Trek booking opened for 2024/25 ! A notice for Lukla flight diversion through Manthali Airport from March, April and October and November 2024 !
For all the adventure seekers looking to trek the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek, we bring you our Everest Base Camp Trek elevation article. We have all the information you need for the trek.
Table of Contents
Nepal is a popular destination for trekkers and hikers worldwide. Thousands of tourists visit Nepal every year to explore the unique landscape, culture, traditions, and biodiversity. The Everest Base Camp is the most challenging but popular trekking route. Lying in Nepal’s Solukhumbhu district, Everest Base Camp Trek’s elevation is 5,364 meters above sea level. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were the first people to climb Mt. Everest. During their expedition, they also visited the base camp. It has since become a popular destination for trekkers.
Our Everest Base Camp Trek Package takes place for 12 days. During the trek, you will witness more than the mountainous view. Your journey will begin after you take a flight from Kathmandu to the Tenzing Hilary Airport, Lukla. Your trek begins from there. You will explore the varied landscapes, remote valleys, diverse flora and fauna, culture, and traditions. Similarly, you will come across ancient monasteries and stupas. You will journey through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park. EBC trek is a trek worth taking.
Trekking Route Elevation to Everest Base Camp :
This section will provide you with detailed information about the Everest Base Camps and each stop’s elevation. The highest elevation you will get to is at 5,364 meters. Trekkers often get altitude sickness because of the altitude. We will take a rest day for acclimatization to adjust to the higher altitude. Here is the detail of the trekking route elevation to Everest Base Camp.
Kathmandu elevation
You will land in Nepal through the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. The elevation of Kathmandu is 1,295 meters which is lower than EBC altitude. From Kathmandu, you will fly to the Tenzing Hilary Airport, Lukla. The airport is situated at an altitude of 2,800 meters. It takes half an hour to fly to the airport. Your trek will begin from here.
Phakding elevation
From the airport, you will start your trekking journey to Phakding. You will travel along the Dudh Koshi River while enjoying the view. The village lies in the Khumbu region. Similarly, it is located at an elevation of 2,640 meters above sea level. You will rest overnight there in a luxury lodge in Phakding.
Namche Bazaar elevation
After leaving Phakding, your next destination is Namche Bazaar. You will have to trek upstream of the Dudh Koshi River. Along the way, you will pass through scenic waterfalls and Sagarmatha National Park. Likewise, you will pass by Jorsalle village and cross a few suspension bridges.
The Bazaar is at a height of 3,440 meters. It is one of the first stops in the EBC trek for acclimatization. With the rising elevation, trekkers may start getting altitude sickness symptoms. Hence, you will spend a day here and allow your body to adjust to the altitude. Hereon, you will continue to move to higher elevations.
Tengboche elevation
We will move to Tengboche for our stop. You will take a steep hike passing by the Phunki Tenga village. Similarly, you will be able to get a clear view of Mt. Ama Dablam. The village of Tengboche lies at an elevation of 3,750 meters above sea level. The 100-year-old monastery, the Tengboche Monastery is located in this village. It is the Everest Region’s largest monastery. You will spend a night here at the village’s lodge.
Dingboche elevation
You will wake up with a beautiful view of Ama Dablam in Tengboche. It’s now time to move to our next destination, Dingboche. You will trek uphill along the Dudh Koshi River. You will walk through the forested path, climb rocky terrain, and pass by Debuche village. Likewise, the path will continue down the Imja River and move up the Panghoche village. After you walk past thousands of Mani stones to Shomare, you will reach Dingboche. Situated at an elevation of 4,350 meters, Dingboche is another important stop for acclimatization. You will rest here for a day and explore the village. You will be able to view mountains like Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Mt. Taboche, Island Peak, and Mt. Everest.
Lobuche elevation
After a day’s rest and acclimatization, you will leave Dingboche and make your way to Lobuche. Your trail will continue to move upwards. Along the way, you will walk past the charming villages of Pheriche and Thukla. As you pass by Thukla, you will come across the Climber’s memorial park. The memorial park was built in memory of climbers who lost their lives while climbing Mt. Everest. After leaving Thukla, you will trek past the Lobuche Glacier to reach Lobuche village. The village is at a height of 4,900 meters above sea level. You will stay overnight.
Gorkashep Elevation
Now it’s time to climb towards the remote village of Gorkashep at 5,130 meters. You will continue to walk uphill, passing by the Lobuche Glacier and Khumbu Glacier. From here your destination, the Everest Base Camp is just a short excursion away. It is the final stop for the EBC trek route. Likewise, it is the last village that provides accommodation facilities. It is also an important stop for acclimatization before you climb for Everest Base Camp.
EBC Elevation
Your final destination, the Everest Base Camp is at an elevation of 5,364 meters. It is close to Gorakshep village. After climbing up to the base camp, you will be graced by beautiful mountainous views. Aside from Mt. Everest, you will get to view mountains like Pumo Ri, Nuptse Peak, Khumbutse, and Lingtren. After this short excursion, you will return to Gorakshep and spend there overnight. The next day, you will begin your descent.
Altitude Gain Data During Everest Base Camp Trek
You will come across various elevations and altitudes during the Everest Base Camp Trek. Similarly, you will have to ascend and descend along the trail. You might be curious about the altitude gain during the journey. Here we are going to show you the altitude gain data during Everest Base Camp Trek. We will begin from the elevation of Kathmandu, the elevations of the stops we take, and the Everest Base Camp.
