The best time for the Everest Base Camp trek is October to mid-November, and the second best is April to May. Both seasons usually bring dry trails and clear mountain views. December to February is clear but very cold. June to August is the monsoon, with daily rain, cloud and frequent Lukla flight delays.
This guide goes month by month, with temperature and rainfall figures for Namche Bazaar. It also covers how each season affects Lukla flights, crowds and what you pack.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Month-by-month guide
- Autumn: October and November
- Spring: March to May
- Winter: December to February
- Monsoon: June to September
- Namche Bazaar temperature and rainfall
- How the season affects Lukla flights
- Which season suits you
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Our verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | Possible, for the well-equipped | Coldest month; clear skies, empty trail, some high lodges closed |
| February | Possible, for the well-equipped | Still very cold, slowly warming |
| March | Good | Cold nights, fresh snow possible up high, rhododendrons start below Namche |
| April | Very good | Warmer days, busy trail, expedition camps at Base Camp |
| May | Good | Warmest pre-monsoon month; more haze and afternoon cloud |
| June | Not recommended | Monsoon begins; rain and cloud |
| July | Not recommended | Wettest month |
| August | Not recommended | Still very wet |
| September | Fair, late in the month | Monsoon tails off; early September is still wet |
| October | Best | Clear, settled weather; the busiest month |
| November | Best | Driest month; colder nights, fewer people later on |
| December | Possible | Clear and cold; the trail empties out |
Autumn: October and November
October is the most popular month on the trail. The monsoon has usually cleared, the air is dry and the views are sharp. Namche averages a daytime high of 12.5°C. The cost is crowds: teahouses in Namche, Dingboche and Gorak Shep fill up in peak weeks, and Lukla flights sell out.
November is the driest month in Namche, with about 11mm of rain on average. Visibility is often at its best, and the trail gets quieter after the first week or two. Nights are colder, with a Namche average low of −3.8°C, and much colder at Gorak Shep. For clear views with fewer people, late October to mid-November is a good choice.
Late September can work, but early September is still the tail of the monsoon. Namche averages 140mm of rain that month.
Spring: March to May
March is the coolest spring month. Namche’s average low is −3°C, and Dingboche and Lobuche can still get fresh snow. Rhododendrons start to flower on the lower trail between Lukla and Namche.
April is the most comfortable spring month, with a Namche average high of 12.8°C and only 26mm of rain. It is also when Everest expeditions set up at Base Camp. You see a busy tent village there instead of empty rock.
May is the warmest month before the monsoon. Haze and afternoon cloud build up as the month goes on, so the best views come early in the morning.
Winter: December to February
Winter brings some of the clearest skies of the year and a nearly empty trail. The trade-off is cold. January is the coldest month in Namche, with an average low of −8.5°C. Gorak Shep, about 1,700m higher, is much colder, especially before dawn on Kala Patthar.
Some teahouses at Lobuche and Gorak Shep close or run reduced service in mid-winter. You need a sleeping bag rated well below −15°C and proper down clothing. Talk to us before booking a winter date, so we can check which lodges are open.
Monsoon: June to September
We don’t recommend the monsoon months. July is the wettest month in Namche, averaging 226mm of rain, and August is close behind at 206mm. Expect rain most afternoons, muddy trails, leeches in the lower forest and cloud hiding the peaks for much of the day.
The bigger problem is Lukla. Flights need clear visibility, and cloud cancels them often in the monsoon. You can lose several days waiting in Kathmandu or Lukla. If the monsoon is your only option, plan extra spare days. Or consider a trek in the rain shadow north of the Himalaya, such as Upper Mustang.
Namche Bazaar Temperature and Rainfall
Namche Bazaar is the only place on the route with long-term published climate figures, so we use it as the reference. Above Namche, expect colder temperatures, especially at night. Gorak Shep is roughly 1,700m higher.
| Month | Average high | Average mean | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.9°C | −0.9°C | −8.5°C | 43mm |
| February | 6.4°C | 0.0°C | −6.5°C | 20mm |
| March | 9.6°C | 3.2°C | −3.0°C | 31mm |
| April | 12.8°C | 6.8°C | 0.8°C | 26mm |
| May | 14.3°C | 9.0°C | 3.7°C | 39mm |
| June | 15.6°C | 10.6°C | 5.9°C | 129mm |
| July | 15.8°C | 11.8°C | 7.8°C | 226mm |
| August | 16.2°C | 11.8°C | 7.5°C | 206mm |
| September | 14.6°C | 10.3°C | 5.9°C | 140mm |
| October | 12.5°C | 6.9°C | 1.2°C | 57mm |
| November | 9.1°C | 2.7°C | −3.8°C | 11mm |
| December | 7.6°C | 0.3°C | −7.1°C | 24mm |
Source: FAO agroclimatic data, as published on Wikipedia’s Namche Bazaar page. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for any particular year.
How the Season Affects Lukla Flights
Lukla flights run in the morning, when the air is calmest, and they need clear visibility. In the busy spring and autumn seasons, most Lukla flights leave from Manthali airport in Ramechhap instead of Kathmandu. That means a drive of several hours before dawn. We confirm the departure airport a day or two before you fly.
Cloud can stop flights in any season, and it is most common in the monsoon. Whatever month you choose, keep two to three spare days in Kathmandu after the trek before your international flight.
Which Season Suits You
| If you want | Go in |
|---|---|
| The most reliable clear views | Mid-October to mid-November |
| Warmer days and spring flowers | April |
| To see Everest expedition camps | April to May |
| The quietest trail, and you can handle cold | December to February |
| Your first big trek, with the best odds | October or April |
Our Everest Base Camp Trek is priced by group size. In the quieter months, ask us for a low-season rate. For what to pack in each season, see our EBC packing list.
Frequently Asked Questions
October, followed closely by November. Both are usually dry and clear. November is quieter and colder, and it is the driest month in Namche.
Autumn usually has clearer, more settled views. Spring is warmer, has rhododendrons on the lower trail, and lets you see expedition camps at Base Camp. Both are good choices.
Yes, if you have proper cold-weather gear. Namche averages −8.5°C at night in January, and Gorak Shep is much colder. Skies are often clear and the trail is quiet, but some high lodges close.
You can, but we don’t recommend it. Expect daily rain, cloud over the peaks, leeches lower down and frequent Lukla flight cancellations. Allow several extra days if you go.
In the spring climbing season, roughly April to May. In autumn, Base Camp is usually empty, apart from the occasional expedition.
Namche averages a low of about 1°C in October. At Gorak Shep and Base Camp, nights drop well below freezing, so bring a sleeping bag rated to at least −15°C.
Related Planning Guides
- Everest Base Camp Trek package — 12 days from Lukla, from $1,039
- EBC Packing List — gear for each season
- 12-Day EBC Itinerary — where you sleep each night
- How Hard Is the EBC Trek? — the hardest days and how to train
- Everest Region Treks for Autumn — which Khumbu route fits you
- Everest Base Camp Trek Cost — full price breakdown
Pick Your Month, We’ll Plan the Rest
Our Everest Base Camp Trek costs $1,039 to $1,379 per person, with Lukla flights, permits and a licensed guide included. See the full trek details, or ask us on WhatsApp which month fits your dates.