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The Everest Base Camp Trek (EBC Trek) mostly begins at Lukla, an exhilarating mountain airstrip. The EBC trek progresses through renowned Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche. Trekkers pass through lush rhododendron forests, high-altitude deserts, glacial moraines, and suspension bridges like popular Hillary Bridge. The final destination of EBC Trek is Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,364 meters, overlooking the Khumbu Icefall and Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters). Trekkers also can climb Kalapattar(5545m) to see spectacular sunrise over Mt. Everest.
This Everest trek provides breathtaking views of Lhotse (8,516 m), Nuptse (7,861 m), Ama Dablam (6,812 m), and Pumori (7,161 m). The EBC Trek route is a combination of well-trodden paths and steep, rocky pitches, especially after Dingboche. The most challenging segment of EBC Trek is the climb up to Kala Patthar (5,545 m), the summit, with unparalleled sunrise views of Everest.
The difficulty level of Everest Base Camp Trek is demanding to challenging. Trekkers trek 5–7 hours a day, 10–15 km a day in average in EBC Trekking. The total distance of Everest Base Camp Trek is about 130 km (Lukla to Lukla). If Thamdanda or Surke is the start/end point, the distance is about the same but avoids the Lukla flight. Jeep/bus ride from Kathmandu to Thamdanda or Surke is 8–10 hours. Return can be via Salleri, Ramechhap, or a Lukla flight.
Accommodation Facilities on Everest Base Camp Trek range from teahouses that offer twin-sharing rooms and hot blankets. The cuisines on the menu at the local lodges ranges from dal bhat, noodles, pasta, pancakes to yak cheese available locally. The food is basic but nutritious.
The best season for Everest Base Camp Trekking is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). Both periods offer clear weather, pleasant temperatures, and consistent weather for trekking and mountain views.
The duration of the Everest Base Camp trek is 12–14 days with acclimatization days. Total trek time is around 60–70 hours. All the Everest Base Camp Trek itineraries have Namche (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m) acclimatization stops to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Everest Base Camp Trek without Lukla Flight | 16 days
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Trekking in Nepal
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Sagarmatha National Park Permit and Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit are required to be attained by the trekkers before departing onto the EBC Trekking Trail. A guide and porter are highly recommended and generally obligatory for assistance and safety. However, the guide and the porters are not mandatory for EBC Trek. Solo and Independend Trekkers can do Everest Base Camp Trek on their own.
EBC Trekking provides unrivaled Himalayan scenery, culture, and adventure—a trip of a lifetime to the foot of the planet's highest mountain.
Everest Base Camp Trek by Road is a scenic and adventurous alternative to flying to and from Lukla. Avoiding Lukla flights, the EBC trek starts with a long jeep drive from Kathmandu to Salleri. The drive takes about 8 to 10 hours, traveling around 265 km. Salleri is at an altitude of 2,360 meters. From Salleri, a jeep drive further takes you to Thamdanda. This off-road journey from Salleri to Thamdanda takes 5 to 6 hours and is approximately 55 km. Thamdanda is around 2,350 meters above the sea level.
From Thamdanda, you begin your trek to Everest Base Camp. On the initial day, trek to Paiya (2,730m) in 4–5 hours. The second day, trek to Phakding (2,610m), a 6–7 hour hike. From Phakding, trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m) in 6 hours. Namche is a good place for acclimatization. Rest an additional day here and hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for acclimatization and best view of Everest with a beautiful coffee and some snacks.
Resume hike to Tengboche (3,860m), 5 hours from Namche. Walk 5–6 hours to Dingboche (4,410m). Stay at Dingboche for two nights for acclimatization. Use the second day for hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m). After proper rest, hike to Lobuche (4,910m), 5-hour hike. Hike to Gorakshep (5,164m) in 3 hours from Lobuche.
Hike from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) as a side excursion on the same day. 4–5 hours round-trip. Early the next morning, hike up to Kala Patthar (5,545m) to see Everest at sunrise. The climb is 2–3 hours. Return the same way from Gorakshep to Thamdanda in 3 to 4 days. The trail from Gorekhshep to Lukla and Thamdanda is mixed of both ups and downs.
Back to Salleri by jeep from Thamdanda, and then on to Kathmandu. The journey back to Kathmandu from Thamdanda is two days. Perfect for those who avoid the flying risks or cancellations, this Everest Base Camp trek by road also offers slow altitude gain which assists in acclimatizing. It encompasses diverse landscape, vibrant Sherpa culture, and unmatched mountain views.
