The world's most iconic trek. Guided by Sherpas who were born on this route.
The closest view of Everest without a climbing permit. Day 10, before dawn.
NTB-licensed, Khumbu-born, hundreds of times on this route.
Flights, permits, porters, teahouses, transfers. You just walk.
No camping. Warm beds and dal bhat every night, run by Sherpa families.
The Everest Base Camp trek is 130 kilometres through Nepal’s Khumbu region from the short-runway landing at Lukla to the prayer flags at Base Camp (5,364m), and up to Kala Patthar where Everest fills the sky at 5,545m.
This is not a technical climb. No rope, no ice axe, no mountaineering experience required. What it demands is time, patience, and a body that can walk five to seven hours a day at altitude. The reward is standing somewhere most people only ever see in photographs.
MountainKick has guided this route since 2016. Our guides are Sherpa, born in these mountains, not hired from a Kathmandu agency. That matters at altitude, where local knowledge keeps your trek safe when weather, fitness, or logistics don’t go to plan.
What’s waiting on the trail:
Not sure if EBC is right for you? Read our EBC vs Gokyo guide to compare the two most popular routes in the Everest region.
Your guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Tonight we hold a pre-trip briefing where your guide walks through the itinerary, checks your kit, and answers any questions. This is the time to raise concerns, not on the trail.
Your flight lands at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, a short runway perched on a steep hillside at 2,860m. From there you walk downhill through pine forest along the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding. It is a short easy day by design as your body needs time to settle before the climbing begins.
Note: In peak season (March to May and October to November) flights operate from Ramechhap, which means leaving Kathmandu around 2:30am.
The trail follows the Dudh Koshi River upstream, crossing several suspension bridges before the Sagarmatha National Park gate at Monjo where permits are checked. From there the climb gets serious. The final two hours up to Namche are steep and sustained, your first real test of the trek. First views of Everest appear on the ridge above town, weather permitting.
You stay in Namche but you do not rest. The morning hike climbs 440 metres to Hotel Everest View at 3,880m, the highest-placed hotel in the world. From the terrace you get your first clear look at Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam together. Back down by early afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to explore the market, visit the Sherpa Cultural Museum, or sit with a coffee and let your body catch up.
The trail drops from Namche down to the Dudh Koshi River at Phunki Tenga, then climbs steeply through rhododendron forest for two hours to reach Tengboche. The monastery here, founded in 1916 and framed by Ama Dablam on one side and Everest on the other, is worth arriving early for. Evening prayers start around 3pm in winter, 4pm in summer. Worth attending if you get there in time.
The trail descends through rhododendron forest to cross the Imja Khola river, then climbs to Pangboche, home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region, where most people stop for lunch. Above Pangboche the trees thin out and the landscape opens up completely. By the time you reach Dingboche the air is noticeably thinner. Ama Dablam dominates the skyline here in a way it does nowhere else on the route.
You stay in Dingboche but climb to 5,083m on Nangkartshang Peak above the village. It is steep and the thin air makes it feel harder than the numbers suggest. From the top on a clear morning you can see Makalu, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Island Peak, and Everest. Back down by early afternoon. This is your body’s last real chance to adjust before the route pushes above 5,000m for good.
The trail climbs gently to Thukla where most people stop for lunch, then steepens sharply up to the Thukla Pass at 4,830m. At the top sits the Everest Memorial, stone cairns and plaques for climbers who did not come back. Most people slow down here without being told to. Beyond the pass the path follows the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier into Lobuche, with Nuptse and Pumori filling the skyline ahead.
An early start from Lobuche brings you to Gorakshep in two to three hours for lunch. Then the trail crosses the rocky moraine of the Khumbu Glacier toward Base Camp. The path is uneven and slow. Then the prayer flags appear. You are standing at 5,364m at the foot of the world’s highest mountain. The Khumbu Icefall towers above you. Everest’s summit is hidden from here — that view comes tomorrow. Most people stand quietly for a while. Return to Gorakshep before dark.
