Everest Base Camp Trek Weather in December and January
Nepal experiences four different types of seasons, they are Summer (Monsoon), Autumn, Winter, and Spring. December and January are the coldest months of the year and the month with snowfall in the hills and the Himalayas.
December and January are also the finest months for the majestic view, as the sky remains crystal clear with a far-sighted view and splendid Himalayan vista. As the temperature remains cold there will be snowfall mainly during the night, not everywhere and every day but in some places and someday.
The weather in the Himalayas is normally unpredictable, as in the lower altitudes like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and Tengboche, days are warm and nights are cool.
On the other hand, at altitudes above 4,000 Meters, places like Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and Everest Base Camp will receive different weather. Here, days will be moderately warm. However, nights will be cold and sometimes can drop below minus degrees Celsius.
Nothing to worry about, as all the lodges and tea house has heating facilities with a wooden structure to protect them from excessive cold. This makes the room warmer than the outer temperature.
To experience majestic Himalayan views and fewer crowds, December and January are one of the finest times for Everest Trek, as the trail is clear with fewer trekkers, and hotels will have sufficient numbers of rooms to select the best.
The table below is the Weather of Everest Base Camp Trek during December and January, according to the following day-to-day itinerary where trekkers spend the night.
Destination Altitude Min. Temperature Max. Temperature
Lukla | 2,840 m (9,318ft) | -1°C to 9°C |
Phakding | 2,610 m (8,563ft) | -1°C to 9°C |
Namche Bazaar | 3,446 m (11,306ft) | -6°C to 7°C |
Tengbuche | 3,867 m (12,687ft) | -8°C to 6°C |
Dingbuche | 4,410 m (14,469ft) | -13°C to 5°C |
Lobuche | 4,910 m (16,109ft) | -16°C to 4°C |
Gorakshep | 5,164 m (16,942ft) | -17°C to 3°C |
Everest Base Camp | 5364 m (17,598ft) | -19°C to 2°C |
Pheriche | 4,371 m (14,340 ft) | -12°C to 6°C |
Trekking Trail in December and January
Trekking into Everest Base Camp during December and January is a classical journey with fewer trekkers and more freedom from a busy trail. Fewer trekkers visit the Himalayas during this time of the year because of CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR.
This is so because of Christmas and New Year, the two most celebrated holidays worldwide. This is the time when people prefer to spend their leisure time with friends and family.
However, there are large numbers of trekkers visiting Everest during this time of the year as well. It depends upon how they want to spend their vacation.
During December and January, the trail to Everest is free from crowds and remains clean of Yak and dung. Hotels and lodges normally store all their necessary needs before winter. This makes Yaks (the only means for the carrier to relax in their barns).
Trails remain sunny throughout the day time and you will be able to experience sunlight even in the forest. Throughout the trail, you will be able to have majestic views of the Himalayas and vegetation.
Can We trek Everest Base Camp during December and January?
Yes, trekking to Everest during December and January is easily possible. Although these two months are winter and will experience snowfall, there is nothing to worry about. Normally snowfall happens during the night and the day remains busy with sunlight.
Hotels and lodges during December and January remain open for trekkers, however, there will be fewer trekkers as compared to other times of the year. So, you will find less crowded trails and hotels and you will have sufficient lodges and rooms of your own to select.
One best things about visiting Everest during December and January is you will be able to board a flight to Lukla from Kathmandu airport easily and back the same way. This is not possible during other times of the year.
During Spring and Autumn, which is a busy time for the Everest trek, all the flights to Lukla are only through Manthali airport which is an almost 4-hour drive from Kathmandu (unless you pay extra for a helicopter).
This makes trekkers start their early drive to Manthali airport at 2 AM, which makes the trek a bit difficult and hectic. From Lukla, you have to fly back to Manthali airport and drive back to Kathmandu after the trek.
However, during December and January, which is a less busy season for the Everest trek, every day there are regular flights to/from Lukla (both ways) from Kathmandu airport.
Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek in December
- An easy and short flight to/from Lukla-Kathmandu
- Less crowded trail with selective lodges and hotel
- Majestic views of the Himalayas with snow-covered hills
- Clean and comfortable trail
- The best way to observe frozen lakes and rivers
- Crystal clear far-sighted views without clouds
- Wide-range of sunrise view from Kalapatthar upon the Himalayas
- High possibility of observing Himalayan Thar and Snow-Leopard
Everest Base Camp Trek: Food and Accommodation in December and January
Everest Base Camp is a moderately challenging trek, however, during December and January, it might be somewhat colder than the other months of the year. This is because winter, December, and January are the coldest months of the year.
Trekkers due to Christmas and New Year visit the Himalayas rarely, so the trail is less crowded. However, lodges and tea houses remain open throughout the year in Everest. Due to fewer trekkers, you will be able to enjoy comfortable rooms with all facilities.
Lodges and tea houses will have mountain-facing rooms with Wi-Fi and a hot shower. Thus, trekking during this time of the year means multiple choices.
Regarding food on the Everest base camp trail, all the lodges and tea houses will have different cuisines which you can select from the menu of the hotel. However, one only thing is they will ask you the time for your food, make sure when they are ready you receive your food.
Due to colder temperatures, it is always recommended to have warm food, instead of being delayed.
Popular Everest Base Camp Trek Packages for December and January
Everest is a vast region with diverse trails leading to different areas of the region. There are numerous different packages for the Everest Trek and further trekkers can extend the trail or combine the Base Camp Trek with other areas of the EVEREST REGION.
Apart from the moderate trekking trail, one can also join different Peaks to climb in the Everest region. Here are some of the popular packages for Everest Base Camp Trek depending upon different numbers of days. This helps trekkers complete the Everest trek within their time frame.
