BEST TIME FOR EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK

By Glorious Himalaya on April 28, 2020 in Travel Tips, Trekking

Generally, the two seasons of Spring and Autumn during the months of March to May and Late August to September are conceded to be the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek. While the fall of October is considered to be the best month for Everest Base Camp Trek.

During these months, weather and temperature stabilize and tends to be very mild, when days are mostly clear offering great visibility of Mt. Everest and excellent opportunities to capture the stunning panorama of the glorious Himalayas.

Although in the summer-monsoon of June and July, the Everest Region with the whole of Nepal experiences frequent downpours obstructing the views and creating muddy and slippery trails making trekking in monsoon less favorable.

On the Other hand, during the months of December to February, winter grants you crystal-clear mountain views as long as you’re prepared for cold temperatures when the temperature is quite freezing with high chances of blockage of routes due to heavy rainfall.

However, what time of the year you should go to EBC also depends on the activities and the experience you are looking to have while there. With each season, you get the different weather, temperature, traffic, and experiences at Everest Base Camp with each season having its own pros and cons.

It is also significant to understand the weather patterns of the region while planning your trek to ensure you get the most out of your time spent in the area.

This article provides an overview of the seasons in the Everest region of Nepal and how they affect and take on Everest Base Camp Trek so that you can better decide on when to visit the area.

Below are the different seasons described for you to help you decide when is the best time for Everest Base Camp Trek.

Everest Base Camp Hike in Spring

Everest Base Camp Trek in Spring
Buddhist prayer flags and stupa at Namche

Spring in Nepal begins early in March and stays until the end of May. This is also the second most popular trekking season for the EBC trek as well as the best time for the Mt. Everest expedition.

As the majority of the Everest summits occur during these months, you will likely come across many climbers, summiteers, and their support crews on your journey to the top of the world. 

Weather is the most pleasant during this time of year with the generally clear skies and little-to-no-rain and less chance of problematic snowfall, offering you a much better view of Everest and a much better experience.

The temperature is favorable and warm enough to be comfortable, though it may not be as high in the summer. You can walk at your own pace and enjoy the silent serenity, as the days are longer.

Likewise, spring is also the verdant season of colorful landscapes, and vibrant forests with blossoms of many species of flowers that further add to the ambiance of the trail, and many of the routes will be flanked by flowering rhododendrons on full display throughout April.

Meanwhile, the temperature in Kathmandu is between 15-20 Degree Celsius and the flights to Lukla is also smooth and the helicopter ride is more blissful.

However, this also means that the region experiences more trekkers embarking on this trek thigh the crowd is comparatively fewer than that of Autumn. Also, accommodation in the Everest Region during the spring months can often be fully booked.

But if you’re in search of the best weather conditions for the Everest Trek, that’s a trade-off you may be prepared to make. So we recommend booking the trip well in advance to ensure you have somewhere to stay.

Everest Base Camp Trek in Autumn

Clear weather in autumn in Everest
Weather in the autumn season in the Everest region

The autumn trekking season kicks off in late September as the monsoon leaves. Heavy clouds are gone and the summit is once more visible. Fresh air and clear skies characterize this time of year, with October to early November especially excellent for trekking.

Waterfalls in the lower region are still alive and the landscapes are still verdant and lush. And, the best season for EBC Trek has arrived! Temperatures are pleasant, days are dry and views are perfect, although the weather is colder now than during the months of the spring season.

The season of Autumn is also the season of verdant Nepalese festivals of Dashain and Tihar. The weather is most pleasant and more stable during this time, and your trekking goes smooth on schedule.

The clear sky after the monsoon rain offers you to enjoy the glorious mountain views of Everest and its surrounding peaks. This is truly the best and most pleasant trekking weather.

The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. But the temperature at the higher elevation is certainly lower than that of the lower regions. Days are relatively warmer in the initial days while morning and night get colder as the days pass.

However, this comes with the price of a fair amount of crowd. But, you can also choose the lesser hiked Everest Base Camp Routes such as Everest Gokyo Trek if you wish to avoid the traffic.

Yet, we must bear in mind that, still the mountain weather is unpredictable. Therefore we always need to be ready with our right gear to tackle unforeseen events. As it is the peak season, prior booking is a must, particularly for the Everest flights and the accommodation.

Everest Base Camp Trekking in Monsoon

Foggy weather in summer season
Foggy weather in the summer season

Early June initiates the beginning of the summer monsoon in Nepal that lasts through early September. This is the season when the Everest Region experiences frequent rainfall with cloudy weather most of the time, making trekking to the Everest Base camp less favorable.

The rainfall generated during the summer monsoon leaves the route muddy and slippery with further possibilities of landslides and avalanches in the higher and lower mountain regions.

Consequently, trekkers normally bypass the summer-monsoon season leaving the trail empty. On the bright side, the vegetation is alive and green with remarkable forest views which is the best time to study flora and fauna for biologists.

But if you are looking to trek in the monsoon, then bring yourself good-quality boots, strong grips, and waterproof clothes. As monsoon is the off-season for trekkers in Nepal, most lodges and teahouses on the route remain closed. Though, you may enjoy discounts and have more room availability with more facilities. However, trekking in monsoon is less advisable.

Hike to Everest Base Camp in Winter

Everest snow trail in winter
Everest snow trail in winter

The view during the winter is crystal clear and is considered to be the best. As long as you are well prepared and ready to endure the freezing climate, you will have a unique experience in winter and get to enjoy the magnificent view of Mt. Everest and its circling peaks.

Winter starts early in November and lingers till February. Except for the morning mist and sometimes snowfalls, the weather is dry and stable. All the places are covered with thickly layered snow and the trails experience fewer trekkers.

Yet the weather in the mountains can is still not predictable, and a sunny day could turn later into a snowstorm. The high pass routes of the Mera peaks and the Gokyo trail are closed. As days are shorter, you will have fewer trekking hours than in other months. On a clear day, you get the best and clearest view of all year-round.

Moreover, the nights are much colder and the temperatures can drop down to -30 Degree celsius. Although, the temperature in the Kathmandu Valley remains mild. Most tea houses are closed during these cold seasons of Winter. You can also expect discounts and more conveniences.

If you are geared up and well prepared then winter trekking in Everest Base camp is assuredly one of the best seasons you can pick.

Our Advice

Aim to trek in the high season months of February to May and September to October as you are assured of mild and stable weather. The classic EBC route will be busy and if you want to avoid the crowds and are well-prepared, trekking during the winter months may be for you. But if you are a first-timer or less-experienced trekker, then trekking during winter is less advisable as the snow-covered trail may get you lost.

We highly advise pre-booking for the peak seasons as the accommodation and flight seats are limited during these months. Be familiar with the basics knowledge of altitude sickness and the information about the area because you don’t want to face any difficulty.

Keep in mind that high passes remain closed and most lodges and teahouses in the Everest region remain vacant during the winter season. Stay away from the months of summer-monsoon of June, July, and August. The trail conditions are not the safest, as the trails remain muddy, slippery, and wet and will be unfavorable.

Good luck with your endeavor! Should you have any queries please feel free to call or mail us.

Do You Know?

Nepal celebrates Mt. Everest day on May 29 every year in memory of the first humans to achieve the feat of Mt. Everest by New Zealand climber Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. The special day is celebrated with the memorial and special events in the Everest region and Kathmandu.

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