By Most trekkers reach Everest Base Camp on the classic route from Lukla, but it is not the only way. Longer routes cross the high passes, loop through the Gokyo lakes, or begin with a walk from Jiri or Tumlingtar, trading the busiest trail for quieter valleys. This guide compares each alternative route, with days, high points and difficulty, so you can match one to your time and fitness.
The short answer
- Classic route: Lukla to Namche, Dingboche, Lobuche and Gorak Shep, in 14 days.
- Gokyo loop: 17 days, adding the Gokyo lakes through Cho La.
- Three Passes: 20 days, crossing Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, the hardest and most complete option.
- Jiri start: 22 days, with a long walk-in from the foothills.
- Gokyo and Renjo La alone: 14 days, and it does not go to Base Camp.
Last checked: 26 October 2026. Lukla flights currently leave from and return to Ramechhap, so check the arrangement for your dates.
The classic trail near Pheriche, where the valley meets the route from Dingboche.
In this guide: Routes compared | Classic | Three Passes | Gokyo with Base Camp | Gokyo and Renjo La | Jiri | Tumlingtar | How to choose | FAQ
Everest Base Camp routes compared
| Route | Days | Starts from | High point | Goes to Base Camp | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic via Namche and Dingboche | 14 | Lukla (via Ramechhap) | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m | Yes | Strenuous |
| Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes via Cho La | 17 | Lukla (via Ramechhap) | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m, and Cho La | Yes | Strenuous |
| Three Passes and Base Camp | 20 | Lukla (via Ramechhap) | Kongma La, 5,535 m, and Kala Patthar, 5,545 m | Yes | Very strenuous |
| Gokyo and Renjo La | 14 | Lukla (via Ramechhap) | Renjo La, 5,360 m, and Gokyo Ri, 5,357 m | No | Strenuous |
| Jiri to Base Camp | 22 | Jiri, by road | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m | Yes | Strenuous, with a long foothill walk |
| Tumlingtar to Base Camp | About 8 to 9 days more than the classic | Tumlingtar, by air | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m | Yes | Strenuous, remote |
Pass heights are approximate.
The classic route: Lukla to Gorak Shep
| Days | 14, with 9 walking days |
| Route | Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Deboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep |
| Rest days | Namche Bazaar and Dingboche |
| High point | Kala Patthar, 5,545 m |
This is the benchmark. After a short flight from Ramechhap to Lukla, the trail follows the Dudh Koshi to Namche Bazaar, climbs to Deboche for the first close views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, and goes on to Dingboche and Lobuche before Gorak Shep, Base Camp and Kala Patthar. It has the best infrastructure on the mountain, with the most lodges, and it is the busiest in the autumn and spring seasons. Read the full 14-day itinerary or the first-timer’s guide.
Three Passes and Everest Base Camp
Makalu comes into view from the high passes of the Khumbu.
| Days | 20 |
| Passes | Kongma La 5,535 m, Cho La about 5,400 m, Renjo La 5,360 m |
| Peaks in view | Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse, Everest, Ama Dablam, Cholatse, Pokalde and Nuptse |
| Difficulty | Very strenuous |
This is the most complete route in the Khumbu. It runs counter to the classic route, from Dingboche to Chhukung and over Kongma La to Lobuche, then to Base Camp and Kala Patthar, over Cho La to Gokyo, and finally over Renjo La to Thame and back to Namche. That makes three high passes, the Gokyo lakes and Base Camp in a single trek. The three crossings are long days of 7 to 9 hours, each starting early, so it suits fit trekkers with a flexible schedule. Read the Three Passes trek and the Base Camp vs Gokyo vs Three Passes guide.
Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes
| Days | 17 |
| Pass | Cho La, about 5,400 m |
| Route | Base Camp, then Dzongla, Thaknak, Gokyo, Machhermo and Namche |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
This is the middle option. It follows the classic route to Base Camp and Kala Patthar, then crosses Cho La to Thaknak and Gokyo, climbs Gokyo Ri at 5,357 m, and drops down the Gokyo valley to Namche. You get Base Camp, one pass and the lakes in 17 days, and avoid Kongma La and Renjo La. Read the Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek and the Base Camp vs Gokyo comparison.
Gokyo and Renjo La
Sunset from Gokyo Ri, above the lakes.
| Days | 14 |
| Pass | Renjo La, 5,360 m |
| Route | Namche, Dole, Machhermo, Gokyo, Renjo La, Thame, Namche |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
This route is an alternative to Base Camp, not a way to reach it. It leaves the classic trail at Namche, climbs through Dole and Machhermo to Gokyo, spends a rest day by the lakes, and crosses Renjo La to Thame. The view from Gokyo Ri takes in Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu, and the trail is much quieter than the main one. Read the Gokyo and Renjo La trek, the Renjo La guide and the Gokyo Ri guide.
