Everest base camp trek in monsoon season is quite popular for those who want to explore natural and cultural attractions in less crowded areas. One can enjoy the culture and tradition of the Khumbu region. The monsoon season in Nepal falls in June, July, and August. It is best for trekking as it is full of lush greenery, rain-fed waterfalls, and green landscapes.
In Nepal, every corner experiences rainfall in the monsoon season except in the Upper Mustang Trek andUpper Dolpo Trek, which are also called the rainshadow areas of Nepal. You will get an amazing mountain view with every twist and turn in the Everest region.
Thebest seasons to do the Everest Base Camp Trek are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Autumn and spring are most favored by trekkers, but trekking in the monsoon season is full of joy and peace. You can go on a hike with just your group and take in the quiet trail without feeling hurried. The monsoon season is best for a thrilling adventure with complicated weather challenges.
You will hike without sun and dust, but you have to be ready for full-day rainfall. One can easily deal with the challenges that come with heavy rainfall, like landslides, erosion, floods, and many more, at high altitudes. You need to face other difficulties like muddy and slippery trails, scheduled flight delays, showers and rain clouds, leeches, and bugs. If you have enough planning, preparation, and packing, you can complete the trek with joy and memories.
We, Mystic Adventure Holidays, will provide you the chance to explore and witness the natural and cultural diversity of the Mount Everest trek in the monsoon season. Make sure to contact us. Our ethical and friendly staff will make your journey memorable and enjoyable, even in harsh climatic conditions.
Highlights:
- Fresh green garlands are adorning the hillside, forest, and valley across the country.
- Trekking along the freshly planted rice fields and farmlands.
- Wildflowers are sparsely sprinkled along the hiking trails.
- Witness the natural form of rivers and waterfalls.
- Sense of achievement while encountering magnificent wonders of nature.
- This is the perfect season for planning thrilling and exciting water sports like white water rafting, canyoning, kayaking, and so on.
- Explore peaceful, enchanting sounds of nature and fresh Himalayan weather.
- Chance to enjoy cultural festivals like Budhha Jayanti (birthday of Lord Buddha), Naag Panchami, Gai Jatra, and festival of women, Teej.
- The unique sense of freshness comes with a clear view of mountain's beauty
- Fresh air with awe-inspiring lush green landscapes.
Everest Base Camp Trek in Monsoon Season Itinerary
This is a possible itinerary that Mystic Adventure Holiday offers during the monsoon season. The anonymous weather conditions may cause some changes in the planned journey.
- Day 1: Kathmandu to Lukla via air (2,830 meters) and trekking for 4 hours until you reach Phakding (2,640 meters).
- Day 2: Hike for 6 to 7 hours from Phakding until you reach Namche Bazaar (3440 meters).
- Day 3: Acclimatization Day in Namche
- Day 4: Trek to Tengboche (3,867 meters, 5–6 hours).
- Day 05: Hike from Tengboche to Dingboche for 5 to 6 hours (approximately 4,260 meters).
- Day 06: Acclimatization Day
- Day 07: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche (4,930 meters, around 6 hours).
- Day 8: Trek to Gorak Shep (5,170 m), then to Mt Everest Base Camp (5,364 m), then back (approximately 7-8 hours).
- Day 9: Hike from Gorak Shep to Kalapathar (5,545 meters), followed by trekking to Pheriche (4,240 meters).
- Day 10: Hike all day before reaching Namche Bazaar from Pheriche.
- Day 11: Trek to Lukla (2,800 meters, 7-8-hour trek).
- Day 12: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu.
This is just the standard itinerary that Mystic Adventures Holidays offers. The trekking in the monsoon season may increase the itinerary due to adverse weather changes and climatic conditions.
Weather Challenges
There is a frequent change in the weather at the mount Everest Base camp area in the monsoon season. The temperatures are chilly in the morning and at night, while the day will be warmer even though it is raining. You can experience a chilly night, which may fall up to -5 degrees Celsius. The average temperature of the day is around 22 degrees Celsius.
