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Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

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Best Time for Everest Base Camp Trek

Are you planning to visit the Himalayas? Specially the Mount Everest but don’t know much about the best time for the Everest Base Camp trek? This article describes the detail information about when is the best time for EBC trekking?

About Mount EBC Trek in Nepal

Mount Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most popular trek in the world. The best time to go is from March to May, before the summer monsoon, and from September to November, during the dry season. During these times in Nepal, temperatures are warm with little rainfall--and the mountain views are perfect. Everest Base Camp is an enjoyable experience at this time of the year.

On the other hand, in spring and autumn, the path is full of hikers. Flight schedules between Kathmandu and Lukla are busy, and accommodations on the EBC trail are often booked due to high demand. However, in summer and winter, there are fewer trekkers on the Everest Base Camp Trek Trail, so you can immerse yourself in a peaceful environment. It enables you to get a natural feel of the Nepali Himalayas. So, depending on your desire for travel and weather conditions, you can choose your best time for Everest Base Camp Trek.

Two best seasons to trek to Everest Base Camp

Like for the any popular treks in Nepal, the best time for Everest Base Camp trek is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The trail passes through two climatic zones: first, a temperate climate at lower elevations; Second, the alpine climate in the high Himalayas. Temperatures will vary by a few degrees between these two climate zones, but during spring and fall, you won't encounter anything too extreme.

Trek to Everest Base Camp in spring season (March to May)

The spring season is March, April and May in Nepal. Weather wise, spring temperature is moderate and perfect for trekking as it is never too hot or cold. This season is also known as the "pre-monsoon season", as the rains usually do not start until mid-May. During this season, there will be plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures, and long daylight hours. Also, the lower hiking trails and landscapes are attractive, with colorful blooming rhododendrons and other gorgeous wildflowers.
During the prime climbing months, April and May, you'll see colorful tents, climbers, and Sherpas hustling around the Everest base camp area. The days are warm and bright, but the nights and mornings are still cold. As spring marks the end of winter, you'll find warmer temperatures with less humidity.

There is a rare chance of rain, which means good visibility. You'll get a crystal-clear view of the mighty Mount Everest! The lower mountains are warmer and can feel a little humid. The maximum average temperature in Lukla is 12 °C (54 °F). On the other hand, the high Himalayas are cooler, with a minimum average temperature of -2 °C (29 °F) - especially in the morning and at night. Similarly, the wind speed will decrease to 14 km/h. 7 hours of light a day. During the pre-monsoon season, rainfall is rare. Thus, the pleasant weather conditions, good visibility, and blooming wildflowers lead many to consider spring as the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp.

Everest Base Camp Trek in autumn Season (September to November)

Autumn season in Nepal fall under the months of September, October and November. Trekking in Nepal in October and November is considered as the best trekking time. Thousands of trekkers come to Nepal in autumn.

Autumn is another best time for Everest Base Camp Trek, as the summer heat has cooled and the rain has disappeared. It is also known as the "post-monsoon season" from September to November. There is less chance of rain, so at this time the sky is clear and the mountain scenery is attractive. During these dry months, the favorable climate means that it is neither too hot in the lower regions nor too cold in the higher Himalayas.

Again, on the EBC trail, you will experience pleasant weather with mild temperatures and less rainfall, making trekking in the EBC region a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Daytime temperatures are warmer in autumn. The average daytime temperature in Lukla is 18 °C (65 °F). When the sun goes down, the air cools to an average minimum of -11°C (12°F).

Furthermore, EBC and KalaPatthar have a maximum temperature of 14 °C (57 °F), and a minimum temperature of -10 °C (14 °F). During this season, there is a rare chance of rain. Wind speed is also minimal at 14 km/h, while daylight lasts for 7 hours. Also, October is the perfect time to visit the famous Mani Rimdu Festival in the Everest region. You can enjoy colorful masks, comical dances, and prayers while experiencing the nomadic culture of the Himalayan people.

