The 11-day Everest Base Camp short hike is a quick form of the standard Mount Everest trek. This itinerary is for people with limited time who want to finish the EBC trek safely in under two weeks without using a helicopter.
Our short Everest base camp hike is budget-friendly and perfect for those with limited time. The 11-day itinerary doesn’t use the expensive helicopter and also has an acclimatization day in between to help you acclimatize.
Correspondingly, if you are a beginner hiker, then we recommend you go with the iconic 14-day Everest Base Camp trek and the 16-day Everest Base Camp luxury trek.
Everest Base Camp Weather and Temperature
Everest Base Camp’s weather and temperature vary depending on the seasons. The best time for an Everest base camp hike is during the autumn and spring. These seasons have the ideal weather for outdoor walks. The temperature is pleasant, hiking trails are dry, and visibility is outstanding during this period.
During Spring (March to May), Everest Base Camp has mild daytime temperatures (around 10°C) and freezing temperatures at night. The skies are clear, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
However, the weather can still become more unpredictable. In early spring, there might be snowfall, and at the end, there are chances of rainstorms.
In Autumn, from late September to November, the temperature at EBC is similar to spring. This season has stable weather, clear skies, and dry trail conditions. As this is peak trekking season in Nepal, trails and accommodations can be crowded.
The summer months from June to August are the monsoon months in Nepal. Though it doesn’t rain in EBC, the lower trekking regions receive heavy rain. The trails are wet, muddy, and slippery. Landslides add extra risks during the monsoon trek.
Similarly, the winter months from December to February are very cold at EBC. The weather is rough, and the temperature is below zero degrees. The trail is full of snow, days are shorter, and mornings and nights remain frozen.
Thus, for these reasons, winter and summer are the least chosen seasons for our short Everest base camp hikes.
Quick Everest Base Camp Hiking Trail Distance
The average distance of the Everest Base Camp short hike is 130 km, or 65 km each way. This is the trail length from Lukla to EBC and back. Usually, you will walk for approximately 5 to 6 hours, covering 3 to 8 km per day.
Lukla Airport is the both starting and ending point of this short hike.
How difficult is the short 11-day EBC Hike?
In terms of our trek grade, the short Everest Base Camp hike is moderately difficult. You will walk uphill and downhill for days through the rocky path, which might be quite challenging. But we do have a rest day in our 11-day package, so this should help you acclimatize and also take a rest in between.
The EBC Short Trek is a high-altitude hike. Thus, the most challenging aspect of this tour is the altitude itself. Acute mountain sickness and other altitude-related illnesses are quite common. But to avoid this, our guides will brief you about it and explain how we cope with changing altitudes. Also during the tour, we go on slower walks, climbing only a few hundred meters each day.
Staying hydrated and acclimatizing well are other important things you can do to stay fit and not get caught up in altitude sickness.
The next challenging aspect of the short trek is the length of the trail. We walk for days and between 3 and 8 km each time. Hiking continuously for 10 days can be tough. But, of course, this will not be a normal walk. The trail is mostly off-beat. Sometimes you have to hike on rocky and icy terrain.
Before embarking on this journey, we suggest you go for short uphill hikes with a backpack. Uphill hiking helps you build stamina and readiness for a challenging adventure. Begin with a training plan at least six weeks in advance. Engage yourself in fitness and cardio training, such as cycling, swimming, running, and jogging. Similarly, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises will help you remain focused and mentally prepare for the trek.
Despite the few challenges, the short Everest Base Camp hike doesn’t require prior trekking expertise. But being in good shape and physically fit is a win.
Typical Day During our short hike to Everest Base Camp
On the Everest base camp hike, the trek days vary from 10 to 14 days, depending on the itinerary. Our package takes 11 days.
Hiking hours fluctuate from 3 hours to 9 hours per day, depending on the terrain and destinations you have to cover.
However, most of the days during the short EBC hike follow the same pattern. The early morning begins with a hearty breakfast, enjoying the grand mountain views. On the breakfast menu, there is toasted bread, boiled eggs, porridge, etc. After having breakfast, you’ll pack your bag and hit the track.
Each day on the route unfolds the majestic beauty of the mountains. As you walk through enchanting forest trails, you’ll cross several suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River. Take moments to pause, catch your breath, and savor the breathtaking views along the way. Pack some snacks as some days may require long hours of walking to reach your destination.
During the day hike, you eat your lunch in a teahouse somewhere in the middle of the trail. Get a big bite of either Nepalese or Western cuisine. Most of the trekkers enjoy the delicious Dal Bhat.
Later, you continue your trek, or if you arrive at the final destination of the day, then you will get time to rest or explore the surroundings.
As the evening sets in, our guide takes you to the teahouse, where you’ll spend the night. Some tea houses offer hot showers, providing a chance to freshen up after a long hiking day.
Next, you can hang out with friends, play some cards, or engage in lively conversation. A hot dinner awaits you, followed by a brief discussion of the next day’s trek highlights with your trekking guide. Then you retire to your room for a restful night’s sleep. This pattern repeats throughout most of the days on the trek, offering a comforting routine during the incredible journey.
