Trekking in the Everest region offers you an amazing experience of unique landscapes and mesmerizing views of Mount Everest 8848m, Makalu 8156m, Lhotse 8516m, and Cho Oyu 8201m. You have to hike on foot and soak in the amazing sheer beauty of the dramatic massive mountains and nature at its finest. As exciting as it may seem, the trek experience to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) always depends upon the time of the year you are traveling.
The weather condition of the particular season of the year affects the trails and trekking experience in the Everest Region. The Best known season to travel in the high mountains of the Everest region is known to be spring and autumn.
The weather conditions are perfectly tuned out for you to experience the clear views of the breathtaking mountains. The famous viewpoint from Kala Patthar at 5643m will leave you speechless in spring and autumn.
During spring and autumn, you will be less likely to be the victim of heavy snowfall and trail blockage. Winter is one of the offseason in the entire year on the trail. Trekkers suffer from heavy snowfall at higher altitudes on their way to Everest Base Camp 5380m. You will have to consider packing a lot of equipment and clothing to cope with the cold weather of winter.
The Everest region is full of exciting trails and there is no doubt you will have a memorable expedition to the Everest Base Camp. You will enjoy the dramatic scenery of the mesmerizing mountains in perfect weather conditions at the Base Camp.
However, the splendid tales of the Himalayan trails will only be a myth if you plan your trek at the wrong time of the year. So, you have to understand the weather before scheduling your trek to the Everest region.
Peak Season for an EBC Trek
Most travelers think the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp is in summer. Despite the warm weather and clear sky, you might have to face the undeniable occasional slippery trails.
Rather, the period before and after either side of summer offers the best weather conditions for the trek. So, there are mainly two perfect seasons to trek to Everest Base Camp: Pre-monsoon (February, March, April, and May) and Post-monsoon (September, October, November, and December).
EBC Trek in Pre-Monsoon/ Spring
EBC Trek during February – May
The month of February in Nepal marks the end of the cold winter and embarks on the beginning of the spring season. Trekking to the Everest base camp is not a great idea in January as it falls under the winter season. The heavy snowfalls and unpredictable weather patterns will certainly make the trail ahead difficult.
Although it is a possibility to hike to the Everest Base Camp in February. The early spring vibes boom the ambience of the Everest region during February as the temperature drops down gradually.
The temperature begins to gradually warm during March. The spring kicks off with a bang and the whole Everest region comes alive with blooming flowers and green trees across the hill.
You will experience occasional snowfall during the beginning of spring but the trekking conditions remain perfect and exciting. The temperature rises above 7 °C during the day and drops down to around -12 °C at night. So, you will experience cold in the early morning and late at night.
The weather patterns are slightly warmer at the lower altitude during the mid-spring season. The month of April signifies the rejuvenation of spring as the weather conditions at a higher elevation are moderate. Throughout April, you will generally experience a temperature of around 10°C during the day and around -5°C at night.
The month of April offers the perfect weather conditions for spectacular sightseeing and exploration of the scenic beauty of the Everest region. You will witness blooming radiant flowers and birds chirping in the dense forests. The incredible view of the milky Mountains and the largest glacier (Khumbu glacier) is truly exceptional during the month of spring.
Spring ends at the start of May as May marks the beginning of summer. May is the perfect time of the year to ascend Mount Everest. The breathtaking views of the Himalayas attract travelers and mountaineers from around the world. The temperature ranges to around 15 °C during the daytime and below 0 °C at night.
EBC Trek in Post-Monsoon/ Autumn
EBC trek during September – December
September falls right after the end of the monsoon season. You will have a great trekking expedition in the Himalayan region with the crisp blue sky and uninterrupted views of the scenario. The heavy rainfall during the monsoon season clears and purifies the pollution from the surrounding atmosphere. So, you will witness crystal clear views of the Mountains.
You will enjoy the warmth of the sunlight for 8 hours per day. The temperature rises to 15°C during the day and drops to around 2°C at night. Hence, you will enjoy a comfortable and warm hike during the day and cold winter nights but not as much as during the winter. The chances of rainfall are at the minimum as September resembles the end of the monsoon season.
Autumn is the best season after spring to travel to the Khumbu region as it offers a stunning view of the snow-covered mountains. The month of October falls under the autumn season as you will witness clear sky and green hills during your trek during this month. Travelers are attracted to October to enjoy the warm weather condition during the day hike.
The temperature is at around 20°C and -10°C during the day and night time respectively. You will experience colder nights compared to that the spring season. So, you must prepare your packing accordingly to keep yourself warm at night. The weather and climate are unpredictable in the Everest region. So, you might experience a little downpour of rain but it won’t affect your trekking experience. You will still enjoy the clear sky after the rain stops.
Autumn is the preferable time of the year for tourists to hike the Everest Base Camp. The temperature is favorable for trekking through the Himalayan terrains. The average temperature falls around 6°C during the day and an average minimum to around -12°C at night.
