January is the winter month in Nepal and the climate gets colder. However, not many people know that the Everest Base Camp Trek can still be done in January with amazing landscapes in less crowded trails.
Everest Base Camp in January is a unique way of experiencing thrill and adventure in the snowy trails of the Everest Region. Being the coldest month in the winter season, there are not many tourists on the trails which makes the trail less crowded. Thus, you can soak in the beauty and unaffected views during this time of the year.
Although the temperature is low, you will experience no troubles with proper planning and preparation while you trek to the Everest Base Camp. The trip through the Himalayan vistas to the foothill of the tallest mountain in the world is certainly an experience you would not want to miss out.
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Temperature and Weather
January is in the mid-month of the winter season making it one of the coldest months of the year. The days are warm while the nights and mornings are cold.
The average daytime temperature ranges from 8-12 degrees and the temperature at the night is around -17 degrees. You can experience snowfall during this period but can continue trekking as soon as the snow stops. The sunshine is for 5-7 hours per day.
During the period, the trekking can be done in a warm environment. The average daily wind speed is around 8-12 mph. You can enjoy the trek in a warm environment during the day when the sun shines for 5-7 hours a day.
What to Expect On Your EBC Trek In January
During January, there are very few people who make the trek to Everest Base Camp as the cold makes it impossible for some trekkers. But for trekkers who are serious about trekking and want to avoid the crowds in the trails, January is the best month to go trekking at.
Everest Base Camp Trek has many numbers of viewpoints and sites where you can see the tallest mountain in the world and enjoy the snow-covered landscape at its best shining like a white crystal. You can enjoy the beautiful local village, Tengboche Monastery, and a scenic view of the landscape.
The mountains around Tengboche are stunning and mesmerizing. You can get a good picture if you stand in the Everest View Hotel in Namche and soak in the beauty. There are many sites that are unexplainable and words fall short to express the beauty and joy of watching it right in front of your eyes.
There are certainly numerous things you will encounter as you walk to the trail to Everest Base Camp. However, we have listed a few of those things that you shall expect in January during the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Cloudless Sky
In January, the precipitation is very low and the air is dry. So, the skies are clear and cloudless which offers you the best and magnificent view. Also, with no clouds the possibility of flight delays is little.
Peaceful Trail
January is the perfect time for the trekkers to trek in the crowd-free trail. You will enjoy the peaceful environment and soak in the beauty. Also, with lesser people in the tea houses, you can enjoy all the benefits of the tea house. You can talk to the locals and even make personal requests.
Cheaper flights and accommodation
The tea houses usually have fixed prices. Since there is a lesser number of trekkers on the trail, you can get the rate cheaper than in other seasons.
Lhosar
Nepali festivals follow the lunar calendar. A festival that is often held in January is Lhosar. The Everest Region has Buddhist in the majority. Lhosar is held on the first day of the New Year. So, you can find Gurung, Tamang, and Sherpa celebrating it.
New Year
It is a great time to be on the lap of the mountains during the first day of the new year. Experiencing life in the Everest region is certainly a good start to the year. Make sure you are at Namche Bazaar on the eve of New Years’ as the place is filled with restaurants and cafes. You will meet a lot of trekkers and mountaineers and can share your stories. Also, make sure that you do not consume more alcohol because it might cause altitude sickness or might elevate the alcohol effect.
Getting There
The easiest way of getting to the Everest region is to take a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu. However, the fog in Kathmandu might cause the flight to delay even if the weather at Lukla is perfect.
You can trek from Jiri to Lukla, which is called the Pioneers’ Route. You can take a day drive from Kathmandu to Jiri or can fly from Kathmandu to Phaplu and trek via the Solukhumbu region.
It is not recommended to trek to the higher elevation in January. Avoid treks such as Three Passes Trek as they will have more snow in the region. Trek that is below 13000 feet will be easier and safer during this month.
If you like a shorter trek to the Everest region then you can trek to Namche Bazaar which is two days walk from Lukla.
Food and Accommodation
There is less crowd during the trek in January so you will find the tea houses empty. On the bright side, you can enjoy all the facilities of the tea house and get more time to interact with the locals while you rest in the warm and comfortable accommodation.
The tea houses are comfortable with basic facilities for you to spend your nights and rest properly. The rooms are twin bedrooms where you can either get an attached bathroom or a common toilet depending on the altitude. It is to be noted that the higher you go in the altitude, the more basic facilities get.
