Everest Base Camp Trek, or EBC, is the most popular hike in Nepal and amongst avid trekkers. I just finished my EBC trek this second week of April 2023, and I can’t recommend this hike enough.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As a non-serious trekker, I was mindblown by the physical challenge and incredible feeling I experienced throughout the trip – it’s something a person should try to conquer at least once in their life.
It took me a year to prepare for this trip, and I learned much throughout the process. I was able to find out what was accurate and not while on the trail of the Khumbu Region.
This article about 14 days of Everest Base Camp Trek will help decide if this trip is for you, plan your hike, and help you visualise what to expect on the trail. This guide will also assist you in deciding whether it’s possible to trek on your own or if you must book a tour.
On the other hand, we have 3 itineraries for 2 weeks in Nepal if you don’t want to do any trekking or hiking during your trip.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE EVEREST BASE CAMP HIKE
Before you book your flight, tour, or anything, you should know a few things and keep them in mind. This will help you find out when to go, how much to budget, visa and permits to prepare, what to pack, and trekking etiquette.
Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulty
I understand this is one of the number one questions for people wishing to hike to the Everest Base Camp. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, it can be hard to say the difficulty level of this trek. After all, it’s the highest base camp in the world.
The simple answer is that it’s challenging to trek the Everest Base Camp. I would rate it 7/10 on a difficult level. But there are a lot of things to take into consideration.
First, I’m not a highly experienced trekker. I’ve done lots of day hikes but only a handful of treks, which are no more than 3 days.
Second, the terrain itself was pretty alright. Lots of up and down, rocky terrain, muddy (and slippery when it’s wet/got snowed on), and hills.
Third, the most challenging is the thin air and elevation sickness. It doesn’t matter if you’re super fit or have good cardio. Each body could react differently on high elevation when not used to it. People who live in high elevations, such as Colorado (US), Cusco (Peru), Bogota (Colombia), and La Paz (Bolivia), have some advantages.
Fourth, are you carrying your own packs? Carrying all your bags will definitely affect your performance. Having a porter will help you a lot, plus having a guide means they will arrange accommodation and food on your behalf. This means once you arrive at each town, you can simply get cleaned up, eat, relax, and try to recover.
The bottom line is if you’re an experienced trekker, you’ll probably find this trip at around 5/10 difficulty level. For people not as experienced, somewhere around 7 or 9 out 10, especially for those who are trekking right out of their couch.
To give some perspective, before this trek, I exercise 6x a week. This includes a 2km run, strength/weight, and jumping cardio. When I started training, I added a 10K hike a week, lap swimming, stair climbing, and 10K steps a day.
Now that my trek is over, I would still say that the Everest Base Camp trek difficulty was 7/10 for me. If you get a private guide and porter, they can create a slower itinerary to give you some time to recover. For example, an extra day in Namche or an extra day in Dingboche – could help a lot (minus the possibility of elevation sickness)
Before arriving in Nepal or booking/planning your trek
Below is the information that will make your trip a little hassle-free, and make sure you don’t come to Nepal during the off-season when the trails are closed.
When is the best time to go to Everest Base Camp
There are two great and popular times to trek the Everest Base Camp. If you want to see and meet summiteers, go during the summit season between April and May. This is a popular time to do the trek because it’s not too cold, little chance of rain, and the sky is 90% clear. But, it gets so busy (especially by May) that the teahouses are often full, and the trail is very busy.
The other fantastic season for trekking the Everest Base Camp is between September to December. You will surely not have any rainfall, and the sky will be much clearer. Although it can be a lot colder and although it’s not summit season, the teahouses can still be quite busy.
You can’t hike the Everest Base Camp trail from June to August during typhoon season. Not only will heavy rains make your trip awful, but the National Park will be closed, the trails are not open, and there will be no teahouses to stay at in the Khumbu region.
Are 2 weeks enough for Everest Base Camp Trek
Yes. 14 days for the Everest hike is tight but possible. If you only have this much time for this trip, don’t plan to see other places in Nepal except Kathmandu. You will have just enough time to go to shops to rent trekking equipment and bring it back at the end of your trip before you have to catch a flight home.
I personally had 30 days in Nepal, which allowed me to know I could extend my trip if something happened while on the trail. Luckily, I finished unscathed and could head to Pokhara and check it out.
