The Lukla to Everest Base Camp Journey is an incredible adventure that gives you the rare chance to explore Nepal’s Everest region. As this is a popular trek, many people want to know how far and how long the trek to EBC takes.
The Everest Base Camp trek is a hike to the base of Mount Everest’s tallest mountain. At an elevation of 5,644 meters, Kala Patthar is the best viewpoint for a 360-degree panoramic view of Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Cho Oyu, and other peaks.
Everest Base Camp offers every trekker the best trekking experience of their life. The spectacular vistas of the world’s highest peaks, including Mt Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, and Island Peak, are the main attractions of this trek.
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How Long does it take to trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp?
The Everest Base Camp trek is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) round trip from Lukla and takes around 14 days. This trek involves significant altitude gain, making it both a challenging and exciting adventure. It starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and passes through beautiful places like Namche Bazaar, Phakding, Tengboche, Gorakshep, and many more.
As you trek, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, varied vegetation, and changing landscapes. Reaching Everest base camp is the highlight of the trek. EBC offers a spectacular view of towering peaks and the stunning Khumbu icefall.
Lukla to Everest Base Camp Trekking Days and Distance
Lukla to Phakding
The Everest Base Camp trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 meters). From Lukla, you gently descend to Chheplung, following the Dudhkoshi River on the left. Before heading to Ghat, you’ll see a breathtaking view of Mount Kusum Kanguru at Thado Koshigaon. The trail then leads to Phakding. The trek from Lukla to Phakding covers 6.2 kilometers and takes about three hours, passing through suspension bridges and charming Sherpa villages.
Phakding to Namche Bazaar
The path from Phakding to Monjo is a bit up and down. You follow the Dudhkoshi River, crossing several suspension ridges and passing through small villages. At Bengkar, you’ll see the impressive Thamserku. From Bengkar, the trail descends to Jorsale and continues with ups and downs until the Hillary Bridge is reached. This is the last suspension bridge of the day. After trekking for 5 to 6 hours, covering a distance of 9.4 kilometers, you’ll reach the lively Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar.
Acclimatization at Namche Bazaar
The acclimatization day hike starts with a climb to the Everest Viewpoint and continues to the beautiful village of Syangboche, known for its stunning views. You will follow a mostly flat path to reach Hotel Everest View. You can see stunning peaks like Mount Everest, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam from here. Today’s trek ends with a descent from Hotel Everest View back to Namche Bazaar. The trek takes about 4 hours and covers 5.4 kilometers.
Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
The hike from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche starts with a walk to Kenjoma on a well-maintained, level path with some gentle ups and downs. From Kenjoma, the trail descends gently to Phunke Tenga. Along the way, you will see breathtaking views of Kangtega and Thamserku mountains. When you reach Tengboche, you can get an even closer and more stunning view of the surrounding mountains. You must trek for around 5 hours, covering 5.9 kilometers.
Tengboche to Dingboche
The trek from Tengboche to Dingboche takes about 6 hours, covering a distance of about 9.1 kilometers. The trail starts with a gentle descent from Tengboche to Deboche and continues to Pangboche, where you’ll cross a few suspension bridges. After Pangboche, you’ll climb a bit as you leave the tree line and reach Somare. The final part of the trek from Somare to Dingboche provides closer views of peaks like Ana Dablam, Nuptse, and Lhotse.
Acclimatization at Dingboche
Dingboche is an important stop for acclimatization after Namche Bazaar. Today, you’ll trek to Nangkartshang Peak. From the peak, you can see a panoramic view of mountains like Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Peak 38, Makalu, Kusum Kanguru, and Baruntse, all surrounding the peak beautifully. After enjoying the view, you’ll return to Dingboche.
Dingboche to Lobuche
You’ll trek from Dingboche to Lobuche, covering about 8.5 kilometers. The path from Dingboche to Thukla has a gentle uphill climb. The trail goes through the Khumbu Khola Valley, gradually leading to Thukla and then uphill to Thukla Pass. After crossing Thukla Pass, the landscape becomes more rugged and barren as you get closer to Lobuche. From Lobuche, you can see breathtaking views of peaks like Nuptse, Pumori, and Lho La.
