Everest Base Camp Trek Day-by-Day: Complete 14-Day Itinerary

The Everest Base Camp trek is the most famous trekking route in the world — and for good reason. Over 14 days, you fly into the world's most dangerous airport at Lukla, walk through Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries, climb above 5,000 m, and stand face-to-face with the highest mountain on Earth. This is the honest, day-by-day itinerary I have used and refined over three EBC treks.

Everest Base Camp Trek Quick Overview

Item	Detail
Duration	14 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
Maximum altitude	5,545 m (Kala Patthar)
Total trekking distance	~130 km
Difficulty	Hard (high altitude)
Best time	October–November, March–April
Cost (mid-range)	$1,200–$1,800
Permits required	TIMS + Sagarmatha NP ($40 total)
Start point	Lukla (2,860 m)
End point	Lukla (return flight to Kathmandu)

Day 1: Fly to Lukla (2,860 m) → Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)

Start with the world's most famous short flight — Kathmandu to Lukla, a 35-minute flight in a Twin Otter or Dornier that lands on the 527 m runway perched on the side of a mountain. Arrive at Lukla, have breakfast, meet your guide and porter, and start walking. The first day is a gentle descent through pine forest, crossing the Dudh Koshi river on suspension bridges. Arrive at Phakding by early afternoon — 4 hours of easy walking.

Day 2: Phakding (2,610 m) → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

A big day — 830 m of altitude gain. Cross the Dudh Koshi five times on spectacular suspension bridges, enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo, and tackle the long final climb to Namche. Walk SLOWLY — this is the day most trekkers start to feel altitude. First views of Everest from the ridge above Namche. 6 hours of walking.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

The most important acclimatization day of the trek. Hike up to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) for lunch with views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Optional extension to Kunde Hospital (4,000 m). Return to Namche to sleep. Visit the Sherpa Museum, check email at one of the many internet cafes, and stock up on snacks. See our Namche Bazaar guide.

Day 4: Namche (3,440 m) → Tengboche (3,860 m)

A steady day of climbing and descending through rhododendron and pine forest. Cross the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Thanga, then climb 600 m up to Tengboche — home to the largest Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu. Visit the monastery at 4 pm for the daily puja (prayer ceremony) — magical. 5–6 hours of walking.

Day 5: Tengboche (3,860 m) → Dingboche (4,410 m)

Cross the river at Pangboche (visit the 600-year-old monastery), then climb steadily through alpine meadows to Dingboche — your first night above 4,000 m. The landscape changes dramatically here: trees disappear, replaced by stone walls and alpine tundra. Improbable views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Island Peak. 5–6 hours of walking.

Day 6: Acclimatization Day in Dingboche (4,410 m)

Second acclimatization day. Hike up to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) — a 670 m climb. At the summit, you get your first view of Makalu (8,485 m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Return to Dingboche to sleep. The hike is tough but essential for acclimatization — see our how to acclimatize properly guide.

Day 7: Dingboche (4,410 m) → Lobuche (4,910 m)

Short but tough day. Walk through the Khumbu Glacier lateral moraine, pass the sobering memorials at Thukla Pass (where many climbers have died on Everest), and climb to Lobuche. The altitude starts to bite here — walk slowly and expect a headache. 4–5 hours of walking.

Day 8: Lobuche (4,910 m) → Gorak Shep (5,140 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) → Gorak Shep

The big day. Walk 3 hours to Gorak Shep, drop your bags, then continue 3 hours round-trip to Everest Base Camp itself. The view from Base Camp is anti-climactic — you cannot actually see the summit of Everest from here — but standing at the base of the Khumbu Icefall, surrounded by expedition tents in spring season, is a powerful moment. Return to Gorak Shep to sleep. 7–8 hours of walking.

Day 9: Gorak Shep (5,140 m) → Kala Patthar (5,545 m, sunrise) → Pheriche (4,240 m)

Pre-dawn climb to Kala Patthar — the highest point of the trek and the best view of Everest. This is the moment you came for: watching the sun rise over the summit of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse from a 5,545 m viewpoint. After sunrise, descend rapidly to Pheriche — losing 1,300 m of altitude in 6 hours. Critical for acclimatization recovery. 8 hours of walking.

Day 10: Pheriche (4,240 m) → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)

Long descent day — but at lower altitude, you will feel much stronger. Retrace your steps through Tengboche and Phunki Thanga, then the long descent to Namche. Celebratory beer at the famous Café Danfe or the Irish Pub in Namche. 7 hours of walking.

Day 11: Namche (3,440 m) → Lukla (2,860 m)

The final walking day. Long descent through Phakding, then a final climb up to Lukla. Collect your trekking permits, celebrate with your guide and porter, and sleep in a Lukla lodge. 7 hours of walking.

Day 12: Fly Lukla → Kathmandu

Early morning flight back to Kathmandu (weather permitting). Hot shower, real bed, celebration dinner at one of Thamel's many restaurants. Allow 1–2 buffer days in case of flight delays — Lukla flights are cancelled roughly 30% of the time.

Day 13–14: Buffer Days in Kathmandu

Use these days for sightseeing in Kathmandu (Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur — see our Bhaktapur day trip guide), gear shopping in Thamel, or simply recovering. If your Lukla flight is delayed, these buffer days are essential.

EBC Trek Cost Breakdown for 2025

Item	Cost (USD)
TIMS Card + Sagarmatha NP permit	$40
Kathmandu–Lukla return flight	$170
Licensed guide (14 days)	$490–$630
Porter (14 days, shared between 2)	$140
Guide + porter insurance	$30
Tea houses (12 nights, room + 3 meals)	$450–$540
Hot showers, Wi-Fi, charging, snacks	$80–$120
Gear rental (sleeping bag, down jacket, poles)	$50
Tips (guide + porter)	$160–$200
Trekking insurance	$200–$300
Total (excluding international flights)	$2,130–$2,650

Best Time to Trek EBC

October–November (autumn) and March–April (spring) are the prime windows. October–November has the clearest skies — essential for the Kala Patthar sunrise. March–April is warmer and has rhododendrons in the lower valleys, but afternoon cloud is more common. Avoid monsoon (June–September) — Lukla flights are unreliable and views are clouded out. December–February is bitterly cold (−25 °C at Gorak Shep) and teahouse lodges may close.

How Hard Is the EBC Trek?

Hard. The combination of 14 days of sustained walking, the rapid altitude gain to 5,545 m, and the cold makes this a serious physical challenge. You should be fit enough to walk 6 hours uphill with a 10 kg pack — see our how to train for high altitude trekking guide. Prior trekking experience above 4,000 m is strongly recommended. For acclimatization strategy, see our dedicated how to acclimatize properly on EBC guide.

What to Pack for EBC

See our ultimate Nepal trekking packing list for the full list. EBC-specific essentials: 4-season sleeping bag rated to −20 °C, expedition down jacket, mountaineering-grade boots, microspikes (for the Gorak Shep–Kala Patthar section in shoulder season), and a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach) for safety.

EBC Trek Alternatives

• Three Passes Trek — 20 days, harder, includes EBC + 3 high passes above 5,300 m
• Pikey Peak — 6 days, much cheaper, best panoramic Everest view
• EBC vs Gokyo Lakes — Gokyo is quieter, with turquoise lakes
• Gokyo Lakes via Renjo La — 14 days, similar cost, less crowded

The Everest Base Camp trek is the trip of a lifetime. It is hard, expensive and crowded — but standing at Kala Patthar watching the sun rise over Everest is one of the great mountain moments on the planet. For more, see our cost breakdown and our Namche Bazaar guide.