For many people, Everest Base Camp is the reason to come to Nepal. At about 5,364 m, at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, it is where expeditions set up their tents each spring before attempting the summit of Mount Everest (8,849 m). Getting there on foot takes about eight days from Lukla, through Sherpa villages, monasteries and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth.
The best view of Everest itself is not from base camp, which sits too close beneath the mountain, but from Kala Patthar (5,545 m), a hill above Gorak Shep.
Quick answer: Everest Base Camp (about 5,364 m) is reached on a 12–14 day trek from Lukla, or by helicopter tour from Kathmandu. The best Everest view is from Kala Patthar (5,545 m). Best time: October–November and March–May. You need the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the Khumbu municipality fee.
Everest Base Camp at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 5,364 m |
| Region | Khumbu, Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO) |
| Getting there | Fly to Lukla and trek about 8 days up, 3–4 down; or helicopter tour |
| Best viewpoint | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m |
| Best time | October–November, March–May |
| Permits | Sagarmatha National Park; Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee |
What you will see
- Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa trading town.
- Tengboche Monastery, with Ama Dablam and Everest behind it.
- The Khumbu Glacier and Icefall.
- Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Pumori from Kala Patthar.
- In spring, the colourful tents of the expedition base camp.
Trek or helicopter?
The trek is the classic way: about 12–14 days in total, with acclimatisation days. If you are short on time, a helicopter tour from Kathmandu lands near Kala Patthar or flies over base camp in a single morning. Many trekkers combine the two, walking up and flying back.
Trips and guides
- Everest Base Camp trek
- Everest Base Camp helicopter tour
- EBC trek with helicopter return
- Everest Base Camp trek guide
Plan your visit
Everest Base Camp is a lifetime trip; good preparation makes all the difference. Contact us and our Kathmandu team will help you plan it.