Everest Base Camp on the Tibet side is a highlight of almost every longer Tibet trip. It sits at about 5,200 m below the north face of the world’s highest mountain. On a clear day it can feel surprisingly mild in the sun, but it is always much colder than Lhasa, especially at night.
Best Times to Visit
Spring Window
April and May are the best months. The sky is usually clear and the north face of Everest stands out sharply. This is also when climbers make their summit attempts.
Month
Day
Night
April
about 5–10°C
about −10°C
May
about 10–15°C
about −5°C
Autumn Window
Late September to early November, after the summer rains and before the deep cold. The air is clear and dry, and the views are as good as in spring.
Month
Day
Night
September
about 12–15°C
about 0°C
October
about 8–12°C
about −8°C
November
about 3–8°C
about −15°C
Times to Avoid
Monsoon Season (June–August)
Days are mild (around 10–15°C) and nights around 0°C, but Everest is often hidden in cloud, especially in July and August. Heavy rain can occasionally damage roads. You can still go, and many people do. You just need luck with the view.
Winter (December–March)
Days are around −5 to 5°C and nights fall to −15°C or lower. The tent camp is closed and visitors sleep in guesthouses at Rongbuk Monastery or in Tingri. The sky is often very clear, but strong wind and snow can close the road for a time. Tibet is also usually closed to foreign visitors for a few weeks in February and March.
What to Pack for EBC
a warm down jacket (needed in every month)
thermal base layers
a windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers
comfortable walking boots
a sleeping bag or liner (guesthouses are cold at night)
good sunglasses (the sun is very strong at 5,000 m)
high-factor sunscreen and lip balm
spare camera batteries (the cold drains them quickly)
Where you stay at EBC: since 2019 the old tent camp below the climbers’ base camp has been moved, and visitors stay at the tent camp near Rongbuk Monastery (about 5,000 m) or in the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse. Rooms are simple and cold, so bring warm layers. Your guide books your bed in advance.
