Elevation Profile of the Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek elevation gain considered significant among other Himalayan treks in Nepal. Although trekkers don’t have to take on high Himalayan passes in this base camp exploitation, they still need to traverse across the elevation point of 5,000 meters. The sections above Dingboche (4,410 meters) fall under translate-Himalayan region, which is coldest climatic zone in the Himalayas.
You get started on trekking trails of this iconic exploration from Lukla Airport, which is at an elevation of 2,846 meters (9,337 feet). Then, following winding trail, you move along the popular highlights in this mainstream to reach Everest Base Camp, which is situated at an elevation of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). However, Everest Base Camp Trek elevation doesn’t reach its peak point at the foothills of tallest mountain in the world. Kala Patthar, the most popular viewpoint in the Everest region is highest altitude jump point of EBC trekking.
Kala Patthar is situated at an altitude of 5,644 meters (18,517 feet), and hiking to this vantage point is popular for most epic views of eastern Himalayan peaks. It is also said that a journey in Everest region isn’t complete without a hike to this popular viewpoint. Thus, even if your journey ends at the foot base of the tallest alpine peak in the world, you do an early morning hike to Kala Patthar on the next day before descending to Pheriche (4,371 meters). So, overall elevation in Everest Base Camp Trek route after starting trekking journey from Lukla to Kala Patthar is approximately 2,780 meters (9,120 feet).
Day-by-day Elevation Breakdown
This is standard 14-day Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary plan of Ace Vision Treks with detailed elevation gain during each day. With this, it is easy for you to understand day-to-day Everest Base Camp Trek elevation, walking duration, and distance.
Everest Base Camp Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet
Day 02: Kathmandu to Lukla Airport flight and trekking to Phakding
Lukla Elevation: 2,846 meters/ 9,337 feet
Phakding Elevation: 2,610 meters/ 8,562 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,446 meters/ 4,744 feet
Flight Duration: 35 minutes
Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Trek Distance: 6.2 km/ 3.8 miles
Note: During high season Flight operates from Manthali. Which is 4-5 hours drive from Kathmandu.
Day 03: Trekking from Phakding to Namche
Namche Bazaar Elevation: 3,440 meters/ 11,286 feet
Elevation Gain: 830 meters/ 2,723 feet
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Trek Distance: 7.4 km/ 4.6 miles
Day 04: Acclimatizing day at Namche
Namche Bazaar Elevation: 3,440 meters/ 11,286 feet
Day 05: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche
Tengboche Elevation: 3,860 meters/ 12,664 feet
Elevation Gain: 420 meters/ 1,377 feet
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Trek Distance: 9.2 km/ 5.7 miles
Day 06: Trekking from Tengboche to Dingboche
Dingboche Elevation: 4,410 meters/ 14,468 feet
Elevation Gain: 550 meters/ 1,804 feet
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Trek Distance: 12 km/ 7.45 miles
Day 07: Rest day at Dingboche and morning hike to Nagarjuna Hill
Nagarjuna Hill Elevation: 5,100 meters/ 16,732 feet
Elevation Gain: 690 meters/ 2,263 feet
Hike Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Hike Distance: 6 km/ 3.72 miles
Day 08: Dingboche to Lobuche
Lobuche Elevation: 4,940 meters/ 16,207 feet
Elevation Gain: 530 meters/ 1,738 feet
Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Trek Distance: 8.5 km/ 5.2 miles
Day 09: Trekking from Lobuche to Gorak Shep to Everest Base Camp and overnight at Gorak Shep
Gorak Shep Elevation: 5,164 meters/ 16,942 feet
Everest Base Camp Elevation: 5,364 meters/ 17,598 feet
Elevation Gain: 424 meters/ 1,391 feet
Trek Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Trek Distance: 15 km/ 9.32 miles
Day 10: Hike to Kala Patthar and trek down to Pheriche
Kala Patthar Elevation: 5,644 meters/ 18,517 feet
Pheriche Elevation: 4,371 meters/ 14,340 feet
Elevation Gain: 480 meters/ 1,574 feet
Hike Duration: 6 hours
Hike Distance: 9.6 km/ 6 miles
Day 11: Trekking from Pheriche to Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar Elevation: 3,440 meters/ 11,286 feet
Elevation Loss: 931 meters/ 3,054 feet
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Trek Distance: 17.7 km/ 10.9 miles
Day 12: Trek back to Lukla via Phakding
Lukla Elevation: 2,846 meters/ 9,337 feet
Elevation Loss: 594 meters/ 1,948 feet
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours
Trek Distance: 16.7 km/ 10 miles
Day 13: Flight to Kathmandu and hotel transfer
Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet
Elevation Loss: 1,446 meters/ 4,744 feet
Flight Duration: 35 minutes
Day 14: International departure day
Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/ 4,593 feet
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
If you have previously done any sort of high-altitude trek in Nepal, then you understand the risk of altitude sickness that comes along with the adventure. As the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation is significant, you need to be very careful about acclimatization process so you don’t have to suffer from altitude sickness. Although the potential risk of altitude sickness on this trip is mild, just Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and not Severe forms like HACE or HAPE, it can be bothersome and affect experience if you are not mindful of its symptoms and prevention.
