What is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek? What is the best time of year to climb Mount Everest? These two questions surely are the most typical questions for many Everest fans. If you are one of them, you are at the right place for your question. This blog will answer your questions.
Everest Base Camp Trek, as you know, is one of the most rejuvenating treks in the world. It is beautiful for many reasons. The amazing mountain vistas, enticing peaks, diverse landscapes, and cultural heritages. At the same time, the walk is not a walk in the park. It is a high-altitude walk of several weeks in the mountains. It will test your limits to extend them.
As a trekker, you want to do it when it is all good and when the weather conditions are good. If you do not consider timing, you will be in the region during a bad time.
As a result, the trek’s excitement can deteriorate. Due to rainfall and bad weather, you may miss out on good views of Mt Everest and other peaks. Likewise, the walk’s prevailing challenges can surmount due to the bad climate.
Although trekking to Everest Base Camp is possible throughout the year, you must do it when it is safe and beautiful. Therefore, being at the right time for the trek is important. The best time for the trek would be when the weather is stable, warm, and pleasant. Autumn and Spring are the good times.
Conversely, Autumn and Spring are a bit crowded, making it not the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek for peace fanatics. Despite their challenges, they may prefer Winter and Monsoon, the two low times.
Therefore, the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp can be different for trekkers.
We will talk in detail about the seasons below. Just remember, time is very important. The kind of experience you get on the trek depends on your chosen time. Therefore, choose one that fits you and your plan.
Everest Base Camp Trek and Seasons in Nepal
Everest Base Camp Trek in Autumn
Google it, and you’ll find Autumn is one of the best times for Everest Base Camp Trek. Indeed, it is a good time to be in the mountains of Nepal. September, October, and November are the months of Autumn in the country. You can experience special conditions.
Like everywhere, Autumn brings good weather to Nepal as the Monsoon leaves. The landscapes turn more vivid and fresh due to monsoon rainfall. The early weeks of September are a bit wet. As we pass ahead, the weather gets dry, sunny, and stable.
The days are quite warm, but you can expect the mornings and nights to be chilly.
All in all, temperature graphs of the season are bearable for trekking to EBC. You can miss out on your warm gear. Likewise, you may need rain gear if you are trekking in early Autumn. Nevertheless, the rain is not too heavy and stays for long.
Likewise, Everest has picturesque conditions in Autumn, mainly October. If you are a shutterbug or mountain lover, you can have good pictures of the iconic Everest Region peaks. Mt Everest is in its best shape during Autumn. Not just Everest, everything is mesmerizing in Autumn. Hence, it is popular as the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Pros of Autumn Trekking
Festive Time in Nepal of grand festivals like Mani Rimdu, Dashain, Tihar, Chaath, and more, warm weather, a stable climate, and undisturbed mountain views, opportunities to meet many travelers.
Cons of Autumn Trekking
Busy and crowded time to be on the Everest Base Camp trail. There are chances of rainfall in the low altitudes of the region during the first few weeks. Due to peak time, teahouses get quickly occupied.
See more: Trekking in Nepal in October
Everest Base Camp Trek in Spring
Spring is the top season for any trek in Nepal, not just Everest Base Camp Trek. With the finest weather conditions, it intrigues people from around the world. It would be trekking, climbing, or any other type of outing. It is the best time of year to climb Mount Everest as Tenzing and Hillary surmounted Everest in the mean season too.
The months of Spring have the finest weather conditions. It falls after the farewell of Winter in Nepal. The snowy season leaves a good amount of snow blankets in the mountains. You get to enjoy that. Likewise, rain and clouds are less prevalent in the season. You can have unobstructed views of mountainous horizons.
Spring has fine temperatures too. It is around 20 degrees in the lower areas of the Khumbu Region. During the night, it goes down to -10 degrees at higher elevations. Overall, the temperature is pretty bearable. You will require to wear heavy downs at night only. The days are pretty sunny and warm.
It is also a good time because of newly blooming rhododendrons. You will find colorful flowers all along the trail. Similarly, as it is peak time for trekking and mountaineering, you will meet many new faces. If you are an extrovert who loves exchanging stories, this is the right time.
Pros of Spring Trekking
Pleasant weather, Regular mountain fights, fewer weather delays, picturesque days, blossoming vegetation, Snow Loaded peaks, bluish skies, stable weather, meetings with new people, and more.
Cons of Spring Trekking
Crowdy for some people and accommodation hassles due to overcrowding if trekking solo.
See more: Trekking in Nepal in March
Everest Base Camp Trek in Winter
December to February is Winter in Nepal, a quiet time in the Himalayas for trekking. You will only meet a few trekkers on the EBC trail. The cold and extreme weather conditions of Winter make it a low time. Yet, you will meet some ardent adventurers. Everest Base Camp Trek is doable in Winter, though.
You have to be open to bear cold weather. The temperature during Winter in Everest is around 5 degrees during the day and -20 degrees at night. You have to pack some really warm clothes for Winter. Likewise, the trail, mainly higher ones, gets snowy. You need snow gear like crampons and gaiters.
However, Everest Region is breathtaking during Winter. The brand new snowfall makes it a heaven on earth. Snow Clad peaks and landscapes are at their best. For that, you have to take against all the odds. We do not strongly recommend Winter, as safety is a major concern. But, it is possible to do. We need to plan it wisely.
