NOMADIC
ADVENTURES

Everest Advanced Base Camp Trek

trek to advanced camp on Everest

Nomadic Adventures Everest

ADVANCED BASE CAMP EVEREST route and information

The trek itself is fairly short, approximately 22km (12miles) from Everest Base Camp to Advanced Base Camp but you gain (4300 ft / 1310m)  in altitude.

Everest Advanced Base Camp

The high altitude trek to the advanced base camp of Everest is one of the most spectacular trekking routes in the Himalayas, across glacial moraines, through ice seracs to the advanced Everest Base Camp or AEBC. 

You will start your journey in Kathmandu with some sightseeing to the most fascinating places, before flying off to Lhasa to start your journey across Tibet and then your trek. 

Everest Advanced Base Camp Trek, takes one up the North Face of Everest, to camp III. Heading out over the Tibetan Plateau, with an average altitude in excess of 3500m, Tibet is often described as the roof of the world. Not only is the Base Camp close the worlds highest mountain (8,850m), Mt Everest, it is also home to the friendly Sherpa people, picturesque villages, colourful festivals and monasteries. 

The Everest Advanced Base Camp Trek encompasses an altitude gain of 1,310m (4,300ft) from the base camp, also often referred to as Rongbuk. The route follows the same route taken by summiteers though our journey stops at the base of the North Col at Advanced Base camp at 6,340m (20,800ft). 

This trek will take you to Advanced base camp of Everest on the North Side, as high as you can climb without a summit permit.

everest advanced base camp trek profile
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best time to climb

The hike can be done throughout the year, however, Autumn (Sep - Nov) is often considered to be the best season for hiking in Nepal with a great climate and several festivals. although it is a little colder than Spring, the skies tend to be much clearer. Spring, (March - May) is the next favourite and also main summit season for Mt Everest. During spring time, the Khumbu valley erupts with beautiful rhododendron flowers. June to August is monsoon season so the route is quiet. During November and December it is cold but again, some travelers find it worth visiting during this period, as there are fewer tourists. 

travel insurance

The cost of a medical evacuation from the mountain is expensive, which is why adequate travel insurance  is required on all climbs booked through us. Adequate, means you must be covered for 1) Trekking or hiking – this may sound strange, but many insurance list that as an exclusion. 
2) Altitude up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard cover and often limit it to 3500m or less. 
3) Sprains strains and physiotherapy – yes, many insurers exclude this; though ironically, this is what you will most likely need cover for. 
4) Personal accident – this is the horrible part of insurance. Yes, you need to be covered in the case of death. We are often told by clients – “if anything happens to me, just leave me there.” It is not that simple. 

https://www.nomadicadventures.co.za/Travel-Insurance.html

Everest Trek to Advanced Base Camp Overview

Day-1: Kathmandu 
Day-2: Kathmandu 
Day-3: Kathmandu to Lhasa (3660m)
 Day-4: Lhasa 
Day-5: Lhasa 
Day-6: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) 
Day-7: Gyantse (3950m) to Shigatse (3900m) 
Day-8: Shigatse to Shegar (4050m) 
Day-9: Shegar to Rongbuk (5000m) 
Day-10: Rongbuk to Everest Base 
Day-11: Everest Base 
Day-12: Everest Base to Camp 1 
Day-13: Everest Intermediate Camp 
Day-14: Rest at Intermediate 
Day-15: Everest Camp 2 
Day-16: Everest Advanced Base Camp (6340m) and return to camp 2 Camp 3 
Day-17: Return to Everest Base 
Day-18: Drive Rongbuk - Kirong 
Day-19: Drive Kirong - Kathmandu 
Day-20: Free at leisure 
Day-21: Departure 

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EVEREST ADVANCED BASE CAMP ITINERARY

Day-1: Arrive Kathmandu  and transfer to Hotel. 

Day-2: Full day Guided sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.

Advanced everest trek map

Day-3. Kathmandu to Lhasa  (3660m)  

Transfer to the  airport for the hour-long flight across the main Himalayan range.  Afternoon at rest to acclimatise to Lhasa' s high altitude.

Day-4: Lhasa 

We will visit Lhasa' s many monasteries and sites, such as the Sera Monastery, and the Norbulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai  Lama.

Day-5: Lhasa

We visit the   Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery founded in the 14th century, and once the largest in  the world, with a population of  around 10,000 monks. The afternoon, is a time to relax or  further explore the area.

Day-6: Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m) 

Travelling by jeep along the  Friendship Highway we cross the  Khamba La (4794m) and continue westwards over another high pass the Karo La (5045m) with incredible glacial views. We  spend the night in a Hotel at Gyantse. [261km]

Day-7: Gyantse to Shigatse  (3900m) 

After an early morning tour of some of the  Gyantse Dzong (14th Century fort) and the Kumbum, a large  stupa, we head off on a short 90km drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. In the afternoon we will explore  the area, local monasteries and market. Overnight at the Hotel.   [90km]

Day-8: Shigatse to Shegar  (4050m) 

We continue along  the Friendship Highway,   marveling once more at the barren yet spectacular landscape   of Tibet. Beyond the town of  Lhatse we cross the highest pass on our journey, the Gyamtso La [5220m]. From here we descend to  the plains en route to Shegar and overnight at Hotel   Quomolongma.[244km] 

rongbuk everest advanced trek

Day-9: Shegar to Rongbuk

On our travels, we are rewarded with uninterrupted views stretching from Makalu to Shishapangma, with clear views of Everest as we turn into the Rongbuk Valley. Overnight Guest House.(68km)

Day-10: Rongbuk to Everest Base  

We spend a night to acclimatise after the 8km trek to Base Camp. Overnight in tents.

