The trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is one of the most iconic journeys on Earth. Every year, thousands of trekkers fly into Lukla Chaurikharka Nepal, a tiny mountain airstrip perched at 2,860 metres in the Khumbu Valley, and begin the adventure of a lifetime. From that first step off the runway, the path winds through ancient Sherpa villages, thundering suspension bridges, fragrant rhododendron forests, and high-alpine moraine until it finally delivers you to the foot of the world’s highest mountain.
So, how far is it from Lukla to Everest Base Camp? The one-way distance is approximately 65 km (40 miles), making the full round trip around 130 km (80 miles). With proper acclimatisation built in, most trekkers complete the journey in 12 to 14 days. This guide breaks down every leg of the route with exact distances, altitude data, key stops, and practical Nepal trekking advice so you can plan with confidence.
Your Lukla to Everest Base Camp trek begins at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla Chaurikharka, Nepal. Often called the most thrilling airport in the world, it sits at 2,860 metres with a single short runway ending at a sheer mountain drop. The 35-minute flight from Kathmandu is itself an adventure, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan foothills before the dramatic landing.
Lukla Chaurikharka is more than just a transit hub. It’s a living Sherpa town with tea houses, gear shops, bakeries, and monasteries. Spending your first night here allows your body to begin adjusting to altitude before you set off. The town also marks the official boundary of the Sagarmatha National Park buffer zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting the entire Khumbu ecosystem.
Key facts about Lukla Chaurikharka worth knowing before departure:
The route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp follows the Khumbu Valley, gaining altitude steadily through a series of well-established trail segments. The itinerary is deliberately paced around two acclimatisation rest days, the single most important factor in reaching Base Camp safely. Below is the complete day-by-day breakdown with distances and altitude:
Each segment of the Lukla to Everest Base Camp route has its own distinct character. Here’s what to expect on the most significant days:
The trail descends gently from Lukla along the roaring Dudh Koshi River through pine and rhododendron forests. This relatively short first day is intentional, it eases your legs into Nepal trekking without stressing your cardiovascular system. You’ll cross your first suspension bridges here, each hung with colourful prayer flags and offering views down into the emerald valley below. Phakding at 2,610m sits slightly lower than Lukla, giving your body a gentle first night.
This is where the trek gets serious. The trail gains 830 metres in altitude as it follows the Dudh Koshi River through Sagarmatha National Park, crossing several iconic steel suspension bridges. The ascent into Namche Bazaar is steep and relentless in its final 2 km, but the reward is staggering: your first clear sightline of Mount Everest (8,848m), Lhotse, and Ama Dablam appears through a gap in the ridge just before Namche.
Namche Bazaar (3,440m) is the Sherpa capital of the Khumbu. It’s the largest town on the route with ATMs, cafes, gear shops, and even a bakery. It’s also the social heart of Nepal trekking in the Everest region. Stock up on supplies, exchange currency, and rest.
Acclimatisation is not optional on the Lukla to Everest Base Camp route — it’s the reason most trekkers succeed. The golden rule of altitude is: climb high, sleep low. On this rest day, most trekkers hike up to Syangboche (3,748m) or the famous Everest View Hotel (3,880m) for their first prolonged sighting of Everest before returning to Namche to sleep. This process triggers the body to produce more red blood cells, improving oxygen absorption at altitude.
After trekking through Gorakshep (5,164m), the last teahouse settlement on the route, the trail becomes a rough walk across the Khumbu Glacier moraine. Boulders, glacial rubble, and thin air mark every step. Everest Base Camp at 5,364m is not a mountain viewpoint — it’s a glacier camp. During spring climbing season (April–May), the camp is alive with colourful expedition tents from teams across the world. The Khumbu Icefall roars and cracks in the background.
The Lukla to Everest Base Camp trail passes through some of the most culturally and scenically significant settlements in the Himalayas. Each village is a world unto itself:
Every Nepal trekking guide will tell you acclimatisation is the key to the Everest Base Camp trek, but very few explain why. At 5,000+ metres, the air contains roughly 50% of the oxygen available at sea level. Your body responds to this hypoxic environment by producing more erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, but this process takes 48 to 72 hours per altitude band.
The Lukla to Everest Base Camp itinerary is engineered around two mandatory acclimatisation windows: one at Namche Bazaar (3,440m) and one at Dingboche (4,360m). Skipping either dramatically increases your risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), or in severe cases, High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE), both life-threatening conditions.
Watch for these AMS warning signs and descend immediately if more than one appears:
The classic Lukla to Everest Base Camp and back is not your only option. Nepal trekking in the Khumbu region offers several compelling variations depending on your time, fitness, and ambition:
Nepal trekking in the Everest region is best in two windows. Spring (March to May) offers stable weather, rhododendron forests in full bloom, and the highest likelihood of clear Everest views, though the trail is busy with summit expedition teams. Autumn (October to November) delivers crystal-clear post-monsoon skies, rich colours, and excellent visibility. Winter trekking (December to February) is possible for experienced trekkers but brings extreme cold above 4,000m. The monsoon season (June to September) is generally not recommended due to cloud cover, leeches, and slippery trails.
Hiring a licensed local guide is strongly recommended for the Lukla to Everest Base Camp trek. A good guide navigates altitude challenges, provides cultural context at every Sherpa village and monastery, and can make life-saving decisions in an emergency. Porters typically carry 20–25 kg and represent an important source of employment in the local economy. Hiring through a registered Nepal trekking agency ensures guides and porters receive fair wages and proper insurance coverage.
Packing right can make or break your Nepal trekking experience. You don’t need expedition-level gear for EBC, but the Khumbu at 5,000m is unforgiving. Here’s what you must not leave behind:
The trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is not just a walk to a landmark, it’s a profound journey through one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes. From the moment you land at Lukla Chaurikharka, Nepal and feel that first sharp breath of mountain air, to the moment you stand on the moraine at 5,364 metres with the Khumbu Icefall groaning beside you, every step of this Nepal trekking classic earns its reputation.
At approximately 130 km round trip, completed over 12 to 14 days, the Lukla to Everest Base Camp route is demanding, but it is one of the most accessible high-altitude treks in the world when approached with proper preparation, a well-paced itinerary, and respect for the mountain environment. The Sherpa culture, the monasteries, the teahouse hospitality, and the sheer scale of the Himalayas will stay with you long after you’ve returned to sea level.
