# Everest Base Camp Trek 2026: Complete 12-Day Itinerary, Cost, and Preparation Guide

> The canonical 12-day Everest Base Camp trek — day-by-day itinerary, realistic fitness requirements, 2026 costs, permits, and how to prepare.

_Published: 2026-04-23 · Reading time: 2 min · Words: 570_

## TL;DR

Everest Base Camp is a 12-day round trip at altitude (peak 5,545 m at Kala Patthar). Permits cost around NPR 3,000; guided package NPR 100,000–220,000 in 2026. Train 4–6 months with cardio and hiking. Best seasons: October–November and March–April. Acclimatization days are non-negotiable.

## Key takeaways

- 12-day round trip, 130 km trail, max altitude 5,545 m at Kala Patthar.
- Permits: NPR 3,000 (Sagarmatha National Park + Khumbu Municipality).
- Guided cost NPR 100,000–220,000 in 2026 including Lukla flight.
- Best seasons: October–November and March–April.
- Acclimatization days at Namche (3,440 m) and Dingboche (4,410 m) are mandatory.

**The standard Everest Base Camp trek is 12 days round trip from Lukla, covering 130 km of trail. You ascend from 2,800 m to a maximum of 5,545 m at Kala Patthar viewpoint. Budget NPR 100,000–220,000 for a 2026 guided package including permits, lodging, and meals. Book through a registered Nepal trekking agency and train 4–6 months ahead.**

## Article

### Who this trek is for
EBC is moderately challenging. You need cardio fitness (ability to hike 6–8 hours a day for 12 consecutive days), no altitude history issues, and mental tolerance for basic teahouse conditions (squat toilets, cold rooms, variable food quality). It is not technical — no ice axes, no ropes, no rock climbing. Children from age 14 and adults into their 60s complete the trek regularly with adequate preparation.

### Standard 12-day itinerary
- Day 1: Fly Kathmandu (1,400 m) → Lukla (2,860 m). Trek to Phakding (2,610 m). 3 hrs.
- Day 2: Phakding → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). 6 hrs. Steep afternoon climb.
- Day 3: Acclimatization at Namche. Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) and return. 3 hrs, then rest.
- Day 4: Namche → Tengboche (3,860 m). 5 hrs. Visit Tengboche Monastery.
- Day 5: Tengboche → Dingboche (4,410 m). 5 hrs.
- Day 6: Acclimatization at Dingboche. Hike to Nagarjun Hill (5,100 m) and return.
- Day 7: Dingboche → Lobuche (4,940 m). 5 hrs.
- Day 8: Lobuche → Gorak Shep (5,164 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Return to Gorak Shep. 8–9 hrs.
- Day 9: Early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for Everest panorama. Descend to Pheriche (4,270 m). 7 hrs.
- Day 10: Pheriche → Namche Bazaar. 7 hrs.
- Day 11: Namche → Lukla. 7 hrs.
- Day 12: Fly Lukla → Kathmandu.

### Permits and costs (2026)
- Sagarmatha National Park entry: NPR 3,000 (foreigners) / NPR 1,500 (SAARC nationals).
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality permit: NPR 2,000.
- Guide (mandatory as of 2023 for solo foreigners): USD 25–35/day.
- Porter: USD 18–25/day, carries up to 20 kg.
- Teahouse lodging: USD 5–10/night in 2026 (higher at Lobuche/Gorak Shep).
- Meals: USD 25–40/day at altitude.
- Lukla flights: USD 180–220 round trip from Kathmandu (or helicopter ~USD 500).
Typical guided package including all permits, lodging, meals, guide, porter, and Lukla flights: NPR 100,000–220,000 in 2026 depending on agency and group size. Premium operators charge NPR 250,000+ for single-room upgrades and larger food menu.

### Best seasons
October–November is peak season: clear skies, stable weather, busy trails. March–April is secondary peak: warmer, rhododendrons blooming, occasional afternoon snow above Dingboche. Avoid June–August (monsoon — flights to Lukla cancel frequently) and December–February (cold, some passes closed).

### Altitude and acclimatization
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) risk starts above 2,500 m and becomes serious above 4,000 m. The itinerary above includes two mandatory acclimatization days (Namche, Dingboche) following the 'climb high, sleep low' principle. Additional measures:

- Drink 3–4 liters of water daily.
- Ascend no more than 300–500 m in sleeping altitude per day above 3,000 m.
- Carry Diamox (acetazolamide) as prescribed by your doctor.
- Recognize symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath. Descend immediately if symptoms worsen.

