• Updated on Jan 24, 2025

Everest Base Camp is probably the most trekked Base Camp in the Himalayas. Its popularity is not due to the tallest mountain on earth or the highest base camp. The entire vista throughout the trail is one of the most amazing experiences for any trekkers.

Starting from the lowland of harsh vegetation, one will reach the bare Himalayas in just a week-long trek, and every moment and every day brings an awesome experience.

The entire region of Everest provides stunning views from the greenery snow-covered Himalayas to the Himalayan glacier with panoramic 360° views.

Due to its easy access to the base camp of Mount Everest, the volume of trekkers is increasing every year. This sometimes results in problems while hiking through the narrow trail and finding proper accommodation during the trek, unless one has booked the tea house earlier.

The high season brings a large number of trekkers and expedition groups and to feed them, the supply of foodstuff and other required materials for the tea house and camping group are carried by Yaks and Mules.

porter

Those animals also make the trail messy with dung, and trekkers frequently have to step down to provide the caravan to move on. These situations sometimes make worse when crossing over the suspension bridge.

Stopping hikers from trekking or controlling their volume is almost impossible because everyone has the right to do so. However, if one prefers the low crowded volume of trekkers then choose the time that many trekkers prefer not to.

However, avoiding the crowd at the Everest base camp trek is possible and one can easily avoid large numbers of trekkers if you trek during the right time of the year. This will be a good destination for trekkers who prefer less crowded Everest Trek.

This less crowd provides one with a real experience in this peaceful and spiritual land, no matter whether this may be on the trail while hiking or in the tea house while staying. One without being disturbed can explore the entire panorama of the Everest Region without any disturbance.

Now, how to avoid a large number of trekkers in Everest Trek? The best answer to this will be to know when is the time when the large numbers of trekkers flock to the Everest Base Camp Trek.

crowd on the trail

Autumn and Spring seasons in Nepal remain busy for trekkers, and during this time, trails to Everest Base Camp are crowded Another problem is the light to Lukla (both ways). During this peak time of the year, the only airport in Kathmandu remains busy with international and domestic flights.

Thus, to minimize the air traffic, all the flight to/from Kathmandu/Lukla is diverted towards Manthali/Ramechaap. This is a somewhat 5 hours driving distance from Kathmandu and trekkers have to choose this airport during peak season because there is no other alternative option.

This happens every year during the peak season of the year because the only international airport in Kathmandu is also used for domestic flights and remains very busy. Thus, to avoid air traffic in Kathmandu, a flight to Lukla (both ways) is scheduled from Manthali/Ramechap Airport.

Now, the best and most relaxing way to follow the Everest Base Camp Trek is to join in during November, December, January, and February. Those are the times when the trails to Everest are less crowded and regular flights to LUKLA are operated from Kathmandu.

Certainly true, this is the perfect time to have one of the majestic views of the Himalayas, because the weather remains the best of all time without any clouds and the views are far-sighted as well.

Likla airport

Table of Contents

When is the Right Time to Trek EBC without a Crowd?

If one prefers to trek Everest Base Camp with less crowd then one has to choose the low trekking season of the year and this will be the best option for trekkers to avoid the large volume of trekkers on the trail.

To understand the entire scenario of the best time for low crowded trail, we have divided the entire year into 4 different categories.

Late Autumn

Autumn is one of the peak times of trekking the Everest Base Camp and this is also the expedition season for climbers. There will be trekkers and climbers throughout the trek making the trail busy and Tea Houses crowded.

However, Late Autumn is one of the best times to avoid crowds on the Everest Trail. This will be November, and as the peak season starts to end there will be trekkers and expedition groups descending toward Kathmandu.

November provides with finest weather in Nepal and the view of the Himalayas will be majestic with clear blue sky and exotic Himalayas. Further, the temperature starts to decline.

So, to avoid crowds or to encounter fewer trekkers on the trail and tea house, November will be one best options.

Winter

This is one of the most recommended months for low crowds in the Everest Trek. December, January, and February are winter in Nepal and are low trekking season as well. During this time of the year, the temperature gets down to negative.

However, February is the end of winter and the temperature slowly starts to increase but still, the trail remains crowd-less.

