Everest Base Camp Trek in April is one of the most rewarding trekking experiences in Nepal. April falls under the peak-trekking season, boasting a wide range of tourists in Nepal. And the number of trekkers visiting trekking destinations like Everest Base Camp is also very high.
The increase in the volume of trekkers in Everest Base Camp in April is directly proportional to the enhanced beauty of the region. From the favorable weather to the cultural experiences and natural richness, Everest Base Camp Trek in April is one of the must-do adventures. Here are some of the concerning aspects that you should consider before going on Everest Base Camp Trek in April.
Why Is April An Ideal Time For Everest Base Camp Trek?
Several reasons back up April for encouraging us to trek to Everest Base Camp. April has several favorable factors, like clear skies and moderate temperatures, that provide comfortable trekking experiences during the daytime.
In the lower regions, where the green vegetation prevails, the rhododendron blooms in a full fledge, enhancing the beauty of the landscape. Similarly, the excellent and clear visibility of the surroundings offers unforgettable experiences to the trekkers. April is also a month of festivals and is perfect for cultural experiences.
Here are some of the reasons why April is an ideal time for Everest Base Camp Trek:
Weather and Temperature:
The weather and temperature of April in Nepal are favorable for trekking. And when it comes to Everest Base Camp Trek, April brings moderate temperatures around the region with a favorable climate. Trekkers usually find it comfortable to hike during the day in April. But the night times might be harsh compared to the daytime, so recommended precautions should be taken. If you look at the temperature statistics of Lukla and Namche Bazaar, the average minimum temperature is around -7°C. Similarly, the average maximum temperature is 2.7°C.
Gorakshep and Everest Base Camp have temperatures between -5.5°C and -14.7°C. Temperature is always colder in the base camp, so trekkers must be prepared for the low temperature before they embark on the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Colorful Surroundings:
During April, the Everest Region boasts various colors with blooming flowers. The Rhododendron forest goes in full bloom while the wildflowers also support the colorful nature. In the lower regions of the trekking trail, flowers add vibrant colors to the landscape. If you are a photogenic or enthusiast, the scenes of the colorful environment make it a perfect place to visit Everest Base Camp.
Perfect Visibility and Views:
Everest Base Camp and its trail is no strange to the beautiful scenes and views. During April, the sky usually gets clear with fewer clouds, allowing trekkers to have clear visibility of the surroundings. The panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and Island Peak, are breathtaking. Similarly, the magnificent views of Khumbu Glacier and Khumbu Icefall, along with the traditional Sherpa Villages, are worth watching during Everest Base Camp Trek in April.
Celebrations and Festivals:
April is a month of festivals in Nepal. First things first, the Nepali New Year falls under this month, which comes with a wide range of celebrations all over the country. Places Bhaktapur and Kathmandu celebrate several other festivals like Bisket Jatra and Machindranath Jatra, where you can participate before and after the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Moreover, Buddha Jayanti (the birthday of Lord Buddha) also falls in April. Since the Everest region features a wide range of Buddhist settlements and monasteries, you can get insights into the cultural richness of the region and learn how people delve into cultural and religious activities.
Pre-Monsoon Season:
April comes a month before the monsoon starts in Nepal. Usually, the monsoon starts in late May, so trekking to Everest Base Camp in April might be a perfect choice for trekkers. If you choose to trek in April, you can avoid heavy rainfall and potential natural hazards like landslides, rock falls, and soil erosion in the Himalayan region. Since the trail remains dry and crisp, trekkers will have a comfortable experience in navigating through the trails of Everest Base Camp.
Apart from that, Everest Base Camp also does not have the possibility of snowfall in April. Though the temperature might be around -0 Degree Celsius, there is less chance of snowfall. That said, trekkers must be prepared for the extreme climate since the weather in the Everest region is unpredictable.
