Day 1: Lukla to Phakding

Distance: 5 miles                Altitude: Start 2,840m → Finish 2,610m

Time on Trail: ~3 hrs           Ascent/Descent:+210m / -470m

Your adventure kicks off with one of the world’s most thrilling flights: a hop into the legendary Lukla airstrip carved into a Himalayan hillside.  After meeting your crew, there’s time to sip tea and adjust backpacks before stepping onto the trail for the first time.

The walk today is gentle but rich in atmosphere, pine forests alive with birdsong, spinning prayer wheels, carved mani stones and cheerful village kids calling out “Namaste!” at every bend.  The path follows the milky Dudh Kosi river, crossing suspension bridges fluttering with prayer flags.  It’s the perfect warm-up for the days to come, ending in the riverside settlement of Phakding where you’ll sleep to the sound of the river rushing by.

Day 2: Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Distance: 9 miles                Altitude: Start 2,610m → Finish 3,440m

Time on Trail: ~8 hrs           Ascent/Descent: +1,185m / -330m

Today, you truly enter the heart of the Khumbu.  The day starts gently but gradually the trail climbs, and the air gets crisper.  You’ll cross high-wire suspension bridges that sway over roaring white-water gorges, look out for the famous double-decker bridge near the village of Monjo.

Past the Sagarmatha National Park checkpoint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the path climbs steadily through forests of blue pine and rhododendron. The final few zigzags into Namche are a test for your legs and lungs, but the first glimpse of Everest through the trees is a huge morale boost. By afternoon you arrive in the natural amphitheatre of Namche Bazaar , a colourful Sherpa trading town bustling with trekkers, yak trains, cafes and shops.

Day 3: Acclimatisation Day — Namche Loop

Distance: 4 miles                Altitude: Start and Finish 3,440m

Time on Trail: ~3.5 hrs        Ascent/Descent: +517m / -517m

A slower day, but no less rewarding.  After a hearty breakfast, you hike up through old stone paths and pine woods to the famed Everest View Hotel.  On a clear morning, you’ll see Everest herself, flanked by Lhotse and the unmistakable pyramid of Ama Dablam.

This active acclimatisation walk helps your body adjust to the altitude and lets you savour the drama of the mountains.  Some groups visit the Sherpa Culture Museum or Khumjung village, home to a historic monastery and Hillary’s School.  Back in Namche, there’s time for coffee, cake or browsing Tibetan handicrafts.

Day 4: Namche to Deboche

Distance: 8 miles                Altitude: Start 3,440m → Finish 3,860m

Time on Trail: ~7 hrs           Ascent/Descent: +915m / -580m

One of the most photogenic days of the trek.  The trail leaves Namche hugging high cliffs, with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam standing sentinel in the distance.  Yak bells echo through the valley as you contour around ridges and drop down through forests of birch and rhododendron.

After crossing the river at Phunki Tenga, a steady climb brings you to the famous Tengboche Monastery, spiritual heart of the Khumbu.  Take time to explore the monastery, soak in the panoramic views and maybe witness a prayer ceremony.  From here it’s a short, quiet descent through mossy forest to Deboche, a tranquil spot hidden among tall trees.

Day 5: Deboche to Dingboche

Distance: 6.5 miles             Altitude: Start 3,860m → Finish 4,410m

Time on Trail: ~6 hrs           Ascent/Descent: +745m / -145m

This day feels truly Himalayan. You leave the tree line behind and enter a wind-swept valley framed by giant snowy peaks.  The path climbs gradually, passing ancient mani walls and the Sherpa village of Pangboche, one of the oldest in the region.

Crossing the Imja Khola on a wooden bridge, you follow the valley past yak pastures and dwarf shrubs, surrounded by ice and rock.  By the time you reach Dingboche’s cluster of stone lodges and potato fields, you’re deep in alpine territory.  Here you rest and adjust to life above 4,000 metres.

Day 6: Acclimatisation Day — Nangkartshang Ridge

Distance: 4.5 miles             Altitude: Start/Finish 4,410m

Time on Trail: ~4.5 hrs        Ascent/Descent: +769m / -769m

A vital day for acclimatisation. After a warm breakfast, you set out for the steep but rewarding climb up Nangkartshang Ridge, rising above Dingboche to a panoramic perch above 5,000m. The world opens up here — Makalu, Lhotse and the rugged Ama Dablam so close you can almost touch them.

The climb is steady but challenging; pace is everything. Back in Dingboche by midday, you have the afternoon to rest, read, or chat with other trekkers by the teahouse stove.

Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche

Distance: 7.5 miles             Altitude: Start 4,410m → Finish 4,910m

Time on Trail: ~6.5 hrs        Ascent/Descent: +845m / -130m

Leaving Dingboche, the trail gently rises through high pastures dotted with yak grazing.  The climb to Dughla is steady, then steepens as you zigzag up to Thukla Pass, a saddle marked with memorial cairns to climbers lost on Everest. Many pause here to pay quiet tribute.

Above the pass, the trail follows a dramatic moraine ridge with views of the Khumbu Glacier and towering peaks all around.  Lobuche is a simple cluster of lodges at the foot of the glacier, harsh, raw, and breathtaking.

Day 8: Lobuche to Gorak Shep & Kala Patthar (Optional)

Part 1: Lobuche to Gorak Shep

Distance: 3 miles                            Altitude: Start 4,910m → Finish 5,144m

Time on Trail: ~3 hrs

Today is short but feels like a push.  The rocky moraine and thin air make each step an effort, but your goal is close.  Gorak Shep is a rugged outpost where trekkers gather, share stories, and gear up for Base Camp and Kala Patthar.

Part 2: Optional Kala Patthar Sunset

Distance: 3 miles round trip        Altitude: Start 5,144m → Finish 5,644m

Time on Trail: ~4 hrs

Weather allowing, an afternoon ascent of Kala Patthar is a must.  The climb is a test of determination, but the summit view is pure magic: Everest bathed in golden sunset light, prayer flags fluttering in the cold wind, and the entire Khumbu spread below you.

Day 9: Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp & Return to Lobuche

Part 1: Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp & Return

Distance: 5 miles round trip                    Altitude: 5,144m → 5,364m → 5,144m

Time on Trail: ~4.5 hrs

The big moment, a winding trail along the shifting Khumbu Glacier brings you right to the fabled Everest Base Camp.  Depending on the season, you’ll see colourful expedition tents, prayer flags and the mighty Icefall above.  It’s an emotional high point for many trekkers.

Part 2: Gorak Shep to Lobuche

Distance: 3 miles                Altitude: Start 5,144m → Finish 4,910m

Time on Trail: ~2.5 hrs

After Base Camp photos, we return to Gorak Shep for lunch and then retrace our steps to the lower altitude of Lobuche, where thicker air feels like a gift.

Day 10: Lobuche to Pangboche

Distance: 10.5 miles                       Altitude: Start 4,910m → Finish 3,985m

Time on Trail: ~7 hrs                       Ascent/Descent: +170m / -1,780m

With the big goals achieved, the mood lightens.  Oxygen returns, steps quicken, and laughter comes more easily.  The trail winds back down through familiar hamlets and high meadows before descending to Pangboche, an ancient Sherpa village known for its monastery and panoramic surroundings.

Day 11: Pangboche to Namche Bazaar

Distance: 9.5 miles             Altitude: Start 3,985m → Finish 3,440m

Time on Trail: ~6.5 hrs        Ascent/Descent: +625m / -1,120m

Retracing your steps feels like seeing the trail through fresh eyes.  The landscape is greener, the air warm and filled with the smell of pine.  Arriving back in Namche feels like coming home to a mountain village that’s both lively and snug.  A hot shower, fresh bakery treats, and a comfy bed never felt so good.

Day 12: Namche to Lukla

Distance: 13 miles              Altitude: Start 3,440m → Finish 2,840m

Time on Trail: ~7.5 hrs        Ascent/Descent: +775m / -1,330m

Your final trekking day is long but satisfying.  You pass through bustling trails, farmers tending terraces, and the constant hum of yak trains and porters heading to and from the mountains.  Crossing the last suspension bridge is a moment to savour, you’ve completed one of the world’s greatest journeys.  Back in Lukla, there’s celebration, gratitude and plenty of toasts with your guides and porters.

Trek Summary

✅ Total Distance: 91.5 miles (147 km)              ✅ Total Ascent: 8,021m

✅ Average Daily Trek Time: 6–8 hrs    ✅ Total Descent: 8,401m

The Everest Base Camp Trek day by day plan helps you prepare both mentally and physically. Still deciding when to go?  Check out our Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp 2025 Guide for expert tips on choosing the ideal month.

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The Everest Base Camp Trek is a real adventure, demanding, life-changing and unforgettable.  With Monkey Mountaineering, you trek safely, acclimatise properly and soak up every view, story and trail laugh along the way.

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