Everest Base Camp Trek: Length, Distance, and Elevation

The distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek from where you actually begin your walking has changed over time. The old route started from a small town called Jiri. The route was 21 days long, where people used to drive from Kathmandu to Jiri and walk from there, reaching the lower Solukhumbu region. 

However, in the modern days, a lot has changed, and the infrastructural development has come a long way since the first time Everest expeditions were done. One of the biggest changes is the construction and operation of the Lukla airport. Considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world, the Tenzing-Hillary airport in Lukla sits at an elevation of 2,846 m. It is only a half-hour flight from Kathmandu and saves at least two days of walking. 

Now, the total distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek starting from Lukla is 130 km, with 65 km each way. The total days now have been reduced to 15 days as a standard package but can be done in 12–13 days as well, depending on your planned itinerary. The 15 standard days include trekking till Gorakshep, which is the highest point of the entire trek, and the flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla or Ramechhap. 

Note: The flight to Lukla during spring and autumn operates from Ramechhap airport, which is 3-4 hours drive from Kathmandu. 

Daily Distance and Time Covered During the Classic Everest Base Camp Trek

The table below represents the tentative distance and time that is covered by a trekker doing the Everest Base Camp Trek on a regular basis. 

Time and Pace

While the time mentioned is something that is done as per the calculation of an average person with good fitness, the time taken to cover the same distance may differ from person to person and their pace of walking. Knowing your own pace will help determine the next destination a bit more realistically. The trek to the base camp not only depends on the distance but also a person’s walking pace, the gain in elevation, fitness level, and terrain. 

Standard Itinerary for the Everest Base Camp Trek 

15 days is considered the best length of days for doing the Everest Base Camp Trek. This itinerary includes days set out for acclimatization and a buffer day for sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. And it is just flexible enough to make some changes as per your desired plans. 

This itinerary has two days of acclimatization, one at Namche Bazaar and another day at Dingboche. It is very crucial to acclimatize while doing this trek so that you can lower your risk of coming down with acute mountain sickness (AMS). It is also just the right amount of days to complete the trek without straining your body. 

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to the Hotel
Day 2: Pre-trip meeting, Preparation and Sightseeing around Kathmandu
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (30 minutes) and trek to Phakding (3 hours)
Day 4: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (6 hours)
Day 5: Acclimatization in Namche Bazar, Hike to hotel Everest View to Khumjung Valley
Day 6: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (4 hours)
Day 7: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (4 hours)
Day 8: Acclimatization in Dingboche
Day 9: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4-5 hours)
Day 10: Trek to Everest Base Camp (5 hours) and return to Gorak Shep (3 hours)
Day 11: Trek to Kala Patthar and trek from Gorak Shep to Pheriche
Day 12: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (6 hours)
Day 13: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (6-7 hours)
Day 14: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (30 minutes) and departure
Day 15: Final Departure

Average Hours of Trekking and Distance Covered in a Day

The daily distance and time actually depend on the location and elevation of the destination each day. The higher you ascend, the more time it takes to reach the destination, despite the low distance covered. That being said, on average, a trekker covers about 10-15 km per day, trekking for about 6-8 hours. 

But there are many factors that come into play in determining the time and distance covered in a day, such as elevation gain, terrain, weather, and acclimatization. Some days take longer, and some days take shorter. And on days of acclimatization, the hike distance is shorter compared to regular days. 

Elevation Profile of the Everest Base Camp

For elevation profile, we will divide the EBC trek into four elevation levels. 

Lukla to Phakding (2500 meters and above)

The trek to the EBC begins from Lukla and treks till Phakding. Both locations are under 3000 meters in altitude, with Lukla at 2860 meters and Phakding at 2610 meters. 

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche and Deboche (3000 meters and above)

Now the elevation touches 3000 meters. Namche Bazaar (3440 meters) and Tengboche (3860 meters), where Namche Bazaar is a standard for acclimatization and trekkers spend an extra day. Tengboche Monastery is one of the highest monasteries in Nepal. Then, leaving Tengboche, we cross Deboche at an elevation of 3820 meters.

Deboche to Lobuche and Pheriche (4000 meters and above)

After Tengbohce, we touch the 4000 meters with Dingboche at an altitude of 4410 meters and then at Lobuche at 4940 meters. The only change in the returning route is staying at Pheriche instead of Dingboche, which is at a similar elevation of 4,371 meters.

Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar (5000 meters and above)

And last but not least, we reach the highest point of the entire trek at above 5000 meters, with Gorakshep at 5164 meters, Everest Base Camp at 5364 meters, and Kalapatthar at 5644 meters. 

Conclusion

Reaching the soaring heights of the Everest Base Camp comes with a lot of work and effort. The time and elevation are directly proportional along with impacts from other external forces such as physical fitness, walking pace, altitude sickness, and landscapes. 

The 130-kilometer round trip, where you will begin your trek at as low an elevation as Lukla (2860 meters) and reach the highest point at Kalapatthar (5644 meters). The standard trek of 15 days is the right amount of days for this trek. It is a flexible enough itinerary where you can have a smooth trekking experience. And on average, you will be walking anywhere from 10-15 km per day with 6-8 hours of walking. 

We have the perfect itinerary design for you. If you wish to trek to the Everest Base Camp in the future, please contact us at info@alpineramble.com or +977 9851175531