Kathmandu | 1,295 meter/4,273 feet |
Lukla | 2,800 meter/9,240 feet |
Phakding | 2,640 meters/8,745 feet |
Namche Bazaar | 3,440 meters/11,352 feet |
Tengboche | 3,750 meters/12,705 feet |
Dingboche | 4,350 meters/14,355 feet |
Lobuche | 4,900 meters/16,170 feet |
Gorakshep | 5,130 meters/16,929 feet |
Everest Base Camp | 5,364 meters/17,701 feet |
Some trekkers may have Kala Patthar on their itinerary. Kala Patthar’s elevation is higher than the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation. It is 5,644 meters above sea level which is 2,784 meters higher than EBC altitude.
Elevation Table on Particular Day
Because of the high EBC altitude, most trekkers experience altitude sickness. It makes the trek challenging and risky. Therefore, acclimatization is crucial for higher elevations.
It is necessary to take all the safety precautions for altitude sickness. It can even prove to be life-threatening if taken lightly. Our itinerary is crafted in a way that makes your journey both memorable and safe. Moreover, our guides and porters are trained for every situation.
Here’s a preview of the day-to-day itinerary of our trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation:
Day 1 | Fly to Lukla – Trek to Phakding | 2,800 m/9,240 ft. |
Day 2 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m/11,352 ft. |
Day 3 | Rest day for Acclimatization in Namche Bazaar/Explore around | 3,440 m/11,352 ft. |
Day 4 | Trek to Tengboche | 3,750 m/12,705 ft. |
Day 5 | Trek to Dingboche | 4,350 m/14,355 ft. |
Day 6 | Rest day – Acclimatization | 4,350 m/14,355 ft. |
Day 7 | Trek to Lobuche | 4,900 m/16,170 ft. |
Day 8 | Trek to Gorakshep – Excursion to EBC | 5,364 m/17,701 ft. |
Day 9 | Trek to Pheriche | 4,250 m/14,025 ft. |
Day 10 | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m/11,352 ft. |
Day 11 | Trek to Lukla | 2,800 m/ 9,240 ft. |
Day 12 | Fly to Kathmandu | 1,295 m/ 4,273 ft. |
Everest Base Camp Elevation Chart
To help you understand the elevation data more easily, we have prepared a chart for you. You will be able to understand the difference between the elevation and altitude between Kathmandu, the trek stops, and Everest Base Camp.
Everest Base Camp Height
Mt. Everest is the world’s highest mountain with an elevation of 8,849 meters (29,031.69 feet) above sea level. It is the pride of Nepal and holds important cultural and spiritual significance. Mt. Everest is known as “Sagarmatha” in the Nepali language. The mountain is also considered sacred by Sherpas who are native to the Everest region.
Mt Everest Comparison with other Tall Mountain and Structure
It is the highest peak in the world. But then how tall is it? To provide you with further context, here is the comparison of the mountain with other world’s mountains and tall structures.
- The second tallest mountain in the world, the K2 base camp’s altitude is 5,150 meters (28,251 feet). Meanwhile, the EBC altitude is 5,364 meters which is 214 meters higher than K2.
- The tallest man-made structure, Burh Khalifa is 828 meters (2,717 feet) tall. Compared to the EBC altitude (5,364 meters), it is 4,536 meters shorter.
- The second tallest man-made structure, the Shanghai Tower is 632 meters (2,073 feet). It is 4,732 meters shorter than the EBC altitude.
- Kangchenjunga is the world’s third-highest mountain in the world which also lies in Nepal. Its elevation is 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) and its base camp is 5,143 meters (16,873 feet). EBC altitude is 223 meters higher than the Kangchenjunga base camp.
- The famous Eiffel Tower in Paris’s height is 330 meters. In comparison to the EBC altitude, the tower is 5,034 meters shorter.
You can say that man-made structure and the base camp are different. We are just providing you with a context to help you get an idea of how high the EBC altitude is.
Difficulty Due To Elevation in EBC Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes. The trekkers can get to experience the adventure of a lifetime. Similarly, trekkers will travel through the trails and landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world. You will get to explore remote valleys and villages and ancient monasteries. The mountainous views, unique culture, traditions, and food also make the trek mesmerizing.
But along with the beauty comes the challenges. The EBC Trek route is considered one of the most challenging treks. The difficulty that trekkers can face during the trek and due to the elevation in EBC Trek, it is a challenging route. The difficulty can be classified into two categories:
Elevation
The difficulty that most trekkers face due to Everest Base Camp Trek elevation is altitude sickness. As you move to a higher altitude, the oxygen level decreases. It can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. Therefore, acclimatization is important. Similarly, it is important to take necessary safety measures and precautions.
Terrain
The EBC trekking route will take you through various terrains. Although it provides great exploration, it also contributes to increasing difficulty. You will have to ascend and descend steep terrains. Similarly, you will have to cross several suspension bridges and move on uneven and rocky surfaces. As the altitude gets higher, these difficult terrains further add to physical strains. Trekkers need to be in good health and high level of stamina for the EBC trek.
EBC Symptoms & Prevention Method
As you climb higher, the oxygen level decreases. This leads to trekkers suffering from altitude sickness. Therefore, it is important to acclimatize and let your body adapt to the altitude. Even with proper acclimatization, trekkers can still suffer from altitude sickness. Here are the common symptoms you should watch out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Rapid Heartbeat
The altitude sickness can prove to be fatal if not treated properly. Thus, it is always best to take precautions However, even with proper acclimatization, trekkers can still suffer from altitude sickness. At such times, it is important to take safety measures. Here are some of the preventive measures for altitude sickness:
- Allow your body to adjust to the higher altitude and ascend gradually.
- Stay hydrated but avoid excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Carry medication that can help prevent altitude sickness like acetazolamide. However, do consult a healthcare professional before the use.
- Be aware of the symptoms.
- If the symptoms continue to persist, descend to the lower altitude.