee their safety and well-being in completing the journey to the Everest Base Camp.

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a village located at an altitude of 3,440 meters (or 11286 feet) above sea level, and is also one of the key acclimatization points of trekkers on their way to Everest Base Camp. This is where the trekkers will spend the better part of their two or three nights going on the route, and that is what greatly increases the likelihood of passing safely to the Everest Base Camp.

Nowadays, this busy Sherpa town is full of luxury lodges, bakeries, and spectacular views of Mount Everest. During your acclimatization days, you can undertake a few short hikes because you will want to reach destinations that are at a similar altitude or higher. The Sherpa Museum at 3,600 meters, the Everest View Hotel located nearby at 3,880 meters, Khumjung village at 3,780 meters, or Shangboche Hill at 3,900 meters are some of the highlights of the Namche Bazaar rest day excursion. Therefore, Namche Bazaar is considered the gateway to the Everest region and the physiological complacent point prior to venturing into the tiring and higher altitudes of Sagarmatha National Park.

Dingboche

At 4,410 meters (14,469 feet), Dingboche is the second big acclimatization stop on the way to Everest Base Camp. Now, many split their trial for a short hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) and retreat down to sleep for further promotion of acclimatization. The village itself meant to woo any soul with amazing views of Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Lhotse. You would take a hike, working 550 meters up in elevation and return down to sleep in Dingboche during their acclimatization day. That's over 4,000 meters above sea level and an important step to combating altitude sickness so that you can then focus on the final descent, passing rocky terrain and climbing to Everest Base Camp. 

Lobuche

Considered the last rest stop before you get to Everest Base Camp, Lobuche is situated at an elevation of 4,920 meters or 16,141 feet. While not an actual day of acclimatization, this high-altitude village offers the last opportunity for the human body to adjust to extreme high-altitude conditions. The journey back to Gorak Shep via Everest Base Camp from Lobuche is about 7-8 hours of hard trekking. The trekking onward from Lobuche involves negotiating glacial moraines and boulder fields of the Everest Region. At this high altitude, most trekkers get a first taste of truly difficult physical conditions. Near the Khumbu Glacier and just by the Everest Memorial, Lobuche lets you get prepared for the final trek to the Everest Base Camp.

Daily Distance Covered and Elevation Gain on the Everest Base Camp Trek: Detailed Overview

Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding

The 35-minute flight to the Lukla Airport is very entertaining and the beginning of your expedition to the Everest Base Camp. After joining your porter, you set out on your first days walk alongside the Dudh Koshi River to the village of Phakding. This easy downhill walk through dense forests offers views of Kusum Kanguru peak. The trail is easy and suits your first days into the trek toward Everest Base Camp. Several suspension bridges will cross on your way through tiny Sherpa villages. This little bit of daily walking will allow your body to gradually adjust to the mountain air. The first evening is spent in a traditional tea house, marking the true beginning of the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Today, although the distance to the Everest Base Camp is the same as that of yesterday, the trek is significantly harder because there exist some extremely steep ascent in the trek. Because there are several suspension bridges over the River Dudh Koshi, you enter Sagarmatha National Park. In the midst of some rocky terrains with an array of colour from prayer flags, mani walls, and quaint little monasteries, the trail weaves. It comes down to another couple of hard hours of climbing up "Namche Hill" to the famed Sherpa capital. This high-altitude village at 3,440 metres signifies your first major acclimatization stop. The increased elevation can actually thin out the air, and this may leave you feeling marginally breathless at times, which is a very normal occurrence for this classic route to Everest Base Camp.

Acclimatization/Excursion Day at Namche Bazaar (Hike to Everest View Hotel)

An initial acclimatization day consists of a short trek to the world's highest luxury hotel. This excursion allows the body to adjust to altitude while also providing splendid views of the mountains. From the Everest View Hotel, Mt Everest, Cholatse, and Tabuche peaks can be viewed with all their glory. After having coffee with a mountain view, one descends back to Namche Bazaar for an excursion. Shop in the area stores selling souvenirs, take cheesecake pie in Swiss style in mountain bakeries and visit the Sherpa Museum. The acclimatization day may play a significant role in helping you prevent altitude sickness as you acclimatize to higher altitudes. Daily distances are easy, leaving plenty of time to rest, drink, and observe this bustling mountainous market capital of the Everest region.

