It takes an average of 12 to 16 days to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek, the gateway to the tallest peak in the world. The trek is divided into two portions: the journey from Kathmandu to Lukla and from Lukla to the base camp. The duration of the Everest Base Camp trek depends on which route you choose. Our Everest Base Camp Short Trek takes 14 days to and from Kathmandu. But our more sought-after and thrilling Everest Base Camp 3 Passes Trek takes 18 days to complete.
When planning a trip to the Everest Base Camp, it is important for you to be thorough with the details. By having an idea of how long the trek could take, you can decide your preferred routes to the base camp. You can seek out new adventures at the base camp, like our 18-day Sleeping at Everest Base Camp Trek! Based on these categories, you can estimate how many days it might take to complete your trek.
1. The earliest way to reach Lukla
The duration of your Everest Base Camp Trek is dependent on your route to Lukla. From there, you embark on your high-altitude trekking trip. There are two ways you can comfortably get to Lukla. One is a thrilling flight to the Tenzing Hillary airport. Another, a mystifying road trip along the hilly winding roads from Kathmandu.
(a) Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and back
(Trek duration: 12-14 days)
The flight is 30 to 45 minutes long, but delays are common due to weather conditions. Lukla airport is perched between two mountains. And the weather sometimes gets impossible for planes to navigate. In those conditions, helicopters are handy replacements, as they’re more reliable on the logistics end.
(b) Drive along the classic trail to Everest Base Camp
(Trek duration: 13-16 days)
For a longer and more traditional journey, you can embark on your trek via the Pioneers’ route. You can trek to Lukla from Jiri (5 days) or Phaplu (3 days). It’s a less visited route and presents the opportunity to truly unravel the marvels of the Everest region.
(c)The most convenient driving route to the Everest Base Camp
(Trek duration: 12-16 days)
Alternatively, in a newly unveiled route, roads have reached as far as Tham Danda. A 9 to 10-hour drive from Kathmandu along the Madhya-Pahadi highway will lead you to Salleri. Then a 6-7 hour drive from Salleri to Tham Danda . Finally, an approximately 5-hour hike will lead you to the town of Surkey at Lukla.
To conclude your arrival journey from Lukla, you can either take a short 4-hour hike to Monjo, or approximately 6 km to Namche Bazar. Otherwise, you can take a longer 6-hour trek to Phakding, a village to the north of Lukla. This shortens your arrival journey into 3 concise days. From here, you can continue on to complete your Everest Base Camp Trek.
2. How long is the trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp?
The total distance of the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek from Lukla to EBC and back is roughly 130km (80 miles) long. The distance from Lukla to the basecamp is approximately 65km (40 miles) covered over roughly 8 days.
If you time your trip during the best time to visit the Everest Base Camp, then you’ll have the option of taking detours into the nearby monasteries and sites. That may increase your trek distance, and thus the duration.
Planning a trek to Everest Base Camp?
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3. Plan for beginners
The Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. The basecamp is at 5,364m (17599ft) and Lukla is at 2,360m (9390 feet). If you’re a beginner, you may want to train for high-altitude hiking prior, and take your time during your trip.
The average trekker walks 6-8 hours a day, but you can pace yourself according to your comfort. Be careful, as your chances of getting altitude sickness on the Everest Base Camp trek are high. Always set aside some days to acclimatize, and listen to your guides.
4. A challenge for more experienced climbers
If you have some high-altitude trekking experience, you may increase the pace of your Everest base Camp Trek. By increasing the distance covered during the day, you will be able to shorten the duration of your Everest Base Camp trek.
As an experienced climber, you can complete the trek in less than 14 days. However, make sure you don’t compromise on your acclimatization days. It may be the difference between a successful trip and returning home halfway.
To be adequately prepared for your adventure, make sure you’ve checked all the boxes of your Everest base camp trek packing list. Don’t forget to double-check the cost of the Everest Base Camp Trek, and be prepared accordingly for any emergencies.
For further queries on your Everest Base Camp Trek, contact our travel experts on Facebook or WhatsApp us at +1-410-307-0007. Happy travels!
Sudarshan Devkota is a passionate trekking leader with the immense knowledge of trekking and mountains of Nepal. With his strong belief and determination, he has led travelers from around the world to the famous trekking trails of Nepal namely Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang and many more.
