In this blog, we will compare Everest North Base Camp and South Base Camp and try to figure out which one is the best.
Everest North Base Camp
Road access is available to North Base Camp of Everest. So, you can drive to Base Camp from Tibet. Receiving permit for Everest from Tibet side is bit tedious than taking permit from Nepal. However, North Base Camp allows better view of Everest. North Base Camp is stretched over a kilometre. The Base Camp looks like a U-shaped valley. Sunrise view over Mount Everest is one of the top highlights of the China side. The sun rising from the east shines on the summit, making a golden triangle.
There is plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy and Tibetan culture to experience on the way to Everest in Tibet.
Everest Base Camp in Nepal
You might want to choose South Base Camp if you love trekking in Himalayas. Nepal offers more trekking experience in Everest. Although the base camp from Nepal side does not offer better view of Everest, you can proceed further to Kalapattar that offers close-up view of Everest. Everest Base Camp Trekking route from Nepal side begins from Lukla. After boarding Kathmandu to Lukla flight, you will walk through Phakding village and enter Sagarmatha National Park from Monjo. You will descend to Namche, the capital land of Sherpa and visit Khumbu’s largest Tengboche Monastery before heading towards Lobuche. Walking through Gorakshep, you will finally reach Base Camp of Everest. For better view, you will trek to Kalapattar.
North Base Camp of Everest in Tibet
You need to take permit from Chinese government to visit Tibet first and then you also need permit for Base Camp Trek from to gain access to this camp. Blue Mountain Travels & Tours make complete arrangement for permit, transportation, food and accommodation and provide you with guide and necessary number of supporting staffs as a complete package.
If you enter Tibet from Nepal side, you will board a flight to Gongor airport and drive to Lhasa. Drive through Shigatse and Lhatse to Rongbuk. Rhongbuk Monastery is a place worth visiting. You will tread through Rhongbuk glacier to Base Camp and return through Tingri to Zhangmu. Land transportation is possible from Zhangmu to Kathmandu.
North and South Everest Base Camp Altitude
Altitude of South Base Camp is 5364m (17598ft) while altitude of North Base Camp is 5150m. If you choose to trek to Base Camp of Everest from Nepal, your supplies need to be carried by yaks and porter while you can drive all the way to Base Camp especially during summer if you choose to go to North Base Camp.
Health and Safety Tips for EBC Trek
# Keep your valuables in sight.
# Descend immediately to lower altitude if you experience High Altitude Sickness.
Symptoms of Altitude sickness include severe headache, heavy breathing and sleeplessness.
# Do not drink water directly from tap. Always use iodine tablets for water purification.
# Choose light weight and comfortable hiking shoes so that blisters will not develop on your foot.
# Bring gloves, hats, shirt and trousers.
# Carry medicines like Cetamol and Diamox.
Best Season for Everest Base Camp Trek
People often ask when is the best time to trek to Everest base camp. Since Everest is the world’s highest point, it attracts adventure lovers from all around the world. Mount Everest is located nearly 28 degrees north of equatorial line. Climatic condition of Everest is almost similar to climatic pattern of Northern Hemisphere. During months from June to August, Everest remains cloudy while months from December to February is cold. Months from March to May and months from September to November are considered best season for EBC Trek.
Winter season
Winter season in Everest begins from December and lasts till February. You will have to face challenges of cold temperature, heavy wind and heavy snowfall if you choose to trek to Everest in winter season. Temperature falls down sharply during night making the region extremely cold. You can still enjoy mountain views in winter.
Spring season
Spring Season in Nepal lasts from March to May. Monsoon is probably the best time to trek and climb. Days are warm and sunny and nights are not that cold. Views are clear and the environment is pleasant which is why spring is the best season for Everest Base Camp Trek.
Monsoon season
Monsoon season begins on June and lasts till August. Monsoon season is not good from trekking point of view. Days will be cloudy with occasional rainfall. Everest Base Camp trekking route will be slippery and there will be frequent delays in flight due to bad weather. Also, there are chances of landslide.
Autumn season
Autumn season begins right after monsoon and lasts till December. Autumn is also the best time to go to Everest base camp. It is considered as the peak season for Everest Base Camp Trek which continues from mid-September and lasts till end of November. To sum up, Spring (Mar- May) and Autumn (Sept- Nov) is best month for Everest base camp trek. Keep updated with the weather forecast for Everest.
Book Everest Base Camp Trek 2016 Now
Blue Mountain Travels & Tours is regularly taking booking for fixed departure Everest Base Camp Trek from Nepal as well as from Tibet. Full Board Service is provided to the trekkers. One experienced native guide will lead your team while you will be provided with required number of porters. Usually, we provide 1 porter for 2 trekkers in case you choose Everest Base Camp Trek from Nepal. For EBC Trek from Tibet, transportation will be arranged in a 4WD vehicle. You will be provided with best possible accommodations.
