Everest Base Camp trek is a very popular trek, full of thrilling experiences that includes viewing mesmerizing nature and the opportunity to experience the local culture and lifestyle and never to forget Mount Everest. It is a common goal that every avid trekker has their eyes upon to reach here at least once in their life.

For those who are very enthusiastic about going to EBC without having to experience the dramatic flights of highly held Lukla, there is another, more reliable alternative and it is Everest Base Camp by road. Yes, you heard it right, it's very much possible and with ease.

There are basically 4 different ways to trek to Everest Base Camp or to most of the itinerary that falls on the Everest region.

The first one is the flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, the next is a charter helicopter to the base camp. The third option is following the classic route through Jiri that was discovered by Sir Edmund Hillary and finally a drive to Salleri from Kathmandu and start your EBC trek from there.

Why Everest Base Camp on Road?

Reaching Everest Base Camp via Lukla flight is definitely one of the most popular ways to trek. However, Lukla airport at the height of 2860 meters has the most thrilling landing experience and hence might cause some of the adventurers to panic. 

Furthermore, as Lukla airport is located at a high altitude, people witness many flight interruptions and cancellations as a result of unpredictable weather.

As Everest Base Camp trek via Lukla flight provides you every possible aerial view of stunning landscapes of the Everest region and trekking experiences with cross-culture of local Sherpa and many more, nevertheless, by road to Everest Base Camp provides you additional experience in Salleri village, Tak Shindo, Surke and Kharikhola.

This will also help trekkers to acclimatize by trekking from high altitudes interacting with people of different cultures, natural landscapes to high altitudes. Plus, if you are traveling in a group with your friends, colleagues or family, the cost will also reduce which will help you cover many other things as well as additional trekking days. 

Apart from all these, another reason to go by road is this way trekkers are less affected by the dreadful altitude sickness

Himalayan Trekkers has a special package for you to reach the Everest Base camp by road via Salleri. You are taken to the highs and lows of the villages with Rai and Sherpa settlements via this route. The itinerary can be adjusted but the main gist is Kathmandu to Lukla flight section is changed by a mode of road transport.

You drive to Salleri from Kathmandu following an 8 to 9 hours drive. The trekking begins from Salleri to Takshindo and then Takshindo to Kharikhola. After Kharikhola you will trek to Paiya and then to Phakding. After this, the trek is more or less the same.

You require an additional 4 days to reach the base camp So, the extra time may be the disadvantage of choosing a vehicle. The distance of trek also increases significantly from about 130 Km trek to about 145 Km trek. Weather also plays an important role to make the most out of a trip, visit our Everest Base Camp Weather page which will guide you to choose your vacation as per your requirement. 

Outline Itinerary for Everest Base Camp by Road

If you decide to make this whole trek via road, this more or less will be your itinerary.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport.

Day 02: Drive to Salleri from Kathmandu (2362 meters): About 8 to 9 hours’ drive.

Day 03: Salleri to Takshindo Trek (3140 meters): About 5 to 6 hours.

Day 04: Takshindo to Kharikhola Trek (2250 meters): Approx. 7 hours.

Day 05: Kharikhola to Paiya Trek (3140 meters):  Approx. 6 hours.

Day 06: Paiya to Phakding Trek (Altitude 2657 meters): About 6 to 7 hours.

Day 07: Phakding to Namche Bazaar Trek (3441 meters): Approx. 6 hours.

Day 08: Visit Syangboche and Khumjung Village (3780 meters)/ Acclimatization day then, return back to Namche Bazaar: Approx. 5 hours

Day 09: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche trek (3860 meters): Walking about 5 hours.

Day 10: Tengboche to Dingboche Trek (4350 meters): About 6 hours trek.

Day 11: Acclimatization day /Explore Dingboche: Approx. 3 hours

Day 12: Dingboche to Lobuche Trek (4910 meters): Walking 5 hours.

Day 13: Lobuche to Everest Base Camp trek (5365 meters), then trek back to Gorakshep: Approx. 8 hours trek

Day 14: Climb up to Kalapatthar (5643 meters) & trek back down to Pheriche (4200 meters): About 7 hours trek.

Day 15: Pheriche to Namche Bazaar trek (3441 meters): Approx. 7 hours.

Day 16: Namche Bazaar to Surke Trek (2421 meters): About 7 hours trek.

Day 17: Trek from Surke to Jubhing (1680 meters): About 7 hours trek.

Day 18:  Trek to Ringmo from Jubhing (2720 meters): Trekking 5 to 6 hours.

Day 19: Trek to Salleri from Ringmo (2362 meters): About 4 hours trek.

Day 20: Drive back to Kathmandu from Salleri: About 8 to 9 hours’ drive.

Day 21:  Final goodbye/ departure from Kathmandu Nepal.

However, you can readjust the itinerary and come back to Kathmandu via Lukla flight after trekking to Lukla from Namche Bazar.