Hiking to Everest Base Camp is amazing, but it's also a real challenge because of the altitude. This 14-day trek takes you through some incredible scenery, and you'll get to experience the unique culture of the region. The Himalayas are, of course, breathtaking (literally), and the changing elevation makes the whole trip even more interesting. Reaching the elevation of Everest Base Camp is a truly rewarding experience.
As you climb higher, everything changes. The plants, the scenery, the wildlife, even the culture, and how people live – it's all transformed by the altitude. You'll see it in the villages too, how they're built and the feel of the community. The Himalayan base camp altitude has a distinct feel.
Vegetations at 2,800 meters / 9,200 feet 2nd the day of the trek (Benkar, a small village the way to Namche Bazaar)
Mount Everest Base Camp trek takes you from 2,845 meters all the way up to 5,545 meters in just six days! That's a pretty big climb, so we build in two extra days for acclimatization. You'll spend a day in Namche Bazaar and another in Dingboche, giving your body time to get used to the thinner air at base camp altitude. Understanding the elevation of base camp is crucial for trek preparation.
View of Ama Dublam, Mt. Everest, and Lhotse from Syangboche (3,780 m / 12,402 ft) during an acclimatization hike from Namche Bazaar.
With the acclimatization built in, you'll have eight amazing days hiking up into the Himalayas to reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m). The views are incredible! What altitude is Everest Base Camp? It's a question many ask, and reaching this altitude at Everest Base Camp is an unforgettable achievement. The trek back down to Lukla (2,845m) takes about three days, so you'll have plenty of time to soak it all in.
A two-week Everest Base Camp trek is the typical itinerary, but we understand that everyone's different. If you're in great shape and have already spent time at similar altitudes, a nine-day trek might be a better fit. We can work with you to create the perfect itinerary. Knowing the Mt Everest base elevation helps in choosing the proper trek.
These extra days are crucial for building your stamina and getting your respiratory system ready for the challenges of high altitude, like thinner air and less oxygen. Proper acclimatization is key to a successful trek to Mount Everest base camp elevation.
Lobuche to Gorakshep en route Everest Base Camp
One of the coolest things about the Everest Base Camp trek is how the landscape changes as you climb. The views get more incredible every day, and the Himalayas feel like they're right there in front of you. You'll notice the plants getting thinner as you gain elevation, and the snow becomes really thick and compressed as you get closer to the Khumbu Glacier. The elevation of Mount Everest base camp is a significant milestone.
So, how does the elevation change day by day on our most popular Everest Base Camp trek? Let's break it down. Understanding the base camp Everest elevation is essential for planning.
Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla & Trek to Phakding (Elevation Change)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Lukla 2,845M/9,334Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Phakding 2,610M/8,563Ft
- Highest Altitude to Step: Lukla 2,845M/9,334Ft
- Descending Altitude: -235M/771Ft
- Elevation Gain: Minimal (mostly descent)
- Activity: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, then trek to Phakding (3-4 hours).
Your Everest Base Camp trek begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport (2,845m/9,334ft), the gateway to the Himalayas. From there, you'll begin your trek, descending to Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft) for your first overnight stay. This initial day involves a descent of 235m/771ft, helping with initial acclimatization to the base camp altitude.
Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar (A Key Acclimatization Point)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Phakding 2,610M/8,563Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Elevation Gain: +836M/2,743Ft
- Activity: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (5-7 hours).
Today's trek takes you from Phakding (2,610m/8,563ft) to the vibrant Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar (3,446m/11,306ft). This moderate hike involves an ascent of 836m/2,743ft, a significant step in your journey towards Everest Base Camp elevation. Namche Bazaar's altitude is crucial for acclimatization, so take it easy and enjoy the stunning views.
Day 3: Namche Bazaar Acclimatization & Everest View Hike
- Trek Starting Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Highest Altitude to Step: Syangboche 3,880M/12,730Ft
- Elevation Gain: +434M/1,424Ft (up to Syangboche and back down)
- Activity: Acclimatization hike to Everest View Hotel in Syangboche and return to Namche Bazaar (3-4 hours).
Today is an important acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar (3,446m/11,306ft). To aid your body's adjustment to the altitude of Everest Base Camp, you'll take a hike to the Everest View Hotel in Syangboche (3,880m/12,730ft), gaining 434m/1,424ft. This higher elevation helps with acclimatization while offering stunning views of Mount Everest base camp elevation. You'll return to Namche Bazaar for the night.
Day 4: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (Monastery and Views)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Tengboche 3,867M/12,687Ft
- Elevation Gain: +421M/1,381Ft
- Activity: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (5-6 hours).
Today's trek takes you from Namche Bazaar (3,446m/11,306ft) to Tengboche (3,867m/12,687ft), home to the famous Tengboche Monastery. This trek involves a 421m/1,381ft ascent, further aiding your acclimatization to the altitude of Everest Base Camp. The views along the way are simply breathtaking, and Tengboche itself is a truly special place.
Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche (Pushing Higher)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Tengboche 3,867M/12,687Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Dingboche 4,410M/14,468Ft
- Elevation Gain: +543M/1,781Ft
- Activity: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche (5-6 hours).
