Are you planning a thrilling journey from Kathmandu to the awe-inspiring Everest Base Camp? Look no further; in this article, we will explore the distance between Kathmandu and Everest Base Camp, and uncover the classic routes to reach southern EBC in Nepal and northern EBC in Tibet, respectively.

Whether you seek the picturesque trails of Nepal or the divine splendor of Tibet, we've got you covered. Get ready to discover the wonders of Mount Everest during your trip!

Where are Kathmandu and Everest Base Camp? How Far are They?

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is located in the stunning Kathmandu Valley in central Nepal. It is renowned for its cultural richness and exotic charm, making it one of the most exotic cities in Asia.

On the southern slopes of Mount Everest lies the Southern Everest Base Camp (EBC), which is situated far from Kathmandu and can only be accessed through a long and challenging trek. This base camp is located at an altitude of approximately 5,364 meters, nestled at the foot of the mountain and overshadowed by Mount Lhotse. However, from this location, there is no view of the summit of Sagarmatha (Mount Everest's Nepali name).

In stark contrast, the Northern Everest Base Camp is positioned on the northern slopes of the mountain and offers easy accessibility via a road. As a result, it has become the most popular tourist attraction in Tibet. The base camp is situated at the end of the Zhufeng Road, at an altitude of 5,180 meters, and boasts one of the most breathtaking views of the summit of Qomolangma (Mount Everest's Tibetan name) that can be found anywhere.

The distance from Kathmandu to the Southern Everest Base Camp is approximately 161.2 kilometers in a straight line. To reach the starting point of the EBC trek in Nepal, known as Lukla, you can only get there by flight from Kathmandu. From Lukla, the Southern Base Camp lies around 65 kilometers away, and it can only be reached by trekking along the famous Everest Trail.

On the other hand, the distance from Kathmandu to the Northern Everest Base Camp in Tibet is around 504 kilometers by road. To access the Northern EBC from Kathmandu, travelers can drive across the border at Gyirong Port into China's Tibet Autonomous Region. From there, they would follow the major roads to Tingri, then turn south to reach Rongbuk Monastery and finally arrive at the Northern EBC.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp in Tibet Side?

If you are planning a trip to EBC in Tibet, you have two options for getting there from Kathmandu: traveling overland across the border at Gyirong Port or flying to Lhasa and taking a road trip to the base camp.

Both routes require tourists to be on a pre-arranged tour with a registered Tibet tour operator who will handle all the details of the trip, including permits, accommodation, and vehicles, etc.

Option 1: Overland from Kathmandu to Tibet EBC via Gyirong Port

Embarking on an overland adventure from Kathmandu to EBC is one of the most amazing experiences in Tibet, leaving you breathless with stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery along the way to the world's highest mountain.

It is an incredible driving tour that takes you from the exotic Nepali capital to the renowned Himalayan mountains and onward to Lhasa. There is no better way to explore the Tibetan plateau and the iconic Everest Base Camp than by traveling overland.

The route to EBC and Lhasa begins with your departure from Kathmandu, accompanied by your driver in a car, to reach the Nepali border port of Rasuwa Gadhi. From there, you will cross the Resuo Bridge into Tibet and proceed through immigration at Gyirong Port, which serves as the Chinese border checkpoint from Nepal.

Upon arrival, you will meet your guide, who will drive you to Gyirong town for an overnight stay before continuing to EBC the following day. You will have the opportunity to visit the Rongbuk Monastery and explore the base camp to your heart's content. Afterwards, you will proceed to Tingri for an overnight stop.

From there, your journey continues to Shigatse, where you can explore the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. Finally, you will head to Lhasa via Gyantse, known as the home of the famous Kumbum Stupa, the largest stupa of its kind in Tibet, standing at a peak height of 32 meters.

To make this remarkable journey from Kathmandu to Lhasa, via EBC, you must join a pre-arranged tour. And our signature Kathmandu to Lhasa overland tour stands out, allowing you ample time to immerse yourself at EBC, capturing awe-inspiring photos. Moreover, it presents the opportunity to explore other amazing sites along the route from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

Option 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa and then Overland to Tibet EBC

If you are thinking of flying into Lhasa and taking the tour in the opposite direction, we can easily cater to that for you as well.

One of the most popular ways to travel to Lhasa from Kathmandu, the flight is an amazing adventure that has an added bonus - you can get a good view of the summit of Mount Everest, as the aircraft flies directly over the peak of the mountain on the way to Lhasa. And we can make arrangements for a tour of the exotic city of Kathmandu before you depart for Lhasa, which is home to some of the most awe-inspiring temples and sights in Nepal.