What is the average cost for 14 days Everest Base Camp Trek
2 weeks after my EBC trek, I sat down and did the math. Since I booked a tour that covered my food, accommodation, guide, porter, and permits. I spent about $50 on the trail for water, hot drinks, and some snacks.
I spent USD 1,500, excluding flights from home and back. This amount includes travel and medical insurance for the entire trek, including the required helicopter evacuation above 5,000 m.
Visa and trekking permits
I paid for a 30-day visa on arrival, which was $50. I applied online before my flight landed. This means I didn’t have to waste my time in the queue at the visa machine. This is highly recommended if your flight lands during the day because the queue to the machine, payment, and stamp could take an hour, or more.
The visa requires you to provide your personal details, flight details, and the address of your first hotel in Nepal. If you sign up for the visa in advance, you don’t need to print it, keep a digital copy with you, and you’ll show it to the immigration officer. Make sure to bring a passport-sized photo and cash (USD, GBP, EURO). There’s an ATM there if you need it.
There are multiple “permit stops” where you must show your trekking permit. This is because the licenses for locals are different for foreigners. Also, various permits depend on your end destination.
I received 2 permits, one from Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and the other for Sagmantha National Park. The total cost was 5,000 NPR or around $38. These fees were included since I was on tour and didn’t have to stand in line. My tour guide handled everything for me.
The first “permit post” is right as you leave Lukla. Then, there’s another major post as you enter Sagmantha National Park (from Phakding to Lukla). Another small one when you’re about to enter Namche and another one between Namche and Tengboche.
Travel, medical, and evacuation insurance
For trekking to EBC, securing insurance for evacuation with a helicopter is a must. You must have this since whether you’re on tour, going independently, or contracting a guide. Not because it’s required but because if you do need to be evacuated, it will cost you a minimum of $5,000 for the service.
There’s also a rumour that it might be required in the near future. From what I saw during my trek, loads of people were evacuated by helicopter, horse, or donkey. The evacuation is required if you hurt yourself physically or suffer from high altitude sickness.
Getting this insurance will cost you somewhere between $100 to $500, depending on the company you sign up with. It’s totally worth it than risking paying $5,000 or paying $200 a day for the horse service.
My only issue about getting the insurance is that because it’s for “extreme sports”, many of the insurance companies only secure based on nationality. For example, an insurance company based and registered in the UK will only insure the Brits. The same goes for Australia, US, and Europe.
Insurance companies from my own home country (Philippines) don’t even know what “high altitude rescue” means or have nothing in place for that. After scouring through websites, sending dozens of emails, and waiting for weeks, I found IMGLobal, which has no nationality restrictions.
I paid $115 for a 15-day coverage. Make sure to choose “iTravelInsured Travel LX“, which is specifically for extreme sports or activity and has no altitude limit.
When getting evacuation insurance, most of those don’t come with medical insurance. This means your insurance is only covering the helicopter cost itself. You’ll most likely be dropped off at a hospital in Kathmandu. The medical cost in Nepal is reasonable for a foreign person, but I still recommend you simply get medical insurance as well.
What to pack for the EBC hike
You want to think of layers than packing heavy or thick jackets. One guy in our group has 2 fleece jackets and a medium-thickness puffy. I had one, but my down jacket (puffy), one thick and heavy. A girl in our group only packs two sets of clothes. She was wearing the same thing the entire time and the other set for “sleeping in”.
Plenty of people on the trail went with merino wool. But I couldn’t do it. Not for the first layer as it gets me so itchy, especially when I start sweating. I recommend a synthetic for the first layer (that touches your skin), then merino wool for the other layers.
You can check my packing list for 14-day Everest Base Camp hike to give you an idea. I also listed my friend’s (men’s) packing list. You can also get this free printable packing list specifically for this trek.
Do you need a hiking pole for EBC
I would say yes. It gets steep and slippery when it gets muddy and snowy, and when it’s time to go back down. Having hiking poles helps with your knees, ankles, and also quads. But it takes practice, so it’s best to try it at home so you have time to get comfortable.
While on the trek
Now that you know when to go, what to pack, and about trekking permits, it’s time to learn about what to expect while on the trail. This includes food and drinks, internet/wifi access, how to pay for goods and services, and, most importantly, walking etiquette.
Going slow or fast
It doesn’t matter how fit or good of a hiker you are – you must GO SLOW as you ascend. This is because no one can predict how your body will react to the elevation, especially if you live in a sea-level area.
