Trekking · Nepal
Everest Base Camp Itinerary
A 14-day day-by-day EBC plan from Lukla to Base Camp and Kala Patthar, built around safe acclimatisation.
A safe Everest Base Camp itinerary takes 12 to 14 days round trip from Lukla, and the extra days are not padding — they are the acclimatisation rest stops at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche that keep you healthy above 3,000 m. Below is the classic 14-day plan, walking up the Dudh Koshi valley through Sherpa villages to Base Camp at about 5,364 m and the Kala Patthar viewpoint at roughly 5,545 m, then descending. Pair it with the Everest Base Camp trek cost breakdown when you budget.
The short answer
Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, trek up to Namche Bazaar with a rest day, continue via Tengboche and Dingboche with a second rest day, push through Lobuche to Gorak Shep, reach Everest Base Camp, then climb Kala Patthar at dawn before retracing your steps to Lukla.
Day-by-day
| Day | Route | Approx. altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, trek to Phakding | 2,610 m |
| 2 | Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| 3 | Acclimatisation day at Namche | 3,440 m |
| 4 | Namche to Tengboche | 3,860 m |
| 5 | Tengboche to Dingboche | 4,410 m |
| 6 | Acclimatisation day at Dingboche | 4,410 m |
| 7 | Dingboche to Lobuche | 4,940 m |
| 8 | Lobuche to Gorak Shep, then Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m |
| 9 | Climb Kala Patthar, descend to Pheriche | 5,545 m / 4,240 m |
| 10 | Pheriche to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| 11 | Namche to Lukla | 2,860 m |
| 12 | Fly Lukla to Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
Add buffer days at each end for weather delays on the Lukla flight; days 13 and 14 are your insurance.
The acclimatisation days
The rest days at Namche (day 3) and Dingboche (day 6) are the most important on the trek. They follow the "climb high, sleep low" principle: you hike to a higher point — the Everest View Hotel above Namche, or Nangkartshang above Dingboche — then return to sleep, letting your body adjust. Never skip them. Read altitude sickness in Nepal before you go and watch for warning signs at every stage.
The summit days
The payoff comes on days 8 and 9. From Gorak Shep (around 5,180 m) you walk out to Everest Base Camp itself, then the next morning climb Kala Patthar in the cold dark for sunrise — the only point on the trek where you see Everest's summit clearly. For a quieter alternative panorama, many trekkers detour to Gokyo Ri instead, or link both on the Three Passes route.
Shorter and longer versions
Short on time? Compare the lower-altitude options in our short Everest treks roundup. Want more? Extend over the Cho La to add Gokyo, or fly out by helicopter to save the walk back. For the full planning picture — permits, fitness and seasons — return to the Everest Base Camp trek guide and our national Nepal trekking guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the Everest Base Camp trek?+
The standard round trip from Lukla takes 12 to 14 days, including two acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche and ideally a buffer day for Lukla flight delays. The 14-day version is the safest, giving your body the most time to adjust to altitude.
Where do you sleep on the EBC trek?+
You stay in family-run teahouses the whole way, from comfortable lodges around Namche Bazaar to simpler, colder rooms at Lobuche and Gorak Shep. The highest night, at Gorak Shep near 5,180 m, is the toughest, so a warm sleeping bag is essential.
Do you see Everest from Base Camp?+
Surprisingly, no — the summit is hidden from Base Camp itself. The classic view comes from climbing Kala Patthar at about 5,545 m, usually at dawn, which most itineraries schedule for the morning after reaching Gorak Shep.
Why are acclimatisation days important on this itinerary?+
Rest days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche let your body produce more red blood cells before you climb higher, dramatically lowering the risk of altitude sickness. Skipping them to save time is the most common reason trekkers fall ill and have to turn back.
