Everest Base Camp trek by road is a 16-day adventure that takes you deep into Nepal’s famous Khumbu region without flying to Lukla. This route suits trekkers who want to reach Everest Base Camp while avoiding the risks of flying.
The adventure begins with an overland drive through the scenic Kathmandu to Thamdanda. Starting off in that point you pass through varying sceneries and ancient villages until you reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m). This trek by road offers a deeper cultural experience and a slower altitude gain.
You drive through the Solu-Kumbu hills passing Salleri and Kharikhola to reach the classic trail of early Everest expeditions. The slow procedure assists your body to adjust and reduces the chance of altitude sickness. Suspension bridges along the way, the Dudh Koshi River, and Sherpa culture in locations such as Namche Bazaar and Tengboche all figure along the way.
The trek takes a total of 16 days where you pass some of the highlights of the region including the Tengboche Monastery, the bustling market town of Namche and Everest Base Camp itself at the base of the Khumbu Icefall. You also ascend Kala Patthar (5,540m), where there is phenomenal views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse at sunrise.
The trek concludes by retracing the trail back and then driving to Kathmandu. On foot, it is over 120 kilometers and you have the time to stop out and enjoy green foothills as well as high alpine sceneries. You will also benefit the people in the traditional Jiri route since you will be travelling by road. The Everest Base Camp trek by road is a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable way to stand at the base of the world’s highest mountain.
The time of year with the best climate to head on the Everest Base Camp trek by road is either spring (March-May) or in autumn (September-November). In spring, the temperatures are mild, the rhododendrons and wildflowers come into blossom along the lower trails and expeditions establish their tents at Base Camp making up a lively scene. Fall, the post-monsoon season, sees cooler temperatures, clear days and cool nights with some of the best views of the mountains during the year and is good for photography. Winter (December-February) is also a good time because of the open skies but also because of extreme cold, heavy snow and fewer open trails, this season too is only suited to well prepare trekkers who are on the lookout of undisturbed paths. Monsoon (June–August) brings heavy rain, muddy trails, and cloud cover, though the valleys are lush and green. In general, spring is ideal for blooming landscapes and cultural activity, whereas autumn is best for clear panoramas and comfortable walking conditions.
The Everest Base Camp trek by road is a challenging, but worthwhile trip that requires both physical fitness and mental preparation. We will be walking 5-7 hours in the course of a day and the trails will be rugged and covered with steep climbs and long descents, and high elevation above 5000 meters. The thin air makes each step more difficult, though there is no technical climbing involved. We cross suspension bridges and pass a rocky terrain and throughout the days, the weather is changing and could include cool mornings, strong winds and even some light snowfall at higher elevations. The trek is quite long and cumulatively, with the altitude, it also makes the trek harder than other treks in Nepal. We need appropriate training, pacing and attitude. With preparation, determination, and the support of guides, the trek is not impossible, even for beginners who train in advance to take the Everest Base Camp trek by road.
You arrive in Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. At Tribhuvan International airport you will meet our representative who takes you to our hotel in Thamel. The rest of the day is free to relax or wander through the busy streets of Thamel. In the evening, you are introduced to our trek guide who gives a short briefing about the Everest Base Camp trek by road and provides emergency contact details. Then we have a quiet night, at the end we sleep early to begin our adventure fresh.
We drive off early at 5:00 AM in a jeep starting out of Kathmandu to Thamdanda. The road goes along the BP Highway with beautiful views of green hills and river valleys. We stop for lunch at Ghurmi after about five hours. Then we proceed northwards into the Solu region past Salleri and Phaplu. The road turns into a rough dirt track and meanders through terraced fields, rivers and small villages. We cover a distance of almost 300 km in a span of 13-14 hours and arrive at Thamdanda, where the trekking portion of the Everest Base Camp trek by road begins. We retire and have dinner in a teahouse.
We leave the road behind and enter the trekking trail, beginning the hiking part of our Everest Base Camp trek. The day begins with a gradual ascent of two hours as Thamdanda to Paiya (2,730m). Here we rest and have our first panorama of mountains. We then move downhill with rhododendron and oak forest to Surke where there is a small village located beneath Lukla. We also walk down a wooden bridge and walk by an old Buddhist chorten. The trail ascends to Chaurikharka and thereafter joins the main trail to Everest at Chheplung. Here we may see trekkers who flew into Lukla joining the trail. We trek alongside the Dudh Koshi River, crossing a few suspension bridges, farmland and forests of pine trees. At the end of the afternoon we get to Phakding, a beautiful riverside Sherpa village. We spend overnight in comfy teahouse.
