Trekking Partners NepalEverest Base Camp Trek
Fly to Lukla and follow the Khumbu valley through Namche Bazaar and Tengboche to Everest Base Camp and the Kala Patthar viewpoint.
- Duration12–14 days
- Highest point5,545 m (Kala Patthar)
- DifficultyChallenging
- Best seasonMar–May, Oct–Nov
Trekkers looking for partners
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Post a tripWho the Everest Base Camp trek suits
EBC is the trek most people dream about: Lukla's mountain airstrip, Sherpa villages and monasteries, Namche Bazaar, and the walk up the Khumbu to base camp and the Kala Patthar viewpoint at 5,545 m.
The walking itself isn't technical, and the daily distances are modest. What makes it challenging is altitude. You'll sleep above 4,900 m for several nights, and how your body copes matters far more than your fitness. Anyone in good health who follows a sensible acclimatisation plan, with rest days in Namche and Dingboche, has a good chance. Trekkers who rush are the ones who turn back.
Do you need a guide or permit?
No guide is required for EBC in 2026, and no TIMS card. You need the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit, paid at Monjo, plus a local municipality fee paid at Lukla. You can arrange both yourself on the way. See the 2026 guide and permit rules.
The main trail is very busy and easy to follow. A guide or a partner earns their keep above Dingboche, where altitude sickness becomes a real risk and decisions about turning back matter.
Best months, and when it's easiest to find a partner
October–November and late March–May are the main seasons, with the most stable weather and plenty of trekkers. Finding a partner is easy then. December–January is clear but very cold at the top, and lodges in the higher villages can close. During the monsoon, cloud and cancelled Lukla flights are common.
Lukla flights get delayed by weather in every season, so build in a spare day or two at the end. That's also something partners need to agree on before booking flights.
Doing EBC with a partner
- Where to meet: Kathmandu's Thamel, before you fly. Book your Lukla flights together so you're on the same plane, and agree in advance what you'll do if the flight is delayed.
- What to share: twin rooms in the teahouses, a guide or porter, and a satellite messenger if you carry one.
- Where you can split up: above Lobuche, one of you might want Kala Patthar at sunrise while the other rests. Further down, faster trekkers can head over the Cho La to Gokyo.
- The one rule: if either of you shows signs of altitude sickness, you both go down. Agree on this before you leave Lukla. Read our partner safety checklist.
Trek Everest Base Camp with a local guide
A licensed guide isn't mandatory on Everest Base Camp, and the rule isn't enforced on most of Nepal's trails, but we still recommend trekking with a local guide.
An experienced guide isn't only there to show you the way. They know the families who run the teahouses and homestays, explain the villages, monasteries, festivals and food you'd otherwise walk straight past, help you talk with local people, watch for altitude sickness and changing weather, and handle rooms, permits and transport so you can simply enjoy the walk. Many trekkers say their guide was the best part of the trip.
Discover Parbat is a licensed local trekking company from Parbat, near Pokhara, with experienced guides who know these trails and the people along them. Trekking with a partner? Share one guide and split the cost.
Everest Base Camp: frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide for Everest Base Camp in 2026?
No. A guide is not mandatory on the Everest Base Camp trail. You need the Sagarmatha National Park permit and the local municipality fee, which you can arrange yourself. TIMS is not required.
How hard is the Everest Base Camp trek?
The walking is not technical, but you sleep above 4,900 m for several nights, so altitude is the real challenge. Follow an acclimatisation plan with rest days in Namche and Dingboche.
What is the best month for Everest Base Camp?
October and November are the most popular, followed by late March to May. Both offer stable weather and many trekkers to team up with.
Can I trek EBC solo?
Yes, legally and practically. In season the trail is busy. A partner or guide is a good idea above Dingboche, where altitude sickness becomes more likely.
Heading to Everest Base Camp? Post your dates and find someone to trek with. It's free.
Questions about Everest Base Camp
Trail conditions, permits and gear, answered by trekkers who were just there and our local team.
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Gokyo Lakes
A quieter alternative to EBC: turquoise glacial lakes, the Ngozumpa glacier and the view of four 8,000 m peaks from Gokyo Ri.
Everest Three Passes
The full Khumbu loop over Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La, linking Everest Base Camp and Gokyo. For fit, acclimatised trekkers.
Everest View
The short taste of the Khumbu: fly to Lukla, walk via Phakding to Namche Bazaar and climb to Hotel Everest View for a close look at Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam, then return the same way.