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

The path now passes through the little colonies of rhododendrons and junipers in a huge sky created by the towering mountains. Stone paths are flanked by the sounds of the noisy mutter of the Dudh Koshi River and the waterfall of Pungi Thenga. The hiking is very easy with little hills and valleys, and Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam topping the horizon. It concludes at Tengboche Monastery, one of the great Buddhist monasteries of the Everest region. Inside this ancient monastery, monks chant, and Yeti legends come alive in the spiritual atmosphere. Distance-wise, the days give a great deal of preparation for higher altitude days while still maintaining a fairly comfortable trekking distance. At 3,885 meters, Tengboche will further enhance your process of altitude acclimatization as you continue this classical approach through the Sagarmatha National Park.

Tengboche to Dingboche

Quitting the spiritual environment meter Tengboche, our trek today is an up and down in the twisting alpine forests to the village of Dingboche, crossing an impressive Imja Khola suspension bridge, and staying in one of the larger villages of the Khumbu region, the village of Pangboche. Dining lunch with an attractive view of Ama Dablam. A very steep uphill climb fittingly completes the trail into Dingboche, leaving Somare behind. Dingboche is the second significant acclimatization point on the Mountain Everest Base Camp trek at 4,220 meters. The longer days and greater elevation gain allow the body to prepare. Accommodation tonight is well above 4000 meters, making for great strides toward Everest Base Camp.

Acclimatization Day at Dingboche 

Your second day of acclimatization will be marked by a serious Nokartshang peak hike that sits at 5100 meters. This day is vital to acclimatization since tomorrow's altitude gain will skyrocket. The steep climb brings with it compelling 360-degree mountain views in the company of Makalu, Tabuche, Tharmseku, and Cholatse peaks. Taking advantage of this high-altitude hike for the body's acclimatization makes it among the best days for mountain photography. Descending from the summit, you head back to Dingboche village to rest and float around. Such elevation gain during a day allows the body to produce more red blood cells that are of great necessity in coping with extreme altitude. This day spending for acclimatization is important to help prevent altitude sickness while you would later need all the strength for the final push toward Everest Base Camp via increasingly physically demanding terrain. 

Dingboche to Lobuche

The day hike today will be an ascending hike to a high-altitude area. Gradual elevation gain routes through Pheriche valley finally bring you onto Thukla pass. These are stone tombstones to those who dared to climb Mt Everest and their prayer flags are dancing above them in all colors. It is such a moving moment that reminds us of the mountain's trials and the valiance of past mountaineers. After a reverent pause, you continue this short climbing stretch towards Lobuche village at 4,970 meters. Much of the day will see you hiking through rocky terrain in thin air and depending on your fitness level, it might be physically demanding! But considering how close you've managed to get to Everest Base Camp, that's nothing to worry about. Lobuche is basically your last stay before the big one, situated by the Khumbu Glacier right in the heart of the Everest region.

Lobuche to Gorak Shep, then to EBC and return to Gorak Shep

Dreamed days like these have all culminated into this one, where the ultimate achievement is reached by a trip to Everest base camp. In the early morning, you have a 3-hour walk continuing to Gorak Shep crossing moraine and rocky terrain. Later in the afternoon, have an extra 2.5-3 hours up Everest Base Camp at 5,364m, crossing the renowned Khumbu Glacier territory and Icefall. At EBC, colorful tents of the expeditions will catch your eye, and an unforgettable moment of achievement will set in, having reached the base of the world's highest mountain. Here one can have panoramic views of Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse and of Mount Everest itself. This is an exhausting day and the climax of your trek to Everest Base Camp. After a celebration and photoshoot, descend back to Gorak Shep for overnight accommodation. Being the longest distance to be covered at such a high altitude makes it the most challenging yet the most rewarding day of your entire trek to Everest Base Camp.

Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar to Pangboche

The Kala Patthar (5,545 meters) is where you find that classic snap of Everest and is reasonably known that this trek is worth every step climbed as you can see the mountains of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori during the dawn. Once you have absorbed this thrilling experience, you will probably want to descend back to Gorak Shep to have breakfast then head off on your extended walk to Pangboche. The same trail you took on the way comes back through Lobuche, Thukla, and Pheriche villages, and it's almost as much walking as you did on a single day in the previous days. It is indeed a very demanding day in the physical sense, combining the highest altitude of this trek with a big descent. This steep altitude change from 5,545 meters to 4,220 meters helps you recover in the face of extreme high altitude exposure while trekking through some familiar Nepal trekking trails, trekking through the Everest region.

Pangboche to Namche Bazaar

The long trek of today takes us down the Pangboche to Tengboche to Namche Bazaar. Despite being huge kilometers each day, the descent renders this day the easiest and most comfortable of all. You cross those familiar suspension bridges and walk through dense forests that you already crossed on the ascension. A back walk takes us through the rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages. A hike to the Namche Bazaar is like getting back to civilization whenever one has only experienced the wilderness at high altitude. This massive decrease in altitude has been extremely beneficial to the body, and this is because of the altitudes in Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. It would be very good to have all this good food and hot showers, and bustling atmosphere of a world-famous Sherpa capital tonight. The cozy tea house accommodations in Namche come as a welcome luxury after the hard days spent in the hard, high-altitude environment of the Everest region.

Namche Bazaar to Lukla

The last day on the trek will be a retrace of the first day, trekking with the Dudh Koshi River on the trek with a route through Sherpa regions such as Monjo and Benkar. The long daily walk is over familiar territory now but going downhill makes it bearable; after all, too much uphill was already achieved with so many high-altitude treks. The trail exits from the Sagarmatha National Park and passes by its entry one more time. The route is more or less the same as the one you traversed during Day 2, only this time, you are a trained mountain hiker and have reached Everest Base Camp. After this most spectacular trek to the Everest Base Camp, Lukla becomes the finishing point. It is your final evening in the Everest region; therefore, it would be pretty proper, probably, to have a party with your guides and porters who managed to take you to the base camp of Everest successfully. Losing altitude here will mean retreating back to comfortable altitudes and readying oneself for tomorrow's flight back to Kathmandu.

Lukla to Kathmandu (Flight)

The last walk in the Everest region will be to Lukla Airport. As you fly over the rugged terrain of mountains upon which you've just trekked, you'll be thrilled to witness some aerial views of Nepal's trekking trails and peaks you conquered. Landing in Kathmandu will take one back to sea-level comfort after days of being at extreme altitude. You shall have a farewell dinner tonight to commemorate your achievement of completing one of the world's most demanding treks. A trek completion certificate shall be handed to you, recognizing your successful trip to reach Everest Base Camp. Over 12 days, through Sagarmatha National Park, an astounding personal achievement has taken place as the total trek distance was covered. 

Highest Point On EBC Trek:1360 Meters to 5545 Meters at Kalapatthar 

The altitude starts out at 1,360 meters above Kathmandu and continues straight up to the Kala Patthar at 5,545 meters. This is a huge rise or descent of about 4,000 m on your hike to the Everest Base Camp. Then, the process of gradual elevation to the Everest area starts and the first step will be a flight to the small town situated at 2,860 meters above sea level called Lukla. It is worth noting that the highest altitude to a standard trekking trail is not at the base camp of Everest which is 5,364 meters but rather at Kala Patthar which is the best scenic site of Mt. Everest. The issue of a trekking route in Nepal is primarily its elevation change. Elevation change is the major challenge faced by a trekking route in Nepal. It is the height difference from sea level to Kala Patthar that makes it a very tough trek requiring proper acclimatization and preparation against altitude sickness because somehow the mountain air is thin which means less oxygen to breathe.

