Short answer
- Take two rest days on the way to Everest Base Camp.
- Above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 500 m higher each night.
- If symptoms get worse, go down.
Rest days are the cheapest insurance on a trek: one more lodge night, about USD 50 on the Everest side.
This is general guidance from health bodies, not a checked figure. Ask a doctor before you go.
Key figures
Good to know
Browse all facts| Figure | What | State |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | Rest days, Everest Base Camp | General guidance |
| 500 m | Most to climb, sleeping | General guidance |
How to get it
- Step 1Plan rest days inNamche and Dingboche on Everest.
- Step 2Walk high, sleep lowA short climb on rest days helps.
- Step 3Know the signsHeadache, nausea, breathlessness at rest.
When to turn back
If symptoms worsen, descend at once, even at night. Helicopter rescue needs insurance.
Sources and versions
- 4 Oct 2026 · Figures re-checked against this season’s receipts
- 18 Aug 2026 · Page first published