The Everest Base Camp trail is so serene during this season, which does not happen normally. Many travelers choose either Spring or Autumn for better weather. Thus, one who chooses to do Winter EBC Trek can experience that. You can enjoy your trek without much disturbance.
Pros of Winter Trekking
The trails and teahouses are peaceful and easily available. Recent snowfall makes the higher parts of the region more whitish and hence more picturesque. You can have a novel adventure of unraveling Everest Base Camp Trek in Winter.
Cons of Winter Trekking
Snowfall can turn normal trails into snowy trails. Hence a bit difficult. The chilly wind and temperature. The higher you go, the colder it will get. Likewise, you may have limited teahouse options as some remain shut down in Winter.
See more: Everest Base Camp Trek in December
Everest Base Camp Trek in Monsoon
After all, Monsoon’s turn comes here. Monsoon, known as summer, occurs from June to August in Nepal. It is the time of rain in Nepal, where the whole country experiences wet weather. Rain and dark clouds are normal things in Monsoon. Hence, it is not the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek. It is another low time.
However, Everest Base Camp Trek is still possible. You must carry enough rain gear, stay afloat on the slippery trails, and face other similar conditions. Only a few travelers like to take such chances. Hence, the Everest Base Camp route is less crowded.
The lower part of the trek has warm temperatures of around 18 degrees during this phase. You must be okay with rain clouds and frequent rainfall. The lower sides have higher precipitation levels. As you go up on the trek, the rain is replaced by snowfall. Throughout the walk, you will deal with all sorts of weather. Sometimes it will be sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowy too.
In Monsoon, the mountain views are incredible when open. The rain takes all the dust off the land. At the same time, the higher hills receive fresh snowfall. Combined, you get a view to celebrate in Monsoon. The view remains open until the next rainfall.
Pros of Monsoon Trekking
Peaceful trekking experience due to less crowded trails. The mesmerizing views post-rainfall are worth it all. On the lower sides, you will see crystal-clear pictures of landscapes and vegetation.
Cons of Monsoon Trekking
Rainfall can make the trail slippery and a bit tricky. The flights around Nepal get delayed due to the climate. Similarly, you may have to add extra days to your plan for contingencies. Clear mountains will be visible for a short time.
See more: Everest Base Camp Trek in July
What is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp for you?
So, there are better times to trek to Everest Base Camp. We, being locals, know the conditions better. Hence, we have been to Everest Base Camp all around the year. For us, anytime is okay.
However, the challenges get piled up a bit more in Winter and Monsoon. Conversely, the trek is quite comfortable during Autumn and Spring. There are a few weather problems.
Therefore, the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp depends on your preferences, attitude, and abilities. If you have all of them in the required way, you can do it anytime. Just go with the season that you are comfortable with. It could be Autumn, Spring, Monsoon, or even Winter.
Let’s know about yourself and your priorities and doubts, and we will plan it at the best time.
Alternative Routes to Everest Base Camp During Peak Seasons
Everest Base Camp Trek is the epitome of trekkers. Likewise, it is the gateway to Mt Everest’s summit. For these reasons, the route gets overwhelmingly crowded in peak seasons. As you know, Autumn and Spring are the two such seasons. Each of them is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek. Likewise, Spring is the best time of year to climb Mount Everest.
The fact does not resonate with all. Some travelers are okay with meeting many new people along the trail. Some prefer peace and solitude over people. Autumn and Spring may be too daunting for peace lovers and a blessing for chatterboxes.
Some alternative routes are peaceful all around the year. They are peaceful and as happening or more than the standard EBC route. The complete alternative routes are as below:
Shivalaya Gokyo Chola Pass
It is one of the classical routes to Everest Base Camp, the road taken by early pioneers like Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. The trek begins from Kathmandu with a long drive to Shivalaya. Then it continues via the beaten places like Bhandaro, Sete, Jubesi, Surkhe, Kharikhola, and more.
The route is more extended than other itineraries. Also, it takes you to Everest Base Camp via Gokyo Valley and Cho La Pass, giving you a complete experience. Most days, you will enjoy your company while trekking via the quiet side of the Everest Region. Your wish to avoid the crowded trails will come true with many memorable adventures. Know more about the route.
Arun Valley Everest Base Camp Trek
You can also do Everest Base Camp Trek via Arun Valley, one of the deepest valleys in the world. The valley rests in between notable Mt Everest and Mt Makalu. The route is entirely an unfrequented path.
This trail is another alternative for those who want to avoid EBC’s hyped trail. The route is an exclusive getaway that very few know about. You will have an untried experience while pursuing the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain. Do not forget to learn more about this; you may like it.
Everest Three High Passes Trek
Everest Three High Passes Trek is one of the most popular alternatives to EBC. It is an adventuresome trail that goes around the three high passes of the region, KongMa La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Renjo La Pass. The walk connects these passes along with Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. In short, this trek is a sheer walk of the trekker’s mecca, i.e., the Everest Region.
You can opt for this itinerary to avoid the mass in Autumn and Spring. This route takes place on a less crowded side. You can have a great experience without being disheartened by the crowd.
Get Insights on:
- Everest Base Camp Elevation
- Everest Base Camp Preparation
- Trekking Permits for Everest Base Camp Trek
- How to get to Everest Base Camp?
At Last
We hope this blog answers your questions. If you still need clarification regarding the best time of year to climb Mount Everest or the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp, you can contact our experts. They may help you on deciding via verbally.
Our team is experienced in organizing and leading expeditions in the Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. So just tell us your plan. We believe we have something special in our box for everyone.