After breakfast, we follow the Dudh Koshi River through pine forests and villages like Toktok and Benkar. After three hours, we reach Monjo, the entrance gate of Sagarmatha National Park. Our permits are checked here before we continue. We cross a high suspension bridge and walk into Jorsalle, the last settlement before Namche. From here, the trail becomes more demanding. We cross the famous Tenzing Hillary Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the area, and begin a steep uphill climb through forest. On the way, we may catch our first view of Mount Everest, peeking above the ridge if the weather is clear. By afternoon, we arrive at Namche Bazaar, the vibrant Sherpa hub of the Khumbu. We spend the evening exploring markets and cafés before resting in a comfortable lodge.
In order to acclimatize we spend another day at Namche. A favorite hike may be through a mountain forest to the Everest View Hotel at Syangboche (3,880 m). Here we get great panoramas of Everest, Ama Dablam and Lhotse and others. WBreakfaste will also attend the Sherpa Culture Museum and the Sagarmatha National Park Visitor Center to understand the history of Everest, the wildlife and the cultures of the Sherpa. We can also hike to Khunde and Khumjung where there is a monastery exhibiting an alleged yeti scalp as well as the Hillary School in Khunde. Having done exploring around, we will go back to Namche where we will take a rest and go shopping and have a drink at the cafe. It is an active rest day to an active rest day that helps us acclimatize for the Everest Base Camp trek by road.
We start the day with an easy trail to Kyangjuma and the background views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. On our way, we can see Himalayan monals and tahr on grazing slopes. Following two or three hours we go down pine and rhododendron forest to Phungi Thanga riverbank. We also cross a wooden bridge over the Dudh Koshi and climb up steep switchbacks through forests pastures and alpine terrain in about two hours. The top is Tengboche which hosts a famous monastery. If we have time we enter to witness the afternoon prayers made by the monks. We have an expansive view of Kantega, Thamserku, Ama Dablam, and Mount Everest from the monastery courtyard. We sleep at Tengboche in teahouse.
We begin with a step down into a rhododendron and juniper forest. An hour later, we arrive in Deboche (3,720m), where you can often see musk deer that quietly go out to graze. We go over a bridge over the Imja Khola and ascend above mani stones and chortens. The path then climbs slowly up to Pangboche a Sherpa village containing the oldest monastery in the area. Ama Dablam rises above us in all its beautiful splendor. As we get on, trees turn to alpine scrub and the air gets thinner. We trek in the afternoon after having lunch at Dingboche. We reach the windswept village marked by stone walls which were constructed to guard the potato sites. At 4,410m we are now in the high alpine zone. We stop in Dingboche with the views of Lhotse and Island Peak.
We also have a second acclimatization day in Dingboche. We are above 4400m and hence this rest is necessary. On morning, we do a side hike, assisting our bodies to acclimatize. Going over the ridge to Nangkartshang Peak (5,100m) is a popular route. A steep path to around 5,100m gives views of Makalu, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, and it takes 2-3 hours.
Another option is to walk and go to the Chukhung Valley and arrive at Chukhung (4,730m) where Lhotse south face and Island peak can be viewed. Whichever method we use, we adhere to the principle of climbing high and sleeping low to acclimatize safely.
After lunch, we spend time in Dingboche teahouses, talking to other trekkers and taking advantage of the scenery of the mountains. This is an important day that acclimatizes our spirits in our Everest Base Camp trek by road.
We leave Dingboche making a gentle ascent above the Pheriche valley. The path crosses yak pastures and the village of Dusa. After a stay of two hours, we arrive at Thokla (4,620m), and pause to catch our breath before the ascending stretch. We now ascend switchbacks to Thokla Pass (4,830m), passing through villages that are now inhabited only during the summer months. The pass is marked by prayer flags and stone shrines to climbers who died on Everest. We pause and reflect before moving on. The trail ascends over the pass and then flattens out as it generously follows the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. Pumori and Lingtren loom above us like mountains. A steep path through up-thrust rock brings you to Lobuche, a small place with basic lodges. The air is thin at 4,910m and the landscape bare. We rest here and prepare for the big day ahead.
