Where Is Everest Base Camp and How Do You Get There? (2027)

Last updated 13 November 2026.

I'm Shreejan, and my family has guided in the Himalayas for three generations. "Where exactly is Base Camp, and how do I get there?" comes up in almost every first message we get about Everest. The honest answer is simple: it is a long way from any road, and the last part is always on foot. Here is how it works, what each route costs, and how to choose.

Where is Everest Base Camp?

There are two Everest base camps. The one almost everyone means, and the one we trek to, is South Base Camp in Nepal. It sits in the Solukhumbu district of Koshi Province, in the far north-east of the country, about 155 km east of Kathmandu as the crow flies. It is inside Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a stretch of rock and ice at the end of the Khumbu Glacier.

The other one, North Base Camp, is in Tibet (China) at about 5,150 m. You reach it by road on a Tibet tour, not on foot, and it needs Chinese permits. If you want to walk to Everest through Sherpa villages and monasteries, Nepal's South Base Camp is the one you want.

Place on the way	Height	How you get there
Kathmandu	1,400 m (4,593 ft)	International flight
Lukla	2,860 m (9,383 ft)	Domestic flight, about 35 minutes from Kathmandu
Namche Bazaar	3,440 m (11,286 ft)	2 days on foot from Lukla
Gorak Shep (last night)	about 5,164 m (16,942 ft)	About 7 days on foot from Lukla
Everest Base Camp	5,364 m (17,598 ft)	2 to 3 hours on foot from Gorak Shep

For every height on the trail, see our guide to the Everest Base Camp altitude.

How do you get to Everest Base Camp?

There are four ways in. Three of them end with the same walk up the valley.

1. Fly Kathmandu to Lukla, then trek (the usual way)

This is what nine out of ten trekkers do, and what our package is built around. You fly about 35 minutes from Kathmandu to Lukla, then walk up through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche and Lobuche to Gorak Shep, with two rest days on the way to adjust to the altitude. From Gorak Shep you walk to Base Camp and back, and next morning climb Kala Patthar (5,645 m) for the best view of Everest itself. Then it is 3 days back down to Lukla and a flight to Kathmandu.

Booked through us, a one-way seat from Kathmandu to Lukla costs about USD 330 for a foreign passport holder, about USD 660 return. Lukla flights stop when cloud comes in, so always keep one or two spare days at the end of your trip. Our Kathmandu to Lukla flight guide has the full detail.

2. Drive to Ramechhap (Manthali), then fly to Lukla

In the busy spring and autumn months, many Lukla flights leave from Manthali airport in Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. It means a long road drive that leaves Kathmandu in the middle of the night, then a shorter flight. The seat is cheaper, about USD 270 each way, but most people find the early start hard. We tell you which airport your dates are likely to use when you book.

3. Drive and walk in, with no flight

You can avoid the Lukla flight completely by taking a jeep towards Salleri or the old Jiri trail and walking up to the main Everest trail. It adds several days of walking through lower villages with very few other trekkers. It suits people with time to spare, or anyone who really does not want to fly a mountain airstrip. We compare the two in Lukla flight vs road to Everest Base Camp.

4. Helicopter

A helicopter can fly you from Kathmandu or Lukla up the valley, and many guests take one back down after Base Camp to save three days of walking. A helicopter tour can also land near Kala Patthar or Gorak Shep for a short stop. You will not "arrive" at Base Camp fresh this way, though: at 5,364 m the air has about half the oxygen of sea level, and nobody should sleep that high without walking up slowly first. Our Luxury tier uses a helicopter both ways between Kathmandu and Lukla.

Can you drive to Everest Base Camp?

Not on the Nepal side. There is no road anywhere near Base Camp, and the last road is days of walking below Lukla. Everything above Lukla, from rice to gas cylinders, is carried by porters, yaks and mules. On the Tibet side a road does reach North Base Camp, but that is a different trip, with Chinese group visas and permits.

How long does it take to get there?

The classic route takes 12 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu: 8 days walking up, 3 days down, and the flights. Add a day before for arriving in Kathmandu and a spare day or two after for flight delays. If you have more time, our 14 and 15-day versions add extra rest days. We explain every option in How long is the Everest Base Camp trek?

What permits do you need to get to Base Camp?

• Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality fee: NPR 3,000 per person, collected on the trail near Lukla.
• Sagarmatha National Park entry: NPR 3,000 per person for foreign nationals.
• TIMS card: NPR 2,000 for foreign nationals.
• A licensed guide: since 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks need to trek with a licensed guide through a registered company.

All of these are included in every tier of our Everest Base Camp trek, so you do not need to queue for anything yourself.

How much does it cost to get to Everest Base Camp?

Our 12-day trek costs, per person, for a private group of two to four:

Tier	Price per person (2 to 4 people)	Solo price	Getting to Lukla
Budget	USD 1,255	USD 1,805	Fixed-wing flight both ways
Standard	USD 2,320	USD 2,605	Fixed-wing flight both ways
Luxury	USD 4,650	USD 5,175	Helicopter both ways

All three include your licensed guide, the Lukla flights, the permits and your teahouse rooms. Standard adds all meals and one porter for every two trekkers, and Luxury adds a dedicated porter and private ensuite rooms. Every trek is private: we never put you with strangers. Kathmandu hotels are not part of the trek price.

When is the best time to go?

The clearest weather is in October and November, then March to May. December to February is cold but quiet and often clear. June to September is monsoon: cloud, rain lower down and more flight cancellations, so we do not recommend it for a first visit.

Frequently asked questions

Which country is Everest Base Camp in?

The South Base Camp, where treks go, is in Nepal. The North Base Camp is in Tibet, China. Mount Everest itself sits on the border between the two.

Is Everest Base Camp the same as the top of Everest?

No. Base Camp is at 5,364 m, and the summit is 8,849 m. Base Camp is where climbing expeditions live in spring before they start up the mountain. Trekkers walk to Base Camp and Kala Patthar, not to the summit.

How far is Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu?

About 155 km in a straight line, but there is no direct road. In practice it is a 35-minute flight to Lukla, then about 8 days on foot.

Can you get to Everest Base Camp without flying?

Yes. You can drive towards Salleri or Jiri and walk in, which adds several days. See our flight vs road comparison.

Can a beginner get to Everest Base Camp?

Yes, if you are fit enough to walk five to seven hours a day for several days in a row and you go slowly. You do not need any climbing experience. The altitude is the hard part, which is why our itinerary has two rest days.

Can you go to Everest Base Camp without a guide?

Not any more. Foreign trekkers need a licensed guide booked through a registered company. Read Can you trek to Everest Base Camp without a guide?

Do you need to book in advance?

Book at least two months ahead for October, November, April and May, because Lukla seats sell out. We hold your place with a 10% deposit, and you pay the rest in Kathmandu.

Ready to plan your trip?

If you tell me your dates and how many of you there are, I will tell you which route and airport fit best and what it costs. Message me on WhatsApp, or see the full day-by-day plan on our 12-day Everest Base Camp trek page.