Everest Base Camp Comfortable Trek 15-Days
Short Everest Base Camp Trek 10-Days
Everest Base Camp Luxury Trek
Budget Everest Base Camp Trek 12-Days
Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return
Everest Base Camp Trek for Seniors and Kids 19-Days
9 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
Namche Bazaar Trek
6 Days Everest Base Camp Trek
Kalapatthar Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek for Beginners 16 Days
Alternative Trekking trails in the Everest region in December and January
Everest is a vast region, blessed with diverse vegetation, flora, and fauna. There are numerous other trekking trails in the Everest region. Trekkers can spend months trekking and climbing the peak.
However, during December and January, which is extreme winter, resulting in snowfall, some of the areas might be difficult for trekkers to visit. This is due to thick snowfall and fewer active lodges to operate.
Despite the weather conditions, some trekking trails in the Everest Region can be easily done during December and January. This includes the EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK, AMA DABLAM BASE CAMP TREK, GOKYO LAKE AND GOKYO RI TREK, NAMCHE BAZAAR TREK and KALAPATTHAR TREK.
Apart from these, other treks such as the EVEREST THREE PASS TREK, PEAK CLIMBING, etc are not recommended during December and January.
What to bring for the Everest Trek in December and January
Trekking into Everest Base Camp requires some additional gear and stuff, and during December and January will need some more extra. December is the extreme winter in Nepal and in the Himalayas, mainly Everest Base Camp trail, the temperature will descend below minus degrees at night.
Trekkers need to have warm clothes, gloves, woolen hats, jackets, trousers, woolen shocks, and sunglasses to protect from the cool winter temperature and strong sunlight reflection.
Apart from these, a sleeping bag should be good enough with the capacity of a lifesaver -20° Celsius and a crampon to help you hike in the snow and trekking poles as well. However, lodges and tea houses will provide you with a blanket to sleep on.
Can we trek Everest Base Camp in December and January/ Winter?
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is possible throughout the year. However, during the Monsoon, visibility is poor due to clouds, and the lower areas receive some rainfall as well. Apart from this, the rest of the season is the best time for Everest Trek.
December and January are regarded as off-season in Tourism due to Christmas and New Year. During this time of the year, people prefer to be with families and enjoy their vacation. Moreover, those are also the Winter Months in Nepal. This makes the temperature goes to -20 degrees Celcius.
Now, in terms of Views and Visibilities, December and January are the finest months for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The trails are less crowded and offer a majestic panoramic view. The clouds remain clear and the sunrise and sunset reflection upon the Himalayas are never to miss.
The mountain gets snowfall and the vegetation looks white and snow-covered. The entire vista during the winter is panoramic and you will love this. Trails and hotels are less crowded, so finding a perfect place to stay will not be a problem. Moreover, the best point is the majestic view of the Himalayas.
Only the point here is that during December and January, you will need extra warm clothes.
Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek in December and January
December is the coldest month of the year and the temperature will decline to -20° during the night. So, mentally you need to be prepared for this harsh weather.
Sometimes, there might be snowfall during the day as well, this might cause you to spend an extra day in the lodges or tea house until the weather gets better. So, make sure you have at least a couple of additional days (reserved days) apart from the acclimatization day while trekking.
This will help you to trek in a more relaxing way without worrying about the international flight schedule and make sure to have at least a well-experienced guide or a local porter who is aware of the trail and lodges on the way.
During December and January, there will be fewer trekkers and if the snowfall covers the trail, there is a high possibility of confusion about the right trail.
Do I need to have a guide and porter for Everest Base Camp Trek in December and January?
Having a guide or porter for the Everest Base Camp trek is an independent choice. However, it is highly recommended to have a guide for the Everest trek during December and January.
As these are the extreme winter season fewer trekkers prefer to explore Everest Base Camp during this time of the year. Snowfall is very common during this time of the year.
Due to fewer trekkers and snowfall, trails are covered with snow, which makes it difficult for trekkers to locate the exact trail Moreover, in some areas tea houses might remain closed during December and January.
Having a guide will help you guide through the right trail, informing you about the mountains, villages, and stories along with contacting the hotels for the overnight stay. They have all the information about the hotels and lodges, so will help you in booking the right place at the right time.
All this makes a guide for Everest Base Camp Trek during December and January the best option, a safe and sound choice for any trekkers.
Festival celebrated in December and January in Nepal
Festivals are very common in Nepal and are celebrated throughout Nepal every month. This is due to diversity in culture and religion. There are 125 different ethnic settlements in Nepal and this community celebrates different festivals.
On the 25th of December Christmas is celebrated in the city areas mainly in Kathmandu and Pokhara where the majority of the Christian community live and New Year on the 1st of January is celebrated nationwide.
Although Nepal has its official calendar, the New Year is also observed with celebrations and parties.
Apart from these, on 15th December 2024, the Udhauli festival is celebrated. This is a popular festival among the Kirat community, it marks the beginning of winter when hilly people migrate towards lower elevations to skip from harsh winter.
Local Kirat community living in Kathmandu gathers in Tudikhel and celebrates the festival with singing and dancing and displaying different cultures and customs related to Kirati. On 30th December, Tamu Loshar is celebrated which is the New Year of the Tamang community.
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January 2025. This is celebrated nationwide by all communities and is a government holiday as well. Apart from those major festivals, there are some minor festivals celebrated in December and January.
All the schools, colleges, and universities remain closed and students visit temples and worship goddesses of wisdom.
These are some of the major festivals celebrated in Nepal during December and January.
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