Everest Base Camp
Many trekkers harbor dreams of walking to the foot of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
A trek to Everest Base Camp is nothing less than a pilgrimage to the holiest site in the world. Nestled high above the Sherpa settlements, under the shadows of the mighty Mount Everest, Everest Base Camp attracts thousands of trekkers and adventurers from all corners of the globe.
The Everest Base Camp trail takes you deep into Sherpa country protected by the highest peaks in the world. You start from a low elevation and gradually make your way above 5,000 meters. Nothing beats the experience of taking this walk to the ‘top of the world’.
Locally known as Sagarmatha or Chomolungma, the ‘Goddess mother of the Ocean’, Mount Everest is a sacred peak for the Sherpas. They believe that walking close to Mount Everest is like making your way up to heaven. In many ways, this may be true because the magnificent sights you get to enjoy while trekking in the Everest Region are indeed ‘heavenly’.
While the old trail to Everest Base Camp begins from Jiri, the popular route starts from Lukla. Lukla, which has the only airport in the Khumbu Region, is known as the ‘Gateway to Everest’.
Most trekkers begin their trek to Everest Base Camp after flying into Lukla from Kathmandu. The journey takes them across traditional Sherpa villages, swaying suspension bridges, yak pastures, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and the ecologically rich Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Everest Region offers the best amenities for trekkers. One can find budget as well as luxury accommodation on the trail.
Namche, the economic hub of the Khumbu Region, is an important stopover point on the trail. It is the most prosperous Sherpa settlement in the country. Many groups spend an extra day or two acclimatising in this charming town. Carved like a bowl on the side of a mountain, Namche offers you the first glimpse of Mount Everest. It has some of the finest mountain lodges, restaurants, and bakeries in the Himalaya of Nepal.
Khumjung, Kunde, Tengboche, Pangboche, Pheriche, Phortse, and Dingboche are some of the other significant Sherpa settlements that fall on this route. These villages are home to the hardy Sherpa mountain guides who are renowned for their remarkable climbing skills and knowledge of the mountains. Hotel Everest View and Nagarjun Hill serve as popular destinations for side trips.
The hike to Everest Base Camp is not easy. Lying at an altitude of 5,364m, it is indeed a challenge to reach the base camp battling freezing cold, low oxygen level, and a trail littered with loose scree and rocks. But the overwhelming sense of achievement one feels on reaching the base camp is reward enough for all the hardship and toil.
Because of its immense size, the summit of Mount Everest is not visible from its base camp. One needs to hike to the vantage point of Kala Patthar to get a close-up view of the summit. From Kala Patthar, one can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Pumori, Nuptse, Changtse, and Mount Everest. Sitting at an elevation of 5,550m, this is the highest point you will reach on your trek.
Several routes lead to Everest Base Camp. If you want to take the classic route taken by the pioneers, then you can start your trek from Jiri. If you are on a short holiday and want to save time, you can trek to Everest Base Camp and return to Lukla via helicopter. For those who value comfort and luxury, we have some special luxury lodge packages with helicopter flights. Our Shortest Everest Base Camp Trek package lets you complete the trek in a record time of just 9 days.
For more interesting trip ideas, you can check the list of itineraries given below.
Trekking Routes
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec