Many trekkers plan to visit Everest Base Camp. But many are confused in Everest Base Camp Nepal vs Tibet. Both these tours are amazing on their own. They offer varied adventures with distinct experiences.
Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal is a challenging route with scenic views of the mountains and hills. While the Everest Base Camp Trek Tibet is less challenging which makes the trek an easy one.
Mount Everest stands astride the Nepal-Tibet border. The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of the most famous trekking routes in Nepal and Tibet.
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp, you will get an opportunity to explore and learn a few things about their unique tradition and culture.
The experiences of Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal vs Tibet are completely different.
Both Nepal and Tibet Everest Base Camp Trek offers amazing Everest Views but has their own pros and cons. Let us discuss the difference in detail below.
Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
Everest Base Camp Nepal
- Lukla Airport, one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
- Visit various Sherpa villages and learn about their culture.
- Tengboche Monastery, the biggest monastery in the Khumbu Region.
- Get amazing views of the mountains Ama Dablam, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse etc.
- Hike on the Khumbu glacier and see the Khumbu icefall.
- Exceptional mountains, glaciers and several rare species of animals and flowers.
- Highest airport in Syangboche.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
- Explore Lhasa, famously known as the forbidden city
- A chance to see the 7 Buddhist monasteries and stroll around turquoise Yamdrok Lake on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse
- Views of the top 4 highest peaks, such as Makalu (8463m), Lhotse (8516m), and Mt. Everest (8844.43m), Cho Oyu (8201m), along with the Great Himalayas at Gawu La Pass(5198m)
- Get the most incredible view of the north face of Mt.Everest.
How to Reach Everest Base Camp?
Everest Base Camp Nepal
While many people are looking to trek to the famous Everest Base Camp, there are a lot of alternatives available to get there.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp requires at least two weeks to complete it. It is a rather challenging route but with epic rewards. It offers amazing views of the mountain ranges, picturesque landscape, new tradition, and culture etc.
If you do not have enough time for a 2-week trek, you can choose to trek to the Everest Base Camp and return via helicopter. This way you will get to experience trekking in the amazing Everest Region but also save time.
Flight options
You can either take the helicopter flight to and from the EBC on the same day or you can have it incorporated into your trek.
With this option, you will board on a helicopter from Kathmandu airport and fly towards the Lukla airport. From Lukla, you will again fly towards the Everest Base Camp. The helicopter will fly over various Sherpa villages and take you to Kala Patthar and then to the Base Camp.
When at Kala Patthar, you will get about 10-20 minutes to explore the area and take pictures of the Everest and other mountains.
After the spectacular views of the Everest, you will finally ride back to Everest View Hotel for breakfast.
But the best choice for people with a very short time frame is to get to the Everest Base Camp via helicopter. With this option, you will get to the EBC and come back in a day.
It is a convenient and luxurious way to get to the EBC.
Trek Options
Everest Base Camp in Nepal is 23 miles from Lukla-the gateway to all the treks in the Everest Region.
The classic Everest Base Camp Trek takes roughly around 14 days but can be easily adjusted to your convenience.
This classic trekking route starts from Lukla. From here you will trek through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Pheriche, and Lobuche respectively.
The last stop will be Gorak Shep before reaching the Southern Everest Base Camp. From Gorak Shep, you will be trekking to the famous viewpoint of Everest, Kala Patthar.
This route offers you amazing views of the mountains Ama Dablam, Pumori, Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse etc.
You will also get to experience the ancient culture, traditions and the warm hospitality of the Sherpa people.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
Getting to the EBC in Tibet is not an easy process like in Nepal. You cannot travel independently there. You must travel with a local guide or book a tour privately or join a group.
There are various ways to trek to EBC in Tibet. The most famous is through the road. But since the roads are very well maintained, it is quite a comfortable ride.
It is an 18- day trek to reach the North Everest Base Camp. But you can adjust the itinerary as per your schedule and comfort.
The trip starts from Lhasa. And then to Qiushui. From here the route takes you to Lankazi, Gyantse, Shigatse, and Lhatse respectively. From Lhatse you will head towards Dingri and then reach the North Everest Base Camp.
There are a lot of other alternatives getting to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Allow us to guide you through the available options.
Driving
From Lhasa, the drive to the main EBC near Rombuk is of 2-3 days. The roads are very good compared to Nepal and is a comfortable journey.
Tourists usually take a bus or 4WDs from Lhasa to EBC. A typical route to EBC from Tibet is from Lhasa-Gyantse-Qomolangma National Park via Sakya- Rombuk- Shigatse- Lhasa.
The scenery on the way to EBC is breathtaking. One such attraction is Yamdrok-Tso Lake. It is a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by majestic mountains is dazzling.
You will also get to see the Karola Glacier and also visit the Pelkor Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monasteries. You will be in awe of the beauty of these ancient monasteries.
From Shigatse, you will be moving on to the Gyatso La Pass where you will get the first view of the mighty Everest. You will also get breathtaking views of other mountains such as Makalu, Shishapangma, Cho Oyu, Lhotse etc.
These days, you can drive all the way to the Everest Base Camp but many travelers choose to trek their way up to the Base Camp from the parking lot at the EBC.
Although driving to the EBC is an easy and comfortable journey, one should be very careful as at 17,056 ft the oxygen level is very low. This means you can get altitude sickness so you need to be more careful.
