Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Winter is challenging with freezing temperatures. Winter months are December, January, and February in Nepal, so these months have the least number of mountain visitors. Check the brief about the weather and temperature conditions in the Winter months below about visiting the EBC.
Everest Base Camp Trek in December
December leaves autumn behind and welcomes winter. It snows frequently and will be extremely cold this month. So not many trekkers dare to trek to the Everest base camp in December and ask about the weather and temperature like [Is it possible to Trek to Everest Base Camp in December?]
There will be cold wind in December in the Everest region. The trekking path has an icy surface in some areas during the Everest base camp trek in December. Packing well and warm trekking equipment for the Everest base camp in winter is highly recommended.
Benefits of the Everest Base Camp Tour in December
Fewer Crowed on the Trail
December is the end of the primary trekking season, so fewer trekkers are on the trail. The region will be quiet, so you can freely enjoy your time in the mountain if you do not like noise and crowds during the Everest base camp tour.
The wild animals come close to the walking trail because of peace environment and cold temperature inside the forest. In December, you will see Himalayan Thar, Musk deer, Himalayan Monal, and many more wild animals around the walking trail to the base camp.
Fewer Chances of Lukla Flight Cancellation
Except for early morning, it will be long-distance visibility for operating Lukla flights from Kathmandu. You can get a regular secluded flight to Lukla in December. If you get your flight at the right time, you save time and can enjoy the trip without any ado.
If the Lukla flight is delayed or canceled, you need to fly on a helicopter with an extra charge, but there is less possibility of the flight cancellation in December. So you can save that amount if you trek to the Everest base camp in December.
Clear Weather and Bright Sceneries
Mt. Amadablam Dingboche on Winter EBC Trek
December offers the finest weather in the Everest region. There won't be rain and snow this month, so there is no hurdle to trek to the Everest base camp in December. In the Everest base camp region, you will have crystal clear weather from morning to evening this month.
It will be some white clouds with mist in the morning, but it won't be a dusty haze in December. So, you will have bright views after the sunlight. The mountains look beautiful, and the vegetation remains dark green this month in the Everest base camp territory.
Easy Accommodation
There are very few trekkers on the Everest base camp trek in December, so getting accommodation at every camp is not tricky. You do not need to book accommodation in advance at this time during the tour. You will get an extra blanket or quilt for the night because of not many trekkers in the lodge. You may get better fare in luxury lodges due to the off-season.
Challenges in Winter Trek to Everest Base Camp
`There are some challenges during the Everest base camp trek in December with its advantages. What should be those challenges, then? Check them below:
Freezing Temperature in the Region
December is the first month of the winter season, so it begins cold and decreases the temperature every day. There are icy surfaces on the walking trail somewhere along the way to the Everest base camp in December.
Feel Lonely Sometimes
There are not many trekkers on the base camp trail in December because of the freezing temperature, so you might not meet friendly people in every place at this time. But, of course, the lodge owner and staffs are nice in the region. So, you might feel lonely and can't share your experience with others in the mountain in December.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness could be the biggest problem during the Everest base camp trek in winter. Altitude sickness is caused by less oxygen in the air and high atmospheric pressure in the mountain region. Very cold and dehydration also might bring high mountain sickness.
Most of the Shops Stay Close
Many bakery shops, bars, and other souvenir shops along the way to the Everest base camp. They might be close, and places look quiet, so you might not have places to spend time in the town.
Trekking Tips for Everest Base Camp in Winter
- Bring warm equipment for the trek in winter.
- There should not be things for entertainment at this time, so bring books for your free time.
- Be careful while walking and check if there are icy surfaces
- Change the clothes that you wear during the walk as soon as possible once you reach the lodge
- Sweaty socks look dry in the morning, but it might be Ice, so change them every day
- Keep warm and protect yourself from cold wind
- Walk slowly, eat well, and drink plenty of warm fluid
- Do not go close to the waterfall, stream, and river because there will be icy stones
Temperature During Winter Trek
January and February also remain in the winter season, so the temperature in the Everest region decreases from December. These months are even colder than December on the Everest base camp route.
The trek begins from Lukla so it will be -3°c temperature minimum in December. Likewise, it will be -2°c in January and -1°c in February. Gorakshep is the last camp of the Everest base camp trip, so it is the coldest place for the entire trek in winter. December temperature will be a minimum of -20°c, January will be -18°c, then drops to -17°c in February. It starts getting warmer after February in the Everest base camp region.
