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

The Everest Base Camp is d dream destination for many tourists to see the great Mt Everest. There are two camps respectively in Tibet and Nepal. This guide will describe how to get to the Everest Base Camp from Nepal.

There are Two Base Camps on Mount Everest

There are two standardized Everest base camps established on the 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 Base Camp.

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.

North Base Camp in Tibet

The North Base Camp is located in Zhaxizong Town, Tingri County, Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, being about 600 kilometers away from Lhasa city by 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.

North Base Camp in Tibet

In order to visit this camp, it is necessary to get certain permits and certificates, including Tibet Travel Permit, and Alien's Travel Permit, etc. But you do not need to worry about such permits as we can help to arrange them when you book our tour package. The package also includes hired driver with a vehicle and a local guide.

South Base Camp in Nepal

This is the most popular route for trekking in the Himalayas. This camp on the south side is used by thousands of climbers every year. To reach here trekkers mostly opt for a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and start trekking in the morning. This can let one fully enjoy the trekking experience and the other reason behind this is the absence of roads to Lukla from Kathmandu.

South Base Camp in Nepal

Visiting North Base Camp is more Convenient than the South One

In comparison, there are some advantages to going to North Base Camp in Tibet. The camp on the Tibetan side is only 19 km away from Mount Everest summit by a straight line distance. There are also a lot of rudimentary facilities like tents, post office, tea house etc.

Tourists can opt for trekking or taking a tourist vehicle to EBC in Tibet. Whereas in Nepal side, one can only trek to the base camp, as there is no defined road and the way seems a bit more distant than the Tibetan way.

Ways to Reach North Base Camp from Nepal

Generally speaking, if you are in Nepal and you want to get to EBC, you should first apply for Group Tourist Visa and Tibet Travel Permit to officially enter Tibet from Nepal. Our travel consultants and staff based in Kathmandu can help you get them.

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 drive another 100 km to reach the Everest Base Camp.

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

Get to Tibet EBC from Nepal

Overland from Kathmandu to EBC via Gyirong Port

You can first drive to the Nepal-Tibet border (Rashuwaghadi ) and it takes about 5 hours due to the not good road condition. After your arrival at the border, you will pass the Friendship Bridge and meet your tour guide arranged by our travel agency (foreign travelers must be organized by a qualified travel agency and accompanied by tour guides when visiting Tibet).

Then your tour guide will assist you in handling certain procedures considering requested permits, certificates, and some other documents. After that, you will pass Gyirong port, and head to old Tingri along the Friendship Highway. Then following the winding road to Rongbuk Monastery. Rongbuk is quite close to EBC, and you can drive or trek to EBC as you like.

Ways to Reach South 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.

Lukla Airport is the starting point for trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

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.

Packing List

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

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.

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 question, please contact us freely or leave your comments below.