The Everest Base Camp Trek distance is a 130 km round trip beginning from Lukla.
However, the outward 65 kilometers to Everest Base Camp takes far longer as you need to factor in acclimatization. If you were to rush to base camp, you would almost certainly fall ill from altitude sickness.
This article is a guide on what to expect and how to best navigate the awe-inspiring distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek Distance
Overview
Depending on how much previous trekking experience you have, 130 km may or may not sound like a long distance. What you should bear in mind here is that the average walking speed of a human is 5 km per hour.
Therefore, 130 km is not particularly far when you think of it in those terms. The walking is also made easier by the fact that your larger bags will be carried by your porters (assuming you are not trekking solo).
See our article on the difficulty of the Everest Base Camp trek.
Trek Itinerary
On a standard 14-day return trek to EBC, you will be walking for 9 days with an average of 15 km a day.
The other days will either be spent acclimatizing or in Kathmandu. Although 15 km a day is not a long distance, the steep and rocky terrain can slow you down. This is especially true in winter when the trail will often be covered in snow and ice.
At no point is the path paved and the naturally hilly landscape means that your average walking speed will suffer a little.
Below, we have provided a day-by-day distance itinerary for the classic EBC trek.
Day 1 (9 km - 4.5 hours)
On the first day, you will fly from Kathmandu to Lukla. From there, you will then walk to Phakding.
Day 2 (12 km - 6 hours)
On the second day, you will trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar.
Day 3 (Acclimitisation)
The third day of your EBC trek is purely for acclimitisation. You won't do any walking except maybe a quick hike up to the Everest View Hotel.
Day 4 (12 km - 10 hours)
On the fourth day, you'll continue your trek from Namche Bazaar all the way to Tengboche.
Namche Bazaar, Khumbu District
Day 5 (12 km - 6 hours)
On the fifth day, you'll do a long hike from Tengboche to Dingboche.
Day 6 (Acclimitisation)
On the sixth day, you'll do some exploring of Dingboche.
Day 7 (12 km - 6 hours)
On the seventh day, you'll leave Dingboche and hike to Lobuche.
Day 8 (8km - 3-4 hours)
On the eighth day of your EBC trek, you'll hike from Lobuche to Gorakshep.
Day 9 (22 km - 7 hours)
On the ninth day, you'll cover a lot of distance by first hiking from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp. Afterwards, you'll start trekking back to Dingboche.
Day 10 (24 km - 8-10 hours)
On the tenth day of hiking, you'll trek from Dingboche back to Namchee Bazaar.
Day 11 (21 km - 7-9 hours)
On the eleventh day, you'll hike from Namchee Bazaar all the way back to the airstrip at Lukla, offically completing your EBC trek.
Day 12 (Departure)
On the twelfth day, you'll give your legs a well-deserved break and fly back to Kathmandu.
FAQ
If you have any further questions about the distance of the Everest Base Camp Trek, please leave a note below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Thank you and happy trekking!
Tags: Everest Base Camp trek distance, How long is the Everest Base Camp trek
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What is the advisable/maximum speed to walk at ?
Hi Jamie, assuming you are not pre-acclimatised from an earlier hike in the Himalayas, then you should aim to take 12-13 days from Lukla return. This will give you enough time to include 1 or 2 acclimatisation days, and provide a slow and steady pace to EBC.
Please share details for EBC trek
Hi Anny, here’s a complete guide: https://www.mountainiq.com/guides/trekking-in-nepal/routes/everest-base-camp-trek/
We would prefer to carry our own bags is this ok?
Yes, many people trek independently (i.e. with no support) or with just a guide and no porters.
How many feet is it from Everest base camp to the summit of Everest? Many thanks!
The summit of Mount Everest is 8,848m (29,029 ft). Everest Base Camp is at 5,364m (17,598 ft). So the altitude variation in feet is 11,431 ft.
Thanks for the complete info about the distance of EBC. I would like to know about the best months for the trek and do we need a guide for it or we can do it by ourself?
Hi Nishant, the best months are March through to May and September through to October. The latter is the Everest season, so if you want to feel the energy of the climbing season then April-May are the best months. You can do the trek unsupported but I recommend taking a guide. All the best