Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: 12 & 14 Days
When I was planning my Everest Base Camp trek, I had to do some research for the itinerary. I was worried about the altitude and wanted to follow an itinerary that takes acclimatization into account. In the end, I decided to go for a 14-day itinerary (including travel) but I left it flexible in case I needed more time to finish it.
In total, my Everest Base Camp trek itinerary included 11 days of trekking and 3 days of travel. I took the jeep to Surke instead of flying to Lukla, so in case you fly, you can complete it in 12-13 days (if all flights are on time).
In addition, make sure to have an acclimatization day in Namche and another one in Dingboche. Acclimatization days are key to complete the EBC trek. I met a few trekkers who rushed through the trek without proper acclimatization and ultimately, they felt unwell, had to turn back and couldn’t complete the trek.
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Everest Base Camp Trek Information
Best Time to Trek Everest Base Camp
The best time to trek Everest Base Camp is in late autumn (November) and spring (March-May).
In recent years, the monsoon lasted until the middle of October, so I only recommend planning treks in Nepal from the end of October onwards. When it’s rainy, the road and air travel is affected, plus the weather can be snowy and rainy on the trek which make it more challenging.
Then the weather is pretty good from November to mid-December. It starts to get cold in December, but it is still sunny during the day. It usually only snows from the end of December onwards, but weather can be unpredictable, and each year it can start to snow earlier or later.
As for spring, treks even starting from mid-February onwards are ideal. The weather is clear in February, but it is not as busy yet as from March onwards. The climbing season is from April-May, so if you want to see the tents at the base camp, then that’s the best time to go!
Altitude
The highest altitude on the Everest Base Camp trek is at Kala Patthar (5,643 m/18,514 ft) and Everest Base Camp (5,364 m /17,598 ft).
The highest point where you sleep during the trek is at Gorakshep at 5,164 m/ 16,942 ft. From Gorakshep you walk to see Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp.
Difficulty
I found Everest Base Camp is fine to complete if you have an average fitness level but what makes it difficult is the altitude and the length of the trek. After completing the trek, I would rate it moderate to difficult.
When I set out to trek EBC, I was worried about the altitude, so I made an itinerary to ascend slowly and planned one acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar and another acclimatization day in Dingboche.
Ultimately, my body adjusted well to the altitude, but I still found the trek a bit more difficult than other treks in Nepal (Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang, Mardi Himal). The Everest Base Camp trek is longer and you spend half of the trek in altitude above 4,000 meters (13,123 ft).
Even if your body adjusts to altitude, it is not that easy to walk as there is less oxygen in the air. I found that on my other treks in Nepal, it was much easier for me to descend back to lower altitude, but on the Everest Base Camp trek, even descending took an effort until I reached around Namche Bazaar.
Permits
You need two permits for the Everest Base Camp trek, one for the national park and one for the municipality entry permit. They are the Sagarmatha National Park Permit (Rs. 3,000/ USD 22), and the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Municipality entry permit (Rs. 3,000/ USD 22).
I got the permits when I was already on the trek. At the beginning of the trek, there is a checkpoint in Monjo where you can buy both permits. For me, it was easier to get the permits during the trek than to go to the permit office in Kathmandu. Both options are good depending on your preference.
The permits are usually included in trek packages run by trekking agencies. So, if you book a package, then most likely you don’t have to worry about getting the permits as the agency will organize it for you.
Trekking Guide Rule
You can trek Everest Base Camp without a guide, but if you are not familiar with trekking in Nepal, then I recommend hiring a guide.
Having a guide is great as they can tell you about Nepali culture and plan the itinerary for your trek (can be adjusted based on your preferences). I also hired a guide for my first trek in Nepal, but now after 8+ treks, I usually trek solo.
The trekking guides charge around USD 30 per day, and if you are trekking with friends, then the cost is split between the group members. The best is to hire a guide through a certified trekking agency in Thamel and check their reviews on Google.
When I was trekking Everest Base Camp, I found the trail easy to follow, there are lots of other trekkers (especially in high season), and the teahouses are safe even for solo female trekkers. Nevertheless, you should remain cautious if you trek alone, talk with locals and guides on the way, and plan an itinerary that takes acclimatization into account.
Network Coverage & Wifi Access
The wifi and internet access is pretty good throughout the trek. In the lower altitudes (Lukla, Phakding, Namche, Tengboche), mobile network works, and you can use either internet through a local Nepali SIM or through the free wifi at teahouses.
In higher altitudes (Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep), you’ll have to buy wifi cards to use wifi. The wifi cards only work in the teahouses but I found them pretty good.
When deciding which Nepali SIM card to get, I recommend getting the one by Nepal Telecom (Namaste) as it works better on the EBC trek. For example, it also has network coverage in Dingboche.
There is another Nepali SIM too, NCell, but it works less in mountainous areas. I have NCell and whenever I go trekking, my SIM is less reliable.
