Everest Base Camp Trek by Road: 17 Days

Trip Introduction: Everest Base Camp Trek by Road 2024/2025

Let's drive to Kharikhola instead of flying towards Lukla. Are you annoyed after repeatedly listening that the flights to Lukla are canceled due to this and that? Then you have come to the right place. We present a package that includes driving from Kathmandu to Kharikhola, trekking to Payain, taking the route towards Phakding, and returning to Kharikhola.

Everest base camp trekking via road ensures your days are not wasted due to flight cancellations and other factors like bad weather or not getting the chance to be on the first flight. The Everest trek by road is operated through out all the seasons, from October 10 to December and January to May.

On this trek, we will pass through Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and finally reach Everest Base Camp. This is the closest we get to Mt. Everest without mountaineering equipment. There is an optional hike to Kala Patthar, the trek's highest point. And then a downward trek to Jubing. Followed by a long ride back to Kathmandu.

NOTE: The road from Salleri to Jubing needs to be paved and is affected by the monsoon rain and sometimes it becomes impossible to drive vehicles during heavy rains.

Where does the Everest Base Camp by Road Begin and End?

The trip begins with a drive towards Kharikhola from Kathmandu, which will take around 12–14 hours in a private vehicle, a well-maintained jeep. After reaching Kharikhola, we trek towards Paiyann, where we will spend the night. The next day, we go towards Phakding and catch the trekking trail to Everest Base Camp, which takes us through Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche Gorakhep, and finally to the base camp and a morning hike towards Kalapatthar and then Pheriche and Namche.

After reaching Phakding, we will have the option of either going towards Lukla or going towards Paiyaan, or driving out of Kharikhola.

NOTE: While returning, we can fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu or Manthali, depending on where the flights are happening. A flight will save you two days of valuable time in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp Trek by Road Altitude and Distance Coverage

Why drive towards Kharikhola and trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest?

Well, the reason is obvious: in the peak trekking season, there are a lot of issues, from weather to flights not being on time due to air traffic to not having a chance to be on the first three flights and many other problems like that. Even though it's a good alternative to helicopter fly-in and fly-out, which will be expensive, this trip is a budget-friendly trek to Everest Base Camp, a good option for all trekkers and travelers traveling on a budget.

What is the Best Season to drive towards Khaikhola and trek to Everest Base Camp?

Autumn, spring, and winter are the best periods to drive toward the Khumbu Region and trek to the Everest Region. Try to avoid the monsoon season. Except for that, a season would be fine.

During spring and autumn, the weather is clear, with good views in the morning and day. During these times, the tea house lodges are open, including the shops along the way, making services and facilities available and providing a hassle-free experience.

Local Culture and Religion are seen along the Trekking trail of the Everest Region

It's common to see the sherpa's yaks, mules, beautiful landscapes, and awe-inspiring tall mountains. For some, this may be a new experience, but it's an everyday thing for the people residing in Everest. Trekkers and travelers can witness sherpas cooking potatoes and even grazing the animals. A lot of mani walls can be seen along the way. That's why we suggest walking to the left, as it shows a kind gesture to the religion.

Get ready to live in the basic way, which would remind you of how the world used to be. For some fellow travelers and trekkers, it can also be a drastic change, but this is how the lifestyle in the Everest Region is, so get ready to feel it.

Before communicating with the locals, ask the guide about the dos and don'ts of the region and try to respect the religion and culture since everyone has their perspective.

What Foods are Available along the Trekking trail to Everest Base Camp?

There are a lot of varieties to choose from along the trekking trail, from vegetarian to non-vegetarian to steaks, spaghetti, chowmein, momo, spring roll pudding, and a lot more. You only need to look at the menu and tell the guide you want this.

Trekking planner Nepal recommends avoiding meat during the trek as meats are not fresh, and even during the cold climate, digesting meat is a little harder than digesting veggies at higher elevations and in colder temperatures. Due to the lack of freshness, it is also completely the traveler's and trekkers' choice for what they want to eat.

Accommodation Facilities at the Trekking Trail of Everest

Various accommodation facilities are available, like tea houses, lodges, camping, and tents. And a variety of rooms to select from, including private bathrooms, electric blankets, or double or triple-sharing rooms.

