Everest Base Camp height is 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level on the Nepal (South) side. This measurement refers to the standard South Base Camp located on the Khumbu Glacier, which serves as the primary staging point for most Everest summit attempts and trekking expeditions.
What Is the Exact Height of Everest Base Camp?
The altitude of Everest Base Camp sits at precisely 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level. This elevation makes it higher than the tallest peaks in the Alps, Rockies, and most other mountain ranges worldwide.
Mount Everest Base Camp height varies slightly depending on which base camp you're referencing. The Nepal side (South Base Camp) at 5,364 meters differs from the Tibet side (North Base Camp) at 5,150 meters.
Key Facts About Everest Base Camp Altitude:
- South Base Camp (Nepal): 5,364 meters / 17,598 feet
- North Base Camp (Tibet): 5,150 meters / 16,900 feet
- Location: Khumbu Glacier, Solukhumbu District, Nepal (South side)
- Coordinates: 28.0026° N, 86.8528° E
- Oxygen level: Approximately 50% of sea level
Everest Base Camp Height in Feet and Meters
The Everest Base Camp height in meters is exactly 5,364 meters above sea level. Converting this to imperial measurements, the Everest Base Camp height in feet equals 17,598 feet.
Understanding both measurement systems helps international trekkers plan appropriately. American and British travelers often relate better to feet measurements, while most of the world uses the metric system.
Unit Conversions for EBC Altitude:
- Meters: 5,364 m
- Feet: 17,598 ft
- Kilometers: 5.364 km
- Miles: 3.33 miles above sea level
The EBC height in feet of 17,598 places it significantly above the altitude where most commercial aircraft maintain cabin pressure (typically equivalent to 6,000-8,000 feet). This extreme elevation creates physiological challenges that trekkers must prepare for through proper acclimatization.
The altitude of Everest Base Camp in feet exceeds the highest road-accessible point in North America (Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet) by over 3,000 feet. This comparison helps contextualize the extreme elevation trekkers will experience.
Comparison Points:
- Denver, Colorado (Mile High City): 5,280 feet — EBC is 3.3× higher
- Mont Blanc summit (highest in Alps): 15,774 feet — EBC is 1,824 feet higher
- Mauna Kea summit (Hawaii): 13,796 feet — EBC is 3,802 feet higher
- Commercial aircraft cruising altitude equivalent: 18,000-20,000 feet (cabin pressure typically 6,000-8,000 feet)
How High Above Sea Level Is Everest Base Camp?
The Everest Base Camp height above sea level measures exactly 5,364 meters or 17,598 feet. This measurement uses mean sea level as the zero reference point, following international geodetic standards.
How high above sea level is Everest Base Camp compared to major cities and landmarks? The elevation exceeds the highest permanent settlements in most countries and surpasses many mountain summits considered significant achievements in other regions.
Elevation Context:
- La Paz, Bolivia (highest capital city): 3,640 m — EBC is 1,724 m higher
- Lhasa, Tibet: 3,656 m — EBC is 1,708 m higher
- Cusco, Peru: 3,400 m — EBC is 1,964 m higher
The base camp Everest height above sea level places it in the "extreme altitude" category (above 5,500 meters is considered extreme, though EBC sits just below this threshold in the "very high altitude" band of 4,500-5,500 meters).
At this altitude, atmospheric pressure drops to approximately 50% of sea level pressure. This reduced pressure directly impacts oxygen availability, making every breath deliver significantly less oxygen to your body than at lower elevations.
Atmospheric Pressure at Different Elevations:
- Sea level: 101.3 kPa (100% pressure)
- Everest Base Camp (5,364m): ~50.6 kPa (50% pressure)
- Everest Summit (8,849m): ~33.7 kPa (33% pressure)
South Base Camp vs North Base Camp: Elevation Comparison
The Everest Base Camp South Nepal elevation at 5,364 meters differs significantly from the Everest North Base Camp elevation exact measurement of 5,150 meters. This 214-meter (702 feet) difference impacts acclimatization strategies and accessibility.
South Base Camp (Nepal Side):
The Everest Base Camp altitude Nepal side of 5,364 meters makes it the higher of the two base camps. Located on the Khumbu Glacier, the South Base Camp requires 7-9 days of trekking from Lukla to reach.