During my trek, I saw physically fit people struggling. I saw people who were covering 2 villages in one day abandoning their trek due to AMS (altitude mountain sickness). I’m assuming you already know that this is a 2-week trek.
No one will judge you for being slow. You’ll notice that other people are being slow themselves. Along the trek, you’ll find people from different groups coming together as they find the pace that works for them – join them.
There’s no reason to go too fast; you’ll only hurt your chance of finishing the trek. You might have some advantages if you come from a high-elevation place such as Cusco or Colorado. You’ll most likely feel any AMS symptoms until you’re past Namche Bazaar.
Take your time, take some incredible photos, and admire the views. If you still have good energy after Gorakshep, you can sprint down to Lukla.
AMS and Diamox
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor or a person practising medicine in any shape, way, or form. I’m only sharing what I experienced during my trek. Please consult your doctor for any questions you may have regarding altitude sickness medicine and altitude mountain sickness.
AMS is more than short of breath. It’s also when you’re tired only an hour into the day’s trek. But what’s more concerning is the headache. This is when your brain is swelling due to a lack of oxygen.
This is why going slow and taking as much air into your body is more important than covering distance. Once you get a headache crawling at the back of your head, you might have to call it quits and ask for a helicopter rescue.
Before you take Diamox or any other altitude sickness pill, you should speak to your doctor. I didn’t take any during my trek, even though I had a headache for nearly a week. For the first 2 days, paracetamol with codomol was able to ease the pain away.
But eventually, the pain was coming off stronger, and I had to take paracetamol a few times a day. The pain never reached the back of my head, though, so I didn’t feel like I needed to take Diamox.
A guy in our group took it the day he arrived in Kathmandu, as his doctor prescribed him. The side effects were similar to the actual symptoms. So, for almost 5 days into the trek, he was feeling sick, had diarrhoea, headache, and lost his appetite. He stopped taking it and eventually felt a bit better.
On the other hand, the girl in our group also started with Diamox from Kathmandu and never had any side effects or even major symptoms of AMS apart from fatigue and shortness of breath.
I can’t tell you what will work for you, so please talk to your doctor.
What to eat and drink
Regarding food, all teahouses serve meals with a pretty good menu. You’ll find a breakfast section, lunch/dinner or warm meals. Both locals and international dishes are available such as pizza and pasta. But don’t expect the taste to be anything Michellin star-worthy. The food is decent and keeps your fuel up.
Although meat is available up to Namche Bazaar, it’s still not recommended. Namche is 2-3 days away from a proper town. This means the meat has to travel for that long (without freezing the meat). In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk. Getting food poisoning is the last thing you want to do on such a long trek.
For protein sources, you can get eggs in teahouses. Or pack protein bars, protein powder, and nuts with you. I also recommend packing some jerkies.
When it comes to drinks, bottled water, carbonated drinks, and even beer are available. There are “convenient stores”, in each town (except Tengboche and Gorakshep) that sell candy bars such as Mars, Bounty, and Kitkat, beer, bottled water, rain jacket, and other hiking items.
Bottled water costs somewhere between 100 NPR to 500 NPR ($1 to $5) as you climb up. Most people refill their water bottles or bladder water in the teahouse before leaving. Then you can drop Aquatabs on it and wait for 30 minutes to cure. Once you’re in Gorakshep, drinking tap water is not recommended, and you must buy bottled water instead.
Internet access
I was amazed that there was mobile reception up to Tengboche Monastery. I bought a local sim card and purchased 28-day data. It worked pretty well for Phakding, Namche, and Tengboche. But the signal was either non-existent or super patchy from Dingboche, Pangboche, Pheriche, Lobuche, and Gorakshep.
In those towns, you can purchase a 24-hour card from the teahouse. The internet providers that exist up there are AirLink and EverestLink. Basically, you bought the card and put the code from that card as a login pass. Only one device per card. Meaning you and your friend cannot share the same code. If you try to use it for another device, it will say something like, “This code has been validated/used”.
While you are in Kathmandu or before you start your hike, look for a shop that sells Ncell and get one with a data package. From the airport, 40GB of data valid for 28 days was 1,400 NPR ($14). We bought that for my friend. I got mine in town around Thamel and paid for 28GB for 28 days for 800 NPR ($8).
We actually stayed in Nepal for 30 days. When the data expired or ran out, I returned to where I got my sim from and asked the guy to help get an extra 3 GB for 150 NPR ($1.5). When buying a sim card, you must bring your passport and a passport photo.
