20th Mar, 2025

How Cold is Everest in December? Everything You Need to Know

- Magnificent Himalayan Treks

Do you think you can go to the Everest Base Camp in December? Before you give an answer to this query, we would like to let you know that December is winter. If you are not bothered by cold, early December is the best time to visit the Everest.

Late December will be extremely cold and the temperature drops to -10 to -15 at the base camp.

Everest Base Camp itinerary is possible in early December. It is better to do the trek during winter instead of summer because we wish to come across snow while being in the Himalayas.

Trekking is for checking physical endurance, experiencing the cold of mountains, and seeing the white heights. Therefore, in our experience, a true and ardent trekker would always opt for winter, and not any other time, while opting for Everest Base Camp trek.

Let’s also see the temperature on Everest.

That is precisely what is under discussion here in this blog; whether December (the actual winter season) is possible or not to visit the Everest Base Camp.

An understanding of the trek to Everest Base Camp

The name Everest alone is enough to set the heart of many people trembling. With its status as the world's highest peak (8848 meters), this summit attracts a number of climbers and trekkers every year from around the world.

The Everest Base Camp is just a trek to the base camp of this high summit, the base that marks the completion of the EBC trek and the start of the Everest peak ascent.

Well, let me remind you weather in Everest Base Camp might not do justice, however we will tell you the best time to trek Everest base camp.

Even though Everest Base Camp is the lowest among the camps of mount Everest, it is 5364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level. The journey to the base camp is ample enough to provide a test for the physical as well as the mental strength of the trekkers as it requires a resilient mind and physique.

But to every challenging route, there must be a sweet destination; in this case, the Everest Base Camp. The journey from Kathmandu to the base camp is such an adventurous and thrilling one that you will never forget it even if you do the trek in your lifetime once

Highlights of the December climb to Everest Base Camp

This trek is amazing where you can explore:

Short but stunning flight from the capital city of Kathmandu to Lukla (the start of the trek).
Witnessing one of the world's most beautiful markets in the lap of the world's highest mountain, the Namche Bazaar.
The freshest view of mount Everest from the highest point, named Kalapatthar, at an altitude of 5643 meters (18,373 feet).
Chance to see the climbers en route to reaching the summit of Mount Everest at the Everest Base Camp.
The Cold Himalayan breeze and the snowfields enable you to experience the raw coldness of the mountains.
Fewer individuals in the trial to ensure an peaceful trekking experience and more accommodation and services.

Weather and climatic conditions of the Everest Base Camp in December

Weather and climatic conditions are the key to determining the experience of any trekkers in the Himalayas. Thus, the Everest Base Camp trek could be affected by the weather in December as it is one of the coldest months in Nepal.

The temperature can go as low as -6 degrees at Namche Bazaar, 3,440 meters above sea level. That aside, Gorak Shep, 5,180 meters above sea level, may go as low as -17.8 degrees in December.

As an aside bit of trivia, the highest temperature at Gorak Shep in December may be as high as 0 degrees Celsius at some point. All of these facts might have given you an idea regarding the weather and temperature of the Everest Base Camp in December.

Tips: Do not trek during winter, as the mount everest temperature in winter is risky.

But by this, we don't intend to say this base camp is impossible to access in trek to December, but by this we are trying to convey a clear message that the trekkers need to be more cautious and arrange for specific difficulties and issues posed by the weather and temperature of the base camp and its trail.

Why go on a December hike to Everest Base Camp?

This heading might sound ridiculous to some trekkers reading this blog after knowing the weather and temperature of the Everest Base Camp in December. You might be thinking, "Am I insane to go to the Everest Base Camp trek when the highest temperature is 0 degrees?" or you might have already abandoned the plan to the Everest Base Camp in December, but hold on!

Read this part of the blog and we may alter your choices once more. Following are some benefits of traveling to the Everest Base Camp trek in December (off-season).

The trip is calmer and there are less people.

As December is considered to be an off-season for any of the Nepal treks by most trekkers, there are significantly fewer people during this time of the year. You might see a couple of trekkers or a group on the trail to the Everest Base Camp, but most of the time, it's only you, your guides, and your porters. Do you know what this means?

It means that you can walk a little further than in the peak season. As there will be fewer people, you will not have to struggle against many for a superior tea houses or lodge, which will eventually enable you to trek more gradually and more exploration.

In the peak season, the trials will be congested resulting in less trekking time.

When the trial is less crowded, you will have more time on the Everest Base Camp trek trails. This will provide you with more time to be in proximity to nature, which will definitely grant you mental peace, and you will also be able to witness one of the finest forms of the Everest Base Camp trek

Improved Services

Traveling to these places during off-season is at the cost of receiving less focus. As hotels and lodges will be fully booked serving too many trekkers, there are chances for their services becoming poor to an extent.

