Solukhumbu District, Nepal
Everest Base Camp Trek:
the complete 2026 guide
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a non-technical route of 12 to 21 days through the Khumbu Valley, climbing from Lukla at 2,860 m to Base Camp at 5,364 m.
Route to Base Camp
Currently near Lukla · 2,860 m
Overview
The trek at a glance
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a non-technical multi-day trekking route in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, following the southern approach to Everest through Sagarmatha National Park to the South Base Camp beside the Khumbu Glacier. Whether a licensed guide is legally required is unresolved: the Nepal Tourism Board lists Everest Base Camp as guide-required, the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has declined to apply the rule, and no official notice has settled the dispute.
2,860m
Start: Lukla
5,364m
End: Base Camp
130km
Round trip
12–21days
Duration
17
Routes
Itineraries
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary Variations
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road: 18 Days (No Lukla Flight)
Classic Everest Base Camp Trek: 14 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek with Kids: 15-Day Family Itinerary
Everest Base Camp + Gokyo Lakes Trek: 17 Days
EBC Trek with Helicopter Return: 10 Days
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour: 1 Day from Kathmandu
Everest Base Camp + Island Peak Climbing: 18 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek via Jiri: 21 Days
LGBTQ+ Everest Base Camp Trek: 14 Days
Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek: 14 Days
Everest Panorama Trek: 9 Days
Everest Base Camp Trek for Seniors: 16-Day Slow-Paced Itinerary
Everest Base Camp Trek: 12 Days
Everest Base Camp Stargazing Trek: 15-Day Astronomy Itinerary
Everest Three High Passes Trek: 20 Days
Women's Everest Base Camp Trek: 15-Day Women-Only Departure
Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek: 16-Day Yoga & Meditation Itinerary
Not sure which fits? Tell us your time and fitness level →
Difficulty
Compare Trek Difficulty by Itinerary
Maximum elevation reached and difficulty rating for each of the 17 itinerary variations. Difficulty depends on pace, altitude exposure, and terrain, more than how high the route goes alone.
Elevation
Everest Base Camp Trek Elevation by Day
The region
Explore the Everest Region
Where the trail actually goes
All 22 destinations →The trail runs from Lukla (2,860 m) through Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Tengboche (3,860 m) to the Khumbu Glacier, with Kala Patthar (5,644 m) as its highest viewpoint.
3,440 m
Namche Bazaar
The Khumbu's trading and administrative hub, and the mandatory first two-night acclimatisation stop.
3,860 m
Tengboche
Home to the largest and most significant monastery in the Khumbu, with panoramic Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam views.
5,644 m
Kala Patthar
The actual Everest summit viewpoint, 280 m higher than Base Camp, and positioned to clear Nuptse's ridge.
5,486 m
Khumbu Icefall
The dramatic, constantly shifting river of ice rising directly above Everest Base Camp.
Beyond Base Camp
All related treks →Some of these extend an Everest Base Camp itinerary, such as Gokyo Ri and Island Peak; others, such as Pikey Peak, are separate trips.
Seasons
Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp
- Peak season
- Shoulder season
- Monsoon
March – May
Spring
Brings blooming rhododendron forest below Namche and steadily warmer days, with cloud building earlier in the day as the season goes on. Daytime temperatures at Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) typically reach 10–15°C, dropping below freezing overnight; at Gorak Shep (5,164 m), nights regularly fall to −15°C or lower.
October – November
Autumn
Usually the steadiest weather and Lukla flying of the year, though not storm-free: heavy snow hit the upper Khumbu in late September and again from late October into November 2026, so carry buffer days. Namche daytime temperatures sit around 8–12°C, with Gorak Shep nights well below freezing. September is still a wet transition month.
December – February
Winter
Often brings clear skies but the coldest nights. Gorak Shep can drop to −20°C or colder. Fewer trekkers on the trail, but some high lodges reduce services.
June – September
Monsoon
Brings daily afternoon rainfall, leech activity at lower elevations, and a higher Lukla flight cancellation rate due to cloud cover. Namche stays a humid 15–20°C by day; views above Tengboche are frequently obscured.
Safety
Altitude Sickness on the EBC Trek
Lake Louise Score: self-assessment reference
| Symptom | Score 0–3 |
|---|---|
| Headache | 0–3 |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | 0–3 |
| Fatigue / weakness | 0–3 |
| Dizziness / light-headedness | 0–3 |
A total of 3 or more with a headache means AMS: stop ascending and rest. Descend if symptoms worsen or the score reaches 6. Confusion, loss of coordination or breathlessness at rest means descend immediately, whatever the score. Above 3,000 m, aim for no more than 500 m of sleeping elevation gain per night, with a rest day every 3–4 days. Plan 2 nights at Namche (3,440 m) and 2 nights at Dingboche (4,410 m).
Permits & cost
Everest Base Camp Trek Permits and Cost
| Requirement | Fee (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Sagarmatha National Park entry | NPR 3,000foreigners; 13% VAT may be added, verify current rate |
| Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee | NPR 3,000non-SAARC foreigners, paid in person at Lukla or Monjo |
| TIMS card | Not collected in practicethe Nepal Tourism Board still lists this route, so confirm with your operator |
| Licensed guide | Legally unresolvedthe Nepal Tourism Board lists this route as guide-required; the municipality declines to apply the rule |
Fees can change without much notice. Confirm current rates with your operator before departure.
Illustrative per-person cost breakdown2 pax private, budget–mid range, USD
Why this guide
What Makes This Guide Different From Every Other EBC Site
Interactive AMS Self-Assessment
A real Lake Louise Score tool, scored live, beyond a bullet list of symptoms.
Read morePer-Checkpoint Cost Breakdown
Room, shower, WiFi, and charging costs at each stop from Phakding to Gorak Shep.
Read moreManthali Airport Full Guide
The pre-dawn Ramechhap logistics most sites cover in a single sentence.
Read morePorter Welfare Standards
IPPG load limits, fair wages, and how to identify a responsible operator.
Read moreJournal
From the Blog
comparison
Kala Patthar vs Everest Base Camp: Which One Actually Shows You the Summit?
Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) does not have a view of Everest's summit. Nuptse's west ridge blocks it. Kala Patthar (5,644 m), 280 m higher, is the actual summit viewpoint.
logistics
The Manthali (Ramechhap) Airport Situation: A Complete 2026 Guide
Since 2019, most spring and autumn Lukla flights depart from Manthali (Ramechhap), 132 km and a 4-5 hour drive from Kathmandu. The full 2026 picture: why it happens, what the morning looks like, and three ways to avoid it.
comparison
EBC vs Annapurna Circuit: Which Nepal Trek Should You Choose?
Everest Base Camp (5,364 m, NPR 6,000 in permits) is a there-and-back Khumbu trek; the Annapurna Circuit (Thorong La, 5,416 m, NPR 3,000 ACAP permit) is a longer loop through more varied terrain at a lower permit cost.
Everest Trekking Guide is an Everest-region trekking agency, guiding trekkers to Base Camp and across the Khumbu since 2016.
Enquiries
Plan Your Everest Base Camp Trek
Frequently Asked Questions
The legal position is unresolved. The Nepal Tourism Board has required licensed guides since April 2023 and still lists Everest Base Camp among its guide-required routes. The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, whose jurisdiction covers the EBC route, has declined to apply that rule and says guides are recommended, not compulsory. No official notice settling the dispute has been found as of November 2026, reports of enforcement at Monjo are anecdotal, and a pending Tourism Bill could change the position. Confirm the current rule with your operator or the Tourism Board before planning to go without a guide. Most trekkers choose a licensed guide for altitude judgement and logistics support.