Your alarm goes off at 4am. It is properly cold. The climb to Kala Patthar takes about two hours in the dark, and as you gain the ridge Everest’s summit pyramid begins to catch the first light above a sea of peaks. Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori all laid out in front of you. This is the closest clear view of Everest you can get without a climbing permit. Back down to Gorakshep for breakfast, then a long descent to Pheriche where the air noticeably thickens with every step down.
A long descent back through familiar ground, but it feels different going down. The trail passes Pangboche and drops through the rhododendron forest to Phunki Tenga, then climbs briefly to Tengboche before the final drop into Namche. Reaching Namche after days above 4,000m is a genuine relief. Hot shower, proper coffee, fast wifi. A good evening to sit and take stock of what you just did.
The longest walking day of the whole trip and also the last one. The trail drops steeply from Namche to the Dudh Koshi River, crosses the Hillary Suspension Bridge, and passes back through Phakding and Monjo before a final short climb into Lukla. Your legs will know about it. But by the time you sit down in Lukla that evening, the whole thing tends to hit properly.
Flights out of Lukla depart early and depend entirely on weather. During peak season (March to May and September to November) your flight routes via Ramechhap, which means an early morning departure from Lukla and a 5 to 6 hour drive back to Kathmandu. Off-peak you fly direct. MountainKick handles all rebooking if weather causes delays. Tonight is the farewell dinner.
Breakfast at the hotel, then a transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport timed to your flight. If you have time before checkout, Thamel is worth one last walk. Luggage stored with us while you trek can be collected from the hotel before you head to the airport.
Twin-sharing rooms throughout. A comfortable hotel in Kathmandu on arrival and final night, traditional Sherpa teahouses on the trail, warm, simple, run by local families.
Meals on the trail are pay as you go. At altitude your appetite changes day to day and we would rather you order what you want than pay upfront for meals you might skip. Dal bhat, garlic soup, noodles, omelettes, ginger tea. Simple, wholesome, altitude-appropriate. Above Namche we recommend avoiding meat entirely as freshness cannot be guaranteed at this altitude.
| Meals on trail | $25 to $40 / day |
| Hot shower / charging | $2 to $5 |
| Bottled water | $1–3 |
| Wifi (where available) | $2–3 |
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The EBC trek is rated hard. You will walk 5 to 7 hours a day for 12 days at altitudes that reach 5,545m at Kala Patthar. There is no technical climbing — no ropes, no ice axe, no mountaineering experience needed. The difficulty is almost entirely about altitude, not terrain. Above 4,500m your body is working with roughly half the oxygen available at sea level. Simple things like tying your boots feel harder than they should.
What makes people turn back is almost always altitude sickness from moving too fast, not lack of fitness. Our 14-day itinerary includes two dedicated acclimatization days specifically to reduce that risk. Anyone in reasonable health who can sustain a brisk 5 to 6 hour walk and has prepared properly can complete this trek. Our trek difficulty guide breaks down where EBC sits against other Nepal routes.
Yes, it is now a legal requirement. Since April 2023 Nepal’s government requires all foreign trekkers in designated areas including the Khumbu region to trek with a licensed guide. You cannot do this trek independently. Checkpoints on the trail verify compliance and trekkers without a guide are turned back.
Your MountainKick package includes a licensed, NTB-certified Sherpa guide for the full 14 days. Beyond the legal requirement, having a guide who grew up in these mountains makes a real difference at altitude. They know the early warning signs of altitude sickness and when descent is the right call. If you are thinking about how to choose a trekking company in Nepal, this guide is worth reading before you book.
You need to be comfortable walking 5 to 6 hours a day with a light daypack of around 3 to 5kg. You do not need to be an athlete but you do need a base level of cardiovascular fitness. The trekkers who struggle most are those who did not train, not those without high-altitude experience.
A solid 8 to 12 week preparation plan: cardio 3 to 4 times a week (hiking, running, cycling or swimming), leg and core strength work 2 times a week, and at least 3 to 4 practice hikes of 4 to 6 hours before you fly. Stair climbing is particularly good preparation for the Khumbu ascents. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Altitude sickness affects a significant number of EBC trekkers but it is manageable if you ascend slowly and listen to your body. The main rules: follow the acclimatization schedule and do not skip rest days, drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily, avoid alcohol above 3,000m, and tell your guide immediately if you get a persistent headache, nausea, dizziness or loss of appetite. Descending even 300 to 500m usually brings fast relief.
