Everest Base Camp Trek: Hike to the Base of the World's Tallest Mountain

Trek through one of the most formidable—and beautiful—landscapes in the world, ending at the famous Everest Base Camp.

Hiking Moderate, Difficult

Description

"The Everest Base Camp trek. . .is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and is visited by thousands of trekkers each year,” according to Wikipedia. By some estimates, 40,000 people attempted the base camp trek in 2015. While this means that you’ll undoubtedly have to share the trail with many other people, this trek is popular for a good reason: it’s located in one of the most epic landscapes in the world!

The segments included here are roughly long enough to complete one per day, although fit hikers could potentially travel faster. You can also choose from numerous detours and side hikes in this region—one of the best and most convenient side hikes is included here as well. However you choose to split up the Everest Base Camp Trek, it will undoubtedly be the experience of a lifetime!

Routes included

Everest Base Camp Trek: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Day 2: After a day in the foothills yesterday, today's hike takes you into the high mountains and to the Sherpa capital; Namche Bazaar.

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 1.1 km
Descent: 361 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche

Day 3: The first full day in trekking in the huge mountains of the Khumbu is utterly wonderful. Leaving behind Namche Bazaar feels like the moment that you leave civilisation behind and enter the high Himalayan environment.

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 9.6 km
Ascent: 997 m
Descent: 539 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Tengboche to Dingboche

Day 4: A great but tough-feeling day where you reach the magical 4000 metre mark. The trekking is wonderful and the views staggering, but pace yourself and drink plenty of water - this is the day where most people really begin to feel the altitude!

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 796 m
Descent: 304 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Dingboche to Lobuche

Day 5: An incredibly scenic day which puts you within reach of Base Camp.

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 7.7 km
Ascent: 647 m
Descent: 81 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Day 6: A final push up to the highest overnight stop on the trek.

Moderate Hiking

Distance: 4.3 km
Ascent: 299 m
Descent: 54 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar

Day 7: Although it is of course possible to descend straight back to Lobuche from Gorak Shep, the ascent of Kala Patthar (a small rocky peak overlooking Everest and the Khumbu Glacier) is highly recommended and is well worth a final bit of uphill effort before the long walk back to Lukla.

Difficult Hiking

Distance: 3.7 km
Ascent: 441 m
Descent: 441 m

Everest Base Camp Trek: Lukla to Phakding

Day 1: A gentle start to a long trip, the day starts amongst the bustle and noise of Lukla and ends at the peaceful village of Phakding on the shore of the Dudh Kosi river.

Moderate Hiking