The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most iconic journeys on earth. For the roughly 40,000 trekkers who make it each year — including thousands of Australians — it is the trip of a lifetime: sixteen to twenty days of walking through the Khumbu region, past ancient monasteries, through Sherpa villages, beneath the world's highest peaks, and finally to the foot of Everest itself at 5,364 metres.
Most of those trekkers speak no Nepali. They rely on their guide's English, on the surprisingly good communication in major tea houses along the trail, and on gestures and goodwill when language runs out. They have a perfectly fine time.
But the trekkers who invest even two or three weeks in basic Nepali before they leave have a different experience. They are the ones who end up in long conversations with lodge owners about the old trekking days before the earthquake. Who understand when a porter is pointing out a peak and naming it. Who receive blessings at Tengboche Monastery because they pressed their palms together and said "Namaste" to the lama properly. Who are remembered by name.
This guide is built around the Khumbu specifically — the route from Lukla to EBC via Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep. Every phrase is organised by where on the trail you will need it.
Before You Fly: Kathmandu and the Tara Air Lounge
Most EBC trekkers spend two nights in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla. Kathmandu is English-friendly, but a few Nepali phrases help enormously in the chaos of Thamel.
Taxi chaahiyo — TAX-i chaa-HI-yo — I need a taxi.
Thamel jaanu chha — THA-mel JAA-nu chha — I want to go to Thamel.
Kati paisa lagchha? — KA-ti PAI-sa LAG-chha? — How much will it cost?
Meter bata jaanus — ME-ter BA-ta JAA-nus — Please go by meter.
Roknus yahaa — ROK-nus ya-HAA — Stop here.
Paani ko bottle diinus — PAA-ni ko BOT-tle di-NUS — Please give me a bottle of water.
Sim card kahaa painchha? — SIM CARD ka-HAA PAI-nchha? — Where can I get a SIM card?
At the Tara Air or Summit Air lounge in Kathmandu's domestic terminal, waiting for the notorious Lukla flight:
Lukla ko flight kati baje chha? — LUK-la ko FLIGHT KA-ti BA-je chha? — What time is the Lukla flight?
Mausam thik chha? — MAU-sam THEEK chha? — Is the weather okay?
Dhilo huncha? — DHI-lo HUN-chha? — Will there be a delay?
Lukla to Namche Bazaar (Days 1–3)
The trek begins at Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla (2,860m) — famously described as one of the world's most dramatic airstrips. From Lukla, the trail descends to the Dudh Koshi river and climbs steadily through Phakding and up the long ascent to Namche Bazaar (3,440m).
On the Trail — Meeting Locals
The trail from Lukla is busy: other trekkers, yak trains, school children, and local villagers carrying enormous loads. The greeting here is often a simple:
Namaste! — na-ma-STAY — Hello! (always with pressed palms)
In the Khumbu, you will also hear the Sherpa greeting:
Tashi Delek — TA-shi DE-lek — A Tibetan Buddhist blessing meaning "may all auspiciousness be" — used by Sherpa people as a greeting. Knowing and using this will genuinely delight your Sherpa guide or porter.
Bato thik chha? — BA-to THEEK chha? — Is the path correct?
Namche kati ghanta? — NAM-che KA-ti GHAN-ta? — How many hours to Namche?
Yak aauँdaichha — YAK AA-un-dai-chha — The yak is coming (step aside — one of the most important phrases on the Khumbu trail, as yak trains have right of way and the trail is narrow)
Bhitraa jaanus — BHIT-raa JAA-nus — Go to the inside (move to the mountain side of the trail, not the cliff side, when yaks pass)
At Tea Houses — Phakding and Early Lodges
Ek kamara chha? — EK ka-MA-ra chha? — Do you have a room?
Kati parchha ek raat ko? — KA-ti PAR-chha EK RAAT ko? — How much for one night?
