How Far Is Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu?

If you’re planning an Everest Base Camp trek, this question shows up almost immediately.

How far is Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu?

And the annoying part is that the answer depends on what you mean by “far”. Straight line on a map? Road distance? Trekking distance? Days? Hours? Oxygen levels and how many times you stop to catch your breath?

So let’s do it properly. I’ll break it down in plain numbers, then translate those numbers into what your body actually feels on the trail.

The quick answer

Everest Base Camp (EBC) is roughly 160 to 175 km (100 to 110 miles) from Kathmandu as the crow flies.

But you can’t walk straight over the mountains, obviously.

In real travel terms, most trekkers will do this:

1. Kathmandu to Lukla by flight (or drive to another airstrip in bad weather seasons, then fly)
2. Lukla to Everest Base Camp on foot

So the “distance” becomes a combo of flight distance plus trekking distance.

Here are the numbers people actually care about:

• Kathmandu to Lukla flight distance: about 138 km (86 miles)
• Trek distance (Lukla to EBC one way): about 65 km (40 miles)
• Round trip trekking distance (Lukla to EBC and back to Lukla): about 130 km (80 miles)

And in time:

• Typical trek duration (including acclimatization): 12 to 14 days total for EBC (starting and ending in Lukla), plus your Kathmandu days.

That’s the practical version. Now let’s unpack it so you can actually plan.

Distance from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp (straight line)

If you measure Kathmandu to EBC on a map in a straight line, it lands around:

• 160 to 175 km (varies slightly based on the exact point you measure in Kathmandu and the EBC area reference)

This number is kind of useless for logistics, but it’s helpful for perspective. It’s not far in the way a cross country road trip is far. It’s far because the terrain is vertical, the air is thin, and the trail is slow.

The real route: Kathmandu to Lukla to EBC

1) Kathmandu to Lukla (by air)

Most Everest Base Camp treks start with a flight to Lukla (Tenzing Hillary Airport).

• Distance: around 138 km
• Flight time: usually 30 to 40 minutes

In peak trekking seasons, flights may operate from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) instead of Kathmandu due to congestion. That adds a road transfer first.

If you fly from Ramechhap:

• Kathmandu to Ramechhap drive: around 4 to 6+ hours (traffic and road condition dependent, it can be longer)
• Ramechhap to Lukla flight: similar flight time, roughly 20 to 30 minutes

So when someone asks “how far is EBC from Kathmandu,” a lot of the hidden “distance” is actually this airport shuffle and weather waiting.

2) Lukla to Everest Base Camp (trekking distance)

From Lukla, the trail winds through the Khumbu valley. It’s not a straight ramp to Base Camp. You go down, up, down again, cross rivers, climb stone steps that never end, and slowly gain altitude day by day.

• One way Lukla to EBC: about 65 km
• Round trip (back to Lukla): about 130 km

If you add side trips (which most people do, like viewpoints, monasteries, or extra acclimatization hikes), the total walking distance often ends up a bit higher. It’s normal.

“How far” in days? The itinerary most people follow

Distance is one thing, but in the Everest region, the itinerary matters more because of acclimatization.

A typical Everest Base Camp trek schedule looks like this:

1. Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
2. Phakding to Namche Bazaar
3. Acclimatization day in Namche (hike to Everest View Hotel / Khumjung)
4. Namche to Tengboche (or Deboche)
5. Tengboche to Dingboche
6. Acclimatization day in Dingboche (hike to Nagarjun Hill / Chhukung)
7. Dingboche to Lobuche
8. Lobuche to Gorak Shep, then EBC, back to Gorak Shep
9. Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar early morning, then descend to Pheriche or Dingboche
10. Down to Namche
11. Down to Lukla
12. Fly out

Some itineraries compress this, some stretch it. But 12 to 14 days is the sweet spot for most trekkers.

So in “days distance,” Kathmandu to EBC is not one long travel day. It’s a gradual climb with planned pauses so your body can adjust.

Why the trek feels longer than the kilometers suggest

People see “65 km one way” and think, wait, that’s like a weekend hike at home.

Nope. Different world.

Here’s why 65 km to Everest Base Camp is a different type of 65 km:

• Altitude: you’re walking from about 2,860 m (Lukla) to 5,364 m (EBC), and you’ll likely climb Kala Patthar (5,545 m) for the best views.
• Terrain: uneven trails, rocks, stairs, suspension bridges, and constant micro climbs.
• Walking pace: slower, especially above 3,500 m.
• Acclimatization: you intentionally take rest days and do short hikes, because going “fast” is how people get sick.

So the “distance” is also your body’s ability to handle altitude safely. That’s the real measuring stick.

Elevation gain: another kind of distance

A better question might be: how much do you climb from Kathmandu to Base Camp?

Here are the key altitude points:

• Kathmandu: ~1,400 m
• Lukla: ~2,860 m
• Namche Bazaar: ~3,440 m
• Dingboche: ~4,410 m
• Lobuche: ~4,940 m
• Gorak Shep: ~5,164 m
• Everest Base Camp: ~5,364 m
• Kala Patthar: ~5,545 m

Kathmandu to EBC is roughly +3,900 to +4,000 m of elevation gain, depending on the exact route and daily ups and downs.

And the ups and downs matter. Some days you lose altitude, then climb back more than you lost. That’s classic Khumbu.

Can you drive from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp?

Not to Base Camp. There is no road that goes to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu.