Walking etiquette
During the walk, there are a few things you need to keep in mind so everybody can use the trail and you don’t get hurt, and nobody gets hurt.
In Nepal, they walk and drive on the left. So, naturally, people walk on the left. You’ll see this big black rock with carved Tibetan script on them. You must walk clockwise (on the left) and go around it. The locals believe it means good luck but also show respect for the mountains or nature. Whether you believe it or not, respect the local’s culture and tradition and follow the rules.
The Everest Base Camp trail is full of international people. This means that it’s okay if you want to walk on the right side (as long as you walk on the left for the rock), especially if the wall is on the right and you’re on a cliff.
If you’re going slow or don’t plan to sprint, walk on the side and not in the middle of the trail so the other people coming can come swiftly and safely. If you want to pass other people, wait until the terrain becomes wider so you can take over safely, and you don’t push other people.
Porters walk fast, it’s important to give way to them. And due to the way they carry the packs, they can’t look further than a step ahead of them (they often look at their feet). To avoid tripping a porter or them bumping onto you, stay on the side and don’t block the middle.
If you hear the porters coming, step aside. If you see the porter coming and there’s a tight space, step up on the rocks to give way and tell the people in front of you, “porters coming”, so they can step aside too.
If you’re the one who wants to pass other people, say “excuse me” or ask politely. Everyone is tired and wants to get to each destination.
Loads of animals are on the trail; they are more impatient, faster, and much stronger than a porter or other human. For this reason, you always give way to the animals passing through. The animal you see are horses, cows, mules, donkeys, and the famous yaks, native to the Himalayas.
They are easy to spot (or hear), though. All the animals wear bells, so you will actually hear them coming at least 100 metres away. Animals always have a shepherd or herder with them to help keep them in line and ensure they won’t cause trouble or accidents.
These animals transport food and goods to the mountains from the main towns and back. When they are passing the trail, not only must you step aside, but you must keep the side by the wall. This is because you’ll never know how the animal will react. You don’t want them accidentally hurting or pushing you off the cliff.
And finally, don’t forget to show some kindness to the locals and other trekkers. A nod, small hello, good morning, or a namaste greeting goes a long way and shows good manners. And always say thank you.
Toilets and water refill
Along the trail are plenty of little towns where you could ask if you can use their bathroom. Usually, it’s free, some have donation boxes, but you must ask first. At the same houses, you could ask if you can refill your bottle or buy bottled water from them.
There were only a few times the people in our group had to walk out of the trail and hide in the bushes if they needed to relieve themselves. The people in our group were also happy to share water, medicine, and even chocolates.
Payment mode
In some towns, such as Namche, you can pay with a card if they have internet access. But in general, cash payment is the norm. Namche Bazaar is the last place on the trail where an ATM machine is available. If you run out of local cash and your card is not working, you might be able to change your currency (USD, GBP, EURO) at the reception area of the teahouse.
Porter and guide tipping
I calculated my tipping as 10% of the cost of the tour. This is per staff. The minimum recommended is $10 a day. I know two people in our group did a $15 a day. To clarify that, we have 3 staff on our tour, 1 guide and 3 porters.
If the tour is 14 days and you’re doing $10 daily, that’s $140 for each staff member. This doesn’t mean that the tour company is not paying the porters or guides. Tipping is expected and recommended because the minimum wage in Nepal is less than $100 per month.
If you’re hiring a porter directly, you must pay $20 a day plus cover their meals. Bring extra aqua tabs to share with your porter and guide.
The guide usually makes more money than the porters since they have more responsibility. Even though we had 3 porters and only 1 porter was carrying my pack, I tipped all the porters because they helped me carry my day pack when I struggled during the acclimatisation days.
I didn’t mind shelling out extra money because I’d seen with my own eyes how physically demanding the job of a porter is. I wouldn’t have made it without injury and extra energy if not for the porters.
Other basic travel tips
Although you can’t book the teahouses online, some of these travel sites can be very helpful when planning your trip to Nepal. Especially for accommodation in Kathmandu, bus and flights between cities, and travel insurance, which is a must if you’re doing the trek.
EVEREST BASE CAMP TOUR OR GO INDEPENDENTLY?
Shortly after opening the international border post-COVID19, Nepal Tourism Board has decided to require all foreign trekkers who are going higher than 4,000m to hike with a licensed guide. This means that a hiking guide must accompany everyone who wants to trek Everest Base Camp.