Moderate Crowd And Availability of Tea Houses:
During April, the route of Everest Base Camp usually gets crowded. But in the early April session, the routes feature a moderate crowd. So it is an ideal idea to initiate your trek to Everest Base Camp in early April. With the moderate crowds embarking on the Everest Base Camp Trek, there is also a high chance of getting accommodation services. Tea houses and guest houses are not much crowded as like the time of late April and May.
Preparation Needed for Everest Base Camp Trek in April
Physical fitness and training requirements
Everest Base Camp Trek is not an easy feat – it requires a high level of physical fitness and abundant training. The route of Everest Base Camp is rugged, remote, and sloppy as it lies in the Himalayan region of Nepal. To traverse this trail, climbers must have a strong physical build and stamina.
On top of that, trekkers must walk for over 6 hours daily to reach their destination. It surely exhausts the physical health of trekkers. Similarly, aspects like weather conditions and high-altitude might create issues in physical health, and trekkers can even suffer from altitude-related illnesses like HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema), and AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
So, to avoid all these bad effects during the Everest Base Camp Trek, having strong physical fitness is necessary.
Necessary permits and documentation
To embark on the Everest Base Camp Trek in April, trekkers must obtain certain permits and licenses. The first one is the Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit, which is required to enter the premises of the Sagarmatha National Park.
Since the National Park is a protected land designated to conserve wildlife species, you must need special permission from the Government. You can get it from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Monjo Checkpost. Trekkers are charged around NRs. 3000 per person for this license.
Another permit you should acquire for Everest Base Camp Trek in April is the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit. It costs around NRs. Two thousand per person and is valid for four weeks. From the fifth week onwards, trekkers need to pay additional fees to validate this permit.
There is also another permit named Gaurishankar Conservation Area Entry Permit, which is required if you are trekking from Jiri to Lukla.
Choosing a reputable trekking agency
Choosing a reputable trekking agency is always a priority before embarking on Everest Base Camp Trek in April. The itinerary and services offered for this package differ from one organization to the other. Some organization includes fees that are suitable for trekkers, and some do not. Similarly, their services might meet the expectation of trekkers, and some might not.
At Nepal Eco Adventure, we offer a customized itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek in April. We are obliged to provide services that meet your expectations and preferences.
Essential gear and equipment checklist
Here are some of the lists of required gear and equipment that are required for trekking to Everest Base Camp in April. Make sure that you have listed them in your packing list, so your trekking experience remains soothing.
Clothing:
- Moisture-wicking base layers
- Insulated jacket or down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof outer shell jacket and pants
- Fleece or soft-shell jacket for additional insulation
- Waterproof and insulated gloves
- Warm beanie/hat and sun hat/cap
- Comfortable and moisture-wicking socks (several pairs)
- Warm thermal socks for higher altitudes
- Sturdy and well-broken-in trekking boots
- Lightweight and comfortable camp shoes/sandals for resting at tea houses
- Large and durable backpack (around 50-65 liters) with waist and chest straps
Sleeping Gear:
- Warm and lightweight sleeping bag suitable for freezing temperatures
- Sleeping bag liner for added warmth and hygiene
Trekking Gear:
- Trekking poles for better stability and support
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection and side covers
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Lip balm with SPF
- Water bottles or hydration system (2 liters capacity or more)
- Water purification tablets or filters
- Personal first aid kit with basic medications
- Duct tape and blister patches for foot care
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.)
Guides and Porters | Do We Need Them?
Guides are an integral part of trekking in Nepal,, and when it comes to the Everest Best Camp, they are one of the highly required aspects. Having professional and certified guides in your team helps you navigate the EBC trails easily. Most foreign trekkers require support in navigation as the trail is remote and located in an unknown place where they have never been before. So with the help of guides, they can not only easily navigate but also visit the places that offer the best scenes and views.
Similarly, guides can be helpful while communicating with the local people of the Everest Region. Guides have extensive knowledge of the local language and culture, so they can help you translate things for you to understand. If you are keen to know about Buddhism, Tibetan Monasteries, and their history, guides got you covered on that.