Everest Base Camp Trek Map
The Everest Base Camp trek goes through the villages of Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorakshep. To help acclimatization, it is recommended to spend an additional acclimatization day in Namche and Dingboche.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
If you follow a classic itinerary for Everest Base Camp (trekking to EBC and Kala Patthar, and adding acclimatization days), then usually it takes 11 days of trekking to complete the trek, plus you have to add travel days to the itinerary.
Most trekking agencies sell packages for 14-days EBC trek which take into consideration the arrival and departure days in Kathmandu, plus travel to and from Lukla. There can be delays with flights, so it is good to have 2-3 buffer days before your departure flight to go back home.
Everest Base Camp Trek 12 Days Itinerary (With Flight to Lukla)
If you plan to fly to Lukla and the flights go on time, then you can complete the EBC (with travel days included) in 12 days from Kathmandu. It may be tight on time, so you should add extra days, but if all goes to plan, then it is a possibility.
You can hire a guide through a trekking agency in Kathmandu, and in this case, the guide would probably only meet you in Lukla after you arrive. Then, you pay the guide, and pay for your food, accommodation and other expenses as pay as you go.
If you have more time, you can also extend your trip and spend more time in each village or go to Gokyo Lake.
- Day 1: Flight from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla (2,840 m/9,318 ft), trek to Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft): 3 hours walk
- Day 2: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 3: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day: Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m/12,730 ft): 2 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 4: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,810 m/ 12,500 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 5: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m/ 14,469 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 6: Dingboche Acclimatization Day: Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m/16,677 ft): 3 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 7: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft): 4 hours walk + break
- Day 8: Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft) to Gorakshep (5,140 m/16,864 ft) to EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) (night in Gorakshep): 6-7 hours walk + breaks
- Day 9: Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5,643 m/18,514 ft) to Pangboche (3,930 m/ 12,894 ft): 7-8 hours walk + breaks
- Day 10: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft): 7-8 hours walk + breaks
- Day 11: Trek from Namche to Lukla (2,840 m/9,318 ft): 6-7 hours walk + breaks
- Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu Flight
Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days Itinerary (With Flight to Lukla)
The Everest Base Camp Trek 14-days itinerary is similar to the 12-day itinerary, but the only difference is that the 14-day itineraries are usually offered by trekking agencies and they include buffer days in Kathmandu.
The advantage of booking with a trekking agency is that you don’t have to stress too much about organizing the trek, and once you land in Nepal, everything is organized for you.
You can also spend as much time in the Everest Region as you wish. If you don’t need a trek package and have plenty of time, you can hire only a trekking guide and make a unique, customized trek itinerary that includes all the places you wish to visit.
- Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 2: Flight from Kathmandu/Ramechhap to Lukla (2,840 m/9,318 ft), trek to Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft): 3 hours walk
- Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 4: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day: Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m/12,730 ft): 2 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,810 m/ 12,500 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 6: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m/ 14,469 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatization Day: Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m/16,677 ft): 3 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft): 4 hours walk + break
- Day 9: Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft) to Gorakshep (5,140 m/16,864 ft) to EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) (night in Gorakshep): 6-7 hours walk + breaks
- Day 10: Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5,643 m/18,514 ft) to Pangboche (3,930 m/ 12,894 ft): 7-8 hours walk + breaks
- Day 11: Trek from Pangboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft): 7-8 hours walk + breaks
- Day 12: Trek from Namche to Lukla (2,840 m/9,318 ft): 6-7 hours walk + breaks
- Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu Flight
- Day 14: Departure
Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days Itinerary (Without Flight to Lukla)
It’s also possible to complete the EBC trek in 14 days if you travel to the trek start point by road (without flying to Lukla). It is a bit more tiring as the jeep drive takes long, however, it is a good option if you are on a budget.
This is the itinerary I followed for my EBC trek and to be honest, I found the jeep drive exhausting (especially on the way back). Maybe one better option is to take the jeep at the beginning of the trip, and then fly out of Lukla on the way back.
With this itinerary, I had 3.5 days of travel and 10.5 days of trekking. After I arrived at the trek start point (Surke), I followed pretty much the classic itinerary on the way up (including an acclimatization day in Namche and another one in Dingboche).
I went up pretty slowly but had no issues with altitude. I decided if I have the energy, I’ll trek a bit faster on the way down. (and ultimately no, I didn’t have that much energy by the end to be like a trail runner).
In this itinerary, I only trekked to Everest Base Camp, and skipped the hike to Kala Patthar. If you add the hike to Kala Patthar then this itinerary has to be extended by one more day (making it 15 days).