How does Everest Base Camp Elevation Gain Impact Altitude Sickness?

The risk of altitude sickness brings an important element into the considerations of the Everest Base Camp trekking. With increased altitude in the Everest region, the air becomes thinner as reduced oxygen is present. The body finds it hard to remain in intoxication with the low oxygen level, especially when the upward climb is too swift. Thus, the trek itinerary provides days of acclimatization at the Namche Bazaar and Dingboche in the itinerary. Some symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, tiredness, anorexia, dizziness, and even insomnia. These symptoms are introduced by an inability of the body to rapidly adapt to the high-altitude conditions and rapid changes in weather and temperature. The trek distance and expeditions are accordingly designed to prevent serious ailments. Most of the trekkers get some kind of mild altitude sickness above 3,000 meters, so proper acclimatization is essential. A Classic route includes rest days that allow the body to build additional red blood cells to be well-adapted to another demanding day of trekking to Everest Base Camp.

Know more about the Everest Base Camp Challenges in our recently updated blog.

Essential Tips to Mitigate the Risk of EBC Trek

• Look for a competent guide from the area who is aware of the surroundings, weather and the most suitable places for resting on the trail. A good guide will avoid making you wander off track so that the trip is shorter.
• Start your walk on shorter hiking days 5-6 hours. This way, your body gradually adjusts to the walking and the altitude. Your body will appreciate you once you get to more challenging treks. 
• Start your hike at around 7-8 am so that you reach the camp before noon, when it gets warm. Consistent wake/sleep times amidst regular dietary habits can get your body to adapt to the unfamiliar time. Travel with just the basics and keep the weight of the backpack around 10-12 kg. If you find your baggage heavier for you, hiring a porter is an option.
• Provide 3-4 liters of water for your body and eat the kind of foods that will give you much-needed energy while high up in those elevated areas.
• Trekking poles are excellent instruments used to take the weight off your knees and to maintain balance on uneven paths. They actually are of assistance and relief in walking longer distances with reduced pain, particularly downhill.
• Carbohydrate food such as rice, pasta and potatoes have energy to walk using minutes. It will also give you good continual energy as you make a point of eating a healthy breakfast and daily snack of nuts, chocolate bars and energy bars.
• Give rest days for acclimatization, especially when you reach 3,000 meters. Acclimatization will help avert the dangers of altitude sickness, which will lead to the postponement of the hiking or the cancellation of the whole tour.
• 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.
• Check weather updates every morning at the tea houses along EBC or from the guides, so that your day can be planned accordingly.

Total Everest Base Camp Trek Length in km (Kilometers)

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 the 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: 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. 

Everest Base Camp via Road

If you want the flying option, you can start trekking from Salleri, which is one of the oldest trails to reach Everest Base Camp by road. 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 the trek. 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.

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. 

EBC Trek With Helicopter Return

The 11-day itinerary of theEverest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return trek is a combination of 65 km hiking tours following a comfortable flight to the Kathmandu-Lukla routes. You arrive at the Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar after trekking in the Sherpa settlements that include the Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Lobuche. As opposed to going back on foot, you travel by VIP helicopter from Gorak Shep to Kathmandu instead, conserving numerous hours and energy. Therefore, it is an itinerary suitable for people who desire the traditional Everest experience with the ease of a fast and comfortable turnaround.

Everest Base Camp Elevation Profile and Daily Distance Coverage

Suggestive Tips for the Preparation of EBC Trek Distance and Elevation Gain

• 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.
• Rice, pasta and potatoes are carbohydrates that give you energy to walk. Have a good breakfast and carry snacks like nuts, chocolate bars and energy bars to consume on the way throughout 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”. 

