Short Everest Base Camp Trek

Your first day in Nepal is a travel and preparation day with no physical exertion. After arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, the focus is on ground transfer, settling into the hotel, and completing trek formalities.

Note: Kathmandu on arrival is busy and practical rather than calm. Roads are narrow, traffic moves slowly, and short distances can take time.

Because the Lukla flight departs early the next morning, the day is intentionally kept light to allow rest and adjustment after international travel.

After exiting the terminal at Tribhuvan International Airport, the road transfer begins along Airport Road, passing through the Tinkune area and continuing toward New Baneshwor.

From here, the route usually follows Maitighar and Tripureshwor before moving north via Kantipath and entering Thamel through Tridevi Marg or inner roads (also called galli in Nepali).

Depending on traffic flow, an alternate approach via Gaushala and Gyaneshwor may be used. Drive time typically ranges from 25 to 45 minutes in light traffic and can extend to 60 to 90 minutes during peak congestion, especially in the late afternoon.

Accommodation is provided in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Thamel with private rooms and attached bathrooms. Hot water and Wi Fi are generally available, though pressure and consistency can vary. Breakfast is included. A trek briefing and gear check are completed either in the evening or early the next morning if arrival is late. The check focuses on boots, layers, sleeping bag suitability, headlamp, and water treatment, while confirming that route-specific permits and logistics for the Everest region are in order.

Early rest is recommended due to the early airport departure required for the Lukla flight.

Day 2 is a travel and introductory trekking day. The morning starts with an early flight to Lukla, followed by a short walk that allows the body to adjust to trail movement and altitude without heavy effort.

Walking condition for today is generally going to be easy, with a net descent and a relaxed pace, but travel fatigue from the flight and the first exposure to thinner air can still be felt.

Trail conditions are straightforward, and the day is structured to ease trekkers into the rhythm of the Everest region rather than push distance or elevation.

The flight departs from Kathmandu Domestic Airport at Tribhuvan International Airport, operating in the early morning window, typically between 6:00 and 9:00 AM, as flights to Lukla are scheduled only in the morning due to changing winds later in the day.

Flight time is usually between 25 and 35 minutes. During peak trekking seasons, flights may operate from Ramechhap Manthali Airport instead of Kathmandu, following CAAN operational notices.

Upon landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, the walk begins directly from the Lukla market area. The trail descends gently through Chaurikharka and continues past Cheplung, following the Dudh Koshi River valley. The route passes Thado Koshi and Ghat, crossing several small suspension bridges before reaching Phakding.

Talking about the path, it is a mix of dirt trail, stone steps, and rocky sections, with pine and rhododendron forest along parts of the valley.

Lukla is the highest point of the day at 2,860 m, and the route gradually descends to Phakding at 2,610 m, resulting in a net altitude loss of about 250 m. Although the trail is not steep or technical, a slow and comfortable pace is recommended, especially on bridges and in sections with mule and yak traffic.

Water and food are available in villages and teahouses along the route, and lunch is usually taken either on the trail or after reaching Phakding.

Evenings are cooler than in Kathmandu, and overnight stays are in local teahouses ranging from basic to comfortable.

Day 4 is an acclimatization day with a half-day hike. You walk for about 3 to 4 hours in total and cover about 3 to 4 km round trip, then return to sleep in Namche.

The goal is controlled exposure to a higher altitude without carrying on to a higher sleeping point. The trail climbs out of Namche on stone steps, then follows a wider hillside path with mixed dirt and stone. Effort is moderate because the air is thinner, even though the distance is short.

From Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m, you climb above town toward the Syangboche area. The path begins on stone steps through the upper edge of Namche, then transitions to a broad village trail.

Forest sections on the lower part of the climb are mainly pine and rhododendron, and the terrain becomes more open as you approach Syangboche. You pass near the Syangboche airstrip at about 3,748 m, then continue on the same route to Hotel Everest View, which sits at about 3,880 m and is the high point of the day.

After a short rest stop, you return on the same trail back down to Namche to sleep at 3,440 m.

In fact, today is the day when you follow the climb high, sleep low pattern. You hike higher for acclimatization, then return to a lower sleeping altitude in Namche. Even though the hike is short, the pace matters because this is your second day above 3,000 m, and breathing can feel heavier on the uphill sections. The upper trail is more exposed, and wind can pick up near Syangboche, so a warm layer is useful even on a clear morning. Lunch is usually taken back in Namche after the walk, and the afternoon is kept for rest, hydration, and small last-minute gear checks.