Jiri to Everest Base Camp
Prayer flags on the high Khumbu passes.
| Days | 22 |
| Start | Local bus from Kathmandu to Jiri, then on foot to Lukla |
| Route | Jiri, Bhandar, Sete, Lamjura Pass, Junbesi, Nunthala, Bupsa, Lukla |
| Difficulty | Strenuous, with many ridge climbs |
This is the original approach, before the Lukla airstrip. The trail climbs and drops across several ridges for about 8 days before Lukla, with simple lodges and little traffic. The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) says the walk through Solu adds roughly 10 days to reach Namche Bazaar, and recommends 10 to 12 days from Jiri to Khumbu for acclimatisation. The slow rise means you reach Namche well adapted, and many trekkers say the foothill section is the harder part. It avoids the Lukla flight on the way in, though the flight out remains. Read the Jiri trek.
Tumlingtar to Everest Base Camp
A signpost on the footpath toward Everest Base Camp.
| Extra time | About 8 to 9 days more than the classic route |
| Start | Flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, then on foot |
| Character | Remote, with very basic lodges and warm lower valleys |
Tumlingtar sits near the foot of the Himalaya and is also the start of the Makalu base camp trek. From there a rarely used trail crosses many valleys and ridges to join the Lukla route. It is the quietest of all the approaches, with the most basic lodges, and the long climb is a good way to get fit and acclimatise before Base Camp. It is not a standard package, so ask the team for a custom plan and a current trail check.
The three passes at a glance
| Pass | Height | Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kongma La | 5,535 m | Chhukung to Lobuche | Views of Cholatse, Pokalde, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu and Ama Dablam |
| Cho La | About 5,400 m | Dzongla to Thaknak | Joins the Base Camp valley to the Gokyo valley |
| Renjo La | 5,360 m | Gokyo to Lungden and Thame | Views of Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse and Everest |
The Cho La guide covers the middle crossing in detail.
How to choose your route
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The shortest trek and the best services | Classic route, 14 days | Most lodges and the simplest schedule |
| Base Camp plus the lakes | Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes, 17 days | One pass and the lakes |
| Everything in one trek | Three Passes, 20 days | Three passes, Base Camp and Gokyo |
| Quiet trails and Everest views, no Base Camp | Gokyo and Renjo La, 14 days | Fewer trekkers and fine views |
| A gradual walk-in and extra acclimatisation | Jiri start, 22 days | Slow rise from the foothills |
| The remotest approach | Tumlingtar start | Custom trek with basic lodges |
Permits and season
The package includes the permits. NTB lists Sagarmatha National Park entry at NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals, with children under 10 free, and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local permit of US$20 per person per week. Fees can change, and the team confirms them at booking. The main seasons are March to May and September to November, and the high passes are best done in dry, stable weather, with fresh snow making them harder. Passes need a flexible schedule, and insurance must cover helicopter evacuation. See the best time guide and the insurance guide.
FAQ
Is there more than one route to Everest Base Camp? Yes. Besides the classic route from Lukla, trekkers can add the Gokyo lakes, cross three passes, or start from Jiri or Tumlingtar.
Which is the best alternative route? The Three Passes trek is the most complete, and Base Camp with the Gokyo lakes is the best balance of time and reward.
How many days is the Three Passes trek? 20 days, with three high passes.
Does the Gokyo trek go to Everest Base Camp? The Gokyo and Renjo La trek does not. The 17-day Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes trek does.
How high are the three passes? Kongma La is 5,535 m, Cho La is about 5,400 m, and Renjo La is 5,360 m.
How long is the Jiri trek? 22 days in the schedule, with about 8 days of walking before Lukla.
Is the Jiri route harder? The altitude is lower, but the ridges are repeated climbs and drops, and many trekkers find that part harder than the upper valley.
Where do the Lukla flights leave from? Currently from Ramechhap, a 5 to 6 hour drive from Kathmandu. See Lukla vs Ramechhap.
Which route is the quietest? Tumlingtar and Jiri see the fewest trekkers, followed by Gokyo and Renjo La.
Can beginners do the passes? They are for fit trekkers with some high-altitude experience, and the crossing days last 7 to 9 hours. First-timers do better on the classic route.
When is the best time? March to May and September to November.
Can I mix routes? Yes. Many trekkers go in by the classic route and come out by Gokyo, or the reverse. Ask the team for a custom plan.
Plan your route
For dates and a quote, see the 14-day Everest Base Camp trek, the Three Passes trek, or message the team on WhatsApp or phone at +91 932 595 1234 (9 am to 7 pm IST), write to info@basecamphikes.com, or use the enquiry form.
Sources
- Nepal Tourism Board: Everest
- Nepal Tourism Board: park entry fees
- Nepal Tourism Board: safety in the mountains
