Everest Base Camp Trek is blessed with thousands of visitors every year and most prefer to trek during the peak seasons like Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). These seasons have so much to offer in terms of visibility, sightseeing activities, and recreational activities too. However, there are also some groups of professional trekkers who want to have a peaceful trekking experience.
Yes, choosing the right time for doing EBC Trek is important but some prefer having a private trek, so that they can enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas in peace. If you fall under the same category, this blog is certainly for you. There are two time frames; winter and summer, which are considered best to avoid crowds during the Everest Base Camp Trek. Despite their extreme nature, these seasons will certainly meet your expectations. However, we always recommend you to go through extreme preparation, hire a professional guide, and always remain in touch with the rescue team.
To understand more about the time when you can avoid crowds during the EBC Trek, let’s go through the blog below in detail:
Understanding the Everest Base Camp Trek Seasons
Before you move onto the subject of when to go for EBC Trek to avoid crowds, it is very important to know which season attracts the most visitors. From there, you can also know which seasons are more loose based on the crowds and availability. Here is a quick walkthrough:
Pre-monsoon Season (Spring)
Spring attracts a huge range of crowd for Everest Base Camp Trek since it is the most stable timeframe in Nepal. Starting from March to the end of May, Spring features moderate temperatures averaging 15 Degrees Celsius to -14 Degrees Celsius. In addition, the blooming rhododendron forest along the trail makes it more enjoyable.
Besides, the surrounding views will be very interesting as the clear sky will offer you a way to have the scenery of the Himalayas, traditional villages, and natural beauty. Moreover, the minimal chances of rainfall keep this season ahead of any other season to attract visitors. So if you are looking to avoid crowds in EBC, this might not be an ideal choice for you.
Post Monsoon Season (Autumn)
Autumn is another season that attracts hundreds of visitors. Due to stable weather and clear crisp views, most people tend to hike during Autumn (September to November) after the Spring season.
Similarly, Autumn features major festivals like Dashain and Tihar, which also has become a major attraction for trekkers to go for this trek. So the traffic on the trail might not be the one you are seeking. So it’s advised to skip trekking in this season if you expect to avoid crowds during your trek.
Tips to Avoid Crowds During Peak Season (Spring & Autumn)
Even when you are traveling during the peak trekking season, there is always a space to avoid crowds on the Everest Base Camp Trail. The first one is starting your trek early in the morning. Many trekkers prefer to start their trek early at around 4:00 am so that they can hike peacefully without any crowded environment. However, you must equally prepare physically and for the safety measures. Carrying a heavy flashlight and walking slowly is recommended.
Similarly, considering less known routes and trails like Gokyo Trail is also advised. The itinerary for these routes might be longer than the standard EBC Trail, it is considered less crowded comparatively.
Also, booking your accommodations and permits in advance will help you avoid crowds. If you reach Lukla in the first phase of the peak trekking season, you can successfully set on a quiet and peaceful trek.
When To Go Everest Base Camp To Avoid Crowds?
Monsoon Season (June – August)
First things first, the monsoon season, starting from June to August, features heavy rainfall, muddy trails, and poor visibility. So most trekkers avoid this season’s trek to Everest Base Camp. This might be the perfect time for those who are seeking to avoid crowds in the EBC Trail.
While the traffic is low during monsoon, the chances of getting hotel books for accommodation also increases. You might not even have to make advance bookings during this season.
But most importantly, you must acknowledge that the monsoon season is hazardous since the chances of landslides and downstream floods are high. But if you are well prepared for that and still look forward to avoiding crowds, it might be the perfect time to go for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Winter Season (November – December)
Winter is another best season to avoid crowds during the Everest Base Camp Trek. Winter is one of the most harsh seasons to trek in the Everest region as it features extremely cold temperatures. The average temperature around EBC ranges from -2.8°C to 5°C, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
The morning time can be even harsh; however, it offers excellent visibility, allowing you to enjoy the enjoyable trekking.
Advantages of a winter trek:
- Less crowded trails
- Stunning snow-covered landscapes
- Clear views of the Himalayan peaks
Challenges:
- Cold temperatures and harsh weather conditions
- Shorter daylight hours
- Limited availability of teahouses and accommodations
To tackle extremely cold temperatures, you must go through extreme preparations. Some of the tips are as follows:
- Pack high-quality winter trekking gear
- Carry sufficient warm clothing and sleeping bags
- Stay updated on trail conditions and weather forecasts
Strategies to Avoid Crowds Irrespective of Season
Choosing Alternative Routes:
As mentioned above, you can choose alternative routes that touch Everest Base Camp. Some of the most popular routes are the Gokyo Valley Trekking route and Everest Three Passes Trek.
Gokyo Valley Trek starts from Lukla, same as the EBC Trek but once you reach Namche Bazaar, the trail diverts towards the left side of the town. It goes through the remote Sherpa settlements of Thame, Lumde, Renjo La Pass and Gokyo Valley. From there, you can hike to Everest Base Camp, which does not take much time.
Similarly, the three passes trek also follows the same trail but it’s much longer than this. It passes through Renjo La Pass, Cho La Pass, and Kong Ma La Pass. From there, you can retrace your journey towards Lobuche and then proceed towards the Everest Base Camp.
These routes are less popular than the EBC standard trail, so your main motive of avoiding crowds will be fulfilled. On top of that, you can enjoy the wide range of natural beauty around the region.
Choosing The Less Crowded Tea Houses For Accommodations
During the peak trekking season, it is very challenging to book a tea house for accommodation even if you try it in advance. But during the off-season trek, you can easily access tea houses with fewer crowds. But before that, you should go through intense research and reviews of the place you are about to book.
Safety is the main priority so, the tea houses you are willing to stay in must have a chilling environment and hospitality. Nowadays, off-season treks are widely popular, so make sure that you make an advance booking for securing accommodations. Look for the amenities they offer during the timeframe you choose to stay and if it aligns with your expectations, you can move ahead.
Safety Considerations While Trekking During Less Crowded Seasons
Talking about your safety, you must be very prepared for every aspect of the trek. Since safety is not much aligned during the less crowded seasons, you must either be a pro or a highly experienced mountaineer/trekker.
Some of the basic preparations you must go through are listed as follows:
- Always carry a first aid kit and essential medications
- Stay hydrated and well-nourished
- Be prepared to adjust your plans or turn back if weather conditions deteriorate
- Pack warm clothes, including fleece jackets, trekking pants, boots, socks, hats, sleeping pads & bags, and so on.
Safety measures for small groups
The question may arise: what if you are traveling in a small group? Yes, it is totally considerable since the safety factor hits most in the small group of trekkers since the availability of evacuation and medical attention might be limited. While we look to avoid crowds, we also should not miss out on safety plans and guidelines. For that, you can take some tips from the below pointers:
- Inform someone about your trekking plans and expected return date
- Join a group trek or hire a local guide for added safety
- Carry a satellite phone or emergency communication device
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