Talk to your doctor about Diamox before you leave. It is available in Kathmandu but better discussed with a doctor beforehand. Our guides are trained in altitude sickness recognition and know when descent is necessary. For a full breakdown read our altitude sickness guide.
The two best seasons are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). Both offer stable weather, clear skies and good visibility. Autumn is generally drier and the mountain views are sharper. Spring is warmer with rhododendrons in bloom but can be more crowded, particularly in April and May.
Winter (December to February) is cold and quiet with good visibility but temperatures drop hard above 4,000m. Monsoon (June to August) is not recommended. Trails are muddy, leeches are active on the lower sections and Lukla flights get delayed frequently. October is the single most popular month and for good reason. Read more in our EBC in October guide.
MountainKick’s EBC trek starts at $1,160 per person for groups of 2 to 3, $1,020 for groups of 4 or more, and $1,440 for solo trekkers. This covers your guide, porter, permits, Lukla flights, Kathmandu hotel, airport transfers, welcome and farewell dinner, and a duffel bag. Meals on trek are not included and budget $25 to $40 per day for food on the trail.
On top of the package price budget for your international flights, Nepal visa ($50 for 30 days), travel insurance, personal gear and tips for your guide and porter. For a full cost breakdown read our EBC trek cost guide for 2026.
Two permits are required: the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit. You also need a TIMS card. MountainKick arranges all three as part of your package. You will not need to queue at any permit office. We need your passport details, two passport photos and your arrival date in Nepal.
Permit fees change periodically. For current 2026 fees and rules read our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Your return Lukla flights are included in the package. In peak season (March to May and September to November) all flights route via Ramechhap’s Manthali Airport, which requires a 4 to 5 hour drive from Kathmandu starting as early as 1am. Off-peak you fly direct from Kathmandu in around 30 minutes. MountainKick arranges all transport from your hotel.
Lukla flights are weather dependent and delays happen, particularly in peak season. Our itinerary includes buffer time and we handle any rebooking at no extra cost. For everything you need to know read our Lukla via Ramechhap guide for 2026.
Two nights in a tourist-class hotel in Kathmandu with private bathroom and hot shower. On the trail you stay in teahouses throughout, twin-sharing with shared bathroom facilities. Teahouses are simple, warm and run by Sherpa families. They are the right place to sleep, eat and recover each day.
Standards are comfortable lower down and more basic above 4,500m. Expect thinner blankets, colder rooms and shared toilets above Lobuche. Bring a sleeping bag rated to minus 10 to minus 15 degrees regardless. Single supplement is available on request. 4 and 5-star Kathmandu hotel upgrades are also available, just ask when booking.
Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover helicopter evacuation up to 6,000m. This is not optional. A helicopter evacuation from the Khumbu region costs $2,500 to $5,000 and without proper insurance you pay that yourself.
Make sure your policy also covers trip cancellation, medical expenses and high-altitude trekking specifically. Many standard travel policies exclude altitudes above 4,000m so read the fine print before you buy. Print a copy of your policy and carry it on the trail. For a full guide on what to look for read our travel insurance guide for Nepal trekking.
Your guide assesses the situation and provides first aid. For altitude sickness or serious injury, descent to a lower elevation is always the first priority. If helicopter evacuation is needed your guide contacts our Kathmandu office and we coordinate with helicopter companies directly. Evacuation is available from most points on the trail weather permitting and typically takes 1 to 3 hours to arrange.
There are Himalayan Rescue Association aid posts at Namche Bazaar and Pheriche staffed by Western-trained doctors during peak season. MountainKick maintains 24/7 emergency support throughout your trek. This is exactly why proper travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation is non-negotiable.