Moreover, guides offer support and safety during the trek to Everest Base Camp. They are acknowledged with the basic first aid safety measures, and in case of any emergencies, they can help you seek medical support and evacuation as well. Hiring guides can cost anywhere from $25 to $35 per day. Some experienced guides can charge up to $50 per day.
Similarly, hiring porters is also recommended for trekking to Everest Base Camp. The trek has an average duration of 12 days to 14 days, so carrying your backpacks and gear might not be an easy feat for such long days. For that, you must hire strong and experienced porters.
By doing so, trekkers can get enough spare time to delve into the beauty of the Everest region. And the physical burden of the trek will also be minimized. Moreover, porters also can help you in cultural immersion as they have extensive knowledge about the region, its people, culture, tradition, and history.
Hiring porters will cost you anywhere from $20 to $30 per day, depending upon the services they offer.
Getting There: The Journey Begins
How to reach Everest Base Camp? This might be the most intriguing question of every trekker dreaming of trekking to this beautiful destination. Here is a short tip to offer insight on how to reach Everest Base Camp.
The standard Everest Base Camp Trek starts with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, which takes around 45 minutes. From Lukla, trekkers must catch the trail that leads them to Phakding and Namche Bazaar. At Namche, the gate to Everest, trekkers must acclimatize as the altitude will already be 3000 meters above sea level. Remember, altitude sickness is a real concern during the trek, so to adjust the human body to the changing altitude, acclimatization is widely recommended.
From Namche, the trail goes towards Tengboche, where an ancient Tengboche Monastery lies. Enjoying the scenery of Buddhist settlements and the views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Nuptse, trekkers will continue hiking towards Dingboche and then to Gorakshep.
From Gorakshep, it is only a matter of a few hours to reach Everest Base Camp, the ultimate destination.
Attractions of Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp is a nature-gifted destination. Whether you look from the natural or cultural point of view, the destination always carries a great significance of tourism. Several places boast the beauty of the Everest region and can be touched during the trek. Here are some of them:
Tengboche and Pangboche Monastery
Everest Region is rich in Buddhism, so it’s no strange to find ancient Tibetan Monasteries around the region. Tengboche Monastery and Pangboche Monastery are two of the main and oldest gompas in the Everest region. Buddhist monks inhabit them, and the practice of Buddhism is very strict.
They feature many Thangkas, the Statue of Buddha, prayer flags, praying wheels, mani walls, and chortens. And the most interesting thing to explore is the worship session of Lord Buddha every morning and evening of the day.
Tengboche monastery is, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, built in 1916 AD by Lama Gulu. Similarly, Pangboche Monastery was built 350 years back by Lama Sangwa Dorjee.
Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is the most active and diverse place in the Everest Region. Situated at 3440 meters above sea level, it is also known as the Gate to Everest. There are several Westernized and local hotels and guest houses that offer the blended services of hospitality.
Similarly, the scenery from Namche Bazaar is praiseworthy. The magnificent views of Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam always welcome you aboard Everest Region. Similarly, the local Sherpa settlements and their hospitality are not strange to encounter at Namche Bazaar.
Kala Patthar
Kala Patthar is the highest viewpoint located in the Everest Region. Nestled at 5,644 meters above sea level, Kala Patthar offers spectacular views of the mystic mountain ranges, including the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest.
Similarly, trekkers can view the wide range of beautiful scenery, including Dudh Koshi River, Khumbu Icefall and Glacier, and heart-touching sunrise and sunset views from Kala Patthar. Several packages offer a helicopter return to Kathmandu from Kala Patthar.
Challenges of Trekking in Everest Base Camp in April
While trekking to Everest Base Camp in April might be one of the best experiences you will get, it also comes with some challenges. What difficulties might trekkers face during the trek? Let’s explore this in detail:
Extreme Climate & Weather Conditions: We have mentioned that April is one of the most favorable times to visit Everest Base Camp. But there is one thing to consider, unpredictable weather conditions. Due to this, the climate and temperature can change at any time, making trekkers cope easily.