Hike to EBC by road trail in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November). Weather is clear, and trails are well marked. This overland EBC trek ensures flexibility, security, and Himalayan experiences to cherish.
No of People | Cost in USD | Package |
2-4 | 985 | Transportation, Guide, Porter and Permits |
2-4 | 1375 | Transportation, Guide, Porter, Permits , all meals and accommodation |
5-7 | 955 | Transportation, Guide, Porter and Permits |
5-7 | 1355 | Transportation, Guide, Porter, Permits , all meals and accommodation |
8-12 | 925 | Transportation, Guide, Porter and Permits |
8-12 | 1255 | Transportation, Guide, Porter, Permits , all meals and accommodation |
Tourists may drive to Everest Base Camp without airplanes by following an extended jeep road trip from Kathmandu. Initially, you are taken to Salleri (2,360m), approximately 8–10 hours or about 265 km (from Kathmandu, at 1,400m altitude) on the rough jeep roads. Further trekking then extends to Thamdanda (2,370m), 6–7 hours ahead depending upon road conditions, from Salleri. Roughly, approximately 335 km of road path is available on the entire Kathmandu- Thamdanda route.
From Thamdanda, the ascent formally begins. It is about 5 hours to trek up to Paiya (2,730m). The EBC Trek route by road moves through prominent villages like Phakding (2,610m), Namche Bazaar (3,440m), Tengboche (3,860m), Dingboche (4,410m), and Lobuche (4,940m). Acclimatization at Namche and Dingboche help in adjusting to high altitude and reduce AMS risk.
The Everest Base Camp trek from Thamdanda to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is around 9–10 days. Several trekkers also hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m) at sunrise for a glimpse of Mount Everest. The sight from this top offers a more intimate view of Everest than can be seen from base camp.
The return trekking distance from Thamdanda to EBC and back is about 130 km. Including the jeep trail, the total round-trip distance from Kathmandu-EBC-Kathmandu is about 800 km. The journey takes 16–18 days, including transportation and acclimatization. There are 5–8 hours of walking per trekking day in average.
Descending from EBC is also the same way: hiking back to Thamdanda, then driving through Salleri to Kathmandu. Descending is faster, usually taking 2 fewer days than ascending.
This alternative EBC Trek route avoids Lukla's unpredictable flights but is not problem-free. The jeep ride is long, tough, and rough at times. Road conditions worsen during snow or monsoon. The Thamdanda trek is steep and muddy in some parts. There are few lodges prior to Phakding, demanding flexibility and endurance.
Though difficult, this alternative trail for EBC is suitable for trekkers who would like to avoid flight delays and hike on less traveled routes. It provides gradual altitude gain, enhanced acclimatization, and a more varied cultural experience in the lower Solukhumbu region
Everest Base Camp Trek by Land | 16 days
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Trekking in Nepal
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Day | From-To | Mode |
Distance (km) |
Start Elevation (m) |
End Elevation (m |
Duration | Remarks |
1 | Kathmandu → Salleri |
Drive (Jeep) |
265 km |
1,400 |
2,360 |
8–10 hrs |
Long scenic drive via Okhaldhunga |
2 | Salleri → Thamdanda (Drive), trek to Paiya or Surke |
Drive + Trek |
Trek 6–8 km |
2,360 |
2,730 (Paiya) / 2,290 (Surke) |
Drive ~5 hrs +Trek 3–4 hrs |
Bumpy road to Thamdanda, then trek through forested trail |
3 | Paiya/Surke → Phakding |
Trek |
10–12 km |
2,290 |
2,730 2,610 |
5–6 hrs |
Join main EBC trail; gentle ups and downs |
4 | Phakding → Namche Bazaar Trek |
Trek |
11–12 km |
2,610 |
3,440 |
6–7 hrs |
Cross high bridges, steep ascent to Namche |
5 | Acclimatization Day in Namche |
Hike | 3–5 km (optional) |
3,440 |
3,700–3,900 (hike) |
2–4 hrs (hike) |
Hike to Everest View Hotel or Khumjung; rest and adapt |
6 | Namche → Tengboche |
Trek |
9.5 km |
3,440 |
3,860 |
5–6 hrs |
Descent to Phunki Tenga, then steep uphill to Tengboche |
7 | Tengboche → Dingboche |
Trek |
11–12 km |
3,860 |
4,410 |
5–6 hrs |
Gradual climb through Pangboche and Shomare |
8 | Acclimatization Day in Dingboche |
Acclimatization Hike |
3–6 km (optional |
4,410 |
4,800–5,100 (hike) |
2–4 hrs (hike) |
Hike to Nangkar Tshang viewpoint |
9 | Dingboche → Lobuche |
Trek |
8.5–9 km |
4,410 |
4,940 |
5–6 hrs |
