Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Interactive Everest Base Camp Trek Map

Below is an interactive map of the Everest Base Camp trekking route. You can use it to explore the trail geographically — zoom in on individual villages, zoom out to see how the route sits within the wider Khumbu Valley, and follow the path from Lukla north toward Base Camp. It's a genuinely useful way to get oriented before you fly to Nepal: seeing how close (or far) Namche sits from Tengboche, or how the trail bends around the Dudh Koshi valley, makes the written itinerary click in a way a list of place names alone doesn't. Use full-screen mode if your device supports it for the clearest view of the full route.

See full screen

An interactive map is a genuinely useful planning tool, but it's not a substitute for local trail knowledge — GPS and online maps shouldn't be relied on as your only navigation tool, especially in poor weather or where trail conditions have changed since the map was last updated.

What does the Everest Base Camp trek map show?

The standard route begins in Lukla and follows a single trail north through the Khumbu Valley, passing through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep before reaching Everest Base Camp itself. Most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar, a viewpoint above Gorak Shep, for the classic sunrise view of Everest. The standard trek then returns along broadly the same route back toward Lukla.

Lukla → Phakding → Namche Bazaar → Tengboche → Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp → Gorak Shep → Lukla

Exact itineraries vary by operator and by trip length — some spread the same route over 12 days, others over 14 or 16 — but this core shape doesn't change. On our own Everest Base Camp Trek, this is the same route we run every departure, with two built-in acclimatization days at Namche and Dingboche.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek

This classic trek takes you through the heart of the Khumbu region, past vibrant Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and towering Himalayan peaks.

View Trip

Everest Base Camp trek map at a glance

Elevation figures here reflect the commonly accepted trekking figures used across this route — where sources vary by a few meters, that variation is normal for a trail this remote and doesn't affect route planning. 

The complete Everest Base Camp trek route

Lukla to Phakding

Distance: ~8 km · Time: 3–4 hours · Elevation: 2,860 m → 2,610 m (net descent)

The trail actually loses elevation on day one — a gentle, forested introduction along the Dudh Koshi River. This is the easiest stretch of the entire map, and a good day to get a feel for the trail's general character: riverside path, suspension bridges, small teahouses.

Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Distance: ~11 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Elevation: 2,610 m → 3,440 m

The map's first real elevation event. The trail follows the river to the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint at Monjo, crosses the Hillary Suspension Bridge, then climbs roughly 600 m over the final stretch into Namche. This is the single steepest sustained climb most trekkers encounter before the high-altitude section of the trek.

Namche to Tengboche

Distance: ~10 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Elevation: 3,440 m → 3,860 m

A high traverse above the Dudh Koshi gorge, with one of the best panoramic viewpoints on the lower half of the map — Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam visible together on a clear day. The trail dips to Phunki Thanga for a river crossing before climbing to Tengboche.

Tengboche to Dingboche

Distance: ~12 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Elevation: 3,860 m → 4,410 m

The trail descends through Pangboche before climbing above the treeline — a visible shift on the map from forested valley to open, high-altitude terrain. This is where the landscape genuinely starts to look like "high Himalaya" rather than mountain forest.

Dingboche to Lobuche

Distance: ~9 km · Time: 5–6 hours · Elevation: 4,410 m → 4,940 m

The trail follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Thukla (Dughla), roughly midway, is a common lunch stop, with a steep short climb immediately after it up to a ridge marked by memorial chortens for climbers lost on Everest and nearby peaks.

Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Distance: ~5 km · Time: 2–3 hours · Elevation: 4,940 m → 5,164 m

A relatively short leg by distance, but on rocky, undulating glacial moraine at altitude, which makes it feel considerably longer than the kilometer count suggests. Gorak Shep is the last settlement on the route and the base for both remaining destinations.

Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp

Distance: ~3.5 km one-way · Time: 2–3 hours each way · Elevation: 5,164 m → 5,364 m

The trail follows the edge of the Khumbu Glacier across rock and ice debris. Base Camp itself is not a fixed point with permanent infrastructure — outside spring expedition season it's simply glacier moraine marked by prayer flags. Trekkers walk out from Gorak Shep, spend time at Base Camp, and walk back to sleep at Gorak Shep the same night.

Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar

Distance: ~1.5 km one-way · Time: 1.5–2 hours up · Elevation: 5,164 m → 5,545 m

A short distance on the map, but the steepest, highest, and typically pre-dawn section of the entire route. Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp are separate destinations reached from the same base village, not connected to each other by a direct trail — our Kala Patthar Guide covers this specific climb, including why it exists as a separate destination in the first place.

Return to Lukla

The standard map shows the return following essentially the same trail back down through Pheriche (or Dingboche), Namche, and Phakding to Lukla — faster than the ascent, since trekkers are descending and already acclimatized, typically covering the return in two to three days versus the eight to nine it took to get up.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek Helicopter Return

Everest Base Camp, Without the Long Walk Back. Reach 5,364m on Foot. Return by Air.

View Trip

Everest Base Camp elevation map

Understanding the elevation profile matters more than distance alone when reading this map — a short distance at 5,000 m is a fundamentally different undertaking than the same distance at 2,800 m, because oxygen availability, not ground covered, is what actually limits pace at altitude.

Net elevation gain from Lukla to Kala Patthar is roughly 2,685 m — though the map doesn't fully capture the real physical demand, since the trail climbs and descends repeatedly (Lukla to Phakding is a net descent, for instance) rather than rising in a straight line. Our altitude and acclimatization guide covers this distinction — net gain versus real cumulative climbing — in full detail, along with what it means for how the trek actually feels day to day.

Everest Base Camp distance map

How many kilometers is the Everest Base Camp trek?

Total distance is commonly quoted around 130 km round trip from Lukla (roughly 65 km one-way), but treat this as a reliable planning figure rather than a fixed, universally agreed number. Actual total distance varies depending on your specific itinerary, which side hikes you take (Everest View Hotel, Khumjung, Nangkartshang Ridge, Kala Patthar), and even which measurement method a given map or GPS track uses — different sources genuinely disagree by a meaningful margin, and that's normal for a remote trekking trail rather than a sign any one figure is wrong. Our full Everest Base Camp distance guide explains exactly why published totals vary so much across different sources.

Daily distance table

Actual distances can and do vary by route choice and by the mapping method used to calculate them — this table reflects our own standard itinerary's structure rather than a single universal figure.

Major villages on the Everest Base Camp map

Lukla

The trailhead and only air-access point on the route. Everything on this map starts and ends here.

Phakding

A riverside first-night stop, sitting slightly lower than Lukla — an easy, low-stakes start to the trek.

Monjo

Not typically an overnight stop, but a critical waypoint: this is where the Sagarmatha National Park entry checkpoint sits, and every trekker's permits are checked here.

Namche Bazaar

The largest settlement on the route and the Khumbu's commercial hub — the first mandatory acclimatization stop, and the only place on the standard route with reliable ATMs.

Tengboche

Home to the largest monastery in the Khumbu, set on a ridge with one of the best mountain panoramas of the lower route.

Pangboche

The oldest monastery site in the region; usually a pass-through point on the standard itinerary rather than an overnight stop.

Dingboche

The second mandatory acclimatization stop, and the point where the route visibly crosses above the treeline into high alpine terrain.

Lobuche

A small, basic, functional stop — the last settlement before the final push to Gorak Shep.

Gorak Shep

The last settlement on the route and the base camp (in the logistical sense) for both Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar — the highest place most trekkers sleep on this trek.

Our full Everest Base Camp Villages Guide covers facilities, food, and what to expect at each of these stops in far more depth than a map-focused overview needs to.

Where are the acclimatization stops?

Two points on this map matter more than any others for safety: Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m). Both are built into the standard itinerary as full rest days specifically because they sit at the two altitude thresholds where the body genuinely needs time to adjust before continuing. Geographically, they're spaced roughly evenly through the route's climb — Namche about a third of the way up, Dingboche past the halfway point in elevation terms — which is exactly why the standard itinerary is shaped the way it is on the map, rather than an arbitrary scheduling choice. We won't duplicate the full acclimatization science here — our altitude and acclimatization guide covers that in depth.

