I’m Rujan, a licensed trekking guide living in Kathmandu. There is more than one way to Everest Base Camp. The right one depends on how many days you have, whether you want to fly, how much altitude experience you have, and how many other walkers you are happy to meet.
1. The classic, from Lukla
About 12 to 14 days. Up the Dudh Koshi valley by Namche, Tengboche and Dingboche, and back the same way. Lodges all the way, the most people in October and April. See the Everest Base Camp trek and how hard it is.
2. By the Gokyo lakes and the Cho La
About 17 days. Up the quieter Gokyo valley to the lakes and Gokyo Ri, over the Cho La, about 5,420 m, into the Everest valley, and back by the main trail. More to see and better for the body, but one hard pass day. See Gokyo Lakes or Everest Base Camp?.
3. From Jiri, Salleri or Phaplu by road
About 18 to 22 days. The old way, before the airstrip: through the middle hills and Sherpa villages of Solu, joining the main trail below Namche. No Lukla flight, a slow build-up of fitness, and very quiet for the first week. See reaching the Everest region by road.
4. The Three Passes
About 19 to 21 days. Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, with Everest Base Camp and Gokyo on the way. The great loop of the Khumbu, for fit walkers with altitude experience. See the Everest Three Passes trek.
5. A shorter Everest view
About 7 to 9 days. Not to Base Camp, but to Namche, Khumjung and Tengboche, with Everest in view on clear days and no nights above about 4,000 m. See the Everest Panorama trek.
In the festival seasons
Mani Rimdu at Tengboche in October or November, and Dumji in the villages in early summer, can be joined to the classic route: see Mani Rimdu at Tengboche and the Dumji festival in Khumbu.
How to choose
- Short on time: the classic, or the shorter Everest view.
- Want quiet: Gokyo first, or the road from Jiri.
- Do not want to fly: the road from Jiri or Salleri; you can fly back if you like.
- Experienced and fit: the Three Passes.
If you are not sure which suits you, write to me and tell me what you hope for. I will say honestly.
Rules change. If something here is out of date, please tell me and I will correct it.Tell me
Sources
- Wikipedia: Everest base camps en.wikipedia.org
