A trek to the lap of the world’s highest mountain, Everest Base Camp trek is a dream come true for many trekkers in the world. It is one of the most adventurous journeys to one of the most remote regions of the world.
On treks to Everest Base Camp, you get an up-close view of some of the highest mountains in the world.
These treks also offer a unique opportunity to see the lifestyle, culture of the world-famous “Sherpa” people.
The best seasons to trek to Everest Base Camp and to Nepal is the local Autumn and spring season.
September is the beginning of the autumn season in Nepal. With the arrival of September, Nepal bids farewell to the monsoon. A friendly weather and cool temperature, September experiences the increase in trekkers and travelers.
Everest Base Camp Trek Highlights
- View of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest
- Experience traditions, cultures, and lifestyle of the “Sherpa” people and other local ethnic tribes
- Tengboche Monastery, the oldest monastery of the region
- Magnificent views of some of the highest mountains in the world like Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Changtse, Ama Dablam, and other famous peaks in the region
- Namche Bazaar (3,450 m), the highest trade center in the world
- One of the most exciting flights in the world: to and from Lukla.
- The Everest region is rich in flora and fauna and a unique Himalayan ecosystem.
- The region is home to exotic wildlife- snow leopard, Himalayan bear, red panda, musk deer.
- Khumbu glacier, the largest glacier of Nepal.
Everest Base Camp Trek in September
September is the beginning of the peak season of Nepal. Hence, the trails will see a gradual increase in trekkers and travelers.
It rains during early September. Other than that you will enjoy warm and clear weather.
September will be less crowded than October and November. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy the trails at your own pace. You will not have to rush to your next destination to get rooms or queue for your meals.
Weather at Everest Base Camp Trek
The clear skies offer you magnificent views of the beautiful, surrounding mountains and landscapes. The monsoon clouds can still linger in early September in Nepal.
The weather and climate in September are reliable and pleasant. It beats the summer heat, torrential rainfalls, and cold freezing winter.
During September, the nights and early mornings at the mountain region is cold but not as cold as in winters. The day temperature varies from 18 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius. During the nights, the temperatures drop to 5-7 degrees Celsius.
At higher altitudes, the temperatures vary between 10-20 degrees Celsius. So, be sure to pack your clothes, equipment and supplies accordingly.
You need to have light, summer clothes for the warm days, warm, winter clothes for the nights and cold mornings. Be sure to pack rain/windproof jacket, pant and backpack cover for the occasional downpour during early September.
Everest Base Camp Trek Alternative Routes
There are different trails that you can take to reach Everest Base Camp. With the calm and cool weather conditions, you can enjoy all these trails at your own pace. Some of the recommended trekking routes to EBC (Everest Base Camp) are:
Everest – Cho-La Pass – Gokyo Trek
Everest-Cho-La Pass- Gokyo Trek is the perfect combination trek. This single trek takes you to three different trekking destinations- Everest Base Camp (5380m), Cho-La Pass (5420m) and Gokyo valley (4750m).
This trek also takes you to the famous Kala Pathar (5545m), the highest point of this trek.
Along with the opportunity to explore wonderful mountain lakes, amazing glaciers, you also get a 360-degree view of the mountain ranges in the Everest region.
The month of September sees cool temperature and lesser crowds making for a comfortable trek where you can enjoy the trails and view at your own pace.
Highlights of the Trek
- Adventurous, mountain view flight to and from Kathmandu-Lukla.
- Namche Bazaar (3450 m), the highest trade center
- Tengboche monastery (oldest monastery in the region)
- Traditional, quaint villages with preserved culture and lifestyle
- Exploring the culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the local people of the region
- Up-close view of some of the world’s highest mountain peaks, Mount Cho Oyu (8201m), Mount Makalu (8463 m), Mount Lhotse (8516 m) and Mount Everest (8848 m) and other mountain ranges of 7000m.
- Ngozumpa Glacier, the largest glacier in Nepal
- Gokyo Ri (5357 m): perfect vantage point to see the Gokyo valley, surrounding lakes and glaciers.
- Cho-La Pass (5420 m), the highest pass of the trek
- High possibility of spotting exotic wildlife in the lush, alpine forest.
Everest Base Camp with Island Peak
Everest Base Camp with Island Peak is a professionally designed trek to Everest Base camp. From here, you will trek to Kala Pathar and than scale Island Peak.
The locals call Island peak, “Imja Tse”. The peak was named by Eric Shipton in 1952.
The month of September welcomes the dry and cool autumn season making your trek here a comfortable one.
Highlights of the Everest Base Camp with Island Peak
- Exciting and short mountain flight to and from Kathmandu-Lukla
- Dudh Kosi Valley: Amazing view of the surrounding, soaring peaks of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru.
- Namche Bazaar- the capital of the world famous Sherpas
- Spectacular panoramas of the mountain vistas
Classic Jiri to Everest Base Camp Trek
The Jiri to Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most classic and promising trips to the world’s highest mountains’ base camp through Jiri.
This is the less trekked route to Everest Base Camp. It is the longest route to EBC and was used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to summit Everest.
The trek takes you off route through Solu-Khumbu and is less crowded than the other trails listed here. It gives you the authentic Himalayan trekking experience.
