Everest Base Camp Trek in December

The Everest Base Camp Trek in December is the best choice for those travelers who are looking for fewer crowds and peace environment while trekking. As well as those people who have no time to come to and trek to Everest Base Camp in October or November. The Everest Base Camp trek in December has been popular among the travelers due to the excellent weather, clear views, and no snowing, as we have been experiencing for the last 10/12 years.

December is suppose to be starting a winter season in Nepal, and it starts with snowy mountains and cold weather, but due to the climate changes in the month of December, the weather is becoming more reliable, like sunshine , clear views of mountains, and minimal rain or snow in the mountains, in comparison to months like september, October, and the spring season in Nepal. Based on guiding groups on different routes in Nepal for the last 25 years, our team has experienced climate change in November, December, and early January. It is still a good time to trek to the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest base camp, at an altitude of 5364 m (17500 ft) from sea level.

The Everest Base Camp trek is no doubt a popular trekking route among the travelers and the routes lies in the heart of the Khumbu region of Nepal, where Mt. Everest is also located, surrounded by thousands of beautiful mountain peaks. The Everest Base Camp trek is scenic from the beginning of the trek to the end of the trek, as it’s rewarding with spectacular mountain views, including the Mt. Everest range in the distance. Explore the rich traditional Sherpa culture, landscapes, hills, snowscapes, charming people and their daily basic lifestyles, and much more. As the weather is crystal clear—no haze or fog in December—you will have a great opportunity to capture beautiful pictures and nice video clips. You meet fewer people on the trail as trekking season is already over. The trail seems quieter and less crowded, and it’s much easier to reserve the comfortable lodges and get fresh meals every day. There is more opportunity in December.

Weather and Temperature in December during the Everest Base Camp Trek:

The weather during the Everest base camp trek has been excellent compared to other months like the autumn season of September and October and the spring season of March, April, and May every year. As a local guide based here since 2003, we have experienced the weather in December as being pleasant, like sunshine crystal-clear views, and blue skies, with minimal chance of rain and snow in the higher section of the trek. If you are looking for less crowded trails, peace and quiet, comfortable lodges, and Good food.

We highly recommend going to Everest Base a month in december. You may be worried about the temperature being colder with chill winds going to Everest Base Camp Trek in December, but due to the climate changes, you don’t feel that much cold. During the day, mostly it will be sunshine. When you walk, you feel warm as your body starts to get hot after movement, and in the morning and evening, the temperature can change, and you can feel a chill before sunrise or after sun go behind the mountain, but when you have warm and enough cloths for these conditions, you won’t feel cold.

Temperature can be very different during the Everest base camp trek, as the trek starts at 2800m in Lukla , and the last destination of this trek is 5364 m, Everest Camp, from sea level. At the beginning of the trek during the daytime, it can be 13°C to 16°C, and at nighttime it falls to 5°C to 8°C. But in the middle section of the trek, between Namche Bazaar and Dingboche village, the temperature can be 8 to 13°C during the daytime and 5 to 8°C in the final section of the Everest Base Camp trek in Lobbuche and Gorekshep. Everest Base Camp will be 7-10°C during the day and at nighttime it will fall below zero, like -7 to -10°C. As the weather is unpredictable, in case there is no sunshine and it starts to snow sometime in the mountains, then the temperature can be different.

Advantage of going to the Everest Base Camp Trek in December:

Less crowded – as the busy season is over in December, it will be quieter, and you will meet fewer trekkers during the trek. Most of people used to go in month of october or november so december will be less people and peace and quite

Clear weather—December has been offering the best clear , crystal , and blue skies with the clear panoramic mountains views and sunshine most days. As we have experienced over many years, it has been the best month compared to the other trekking seasons in Nepal.

Minimal chances of rain and snow—due to the climate changes in the world, in December there are very few chances of rain in the lower part of the trek and no snow in the higher section of the trek.
Lukla flights – as fewer groups or fewer people travel to the Everest region in this month, you can take a direct flight from Kathmandu to Lukla; no need to go to Ramechhap. Due to the good weather and no fog, there is minimal chance to delay the flight or cancel it. So December would be the ideal time to take a scenic flight to Lukla directly from Kathmandu.

Available comfortable accommodation and delicious food—as in December, fewer people plan to trek to Everest Camp Trek; you can book the choices of comfortable lodges and can order the delicious meals. The lodges will be less busy and they can cook any food item you want to eat.

