Everest Base Camp Weather: The Best Time to Trek EBC in Tibet and Nepal

Tibet and Nepal are two of the best places to go for high-altitude trekking, and with it being the shared home of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, there is no better trek in the world than the ones that take you to the world-famous Everest Base Camps (EBC).

Lying on the border between Nepal and Tibet, with the border dissecting the summit exactly, Mount Everest is the most famous trek of all, from both sides of the mountain. Whether you take the four-day trek to the north base camp in Tibet or the 12-day trek to the south base camp in Nepal, getting there is just as exciting an experience as taking the trek itself.

However, trekking in Tibet and Nepal depends largely on the weather. The climate around Mount Everest is changeable at best, and bad weather conditions can roll in at almost any time. So it is important to know when the best times to make this exciting journey to EBC is on both sides of the mountain.

Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan Side

Trekking in Tibet can actually be done at almost any time of the year, as the “shadow effect” of the mountains protects the area north of the Himalayas from the worst of the bad weather. However, Tibet is actually closed to foreign tourists during the Tibetan New Year, which is normally in late February, and does not open again until the spring comes, in April.

Best Time to Trek to EBC in Tibet will offer you clear Mount Everest summit

The best times to trek to the Tibet EBC is from April to mid-June and September to November, when the skies are clear, the weather is usually at its best, and the temperatures are relatively warm, but not too hot. The views of the summit are clear and crisp, and it is the best time for Everest photography in the entire year.

The spring months from April to mid-June are warmer than in the winter, and there is little chance of either snow or rain, though you cannot guarantee it around Mount Everest. As the weather warms up heading towards the summer, any snow has normally melted, and the lands dried up, making trekking ideal at this time, and giving you some of the best views of the surrounding mountains. In the valleys around the area, the spring blooms are opening up, and the trees fill with blossoms and new leaves, making some great photo opportunities.

The autumn season, from September to November, is also a great time for trekking, as the monsoon rains have passed already, and the region is drying up, though the lushness of the vegetation caused by the rains remains, and the whole area has a fresh and healthy feel to it. After the clouds have passed, the skies return to their normal clarity, with great views of the Himalayas, and Mount Everest in particular. Autumn is also the time when the leaves on the trees turn to red and gold, and fall to the ground, covering the area with a blanket of colors. Autumn is also the time for climbing, and there are many climbers heading to Everest to make their attempts at ascending this monumental peak.

Summer is the time of the monsoon season, and is the wettest time of year at EBC, so is not really recommended for trekking. Everest receives a lot more rainfall in the summer than the area of Shigatse Prefecture in which it lies, and the mountain is often obscured by mist and clouds at this time of year, making it hard to see the summit or get good photos.

Winter, however, is not as cold as many people think, and it is still possible to visit Everest Base Camp from December to the end of January. The days can be warm and pleasant, although the nights can get quite cold, and there is a chance of snow in the winter months, though often not more than a couple of inches. As long as you stay warm and dry, there is no reason why the trek cannot be done, though you would need to be an ardent trekker to want to make this trek in the winter months.

Best Time to Trek to Everest Base Camp on the Nepali Side

Trekking to EBC in Nepal is one of the most stunning and popular treks in the world, and is an achievement that far outstrips most other treks in the world. The trek itself takes 12 days to reach EBC on the southern side of the mountain, and is a lot harder to get to than the Tibetan base camp.

The trek starts in Lukla, which lies far from Kathmandu, and requires a flight to get to, as it is located on the side of a mountain. Once there, the trekking route takes you through some of the most stunning countryside and landscapes in Nepal, and allows for acclimatization days as Lukla is only 2,860 meters above sea level, while the base camp lies at an elevation of around 5,364 meters.

You will view rhododendron on the way to EBC in the Spring of Nepal

The best times to make the trek from Lukla to EBC in Nepal really depends on the experience you are looking for on the trek. Nepal has two distinct trekking seasons, which run from March to May and then from late September to December, with the monsoon months of June, July, and August being much to wet to make the trek safely.

The pre-monsoon season for trekking, from March to May, is often considered to be the best time to make the journey, as the weather is warming up and the skies are clear and bright. Since the monsoon is yet to come, the ground is normally drier than in the post-monsoon season, and makes for firmer trekking trails. However, there is often more heat haze in the pre-monsoon period, especially in May, as the temperature is warming up for the summer months. Overall, late-March to mid-May is the optimum time for trekking with the best conditions in the spring, and the early spring blooms make the scenery more stunning along the trail.