Lobuche to EBC and back to Gorakshep
You’ll trek for about 8 to 9 hours, covering a distance of about 11.7 kilometers. You’ll head to Gorakshep. The trek starts with an easy climb, but the final part becomes rocky and uneven. The trail from Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp is full of ups and downs, with frequent climbs and descents. From EBC, you can see close-up views of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Gorakshep to Kala Patthar to Pheriche
The climb to Kala Patthar from Gorakshep is a steep and challenging uphill trek. At Kala Patthar, you can see stunning 360-degree views of prominent mountains like Pumori, Lingtren, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thanserku, and many others. On the way back to Periche, you follow the same route, passing through Lobuche and Thukla Pass. After Thukla Pass, you’ll head toward Periche. Finally, you’ll reach Periche after trekking for 8 to 9 hours, covering a distance of about 15.2 kilometers.
Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
The trek from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar is the longest journey, covering about 19.5 kilometers. You will follow the same route, starting with a descent from Somare and passing through Pangboche, Deboche, and Tengboche. After a major descent at Phunke Tenga, you climb up to Kenjoma and continue on a flat, steady path until you reach Namche Bazaar.
Namche Bazaar to Lukla
The trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla is the final part of the Everest Base Camp trek. You will hike the same paths that you took while going up. Starting from the Hillary Bridge, the trail goes through ups and downs, passing through villages like Jorsale, Monjo, Phakding, and Chheplung. After reaching Chheplung, you climb gently for a short distance to arrive at Lukla, where the trek ends. You’ll cover a distance of about 13.5 kilometers.
Accommodation and Food
On the Lukla to Everest Base Camp, the types of accommodation depend on the service you choose. During the trek, you can stay at different teahouses and guesthouses that offer comfortable accommodation facilities. The rooms are simple and have a wooden-style bed with sheets, covers, and pillows. The restrooms are clean and basic. You can get things like an electric blanket, Wi-Fi, or a hot shower for an extra cost. You might find Western-style toilets at lower altitudes, but you’ll likely use squat toilets or simpler facilities as you go higher.
Each lodge also has a common dining area serving healthy local food and international dishes. You have many food options on the Everest Base Camp trek. You can eat oatmeal, bread, chapatti, pancakes, omelets, paratha, and potatoes for breakfast. You can eat Dal Bhat, noodles, momo, pasta and macaroni, pizza, sandwiches, spaghetti, and burgers for lunch and dinner.
Permits for EBC Trek
To trek to Everest Base Camp, you must have two main permits:
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit: This is the newest permit introduced in place of the previously mandatory TIMS Card for the Everest/Khumbu region. The permit fees are collected directly by the local government.
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit: Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. So, a Sagarmatha National Park Entry permit is required for anyone entering the park, which includes the Everest Base Camp area. You can obtain the permit at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
Conclusion
The journey from Lukla to Everest Base Camp takes you to the top of the world. It is the most well-known trail trekkers and climbers use to reach the base camp of the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest (8,849 meters). The route is filled with popular sights and destinations. It takes you through breathtaking snow-capped mountains, Tibetan monasteries, Sherpa villages, and icy glaciers.
FAQs
How much does it cost to trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp?
The cost to trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp usually costs between $1400 to $2500, depending on how you plan your trip. The price includes a flight to and from Lukla, accommodation in tea houses, meals, permits, and sometimes guides and porters. If you go with a trekking agency, it may be on the higher side, while trekking independently can lower costs.
Is Everest visible from Lukla?
No, Everest is not visible from Lukla. Although Lukla is the starting point for many trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp, the mountain is hidden behind other peaks and rides. You can see Everest after a couple of days of trekking.
Is Everest Base Camp worth it?
Yes, the Everest Base Camp is worth it. The trek takes you through beautiful landscapes with breathtaking views, friendly Sherpa people, and unique experiences. You will reach Mount Everest’s base, the world’s highest peak.
Can you do Everest Base Camp in 7 days?
You can do Everest Base Camp in 7 days, but it can be challenging. The trek usually takes around 12 to 14 days to give your bossy time to adjust to the altitude and enjoy the journey. Rushing it in 7 days can increase the risk of altitude sickness.
Is reaching Everest Base Camp difficult?
Yes, reaching the Everest Base Camp is difficult. EBC involves a long trek at high altitudes, which can make breathing harder and cause altitude sickness. The trail is often steep and rough; you must be in good shape to handle the physical demands.
