Ten days is the shortest walk-in, walk-out schedule that many guides will run, and it works for people who adapt well. The trade-off is simple: one rest day instead of two. This page shows the nights where the plan is tightest and what you can do about it.
Sleeping altitudes night by night
Altitudes and walking times on this page are approximate and differ a little between maps, GPS devices and lodges. Treat them as planning figures, not survey data.
- Phakding, about 2,610 m.
- Namche, about 3,440 m (two nights).
- Tengboche, about 3,860 m (+420 m).
- Dingboche, about 4,410 m (+550 m).
- Lobuche, about 4,910 m (+500 m).
- Gorak Shep, about 5,164 m (+254 m).
- Pheriche, about 4,371 m on the way down.
The tight spots
Dingboche to Lobuche is the pinch point: you move up 500 m with no rest after the previous 550 m. Gorak Shep adds more height at an altitude where sleep is poor for most people. Plan to feel tired and to eat and drink well.
Rules of thumb
- Above about 3,000 m, raise your sleeping height by no more than about 500 m a day.
- Take a rest day every three to four days of climbing.
- Climb high, sleep low where you can.
- If symptoms appear, do not go up. Rest, or descend.
Read our altitude sickness guide and what to do step by step.
Who handles it best
People who have slept above 3,500 m recently, trekkers who walk slowly and steadily, and those who stay hydrated. Age and gym fitness are poor predictors.
Making it safer
- Add one rest day at Dingboche if you can.
- Or split Dingboche to Gorak Shep into Lobuche, then a short walk the next morning.
- Tell your guide about every headache or bad night.
- Keep a spare day at the end.
A sensible way to use the single rest day
Do the Namche rest day properly. Hike up to the Everest View area or Khumjung, spend an hour at height, then come back down to sleep. Do not turn it into a long hike. The day has to leave you rested, not tired.
What to watch on the second half
- Resting heart rate that stays high on waking.
- Needing to stop every few steps on gentle ground.
- A cough that is wet or gets worse at night.
- Not passing urine for many hours despite drinking.
Common questions
Where is the 10-day plan hardest?
From Dingboche to Lobuche to Gorak Shep, where you gain height on consecutive days with no rest.
Can I add a rest day on the trail?
Yes. Your guide can add it at Dingboche or Lobuche. Tell us in advance so flights and lodges fit.
Is it safe for beginners?
We recommend a 12-day plan for first-time high-altitude trekkers.