But as there's competition to experience better benefits, the rates tend to rise dramatically. But everything is just contrary in December.

In December, there are comparatively fewer people, so most of the lodges and teahouses remain mostly empty. If you go there in December and choose even the lowest-rated teahouse or lodge, they will try to provide you with the best services since they will need more customers.

But because December is an off-season, most of the lodges and teahouses will offer you discounts. Thus, you will receive better services at a lower price.

Moreover, certain trekking agencies and guides will also offer discounts during this season. Hence, December might be your best option if you want to experience the best Everest Base Camp on a budget.

Reduced insects and leeches

In order to reach the Everest Base Camp, you will have to go through forests, wetlands, and many other such conditions. In case you prefer seasons like monsoon or summer, the ordeal will be brimming with many insects, bugs, and most importantly leeches.

Few insects could be toxic in nature, resulting in serious sickness for the trekkers. However, leeches are guilty of drawing out your blood, which may result in weakness and altitude sickness slowly.

But these insects do not show up in winter. So if you visit the Everest Base Camp trek in December, there is a very low chance of getting infected by any insects or leeches and risking the safety of your trek.

Celebrations and Festivals

One of the key attractions of tourists in Nepal is its festivals and celebrations. No matter what month you are in, you will have a minimum of one festival to enjoy. Nepalese have two in December:

Yomari Punhi and Udhauli Parva (Festival). Let us tell you a little more about both these festivals so that you all get more excited about the celebrations

Yomari Punhi

This festival is one of the most significant festivals in the Newari culture. So, if you are in Kathmandu, you will see the actual celebration of this festival because Kathmandu valley has the highest percentage of the Newari people.

Yomari Punhi is the harvest festival of fame for Yomari dish, which is prepared and enjoyed during this time. Yomari is steamed dumpling whose covering material is rice flour, and it can be either til(black sesame) and Chaku(Sugar Caramel) or Khuwa (Dairy food).

You will be definitely lucky enough to enjoy this Newari cuisine if you travel to the Everest Base Camp or Kathmandu in December.

Udhauli Parva

This is one of the major festivals of the Kirat communities, who are predominantly found in the Eastern part of the country. As per the Kirat community, this festival is celebrated as the onset of the winter season.

During the ancient times, the people from the upper areas used to move down along with their birds and animals to the warmer areas, and thus this festival used to be celebrated.

There are still a few people who do that, but there is no need to worry as all the hotels and lodges will be available since their owners are not going anywhere.

The December Everest Base Camp hike requires both mental and physical preparation.

During the ancient times, the people from the upper areas used to move down along with their birds and animals to the warmer areas, and thus this festival used to be celebrated.

There are still a few people who do that, but there is no need to worry as all the hotels and lodges will be available since their owners are not going anywhere.

Main Tips for December:

If you really want to explore the Himalayan scenery , sherpa culture and watch the clear skies despite of the higher altitude you need to take care of certain things for your trek.

Your hydration, packing lists like trekking gear is extremely important. December might not give you spectacular views but with your mental preparation it gets worth it. Make sure you don't ignore the weather considerations.

At winter , despite of the high altitude the food options are unlimited. The main problem is temperature here and not the accommodation facility. Everest is a safe trek where you can get the trekking guides and porter services.Everything is manageable,delve more with us.

Items to Bring for a Fruitful Trek

Trekking is not just the walk to reach the destination. It is a process of experience and exploration during the journey. When trekking to Everest Base Camp in December (winter season), there are so many challenging experiences and limitations that the trekkers need to face and to do that, and for that, they need good rucksacks, gear, and the ideas to utilize all that gears.

As the Everest Base Camp trek is the coldest in December, you should not hesitate to pack the warmest clothes in your closet. And do not forget to include waterproof jackets, tracks, and a pair of waterproof trekking shoes. Other than that, we also recommend you include items in your list such as:

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats
Trekking Stick
Warm sleeping bags with a couple of blankets
Umbrella or raincoats
First-Aid kit or some helpful medicines
Compass
Document revealing your true identity and contacts
Headlamps

These are the essential things to bring along. Depending on the weather condition and temperature of that given time, certain requirements may alter, so we suggest asking your trekking agency or guide for the last list of things to bring along before you depart.

Safety Procedures to Ensure the Success of Your Winter Trek

Everest Base Camp (5364 meters) winter trekking and that too is not a cakewalk. It is a task that strips you of your pride, your physical strength, your mental balance, and above all, adherence to the safety protocols. Your guides will talk to you about do's and don'ts and how to attempt the trek before you proceed.

