Best Things you can do on the EBC Trek in 2026,2027

  • Anil Lamsal
  • Last Updated on Jul 11, 2026

The Everest Base Camp Trek offers far more than reaching Base Camp. Discover the best things to do on EBC Trek, from hiking above Namche Bazaar and exploring Khumjung to visiting Tengboche Monastery, climbing Kala Patthar, and walking beside the Khumbu Glacier. This guide also compares Dingboche acclimatization hikes, cultural experiences, quieter routes through Phortse, and extensions to Ama Dablam Base Camp, Chhukung, Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, and the Everest Three Passes.

17 Best Things to Do on the Everest Base Camp Trek Beyond Reaching Base Camp

Introduction: The best things to do on the EBC Trek include hiking above Namche Bazaar for your first clear Everest panorama, exploring Khumjung and Kunde, visiting Tengboche Monastery, completing acclimatisation hikes from Dingboche, walking beside the Khumbu Glacier, reaching Everest Base Camp, and climbing Kala Patthar

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a prime adventure for travellers worldwide. However, there are several things to do on the EBC Trek apart from reaching the base camp itself. Annually, thousands of trekkers take on the EBC Trek to witness the world’s highest peaks.

In this guide, we will cover the best things to do on the EBC Trek apart from reaching the base camp and witnessing the highest peaks.

Most of the trekkers think reaching the Base Camp or hiking to Kala Patthar is the only thing to do during the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, EBC is more than one destination. Trekkers can experience Sherpa Culture, visit monasteries, Wildlife, local villages, side hikes, stunning glaciers, landscapes, and much more.

What Are the Best Things to Do on the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The Everest Base Camp Trek offers more than a walk to Base Camp. Its major highlights include Sherpa villages, acclimatisation hikes, Tengboche Monastery, the Khumbu Glacier, Kala Patthar, and cultural experiences in Namche, Khumjung, Kunde, and Pangboche. Experienced trekkers can add Phortse, Chhukung, Ama Dablam Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, or the Everest Three Passes.

The best Everest Base Camp Trek activities are:

  • Hike above Namche Bazaar for your first Everest view
  • Walk to Everest View Hotel
  • Explore Khumjung and Kunde villages
  • Learn about Sherpa history in Namche Bazaar
  • Visit Tengboche Monastery
  • Discover traditional Pangboche
  • Complete a Dingboche acclimatisation hike
  • Explore Chhukung Valley
  • Visit the Thukla memorials respectfully
  • Walk beside the Khumbu Glacier
  • Reach Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kala Patthar
  • Try Sherpa and Nepali food
  • Experience life inside a Himalayan teahouse
  • Photograph Ama Dablam from different valleys
  • Choose a quieter route through Phortse
  • Extend the trek to Gokyo Lakes or the Everest Three Passes

The best things to do on the Everest Base Camp Trek are exploring the Sherpa Village, Monasteries, witnessing the highest peaks, & reaching the iconic Everest Base Camp. Besides these, there are other activities to do during the EBC Trek, such as Lukla flights, exploring Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa Museum, side trips, Glaciers, lakes, and so on.

Best Things to Do on the Everest Base Camp Trek

As we already mentioned above, some of the best things to do on the Everest Base Camp Trek are reaching the EBC, Kala Patthar, Lukla Flight, and so on. If you are planning the EBC Trek as your next destination, then you have many more things to do on this trip.

Watch the First Everest Panorama Above Namche Bazaar

You will reach Namche Bazaar on the 2nd day of the EBC Trek, which provides you with the first glimpse of Everest just above this small town. Trekkers will stop for an acclimatisation day at Namche Bazaar. During the acclimatisation hike from Namche, you will see the first Everest Panorama.

Hike to Everest View Hotel

Only a few know about the Everest View Hotel. Another best thing to do on the EBC Trek is to hike to the Everest View Hotel. Trekkers can enjoy the view of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam with a delicious breakfast from this Hotel.

Note: Trekkers who have limited time do this Everest View Trek and hike to this hotel to catch the breathtaking view of the Panorama.

