Are you one of those adventurers considering going on the Everest Base Camp trek during monsoon season? You’re not alone! Monsoon season is the least preferred for trekking activities, but given you follow a few considerations, you can experience the best possible trek of your life, that too to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain. Going on a trek to Everest Base Camp during a peak season is a journey full of adventures, but going there during an off-season is not for the faint-hearted!
If you’re well considerate about the weather conditions during the rainy season, the Himalayas will not be as harsh as they would otherwise be. When planning the Everest Base Camp trek, you must keep a checklist of everything you should and should not do to ensure safety. In this article, we have written everything you need to know about trekking to Everest Base Camp during the monsoon season in Nepal. Be sure to read till the end of this article to learn more!
Table of Contents
Everest Base Camp Trail Conditions During Monsoon
For many reasons, the trails to Everest Base Camp are not the best during monsoon season. You will find many muddy and slippery pathways to the EBC. In addition, monsoon is not considered a trekking season, which explains why you won’t see an excessive crowd on the trails. You will face the risks of rainfall from May to August. The months in between these two months are considered summer and monsoon. There are both pros and cons when it comes to the trail conditions in EBC during this season.
If you’re a beginner trekker, then it is suggested that you stay off the trails when it’s heavily raining in the Khumbu region. You will face the risks of rainfall from May to August. The months in between these two months are considered summer and monsoon. Moreover, trekkers will also have to deal with unstable weather conditions, which make the steep trails even more difficult to traverse on a journey of at least 10 to 12 days. While you may have to wait until the weather tones down to continue your journey, the rain also brings many leeches and bugs along the risky path.
Why Consider Trekking in the Everest Base Camp Trek During Summer and Monsoon
There is more than one reason why you should consider trekking to the Everest Base Camp during the summer and monsoon season. The season is favorable for budget travelers as few trekkers prefer to trek during this season. You can also get the freedom to enjoy nature and the scent of the air after rain throughout the journey. Hence, any nature lover should consider going there during the monsoon season. Further, if you’re an adventurer, there is no point in missing out on an adrenaline-triggering journey like this one.
The following are some of the primary reasons why the monsoon season is a unique one for trekkers:
Fewer Crowds and Quieter Trails
You will find yourself among fewer crowds, as mentioned before. Many trekkers come to Everest Base Camp without much prior experience. These trekkers want to trek conveniently and comfortably, which monsoon treks do not offer as much as the other seasons do. When you trek in the monsoon season, you will find yourself. However, the trekking experience can be simple and fun if you are careful throughout your journey.
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Weather
Though the monsoon season is off-season for trekking, it will be more fabulous and convenient. Trekking during summer may not be perceived as the best. But when it rains, the heat tones down, and the air becomes fresher. The peak monsoon season works for trekkers who are worried about unfavorable weather conditions. So, while peak summer may not be the best trek season, monsoon might be the perfect time for the EBC trek.
Lush Landscapes
Monsoon is the perfect season for those who want to dwell in the Khumbu trails among the lush landscapes. Though the region is mostly dry, you can still experience the beauty of nature, which flourishes during the monsoon season. Additionally, the monsoon season brings freshness like no other season can. The air in the remote region will cleanse your lungs while offering you the most spectacular view of the mountains, especially Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse.
Explore Local Culture Better
Everest Base Camp trekking trails during monsoon let you interact better with the locals and explore their culture more progressively. In the peak months, the crowd will not let you interact with locals personally, even if they are busy serving the trekkers. The rainy season in Nepal does not see as many travelers or visitors in Khumbu. Hence, you can visit the Sherpa villages, learn stories about the local ancestors, build friendships, and enjoy the local lifestyle, even briefly.
Discounts on Amenities
The amenities are much cheaper during the off-trekking season in Nepal. This includes the cost of transportation, airfare, and lodging. In fact, for budget trekkers, this might be the best part of trekking during the monsoon season. You will also be able to avoid excessive crowds in the accommodation. Therefore, trekkers may not have to worry about not getting a place to stay, especially in the lower regions. It is still suggested that you book your accommodation. Doing so is possible with the reliable trekking agencies.
Challenges in the Everest Base Camp Trek During Monsoon
There are plenty of challenges that you’ll face during the Everest Base Camp trek, especially when it’s mostly rainy. These challenges are primarily due to the weather during the monsoon season. When you trek during the peak seasons, you are more than likely to be able to avoid these challenges. The challenges of Everest Base Camp tend to increase during this season.
The following challenges are common during the monsoon season when you go to the EBC trek:
Flight Delays
Flight delays due to unfavorable monsoon weather are widespread. The Lukla airport is considered the world’s most dangerous airport. Monsoon season can hamper the trek while also bringing about anxiety among airline operators and passengers because of the possibility and consequences of bad weather. Flight delays may lead you to invest extra days into your trekking plan, which may not always work in every trekker’s favor.
Risky Trails
The trails are hazardous during the monsoon season. Everest base camp trek trails are steep and difficult to ascend and descend, and the season simply adds to the difficulty. You may have to carry gaiters and a proper gear set just to get to the base camp. Besides going to the base camp, it may not be possible to proceed with the trek to any other destination, as multiple treks are riskier. Getting into an accident or delaying your journey is also highly probable during the rainy months.
Difficulty Resting and Acclimatizing
Trekkers will have difficulty resting in an acclimatization landmark during the monsoon season. Excessive humidity during the rainy months makes it challenging for their bodies to acclimate and adjust appropriately to the changing altitude. This may lead them to delay their journey or stick to a location longer than usual. If their bodies fail to adapt to the changing altitude, it may also be necessary to delay their trek or return without making it to the base camp.
Unclear View of the Surroundings
You may not get the best view of the surroundings during the Everest Base Camp trek in the monsoon. Clouds and rain mainly cover the beauty of the mountains, and you may not even look at the landscapes without struggling. Many trekkers going on a monsoon trek to the EBC may delay their journey, not considering the days it will take them to complete the trek and enjoy the view of the landscapes. Others may continue their trek while dismissing the possibility of getting the best view of the landscapes.
Food and Accommodation in the Everest Base Camp Trek in Monsoon
The monsoon time for the Everest Base Camp trek may be perfect for those who want to trek on less busy trails while getting more space in accommodation. Regardless of the season being an off-season, you will find open accommodation almost at every landmark along the trails. The journey to Everest Base Camp will be comfortable for you in terms of finding good food and accommodation. Unlike the winter season, monsoons are not very cold and are not rough for trekking journeys. That’s why the accommodation owners will also serve you during the rainy months.
Everest trek in the monsoon season offers the same food options as any other season. The most commonly enjoyed food items are daal bhaat (rice and pulses), vegetables, meat curry, pickles, etc. You can find other food items like yak steak, pasta, pizza, bread, soup, biscuits, etc., in many teahouses along the EBC pathway. You can also enjoy hot tea and chilled drinks during the journey.
Tips to Go On The Everest Base Camp Trek During the Rainy Season
The following are the tips you’ll need before you go to the Everest base camp during the monsoon:
Stay Hydrated
You need to stay hydrated throughout your trek. This tip is a requisite not only when you’re trekking in monsoons but also when you’re trekking in general. Monsoons may, however, drain you more, and your throat is likely to dry because of the physical demands of the trek. Stay fresh and active from when you start your trek to when you complete it.
Get Weather Updates
Weather changes frequently during the monsoon season. Summer and monsoons make the EBC trails either extremely hot or very wet. Before you begin your day journey, consider checking the weather forecast frequently, as it is one of the biggest challenges of the EBC trek. Likewise, this is one of the most unmissable and valuable tips for the Everest Base Camp monsoon trek.
Carry Layers Just In Case
You must carry enough layers in your Everest region trek during the monsoon. This is mainly because you never know when it will get extremely cold. Also, carrying layers in your bag will help you get them out as and when necessary, even if it’s in between your journey. You can bring a jacket and a scarf.Â
Pack Adequately
You’ve got to pack adequately when you’re looking to go to the EBC trek in monsoon season. Packing less or more than necessary will cause trouble midway for you. Even if you hire a porter, you may have to pay more for the additional baggage you will make them carry. And paying multiple porters may not be necessary. Packing less may cause problems because you won’t find enough essentials even for purchase in the EBC trails. Monsoon makes things all the more challenging.
Good Experience of Himalaya trip’s EBC trek – 12 days
Unforgettable Everest Base Camp Trek with Jay and His Amazing Team!
Unforgettable EBC Trek with Jay
Everest Base Camp Trekking – 12 Days
Was referred to Harka by a friend who had done the 12 Days EBCÂ Trek a few months before, and he was very easy to contact and quick to respond. We were a bit uneasy about booking with someone from the other side of the world, but Harka proved himself to be honest, professional, and reputable while organising our trip for us. Once we were in Kathmandu, he was easy to meet up with and was quick to help us out with anything we needed. Our guide, Mr. Dil, who met us in Lukla, was what really made our trip as amazing as it was. He was extremely knowledgable on the mountains and mountain passes, as well as getting us into tea houses and our flight home. He was very professional, friendly, and easy to work with, even though his English was a bit broken. Overall, it was an incredible trip, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Harka again. If you do the EBC, ask for Dil, he’s the man.
Canada, November 2018
Private trek to Everest Base Camp
I booked a private trek to Everest Base Camp so it was just myself and my guide / porter trekking together for 12 days. As a solo traveller I always invest a lot of time in to researching the company I book with, it was important to me to do this with a Nepalese tour company and the previous reviews were so encouraging and positive I decided to contact Himalaya Trip to see what they had to offer.
Harka responded almost immediately despite the time difference and sent me detailed information on the Everest Base Camp trek. He answered all my questions and always replied quickly which continued to give me confidence. They were also very competitively priced compared to other local companies and along with the great reviews I had a good feeling that Harka and his team would be the ones to get me to EBC.
Harka met me at the airport, took me to my hotel and helped get me any last minute bits I needed for the trek in Kathmandu. He made everything very easy and I felt safe and reassured the whole time which is important to me as a solo female traveller.
My guide / porter was called Dil and he was the man I was spending 12 days with trekking to EBC. Dil was fantastic, he looked out for me every step of the way, regularly checking in to ensure I was ok and did everything to make my experience on the trek as comfortable and as safe as possible. Dil was so knowledgable about the area and the mountains he would point out everything along the way. Despite him speaking broken English we could quite easily chat and communicate without any problems.
The trek was an incredible experience and one of the toughest yet most amazing things I’ve ever done and part of that was down to the efficiency and professionalism of Harka and his team. I didn’t have to worry or think about a thing, just getting to EBC.
UK, Nov 2018
Great time on my walk to Everest Base Camp
Trek to Everest Base Camp Experience
Good Experience of Himalaya trip’s EBC trek
Conclusion
The entire Everest region becomes tame in the rainy months. But as an adventurer, you may still want to explore the Everest Base Camp trek during the monsoon. Regular updates on the weather conditions would be as wise as waiting for the weather to clear and enjoying each moment on the trails. You also need to remember that the Everest base camp trek will either be too hot or too wet, so prepare accordingly to make the most out of your trek. Happy journey, dear explorer!
