Best Time To Trek To Everest Base Camp 

The Everest Base Camp Trek runs through the Khumbu region of Nepal, typically starting at Lukla and ended up at the Everest Base Camp.

While the higher sections of the region are known for extremely cold and adverse weather conditions, there are times throughout the year where the weather stabilises and tends to be very mild, making it great for trekking.

It is important to understand the weather patterns of the region when planning your trek to ensure you get the most out of your time spent in the area.

A few considerations must be taken into account when deciding on the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp.

Broadly these are the weather conditions, the busyness of the routes and the availability of guided tours.

This article provides an overview of the seasons in Khumbu region of Nepal and how they affect the Everest Base Camp Trek so that you can better decide on when to visit the area and take on one of the world’s most iconic treks.

Seasonal Guide To EBC Trek Weather 

Peak Season For EBC

Contrary to what you might think, the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp is not during the height of Summer. Rather, large window periods before and after the summer months provide the best conditions for the trek.

February – May

The spring months are probably the most popular in the region as a whole. You might be caught in the occasional snow showers if you catch the end of the winter season, but the weather should be largely stable and dry – perfect for trekking and high-altitude climbing.

The ideal weather comes at a price as the routes during this time will be at their busiest. Most Everest summits occur during these months so you will likely come across many climbers, summiteers and their support crews!

The region is also the most vibrant at this time of the year, with many of the routes flanked by flowering rhododendrons.

September – October

Clear days are characteristic of this popular trekking period. Although colder days (and colder nights) are to be expected, this is a small price to pay for the wonderful vistas and perfect views of the regions peaks. The odd snowstorm has been known to hit the region during this time so be sure to pack correctly!

An added bonus of trekking during this time is the option to choose some other, less well-known routes in the area that still offer amazing views but without the hustle and bustle of the more popular routes. The Gokyo Lakes Trek to the Everest Base Camp is a perfect example.

Off Season & When To Avoid

November – January

The region during this period can best be described as being very cold but still able to be trekked. The days will be shorter and there is a lot more snow, thus routes that involve crossing big passes like the three passes trek are usually closed.

The weather will be fairly stable and dry, meaning it is entirely possible to trek the classic roite to Everest Base Camp in these months.

Expect temperatures as cold as -30°C at night higher up the route so be sure to bring the correct gear.

If the cold doesn’t bother you and you want to avoid the crowds, trekking at this time may be just right for you. Why not even consider a Christmas Everest Base Camp Trek as a festive alternative to the more typical Christmas activities?

June – August

Rain, rain and more rain. The monsoon season is in full swing during this time of year as the warm, moisture laden water from the Indian Ocean causes rapid downpours. The routes tend to be very empty with only high-altitude die-hards braving the rains.

Slippery trails, leeches and the lack of mountain views seems to be sufficient in off-putting most trekkers from visiting.

There are a few areas, called rain-shadows, that provide good trekking conditions even during the monsoon months. The Annapurna Circuit is a good example of one of these rain protected areas.

EBC Trek Weather

Our Advice

Stay away from the monsoon months of June through August. The trail conditions are not the safest, the trek will be wet and unenjoyable and you won’t even be able to get any great pictures of the beautiful mountain peaks.

Aim to trek in the peak months of February through May and September through October as you are guaranteed stable and mild weather. The classic route will be busy but this will do little to detract from the natural beauty of the area.

If you really want to avoid the crowds and are prepared to invest in some proper cold-weather gear, trekking during the winter months may be for you.

Keep in mind that many tour operators will not offer guided tours during the off-peak months and that many of the usual routes will be closed. Be sure to check before booking your flights!

For a live weather forecast of Nepal, click here.

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