Everest Base Camp Trek in December, January and February | Weather | Cost

Temperature and Weather of EBC in winter

December, January, and February in Nepal are the peak winter season. However, global warming and climate change have impacted this. In recent years, the cold has declined even in the peak winter time. The weather at Everest Base Camp Nepal, in January used to be cold, with temperatures below the freezing point. The Lukla airport in January had a temperature ranging from -2.8°C to 5°C. At the base camp, the average temperature used to be about -25.9°C at night time. But you may find little warmer now.

The average precipitation in December, January, and February in Everest is about 3 mm, and the sky is often clear. December/January Weather Everest Base Camp Trek shows the chance of receiving 2 to 3 snowfalls, and the trail might be covered in snow for a couple of days. Weather is often free of snow; however, January and February have a few mm of snow on the ground above Namche.

Everest Base Camp in December, January, or February Crowds

November, the transition between spring and winter, is among the busiest times for the trek. Thankfully, with the early EBC December trek, the crowd starts to fall down, and the trail is clear.

By the end of December, January, and February, there are a few adventurous souls on the Everest Base Trek. However, the tea houses on the way are all open, and you can enjoy a comfortable stay. You could choose the best room with mountain views every day for the entire trip.

Everest Base Camp in December, January, and February cost

The exact cost of the Everest Base Camp trek in winter depends upon your duration and demand for luxury. It can range somewhere between $900 for a short trip and $3000 for a luxurious one. The cost of EBC in the peak season, i.e., autumn and spring, is higher due to excessive demand. However, during winter, you can enjoy a little discount and lower the Everest Base Camp trek cost.

Everest Base Camp Trek in December, January, or February Cost Chart

Everest Base Camp Winter Trek Difficulties

If we are being completely honest, traveling in December, January, or February is a bit more difficult than the peak season. As the temperature drops, you need to carry more clothes. But since we have a porter, that's not a big deal. Also, you need to drink a lot of warm water to prevent altitude sickness. 

By January, the trail might be filled with snow; thus, it gets very slippery and difficult to walk. Lukla airport in January and December might have snow that creates an obstacle for landing. But the snow is cleared within a few days, and your flight will be rescheduled. So, keep yourself updated with the EBC weather in December and January. 

Namche Bazaar in January/ February: all places above are filled with little snow. Sometimes, you might have to wait a few days for the snow layer to be thin. Next, since the days are shorter, we need to be on the trek quite early in the morning.

Kalapatthar in January and December is always covered in snow, and we don’t really suggest the early morning climb to this viewpoint. Although it might sound hectic, with the right guidance and preparation, EBC in winter is absolutely adventurous.

The right preparation is needed, but the proper guidance is equally necessary for higher altitude. I almost died in Dingboche during one of my Everest Base Camp Treks.

How to train for Nepal January/ December Everest Base Camp?

The Winter EBC Trek is moderately easy, requiring some prior trekking experience. For beginners, you wouldn’t need very special training to use mountain gear. However, you need a few months of training before the trek. You should engage yourself in cardiovascular exercises like cycling, swimming, running, jogging, squats, etc.

A few short treks in your home country with a backpack are also very helpful. An experience of a short high-altitude trek wouldn’t hurt. For December/ January or February Everest Base Camp Trail, you might have to practice walking in the snow. 12 weeks of training for EBC works best for beginners. This is also helpful for experienced trekkers.

Everest Base Camp Trek in December, January, or February Packing List

Here is the packing checklist for Everest Base Camp for winter especially:

Clothing & Layers

• Very warm, lightweight down jacket (essential for chilly mornings and evenings)

• Layerable clothing (so you can peel off layers while hiking)

• Comfortable trekking pants

• Cotton t-shirts

• Comfortable innerwear/undergarments

Winter Accessories

• Woolen hat

• Woolen gloves

• Woolen socks

• Scarf

• Sunglasses

Footwear & Sleep Gear

• Warm trekking boots (with good grip for snow and slippery trails)

• Winter-weight sleeping bag

Personal Items

• First aid kit

• Personal care & hygiene items

Final words

Winter on Everest is a very charming and adventurous experience. With the right preparation, you can easily accomplish the Everest Base Camp Trek in December/January without much difficulty. Let Breeze Adventure do all the preparation while you enjoy your time in Nepal. We handle altitude sickness with an oxygen cylinder tank and skilled team members, medical kits, and emergency evacuation if needed.

Feel free to contact us for Himalayan trekking, cultural tours, and jungle safari in Nepal. We also have Bhutan and Tibet tour packages.