Everest Base Camp vs. Kala Patthar on the map

These two points sit close together geographically — both reached from Gorak Shep — but they serve genuinely different purposes on the route, and conflating them is one of the most common map misunderstandings first-time trekkers have.

The detail that surprises most first-time trekkers: Everest Base Camp does not offer a view of Everest's summit — the mountain's own bulk blocks the sightline from the glacier floor. Kala Patthar exists as a separate destination specifically because its position opens that view. On the map, they look like a matched pair; in practice, they're two different reasons to make the trip to Gorak Shep.

Trek the Everest View Panorama Trek

An easy to moderate yet rewarding journey to Nepal’s most spectacular mountain vistas. Ideal for first-time trekkers, senior citizens, children and family.

View Trip

Where is Everest Base Camp?

Everest Base Camp sits in northeastern Nepal, in the Khumbu region of Solukhumbu district, within Sagarmatha National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's close to, though not directly on, the Nepal–Tibet (China) border, on the southern side of Mount Everest itself. On a country-scale map, it sits roughly northeast of Kathmandu; on a trekking map, it's the endpoint of the Khumbu Valley trail system that begins at Lukla.

How the trail changes as you ascend

The map represents genuinely different terrain at different points, and understanding this helps the written route descriptions make sense:

Lower Khumbu (Lukla to Namche, roughly 2,600–3,440 m): Forested valley trail, the Dudh Koshi River as a constant companion, multiple suspension bridge crossings, and a steady string of villages.

Middle Khumbu (Namche to Dingboche, roughly 3,440–4,410 m): Rhododendron and pine forest giving way to more open terrain, Tengboche's ridge-top panorama, and the first real sense of scale as the peaks come into full view.

Upper Khumbu (Dingboche to Gorak Shep and beyond, 4,410 m+): Alpine terrain, sparse vegetation thinning to none, glacial moraine, and increasingly stark, rocky landscape all the way to Base Camp itself.

Is the Everest Base Camp trail easy to follow?

For the most part, yes. This is one of the most heavily trekked routes in the world, and the main trail is well-worn, well-marked by consistent foot traffic, and passes through a village roughly every few hours — genuinely difficult to lose in normal conditions. That said, a few real caveats: signage is inconsistent rather than absent, side trails exist at several points (to Khumjung, to Pungyen Gompa near Shyala on other Khumbu routes, to various viewpoints) that can look similar to the main trail on a map, fresh snow can obscure the path entirely at higher elevations, and weather can reduce visibility on exposed, higher sections with little warning. This is exactly why a guide remains genuinely useful even on a well-trodden route — not for basic route-finding in good conditions, but for the judgment calls that matter when conditions aren't good.

Do you need GPS for Everest Base Camp?

Most trekkers on an organized trek don't strictly need to navigate by GPS — the trail is well-defined and guides know it thoroughly. That said, having an offline map as a backup is genuinely sensible, for orientation, for tracking your own progress, and as a redundancy if you're ever separated from your group. A few practical realities worth knowing: cold temperatures drain phone batteries considerably faster than normal, cellular connectivity is unreliable to nonexistent above the lower villages, and GPS accuracy in narrow valleys or under tree cover can be less precise than you'd expect. None of this makes GPS useless — it makes it a supplement to, not a replacement for, paying attention to the actual trail and your guide's knowledge of it.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek

This classic trek takes you through the heart of the Khumbu region, past vibrant Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and towering Himalayan peaks.

View Trip

Best offline maps for Everest Base Camp

A few widely used options for downloading offline trekking maps before you leave Kathmandu:

• Organic Maps — free, OpenStreetMap-based, works fully offline once downloaded
• Maps.me — another OpenStreetMap-based option with offline trekking route data
• Gaia GPS — more detailed topographic data, popular with hikers wanting contour lines and elevation profiles
• AllTrails — widely used generally, with user-contributed route data for popular trekking regions

We can't make specific claims about which app's trail data is most accurate for this route at any given time — trail conditions and app data both change — but downloading whichever option you choose before you leave Kathmandu, while you still have reliable WiFi, is the one universal piece of advice worth following regardless of which app you pick.

