The best seasons to hike to EBC are unquestionably spring and autumn, as opposed to other off-seasons. Month-wise, mid-March to mid-May in the spring and mid-September to mid-November in the fall are the best times to visit Everest Base Camp when considering mild weather and clear mountain visibility.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp every other off-season has unique benefits. Despite being cold, the trail is empty and silent in winter. It’s the best time of the year for visitors who prefer longer trails with fewer people around. Likewise, you see waterfalls and rivers in their best form during the monsoon. It’s a rare moment to watch.

Our month-to-month guide and past visitor experiences will help you choose the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp.

The Best Time of the Year to Trek to Everest Base Camp

Trust Base Camp’s enchanted beginnings as the birthplace of the pride of Everest. Traveling to such an amazing destination in the wrong month not only disappoints but also ruins your vacation experience.

The best times to trek to Everest Base Camp are other than the rainy months of June, July, and August. Trekking trails are muddy and slippery at these times because of the monsoon rain. Also, the dense cloud obstructs the mountain views and you might not see any mountains as well.

Weather is stable, and visibility is clear only from March until May and again from September to November. Thus, you can consider these months to be the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. The temperature at the base camp also reaches -6 °C at the minimum and 6°C at the maximum.

Besides, the Everest Expedition starts in late April or early May. So, you might meet legendary climbers, or at least see their colorful tents set up for their stay at the base camp, if you travel during those times.

Rich biodiversity, climatic patterns, and the tranquility of the mountains all contribute to the transformation of fiction into reality. In a nutshell, the easy, trek-ready paths make these months safer for a trip to EBC.

Trekking in the winter months of December, January, and February is also a good choice for visitors looking for a quiet trail, colder nights, and snow on the ground. The guesthouses are empty, giving you the isolation vibe, and the trail gives you the vibe of being in the wild alone. But the temperature at the base camp is extremely low, getting up to -15°C.

The weather at the base camp changes rapidly. Because of melting glaciers, Nepal is moving the original Everest Base Camp a little lower. In actuality, the weather is always cold, and every month is always likely to be visited, whereas only a few aren’t for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Here is a comprehensive guide to making the most of your climb to Everest Base Camp. The goal is to offer a profound experience rather than simply scale new heights.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in the best months of Spring 

Everest Base Camp naturally enjoys a pleasant time for exploration because of its moderate temperature. In Nepal, the months of March through May are springtime. It is the second-best trekking season, with October and November being the best months for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

As soon as you land at the airport, arrive at Namche, the gateway to Mount Everest, and then pass through Nepal’s valley, Sherpa villages, waterfalls, views, and other landscapes, the trip is magical in the springtime. In the spring, the mist is expected to emerge below 10,000 feet, obscuring the breathtaking views.

Let’s dig further into what traveling to base camp looks like in each month of spring in Nepal.

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in March

As spring manifests itself with the flowering of rhododendrons, this month marks the start of the EBC’s favorable trekking season. As the weather warms up, the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains spread their wings to reveal a spectacular scene.

Visibility: Clear (Note: In late March, the days are clearer. If you are planning a trip in March, you can consider late March.

Average Temperature: Slightly warm (7°C during the night and -12°C during the day)

Pros:

• The beginning of the trekking season
• Days go longer and provide more daylight.
• By this time, the ground snow has melted, leaving a clear path for visitors.
• Teahouses are easily available.
• There are affordable price ranges for accommodation and food.
• There are fewer chances of Lukla flights being delayed, canceled, or postponed.

Cons:

• Heat haze can block the views.
• Fewer trekkers around the trail areas
• Unpredictable weather

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in April

One of the best months to experience the EBC trek is April. The intriguing spring brings clear weather, mild temperatures, and longer days.

At lower elevations, it is warmer, and at higher elevations, it gets a little chilly. There are more opportunities to communicate and meet other trek enthusiasts.

Visibility: Clear

Average Temperature: Warm (10°C during the day and -5°C during the night)

Pros:

• The entire region blossoms with seasonal flowers such as the rhododendron, Nepal’s national flower.
• Warmer weather
• Clear scenery
• Longer daylights.
• In late April, you can meet legendary mountaineers or see their colorful tents at the base camp.

Cons:

• This is one of the busiest times of the year for treks to Mount Everest Base Camp.
• Crowded with mountaineers gearing up for the Everest expedition.
• Guesthouses and lodges are all full, and you may face difficulty finding a good guesthouse above Namche.