Budget-friendly trek: As it is off-season time, you can get a good deal for this trek package. Normally the Everest Base Camp trek cost starts from USD 1400 in high peak season in group but if you plan to do this trek in December, you will get 10% off. This is the group cost and if you plan to go on a private solo trek, the cost will be slightly higher than in a group, as the trek cost has to be covered.

Meet a professional guide and strong porter-As it is off-season or a less busy month, most of the professional guides and experienced porters are free, and they might be your guide and porter, but if you are going in high peak season, most of the professional team are scheduled already with other groups, and you may not meet the best professional guide and porter.

Smoothly, the Everest Base Camp trek ends. As fewer trekkers or groups trek in this month, you will have a smooth day, as there is no rush to get early accommodation or food. As well, the Lukla flight situation is such that, due to fewer passengers at this time, you can get an early flight with good mountain window seats.

Family Trek: As the trail is less crowded, available good accommodation and food, clear weather, and good views of the mountain. I highly recommend taking your kids or family to Everest Base Camp Trek if you are looking for it.

Celebrate the festive like Christmas and New Year: December is the month of festivals like Christmas and New Year, so if you are planning to celebrate the festival with some popular treks in the world, like in everest base camp and celebrate your New Year in the mountains, this might be the best option for you to create a beautiful memory of trekking in Nepal and celebrating the festival in the mountains.

Everest Camp Trek itinerary for December

Everest Camp trek in December itinerary depends on your holiday schedule and your physical and mental preparation. As the Everest Base Camp trek is doable in 10-16 days. For example, if you are planning to visit Nepal for a short time and looking to go to Everest Base Camp on an express trekking itinerary, then it is possible to do it in 10 to 11 days, but you have to be experienced trekkers who have past trekking experience and have already been at a high altitude above 4500m from sea level. For beginners and senior trekkers, the short , express 10- to 11-day itinerary is not ideal, as the Everest Base Camp trek lies in a remote area of the mountain.

Those who travel and have more than 2 weeks of time and are planning to go to Everest Base Camp Trek, then I highly recommend taking a flexible and comfortable plan like a 12- to 14-day itinerary, which is the most common itinerary for Everest Base Camp Trek, and if you are senior trekkers looking for trekking to Everest Base Camp Trek, we recommend preparing well and making at least a 14- to 16-day itinerary for a successful trek. When you have enough time with some extra days during the trek, you will have flexibility , less stress , no rush, and fewer hours of walking per day, which will allow you to minimize the risk of altitude and Everest Base Camp trek difficulties as well.

Overall, the Everest Base Camp trek itinerary you can customize as per your timetable and experience you have in the past. If you are a beginner and planning to trek to Everest Base Camp for the first time, I highly recommend making at least 12 to 14 days with some extra days in the itinerary to successfully complete the Everest Base Camp trek. If you are an experienced trekker who has done some high-altitude treks and you are tight with your holiday, you can still do it within 10 to 11 days in express ways, such as walking more hours a day.

Suggesting a general itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Lukla (alt. 2880m), and trek to Phakding (3 hrs, 5-6km walk).
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazaar, (alt. 3410 m), 5–6 hrs, 8 to 9 km.
Day 3: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazar. Hike 3-4 hours to the Everest View Hotel to explore the magic Everest views.
Day 4: Trek to Tengboche Monastery Hill (alt. 3880m), 7 km, 4-5 hrs walk.
Day 5: Trek to Dingboche village (alt. 4410 m), 5-6hrs. 6.5km
Day 6: 2nd acclimatization (hike to Nagkarjung Hill, alt. 4900m), 4 hrs.
Day 7: Trek to Lobuche (alt. 4900 m), 5 hrs , 6km
Day 8: Trek to Everest Base Camp (alt. 5364 m) and return to Gorekshep for overnight stay (alt. 5120m), 8-9 hrs. 7.5km
Day 9: Early morning hike to Kalapatther viewpoint (alt. 5550 m)—3 hrs. and return to Pheriche village (alt. 4200m) 7-8 hrs. 10km
Day 10: Trek Back to Namche Bazaar (alt. 3410 m) 6-7 hrs
Day 11: Trek back to Lukla in 6-7 hrs (alt. 2880m) 10km
Day 12 : Fly back to Kathmandu (30 minutes). Your trek ends here.

You can always customize the itinerary as per your interest and time frame.

