The best time of the year for the Everest Base Camp trek is spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November). In these seasons you can enjoy the uninterrupted views of the mountains and the weather is pleasant as well. Since everyone wants to enjoy the best view in a pleasant weather, crowd would be inevitable.
You can trek to Everest Base Camp all-round the year; however, it’s best to avoid trekking in monsoon season. Monsoon starts from June and lasts till mid-September. If you don’t mind the cold temperature, trek in winter and you will be avoiding crowd as well. The best time to visit Everest Base Camp Trek depends on what kind of experience you wish to have! Every season has its perks; choose as per your trekking style and preferences.
Everest Base Camp Weather
Weather in high altitude like the Everest region is difficult to predict and one can never predict the weather. Nevertheless, the Everest region has four distinct kinds of weather spring, summer accompanied by the monsoon, autumn, and winter.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is considered one of the best times to visit Everest Base Camp Trek. The months of March, April, and May is springtime in Nepal. Weather is mostly stable during this time of the year. Days are warm and sunny enjoyable to hike. The sky is clear and you can enjoy the breathtaking views of snowy mountains. However, there is a possibility of haze covering amazing views along with occasional rainfall. Moreover, the trail looks the best with colorful flowers as spring is the season of rhododendron blooms.
Since spring is one of the best seasons to trek to Everest Base Camp, it is the busiest time of the year as well. Many Everest summiteers, climbers and their support crews visit the base camp during this time of the year. Further, you will see the base camp filled with many tents and all the hustle and bustle of teams of climbers.
The maximum temperature is around 20 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is around -5 degrees during spring-time.
Summer cum Monsoon (June to mid-September)
In Nepal, summer is accompanied by monsoon which starts in June and lasts till August. The trekking trails are empty. Rainfall makes trekking trail slippery and leeches will be in abundance. Clouds obstruct the stunning mountain views.
Moreover, the bad weather condition will affect scheduled flights to Lukla. The chances of delays and flight cancellation will multiply. Also, paths in the lower elevation might be blocked due to floods and landslides. When trekking in monsoon you need to be ready to face rain, snow, and very cold weather. The temperature reaches a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius and a minimum of -2 degrees Celsius.
The challenging situations will make anyone think twice about a monsoon trek. However, trekking to the Everest Base in monsoon might interest an intrepid trekker. Monsoon is an offseason. You don’t need to worry about finding a room in a hotel rather you can expect to get discounts. Consider investing in good quality trekking boots with strong grips and waterproof clothes. If you want to witness unique Himalayan biodiversity then monsoon is a good time.
Autumn (mid-September to November)
Autumn or Fall is the best time to visit Everest Base Camp Trek. It starts from mid-September and lasts till November. Monsoon would have just ceased away spreading greenery everywhere and filling up water bodies. The weather is usually clear in autumn and visibility is high. You will get to enjoy the breathtaking view of snowy mountains and verdant hills. You will be trekking in pleasant weather neither too hot nor too cold.
A trek in beautiful weather with stunning mountain views attracts thousands of trekkers annually and trails are busiest. You will get to meet people from all around the world and form new connections. The maximum weather during autumn is around 20 degrees while temperature might drop as low as -7 degrees Celsius at night during autumn.
Mani Rimdu festival usually falls in peak tourist October or November and is celebrated grandly in the Tengboche monastery. The festival honors the foundation of Buddhism in Tibet Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche. Monks dressed in the costumes of deities perform scared dances with Buddhist teachings. The 19 days long Mani Rimdu festival is open to the public for the last 3 days and attracts locals and tourists alike.
Winter (December to February)
Winter isn’t a popular month for trekking but winter treks fall under the choice erudite trekkers. If you don’t mind trekking in cold trekker and wish to enjoy a trek in solitude, trek in winter. Sky will be crisp and you will get a clear view of mountains even in winter.
Daytime is generally sunny and you will be trekking under the warm sun. The temperature drops at night below the freezing point. Also, the temperature can drop down dramatically so you need to have the proper gear for freezing conditions.
There is a possibility of snowfall in winter so you will need appropriate gears. Further, you might need crampons to navigate the path covered in snow. The maximum temperature is around 8 degrees Celsius and temperature can drop as low as -15 degrees in winter. Further, you need to prepare for snowfall as well.