Here is the 14 days Everest Base Camp trek itinerary I followed:
- Day 1: Kathmandu to Salleri Jeep/Bus (12 hours travel)
- Day 2: Salleri to Surke Jeep (10 hours travel)
- Day 3: Surke (2,280 m/7,480 ft) to Phakding (2,610 m/8,563 ft): 4 hours walk
- Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11,286 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 5: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization Day: Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m/12,730 ft): 2 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,810 m/ 12,500 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 7: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410 m/ 14,469 ft): 5-6 hours walk + breaks
- Day 8: Dingboche Acclimatization Day: Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m/16,677 ft): 3 hours walk up, 1 hour walk down
- Day 9: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft): 4 hours walk + break
- Day 10: Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft) to Gorakshep (5,140 m/16,864 ft) to EBC (5,364 m/17,598 ft) to Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft): 7-8 hours walk + breaks
- Day 11: Lobuche (4,910 m/16,109 ft) to Kyangjuma (3,610 m/11,844 ft): 8-9 hours walk
- Day 12: Kyangjuma (3,610 m/11,844 ft) to Monjo (2,800 m/ 9,190 ft): 4-5 hours walk
- Day 13: Monjo to Surke trek (4-5 hours walk), Surke to Salleri jeep (10 hours jeep travel)
- Day 14: Salleri to Kathmandu Jeep (12 hours travel)
Everest Base Camp Packing List
The best plan is to pack only the essential items for your trek and avoid overpacking.
Planning your packing list also depends on whether you have a porter for the trek or not. I trekked without a porter and to be honest, looking back, I wish I had a porter.
For all my treks in Nepal, I have always carried my backpack, so had become pretty good at packing only a few essential items. However, the Everest Base Camp trek is almost two weeks long, you trek many days in high altitude, so the comfort of having a porter can make a big difference.
Porters usually charge around USD 20 per day and should only carry the bags of 2 trekkers (10 kg/ 22 lbs per trekker).
If you trek without a porter, then take a small backpack (30-32L) and only take the most essential items. I trekked Everest Base Camp with a 28L backpack, here you can grab my packing list.
Everest Base Camp Cost
In total, I spent Rs. 51,600 (USD 360) on my 14-day Everest Base Camp trek which comes to an average USD 26 per day. In lower altitudes, I spent less, while in higher altitude (Lobuche, Gorakshep) there were days I spent USD 40-45 per day.
My spending includes food, accommodation, permits, wifi, charging, hot shower, and snacks. It excludes guide and porter fees, and transport costs. I consider that my spending was on the lower end as I didn’t buy that many snacks and didn’t have alcohol during the trek.
For transport costs, budget USD 225 for flight to Lukla (one-way) or USD 35 (one-way) if you go by road to the EBC start point.
If you hire a trekking guide and porter, then also budget USD 30 per day for a trekking guide and USD 20 per day for a porter.
Overall, I thought that the Everest Base Camp trek is not that massively expensive to be out of reach, but once I was on the trek, what made my EBC costs higher was buying wifi cards and charging phones in high altitude.
Accommodation on the Everest Base Camp Trek
The accommodation on the EBC trek is in teahouses. Teahouses are traditional Nepali accommodation on trekking routes in Nepal. They are a little bit basic but they have everything necessary you need during the trek.
Teahouses have two types of rooms: one with attached toilet and one with shared toilets. The prices are Rs. 500-1,000 (USD 3.50-7) for rooms with shared toilets, and Rs. 1,500-3,000 (USD 10-21) for rooms with attached toilet. I would say if you want to make the trek more comfortable, it is better to get the rooms with a private toilet.
The teahouses on the EBC trek are also bigger than on other trekking routes in Nepal, and they can accommodate a lot of people. I was trekking solo and could book a teahouse on the spot even in peak season.
I heard many stories of having to pre-book teahouses, but I found that it is not necessary because the capacity of teahouses is built to accommodate the large number of trekkers each season.
Everest Base Camp Posts
Need help to plan your trek to Everest Base Camp? Check out my posts here:
➡️ Everest Base Camp Trek Cost
➡️ How fit do you have to be for Everest Base Camp?
➡️ Wifi and internet access on Everest Base Camp trek
➡️ Is Everest Base Camp Trek safe for solo female travelers?
FAQs: Everest Base Camp Itinerary: 12 & 14 Days
How many days do you need for Everest Base Camp Trek?
If everything goes well, you need around 11-12 days to trek EBC, 2 days for travelling to and from Lukla (trek start point), and 2-3 days for buffer in case of delays.
People usually complete the Everest Base Camp trek in 12-14 days, but it can take longer if you spend more time in villages or want to go on a side trip to Gokyo.
Can a beginner go to Everest Base Camp?
Yes, even beginners can complete Everest Base Camp but you have to prepare mentally and physically. You don’t need to be an athlete to complete the trek but you should be fine to walk for 6-7 hours a day and build in acclimatization days into your itinerary, so that your body adjusts to the altitude.
Conclusion
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is one of those once in a lifetime opportunity that if you do decide to trek it, make sure to have sufficient time to complete it. Not just to have enough time for the trek, but also to have buffer days in Kathmandu in case your flight is delayed and you have to adjust your plans.
The Everest Base Camp can be completed in around 11-12 days of trekking, plus 1-2 days of travel days from Kathmandu to Lukla.
Once you are on the trek, it is best to follow an itinerary that goes up slow and have acclimatization days along the trek. It is better to take your time and acclimatize, then to go up too fast and have to turn back because you feel unwell.
I had acclimatization days in Namche and Dingboche and it helped greatly for my body to adjust to the altitude. I took the jeep to the trek start point, but if you are not on a super tight budget, it is much better to take the flight as it is much faster.
