Lukla to Base Camp is a journey to reach the top of the world. It is the most famous trail that is visited by tourists and travelers to reach the base camp of the highest peak in the world, Everest (8848m). The trip is flooded with many landmarks and famous destinations, popular among travelers.
Lukla to base camp is an adventure around the beautiful snow peak mountains, Tibetan monasteries, Sherpa Villages, and icy glaciers. The trip to the base camp of Sagarmatha is nature's heaven, and it all starts in the village of Lukla.
Lukla is known for being the starting point for the trekking journey of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (The first climbers) to reach the top of Mt Everest. Lukla to Base Camp follows the way they took, to reach the summit. The base camp journey starts from the famous Tenzing Hillary Airport (2860m) in Khumbu, located in the Solukhumbu District. Known as one of the most adventurous flight destinations, the Lukla Airport is crowded with travelers and explorers to reach the base camp.
Lukla to base camp distance by fly and trek
Lukla to Base camp by chopper flight is the fastest or easiest way to get to the base camp of Everest. It takes about 25 minutes to 30 minutes by Heli flight to base camp. It takes around 9 days to reach base camp by uphill trekking with 2 days of acclimatization on the way. With various options, the Lukla to base camp helicopter ride is much more effective than trekking from Lukla.
Trekking to base camp from Lukla
The trekking journey is long and feels heavy both mentally and physically. The heavy atmosphere is something that makes the trekking part of Lukla to Base Camp difficult but adventurous. However !! worry not, as that is only one of the ways to get to the base camp.
The Base Camp
The Base Camp is at an altitude of 5400m which holds Everest (8848), the top of the world. The base camp holds The Everest (8848m). The place is covered with snow-capped peaks and glaciers and is covered with snow. Flooded by trekkers and climbers it is known as the top travel destination in the World. The base camp is the way that Sir, Tenzing Norgay, and Sir, Edmund Hillary took when they summited the top of the world (Everest) for the first time. With stunning views of Khumbutse(6640m), Pumori(7145m), and Mt Everest(8848m) the base camp is nature’s heaven.
Must-know facts about the basecamp
The base camp is divided into different zones where it divides itself for trekkers and climbers. The climbers rest in the area to prepare themself to climb the summit of Everest whereas the area for trekkers is a viewpoint that has an up-close view of Everest.
The trekking zone has no facilities for night accommodation. So, it is a general practice to leave the luggage at Gorak Shep and then head for a short hike to base camp for sightseeing. The hiking time to reach the base camp from Gorek Shep is 3 hours.
However, due to different circumstances, the base camp point for trekking may differ throughout the year. You have to get back for the Night stay at Gorak Shep after you finish your sightseeing adventure in the base camp.
What can you expect from an uphill Trek from Lukla to Base Camp?
The uphill battle from Lukla to Base Camp is one to take into consideration. The altitude difference takes a lot out of the body. So, before you begin your journey to the base camp you have to familiarize yourself with the trails. So let us carefully take a look at them.
- Lukla: Lukla is the starting point for every adventure to the base camp. Filled with a variety of shops and restaurants, the place is perfect for the start of your journey. The altitude of Lukla is 2800m
- Phakding: The start of your journey from Lukla takes you to the next village of Phakding. Known for its guest houses and local people it is filled with tourists and travelers which is a perfect spot for you to familiarize yourself with the local people of the region. The altitude increases to 2500m
- Namche Bazar: Namche Bazar is the first acclimatization spot on your adventure to the base camp. After Lukla, it is the best spot for shopping and eating in restaurants. The place has a great view of Everest and the surrounding mountains. It is an ideal location to stabilize your body at a high altitude. The altitude in Namche increased to 3400m
- Shyangboche (Khumjung): Shyangboche village has great views of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding mountain forests. Filled with natural habitat for wildlife, the place also holds an airport that can be reached easily via chopper. The altitude here rests at 3760m
- Tengboche (Monastery): Tengboche is one of the most famous tourist attractions on the journey to the base camp. It holds the famous Tengboche Monastery which is famous throughout the world for its Tibetan Buddhist values. You can explore the cultural and religious values of Buddhist and Tibetan people here. Visit in October and you're in luck. Every October they hold a Mani Ramdu Festival which can be joined by travelers and enjoyed along with the local people. The altitude here is 3867m.
- Pangboche: A famous Sherpa village is known for being the base camp for traveling to Ama Dablam. It holds famous monasteries famed for holding a Yeti Scalp. Explore the religious environment in Pangboche at an altitude of 3958m.
- Pheriche: Pheriche is a resting zone for trekkers and travelers while you climb your way up to the base camp. It rests at 4240m which is a great place to look at the valleys of the mountain.
