Everest Base Camp Elevation: Altitude by Day & What to Expect
Everest Base Camp is at 5,364m (17,598 ft). This is the south base camp in Nepal, where climbers start their Everest expeditions. The highest point of the trek is Kala Patthar, commonly given as 5,545m (18,192 ft), a viewpoint above Gorak Shep with the best view of Everest itself.
The trek starts at Lukla (2,860m) and climbs about 2,700m over 8 days, with two rest days to acclimatise. The highest night is at Gorak Shep, at about 5,164m.
- Everest Base Camp: 5,364m / 17,598 ft
- Kala Patthar (highest point): 5,545m / 18,192 ft
- Highest night: Gorak Shep, about 5,164m / 16,942 ft
- Starting point: Lukla, 2,860m / 9,383 ft
- Everest summit: 8,849m / 29,032 ft
- Oxygen: the air pressure at Base Camp is about half of sea level, so each breath gives you roughly half as much oxygen
- Last updated: October 2026
In This Guide
Altitude of Every Stop on the EBC Trek
These are the stops on our 14-day Everest Base Camp trek, going up.
| Day | Where you sleep | Sleeping altitude | Highest point of the day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu | 1,400m / 4,593 ft | |
| 2 | Phakding | 2,610m / 8,563 ft | Lukla airport, 2,860m / 9,383 ft |
| 3 | Namche Bazaar | 3,440m / 11,286 ft | |
| 4 | Namche Bazaar (rest day) | 3,440m / 11,286 ft | Everest View Hotel hike, about 3,880m / 12,730 ft |
| 5 | Tengboche | 3,860m / 12,664 ft | |
| 6 | Dingboche | 4,410m / 14,469 ft | |
| 7 | Dingboche (rest day) | 4,410m / 14,469 ft | Nangkartshang hike, about 5,083m / 16,677 ft |
| 8 | Lobuche | 4,940m / 16,207 ft | |
| 9 | Gorak Shep | 5,164m / 16,942 ft | Everest Base Camp, 5,364m / 17,598 ft |
| 10 | Pheriche | lower, on the way down | Kala Patthar at sunrise, 5,545m / 18,192 ft |
Published altitudes vary a little between maps and GPS readings, so you may see slightly different figures elsewhere.
What Is at 5,364m?
Base Camp sits on the Khumbu Glacier, below the Khumbu Icefall. In spring, April and May, it fills with yellow expedition tents. The rest of the year it is a field of rock and ice with prayer flags and a painted rock that everyone takes a photo with.
You cannot see the summit of Everest from Base Camp itself, because Nuptse is in the way. For that you need Kala Patthar.
Kala Patthar: The Highest Point
Kala Patthar is a dark rocky hill above Gorak Shep, commonly given as 5,545m. Most trekkers climb it before sunrise on Day 10. It takes 2 to 3 hours up from Gorak Shep, and from the top you see Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and the Khumbu Glacier below. It is the photo most people come to EBC for.
How the Itinerary Handles the Altitude
Above 3,000m, a common guideline is to sleep no more than about 500m higher each night, with an extra night for every 1,000m or so you gain. The ground on the EBC route is not perfectly even, so the rest days matter as much as the daily gain.
- Two rest days, in Namche and in Dingboche, each with a hike higher before you sleep lower. This is the “climb high, sleep low” rule.
- Only one night above 5,000m, at Gorak Shep.
- Your guide carries an oximeter and checks your oxygen level along with how you are feeling. A good reading alone does not rule out altitude sickness, so always tell your guide about symptoms.
See our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks.
The Biggest Height Gains on the Trek
- Phakding to Namche: about 830m, with a steep two hour climb at the end. The first big test.
- Tengboche to Dingboche: about 550m, taking you above 4,000m for the first time.
- Dingboche to Lobuche: about 530m, after your second rest day.
These are the days to walk slowly, drink plenty and tell your guide about any symptoms.
What 5,000m Actually Feels Like
Above 5,000m, everything takes more effort. You stop to catch your breath after a few steps uphill, your appetite drops and sleep is often light and broken. Most trekkers get a mild headache at some point. This is normal, and it is why the itinerary keeps only one night at Gorak Shep. Keep eating even when you do not feel hungry, and walk at a pace where you can still talk.
How Hard Is the Altitude?
The air still has the same share of oxygen up high, but the pressure is much lower. At 5,364m it is about half of sea level, so each breath gives you roughly half as much oxygen. Everyone walks slowly, sleep can be poor and mild headaches are common.
A gradual itinerary with rest days lowers the risk of altitude sickness, but it cannot remove it, and being fit does not protect you. If your symptoms get worse, stop going up and tell your guide straight away. Confusion, trouble walking in a straight line or being short of breath at rest are serious signs that need you to go down and get medical help.
Read Is Everest Base Camp Hard? A Straight Answer From 20 Years of Guiding.
Treks in this guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp is at 5,364m, or 17,598 ft.
What is the highest point of the EBC trek?
Kala Patthar, commonly given as 5,545m (18,192 ft).
How high is Gorak Shep?
About 5,164m. It is the highest place you sleep on the trek.
How much altitude do you gain on the EBC trek?
About 2,700m, from Lukla at 2,860m to Kala Patthar at 5,545m.
Is Everest Base Camp higher than Kilimanjaro?
No. The summit of Kilimanjaro is 5,895m, higher than both Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar.
How much oxygen is at Everest Base Camp?
The air pressure is about half of sea level, so each breath gives you roughly half as much oxygen, even though the air is still about 21 percent oxygen.
How high is Everest Base Camp in Tibet?
About 5,150m (16,900ft). The north base camp in Tibet is a little lower than the south base camp in Nepal at 5,364m, and you can reach it by road. The Nepal side is reached on foot over about 8 days from Lukla.
Can you see Everest from Base Camp?
Only a small part of it. Nuptse blocks the summit. The best view is from Kala Patthar.