Everest Base Camp map and mobile internet

Relying purely on an online, connection-dependent map is a genuine planning risk on this route. Cellular coverage is patchy at best above the lower villages, and while most teahouses offer WiFi, it's a paid, often slow service that becomes progressively less reliable with altitude — not something to plan your navigation around. Our accommodation guide covers connectivity realities stop by stop in more detail. The practical takeaway for mapping specifically: download what you need while you still have solid Kathmandu WiFi, and treat anything requiring a live connection on the trail as unreliable.

Is the Everest Base Camp route a loop?

No — the standard route is an out-and-back, not a loop. You walk in to Base Camp along the Khumbu Valley trail and walk back out along broadly the same route. Some alternative itineraries do turn this into a more varied shape, most notably routes that incorporate Gokyo Valley or the full Three Passes circuit, which loop through multiple valleys rather than retracing the same trail. But the classic EBC map is fundamentally a single line there and back, not a circuit.

Everest Base Camp route extensions

Gokyo Lakes + Everest Base Camp

Combining the classic route with the turquoise Gokyo Lakes and Gokyo Ri viewpoint turns the map from a single out-and-back line into a route with a genuine side loop through a second valley, crossing the Cho La pass to connect the two. Our Gokyo Lakes with Everest Base Camp Trek covers this combined itinerary.

Everest Three Passes Trek

The most complete version of the Khumbu map — this route links the Khumbu, Imja, and Gokyo valleys via three high passes (Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La), turning the standard out-and-back line into a genuine loop through the entire region, including Base Camp and Kala Patthar along the way. Our Everest Three Passes Trek covers the full route.

Other Everest treks

Everest View Panorama Trek

A shorter route that explores the lower Khumbu — including Namche and genuine Everest-region mountain views — without continuing all the way to Base Camp itself. A different map shape entirely: shorter, lower, and turning back well before Gorak Shep. See our Everest View Panorama Trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return

Same route in on foot as the classic map, but the return journey is a helicopter flight from the Khumbu back to Kathmandu rather than the multi-day walk back out — effectively cutting the map's return leg entirely. See our Everest Base Camp Trek Helicopter Return.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek Helicopter Return

Everest Base Camp, Without the Long Walk Back. Reach 5,364m on Foot. Return by Air.

View Trip

Common map mistakes

1. Assuming straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance equals actual hiking distance.
2. Ignoring elevation change entirely when judging how hard a stage will be.
3. Measuring only Lukla to Base Camp and forgetting the return leg entirely.
4. Forgetting that side trips (Kala Patthar, Everest View Hotel, Nangkartshang Ridge) add real distance beyond the core route.
5. Assuming all maps and apps use identical trail distance calculations — they genuinely don't.
6. Treating Kala Patthar and Everest Base Camp as the same destination.
7. Assuming the route is a simple, road-like path rather than variable trekking terrain.
8. Ignoring seasonal trail changes — routes can shift after landslides, monsoon damage, or heavy snowfall.
9. Assuming GPS accuracy is consistent throughout — it isn't, particularly in narrow valleys.
10. Underestimating how much slower pace becomes above 4,000 m regardless of what a map's time estimate says.
11. Confusing the classic out-and-back route with loop-style itineraries like Three Passes or Gokyo.
12. Assuming a village shown on a map has full services — several waypoints (Thukla, for instance) are lunch stops, not overnight villages with real infrastructure.
13. Not accounting for the Manthali/Ramechhap seasonal flight rerouting when planning arrival logistics during peak months.
14. Assuming battery-drain and connectivity issues won't affect a digital map when it matters most — exactly the situations (cold, high altitude, poor weather) where you're most likely to need it.

Map vs. itinerary

These two things answer different questions, and it's worth being clear about the distinction:

What the map tells you: Geography, distance, elevation, where villages sit relative to each other, and the overall shape and direction of the route.