Once you arrive in Lhasa, you will be met by your guide and driver and taken to your hotel to rest, as you will need to acclimatize to the higher altitude of the plateau. The first two days are spent touring Lhasa while you adjust to the altitude, and include visits to the Potala Palace and the sacred Jokhang Temple. After that, you will take the classic overland trip from Lhasa to EBC.

Once out on the road, the route is the reverse of the previous tour, taking you first to Gyantse for the Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum Stupa, and then on to Shigatse for the famous Tashilhunpo Monastery.

From Shigatse, the second city of Tibet, you will travel to Rongbuk Monastery, crossing one of the highest passes in Tibet, the Pang La Pass at 5,050 meters above sea level. After staying overnight at Rongbuk, you will get to travel by eco-bus or trek to EBC, just a short distance away, where you will spend most of the day, before departing finally for Gyirong Town, on the road to the border with Nepal.

After departing from Tibet the following morning at Gyirong Port, you will cross the border and meet the driver who will transfer you back to Kathmandu, through some of the most stunning scenery in the amazing LuangTang National Park.

Permits for Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp in Tibet

Before the trip, you will need a number of permits in order to reach the northern EBC in Shigatse Prefecture of Tibet.

The first is the Chinese Group Visa, issued once you reach Kathmandu. It can only be obtained by the tour operator on your behalf, using your original passport. The processing time is normally around three working days, so you need to be in Kathmandu at least five days before your expected date of travel.

Meanwhile, you will need to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit, which is required for entry to Tibet and to travel around the area of Lhasa. To visit the Mount Everest region on the Tibetan side, you will also apply for the Aliens’ Travel Permit, which is required for travel to the “unopened” areas of Tibet outside Lhasa, including Shigatse.

Once you have booked your tour, we will make all the applications for the permits you will need to travel from Kathmandu to EBC. So there is no need to worry much about document issues; just contact us to apply in advance in case of any delays.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp in Nepal Side?

Getting to the southern EBC in Nepal can only be done by taking a flight first from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then by trekking the entire length of the route from Lukla to EBC itself, as there are no roads that reach the camp. It is not even possible to drive all the way to Lukla, which makes the flight the fastest and easiest way to reach the famous Tensing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport.

Step 1: Kathmandu to Lukla by Flight

To get to Lukla, the starting point of the amazing EBC Trek in Nepal, you need to take a flight to Lukla Airport, which is situated halfway up a mountain at the small Sherpa village of Lukla in the Khumbu Region of Nepal.

There are only two flights to Lukla daily from Kathmandu, which depart at 6:15am and 7:25am respectively. The flight takes around 30-35 minutes to reach the village airport, and costs from around 309 US dollars per person. Upon arriving at the airport, most trekkers immediately begin the trek after gathering all their gear, aiming to reach the first overnight stopping point as quickly as possible.

Step 2: Trek from Lukla to EBC in Nepal

From Lukla, you will need to trek for around 9-10 days to reach the southern EBC, 65 kilometers to the northeast.

The first day takes you from Lukla to the small village of Phakding, where you will stop for the night before continuing to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital in the Khumbu Region. Most trekkers spend the day at Namche acclimatizing to the increased altitude, before continuing Day 4 to Tengboche, and after an overnight stop, Pheriche.

Pheriche is used as the second acclimatization day, and by Day 7, you are ready to move on. The next two days are spent trekking to Duglha and then to Lobuche, and on Day 9, you will finally make it to Gorak Shep, the last stop before reaching EBC. From Gorak Shep, trekkers normally spend the afternoon on the short climb up to the ridge of Kala Patthar, which has the only decent view of the summit of Sagarmatha in the area.

On the following day, you will make the short trek to EBC itself, across the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier, and then head all the way back to Lobuche for the night, which is an easier trek than on the way up. The last two days are spent trekking back through Dingboche to Lukla, and the end of the trek.

Conclusion

With two base camps to choose from, you will be spoiled for choice. For a more relaxing trip, you can visit the northern base camp in Tibet, either by overland or by flight. On the other hand, if you are up for the challenge of a long trek, you can opt for the trip to the southern EBC in Nepal.

If you have any more questions about traveling from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp, please feel free to contact us or leave your comments below. We are here to assist you in planning your unforgettable journey to the majestic Himalayas.