Today is one of the most significant days of the road Everest Base Camp trek. We continue to trek along the Khumbu Glacier past rocky moraines with great views of mountains. In three hours we arrive to Gorakshep, a tiny settlement of lodges at 5,140m. We dump our cumbersome bags, and have tea. We hike to Everest Base Camp with light packages. The path cuts through glacial debris and icy ridges then widens to the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Soon we reach Everest Base Camp (5,364m) surrounded by towers of ice and high mountains. There might be colored expedition tents in case it is a climbing season. The summit of Everest is not visible from Base Camp, but the feeling of achievement is immense. The sense of accomplishment is unforgettable. There are photos and time to take it in before we get back to Gorakshep for the night.
We wake up with the dawn in order to climb to Kala Patthar. In the headlamps, we climb up very steep track, taking roughly two hours. The vantage point provides the closest panoramic view of Mount Everest, along with the Lhotse, Nuptse, and Pumori which is at 5,545m. The dawn above the Khumbu Glacier is truly unforgettable. We then take photos and spend silent time followed by a descent to Gorakshep where we have breakfast. Here we commence to descend. We head back through Lobuche and Thokla Pass with the thicker air which comes with the descent. In place of Dingboche we trek up the valley to Pheriche which is a wide village on a battered plain. Here we spend the night, thankful at least that the air is warmer and that we can breathe with more ease.a
We have breakfast and move out of Pheriche. The route will be directed to Pangboche where we have one last chance to absorb the attractive view of Ama Dablam. Taking another foray through forests of rhododendron and juniper, we thread through Deboche, and then ascend a short distance back to Tengboche. After spending few minutes in the monastery we start the long descent towards the Dudh Kosi River at Phungi Thanga. The forest grows denser and heavier as we descend. Using the river, we then make the last uphill walk to Namche Bazaar. Later in the afternoon, we get to Namche where we can rest and have a hot bath or we may pay a visit to a bakery.
We start the day by a steep descent out of Namche. The trail goes very steep down to the suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi. We cross the bridge and run back the way we came. Leaving Sagarmatha National Park we check out at Monjo. The path goes down the valley, by Benkar, Phakding and Toktok. Walking is easy at the lower altitude and we arrive at the Chheplung in the afternoon. After a little we arrive at Chaurikharka, where we stop over-night. If we feel energetic, we can take a 20-minute walk up to Lukla and see the airstrip. Otherwise we spend time at the teahouse at Chaurikharka.
After breakfast, we descend to Surke where we cross a small stream. Here we can say after this the last elevation begins which we ascend by forest path to Paiya (Chutok, 2,800m). We hesitate to take a backward look and take stock, and realize how far we have come since Day 3. The path next descends continuously through woods and fields. At noon we arrive at Thamdanda, the road-head. Here our trekking part of Everest Base Camp trek by road also officially concludes. We have dinner with our guide and team.
We drive back to Kathmandu, the early start takes us a long way back. The initial hours run on a steep off-road path through villages and hills passing through Kharikhola and Salleri. When we are in the main road, the trip becomes easier. We pass by mid-blue green landscapes with river, terraced land and mountains far away. It is a full day’s drive of about 12–13 hours and we reach Kathmandu early in the evening. We check in at our hotel and spend a restful night out in the city.
After our final breakfast/last minute shopping, we experience a final morning in Kathmandu. We transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport in a private vehicle. You leave Nepal with warm farewells and lifelong memories of trekking the Everest
Proper acclimatization keeps us safe. The road route has a gradual elevation to the top thereby minimizing the chances of altitude sickness. We adopt the rule of climb high, sleep low and have acclimatization days in Namche (3,440m) and Dingboche (4,410m). Drinking plenty of water, a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol helps. If severe AMS symptoms be noticed, the wise step is going down and not continuing the ascent.
Beginners have an opportunity to visit the Everest Base Camp trek by road with proper preparation. The gradual climb in the longer road path also gives you time to acclimatize and makes it easier to cope with altitude raised areas, largely suitable to a first time trekker. The experience is greatly improved by regular training hikes, backpacked walking, and developing endurance prior to the trip. Trekking with an experienced guide ensures a safe pace, proper acclimatization, and motivation. By gradual advance, proper training and will power, a novice can easily hike to the Everest Base Camp and get the best out of the package.
