Side by side
| Everest Base Camp Trek | Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 14 | 22 |
| Highest point | 5,545 m | 5,350 m |
| Difficulty | Strenuous | Extreme |
| Total distance | 130 km | 220 km |
| Best months | March to May and October to November | May to October |
| Typical cost | $1,250 to $2,400 | $2,800 to $4,400 |
| Starts from | Lukla (2,860 m) | Juphal (via Nepalgunj flight) |
| Permits | 2 | 2 |
Choose the Everest Base Camp Trek if
The Everest Base Camp trek is a 14 day teahouse trek in Nepal's Khumbu region, reaching 5,364 m at Base Camp and 5,545 m at Kala Patthar. It starts with a flight to Lukla and needs no climbing skill, only solid fitness and patience with altitude. Spring and autumn are the reliable seasons.
The walking itself is rarely technical. What makes it hard is doing five to seven hours a day, back to back, in air that holds roughly half the oxygen you are used to at sea level.
Choose the Upper Dolpo Circuit Trek if
The Upper Dolpo Circuit trek is an epic 22 day expedition in western Nepal crossing high passes above 5,000 m including Kang La and Jeng La. The trail explores the deep waters of Shey Phoksundo Lake, 11th century Shey Gompa, and isolated Bon and Tibetan Buddhist communities.
Rugged wilderness expedition crossing multiple 5,000 m mountain passes. Requires full camping logistics, self-sufficiency, and high endurance in remote trans-Himalayan desert country.