Trekking in May

People who have a hard time withstanding chilly temperatures should go to Everest Base Camp in May. The spring is about to end, and the summer will soon lengthen its beautiful days. This promotes a simple trek conclusion before going back to the lodgings.

Only experienced climbers attempt to reach the summit of Everest as summer approaches. In terms of the base camp, the weather is ideal for simply completing the hike.

Visibility: clear in early May, and we will have confusing weather and cloudy days in late May.

Temperature: Warm (Day: 15°C and 0°C during the night)

Pros:

• Sufficient daylight for exploration
• The weather becomes less severe in the evening.
• Successive summit attempts
• Sky-clear conditions and clean air
• Meet climbers on the way or in the base camp.

Cons:

• Snowfall might occur, which makes the night colder, but hiking on sunny days is warmer.
• possibility of early monsoon rainfall

Things to carry for a trek to Everest Base Camp in spring

• Trekking clothes in layers (Base layer, insulation layer, outer layer)
• Other clothing lists: raincoat or rain jacket, trekking trousers, innerwear
• Simple trekking gear (sunglasses, water bottle, pee funnel, trekking poles, etc.)
• Sleeping gear (eye mask and earplugs, and a sleeping bag as it is one of the peak seasons for trekking)
• Headwear(neck warmer, woolen cap, wide-brim trekking hat)
• Hiking boots and hiking socks or thermal socks.
• Gloves (waterproof and windproof gloves)
• Gadgets (smartphone, portable charger, a simple camera, journal/guidebook, power bank, etc.)
• First aid kit and medications (antibiotics, ibuprofen, etc.).
• Toiletries
• Important documents (cash, passport, and insurance)

Get a comprehensive list of things to carry for the Everest Base Camp Trek here.

Autumn: The Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp

Another wonderful time to hike to Everest Base Camp is in the fall. Compared to spring, the months of September through November are chilly. Sunny and clear skies, mild temperatures, and a reduced likelihood of unfavorable rain or precipitation make fall the most appropriate time for a trek to Everest Base Camp.

Let’s dig further into what traveling to base camp in each month of autumn looks like.

EBC Trekking in September

When the monsoon stops and the skies are clear and brilliant, fall takes over. Typically, it begins in the middle of September.

Visibility: Medium Visibility

Average Temperature: Moderate (17°C during the day and -10°C during the night)

Pros:

• The start of the trekking season
• In late September, Dashain, the biggest festival in Nepal, begins.
• Lukla flights are easily available.
• Guesthouses on the trails are cheaper and readily available.

Cons:

• It is difficult to find local guides as the biggest festive season begins.
• Early September might still experience the late monsoon effect of rain.

October: The Best Month for Trekking to Everest Base Camp

October features scenic views, luxuriant forests, immaculate surroundings, and stunning mountains. It is the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. It also provides a wonderful chance to interact with locals and take part in Dashain and Tihar celebrations. October is the perfect time of the year for planning a trek to Everest Base Camp as a beginner.

Not just Everest; it’s one of the best times for every trek in Nepal.

Visibility: clear visibility.

Temperature: Pleasant, approximately around -10°C per day at Base Camp (12°C during the day and -10°C during the night)

Pros:

• After monsoon rain, the skies are clear.
• Be part of the festive celebration in the local villages.
• Days are dry, with a bright sky and a mild temperature.
• Lush forests and vegetation

Cons:

• The weather is colder than in the spring.

Trekking in November

In November, winter is quickly approaching. Nights are chilly and you might also experience snowfall in the upper elevations. As the visibility is clear and the days are bright with cooler temperatures, early May is still one of the best times for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Visibility: Clear during the day (early morning and late evening might have clouds floating above the mountains.)

Average Temperature: Pleasant (6°C during the day and -10°C during the night)

Pros:

• a fantastic month for a hike
• There was significantly less traffic on the route to Everest Base Camp than in October.

Cons:

• Colder temperatures, below zero at night.

Things to carry for the Everest Trek in autumn

• Headwear
• Hiking boots, hiking socks, or thermal socks are all options.
• Gloves
• Layered trekking clothes
• raincoat or raincoat
• Trekking trousers and inner wear
• Trekking gear
• Sunglasses
• water bottle
• Pee funnel
• Trekking poles
• Sleeping gears
• Eye mask.
• ear plugs,
• Sleeping bag
• Gadgets
• Smartphone
• Portable charger
• a simple camera
• Journal/guidebook
• power bank
• First-aid kit
• Medications
• Toiletries
• Important documents (cash, passport, and insurance)

Trekking to Everest Base Camp in other unfavorable months

Everest Base Camp trekking is doable in certain other months besides the best-known months of October and November.

