Fly into Lukla, walk through Sherpa villages and glaciers, and climb to Kala Patthar for a front-row view of Everest. This 12–14 day classic combines rigorous daily stages with crucial acclimatization and vivid cultural encounters.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The plane eases onto Lukla’s tiny runway and the world rearranges itself into crags, prayer flags and thin air. From that nervous landing the trail climbs and folds through rhododendron forests, high meadows and moraine tracks until you stand at Gorak Shep, the last village before the glacier, with Everest’s flanks looming like a living wall.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
12–14 days
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness with prior multi-day hiking experience; comfortable walking 4–8 hours per day with elevation gain.
Wildlife
History
The Khumbu has long been inhabited by Sherpa communities who developed high-altitude trade routes; Hillary and Tenzing’s 1953 ascent made the region globally famous.
Conservation
Sagarmatha National Park is a protected UNESCO site; trekkers should minimize waste, use lodge facilities responsibly and follow local waste-disposal rules to reduce impact.
Reserve your spot on the Everest Base Camp Trek today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Prioritize acclimatization
Schedule and respect 2 planned acclimatization days (Namche, Dingboche) to reduce altitude sickness risk; ascend slowly and avoid rapid altitude gains.
Expect volatile flights
Lukla flights are weather-dependent—build buffer days into your schedule and keep flights flexible.
Layer for temperature swings
Temperatures can swing from sun-warm to below-freezing; use breathable base layers plus an insulated jacket and wind shell.
Carry cash and small denominations
Tea houses accept little card business—bring enough NPR for food, hot drinks and tips at remote lodges.
Insulated down jacket
Warmth for pre-dawn climbs and high camp nights where temperatures drop well below freezing.
winter
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots
Support and grip for rocky, icy and muddy stretches on the trail.
High-altitude sleeping bag (rated to -10°C or lower)
Tea-house mattresses are thin; a warm sleeping bag ensures rest at 4,000–5,000 m.
fall
Lightweight trekking poles
Reduce knee strain on long descents and provide stability on loose scree and glacier moraine.