Tips for EBC Trekking in Pick Season

Many trekkers prefer autumn and spring seasons for EBC treks due to the pleasant weather, stunning scenery, mountain scenery, refreshing trek and unique Everest experience. Hence, you may face some issues like overcrowded trails, booking issues, etc. So here are some essential travel tips that can help make the EBC trek experience more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Book your Trip in Advance (Pre- Booking)

As most trekkers prefer autumn and spring, it is recommended to book your trip as early as possible. The influx of both national and international tourists often leads to limited availability of accommodation during this peak season. Also, during May's Everest climbing season, the trekking route is busy with climbers and Sherpas.
Most travelers book advance tickets to Lukla during peak season. Getting last-minute tickets can be challenging, making it essential to book your flights early. Hire a guide or porter since spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit Everest Base Camp, the trails are packed with trekkers and there is no chance of reaching the EBC trail by yourself. You may also have trouble finding available accommodation, as many of them are booked quickly.

Trekking with an experienced guide is important because they can help secure beds for you during busy seasons. Peak seasons for an alternative route to Everest Base Camp Trek The classic EBC trail is undoubtedly the most famous and traveled route on Everest. Also, now you are familiar with the best time to trek.

Be mentally prepared

Everest base camp trek is one of the most popular moderate to difficult treks. Our best advice is do the exercise like walk up and down hill, cycling tour, run at list 7-8km twice a week or more in advance . It is also important to fully build your mental health and strength before planning your trek to Everest base camp.

You should be clear and understand why you are planning the trek and what it means for you. Knowing the purpose of what you are doing will help you focus on the trek. Make sure you plan well and learn to be patient.

Choose a professional trekking company.

You should invest time in choosing the best trekking company that matches your expectations for the trek. Trekking with the right company can help overcome obstacles. When you go to Everest base camp, you have to face two challenges: weather and altitude. Reputable trekking companies with a good network at the airport can help you during flight delays.

Also, acclimatization to the environment is extremely important when you go to high altitudes. An experienced trekking guide will help you slowly adjust to the new environment and help you overcome altitude sickness. In case of an emergency, the right trekking company will ensure that you are safe and sound at the end of the trek.

Find out what you want from all inclusive packages

Planning for an Everest base camp trek can be hectic and confusing as you have various options to choose from. Communicating in advance about accommodation facilities can be very difficult if you are not a local. If you are an independent traveler, you have to take care of everything from food to accommodation booking yourself. If you plan to book a trek through a trekking company, they will offer you an overall package. Therefore, many trekkers opt for an all-inclusive package where everything is planned  and you don't have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself and getting through the trek.
Everest Base Camp Trek All Inclusive package usually include accommodation in Kathmandu, roundtrip airfare to Lukla/Ramechhap, tea house accommodation, meals, vehicles, permits, guides, and porters and local and government taxes. However, it does not include accommodation for any additional days, helicopter transportation, lunch, tips for guides and porters, or travel insurance.

Use local travel agencies and guides

You can find many international and local trekking agencies that offer you Nepal tours. However, most of the international travel agencies will charge you a higher price for the same package and there will be much difference. Local agency like us, Mountain Magic Treks Pvt. Ltd., along with experienced guides and porters will provide additional services and cheaper rates for accurate information.

Plan your budget accordingly.

Trekking to Everest base camp can be cheaper when you trek for around 10-18 days. This trek is also suitable for budget trekkers. The main expenses of your trip are round-trip airfare and trekking crew. With amenities, the trip can cost you $1000-$3000 per person. The breakdown of costs is: $1000-$1500 $1400-$2000 Travel Insurance for Trekking Team and All Inclusive Trekking Accommodation $150-$200 $200-$300 $140-$200 Extra Cash $140-$200 Porter and Guide Tips

These costs are based on a standard itinerary. If you choose to extend the itinerary by a few days or add new destinations, the cost will vary. Packages will also have a fixed set of benefits for your transportation, accommodation, and food. If you add additional features or services, there will be additional charges.

