By air
Lukla flights take about 30 minutes from Kathmandu. In spring and autumn they leave from Ramechhap (Manthali) instead, a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu, so start in the small hours. Delays are common: keep two spare days.
Koshi Province · Nepal
Everest Base Camp travel guide
About two weeks of teahouse trekking through Sherpa villages to the foot of the world's highest mountain, at 5,364 m. No climbing skills needed, but altitude and fitness are serious.
Photo: Rajan Dahal / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- October to November and March to May
- How long
- 12–14 days
- Daily budget
- ₹3,500–5,500 backpacking
- Getting in
- Lukla (LUA), by air from Kathmandu or Ramechhap
- Altitude
- Up to 5,364 m (5,644 m at Kala Patthar)
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Nepal prices are in Nepali rupees, fixed at NPR 1.60 to ₹1. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
The classic route flies into Lukla, then follows the Dudh Koshi valley through Namche Bazaar and Tengboche to Everest Base Camp. Most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar, a 5,644 m viewpoint with the best view of Everest itself.
It's a walk, not a climb, on busy trails with lodges every few hours. What makes it hard is altitude: the route needs rest days, and you should turn back if symptoms get worse.
When to go
Best time to visit Everest Base Camp
- Oct–NovBest
Clear, stable weather and the busiest trails. Nights are well below freezing above 4,000 m.
- Dec–FebMixed
Clear but bitterly cold; some high lodges close, and snow can slow the upper trail.
- Mar–MayGood
Warmer days and rhododendrons lower down; base camp fills with expeditions. Afternoons often cloud over.
- Jun–SepAvoid
Monsoon: rain and cloud hide the peaks, and Lukla flights are often cancelled.
Getting there
How to reach Everest Base Camp
By road
Jeeps from Kathmandu reach roadheads below Lukla, such as Salleri. Walking in from there adds several days but avoids the flight.
Budget
Everest Base Camp trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Teahouse room | ₹300–1,000 | ₹1,500–4,000 |
| Food (rises with altitude) | ₹1,500–2,500 | ₹2,500–3,500 |
| Guide (your share of the daily rate) | ₹1,000–2,000 | ₹2,000–3,000 |
| Charging, Wi-Fi and hot showers | ₹300–700 | ₹500–1,000 |
Lukla flights are the biggest single cost and are priced far above other domestic routes, so book a return with flexible dates. Indians pay the SAARC rate for Sagarmatha National Park, about NPR 1,500 (roughly ₹940), plus the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality fee of about NPR 2,000–3,000.
Itinerary
12-day Everest Base Camp route
- 1
Day 1: Lukla to Phakding
A dawn flight to Lukla (2,860 m), then an easy 3–4 hour walk to Phakding.
- 2
Day 2: Namche Bazaar
Cross the high suspension bridges of the Dudh Koshi and climb to Namche (3,440 m). Permits are checked at Monjo.
- 3
Day 3: Rest day in Namche
Acclimatise with a hike towards the Everest View Hotel or Khumjung, then sleep low.
- 4
Day 4: Tengboche
Walk to Tengboche monastery (about 3,860 m), with Ama Dablam ahead.
- 5
Day 5: Dingboche
Continue up the Imja valley to Dingboche (4,410 m).
- 6
Day 6: Rest day in Dingboche
Climb Nangkartshang hill for the view, then rest.
- 7
Day 7: Lobuche
Past the climbers' memorials at Thukla to Lobuche (4,940 m).
- 8
Day 8: Everest Base Camp
On to Gorak Shep (5,164 m), then to base camp (5,364 m) and back.
- 9
Day 9: Kala Patthar, then down
Sunrise from Kala Patthar (5,644 m), then descend to Pheriche.
- 10
Day 10: Namche Bazaar
A long day back down to Namche.
- 11
Day 11: Lukla
Return to Lukla and reconfirm your flight.
- 12
Day 12: Fly out
Fly to Kathmandu or Ramechhap, and keep the next day free for delays.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Everest Base Camp
Namche Bazaar
The Sherpa trading town in a horseshoe of peaks, with bakeries and gear shops.
Tengboche Monastery
The region's main monastery, on a ridge facing Ama Dablam and Everest.
Kala Patthar
The best close view of Everest, from 5,644 m at sunrise.
Khumbu Glacier
The rubble-covered glacier and icefall beside base camp.
Kids and pets
Visiting Everest Base Camp with kids or pets
With kids
Better with older kids- Altitude above 4,000 m is risky for young children, who may not report symptoms. Most families wait until children are in their teens.
- Families with younger children can go as far as Namche Bazaar or Tengboche instead, with a guide and rest days.
- Talk to a paediatrician before the trip, and buy insurance that covers helicopter rescue.
With pets
Not recommended- Pets aren't practical on this trek: lodges rarely accept them, and the small planes to Lukla rarely carry animals.
- Altitude, freezing nights and long days on rough trails are hard on dogs.
- If you're travelling with a pet, see Nepal from Pokhara or Bandipur instead.
Pet and child policies vary by stay and operator and change often. Confirm before you book.
Local guides
Local guides in Everest Base Camp
Reviewed by WanderTrail. Message them on the site without sharing your number.
S
Sandesh bhandari
Pokhara, Lumbini, Chitwan +5 · Nepal
English, Nepali, Hindi
Licence provided
$25 / day
Before you go
Practical tips
- Altitude
- Climb slowly, take the rest days, and descend if a headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest gets worse. Ask a doctor about altitude medicine before you go.
- Guides and permits
- Since 2023 Nepal has required foreign trekkers to hire a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas, but the Everest region's local government has said solo trekking is allowed there, and how the rule applies to Indian citizens isn't clearly stated. Check with the Nepal Tourism Board before you go; a guide also helps with altitude and lodges.
- Insurance
- Buy travel insurance that covers trekking to 5,500 m and helicopter rescue; many standard policies don't.
Questions
Everest Base Camp FAQs
Can Indians trek to Everest Base Camp without a guide?
It's unclear. Nepal's 2023 rule requires foreign trekkers to use a licensed guide, the Everest region's local government has allowed solo trekkers, and the rules for Indian citizens aren't spelled out. Confirm with the Nepal Tourism Board before you go.
How fit do I need to be?
You should be comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day, mostly uphill, for several days in a row. Training with long hikes and stairs for two months beforehand helps.
When is the best time for the Everest Base Camp trek?
October and November give the clearest views. March to May is the second season, warmer but cloudier in the afternoons.
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