Budget-friendly Everest Base Camp trek cost in December:

Budget-friendly Everest Base Camp trek in December—as the busy trekking season is over and December is known as the off-season, you may get some discount on full packages. Basically, the Everest Base Camp trek costs start from USD 1200 to USD 1400 in full-board packages. Cost depends on providing services. Full board packages include three meals a day , hot drinks, accommodation, round-trip airfare to Lukla , transportation, a professional guide , a strong porter, necessary trekking permits, etc. But if you are going to Everest Base Camp Trek in other months, the cost can be slightly higher than the suggested cost above. As it’s the off-season, you will always get a better deal with quality service during the everest base camp trek.
If you do want to buy a full board package and only need a guide, yes, you can hire a guide and porter. Most of the trip expenses you can pay yourself; it’s possible. Per day, guide wages start from USD 30 to 34 and porter cost per day is $25, including their food and accommodation. Moreover, the cost depends on the service you want to buy from travel agencies.

Everest Base Camp Trek December scenery

The Everest Base Camp Trek route itself is surrounded by scenic landscapes, hills , snowcaps, and strengthening mountain views of the Mt. Everest range, including thousands of beautiful peaks, charming people, and the fascinating traditional culture and religions of the Sherpa people. From the beginning to the end of the trek, every day you will walk through the different landscapes and hills and cross several traditional Sherpa villages and exploring the Sherpa people’s basic lifestyle, walking through numbers of beautiful waterfalls and suspension bridges over the Dudhkosi River before you reach the higher section of this trek close to the Tengboche monastery at an elevation of 3880m from sea level.

Moreover, when you reach the higher section of this trek after Namche Bazaar at an elevation of 3410 m, you will be surrounded by the magic mountain views in the distance, including Mount Everest (alt. 8884.86 m), Mount Ama Dablam (alt. 6812 m), Mount Lotshe (alt. 8516 m), Mount Nuptse (alt. 7950 m), and Mount Thamserku (alt. 6600 m). Mt. Kusum Kanguru (alt. above 6000 m), Mt. Tawache, Mt. Cholaste, and many more. Reaching the world’s highest mountain camp is every single adventure lover’s dream.
Once you stretch your leg at Everest Base Camp at 5364 m (17500 ft) above sea level , you will clean up your one bucket list item of life. Kalapathar viewpoints allow you the best-ever 360 degree mountain views in the distance of the Mount Everest range, including the hundreds of beautiful peaks surrounding it at sunset and sunrise moments.
Before you reach the higher part of this trek, you also explore the several old villages of the Sherpa people, the Seren Monastery, the museum, the temple, the Mane wall, and the tsorten. The Everest Base Camp Trek not only offer you scenic mountain views, including Mt.Everest, but you will also have a great opportunity to explore the rare Sherpa culture and religions and the lifestyle of those people who used to live in this area forever.

Everest Camp Trekking in Month of December

Everest Camp Trekking in Month of December perfect choice As the weather in the month of December is clear, during the Everest Base Camp trek, the scenery is better than in the other months, like September or October, as we have past experience with the weather. changes due to the global warming. December is offering the clear crystal skies , sunshine days, and minimal rain and snow in the mountains. Moreover, there is no haze or fog in the valley and we can’t see at all this time compared with the last 10 years. When the weather is clear and there are no clouds or fog in the valley, you will have amazing views of mountains in the distance, including Mount Everest.

While you are walking during the day, you feel warm due to sunny days and do not feel cold and less wind. Morning and evening might change the temperature, especially in the higher section of the trek when the sun goes behind the mountains in the evening and in the morning before sunrise; you can feel a chill if you go outside of the guesthouse for a photograph. At this moment you can use your warm clothes, which you prepared for this climate.

Weather and Temperature in December during the Everest Base Camp Trek:

As we have been experiencing for a long time regarding weather in December, the weather has been clear/crystal and sunny. The visibility of mountain is clear, with no fog or haze, and there is minimal rain and snow. The weather is unpredictable and December is the beginning of the winter season when it’s snowy and rain-cloudy, but due to the global warming in the world, November and December have become the best times of year for trekking in Nepal.

The temperature is still stay reliable and you won’t feel cold, as it’s sunny during the day and in the morning and evening you may feel bit chilly as the temperature falls, but you will be provided the warm hall where they make a fire and the room winds are isolated and beds are comfortable with heavy mattresses and warm blankets , which you can use on top of the sleeping bag.

Here is the tentative past experience temperature list for December during the Everest Base Camp Trek, based on past experience.