The reasoning given by the board was to ensure the trekker’s safety due to climbing numbers of people getting lost on the trail, getting injured, getting sick (trying to climb the elevation too fast), and worse, fatality.
Note that you don’t need to book a tour to get a guide. There are still independent guides you can hire to do your trek.
Personally, I went with a tour company. Originally, we planned to go by ourselves and get an independent porter. But then the rumour of the policy change was coming in, and there was much confusion about when it would be implemented or if a tour company would be required. To make things easier, we decided to simply go with a tour company so we don’t arrive there and be asked to turn around or book a last-minute tour.
During our hike, we met loads of people hiking on their own. Some finished their trek, and others had to abandon. The same goes for those with guides or on tour, and some had to quit the hike, while others were lucky enough to finish. We were one of those lucky ones.
My main point between booking a tour and going alone or having a contracted tour and porter are:
Pros and cons of being on a tour
| PROS | CONS |
| Permits. The guide arranged all the trekking permits on our behalf. So, during checkpoints, while the guide secure the permits, we could take a break, drink water, and catch our breaths. | It felt too fast. Not the walking (we were encouraged to go slow), but I wish we could have taken a real rest day to recover our muscles and enjoy some of the towns. |
| Porters. The porters are very strong and fun to be around, and we brought more stuff than if we were trekking along. | Had to stick to the group. We were lucky that our group were small, and we all got along. But knowing someone is waiting for you, can be uncomfortable to some people. |
| Food. Each teahouse has a food menu with prices. But I believe that tour companies don’t get the retail price. Instead, they get it at a lower price since tour companies can bring more people during the hiking season. I could order more than one meal during lunch/dinner and didn’t have to pay extra. | |
| Information. It was also an educational hike since the guide spoke excellent English and answered all our questions about Everest or Nepal in general. | |
| Accommodation. Since tour companies already have a relationship with the teahouses, we were always secure in having a place to sleep. We didn’t have to spend hours walking around the town to find accommodation. | |
| Water. The porters and guides were super attentive during dining. They also help secure your water refills in teahouses. Although we were supposed to pay for hot drinking water, we could get it for free sometimes. | |
| Help to carry out day packs. As we climbed higher, the air was thinner, and we were more exhausted than every weight matters. Twice, I was going very slow, and my porter and guide offered to carry my daypack (which was 3 kg) to help. I really appreciate it. | |
| Company. Being in a group means you have people to speak to and share snacks or ask for water refills in case you run out. Our group shared medicines, water, snacks, and story, which helped us forget hour tired we were. |
Pros and cons of going without a guide
| PROS | CONS |
| Your own time. You don’t need to hurry or wait for anybody, and you can go anytime you want and take as many rest days or break as you want. | You might be asked to turn around. We were still on the trail when the new policy was implemented. But we still saw people coming up with going solo. The risk on this is being asked to turn around once you reach the checkpoint after Namche. This is because you can actually go to Namche Bazaar without a guide since it’s around 3,000 m only. But the checkpoint before Namche is strict, and many soldiers check people’s permits. |
| Food. Without a guide, you will pay the retail food price, which gets quite expensive as you go up. Once we reached Tengboche, fried rice (with barely any egg or veggies on it) was around $10. A single boiled egg was $5. | |
| Accommodation. Once you arrive in the town, your day’s walk is over. You’ll have to spend 30 minutes or even an hour finding a teahouse, especially if you’re going during peak season and arrive late in the afternoon. | |
| Permits. The lines at some checkpoints where you will buy a permit or get the permit checked are long. If you’re going without a guide, you must spend time standing in line instead of resting. | |
| Carry your own stuff. If you think you can bring everything you need under 10 kg, you probably can survive carrying it all. But more than that, you will be a lot more tired than other trekkers. |
Pros and cons of independent guide/porter
| PROS | CONS |
PINNED MAP OF TOP THINGS TO SEE IN EVEREST BASE CAMP HIKE
Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google
14 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK ITINERARY
There are dozens of itineraries for Everest Base Camo Trek out there. But one thing I couldn’t find was a clear idea of what to expect from a day-to-day hike. I’m not much of a video person since I can read faster than watching videos. So, browsing through Youtube was not very appealing to me.
Below is an account of what you should expect during a trek to Everest Base Camp for 2 weeks. I try to be on point as much as possible. You’ll find the elevation numbers, gains, and calculations. You’ll also get some ideas about what the terrain looks like and which days will be the most challenging as well.