What the itinerary tells you: Your specific daily walking plan, which nights you spend where, which acclimatization days are built in, and how a given trip length (12, 14, or 16 days) allocates the same underlying route across different day counts.

A map is the territory; an itinerary is your specific plan for moving through it. Our Everest Base Camp itinerary comparison guide covers exactly how the same route gets divided differently across trip lengths.

Everest Base Camp map for beginners

If the full route above feels like a lot, here's the simplified version:

Lukla → Namche → Tengboche → Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp

That's the whole trek, in seven names. The two names that matter most for safety are Namche and Dingboche — both are full rest days, not just stops, because they sit at the two points where your body genuinely needs time to adjust to the altitude before going higher. Everything else on the fuller map above — Phakding, Monjo, Pangboche, Thukla, Kala Patthar — sits between or alongside these seven core waypoints, adding detail without changing the basic shape: fly in, walk north and up, reach Base Camp, walk back out.

Trek the Everest Base Camp Trek

This classic trek takes you through the heart of the Khumbu region, past vibrant Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, and towering Himalayan peaks.

View Trip

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Everest Base Camp trek start? At Lukla (2,860 m), reached by a short flight from Kathmandu (or, alternatively, a multi-day road-and-trek approach via Jiri or Salleri).

Where does the Everest Base Camp trek end? At Everest Base Camp itself (5,364 m), with most trekkers also continuing to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) before returning the same way back to Lukla.

How far is Everest Base Camp from Lukla? Approximately 65 km one-way, roughly 130 km round trip.

How many kilometers is the entire Everest Base Camp trek? Commonly quoted at approximately 130 km round trip, though exact figures vary by measurement method, itinerary, and side trips taken.

What villages are on the Everest Base Camp route? The main waypoints are Lukla, Phakding, Monjo, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Pangboche, Dingboche, Thukla (Dughla), Lobuche, and Gorak Shep, with Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar as the final destinations.

What is the highest point on the Everest Base Camp trek? Kala Patthar, at 5,545 m — higher than Everest Base Camp itself (5,364 m).

Is Kala Patthar on the Everest Base Camp route? It's a separate side destination reached from Gorak Shep, not a point you pass through on the way to Base Camp itself, though it's included in nearly every standard itinerary.

Is Everest Base Camp higher than Kala Patthar? No — Kala Patthar (5,545 m) is higher than Everest Base Camp (5,364 m).

Is the Everest Base Camp trail well marked? Reasonably well-trodden and easy to follow in normal conditions, since it's one of the most heavily trekked routes in the world, but signage is inconsistent rather than absent, and side trails exist at several points.

Can I use Google Maps for the Everest Base Camp trek? Not reliably — Google Maps doesn't show detailed trekking trail data, contour lines, or offline coverage suited to this route. A dedicated offline trekking map app is a better choice.

What is the best offline map for Everest Base Camp? Several OpenStreetMap-based apps (Organic Maps, Maps.me) and topographic-focused apps (Gaia GPS) are commonly used; download whichever you choose before leaving Kathmandu.

Does the Everest Base Camp map show elevation? A good trekking-specific map or app will show elevation profiles alongside the route; a basic road-map app typically won't.

Can I download an Everest Base Camp map for offline use? Yes — most dedicated trekking map apps support offline downloads; do this while you still have reliable WiFi in Kathmandu.

Is the Everest Base Camp trek a loop? No, the classic route is an out-and-back. Extended itineraries incorporating Gokyo Valley or the full Three Passes circuit do create a loop-style route.

Can I combine Everest Base Camp with Gokyo Lakes? Yes — this is a well-established extended itinerary connecting the two valleys via the Cho La pass.

Can I combine Everest Base Camp with the Three Passes trek? Yes — the Three Passes route includes the full classic EBC route (Base Camp and Kala Patthar both included) as part of a longer circuit through three valleys.