Further, the weather remains one of the best for the views, as the skies are blue with far-sighted views of the Himalayas. Although winter is chill in the mountain, the trail remains clean with very few trekkers on the trail and tea houses.

Mountains are filled with snow and look majestic and further, there will be regular flights from Kathmandu to Lukla both ways.

Late Spring

Spring in Nepal is often the months of March, April, and May. However, March and April are peak trekking and climbing season and the trail remains busy.

If one wants to avoid crowds during the spring season, it is better to choose the month of May. This month is the end of Spring and trekkers mainly start descending from the trek and the trail and tea house are comparatively less crowded.

Monsoon

June, July, and August are the monsoon season in Nepal. However, every day we don’t receive rain. These are trekable months as well. At the low altitude small amount of rain might be encountered.

However, as one hike is higher the possibility of rain is much less. In terms of views, clouds mainly cover the Hill at a low altitude with green vegetation. However, sometimes clouds cover parts of the Himalayas. Another risk factor is a flight delay or sometimes canceled due to bad weather.

Moreover, sometimes monsoons are delayed in Nepal and June and July receive very little rainfall and the monsoon extends till September. If this happens then June, July and the first half of August are also one of the best times for the Everest Base Camp Trek with crowd-free trail.

everest view from kalapatthar

What are the highlights of choosing the less crowded time for EBC Trek

The best part of choosing the low-crowded season for the Everest Base Camp Trek is the flight to/from LUKLA/KATHMANDU. When the volume of trekkers is low for Everest, then there will be regular flights from Kathmandu early in the morning.

Secondly, during the low trekking season, the trail remains clean with fewer trekkers to disturb and the environment is peaceful and soothing. Apart from this there, will be fewer trekkers to bother or disturb and the tea house will remain free from the volume of hikers.

Finally, during this time of the year, the weather remains at its best with a cloudless vista of the Himalayas and when there are fewer trekkers, there will be a high possibility of seeing the Himalayan wildlife.

Finally, at the tea houses during this time of the year, one will have the option to select mountain-facing views of the room and one can have multiple options to select food from the menu of the hotel.

everest base camp

Right Itinerary for EBC Trek to avoid the crowd

There are multiple ways to trek Everest Base Camp depending upon the time-limitation and fitness level of trekkers.

Everest Base Camp Trek can be done in the fastest way of 9 Days, starting from Kathmandu and ending in Kathmandu. This follows the same trail but without any rest day in between the hike. However, if one is a first-time trekker at such an altitude, this might be a bit difficult for trekkers to acclimatize to the altitude gain.

The second will be a short Everest Base Camp Trek of 10 Days, starting from Kathmandu and ending in Kathmandu. This will be comparatively easy with short distances at a high altitude to make your body acclimatize to the altitude.

11- Days Everest Base Camp Trek will be another easy way to accomplish the Base Camp Trek. Here, one can easily trek to the destination in an easy way with the acclamation of a day at a high altitude of over 4000+ Meters.

Above all the regular Everest Base Camp Trek will be of easiest-going 12-day Program. This is a regular EBC Trek Program with 2 nights of acclimatization while ascending uphill. This itinerary helps trekkers cope with the high-altitude environment and makes the entire trek the best way to reach the base camp of Mount Everest.

Further, if one is a senior citizen and physically not much better in condition to hike 6 hours every day, then they can follow the Everest Base Camp Senior Citizen Itinerary. This can be done in any number of days depending upon the trekkers’ time limitation and fitness level. For, details you can contact Discover Altitude Trek.

For the best way to follow, it is better to consult with your travel companion in Nepal and let them know about your time limitation and fitness level. We will assist you with multiple options that suit you best physically, keeping in mind your time frame.

on the way ebc trek

Alternative trail to adjoin with the Everest Base Camp Trek

With the popularity of the highest mountain in the world, Everest Base Camp is becoming popular among adventure trekkers. However, the crowd on Everest Trail only happens during the Autumn and Spring seasons of the year.

