Are you planning a hike to Everest Base Camp or further? But You have no ideas how to find the best itineraries of the Everest region. The 5 alternative trekking routes that connect to Everest Base Camp, each with its own set of attractions. To help you choose the best trek for you, we’ve put together five itineraries that cover each of the five routes.
We’ve tried to remove all of the uncertainty in this post, so you can now plan and pick your best itinerary for trekking to the Everest region, which might be the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Everest Three Passes Trek, and so on. All these treks are fascinating as well as provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences for trekkers of varying abilities and experience levels.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek is a dream destination for global trekkers to achieve a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The vistas of Mount Everest and the other eight-thousanders are stunning and unequaled on this adventure. Your trek begins in Nepal at Lukla since it continues up to Kala Patthar, 18193 feet above South Base Camp. In addition, this trek will give you an adrenaline rush and a sense of accomplishment you won’t get anywhere else. The gigantic Everest serves as the cherry on top of this expedition, which includes challenging terrain, incredibly high mountains, as well as beautiful views.
Because it is higher in altitude than most other Himalayan Treks and needs a certain level of physical condition and mental preparedness, trekking to Everest Base Camp is known as the “Mother of All Himalayan Treks.”
Days | Day by day itinerary | Altitude in Meters | Distance |
1. | Fly into Lukla then trek to Phakding or Manju | 2650 | 3-4h00 |
2. | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3440 | 6h00 |
3. | Acclimatization day! | ||
4. | Trek to Tengboche Monastery | 3850 | 5h30 |
5. | Tengboche to Dingboche | 4380 | 5h00 |
6. | Acclimatization & rest day! | ||
7. | Trek to Lobuche | 4890 | 6h00 |
8. | Trek to Gorakshep then hike to Kala Patthar 5545 meters | 5100 | 7h00 |
9. | Visit EBC (5364 meters) then trek back to Pangboche | 3900 | 7h30 |
10. | Trek to Namche | 3440 | 6h30 |
11. | Trek to Lukla | 2850 | 7h00 |
12. | Fly out to Kathmandu |
Gokyo Lakes via EBC Trek
The Gokyo Lakes Trek is a spectacular alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek. The route starts in Lukla and follows the classic EBC Trek to Namche Bazaar for the first three days. Then, it leads northwest to the magnificent Gokyo Lakes, passing through the villages of Dole and Machhermo. The trail then ascends to Gokyo Ri (5,483 meters) and traverses Cho La Pass (5,420 meters) before arriving at Lobuche, the starting point for the famous Everest base camp trek.
It adds two to three days to the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes, but it provides a good opportunity to avoid the crowds on the popular Everest Base camp route.
Days | Day by day itinerary | Altitude in Meters | Distance |
1. | Fly into Lukla then trek to Phakding or Manju | 2650 | 3-4h00 |
2. | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3440 | 6h00 |
3. | Acclimatization day! | ||
4. | Trek to Dole | 420 | 6h00 |
5. | Tengboche to Machhermo | 4480 | 4h00 |
6. | Trek to Gokyo Lakes | 4790 | 5h00 |
7. | Acclimatization & rest day! | 5090 | 6h00 |
8. | Trek to Dragnak | 4700 | 3h00 |
9. | Trek to Dzongla via Cho – La Pass (5370 Meters) | 4830 | 7h30 |
10. | Trek to Lobuche | 4900 | 5h30 |
11. | Trek to Gorakshep then hike to Kalapatthar (5545 Meters) | 5100 | 7h00 |
12. | Trek to Pangboche after visiting EBC | 3900 | 7h30 |
13. | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3400 | 6h30 |
14. | Trek to Lukla | 2850 | 7h00 |
15. | Fly out to KTM |
Island peak Climbing via Everest Base Camp
First, you will trek to the Everest Base Camp and its surroundings while you are embarking on Island Peak. Once, you explore the Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar then detour to Lobuche or Dingboche. Island Peak, at an elevation of 6,189 meters, is a true challenge. It is not for novice climbers although it is said that Island peak is suitable for beginners. Many climbers are preparing for Island Peak before climbing Mount Everest.
You can walk from here to Island Peak Base Camp (5,120 m) for a hike/ascension up to Island Peaks Summit. The summit generally takes two days from the base camp. So, Island Peak Climbing via Everest Base Camp takes 18-20 days.
If you are planning to climb Island Peak, read this Island Peak Expedition guide for a better experience.
Days | Day by day itinerary | Altitude in Meters | Distance |
1. | Fly into Lukla, & trek to Phakding or Manju | 2650 | 3-4h00 |
2. | Trek to Namche Bazaar | 3440 | 6h00 |
3. | Acclimatization day! | ||
4. | Trek to Tengboche Monastery | 3850 | 5h30 |
5. | Tengboche to Dingboche | 4380 | 5h00 |
6. | Acclimatization & rest day! | ||
7. | Trek to Lobuche | 4890 | 6h00 |
8. | Trek to Gorakshep then hike to Kala Patthar 5545 meters | 5100 | 7h00 |
9. | Visit EBC (5364 meters) then trek back to Lobuche | 4900 | 6h30 |
10. | Trek to Chhukung via Kongma- La Pass (5535 Meters) | 4430 | 9h30 |
11. | Rest day! Climb Chhukung Ri | 4430 | 4h00 |
12. | Trek to Island Base Camp | 4970 | 4h00 |
13. | Trek to High Camp | 5600 | 5h00 |
14. | Summit Island Peak 6189 Meters then back to Base camp | 8h00 | |
15. | Contingency day | ||
16. | Trek to Pangboche | 3900 | 6h00 |
17. | Trek to Namche | 3400 | 6h30 |
18. | Trek to Lukla | 2850 | 7h00 |
19. | Fly out to Kathmandu |
Everest Three Passes Trek
The Everest Three Passes Trek is more demanding than the Everest Base Camp Trek because it involves three high passes. The Everest Three Passes Trek begins in the same way that the Everest Base Camp Trek does, with a trip to Namche Bazaar. The route then heads west, passing through Thame and the isolated Nangpa Valley. The trail goes through the Dudh Koshi valley since you approach Renjo – La which is the first pass of the Three Passes Trek. Before descending to Gokyo Lakes and its valley, you will be rewarded with a wonderful vista of Mount Everest.