Importance of Acclimatization Days
One of the most ideal and effective ways to counter potential risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is to rest and give the body enough time to acclimatize to new altitudes. Human bodies are not meant for quick elevation jumps; depending on default environment and atmosphere, acclimatizing period varies from person to person. Some trekkers can adapt to rising altitude while trekking along marked trail, while others need some extended period to get used to new altitudes.
Thus, Ace Vision Trek has set two acclimatizing days in our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary so our guests have enough rest periods to adapt to new altitudes and get much-deserved rest. We have set acclimatization days at two strategic destinations, Namche (3,440 meters) and Dingboche (4,410 meters). As both of these resting destinations are transition points between different climatic zones in the Himalayas, you find it much easier to get used to new altitudes in comparison to itinerary plans that continuously push to higher elevations.
Not only does the enough acclimatization period let your body adapt to rising Everest Base Camp Trek elevation points, but it give your body sufficient time to rest. While taking on this Himalayan journey, you have to walk multiple hours during each day to reach the stop point of particular day’s itinerary. Your body also needs to take a break from continuous walking so you don’t end up pushing it to limits and exhausting yourself. Thus, these stop points act as the resting points to relax and replenish the lost energy.
Altitude Sickness Symptoms and Prevention
While moving along the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation, you need to be careful about various symptoms of altitude sickness. If you pay attention to your body language and are able to identify symptoms of altitude sickness earlier, it is much easier to counter it. Be attentive if you start showing any of the following symptoms:
Altitude Sickness Symptoms
- Headache which gets worse during the nighttime and when you wake up
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy and lightheaded
- Fatigue
Tips for Acclimatizing Effectively
How to avoid altitude sickness? following an appropriate acclimatizing procedure is the most effective way to counter it. Here are some tips from industry-leading experts on acclimatizing properly during high-altitude adventures.
Tips for Acclimatizing Properly
- Don’t walk too fast or ascend to higher altitudes quickly
- Take short breaks on trekking trails, and don’t push yourself too hard
- Stay hydrated consistently (you should drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water during the trekking days)
- Eat a balanced and healthy diet so your energy level stays at its optimum
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine (they affect the acclimatizing process)
- Get enough rest and know your limits
- Use altitude sickness medication if necessary
Challenges Faced at Higher Elevations
Competing Everest trekking has several challenging factors associated with the high altitude adventures. Likewise, while moving along the high Everest Base Camp Trek elevation points, you have to face similar hurdles. Ace Vision Treks listed common challenges that explorers have to face during high-altitude journeys:
Altitude Sickness: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) affects trekkers as the oxygen level in the air starts to decrease with the increase in the elevation point.
Weather Challenges: The weather conditions at higher altitudes can be harsh and unpredictable. High wind, cold temperatures, snow, blizzards, etc, are some weather-related challenges for high-altitude treks in the Himalayas.
Physical Exertion: The physical demands of the trail at higher altitudes are higher than those at lower elevations. This is due to lower oxygen level in higher regions where even millennial physical activities feel draining.
Limited Resources: The Himalayan region in Nepal is one of less-developed regions that lack resources. It means a low number of health facilities along the trail, less internet and phone coverage, limited accommodation and food, etc.
Health Risks: With gain in altitude as you head toward the alpine zones, there are several health risks, such as sunburn, hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, etc.
Mental and Physical Strain: During high altitude long journey in isolated part of the Himalayas, trekkers may feel stressed, anxious, homesick, etc. To overcome the physically demeaning trail, you need a good amount of determination and willpower.
