14-Day Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary: Day-by-Day Route Guide

EBC Trek Route Summary

Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding (2,651m)

The adventure begins with the most dramatic commute on the trek: a 45-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport, ranked among the world's most demanding runways. At 2,860m, Lukla is already at altitude. From Lukla, the trail descends through pine forest to Phakding, crossing the Dudh Koshi River multiple times on high suspension bridges. A relatively gentle first day at 3-4 hours walking, designed to let legs and lungs begin adjusting without excess demand. The rhododendron forest at this elevation is at its most lush.

Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

The most significant climb of the entire trek in terms of elevation gain happens today: roughly 800 vertical metres over 5-6 hours, culminating in the steep final ascent to Namche Bazaar through pine and juniper forest. The route crosses the Hillary Suspension Bridge at 3,400m with the first clear view of Everest visible above the ridge ahead. Namche Bazaar is the largest town in the Khumbu, with bakeries, gear shops, a Saturday market and the Sherpa Museum - a useful half-day stop on the acclimatization day.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar (3,440m)

This day is mandatory, not optional. The body needs 24-48 hours at Namche's altitude for red blood cell production to begin increasing. The protocol is: hike high, sleep low. The best acclimatization hike from Namche goes to the Everest View Hotel at 3,880m - one of the highest hotels in the world - with a panoramic view of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. Return to Namche to sleep. Alternatively, hike to Khumjung village (3,790m) and the Khumjung School founded by Edmund Hillary. Both options build acclimatization while keeping you below 4,000m overnight.

Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,870m)

The trail contours around the valley before a long descent to the Dudh Koshi River crossing, then climbs steeply through increasingly open terrain with outstanding views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Tengboche is home to Tengboche Monastery, the largest and most significant gompa in the Khumbu, where resident monks practice a form of Nyingma Buddhist tradition that has operated continuously since the monastery's founding in 1916. Arriving in time for the evening puja (prayer ceremony) at the monastery is one of the most memorable experiences on the entire trek.

Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche (4,410m)

The trail descends from Tengboche through rhododendron forest (spectacular in April bloom) before climbing across increasingly open, treeless terrain to Dingboche, a quiet village at the edge of the high-altitude zone. Ama Dablam (6,812m) dominates the valley to the south - arguably the most beautiful mountain view on the entire EBC route. Above Dingboche, the landscape changes from green to grey-brown stone and permanent glaciers become visible on the surrounding peaks.

Day 6: Acclimatization Day at Dingboche (4,410m)

Second mandatory acclimatization day. The recommended hike climbs the Nangkartshang ridge above Dingboche to approximately 5,090m, offering 360-degree views of the Makalu, Baruntse and Amphu Labtsa ranges - peaks that most EBC trekkers never see from the main trail. Return to Dingboche to sleep at 4,410m. Some itineraries send trekkers to Pheriche (4,280m) for this acclimatization night instead - both approaches are effective. By this point, many trekkers notice reduced appetite and disrupted sleep: both are normal responses to altitude and should be monitored but not panicked about.

Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940m)

The trail climbs steadily across the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, passing the Thukla Pass memorial cairns - a moving collection of stone monuments honouring climbers who died on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. Lobuche is a collection of teahouses in a bleak but dramatic glacial setting. Nights at Lobuche are cold year-round; temperatures regularly fall to -10°C or below. Sleeping bags rated to -15°C are essential from this point.

Day 8: Lobuche to Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp (5,364m)

The most demanding and most memorable day of the trek. From Lobuche, the trail follows the top of the Khumbu Glacier moraine to Gorak Shep (5,140m), the last settlement before EBC, where trekkers deposit packs before the final 2-hour push to Base Camp itself. Everest Base Camp during the spring climbing season (March-May) is a city of bright tents on the glacier - hundreds of climbers and Sherpa teams staged for Everest summit attempts. In autumn, it is quieter but no less dramatic. The return to Gorak Shep takes another 2 hours. Total walking today: 7-8 hours at very high altitude.

Day 9: Kalapathar (5,545m) and Descent to Pheriche (4,280m)

An early (3-4am) departure from Gorak Shep for the 1.5-hour climb to Kalapathar times the arrival at the summit for sunrise over Everest - one of the most photographic moments in Himalayan trekking. The view from Kalapathar (5,545m) shows Everest's summit pyramid more clearly than from Base Camp itself, with the Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse, Nuptse and surrounding peaks all visible. The descent from Gorak Shep all the way to Pheriche covers significant ground but the body appreciates dropping altitude after the previous day's exertion.

Days 10-11: Descent to Lukla

The return descent is physiologically easier but genuinely demanding on knees and ankles after 9 days of accumulated fatigue. Trekking poles are particularly valuable on the descent. Day 10 covers Pheriche to Namche (with legs significantly more capable than Day 2's same terrain in reverse). Day 11 follows the valley back to Lukla for a final night before the flight. Most trekkers feel a genuine sense of achievement and some grief at leaving the Khumbu as Lukla comes back into view.

Days 12-14: Lukla to Kathmandu and Departure

The Lukla flight back to Kathmandu (or Manthali) is subject to exactly the same weather delays as the outbound flight. Days 13 and 14 are buffer days - if flights operate on schedule, these become free days in Kathmandu for rest, shopping and the celebration dinner that most EBC trekkers feel is entirely justified. Kathmandu's food scene after 14 days of dal bhat and teahouse meals is genuinely exciting.

Itinerary Variations

12-day version: Reduces by combining Phakding and Namche (or skipping Phakding entirely) and shortening some descent days. Not recommended for trekkers who haven't been at altitude recently - the reduced acclimatization window increases AMS risk.

16-day version: Adds an extra acclimatization night at Lobuche before the EBC push, and a rest day in Namche on the return. Recommended for anyone over 50 or anyone with a history of altitude sensitivity.

For cost context by itinerary length, see our EBC trek cost guide. For fitness requirements by itinerary length, see our EBC difficulty guide.

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