Note : The above list is based on our last 5-8 years of experience with weather and temperature during the Everest Base Camp Trek. As the weather is unpredictable, in case it rains or snows in the higher section of the route, it can be different.

Everest Base Camp Trek Challenges During the Month of December:

Everest base camp trek challenges During the month of December, as it is the beginning of the winter season in Nepal, you have to be mentally and physically prepared. Highly recommended. As the weather is unpredictable, sometimes unexpected things can happen, like snowing in the mountains and especially Lukla flights when there is not good visibility, and cancellation of the flights to Lukla or return to Kathmandu. To cover this type of situation, we always recommend you keep some extra days in your itinerary.

When you reach the higher section of the trek , even if it is a sunny day, sometimes there can be chilly winds and the sun can be covered by clouds, which makes you feel cold so I highly recommend to those travelers who plan to go in December or January to the Everest Base Camp trek: please prepare well and pack enough clothes. Take comfortable walking boots that cover your ankles, especially for the higher section of the trek. Sometimes it can be snowing or you may meet icy glaciers near the Everest base camp. When you have a good one, you don’t have to worry about it.

When the season is over, most of the guesthouse owners and local people go back to the lower part of the trek or Kathmandu to hide from the winter snow in the mountains, so make sure there are still people at the teahouse or not. Before you order food, ask them if they still have it available or not. As it’s the off-season, they may run out of food items for the store, but during the Everest Base Camp trek, no need to worry, as it’s a classical and popular trekking route, many trekkers still trek, and most of the teahouses are open.

Packing list for Everest Base Camp trek in December:

Packing list for December: To go to the Everest Base Camp Trek, you have to pack properly, as it’s winter season in Nepal. Comparison with the autumn or spring season to going on the Everest Base Camp trek in December is a bit of a challenge, as it requires more warm equipment. Here is a packing list for december everest base camp trek.

Clothing:

• 2-3 thermal tops (merino wool or synthetic)
• 2-3 thermal bottoms (leggings)
• 2 fleece jackets or pullovers
• Heavy down jacket
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Waterproof and windproof trekking pants
• 2-3 pairs of warm trekking trousers
• 2-3 long-sleeve trekking shirts
• 1-2 short-sleeve quick-dry T-shirts
• Down pants (optional for evenings at higher altitudes)
• 4-5 pairs moisture-wicking underwear
• 2-3 sports bras (for women)
• Warm thermals or fleece set for sleeping

Handwear:

• Inner liner gloves
• Outer insulated gloves/mittens (waterproof)

Headwear:

• Warm beanie or wool hat
• Sun hat or cap
• Buff or neck gaiter

Footwear:

• High-quality waterproof trekking boots
• Camp shoes or sandals
• 4-5 pairs of thick wool socks
• Sock liners (optional)

Sleeping Gear:

• Sleeping bag (-15°C to -20°C comfort rating)
• Sleeping bag liner (optional)

Bags:

• 30–40L backpack (for daily use)

Essentials:

• 2 x 1L water bottles (or hydration bladder)
• Water purification tablets/drops

Toiletries:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Biodegradable soap/shampoo
• Wet wipes
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Lip balm (with SPF)
• Moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small fast-dry towel

First Aid & Health:

• Personal medications
• Basic first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, blister plasters)
• Diamox (for altitude sickness)
• Painkillers (ibuprofen)
• Throat lozenges
• Cough drops

Extras:

• Headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Power bank (solar recommended)
• Trekking poles
• Sunglasses (UV protection)
• Snacks (energy bars, chocolates, nuts)
• Books, cards, or games
• Passport and trekking permits (with copies)

Special Tips for December:

• Pack extra layers for warmth
• Keep batteries and phone close to your body
• Start trekking early; it gets cold and dark quickly
• Bring chemical heat packs for hands/feet

Conclusion

Going in December for an Everest base camp trek is a great idea for mountain-view lovers, tranquility seekers, and solitude lovers. December is the start of winter in Nepal, but over the last 10–12 years, it has been due to climate change: sunny, dry, and clear, which, along with lesser numbers of trekkers around this time, seemed to be the best time to do the trek. Closer views of Mt. Everest, picturesque backdrop, and experiencing Sherpa culture without being swept away in the backside tourist tide of the peak season would be a joy.

Nature Explore Trek, founded in 2015, has been proudly guiding travelers in Nepal for many years. With more than 25 years of trekking experience, our team is very well aware of the Everest region. We are the experts in making your trip safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable. If you are going that way in December, we will be happy to organize everything for you!