Best time to trek Everest Base Camp

The Everest Base Camp trek should only be done at certain times of year. We doubt this surprises you. The Himalayan region has notoriously ferocious weather, so you shouldn't skip on over whenever the whim takes you.

EBC fills up with tents during the Everest climbing season

If you're keen to visit Everest Base Camp during peak climbing season to see it full of tents and experience the excitement, then you want to plan your trek for April or May. And we recommend that you book your trek well in advance, since operators and accommodations naturally fill up during this time of year.

The two best seasons for trekking to EBC to enjoy good weather conditions are:

Spring and autumn tend to offer the clearest skies, most manageable temperatures, least rainfall and smallest chance of problematic snowfall on the EBC trek route.

Spring in the Everest region offers an above-average number of sunny days and some of the best visibility. You want to see the peaks themselves, right, and not just cloud banks that tell you where the peaks are hiding?

You’re also treated to spring flower displays if you trek at this time of year. Exuberant canopies of red and pink rhododendrons have become synonymous with a springtime EBC trek.

Everest Base Camp itself also comes alive in April and May, so if you wish to witness the buzz and excitement of a fully operational base camp, this is the time to go.

As for drawbacks to trekking at this time of year? You can sometimes get a bit of a heat haze in late April and May.

Please note that the fringe weeks of any season are riskier times than its middle, since this is when weather patterns start to shift. So late May can sometimes see cloudy days, for instance.

Clouds are more likely to obscure peaks at certain times of the year

Late September to November is also a popular season because of its pleasant day-time temperatures. Late October and November are, in particular, favourite months with many as you tend to have more stable weather and great visibility.

While it can be colder during these months than during springtime, many accept this as an acceptable pay off for its clear skies and great visibility.

The two peak trekking seasons for EBC are the same as those that offer the best weather conditions, minus the potentially temperamental fringe weeks. That means the EBC route is at its busiest between:

As many as 30,000 to 40,000 people trek to Everest Base Camp each year. During peak seasons, as many as 500 individuals can set out on the trek route each day. So the EBC trek route can be quite crowded during peak seasons!

Even in peak season you enjoy beautifully 'empty' views like this one

There are different paths you can trek to reach Everest Base Camp. The most direct path, known as the classic Everest Base Camp trek, is the busiest, since it's the shortest and therefore most affordable option.

But there are quieter routes leading to base camp that you can trek to avoid the crowds. Or you can deviate from the main path just for portions of the trek to stay in smaller, quieter villages (like we offer with our version of the Classic EBC trek).

Another popular option is to take a slightly longer but much quieter return route (like we offer in our EBC and Gokyo Lakes trek). In this way you experience the fun of the bustling classic trail on the outward journey, but then enjoy seeing a far less crowded return route.

So by breaking away from the well-trodden EBC paths you can still enjoy the best weather conditions while also experiencing a quieter trek. Please speak to us if you'd like to discuss this idea in further detail – we can tailor make a route that suits your group's preferences.

Please give us a shout if you're keen, and we can discuss having you join us on this super memorable adventure! 😀