How High Is Everest Base Camp? (And How to Get There)

Altura Expeditions
May 12
3 min read

If you're dreaming of reaching Everest Base Camp, you've probably already asked yourself this question:

How high is it, exactly?

Spoiler: it’s no small feat—and even if you’re not summiting Everest, getting to base camp is a serious physical and mental challenge.

Views from Everest Base Camp, with Everest in the center background.

🏔 How High Is Everest Base Camp?

The Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side sits at an altitude of 5.364 meters (17.598 ft) above sea level.

Yes, that’s higher than any mountain in Western Europe. At this altitude, the air contains about 50% less oxygen than at sea level, which means that every step feels heavier and your body needs time to adjust.

Don’t confuse it with the Tibetan Everest Base Camp (North side), which lies at around 5.150 meters (17.060 ft) and can only be accessed from China.

🗺 How Do You Get to Everest Base Camp?

While many think there’s just one way up, there are actually several trekking routes—each with different durations, difficulty levels, scenery, and crowd levels.

Here are the three main routes:

1. Standard Route from Lukla

Trekker walking along the standard route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp.

This is the most popular and direct route.

Duration: 12 days (round trip)
Starting point: Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2,860 m / 9,383 ft)
Highlights:
- Well-marked trail with strong infrastructure: lodges, food, local guides.
- Passes through villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Dingboche.
- Ideal for first-time trekkers in the Himalayas.
Pros: Easy logistics, culturally rich, widely supported.
Cons: Can be crowded during peak season.

STANDARD ROUTE FROM LUKLA

2. Gokyo Route

Panoramic view of Gokyo Lake during the ascent to Gokyo Ri.

A more scenic and less crowded alternative.

Duration: 14 days
Starting point: Also from Lukla, but detours into the Gokyo Valley
Highlights:
- Passes by the stunning Gokyo Lakes and Ngozumpa Glacier.
- Crosses the Cho La Pass (5,420 m / 17,782 ft), which adds challenge.
- Joins the classic route near Lobuche.
Pros: Incredible scenery, fewer trekkers.
Cons: Physically harder and slightly more technical.

GOKYO ROUTE

3. Three Passes Trek

The most complete and adventurous option.

Duration: 15 days
Starting point: From Lukla, forming a loop that includes:
- Kongma La (5,535 m / 18,159 ft)
- Cho La (5,420 m / 17,782 ft)
- Renjo La (5,360 m / 17,585 ft)
Highlights:
- Demands proper acclimatization and trekking experience.
- Covers both Gokyo and the Khumbu Valley.
Pros: Remote, varied, epic views.
Cons: Demanding in both time and fitness; not ideal for first-timers.

THREE PASSES TREK

🧭 Which Route Should You Choose?

It depends on your experience, fitness level, and how much time you have:

Route	Difficulty	Duration	Best for...
Standard (Lukla)	Medium (T3*)	12 days	First-timers in the Himalayas
Gokyo	Med–High (T4)	14 days	Trekkers with some prior experience
Three Passes	High (T4)	15 days	Fit and experienced adventurers

*Check out our guide to learn more about the difficulty levels in Trekking.

🎒 Bonus: Do You Need to Be a Mountaineer?

No. The Everest Base Camp trek is not technical—you won’t need ropes, crampons, or ice axes. But you do need to be in good physical condition, have some tolerance for altitude, and be prepared. This is a lodge-to-lodge trek, so you only need to carry a light pack.