Completing the Everest Base Camp (EBC) winter trek in 10 days—not recommended for beginners!
Mentioned in my previous blog post, I had to cut my trek from 12 days to 10. Completing the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek in 10 days without dedicated acclimatization was incredibly strenuous but not impossible. Before this trek, the highest elevation I'd reached was the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 4,095m, so I had minimal experience with high-altitude trekking over 4,000 meters. Attempting the Himalayas in winter only added to the challenge!
Day 1: Kathmandu - Lukla (2,860m) - Jorsalle (2,740m)
Kathmandu ✈️ Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport)
Distance: 13.7 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 591 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 611 meters
Time 🕒: 5 - 6 hours
Difficulty: 2/5
Day 2: Jorsalle (2,740m) - Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Distance: 4.5 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 875 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 81 meters
Time 🕒: 2 hours + Acclimatization
Difficulty: 1/5
Day 3: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) - Pangboche (3,950m)
Distance: 13.9 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 1,030 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 490 meters
Time 🕒: 8 - 9 hours
Difficulty: 2/5
Day 4: Pangboche (3,950m) - Dingboche (4,410m)
Distance: 7.3 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 430 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 50 meters
Time 🕒: 4 - 7 hours
Difficulty: 4/5
Day 5: Dingboche (4,410m) - Lobuche (4,940m)
Distance: 11.9 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 980 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 400 meters
Time 🕒: 6 - 9 hours
Difficulty: 5/5
Day 6: Lobuche (4,940m) - Everest Base Camp (5,364m) - Kala Patthar Summit (5,643 m) - Gorakshep (5,140m)
Distance: 16.1 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 820 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 580 meters
Time 🕒: 8 - 11 hours
Difficulty: 5/5
Day 7: Gorakshep (5,140m) - Pangboche (3,950m)
Distance: 23.6 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 460 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 1,660 meters
Time 🕒: 10 - 11 hours
Difficulty: 4/5
Day 8: Pangboche (3,950m) - Namche Bazaar (3,440m)
Distance: 13.9 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 490 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 1,030 meters
Time 🕒: 7 - 8 hours
Difficulty: 2/5
Day 9: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) -> Lukla (2,860m)
Distance: 18.4 km
Elevation Gain ↗️: 530 meters
Elevation Loss ↘️: 1,120 meters
Time 🕒: 7 - 8 hours
Difficulty: 3/5
Day 10
Lukla (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) ✈️ Kathmandu
This condensed itinerary was challenging but doable, especially with the support of an experienced Sherpa guide. If you’re considering a shorter EBC trek, it’s essential to factor in the risks of limited acclimatization and physical strain. For beginners, I would recommend a longer trek for a safer and more enjoyable experience.