The Everest Base Camp South side Nepal elevation provides staging for the standard Southeast Ridge climbing route used by most mountaineers. Its glacier location means the precise position shifts each season slightly as the ice moves.
Key South Base Camp Details:
- Elevation: 5,364 meters (17,598 feet)
- Location: Khumbu Glacier, Nepal
- Access: 7-9 day trek from Lukla (2,860m)
- Route: Phakding → Namche → Tengboche → Dingboche → Lobuche → Gorak Shep → EBC
- Climbing route: Southeast Ridge (standard route)
- First climbed: 1953 (Hillary and Tenzing Norgay)
North Base Camp (Tibet Side):
The exact elevation North Everest Base Camp Tibet measures 5,150 meters (16,900 feet) above sea level. This makes it 214 meters lower than its Nepal counterpart.
The Tibet Everest Base Camp altitude benefits from road access, allowing vehicles to drive almost directly to base camp. This Everest North Base Camp road access elevation eliminates the multi-day trek required on the Nepal side.
Key North Base Camp Details:
- Elevation: 5,150 meters (16,900 feet)
- Location: Rongbuk Valley, Tibet
- Access: Road accessible from Lhasa (4-5 hour drive from nearest town)
- Route: North Ridge and North Col route
- Often written as: north base camp everest 5150
- More exposed location (not on glacier)
Direct Comparison Table:
Feature South Base Camp (Nepal) North Base Camp (Tibet) Elevation 5,364 m / 17,598 ft 5,150 m / 16,900 ft Access 7-9 day trek Road accessible Starting Point Lukla (2,860m) Lhasa area roads Location Khumbu Glacier Rongbuk Valley Climbing Route Southeast Ridge North Ridge/North Col Permit Type Nepal trekking permit Tibet/China permit.
The elevation difference of 214 meters means South Base Camp sits at a more challenging altitude for acclimatization. However, the trek approach allows for gradual altitude gain, whereas road access to North Base Camp can cause faster onset of altitude symptoms.
Everest Base Camp Trek Elevation Gain
The Everest Base Camp elevation gain depends on your starting point. Most trekkers begin at Lukla Airport (2,860 meters), making the total Everest Base Camp trek elevation gain approximately 2,504 meters (8,216 feet) to reach EBC.
Understanding the hike to Everest Base Camp elevation gain helps trekkers prepare physically and plan acclimatization days. The gain doesn't occur in a straight line — the trail includes numerous ascents and descents.
Lukla to Everest Base Camp Elevation Gain:
- Starting elevation (Lukla): 2,860 meters (9,383 feet)
- Ending elevation (EBC): 5,364 meters (17,598 feet)
- Total gain: 2,504 meters (8,216 feet)
- Trek duration: 7-9 days (one way)
- Daily average gain: 280-360 meters
The Everest Base Camp trek elevation profile shows significant variation. Trekkers don't simply walk uphill continuously — the trail descends into valleys before climbing again, adding cumulative elevation gain beyond the net gain.
Cumulative vs Net Elevation Gain:
- Net elevation gain: 2,504 meters (Lukla to EBC straight difference)
- Cumulative elevation gain: ~3,500-4,000 meters (accounting for all ups and downs)
- Daily elevation change: 200-800 meters, depending on stage
The Everest Base Camp altitude profile includes several key elevation milestones that serve as acclimatization markers:
Trek Elevation Milestones:
- Lukla: 2,860 m (starting point)
- Phakding: 2,610 m (first night, acclimatization descent)
- Namche Bazaar: 3,440 m (major acclimatization stop)
- Tengboche: 3,860 m (monastery viewpoint)
- Dingboche: 4,410 m (second acclimatization day)
- Lobuche: 4,940 m (last village before EBC)
- Gorak Shep: 5,164 m (last settlement)
- Everest Base Camp: 5,364 m (final destination)
Most trekkers also climb Kala Patthar (5,545 meters) for superior Everest views, adding an extra 181 meters of elevation gain beyond base camp.
Complete Altitude Breakdown: All Everest Camps
The mount Everest camps altitude increases progressively from Base Camp to the summit. Understanding Everest camp elevations helps contextualize the extreme nature of high-altitude mountaineering.