However, you will still experience warm days throughout your trek to the Everest Base Camp. You will experience a distinctive view of the amazing landscape of the Everest region and the diverse mountain ranges.
Therefore, trekking to the Everest Base Camp is a wonderful experience in November. There is no risk of heavy snowfall and rainfall during your trekking expedition. Although, you will still need the assistance of proper trekking gears to help you through the awkward and slippery terrains.
October and November are two of the peak trekking months in Nepal but the month of December does not fall far behind either. December is a good time to trek to the Everest Base Camp but the month temperature falls below zero at night in the Everest region. The weather condition during December is dry. So, you don’t have to worry about the unexpected rainfall and wet trek to the Everest Base Camp.
The hike is a pleasure to walk overlooking the crystal clear sky and sharp visibility of the whole Mountain ranges. December resembles the start of the winter season and the chilly winter winds blow the clouds offering a clear of view Mount Everest.
You will experience snowfall during late December as the temperature falls to 4°C at day and cold as -30°C at night higher up the trekking route so make sure to pack the correct gear
The route is quite peaceful during this time around and you will spend much of your time alone enjoying the complete wilderness on the trail. Trek to the Everest Base Camp during December is an amazing experience of a winter wonderland.
The cost of the flight and accommodation also drops significantly as a low number of travellers visit the Everest region during December. You will not have to face the hassle of waiting in queue for dinner at the tea house or worry about vacant rooms this time around. Som December is also one of the best times to avoid busy trials and experience an unorthodox climate at Everest Base Camp.
Off-Season for EBC Trek
There are no such things as you cannot trek in the Everest region during the Off-seasons. Rather it means, the trekking difficulties and discomfort are slightly higher than in the peak Seasons.
You can conquer the base camp every season with sheer determination and preparation. Months like January, June, July, and August fall under the Monsoon and Winter Seasons.
The trekking during this time around offers more beauty and memorial to the travelers. During this time around, the trekking route remains clear of the heavy number of travelers and visitors.
EBC Trek during June – August, and January
June falls under the off-season time for a trek in Nepal. The Monsoon season embarks with full force as the warm air from the Indian Ocean results in heavy rainfall. So, you will experience a short and sharp amount of rainfall during your trek in June. The temperature falls around 16°C during the day and an average of -1°C at night due to the frequent rainfall.
The treks are wet and slippery because of the rainfall during the monsoon season. You will experience increasing humidity and muggy heat during the trek. Nevertheless, the hike is simply unforgettable as the smell of fresh green grass and divine flora and fauna make the trekking experience special.
You will experience rainfall regardless of the increasing altitude during this time of the year. The month of July also falls under the season of monsoon. So, you can expect partial rainfall as the environment remains fresh and lush.
Despite the rainfall and after the dust settles, you can enjoy the view of clear skies and beautiful landscapes. You can experience the temperature reaching 25 °C on sunny days and -15 °C in an area above 4000 meters.
Conquering the Everest Base Camp is not easy in August like the rest of the seasons. You might think trek to the Base Camp is not possible because it’s an off-season trek. That’s not entirely true because with proper preparation and training the trek is rather easier and more convenient.
The cloud dances around in the morning during August. So, you can expect chances of rainfall during the evening and night. The partial cloud moving around the mountains is an artistic view words cannot explain.
The temperature rises to 6°C during the daytime and drops down to around 2°C at night. Overall, the exotic weather and climatic conditions add spark to the view of the Everest region. You will also enjoy the comforts of crowds and noises on the trails during August.
January resembles the true essence of the winter season. The temperature during the day falls around 4°C and an average minimum temperature of -17°C at night. So, it might be one of the reasons travelers avoid to travel during January. Despite the cold, you can still enjoy the Clear skies, crystal blue lakes and exhilarating mountains from the major viewpoints.
It is quite windy and you might have to face the windchill occasionally during the daytime. You will feel experience warm, sunny and bright days most of the time on the trekking expedition. So, you can witness the perfect visibility of the mountain ranges and the clear atmosphere.
During the trek in January, there are fewer chances of flight cancellation due to due to the weather conditions. Therefore, you can enjoy your trip without any further delay. Since the trail is silent, the tea houses provide special treatment to a few visitors. January is a suitable time to enjoy the Everest Region but avoid the crowd and noises.
Conclusion
A silent trek route with less number of people is always a blissful experience in the Everest Region. The season of autumn from September to November is always peaceful and you will not have to worry about the weather too much.
The weather around the Everest region might change at any given moment and cause hindrance to the trekking experience. So, you must prepare yourself for the trek between June to August. Therefore, you must aim for the post-monsoon season between September to December as the weather is clear and free of pollution after the heavy monsoon rain.
If you are planning your trek, do not hesitate to contact us. We will manage your trip so that you can fully enjoy your trek.