The beds have comfortable mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Since the tea house will be empty, you can get more blankets to borrow for the night.
There are facilities for charging gadgets and Wi-Fi but might not be properly available. The tea houses use solar panels, so during gloomy days, there might be no electricity for you to charge the gadgets.
The toilets can either be western style or the traditional ones. While you are at the lower altitude, you can find a good and clean toilet with a western-style flush. But as you higher in the altitude, you can commonly find a squat-type toilet where you have to fill the bucket and pour it to flush. Make sure you carry toilet paper all the time.
Also, carry hand sanitizers because during the morning the water might freeze and become ice.
On the other hand, the food is delicious and is freshly made. It is suggested to try on local food which is Dal Bhaat which has steamed rice, lentil soup, curries, and pickle. Since you will need a good amount of energy, this local food is helpful and easily available.
There are wide varieties of western food as well that you can enjoy during breakfast as well.
For drinking water, you can either opt for Nalgene bottles or bring your own bottle to fill in the water. It is not recommended to buy plastic bottles as you cannot fill in hot waters and the trail might get polluted in case you leave the bottle.
You can ask for boiled water in the tea house and fill in your own bottle to keep you hydrated during the day. Make sure you do not drink from the tap water or the river as they might be contaminated.
Also, Make sure you carry a purifying tablet so that you can drink the tap water after treating it.
What to Pack for EBC Trek in January
January is the coldest month in the winter season and you must be ready to pack extra warm clothes. The temperature falls below zero at night and you must have warm and comfortable clothes to protect your body from the cold. The must thing while trekking to Everest Base Camp Trek in January is insulating warm clothes.
January can be equally fun and rewarding as the peak season with proper planning and information. You must own a good pair of boots to keep your feet warm. Make sure there are microspikes on the boots to prevent any kind of injuries.
Trekking poles are mandatory to help you cross the snowy trails. To avoid exposure to the chilly winds, make sure you have a down jacket, sleeping bag, water, and windproof gloves, and warm base layers.
If you like to read the items in detail, you can check out our packing list item for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Travel Tips
Being prepared in terms of equipment and information will make your trek the best. If this is your first time trekking to the Everest Base Camp, you will have a lot of confusion on what to take and what better things to do. Being over-prepared and underprepared can be equally daunting and agonizing. There are a lot of tips on your trek to the Everest Base Camp which can help you to make the trip unforgettable.
The trek to the Everest Base Camp can be intimidating for many trekkers but it really should not be. With the help of the experts and trekkers, we have collected lists of the travel guide. We have listed you few travel tips that can give you an outline on how to make the trekking experience better and learn from the experts.
Decide on your expectation
If you are sure of what you want from the trek, then you can decide on which route is suitable for you. In January, the entire route leading to Everest Base Camp is open. If you are trekking in a group and want to have a great conversation during the trek, then use the direct way to the Base Camp.
If you want to avoid the crowd, take the Jiri Everest Base Camp route. For more adventure, there are other routes as well.
Layering
Layering your clothes is the ideal way of keeping your body warm. You can easily add or remove your layers as per the requirement.
Travel insurance
It is mandatory to have travel insurance for your health safety and emergency evacuation in case you need it at a higher altitude. Make sure it covers high altitude treks in Nepal and air ambulance.
Start early
The early you start, the more time you have to explore the beauty of the region. Also, you will reach the destination before dark. You can rest in between the treks or walk at your own pace. You can also spend time with the locals at your tea house and interact with them if you reach your tea house early.
Bring a book
Now, this is a travel tip that will help you pass time during the stay at the tea houses. There is no TV or internet connection at a higher altitude so you will have nothing else to do. Of course, you will need sleep and enough rest for the next day, and bringing a book will help you sleep faster.
Also, you can bring playing cards and pass time before you go to bed.
Conclusion
January is a peaceful trekking month for the trekkers leading to Everest Base Camp. Traveling in a lesser crowded trail not only offers exciting but also thrilling adventure to the classic trek. With the most stunning views, January is the month to explore the route. So, if you are dreaming and want to cut the Everest Base Camp trek off the bucket list, we are here to help you.
If you have any further queries for the treks to Everest Base Camp in January, you can contact us and we will be happy to guide you on your next adventure.
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