Food and Drinks
On the trail from Lukla to Everest base camp, there are diverse food options ranging from local to Western cuisine. Breakfast options include toast bread, Tibetan bread, omelets, boiled eggs, porridge, and rice pudding. We provide you with a breakfast meal with tea or coffee.
For lunch and dinner, we have dal bhat, a staple Nepalese dish. You can also choose to eat dishes like pizza, momos (dumplings), noodles, soups, pasta, and fried rice.
However, as you ascend to higher elevations, food becomes more basic. Some teahouses also offer Western foods.
We give you plenty of nourishing options to keep yourself energized during the EBC journey.
Here’s a list of what you eat on the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Accommodation
Heaven Himalaya offer’s offers a wide range of accommodation options for our 11-day Everest Base Camp short hike. Until Namche, you have a comfortable stay in hotels with hot showers and private bathrooms. There’s a communal dining area for socializing.
As you climb higher, the accommodation on the EBC Route will be basic, with smaller rooms and common bathrooms.
Toilet and Shower Facilities
On the EBC trail, there are teahouses with several amenities. Many lodges we stay at during the 11-day Everest Base Camp short hike offer Western-style toilets and hot shower facilities. Whereas, beyond Namche, most lodges have squat-toilets options. Also, the availability of hot showers becomes limited in higher regions. Regardless, lodges offer hot bucket water showers at an extra cost.
Electricity and Water During Short Mount Everest Hike
Throughout the short EBC hiking route, there is continuous access to electricity. They generate electricity through hydroelectricity in the lower area and use solar power in the higher area. So, during gloomy weather, electricity may not be available.
To charge electronic devices, you can carry power banks along the route. Charging devices is not a problem, although some higher-elevation teahouses may charge a fee for their service.
Regarding drinking water, there are three options available. The first option is to purify stream or tap water with water purification tablets before drinking.
The second option is to get boiled water from teahouses. You can refill your bottle with boiled water, but it may come with an extra cost, particularly at higher elevations. The third option is plastic water bottles, but they are not cost-effective.
Communication (Internet and Phone Connectivity)
Along the EBC trail, you can expect to find cellular network coverage at most tea houses. However, in some areas, especially on forest trails, the network signals are weak or not available.
Likewise, some teahouses offer free Wi-Fi services, allowing you to connect to the Internet. However, as you approach a higher region, certain tea houses may charge a fee for internet access and may become limited. Due to the challenging terrain and remote locations, the internet speed available may be slower and intermittent.
A Quick Explanation of the 11-Day Itinerary for the Short Everest Base Camp Hike
The short Everest base camp hike begins with a 45-minute mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. On the first day, landing at Lukla, you trek towards the Phakding. The following day, you approach Namche Bazaar, the gateway to Mount Everest
While trekkers take an acclimatization stopover at the Namche Bazaar, we will gradually move forward on the trail. We will be taking a rest day for acclimatization either on the next day or the following day. From Namche, the trail takes you to Tengboche. The location has a famous Tengboche Monastery, one of the largest gompas in the Khumbu region. We visit there too.
On the following day, you leave Tengboche and trek toward Dingboche. After Namche, this village is another popular acclimatization stop en route to the base camp. You take a well-deserved rest day at Dingboche, where you’ll go on an acclimatization hike to Nagarjuna Hill.
This acclimatization hike will bless you with a grand view of the entire Dingboche Valley, the Imja Khola River, and mountain scenery. From the top of the hill, enjoy the stunning views of Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and other towering peaks.
After spending a day at Dingboche, you are now ready to ascend to Lobuche. Now you are one step closer to Everest Base Camp (5,364 m/17,598 ft). Further, you head to Gorak Shep and ascend to the epic Everest Base Camp.
The next day, early in the morning, you hike to Kala Patthar (5,550 m/18,209 ft). Enjoy the amazing sight of a sunrise view over the mighty Mount Everest and other surrounding peaks. Also, the magnificent sight of the Khumbu Glacier will add amazing beauty to enjoy.
After spending some of the best moments in EBC and Kala Patthar, you head back to Pheriche and Namche in two days. Although the downhill hike is easy, it can sometimes be tricky. Use your trekking poles.
Finally, on day 10, you head to Lukla.
Later on day 11, our guide transfers you to the airport to catch an early morning flight to Kathmandu. After you land here at Kathmandu Airport, our team will whisk you to your respective hotels. This way, your 11-day Everest Base Camp short hike ends.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Short Hike
- A thrilling flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport
- Hiking routes pass through the famous Sagarmatha National Park, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
- Namche Bazaar town is a famous tourist hub and the Sherpa capital, full of markets, restaurants, and cafes.
- Hike to the base of Mt. Everest (8,848m), the highest peak in the world.
- Explore Tengboche monastery, the largest and most prominent monastery in the Khumbu region.
- Exciting and challenging side trip to Nagarjun Hill (5,100m) from Dingboche.
- Experience the authentic Sherpa culture, traditions, lifestyle, and hospitality.
- Walk through the dense forest and lush vegetation of the Everest region.
- Behold the magnificent sunrise view over the mighty peaks from Kala Patthar.
- Excellent mountain views, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, etc.
- Marvel at the splendid view of Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Icefall.