Tatoo paani kati baje painchha? — ta-TOO PAA-ni KA-ti BA-je PAI-nchha? — When is hot water available?
Charging point chha? — Is there a charging point?
Dal bhat diinus — Please give me dal bhat.
Masu nakhanus — MA-su na-KHA-nus — Without meat please.
Chiya diinus — Please give me tea.
Namche Bazaar (Acclimatisation Days — Days 3–4)
Namche Bazaar is the capital of the Khumbu — a bustling horseshoe-shaped market town at 3,440m. Trekkers spend two nights here for acclimatisation, and it is a genuine town with bakeries, gear shops, an Irish pub, and the famous Saturday market where Tibetan traders cross the Nangpa La to sell goods.
At the Saturday Market (Hattibaare)
Yo kati parchha? — YO KA-ti PAR-chha? — How much is this?
Mahango chha — ma-HAN-go chha — That's expensive.
Ali sasto garnos? — A-li SAS-to gar-NOS? — Can you make it a little cheaper?
Ramro chha — RAM-ro chha — It's good / nice.
Kinchhu — KIN-chhu — I'll buy it.
Chaina, dhanyabad — CHAI-na, dhan-ya-BAAD — No thank you (I don't need it, thank you).
At the Everest View Hotel or Namche Viewpoint
Yo kun pahad ho? — YO KUN pa-HAD HO? — Which mountain is that?
Sagarmatha kaha chha? — sa-GAR-ma-tha ka-HAA chha? — Where is Everest? (Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Everest)
Ama Dablam kaha chha? — A-ma DAB-lam ka-HAA chha? — Where is Ama Dablam?
Photo liinu sakchhu? — PHO-to LI-nu SAK-chhu? — Can I take a photo?
Namche to Tengboche (Day 5)
The trail from Namche climbs to the ridge above the Dudh Koshi gorge, offering the first clear view of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam, before descending to the Imja Khola and climbing to Tengboche (3,867m), home to the most important monastery in the Khumbu.
At Tengboche Monastery
Tengboche Monastery (Thyangboche Gompa) is a working Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Monks live and practice here year-round. Visitors are welcome but etiquette matters.
Gompa hernu paaunchha? — GOM-pa HER-nu PAA-un-chha? — May I visit the monastery?
Photo liinna milchha? — PHO-to LIN-na MIL-chha? — Is it okay to take photos?
Bhitra jaanna milchha? — BHIT-ra JAA-na MIL-chha? — May I go inside?
When meeting monks, always use Namaste with pressed palms. Do not offer to shake hands with monks. Walk clockwise around the monastery and any stupa or mani wall.
Tashi Delek — Use this with Sherpa and Tibetan Buddhist communities in the Khumbu. It will always be received warmly.
Dingboche and Acclimatisation Hikes (Days 6–8)
After Tengboche, the trail climbs through Pangboche and Dingboche (4,410m). Dingboche is the second major acclimatisation stop. Most trekkers spend two nights here, doing day hikes to Nagarjun Hill or Chhukung to prepare for higher altitudes.
Discussing Acclimatisation
Aaj raati Dingboche basu — AAJ RAA-ti DIN-go-che BA-su — I'll stay in Dingboche tonight.
Tauko dukhekai chha — TAU-ko dukh-E-kai chha — I have a headache.
AMS ko laagi tala jaanu parchha ki? — AMS ko LAA-gi TA-la JAA-nu PAR-chha ki? — Do I need to go down for AMS?
Aaj acclimatisation hike garnu parla — AAJ ac-cli-ma-ti-ZA-shun HIKE GAR-nu PAR-la — I should do an acclimatisation hike today.
Bistaarai bistaarai — bis-TAA-rai bis-TAA-rai — Slowly, slowly. Your mantra above 4,000m.
Key Altitude Symptoms to Communicate
Tauko dukheko chha — TAU-ko dukh-E-ko chha — I have a headache.