Trekking
The most common way of trekking to EBC in Tibet is from Tingri. The trek takes about 5 days and covers a distance of around 70 km from Old Tingri to the EBC.
The trekking route looks like this: Tingri- Lungthang-Lamn La-Zommung-Rongbuk-EBC.
The trek to EBC in Tibet is a challenging task because of its high altitude so it’s important to be well acclimatized in Lhasa before starting the trek.
By Train
Another way of getting to EBC in Tibet is via trains. You can easily find trains from Lhasa to Shigatse and from there you can drive or trek to EBC via Rongbuk.
The North Everest Base Camp is about 4 km from the Rongbuk Monastery and is the highest Buddhist shrine in the world.
Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp Nepal
The peak season for EBC Nepal is Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn ( September, October, November).
Spring in Nepal boasts a favorable and stable temperature. It is neither too hot or cold with less to no chance of rainfall.
The views of the mountains and the landscapes are stunning with lush green vegetation and blooming flowers.
Autumn, however, is the best time to visit the EBC. The weather during this season is cool and stable. The views of the mountains this season are the best.
Monsoon (June -August) is the rainy season and there is a possibility of rain in the lower regions of the trekking trails. This means the trekking trails will be muddy and slippery.
Winter (December-February) in Nepal is the coldest season in Nepal. The temperature in the Everest Region is freezing and there are chances of heavy snowfall. But if you are not bothered by the cold, you can still make it to the EBC with proper equipment.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
The best time to visit EBC Tibet is in the Spring and Autumn. The temperature during these months is warm and stable.
The days are comparatively long and the nights aren’t as cold as in the winter. There are flowers blooming and the grasslands turn rich.
Monsoon, however, receives a large amount of rain and can be quite a challenge.
Winters are very cold but you are sure to get some of the clearest and most beautiful views of the Mount Everest. There are chances of heavy snowfall and the weather conditions are unpredictable.
Permits for Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp Nepal
There are various permits you require. You need an Everest Regional Area Permit and Sagarmatha National Park Entry Permit.
You can get the regional area permit and Sagarmatha National Park Permit at Monjo or you can get it in the Tourism Board in Kathmandu.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
You require a special permit and local guide to do so. You need these three permits, Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet, Aliens’ Travel Permit and the Frontier Pass.
Among them, the Tibet Travel Permit is necessary to enter Tibet. Allow us to arrange it for you.
Food and Accommodation
Everest Base Camp Nepal
There are a lot of guest houses and lodges available on the trekking trails.
The accommodation facilities highly depend on your budget. The most common ones are simple rooms with twin sharing basis without attached bathrooms.
Extra charges are applicable for the facilities like hot showers, wifi, t.v. or charging points provided in tea houses. But in popular trekking destinations like the EBC, you can still find accommodations with these facilities.
As for the food on the trail, the basic and the most popular food item is the Dal-Bhat. It is a plate of rice with sides of lentil soup and curried vegetables. It is a very healthy and fulfilling meal.
There are other menus available like fried noodles, dumplings etc. Please make sure to make your bookings/reservations in advance to avoid problems.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
In Lhasa, a variety of hotels are available with very good facilities. But the accommodation facilities in remote places like EBC are pretty basic. If you want to experience an authentic Tibetan atmosphere staying in one of the tented camps at EBC can be a better choice.
The decorations are of traditional Tibetan style. There is a warm stove in the middle of the tent with a clean water bottle and a vase with plastic flowers on Tibetan desks.
Electric blankets and thick bed sheets and stove will keep the tent warm and cozy throughout the night.
The toilets in the high altitudes are mostly pit toilets and there is also a shortage of water in the high altitudes.
There are varieties of local foods available in Lhasa. You will have a taste of Sichuan, Cantonese, and authentic Western dishes.
But in the higher altitudes, the food available are Tibetan noodles, dried yak meat, fried rice, instant noodles, porridge, hot butter tea etc.
But please make sure to book your accommodations in advance.
Total Cost to Visit Everest Base Camp
The cost for Everest Base Camp tour in Nepal and Tibet varies according to the season you travel in and your choice of accommodation and food.
However, joining a group always saves you money than a private tour. You can also try traveling in offseasons if you need to cut down on the cost.
Everest Base Camp Nepal
Traveling to the Everest Base Camp travel in Nepal can easily cost you about 2000 USD to 5000 USD.
This includes the cost of your permits, food and accommodation and flights.
Everest Base Camp Tibet
For traveling to EBC Tibet, you will need about USD 2000- USD 5000. But these will heavily differ according to the season you travel in and your choices of hotels and food.
The entrance fee costs you about 28.5 US Dollars and for the 4WD rides, it might cost you 70 US Dollars.
Conclusion
While both Everest Base Camp Tibet vs Nepal are amazing travel destinations, they both have their own pros and cons.
For people with a limited time frame, EBC Tibet is a better choice. It gives you amazing views of the mountains of the Everest Range and the view of the entire summit of the Everest.
But for people looking for a rugged and more adventurous trip, the EBC Nepal is the one for you. You will get to explore the changing landscapes and the Sherpa culture on this route.
For further queries and information, please contact us. We are always at your service and are happy to guide you.