Carry enough Nepali rupees for the entire trek before you leave Kathmandu. ATMs exist in Lukla and Namche Bazaar but are unreliable, often run out of cash in peak season and charge high fees. There are no ATMs beyond Namche. Exchange currency in Kathmandu and carry small denominations as change can be limited in remote teahouses.
A rough budget: $25 to $40 per day for meals, $2 to $5 for hot showers, $2 to $3 for wifi, $2 to $5 for battery charging per device. For a 10-day trek on the trail budget around $300 to $400 in cash plus a buffer for unexpected costs.
| Trip Starts | Trip Ends | Status | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 4 Sep 2026 14 days | 17 Sep 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 11 Sep 2026 14 days | 24 Sep 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 18 Sep 2026 14 days | 1 Oct 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 25 Sep 2026 14 days | 8 Oct 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| OCTOBER 2026 | ||||
| 2 Oct 2026 14 days | 15 Oct 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 9 Oct 2026 14 days | 22 Oct 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 16 Oct 2026 14 days | 29 Oct 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 23 Oct 2026 14 days | 5 Nov 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 30 Oct 2026 14 days | 12 Nov 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| NOVEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 6 Nov 2026 14 days | 19 Nov 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 13 Nov 2026 14 days | 26 Nov 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 20 Nov 2026 14 days | 3 Dec 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 27 Nov 2026 14 days | 10 Dec 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| DECEMBER 2026 | ||||
| 4 Dec 2026 14 days | 17 Dec 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 11 Dec 2026 14 days | 24 Dec 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 18 Dec 2026 14 days | 31 Dec 2026 | available | $1,160 | |
| 25 Dec 2026 14 days | 7 Jan 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| MARCH 2027 | ||||
| 2 Mar 2027 14 days | 15 Mar 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 9 Mar 2027 14 days | 22 Mar 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 16 Mar 2027 14 days | 29 Mar 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 23 Mar 2027 14 days | 5 Apr 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 30 Mar 2027 14 days | 12 Apr 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| APRIL 2027 | ||||
| 6 Apr 2027 14 days | 19 Apr 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 13 Apr 2027 14 days | 26 Apr 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 20 Apr 2027 14 days | 3 May 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 27 Apr 2027 14 days | 10 May 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| MAY 2027 | ||||
| 4 May 2027 14 days | 17 May 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 11 May 2027 14 days | 24 May 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 18 May 2027 14 days | 31 May 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 25 May 2027 14 days | 7 Jun 2027 | available | $1,160 | |
| 30+ days before departure | Deposit forfeited, balance refunded in full |
| 15–29 days before departure | 50% of total trip cost charged |
| Under 15 days | No refund |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.
Wondering what’s included in the total cost? See our complete EBC Trek Cost breakdown for 2026.
| Travellers | Price Per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| Solo | $1440 |
| 2-3 people | $1160 |
| 4-9 people | $1020 |
Ready to go? Request your preferred dates or message Kumar directly on WhatsApp — he'll confirm availability within a few hours.