You can drive partway toward the Everest region, but you still end up trekking. In some alternative approaches, people drive to places like Thamdanda or Salleri (depending on road conditions and chosen route), then trek to Lukla or join the main trail. That’s usually done to avoid flights or if flights are grounded for days.

But the classic EBC trek is built around flying to Lukla.

How far is Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu in hours?

If everything goes perfectly, this is what it roughly looks like:

• Kathmandu to Lukla flight: 30 to 40 minutes
• Lukla to EBC trekking time: typically 7 to 9 days (depending on itinerary)
• Daily walking time: usually 4 to 7 hours (some days longer)

So “in hours,” it’s not a single number. It’s dozens of hours of walking spread over many days.

And honestly, that’s a good thing. If you could rush it, people would, and altitude would punish them for it.

What about the return distance?

People forget to count the way back. Your body definitely does not forget.

From EBC you typically return the same way (unless doing a Three Passes trek or another variation). So:

• Total trekking distance: about 130 km
• Total trekking days (typical): 11 to 13 days of walking (plus rest days and travel days)

Does the distance change with itinerary variations?

Yes, a bit.

Here are common variations that affect total distance:

Adding Gokyo Lakes (or Three Passes)

If you add Gokyo, Cho La Pass, Renjo La, or Kongma La, your total trekking distance and days jump a lot. It’s still the Everest region, but it’s a different scale of trek.

Starting from Jiri (classic old school approach)

Before Lukla airport was the default, trekkers would start from Jiri and walk in. That adds roughly 5 to 8 extra days depending on pace and route. More distance, more heat, more hills, more culture too.

Helicopter return

Some people trek up and take a helicopter back from Gorak Shep or nearby. Trekking distance becomes one way or partial round trip. It saves time, but it’s weather dependent and expensive.

So what should you plan around? Distance or acclimatization?

Acclimatization. Every time.

It’s tempting to treat the trek like a distance challenge. But EBC is not a “how fit are you” contest. It’s a “how smart are you with altitude” situation.

A well planned itinerary includes:

• two acclimatization days (usually Namche and Dingboche)
• gradual altitude gain
• enough buffer for Lukla flight delays (common in the mountains)

This is also why trekking with an experienced local team matters. The route is famous, yes, but the details decide whether it feels smooth or chaotic.

Trekking with a local company (why it actually helps?)

If you’re looking for a team in Nepal, Amazing Nepal Trek is one of those local companies that people tend to stick with once they hear how they operate. They’re based in Nepal, they know the Khumbu deeply, and they handle the unglamorous stuff well.

The permits, the pacing, the lodge logistics, the acclimatization plan, the small decisions when weather shifts, or when someone in the group is feeling off. That’s the stuff that makes the trek feel safe and organized instead of stressful.

And because they’re locally owned, it’s not just transactional. Guides are from the region or have strong ties to it. There’s a different level of care when the mountains are part of your real life, not just a seasonal job.

A simple cheat sheet

If you just want the clean numbers, here:

• Kathmandu to EBC (straight line): ~160 to 175 km
• Kathmandu to Lukla (flight distance): ~138 km
• Lukla to EBC (one way trekking): ~65 km
• Lukla to EBC round trip trekking distance: ~130 km
• Typical trek duration: 12 to 14 days (with acclimatization)

Final thought

Everest Base Camp isn’t “far” in a normal distance sense. It’s far in a slow, earned, step by step way.

And that’s kind of the point.

You start in Kathmandu with traffic noise and coffee shops and gear stores. Then a small plane drops you into a mountain airstrip. Then you walk. Every day the air gets thinner, the views get bigger, and time starts feeling different.

So yeah. It’s around 160 to 175 km from Kathmandu as the crow flies.

But on your legs, it’s a whole journey.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How far is Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu in a straight line?

Everest Base Camp (EBC) is roughly 160 to 175 km (100 to 110 miles) from Kathmandu as the crow flies. However, this straight-line distance is mostly for perspective and not practical for travel or trekking logistics.

What is the typical travel route from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp?

Most trekkers fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (around 138 km flight taking 30 to 40 minutes), then trek on foot from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, covering approximately 65 km one way through challenging terrain.

How long does the Everest Base Camp trek usually take?

The typical Everest Base Camp trek takes about 12 to 14 days total, including acclimatization days and starting and ending in Lukla. Additional days are needed for travel to and from Kathmandu.

Why does the trek feel longer than the actual distance suggests?

Although the trekking distance from Lukla to EBC is about 65 km one way, the altitude gain from 2,860 m to 5,364 m, rugged terrain with ups and downs, thin air, and necessary acclimatization stops make the trek much more physically demanding and time-consuming than a normal hike of similar distance.

What are some key stops and acclimatization points along the Everest Base Camp trek?

Key stops include Phakding, Namche Bazaar (with an acclimatization day involving hikes like Everest View Hotel), Tengboche, Dingboche (another acclimatization day), Lobuche, Gorak Shep, and Kala Patthar. These stops help your body adjust gradually to higher altitudes.

Are there alternative flight options besides Kathmandu to Lukla for starting the trek?

Yes. In peak trekking seasons when Kathmandu flights are congested or weather-dependent, some trekkers drive about 4 to 6+ hours from Kathmandu to Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) and then take a shorter flight (~20-30 minutes) to Lukla. This adds road travel time but can be a practical alternative.