After that, the trail heads east to Chola Pass, which connects the Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp. From here, the trail descends to Dzongla and gradually climbs up to connect the Everest Base Camp trek route before Lobuche. It offers an awe-inspiring view of Mount Everest and the surrounding peaks when you hike up to the iconic Kala Pathar viewpoint.
Finally, you make your way to the Everest base camp which is combined with the Everest Three Passes Trek. The Everest Base camp is the most iconic place while you are trekking to Everest Base Camp. The trail turns to the east from Lobuche along the Khumbu glacier then it goes to a steep climb to Khongma – La, which is the final pass of a trek. The trail then gradually descends to Chhukung before making a hike to Chhukung Ri. Thus, the Everest Three Passes Trek allow the discovery of all the valley of the Everest region as well as high passes.
“Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before.”
Dalai Lama
Everest Three Passes Trek Itinerary
You’ll still get spectacular vistas of the neighboring peaks that you wouldn’t get on the normal EBC Trek. Likewise, trekking through the entire valley of the Everest region returning to Lukla completes the circuits of the Everest Three Passes Trek. But given itinerary is anti-clockwise starting from the Kongma – La pass which is the highest pass of the trek. You may do this trek both clockwise and anti-clockwise which could be either start from Renjo – La Pass or Khongma – La Pass.
Days | Day by day itinerary | Altitude in Meters | Distance |
1. | Flight to Lukla then trek to Phakding | 2650 | 4h00 |
2. | Phakding to Namche Bazaar | 3440 | 6h00 |
3. | Acclimatization day! | ||
4. | Namche Bazaar to Tengboche Monastery | 3850 | 5h30 |
5. | Tengboche to Dingboche | 4380 | 5h00 |
6. | Acclimatization & rest day! | ||
7. | Trek to Chhukung | 4430 | 4h00 |
8. | Rest day! Climb Chhukung Ri | 4h00 | |
9. | Trek to Chhukung via Kongma- La Pass (5535 Meters) | 4430 | 9h30 |
10. | Rest day! Climb Chhukung Ri | 4430 | 4h00 |
11. | Trek to Lobuche via Kongma- La Pass (5535 Meters) | 4900 | 9h30 |
12. | Trek to Gorakshep then hike to Kala Patthar 5545 meters | 5100 | 4h00 |
13. | Visit EBC (5364 meters) then trek back to Lobuche | 4900 | 5h00 |
14. | Trek to Dzongla | 4830 | 4h00 |
15. | Trek to Dragnak via Cho – La Pass (5370 Meters) | 4700 | 8h00 |
16. | Trek to Gokyo Lakes | 4790 | 4h00 |
17. | Rest day! | ||
18. | Trek to Ren Lake via Renjo – La Pass (5435 Meters) | 4790 | 7h00 |
19. | Trek to Thame | 3800 | 6h30 |
20. | Trek to Namche | 3400 | 6h30 |
21. | Trek to Lukla | 2850 | 7h00 |
22. | Fly out to Kathmandu |
Jiri or Salleri to Everest Base camp
An alternative to flying into Lukla from Kathmandu is the Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek. This option begins with an 8-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Jiri, whereas Jiri is the starting point for the trek.
This route adds 5-6 days to the trip while traversing the lower Khumbu region. You’ll pass via Lukla on your way to Everest Base Camp, whereas the route follows the same trail as the classic Everest Base Camp Trek.
It features a picturesque but long road trip as well as extensive exposure to Tibetan and Sherpa cultures. Additionally, the trek goes through more forests and streams because the trek begins at a relatively low elevation of 1800 meters.
Day | Itinerary | Altitude | Distance |
1. | Kathmandu to Jiri by bus | 1910 | 8-9h00 drive |
2. | Jiri to Deurali | 2700 | 6h00 |
3. | Trek to Sete | 2520 | 6h30 |
4. | Trek to Jun Bensi | 2565 | 7h00 |
5. | Jun Besnsi to Nun Thala | 2345 | 7h00 |
6. | Trek to Bupsa | 2360 | 6h00 |
7. | Bupsa to Surke | 2290 | 6h30 |
8. | Trek to Phakding/Monju then continue to Everest Base Camp Trail | 2730 | 5h30 |
Likewise, the route via Salleri to Everest Base Camp Trek is another option if you wish for a shorter walking distance to get to Lukla and beyond.
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To wrap up!
Now, you got all about the best possible itineraries that connect to the Everest Base camp at your hands. So, hoping that it cleared up all confusion to choose the best routes for trekking to Everest Base camp. Look and enjoy this virtual trek by Google on their Street View program in the Everest region from a few years ago.
Let’s book your next trekking to Everest Base camp according to your needs and preferences. We, Himalayan Exploration is here to assist you, if you are still seeking any customization on plan or route.
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