Everest Camp 1 Altitude:
The Everest Camp 1 altitude sits at approximately 6,065 meters (19,900 feet) above sea level. Located above the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, Camp I provides the first overnight stop for climbers ascending from South Base Camp.
Camp I sits at the top of the Khumbu Icefall on the edge of the Western Cwm (Valley of Silence). The Everest camp 1 altitude represents a 701-meter gain from Base Camp.
Everest Camp 2 Altitude:
Everest Camp 2 altitude reaches 6,400 meters (21,000 feet). Often called Advanced Base Camp, this location sits in the Western Cwm roughly halfway up the valley toward the Lhotse Face.
Camp II serves as a major rest and acclimatization point. The altitude gain from Camp I to Camp II is 335 meters.
Everest Camp 3 Altitude:
The Everest Camp 3 altitude measures 7,200 meters (23,622 feet). Perched on the steep Lhotse Face, this camp requires technical climbing skills to reach and represents entry into the "death zone" where supplemental oxygen becomes critical.
Camp III sits approximately 800 meters above Camp II, marking one of the steepest elevation gain sections on the standard route.
Everest Camp 4 (South Col):
Camp IV altitude reaches 7,920 meters (25,984 feet). Located on the South Col, this final camp before summit push sits well into the death zone where human bodies begin deteriorating.
Complete Camp Altitude Breakdown:
- Base Camp: 5,364 m / 17,598 ft
- Camp I: 6,065 m / 19,900 ft (+701 m from Base Camp)
- Camp II: 6,400 m / 21,000 ft (+335 m from Camp I)
- Camp III: 7,200 m / 23,622 ft (+800 m from Camp II)
- Camp IV (South Col): 7,920 m / 25,984 ft (+720 m from Camp III)
- Summit: 8,848.86 m / 29,032 ft (+929 m from Camp IV)
The Everest base camp to summit elevation gain totals 3,484.86 meters (11,434 feet) — a vertical gain exceeding the entire height of most mountains worldwide.
Everest Base Camp vs Summit: Height Comparison
The Everest Base Camp vs summit height comparison reveals the massive additional elevation climbers must tackle. While reaching base camp represents a significant achievement for trekkers, it marks just the beginning for mountaineers attempting the summit.
Height Difference Between Base Camp and Summit:
The height difference between Everest Base Camp and summit measures 3,484.86 meters (11,434 feet). This represents a vertical gain equivalent to climbing another substantial mountain from a moderate-altitude starting point.
Mount Everest summit stands at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level according to the 2020 joint Nepal-China measurement. This makes the Everest Base Camp to summit elevation gain equal to 3,484.86 meters or 11,434 feet.
Base Camp to Summit Statistics:
- Base Camp altitude: 5,364 m (17,598 ft)
- Summit altitude: 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft)
- Vertical gain: 3,484.86 m (11,434 ft)
- Summit is 1.65× the height of Base Camp
- Base Camp represents 60.6% of summit height
The mount Everest height from base camp calculation helps illustrate why summit attempts require weeks of acclimatization, multiple camps, and supplemental oxygen. The remaining 3,485 meters above base camp crosses into the death zone where human physiology cannot sustain life indefinitely.
Percentage Breakdown:
- Base Camp = 60.6% of total Everest height
- Remaining to summit = 39.4% of total height
- But represents >80% of the technical difficulty
The Everest Base Camp height comparison to other world landmarks:
- EBC (5,364m) to Summit (8,849m) = 3,485m gain
- This vertical gain exceeds:
- Mont Blanc summit (4,808m) by 677m
- Mount Whitney (4,421m) by 943m
- Matterhorn (4,478m) by 1,007m
Oxygen Levels at Everest Base Camp Altitude
The oxygen level at Everest Base Camp drops to approximately 50% of sea level concentration. This significant reduction in available oxygen creates the primary challenge trekkers face at this elevation.
At sea level, atmospheric pressure is 101.3 kilopascals (kPa), providing 100% oxygen availability. At 5,364 meters, pressure drops to roughly 50.6 kPa, cutting oxygen availability in half.
