Trekking to Everest Base Camp in winter is challenging with freezing temperatures. The winter months are December, January, and February in Nepal, so these months have the least number of mountain visitors. Check out the brief below about the weather and temperature conditions in these months when hiking there below:
Everest Base Camp Trek in December
December leaves autumn behind and welcomes winter. It snows frequently, and it will be extremely cold this month. So not many trekkers dare to Trek to Everest Base Camp at this time.
There will be cold winds in December in the Everest Region. The Trekking Path had an icy surface in some areas during the Trek. Packing well and warm Trekking equipment for Everest Base Camp in the winter is highly recommended.
Benefits of the Everest Base Camp Tour in December
Fewer crowds 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 mountains 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 the peaceful environment and the 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, there 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 a Flight Cancellation in December. So you can save that amount if you Trek to Everest Base Camp in December.
Clear Weather and Bright Sceneries
Mt. Amadablam Dingboche on Winter EBC Trek
December offers the best Weather in the Everest Region. There won't be rain and snow this month, so there is no hurdle to Trekking to Everest Base Camp in December. In the Everest Region, you will have crystal-clear weather from morning to evening this month.
There 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 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 accommodations in advance at this time during the tour. You will get an extra blanket or quilt for the night because there are not many trekkers in the lodge. You may get a better fare in luxury lodges due to the off-season.
Challenges in the Winter Trek to Everest Base Camp
`There are some Challenges during the Everest Base Camp Trek in the winter, with their advantages. What should those challenges be, then? Check them out below:
Freezing Temperatures in the Region
December is the first month of the winter season, so it begins cold and decreases in Temperature every day. There are icy surfaces on the walking trail somewhere along the way to Everest Base Camp in the winter.
Feel Lonely sometimes.
There are not many trekkers on the base camp trail in December because of the freezing temperatures, so you might not meet friendly people in every place at this time. But, of course, the lodge owner and staff are nice in the region. So, you might feel lonely and can't share your experience with others on the mountain in December.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness could be the biggest problem during the Everest Base Camp Trek in the winter. Altitude Sickness is caused by less oxygen in the air and high atmospheric pressure in the mountain region. Extreme cold and dehydration may also cause severe Mountain Sickness.
Most of the Shops Stay closed.
There are many bakery Shops, bars, and other souvenir shops along the way to Everest Base Camp. They might Stay Closed, and places look quiet, so you might not have places to spend time in the town.
Trekking Tips for Everest Base Camp in the Winter
- Bring warm equipment for the trek in the winter.
- There should not be anything 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 the cold wind.
- Walk slowly, eat well, and drink plenty of warm fluids.
- Do not go close to the waterfall, stream, or river because there will be icy stones.
Temperature During a 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 a -3°C 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. The December temperature will be a minimum of -20°C, January will be -18°C, and then it 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 out a list of essential gear to pack for the Winter EBC trip below:
- Duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack
- Super down jacket
- Goretex jacket with a fleece layer
- Fleece high-neck t-shirt
- Long-sleeve trekking shirts
- Thermal layers
- Warm and windproof gloves
- Light gloves for the day
- Sun hat
- Warm and windproof hat
- Sunglasses
- Trekking poles
- Long-sleeve trekking pants
- Windproof trouser
- Good-quality trekking boots
- Sports shoes and water sandals
- Feather boots for the night
- Toe warmers
- Extra camera battery
- Multi-use power sockets
- Charging a power bank
- Sun lotion
- Wet tissues
- Moisturizers cream
- Lip balm
- -20°C above the sleeping bag
- Books to read
- Head torch
- First-Aid kit
- Quick-drier towel
- Toiletries
Check the detailed information about Everest Base Camp trekking gear for male and female trekkers here:
Festivals in Nepal During the 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 a particularly festive season for the Buddhist people in Nepal. The Lhosar, also spelled Losar, remains in Winter. The Losar begins with the Tamu community, which represents the Gurung and Magar. This Festival is held in December every year. You can celebrate Christmas in Nepal in December. Sonam Losar in January for the Tamang Buddhists, then Gyalpo Losar for the Sherpa in February, and you can be a part of them during your Everest Base Camp Trek in the 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 the Everest Region for Winter
Do not dare reach the Base Camp in freezing temperatures in the 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 the 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 the winter. The Helicopter Return Trek is the shortest trekking package to Everest Base Camp.
You follow the usual Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary to the base camp, then fly out to Kathmandu from Gorakshep on a helicopter for this short Everest Base Camp Trek in the winter. The hike begins with a scheduled flight to Lukla from Kathmandu and then a Trek to 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 in the insufferable freezing temperatures of the Everest Region in winter? But you are still interested in visiting Everest Base Camp. Is it possible to reach Everest Base Camp and Kalapatthar in the winter without a Walk? Yes, it is possible! You can visit Base Camp and Kalapatthar in the 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.
The Cheapest and Fastest Way to See Everest in Winter
There is an option for budget travelers to See Everest, and its range is low... A scenic mountain flight on a plane from Kathmandu airport is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to explore the world's famous Himalayas in Winter.
During this scenic mountain flight, you can see the Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Manaslu, Gaurishankar, Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga Himalayan ranges. The plane for this mountain flight 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 with the Winter Everest Base Camp Trek
You can make some day trips to 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 the winter. Champadevi hike, Nagarkot Changunarayan hike, Shivapuri nature hike, Jamacho hike, and Kakani Suryachour hike are the beautiful hiking routes near Kathmandu Valley for Winter.
You can go on a 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 mountain trip. Chitwan is lowland, so there is a very warm temperature compared to the mountains and Kathmandu, so you feel relaxed.
Conclusion
December, January, and February are considered the Winter Seasons in Nepal. It is the coldest period, so Trekking to 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 in January and February.
It would be best to have super warm trekking equipment for the Winter Everest Base Camp Trek. If you cannot dare to reach 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 Himalaya's beauty without a long Winter Trek if you do not have enough time or do not want to Trek in cold temperatures.