There’s also information on how long trekking days are regarding distance and hours.
Day 1: Kathmandu
You can spend a day gathering everything you need, such as renting or buying a sleeping bag, down jacket, gloves, hat, and fleece pants. I rented the sleeping bag and down jacket for $1 (100 NPR) daily. That totalled $28 for both. I then bought a traditional Tibetan wool hat lined with fleece for $6 (600 NPR).
I also bought winter gloves for $8 (800). Finally, I stopped at the pharmacy to buy aqua tabs suitable for 1 litre since the only one I found back home was 20 litres. The pharmacist offered me if I wanted paracetamol with codeine, and I was surprised that it was available over the counter.
Day 2: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding
During busy summit season, the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is diverted to Manthali (Ramachep), which requires 5-6 hours on a van from Kathmandu. You might get lucky enough, and your tour company can still get you a flight from Kathmandu, but it’s rare.
Once you arrive in Lukla, you can buy some water or refill your water before you start your trek. It’s an 8 km trail with a 219 m loss. Lukla is 2,804 m and Phakding is 2,610 m. That will take you around 3-4 hours. Before leaving Phakding, you’ll also get your permit (you won’t miss it), and the queue and waiting can be long.
Day 3: Phakding to Namche Bazaar
The hike was 10 km, taking around 5 hours and 30 minutes. We took a lunch break before we reached the famous Hillary Bridge. From the viewpoint of the bridge, it’s a long 4 km uphill which combines steps and rocks.
This is also the trail where you’ll see a glimpse of Mount Everest Peak if you’re lucky enough. The viewpoint is around 2 km from Hillary Bridge, and you won’t miss it because there’s a toilet at that rest stop.
When you leave Phakding, there’s a checkpoint for your permit. Then there’s another busier checkpoint when you enter Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, where you need to get another permit, and the soldiers will check them thoroughly. The wait was around 30 minutes. Another checkpoint is around less than a km before you enter Namche Bazaar.
Day 4: Namche Acclimatization Day
Day 4 is an acclimatisation day. It’s a climb from Namche Bazaar to Everest Hotel Viewpoint. It’s a 440 m climb with endless steps. It took us around two hours for a roundtrip, including a stop at Tenzing Norgay Memorial, which has an amazing Everest Mountain view. Namche Bazaar is 3,440 m, and the Everest Hotel Viewpoint is 3,880 m.
Namche Bazaar has many stores if you need other items or want to buy snacks. You can also visit the highest Irish Pub, and there are a few ATM machines here if you need more cash.
Day 5: Namche to Tengbonche Monastery
This hike is brutal. It’s the trail many would remember where the real challenge starts. We also woke up Namche covered in snow. The trail leaving the Bazaar town was slippery due to snow and mud.
Namche is at 3,441 m, Tengboche is at 3,860, and the distance is 9 km. It’s only a 419 m gain. But about a bit over halfway, you’ll go down the hill for about 700 m to Tashinga. You’ll take a lunch break. But from there, after crossing the Bridge King, you’ll start uphill for around 2 km and end up right at the top of the hill where Tengboche Monastery is located.
So, in reality, you gain 2 km and 400 m gain. It took us around 6 hours. If you go at a 1.5 km per hour speed, you’ll make it before sunset, considering that you left around 8 AM. There are no shops in Tengboche, but teahouses are selling candies, water bottles, and even beer.
Day 6: Tengboche to Dingboche
This is the day when you can really start to feel the thin air. Tying up your shoes or simply climbing a set of stairs will get you out of breath. The mobile reception also has stopped working at Tengboche, but you can buy data access at your teahouse.
Tengboche sits at 3,860 m, and Dingboche is at 4,350 m. The hike on its own was actually lovely. There are flat and wide terrains, but you’ll notice there are now fewer trees and more rocks. The trek took around 6 hours, and we covered 11 km. The elevation gain is 490 m.
We took a break at Shomare for lunch, while some groups stopped at Pangboche. Visit the monastery and attend a traditional Buddhist prayer. It lasts for 3 hours, but people can come and go quietly anytime if they’re curious to see, learn, and experience it.
Day 7: Dingboche Acclimatisation Day
You are now halfway through the trip, but not the trail of 14 days Everest Base Camp trek. This is the part where people no longer want to stay in their rooms because it’s freezing cold. Everyone hangs around the dining room because it’s warm and comfortable.