Identify tea house accommodation

You will find teahouse accommodation on the trek to Everest Base Camp. Accommodation facilities are clean, each room has twin beds. It can cost $5 per person, or $10–$30 with a private bathroom. You can also find luxury hotels where it will cost $150-$225 for a twin room. Overall,

Eat healthy and don't order meat

It is advised to avoid meat at high altitudes. The locals forbid the consumption of meat, which means that you will be brought dried meat to Lukla and then taken to the tea house. The meat will not be fresh, and you may have health problems after consumption. Make sure you eat vegetables and eat enough food as you need energy after hours of trekking.

Make sure you eat enough at each meal.

Make sure you have three meals a day, and a hot drink with each meal during the trek. You can find a variety of food on the menu, but most people order Dal Bhat, a typical Nepalese dish. It consists of steamed rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry and pickles. Make sure you have enough food and think about dieting while on the trek.

Maintain baggage weight limits

When you plan for a trek, you may try to pack everything you need during the trek, but over-packing can make the trek difficult. Therefore, we recommend you carry only the essentials in your daypack bag, and keep the rest in the duffel bags carried by the porters. A day pack should hold your valuables, rain gear, water, electronics, snacks, jacket and sunscreen.

Choose the best trekking season.

The best season to trek to Everest base camp is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer clear blue skies with moderate temperatures that allow you to explore the region comfortably. This is also the time that climbers meet while climbing Mt.
Make sure you avoid seasons like summer (June to August), where you will find the paths wet and uncomfortable due to rain. Also, the weather is cold in winter (December to February), and teahouses at high altitudes may be closed, making it difficult to find good accommodation.

Be open with your guides about how you are feeling

Your guides are your companions during the trek. So, be honest with them! Trekking can be equally fun and tiring. You may be susceptible to altitude sickness and experience symptoms. Don't hide your symptoms, and let your guide know about your health problems. Taking the right precautions in these early stages can be very helpful. Prepare for flight delays The weather in the Himalayas is erratic, which delays flights to Lukla. Usually, a professional trekking company will ensure a smooth journey and inform you about the weather in advance.

Also, Nepal's airports are still under development, and communication between airports is patchy. It is normal for flights to be delayed by one hour, but delays can be longer in extreme weather conditions. You plan ahead for these delays and leave extra time for them. Bring snacks and books to pass the time. Lukla Airport is the main destination for flights from Kathmandu, but during the peak season (spring and autumn) flights are diverted to Ramechhap due to high air pressure at Kathmandu Airport.

You will be informed about the diversion by your trekking company ahead of time, so that you can be prepared for the 4 to 6 hour drive or flight from Kathmandu.

Select the right gear for the EBC trek

Your gear will be your companion throughout the journey. So, make sure you invest your time in buying and using the gear before your trek. An ill-fitting pack can create obstacles on the trek. Choose the good backpack to carry your gears but if you haven't good one we will provides duffle bags for your gears which our porter will be carrying.

And practice carrying your daypack, drinking water, your important things like money wallet, snacks, sunscreen, and waterproof and windproof jackets will be on it. Make sure your shoes fit properly and don't pinch or chafe when you walk. Gear can be bought cheaply in Kathmandu. More information about gear can be found in our equipment list.

Make sure you have good travel health insurance for an emergency situation

It is important to have adequate travel health insurance before traveling to Nepal. You cannot buy travel insurance in Nepal, so you must get it online. Before signing, make sure the insurance covers lost baggage, cancellation, travel health, death, accident, air ambulance, etc. Ensure insurance covering altitudes of 6000 meters (19,600 feet) with helicopter evacuation.

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is important during the Everest Base Camp trek. Even if you're hiking in cooler temperatures, hiking at high altitudes can take a toll on your body. Keeping your body hydrated helps maintain your energy and helps with altitude sickness. It is necessary for you to drink 3-4 liters of water every day during the trek. Even if you're not in the mood to drink water, keep sipping as you hike. If you don't drink water, bring tea, flavored, or electrolyte tablets.