Sanitization and Hygiene: Due to limited access to resources, sanitization and maintaining hygiene can be a bit of a challenge in the higher regions.
Weather and Climate at Different Elevations
Typical Weather Conditions at Various Points on the Trek
While moving along with the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation points, traverse across six climatic zones. Each of these specific climate zones has different characteristics and climatic conditions that you experience during your trek. Although, weather factor is universal for the lower region and they are most defined by specific period across the year, high-altitude climate over the alpine zone is a completely different story. Higher Himalayan region has a climatic zone of its own, and it is unpredictable during any period throughout the year.
Here is the major list of different climatic zones you have to cross and general temperature conditions you have to face at different levels.
Tropical (Below 1,000 meters): This is the lowest terrain point in the country, mostly with warm and humid environments with high temperatures.
Sub-Tropical (Below 2,000 meters): Sub-tropical is the mid-level terrain in country with moderate temperatures throughout the year. Summer is warm, and winters are cool at this point
Temperate (Below 3,000 meters): This high elevation point has cooler temperatures and mild warmth. Summers are mild and winters are colder; this zone receives rainfall in monsoon and snow in winter.
Sub-Alpine (Below 4,000 meters): As this region is close to the alpine zone, cool and cold temperatures are dominant here. This season mostly has cold and cold temperatures with a short summer season; the sub-alpine region receives heavy rainfall during winter.
Alpine (Below 5,000 meters): From here, the very coldest section of the Himalayas starts. The region is cold and cool, with very short summer and growing seasons. The temperatures in this region are low throughout the year and snowfall occur any time..
Tundra/Trans-Himalayan (Above 5,000 meters): This is coldest zone in the Himalayas, temperatures here are extremely cold, and this region has permanent ice and snow. Besides the temperature, the oxygen level is significantly low in the region.
How Elevation Affects Temperature and Weather Patterns?
The rise in elevation has several effects on temperature and weather patterns, you notice these while trekking through different Everest Base Camp Trek elevation points. One of the most noticeable things while moving to a higher region from a low altitude is the drop in temperatures. This happens due to the phenomenon called Lapse Rate; as you start ascending to the higher elevation points, the temperatures start to drop by 6.5° C for every 1,000 meters. Thus, the higher you ascend, lower temperatures until you reach the complete tundra zone.
Similarly, another factor that affects temperature and weather patterns at higher altitudes is the Diurnal Temperature Variation. This term refers to the change in temperatures of a region within a single day, during the daytime and night. Compared to other regions, Himalayan region has a greater diurnal temperature variation; during the day, sun heats air and ground quickly. However, thin atmosphere loses the heat rapidly, which results in colder mornings and nights at higher altitudes. Moreover, elevation affects wind patterns, Himalayan region has stronger high winds due to large-scale atmospheric circulation and reduced friction with the ground. Other factors like humidity, cloud formation, duration of seasonal variation, snow, and ice, etc., are immensely influenced by the elevation difference.
High-Elevation Trekking Training and Preparation
Physical Fitness Requirements
To overcome the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation, it is recommended to have at least a basic level of fitness. Unlike great mountaineering expeditions, treks in the Himalayas are milder forms of exploration. Thus, a basic fitness backed up by good health conditions will be sufficient for this base camp exploration as well. You don’t need to be in your best shape but should have an adequate amount of strength and stamina to match up with physical demands of the trail. While moving along this iconic EBC Trek trail, there aren’t any strenuous sections that require the use of technical tools.
You able to complete this journey by just gradually following the zig-zag and steep trails. However, remember that you will be trekking on the route carrying your backpack and slowly climbing to higher altitudes, which can be especially demanding in the steep sections. Also, you need a good deal of leg strength, core strength, balance, and flexibility to easily traverse across diverse landscapes on the mountain. You need to account for all these factors for effective preparation to ensure an exciting and pleasant journey.
Recommended Training Regimen
As you have understood, challenges that come along with Everest Base Camp Trek elevations, it is now time to move on measures to overcome those challenges. With enough physical preparation, you able to overcome most of the challenges of this high-altitude trekking. The EBC trek difficulty level and preparation you have to do to achieve your travel goal! With a good amount of preparation, you will feel confident and more assured about easily completing the journey; it have an immense impact on the overall experience.