This is because the time of the year remains stable and best for the climbing season and also for hike. Moreover, the entire region of Everest is blessed with numerous diverted trails. It is not only the Everest Base Camp, trekkers choose AMA DABLAM BASE CAMP, GOKYO LAKE TREK, THREE PASS TREK, etc.

Further, the popular peaks and mountains attract numerous climbers. Expedition activities are popular towards Mount Everest, Mount Ama Dablam, Lobuche Peak, Mera Peak, etc. These make the trail crowded and busy.

However, even during the peak season of the year, the flow of trekkers is maximum in the Everest Base Camp. Thus if one wants to avoid the crowd of trekkers, choose the low trekking season of the year.

Gokyo Valley and Gokyo Lake

Low Altitude Trek to avoid crowds and High Altitude Sickness

Everest is not synonymy to EBC, it is a vast region and is the highest existing UNESCO Natural Site and occupies vast areas of the Khumbu Region.

The entire region of Everest is blessed with some world-famous and popular adventure trails and also popular climbing peaks and mountains.

In the entire region of Everest, there are numerous Himalayas over 8000+ and Mount Everest is one of them. The vista from the trail of Everest region is jaw-dropping with a panoramic view of hills and snow-covered Himalayas, the valleys downhill, and the monasteries uphill.

However, for many trekkers hiking all the way to the high altitude might not be supportive due to fitness level, physical level, and also time-frame. If so, then there are numerous short hiking trails in the Everest Region, that might meet all your requirements and that trek starts from just 3 days to 7 days.

The most popular short hiking trail in the Everest Region is the Namche Bazaar Trek, followed by the Tengbuche Trek, Everest Panoramic Trek, Gokyo Lake Trek, and the Ama Dablam Base Camp Trek.

Those trails are easygoing and short and also a low altitude trek with breathtaking views of the entire Everest Region. Thus, the Everest region provides ample opportunities for every traveler to explore the range of Himalayas with splendid views.

pheriche village

Luxury Way to Trek Everest Base Camp to Avoid Crowd

There are multiple ways to trek Everest Base Camp and the other areas of the Everest Region. However, one has (almost) to follow the same ascending and descending trail while trekking to the Base Camp of Mount Everest.

However, for trekkers who want to skip the same way descend back to the starting point or for those who are tight with their long holidays. Everest Base Camp Trek has multiple options for all trekkers.

Trekkers who prefer to skip the same way descend can take a Helicopter Back from Gorakshep (the last overnight camp) 5140M. This reduces almost 3-4 days descending back to Kathmandu. This flyback can be easily done when prior bookings are made. 

Further, those who can afford Everest Base Camp Trek in a Luxury way can accommodate themself in one of the best lodges with all the modern means. This Luxury Trek to Everest Base Camp is comparatively bit more expensive but the trek goes in one of the best ways with Helicopter back to Kathmandu from Gorakshep.

Apart from these, those who are worried about the high altitude can choose the alternative low-altitude trek Namche Bazaar Trek with a Helicopter landing option to explore the entire Everest Region and this is a comparatively easy and less time-consuming trek.

Conclusion

Final say, to conclude, if trekkers want to avoid a large number of hikers on the trail of the Everest Region and explore the majestic vista without any disturbance, then the best time to trek Everest Base Camp or any part of the Everest Region is to follow the low trekking season.

This guarantees you will regular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla which is also the gateway to the Everest Region the trail remains calm and peaceful without any disturbance and the tea house is the best place to rest and relax overnight.

Then January, the first half of February, the Second half of May, June, July, the First half of August, the Second half of November, and December are the best off-season with the low crowds to trek the EBC and Everest Region.

Kumar Lamsal

Kumar Lamsal

Kumar is one of the Co-founders and Managing directors of Discover Altitude holding 18 years of experience in the tourism sector of Nepal. He has trekked to almost all the popular regions of Nepal and is an authorized trekking and tour guide.

Started his career as a porter to support his study, now holds MPhil and LLB degree, and is doing his Ph.D. in religious studies. He loves traveling to the Himalayas and has deep knowledge about religion, culture, and history.

Kumar is also involved in the teaching sector as a part-timer to deliver his research related to the cultural and religious diversity of Nepal and is the one who mostly answers your queries giving them his personal touch through his decade-long experience.