Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
Everest Base Camp Trek
Khumbu Valley, Solukhumbu District
Distance
130 km
Duration
12–14 days from Lukla
Elevation gain
4,500 m
Difficulty
HardPermits required — USD ~$70 in permits (TIMS card ~$20 + Sagarmatha National Park entry ~$50). Teahouse accommodation USD $5–15/night; meals extra.
Best season
March–May (pre-monsoon) and October–November (post-monsoon)
Check current trail conditions
Track closures, snow conditions, hut availability, and safety alerts update daily. Always check before departing.
About this trail
The world's most famous high-altitude trek, reaching Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and Kala Patthar viewpoint (5,545m) through the heart of the Khumbu Sherpa homeland. The route follows the Dudh Koshi river valley from Lukla Airport through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, and the high camp villages of Dingboche and Lobuche. The trek requires acclimatisation days at Namche (2 nights) and Dingboche. The final prize is Kala Patthar at dawn — the finest view of Everest available without mountaineering.
Highlights
- ✓Namche Bazaar — the main Sherpa trading town and acclimatisation hub (3,440m)
- ✓Tengboche Monastery — Buddhist monastery with Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam backdrop
- ✓Ama Dablam — the most beautiful mountain view on the trek
- ✓Everest Base Camp (5,364m) — the southern base camp used by Everest expeditions
- ✓Kala Patthar sunrise (5,545m) — the single best Everest viewpoint accessible without mountaineering
🚌 Getting there
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) — 35-minute mountain flight, one of the world's most dramatic landings. Flights are weather-dependent and frequently delayed in poor visibility. Budget 1–2 extra days in Kathmandu for delays.
🎒 What to bring
- ·Down jacket rated to -20°C (Kala Patthar pre-dawn is extremely cold)
- ·Sleeping bag rated to -15°C (teahouses have blankets but are unheated at high altitude)
- ·Full waterproofs
- ·Trekking poles — essential for rocky descents
- ·Altitude medication (Diamox) — consult doctor before departure
- ·Sturdy tramping boots — 130km of rocky terrain
- ·Sunglasses with 100% UV protection — snow reflection above 5,000m is intense
Hazards & safety
- ·Altitude sickness (AMS, HACE, HAPE) is the primary serious risk. Acclimatise properly — never ascend more than 300–500m per day above 3,000m. The golden rule: if you feel ill, descend immediately.
- ·Lukla Airport flights are frequently cancelled in poor weather — build 2–3 extra days into your Kathmandu schedule for delays.
- ·Yak and donkey trains have right of way on the trail — always move to the mountain (uphill) side to avoid being pushed off the path edge.
- ·HACE/HAPE (high-altitude cerebral/pulmonary edema) are life-threatening. Know the symptoms: severe headache, confusion, inability to walk straight. Descend immediately and seek oxygen.
📋 Know before you go
- 1.A licensed guide is strongly recommended (not legally required for EBC but highly advisable). They know the terrain, manage acclimatisation schedules, and provide emergency assistance.
- 2.Permits: TIMS card and Sagarmatha National Park permit must be purchased in Kathmandu before departure. They are checked at multiple checkpoints.
- 3.Teahouse quality varies widely — accommodation in higher villages (Lobuche, Gorak Shep) is basic and cold. Bring your sleeping bag regardless of teahouse blankets.
- 4.The EBC itself is not particularly scenic up close — Kala Patthar (the viewpoint above) is the real photographic prize.
🚨 Emergency contacts
Nepal Emergency
100
Himalayan Rescue Association
+977 1-444 0292
CIWEC Clinic Kathmandu
+977 1-442 4111
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Adventure insurance
Covers helicopter evacuation, search & rescue, and medical costs. Check your policy covers this trail's altitude or multi-day duration.
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Official sources
Trail information here covers stable facts — distances, difficulty, gear, and what to expect. Current conditions (closures, snow levels, hut availability, permit quota) change regularly and must be checked at the official source before you depart.
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