Distance, Elevation, and Daily Steps Explained
The walk to Everest Base Camp is iconic, but how far is it really? Understanding the distance helps you prepare mentally for your Everest trekking adventure.
The round trip from Lukla is approximately 130km (80 miles). It doesn't sound far, but you are gaining huge altitude. The challenge is the thin air, not just the mileage.
Expect to walk 10-15km per day. This translates to roughly 15,000 to 20,000 steps daily. However, on acclimatization days or the push to Everest Base Camp, this can spike significantly.
You start at 2,800m and reach 5,364m. The cumulative gain is much higher because the trail goes up and down constantly ('Nepali Flat'). Your legs will feel every meter on this expedition.
Don't focus on the 130km. Focus on the next step. That is how you get to the Mount Everest summit region.