Today's trek takes you from Tengboche (3,867m/12,687ft) to Dingboche (4,410m/14,468ft), a significant step up in elevation. The 543m/1,781ft ascent is crucial for acclimatization as you get closer to the Himalayan base camp altitude. Dingboche is a beautiful Sherpa village where you'll spend the night.
Day 6: Dingboche Acclimatization (Final Acclimatization)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Dingboche 4,410M/14,468Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Dingboche 4,410M/14,468Ft
- Highest Altitude to Step: Nagarjuna Hill 5,091M/16,703Ft
- Elevation Gain: +681M/2,234Ft (up to Nagarjuna Hill and back down)
- Activity: Acclimatization hike to Nagarjuna Hill and return to Dingboche (4-5 hours).
Today is your final acclimatization day in Dingboche (4,410m/14,468ft). You'll hike to Nagarjuna Hill (5,091m/16,703ft), a 681m/2,234ft ascent, to further prepare your body for the Himalayan base camp altitude. This final acclimatization push is essential before heading to higher elevations. You'll return to Dingboche for the night.
Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche (High Altitude Trek)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Dingboche 4,410M/14,468Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Lobuche 4,910M/16,109Ft
- Elevation Gain: +500M/1,640Ft
- Activity: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (5-6 hours).
Today's trek takes you from Dingboche (4,410m/14,468ft) to Lobuche (4,910m/16,109ft) via Thukla. This 500m/1,640ft ascent brings you significantly closer to Everest Base Camp elevation and the air gets noticeably thinner. The views, however, become even more spectacular!
Day 8: Lobuche to Gorekshep & Everest Base Camp!
- Trek Starting Altitude: Lobuche 4,910M/16,109Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Gorekshep 5,164M/16,942Ft
- Highest Altitude to Step: Everest Base Camp 5,364M/17,598Ft
- Elevation Gain: +454M/1,489Ft (to Gorekshep) +200m (to EBC and back)
- Activity: Trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep, then hike to Everest Base Camp and return to Gorekshep (6-8 hours total).
Today is the day you've been waiting for! You'll trek from Lobuche (4,910m/16,109ft) to Gorekshep (5,164m/16,942ft), gaining 454m/1,489ft as you approach the Himalayan base camp altitude. After a short rest in Gorekshep, you'll make the final push to Everest Base Camp itself (5,364m/17,598ft)! This is the culmination of your incredible journey. Take your time, soak it all in, and celebrate this momentous occasion at the foot of the world's highest mountain! You'll then return to Gorekshep for your overnight stay.
Day 9: Sunrise on Everest and Descent to Pheriche (Panoramic Views)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Gorekshep 5,164M/16,942Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Pheriche 4,252M/13,950Ft
- Highest Altitude to Step: Kalapatthar 5,545M/18,192Ft
- Descending Altitude: -912M/2,992Ft
- Elevation Gain: +381M/1,247Ft (to Kala Patthar)
- Activity: Hike to Kalapatthar and descend to Pheriche (7-9 hours).
Today, you'll hike for a sunrise view to Kalapatthar (5,545m/18,192ft), the highest point of your trek, offering unparalleled panoramic views of Everest and the Himalayas. After soaking in the scenery, you'll descend to Pheriche (4,252m/13,950ft), a significant drop that aids in readjusting to lower altitudes.
Day 10: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (Back to Lower Altitude)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Pheriche 4,252M/13,950Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Descending Altitude: -806M/2,644Ft
- Elevation Gain: Some minor ups and downs, but overall a descending day.
- Activity: Trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (6-8 hours).
Today, you'll trek from Pheriche (4,252m/13,950ft) back down to Namche Bazaar (3,446m/11,306ft). This 806m/2,644ft descent will be a welcome relief as you readjust to a lower altitude after your time at Everest Base Camp. Enjoy the familiar trails and the changing perspective as you descend. The trek typically takes 6-8 hours.
Day 11: Namche Bazaar to Lukla (Homeward Bound)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Namche Bazaar 3,446M/11,306Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Lukla 2,845M/9,334Ft
- Descending Altitude: -601M/1,972Ft
- Elevation Gain: Some minor ups and downs, but overall a descending day.
- Activity: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (6-7 hours).
Today, you'll trek from Namche Bazaar (3,446m/11,306ft) back to Lukla (2,845m/9,334ft), where your Everest Base Camp adventure began. This 601m/1,972ft descent marks the end of the trekking portion of your journey, allowing your body to further adjust to lower altitudes. Enjoy the familiar trails and the satisfaction of completing your trek.
Day 12: Lukla to Kathmandu (Farewell Himalayas!)
- Trek Starting Altitude: Lukla 2,845M/9,334Ft
- Overnight Altitude: Kathmandu 1,350M/4,429Ft
- Descending Altitude: -1,495M/4,905Ft
- Elevation Gain: N/A (flight)
- Activity: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.
Today, you'll take a scenic flight from Lukla (2,845m/9,334ft) back to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft). This flight marks the end of your Everest Base Camp trek, bringing you back to the bustling capital city after your incredible mountain adventure. Enjoy the aerial views of the Himalayas one last time!