Highlights of the Trek
- Up-close view of some of the world’s highest mountain including Mount Everest, Nuptse, Thamserku, Lhotse
- Explore the traditional Sherpa villages- Junbesi, Kharikola along with their culture and lifestyle
- Well-preserved ancient Buddhist Monasteries, stupas and lots of prayer flags along the trekking route
- High, gorgeous valleys, glacial rivers
- Opportunity to climb some of the small and easy peaks in the regions.
Tips for Everest Base Camp Trek in September
Nepal welcomes the autumn season in September. The beginning of September sees traces of monsoon with the occasional rainfall and cloudy weather. So, take necessary precaution on the trails. The trails become slippery and muddy when it rains.
Make sure to pack all the essentials you need during the trek.
Some additional tips to make your Everest Base Camp trek a comfortable and safe one are:
Physical fitness
You don’t need to be a professional climber or athlete to trek to Everest Base Camp. However, you need to be fit enough to walk 6/7 hours on rough terrains to safely and comfortably do this trek.
Training for trekking in Nepal will provide you a guideline about things you can do to prepare yourself physically and mentally.
The best way to train is to do frequent hikes to your nearby hills at least a month before your actual trek.
Guide
The month of September is the beginning of the trekking season. It also sees some occasional rainfalls.
Having a guide ensures that you don’t get lost, hurt on the trails. A professional, licensed guide will have knowledge about the trails, tea houses, rest stops along the way.
S/he will have knowledge of the surrounding area- landmarks, flora, fauna, people. You can interact more closely with the locals with the help of a guide. They help you create a more cultural and well-rounded trekking experience.
Porter
Walking on rough terrains 6/7 hours on a daily basis will be a challenge for most people. Having an extra burden to carry will make it more difficult and uncomfortable. Having a porter minimizes this.
You will also be free to explore the landscape, trails, and villages.
Stay Hydrated
The cool temperatures in September may make you forget to keep yourself hydrated. Take extra care of hydrating yourself.
It is not only healthy but keeps health complications at bay.
Drinking enough water and fluids in the higher regions will help you to trek comfortably and safely.
Advance Booking
If you are trekking during early September, you may not have to pre-book.
From mid-late September, you may have a difficult time finding good places to stay and eat at if you don’t pre-book.
We recommend you to pre-book everything so that you get the best of everything while on your trek in September.
Clothing, Equipment, and Supplies
Packing for any trek can be challenging. You don’t want to over-pack nor under-pack. The below is a guideline for what you may need to pack for your trek to Everest Base Camp in September.
You are free to modify it according to your needs.
Head and Hands
- Wide-brimmed Sunhat
- Sunglasses (Polarized UV)
- Bandana or scarf (to protect your neck)
- Waterproof and windproof gloves (optional)
Jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Synthetic insulated jacket
- Waterproof shell jacket (occasional rainfall)
- Down jacket (optional)
Clothing
- Moisture-wicking tops (warm days)
- Loose comfortable T-shirt
- Long sleeve shirt
- Thermal innerwear (cold nights)
- Convertible hiking pants
- Hiking undergarments
Footwear
- Normal socks
- Woolen hiking socks
- Easy to dry socks (occasional rainfall)
- Hiking boots (ankle support)
- Hiking sandals
- Hiking gaiters (optional)
Toiletries and Personal Hygiene
- Antibacterial sanitizer
- Sunscreen cream
- Moisturizer
- Tissue or toilet paper (some bathrooms do not have these)
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Quick drying towel (wet towels stink up the whole bag)
- Feminine hygiene products (not easily available on the trails)
- Shampoo and conditioners (sample sizes-enough to last the trek)
Accessories
- Headlamps with extra batteries (early morning treks)
- Trekking poles (great support on slippery trails and descending)
- Insulated water bottle (great to relax muscles)
- Small waist bag
- First aid kit
- Extra plastic bags (for your own garbage and to keep your things dry)
- Sleeping bag with liner (easier to warm up than some of the blankets provided)
- Day backpack (sturdy and waterproof)
- Backpack cover (for dust and occasional rainfall)
Additional Recommended Items
- DSLR Camera with extra batteries
- Binoculars (optional)
- Map of route and mountains
- Polar blanket and pillowcase
- Personal documents (you may need to present them on the trails)
Nepal is popular for trekking. So, you can easily find everything you might need for your treks either in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can also rent your equipment and supplies from these places.
Some of the basic trekking essentials are also available on the trails of Everest base camp.
If you prefer specific brands for the equipment and supplies that are available only in your region, then you can bring it.
Conclusion
Treks to Everest Base Camp is possible and doable throughout the year. Only with the right preparation, motivation, equipment, and supplies.
Nepal has a variety of trails and trekking destinations. There is a range of trails to choose from for trekking to Everest Base Camp.
You can choose one that is suitable for you and modify the duration according to your needs and requirements.
Trek to Everest Base Camp in September is an ideal choice for many reasons.
September is the beginning of the peak months. The trails are not super packed with trekkers and travelers.
The weather is also ideal. It is not too hot nor freezing cold.
If you have any queries or questions on treks to Everest Base Camp or anywhere in Nepal, feel free to contact us.
