12 Days
2-12
5,364 Meters
March-June, September-October
Everest Base Camp Trek – At a Glance
Trekking to Everest Base Camp offers stunning mountain views and a glimpse into the Sherpa way of life. You’ll hike through Sagarmatha National Park, visit ancient monasteries, and follow in the footsteps of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.
The trek typically takes 9–11 days, beginning with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,840m). From there, you’ll ascend through forests, villages, and steep trails, reaching the iconic viewpoint of Kala Patthar (5,545m). Along the way, enjoy close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, and more.
A highlight is Namche Bazaar, a vibrant Sherpa town with cozy lodges, cafés, and breathtaking mountain backdrops. It serves as the gateway to Everest and a great place to acclimatize.
Best Seasons for Everest Base Camp Trek
Spring (March–May):
The most popular season. Clear skies, blooming rhododendrons, and a higher chance of spotting rare wildlife like the red panda and snow leopard. Trails are busier but beautiful.
Autumn (Sept–Nov):
Another top season with pleasant weather and crystal-clear views. Like spring, it’s busy, so booking early and having a good guide is essential.
Winter (Nov–Feb):
Challenging but rewarding. Expect cold temperatures and snow. Suitable for experienced trekkers seeking solitude and snowy scenery.
Monsoon (June–Sept):
Wet and muddy with limited views. Not ideal for beginners, but the trails are quiet and lush. Great for those seeking solitude and nature in full bloom.
Weather & Temperature
Daytime temperatures range from 8–12°C, dropping to -3°C or lower at night—sometimes reaching -20°C. Weather in the region is unpredictable, so always keep an extra day or two in your itinerary.
Acclimatization Stops
Namche Bazaar (3,440m):
Ideal for rest and altitude adjustment. Visit local bakeries, Sherpa museums, and the Everest View Hotel for stunning panoramas.
Dingboche (4,410m):
The last major Sherpa village and a key rest point. Trek to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083m) for epic views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and more. Dingboche has internet, cozy lodges, and a relaxed vibe perfect for recharging.
Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from AIA will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle.
After check-in, you’re free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. In the evening, you’ll attend a trip briefing where you’ll meet your guide and go over the details of your 12-day Everest Base Camp trek.
A thrilling domestic flight to Lukla, one of the most dramatic airstrips in the world.
After meeting your porter and guide, we begin our trek with a gentle downhill walk along the Dudh Koshi River, passing through pine forests and suspension bridges toward the riverside village of Phakding.
We follow the Dudh Koshi River, crossing suspension bridges and passing villages like Monjo and Jorsale. After checking into Sagarmatha National Park, we climb steeply toward Namche Bazaar, a vibrant Sherpa hub carved into the hillside with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
We will acclimatise in Namche Bazaar to help your body adjust to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Namche is more than just a mountain village, it’s a lively hub with shops, cafes, and services you wouldn’t expect this deep in the Himalayas. It’s a great place to relax, explore, and acclimatize.
We take a short hike to Everest View Hotel, with spectacular views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and more. On the way, we visit Khumjung village, home to a famous monastery with a “Yeti scalp,” and Syangboche Airstrip, one of the highest in the world.
We leave Namche with fantastic views of Everest, then descend to the riverside village of Phunki Tenga.
After lunch, the trail climbs through rhododendron forests to Tengboche, home to the famous Tengboche Monastery. You may attend evening chanting with monks, surrounded by towering peaks.
We descend through woods to Deboche, then cross the Imja Khola bridge and pass through Pangboche, where Ama Dablam towers above.
The trail then opens into the vast and arid Imja Valley. As we ascend to Dingboche, stone walls line the wind-swept fields and mountain vistas widen.
We follow a gradual uphill trail to Dughla, then begin the steep climb to the Thukla Pass, where stone memorials honor climbers who lost their lives on Everest.
The views grow more dramatic as we continue along the glacial moraine to reach Lobuche, a small settlement with close-up views of Nuptse and Pumori.
An early start takes us to Gorakshep, the last settlement before Everest Base Camp. We drop our bags and continue across rugged glacial terrain toward the legendary Everest Base Camp. With the Khumbu Icefall roaring in the background, you’ll feel the pulse of Everest. After photos and rest, we trek back to Gorakshep for the night.