Oxygen Availability by Altitude:
- Sea level (0m): 100% oxygen availability
- Everest Base Camp (5,364m): ~50% oxygen availability
- Everest Summit (8,849m): ~33% oxygen availability
The oxygen level at Everest Base Camp percentage of sea level calculation shows that each breath delivers half the oxygen molecules compared to sea level breathing. This forces your body to work harder to obtain necessary oxygen for basic functions.
Your body compensates through several mechanisms:
Physiological Adaptations at EBC Altitude:
- Increased breathing rate (ventilation)
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased red blood cell production (over days/weeks)
- Deeper breathing patterns
- Reduced sleep quality initially
- Increased urination (altitude diuresis)
Most trekkers do not require supplemental oxygen at Base Camp elevation. However, individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions should consult physicians before attempting this altitude.
The partial pressure of oxygen at Everest Base Camp is approximately 50.6 kPa compared to 21.3 kPa partial pressure at sea level (which is 21% of total atmospheric pressure). This creates the "thin air" sensation trekkers experience.
Where Is Mount Everest Base Camp Located?
Where is Mount Everest base camp located geographically? The South Base Camp sits on the Khumbu Glacier in the Solukhumbu District of northeastern Nepal, within Sagarmatha National Park.
The Everest Base Camp coordinates are approximately 28.0026° N latitude and 86.8528° E longitude. These coordinates place it roughly 140 kilometers (87 miles) northeast of Kathmandu as the crow flies.
Geographic Location Details:
- Country: Nepal (South Base Camp)
- Region: Khumbu, Solukhumbu District
- Province: Koshi Province (Province No. 1)
- National Park: Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Nearest village: Gorak Shep (5,164m, ~1 hour walk)
- Coordinates: 28.0026° N, 86.8528° E
The Sagarmatha Base Camp height uses the Nepali name for Mount Everest — Sagarmatha means "Goddess of the Sky" in Nepali. This is the same location as Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters elevation.
The base camp Nepal altitude of 5,364 meters places it on the southern approach to Mount Everest, accessed via the Khumbu Valley. The location shifts slightly each climbing season as the Khumbu Glacier moves, but remains within the same general coordinates.
The base camp sits approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Lukla Airport, the starting point for most trekkers. This distance translates to 7-9 days of walking, allowing for proper acclimatization to the increasing altitude.
Distance Markers from Base Camp:
- To Gorak Shep (last settlement): 3 km / 1 hour walk
- To Kala Patthar viewpoint: 2.5 km from Gorak Shep / 2-3 hours climb
- To Lukla Airport: 60 km / 7-9 days trekking
- To Namche Bazaar: 40 km / 4-5 days
- To Kathmandu: 140 km air distance / 12-14 days total trek + flight
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp sits at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level on the Nepal side. The Tibet side North Base Camp is lower at 5,150 meters (16,900 feet).
Everest Base Camp height in feet?
The Everest Base Camp height in feet is exactly 17,598 feet above sea level. This measurement applies to the South Base Camp in Nepal, which is the more commonly visited base camp.
What altitude is Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp altitude is 5,364 meters or 17,598 feet above sea level. This places it in the "very high altitude" category where oxygen levels drop to approximately 50% of sea level.
Everest North Base Camp elevation exact?
The exact elevation of Everest North Base Camp in Tibet is 5,150 meters (16,900 feet) above sea level. This is 214 meters lower than the South Base Camp in Nepal.
How many camps on Everest?
There are five camps on Mount Everest: Base Camp (5,364m), Camp I (6,065m), Camp II (6,400m), Camp III (7,200m), and Camp IV (7,920m) on the South Col before the summit push to 8,849m.
Is Everest Base Camp the highest point?
No, Everest Base Camp is not the highest point. It sits at 5,364m while the summit reaches 8,848.86m — Base Camp represents only 60.6% of Everest's total height. Trekkers often climb Kala Patthar (5,545m) for better views.
Planning your trek to Everest Base Camp?
Our comprehensive Everest Base Camp Trek Package includes expert guides, proper acclimatization scheduling, and all logistics for safely reaching 5,364 meters. We handle permits, accommodation, and altitude management so you can focus on the achievement of standing at the foot of the world's highest mountain.