Jharjhar bhairako chha — JHAR-jhar BHAI-RA-ko chha — I am dizzy.
Khaana khaana man chhaena — KHA-na KHA-na MAN CHHAE-na — I have no appetite.
Saas pherna gaaro chha — SAAS PHER-na GAA-ro chha — I have difficulty breathing.
Tala jaanu parchha — TA-la JAA-nu PAR-chha — I need to go down. Say this clearly and act on it.
Lobuche and Gorak Shep (Days 9–10)
From Dingboche the trail climbs through the memorial chortens of Thukla Pass — honouring climbers who died on Everest — and on to Lobuche (4,940m) and Gorak Shep (5,164m). These are the highest settlements on the route, cold, basic, and extraordinary.
At High Altitude Tea Houses
Tatoo paani cha? — ta-TOO PAA-ni chha? — Is there hot water?
Garam khana cha? — ga-RAM KHA-na chha? — Is there hot food?
Generator kati baje balla? — gen-er-A-tor KA-ti BA-je BAL-la? — When does the generator come on?
Raatbhar taato rakhne kela chha? — RAAT-bhar TAA-to RAKH-ne KE-la chha? — Is there heating overnight? (Kerosene heater — kela — is often available for a fee at high-altitude lodges)
Extra blanket diinus — EX-tra BLAN-ket di-NUS — Please give me an extra blanket.
Talking to Your Guide About the Summit Push
Bihaana kati baje uthnu parchha? — bi-HAA-na KA-ti BA-je UTH-nu PAR-chha? — What time do we need to wake up?
EBC samma jaana kati ghanta lagchha? — EBC SAM-ma JAA-na KA-ti GHAN-ta LAG-chha? — How long does it take to get to EBC?
Kala Patthar summit kati uchaaico chha? — KA-la PAT-thar SUM-mit KA-ti u-CHAI-co chha? — What height is the Kala Patthar summit?
Mausam ramro huncha? — MAU-sam RAM-ro HUN-chha? — Will the weather be good?
Headlamp tayaar chha — HEAD-lamp ta-YAAR chha — My headlamp is ready.
Everest Base Camp (Day 10)
EBC pugyo! — EBC PUG-yo! — We made it to EBC!
This moment deserves Nepali. You have walked for ten days through some of the most beautiful and demanding terrain on earth, and you are standing at the foot of the highest mountain in the world. Say it properly.
Sagarmatha ko paila pugyo — sa-GAR-ma-tha ko PAI-la PUG-yo — I reached the foot of Everest.
Ekdam ramro chha — EK-dam RAM-ro chha — It is incredibly beautiful.
Tapaaī sanga aunu paayekomai khushi laagyo — ta-PAA-ee SAN-ga AA-nu PAA-ye-ko-mai KHU-shi LAAG-yo — I am so glad I came here with you.
Photo khichus — PHO-to KHICH-us — Take a photo (casual, to a friend or guide).
Hamro saatha photo linus — HAM-ro SAA-tha PHO-to LI-nus — Take a photo of us together.
Kala Patthar (5,545m)
Most trekkers continue from EBC to Kala Patthar the following morning for the iconic sunrise view of Everest's south face. The pre-dawn start (usually 4–5am) requires coordination with your guide.
Bihaana char baje uthne — bi-HAA-na CHAAR BA-je UTH-ne — We wake at 4am.
Taato chiya banaaunu huncha? — TAA-to CHI-ya ba-NAA-u-nu HUN-chha? — Can you make hot tea?
Ujyaalo bhayechha — uj-YAA-lo BHA-ye-chha — It has become light / dawn is breaking.
Surya udirachha — SUR-ya u-di-RA-chha — The sun is rising.
The Descent: Namche to Lukla (Days 11–14)
The descent is faster but harder on the knees. The trail from Gorak Shep back to Lukla takes three to four days, and many trekkers find these days the most relaxed of the journey — familiar ground, celebration in the air, and time to connect more deeply with guides and porters.