Detailed information on weather and temperature in Everest base camp
EBC Trek Equipment for Winter
Main bag for trekking equipment
Hot equipment for the winter Everest base camp trek would be best. Check a list to pack essential gear for the winter EBC trip below:
- Duffel bag or Ruksack
- Daypack
- Super down jacket
- Goretex jacket with a fleece layer
- Fleece high-neck t-shirt
- Long sleeves trekking shirts
- Thermal layers
- Warm and windproof gloves
- Light gloves for the day
- Sun hat
- Warm and windproof hat
- Sunglasses
- Trekking poles
- Long sleeves trekking pants
- Windproof trouser
- Good quality trekking boots
- Sports shoes and water sandals
- Feather boot for the night
- Toe warmers
- Extra camera battery
- Multi uses power sockets
- Charging power bank
- Sun lotion
- Wet tissues
- Moisturizers cream
- Lip balm
- -20°c above sleeping bag
- Books to read
- Head torch
- First-Aid kit
- Quick drier towel
- Toiletries
Festivals in Nepal During Winter Everest Base Camp Hike
There are several festivals in Nepal, and you can be a part of them during your Everest base camp hike in the winter. Winter is the particular festive season for the Buddhist people in Nepal. The Lhosar also spell Losar remains in winter. The Losar begins with the Tamu community that represents the Gurung and Magar. This festival is in December every year. You can celebrate Christmas in Nepal in December. Sonam Losar in January to the Tamang Buddhist, then Gyalpo Losar for the Sherpa in February, and you can be a part of them during your Everest base camp trek in winter. You can see and celebrate Shivaratri in February before or after the Everest base camp trekking in winter. The Magi festival is also celebrated in Nepal in February.
The Best Trek in Everest Region for Winter
Do not dare to reach the base camp with freezing temperatures in winter. Don't worry! You can still trek in the Everest region to see the tallest mountain. The 7-day Everest Panorama trek is one of the best trekking packages for this cold season.
The Everest panorama trek goes up to Tengboche Hill, starting from Lukla, and then turns back. It is a perfect trip for the family, the elderly, and beginners. You can see amazing views of the Everest Himalayas, vegetation, attractive landscapes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and more. You can also explore the Sherpa tradition and culture on this trek in winter.
Short Everest Base Camp Trek in Winter
Most Everest base camp trekkers are making 12-day trips from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, but you can also make it in 8 days if you do not have enough time or do not want to stay in the cold for a few more days in winter. The helicopter return trek is the shortest trekking package of the Everest base camp.
You follow the usual Everest base camp trekking itinerary to the base camp, then fly out to Kathmandu from Gorakshep on a helicopter for this short Everest base camp trek in winter. The hike begins with a scheduled flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and then a trek to the base camp in a week. On the 8th day, you fly to Kathmandu from Gorakshep after visiting the base camp and Kalapatthar.
Reach Everest Base Camp in Winter Without a Walk
Helicopter flight to the Everest base camp
Do you not want to trek with the insufferable freezing temperature of the Everest region in winter? But, you still are interested in visiting the Everest base camp. Is it possible to reach the Everest base camp and Kalapatthar in winter without a walk? Yes, it is possible! You can visit the base camp and Kalapatthar in winter and explore the Everest region well.
The Everest base camp helicopter tour is one of the best options to see amazing views of the Everest Himalayas and more without suffering walk-in cold temperatures. You fly on a helicopter from Kathmandu to the Kalapatthar with several landings on the stunning viewpoints. After the Kalapatthar landing, you fly over the base camp and Khumbu glacier before returning to Kathmandu.
Cheapest and Fastest Way to See Everest in Winter
There is an option for budget travelers to see Everest, and its range is a low budget. Everest scenic mountain flight on a plane from Kathmandu airport is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to explore the world's famous Himalayas.
During this scenic mountain flight, you can see Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Manaslu, Gaurishankar, Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga Himalayan ranges. The plane for this mountain fight has a single seat on both sides and flies in both directions, so all the travelers can see the mountains well.
Other Activities in Nepal Winter Everest Base Camp Trip
You can make some day trips in Kathmandu before or after the winter Everest base camp trek in Nepal. The Kathmandu day tour, Bhaktapur and Patan day tour, Dakshinkali religious site tour, Bungmati Khokana traditional town tour, Namobuddha tour, and more are available heritage tours that you can do during the Everest base camp journey in winter.
Besides these heritage tours, you can hike on the beautiful trails around Kathmandu before the trek. A day hike around the valley can be a good practice walk for a long mountain trek in winter. Champadevi hike, Nagarkot Changunarayan hiking, Shivapuri nature hike, Jamacho hike, and Kakani Suryachour hike are the beautiful hiking routes near Kathmandu Valley for winter.
You can go for two night and three-day Chitwan jungle safari tour after the winter Everest base camp trip. This safari tour can be a refreshment trip after a long tiring adventure mountain trip. Chitwan is low land, so there is a very much warm temperature compared to the mountain and Kathmandu, so you feel relaxed.
Conclusion
December, January, and February are considered the winter season in Nepal. It is the coldest period, so trekking to the Everest base camp at this time can be a big challenge. There are a couple of hundred trekkers on the EBC trail in December, but there are few visitors during January and February.
It would be best to have super warm trekking equipment for the winter Everest base camp trek. If you can not dare to reach the base camp now, try the Everest panorama trek in winter, which offers beautiful views of Mt. Amadablam, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and lots of other mountains. You can also enjoy this great Himalayas' beauty without a long winter trek if you do not have enough time or do not want to trek in cold temperatures.