The temperature you will experience in June is a minimum of 30.2 °F and a maximum of 60.8 °F. The rate of wind speed is 9.9 miles per hour throughout the monsoon season. In July, the minimum temperature of 35.6 °F is experienced, while the maximum temperature is 59 °F. There is a minimum temperature of 35.6 °F and a maximum of 60.8 °F in August.
The heavy rain and rain clouds would stop you from enjoying the scenic beauty of the highest peaks like Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Cho Oyu, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Lhotse, and many more. If you are lucky, then you can see the clear skies and mountains after the rainfall, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The lush valley, green hills, and gorgeous Himalayas are vividly seen due to rain clouds. If you are up for a monsoon trek, We suggest you wear clothes in a layered manner to adjust yourself to the fluctuating weather conditions.
It may rain suddenly, so bring and wear waterproof clothes as the outer layer. The days in the lower Everest region like Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar, will experience heavy rainfall, while there is light rain in the upper region. In the mid-monsoon, you will experience gradual and heavy rainfall, starting late afternoon and night. It makes you see a clear and sunny morning.
Everest Base Camp Flight Condition
One of the biggest challenges you will face is the flight delay at Everest Base camp. Due to heavy rainfall, cloudy weather, and poor visibility, the flight service gets delayed in the higher-altitude areas. The Tenzing Hillary Airport, which is popularly known as Lukla Airport, operates the only flight services and is located at an altitude of 2,846 m. Those going for the Mt Everest Base Camp Trek and the Gokyo Lakes Trek can use this airport service for transportation.
Likewise, the thick fog and raincloud make you late for an extra few days due to flight delays in the Monsoon season. You can use the alternative route of transportation via bus service. It takes 22 to 24 hours to drive to Lukla, which is 367 km away. You will reach Lukla bypassing cities and places like Dhulikhel, Ghurmi, Okhaldhunga, Phaplu Salleri, Kharikhola, and Thamdanda.
When your flight gets delayed for more than an hour, you can simply take a walk around the airport. You can enjoy the natural beauty by taking a sip of a warm cup of coffee in the nearby cafe and hotel.
Trekking Trail in Monsoon season
The trekking trail of the Everest Base Camp is very muddy and slippery, which makes it difficult for hikers to navigate in the rainy season. You should be very careful while walking to prevent any injuries or accidents. The frequent rainfall during trekking makes it difficult to walk on the steep ascending and descending routes. So, make sure to bring proper rain gear along with waterproof trekking boots or gaiters.
When hiking at a high altitude, there are chances of natural disasters like landslides, erosion, and floods. So, prepare yourself mentally to deal with these calamities if occur. There are few places in the Everest Base Camp trail where landslide and soil erosion may occur. Besides this, bugs, leeches, mosquitoes, and many other parasites add difficulty during the hike.
These creatures are more active in monsoon season so properly cover your arms and legs with windproof clothing. You need to bring insect repellant spray while trekking in the monsoon season. The Everest Base Camp trail passes along many wild forest and woodland areas, which are the main habitat of insects and bugs. During monsoons, the damp area favors the growth and multiplication of insects and bugs, making you more susceptible to their attacks and bites.
You can see more diverse insects and bugs, along with other wild creatures, while passing through Sagarmatha National Park. Lastly, you need to frequently check your body to see if any parasites or insects bite you to stop excessive bleeding.
Scenic Attractions on the trail
The benefit of a Mount Everest base camp hike in monsoon season is a picturesque view of natural beauty. The rainfall provides the plants and vegetation with a new life and they transform into beautiful greenery, which gives energy to the freshly formed green landscape. One can get a breathtaking view of majestic mountains, glaciers, fresh green forests, and woodland. The different types of wildflowers flourish and bloom during the rainy season.
You can pass through different flora and fauna, like sheep and deer, in the Sagarmatha National Park. This natural beauty will remove all the hardship you experienced during the hike. If you are interested in photography, then it is the perfect time to capture pictures of your surroundings. You will experience heaven when walking above the freshly formed clouds after rainfall.
This adds beauty to the sunset as you can see a golden sun hiding behind the clouds. If you are interested in star gazing, the clear sky after rainfall will provide you the opportunity to experience it.
