Everest Base Camp Trek from Kathmandu: 5,380m summit

Lukla to Everest Base Camp: the high-altitude trek that delivers the view

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a 14-day trek from Kathmandu to the base of Mount Everest at 5,380m, with a scenic flight to Lukla, guide, accommodation and national park fees included. You walk through Sherpa villages, visit Tengboche Monastery, and reach Kala Patthar for a 360-degree panorama of Mount Everest and the surrounding snowcapped peaks. A minimum age of 12 applies; moderate fitness is required.

The Experience

The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (Tenzing Hillary Airport), which sits at 2,860m and opens onto the Khumbu region. From there, the route follows the footprints of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay through valleys and past Sherpa settlements with their distinctive architecture. Namche Bazaar, the trade hub of the entire region, serves as the gateway to higher elevations and a place to acclimatize; it also holds the Sherpa Museum. The trek passes through centuries-old monasteries and gives you time at villages where you can observe daily life, traditional cuisines and the hospitality the Sherpa people are known for.

Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the Khumbu region, sits on the lap of Mount Ama Dablam and marks a significant waypoint. As elevation increases, the landscape shifts from lush valleys to sparse alpine terrain. You can have breakfast or lunch at Everest View Hotel, one of the world's highest-altitude hotels, before continuing to Base Camp itself at 5,380m (17,600ft). The final push to Kala Patthar rewards the effort with a 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Cho Oyu and the neighboring peaks—the sight that defines why people make this trek.

The entire trek sits within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide speaks English and is with you throughout; accommodation and national park fees are arranged in advance. The 14-day itinerary builds in time for acclimatization at key points, which is essential at this altitude. Pickup from Kathmandu is included, and the trek is structured so the high-altitude sections come after your body has adjusted to thinner air.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide throughout the trek.
• accommodation for all 14 nights.
• Sagarmatha National Park entrance fees.
• airport pickup from Kathmandu.
• scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Nepal Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd

Is this one for you?The trek walks 14 days at high altitude with daily climbing and acclimatization stops built in—it is not a sprint to Base Camp but a measured ascent designed to let your body adjust. Choose this if you have moderate fitness and want the full Everest experience (Base Camp, the panoramic view from Kala Patthar, Sherpa villages and monasteries) rather than a shorter, lower-altitude trek.

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Top questions

What is the Everest Base Camp Trek route like day by day?

The trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, then follows a walking route through Namche Bazaar and Tengboche Monastery before reaching Everest Base Camp at 5,380m and Kala Patthar for the panoramic view. The 14-day schedule includes rest days for acclimatization at higher elevations, which is why the trek takes two weeks rather than a faster push upward.

How high is Everest Base Camp and what will I see there?

Everest Base Camp sits at 5,380m (17,600ft). From there and from Kala Patthar, you get a 360-degree panoramic view of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Cho Oyu and the surrounding snowcapped peaks. Base Camp itself is where climbing expeditions stage their operations, so you stand at the actual launching point for summit attempts.

What is Tengboche Monastery and why is it on this trek?

Tengboche Monastery is the largest monastery in the Khumbu region and sits on the lap of Mount Ama Dablam. It is a centuries-old spiritual center and a significant cultural landmark; visiting it gives you insight into Sherpa Buddhist tradition and the role monasteries play in the communities you pass through.

What does the trek include and what do I need to arrange separately?

The trek includes your English-speaking guide, accommodation throughout the 14 days, national park fees, airport pickup from Kathmandu, and the flight to Lukla. You arrange your own international flight to Kathmandu, Nepal arrival visa, and tips for your guide and porter; alcoholic beverages and personal expenses are your own.

Is there a highest-altitude hotel on the trek route?

Yes—Everest View Hotel is one of the world's highest-altitude hotels and sits on the trek route. You can stop there for breakfast or lunch as you make your way toward Base Camp, which breaks up the day and gives you a moment at extreme altitude before pushing higher.

What fitness level do I need for this trek?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The trek climbs to 5,380m over 14 days, which means sustained walking at altitude; the schedule includes acclimatization days to help your body adjust, but the daily walking distances and elevation gain require steady endurance.