Explore Khumjung and Kunde Villages

Khumjung and Kunde Villages are the hidden gems of the Everest Region. These two villages allow you to experience the rich Sherpa culture. You can visit Hillary School and nearby Monasteries to learn more about the Sherpa Culture.

Learn About Sherpa History in Namche

Namche Bazaar is the most important stop on the Everest Base Camp Route. It remains the critical location for high-altitude acclimatisation. This small town offers a mix of Sherpa culture, history, and modern luxury like a café and a restaurant.

Visit the famous Sherpa museum and witness the honours of mountaineers like Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. Moreover, the Saturday Market in this town reflects more about the trading culture and history of the Sherpa People.

Visit Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, is the largest Monastery of the Khumbu Region. Visiting this monastery is itself the best thing you can do during the EBC Trek. You can also do Yoga and Meditation with the Monks of this monastery.

Visit Tengboche Monastery During EBC Trek
Tengboche Monastery Gate 

Do you know, Every Year there is the Mani Rimdu Festival in this Monastery falls between October and November.

Walk Through Traditional Pangboche

Walking through and visiting the oldest Monastery in Pangboche is another thing to do during the EBC Trek. The monastery of Pangboche was constructed 350 years ago.

Complete an Acclimatisation Hike From Dingboche

After Namche, another crucial stop during the Everest Base Camp Trek is Dingboche. Without proper acclimatisation, stop and side hikes, it is very difficult to complete the EBC Trek venture. During the stop at this village, you will hike to Nangkartsanf Peak. The hike offers stunning views of Mt. Everest, Ama Dablam, Imja Tse, Lhotse, and the whole Imja Valley. Besides this, you can also explore the nearby Chukkung Valley and get close to the Island Peak and Imja Valley.

Things to do on EBC Trek, Dingboche Hike
View from Dingboche Day Hike

Explore Chhukung Valley

Chhukung Valley is one of the most rewarding EBC Trek side trips for trekkers who have additional time. Exploring Chukkung Valley is another Everest Base Camp Trek Acclimatization Hike. During the EBC Trek, you can explore this valley as an acclimatisation. You have to hike from Dingboche.

Visit the Thukla Memorials Respectfully

Above Thukla, the trail climbs to a high pass marked by memorials dedicated to climbers and mountaineers who lost their lives in the Everest region.

This is not an entertainment stop or a backdrop for playful photographs.

Walk slowly, read the memorials where appropriate, and allow the site to place the risks of high-altitude mountaineering into perspective.

The location also marks a physical transition. Beyond the pass, the landscape becomes increasingly severe, with sparse vegetation, colder winds, and closer views of the glacial terrain surrounding Lobuche.

Walk Beside the Khumbu Glacier

One of the best things to do on the Everest Base Camp Trek is to walk beside the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall. The Khumbu Glacier lies just below Mount Everest. Moreover, the glacier is 15km long and around 3.2 Km wide. You will notice the glacial river flowing slowly from the Lhotse face and the Western Cwm.

Reach Everest Base Camp

Perhaps the greatest achievement during the EBC Trek is to reach the base camp of the highest peak in the world. Travellers want to reach this point and take a photo at the Everest Base Camp rock. From the EBC, you can see the Khumbu Glacier, Glacial moraine, & Mt. Lhotse.

Climb Kala Patthar for the Best Everest View

Kala Patthar is the best viewpoint on this EBC Trek. While reaching EBC is itself a proud moment for the trekkers, climbing Kala Patthar at 5545 meters is another great feat. Most of the 14 Day Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary includes the hike to Kala Patthar. This viewpoint offers a stunning sunrise view and a 360-degree panorama of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, Nuptse, and many other peaks.

Follow the Quieter Route Through Phortse

Trekkers who want to avoid part of the busiest EBC trail can consider travelling through Phortse.

The village sits above the Dudh Koshi and is known for its strong connection to mountaineering and guiding. The surrounding trail offers impressive views of Ama Dablam, Kangtega, Thamserku, and the wider Khumbu landscape.

An EBC Trek via Phortse can reconnect with the main route around Pangboche, depending on the chosen itinerary.