Packing List For Long, Long-Hour Trek to Everest Base Camp 

• Make sure you bring layers with you as it gets very cold in the wild! Put moisture-wicking clothing against your skin, then layer it with something more insulating like a fleece or down jacket and finally a layer of a rainproof jacket.
• You should carry a down sleeping bag suitable for temperatures down to -10°C to -15°C because the teahouses are usually not heated except in areas used by all.
• Your feet will take you over rocky terrain, through snow, and over some demanding ground. They must possess water resistance, an insulated sole, and grip. Break-in duration is essential before your trek. High-ankle boots are better for support on uneven terrain.
• Going uphill, trekking poles act as assistance in pushing and downhill, they take the weight off the knees and help prevent falls. The balance can well become a lifesaver while walking in rugged terrain.
• Carry a good headlamp becomes an essential item. LED headlamps are best. It should have a red light to help preserve your night vision. 
• High sun reflection off snow and ice at high altitudes comes in burning. You would want to slap on high SPF sunscreen (SPF 50 minimum), wear good quality sunglasses that offer UV protection, and maybe even wear a sun hat. Glacier sunglasses would work best.
• There should be blister bandages, pain medicine, stomach medicine and altitude sickness pills in the first aid kit. More importantly, if recommended by your doctor, consider taking altitude sickness medicine such as Diamox. Put in common medicines for headaches, stomach problems, and cuts.  
• Carry a 2-3 liter capacity drinking water bottle and keep water purification tablets or purchase a filter for your water before your journey.

FAQs

How the starting point affect the distance of EBC trek?

The distance of trek to Everest Base Camp is altered fully depending on your starting point. This would be 65 km one way compared to 180 km one way, starting at Lukla or Jiri, respectively.

How many total kilometers and miles are covered in EBC hike?

Everest Base Camp is a 130 km round trip starting and ending at Lukla where trekking to EBC and back is coupled with the ascent to Kala Patthar.

Which is the longest duration hike while trekking Everest Base Camp?

Pheriche to Namche Bazaar may be the longest on a single day, a distance of 22 kilometers (13.7 miles), 8-9 hours. The trek distance consists of downhill walking using a series of villages around the Everest region.

Can I succeed to cover the EBC trek as a beginner?

Beginners can accomplish the Everest Base Camp trek if well prepared. The classic route has a few acclimatization days and gradual elevation gain, but it is physically demanding and requires good fitness along with some degree of mental preparation combined with strict observance of the trek itinerary.

What is the daily elevation gain during the trek?

Gain in elevation every day on the Everest Base Camp trail is 200-700 meters; however, it depends on the day. During acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, you will go up 400 meters to 550 meters and then descend quite a bit to spend the night at a lower altitude; somehow, this helps prevent altitude sickness.

Can a senior citizen cover the EBC length and elevation gain?

Well, with proper training and a green signal from the doctor, many senior citizens have trekked to Everest Base Camp. It is the best consideration of super fitness, slower pace, extra acclimatization days, and possibly luxury trek options with helicopter support.

What is the highest altitude gain this trek covers?

Kala Patthar is the highest point of EBC Trek and it is 5,545 meters in altitude. This implies 4,000 meters in ascent originating in Kathmandu which is at 1,360 meters.

Conclusion

The total distance coverage of 130 kilometers may come across as a quite manageable trekking distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek, but traversing it is a demanding journey across the Everest region. From Lukla to Kala Patthar, every step of this trek journey tests one with a thin atmosphere and rocky terrain, but it is interspersed with many attractive views of the highest mountains. Whether classic route-wise or an Everest luxury trek, or a helicopter tour, planning really counts for the trek. An ascent of 2,860 meters to 5,545 meters is surely deserving of appreciation and patience, not to mention preparation. You have a lot of options to choose from that suit your needs, may 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 a varied Everest Base Camp package and can be easily customized. You can WhatsApp or call us on +977 9851016814 or contact us via email: info@destinationhimalayatreks.com. Contact Us for more information.