Do I need a guide for navigation on this route? Not strictly for basic route-finding in good conditions, given how well-trodden the trail is, but a guide's judgment matters for weather calls, altitude decisions, and less-obvious junctions — this is a bigger part of what a guide provides than simple navigation.

Is there mobile coverage along the Everest Base Camp route? Patchy at best above the lower villages; don't plan your navigation around having a live connection.

How long does it take to walk from Lukla to Everest Base Camp? Roughly 8–9 trekking days one-way on the standard itinerary, including two acclimatization days.

What is the elevation gain from Lukla to Everest Base Camp? Approximately 2,504 m net gain to Base Camp itself, or roughly 2,685 m net gain if you continue to Kala Patthar.

Where is Everest Base Camp located? In the Khumbu region of Solukhumbu district, northeastern Nepal, within Sagarmatha National Park, close to the Nepal–Tibet border on Everest's southern side.

What is the elevation of Namche Bazaar? 3,440 m.

What is the elevation of Tengboche? 3,860 m.

What is the elevation of Dingboche? 4,410 m.

What is the elevation of Lobuche? 4,940 m.

What is the elevation of Gorak Shep? 5,164 m.

Where are the acclimatization stops on the Everest Base Camp map? Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m) are the two built-in rest days on the standard itinerary.

Does the Everest Base Camp trek pass through Sagarmatha National Park? Yes — the park entry checkpoint is at Monjo, and the entire route from there onward sits within the park boundary.

What river does the Everest Base Camp trail follow? The Dudh Koshi River for the lower half of the route, transitioning to the Khumbu Glacier's moraine in the upper section.

Can the standard route be extended beyond Everest Base Camp? Yes — via Gokyo Valley, the Three Passes circuit, or side trips like Chhukung, though these extend well beyond the classic out-and-back map.

What's the difference between the Everest Base Camp map and an itinerary? The map shows geography — route, distance, elevation, and village locations. An itinerary shows your specific daily plan for moving through that same geography, including which day-count structure (12, 14, or 16 days) you're following.

Is the Everest Base Camp route the same every year? The core route is stable, but specific trail sections do get rerouted occasionally after landslides, bridge damage, or major snow events — always confirm current conditions with your operator rather than relying solely on an older map.

Does the route change between spring and autumn? The physical route itself doesn't change by season, though trail conditions (mud, snow, ice at higher points) do, which can affect pacing even on an unchanged map.

How many days does the standard Everest Base Camp map take to walk? Commonly 12–14 days including acclimatization, though 16-day itineraries exist for extra buffer.

Where does the trail split for Tsum Valley or other side routes? Tsum Valley is accessed from the separate Manaslu region, not from the standard EBC map — the two don't intersect on this specific route.

What's the last village before Everest Base Camp? Gorak Shep (5,164 m) — there's no settlement between Gorak Shep and Base Camp itself.

Is there a shorter version of the Everest Base Camp map? Yes — the Everest View Panorama Trek covers the lower Khumbu without continuing all the way to Base Camp, a genuinely shorter route shape.

Can I see the Everest Base Camp trail on OpenStreetMap? Yes — this trail is well-represented in OpenStreetMap data, which is also the basis for several offline trekking map apps.

Does elevation gain matter more than distance for trip planning? Generally yes on this route — a short distance at high altitude is harder than a longer distance at lower elevation, which is why this guide emphasizes the elevation table alongside the distance table rather than either alone.

What's the highest village most trekkers sleep in? Gorak Shep, at 5,164 m — the highest overnight stop on the standard route.

Is Everest visible from every point on the map? No — Everest is hidden or partially obscured for significant stretches of the route and isn't visible at all from Everest Base Camp itself; Kala Patthar and a few specific viewpoints (like near Namche and Tengboche) are where the mountain is actually visible.

Understanding the shape of this route — where it starts, how it climbs, and where the key decision points sit — makes every other part of planning easier, from choosing an itinerary length to packing for the right elevations. If you'd like help turning this map into an actual booked itinerary, our team is glad to talk through dates, pacing, and route options. You can see the full day-by-day itinerary and current pricing on our Everest Base Camp Trek page.