Try Traditional Sherpa and Nepali Food

Well, apart from the visiting places, hiking, viewpoints, the museum, and the highest peaks, other things you can do during the EBC Trek are to try the local Food. The local food of the Sherpa Villages is organic and hygienic. Nepali Daal Bhat, Momo, Thukpa, Thenduk, Sherpa Stew, etc., are the must try food during the EBC Trek.

Photograph Ama Dablam at Different Stages

Although Mount Everest is the main highlight of this trek, Ama Dablam catches the eye of every trekker. Its shape changes as you move from Namche to Tengboche, Pangboche, Dingboche, and the upper Imja Valley. Photographing it from multiple locations creates a visual record of your progress.

Stay in a Family-Run Teahouse

The teahouse experience is one of the most overlooked cultural experiences on the EBC Trek. A teahouse stay offers an opportunity to learn how tourism supports—and pressures—remote Himalayan communities.

Be patient when service takes time. Food is prepared at altitude with limited staff, fuel, water, and supplies.

Learn Basic Sherpa and Nepali Greetings

During the EBC Trek or any other side trips, you will stay in the local teahouse run by a family. During your stay in the teahouse, you can learn Basic Sherpa language and their greetings. Learn “Tashi Delek” as Hello, “Thukje Che” as Thank you, and many more basic greetings like these. Apart from the Himalayas and Landscapes, connecting with local people is the other best thing to do on the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Practice Responsible Himalayan Trekking

At last, while enjoying the Himalayas, trekkers must enjoy it with full responsibility. Sagarmatha National Park is not an outdoor theme park. It is a protected mountain environment and the homeland of permanent communities.

Waste management is difficult because there are no roads connecting the upper Khumbu to the outside transport network. Supplies and waste often move by people, animals, or aircraft. Conservation initiatives in the region have encouraged trekkers to help carry sorted waste toward Lukla.

  • Refill water instead of buying repeated plastic bottles.
  • Use purification tablets, filters, or boiled water.
  • Carry batteries and non-biodegradable waste out.
  • Do not leave toilet paper beside the trail.
  • Stay on marked paths.
  • Respect yaks, mules, wildlife, and working porters.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Buy food and services from locally owned businesses.
  • Avoid flying drones without permission.
  • Respect monasteries, memorials, mani walls, and sacred landscapes.

Best Activities on the Namche Acclimatisation Day

Well, during the Acclimatisation day at Namche, you have a few activities to do. At first, you can just stroll around the Namche Bazaar and explore this small town. Next thing you can do is hike to Everest View Hotel or visit the culturally rich Khumjung & Kunde Village.

Namche Hike during the EBC Trek
Namche Bazaar view from the Ridge

Best Photography Locations

If you are a photography expert, then one of the best things you can do during the EBC Trek is capture some of the perfect shots. Morning generally provides clearer views, while late-afternoon light can add warmer colour. Avoid standing in the middle of narrow trails or blocking porter and animal traffic while taking photographs.

Some of the best places to take photographs on the EBC Trek are:

  • The ridge above Namche Bazaar
  • Everest View Hotel
  • Khumjung and Kunde
  • Tengboche
  • Deboche
  • Dingboche, Nangkartshang Ridge
  • The trail toward Chhukung
  • Ama Dablam Base Camp
  • Kala Patthar

Which Activities Need Extra Days? Extend the trek beyond the EBC Trek

The perk of trekking in the Everest is that you have extra activities or trekking routes to explore. Seasoned trekkers may find the standard out-and-back EBC itinerary less satisfying than a connected circuit.

Several extensions add mountain passes, glacial lakes, remote valleys, and quieter trail sections.

Activity

Starting Point

Extra Time

Difficulty

Additional Day Needed?

