How to Get to Everest Base Camp (EBC) from Nepal?

To many, the Everest Base Camp is a dream destination to gaze in awe at the majestic Mount Everest up close.

If you are planning to visit Everest Base Camp and looking for how to get to Everest Base Camp to fulfill your long-awaited EBC tour, we’ve got you covered.

In this tutorial, we will walk you through how to get to Everest Base Camp from Nepal in the 5 best ways. So, you can choose the best travel route to reach Everest Base Camp based on your preference.

There Are Two Base Camps on Mount Everest: Tibet Side and Nepal Side

As Mount Everest straddles the border between China and Nepal, there are two standardized Everest base camps established on opposite sides of the world’s highest mountain - Mt. Everest. The one on the Nepal side is called South Base Camp and is situated at an altitude of 17,598 ft. (5,364 m). The other is located in Tibet at 17,060 ft (5,200 m) and is known as North Everest Base Camp.

Tibet EBC vs Nepal EBC (click to enlarge the map)

These campsites are rudimentary and are used by mountain climbers to ascend and descend during expeditions. While climbing from the southeast ridge and northeast ridge, south base camp and north base camp are used respectively.

The North Base Camp or Tibet Everest Base Camp (5,200m) is located in Zhaxizong Town, Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, being about 600 kilometers away from Lhasa city by paved road. The Everest Base Camp is in a narrow col at the foot of Mount Everest and is the closest site for ordinary tourists to see the world’s highest summit.

The best season to visit Tibet Everest Base Camp is between April to June and Sept. to Nov when the weather is crisp and clear, with stable conditions for trekking and enjoying panoramic views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayas.

View of Mount Everest from Tibet Everest Base Camp

The South Base Camp or Nepal Everest Base Camp (5,364m) lies at the end of the most popular Everest Base Camp Trek in Sagarmatha National Park. This camp on the south side is also used by thousands of climbers every year.

To Nepal Everest Base Camp, trekkers mostly opt for a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and start trekking in the morning. It normally takes around 8 days to trek from Lukla(2,860m) to Phakding(2,619m), Namche Bazaar(3,440m), Tengboche (3,860 m), Dingboche (4,410 m), Lobuche (4,910 m), Gorak Shep (5,164m) until you reach Nepal Everest Base Camp (5,364m). Then, as usual, many trekkers would trek to Kala Patthar (5,545 meters) for Himalayan sunrise views and descend to Lukla.

The good thing about getting to Nepal Everest Base Camp is that you can travel individually with Sagarmatha National Park Ticket and Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit to reach Everest Base Camp and the trekker can enjoy cozy teahouses along the way to EBC.

South Base Camp in Nepal

Tibet Everest Base Camp VS Nepal Everest Base Camp, How Should I Choose

If you don’t want to trek for days to Everest Base Camp, then go for the Tibet Everest Base Camp. You can take the tour vehicle on a paved road from Lhasa to Gyantse, Shigatse, to Everest Base Camp.

If you want to enjoy an unparalleled view of the majestic Mt. Everest in all its glory at Everest Base Camp, opt for Tibet Everest Base Camp. Here, the unobstructed vista of the awe-inspiring north face of Everest far surpasses the view from Nepal, offering a truly breathtaking experience.

If you want a luxurious and quick way to get to Everest Base Camp, head to Nepal where you can enjoy a Mount Everest helicopter tour from Kathmandu to EBC. What you get is a spectacular bird's-eye view of Mount Everest.

If you want to trek to EBC, the diverse landscape and flexible means of travel make Nepal Everest Base Camp an ideal option.

Tibet EBC view vs Nepal EBC view.

Nepal Mount Everest helicopter tour.

3 Best Ways to Reach Tibet Everest Base Camp from Nepal

So, you have decided to go to Tibet Everest Base Camp for easy travel and more stunning Mount Everest view, all you need to do is:

Consult with our friendly travel agent and book your 8-day Lhasa to EBC small group tour with us. Arrive in Kathmandu 4-5 days earlier before your departure to Tibet and submit your original passport to our Nepali travel agent to apply for the Chinese Group Visa and Tibet Travel Permit for Tibet entry.

Enjoy a non-stop flight from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (2h25m) by Himalayan Airline 774 (Monday). Make sure you reserve the left window seat for you may enjoy Mount Everest during the flight to Lhasa.

Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and travel to EBC

You can first fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and then opt for driving to Tingri, following the Friendship Highway. After Tingri, you will turn south in the direction of Mount Everest Natural Reserve, and switch to eco-bus, and drive another 100 km to reach the Everest Base Camp.

Road map of travelling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp(click to enlarge it).

While traveling from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, you will pass Tibet's major tourist cities on the way like Gyantse, Shigatse, and Lhatse, as well as famous attractions including Yamdrok Lake, and Karola Glacier. The amazing landscape of the Tibetan Plateau makes the journey worthwhile and memorable.

