Everest Base Camp

सगरमाथा बेस क्याम्प

The famous trekking destination at 5,364m where climbers stage their Mount Everest expeditions. The trek through Khumbu offers dramatic glaciers, Sherpa monasteries, and views of the world's highest mountain.

Things to do

• Trek to Everest Base Camp — Hike the final stage to the 5,364m camp where Everest expeditions stage their climbs, offering close views of the mountain's south face and the Western Cwm.
• Visit Tengboche Monastery — Explore this sacred Buddhist monastery at 3,867m, the largest in the Khumbu region, known for its stunning Everest views and annual Mani Rimdu festival.
• Climb Kala Patthar — Ascend this 5,644m ridge near Base Camp for panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse without technical climbing.
• Explore Khumbu Glacier — Trek across the dramatic icefall landscape with towering seracs and crevasses that form the approach to Everest's South Col route.
• Visit Namche Bazaar — Spend time in this main trading hub at 3,440m, the heart of Sherpa culture with markets, lodges, and acclimatization opportunities.
• Acclimatize at Gorak Shep — Stay at this 5,160m settlement, the last lodging before Base Camp, and explore nearby Everest views and ice lakes.
• Photography at Everest viewpoints — Capture iconic images of Everest, Lhotse, and the Khumbu Icefall from established vantage points along the trek.

Food to try

• Sherpa Stew (Thukpa) — A hearty noodle soup with vegetables, meat, and potatoes that provides essential warmth and calories at high altitude.
• Momos — Steamed dumplings filled with yak meat or vegetables, a staple protein source throughout the Khumbu region.
• Yak Butter Tea (Butter Chhiya) — A traditional salty tea made with yak butter and salt, essential for hydration and energy in the thin mountain air.
• Sherpa Bread (Tsampa) — Roasted barley flour mixed into tea or eaten with butter, providing sustained energy for trekking at altitude.
• Dal Bhat — Rice or lentil curry with vegetables and pickles, the most common meal offering complete nutrition for high-altitude trekking.
• Yak Cheese and Dried Yak Meat — Local proteins cured and dried for preservation, offering authentic Sherpa provisions available at mountain lodges.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect prayer flags and mani walls — Always pass prayer flags on the left and walk clockwise around mani walls, as disturbing them is considered disrespectful to Buddhist practices.
• Hire local Sherpa guides and porters — Supporting Sherpa communities economically and gaining their invaluable mountaineering knowledge and cultural insights is essential to responsible trekking.
• Remove shoes before entering monasteries — This is a fundamental sign of respect in Buddhist sacred spaces like Tengboche, and guides will remind you of the practice.
• Acclimatize gradually and respect altitude — Rushing to Base Camp causes altitude sickness; Sherpa culture emphasizes slow ascent and listening to local warnings about mountain conditions and safe pacing.

Nearby

• Kala Pattar — 2 km
• Ama Dablam Base Camp — 17 km
• Dingboche — 17 km
• Thame Valley — 18 km