Everest Base Camp Trek
17 days from Kathmandu, including the Lukla approach, Namche and Dingboche rest days, and Everest Base Camp. Add flight buffers.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
About this spot
Flight notice checked 14 September 2026: Tara Air says its Lukla flights will use Ramechhap from 25 September to 15 December 2026. Confirm your own airline and date. [lukla-flights]
A lodge trek up the Khumbu to Nepal's Everest Base Camp, not a climbing expedition. Standard routes use Lukla, Namche, Dingboche and Gorak Shep. [everest] This Kathmandu-return plan adds intermediate sleeping stops and a separate arrival at Gorak Shep. It does not add Kala Patthar on top of the base-camp day.
TRIP AT A GLANCE
17 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
Difficulty: Demanding: several nights above 4,000 m and flight uncertainty.
High point: Everest Base Camp, approximately 5,364 m; Kala Patthar excluded.
Season: March-May and October-November; confirm Lukla departure airport.
Keep at least 2-3 additional days for Lukla flight delays, separate from acclimatization days.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Suggested planning stages, not guaranteed departures. Walking hours and elevations are approximate; your pace, weather and road access may change the plan.
Day 1 - Kathmandu to the confirmed departure airport
For a Ramechhap flight, travel to Manthali and stay there. For a confirmed Kathmandu flight, use this as a preparation day at home. [lukla-flights]
Day 2 - Fly to Lukla, walk to Phakding
After a successful flight, walk roughly 3-4 hours. Sleep around 2,610 m; a cancelled flight shifts the remaining itinerary. [everest]
Day 3 - Phakding to Monjo
A short 2-3-hour stage. Sleep near 2,835 m and prepare for the Namche climb. [everest-stages]
Day 4 - Monjo to Namche Bazaar
Allow 3-4 hours uphill. Sleep around 3,440 m; keep the remainder of the day easy. [everest-stages]
Day 5 - Namche acclimatization
Stay another night. If well, take a gentle local walk and return; the rest day is not optional sightseeing time to remove. [everest]
Day 6 - Namche to Tengboche
Walk about 5-6 hours, including a descent and a substantial climb. Sleep around 3,860 m. [everest]
Day 7 - Tengboche to Pangboche
Continue for roughly 2-3 hours, sleeping near 3,930 m. This short stage breaks the approach to Dingboche. [everest-stages]
Day 8 - Pangboche to Dingboche
Walk around 3-4 hours. Sleep near 4,410 m and keep the afternoon quiet. [everest-stages]
Day 9 - Dingboche acclimatization
Stay a second night. Choose a gentle local excursion only if well, then return to your lodge. [everest]
Day 10 - Dingboche to Thukla/Dughla
Walk about 2-3 hours to roughly 4,620 m. Confirm the small settlement's lodge beforehand. [everest-stages]
Day 11 - Thukla to Lobuche
Allow 2-3 hours over the memorial ridge. Sleep around 4,940 m. [everest-stages]
Day 12 - Lobuche to Gorak Shep
Walk around 3-4 hours and rest at the lodge near 5,164 m. Do not add a summit or viewpoint push on arrival. [everest]
Day 13 - Everest Base Camp and back
If well, make the 4-5-hour return walk to base camp, about 5,364 m. Sleep at Gorak Shep again. [everest-stages]
Day 14 - Gorak Shep to Pheriche
Descend roughly 5-7 hours, sleeping around 4,240 m. No Kala Patthar ascent is included. [everest]
Day 15 - Pheriche to Namche
Walk about 6-7 hours via the lower valley and Tengboche area. Sleep in Namche. [everest]
Day 16 - Namche to Lukla
Allow around 6-8 hours and reconfirm tomorrow's flight. Sleep in Lukla. [everest]
Day 17 - Lukla to Kathmandu via the operating airport
Fly when weather allows. If landing at Ramechhap, continue by road to Kathmandu; use a buffer day if the connection is too late. [lukla-flights]
PLANNING FROM KATHMANDU
Ask for Nepali domestic airfare and check identification and baggage requirements directly with the airline. Keep an emergency cash reserve and confirm what any insurance actually covers at this altitude. Upper lodges can charge separately for power, hot water and connectivity. A road approach through lower Solukhumbu requires a longer, separately planned itinerary and is not a drop-in replacement for the Lukla flight days. Lobuche is the nearest settlement bucket used for this listing, not the location of base camp.
ENTRY AND IDENTIFICATION
Carry Nepali citizenship/national ID and check the Nepali entry category locally. Do not assume foreign-package permit charges apply. [fees]
TRAIL NOTES
The Monjo-Namche sleeping-height increase is still substantial; take the following rest day seriously and add time if needed. Do not ascend with altitude symptoms; descend if worsening and seek medical help. [altitude]
SOURCES
Research checked 2026-09-14. The day plan is JamJam's adaptation of these route references for Nepali travellers.
[everest] All Nepal Hiking: Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary. Undated page.
https://allnepalhiking.com/blog/everest-base…
[everest-stages] Places Nepal: Lukla to Everest Base Camp. Undated page.
https://www.placesnepal.com/blog/lukla-to-ev…
[lukla-flights] Tara Air: Jomsom and Lukla flights update. Undated page.
https://res.taraair.com/
[fees] Nepal Tourism Board: Park Entry Fees. Undated page.
https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/before-you…
[altitude] Himalayan Rescue Association Nepal: Health Problems. Undated page.
https://himalayanrescue.org/health-problems
Location
Khumbu, Solukhumbu, LobucheKhumbu, Solukhumbu, Nepal. Destination: Everest Base Camp Nepal. Nearby settlement / discovery location: Lobuche. The suggested journey starts and ends in Kathmandu.
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