Day-11: Base camp of Everest 

We will explore the surroundings of the Rongbuk Everest base on short treks and spend time acclimatising. Overnight in tents.

Day-12: Everest Base to Camp 1

We trek alongside the Rongbuk Glacier, an impressive frozen ocean of ice waves. Camp 1 [5460m] is set amongst barren moraine hills and we spend the afternoon acclimatising and doing short treks in the area. (5460m)

Day-13: Intermediate Camp 

We trek on the west rim of the glacier as we head to intermediate camp at 5760m. We will also look at the nearby ice seracs which rise like white sails from a debris-laden glacier surface.(5760m)

Day-14: Acclimatisation

We spend time acclimatising.

Day-15: Trek to Camp II

 We trek towards the confluence with the Changtse glacier, above which we will find Camp 2 at 5970, set amidst glaciers in the appropriately named Serac Highway. (5970m)

Day-16: Camp II  to Advanced Everest Base Camp 

Camp 3 is the advanced base camp for the North Col route up Mount Everest. The top of Everest appears phenomenally close now and is as little as some 2400 meter higher than camp 3. Retrace our steps from Advanced Base to Camp 2.Yaks on everest advanced base camp

Day-17: Return to   base camp

The return to Base is obviously a longer down hill journey from Advanced Base than Camp 2. The decision taken on Day 17 will determine the distance to be covered.

Day-18: Drive Rongbuk to Kirong

After arriving back at Rongbuk, we begin our drive towards Kirong. The return trip goes over the Kirong La (Kirong pass). Because of the earthquake in 2015, the border between Tibet and Nepal is now a little bit more to the west.     

Day-19: Kirong to  Kathmandu

 We arrive at the Chinese - Nepalese border, say goodbye to our Tibetan team, pass through customs and join up with our Nepalese staff.  After the crossing of the border we will drive through Dunche and Trisuli in order to reach  Kathmandu, a trip which takes about  9 hours, depending on road and weather conditions. [153km]

Day-20:  Free at leisure

Day-21:  Final departure

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Advanced Base Camp Everest Frequently Asked Questions

What is the height of advanced Everest base camp?

Everest Advanced Base camp lies at the base of the North Col at 6,340m (20,800ft). The actual base camp of Everest is capable of accommodating thousands of people and has an altitude of 5170m

How difficult/challenging is this trek?

The actual day to day trekking is not difficult but it is very rocky and also at high altitude. From intermediate camp you need to ascend up the side of an icy ridge where crampons are advised at the best of times. It does not involve technical climbing, but does require physical fitness and stamina and most importantly, mental fitness. A good exercise and training program is essential and your training should include a lot of hill walking. The higher you climb, the harder the trek will become due to the altitude. It is for this reason that we include a night at Intermediate Camp as a buffer

How long does it take to hike Everest advanced base camp?

The hike itself is about 32km over 5 days which is short but a high altitude trip. However to get to Rongbuk base camp takes several days and for this reason the entire trip is 23 days

What is the accommodation like?

The tour part uses hotels throughout until Rongbuk where a guesthouse may be used. The rooms are all generally basic with squat toilets. There is no heating and electricity is often solar and on only for a few hours in the evening. Rooms have a bed, pillow and a thick blanket a small light. The rest of the hike is a camping trip

When is the best time or months to trek to the advanced base camp Everest?

The best season to go on this trek is from August to October and mid-March to mid-April. This is the peak time of the year to go on this trek, and you will find many other trekkers along with you on the journey. With May being summit season it will be very busy and also the time of year when trekkers are restricted

Can I charge my camera batteries and mobile phone during the trek?

Whilst travelling to base camp yes you can. After that you will need to rely on your own solar charging system or battery back ups

What visa is required for Tibet?

There are actually a number of required documents.

If starting your tour in Nepal you will need a multiple entry visa or if starting in Tibet, an entry visa for Nepal. Both can be obtained on arrival for $50.

For Tibet, who will need a China Visa. These can only be applied for in Kathmandu if travelling in via Nepal, otherwise from a visa agent if entering directly into Tibet.

You then also require a special Aliens Travel Permit to allow you to enter certain areas of Tibet such as Everest Base Camp and then a Tibet Travel Permit. Tibet Travel Permit can only be obtained by a registered tour operator, and is required to gain entry to Tibet, including boarding the plane or train, and will be checked at any of the checkpoints throughout the region. Both of the latter as well as the visa for Tibet if entering via Kathmandu are arranged by us.

You must of course also be in possession of a valid passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the end of the tour

How will the altitude affect me on Everest trek?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly.                  

What is the route to advanced base Everest like and do we cross the ice fall?

There is no ice fall to cross on the North face as there is on the South. The routes are clearly marked in most places until around intermediate. From there on the Advanced base trek there is a section where we need to navigate depending on the flow of the glacier which takes us up the side of the Rongbuk glacier to the ice seracs to get to Camp II.

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Everest Advanced Base Camp?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon