Best Time to Visit Mount Everest
Affected by the high altitude and unique geographical environment, Mount Everest has a classic alpine climate: extremely low temperature all year round, perpetual snows, glaciers and ice slopes are everywhere, very thin air and frequent high speed wind. The annual average temperature of Mount Everest is -29°C. The coldest month is February (low to -10.2°C) while the hottest period is in July (up to 22.5°C). Visiting Mount Everest is only recommended during April to October when the average temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C, with blue sky and clear weather for you to enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Everest. The temperatures on the mountain also vary a lot within a single day, rising up to more than 20°C during the day and dropping far below zero degree during the night. You’d prepare well for the climate changes.
Where to Stay - Mount Everest Hotels
Camping is not the only way to accommodate on Mount Everest. You will find rooms and beds to stay overnight. But the amenities are basic. There are three places you can stay on Mount Everest - Rongbuk Monastery Guest House, Tent Guest Houses and Sightseeing Rongphu Hotel. All of them offer very basic accommodation, but the best on the top of the world. Rongbuk Monastery Guest House is a great place to stay. It offers standard rooms, five-bed room. Tent Guest Houses are operated by nearby Tibetan villagers. There are room-size tents which can accommodate about 6 travelers in each tent. During the tourism off seasons (November to March of next year), the Tent Guest Houses will be removed. Travelers can only stay in Rongbuk Monastery Guest House. Sightseeing Rongphu Hotel is still under decoration.
Trekking on Mount Everest
It is very popular to have a trek on Mount Everest for tourists from all walks of life who want to witness the world’s highest peak. You are suggested to trek the north face of Mount Everest which is located in Tibet - less crowded, quiet and peaceful, acceptable difficulty, with average altitude of over 4500 meters. There are three major trekking: 1) Easy short trekking from Rongbuk Monastery to Everest Base Camp; 2) Moderate trekking from Old Tingri to Everest Base Camp; 3) Trekking beyond Everest Base Camp to Camp 2, Camp 3…Summit. Generally speaking, trekking beyond Everest Base Camp to further camps or summit is only available for those very experience trekkers and mountaineers. While the treks and B are achievable goals for most of people who are fit and well prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tibet Everest Base Camp Tour
How to get to Everest Base Camp (Tibetan side)?
Compared to the southern base camp of Mount Everest in Nepal, the northern Everest Base Camp is relatively easier to reach. Although no airport or railway station are available near Mount Everest, there is a well-paved highway leading to the camp site. One can get to Everest Base Camp from Lhasa by overland, as a popular option, via Friendship Highway. Covering around 600 km, the road trip from Lhasa to EBC will take you through Lake Yamdrok, Gyantse, Shigatse, Lhatse, Tingri and Rongbuk Monastery successively, with the altitude gradually climbing up to over 5000m. It requires normally 8 days to complete the journey from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp and back to Lhasa.
In addition, one can also get to EBC from Kathmandu by taking an overland trip via the Gyirong Border. Getting to Tibet from Kathmandu can be done by public bus. From Gyirong Port, it is around 334 kilometers to EBC, which takes about a whole day. If there are more destinations than EBC listed in your tour plan, it is recommended to join the classic overland tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa, and pay a visit to Everest Base Camp on the way.
What are the permits to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet?
In order to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibetan side, you need to book an organized tour with a local tour operator like us, who will handle the permits on behalf of you. The Tibet Travel Permit is the primary essential document that should be obtained before you enter Tibet. Your Chinese Visa and passport are required to apply for the permit. In addition, foreigners need to get the Aliens’ Travel Permit to enter the EBC region.
One more thing to be noted, if you get to Tibet from Nepal, you will need to obtain the Chinese Group Visa, instead of the Chinese Visa, together with the Tibet Travel Permit. Unlike the latter, the group visa can only be applied through the Embassy in Kathmandu. It is advised to reserve yourself enough time (at least 3 days in Kathmandu) for the application.
How long is the hike to Everest Base Camp?
For those who want to hike to Everest Base Camp, one can go through the trek from Old Tingri, which is one of greatest treks in Tibet. The trek from Old Tingri to EBC covers around 70 kilometers and is of moderate difficulty, with altitude ranging between 4400m and 5200m. It is advised to complete the trek in four whole days, so that you can balance your energy and have enough time to explore the glaciers and valleys on the way. As a wise option, you can choose to join in our 12-day EBC trek tour, which will take you to smoothly experience the classic trek, accompanied by our professional guides.
What kind of accommodations are available at Everest Base Camp?
Currently, tourists can stay in the tent hostel at Everest Base Camp or in the guesthouse at Rongbuk Monastery. The tents at EBC are only available from April to November, and are roughly equipped for the basic accommodation condition. There are beds with extra quilts, hot water, and electricity until midnight. But the toilets are outside the tents. Though simply equipped, the tents at EBC can ensure you a warm night stay at the high altitude of 5200m.
For the guesthouses at Rongbuk Monastery, the conditions are much better, but far from a standard hotel you may always stay in cities. At an altitude of 5154 m, the guesthouse of Rongbuk Monastery is available throughout the year and includes beds, shops, public toilets etc. It also provides great panoramic view of Everest summit.
When is the best time to visit Everest Base Camp?
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet is from April to June and September to November. During the two periods, the temperature is moderate and the weather is warm. In Spring, the snowy land begins to unfreeze and revive, with flowers blooming and trees turning green. It is the best time to trek Mount Everest to take in the breathtaking landscape along the trail. When it comes to autumn, the sky becomes clearer and the air turns dryer. It is the perfect time to see a clear view of Mount Everest, with great visibility and stable weather condition.