Extremely low temperatures might even cause frostbite and other related issues. Similarly, sharp winds and snowfalls are rare issues that can happen during April.
High Altitude: We all know where Everest Base Camp lies – nestled in the lap of the mighty Mount Everest, it has an altitude of 5364 meters above sea level. Similarly, there are several other locations, such as Kala Patthar, Lobuche, and Gorakshep, which are over 5000 meters above sea level.
The important thing to consider while embarking on hiking to such high-altitude locations is the oxygen level and air pressure. You can find a scarce level of oxygen and high air pressure in high-altitude locations, which makes it hard to breathe. So you must take supplementary oxygen to avoid this crisis.
Similarly, to avoid altitude sickness, trekkers must be acclimatized. To acclimatize, trekkers must ascent gradually, climb high, and sleep at lower altitudes. Similarly, they should focus on hydrating their body and eating nutritious foods that are high-energy driving.
To avoid altitude sickness, trekkers also must take adequate rest and sleep. Without proper rest, trekkers cannot retain enough energy to hike around the high altitude locations.
You may also like:
- Everest Base Camp Trek in October
- Major Attractions of Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest Base Camp Trek in March
- Everest Base Camp Trekking in Nepal
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is April considered the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?
April is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp since it has the most favorable weather conditions.
Stable weather with clear skies and moderate temperatures is what makes it a popular choice among trekkers.
What can I expect about the April weather at Everest Base Camp?
In April, Everest Base Camp features a mild and dry environment. The daytime temperature can range from while the night time temperature ranges in between
Is trekking to Everest Base Camp in April suitable for beginners?
No, Everest Base Camp Trek is not suitable for beginners since it is physically and technically demanding. As we have already discussed how much elevation we gain during the trek and the difficulty level of the routes to the base camp, trekkers must have prior experience before embarking on this trek.
Do I need a permit to trek to Everest Base Camp in April?
Trekkers need two different kinds of permits for Everest Base Camp Trek, they are Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit and Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality Entry Permit.
Is TIMS Card Required for EBC Trek?
No, TIMS Card is not required for EBC Trek. Before, trekkers needed to have TIMS cards, but after the decentralization system was initiated in Nepal, there was no need for a TIMS Card for EBC Trek.
How long does it take to trek to Everest Base Camp in April?
The average duration of Everest Base Camp Trek is around 12-14 days. The hike starts from Lukla and covers major destinations like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Gorakshep, and the base camp.
Are tea houses and lodges open during April along the trail?
Yes, most tea houses and lodges along the Everest Base Camp trail are open in April. Remember, if you are trekking in late April, these accommodating places might be overcrowded, so it is good to go for the early April trek to Everest Base Camp.
What is the highest point of Everest Base Camp Trek?
Kala Patthar is the highest point trekkers reach during Everest Base Camp Trek. The altitude of Kala Patthar is 5644 meters above sea level. It is also one of the popular viewpoints in Nepal, from where trekkers can have 360-degree views of Mount Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Cho Oyu.
Can I hire a guide and porter for the trek?
Hiring a guide and porter is highly recommended. Since hiring guides is mandatory now, you cannot skip this process. Nepal Tourism Board has made it mandatory to hire a guide after the massive increment in injury and missing cases.
Can I charge my electronic devices along the trail?
Yes, several tea houses and lodges offer electricity services along the trail of Everest Base Camp. So charging electronic devices might not be a problem.
Is internet connectivity available along the trekking route in April?
Internet services are available in the hotels around Namche Bazaar. However, it might not be available in all places. Some tea houses also offer internet services.
Are there any alternative trekking routes to Everest Base Camp in April?
Besides the standard route from Lukla, trekkers can opt for alternative routes like Gokyo Lake and Three Passes Trek.