The winter months of December, February, and January don’t mean there will be snow everywhere. Although the trails in the higher elevations experience heavy snow during the night, they are clear during the day. You can still trek to Everest Base Camp in December, January, and February. But you should train hard for that.

You will be one of the very few people to trek during these months. Wear layers of warm clothing. Bring extra sleeping bags for the night to ensure a good night’s sleep. Don’t trek alone.

The rainy months of June, July, and August experience heavy rain, mainly at lower elevations. But it doesn’t mean there’s a downpour every time there’s a break in the day. The rain falls usually in the morning, at night, or late in the afternoon. But it rains every day. The trails are full of mud, parasitic leeches, and frogs everywhere.

Also, there’s a high chance of landslides that block the route at some points. Despite all these challenges, it’s one of the best times for those who like waterfalls, rain, and flowing rivers.

Ramhari Adhikari, the director of Heaven Himalaya, shares his tips on the best times to visit Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

“During my 100+ trips to Everest Base Camp, I have traveled to EBC throughout the year. I feel the best time to visit Everest Base Camp is throughout the year. Everest is open 365 days a year. Those who want to see greenery, waterfalls, and fast-flowing rivers can trek in the monsoon. However, there are still a few challenges. But the experience matters. It’s more suitable for experienced hikers. It’s the best time for photography, too. The weather is very clear after the rain stops.

Traveling to EBC in December, January, and February also has its flavor. It’s for those who love snow and enjoy the colder days. Although the temperature is chilly above Dingboche in Lobuche, Gorakshep, and Kala Patthar, the views are fantastic. The other best times are for everyone, including first-time hikers and those wanting a pleasant moment despite the busy route. If you are ready to take a challenge and go on an adventure, remember that Everest Base Camp is open 24/7 and every time of the year.”

Read other successful Everest Base Camp trekking tips from industry leaders.

Live Weather at Everest Base Camp

A climbing team led by Pete Athans installed the world’s highest weather station at the Balcony (8,430 meters), the South Col (7,945 meters), Camp 2 (6,464 meters), and the Everest Base Camp (5,315 meters) in 2019. National Geographic and Rolex also supported the team jointly.

The team installed it at five different locations. For trekking purposes, the report from one weather station, i.e., Phortse in the Khumbu, to Base Camp is enough for us to know the live weather. Along with the real-time temperature, it also shows wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, and humidity.

Here’s Nat Geo’s live weather forecast from Base Camp.

The above report has various degrees of reliability. It is an automatic calculation and may not be accurate for researchers. Still, it provides you with rough weather calculations at base camp. You can simply look and say, “Too cold or windy” right now from your own home and choose your personal best time to visit Everest Base Camp.

Yearly Events and Festivals in and around the Everest Base Camp Route

Everest Day

29 May is considered Everest Day, the day when Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary scaled Mount Everest for the first time in history. To mark this special occasion of the first summit, Everest Day is celebrated. The base camp trail is decorated, and a yearly Everest Marathon from base camp to Namche is organized to remember the first ascent. This year, Nepal’s Tirtha Bahadur Tamang won the 42.19 km Everest marathon in the open category.

If you travel to Everest Base Camp in late May, then you will meet high-altitude athletes and also be a part of the marathon itself.

Lhosar

Lhosar is one of the major festivals of Buddhist followers and a grand celebration is organized in communities like Tamang, Sherpa, Thakali, Rai, Limbu, etc. Usually, this festival falls in January, February, or December. If you want to take part in the festive celebration of Lhosar, then the winter months can be the best time to visit Everest Base Camp.

Dumji

Dumji is a Sherpa festival celebrated in Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Thame, mainly in the Buddhist monasteries. It usually takes place in late June or early July. You can be a part of this amazing festival if you travel during these times.

Mani Rimdu:

One highlight of Everest is the Buddhist festival of Mani Rimdu. October is when the festival takes place. Authorities have specified the celebration dates as the 20^th, 21^st, and 22^nd of October, but that might change sometimes. You can write to us if you would like to be a part of this amazing tradition.

In the end,

We certainly believe that this information helped determine the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. Not just base camp, the above months are suitable for every Mount Everest Ttour If you are planning a trek to Everest Base Camp, then call our travel experts to know the most suitable time.