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche is a steady trekking day that usually takes 5 to 6 hours on the trail and covers about 9 to 10 km.

You leave Namche on the high outline trail, travel toward Kyangjuma with gentle ups and downs, then descend to the river at Phunki Tenga before a long, steep climb to Tengboche.

Effort is demanding after crossing Phunki Tenga River because the uphill is continuous and the air is thinner. Furthermore, this day is another sleep above 3,500 m, so the key is a slow and steady pace on the final climb rather than pushing.

Starting from Namche Bazaar at 3,440 m, the route follows the wide hillside contour trail toward Kyangjuma at about 3,550 m. The path here is generally broad and well defined, with short rises and dips and more open sections that can feel breezy.

After Kyangjuma, you continue to Sanasa at about 3,600 m, a key trail junction where the Gokyo route splits off, so foot traffic and pack animals often funnel through this point.

From Sanasa, the trail drops down through the forest toward Phunki Tenga at about 3,250 m on the Dudh Koshi River. Phunki Tenga is a common lunch stop and you will usually see a water powered prayer wheel feature near the river. You cross the Dudh Koshi on a suspension bridge near Phunki Tenga, then begin the main climb of the day.

From the river crossing, the trail climbs steeply through dense pine and rhododendron forest in a continuous ascent toward Tengboche. This section is the hardest part of the day because it is sustained, and the altitude makes the climb feel heavier even for fit trekkers.

Then you finally reach Tengboche at 3,860 m, the day’s highest point and the overnight stop. Water and tea stops are available along the route, but the forest climb is where many trekkers benefit from fewer long breaks and more consistent movement.

Tengboche to Dingboche is a steady but difficult trekking day that usually takes 5 to 6 hours on the trail and covers about 11 to 12 km. You descend from Tengboche to Debuche, cross the Imja Khola, then climb gradually through Pangboche and Somare into the open Imja Valley to Dingboche.

The effort increases as altitude rises and the landscape becomes more open. This is your first sleep above 4,000 m, so maintaining a pace becomes very crucial.

Leaving Tengboche at 3,860 m, you descend through forest on a mixed stone step and dirt trail to Debuche. Along this section, you pass traditional mani stones and short mani wall sections typical of this area.

After Debuche, you cross the Imja Khola on a bridge, then begin a gradual climb toward Pangboche at about 3,985 m.

Then, the trail continues through Pangboche with more mani walls and village paths before moving higher into more open terrain. From Pangboche, the route becomes less forested and follows the valley line through Somare at about 4,010 m, with Orsho commonly mentioned as a small point on the way to Dingboche. In fact, Somare is also the place where you stop to take some lunch.

As you enter the Imja Valley, the trail feels more exposed, and the wind can pick up across the open sections.

Finally, you reach Dingboche at 4,410 m, the day’s highest altitude and the overnight stop. Because you are gaining sleep altitude, keep your breathing controlled and avoid racing the gradual climbs, especially after Pangboche where the thinner air becomes more noticeable.

Dingboche is known for stone-walled fields built as wind protection, which matches the more open and wind-affected feel of the valley at this altitude.

This is the longest and most effort-heavy trekking day of the route. You walk for about 8 to 9 hours in total and cover about 12 to 13 km, depending on the exact track.

The stage is structured as Lobuche to Gorakshep, then an out-and-back to Everest Base Camp, returning to sleep in Gorakshep. The day follows the Khumbu Glacier moraine north from Lobuche and stays on uneven glacial terrain where pace is naturally slow. Effort is demanding because the altitude is high and the ground is rough, rather than because of steep sustained climbing.

From Lobuche at 4,910 m, you follow the Khumbu Glacier moraine north toward Gorakshep. The trail is a mix of rocky moraine and glacial debris with sections of sandy flats, and footing is uneven with small rises and dips. This first section is about 6 km and commonly takes 3 to 4 hours at a controlled pace.

Gorakshep at 5,164 m is the main service stop and the overnight location. Most teams take lunch here before continuing, because it is the last reliable place for a longer break, and the return from base camp is done on the same day.

After lunch, you leave Gorakshep and follow a rough moraine trail with frequent ups and downs toward the Everest Base Camp marker area. This section is about 3 km each way, so roughly 6 km round trip, and the surface is loose rock and scree with constant small climbs and drops that add fatigue at altitude.

Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m is the highest altitude of the day. The standard plan is to visit without an overnight and return to Gorakshep the same way, aiming to be back with enough daylight left. In climbing season, you may see seasonal expedition tents around the base camp area, but this varies by time of year.