Drink bottled water to avoid ice cubes

Tap water in Nepal may not be the best choice for you due to its poor quality. Make sure you avoid drinking tap water. Always carry water purification tablets to use in tap water in case you run out of boiled water. Always bring cash! Bringing cash on Everest base camp trek can be very useful. Even if you are a solo traveler, you will need extra money for food, accommodation, permits and other amenities. Also, there are no ATMs at higher altitudes. If you can't walk, or hire horses, or a porter, or carry cash during evacuation can help you.

Having enough cash can help you in almost any situation wherever you go. Bring a water bottle, a (metal) thermos and tea. Bringing a water bottle and thermos can be very useful, as you will need to take hot water while on the trek to stay hydrated and keep your body warm. Bringing tea bags will also be cheaper than ordering tea from a shop or tea house.

Understand bathroom expectations.

High altitude tea houses have clean and comfortable accommodation. However, the bathrooms may not be what you expect. It may not be very clean, and you may have to squat. This will require you to flus manually, that is, pour water from the bucket. Make sure to carry enough toilet paper, wipes and hand sanitizer in case of emergencies.

Drink bottled or purified water and avoid ice cubes

Drinking clean water is advised as you may get sick from the tap water available during the trek. You can buy bottled water, which will cost $1 to $4 per liter. This option is expensive and not environmentally friendly. The best thing you can do is fill your bottles with boiled water available at tea houses. Also, make sure you bring ice cubes to avoid and purifying tablets.

Make provisions for trekking days

If you want to add a few days to your trip, do it at the end of the trek but not at the beginning. The weather is erratic and unpredictable, which can prevent flights from Lukla to Kathmandu. If your flight is delayed, you can spend more time exploring the places and interacting with the locals.

Always carry Nepali currency while trekking

It is necessary to carry Nepali currency while traveling. If your trekking company offers all-inclusive packages, you won't need to buy much during the trek. But you might have a craving for chips or chocolate, or forget to buy important items before trekking. In these cases, you need cash to buy from village shops. Carrying enough cash is important at high altitudes where there are no ATMs. You can exchange your currency at money exchanges or airports.

Understand your luggage limits

After you book the Everest Base Camp trek, your trekking company will send you the packing lists and inform you about the packing limit. There are weight restrictions on flights to Lukla—your main pack can be 10 kg (22 lbs). Your carrying capacity can be up to 5 kg (11 lbs). Main pack, duffle bag with sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries etc. will be carried by the porters. Your carry-on will contain your daypack camera, valuables, sunscreen, snacks, etc. If you have extra luggage which you don't use in the trekking , you can store it at your hotel in Kathmandu or Mountain Magic Treks store.

Lukla flight

A Lukla flight is one of the most exciting flights you will ever experience. The erratic weather and geography make flying exciting and challenging. Only small ships can fly at Lukla airport, there will be a disturbance in the flight. This happened due to the storms near Taksindo and Lamjura mountains. In case of particularly bad weather, flights will be canceled or delayed.

Final Line

Autumn and spring season are the best trekking time for Everest Base Camp trekking. With mild weather, clear skies, incredible mountain views, and little rainfall though these peak seasons are ideal for the EBC trek. However trekking in summer or winter are possible but not comfortable as spring and autumn.
The only thing during the off-season is that you have to be extra cautious regarding weather conditions and flight cancellations. Despite the heavy rain in the morning, summer is another good time to visit EBC. Green hills, lush forests, clear skies, and beautiful mountain views will reward you during summer. You will, however, need to be extra cautious on slippery, muddy trails.

Winter is not the best time, but not bad for EBC trek. Temperatures can be very cold, so you need to be prepared for cold conditions. However, the sky is clear, and the mountains are beautiful. You definitely don't have to share a trekking trail with other hikers this off-season! You can also opt for luxury tour packages like luxury Everest base camp and Kala Patthar tour in winter.

After getting all these basic ideas on the best time to visit Everest base camp, you can contact us for further advice and plan your trek as per your interest. We are happy to assist you with further information regarding the trek to Mount Everest in Nepal.
Have a wonderful time!!!

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