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof hiking boots, high-ankle | 1 pair | Must be well broken in. New boots cause blisters on day 2. |
| Hiking socks, merino wool | 4 to 5 pairs | Avoid cotton. Merino regulates temperature and resists odour. |
| Camp sandals or flip flops | 1 pair | For teahouses after long days. Your feet will thank you. |
| Lightweight gaiters | 1 pair | Keeps dust, rocks and light snow out of boots. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal tops, synthetic or merino | 2 | Wear one, keep one dry. Never cotton. |
| Thermal bottoms | 2 | Sleep in one set, trek in the other. |
| Fleece jacket | 1 | Main mid-layer for daytime trekking. |
| Down jacket, 700 fill or higher | 1 | Essential above Dingboche. Worn every evening at high camps. Rentable in Kathmandu. |
| Waterproof jacket, Gore-Tex or similar | 1 | Must have a hood. Used daily above Namche. |
| Waterproof pants | 1 | Doubles as wind protection above Lobuche. |
| Trekking pants, quick-dry | 1 pair | Quick-dry only. No jeans, ever. |
| Sun hat, wide-brimmed | 1 | UV is intense between Namche and Tengboche. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Warm beanie | 1 | For early morning starts and cold evenings. |
| Liner gloves, touchscreen compatible | 1 pair | For phone use on trail without removing gloves. |
| Insulated gloves, windproof | 1 pair | Liner gloves alone are not enough above Dingboche. |
| Neck gaiter or buff | 2 | Protects against wind, dust, cold and the Khumbu Cough. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daypack, 25 to 35L | 1 | Rain cover essential. This stays with you all day. |
| Sleeping bag, rated to minus 10 to minus 15 degrees | 1 | Teahouses provide blankets but a proper bag is still needed above Dingboche. Rentable in Kathmandu. |
| Sleeping bag liner | 1 | Adds warmth and keeps rental bags cleaner. |
| Trekking poles, collapsible | 1 pair | Saves your knees on the steep Namche and Thukla descents. |
| Headlamp and extra batteries | 1 | Essential for the 4am Kala Patthar climb. Cold drains batteries fast. |
| Polarized sunglasses, Cat 3 to 4 | 1 | Prevents snow blindness. Not optional at high altitude. |
| Water purification tablets or UV purifier | 1 | Saves money and reduces plastic waste on trail. |
| Dry bags | 2 | One for electronics, one for documents inside your duffel. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Personal first aid kit | 1 | Your guide carries a kit and oximeter. A personal kit is still recommended. Include blister treatment and second skin. |
| Water bottle, 1L wide-mouth | 1 | Handles boiling water. Doubles as a bed warmer at night above Lobuche. |
| Power bank, 10,000 to 20,000mAh | 1 | Cold kills phone batteries above 4,000m. Keep it in your sleeping bag overnight. |
| Electrolyte powder sachets | 10 to 15 | Hydration at altitude is harder than it sounds. Mix into your water daily. |
| High protein snacks | As needed | Trail mix, protein bars. Teahouse food is mostly carb-heavy. |
| Sunscreen SPF 50 | 1 | Reapply every 2 hours above Namche. UV intensity is extreme. |
| Lip balm with SPF | 1 | Lips crack fast at altitude without protection. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quick-dry towel, microfiber | 1 | Teahouses do not provide towels. |
| Pillowcase | 1 | Teahouse pillows are shared. A personal pillowcase is more hygienic. |
| Hand sanitizer | 2 small | Water can freeze overnight at higher camps. |
| Biodegradable wet wipes | 1–2 packs | Showers above Namche are rare and cold. |
| Toilet Paper | 2–3 rolls | Teahouses can run out. Carry your own. |
| Item | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport, valid 6 months minimum | 1 | Keep a photocopy separate from the original. |
| Passport photos | 2 extras | For permits at checkpoints. |
| Travel insurance document | 1 | Must cover helicopter evacuation to 6,000m. Print a hard copy. |
| Cash, Nepali rupees | As needed | Budget $25 to $40 per day for food plus buffer for showers, wifi and charging. |
| Trek permit copies | 1 set | We handle the permits. Carry your copies on trail. |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Microspikes | Non-negotiable for icy trails near Gorakshep |
| Expedition Mittens (down) | Insulated gloves are not enough at minus 25 degrees |
| Balaclava | Full face protection for sub-zero wind chills |
| Insulated Pants (fleece-lined) | Windproof layer for high camps |
| Extra Thermal Top | A third base layer for the coldest nights |
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Rain Cover for Backpack | Your daypack will get soaked without one |
| Waterproof Gaiters (heavy) | Upgrade from lightweight pair for mud and water |
| Leech Socks | For lower elevations only (Lukla to Namche) |
| Dry Bags (2-3) | For electronics, documents, and dry clothes |
| Extra Quick-dry Layers | Nothing dries overnight during monsoon |
Sleeping bags and down jackets can be rented through us in Kathmandu. Trekking poles are best purchased in Thamel. We connect you with trusted shops at the pre-trip briefing. A duffel bag is provided to every trekker as part of the package.
Kumar and the team have guided this route for over a decade. Ask anything — gear, fitness, altitude, private groups — before you commit.
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