Celebrating with Your Team
Tapaaī ekdam ramro guide / porter hunu huncha — ta-PAA-ee EK-dam RAM-ro GUIDE / POR-ter HU-nu HUN-chha — You are an excellent guide / porter.
Tapaaī ko madat bina EBC pugna sakdinthiyau — ta-PAA-ee ko ma-DAT BI-na EBC PUG-na SAK-din-THI-yau — Without your help I couldn't have reached EBC.
Khusi laagyo — KHU-si LAAG-yo — I am happy.
Tapaaī sanga bhetna paayo, ramro laagyo — ta-PAA-ee SAN-ga BHET-na PAA-yo, RAM-ro LAAG-yo — It was wonderful to meet you.
Tipping Your Guide and Porter
Tipping is expected and important on EBC treks. When handing over the tip:
Yo tapaaīko laagi — YO ta-PAA-ee-ko LAA-gi — This is for you.
Ramro kaam garnu bhaeko — RAM-ro KAAM GAR-nu BHAE-ko — You did great work.
Bahut dhanyabad — ba-HUT dhan-ya-BAAD — Thank you very much.
Customary tipping amounts (2026): Guides USD $20–25 per day; porters USD $10–15 per day. Tip directly in cash to each person individually.
Farewell at Lukla
Pheri Nepal aaunechhu — PHE-ri ne-PAAL AA-u-ne-CHHU — I will come back to Nepal again.
Nepal mero manparne thau ho — ne-PAAL ME-ro man-PAR-ne THAU HO — Nepal is my favourite place.
Pheri bhetaula — PHE-ri bhe-TAU-la — Until we meet again.
Tapaaīlai dhanyabad, mero saathi — ta-PAA-ee-LAI dhan-ya-BAAD, ME-ro SAA-thi — Thank you, my friend.
Key Vocabulary for the Khumbu Region
Mountains and Peaks
| Peak | Nepali Name | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Everest | Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा) | 8,849m |
| Lhotse | Lhotse (ल्होत्से) | 8,516m |
| Makalu | Makalu (मकालु) | 8,485m |
| Cho Oyu | Cho Oyu (चो ओयु) | 8,188m |
| Ama Dablam | Ama Dablam (अमा दाब्लम) | 6,812m |
| Island Peak | Imja Tse (इम्जा त्से) | 6,189m |
| Kala Patthar | Kala Patthar (काला पत्थर) | 5,545m |
Khumbu Region Vocabulary
| English | Nepali | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain | Pahad / Himal | pa-HAD / HI-mal |
| Glacier | Himnad | HIM-nad |
| Valley | Kholsa / Khola | KHOL-sa |
| Pass | La / Bhanjyang | LA / bhan-JYANG |
| Monastery | Gompa / Gumba | GOM-pa |
| Prayer flag | Lungdar | LUNG-dar |
| Stupa / Chorten | Chorten | CHOR-ten |
| Yak | Chauri / Yak | CHAU-ri / YAK |
| Sherpa | Sherpa | SHER-pa |
| Porter | Bhariya | BHA-ri-ya |
| Guide | Saathi / Guide | SAA-thi |
| Altitude sickness | Lekh ko bimari | LEKH ko bi-MAA-ri |
| Acclimatise | Aafai lai milaaunu | — |
| Summit | Chuchuro | CHU-chu-ro |
| Base camp | Aadhar shivir | AA-dhar SHI-vir |
Prepare Before You Go
The EBC trek rewards preparation. Invest two to three weeks in BolNepali's trekking vocabulary module before you leave Australia and you will arrive in Nepal ready to connect, not just to observe.
Start free at bolnepali.com.
BolNepali prepares Australian trekkers for Everest Base Camp, Annapurna, and all of Nepal's great trekking routes with structured Nepali language learning and region-specific vocabulary guides.