### Physical preparation
Start 4–6 months ahead. Core program:

- Cardio: 4 sessions/week, 45–60 min. Mix of running, cycling, stair climbing.
- Long hikes: once weekly, building to 6–8 hours with a weighted pack (8–10 kg).
- Strength: squats, lunges, calf raises, core 2x/week.
- Final month: hike back-to-back long days to simulate trail fatigue.

### Gear essentials
Rent heavier items in Thamel or Namche rather than buying:

- Down jacket (-20°C rating), fleece, base layers.
- Waterproof shell jacket and pants.
- Trekking boots (broken in before you fly).
- Sleeping bag (-15°C rating minimum).
- Trekking poles.
- Headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+, lip balm.
- Water purification (SteriPen or tablets).

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## Steps

1. **Day 1: Kathmandu → Lukla → Phakding** — Fly Kathmandu (1,400 m) → Lukla (2,860 m). Trek to Phakding (2,610 m). 3 hrs.
2. **Day 2: Phakding → Namche Bazaar** — Phakding → Namche Bazaar (3,440 m). 6 hrs. Steep afternoon climb.
3. **Day 3: Acclimatization at Namche** — Hike to Everest View Hotel (3,880 m) and return. 3 hrs, then rest.
4. **Day 4: Namche → Tengboche** — Namche → Tengboche (3,860 m). 5 hrs. Visit Tengboche Monastery.
5. **Day 5: Tengboche → Dingboche** — Tengboche → Dingboche (4,410 m). 5 hrs.
6. **Day 6: Acclimatization at Dingboche** — Hike to Nagarjun Hill (5,100 m) and return.
7. **Day 7: Dingboche → Lobuche** — Dingboche → Lobuche (4,940 m). 5 hrs.
8. **Day 8: Lobuche → Gorak Shep → Everest Base Camp** — Lobuche → Gorak Shep (5,164 m) → Everest Base Camp (5,364 m). Return to Gorak Shep. 8–9 hrs.
9. **Day 9: Kala Patthar sunrise + descend to Pheriche** — Early morning climb to Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for Everest panorama. Descend to Pheriche (4,270 m). 7 hrs.
10. **Day 10: Pheriche → Namche Bazaar** — Pheriche → Namche Bazaar. 7 hrs.
11. **Day 11: Namche → Lukla** — Namche → Lukla. 7 hrs.
12. **Day 12: Fly Lukla → Kathmandu** — Fly Lukla → Kathmandu.

## FAQ

### How many days for Everest Base Camp trek?

The standard itinerary is 12 days round trip from Lukla. Shorter 9-day versions exist but skip acclimatization days and carry higher altitude-sickness risk. Budget 14 days including Kathmandu arrival and departure.

### How much does Everest Base Camp cost in 2026?

A guided package including Lukla flights, permits, lodging, meals, guide, and porter runs NPR 100,000 to 220,000 (USD 750-1,650). Self-organized with a guide only costs less but requires booking all logistics yourself; foreign solo trekking has been banned since 2023.

### Do I need a guide for EBC?

Yes. Since April 2023, Nepal requires all foreign trekkers to hire a registered guide for national park treks. Nepali nationals can trek solo. Budget USD 25-35/day for a guide.

### What is the highest point on EBC?

5,545 m at Kala Patthar viewpoint, reached on day 9 of the standard itinerary. Everest Base Camp itself is 5,364 m. Sleep altitude maxes at 5,164 m at Gorak Shep.

### How fit do I need to be for EBC?

You should be able to hike 6–8 hours a day for 12 consecutive days with a light daypack. Cardio fitness is more important than raw strength. Train 4–6 months in advance with cardio, long weekend hikes, and leg strength.

### When is the best time for Everest Base Camp?

October-November for clearest views and stable weather, or March-April for warmer temperatures and rhododendron bloom. Avoid June-August (monsoon) and December-February (extreme cold).

## Sources

1. [Sagarmatha National Park — Official](https://www.dnpwc.gov.np/en/conservation-area-detail/60/) — Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
2. [Nepal Tourism Board — Trekking Information](https://ntb.gov.np/) — Nepal Tourism Board
3. [International Society for Mountain Medicine — AMS Guidelines](https://www.ismmed.org/) — ISMM