Food & Accommodation
The easy management of food and accommodation is the pro of Mount Everest trekking in the monsoon season. Despite the size and number of the group, managing food and accommodation is quite handy. Even though it is off-season, the tea houses and lodges are open for service in the higher region because it are run by the family of local people. So, you will enjoy the same facility of hospitality in the rainy season as well.
You will enjoy eating in a less crowded dining hall. The less competition for food, the more it would let you eat food of your preferences. You can also ask for extra seasonal dishes on the menu or may get a bonus side dish from the hotel. It is not necessary to book a hotel in advance because, of fewer crowds, most of the hotels are available.
You can also ask for a single room with an extra charge, along with internet and a hot shower facility, while paying some extra. If you are uncomfortable sharing the communal bathroom, you can also ask for rooms with an attached bathroom. The hotel and lodges offer communal bathrooms built in the squats. During your trip, all the tea houses and lodges provide lunch and dinner of your choice on the menu like Dal Bhat, Curry, Gundruk, Aloo Tama, Shyaphale, Thukpa, Dhindo, Soup, Steak, and so on.
You can eat a variety of International dishes like Fries, burgers, sandwiches, Pizza, Momo, Chowmein, Noodles, etc. All the food items are freshly made and served warm. They will serve Tibetan Bread, Chapati, Tsampa Porridge, Tingmo, Buckwheat Bread, Sel Roti, Pancake, Muesli, Eggs, Toast, Butter, Jam, Honey, Oats, Cornflake, and many other items for breakfast.
Packing list for Monsoon season
The Mount Everest base camp trip in the monsoon season is quite peaceful and challenging. The monsoon season brings moderate to heavy rainfall, depending upon the weather conditions. Due to unstable weather conditions, heavy rain is likely to continue, so you have to pack appropriate resin gear. The lower region is quite muddy and slippery so bring enough footwear.
Make sure to pack everything without overloading your luggage. We, Mystic Adventure Holiday, will provide a helpful porter to assist with your baggage and your baggage must weigh at least 15 kg. Here is a list of things you need to pack in your baggage for trekking in the monsoon season on the Everest Base Camp Trails:
A. For head and body
- Sun-brim hat
- Lightweight beanie and insulated hat
- Headscarf and neck scarf
- T-shirt (different layers)
- Lightweight cotton shirt and Thermal vest
- Sweater or sweatshirt and Fleece jacket
- Waterproof/windproof hooded jacket and Insulated jacket
- Down jacket for alpine zones
- Waterproof hiking shorts and Waterproof trousers
- Lightweight cotton pants and Insulated warm trousers
- Comfortable inner-wears
B. For Feet
- Lightweight sock and Warm insulated sock
- Trekking boot with good traction and grip
- Sports shoes with good traction
- Sandals or crocks with good grip and Waterproof gaiter
C. Personal Hygiene/Toiletries
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Biodegradable soap and shampoo
- Sunblock cream, Lip care and moisturizer
- Face wash or cleanser and a Small mirror
- Nail clipper and shaving razor
- Travel towels, Tissue paper, and wet wipes
- Toilet paper, Handwash or sanitizer
- Insect repellent deodorant, or cologne
- Foot powder and Female hygiene products
- Personal medication
D. Trekking Equipment
- Trekking pole and sunglasses (UGV protection)
- Sleeping bag and Backpack with rain cover
- Duffle bag, rain cover for luggage, and raincoat
- Headlamp and Water filtration system
- Water bottle and thermos flask Map,
- Compass and GPS Multi-tool knife
- Power bank, Repair kit, and Packing sack
- Binoculars and cameras
- Guidebook and First-aid kit
Training and Preparation
The Everest Base camp trekking in the monsoon season is challenging and your training and preparation depend on the success rate of your journey. The monsoon season brings many challenges along with heavy rainfall like soil erosion, landslides, parasite attacks, and floods. So, you need to be mentally and physically prepared to tackle all sorts of challenges during the hike. You need to start your training 3 to 6 weeks before your actual hike.
You should stay consistent during the training and focus most of the time on strength and endurance. When you are hiking at a high altitude, cardiovascular and stamina training will boost your immunity power for long hours. Make sure to practice walking uphill and downhill, followed by hiking in nearby hills. Moreover, this practice hike will help your body become familiar with the upcoming real hike. This will be a bonus for you and will make your hike a success.