Everest View Hotel

Namche

Half day

Moderate

No

Khumjung–Kunde circuit

Namche

Half/full day

Moderate

Usually no

Nangkartshang hike

Dingboche

Half day

Hard

No

Chhukung excursion

Dingboche

Full day

Moderate–Hard

Sometimes

Ama Dablam Base Camp

Pangboche

Full day

Hard

Recommended

Phortse route

Khumbu trail

Route variation

Moderate

Sometimes

Gokyo–Cho La extension

Lobuche/Gokyo

Several days

Hard

Yes

The best EBC side trips for seasoned trekkers are Ama Dablam Base Camp, Chhukung Valley, Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, Thame Valley, and the Everest Three Passes. Ama Dablam and Chhukung need fewer additional days, while Gokyo Valley Trek and the Three Passes create a longer and more physically demanding high-altitude circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do on the EBC Trek?

The best activities include hiking above Namche Bazaar, visiting Khumjung and Kunde, exploring Tengboche Monastery, completing an acclimatisation hike from Dingboche, walking beside the Khumbu Glacier, reaching Base Camp, climbing Kala Patthar, and trying local Sherpa and Nepali food.

What can I do in Namche Bazaar on an acclimatisation day?

Hike toward Everest View Hotel, continue through Khumjung and Kunde, visit a local museum or conservation centre, explore the market, and rest during the afternoon. The activity should include moderate elevation gain without leaving you exhausted for the journey toward Tengboche.

What is the best Dingboche acclimatisation hike?

The climb toward Nangkartshang Ridge is the best-known Dingboche acclimatisation hike. It provides rapid altitude gain and extensive views across the Imja Valley.

Can you see Mount Everest from Everest Base Camp?

You cannot see the classic full summit profile clearly from Everest Base Camp because surrounding ridges and mountains obstruct the view. Base Camp is best for the Khumbu Icefall and expedition atmosphere.

Is Kala Patthar better at sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise often provides clearer weather and fits standard trekking schedules, but it can be extremely cold. Late afternoon may create better light on Everest, although wind and cloud can be less predictable.

What can you do at Everest Base Camp?

You can view the Khumbu Icefall, observe the seasonal expedition area, take photographs, reflect on the journey, and learn about the climbing route from your guide. Visitors should not enter private expedition camps or approach unstable glacial terrain without authorisation.

Is Ama Dablam Base Camp worth adding to an EBC Trek?

Ama Dablam Base Camp is worthwhile for trekkers who want quieter trails and close mountain scenery. The side trip usually begins near Pangboche and works best with an additional itinerary day. It should not replace essential acclimatisation or force unusually long trekking stages.

Is Chhukung worth visiting during the EBC Trek?

Chhukung is worth visiting for experienced trekkers interested in the Imja Valley, Island Peak scenery, or the approach to Kongma La. A day hike is possible from Dingboche, but an overnight stay creates a better experience and requires additional itinerary planning.

How can I avoid crowds on the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Travel outside the busiest weeks, start walking earlier than large groups, stay in quieter settlements, and consider the route through Phortse. Longer options through Gokyo, Thame, or the Three Passes also distribute your time across less-congested parts of the Khumbu.

How many extra days are needed for EBC side trips?

Short activities around Namche and Dingboche fit normal acclimatisation days. Ama Dablam Base Camp or Chhukung may need one or two additional days. Gokyo Lakes, Cho La Pass, and the Everest Three Passes normally require several extra trekking days.

Plan an EBC Trek Around Experiences

A standard itinerary can get you to Everest Base Camp. A thoughtful itinerary helps you understand the region along the way.

Mountain Eco Trails can design a private Everest Base Camp Trek around your pace, trekking background, preferred side hikes, accommodation needs, and available travel days. Contact us via email or WhatsApp us at +9779849790153.

Whether you want a first-time EBC journey, a slower acclimatisation schedule, the quieter Phortse route, Ama Dablam Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes, or the Three Passes, the route should be planned around safe progression rather than a rigid template.

Anil Lamsal

Anil Lamsal

Anil Lamsal, a highly dedicated and passionate Tourism Entrepreneur, who is a licensed Trekking and Tour Guide from Nepal Tourism Board and TAAN.  He has experience in guiding for more than a decade, which gives him enough depth and knowledge about the trekking regions of Nepal. Moreover, his enthusiasm and passion for developing tourism in Nepal have brought him to this position.  You can connect with him on social media, like his Facebook Profile or Instagram

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