This day follows a gradual gain to Gorakshep, then a smaller gain to Everest Base Camp, which makes the total altitude gain of around 454 m. And you sleep lower back at Gorakshep.

At this altitude, moving slowly is the safest strategy. Keep breaks regular and short, drink consistently, and avoid rushing the moraine sections where uneven footing increases the effort.

Water Availability: Water at Gorakshep is limited and usually costly, so arrive with enough carried water and plan refills carefully.

Furthermore, the base camp section can feel busy in peak season because many trekkers target the same point, and the open moraine can be wind-affected with rapid weather shifts.

This is an early start day with a short but demanding climb followed by a long descent. Total walking time is usually 7 to 8 hours, covering about 12 to 13 km. The day begins with a pre-dawn ascent from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar, then retraces the route back past Lobuche and Dughla before descending to Pheriche.

Effort is high early due to steep uphill walking in thin air, then eases gradually as altitude drops during the long descent.

From Gorakshep at 5,164 m, you climb steadily on a rocky trail toward Kala Patthar. The ascent is direct and steep, with loose stone underfoot, and usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on pace.

Kala Patthar at 5,545 m is the highest altitude of the entire trek. After a short stop, you descend carefully back to Gorakshep on the same trail. After breakfast, the route continues south following the rocky moraine path back toward Lobuche at 4,910 m, then down to Dughla at about 4,620 m. From Dughla, you descend further into the broader valley, with the trail becoming easier as altitude decreases, and continue to Pheriche at about 4,371 m.

This means the total altitude gain for today will be around 381 m, followed by the elevation loss of around 1,170 m.

This day involves a climb high and then a significant descent, which many trekkers feel in their knees and thighs. The air improves noticeably once you drop below Lobuche, but it is still important to keep a steady pace and avoid rushing downhill on loose rock.

This is a long descent day that usually takes 6 to 7 hours and covers about 14 to 15 km. The route retraces familiar ground through the Imja Valley and Dudh Koshi Valley, with a steady loss of altitude throughout the day. Effort is moderate, mainly due to distance rather than climbing, and breathing becomes easier as you descend.

Leaving Pheriche at 4,371 m, you follow the valley trail back through Somare at about 4,010 m and Pangboche at about 3,985 m. The path is mostly open at first, then gradually reenters forest sections as you approach lower elevations.

After Pangboche, the route descends toward the Imja Khola crossing and continues through Debuche before climbing briefly back to Tengboche at about 3,860 m. From Tengboche, the trail drops steeply through pine and rhododendron forest to Phunki Tenga at about 3,250 m, crosses the Dudh Koshi, then climbs gradually through Sanasa and Kyangjuma before reaching Namche Bazaar.

Although the day is mostly downhill, it is long and can be tiring on the legs. The short climbs after river crossings are still felt, but overall oxygen levels improve quickly. Lunch is usually taken at Pangboche or Phunki Tenga. Mule and yak traffic is common on this corridor, and the trail can feel busy near Sanasa and on the approach to Namche.

This is the final trekking day and usually takes 6 to 7 hours, covering about 18 to 19 km. The route follows the main Dudh Koshi valley trail back toward Lukla, with a mix of descents, short climbs, and river crossings. Effort is moderate, with fatigue more related to cumulative days on the trail than altitude.

From Namche Bazaar, you descend steeply on stone steps to the river valley, then continue past Jorsalle and Monjo. The trail passes through Toktok and Benkar, crossing suspension bridges and following the Dudh Koshi downstream. After Phakding at about 2,610 m, the route continues through Ghat and Chaurikharka before the final gentle climb back into Lukla at 2,860 m.

Altitude continues to drop for most of the day, and breathing feels much easier. The trail can be busy, especially near bridges and villages, with frequent mule and yak traffic. Lunch is usually taken in Phakding or along the route. The final stretch into Lukla includes a short uphill, which can feel tiring at the end of a long day but signals the end of the trek.

This is a travel day focused on returning from the mountains. Flights from Lukla operate in the early morning only and typically take 25 to 35 minutes. Depending on weather and seasonal flight operations, the flight may land in Kathmandu or operate via Ramechhap Manthali Airport during peak periods. After landing, you transfer by road back to your hotel or onward to your international departure.

Weather conditions in the mountains often control flight schedules, so delays are possible. Keeping buffer time between this flight and any international departure is strongly recommended. Once back in Kathmandu, altitude effects fade quickly, and the day is otherwise free for rest or onward travel.