For better accommodation and room facilities, it is better to always book the rooms and accommodations in advance to avoid the crowd and secure the booking in time.

Let the Trekking Planner Nepal know in advance about the requirements will be a plus.

Altitude Sickness during the Trek to the Everest Base Camp

As we will travel to the Everest Base Camp by driving towards Kharikhola, this is one of the best steps as we get extra acclimatized for the trek. It increases the adaptation to the altitude and cold temperature and even helps to acclimatize properly.

But going from Jeep by extending the days will reduce the chances of altitude sickness. Stay honest with the guide about your physical and mental conditions; the focus will be checking your oxygen levels along the trail twice daily.

Some Symptoms of altitude sickness(AMS) are:

• Nausea/vomiting/headache.
• Too much gasping and running out of breath.
• Feeling tired and sleepy.
• Loss of appetite and loss of the taste of foods.
• Sudden changes in the physical conditions of the body.

Is travel Insurance Required for Trekking in the Everest Region?

Yes, travel insurance is required, but it is not mandatory, as you will be asked to show your travel insurance.

A place to place, but is rather for the safety of the passengers, for rescue and evacuation, for unforeseen circumstances, for the protection of baggage, and other events in the case.

Having travel insurance is good for safety and coverage of all unforeseen circumstances, as sometimes medication and evacuation are required in cases of altitude sickness or other medical conditions, which are very expensive, and having insurance insures the trekkers and travelers that at least they are insured, which provides a different level of motivation and security.

What are the Documents and Permits Required to trek in the Everest Region?

The documents required for trekking and entering the Everest Region for trekkers and travelers are the Khumbhu Rural Municipality Permit Fee and the Sagarmatha National Park fee. There are a lot of trekkers and travelers in line when making the permits, and local help is required for it. Trekking planner Nepal representatives ensure your trip is hassle-free and assist in making the permits and everything in time.

Why Trekking Planner Nepal for this trip?

Trekking Planner Nepal ensures that your trip is successful and that the privacy and security of all our clients are safe and secure. Trekking Planners only charge what they should. We always want to make things easy for our clients and guests. We prepare packages and don't charge anything extra except the excluded cost. Trekking Planner Nepal runs all-inclusive packages, which means there will be no hidden costs except for the additional service our trekkers and clients pick, and this is what has made us the best trekking and travel agencies in Nepal.

Outline Itinerary for trekking to everest base camp via road

Day 1:Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport and check in to the hotel.

Day 2:Drive to Kharikhola from Kathmandu by private vehicle for 12 to 14 hours.

Day 3:Trek to Paiyaan from Kharikhola(5 to 6 hours).

Day 4:Trek to Phakding from Paiyaan (6 -7 hours of walk).

Day 5:Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440m/11286 ft) from Phakding (2610 meters/8562 ft: 5 to 6 hours).

Day 6:Acclimatization Day at Namche Bazaar Hike to Hotel Everest View (3,880 m/12729 ft) and back.

Day 7:Trek to Tengboche (3,860 m/12664 ft) from Namche Bazaar (5 to 6 hours).

Day 8:Trek to Dingboche (4,910 m/16108 ft) from Tengboche (5 to 6 hours).

Day 9:Acclimatization Day at Dingboche Hike to Nangkartshang Peak (5,083 m/16676.51 ft) and back for 4 to 5 hours.

Day 10:Trek to Lobuche (4,910 m/16108 ft) from Dingboche (5 to 6 hours).

Day 11:Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17598 ft) from Lobuche and then back to Gorak Shep (5,164 m)(8 to 9 hours). 

Day 12:Early morning hike to Kala Patthar (5,555 m/18225 ft) and descend to Pheriche (4,240 m/13910 ft) for 7 to 8 hours. 

Day 13:Trek to Namche Bazaar (3,440 m/11286 ft) from Pheriche (6 to 7 hours).

Day 14:Trek to Lukla via Phakding from Namche Bazaar (6 to 7 hours).

Day 15:Trek back to Kharikhola from Lukla (6 to 7 hours).

Day 16:Drive to Kathmandu from Kharikhola by private tourist vehicle for 12 to 14 hours.

Day 17:Transfer to the Tribhuvan International Airport for Your Final Departure.