Best time to visit Everest Base Camp: Seasonwise Description

Searching for info on trekking seasons for  Everest Base Camp? We shall here put forth some information on what exactly the trekking experience, in different seasons that has in store for fellow trekkers.

Nepal has four main seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn), though the pre and post-monsoon seasons are also worth discussing in the context of trekking. Discussed below are the pros and cons of treks during various seasons to Everest Base Camp.

Mid-December- February

If you desire a trek in the winter, you shall have fair and stable weather with a clear sky; great conditions. The cold season means that snow crevasses are lesser in number than. You have less risk of falling into one of these crevasses. If you decide to stay in the lower region and valleys and not go very high, the temperature is less chilling as compared to the higher altitude. The rainfall is very less during the season and the weather is clear weather with an almost cloudless sky and little haze, especially in the higher altitude.

Though the trekking trails are far less crowded, the popular routes may be closed due to heavy snow and higher passes may get blocked causing you to leave the trek incomplete. So, we don’t suggest trek to the higher altitudes. Trekking days are short and you have a foggy climate in low lands. Due to the chilly temperatures around the day, a bit of carelessness may cost you, dear. The villages and towns are too quiet and hence trekking alone may not be a good idea.

March- June

Spring is here! This is the second-best season for EBC. You have clear, bright as well as increasingly warmer, stable, and dry days with gradually subsiding coldness at night, in most regions. You have a time just out of the winter season. One of the key Everest summit seasons, you have some marvelous treats during these months. Play with the snow and have a snow view along with blooming trees and shrubs. Trails are free from the snow and blooming flowers are everywhere! To treat trekkers like you, nature has the red and pink Rhododendron flower (the national flower of Nepal) blooming painting the natural canvas of green hills and snowy mountains. You have a treat for your eyes.

All trekking is doable in this season.

On the flip side, you may experience occasional short rainfall during this season which shouldn’t be causing you much trouble. Night-time temperature, particularly above Namche can go low bit rapidly so carry on a good quality sleeping bag. Get ready for some windy days as well. Get yourself the kind of dress-up wherein you can easily add up or shed a layer of clothes without much problem. Follow modest dressing and make sure you don’t offend locals. If you are looking for solitude along the trail you may have some uncomfortable feelings on this busy path.

July-Mid September

We have the pre-monsoon and Monsoon seasons during this period. You can have a view of green and lush vegetation and with an interest in botanical diversity, you are sure to enjoy this trekking season. Get the feel of solitude in this season as trekkers generally avoid trekking along many routes in this time period. Enjoy the greenery of hills, traverse through the dense forests, alpine meadows turned green, and colorful alpine flowers along the trail. The higher the altitude, the lesser will be the precipitation. With windproof pants and gaiters, hiking can be a possibility in the region.

You are highly recommended to consider trekking to the rain shadow areas of Upper Mustang and Dolpo if you are left with the Monsoon season for holiday.

On the less bright aspect of this season, you shall have short (or long) and sharp rainfall and may see the teahouses along the trail starting to be less occupied by the trekkers. You may encounter monsoon till August as well. Get ready for muddy and slippery trails with leaches and obstructed view of the mountain, thanks to clouds. The flights are frequently canceled so the trekkers need to have ample time to complete the trek.

….and comes the beautiful Autumn!

Mid-September- Mid December

Welcome to the best and the busiest trekking season for Everest Base Camp. Experience the most stable and clear weather in this peak season. You get fabulous views of the surrounding areas from most of the trekking trails resulting in a pleasant experience. Days are warmer and nights are less cold than in winter. Nepal celebrated major festivals (Dashain and Tihar) during this season. Celebrate the festive vibe with fellow Nepalese and trekkers and get immersed in the cultural and traditional richness offered in the trekking expedition. The autumn season shall also provide you with the view of green hills, and mountains, and the Himalayas including Mount Everest, Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, and many others.

You can go for all trekking expeditions in this season, both classic and off the beaten paths.
The only major drawback is that the trekkers are more in number as compared to the other seasons. As a result, you may encounter overcrowded hotels and you may have to overbook in advance. This might cause a dent in your expectations regarding being up close and personal with nature along the trails. To avoid crowds, you can trek to the off-beaten paths for an experience similar to the classic trails.

You get the best out of the trek to the Everest Base Camp with an apt choice of the trekking season in synchronization with your interest. Generally, you are advised to go before or after the peak trekking season if you desire solitude in the trail. For this purpose, you may trek along the off-beaten routes in the months of late February to March or late May to June in the spring season and through the months of mid-September to early October and the months of December in autumn. Have caution with going for the less beaten paths in extremely adverse weather conditions. You should follow the advice of the professionals in all the practical cases, including the weather, for a better trekking experience.