On foot via Tengboche and Dingboche 6 days
Day one traverses to Kyangjuma and drops to the Dudh Koshi before climbing to Tengboche at 3,867 m, 5–6 hours. Day two passes Deboche and Pangboche to Dingboche at 4,410 m. Day three is a rest day with a hike towards Nangkartshang Peak. Day four climbs to Thukla and Lobuche at 4,940 m. Day five reaches Gorak Shep at 5,164 m and base camp, returning to Gorak Shep to sleep.
On foot via Gokyo and Cho La 9–10 days
The longer western loop climbs to Dole, Machhermo and Gokyo at 4,790 m, with a morning on Gokyo Ri at 5,357 m, then crosses the Ngozumpa Glacier to Thagnak and the Cho La at about 5,420 m to Dzongla and Lobuche. It joins the main trail for Gorak Shep and base camp. The pass needs good weather, a steady head on loose rock and, early or late in the season, microspikes.
Helicopter (descent only) 15–20 min
Helicopters are used to come down, not to go up, because flying straight to 5,000 m without acclimatisation is dangerous. Our heli-return trek walks up and flies from Gorak Shep to Lukla or Kathmandu after Kala Patthar. Payload is limited at that height, so the helicopter may shuttle passengers in two lifts to Pheriche or Lukla. Flights run in clear morning weather only.
Stops on the way
- Kyangjuma
- Phunki Tenga
- Tengboche
- Deboche
- Pangboche
- Dingboche
- Thukla
- Lobuche
- Gorak Shep
Sleep at Gorak Shep rather than trying to walk from Lobuche to base camp and back in one day, so that Kala Patthar at sunrise is a short climb the next morning.
Questions travellers ask
How many days from Namche to Everest Base Camp?
Allow 6 days on the standard route: Tengboche, Dingboche, a rest day at Dingboche, Lobuche, then Gorak Shep and base camp on day five, with Kala Patthar at dawn on day six before starting down. Rushing this section is the most common cause of altitude sickness on the trek, so we never drop the Dingboche rest day.
How long does it take to walk down from Everest Base Camp to Namche?
About two to three days. From Gorak Shep, after Kala Patthar, most groups descend to Pheriche at 4,371 m the same day, then walk 6–7 hours to Namche. Some stop at Pangboche or Tengboche instead. Going down is much faster than going up because you no longer need acclimatisation stops, though the descent is hard on knees.
Can you fly from Namche to Everest Base Camp by helicopter?
Tour helicopters fly over base camp from Lukla, but flying up and walking around at 5,000 m without acclimatisation is risky and tourist landings at base camp itself are generally not allowed. Kala Patthar landings are permitted at some times and not others. For trekkers, helicopters are a way down, not up. Check current status before you travel.
Is there accommodation between Namche and Everest Base Camp?
Yes. Teahouse lodges operate at Kyangjuma, Tengboche, Deboche, Pangboche, Dingboche, Pheriche, Thukla, Lobuche and Gorak Shep. There is no lodge at base camp itself, which is a climbing camp. Rooms get simpler and more expensive with altitude, and Lobuche and Gorak Shep fill up in October and April, so we book ahead.