Autumn, or the post-monsoon season, is another great time to trek, and this is usually the most popular time to trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The weather is similar to the spring weather, with plenty of sunshine, clear skies, and dry ground along the trails. Some parts of the area can still be a little muddy in the end of September, although this should normally dry up by the beginning of October, making the trails more accessible. Post monsoon, the trekking trails are often crowded, as more people tend to make the trip in October and November than in spring. Temperatures are normally around 15-20 degrees during the day, but can drop to around minus ten at night, making it quite cold. However, with the lodges and guesthouses well spaced to coincide with the end of the normal day’s trekking, you at least have somewhere to stay, as long as they are not full of people already when you get there.

July through August is not really a good time to trek to EBC, as the monsoon is heavier in Nepal than in Tibet, and the trails below 4,000 meters can often be washed out and waterlogged. There is also a higher chance of mudslides in the monsoon period, making trekking rather dangerous. However, once over the 4,000 meter mark, the trails are usually not as bad, and there is a lot less rain. Temperatures are higher, though, often reaching as high as 25-28 degrees during the day, which can be a little warm for trekking. While it is possible to trek to EBC in Nepal in the monsoon season, it is not recommended.

Can I Visit Everest Base Camp in Winter?

It is possible to make the trek to EBC in winter at both south and north base camps, and as long as you are well prepared, there is little to stand in your way. In Tibet, the Everest Base Camp trek can be done almost all year round, and while the winter months can get a little cold, there is not much snow to impede your trekking route. The base camp itself can be visited easily in the winter, especially if you are not planning to trek, as the road that leads right up to the base camp is a good asphalt surfaced road, which is kept clear most of the time, unless there is heavy snowfall.

In Nepal, you can also manage to trek to EBC from November to January, as the route is still passable, albeit a little colder than in Tibet. The days are a little shorter as well, which means that you may get less trekking hours in the day, making the trek a little longer, and the snowfall, though passable in some places, makes the route via the three passes unusable.

Winter is also the great time to trek to EBC

The weather of Everest Base Camp is fairly stable and dry throughout the winter months, and the classic route to EBC from Lukla is open for trekking right through to the end of January. Temperatures can be a little colder at night in December and January, reaching as low as -30 degrees in the highest regions, so it is essential to have the right gear with you. Some of the lodges are no longer open in winter as well, so it is best to plan your nighttime stops at the lodges that are open, and you can hire a guide that will know which lodges and guesthouses are still open in winter.

If you are not bothered by the cold, winter is a great time to trek to EBC to avoid the crowds, as many people favor the spring and autumn seasons for this trek. There may be a little problem getting to Kala Patthar, the popular viewpoint for the mountain’s summit, especially if there has been heavy snowfall. The summit cannot be viewed from the Nepal base camp, and trekkers wising to get a good view of the peak need to climb to the top of Kala Patthar, on the south ridge of Mt. Pumori, to get a good view. At 5,644 meters above sea level, there is a higher chance of snow on the ridge, though it is usually not too much, and the trail to the top is clearly marked and well-trodden.

Travel Tips for Trekking to Everest Base Camp

If you are traveling in the winter months, it is essential to pack a good arctic-rated sleeping bag and strong tent, as the nights can get very cold with strong winds in both Nepal and Tibet.

While you get a guide as part of the tour in Tibet, in Nepal it is not a requirement, though it is an advantage. If you are unfamiliar with the route to EBC, a guide is a useful addition, whatever time of year you are trekking, and is not too expensive. Traveling in a group can be of benefit for trekkers to EBC in both locations, as the cost of the guide can be shared in both Tibet and Nepal.

Nepal has a wetter rainy season than Tibet, thanks to the mountains that shelter much of the Tibetan side of the Himalayas from the Indian monsoon that causes the rains. While trekking to Tibet EBC may still be possible, it is not recommended in Nepal, as there can be serious mudslides in the lower regions, which makes the route dangerous for even experienced high-altitude trekkers.

Both Nepal and Tibet EBCs are at high altitudes, and it is important to make sure that you acclimatize properly before making the trek. In Tibet, the difference between Shigatse, Rongbuk, and EBC is not as much as the difference between Lukla and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. While little acclimatization is necessary in Tibet, on the Nepal route, it is recommended to take advantage of the 2-3 acclimatization days that can be had in the average 12-13-day trek. Altitude sickness can be serious, and even fatal, and it is essential to know what to do to prevent and treat it.

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