Everest Base Camp Trek During Autumn

The Everest Base Camp Trek during autumn delivers the best experience and an unforgettable journey. Among the four seasons, autumn is considered the best time or the peak season for trekking. As a result, most trekkers choose to trek during this time of the year to make the most of their adventure.

It is important to learn about the best time for trekking to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) when you’re planning this trip for the future. Without knowing which season to go for the trek, not only in the Khumbu Region but anywhere in the world, can cost you heavily and wouldn’t allow you to meet your expectations.

It’s obvious that when you leave your comfort zone to stroll around far away, somewhere in a remote area, in search of nature’s beauty and peace, you’ll certainly expect to have lots of fun on your journey. And the season always plays a crucial role here in this case.

I’ve mentioned already that autumn is the best season, but you might be curious now why only this time of the year is so fun to travel. Don’t worry, you’ll be made thoroughly aware of it and other essential things like accommodation on the EBC Trek during this season, what to pack, etc., in this blog.

Highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek During Autumn

• Stable weather offering clear skies and spectacular mountain views.
• Flight to Lukla from Kathmandu or Manthali and return is easier.
• Blooming wildflowers create a colourful landscape.
• Warm day and cold night.
• A chance to experience Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, and Khumbu’s local culture festival, Mani Rimdu.
• All the hotels along the trail are open to provide service.

Why is Autumn the Best Time for the Everest Base Camp Trek?

Autumn includes September, October, and November. Trekking to the EBC in these months guarantees you an enjoyable trip, especially in October.

Below are some appropriate reasons for considering Autumn the best season for the Everest Trek:

Stable Weather Conditions

It’s the post-monsoon season. During this time, you wouldn’t face dust and haze; rather, it delivers clear skies. The chance of rainfall is also very low, ensuring the dry routes and reducing the risk of landslides and floods.

Moderate Temperature

Experiencing hot temperatures in the Everest Region, even in summertime, isn’t possible. The weather is mostly cool.

So, in autumn, it’s not too cold but cool in the daytime, and you’ll feel warm while hiking under the sunlight, making your journey easier. However, at night, it’s freezing and the temperature goes to minus.

Clear Views

Due to the stable weather, the mountain views are crystal clear. You’ll get the opportunity to experience the heavenly views of Mt. Everest (8,848.86 m/29031.69 ft) and other nearby peaks in the same range, Mahalangur.

Thriving Flora And Fauna

Since it follows the monsoon, the wildflowers in the region bloom, adding colour to the trail. The entire trek falls within the boundary of the Sagarmatha National Park area. Therefore, wild species, such as the Himalayan Tahr, snow leopard, etc., reveal themselves along the trail, and you’ll also be able to capture their picture.

Festive Atmosphere

Autumn is also the season of Nepal’s biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in local celebration and learn about the culture. Furthermore, the Buddhist festival, Mani Rimdu, is celebrated in Tengboche Monastery (a sacred site along the way) during this season.

Proper Trail

The trails are usually dry and safe during autumn. In late November, there can be snow on the route, especially in the upper sections of the trek. Anyway, trails are most likely to be optimal.

Accommodation Facilities Available

Since autumn is the peak trekking season, all the hotels, lodges, and tea houses along the trail are open. But the problem is that during this time, there’s generally a huge flow of tourists to the Khumbu Region. That’s why hotel businesses get fully packed and rooms are hard to find without early booking.

Under the new law of Nepal’s government, solo trekking isn’t allowed in the country. You must go through the local tour agency.

Thus, for arranging your EBC Trekking in autumn, contact us, the Hiking Bees. We’ll arrange your program, which includes everything, such as booking hotels, transportation, an experienced guide, and a porter (if needed). 

Note: The weather can get harsh sometimes. Therefore, let’s not stay cool just because you’re planning for the EBC Trek during autumn. Instead, act smart by keeping an eye on the weather forecast for your trekking period.

Differences Between Trekking In September, October, And November

Even when trekking the EBC during autumn, you’ll have a different experience, and it varies depending on which month you choose to trek. We have September, October, and November in this season. Each of these months has a bit different weather.

EBC Trek in September

• Since September just arrives after Monsoon in Nepal, you may experience occasional afternoon rainfall, till mid septemnber.
• The trek routes are usually dry, with gradually improving views, and green surroundings as a result of the monsoon.
• Since the trek season just starts you'll see slightly less traffic on the trail, delivering a peaceful adventure.