- Lobuche: The resting spot chosen by every porter and sherpa guide while traveling to the base camp is an ideal place for a supply filling. So place to stop by. It lies at an altitude of 4930m.
- Gorak Shep: The village that lies in the Sagarmatha National Park and is the only place that has a lakebed covered with sand. It is known as the homeland of the Sherpa people. It is a great place to explore the traditions and cultures of the Sherpa people. Flora and fauna are flourished here so it is a great place to explore nature in Gorak Shep. It lies at an altitude of 5160m. It is a final resting zone before the long way up to the base camp.
- Base Camp: The base camp of Everest is the destination of this uphill battle which lies at an altitude of 5400m. The end of your journey and a look at the famous Everest and the surrounding mountains. All of the hard work you put in the uphill climb feels satisfying after you reach the base camp.
The uphill trekking journey to the base camp takes you 10 days with acclimatization and heavy walking.
Kathmandu to base camp distance, the shortest way to reach.
Kathmandu to base camp chopper tour is a luxury for travelers to visit the base camp at the top of the world. It takes almost 80 to 90 minutes one way to reach the base camp from Kathmandu via Heli. The base camp is a destination that is flooded by travelers and trekkers throughout the year. It is easy to access to base camp.
For more detailed information about this chopper tour, you can check over the link mentioned as follows: Mount Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tours
Monthly climate and weather in Lukla and Everest base camp
The best season to travel to Everest base camp and overall Everest Region is the only way to know when you will have a superlative view of the landscape. Knowing about the monthly climate and weather in Lukla and Everest base camp will help a lot in deciding your way of the trip, whether it can be a trek or flight tour.
| Months | Lukla | Everest Base Camp |
| January | Cold and Dry | Colder and freezing |
| February | Dry | Moderate |
| March | Moderate | Moderate and occasional snowfall |
| April | Hot and windy | Moderate |
| May | Hot | Moderate |
| June | Hot and rainy hotshot | Hot but rainy |
| July | Hot and high amounts of rain | Hotter but rainy |
| August | Hot and rain moderate | Moderate and wet |
| September | Hot and few amounts of rainout | Hot and few amounts of rain |
| October | Moderate | Moderate |
| November | Cold and Dry | Starting of cold |
| December | Cold and Dry | Colder and freezing |
Why not go for a trekking journey around the base camp?
You have great options if you choose to travel from Lukla to Base Camp. One such is trekking adventures. Trek from Lukla varies according to the popular end destinations. Some of the main trekking journeys end at Gokyo Lake(4750m) and some at Chhukung (4970m) while the most famous option remains, the trek to the base camp at 5400m.
Famous Major Attractions while you trekking to the base camp include:
- Phakding village (2500m)
- Namche Bazar (3400m)
- Shyangboche (3760m)
- Tengboche and Tengboche Monastery (3867m)
- Pangboche (3958m)
- Dingboche (4350m)
- Pheriche (4240m)
- Lobuche (4930m)
- Gorak Shep (5160m)
- Mt Cholatse (6440m)
- Kala Patar (5545m)
- Phortse Drengka (3675m)
- Dhole (4040m)
- Machherma (4410m)
- Gokyo Lake (4750m)
- Gokyo Peak (5483m)
- Chukkum (4970m)
- High Camp (5700m)
- Island peak (Imja Tse, 6165m)
- Mt Nuptse (7873m) and Mt Lhotse (8516m)
- Mt Kangtega (6885m) and Mt Ama Dablam (6856m)
- Khumbi La (5716m)
- Lobuche peak (6119m) and Kala Patar (5545m)
- Pumori (7145m) and Khumbutse (6640m) and finally
- Mt Everest (8848m)
All of these are the most talked-about destinations around the base camp. There are many trails that you will have to walk if you wish to visit these landmarks. Some trekking trails from Lukla to Base Camp include:
- Khumjung (3790m)
- Phunki Drengka (3250m)
- Mingbo (4530m)
- Pareshaya Gyab (4970m)
- Luza (4370m)
- Cho La Pass (5420m)
- Katnassa (4340m)
- Dughla (4620m)
What is waiting on the downhill journey from base camp to Lukla?
After a successful base camp trip, the only thing you will have to worry about is how to get back. Since downhill trekking is simpler than uphill, you can cover the 9-10 days of an uphill battle in just 3 days of downhill.
The uphill walk will have already exhausted your body so we recommend you have a slow pace as you walk back to Lukla. The 3 days of a walk along the rocky trails of the mountain valleys or a comfortable and easy pickup by flight back to Lukla. Choose what fits best for you. Enjoy the views of Kala Pathar(5545m), Everest(8848), Cholatse(6440m), Ama Dablam (6856m), Kangtega (6885m), Lobuche Peak (6119m), etc if you choose the helicopter.
