- Length
- 15 days
- Highest point
- 5,364 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Mar–May
- Starts
- Lukla (fly from Kathmandu)
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
The most relaxed path to Everest Base Camp — 15 days of unhurried acclimatisation means more trekkers reach the top and actually enjoy it when they get there.
- Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) — most acclimatisation-friendly EBC itinerary available
- Kala Patthar (5,545 m) — closest public viewpoint to Everest's summit
- Two full rest-acclimatisation days: Namche on day 3 and Dingboche on day 8
- Tengboche Monastery puja ceremony at dawn (if timing aligns)
- Ama Dablam Base Camp optional excursion from Dingboche
- Chhukung Ri (5,550 m) optional add-on for experienced altitude trekkers
- Namche Bazaar Saturday market and Sherpa cultural museum
- Sagarmatha National Park UNESCO wilderness — yaks, glaciers, Sherpa villages
- Recommended for first-time high-altitude trekkers — maximum safety and enjoyment
The climb, day by day
Day 1Arrive Kathmandu (1,400 m)1,400 m
Welcome to Nepal. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel in Thamel. Evening briefing with your lead guide — review itinerary, gear check, and permit paperwork. Welcome dinner with the team.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 2Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m) · Trek to Phakding (2,610 m)2,610 m
Early morning transfer to the domestic terminal for the scenic 30-minute flight to Lukla. Begin trekking through Sherpa villages and pine forest along the Dudh Koshi river to Phakding.
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Cross spectacular suspension bridges draped in prayer flags and enter Sagarmatha National Park at Monjo. The trail climbs steeply for 600 m through forest to the vibrant Sherpa market town of Namche Bazaar.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Acclimatisation Day — Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Essential rest day. Morning hike to the Everest View Hotel (3,962 m) for your first clear views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam. Visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and explore the weekend market stalls.
- Distance
- 4 km
- Walking
- 3 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (3,860 m)3,860 m
Traverse the high trail with dramatic views of the Dudh Koshi gorge and the entire Everest massif. Descend to Phunki Thanga then climb through ancient rhododendron and juniper forest to Tengboche Monastery.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Tengboche to Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Cross the Imja Khola and walk through the ancient settlement of Pangboche before the valley opens wide. Climb gently up the Imja Khola valley to Dingboche, a picturesque village surrounded by terraced fields and mani walls.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Acclimatisation Day — Dingboche (4,360 m)4,360 m
Day hike up to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m) above Dingboche for breathtaking views of Makalu, Lhotse, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Sleep low tonight to aid acclimatisation.
- Distance
- 6 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours hike
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Dingboche to Lobuche (4,940 m)4,940 m
Climb past Thukla to the memorial cairns at Thukla Pass, honouring mountaineers who gave their lives on Everest. Continue along the rocky Khumbu Glacier moraine to Lobuche — altitude will be felt here.
- Distance
- 10 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Lobuche to Gorak Shep (5,164 m) · Everest Base Camp (5,364 m)5,164 m
Trek across moraine and frozen lakes to Gorak Shep. Leave packs and push to Everest Base Camp — a profound moment standing at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall with Everest towering above. Return to Gorak Shep for the night.
- Distance
- 13 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 10Kala Patthar (5,545 m) · Descend to Pheriche (4,240 m)4,240 m
Rise at 4 a.m. and climb Kala Patthar in the dark to witness the most spectacular Everest sunrise on earth. Descend via Lobuche to Pheriche for the night — a well-earned rest.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 7–8 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 11Pheriche to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m)3,440 m
Long descent back through Tengboche and Debuche, lungs filling with thicker air with each step. Arrive in Namche for a celebratory dinner. Hot shower, cold beer, warm memories.
- Distance
- 20 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 12Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2,860 m)2,860 m
Final trekking day. Follow the Dudh Koshi downhill through Jorsalle and Phakding to Lukla. Farewell dinner with your guides and porters.
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 13Fly Lukla to Kathmandu1,400 m
Early morning flight back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free — souvenir shopping in Thamel, optional Pashupatinath visit, or a spa session. Farewell dinner at a top Kathmandu restaurant.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Flight
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Hotel
Day 14Kathmandu — Cultural Sightseeing1,400 m
Optional guided tour of Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage sites — Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square. Relax and reflect on your adventure.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Sightseeing
- Meals
- B
- Night
- Hotel
Day 15Departure Day1,400 m
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. Your Everest adventure concludes — the mountains will call you back.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- –
- Meals
- B
- Night
- –
The price includes
- Government-certified English-speaking senior trek guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers; 18 kg max porter load)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit
- Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu round-trip flights (scheduled)
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Kathmandu hotel and airport transfers
- Altitude illness prevention kit and pulse oximeter
- Duffel bag and down sleeping bag (loan)
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International flights
- Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal gear
- Tips
The 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek is our most popular Khumbu itinerary — one extra day over the classic 14-day schedule gives a full rest day at Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) for deep acclimatisation, Khumjung village exploration, and the Everest View Hotel viewpoint. That single additional day improves completion rates meaningfully and is the reason most experienced operators now favour a 15-day itinerary for first-time high-altitude trekkers.
The route is the definitive Everest experience: Lukla to Phakding through rhododendron forest, the suspension bridge crossings above the Dudh Kosi gorge, Namche's Saturday market, Tengboche Monastery beneath Ama Dablam, Dingboche's stone-walled fields, and the final moraines above Lobuche to Gorak Shep and EBC (5,364 m). The summit of Kala Patthar (5,545 m) at pre-dawn for the greatest Everest panorama on earth closes the outbound journey before the long descent to Lukla.
This itinerary suits trekkers who want the full Khumbu experience without the time pressure of the 14-day version. The Namche rest day includes an acclimatisation walk to the Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) — a steady 440 m gain followed by descent — which is the ideal preparation for the higher stages above.
The Acclimatisation Difference
Altitude sickness is the number one reason trekkers don't complete EBC. The 15-day schedule builds in acclimatisation at two key altitude bands: Namche (3,440 m, day 3–4) and Dingboche (4,410 m, day 8–9). Both follow the "climb high, sleep low" rule with dedicated excursions the morning after arrival. Our 15-day completion rate is 91% versus 84% for 14-day itineraries. The extra day is the single most cost-effective investment you can make in your trek.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May. Flights: Kathmandu–Lukla–Kathmandu included. Max altitude: Kala Patthar 5,545 m.