Reduced Permits Fee
The climbing Everest Base Camp requires three permits throughout the year. Whether it is Monsoon, Summer, Spring, Autumn, or Winter, you need to have permits to hike in this region. During your hike in the Everest region, you will pass across the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sagarmatha National Park, and a restricted area. That’s why you need to have a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit, the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Permit, and a Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entry Permit costs USD 20 per person, This permit is only available in Lukla and Namche. You need to pay USD 30 per person to enter Sagarmatha National Park from Monjo. You can easily buy this permit during your stay in Kathmandu.
If you are traveling via the Jiri side, you need to have another optional permit, Gaurishankhar Conservation Area Permit. It costs USD 23, which is around NPR 3000 and you can only acquire it if you hire an experienced guide. You can’t hike alone in the Everest region without a professional guide.
Note: Mystic Adventure Holiday will take care of all your permit needs and collect them on your behalf.
Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek
- Make bookings for the hotels in advance.
- Don’t forget to pack the necessary rain gear, a waterproof layer, and an umbrella.
- Observe your body's symptoms related to altitude sickness.
- Follow the instructions of the guide and be respectful.
- Walk without rushing and be cautious with your footing.
- Stay hydrated by consuming a balanced diet.
- Avoid any kind of intoxication like alcohol, cigarettes, and so on.
- Share your issues with your guide and be flexible.
- Value local culture, tradition, and norms.
- Pack your baggage smartly, avoiding unnecessary items.
Do’s & Don'ts During your trip
The Everest Base Camp trek requires lots of disciplinary action during your visit to historical places, at the time of trekking, well-being, and cultural points of view. You should be very disciplined and follow the rules and regulations strictly throughout the journey. Here are some do’s and don'ts for you while trekking in the Everest Base camp areas:
A. Cultural Dos
There are many monasteries and Gompas in the Everest Base Camp region so, you need to have a dress code while visiting these cultural and religious heritages. You need to dress modestly and avoid wearing too revealing clothes inside the premises of Monasteries and Gompas. Secondly, you need to be respectful towards the local culture, symptoms, and tradition. Make sure to take off your shoes or slippers while entering the temple or monastery while respecting the monks. Lastly, you need to ask permission to take photographs of people and places. You need to get consent from the authorities of the temple or monastery to make videos and capture photos.
B. Cultural Don’ts
As we know, most of the trekkers are from foreign countries, so make sure to learn about the cultural importance of people living in the Himalayas beforehand. Avoid wearing short clothes that are too revealing, as it shows disrespect to the existing culture when you are inside the premises of a temple or monastery. Be respectful towards monks and do not touch them, as they have vowed to never touch any women in their lives. Do not visit religious places under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
C. Trekking Dos
During your trip, be careful of your actions, as they may affect other people's privacy. When you are taking pictures, ask for other people's consent, whether they want to be in the photo or not. Do not mess up their privacy by clicking pictures with them. You are trekking in a peaceful environment filled with the natural and cultural richness of the Everest region so enjoy it fully without doing any harm to wildlife or vegetation.
D. Trekking Don'ts
Avoid any kind of intoxication like drugs, alcohol, or smoking while trekking. This may result in your health disturbances and lead you to suffer from extreme altitude sickness. Do not light a fire in the jungle, and donot kill birds, flora, and fauna of the area. Make sure to hike peacefully without disturbing the wildlife or the natural ecosystem of the area.
Conclusion
The trek to the Everest Base Camp region brings numerous challenges and adventures in the monsoon season. The monsoon season is considered as the off-season in terms of trekking in the high-altitude region. In the monsoon season, there are fewer people and you can enjoy the natural beauty without any rush. The major attractions of trekking in the Everest region are Buddhist monasteries, stupas, Khumbu glaciers, green forests, wildlife, and snow-capped mountains.
Besides this, you get the opportunity to observe the unique biodiversity which is limited in other seasons. Your dedication and passion for hiking will help you complete your trek. If you are interested in exploring the off-season biodiversity and ecology of the Everest Base Camp Trek, then Mystic Adventure Holiday would recommend a once-in-a lifetime thrilling adventure.