Two permits are required:
It is no longer necessary that we have TIMS in this region. Since 2023, Nepal requires all foreign trekkers to hire a registered guide or porter for safety. One-time use plastics are prohibited and drones can only fly with a permit. Being guided by these rules contributes to conservancy and will help to have a pleasant experience.
Guides and porters are the backbone of the Everest Base Camp trek by road. A licensed trekking guide will lead the trek and will secure permits, book accommodation, control pace, and explain traditions, monasteries, and mountain culture. There is also first-aid and high-altitude related training that guides undergo which is an added advantage to safety.
They are well knowledgeable about the landscape, weather, and villages knowing that trekkers are well supported and at ease to continue with their adventure. The porters ferry much of the heavy equipment and usually carry between twenty-five and thirty kilograms each, distributed between two trekkers. This gives you an opportunity to go trekking with just a small-sized daypack, whose contents include things like water, snacks, a jacket, and of course, your camera.
Trekking with a guide and porters does not only make the trek more comfortable but also can be used to directly contribute to the local livelihoods of the Khumbu region as these jobs are the basis of supporting families in the area.
Traveling with their assistance supports you in further enjoying your trip, as you would have more energy to enjoy the landscape, meet new people and arrive at the Everest Base Camp in a safe and less physical draining way.
During the Everest Base Camp trek by road, we place utmost emphasis on safety. We drink a lot of water; we consume hot and healthy food and keep up the hygiene to avoid getting sick. When we are on the trail hand sanitizer, using purified or boiled water, and freshly cooked food help us to remain healthy. It can be extremely useful to carry a small first aid kit with basic medicines. Hiking with an experienced guide provides an additional security margin since guides are skilled in first aid and how to respond when things go wrong. In excellent planning, patience and awareness, we make the trek safe, successful, and memorable.
While the Everest Base Camp trek by road includes most essentials such as accommodation, meals, and permits, trekkers should plan for additional personal expenses. Snacks, bottled or boiled waters, tea, coffee and soft drinks are not included in standard packages and as you climb up, it becomes expensive.
Most teahouses provide Everest Link WiFi at an extra cost (200–500 NPR per device per day). Hot showers and Wi-Fi are available in lower villages, but above Dingboche services are basic and may not be available. Gratuities are expected and a key way to support the livelihood of the guides and porters with a range of trekkers contributing USD 150-250 in total at the end of the trek depending on group size and service.
It is also advisable to plan expenditure on souvenirs, additional equipment, laundry in Kathmandu and meals not covered by the trek, e.g. in the city before and after the trek. It is recommended that one reserves USD 300 500 as spending money that would enable one to feel comfortable and adaptable throughout the trip.
Yes. The teahouses serve vegetarian food such as dal bhat, noodles, rice and potatoes. It is safe and nutritious, but there is not as much choice when it comes to the vegan diet.
The trek is mainly cash based. The final reliable ATMs are Kathmandu or Namche but even these can fail. Before departing Kathmandu carry enough Nepali rupees with you.
There is no minimum number required. One can trek alone (with a guide, which is mandatory), as well as in groups. It is popular in groups of two to five people to share the cost and company.
The route is well used and secured and thousands of people safely complete this trek every year. The main risks are altitude and weather. Trek slowly, acclimatize and have travel insurance in case of emergencies.
There are two permits that a tourist needs: Sagarmatha National Park Permit (NPR3,000), and Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit (NPR 2,000).
Yes. You can get travel insurance that can cover you to trek up to 6,000m and includes helicopter evacuation. It is good to have medical and trip insurance.
There is no age limit to it. Teens to seniors trekkers can successfully do this trek. Good health is more important than age. Fitness matters more than youth. Children ages 12 and under are not encouraged because of altitude.
The entire luggage per person should be about 10-15 kg. Porters load up to 25-30kg most of which is shared by the two trekkers. Leave extra bags in Kathmandu.
Most teahouses will provide Everest Link Wi-Fi, at a charge. SIM cards by Ncell work in certain regions but the connectivity is minimal.
Water can be found everywhere though it must be treated. Trekkers can choose boiled water from lodges, or use purification tablets and filters.
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