Alternatively, if you already have a 10-year Chinese Visa, you can book an international flight and fly from Kathmandu to Chengdu and either take the Chengdu-to-Lhasa train or book a domestic flight flying from Chengdu to Lhasa. By doing so, you can keep your 10-year Chinese Visa and no need to cancel it for a 30-day Chinese Group visa for Tibet entry from Kathmandu.

We can help you secure the Tibet train ticket and The bonus is that you can enjoy the world’s highest railway from Chengdu to Lhasa, soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery from the lush Chengdu basin to the majestic Tibetan plateau.

The view of Chengdu to Tibet train.

Overland from Kathmandu to EBC via Gyirong Port

If you prefer an epic overland trip across the majestic Himalayan range, you can book our 8 Days from Kathmandu to Lhasa via EBC Small Group Tour. We will arrange the transfer from the Kathmandu Gyirong border to enter Tibet.

After you arrive at the border, you will pass the Friendship Bridge and meet your tour guide arranged by our travel agency. In addition, to minimize the chance of acute altitude sickness, you can stay at Rasuwa Gadi and Gyirong for 2 days to spread the altitude gain.

Next, you can enjoy the guided tour from Gyirong to Tibet Everest Base Camp passing amazing Mt. Shishabangma (8027m) and Pelku Tso Lake and gaze at lofty Himalayan peaks at Gawula Pass (5198m) before reaching Everest Base Camp.

Enjoy the vista of the highest Himalyan Mount Peaks at Gawula Pass.

2 Best Ways to Reach Nepal Everest Base Camp from Nepal

Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and Trek to South Base Camp

Many people fly to Lukla from Kathmandu. There are dozens of airlines that fly every day and take 25 minutes to reach. From Lukla, the trek starts to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m), a Sherpa town that is full of restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. Since it takes two days to reach this place, you are recommended to rest for a day and to get acclimatized.

Then for another two consecutive days the trek continues till Dingboche (4,260 m), and a rest day is advised for further acclimatization. Then following a route via Gorakshep, a flat field below Mt. Pumori and Kala Patthar, you will take another two days to reach the South Base Camp. The whole trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp normally takes 8 days.

Kathmandu to Jiri and then trek from Jiri to Everest Base Camp

The other way is to first drive from Kathmandu to Jiri, a small town in the Lower Everest region, then trek from Jiri to Everest Base Camp via Lukla. The trek from Jiri to Lukla trek takes about 3-4 days, and is less popular but peaceful and pleasant.

After that, from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, the trek carries on. And then you can take the same route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp as mentioned above, passing Dingboche, and Gorakshep on the way.

Trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Packing List for Everest Base Camp Tour

It is really important to pack your things carefully for a good comfortable trip and hassle-free experience as it will be really cold there. Here is your complete list:

1. Carry a fleece jacket and down jacket.

2. Carry thermal underwear at least 4 in number. Also, take at least three to four synthetic T-shirts since cotton T-shirt absorbs sweat and will make you feel cold. A warm jacket with full sleeves is recommended. Take other warm clothes like a jumper, a pair of thermal inners, 2 pairs of full-length pants and track pants as well. You can also get 2 pairs of woolen socks and sports socks, 2 pairs of gloves both woolen and synthetic as well. Take a warm scarf or muffler as it would be really cold in the mountains, especially above 3000 m.

3. Take a light and soft pair of slippers or sandals and it will be useful while visiting the nearby places and take warm broken-in high boots for trekking. Arrange for a full-length raincoat, woolen hat, hat for sunny days, and branded and polarised sunglasses.

4. A warm and good sleeping bag is recommended with an inner lining as it will make you feel warmer in winter. Hot water bottle is recommended.

5. Choose toiletries that are travel-friendly consisting of good SPF sunscreens, dry travel towels, lip balm, cold cream, tissues, and for the days when you can not shower baby wipes can be used.

6. Take water disinfectant drugs with you as you may have to drink water from lakes and rivers on the way.

7. Make your own personal medical kit that must have antidiarrheal, antibiotics for chest or other sinus infections, and as it's really cold there and has higher chances to catch infections, carry adhesive bandages and duct tapes.

More Insider Tips for Everest Base Camp Visit

1. It is advised to take the proper time to acclimatize as altitude sickness affects you. Be watchful for the signs like dizziness, headaches, sleeplessness, breathlessness, and loss of appetite, it might be the signs of altitude sickness.

2. Cover yourself well as the sun here is harsh, use a good amount of sunscreen and try to reapply regularly, wear full sleeves and long pants.

3. Our guide will check your blood oxygen level and offer you a warm Tibetan apron to cover your legs and take great care for you at EBC.

Conclusion

Whichever base camp you will visit, you can find the appropriate route for yourself. While on the Tibetan side, we can organize your entire trip to let you travel more smoothly. If you still have any questions, please contact us freely or leave your comments below.