The acclimatisation day was another exhausting one. We climbed Nangkartshang Peak, which is 5,083 m. From Dingboche (4,350 m), that’s a 733 m gain. You are entering the 5,000 m range now, and every step becomes a challenge, and your body feels heavy.
It took us around 3 hours for a 3 km roundtrip. This time, there are no steps but plenty of slippery slopes. The trek also becomes technical because the terrain becomes narrow, and it gets even steeper and rockier past 4,500 m.
Many people would only climb up to 4,900 m because that’s the same elevation as Lobuche. But if you have the energy, go for the peak. At this point, you’ll also start feeling really cold and sleeping with your winter jacket, fleece pants, and even multiple layers of wool socks.
Day 8: Dingboche to Lobuche
This is a hard day. Leaving Dingboche is through a hill, but it flattens until you reach the bottom of Thukla Pass. It is a pass that leads to the top of the hill where the famous memorial sites are located.
This doesn’t mean the dead bodies are there. It’s just where people pile up rocks to make a beautiful memorial; add the name of the people who died in the Everest region from trekking.
Before you climb the pass, you can take a break at this little oasis, where you can also refill your water and use the toilet. The pass is steep, rocky, and has lots of steps, so take your time.
Dingboche is at 4,350 m and Lobuche is at 4,910 m. It took us around 7 hours to cover 18 km with a 560 m gain.
Day 9: Lobuche to Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp
This is easily the longest hike on this 14 days Everest Base Camp trek. Not only you’re going to a new village, but this is also the day you’re reaching the base camp.
The distance between Lobuche to Gorakshep was around 3 km, which took us 2 hours because of thin air, exhausted muscle, and also because there’s another steep hill. The melted ice churned the soil into the mud, making it a slippery and dangerous trail.
The trail between Lobuche to Gorakshep starts on nearly flat ground with a slight inclination. The terrain is vast and rocky. The paths are scattered, so you don’t have to be behind someone. After the steep hill, you’ll pretty much trek through rocks along a hillside.
Once you get to Gorakshep, you can have a lunch break, use the toilet, and have a chance to make your day pack even lighter. Then from Gorakshep to the base camp was another 3 km. This is another path through the hillside with rocks on the ground. This took another 2.5 hours.
THE BASE CAMP: People first line up for the famous “Rock” that says “Everest Base Camp 5,365m”. If you have the energy and the time, you can walk around, and the expedition tents are around 200m to 300m from the rock.
Soak up the view from here, where you’ll see glacier caverns, the moving Khumbu Icefall, and of course, the great Mount Everest.
Once you’re done, it’s time to hike back the 3 km to Gorakshep, which is another 2.5 hours. Ideally, this day will take around 8-9 hours, depending on how much time you plan to spend at the base camp. The elevation gain is 455 m. Lobuch is 4,910 m, Gorakshep at 5,180 m, and the Base Camp is at 5,365 m.
Congratulations! You have reached Everest Base Camp, 5,365 m(17,600 feet), where the oxygen level is around 63%.
Day 10: Gorakshep to Kala Phattar to Periche or Pangboche
Before you start your trek down, you will be hiking to Kala Phattar, which is 5,555 m, higher than the Base Camp. Don’t feel bad if you decide to skip it; many do. As it’s better to keep your energy on a long 3-day trek.
If you decide to do the trek, you must start at 4 AM, so you’ll be back in Gorakshep around 6 AM to have breakfast, pack your stuff, and start the main trek. You should also remember to bring your headlamp for Kala Phattar and keep your pace steady since it’s rocky and dark.
It’s time to make your way back to civilisation, and that starts by saying Goodbye to Gorakshep and reaching either Periche or Pangboche. This depends on your tour guide or tour company. Periche is one of the last drop-off points for helicopters to bring supplies or pick up people for rescue.
This is also where you’ll see lots of Naks (the female Yaks). It’s a village in a valley where you can view the Ama Dablam. You’ll pass Thukla pass again; in case you didn’t have the chance to see the memorial, you can do it today.
Pheriche is 4,200 m. If you do the Kala Phattar hike, that’s a 375 m gain. Gorakshep to Pheriche is around 15 km and will take 7-8 hours. Add 2 hours or more if you’re doing Kala Phattar and even more if you’re going to Pangboche.