Pass memorials at Thukla Pass, then gradual ascent |
10 | Lobuche → Gorakshep → Everest Base Camp → Gorakshep |
Trek |
12–13 km |
4,940 |
5,164 (Gorakshep) / 5,364 (EBC) |
7–8 hrs |
Drop bags at Gorakshep; hike to EBC and return |
11 | Gorakshep → Kala Patthar → Pheriche |
Trek |
13 km |
5,164 |
4,240 |
7–8 hrs |
Early hike to Kala Patthar (5,545m), then descend |
12 | Pheriche → Namche Bazaar Trek |
Trek | 22 km |
4,240 |
3,440 |
7–8 hrs |
Long descent; pass Tengboche |
13 | Namche → Surke or Paiya |
Trek |
15–16 km |
3,440 |
2,290 / 2,730 |
6–7 hrs |
Retrace steps; steep downhill |
14 | Surke/Paiya → Thamdanda |
drive to Salleri Trek + Drive |
Trek 6–8 km + Drive ~5 hrs |
2,290 |
/ 2,730 2,360 |
3–4 hrs + 5 hrs |
Final trekking section; jeep back to Salleri |
15 | Salleri → Kathmandu |
Drive (Jeep) |
265 km |
2,360 |
1,400 |
8–10 hrs |
End the trek in Kathmandu |
It is a unique and rewarding Himalayan experience to go from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp by land. Unlike flying into Lukla, this overland journey allows gradual acclimatization and greater cultural exposure. From Kathmandu, visitors drive through scenic mountain scenery and charming Sherpa villages on their way to the trek's beginning. This route provides flexibility, insulation from flight delays, and an introduction to Nepal's countryside life. The EBC hike by road begins at lower altitudes and ascends progressively, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. Traveling to EBC by overland enhances the appreciation of nature and culture en route to Everest Base Camp.
The journey from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp by land offers an offbeat, immersive Himalayan adventure. The land route to Everest Base Camp bypasses flying to Lukla and begins with a scenic drive to trailheads like Jiri (1,905 m) or Salleri (2,360 m) or Thamdanda or Paiya or Surke and then a long trek over diverse landscapes. It offers gradual acclimatization, cultural immersion, and panoramic views over diverse elevations. Though time-consuming, it's ideal for adventure seekers and risk-averse flights. The trek involves altitudes of 1,400 m at Kathmandu to 5,364 m at Everest Base Camp. Though rewarding, the trek demands good health, patience, and resilience.
Everest Base Camp Trek 14 Days | 14 days
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(15 reviews)
Trekking in Nepal
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Everest Base Camp Budget Trek 16 Days | 16 days
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Required for difficult, high-altitude rugged trails; provides ankle support and injury prevention.
Needed in cold conditions at high altitude, particularly at night and in the early morning.
Teahouse blankets are inadequate; stays warm and provides good sleep.
Clean water is difficult to obtain on the trail; purification prevents waterborne disease.
Saves knee wear and tear on long up- and downhill treks.
Easy availability of bandages, medication, and altitude sickness tablets is a must.
A necessity for power failures, night hikes, or early morning starts.
Insulates without the bulk under outerwear.
Charging facilities are limited and costly; keeps gadgets powered.
It takes 16-18 days to travel to Everest Base Camp overland from Kathmandu.
This option avoids the Lukla flight for a secure, scenic overland journey.
Trekkers travel by road from Kathmandu to Jiri or Tham Danda or Surke or Paiya.
Then they trek through dense forests, Sherpa villages, and alpine scenery in lower Khumbu region.
It is the same path as the old one used before the Lukla airport was built.
The journey to EBC by road offers more cultural experience and acclimatization attained progressively.
It's ideal for those who prefer overland travel to small mountain flights.
The trek to EBC by road is challenging but highly rewarding in experience and landscape.
Join this Everest Overland Trek and walk in the footsteps of Everest pioneers.
Avoid flight cancellations and experience Nepal's diverse mid-hill and mountain landscape.
Here's your chance to live the adventure with more safety and authenticity.
Come experience the Everest dream—step by step from Kathmandu to the base of the world's highest mountain beginning formally from Lower Khumbu region.
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Keywords | Everest Base Camp Trek by Road |
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