EBC Trek in October

• October offers a stable weather, with very fery few to no rain.
• Exceptional mountain views due to clear skies.
• Since it's a peak trekking month, you need to expect huge traffic on the trail, and hotels are mostly fully booked.
• It is a month of Nepal’s biggest festivals, (Dashain and Tihar), and the local festival of the Khumbu Region, Mani Rimdu, which offers a rich cultural experience.
• The environment air feels different because of clear skies and blooming flowers.

EBC Trek in November

• Al though the skies are clear, but since winter’s on its way from mid-November, the temperatures tend to drop, especially at night and in the morning, in the upper section of the trek.
• Early November is also a part of the peak month, resulting in huge traffic on the trail. However, the crowd starts to decrease gradually at the end of the month.
• The first half of the month also experiences festivals such as Tihar and Mani Rimdu in some years.
• Some people even trek till Mid december.

Average Temperatures During The Everest Trek In Autumn

Check out the average temperatures of the lower section (Lukla/Namche Bazaar) and upper section (Base Camp/Kalapatthar) during the EBC Trek in autumn, broken down by month in the table below:

Month	Lower Section	Upper Section
September	15°C in the day and -1 to -5 °C at night	-2 to 5°C in the day and -5 to -10°C at night
October	12 to 20°C in the day and 0 to 5°C at night	-5 to 5°C in the day and -10 to -15°C at night
November	8 to 15°C in the day and around 0°C or below	-10 to -5°C in the day and -15 to -20 °C at night

EBC Trekking Cost During Autumn

The cost we designed for the EBC Trekking is around USD 1,200 to 1,300, and is the same for all seasons. Just note that the season doesn’t affect the price of the package.

Nevertheless, the cost also varies depending on the number of people in the group. The larger your group is, the cheaper the price gets.

Therefore, it is better to go with a large group of at least 5 to 6 people for the Everest Trek in order to get a cheaper price.

For more details on the package cost, inclusions, exclusions, and other useful information, check out our article, Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days.

Packing List For The Everest Base Camp Trek In The Autumn Season

As we all know, autumn is the beginning of winter. We start to feel cold, especially in the morning and at night, during this season. Therefore, we should pack our equipment wisely to avoid any possible difficulties during our trip to the base camp of the world’s highest peak.

Below is the packing list for EBC Trekking in autumn. Check it all patiently. It’ll certainly be helpful not only in the fall, but also in every season:

Clothing

• A down jacket rated to endure temperatures as low as -15°C for an overnight stay in a hotel.
• A down pant for an overnight stay, especially if you’re trekking in November.
• A pair of thin gloves to protect your hands from ultraviolet (UV) rays while hiking, and down gloves for an overnight stay
• Enough undergarments.
• A sporty t-shirt and waterproof trekking pants for hiking, and a normal t-shirt and trousers for an overnight stay.
• Windcheater and waterproof jacket for hiking.
• High-neck for an overnight stay.
• Thermal set for an overnight stay.
• Raincoat for hiking.

Footwear

• Waterproof trekking shoes.
• Shoe gaiter to protect shoes in case of rainfall.
• Sandal, normal shoes, or slipper for an overnight stay.
• A pair of normal socks for hiking and woollen socks for an overnight stay.

Accessories

• A quality backpack with a capacity of at least 55 L with a rain cover.
• Sun cap or hat for hiking.
• A woollen hat for an overnight stay.
• A buff mask to protect the face from UV rays while hiking.
• UV protection sunglasses.
• Headlamp for an early morning hike with extra batteries.
• Trekking poles to support your knees.
• Hard plastic water bottle (recommended brand Nalgene)
• Sleeping bag and liner (optional).
• Swiss knife (optional).
• Dry fruits, chocolates, and cookies for hiking.

First-Aid

• Acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude sickness, only under a prescription from a doctor.
• Detol.
• Moov spray.
• Medical Bandage.
• Brufen.
• Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS).
• Water purification tablets.

Toiletries

• Soap.
• Shampoo.
• Body lotion.
• Lip balm.
• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 50+).
• Facewash.
• Toothbrush and paste.

Necessary Permits

• TIMS Card (Trekkers’ Information Management System).
• Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
• Local Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit.

Other Essential Things

• Passport
• Enough Cash
• ATM Card