Day 11: Pheriche or Pangboche to Namche Bazaar
Today is a 20 km trek from Pheriche to Namche. At this point, you’ll see how easier it is to breathe, and you’ll find trees and other life forms gain. The trek will take around 7-8 hours. You’re most likely to stop at Tashinga, the bottom of the hill, after you pass Tengboche Monastery to have lunch.
If you arrive no later than 4 PM in Namche, you can even enjoy a hot shower at your guesthouse. Now that you’re descending down, it’s safe to drink alcohol. Visit the Irish Pub, Yeti Bar, or Liquid Bar for some Sherpa craft beers, play pool, and enjoy music to celebrate your feat.
Day 12: Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Your last trek day is another 20 km hike. Surprisingly, it should take less time than the previous day. However, you must keep in mind that from Phakding to Lukla is an uphill trail with lots of steps and people.
The lunch break will be in Phakding. This is also the day that you’ll cross the Hillary Bridge one last time. But during the entire trek, you’ll cross about 5 suspension bridges.
When I got to Lukla, I wasn’t so tired. But I could feel that my big toes had gone numb. It’s been 6 weeks since I finished the trek to the day I’m writing this. The sensation on my left big toe is now 100% back, while the right is still only 90% back.
There’s also an Irish Pub in Lukla, and there are cafes and cosy coffee shops you can check out. It’s also your last chance to buy a souvenir from the Khumbu Region if you want to do some shopping. Your bags are much lighter now, so you don’t have to worry about the weight limit for the flight.
I also recommend you invite your porter/s for a nice dinner. You can personally thank them for their hard work and help during the trek. Buy them a nice dinner, have some drinks, and don’t forget to hand in the tip.
Day 13: Lukla to Kathmandu
Depending on whether you’re flying with a regular plane or helicopter from Lukla, you’re flight will leave sometime in the morning. You will reach Kathmandu in under an hour if you’re with a helicopter.
For those with regular planes, you will land in Manthali (Ramachep) and from there, your tour company will drive you to Kathmandu, which will take around 6 hours. There’s a lunch break around halfway through.
If you didn’t fly from Manthali to Lukla, you should know that this can be a bumpy road due to construction. So, take some motion pills for a comfortable ride.
Day 14: Kathmandu
If you arrive in Kathmandu before 6 PM, try to return your rented items the same day so you don’t have to waste the next day doing that. If you plan to go to places in Nepal, you can use this day to arrange buses, flights, and tours.
My tour company took our group on a farewell dinner where we enjoyed watching traditional Nepali dances. We had the best Dal Bhat, drank Nepali drinks, and ate tasty desserts. On our last day, we also received a certificate for finishing the Everest Base Camp trek from the tour company, which was so sweet.
MUST-TRY NEPALESE DISHES, DRINKS, AND SNACKS
During your 14 days Everest Base Camp trek, you’ll see that the food menu in teahouses is massive. There are local dishes and also Western. But I recommend you try at least a few Nepali or Himalayan food. Also, local meals are more affordable if your tour doesn’t include food.
Here’s a list of fantastic dishes to try on your trek:
- Dal Bhat – is a traditional Nepali food. There’s also a running joke of “dal bhat power”, because this is the dish that porters consume during the entire trek.
- Sherpa stew – noodle soup and lots of vegetables
- Tibetan bread – fried bread with burnt sugar on top
SUMMARY OF 14 DAYS EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
This trek is challenging whether you’re a pro hiker or a beginner. You’ll find something that will challenge you. This means that this is an amazing trip for pretty much everyone. The views alone along the trail are worth every penny and every step.
The beautiful Himalayas are nothing like anywhere in the world. If you have the time, money, and dedication – go for it! Just remember to go slow and enjoy the views.
This trek will forever be one of the hardest things I’ll ever do as a traveller. I grew up in a city that is not walkable at all. When I started backpacking, I hated it when we had to walk during a tour or explore a city; it was never my thing.
Eventually, day hikes grew on me, and I’m the first person to recommend a walking tour to anyone. Even with a turn of events when it comes to walking, I never imagined that I’ll ever sign up for a 14-day trek this hard. I questioned myself during the hike why I was doing it. I could have gone to Thailand and drank Pina Colada all day.
But then I’d look up from my feet, and the views are just incredible. It’s like staring at a picture, but at the same time, you can hear it breathe, dance, and speak to you directly in words that no one else could understand.
I hope that my experience of 14 days Everest Base Camp trek has been helpful for you in deciding if this trek is for you and visualising what to expect.
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