But the trekkers will be so excited that sometimes they forget the safety precautions explained to them at the last moment.

So, we have discussed some of the main safety precautions that any trekker must follow during the trip so that they can complete the trek nicely and without any consequences.

Follow to the guidance provided by the guidelines.

Even if you are an experienced trekker, your guide will always know the trail better. Therefore, we request you to stick to the path led by your guide. If you wish to go out to some place and stray a little from the trail, inform your guide and go out only when your guide has declared it safe.

We are not trying to scare the trekkers, but there is something all the trekkers should understand when they attend any treks in winter.

There are possibilities that some treks are blocked by snow. So, if you stray away from the track taken by the guide, then you might lose your way or be stuck somewhere.

Drink plenty of water.

Because the weather will be cold, drinking water might not be what the trekkers would prefer to do while on the Everest Base Camp trek in December.

This is one of the worst things that any individual can do because your body needs to be hydrated since the EBC trek requires intense physical activity and strength.

Hence, as a trekking company, we suggest that you drink as much liquid as you can and stay hydrated along with being cautious against cold-borne diseases.

Don't litter during the trial.

This is perhaps not something we must tell a professional trekker. However, we implore all the travelers not to throw any garbage, especially plastics, in the popular trekking routes such as Everest Base Camp trek or Everest three high passes trek. Everest Base Camp trek, or Mount Everest, is the crown jewel of Nepal and all the Nepalese.

Therefore, defiling this place makes the country appear messy and similar to throwing trash over the country's pride. We want you to act in a responsible manner as trekker travelers and pay your toll to nature as we strive to ensure your safety and leave your imprint with this soil unblemished.

Accommodation and food availability in December

The majority of trekkers visit the Everest Base Camp during December or off-season and have a question to ask: Are food and accommodation facilities provided in off-season too? The answer to this is YES, and for your information, the facilities are even better with lower rates than usual.

Traveling to Everest Base Camp in winter requires more physical stamina, directly asking for better food and better acclimatization. Fooding and lodging, thus, become a giant factor in the success of the EBC trek.

Any shortcoming on fooding and lodging can lead to the failure of the trek, too. As already mentioned above, lodges and teahouses receive much fewer customers in December, so it is relatively easy for the trekkers to obtain better facilities in fooding and lodging.

Better fooding is the standard of food one eats here. The menu might not be very big during this part of the year because it is hard to bring raw material up to such high altitudes.

Nevertheless, Nepali dal bhat tarkari, achaar, noodles, and the like are available to help you build the strength one needs for the trek.

Appropriate Suggestion for December

Everest Base Camp trek is famous as a tough and demanding challenge. Therefore, if you ever plan to visit the Everest Base Camp, especially in an off-season month such as December, it is better to seek advice from an experienced person.

We suggest that you sit and discuss the conditions of the Everest Base Camp in December and whether you should visit the trek this month or not with an experienced trekker.

But if you are unable to find any experienced trekkers, following are some expert tips from our side. First of all, remember that the Everest Base Camp trek is not for everyone in December.

As December is the peak winter month, the tour will require the utmost physical and mental stamina. So, if you haven't yet completed any base camp treks, we recommend you not try this base camp trek, at least not in December.

Second, you need to be able to take care of yourself. By this, we don't mean that the guides won't take care of you, but still, you should at least be aware if your body is in need of rest if you are prepared to go for the trek.

And also, we recommend that you train yourself to use all the gear that you require like, trekking poles, ropes, compass, etc. If you know these facts and you already have experience in trekking, then no one can stop you from visiting the Everest Base Camp even during the winter season.

I am a rookie in the base camp trek. Can I still visit the Everest Base Camp trek in December?

As a well-established trekkers' company, Magnificent Himalayan strongly advises only experienced travelers to visit the Everest Base Camp trek in December, as the trial is quite tough owing to the weather and climatic condition of the Everest region in December.

Are there proper food and accommodation in the Everest Base Camp trek in December?

Although it is off-season in December, Trekkers do not have to worry about the accommodation facility and other services provided by the tea houses and the lodges. The menu for food might be limited, but the quality again would be up to the mark.

Do I need to obtain any permits to visit the Everest Base Camp?

Yes, you will have to get the Khumbu Rural Municipality Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit for Everest Base Camp.

What should I pack for the Everest Base Camp in December?

December is a winter month, and hence you have to take special care while packing for the EBC trek. We recommend that you dress in warm clothes, boots, sleeping bags, sun protection gear, trekking poles and other accessories, and medicines.