You can expect to stay at teahouses at discounted rates with better services. Experience the joy of trekking in seclusion with a winter trek to Everest Base Camp. Also, a trekking gear that can withstand harsh weather of the Everest region will make your trek a memorable experience for a lifetime.
Everest Base Camp Trek Spring or Fall?
Well, spring and fall or autumn are the best time of the year to trek to Everest Base Camp. Spring and fall both have their perks and we will help you to choose better.
When trekking in spring, the trail will have become colorful with rhododendron blooms. You will see trees covered with white, red, pink, yellow rhododendron flowers.
You will be trekking in pleasant weather. You can mostly enjoy the stunning views of Himalayas but there lies a possibility of haze covering the view along with light rainfall.
You can enjoy trekking in a warm-weather when trekking in autumn. Monsoon would have ceased away so there lie least chances of rainfall. Visibility will be at its peak and you can enjoy uninterrupted views of towering mountains.
Everest region comes alive with the Mani Rimdu festival. Moreover, mask dances performed wearing colorful costumes with Buddhist teachings are the main attraction of the festival.
If you wish to enjoy colors of nature then choose spring and those who are culturally inclined can choose autumn. Autumn or fall and spring are the best seasons to trek and the best weather attracts thousands of trekkers.
The crowd will make it difficult to enjoy a Himalayan trek in solitude so here are some alternative trek routes.
Alternative Trek Routes for High Season to Avoid Crowd
If you wish to enjoy solitude while trekking in a peak tourist season then here are some alternative of Everest Base Camp trek.
Everest Base Camp trek from Phaplu or Jiri
Take a pioneer’s route to Everest Base Camp by starting a trek from the lower region of Everest, Phaplu, or Jiri. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa used the route to trek to the base camp of Everest. You can enjoy trekking in seclusion before reaching Phakding as the least trekkers use this trail to Everest Base Camp.
After a scenic drive to Jiri or Phaplu, your treks start and will be hiking past villages of Nunthala, Buspa, Surke before arriving at Phakding. Further, you will be following the standard trek route to EBC.
The longer route falls under the choice of nature lovers and intrepid trekkers while steep ascends and descends test their fitness level.
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
You will get to enjoy a trek as well as a helicopter tour of the Everest region in a single trip. You will be trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas taking the standard route to the base camp. After marveling at the best views of Everest from Kala Patthar, you will be flying in a helicopter.
Savor amazing views of Mount Everest neighboring mountains, glaciers, and Sherpa settlements. Moreover, you will be flying parallel to the Himalayas. The trail to the base camp will be crowded but a wonderful helicopter ride will make up for it. You will be stopping at Kala Patthar briefly and enjoy the best view of Everest and neighboring mountains.
Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes Trek
A hike in the standard EBC trek route to the base camp will be crowded. But you can enjoy seclusion while trekking along the Gokyo trail. While trekking in Gokyo Valley you will be walking in a trail featuring awesome Himalayan views but significantly less crowd. Moreover, you will be traversing through Cho La Pass (5,420 meters), hiking to the popular viewpoint of Gokyo Ri. Also, you will be crossing the longest glacier of Nepal, Nzogumpa Glacier.
You might wonder if trekking in different seasons affects the difficulty level of Everest Base Camp Trek; let’s know if it does or doesn’t.
How hard is Everest Base Camp Trek?
Does season affect the difficulty?
A trek to Everest Base Camp is a moderately difficult trek. It is suitable for both inexperienced and experienced trekkers. However, previous experience of high altitude trek will be added advantage and boots your confidence level. You will be attaining a maximum altitude of 5,550 meters at Kala Patthar. A high altitude trek like Everest Base Camp Trek is physically demanding as well.
Weather won’t add difficulty when trekking in the spring and autumn season. Light rainfall is expected in spring which can be tackled by wearing a raincoat and wearing trekking shoes with a good grip.
It is best to avoid trek in monsoon as the trail will be slippery adding the risk of injuries. Moreover, you will need crampons to cross the trail covered in snow which is more likely to happen during winter treks.
You need to wear weather appropriate gears for Everest treks. When trekking in winter you will need extra warm clothes and gears to survive harsh weather in high altitude.
Wilderness trekking is best when done with a trustworthy trekking company like Third Rock Adventures. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides are equipped with first aid and wilderness training is an added advantage for a trekker. Moreover, if you want a customized itinerary then you can contact our dedicated team of Travel Consultants for their expert advice.