Pre-dawn, we hike to Kala Patthar, the highest point of the trek and the best place to watch sunrise over Everest.
After soaking in the golden glow, we descend back to Gorakshep for breakfast and continue down to the warmer, more oxygen-rich village of Pheriche.
We retrace our steps past Pangboche, Deboche, and Tengboche, then descend and climb back to Namche. The air gets thicker, the food gets tastier, and the sense of accomplishment grows stronger. Enjoy your favorite bakery or catch Wi-Fi again!
The final day of trekking brings us down through Monjo, Jorsale, and Phakding before the gradual climb back to Lukla. It’s time to thank your guide and porter, and enjoy a warm meal,
We’ll take a 40-minute flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the vibrant streets and cafés of Kathmandu. In the evening, AIA will host a farewell dinner where you’ll receive a certificate of completion for your Everest Base Camp trek.
Pick-Up & Start of the Trek
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a representative from AIA will be there to welcome you. While hotel accommodations in Kathmandu are not included in the trek package, we’re happy to help arrange a stay before your departure for Lukla, where the adventure begins.
Accommodation During the Trek
Throughout the 12-day trek, you’ll stay in the best available teahouses and lodges along the trail. Solo travelers can also request single private rooms, depending on availability.
Meals on the Trek
As altitude increases, food options become more limited, but we ensure you’re provided with nutritious meals to support your trek. Typical meals include local staples like dal bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables), soups, curries, and pickles. Breakfast often includes porridge, bread, fruit, or noodles.
We recommend avoiding meat at higher altitudes due to hygiene concerns. Instead, stick to fresh vegetables, garlic soup, green tea, lemon tea, and other warm fluids to stay energized.
Mineral water is available at all stops, or you can purchase boiled water at lodges to refill your bottles.
Electricity & Internet Access
Most lodges offer electricity for charging devices and internet access for communication, though these come at an additional cost.
Trek Difficulty
The Everest Base Camp trek is rated moderate. Anyone in good health who can walk 4–6 hours daily with a backpack (8–12 kg) can complete it. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, especially heart or respiratory issues, consult your doctor beforehand.
Travel Insurance Requirement
Due to the high-altitude nature of this trek, travel insurance is mandatory. Your policy must cover medical emergencies, high-altitude evacuation (above 3,000m), and helicopter rescue. All trekkers are required to submit a copy of their insurance policy to North Nepal Trek before the trek begins.
The EBC trek is considered moderate to challenging. You don’t need mountaineering experience, but you should be in good physical shape, capable of walking 5–8 hours a day on uneven terrain, often at high altitudes. The real challenge is the altitude, not the trail.
We recommend basic fitness prep like cardio, stair climbing, and light hiking before the trip.
Acclimatization is key. Our itinerary includes one full rest/ acclimatization day in Namche plus a slow, staged ascent.
To reduce your risk:
Hike slowly (“bistari, bistari” as the Sherpas say)
Drink 3–4 liters of water daily
Avoid alcohol or smoking at high altitudes
Inform your guide immediately if you experience symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue
Our guides are first-aid trained and carry basic oxygen supplies. If needed, we descend or evacuate for safety.
Absolutely! Many trekkers choose to fly out from Gorakshep or Pheriche by helicopter to Lukla or even Kathmandu/Pokhara.
This is great for:
Saving time
Avoiding the return hike
A dramatic aerial view of Everest and the Khumbu Glacier
Let us know in advance or decide on the trail. We’ll handle the booking and logistics. Prices vary depending on altitude and group size.
Best Seasons:
Spring (March–May): Clear skies, blooming rhododendrons, mild weather
Autumn (September–November): Crisp air, stable weather, excellent visibility
Avoid:
Monsoon (June–August): Cloudy, muddy trails, flight delays
Winter (December–February): Very cold, heavy snow at high passes
We take care of all permits for you:
You’ll need:
Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit
Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit
(TIMS is no longer mandatory for EBC)
Just provide your passport copy and two photos, and we’ll handle the rest.
