The best times for the Everest Base Camp trek are Spring and Autumn. These seasons offer clear weather conditions and moderate temperatures, which don’t hamper the journey. Everest Base Camp is in the Khumbu region, where the weather varies with elevation increase. The temperature can go from 22°C in the daytime to -5°C in the nighttime in the summer. Likewise, the temperature varies from 16°C in the daytime to –25°C at night in Winter.
The region’s climate impacts the trekking experience. The climate changes throughout the year, so you should choose the right trekking season for a safe and enjoyable experience. Trekking in the off-season affects not only the experience but also the infrastructure and the local culture. This guide provides the best time for the Everest Base Camp trek that you can follow. Here, Nepal offers mainly four trekking seasons:
- Spring (March to May)
- Summer (June to August)
- Autumn (September to November)
- Winter (December to February)
Best time for trekking in Everest Base Camp
Spring (March to May)
The spring season, which runs from March to May, is the best time for trekking in Everest Base Camp. It offers moderate temperatures. With clear skies, you can witness a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and its other highest peaks. The scenic, vibrant Rhododendrons along the trails make the journey even more worth it. It is also the month of the highest summit of Everest because of the good weather conditions.
It is the peak season, so the route has moderate to high crowds. Trekking in early March is considered the best time to trek in EBC as the weather is stable and there is a low crowd at this time. The weather is cold, and there are chances of snowfall. In April, the weather is still cold but mainly dry, with no chances of snowfall.
May is a popular month with high crowds, as the temperature is warmer and sunny than in March and April. There is also the chance of slight rainfall at the end of May. A trek will be difficult for beginners as the route is busier, so visiting in early March and mid-April is favorable. For nature enthusiasts and photographers, it is the best month to trek to Everest Base Camp.
- March: The temperature is around 5°C during the day and drops to -15°C at night.
- April: The average daytime temperature is around 15°C and -10°C at night.
- May: The average temperature ranges from 22°C to 0°C day and night.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is another good season to trek to Everest Base Camp, running from September to November. The weather is stable this month, offering warm days and cool nights. Early September may bring some rainfall, but it does not affect the journey. It is recommended to carry rainproof jackets, and it will be best to plan your trip in late September, as it offers pleasant weather.
October is a popular month for Trekking to EBC, and the route is busiest during this time. You can have the best trekking experience in October as it provides pleasant and sunny weather with no rainfall, which is ideal for witnessing the views of Everest. November is the best time of the year for EBC trekking as it is the clearest month with great visibility of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Cho Oyu, Mount Makalu, and many more.
The season brings post-monsoon freshness and provides the best views of unobstructed mountains. It is also the time of year when the most trekkers are found. It is the best month for beginners and seasoned trekkers to visit Everest Base Camp.
- September: The temperature is around 18°C during the day and drops to -5°C at night.
- October: The temperature is around 12°C during the day and drops to -14°C at night.
- November: The temperature is around 18°C during the day and drops to -20°C at night.
Off seasons for EBC trekking
Winter (December to February)
The winter season, which runs from December to February, is a little challenging for trekking to Everest Base Camp. The weather is very cold. The season has shorter days and heavy snowfall. The weather conditions in December are mild, as there is cold in the morning and night. But in the Daytime, the weather is sunny and clear, which provides the best views of the snow-capped mountains with clear skies.
January is the coldest month in Nepal, and the weather is generally cold. Heavy snowfall at higher elevations may block the trail, and you may experience high winds. If you want to trek this month, you must be fully prepared for the harsh cold weather conditions. It is only recommended for experienced trekkers who want to face the challenges here. There will be warmer days in February, but snowfall across the Everest Base Camp is still possible.
It is not recommended for beginners to trek during this season. The weather is harsh, and there is the risk of high altitude sickness. If you are an experienced trekker looking for a low-crowded season, planning your trek to the EBC is the best time. Trekking at this time of the year offers tranquility, and as there are fewer crowded trails, you have the benefit of lower costs compared to the peak seasons.
- December: The temperature is around 5°C during the day and drops to -10°C at night.
- January: The temperature is around -10°C during the day and drops to -25°C at night.
- February: The temperature is around -15°C during the day and drops to -20°C at night.
Summer (June to August)
The summer season, from June to August, is necessarily a bad time to trek to Everest Base Camp. The weather conditions are not good enough to plan your trek to the EBC. June is the start of the monsoon season when you will experience poor weather, which may affect your flights, too. There is a cloudy sky, which may block the view of Mt. Everest. There is frequent rain in July when you may experience heavy rainfall, making the route slippery.
August is hotter than June and July, but heavy rainfall remains. Due to the heavy rainfall and possible landslides, visibility is limited. August is not recommended for going to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. But this is the best month to see the fresh green surroundings and the dense rhododendron forest. If you are an experienced trekker looking for a less crowded route and could hike in the rain, you can plan to visit during the season.
- June: The temperature is around 25°C during the day and drops to 0°C at night.
- July: The temperature is around 20°C during the day and drops to 5°C at night.
- August: The temperature is around 25°C during the day and drops to 5°C at night.
Summarized Weather Conditions at Everest Base Camp
| Month | Temperature (Day/Night) | Weather Conditions | Best For | Crowds |
| Spring (March-May) | 15°C/-10°C | Clear skies, blooming flowers | Trekking | High |
| Summer (June-August) | 22°C/-5°C | Rainy, Cloudy | Budget trips, Solitude | Low |
| Autumn (September-November) | 16°C/-14°C | Stable weather, clear visibility | Beginners | High |
| Winter (December-February) | 10°C/-25°C | Snowy, Very Cold | Experienced trekkers | Low |
Factors to be considered while choosing your time
- You should consider the weather preferences as they impact the trekking experience. You should choose the peak seasons of Spring and Autumn, which have comfortable temperatures.
- If you can tolerate the crowd, you should plan trekking in the Spring and Autumn. If you cannot tolerate crowds, you can choose the quieter seasons of monsoon and winter, but it is not recommended for beginners to trek Everest Base Camp.
- If you are looking for a lower budget, visiting in the off-season is suitable, but if you have the budget, it is recommended that you trek to EBC in the peak season.
- Another main thing you should consider is your physical fitness. You should not plan your trip in harsh weather conditions like winter and monsoon.
Final Say on Best Time for Everest Trek
In conclusion, the best seasons for an Everest Base Camp trek are the Spring and winter seasons. These seasons provide moderate temperatures, clear skies, and great visibility of the surrounding Everest region. The best time to trek Everest Base Camp will be in March and November as it offers a low-crowd experience. May and November have a high crowd as it is the season’s end, so it will not be a favorable time to visit Everest Base Camp for Beginners.
However, trekking to Everest Base Camp in the winter and monsoon seasons is not recommended because of the colder temperatures and regular rainfall, which affect the completion of the trek. So, if you plan to visit Everest Base Camp, you should consider your weather preferences and choose the most suitable time based on them.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travellers of Everest
What is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?
The best times to trek to Everest Base Camp are Spring(March-May) and Autumn(September-November). These seasons provide mild temperatures and clear weather that makes it easy to see the snow-capped peaks. Trekking during March and November also offers low-crowded trails, which can be favorable to beginners.
Is Everest Base Camp for Beginners?
Yes, Everest Base Camp is for Beginners. You don’t need technical mountaineering skills or extreme physical fitness to do the EBC trek, but you need to have a basic level of fitness that allows you to hike at a higher altitude.
Is the Everest Base Camp trek crowded?
Yes, the Everest Base Camp trek is crowded in the peak seasons of Spring and Autumn. Around 30,000 to 40,000 people visit the EBC trek throughout the year. In the off-season, like summer and winter, the route has low crowds due to uneven weather, such as heavy rainfall and extreme cold.
What is the coldest month on Mount Everest?
January is the coldest month on Mount Everest. The temperature at the summit is, on average, -37°C and –17°C at the base camp. January is also the coldest month in Nepal. Because of the extremely cold weather, you are not recommended to trek to EBC this month.