Thus, you are recommended to trail for at least 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your fitness level. If you have a good fitness level and you exercise routinely, it won’t be that much of a challenge to take on the demanding factors of this trail. However, if you rarely exercise, you need to understand nature of trek and make preparations after a thorough physical assessment. Strength, stamina, cardiovascular, and endurance exercises should be your top priority for this trek, as these exercises enhance your physical stats and also make it easier for you to acclimatize at new altitudes.
**Note: Besides the training exercises, doing practice hikes is also an effective way to prepare for the high-altitude treks. Practice hikes give insights into the landscape of mountain and physical aspects you need to improve to overcome such terrains**
Essential Gear and Equipment
Trekking gear makes the overall journey comfortable and enhances the experience. You should consider packing appropriate gear and equipment to make this remote exploration an exciting endeavor. The general trekking gear for the Himalayan odyssey includes sufficient layers of clothes from base to outer suitable for different climatic zones en route. Similarly, helpful equipment like sleeping bags, backpacks, duffle bags, trekking poles, navigation tools, gaiter, portable charger, headlamps, etc help to make journey more organized and convenient.
Although all of these are general trekking equipment, required packing list for this Himalayan journey influenced by the season of your visit. If you are doing this trek in either spring (March-May) or autumn (September- November), both seasons are considered the peak period with a stable climate. So, general Nepal packing list will be sufficient; however, if you are trekking in any of the off-seasons, i.e., winter (December- February) and monsoon (June- August), you need to bring specific trekking gear to deal with unfavorable climatic conditions.
Flora and Fauna at Various Elevations
As for the Everest Base Camp Trek elevation points, Himalayan flora and fauna found in the region differ. At lower regions, lush forests and greenery cover the landscapes, however, as you start ascending to higher altitudes, treeline gradually starts to decline. Due to thin atmosphere, lack of warm, windy climate, and lack of both soil accumulation and water table, trees don’t flourish near alpine zone and above. During your Everest Base Camp Trek, you will see several species of trees, such as pine, fir, juniper, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, pine, rhododendron, etc. in lower regions. As for higher altitudes, silver fir, birch, spruce, etc., species of trees can be found; however, after crossing treeline, it is mostly just meadows, alpine bushes, and shrubs without any trees in sight.
Similarly, Himalayan region Nepal home to endangered species of wildlife red pandas, snow, leopard, Himalayan tahr, clouded leopard, Himalayan marten, Himalayan mouse hare (pika), wild yak, etc. These wild animals have thick fur that helps them cope with generally cold climatic conditions. In particular, snow leopards, bharal (blue sheep), pika, and Tibetan gazelle are found at high altitudes. Additionally, different species of birds, impetus pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, red billed cough, etc, are found throughout the region, mostly below treeline. According to new data, it has been found that now different species of plants are thriving at high altitudes region of Everest than 25 years ago. It has been speculated that as the climate is growing warmer, subnival plants have increased by a great percentage; their growth since 1993 can be mostly traced to the elevation point between 5,000 meters and 5,500 meters. Can Senior Citizen Complete Everest Base camp Trekking? Customizable trekking itinerary and experience guide's perpare guidance Senior citizen completing Everet tre.
Everest Base Camp Elevation FAQs and Answer
what elevation is Everest base camp in feet?
17,593.92 is Everest base camp elevation in feet.
Does Everest base camp have wifi?
Everest base camp does not have wifi, but we spend the night at Gorakship have wifi. Which is closest point to the Everest base camp.
How many Everest base camps are there?
2 are Everest base camp but climbers base camp we will be in.
Is Everest base camp open all year?
yes, Everest base camp is open all the year. Choose your best time time to EBC trek and we are helping your dream into reality.
Where does the Everest base camp trek start?
Normally Everest Base camp trek starts from Lukla. If you have a long vacation, you can start from Jiri.
where is Mount Everest base camp located?
Everest Base Camp is located in Khumbu region of Nepal.
How many trekking trails are in the Everest region?
Everest region has many alternative trekking trails, e.g. EBC Trek -14 days, Gokyo Valley -12 days, Everest Panorama - 12 days, Three Passes Trek - 19 days, Gokyo with Tengboche - 16 days, Base Camp Heli trek - 12 days and Gokyo-ri trek - 18 days.
Can beginners complete the Everest Base Camp Trek, even Elevation High?
Yes, beginners can complete the Everest base camp trek even altitude gain higher up to 5,545m.
