Trekking to Nepal, the land of the Himalayas is a dream destination for many trekkers in the world. Nepal is one of the favorite destinations for trekking in the world with 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world.
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is one of the most sought after adventure treks, doing so in August adds to the thrill. Unlike the peak seasons, you will find the trails less crowded and get to experience the magnificent landscapes at leisure.
Trekking in the Everest region can be completed comfortably and safely throughout the year. Treks here are some of the best treks in Nepal. Doing so in the month of August is a bit trickier and more adventurous.
Having the right plans, preparation, guide, trekking agency can be a great help in making your trek to Everest Base Camp a great one in August.
Highlights of trek in Everest Base Camp in August
- Trekking to the footsteps of Everest, the highest mountain of the world
- Short yet thrilling mountain flight to and from Lukla
- Beautiful sunrise and sunsets on clear days, evenings
- Namche Bazaar (world’s highest trade market)
- Full gush of rivers and waterfalls
- The air will be clean as the dust settles down.
- Numerous stupas and prayer wheels along the way
- Experience of a unique culture and lifestyle of remote mountain region of Nepal
- View of the majestic, snow capped mountains like Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Pumori on clear days
- Lush, green forest, blooms of wildflowers, alpine flowers
- Tengboche Monastery (largest monastery of Khumbu region)
- Khumbu Glacier (largest glacier of Nepal)
- Quiet and less crowded trails, tea houses.
- Some tea houses and agencies offer discounted monsoon packages and flights
Everest Base Camp in August
There are various aspects you need to consider before you plan your EBC Trek in August.
Weather
August falls in the middle of the monsoon season in Nepal. It can get very humid, hot and wet on most of the trekking trails in Nepal. This month sees torrential rainfall along with thunderstorms.
For the lower regions of your trekking, you can expect temperatures above 23 degrees Celsius for the days and around 16 degrees Celsius during the nights.
The weather conditions and temperatures change and become less stable as you go higher up in altitude. You should always be prepared for this during treks to passes and to base camps.
The weather in Everest Base Camp is slightly colder and drier than the lower regions of the trek.
Accommodation
Most of the tea houses in the Everest region are open throughout the year except for the months of December and January with a few exceptions.
This month sees very less number of trekkers, so you can get your pick from the available tea houses, suitable rooms. Some of the packages do come with a pre-booked tea houses.
Food and Water
One of the best things about trekking in August is not having to queue for your food. You can eat when you please without having to wait for your turn.
Most of the tea houses, restaurants along the trails will be open for business during this month and will have less occupancy.
It is also recommended to have purification-tabs or gels for safety against water contamination.
You can purchase bottled water, hot water, soda, coffee, tea along the way. However, the prices do go up with the increase in altitude. It is always recommended to pay for refilling your water bottle over buying a new one.
With or without a Guide
Trekking with a guide especially during the month of August is strongly recommended. An experienced guide will make sure that you have a comfortable and safe trek.
Experienced guides have the knowledge on the changing weather conditions in Nepal and so will have all the necessary and latest information of the trails.
They will know which trails to take and to avoid, the landslide and mudslide areas, any recent trail damage that may have occurred and so on.
Trekking solo or without a guide is possible on these trails, however, your trek may be halted on the trails for your safety by the authorities during rainfalls, thunderstorms.
Duration of the Trek
The number of days for your trek depends on which package you are comfortable with. The duration of the treks depends on where you choose to start your trek, the transportation you use, the number of acclimatization days and so on.
Some of the popular ones are the Everest Base Camp -15 days, Everest Base Camp- 14 days.
Almost all these trekking packages require you to walk on rough terrain for at least 5/6 hours on a daily basis. The uphill and downhill treks can be more comfortable if you prepare in advance.
Physical Fitness and Experience
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is slightly more adventurous during the month of August.
It is suitable for anyone who is comfortable walking uphill, downhill on rough, uneven trails in all weather conditions for 6/7 hours on a daily basis.
The experience of trekking to Everest Base Camp during the month of August will be unique in many ways: unexpected clear days, muddy and slippery trails, blooms of wildflowers, less crowded trails, your pick of tea houses and rooms, no queue for meals.
Trekking Permits
For trekking in Nepal, you need to collect the necessary permits and permissions issued by Nepal Government.
Every trekker requires two different permits to trek to the Everest Base Camp throughout the year.
Firstly, local entry permit (obtainable in Lukla).
Secondly, tickets to enter the Sagarmatha Conservation Area. This ticket is required for any trekker who wants to trek in the Everest Region. Sagarmatha is the local name for Everest. A trek to the Everest Base Camp takes you through the Sagarmatha Conservation Area which is a protected area and hence you require having a permit for it.
The Sagarmatha Conservation Area Entry permit is easily obtainable from Kathmandu. You will pass through various checkpoints while doing this trek, hence keeping the permits in your daypack is recommended.
Note: TIMS is not required for the Everest Base Camp trek as of the new regulations in the Everest region.
Trek Clothing
A pair of good, waterproof shoes with proper grips along with easy, dry socks to trek on the muddy and slippery trails is strongly recommended for treks to Everest Base Camp during the month of August.
You also have to pack light, breathable clothes to counter the heat and humidity during the day; light, winter clothes for cold, windy weather during the nights, downpour, thunderstorms.
It is also recommended to bring light, wind and water jackets suited for monsoons to make sure you remain dry and comfortable during the treks.
For the sunny, clear days, a pair of polarized UV sunglasses and a wide-brimmed sun hat is also recommended to protect you from direct sunlight. The sun can be brutal during the clear, summer (monsoon) days of Nepal.
Trekking Equipment and Supplies
You can choose to bring your own equipment and supplies or hire it from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Some basic trekking supplies can be found on the popular trekking routes like the Everest Base Camp trek as well.
Here is a detailed list of trekking equipment and supplies you may need on your trek. The list given below is just a guideline considering Everest Base Camp Trek in August.
Toiletries and Personal Hygiene
- Tissue or toilet paper (some toilets along the trails may not have them)
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioners (sample sizes)
- Quick drying towel
- Moisturizer
- Antibacterial sanitizer and Wet wipes
- Sunscreen cream
- Feminine hygiene products
Accessories
- Waterproof backpacks (safer for your personal belongings and important documents)
- Sleeping bag with a liner (for windy and cold nights when it rains)
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamps and extra batteries (for trekking during the early hours)
- Insulated water bottle
- Insect repellant sprays, bands or ointment (mosquitoes and leeches may bother you during your trek in August) Or
Table salt (protects from Leeches)
- Extra plastic bags (to store your garbage along the way and to keep your things dry)\
- First aid kit
- Rain cover for your backpack (protects from rain, mud along the trail)
- Whistle (precautionary)
Additional Recommended Items
- Binoculars (optional, the wildlife becomes more interesting during this season)
- DSLR Camera
- Extra batteries for your DSLR Camera
- Rain cover for you DSLR Camera and Camera bag
- Maps of route and mountains
- Personal documents
- Polar blanket and pillowcase (if not comfortable sleeping on the ones provided by tea houses)
Altitude Sickness
The highest point of this trek takes you above 5000m, you will be trekking in altitudes of 2000m higher on a daily basis.
Despite the month you choose to trek, considering the key symptoms, precautions, and safety measures related to altitude sickness is a plus point.
Having extra days on your trek
It is always a good idea if you have room for adjustment on your trekking days especially during the month of August.
The duration and speed of your trek may get hampered due to the weather conditions: your flights in and out of Lukla may alter due to weather condition. Muddy and slippery trails can slow your trek.
Additional tips for trek in Everest Base Camp in August
- You should get an early start on your treks as most of the rainfalls occur in the mid-afternoon or the later part of the day.
- Have enough change of clothes to last for the duration of the trek. (clothes easily gets dirty from the muddy trails, rain).
- Get a local and healthy porter to carry your equipments, supplies. Carrying your own equipment, gears on any long duration, high altitude treks will make your trek more difficult and exhausting; hence it is not recommended to do so. Along with these the slippery and muddy trails will make it difficult to maintain your balance with the weight of your luggage.
- The trails will be more vibrant during the monsoon so be open to exploring the trails.
- Learn to enjoy the rain; after all it is just water.
- You can take lots of photos at your own pace without causing any inconvenience to other people.
- You can explore the blooms of many wildflowers on the trails.
- Landslides, mudslides, flood may occur during the month of August, have a guide with you at all times while undertaking any unknown or not commonly used trail.
- Get latest updates of weather and make plans accordingly.
Conclusion
Trekking in Nepal to the Everest Base Camp is possible throughout the year including August with the right preparation, equipment, gear and flexible number of trekking days.
It is adventurous, challenging and thrilling experience. The rainfalls are usually sharp and short and should not bother your trek.
You will never have to worry about accommodation or meals as the trails will be less crowded.
Due to the rain, the forest, terrace farms, valleys, hills and the trails will be more lush and green making for spectacular views of the landscape and surrounding. You can enjoy the forests at their best along with the blooms of alpine flowers.
For further information regarding your trek in August to Everest Base Camp or any other regions of Nepal, feel free to contact us.
